Doubting Thomas-Nurse Hal Among The Amish Read online

  “Jah, you would not yet. Just wait a few years. You will understand better this conversation after you have grown older,” Eve predicted.

  “If you don't mind me asking, what do Esther and you disagree about?”

  “Eve stood up and pointed to a pot on the back of the cook stove. “The kettle simmering is beef stew to feed the carpenters for dinner and supper. After it simmered an hour this morning, I sampled the stew. I said it tasted just recht.”

  “After all these years, I'm sure we all trust your judgment,” Hal empathized.

  “You might, but Esther tasted the stew and told me it needed more salt. I told her it was salty enough. She poured a tablespoon full in the kettle too quick for me to stop her. A whole tablespoon of salt mind you. Now I fear the stew is ruined. The Keim brothers will not like it.”

  “I see.” Hal stared at the large kettle, wondering how much salt was too much for a pan that size as she searched for words of comfort. She certainly wasn't the right person to talk to if Eve wanted a good cook to side with her. “Well, I wouldn't worry. The men will be so hungry after working all day. They will eat anything.”

  “Ach! It looks like they will have to, ain't so? The damage is already done. They have no choice,” Eve moaned, stuffing her hands in her apron pockets.

  “Does this disagreement in seasoning have something to do with why you're building the new kitchen?”

  “Jah, I cannot keep criticizing my schwestern when she will not listen to me. I do not want to always feel bad for the diners when the food does not taste recht. We will have two menus when the new kitchen is finished. Diners can choose to eat my meal or Esther's.”

  “Looks like you solved the problem like Solomon by cutting the baby in half,” Hal offered cryptically.

  Eve opened her mouth to respond but didn't when she heard the hollow sound of sensible shoes on the board porch floor.

  Emma was the first one in the door. She seemed concerned about something. “Hallie, you really do need to go look at the garden. It is so neat. Not a weed in it.”

  Hal assumed that meant Emma listened to the other sister's version of the disagreement. Nora came in behind Emma, and she nodded her head in agreement with Emma. Hal didn't know what she could do to help, but listening didn't hurt anything. “All recht! Esther, you show me the garden while Emma discusses with Eve how she wants her wedding cake decorated.”

  “Jah,” Esther said.

  Tootie asked, “Did I miss a good discussion about the wedding, Hallie?”

  Hal gave Emma an disquieting glance. “Nah, Aunt Tootie, we didn't get around to it so you didn't miss a thing. Now you can listen while Emma tells Eve about the wedding.”

  As Hal and Esther went out the door, Emma said, “Can you make honeysuckle flowers from icing? I would like honeysuckles on my wedding cake.”

  Hal walked beside Esther on the sidewalk to the garden gate in silence which is what Hal expected. Esther didn't talk much. Hal learned some time ago to give up on providing a running conversation with Esther and just enjoy the mutual silence.

  Hal looked across the garden and exclaimed, “Emma is right. Eve and you have a lovely garden this time.”

  The elderly woman looked up at her with a weak smile.

  Hal pointed across the rows. “What's that staked string for through the middle?”

  “That divides the garden in half. The half nearest us is mine, and the other half is Schwestern's,” Esther said quietly.

  “Oh,” Hal uttered. “I never knew you to divide the garden before.”

  “Ach! We never did. We always planted according to the Amish rule of thumb and our faith in our beliefs.”

  “What is that?” Hal asked.

  Esther recited, “First, plant five rows of peas: preparedness, promptness, perseverance, politeness, and prayer. Next, plant three rows of squash: squash gossip, squash criticism, squash indifference. Two rows of turnips: Turn up with a smile. Turn up with determination. Finally, five rows of lettuce. Let us be faithful. Let us be unselfish. Let us be loyal. Let us be truthful. Let us love one another. After that, we plant the rest of the garden in other vegetables.”

  “I see the rows you're talking about minus the peas. Of course, those are finished by now,” Hal said.

  “Jah, I sewed turnip seeds in those rows, and that has not come up yet. We look forward to that crop. The tops make gute greens while the turnips grow.”

  “But why did you divide the garden in half?” Hal pressed.

  “Schwestern wanted to plant too many vegetables I did not want in the garden. We need more vegetables, we can cook and can, to use for our diners and for our winter use. I could not talk her out of planting her way so I divided the garden.”

  Hal said, “I see.” Esther just spoke more words in this conversation than Hal had ever heard from her before.

  “Ach! My schwestern is not very practical in her old age and very stubborn as well,” Esther said peevishly.

  Hal didn't understand. “What's wrong with the vegetables on Eve's end of the garden?”

  “Broccoli and cauliflower for one thing,” Esther said peevishly.

  “Those are gute, healthy vegetables, ain't so?”

  “They are, but the plants are large. They take a lot of room for vegetables that makes one head and is done. They do not produce enough food,” Esther complained.

  “Ach, I see,” Hal said. She didn't know how to dispute that claim. She wasn't any better gardener than she was a cook, and she didn't want to appear to take sides. The garden and the kitchen were disagreements the sisters would have to work out by themselves. “The large yellow marigolds scattered among the vegetables are certainly pretty.”

  “Jah, the flowers are doing a gute job of insect control this year,” Esther said, sounding upbeat when she delivered that news.

  On the way home, Hal asked, “Emma, do you know the Amish rule of thumb for planting a garden that Esther told me about?”

  “Jah, but we do not need so many rows of some of the vegetables so I cannot go by it. It is different for the Weber sisters. They use so much of what the garden produces in their business. Still, it was strange to see a string dividing the garden.”

  “Did Esther tell you why the string is there?” Hal asked.

  “Jah,” Emma said quietly.

  “I'm worried about the Weber sisters. I've never seen them at such odds before. Imagine, their situation is so bad Eve is spending a lot of money to build an extra kitchen.”

  “I can see why,” Tootie said. “Asking two women that are sisters to share a kitchen peaceably is like throwing two wet cats in a sack and tying it shut. It's bad enough they have to share a home.”

  “Sage advice from your Aunt Tootie,” Nora cracked.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning, two hours before daylight, John slipped out of bed and dressed. He tapped on the spare room door to wake Jim and on the boys door to wake them.

  It wasn't long until they gathered in the kitchen. John said, “Since we need to hurry this morning, once the chores are done we will come back in to eat breakfast.”

  Jim said, “Got ya.”

  Daniel nodded, and Noah yawned.

  When they stepped outside, Jim stretched. “It's good to get an early start on the day.” He laughed at the flock of crows that shattered the silence, themselves startled by such an early commotion. His laughter woke up Abraham. “The rooster heard me and thinks he overslept this morning.”

  “Jah,” John agreed. “But ain't it nice to get up early enough to watch Mother Nature wake up the day.” He pointed to the pink sky in the eastern horizon.

  “Sure is. Nothing nicer than listening to the proud morning crow of a rooster, and birds chirping wake up calls in the trees,” Jim said.

  “Jah, and with a long work day ahead of us, it is gute we got a gute night's sleep. Ich hab wie ein murmeltier gepennt.”

  Jim grinned. “Slow down and come again with that one.”

  “I said I slept
like a ground hog,” John explained.

  “Me, too. Only I slept like a log,” Jim replied.

  Once they entered the barn, everyone swung into action. Jim opened the back door to let in the first six Holsteins. The large black and white cows plodded to their stalls. Eager to be fed and milked, they shifted their feet impatiently while they waited.

  Daniel dumped feed in front of each cow, and Noah sanitized the cow bags.

  John turned on the generator and followed behind Noah. He spoke softly to each cow to get her attention so she'd stand quietly as he attached the milkers.

  While they waited to release the cows, John joined Jim, Noah and Daniel and leaned against the wall. “Remember, boys, not a word about what we are really doing today.”

  Noah nodded.”

  Daniel said, “I know.”

  Jim patted Daniel on the shoulder. “Good boys.”

  After breakfast, Hal told Nora and Tootie, “We're free today while our men and boys help Samuel Nicely make his hay. How about a shopping trip this morning and lunch out with my friend, Barb Sloan, from the Home Health Agency? Emma wants to invite her to the wedding.

  First, we'll go to the fabric shop. We need to buy the material for Emma's wedding dress and her attendants' dresses. It's time they get their sewing done.”

  Tootie leaned closer to Nora and whispered, “Another buggy ride. Why can't we take your car?”

  “We can,” Nora said softly. “Hallie, we can use my car. I'd be glad to drive. It would be faster if you have much shopping to do for the wedding.”

  “That is a great idea, Mom,” Hal said.

  “It wasn't her idea. It was mine,” Tootie put in quickly.

  “She's right. It was Tootie's idea,” Nora agreed.

  “Thank you, Aunt Tootie for thinking of it, and thank you, Mom, for driving your car.”

  “I thought it was a good idea,” Tootie boasted. “If we have time, could we stop by a store that sells bouquets of silk flowers?”

  Nora asked, “Why do you need flowers?”

  “I want to put them on Peter Rogies's grave while we're here,” Tootie said quietly.

  “For that, we'll make time,” Hal said as she hugged Tootie.”

  Once they reached Wickenburg, Nora parked in front of the Home Health Agency office. Hal's friend and former boss stared at her over papers in her hands as Hal walked toward her. “Hello, Barb.”

  “Hello right back at you, Girlfriend.” She stretched her neck to look out the window. “Hey, did you just get out of that car?” You give up being Amish?”

  “No, not now, not ever. I don't want to leave my family.”

  Barb wrinkled her nose at Hal. “And here I was hoping you might want your old job back. You can start tomorrow.”

  Hal laughed. “Don't you wish! Will you stop talking and give me a minute to explain my visit? My parents and aunt are visiting. My mother drove us in to shop. It's a ladies day out, and we wondered if you'd like to eat lunch with us.”

  “Sure, where?”

  “How about the Maidrite. The meal is on me,” Hal said.

  “Can't beat a free lunch. A maidrite sounds better than the peanut butter sandwich and chips in my sack lunch. Noon all right?”

  “That should work fine. We'll get the shopping out of the way in Bloomfield, and I want to show my relatives around Wickenburg before lunch.” Hal hurried to the door. “See you later.”

  The women spent a couple of hours in the fabric shop at Bloomfield, picking out material. Enough for three dresses in periwinkle blue and thread to match. White organdy for three aprons and two white prayer caps for the attendants. Enough black organdy to make Emma a wedding prayer cap and another one as a spare.

  Next stop was The Maidrite. The cafe was always busy at lunch time. Hal looked across the room and spotted an empty table large enough for all of them. She led the way.

  Owner of the Maidrite, Susie Davidson, blond hair plastered under a hairnet, came to the table. She pulled a pen from over her ear and poised her pad. “Hey, nice to see you, Hal and Emma. Been awhile.”

  “It has, indeed,” Hal replied. “Meet my mother, Nora Lindstrom and my Aunt Tootie Klinefeld.”

  “Nice to meet you, ladies. Welcome to Wickenburg. What can I bring you guys for lunch?”

  “The maidrites, of course, with salads and iced tea,” Hal said. “And put this all on one tab. I'm buying.”

  Barb walked up behind Susie and slid into the empty chair. “Want one more meal to add to your list?”

  Susie smiled.“That's fine with me, Barb. One more customer is always what we want around here.”

  “How's that brother of yours?” Barb asked. “I never see him around town anymore.”

  “Bud stays pretty close to home now that he and Elizabeth are married. Latest news is, we're expecting a new addition to the family,” Susie said, beaming.

  “Congratulations,” Tootie said. “When are you due?”

  Susie giggled. “Oh no, not me. My brother and his wife are having the baby. I'm just going to be the aunt.”

  “That's such wonderful news. Always a thrill to have a new baby in the family,” Hal said.

  “Take it from me, Susie, aunts are good to have around, too,” Tootie retorted.

  “Speaking for us aunts everywhere, I completely agree. Thanks for saying that, Tootie. Now I best get busy on your orders so you can eat.”

  After Susie left for the kitchen, Hal said, “Barb, Emma has some news for you.”

  “What's up, Emma?”

  Blushing as she ducked her head, Emma said softly, “I am getting married in September.”

  “That's wonderful. Who is the lucky fellow as if I don't already know?”

  “Adam Keim.”

  “Un huh,” Barb answered knowingly.

  “We wondered if you might like to come to the wedding and celebrate the day with us?” Hal invited.

  “I'd love to,” Barb accepted.

  After lunch and a trip to the Walmart so Tootie could buy a large bouquet of silk, white lilies, Nora drove them home. That evening, Emma spent a couple hours at the treadle sewing machine, sewing on her dress. In three days, she had the blue dress, cape and organdy apron done.

  One afternoon, Emma hitched up the buggy and drove over to the former schoolteacher's house to ask her to be the substitute teacher during September. After Ellen Yost and Andy Miller married, they moved into a house down the road from the Yost farm. Andy worked for Ellen's father as a farm hand.

  Emma picked up her teacher ledgers from the seat and descended from the buggy. Ellen opened the door. Emma was surprised to see the fair haired woman had a bulging stomach and a slight waddle as she led the way to the kitchen. “Sit down. I have a fresh pitcher of ice tea made. Help yourself to an oatmeal cookie?”

  Emma reached for a cookie. “Sure is hot out, ain't so?”

  “Jah. Reckon we will be glad to see fall,” Ellen agreed, pouring the tea.

  Emma thought back. It did not seem so long since she'd talked to Ellen, but it must have been longer than she realized. She bit into her oatmeal cookie and watched the little girl, close to two years old, the image of her mother, stack blocks on the floor. From the look of Ellen's middle, it appeared she was due to deliver another baby soon.

  “The cookie is gute,” Emma complimented as Ellen set the frosted glasses on the table. She washed the cookie down with a drink of tea. “You make the best mint tea.”

  “It's because of the gute crop of mint this year,” Ellen said humbly.

  Emma took another drink and swallowed slowly. “Spearmint or peppermint? I cannot tell, but the flavor is so refreshing.”

  Ellen slid into her chair and took a sip of tea from her frosted glass. “Spearmint. I am not fond of the taste of peppermint leaves. How are your wedding plans coming?”

  “You heard already,” Emma gasped.

  “Jah, Katie could not wait to come visit after she talked to you. She was eager to tell me she was one of your attenda
nts,” Emma said, smiling.

  “Hallie and I are working on the details. Hallie's folks and aendi have come to help. The deacon will publish our announcement at the first worship service in September. I am looking for a substitute teacher to start school for me until after the wedding. I had thought to ask you to help me, but I am not sure you will be able to help me.”

  “I am not as far along as I look. The reason my waist is expanding so quickly is Doctor Burns thinks I am having twins,” Ellen shared bashfully.

  “Really! Are you going to deliver at the hospital instead of the clinic then?”

  “Jah, that will be safer for the babies. I should be able to teach through September as long as I can bring Sara with me. I am not due until the middle of October.”

  “Denki for offering, but I think you are going to have you hands full with Sara while you wait to deliver. So much you will have to do to get ready for twins. I will find someone else to teach.”

  “I feel fine. Just moving a little slower, and standing up from a chair is harder as the time goes by,” Ellen said with a giggle.

  “I can understand that. You need to take care of yourself and get as much rest as you can,” Emma said.

  While Emma peeled potatoes for supper, her mind wandered to Ellen's struggle to get up from the chair to walk to the door with her. No telling how awkward getting around was going to be for the poor woman by September. Ellen was not a good choice for teacher, but who would be?

  Hal opened a jar of corn and poured the contents into a pan. “Think one jar is enough for all of us?”

  Emma didn't answer.

  Hal turned to the girl. Emma was staring off into space with her knife poised over a potato. “Emma, was ist letz?”

  Emma didn't hear her.

  “Emma,” Hal repeated.

  “Was ist letz?” asked Emma as she started peeling again.

  “Funny you should ask. I just asked you that question.”

  “Ach, just mulling over my visit with Ellen Miller this afternoon. You should know Ellen will not come to the clinic for her birthing in the fall.”