Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jeremiah 17:7
Dinner that night didn’t go any better. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer ate dinner in their bedroom, and Bree had dinner in the kitchen with only Cora and Andrew. No one mentioned the reason she was there and dinner was mostly eaten in silence.
When they’d only just finished dinner, they heard scratching sounds at the back door.
“That’ll be Dusty,” Andrew said, jumping up from the table. As soon as he opened the door, a golden retriever rushed in. Andrew caught up with him before he bounded on Bree. “Settle down, Dusty; mind your manners.”
“He’s lovely,” Bree said.
“That’s because you haven’t gotten to know him yet,” Cora said.
Andrew knelt beside him. “He’s a bundle of energy and he’s got a mind of his own. I’ve barely been able to train him.”
“That’s because he’s not a smart dog,” Cora added.
Bree looked at the dog who was enjoying Andrew giving him a neck rub. “Maybe he’s extra smart; too smart for tricks.”
“I’m not trying to teach him any tricks. We’re struggling with sit, stand, and especially stay. He just doesn’t listen.” He looked down at Dusty. “Where have you been anyway?” He looked up at Bree. “He was with me and Dat in the fields and then he took off and wouldn’t come back.”
“He could’ve seen a rabbit or something,” Cora said.
“Maybe.” He said to Bree, “He’s only three, but he still thinks he’s a pup. Still acts like one.”
“Everyone ready for dessert?” Cora asked as she rose from the table.
“Yes please,” Bree had never been one to turn down sweets of any kind.
“I know you won’t say no, Andrew. I’ll go up and get Mamm and Dat’s plates and see if they want dessert.”
Bree watched Cora walk out of the kitchen and wondered if Mrs. Stauffer could be that ill if she was still able to eat. Whenever Bree had a migraine she hadn’t been able to eat anything at all.
Andrew left Dusty and sat back down at the table. “My father said he’d come down and talk to you after dinner.”
“That’s good; that’ll make me feel a little better.”
“They’re glad you’ve come, so you don’t need to be worried about that.”
“I’m not worried.” Bree did her best to smile.
He chuckled. “Well, you do look a little worried, unless you go around with a permanent frown on your face.”
“I’ve been very stressed these past few weeks with wondering what to do with the baby.”
“It can’t be easy I’d imagine.”
“What can’t?”
“To be in your situation.”
“It’s not easy at all. I never thought this would happen to me. It was always something that only happens to other people.”
“It was a shock to us all when Simon left us. It’s been especially difficult for my parents because he died on his rumspringa which was probably their worst fear with him being away.”
Bree knew their beliefs so she nodded sympathetically. “Your parents believe he won’t enter God’s kingdom.”
“That’s right. If he’d come home and been baptized into our faith, that would’ve been an entirely different thing and my parents wouldn’t be grieving so hard.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
“You’ve done right to come here. This will bring my parents happiness. They’re just getting used to the idea. Trust me,” he said.
Cora came back into the room with two empty plates. “They don’t want dessert so it’s just us.”
Cora dished out apple pie and cream and then sat at the table with them while Dusty sat down looking at everyone eating.
“This is the best apple pie I’ve ever had in my life,” Bree said to Cora.
Cora giggled. “I’ll show you how to make it if you want.”
“I doubt mine will taste like this even if you show me how to do it.” Bree had never been interested in cooking, but what else was she going to do while she was here? There was no electricity, no Internet, and no television. “I’d like you to teach me. I can always give it a go.”
Cora smiled at her.
When they finished dessert Cora refused to let Bree help with the washing up. Instead, she insisted Bree go into the living room and said her father was coming down to talk to her soon. Bree sat in the living room with Simon's brother, hoping what Mr. Stauffer was coming down to say would be something positive. She didn’t think they would turn her out on the street with nowhere to go and besides, they had said that she could stay there for a few nights.
More than anything Bree hoped they’d agree to adopt the baby. It just wasn’t enough for them to be the grandparents because then she would feel a sense of responsibility and she wanted to walk away free and clear.
She looked over at Andrew who looked just as uncomfortable as she felt. He smiled at her and she smiled back. To make conversation, she asked, “Did you ever go on a rumspringa?”
“No, I never did. Cora wanted to go until Simon had the accident.”
“Best she doesn’t go.”
“That’s exactly what I told her.”
When Mr. Stauffer came downstairs, he sat on the couch opposite Bree. “Marie has one of her headaches so we might have to talk to you more about this tomorrow, Bree.”
Bree nodded. “Thank you for allowing me to stay here.”
“You are very welcome,” he said. “We normally have a Bible reading after dinner. You’re welcome to stay and listen.”
“I’d like that.” Bree figured she’d make an effort to fit in if she wanted them to allow her to stay there until the birth.
Mr. Stauffer looked at Andrew. “Go and get your schweschder.” Andrew disappeared into the kitchen and came back with Cora. Once everyone was seated, Mr. Stauffer opened his Bible and proceeded to read. His words in the old English Bible language were hard to understand so Bree sat there and did her best to appear interested.
When Mr. Stauffer closed the Bible, Cora stood. “I’ll finish cleaning the kitchen.”
“I’ll help you,” Bree said rising to her feet.
Core turned around to face Bree. “There’s no need. I’m nearly finished, I just have to put a few plates away, and that’s all.”
Feeling awkward now, Bree said good night to everybody and went upstairs hoping she wasn’t being rude or going to bed too early. When she walked up to the bedroom, she closed the door behind her feeling bad about all the upheaval she’d caused them.
It hadn’t been her intention to cause any of Simon’s family stress. He had said that they wanted another child, so surely any stress she created for them now would be made up for when the baby arrived. One thing she knew for certain was that her baby would be better off being raised by Simon’s parents than raised by her.