The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Goshen

  When Ruby Lee woke up still fighting the headache that had come upon her the day before, she was surprised to see that Gene was already out of bed. He usually slept in on Mondays because it was his day off, but soon after all the trouble at the church started, Gene’s sleeping habits had changed. Sometimes Ruby Lee found him up in the middle of the night pacing the floors. Some days he slept at odd hours and for long periods of time.

  When is all this going to end? she wondered as she climbed out of bed and padded over to the window. Will things ever get better? Will Gene and I know peace and a sense of joy again? I feel like such a hypocrite, singing songs of praise during church, smiling, shaking hands, and pretending that my heart’s not breaking, when I really wish I didn’t have to be there at all.

  Ruby Lee pressed her nose against the window, barely able to see outside due to the rain coming down in torrents.

  “This horrible weather sure matches my mood,” she mumbled. “So much for working in the garden today.”

  She turned from the window, slipped into her robe, and stepped into the hall, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee beckoned her to the kitchen. She found Gene sitting at the kitchen table with his Bible open. When she drew closer, he looked up at her and smiled. “Good morning, my love.”

  “Mornin’,” she mumbled as she reached for a mug and poured herself some coffee.

  “How are you feeling? Last night you said you had a headache. Is it gone now?”

  Ruby Lee winced as she shook her head. Just the slightest movement made the throbbing even worse. “Hopefully it’ll be better once I’ve had some coffee.” She seated herself in the chair across from Gene, added a spoonful of sugar to her cup, and gave it a couple of stirs.

  “It’s a tension headache, isn’t it?” he asked.

  “Yeah. It came on me yesterday right after church. This horrible weather we’re having doesn’t help much either.”

  “Did someone in our congregation say something to upset you?”

  “Nothing directly to me, but I heard a couple of the board members’ wives talking in the foyer right before the service started.” She frowned. “One of them—Mrs. Randall—said she thought the board should ask you to resign.”

  Gene nodded slowly as his shoulders slumped. “I figure that’ll probably happen at the next board meeting, if not before.”

  “If you know this, then why don’t you resign before they ask you to leave?”

  His response came slowly. “You know why, Ruby Lee. The Lord Almighty called me to this church to minister to these people—even the difficult ones.” He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “God doesn’t want us to lose faith or give way to despair. He wants us to keep praying and hope for the best, always trusting Him.”

  “That’s pretty much what Emma Yoder told me last Saturday.”

  “Well, she gave you some good advice.”

  “But if the people at our church don’t want you anymore …” Ruby Lee bit her lip to keep from bursting into tears. What was the point in trying to reason with Gene? They’d had this discussion so many times before.

  “You know how much I’ve been praying about our situation and seeking God’s will,” he said.

  All she could do was nod.

  “Well, I’ve finally reached a decision.” Gene paused and looked down at his Bible.

  Ruby Lee held her breath and waited for him to continue. Please, Lord. Please let him say we should leave that church full of ungrateful people.

  Gene pointed to the Bible and smiled. “My answer was here all along.”

  “What is it?”

  “‘Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.’ Philippians 2:2,” Gene read from the Bible. “If the church board is opposed to us borrowing money to add on to the church, then I, as their leader, need to respect that decision and stop pushing them to do what they feel the church can’t afford.”

  “You’re giving up your dream of adding on to the church?”

  “That’s right.”

  “But if we don’t add on, how will the congregation ever grow? I mean, folks can barely find seats in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings now.”

  He nodded. “That’s true, but there are other things we can do.”

  “Such as?”

  “We can have two services or maybe open up a wall and make use of the room that’s now being used for storage, which would let us seat more people.”

  “So you won’t resign and look for another church?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Nope.” Gene’s even, white teeth gleamed as he smiled. “I’m stayin’ right here for as long as the good Lord tells me to stay.”

  “What if the board asks you to leave even after you’d told them you’re giving up on the building plans?”

  “Then I’ll abide by their decision.”

  Ruby Lee released a sigh of resignation. She had a hunch that once Gene met with the board and told them his decision they would probably not ask him to leave. And if that happened, for Gene’s sake, she would continue to support his ministry by being the best wife she could be. She would do it because she loved him and knew it was her responsibility.

  Quietly, she bowed her head. Heavenly Father, I truly do know that You exist, and I ask You to forgive me for doubting Your presence and for losing my faith in people. I know You brought Gene and me here for a reason and that You have a definite plan for our lives. Thank You for that plan and for loving me enough to send Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. No matter what happens in the days ahead, help me to trust You in all things.

  CHAPTER 32

  Shipshewana

  Early Wednesday morning, Emma shivered as she stood on the porch and watched the rain come down. It had begun raining on Monday and had continued to rain all day Tuesday. It wasn’t just a light rain either. It had come down in torrents, filling the gutters with so much water that they continually overflowed, leaving the flower beds flooded and puddles scattered across the lawn. Along with the rain, strong winds had blown, until at one point, Emma feared some of her windows might break. But the wind had finally subsided. Now if the rain would just let up.

  Sure wish I could get out of the house for a while, Emma thought. She would have enjoyed going to the pond and sitting by the tree where Ivan had carved their initials. She always did her best thinking there, and with all that had been on her mind this week, she had plenty to think and pray about. If the rain let up later today, maybe she could still go to the pond. She hoped so anyway, because she didn’t like being cooped up in the house for too long.

  Emma was relieved when it quit raining shortly after noon. The fresh air felt good, and she was ready to be outside for a while. So she hitched her horse to her open buggy and headed in the direction of the pond to enjoy her and Ivan’s special tree.

  Emma didn’t know why she felt such a strong need to go there today. Could it be because she’d had a dream about Ivan last night and had awakened this morning with him on her mind?

  “Oh Lord, I thank You for all the beauty You created,” Emma murmured as she looked up at the pretty blue sky. Even the white, puffy clouds that had formed into such unusual shapes were amazing.

  The birds sang a chorus of happy tunes from the trees lining the road, and Emma’s horse lifted her head as though sniffing the fresh air and enjoying it, too. Even God’s creatures were joyous after the rain. Emma loved how clean everything looked and smelled after a good rainfall and didn’t mind if a drip now and then splattered on her lap as it fell from the tree branches overhead.

  She hardly knew which way to look. A blaze of orange led her onward as she admired a cluster of tiger lilies growing at the edge of the woods. How grateful she was for all God’s creation.

  A short time later, Emma guided her horse and buggy up the path leading to the pond. She knew it had been raining hard these last few days but hadn’t expected to see so much water everywher
e. She giggled to herself, watching a family of bluebirds splashing and bathing in one of the puddles. It even appeared as if the pond had grown to be nearly twice its size. Apparently the ground just couldn’t soak all that water in.

  Searching for an area that wasn’t covered with water, Emma finally located a tree where she could secure her horse. Then, carefully stepping around one puddle after another, she made her way down the path leading to her and Ivan’s special tree.

  As she approached the spot where it had stood so many years, Emma gasped. “Ach, my! What’s happened here?” Their beautiful tree had been uprooted, no doubt from all the wind and rain. It lay across the path, surrounded by mud and leaves, no longer a living, growing tree.

  Emma stared, feeling sick at heart. How long has our tree been down? she asked herself. If only I’d come to see it sooner; but then how could I have, feeling the way that I did during my bout with shingles?

  It saddened her to know that there would be no more times of coming here to think and pray while she gazed at the initials Ivan had lovingly carved in the trunk of the tree. Emma knew it was silly, but she felt as though she could burst into tears because such a special memory had been taken from her. She wished she were an artist, so by memory she could sketch and preserve that image of what once had been so special to her and Ivan.

  Slowly, she walked to the fallen tree, tears clouding her vision as she stared at those precious initials now facing skyward. Running her fingers over the carved-out bark, Emma remembered once again the kindness that had drawn her to Ivan so many years ago. This place that had given them many wonderful yet simple memories would now be missing a piece of their past.

  Emma closed her eyes before leaving, trying to keep an image of their initials imprinted in her mind. She knew that once some time had passed, she’d probably come here again, for it was the place that held those special memories, not just the tree. For now, though, she’d have to let it sink in that their tree would no longer be here, and that this place would be changed forever.

  When the weather improved and everything dried out, someone would probably come along and cut up the tree for firewood. Well, at least it will go to good use, even though our special initials will be gone, she told herself, trying to remain positive.

  Taking one final look, Emma noticed a few wild irises that had been close to where the tree had been uprooted. Because their bulbs were exposed, she decided to take a few home and put them in one of her flower beds. If they survived, her flower garden would hold yet another memory of something dear to her heart.

  Swallowing against the lump in her throat while fighting back more tears of despair, Emma turned and slowly made her way up the path. All she wanted to do was go home, where she could occupy her thoughts with the work she needed to do. She knew from experience that keeping busy was the best remedy for self-pity.

  Mishawaka

  All was quiet that night as Stuart stepped out onto the deck overlooking their backyard. Following the cooler rain they’d had, the weather had turned muggy and warmer than normal—especially for the beginning of June. Summer would soon be upon them, bringing even hotter, humid weather. So this was simply a taste of what was yet to come.

  The tall trees surrounding their yard shaded most of the lawn, but from the deck, the leafy branches didn’t obscure the beautiful view they had of the sky. How many times had he and Pam talked about sitting out here on a cool autumn evening or a warm spring night, stargazing while sipping from mugs of hot chocolate and eating s’mores. Somehow those plans were always put on the back burner, and they just never got around to doing it.

  This was one of those times the stars looked so close—almost reachable. The fireflies were putting on quite a display as well. Their sparkling lights from the land to the sky seemed to mesh and intertwine with the stars.

  Too bad Pam isn’t out here enjoying all of this with me, he thought with regret. But no, she’d rather sulk and refuse to talk to me. Don’t see how she thinks we’re ever gonna fix our marriage problems this way. For someone who complains about not spending enough time together, she has a funny way of showing she wants to be with me. She must not have been listening last Saturday to the things Emma had to say about marriage. Maybe she doesn’t care whether we get our marriage back on track or not. Guess I just need to keep pressing ahead and try to focus on something positive.

  As Stuart continued to watch the twinkling display, he reflected on how well this evening had gone with Devin and Sherry. After supper he’d promised them a game of Frisbee, and then as the sun began to set, he and the kids took a walk through the neighborhood while Pam did the dishes. He’d invited her to go with them, but she’d declined. Was it because she was still miffed at him for wanting to take Devin fishing? Well, she ought to get over it and be glad he wanted to spend time with their boy.

  Pulling his thoughts back to the walk he and the kids had taken, Stuart thought about the neighborhood they lived in and how it was nice and spacious with plenty of yard space between each of the homes. As he and the kids had meandered down the streets, outside lights from neighbors’ homes glowed as if to invite them in. A few “Hi, how are ya’s?” were exchanged with those sitting on their porches and at picnic tables. One of their neighbors had waved as he rolled up the hose that had been left in the yard before the storm. Even though most were near-strangers, it was a friendly area. That had been proven to Stuart and Pam many times when there were emergencies in the neighborhood. People would drop whatever they were doing to lend help where needed, and it made them feel secure knowing they could count on others if it became necessary.

  When they’d arrived home from their walk, Stuart had thought about roasting marshmallows, but it was near the kids’ bedtime. Much to Stuart’s surprise, Sherry and Devin had actually cooperated when Pam said it was time for their baths. Their energy level had been kicked up a notch since the end of the school year. But as bedtime approached, he could see that they were slowly unwinding. After kissing him goodnight, the kids had headed upstairs to their rooms. No doubt it wouldn’t be long before they’d drift off to sleep with dreams of summer swimming in their heads.

  Pulling up a deck chair and taking a seat, Stuart thought how when he’d brought up the subject of camping last week, he hadn’t expected Pam would get so upset, and he still couldn’t figure out why she didn’t like camping in a tent.

  Tent camping was the only kind Stuart had ever known, and he thought it was fun when he could rough it for a few days. Every summer when he was a boy, his parents had taken him and his younger brother, Arnie, camping, and they usually went to a different state park each year. What an adventure it had been, and like most kids, he’d always looked forward to their next family camping trip the following year. Stuart’s love of camping grew deeper over time, even though one of their trips could have been proclaimed disastrous.

  Stuart shook his head and grinned as he remembered that year, arriving at Mohican State Park much later than they’d planned because Dad had taken a wrong turn and gotten them lost. When they’d finally pulled into their campsite, it was close to midnight, so his folks only had time to put in the crucial stakes to keep the tent in place. They’d decided to jury-rig the porch roof on the tent until morning, while Arnie and Stuart quickly gathered wood for the campfire.

  Unfortunately, a terrific thunderstorm hit overnight, with high winds, torrential rains, and plenty of lightning to brighten the sky. It wasn’t funny then, and they’d all been pretty scared, but afterward it had made a good story, telling everyone how it went unnoticed that the porch roof had filled up with rainwater. During the storm, Mom and Dad had been more worried about the lightning. The pocket of rainwater was too heavy for the weakly extended porch roof to hold, and before daybreak, the overhang collapsed, sending a flood of water through the whole tent.

  Stuart chuckled out loud as he remembered the wet awakening they’d all received that morning. Luckily, it was sunny the next day, and they could hang their sleeping
bags and wet clothes on a makeshift clothesline to dry.

  Oh brother, he couldn’t help thinking. I can only imagine Pam going through something like that. I can almost hear her squealing right now!

  Thinking about Pam, he let his mind drift to something she’d said to him last week. It had shocked him to learn that Pam’s childhood wasn’t as rosy as he’d thought, and that she’d resented her father. Maybe tomorrow he would attempt to find out more—if she was willing to talk about it.

  As Stuart got up and walked over to the porch railing, he caught sight of a falling star and watched as it fizzled out of sight. “Wish Pam had been here to see that,” he muttered.

  Growing tired, he turned and was about to go into the house to make sure all the lights were out before going to bed when his cell phone rang. He saw on the screen that it was an employee from work and figured he’d better take the call.

  Having just put the kids to bed and feeling the need for some fresh air, Pam decided to join Stuart on the porch. Maybe if they spent a few minutes alone, enjoying the cool breeze that usually came up on a hot sultry night, they could communicate without ending up in a fight. It was a worth a try, anyway.

  Pam had been pleased when Stuart said he wanted to take a walk around the neighborhood with Sherry and Devin. She’d been tempted to join them but figured it would be good if he spent a little time alone with the kids. Besides, she needed an opportunity to reflect on the things Emma had said during their last quilting class. Pam knew she’d been dwelling on the negative and not appreciating all that she had.

  Emma was right, Pam thought. If I hadn’t married Stuart, we wouldn’t have the pleasure of raising our two very special children.

  Pam was about to open the screen door when she heard Stuart talking to someone. Had one of the neighbors dropped by? It was getting pretty late in the evening for that.

  She peeked through the screen and spotted Stuart near the porch railing with his cell phone up to his ear. Curious to know who it was, she stood quietly off to one side, listening.