Michelle was glad when Sara left for her job the following morning. This gave her a rare moment to talk to Mary Ruth privately. She needed to apologize for her rude behavior last evening when she’d run out of the room after seeing the poinsettia Sara had given her grandparents. Michelle had even skipped supper last night—partly because she was still upset, and also because she’d developed a headache.
As Michelle approached the sink, where Mary Ruth stood washing the breakfast dishes, her throat felt like it was filled with a wad of cotton. Picking up the dish towel, she tried to swallow. “I owe you an apology, Mary Ruth. I shouldn’t have been envious of the poinsettia Sara gave you and Willis. It was childish of me to hide out in my room last night too. Will you forgive me for ignoring you when you knocked and called out to me through the bedroom door?”
Mary Ruth smiled as she turned to look at Michelle. “Of course I accept your apology. I am concerned though about the competition going on between you and Sara. I had hoped the two of you might become friends by now, instead of vying for our attention and trying to one-up each other.”
Michelle lowered her gaze. “It’s not jealousy of Sara, for she is your granddaughter. I still feel that I owe you and Willis something to make up for my deception. And whenever I try to do anything nice for you, Sara always does something better.” She lifted her head. “Besides, I don’t see how Sara and I can ever be friends. Simply put—she doesn’t like me, and probably never will.”
Mary Ruth shook her head. “Never say never. If you show Sara you are friendly and try to be kind, I’m certain in time she will warm up to you.”
“How much time?” Michelle’s forehead wrinkled.
“I don’t know, but Willis and I have been praying for both of you.”
“Thanks. Truth is, I need a lot of prayer right now, and it’s not just about my situation with Sara.”
“What is it?” Mary Ruth questioned. “Or is it something you’d rather not talk about?”
Michelle heaved a sigh. “I think it’s something I need to talk about.”
“I’ll dry my hands, and we can sit at the table while you tell me what’s troubling you.”
“That’s all right. I can talk and dry the dishes as you wash.”
“Okay then.” Mary Ruth resumed her chore. “I’m all ears.”
“I am trying to decide whether or not I should join the Amish church.”
Mary Ruth dropped her sponge into the soapy water, sending bubbles halfway up to the ceiling, while a few foamy suds landed on her nose. “Goodness.” She giggled, using her apron to wipe the soapy blob off.
Michelle joined the carefree moment, laughing and smacking her hands together to pop a few little bubbles floating in front of them.
“Are you truly serious about joining the Amish church?” Mary Ruth asked, once their laughter subsided.
Michelle gave a decisive nod. “Ezekiel plans to join in the spring, and he wants me to take instruction classes with him in preparation for baptism.”
“Is becoming Amish something you truly want to do?” Mary Ruth picked up the sponge.
“I—I think so. But I know it’ll be a challenge, and I’m not sure if I am up to it.”
“You seem to have adapted well to our Plain lifestyle.” Mary Ruth pushed up her damp sleeve. “I’ve never heard you complain about not having electricity or all the modern conveniences that are not found in our home. You’ve also learned how to drive a horse and buggy.”
“True, but that’s not the part I am concerned about.”
“What then?”
“In addition to learning how to speak Pennsylvania Dutch fluently, I’d be required to learn German so I can understand the sermons that are preached during church.”
Mary Ruth sponged off a spatula, rinsed the object well, and placed it on the drying rack. “Willis and I can help you with that.”
“Do you think I’m smart enough to learn both languages? I was never at the top of my class in school, and I didn’t get good grades. Truth is, compared to most of the other kids, I felt stupid.”
“You’re not stupid, and that’s in the past. You’ve already learned several words from our everyday language, and I have no doubt of your ability to learn more.” Mary Ruth’s tone was reassuring.
Michelle pulled the dishcloth across one of the clean plates. She tried to envision herself in Amish clothing and living a wholesome lifestyle, like the woman she wished was her grandmother. But maybe I’m like my own mother—a liar and a person people don’t trust. Michelle felt as though she were sinking in deep despair, unable to handle this rising challenge. “There’s something else, Mary Ruth.” She set the dry plate aside.
“What is it, dear one?”
“I don’t feel worthy of becoming Amish. My life has been full of imperfections, and everyone in this area knows how I deceived you and Willis when I pretended to be your granddaughter.” Michelle’s posture slumped. “I still haven’t completely forgiven myself, and there may be some in your church district who have not forgiven me either.”
“It’s in the past, Michelle. You prayed and asked God to pardon your sins, and you’ve apologized to us too. If you feel led to become Amish, then I think you should pursue it.” Mary Ruth offered Michelle a sweet smile and gave her a hug. It felt reassuring. “And thank you for opening up and sharing your feelings with me,” she added. “You are on a new path with your life, and Willis and I will be praying for you.”
Tears welled in Michelle’s eyes. “Danki for listening, and for the good advice. I will pray about the matter a few more days before giving Ezekiel my decision.”
Sara had only been working at the flower shop a few hours when she realized how much she was going to like her new job. She inhaled deeply. How pleasant it was to be surrounded by so many beautiful floral arrangements. Even though it was chilly November outside, it smelled like springtime inside the store.
Several people had come in already this morning, and Sara kept busy waiting on customers and answering the phone to take orders. With Christmas less than a month away, business would no doubt be thriving from now through the end of December.
“Have the poinsettias I ordered come in yet?” Sara’s boss, Andy Roberts asked, stepping up to the counter where she stood. “The poinsettias we have are selling fast, and the same holds true for the Christmas cacti. Hopefully the plants I ordered will be here soon.”
“I haven’t seen any sign of a delivery truck yet.”
“No, it won’t be a truck. The people I order many of my flowers from are Amish. They either deliver them with their horse-and-market buggy, or sometimes will hire a driver who owns a van.”
“Oh, I see. It’s nice you’re able to buy flowers and plants locally.”
Dragging his fingers through his thinning gray hair, Andy nodded. “I appreciate the fact that there is a greenhouse in the area that can provide me with flowers pretty much all year. I also like that it’s Amish-owned, because they are easy to work with. I’ve never been dissatisfied with the quality of their flowers and plants.” He motioned to the back of the store. “Welp, I’d better get busy and help my wife with making the arrangements. Karen wouldn’t appreciate it if she got stuck with all the work while I stayed out here yakking all day. Let me know if you need anything,” Andy called as he ambled toward the back room.
Sara looked around the shop again. Since she had been so busy, she hadn’t noticed how few poinsettias were actually left in the store until Mr. Roberts mentioned it. She was glad she bought the beautiful one yesterday, because right now only a couple of small ones remained.
A few minutes later, a tall Amish man entered the store. He was slender and had a full beard that was gray, which was in sharp contrast to his mostly light blond hair. With only a few wrinkles on his face, Sara figured he might be in his late forties, but the beard made him appear older.
“May I help you?” she asked when he stepped up to the counter.
He nodded. “Came in to buy a bouquet of flowers for my wife’s birthday.” His blue eyes twinkled under the lights in the store. “I’ve been doin’ that on her birthday every year since we got married, and sometimes I get Mattie flowers for no occasion at all.”
“I’m sure she appreciates your thoughtfulness.” Sara opened the cooler to show him what was available. “These are the bouquets that have already been made up. Do you see anything your wife might like?”
His forehead wrinkled as he rubbed one hand down the side of his black trousers. “Don’t think so. What else have you got?”
Sara glanced toward the back room. “I’ll go get one of the owners and see if they can make something up that would be more to your wife’s liking.”
“Okay.” The man reached under his straw hat and scratched the side of his head. “Are you new here? Don’t recall seeing you before.”
“Today’s my first day on the job,” Sara explained. “And I am new to the area. Now, if you don’t mind waiting, I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t mind a bit.”
Sara hurried to the back room, and was pleased when Karen said she would be right out.
Sara returned to her place behind the counter in time to see Ezekiel King enter the store.
“Sure didn’t expect to see you here.” Ezekiel gave Sara a wide smile. “I’m guessin’ because you’re behind the counter that you’re not one of the customers.”
“You’re right. I started working here this morning,” she responded. “What brings you into the flower shop, Ezekiel?”
“Came to deliver some poinsettias.”
“Oh, so you’re the delivery they’ve been waiting for.”
“Yep. This florist and a couple others in Lancaster County buy their Christmas flowers from our greenhouse.” Ezekiel glanced at the Amish man who stood waiting in front of the counter. “Hey, Mr. Fisher. How are you?”
The other man shuffled his feet. “Do I know you?”
“Not personally, but I met you once when I stopped by your bulk-food store in Gordonville. My folks have a greenhouse here in Strasburg.”
“I see.” Mr. Fisher’s attention turned to Karen Roberts when she came out of the back room. As he explained to her what he wanted for his wife’s bouquet, Ezekiel continued his conversation with Sara.
“I’m glad you were able to find a job so quickly. Michelle’s been lookin’ for a month now and hasn’t found a single waitressing position.”
Hearing Michelle’s name caused Sara to think about how Michelle responded last evening when they’d both given Sara’s grandparents a poinsettia. After seeing the look of disappointment on Michelle’s face, and then watching her run out of the room, Sara realized the reason for the young woman’s disappointment. I probably would have felt the same way if I’d given Grandpa and Grandma the smaller plant. But she should have gotten past it, instead of staying in her room all evening and ignoring Grandma when she knocked on her bedroom door, wanting to talk. It just showed Michelle’s immaturity.
“Did you hear what I said?”
Sara jerked her head. “What was that, Ezekiel?”
“I asked if you would hold the door while I bring in the poinsettias.”
“Oh yes. Certainly.”
Before they reached the door, a thunderous crash sounded outside on the street. Watching through the glass doors, Sara saw that a car had been rear-ended. Both drivers appeared to be okay, as they got out of their vehicles. But soon, a shouting match ensued.
Sara looked at Ezekiel with raised eyebrows and motioned to the angry man. “I wonder why he’s so mad. Look at all the dents already on the side of his car. That’s worse than the new one he’s pointing to on the front fender of the other’s man vehicle.”
The taller man, dressed in a gray business suit, stood shaking his head as he pointed to the spot on his car that had suffered the damage. It was easy to put two and two together on what had happened. Apparently, the well-tailored man had made a quick stop and the other guy couldn’t brake quickly enough.
“I wonder how long this will take.” Sara continued to watch.
Ezekiel shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the police car pulling up. Quickly, the officer directed both guys to move their vehicles off the road.
“Guess it’s safe to go out now,” Ezekiel commented. “A little excitement—the kind we don’t need. But at least no horse and buggy was involved. That happens all too often.”
As Sara held the door, she watched while Ezekiel unloaded a box full of poinsettias from his driver’s van. Most of them were the traditional red, but a few were an off-white, while a couple of others had a pinkish hue. It would be fun to place them around the store among the other displays. Meanwhile, she heard Mr. Fisher say he had some errands to run and would be back later to pick up his wife’s bouquet.
Sara didn’t know Mattie Fisher, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit envious of the woman. Being married to a man who brought flowers on her birthday every year must make Mrs. Fisher feel very special. It wasn’t only the idea of getting a pretty bouquet Sara envied; it was the thought of having a man care about her so much that he’d go to extra lengths to make her birthday special.
Not like Dean, who was so into his work and recreational sports that he sometimes forgot Mama’s birthday and even their wedding anniversary. Sara bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood. I wish I knew what my real father was like. Of course, if he didn’t care enough to marry Mama when she was pregnant, then he probably wouldn’t have been a good husband either.