Lydia's Charm

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Do you think you can manage in here without me for a few minutes?” Mom asked. “I need to check on Dad.”

  “Sure. I’ll start mashing the potatoes.”

  As Mom hurried from the room, Lydia gritted her teeth. Doesn’t Mom think I’m capable of getting supper ready without her help? Does she have to treat me like I’m still a little girl?

  The whinny of a horse drew Lydia’s attention to the window. When she peeked out, she saw a horse and buggy rumbling up the driveway and figured it must be Levi.

  As Levi guided his horse and buggy up to the hitching rail his palms grew sweaty. He hoped he was doing the right thing by coming here for supper. If Mom thought he was interested in Lydia, maybe Lydia did, too. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he mumbled. “I barely know the woman. I’m sure the only reason she invited me to supper was to say thank you for saving her son.”

  Levi had just finished putting his horse in the corral when Josh rushed up to him. “Do ya wanna see some busslin?”

  “Sure,” Levi said with a nod.

  Josh grabbed Levi’s hand and led him to the barn, where a gray mother cat and five furry kittens were curled up together on a bale of straw. As they approached, the mother cat cracked her golden eyes open and stretched slowly.

  Josh scooped up one of the kittens and held it out to Levi. “Es feischtielich.”

  Levi stroked the kitten’s head. “Jah, it’s very soft.”

  Josh took a seat on another bale of straw, and Levi did the same. The kitten purred contentedly as Josh cuddled it against his chest. “Have ya got any busslin?” he asked.

  “No, but my bruder Andy has a pet goat.”

  Josh’s eyes widened. “Can I see it sometime?”

  “Maybe so.” Levi glanced at the barn door. “I think we should go to the house now. Your mamm probably has supper waiting for us.”

  “Okay.” Josh placed the kitten back with its mother, and the two of them left the barn.

  When they entered the kitchen Levi was treated to a tantalizing aroma. “Something smells mighty good in here,” he said, smiling at Lydia, who stood at the counter, mashing potatoes.

  She glanced his way, wearing a slip of a grin. “I think it’s the baked ham that smells so good.”

  Levi smacked his lips. “I like baked ham.”

  “Me, too!” Josh grinned up at his mother. “Me and Levi was in the barn. We petted one of the busslin.”

  “That’s nice.” Lydia motioned to the hallway outside the kitchen door. “We’ll be ready to eat soon, so go into the bathroom and wash. If you’ve been holding a kitten, your hands are dirty.”

  Josh looked up at Levi with a serious expression. “You pet the busslin, so you’d better wash, too.”

  “Good thinking.” Levi chuckled and winked at Lydia. “We’ll be right back.”

  While Josh and Levi were in the bathroom, Lydia finished mashing the potatoes. She didn’t know why, but seeing the way Josh had looked at Levi just now made her feel weepy all of a sudden. A boy needs his father, she told herself. It wasn’t fair that Jeremiah had been taken from them before Josh got to know him well. A few years from now, Josh probably wouldn’t even remember his father.

  Knowing this was no time for self-pity, Lydia added butter to the potatoes and set them on the table.

  She’d just begun making the gravy when Levi returned to the kitchen.

  “Where’s Josh?” she asked.

  “He went upstairs. Said he had something in his room he wanted to show me.”

  “Oh, great. Now his hands will probably be dirty again.”

  Levi glanced around the room. “Where’s your mamm? Won’t she be joining us for supper?”

  “She’s in my grossdaadi’s room right now, feeding him his supper. As soon as she’s done, we’ll eat.” Lydia motioned to the chair at the head of the table. “If you’d like to take a seat, we can visit while I finish dishing things up.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked. “I’m used to helping in the kitchen at home, and it’ll be better than sitting and watching.”

  Lydia pointed to the pitcher of water on the counter. “You can fill our glasses if you like.”

  “No problem.”

  Levi had just finished filling the glasses with water when Josh returned to the kitchen, carrying a book, which he handed to Levi. “Read me a schtori?”

  “Sure, I’ll read any story you’d like.” Levi took a seat at the table and lifted Josh into his lap. As he read about a cat named Blue, a lump formed in Lydia’s throat. She remembered all the times when Jeremiah used to hold Josh and tell him stories about when he was a boy. She remembered the look of love she’d seen on her husband’s face as he held Josh in his lap.

  Mom stepped into the kitchen and cleared her throat real loud. “I’m done feeding my daed. Is supper ready yet?”

  Lydia nodded.

  Levi set the book aside and smiled at Mom. “It’s nice to see you again, Mae,” he said, lifting Josh into the chair beside him.

  Mom’s only reply was a quick nod.

  Lydia took a seat on the other side of Josh, and Mom sat across from Lydia. As they bowed their heads for silent prayer, Lydia prayed the Lord’s Prayer, and then asked God to help Mom relax and be more hospitable toward Levi.

  When the prayer ended, Levi looked over at Mom and said, “How have you been? We haven’t seen you at the store for some time.”

  “I don’t get out much these days,” she replied stiffly. “Taking care of my daed is a full-time job.”

  Lydia forked a piece of ham onto Josh’s plate and then handed the platter to Levi. “When Josh and I moved here, I’d planned to help Mom more with Grandpa, but now that I’m working at the restaurant, my time is limited.” She smiled at Mom. “However, I’m more than willing to run any errands you need after I get off work and on my days off.”

  “Today was your day off, and you went to the pond.” The bitterness in Mom’s tone was obvious, and it caused Lydia to cringe. Didn’t Mom care that they had company? Did she have to let the discord between them show in front of Levi—or Josh, for that matter?

  “I thought you’d get more done today if you didn’t have Josh underfoot,” Lydia said, passing the plate of mashed potatoes to Mom. “And I did ask if you minded.”

  Mom merely shrugged in reply.

  Lydia picked up her glass and drank some water. This isn’t going well. I need to think of something to lighten the mood and ease the tension between me and Mom. Levi probably thinks we have a terrible relationship.

  “Can we go over to Levi’s house?” Josh asked, bumping Lydia’s arm. “His bruder has a gees, and I wanna see it.”

  Levi looked over at Lydia. “Maybe you can bring Josh by our house some day when you’re not working. We live directly behind the store, so it’s easy to find.”

  Lydia smiled. “Maybe we will sometime.”

  The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, except for when Josh asked Levi or Lydia a question. Mom didn’t eat much and kept fidgeting in her chair. Lydia couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

  When supper was over, Levi and Josh went to the living room so Levi could finish reading Josh his story, while Lydia and Mom did the dishes. Mom didn’t say much while they worked, either. Every once in a while, she’d purse her lips and glance at the living room door. Lydia didn’t know why, but Mom was clearly uncomfortable having Levi here.

  Levi entered the kitchen just as Lydia finished washing the last dish. “Josh fell asleep in my arms. I laid him on the sofa.”

  “Danki.” Lydia motioned to the stove, where the teakettle whistled and steam poured from the spout. “Would you like a cup of tea or some hot chocolate?”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I really should head for home. There are chores waiting to be done.”

  Mom said a quick good-bye to Levi, slipped past them, and headed down the hall toward Grandpa’s room.

  Levi opened the back door, then turned to face Lydia. “I appreci
ate the meal. Everything was very good.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Tell Josh I’ll be looking forward to showing him Andy’s goat.”

  “I’ll tell him.”

  Levi’s fingers brushed hers as they reached for the doorknob at the same time. Lydia felt a strange tingling travel up her arm and quickly stepped aside so he could open the door.

  “Gut nacht,” she murmured.

  “Good night.” The door clicked shut behind Levi.

  Lydia stood there a moment, trying to make sense out of the strange sensation she’d felt when their fingers touched. Had there been some static electricity in the air?

  With a shake of her head, she started toward the living room to get Josh. She was almost there when Mom came up the hallway, wearing a serious expression. “I need to speak with you. Let’s go into the kitchen.”

  Alarm rose in Lydia’s chest as she followed Mom to the kitchen. “You look upset. Is it Grandpa? Is he worse?”

  “He’s sleeping.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  Mom poured them both a cup of tea, and they took seats at the table. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to take Josh to see Levi’s brother’s goat.”

  “Why not?”

  “Josh might not understand about Levi’s family. He might be frightened.”

  “Why would Josh be frightened of Levi’s family?”

  Mom leaned closer to Lydia and lowered her voice. “Levi’s mother, father, as well as his brothers and sisters are little people. Levi’s the only one in his family of normal size.”

  Lydia inhaled sharply. “The little woman I saw the other day at the restaurant, and then again at the general store must be Levi’s mother. I wonder why he never said anything.”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t want you to get involved with him.”

  “I–I’m not involved with Levi, but why would it be wrong if I were?”

  “Think about it.” Mom stared hard at Lydia. “If you married Levi, you might have zwarich bopplin.”

  “You’re worried about me having dwarf babies?”

  Mom gave a decisive nod.

  Laughter bubbled in Lydia’s throat. “I barely know Levi, and you already have us getting married and having babies? That’s lecherich, Mom.”

  Mom slapped her hand on the table, causing their teacups to vibrate and Lydia to jump. “It’s not ridiculous! You saw how much attention Levi showed Josh.” She grimaced. “And Josh ate it up. He looked at Levi with such affection and even spoke to him like he was his daed, for goodness’ sake.”

  Lydia gripped the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white. “It did my heart good to see how happy my boy was tonight. He hasn’t had a man in his life since Jeremiah died.” She paused and drew in a quick breath. “Besides, it’s not me Levi’s taken an interest in, it’s Josh.”

  “Well, if you’re not careful, you’ll be next.”

  Lydia’s chair scraped noisily as she pushed away from the table and stood. “I’m tired. If you don’t need me for anything I’m going up to bed.” She paused and waited for Mom’s response.

  “I don’t need your help with anything, and it’s good that you’re going to bed now, because you and Josh will need to get up early for church tomorrow.” Mom rose from her chair. “I’m going to check on my daed, and then I’m going to bed myself.”

  Lydia hurried from the kitchen. She was about to climb the stairs, when she remembered that Josh was still asleep on the sofa. She went straight to the living room, gathered Josh into her arms, and trudged up the stairs.

  I just can’t believe Mom’s worried about me marrying Levi and having zwarich bopplin. She paused outside of Josh’s room as a sickening thought popped into her head. Could Mom be prejudiced against Levi’s family because they’re different?

  CHAPTER 9

  Are you sure you don’t want me to stay home with Grandpa so you can go to church today?” Lydia asked Mom as they set the table for breakfast the following morning.

  Mom shook her head. “Your grossdaadi’s not doing well this morning, and I need to be here with him. Besides, I think it’ll be good for you and Josh to go so you can get to know the people in our church district.”

  Lydia didn’t argue. Once Mom made up her mind, there was no changing it. Besides, maybe Mom was right about getting to know people. If Levi and his family belonged to the same district, she’d get the opportunity to meet them today. At least that was something to look forward to.

  Just then, Josh zipped into the room—red-faced, sweaty, and chasing the gray mother cat.

  “Oh no,” Lydia groaned. “Not again.”

  Mom whirled around and clapped her hands so hard that the cat leaped straight into the air. When it landed on the floor, it quickly darted under the table.

  “Get that katz and put it outside!” Mom’s voice rose to a high-pitched squeal.

  With eyes wide and chin trembling, Josh dropped to his knees and crawled in after the cat. “Kumme. Kumme.”

  The cat’s hair stood on end as it meowed and hissed at Josh.

  Josh crawled in farther. He was almost touching the cat, when it swiped the end of his nose with its sharp claws.

  “Yeow!” Josh jumped up, bumping his head on the underside of the table. “Mopskopp,” he mumbled, rubbing the top of his head as he backed out slowly.

  “No, you’re the stupid fellow,” Mom said, shaking her finger at Josh. “You shouldn’t have let the cat in the house. How many times must you be told?” She reached under the table, grabbed the cat by the scruff of its neck, and put it outside.

  When Josh looked up at Lydia with tears rolling down his cheeks, she struggled to keep her own tears at bay. How could Mom talk to her only grandchild like that? Didn’t she feel any love for Josh?

  When Menno pulled his horse and buggy into Rueben Miller’s yard, he noticed Lydia and her boy walking across the grass toward the house. She had a graceful way about her…and a pleasant smile, too. He’d seen that at the restaurant the other day. But there was also a kind of shyness about her, like she was unsure of herself. Of course, having lost her husband a year ago, she was probably still grieving, same as him. It wasn’t easy to get over the loss of a mate.

  He glanced at Ike, sitting on the seat beside him, and wondered if he missed his mother. If he did, he never said so. Fact was, none of the boys said much about their mother. Maybe they’d had enough time to heal. Or maybe it was easier to deal with the pain if they didn’t talk about it. That’s sure true with me, Menno thought as he climbed down from the buggy and unhitched his horse. Every time I think about Sadie, it feels like someone’s punched me in the stomach.

  “Want me to take Midnight to the barn?” Ike asked when he and his brothers clambered out of the buggy.

  “I’d appreciate that.” Menno moved toward the group of men who’d gathered outside the buggy shop where church would be held, while his three youngest boys ran off to join several other children playing in the yard.

  “How are things with you and the buwe?” Rueben Miller asked, stepping up to Menno.

  Menno shrugged. “We’re gettin’ along as well as can be expected, but the boys can sure be a handful at times.”

  Rueben thumped Menno’s arm. “Maybe what they need is a mudder to keep them in line.”

  Menno gave a nod. “I’ve been thinkin’ that myself. Just need to find the right woman, is all.”

  “Better take your time lookin’. You wouldn’t want to pick the wrong wife, that’s for sure.”

  For the next several minutes, Menno visited with Rueben, until he saw the ministers file into the buggy shed. Then Menno, along with the other men, followed.

  After the men and boys were seated, the women and girls entered and took their seats on the opposite side, facing the men. Menno’s two oldest boys sat on the bench in front of him, and the two younger ones sat on either side of him. He figured as restless as they usually were, it was a good idea for him to keep them
close so he could supervise their behavior.

  The service opened with a song from their hymnal, The Ausbund. As the congregation sang, the ministers filed out of the buggy shop so they could meet in a room at the house where they’d decide who would deliver the two sermons today.

  Menno grimaced. He was glad the lot had never fallen on him to fulfill a ministerial role. Between running his business and trying to raise the boys, he had enough responsibility on his shoulders. Of course, if he were ever chosen for one of the ministerial positions, he’d do his best to be a good leader.

  Menno glanced across the room, and his gaze came to rest on Lydia. He wondered if she felt overwhelmed with the burden of raising her son, the way he often did with his exuberant boys. But then, he reasoned, she does have the support of her mother right now. I’m sure Mae’s a big help in taking care of Josh while Lydia works at the restaurant.

  Lydia glanced his way, then quickly looked away, her cheeks turning pink. He hoped she didn’t think he was staring at her—and that no one else had noticed his gaze, either. It wouldn’t be good if any rumors got started about the two of them.

  Turning his attention to the book in his hand, Menno concentrated on the song they were still singing.

  The congregation continued to sing until the ministers returned. Soon after that, the first sermon was given by Alvin Schrock. He spoke from Luke 18, verse 1, and emphasized the need for people to spend more time in prayer. Menno had been remiss in that area lately. He’d been so busy keeping his business going and trying to stay on top of things at home that he spent very little time in prayer.

  The brief prayers he offered before and after meals weren’t enough to keep him walking close to God. But prayer didn’t come easy for Menno these days. God had seemed far away ever since Sadie died. Menno wasn’t sure God really cared about him anymore. He’d prayed that Sadie’s life would be spared, but God had said no to that request.