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The days flew by, with Miriam becoming more comfortable having the extra family members at their home. Anna was happy and joyful. She laughed all the time and found funny attributes in any situation. With the twins in the house, they created a lot to laugh about as well.
The day approached where the women of the district gathered together to quilt. Or that is how it started. As newer girls were married, some of them preferred knitting or crocheting over the quilting. These women sat in the room, working on their projects, and they all talked in a flurry of words.
Following breakfast, Miriam asked Anna, “Would you like to join me tomorrow at the women’s circle?”
Anna, having nursed one baby and got her to sleep, was now nursing the other. Then she would place her by her sister in a playpen Wayne and Levi had picked up at an auction. What a great invention this item was. It gave the girls the freedom to lay together and explore their surroundings. They were too little to do much but look at each other, but a time would come when safety was necessary.
“I have not learned to quilt.” Anna looked at the floor, and a red blush rose from her neck to her face. “My family had no money for anything more than food for all ten of us children. We had love from maem, but daed, he was no provider. He drank.”
Miriam was not sure she wanted to hear this story, but she reached over and squeezed Anna’s hand in reassurance. “You do not have to tell me this if you do not want to.”
Anna shook her head. “Nee, I do. You see, I wanted out of poverty and the shame of having our district provide for us. When rumspringa came, I went into town and took a job as a waitress. I had a friend who worked there, and she let me stay with her. It helped us both with expenses.”
“You were a brave girl, Anna. I would not have the courage to be on my own.”
“I was so scared my Daed might make me come home, but he did not. He even frequented the cafe, but he never spoke to me. Of course, he was always drunk, but in some small way, I felt he did me a favor. By not acknowledging me, he saved me the embarrassment of everyone knowing I was his daughter.”
Miriam nodded. “Your life could not have been easy.”
“Do not get me wrong, I miss them so much, especially my maem. I would love to show maem my boppli.”
“Maybe one day we can figure out how to help you do this.”
Anna smiled with trembling lips. “I pray so,” she whispered.
“So do you want to go with me? I am sure one of the ladies there will take you under their wing. We do more than quilting. I crochet, not well yet, but I am trying. Some knit, some sew or embroidered. Maybe you can find something you wish to do, and I’m sure the women will help you learn.”
Anna stood to place the boppli in the playpen with her sister. “I would like that very much. Thank Gott I have you, Miriam.”
Miriam’s heart swelled as she watched the girl walk from the room.
***
Miriam carried one of the boppli while Anna carried the other. The little ones were growing fast. Anna handed the boppli to Miriam and Miriam watched Anna gracefully get into the family buggy and reached over for her little ones. It was a good thing they were only going to the Eischler’s house as it was only a couple miles. Holding both boppli got heavy.
Pulling herself up into the buggy, Miriam took the reins and started the horses on their journey.
Within thirty minutes, they arrived at their destination. Miriam stifled a laugh when she spotted faces at the windows and through the screen door. Seems Miriam and Anna were the entertainment for the day.
She could imagine the chatter about Levi’s brother’s family staying with them. The circle always filled with gossip. The ladies enjoyed the socialization, but sometimes it became too much for Miriam to handle. And of course, they were still trying to get her to tell them about her patients. She refused to do so. Her Mammi taught her never to divulge a patient's’ information. Shaking her head, she knew how these rumors went. They flew around the community, and the story changed from one person to another. Nee, it was better to protect her patients.
“Are you ready for this, Anna?” Miriam asked.
Anna handed her Abby. She could only tell because she had on pink nail polish. It was unusual for Amish, but in this instance, it helped keep the babies apart. Their father laughed about the situation and told the family Emma might soon become jealous, and require her own unique color.
The young woman quickly rounded the buggy and took both her boppli from Miriam to allow her to jump down from the seat.
“I’ll grab the diaper bag for you,” Miriam spoke, turned around to grab the bag. Once she gathered everything, she hopped down, and the two women made their way to Bishop Eischler’s house.
Mrs. Eischler and her daughter, Mary, made a safe spot to lay the boppli on a large bed near the living room where the circle was being held. They put pillows around the girls and made sure they could not fall off if one of them took a notion to roll. Of course, neither of them had the ability yet, but it was coming.
Mary offered to look in on the little ones frequently so Anna could join in the festivities.
Anna sat beside Miriam on the sofa and watched her hands work the yarn. “I don’t think I could ever have the patience to count all the loops.”
“Truly, it is not difficult. If it were, I would not be able to do it.”
Anna sat there a while longer, then stood. “I think I will go see how to quilt. It looks so beautiful.”
“It is a beautiful pattern, a Wedding Ring quilt which Mary’s mother is making for her hope chest.”
“Will she marry soon?” Anna asked.
“Maybe, but it is the way of the district to keep courting a secret. The community is not told until the marriage is announced in the fall at a church service.”
“Oh.”
“Is this the way your district was as well?” Miriam frowned. She wondered about Anna and her district.
Anna offered no answer and walked away to join the others at the quilt.
The boppli remained sleeping for most of the afternoon.