Amish Cooking Class--The Blessing

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Bill’s pay was decent, and they’d always had money to meet their bills, but it wasn’t good enough for Mona. She left and married this so-called better man named Floyd. He was the owner of a huge equipment company, and they lived high-off-the-hog, so Bill hoped Mona was finally happy.

  One day, Bill had made the mistake of driving by Floyd and Mona’s house. It was huge, in a prominent neighborhood on the other side of town. I hope they stay on their side of town. Bill ground his teeth together, reflecting on how he’d felt at that moment. So far, even though he’d seen Mona on a few occasions involving their son, he’d been lucky not to cross paths when she’d been with her new husband. Bill wondered if he’d ever find love again, or if he could reach the point where he could trust another woman. It would be nice to have someone waiting for him when he got home from work. On the other hand, since the divorce, he’d become set in his ways and had come to think he could do things, including cooking, on his own. He really didn’t need another wife, or even a lady friend.

  Nicole tapped her fingers on the edge of the table. The aroma of food baking whet her appetite. It had been a while since she’d eaten breakfast, and the bowl of cereal she’d had didn’t stick to her ribs. Her baking pan was one of the first three to go into the oven, and now the last batch had been put in. Nicole would be glad when they were done and she could go home. The cooking class wasn’t as much fun as she’d hoped it would be. But then, maybe that was because she was the only teenager present. Truthfully, she felt out of place here among these strangers. Too bad I’m not the only student in the class. It would be a lot easier if Heidi could teach just me. I have some questions, but would be embarrassed to ask them in front of the others. They might think I’m stupid.

  She glanced around Heidi’s modest, but well-equipped kitchen. Everything appeared neat and in order. Nothing like the kitchen at home after Nicole finished cooking something. It was a lot easier to make a mess in the kitchen then it was to clean it all up. Of course, Nicole’s mother had never kept a tidy kitchen. In fact, whenever she’d been drinking, the whole house was neglected.

  As though she could sense her frustration, Heidi, who sat beside her now, reached over and touched Nicole’s arm. “You’ve been awfully quiet today. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know?”

  “No, not really.” Nicole dropped her gaze to the table.

  “Okay. If you think of anything, please let me know.”

  “I’d like to ask you something,” Lisa spoke up.

  “Certainly.” Heidi looked in her direction and smiled. “What would you like to know?”

  “Can you tell us a little about the Amish way of life, and why you do without so many modern conveniences?”

  “Yeah, I’d like to know that, too.” Todd winked at Lisa. “In fact, I was about to ask the same question. How come there’s no electricity connected to your home?”

  Lisa squinted her eyes at him, then looked away. Nicole had enough smarts to know when someone was flirting, and she had this guy pegged. It wasn’t right. For all Todd knew, Lisa was married. She glanced at Lisa’s left hand. Although she’s not wearing a wedding ring. I hope she doesn’t fall for Todd. I know his kind. He reminds me of the jerk Mom ran off with when she divorced Dad.

  Nicole turned her attention to Heidi as she began to tell the history of the Anabaptists, and how the Amish faith was a breakaway from the Mennonites. She found it interesting when Heidi explained the reason they didn’t allow TVs, computers, and many other modern things to run off electricity in their homes. Those items represented a negative distraction that could take their focus off God and family.

  Nicole’s thoughts went to her mother again and how she used to sit around most of the day drinking while watching soap operas and game shows on TV. When she wasn’t doing that, she often hung out at one of the local bars. It was difficult to count all the times Dad had gone after Mom and brought her home in a drunken stupor. Why he hadn’t been the one to file for divorce was a question Nicole had asked herself many times. Did Dad love Mom so much that he was willing to overlook the mess she’d created for herself by not seeking help for her drinking problem?

  Nicole couldn’t remember when her mother had quit taking care of her family or if she ever had been attentive to them. Maybe when she was a baby, and too little to remember. Mom hadn’t been there for Tony and Heather, either. Nicole had been responsible for taking care of them several years before her mother left. She clenched her fingers, making a fist. I hate that woman. She’s my mother in name only, and I hope I never have to look at her again. These days it was easier to refer to her as Tonya, instead of Mom, like her siblings still did. Dad had stressed to Nicole many times that it was wrong to hate anyone and it wasn’t good to dwell on the past, but she couldn’t let go of her anger. She was glad Tonya had agreed to let Dad have full custody of the children. The thought of spending time with that woman and the creep she’d recently married was enough to turn Nicole’s stomach.

  “So how long have you been teaching cooking classes, Heidi?” Allie’s question drove Nicole’s thoughts aside.

  “I taught my first set of classes this past summer, so this is only my second group of students.”

  “How many were in the first classes?” Bill asked.

  “Five—same as this time.”

  “Guess you wouldn’t want many more than that or it might get too crazy.” Bill gestured to the oven when the timer across the room rang. “Oh, good. My baked oatmeal must be done, along with Todd’s.” He rose from his chair, but Todd beat him to the stove, jerking open the oven door.

  Nicole frowned. How rude. Who does that man think he is? Todd monopolized much of the conversation when Bill was trying to ask Heidi questions earlier; he winked at Lisa several times; and now this? If I were Bill, I’d put that guy in his place.

  Heidi stood on the front porch, watching as the last vehicle pulled out of her yard. Nicole had been the first to leave, when her father picked her up, and Bill had been the last to go. He was quite a talker, especially when he didn’t have to compete with Todd.

  Heidi wasn’t sure how much anyone had learned today, but at least she’d sent them all home with the recipe for baked oatmeal, as well as a meaningful scripture on the back of the card. She had done the same thing with her previous students. She’d read the verse she shared today during her devotions a few days ago. It dealt with anxiety and fear: “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). Hopefully it would speak to someone’s heart this week.

  She sighed. Well, one class is finished, and there are five more to go. Her next class would be in early October, two weeks from today. Maybe by then Kendra’s baby would be born.

  Remembering she was going to check for phone messages, Heidi headed down the driveway to the small wooden building. When she stepped inside, she clicked the “message” button on the answering machine.

  “Hello, this is Kendra Perkins’s mother, and my message is for Heidi Troyer. I’m calling at my daughter’s request. She wanted you to know that she gave birth to a baby girl this morning. The infant came a little earlier than expected, but both mother and daughter are doing fine.”

  Heidi sank onto the metal folding chair, holding both hands against her chest. Her heart felt as if it had been broken in two. She was happy for Kendra, as well as her parents, but, oh, how she wished the baby could be hers—a daughter to raise and cherish. Even though the infant had arrived early, Heidi would have been more than ready to care for the child. Everything had already been purchased for the nursery. Of course, it had all been put away—out of sight, but never far from Heidi’s thoughts.

  Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked to keep them from spilling over. No amount of crying would change the fact—Kendra was keeping her baby, and that was that.

  Heidi left the phone shack without bothering to listen to the other messages. All she wanted to do was go back to the house and sleep the rest of the afternoon.
Tomorrow was Sunday; maybe things would look brighter in the morning.

  Chapter 6

  Heidi had no more than lain down on the couch to take a nap, when someone knocked on the front door.

  Groaning, she rose and went to see who it was. When she opened the door, she discovered their mailman, Lance Freemont, holding a package.

  “This was too big to fit in your mailbox, so I brought it on up to the house.” As he handed Heidi the package, he leaned forward a bit, sniffing the air. “Say, what smells so good?”

  “Oh, it’s probably the baked oatmeal my students made during the cooking class I held this morning. Kitchen odors can linger sometimes.”

  Lance grinned. “Is that so? Didn’t realize you taught cooking classes. How long have you been teaching people how to cook?”

  “I started my first set of classes in the spring, teaching on Saturdays for six weeks. Today, I began another set of six lessons with new students.” She placed the package on the entry table. “The classes aren’t necessarily for beginning cooks, however. Some who come to my house already know how to cook but want to learn more about traditional Amish meals.”

  “I see.” A lock of Lance’s light brown hair sprinkled with gray, fell across his forehead. “Are the classes always on Saturdays?”

  She gave a nod. “Yes, every other Saturday.”

  “Have you got room for one more student?”

  “There are five in the class—and I could include another—but don’t you deliver the mail on Saturdays?”

  “Sometimes, but my schedule changes, and beginning next week I’ll only be working every other Saturday. As luck would have it, I’ll be off on the same days you hold classes.”

  “Well, you’re welcome to join the class then, week after next.” Heidi quoted the price, taking a little off, since Lance had missed the first day. “When you come in two weeks, I’ll give you the recipe for baked oatmeal my students learned to make today.”

  “That’d be great.” There was a twinkle in his hazel-colored eyes she’d never noticed before. “What time does class start?”

  “Ten o’clock.”

  “Can I wait to pay you until then? I’d do it now, but I need to get back on my mail route.”

  Heidi smiled. “Next class is fine. I’ll give you the same form to fill out like my other students received. Also, if you can, you’ll need to bring an apron with you.” She stepped over to her desk, grabbed a white form and handed it to him. “It has the dates of each class and my phone number, in case you have any questions. Just leave a message, and I’ll get back to you.”

  “Okay, sounds good. I’ll see you then.” Lance turned, and as he started down the driveway, swinging his arms, he began to whistle.

  Heidi covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Lance’s personality would be a good fit with her other students—perhaps balancing out some of their negativity. His positive attitude had helped Heidi feel a little more uplifted than she had after receiving the news that Kendra’s baby had been born. She felt sure Lance’s jovial spirit would bless her other students, too.

  I need to send Kendra a congratulations card and maybe get something for the baby. Heidi tapped her chin. It was the least she could do to offer support and let Kendra know there were no hard feelings. Before she’d moved out, the young woman had given Heidi her parents’ address and phone number, in case she’d left anything behind or needed to get in touch with her.

  Heidi glanced at the package Lance had delivered and wondered who it was from. She hadn’t ordered anything, but maybe Lyle had and just forgot to mention it.

  She picked up the box and smiled when she saw the return address. It was from her aunt, Emma Miller, who lived in Shipshewana, Indiana. Heidi took the package to the kitchen and placed it on the table, then sliced the lid open with a paring knife, being careful to avoid damaging whatever was inside.

  Pulling the cardboard flaps aside and then removing several layers of white tissue paper, Heidi gasped as she lifted out a beautiful blue-and-white quilt in the ocean waves pattern. A note was pinned to the material. “Happy Anniversary, Heidi and Lyle. Lamar and I wish you many more good years together. Be blessed! Love, Aunt Emma and Lamar.”

  Tears welled in Heidi’s eyes as she clutched the quilt close to her chest. The different shades of blues Aunt Emma selected were perfect. How thoughtful of my dear aunt to remember today is Lyle’s and my ninth wedding anniversary. They’d gotten cards with money inside from both of their parents yesterday, and they would celebrate the occasion this evening by going out to supper at one of their favorite restaurants. Heidi looked forward to going. Even more so than she had this morning.

  Inhaling the aroma from inside the box, Heidi almost felt like she was standing in her aunt’s kitchen. She must have been baking the day she got the package ready to mail, because this quilt smells like cinnamon and other spices.

  Heidi ran her hands over the material, then draped the lovely covering over the kitchen chair. When she picked up the box it had come in, she discovered something else inside. She smiled, lifting out a plastic container, tucked neatly at the bottom. Heidi had a pretty good idea what was inside as she opened the lid and inhaled, delighting in the sweet fragrance wafting up to her nostrils. On top of the plastic wrap was another note from her aunt about the pumpkin cookies she’d made and wanted to share. Heidi pulled up the cellophane and saw over a dozen perfectly shaped cookies lined neatly in small rows.

  Think I’ll sample one of these right now. Heidi licked her lips, then took a bite of the plump, spicy cookie. How sweet of Aunt Emma to remember our anniversary by making us a quilt. Such a lovely gift and labor of love. I can hardly wait till Lyle gets here so I can show the beautiful covering for our bed to him. She looked down at the cookies. He’ll certainly enjoy eating these tasty kichlin, too.

  New Philadelphia

  Allie had only been home a few minutes with the children when she looked out the window and saw Steve’s car pull up. Relieved to see he that was okay, she ran to the door and swung it open. The minute her husband stepped inside, Allie threw her arms around his neck and gave him a tight squeeze.

  “I appreciate the hug, but you’re holding me so firm. Is everything okay?” He patted her back.

  “I–I’m fine.” She pulled slowly away. “But I’ve been worried about you today.”

  Steve’s brown eyes darkened further. “How come?”

  Her muscles tensed. “How come? Your job is dangerous, Steve, and I had a mental picture of you this morning. It left me feeling as though you had been hurt.”

  He shook his head slowly. “If anything had happened to me, you’d have been the first to know.”

  She sighed. “That’s a small consolation, dear. I wish you had a desk job, instead of being out on the streets where anything could happen.”

  He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I’m doing what I feel called to do. You knew that when I decided to get training to become a police officer soon after we were married. You said you were okay with it.”

  Allie couldn’t argue. She wanted her husband to be happy, despite knowing full well his life could be in jeopardy. Here lately, though, with the children growing and needing their father around, Allie had become paranoid about his safety. She’d never make it if something happened to Steve. She counted on him, not just for his financial support, but to be there whenever she and the children had a need. She relied on him for moral and emotional support, too. Along with their children, Steve was the love of her life.

  Allie thought about the verse of scripture Heidi had written on the back of the recipe she’d given them today. “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” She squeezed her eyes shut. Oh, how I want to believe that. If only my fears could vanish like vapor, but I don’t need to seek the Lord for that. Maybe the cooking classes I’m taking will help me learn to relax.

  Steve bent and gave Allie a kiss. “Enough about me now. How’d your first cook
ing class go this morning?”

  She opened her eyes and shrugged. “Okay, I guess. We learned how to make baked oatmeal, but I was hoping for something more exciting than that.”

  “There are five more classes, though, right?”

  She gave a slow nod, reaching up to run her fingers through his dark, short-cropped hair.

  “No doubt you’ll learn to make plenty of other things.”

  “I hope so. I’d like to be able to fix something Derek and Nola would enjoy.”

  He quirked an eyebrow and grinned. “You don’t think they’d like baked oatmeal?”

  She swatted his arm playfully, feeling more relaxed. “What do you think, silly?”

  “Speaking of the kids … What are they up to this afternoon?”

  Allie gestured toward the living room, at the same moment as the children started bickering. “They’re watching their favorite cartoons. Or at least they were.” She lifted her gaze to the ceiling and groaned.

  Steve gave Allie another quick kiss. “Yeah, I hear Nola and Derek now—loud and clear. Think I’ll go surprise the kids and join ’em.” He wiggled his brows. “I love cartoons.”

  Allie gave his arm a light tap. “Okay, you big kid. While you’re doing that, I’m going to feed Prissy; then I’ll make us all a snack.”

  Allie heard Nola and Derek scream with glee when Steve entered the living room. She smiled and headed for the utility room to take care of the cat. Those kids sure love their daddy. When I’m done, maybe I’ll join Steve and the children for a while. Some microwave popcorn would be a good snack. I’ll check to see if there’s any left in the cupboard.