“Nee, I don’t. How many are there?”
“There are about sixty different shades of white, so I’d hate to think how many different shades of cream there’d be. And then after we choose the color, we need to make the decision whether it’s going to be flat, gloss, or semi-gloss. Then there’s under-paint, over-paint, and the list goes on.” Simon glanced over at her and smiled.
“Over-paint? Is that the same as normal paint?”
He shrugged, and then shook his head. “I’m no paint expert.”
“I can see how difficult that would be; no wonder you need me to help you.”
He wagged a finger at her. “And I’m trusting you to do a good job.”
“I’ll do my very best.”
When they arrived at the paint store, Anita was pleased that Simon rushed to help her down from the buggy.
They browsed through the paint cards, and then Anita decided on a color. “Do you think you should try a small portion of it on your wall first?”
“Is that what people do?” Simon asked.
“Only if it’s an important decision for you. Or, if you’re not sure about it.”
Simon looked down at the sample paint card in his hand. “I think that’ll do fine, and they tell me for walls it’s best to choose a flat paint.”
Anita nodded. Before long, the paint had been mixed, and Simon was loading two large cans into the back of the buggy.
He looked back at Anita. “You know you have to help me paint, don’t you?”
Anita shook her head and put both hands on her tummy. “You’ll be waiting a while if you want me to help you. Besides, I didn’t say I’d help you paint.”
“Fair enough. You’ll have to come and watch me while I paint, then.”
She shook her head. “Amos wouldn’t approve.”
Simon chuckled. “You’re right about that, I guess.”
“How about I come and look at it after you’ve painted it?”
Simon pulled a sad face. “I suppose that’ll have to do. I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you get out of painting if you agree to have lunch with me right now.”
“I could do with something to eat,” Anita said.
Simon took them to a diner on the edge of town. They sat in the very back booth and looked through the menus. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m always hungry lately. Only thing is I can’t eat too much because I get heartburn. The midwife said I have to eat little bits, and often.”
After the waitress took their order, Simon stared at Anita.
Anita laughed. “What is it that you’re looking at?”
He laughed too. “Nothing.”
“You can’t laugh at me and then just say ‘nothing.’ Tell me what’s so funny.”
“I was just thinking about the situation your bruder got you into with Eli.”
“I don’t know if that’s anything to laugh about.” Anita grimaced. “He put me in a bad position. It was very embarrassing and probably more so for poor old Eli.”
“Have you told your bruder how you feel?”
“I had a good talk with him last evening. He seemed to understand how I feel.”
“Seemed to?” Simon cocked his head to one side.
“I’m confident he understands.”
“Well, both you and Hannah must be wearing him down.”
“He does have very definite opinions about things. So, when are you going to start painting?”
“I think I’ll start tonight.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait for the warmer weather?”
“Nee. We always get busy at work in the summer months. And it doesn’t matter too much if it takes a while to dry.” He smiled and his eyes sparkled. “I’m in the big house all on my own.”
Anita giggled when she remembered what Fran had said. “Fran seemed quite concerned that it’s only you in that big house. Do you want me to have a word with her? She’d most likely love to write out a list for you as well.”
Simon raised his hands. “Please don’t.”
Anita stared at him and wondered if he knew that many girls liked him. Fran had said that quite a few girls had come to her house in tears because he never gave them any attention.
“What are you thinking about? You’ve got that far-away look in your eyes.”
“I was just thinking that it must be hard to be a bishop and have to listen to everybody’s problems.”
“Did you tell him your problems?”
Anita’s eyes grew wide as she tried to recall exactly what she’d talked to the bishop about. “When I went to visit the bishop, we only talked for five minutes before he was called away. The rest of the time I spoke to Fran. That’s when she gave me the list.”
“That’s right, and you tasted her chocolate cake. Did you ever get that recipe from her?”
“Nee. I haven’t asked her about it again, but I have tried various cake recipes to try to make one that tastes the same.”
“Any success?”
“Nowhere near it.”
“Your big mistake was not getting the recipe right away when she said she’d give it to you.”
Anita shrugged her shoulders. “I can’t turn back the clock.”
The waitress placed their plates in front of them.
Anita stared down at the burger and fries on the over-sized plate. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get through all of this.”
Simon picked up his burger with both hands. “Aren’t you eating for two?”
“I’ve been extremely hungry, but this is far too much. You might have to help me out with this lot.”
Simon had just taken a mouthful of burger, so he nodded his head.
When Simon drove Anita home that afternoon, Simon walked into the house with Anita. When Amos saw him, he grunted. Simon said he had things to do and made an excuse to leave.
Anita wasn’t happy with her brother, but because she knew her brother felt bad about Eli leaving, she didn’t say anything to him about being so rude.
Chapter 17
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
* * *
It was weeks later, and the midwife had visited Anita at the house.
“All’s well with the boppli?” Amos asked after Dora had left.
“Jah, everything is going fine. And she’ll be coming to see me every few days until the birth, since it’s so close.”
“Gut.”
Anita thought about her younger brothers who had left the community. She hadn’t seen them in years. She wondered whether they had wives and children, or had remained unmarried. There had been no word from them. It hurt her that they hadn’t bothered to keep in touch. She didn’t know where they were. They could’ve called to their parents’ old house, or could have written. She glanced over at Amos wondering if he ever thought about his older brothers.
“Simon’s coming to dinner,” Amos said suddenly.
“Jah, he is. I’m glad you two have sorted out your differences.”
Amos stared ahead. “It’s sometimes not easy to get along with familye.”
Anita heard Hannah come back into the house through the back door. She walked into the kitchen and saw Hannah with a bundle of vegetables. “She said everything looks good, Hannah.”
“I’m glad. And the space we made for the boppli is all ready and waiting.”
Hannah and Anita had given Sam’s old crib a fresh coat of white paint, and Hannah was nearly finished making the quilt. They’d pushed the double bed over to one side of the bedroom, and there was more than enough room for the crib in Anita’s large bedroom.
“I think it’ll be a boy,” Hannah said.
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
“Have a lie down, Anita, and then you’ll be fresh for Simon’s visit.”
Anita frowned and looked across the kitchen at Hannah. “Nee, I have to help you.”
“Off you go.” Hannah made shooing motions wi
th both hands. “Both boys are sleeping, so I can get plenty done before they wake up.”
“I’ll just have a little sleep, then. If that’s all right?”
“Jah. I want you to be well rested.”
Anita walked into her bedroom wondering if Hannah guessed that she was starting to feel fond of Simon. She lay down on her bed; a rest was just what she needed.
When Anita woke, she wasn't sure she hadn't slept the whole night and missed dinner. She walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, and then headed out to the kitchen.
She opened the door and immediately smelled the roasted chicken and vegetables. Then she heard men’s voices in the living room.
“There you are. I was just about to go and wake you,” Hannah said.
“Simon’s already here?”
“Jah. He’s in the living room.”
Anita looked over at the boys’ empty table. “Where are the boys?”
“They’re playing out in the living room. Can you tell everyone to come in now? Dinner’s ready.”
Anita looked at the set table. “You should’ve woken me sooner.”
“Nee.”
Anita was nervous about seeing Simon. She told herself not to be silly, and walked into the living room. Simon and Amos rose to their feet when she entered the room.
“Dinner ready?” Amos asked.
“Hello, Anita,” Simon said.
“Hello, Simon, and jah, dinner is ready.”
“Come on, Ben, Sam,” Amos called to the boys.
The boys left their wooden toys at the side of the room, and followed them into the kitchen. Anita put the boys’ food in front of them, and then sat down at the table.
After the silent prayers were said, Amos rubbed his hands together. “This looks gut.”
Simon nodded. “It does, Hannah.” He looked at Anita. “And, Anita.”
“I’m afraid I was asleep, and left Hannah to cook the dinner all on her own.”
“You’re not sick, are you?” Simon asked.
Amos said, “The midwife was here to see her, and everything’s fine.”
Anita nodded.
“I’m happy to hear it. You should come and look at my newly painted rooms.”
“You’ve done it already?” Anita asked.
“I have. And you made a wunderbaar choice of color.” He looked at Hannah and said, “Why don’t you and Anita walk the boys over tomorrow?”
“After the meeting?” Hannah asked.
“I forgot the meeting was on tomorrow. Jah, come after the meeting.”
Hannah smiled. “We’d like that. We don’t visit often enough.”
The dinner went without a cross word or argument. Both Hannah and Amos took the boys upstairs to put them to bed.
“Amos seems to have a different attitude toward me now,” Simon said.
“I know he does.”
“Have you said anything to him?”
“I’ve said a lot to him, but I’ve got no idea what made the difference. Maybe Hannah said something.”
They had a few more minutes alone before Hannah and Amos came back down the stairs.
The next day’s gathering was held at Hans Yoder’s haus. Anita and Hannah had just reached the back row, when Anita felt strong pains.
“I think the boppli’s coming,” she whispered to Hannah.
“What? Now?”
“Jah, I had pains all night, but they were mild so I thought they were nothing. Only now they're getting worse.”
“Anita, you should’ve said something sooner. I’ll tell Amos, and then Dora can follow us.”
Anita looked over at Dora, who was looking at them and seemed to sense what was going on. When Hannah took the two boys to tell Amos what was happening, Dora hurried over to Anita.
“Is it time?” Anita asked.
“Jah,” Dora said. “I think it is. I’ll drive you to Amos’ house.”
Just as they walked out of the house, Simon came running after her. “Anita, are you all right?”
Dora held up her hand in front of his face. “It’s her time. It’s a time when she needs women around her, not men.”
Simon nodded and stepped back. Anita gave him a little smile before Dora had her walking to the buggy.
Six hours later, Daniel Joshua Graber was born. Anita held the tiny bundle in her arms and looked down at him. Dora had wrapped him in a white cotton wrap, with nothing showing except his tiny dark-pink hands and his face. Hannah had stayed beside her the whole time.
“He’s so beautiful, Anita,” Hannah said. “I can’t wait for Ben and Sam to get back from mamm’s haus so they can see him.”
“He’s a miracle. I can’t keep my eyes from him.”
The midwife was now busy cleaning up the room. “He’s a fine bu.”
“I’ll tell Amos he’s born,” Hannah said.
“He would’ve heard him cry,” Dora said bluntly.
Hannah ignored Dora and left the room. When Hannah came back into the room a moment later, she sat next to Anita. “Amos is excited, and so is Simon.”
“Simon’s here?”
“He’s been here the whole time, waiting with Amos. They’d like to see both of you.”
“Let me clean up first,” Dora said. “There are some things men were never meant to see.”
Hannah and Anita smiled at each other.
Hannah sighed. “Daniel makes me long for another boppli.”
“I’m certain you’ll have more,” Anita said. “Many more.”
“Was the birth what you’d thought it would be?” Hannah asked.
“I guess it wasn’t too far different than what people had told me. It wasn’t as bad as some of them had said.”
Dora opened the door that led outside to take a load of things to her buggy. When she came back, she said, “All done. You can let the men in now, if you must.”
Hannah opened the door, and called Amos and Simon in. Simon let Amos go ahead of him to get his first look at his nephew.
“I can’t let anyone have a hold of him because I can’t let go of him just yet,” Anita joked.
Amos moved away, and let Simon come forward to see Daniel.
“He’s lovely, Anita,” Simon said.
Anita stared down at the bundle in her arms. “Yes he is.”
“Now is he my nephew once removed, or is it by marriage?” he spoke in a high voice.
Anita laughed at him mimicking Fran. “He’s your nephew, and I don’t know about the rest. It’s too much for me to think about right now.”
Chapter 18
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,
that thou mayest observe to do according to all
that is written therein:
for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8
* * *
Over the next year, life for Anita and Daniel settled into a routine. Simon had gone back to his pattern of having dinner a few times a week at Hannah and Amos’ house. He was often included when the family group attended community events, and he and Anita continued to enjoy each other's company.
It was after one of those family dinners that Simon had an opportunity to have a private word with Anita.
“On Tuesday, after Hannah goes to work, Amos will be out working on the farm.” He laughed. “I’ve rehearsed this, and now I can’t remember what I’m supposed to say.”
Anita smiled. “Just say it plainly.”
“I want you to come somewhere with me; you and Daniel.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be working, telling your men what to do?”
“I’m the boss. They can do without me for one day. I want to take Daniel on his first outing.”
“He’s been on lots of outings.”
“Not with me. I’ll take him on his first buggy ride in my buggy.”
Anita giggled, and nodded. “I�
�ll look forward to it.”
They were interrupted when Amos came back into the room.
“What were you two talking about?”
Anita and Simon looked at each other, and Amos raised his hands. “Don’t tell me.” Amos sat down shaking his head.
Simon left not long after that, and Anita went into her room. She stared at her sleeping baby. Anita was excited about seeing Simon the next day and wanted to share it with someone, but there was no one to tell.
She leaned over and whispered to Daniel, who had just moved into his big boy’s bed, “I’ll never let you forget your Dat. Joshua is your vadder, and when you get bigger, I’ve got so many stories I can tell you about him.”
She leaned down close to his face and kissed him gently on his soft cheek before changing into her nightgown and getting into her own bed.
The next day, they were with Simon in his buggy. “And where are we going? Can you tell me yet?”
“I’m going to take you both on a picnic.”
“Daniel and I love picnics.”
Simon stopped the buggy between his place and Amos’ house. He led them to the place where they’d run into each other not long after she’d arrived. She’d been making daisy chains and he’d been checking on his fences.
He had a blanket spread out already and a large picnic basket was on one side. There were limp daisy chains on the blanket. He picked one up, and laughed. “They didn’t look like this when I made them yesterday.”
“You made them yesterday, and they’ve had no water?” Anita laughed at him. “It was so nice of you to do this for us.” She looked down at Daniel who had recently had his first birthday. “Say ‘denke, onkel Simon.’”
Daniel waved his arms and jabbered a few sounds in response, trying to decide if he liked crawling on the ground.
“I didn’t do it for Daniel. Although it was nice of him to join us.” He stared into her eyes. “I did it for you. Let’s sit.”
Anita was pleased. She smiled at him when they’d sat down, and then she looked away.
“Do you think that Amos is right about our age difference?” Simon asked.
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