Anna's Trials (Living Plain Book 1)

by June Belfie

  Chapter Twenty

  Abe and his sister, Naomi, sat on the floor and folded his wife’s clothing for the Mennonite mission group heading for South America. It had been too difficult earlier for Abe to remove his wife’s personal belongings from their rightful place in their shared bureau. Naomi was silent as she separated the items. One pile was designated for the mission, and the other for destruction. Mary had been extremely frugal and some of her nightgowns and underwear were too worn to send to others.

  “I should have told her to buy herself new things,” Abe said, his voice barely audible.

  “Nee, that wasn’t for Mary. She cared little for material things. It wasn’t anything you put on her.”

  “I guess you’re right, but good grief, look at this shawl,” he said as he opened it fully and spread it out on the floor in front of them. “I can see through it where there are actual holes. We could have afforded—”

  “Don’t, Abe. I know that.”

  She took it from him and added it to the “get rid of” pile and then sat back and drew her legs up to her chest, pulling the hem down modestly. “Abe, Alice needs a mamm, as do your boys.”

  “She has you, Schwester. Thank the Lord we all have you.”

  She stretched her arm and patted his knee. “Jah, but you’re still a young man. You need a woman in your life again. Mary would want that.”

  He shook his head. “We’ve been through this before. It hasn’t been that long. I would re-marry, I guess, if the right woman came into my life. I’ll never love another like I loved Mary. It’s only once in a lifetime…”

  She nodded. “I think you’re right, but companionship would help and having someone to care for your kinner. You might even have more boppli someday.”

  “I can’t think about that,” he said as he reached for one of his wife’s prayer kapps. “Do you want these, Naomi? They look pretty gut yet.”

  “I’ll take them for the mission. Maybe I’ll save just one for Alice to have someday.”

  He looked over and nodded. “Jah, gut idea. You pick it.”

  “The newest one then. I’ll take it and wrap it up in tissue paper to keep it clean for you.”

  “Denki. I’m not a man who speaks his mind much, but I want you to know I really appreciate you and William’s support and love through all this. It’s been almost unbearable at times, but without you…”

  “I’m glad we can be here for you, Bruder. And for your kinner.”

  “Daed,” John called from downstairs. “Someone’s here for you.”

  “I’ll be right down,” he called back. “I wonder who would come by this early,” he said to his sister as he stood up and extended his hand to aid her to her feet.

  “I’ll come down in a minute. I want to pack these up first,” she said, as she began sorting through the good clothing.

  When he got down to the bottom of the stairs, there were two women standing by the door. He recognized one from church service, but not the younger woman. “Hallo, Rebecca.” He said with a nod.

  She nodded back. “Hope we didn’t interrupt anything Abe, but I wanted to stop by to see how you’re doing. I brought some homemade donuts for you and your kinner.” She passed over a toot filled with donuts and when he peeked inside, the wonderful aroma escaped and filled the room.

  “Denki. That was very nice of you.”

  “My cousin from Florida is here for a week. This is Nancy Gingrich.”

  He looked over toward her and gave a weak smile. “Hallo, Nancy.”

  She grinned at him and looked over at her cousin.

  “Uh, do you want some kaffi?” he asked.

  “Sure, that would be nice,” the older woman said. “You like kaffi, right, Nancy?”

  “I think so.”

  Abe’s brows rose. “Haven’t you ever had any?”

  “Jah, but I forget what it tastes like.”

  “I can make tea.”

  “Nee,” Rebecca said. “Kaffi is fine.”

  Abe led them to the kitchen as Naomi appeared with her two bags of clothes. She said hello to Rebecca and was introduced to Nancy. “I’ll set things up, Abe. You sit and talk to your guests.”

  John and Benny appeared from their bedroom where they had been playing and Abe introduced them.

  “Nice sohns,” Rebecca said as the boys ran back upstairs. Alice, who had been napping on the sofa, awoke as the adults sat down in the living room. She shied away from the new guests and ran over to her aunt’s side where she clutched her skirt.

  “She’s a shy one,” Rebecca said.

  “She has to get used to you,” Abe said. He turned toward Nancy. “So you’re from Florida. Sarasota?”

  “Jah. Pinecraft.”

  “It must be nice and warm down there.”

  “Most of the time.”

  Her eyes peered over strong lenses and she kept licking her lips. Poor girl was nervous, he thought to himself. She looked very young.

  Rebecca carried the conversation. She talked about Florida and her visit there. “It was too hot for me.”

  Several minutes later, Naomi brought in a tray with four mugs of coffee, plus cream and sugar. She’d also added some of the fresh donuts.

  “They’re for you,” Rebecca stated as she glared at her cousin, Nancy, who had her eyes fixated on one of the donuts. “We don’t want any,” she added firmly. The young girl quickly withdrew her hand.

  “Nee, that’s fine. Have one, Nancy,” Naomi said, smiling at the frail looking girl.

  “Nancy just loves kinner, don’t you?” Rebecca said, pointedly.

  “Oh jah. They’re nice.”

  “Sometimes they aren’t,” Abe said with a chuckle.

  “Nee, sometimes they’re bad,” Nancy said, staring at Alice, who had left her aunt’s side to play with her stuffed bunny on the floor. The child looked up at the newcomer and pouted.

  “Of course, all children need discipline,” Rebecca added.

  “Jah, that’s for sure,” Abe said. He sipped his coffee and glanced at his sister, who was silent throughout their discussion.

  “So tell me about Florida. Do you like the ocean?” he asked Nancy, who was twisting her kapp ribbons, yanking them tightly in her fist.

  “Jah, it’s nice.”

  “Do you ever swim?” he continued.

  “Nee.”

  “Mmm.” He took another bite of his donut. He could hear himself chew in the silence. Then he coughed slightly and tried again.

  “Many people stay after the winter?”

  “Nee. It gets quiet,” the girl answered, turning her gaze to Alice, who was watching her every move, still glued to her aunt’s side.

  “I bet.”

  “Nancy might move back north. She’s thinking about it, aren’t you?” Rebecca asked pointedly.

  “I think so.”

  “You know so.” Rebecca said firmly.

  “Well, it’s got to be a tough decision,” Abe said. “Florida must be real nice, especially this time of year.”

  “Jah, but she wants to marry and have kinner. Don’t you, Nancy?”

  The girl frowned as she nodded.

  “That’s nice,” Abe said.

  Naomi sat and lifted her niece onto her lap. Alice put her head on Naomi’s chest and sucked on her thumb.

  “She shouldn’t do that,” Nancy said, pointing to the offender.

  “What?” Naomi’s brows met.

  “Her thumb. It’ll make her teeth stick out.”

  “She rarely does it. Only when she’s upset.”

  Abe was at a loss for words. This was going nowhere. Absolutely nowhere. Finally after a few more moments of silence, he stood. “I’m sorry, but I must go attend to my animals. It was nice to meet you, Nancy. And to see you, Rebecca. Denki for the donuts. My kinner will finish them off real quick-like, I’m sure.”

  “Okay. We’d better go, Nancy. I have errands.”

  Nancy nearly sprang to the door. It had been as difficult on her, poor girl.
She looked all of sixteen.

  After they left, he put on his warmest jacket and headed for the back door. Naomi followed him. “You really have to check the animals, Bruder?” she asked with a grin.

  “Well, I don’t want to lie. I best go check.”

  “Interested?” she asked with a crooked smile.

  He chuckled as he shook his head. “Gut donuts, though.”

  “Jah, that’s for sure and for certain.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Beth took the grocery list from her mother and added peanut butter. “Do you need anything from the pharmacy?” she asked Rose who was folding the towels, which had dried in the warm basement during the night.

  “Nee, I think I wrote everything down.”

  “I may stay a while longer than usual, Mamm. I kind of need time away.”

  Rose looked up from her chore, questioning with her eyes. “You having a rough time lately? You sure seemed upset at your daed’s birthday party yesterday. Wanna talk about it?”

  “Not now. I’m okay.”

  “Stay as long as you want in town, Beth. I have things under control. In fact, I’m going over to your schwester’s later to help her with the kinner. She sure looks tired out.”

  “Jah, she does. Poor girl.”

  Beth went back to her room and tucked her English clothing tightly inside a grocery bag. Then she inserted her hairbrush. She slipped past her mother and went directly to the buggy, where she pushed the clothing under the seat. As she waved to her father, she yelled out to thank him for harnessing the buggy. Then she made her way quickly toward Lititz. She slowed down slightly as she came to her friend’s barn, where she knew she could use their public phone; but somehow, the horse didn’t turn in, as she had pictured earlier. Her hands held the reins steady and the buggy continued on its way to Lititz and to Randy, her English friend.

  After parking in her normal spot just outside of town, she walked the rest of the way with her bag of clothing under her arm. It was bitter cold out, dark and overcast. Snow was predicted to begin that evening. The forecasters predicted at least a foot by morning. Oh, how Beth disliked the cold. Her woolen jacket normally kept her comfortable, but today it was inadequate against the gusts of wind, which penetrated through to her skin.

  Fortunately, she spotted Randy waiting by the bank. He had a red plaid scarf wrapped around his neck and a short suede jacket zipped to the top. His hands were in his pockets and even he appeared cold. His cheeks looked sunburned from the chill, but he grinned widely when he spotted Beth and met her half way. “I was worried you’d changed your mind.”

  “Am I late?” she asked as she allowed him to take her arm and lead her along the sidewalk.

  “Only about five minutes. Change of plans. I’m going to cook for you. I have dinner in the oven. Hope you like roast chicken.”

  “Oh, I do! You like to cook?”

  “Sometimes. Mostly I grill in the good weather, but it’s so cold out, I thought it might be fun to stay in. It’s an antiquated building, but it’s comfortable for an old bachelor like me.

  They made their way to his first floor apartment. He unlocked the door and motioned for her to enter ahead of him. It was toasty inside. A gas fire had already been started in a turn of the century green-tiled fireplace and she heard soft music playing in the background. The fragrant odor of Italian herbed chicken filled the small rooms. It was a nice welcome from the bitterness of the gray Pennsylvania day. Real nice.

  “What’s in the bag?” he asked as he helped her off with her jacket.

  “I brought other clothes, just in case, but since we’re not going out—”

  “All the more reason to relax. Why not put them on while I check the potatoes. I’m baking them. Hope that’s okay.”

  “Goodness, it’s fine, Randy. I never expected all this.”

  He pointed out the bathroom at the end of the hall. “Or you can change in my bedroom to the left,” he called out as she headed toward the hall.

  “The bathroom will do,” she called back.

  It felt strange removing her plain dress in a man’s bathroom. Goodness, if her family knew. They’d be outraged. Quietly, of course, since that was the Amish way, but she would know what a disappointment she had become. She pushed those thoughts out of her head, rationalizing the events transpiring by telling herself she and Randy were just good friends—and would be nothing more—ever.

  After dressing in her jeans and sweater, she removed her kapp and laid it on top of her folded Amish dress. Then she undid her braid and ran the brush through her dark golden locks. She looked in the mirror of the medicine closet. She was not the plain girl who started out in her Amish buggy anymore. She could easily pass for English.

  When she returned to the living room, she looked around. A brown leather sofa sat in front of the fireplace and a large matching oversized chair was arranged at an angle to the left. It was sparsely furnished. Randy called from the kitchen. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right there. Just checking things.”

  She squatted on the floor to be closer to the fire. The heat emanating from the flames felt good on her skin. Warm for the first time in days, she relished the English conveniences of central heat and electricity. She looked over as she heard his footsteps close by. He had a bottle of wine in one hand and two wine glasses juggled in his other hand.

  “Ever had wine before?” he asked as he sat on the floor beside her, placing the glasses on the hearth.

  “Nee. I don’t drink.”

  “This isn’t really drinking. I mean, it’s not like strong alcohol. Wine is pleasant and helps to make food better.”

  “I don’t want any, Randy. Please don’t push.”

  He looked over, his mouth dropping open. “I’m sorry. I won’t have any either then.” He recapped it and moved it off to the side. “I have orange juice. Do you want that?”

  “Nee. I’m fine. How’s the chicken?”

  “Almost done. Do you like the music? It’s called jazz.”

  “It’s nice. I think I’ve heard jazz before somewhere. It’s not too bad on the ears. I hate some of your music though.”

  “So do I,” he said, with a grin. “You look so different with your hair down.”

  “Jah? Better or worse.”

  “I think you know the answer to that. You look gorgeous.” He reached over and touched her hair, causing her to blush.

  “You say that to all your girlfriends, I bet. Not that I’m your girlfriend,” she said hurriedly, realizing her faux pas.

  “You could be. Maybe in time.”

  “Nee. Just friends. Remember?”

  “You’re making it difficult for me to hold to that.” He moved closer to her and tried to draw her head to his. She realized he was close enough to kiss. She could detect the scent of his aftershave, which had a fresh piney scent. It was tempting, but she pulled away.

  “You’d better check the chicken,” she said quickly, her heart pounding.

  “Sorry if I offended you,” he said as he rose to his feet, his mouth turned into a frown. “It’s probably ready by now.”

  As he went back to the kitchen, she took several slow deep breaths. She shouldn’t have come. It was foolish to believe a man and woman attracted to each other could keep things on a friendship level. She should have known that. She had never been kissed, but her friends talked about their experiences sometimes and it sounded ever so exciting.

  “Come and get it,” he called out from the kitchen. She went in and spotted a small round table by a window all set up for two. He even had a real rose in a budvase in the center.

  “It looks real nice,” she said, smiling over. “Can I help you with anything?”

  “Nope. I’ve got it. Just sit down. I didn’t have salad stuff, but I opened a can of corn. Do you like corn?”

  “Sure. Anything is fine with me. I’m not a fussy person.”

  “Good.” He brought over two dinner plates and set them down between the silverware. He’d s
liced enough chicken for a family of eight, but had only put two slices on each plate. A baked potato sat next to the chicken and a portion of corn lay between them.

  “Very nice, Randy. You surprise me.”

  “Really?” He smiled at her. “Don’t rave till you try it. I confess, I’ve never done this. I’ve cooked before, but not chicken in an oven.”

  She cut a small piece and inserted it in her mouth. It was a bit tough, but she eventually swallowed it and nodded. “Gut. You pass the test.”

  “I don’t know how to make gravy.”

  “Do you want me to make some?”

  “Think it really needs it?”

  She did, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “It’s fine the way it is.”

  “Next time I’ll let you teach me.”

  Would there be a next time? She very much doubted it. Temptation was too strong.

  “I bought dessert. Ice cream.”

  “Perfect. You don’t want anything too sweet after chicken,” she added.

  “Yeah, that’s what I figured. We can wait for ice cream till later if you want.”

  “Well, my family will be expecting me soon and I haven’t shopped yet, so maybe we’d better have it after we’re done with eating this.”

  He looked so disappointed, she added, “Of course, I’m a big girl and I don’t have to rush home.”

  This seemed to satisfy him somewhat and when he grinned, she noted his adorable dimpled chin. He had lit a single candle on the table and it highlighted his hazel eyes. Goodness, he was a fine looking man. Josiah’s smile flashed through her mind. Oh, my.

  They talked about world events, which she knew little about. It sounded so hopeless in the rest of the world, that she was glad she didn’t know too much. Some of the events transpiring made her think about the biblical prophecies, but she didn’t mention them to Randy. Funny, she would have talked to Josiah about them, but then she knew where he stood in his beliefs. She knew very little about Randy’s.

  “Do you go to church?” she finally asked.

  “I used to, once in awhile. I can’t seem to find the time now.”

  “But you believe?”

  “In God, you mean?”

  She nodded.