The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club - 02 - The Tattered Quilt

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Not well, but better than when we arrived in Portland,” Rachel interjected. “I think our reunion gave her a lift, and we promised to keep in touch through letters and phone calls. I just hope her memory doesn’t go.”

  “Maybe we can plan a trip there sometime,” Lamar said, placing Emma’s suitcase in the entryway.

  “I wouldn’t want to travel that far during the winter months, but if Betty’s up to company in the spring, we might think about going then.” Emma smiled at Lamar and then turned to Rachel. “Lamar and I are planning to spend the winter months in Sarasota, Florida.”

  Rachel’s blue eyes brightened. “Will you be staying in Pinecraft?”

  Emma nodded. “Lamar has a cousin who owns a house there, and he said we could rent it for a reasonable price.”

  “That will be nice,” Rachel said. “Maybe I’ll drop down and visit sometime during your stay.”

  Emma smiled. “We’d welcome that, wouldn’t we, Lamar?”

  He bobbed his head. “Emma and I are always open to having company.”

  “What will you do while you’re in Florida?” Rachel questioned.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Emma replied. “We’ll probably do some sightseeing and get to know the area and the people. We have several friends who’ve relocated to that area and some who go there for the winter months, so it’ll be nice to visit with them as well. And of course it will be wunderbaar to spend some time on the beach, soaking up the sun and looking for shells.”

  “That’s right,” Lamar agreed, “and I’m looking forward to doing some fishing.”

  Rachel touched Emma’s arm. “Do you think you might teach a quilting class while you’re there?”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that,” Emma said. “I’d really planned on just taking it easy all winter.”

  “Well, I certainly don’t blame you. We all need that from time to time.” Rachel yawned. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to take it easy for a spell. If you don’t mind, I’m going upstairs to rest for a bit.”

  “No problem,” Emma said. “I’d do the same if my students weren’t coming over today, but I did promise them that we would all get together one last time to share how everyone’s doing.”

  As Rachel left the room to head upstairs, a knock sounded on the door. “I’ll see who it is,” Lamar said as Emma took a seat. A few seconds later, he was back with Carmen at his side.

  “Now this is a pleasant surprise,” Emma said, smiling. “I thought you’d gone back to California.”

  “I did, but I came back.” Carmen dropped her gaze as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

  “If you two will excuse me, I need to go feed the goats and then check for any phone messages that may have been left this morning,” Lamar said, glancing at Emma. Did he sense that Carmen wanted to speak with her alone?

  Carmen waited until he left the room, and then she leaned against the table as if needing a little support. “I need to tell you something, Emma.”

  “Oh, what’s that?”

  “Before you say anything, please hear me out. I came here to take your quilting classes under false pretenses.”

  Emma blinked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “I came to Indiana to do a story on the Amish—a negative story that would shed a bad light on rumschpringe.”

  “Oh my!” Emma clasped her hand over her mouth. “I had no idea you came here for that. Is this the reason you were asking me so many questions about our young people and their running-around years?”

  Carmen nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “After getting to know you and Anna, I came to realize that things weren’t as I’d thought them to be, and I just couldn’t write the story the way my boss wanted me to.” She paused, reached into her purse, and pulled out a newspaper. Handing it to Emma, Carmen said, “Here’s the story I ended up writing, and it’s the one that went to print, although my boss wasn’t happy about it.”

  Emma repositioned her reading glasses and read the article slowly, to be sure she didn’t miss anything. When she was done, she looked up at Carmen and said, “That was a nice article. You didn’t show us as being perfect, but neither did you shed a bad light on us, the way some reporters have done. That’s not to say that some of the things written about certain Amish people haven’t been true. Unfortunately, there are bad people in all walks of life.”

  “Not you, though, Emma,” Carmen said, touching Emma’s shoulder. “You’re one of the kindest, most thoughtful women I’ve ever met.”

  “Does Paul know about this article?” Emma asked, pointing to the paper.

  Carmen shook her head. “He knows I planned to write it, but as the negative article my boss wanted me to compose. Paul doesn’t know anything about the one I actually wrote. When he found out I was sent here to write a damaging article, he was very upset and accused me of taking advantage of you.” She sniffed and swiped at the tears running down her flushed cheeks. “I’m afraid he won’t let me see Sophia anymore, and I was hoping that—”

  “That something might develop between you and Paul?” Emma interrupted.

  Carmen nodded. “I’ve come to care for them both so much, and if there was anything I could do to make things right, I surely would.”

  “You already have.”

  Carmen jumped at the sound of Paul’s voice. “Paul, where did you come from?” she squeaked.

  “I just got here—came to see Lamar and Emma,” Paul said as he strode into the room, holding Sophia’s hand.

  As soon as the little girl saw Carmen, she squealed and ran toward her. Carmen opened her arms and gave Sophia a hug.

  Emma smiled. It was obvious the child loved Carmen as much as Carmen did her. “You know,” Emma said, “I think I’ll go out to the kitchen and fix some refreshments. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back soon.”

  “Do you need some help?” Carmen asked.

  “No, I can manage. Just stay and visit with Paul, and I’ll take Sophia with me.” Emma took the child’s hand and ushered her out of the room.

  Carmen turned to Paul, and was about to say something, but he spoke first. “Carmen, before you try to explain anything, I have a few things I’d like to say.”

  “Go ahead, Paul.”

  “I’ve been trying to call you, but all I ever got was your voice mail.”

  “That’s because I’m not home; I’m here,” she said, feeling a bit apprehensive. Was he going to chastise her again for her betrayal? What could he say to her that he hadn’t said before?

  “I’m surprised you’re here,” Paul said. “I thought you were still in California.”

  “I was, but I came back so I could take care of a few matters,” she replied, her defenses rising.

  “Well, believe me, I’m glad you’re here, because I read your article online and need to apologize for the things I said before you left for California.”

  Blinking, Carmen could hardly believe her ears. “I accept your apology,” she said, feeling a great weight lifting off her shoulders, “but I’m really the one who needs to apologize. When I came here on this assignment, I had no idea what to expect or that I’d meet such wonderful Amish people, like Emma, Lamar, and Anna.” Carmen looked into Paul’s eyes. “I wasn’t thinking about how all this would hurt you and Sophia. I–I care for you both.” She didn’t dare say how much.

  “We care for you, too,” he said, taking her hand. “And if I had my way, you’d stay in Indiana and forgot about California.”

  Carmen smiled up at him. “That’s good to hear, because I’ve quit my job at the newspaper there and have found one at the newspaper in Goshen.”

  Paul’s eyes widened as a genuine smile stretched across his face. “Now that is good news!”

  Sophia was seated in the high chair in Emma’s kitchen, happily eating a cookie with a glass of milk, so Emma decided to take the rest of the cookies into the living room to share with Carmen and Paul. She’d just stepped into the hall when she saw the you
ng couple holding hands and looking lovingly at each other. Better not disturb them right now, she decided. Think I’ll give them a little more time alone.

  Emma had no more than reentered the kitchen, when Lamar came in from outside. “Look who just arrived,” he said, motioning to Anna, who followed close behind.

  “Oh Anna, it’s good that you came today. Carmen is in the living room with Paul.” Emma gestured to Sophia, sitting in the high chair. “This is Paul’s little girl, Sophia.”

  Just as Emma said her name, Sophia looked up and gave Anna a big grin.

  “She’s so cute,” Anna exclaimed.

  Emma smiled, watching as Anna walked over to Sophia and tickled her under the chin.

  “I’m going back outside,” Lamar said. “I plumb forgot about checking for phone messages.”

  When Lamar went out the door, Emma turned to Anna and said, “How have you been?”

  Anna’s cheeks colored. “It’s hard to explain, because I’m still confused, but I think my eyes have been opened to some things.”

  “Oh? What kind of things?” Emma asked.

  “Lately I’ve been feeling like I need to get away someplace on my own. And I’ve had an opportunity to go to Florida with my friend Mandy in December.” Anna stopped talking, as if to regroup her thoughts; then she slowly shook her head. “I thought this would be my chance to get out on my own for a bit. I wanted a taste of something different—maybe even try out the English way of life. Then two weeks ago, after our last quilting class, Mandy and I went to Goshen and we dressed in English clothes, let our hair down, and even wore some makeup. It was fun until a couple of English fellows came into the restaurant and wouldn’t leave us alone.”

  “Did anything happen?” Emma asked with concern.

  “No, thank goodness,” Anna replied. “Mandy and I slipped into the restroom, washed off the makeup, and changed back into our Amish clothes. Somehow we were able to slip back out without those guys even recognizing us.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Emma said, placing a comforting hand on Anna’s arm.

  “When I got home that evening,” Anna continued, “and told my folks who I was with, Dad yelled and Mom’s face turned red. They never did approve of me hanging around with Mandy, but she’s my best friend. Then I got angry and blurted out to Mom and Dad that I was going to Florida, and that my mind was made up.”

  Emma almost knew what was coming next. It sounded all too familiar after recently hearing her sister Betty’s side of the story, but she let Anna go on telling her what had happened.

  “So when I said that, Dad told me if I went to Florida, I could just stay there and never come back.” Anna’s chin quivered, and her eyes filled with tears. “How could Dad say something like that to me?”

  “I’m sure he didn’t mean it, Anna. He was only speaking out of anger and concern.”

  Anna sighed. “Well, ever since then, Dad and I are hardly talking, and Mom is so upset she keeps begging me not to go. I’m so confused and don’t know how to fix things between us. If I don’t go to Florida and get some experience on my own, I don’t think things will ever change for me here at home.”

  “I understand,” Emma said, giving Anna a hug. Then she quickly told her about meeting her oldest sister for the first time, and how and why Betty had left home. She then stated, “Betty’s decision to leave home, and our parents’ response to it, affected everyone. If you’re going to leave home and think you’ll want to come back, then you should tell your parents that. In fact, I think it would be good if you tell them everything you’ve told me just now, Anna. And if you like, I’d be happy to speak with your Mom and Dad, too.”

  “Would you really do that for me?” Anna asked.

  Emma nodded. “I had it in my mind to do that anyway. Since Lamar and I have decided to spend our winter in Sarasota, I’ll let your parents know that we’ll be there in case you need anything. That might set their minds at ease.”

  Anna smiled as she dried her tears. “Danki, Emma. I think that would help, and I’ll look forward to seeing you in Florida.”

  Emma motioned to the door leading to the living room. “As I mentioned, Carmen’s here, and I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you, so why don’t you go in and say hello?”

  “Okay, I will.” Anna started out of the room but turned back around. “I’m glad I talked to you, and I appreciate your concern and support.” She pivoted around and hurried down the hall.

  Seeing that Sophia had smudges of cookie on her face, Emma went to the sink and wet a paper towel. She’d just finished cleaning the little girl up when Lamar entered the kitchen.

  “I just checked our phone messages,” he said, “and there was one from Blaine.”

  “Oh, what’d he say?” Emma asked, lifting Sophia down from the high chair.

  “Well, first he wanted to let us know that he’d become an uncle again. Seems his brother Darin and his wife, just had their first boppli—a little boy.”

  “Isn’t that nice?” Emma smiled. “I’ll bet Blaine is excited.

  “He was and said he’d be heading up to Canada around the holidays when all his family will be together.” Lamar paused before continuing. “Guess what else?”

  “There’s more?” Emma asked.

  Lamar gave a nod. “Blaine also said that he wouldn’t be able to come here today because he’s meeting Sue for coffee.”

  Emma quirked an eyebrow. “Isn’t she Blaine’s ex-girlfriend?”

  Lamar nodded. “Guess she wants to get back together, and at my suggestion, Blaine’s giving her a second chance.”

  Emma tweaked her husband’s nose. “Is that so? And I thought I was the only matchmaker in this family.”

  “Oh really? Who, might I ask, have you been trying to get together?”

  Emma gestured to Sophia. “Her daed’s in our living room right now, talking to Carmen.”

  Lamar’s eyes twinkled. “Ah, I see. And I’m guessing you had something to do with that?”

  “Well, I didn’t set it up, if that’s what you mean, but after Carmen showed up, Paul and Sophia came by. When I saw that Paul had some things he wanted to say to Carmen, I brought Sophia in here so the two of them could talk in private.” Emma’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I peeked in on them a few minutes ago, and they were holding hands. Anna, in fact, just went to join them. And by the way, Anna opened up to me, and we had a good talk.”

  Lamar grinned. “That’s gut, jah?”

  “Yes, it’s very good on both accounts.”

  A knock sounded on the back door, and Lamar called, “Come in, it’s open!”

  Selma stepped in, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m not late, am I?” she asked.

  “No, Carmen and Anna are here, and they’re in the living room with Paul,” Emma replied.

  “And Blaine’s not going to be able to make it,” Lamar added.

  “Well, there’s something I want to share with you,” Selma said, clasping Emma’s arm. “I called my daughter last night, and we had a long talk. I apologized to Cora for the things I’ve said in the past that hurt her, and she said she was sorry for leaving home and not keeping in touch with me.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful,” Emma said, giving Selma a hug. “I’m happy to hear that things are working out between you and your daughter.”

  “It’s because of you, Emma,” Selma said, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. “You taught me more than just how to quilt. You helped me realize the importance of loving and accepting others.”

  Emma smiled. “I think we all learned a lot from each other during our quilting classes.”

  The roar of an engine drew Emma’s attention to the kitchen window.

  “Sounds like Terry and Cheryl are here,” Lamar said with a chuckle. “I’ll let them in.”

  When Cheryl and Terry entered the kitchen, Emma knew immediately that they had worked things out, for they wore huge smiles on their faces.

  “Cheryl told me the good news,” Terry sai
d, stepping up to Emma. “Special things seem to happen when folks take your quilting classes. Jan found his daughter during one of your classes, and now Cheryl’s found her great-aunt and you’ve found your sister.” Terry, looking into Cheryl’s eyes, smiled and took her hand. “I found you, and it’s almost too good to be true.”

  Emma was surprised to see that Terry had cut his hair and was dressed in nicer clothes. He obviously wanted to make a good impression on Cheryl.

  Lamar winked at Emma, and she winked right back. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this would not be the last group of would-be quilters she would teach. Whether it was here in Indiana or in Florida during the winter, she knew that God would send the right people at just the right time.

  EMMA’S APPLE-CRUMB BREAD

  Ingredients:

  ½ cup butter

  1 cup sugar

  2 eggs

  1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 2 tablespoons milk

  2 cups flour

  ½ teaspoon salt

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  1½ cups chopped apples

  Topping:

  1 teaspoon cinnamon

  2 tablespoons butter

  4 tablespoons flour

  2 tablespoons brown sugar

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream together in a bowl the butter, sugar, and eggs. Add the baking soda dissolved in 2 tablespoons milk. Finally, add in the flour, salt, vanilla, and chopped apples. Pour into a 9” x 5½” greased bread pan. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over top of bread batter. Bake for 1 hour.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. In this story, Anna was dissatisfied with her life and wanted to leave home to try out the “English” way of life. Why do you think some teenagers (Amish or English) are anxious to leave home and strike out on their own?

  2. Due to his parents’ breakup, Terry feared marriage and commitment. How can a person whose life has been affected by a breakup learn to have a meaningful relationship without fear or worry that it will happen to them?

  3. After Carmen was asked to write an article that would shed a negative light on the Amish, she came to realize that things weren’t quite the way she thought they were. Have you ever been asked to do something you believed would please your boss or brighten your career and then realized what you’d been asked to do was wrong? How did you handle the situation?