Doubting Thomas-Nurse Hal Among The Amish

by Risner, Fay

  Emma said, “September fifteenth is my twentieth birthday. I wondered if we could get married on that day, but if that is not possible, we can pick another date that works for you.”

  “John, what do you think?” Hal asked.

  “What Emma and Adam wants is all recht with me,” John said agreeably.

  “Gute, then the date is agreed on if it works for the bishop. You should talk to him soon so another couple doesn't get that date.” Hal went silent and stared off into space.

  Emma imagined wheels turning in her stepmother's mind, like those in the alarm clock. “Hallie, what are you thinking?”

  “I'm counting up the days in my head. This is the first of June. Lots of details to work out by mid September. Oh dear, I hope I'm up to this task.”

  “I will help you, Hallie. We will do this together,” Emma encouraged.

  “We need to make a list so we can mark the details off as we finish them,” Hal said, starting for the kitchen. “I'll get a pad and pen.”

  Emma grabbed her arm. “We will do that but not until tomorrow. It is too late tonight to think about wedding details. We need to be rested so we have clear heads.”

  Hal's parents, Jim and Nora Lindstrom, received a letter a few days later about Emma and Adam's fall wedding. They were eager to drive from Titonka to the Lapp farm as soon as possible.

  Nora asked her sister, Tootie, if she wanted to go with them again. Tootie hesitated while she gave traveling south into Amish country some thought. She had sad memories from the last time she visited the Lapps.

  For some reason, these days she didn't always have a lot of energy. She knew the stay at the Lapp farm would be a long one. All summer from the sounds of things, and that would be tiring. Then again, she liked Emma and Adam an awful lot. She felt as if she should be at their wedding, and she'd like to be there. So in the end, Tootie talked herself into going with Jim and Nora.

  As soon as they finished packing, Jim headed Nora and Tootie to the car, and they were on the road. They stopped for lunch at a roadside diner. Jim stopped twice to gas the car at Casey Stores where they could use the restroom and get a bottle of pop. By late afternoon, they were near Wickenburg.

  “Tootie, you've been quiet for miles. Are you asleep back there?” Nora Lindstrom twisted in the seat to look over her shoulder at her sister.

  Tootie's curly, short hair had less gray in it than her straight, feathered cut. Nora suspected Tootie colored her hair, but Tootie wouldn't tell. Most people commented they looked a lot alike, but Nora couldn't see it. Tootie was shorter than her by a head.

  “I'm not asleep. Just don't have a reason to talk. Haven't seen anything interesting out my window to mention that I didn't see when we made the trip the last time,” groused Tootie. “How much longer until we get to the Lapp Farm?”

  “Maybe an hour,” Jim Lindstrom said, pressing his aching, broad shoulders against the seat and massaging the back of his neck just below his white hair with his left hand.

  “Tootie, you better relax while you can. Hallie's letter says she's going to need a lot of help, preparing for Emma's wedding. She intends to put us to work as soon as we get there,” Nora forewarned.

  “You said you'd read her letter to me. You never did,” Tootie said in a pouting tone.

  “Sorry, I forgot. I brought the letter with me.” Nora rifled through her purse. “Ah, here it is.” She unfolded the letter and underscored each line with a fingertip as she read out loud.

  Dear Mom and Dad,

  Greeting to you on this lovely summer day.

  We want to share our wonderful news from the Lapp farm. Emma and Adam are getting married. You know how delighted we are. Finally, this young man is going to be part of our family. Of course, he has seemed like family for a long time already. That's the good news.

  Not so good news is, Emma and I have so much to do to prepare for the wedding we don't know where to start. I can't remember when I've been so nervous about the success of any one event. I'm afraid we're going to need lots of help if you two are willing to come lend a hand. We will be expecting two hundred plus guests.

  If the wedding preparations weren't enough to keep me busy, taking care of Redbird and Beth is a challenge. They're quite a pair of mischievous, energetic three year olds but better than when they were in their terrible twos.

  What a difference six months makes. One afternoon, Emma set the egg basket too close to the edge of the table and went back outside to water the chickens. She was gone longer than she meant to be. She had to break up a squabble between Tom Turkey and the dog. They were both after the same cold biscuit.

  While we weren't looking, the girls pulled the basket off the table onto the floor. What eggs didn't break, I'm sure the girls helped crack by playing ball with them.

  It took Emma and me both to clean up the mess and the girls. By the time I bathed the girls, Emma had the kitchen floor spotless again. You know how particular Emma is about her clean floors. It took her a little while to get her sense of humor back about the mess and the loss of all those good eggs. We're very glad to see Redbird and Beth are passed that stage.

  John plans to butcher the fattened hog just before the wedding day. Pulled pork sandwiches are on the menu for the wedding lunch. That's a big project and mean hours of cooking pork. Emma will pick women in the community to help cook the other food, including fried chicken. I understand that's the way it works. We will be glad for all their help.

  Now that I've shared our news, I must get busy. We want you to be here for the wedding and please pass our invitation on to Aunt Tootie. We want her to share this special day with us, the Lord willing and if she is up to it.

  Keep Emma and me in your prayers that all goes well as we plan this wonderful event. Emma and I agree there isn't a need for us or you to worry about praying for John and Adam. As with most men, Emma says the men are mistakenly going on the premise what will be will be. That means they assume Emma and I will handle everything important so that lets them off the hook. Ha!

  With All Our Love and Christ's Blessing On Both Of You,

  Hallie and the Lapp family

  Nora grinned at Jim. “Isn't that a funny story about Redbird and Beth getting into the eggs?”

  Jim chuckled. “Sounds like the little girls are starting out just like Hallie did at that age. Remember what a handful she was?”

  “Indeed I do, and I'll remind her when I get a chance. Help me think of some of the mischievous things she did. I'm sure I won't remember them all,” Nora said.

  Tootie huffed. “Are we going to hear a bunch more of these cute baby stories while we're at the farm?”

  “Ah, Tootie! Don't you like cute baby stories?” Nora asked.

  “Well, maybe one now and then is okay, but too many of them aren't cute anymore. After awhile, they're just plain tiresome,” Tootie complained.

  “You shouldn't be that way. Those girls are your great nieces,” scolded Nora.

  “All I'm saying is cute baby stories should be short and told very infrequently as far as I'm concerned,” Tootie declared.

  “Don't worry about it. Hal will be too busy to tell many stories. She's going to be planning the wedding,” Jim said.

  “That's very true. That's why I want to get to the farm as quickly as we can so we can help,” Nora said.

  “If John figures on butchering a hog for the meal, he and the boys will need help. I haven't helped butcher since I was a young man. I sure want to get in on that,” Jim said eagerly.

  Chapter 2

  Paper rustling noises came from the back seat. Nora scolded, “Tootie, are you eating another candy bar? We'll be eating supper with Hallie and her family soon. You know how much food Hallie and Emma feed us. Can't you wait?”

  “I'm not eating. I'm reading, and I don't like what I just read. If we weren't so far from home, I'd make Jim turn around and take me back. You didn't tell me before we started I'd have to work on this trip. Come to think of it, I didn't know I'd have to wo
rk the last time either. Look how that turned out.” Tootie made protesting, tisking noises. “I'd say this visit is going to be worse.”

  “What on earth are you talking about?” Nora asked.

  Tootie droned, “Many hands are needed to prepare mountains of food for a wedding. A woman, especially adept to baking, was asked to make four hundred doughnuts. Aunts on the bride's mother's side make most of the cookies and wedding nothings also known as Knee Patches. Those are thin, sweet fried pastries sprinkled with confectioner's sugar.

  The bride's mother is responsible for orchestrating the work before the wedding, but she appoints an organizer, usually a close relative to be in charge on the wedding day.” The elderly woman stopped to take a breath before she said, “Close relatives to Emma are you and me, Nora. Let me tell you, I don't know nothing about making Wedding Nothings. You're on your own when they ask for fried pastries.”

  “How do you know this stuff?”

  “I'm reading it.”

  “You didn't bring that old Amish book with you?” Nora snapped.

  “Not the one you mean. I bought a book on Amish weddings so I'd know what happens. It's called The Amish Wedding and other special occasions of the Old Order Communities. It's a good thing I did. Now I know what we're in for since we're the bride's Aunt and Grandma.”

  “For goodness sakes! A little work won't hurt you. Don't you know doing nothing will wear you out faster than keeping busy?”

  “Says you, Sister. Anyhow, I see nothing wrong with being informed about the Amish customs. After all, we'll be rubbing elbows with a bunch of Amish at the wedding,” Tootie defended.

  Nora huffed in annoyance.

  Jim said, “Now, Nora, I don't see what bringing that book with her will hurt.”

  Tootie perked up. “Thank you, Jim.”

  Nora threw Tootie's words back at her. “All right, I'm outnumbered. Let me tell you this. If you get that book out in front of Hallie's family, it should only be for a short time and very infrequently.”

  For the rest of the trip, Tootie stayed quiet in the back seat. Nora peeked over her shoulder several times to see if her sister was awake. Tootie chose to keep quiet and occupy herself by staring out the window.

  Jim turned off the pavement onto a gravel road south of Wickenburg. He drove past picturesque farms, rolling pastures and forests now familiar to them. As he drove by the turn off to Bender Creek road, Jim announced, “Passing Lover's Lane. We'll be at the Lapp farm shortly, ladies.” He glanced at his wrist watch. “Four o'clock. Just in time for me to help with milking.”

  When at last they reached Hallie Lapp's home, Jim pulled into the driveway and parked. The family's cream colored dog crawled out from under the enclosed buggy in the lean-to and raced to meet the car. He stopped at the edge of the lawn and turned toward the house. His head lifted high, he howled one of his finest baying alerts to the Lapp family to tell them company had arrived.

  The dog wanted to do some greeting of his own. He ran to the car, jumped up and peered in the back window at Tootie. She gasped when his head came so close even though glass was between them. The dog gave her a toothy grin and smeared the window with his wet nose, trying to get at her.

  “Look how big that dog has gotten. He sure has grown since the last time we saw him,” Jim declared.

  “I hope the boys get out here soon and hold onto him. If he's loose, I'm not getting out of the car. He might knock us down,” Tootie grumbled.

  “Now, Tootie, don't complain about that dog. Hallie's family likes him, but I must admit Jim the dog is too big to let jump on us,” Nora admonished.

  Tootie gave the dog her meanest glare as she slapped the window, trying to scare him into getting down. “Jim, when he was a puppy, I liked him, too. Now not so much.”

  “I'll ask the boys to keep the dog away from the car so you two can get out,” Jim growled. As the Lapp family gathered at the edge of the driveway, he climbed out and greeted them. “Hi, folks.” The dog brushed against his leg. Jim bent and patted his head. Satisfied he'd had his share of attention, the dog trotted over to stand by Noah and Daniel.

  “We're so glad you made it safely,” Hal cried, giving him a big hug, which included hugging blonde haired Beth in her arms.

  John shook hands with Jim while Redbird wiggled in his arms, trying to get down. Jim patted Redbird on her red head. “Hello, sweet thing.”

  Hal motioned toward the car for Nora and Tootie to join them. They shook their heads no. “Why aren't Mom and Aunt Tootie getting out?”

  Jim snickered. “They're afraid of the dog. He took a liking to Tootie already. Tried to kiss her through the window. Boys, do you still call your dog Biscuit or have you given him another name?”

  Noah ducked his head sheepishly.“ Nah, he is still Biscuit.”

  “Good enough. Could you distract Biscuit until we get those two old ladies in the house?”

  “Sure, Dawdi,” Daniel said, grinning. He walked into the driveway, called and patted his leg. “Here, Biscuit. Come.” The dog loped toward him. Daniel grabbed him around the neck. “Now what do I do with him?”

  “Shut him in the barn for awhile,” John suggested.

  Noah followed Daniel so he could open the barn door. He whispered, “Aendi Tootie should not complain about our dog. Her kisses are just as wet as Biscuit's.”

  As soon as Daniel shut the barn door on the dog, Biscuit howled in protest. The boys walked back to stand with the others, and Hal beckoned the women in the car with her hand. Nora and Tootie rushed from the car and hugged Hal and John. Nora gave Redbird and Beth a kiss on their out turned cheeks.

  Tootie did likewise. Redbird giggled. Beth frowned slightly. Both girls instantly wiped their cheeks with their chubby hands.

  “Give me a hug, bride-to-be,” Nora said, throwing her arms around Emma.

  “Me next,” said Tootie, standing right behind Nora for her turn.

  “My word,” Nora said, inspecting Noah and Daniel. “I can't get over how much you boys have grown since the last time we were here. Noah, you are so tall. Are you eighteen yet?”

  “Jah, Mammi,” Noah said, giving her a bashful smile.

  Jim patted Noah's shoulder. “Say, how is the courting buggy holding up? I figure you might be giving it a good workout by now.”

  Noah blushed. “Ach, nah, I share with Daniel. For the singings, we go together and take turns driving. The courting buggy is fine.”

  “Depends if Noah has a date or not, whether we go together,” Daniel added unenthusiastically.

  Jim put his arm around Daniel's shoulders. “Ah, ha. Well, by the next time we visit, I predict you'll be using the buggy for dates, too. How's my horse?”

  “Mike is gute, Dawdi.”

  “Jah, we use him all the time. Mike pulls all recht now,” Noah added, referring to the horse's traffic fright when Jim first bought him.

  “You boys suppose I could put in my bid to take the buggy out now and then while I'm here?”

  “Sure, any time you want,” Noah said.

  “Use it as much as you want, Dawdi,” Daniel added. “Just say the word, and we will hitch it up to Mike for you.”

  Jim winked at them. “Good deal. I figured I'd take you grandma for a ride in it one of these days.”

  Tootie frowned at the barking noises coming from the barn. “Thank you, boys, for shutting up your dog. I just didn't want him to bounce on Nora and me. He might knock us down.” She searched the area around them. “Where is that overly friendly turkey right now?”

  Hal laughed. “No way to tell. He shows up when we least expect it.”

  “That's what I'm afraid might happen,” Tootie said, causing them to laugh. “We better get inside before Tom appears unless you boys want to shut him up, too.”

  Company meant fixing extra food for meals. While the women worked in the kitchen, most of the talk was about the coming wedding. That evening, Tootie washed the dishes, and Emma dried. Hal put away the leftovers, and Nora washed off t
he counters and tables. It was as though Nora and Tootie had never left. They settled so easily into their old routine.

  “Are you giving up teaching school now that you're getting married?” Tootie asked as she rubbed a plate with the dish cloth.

  “Nah, I will teach, but I need the month of September off for the wedding and about two weeks of visiting which is our way. I hope Ellen Miller will substitute teach for me. She was the teacher before me so she is not a stranger to the job.”

  Tootie asked, “Emma, have you picked your bridesmaids yet?”

  “Jah, if you mean my newehockers?”

  “I don't know. Do I?” Tootie asked, looking at Hal for help.

  “They aren't called bridesmaids. The two couples in the wedding party are called attendants in English,” Hal explained.

  “One of my attendants is Katie Yost and the other one is Jenny Yoder. Do either of you remember my friends?” Emma asked.

  Nora said, “Yes, I do but I'm sure they've grown up just like you and the boys. I probably wouldn't recognize them now.”

  “Jah, they have grown up. Sunday is the next worship service. I will introduce Aendi Tootie and you to them after I ask them to be my attendants,” Emma said.

  Tootie stopped washing a pot to stare at Emma. “You mean they don't know yet?”

  “Not yet. Hallie and I just finished making a list of wedding plans. Telling my attendants is next on the list. They will need time to make their dresses as soon as I buy the material. We do not discuss the wedding with anyone else for a couple of months yet,” Emma warned.

  “Why not, dear?” Nora asked.

  “It is our way. The bishop will not let the deacon publish the wedding announcement until the Sunday worship service in September two weeks before our wedding date. My father will invite everyone at that service. Once that is done, we can talk about the wedding and ask people to help us,” Emma said. “Until then we will be spending the time getting ready for the wedding by ourselves.”