Seated in the back row of the community church she and the kids had walked to this morning, Velma felt conspicuous and as out of place as an elephant in a candy shop. Hank hadn’t made it home yet, but he would have refused to join them anyway. Of course, Velma didn’t let that stop her. She was determined to follow Heidi’s suggestion and give church a try. After all, what did she have to lose?
Velma glanced to her left, where Peggy Ann sat, clinging to her hand. The girl’s reddish-blond ponytail bounced as she bobbed her head in time to the music. Maybe coming here will be good for my little girl. She seems to be enjoying herself.
Velma didn’t recognize any of the songs being sung. But then she hadn’t set foot in church since she was a young girl. Velma’s parents were not the religious type, but her maternal grandmother was. She’d taken Velma to Sunday school a few times when she came to visit on some weekends. She remembered singing songs like “Jesus Loves Me,” “Down in My Heart,” and “The Lord’s Army.” But none of those were being sung here today. One of her favorite songs had been “Onward Christian Soldiers.”
She pursed her lips, staring at the songbook in her lap. Guess that’s what I get for stayin’ away from church so long. I’m out of touch with everything that goes on.
Eddie, sitting on the other side of Velma, nudged her arm. “I’m bored. When are we goin’ home?”
“Shh… Be quiet.” Velma glanced around, hoping no one heard what her son said.
Eddie crossed his arms and slumped farther down on the benched pew seat.
Velma had hoped she and the kids would make a good impression, in case they decided to come back again, but they weren’t off to a very good start.
When the music stopped, and the people on the platform who’d led the singing sat down, a man dressed in a dark blue suit stood in front of the congregation and offered a prayer. Velma closed her eyes, hoping her children would do the same. But no, Eddie decided to start chomping real loud on his gum. She opened her eyes, and was about to whisper for him to take the gum out of his mouth, when he blew a rather large bubble. The next thing Velma knew, the bubble popped, leaving gum all over her boy’s face.
Velma quietly opened her purse and fished around for the small pack of tissues. Nudging her son’s elbow, she frowned. With a sheepish look on his face, Velma watched Eddie pull the sticky gum off his mouth and put the wad in the tissue she held out to him.
The prayer was still going on, but Velma noticed several people around them had opened their eyes and were looking in their direction with disapproving expressions. They probably think we’re hicks from the sticks.
Velma groaned inwardly. So much for making a good impression. This may be the first and last time we ever visit this church. Why can’t Eddie be as well behaved as the other children sitting around us?
“It’s good to see you. How are things going these days?” Miranda’s friend, Shelly Cunningham, greeted her as soon as she and the children entered the church they regularly attended.
“About the same as usual. I’m still cashiering part-time at our local grocery store.” Miranda gestured to Debbie and Kevin. “And these two completed their third cooking class a week ago, Saturday.”
Shelly squeezed both children’s shoulders. “That’s great. Are you two enjoying the class?”
Debbie nodded, but Kevin merely shrugged. Then, seeing his friend Scott enter the building, Kevin ran over to greet him. A few seconds later, Debbie wandered off in the direction of four young girls about her age.
Shelly rolled her eyes. “Kids—you gotta love ’em.”
“You’re right,” Miranda agreed, as she and Shelly stepped away from the front entrance. “I’m just glad my two like coming to church—even if the main attraction is to see their friends. Some parents have a difficult time getting their kids to go to church—especially when their father refuses to go and doesn’t set a Christian example.”
“Are you thinking about Trent?”
“Uh-huh. If he could only see how important it is for him to be the spiritual leader in our home.” Miranda sighed. “He’s been trying his best to get me to take him back, through gifts and preying on my sympathy.”
Shelly tipped her head. “Are you considering it?”
“No. I won’t go back to the way things were. There would need to be a heartfelt change in my husband before I’d consider trying again.”
“What about a marriage seminar? Do you think Trent would consider going to one?”
Miranda turned her hands palms up. “I’m not sure. Do you know of one in our area?”
“Sure do. In fact, it will be taking place here at this church in August.” Shelly reached into her purse and pulled out a brochure. “All the information is right here. Look it over, and if you think it’s something the two of you should attend, you might talk to Trent about it. If he’s serious about wanting to get your marriage back on track, then maybe he will consider going.”
“Okay, thanks.” Miranda put the pamphlet in her purse.
Shelly hugged Miranda. “I’ve been praying for you, my friend, and I’ll keep on until God gives you clear direction.”
Miranda appreciated her friend’s concern. Maybe this marriage seminar was the miracle she’d been hoping for.
“The kinner are sure quiet back there,” Lyle commented as he guided their horse and buggy toward home after leaving Eli Miller’s, where church was held that morning. “I wonder if they fell asleep.”
Heidi turned and glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough, Marsha’s head drooped against Randy’s shoulder, and the children’s eyes were closed.
She turned back around. “Jah, they’re both snoozing.”
“Guess they must need it.” Lyle grinned. “It was nice seeing Randy and Marsha mingling with some of the kinner after our noon meal. I’m glad they’re adjusting so well.”
“Me too.” Heidi released the tight grip she held on her purse straps and tried to relax. “I just wish we’d hear something from our lawyer soon about the adoption proceedings. It’s difficult waiting for news.”
“I agree, but the wait will be worth it. You’ll see.”
As they approached their home, Heidi noticed a car parked across the road. A gray-haired man stood beside it. But as Lyle began to turn the horse and buggy up their driveway, Heidi looked back and saw the man hurriedly get into his car.
“I wonder who that is.” She looked over at Lyle. “Did you recognize him?”
Lyle shook his head. “Probably some tourist looking to get a few photos of Amish people. You know how it is. Sometimes curiosity gets the better of folks, and they stop along the road to stare at us or snap a few pictures.” His face sobered. “Guess they don’t realize we’re just human beings like they are. We may dress differently and use a different mode of transportation, but in here, we’re the same as everyone else.” Lyle touched his chest.
Heidi’s skin prickled. She wanted to believe the man was only a tourist, but she had an odd feeling that something wasn’t right. She’d always been intuitive, and the way the man had hurriedly gotten into his car made her suspicious. She wondered if he’d planned to break into their house and rob them while they were gone. Perhaps his quick getaway was because they’d seen his face.
It wasn’t unusual for robberies to take place. Plenty of accounts of break-ins and thievery appeared in the newspaper every month. Heidi thought about one of her previous students, Ron, and how he’d stolen some things from them while they were gone. Hopefully, Lyle was right about the man they’d seen by the road. Heidi certainly didn’t need one more thing to worry about.