Heidi couldn’t help overhearing the conversation that had transpired between Jeremy and Kassidy. It was hard to understand why some children were so sweet and kind, while others, like Kassidy, wore a frown most of the time and tried to provoke others. Was it her parental upbringing, unhappiness at home, or did the girl merely enjoy making trouble?
Heidi didn’t want to keep everyone waiting, so she asked her students to move into the kitchen.
“If it’s all right with you, I think I’ll wait in the dining room today while Becky takes the class,” Ellen spoke up. “It would be good for her not to have me watching over her shoulder.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Becky headed straight for the kitchen.
“I’ll go along with that and sit in the dining room too,” Darren was quick to say.
Heidi looked at the other parents. “What would the rest of you prefer to do? I’m fine with whatever you decide.”
“I’ll sit with Ellen and Darren. It’ll give me a chance to get better acquainted.” Miranda smiled. “And my kids won’t have to worry about their mom asking unnecessary questions or trying to help them too much.”
“I’ll stay with the other adults too,” Denise said.
“What about you, Velma?” Heidi questioned. “Would you prefer to join us in the kitchen or stay in the dining room with the other parents?”
Velma tugged on the collar of the blouse Heidi had bought her Monday. In fact, she and Lyle had purchased a few sets of clothes for Velma and the children, since all their clothes other than the ones they’d been wearing the night of the fire had been burned. “I think it’d be best if I do the laundry while you’re teaching Peggy Ann, like I said before. Eddie can occupy himself outside in the barn with Hank and Lyle.”
It was clear to Heidi that Velma felt uncomfortable sitting among the other parents, so she went along. When the meatballs were done, she would invite Velma to join them for a taste test.
As the adults sat in Heidi’s dining room, drinking iced tea and visiting, Denise only half listened to their conversation. She was more interested in what was going on in the other room. She heard Heidi say she was going to check on Velma, so when she left the room, Denise turned an ear in the direction of the children waiting in the kitchen for Heidi’s return.
Through the partially opened door, Denise saw Miranda’s son, Kevin, sitting at the table beside Jeremy.
“How come only your dad and not your mom have come here with you?” Kevin bumped Jeremy’s arm.
“My mom died of a brain tumor.” Jeremy lowered his head.
“That’s sad. Bet ya miss her a lot.”
“Yeah. Everything changed after she died.” Jeremy heaved a sigh. “Now, whenever my dad goes to work, he calls a lady from church to stay at our house with me.”
Denise glanced sideways at Darren to see if he’d heard his boy’s comment, but Jeremy’s father seemed to be absorbed in something Ellen was saying to him.
“You’re not the only one who gets stuck with a sitter, but the lady who stays with me when Mom’s at work is nice.” From where she sat, Denise couldn’t see Becky, but she recognized her voice.
“When our mom has to work, Debbie and I have a babysitter too.” Kevin bobbed his head.
“My mother leaves me alone sometimes,” Kassidy said in her usual bragging tone. “But not for very long, of course.”
Now where did she come up with that? I’ve never once left Kassidy alone at the house. Denise was tempted to intervene, but remained in the dining room, watching and listening to the children. I’ll bet my daughter wants to appear grown-up in the other kids’ eyes.
Kevin thumped the table with his knuckles. “If my daddy moved in with us again, he could be with me and Debbie sometimes when our mom has to work at the grocery store.” He paused and sniffed a couple of times. “I miss him a lot and wish he and Mommy would get back together so we could be a family again.”
Denise heard Miranda’s intake of breath, and when she looked her way, tears glistened on her cheeks.
Denise realized that each family represented here today had their own issues to deal with, and so did she. Even families that appeared to be perfect often dealt with serious issues. She wished there was a simple answer that could fix everyone’s problems. But life held no guarantees, and for some, the problems they faced might never be resolved. Even mine, she concluded with regret.
Denise caught a glimpse of Kassidy when she got up to get a drink of water. Except for her comment a few minutes ago, she was surprised her daughter hadn’t said something hurtful to one of the children or bragged about how perfect her life was. In fact, she’d suddenly become abnormally quiet.
Denise thought back to earlier that morning, when she and Greg had a disagreement. She’d asked him to get some things done outside that morning, because a storm had been predicted for later in the day. The gutters needed to be cleaned, but Greg declined, saying he’d made arrangements to go golfing with one of his lawyer friends, and then out to lunch to discuss an upcoming case. Greg had also added that the gutters could wait.
Denise pursed her lips. Greg was trying to justify going golfing. I’ll bet whatever they had to talk about could have waited until Monday.
She looked at Darren and Ellen again. They seemed oblivious to everyone else in the room. She couldn’t remember the last time Greg had looked at her in the tender way Darren was fixated on Ellen.
Turning away, she gazed out the window. The sky had darkened, and storm clouds brewed in the distance. I hope we get home before the rain comes. It looks as if it could get nasty.
“All right, class, I’m ready to begin now,” Heidi announced when she returned to the kitchen. “Today I’m going to teach you how to make some yummy meatballs.”
When Heidi’s class ended, and they were ready to eat what the children had made, it began to rain, and the muffled sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. “Since a storm is coming, we’ll eat in the dining room today,” Heidi said. She asked Ellen to get out the cut-up vegetables she’d prepared earlier and put in the refrigerator so they would stay cool and crispy.
“I’d be happy to do that.” Ellen rose from her chair.
“I’ll help get things on too. Just tell me what to do,” Miranda offered.
“Would you mind setting the table?”
“Not at all.” Miranda went to the kitchen.
Denise pushed her chair aside and stood. “I’ll help her.”
“Thanks. I’ll see if Velma, Eddie, and the men would like to join us.” Heidi grabbed an umbrella and hurried out the back door.
A short time later, Velma sat with the other parents and their children around Heidi’s dining-room table, enjoying the delicious meatballs and cut veggies. With the exception of Kassidy, the other children seemed pleased when they received compliments on the meatballs from their parents.
While listening to the conversation going on at the table, Velma’s mind wandered. Once we get settled in our new house, I’m going to get involved in some community and church activities. I also need to get better acquainted with the Amish and English folks in the area. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll have an opportunity to help someone out.
A knock sounded on the front door, and Heidi went to answer it. When she returned, a tall man with brown hair was with her.
“Trent—what are you doing here?” Miranda sputtered, nearly spilling her glass of iced tea. “I thought you had to work today.”
“I worked this morning, and now I’m here on a mission.” He looked at Velma and smiled. “I heard you and your family need transportation, so I brought you a secondhand car that is in good shape.”
Velma blinked rapidly as her mouth slackened. “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that. My husband and I don’t have enough money to buy a car right now. You probably haven’t heard, but a week ago, we lost our mobile home and everything in it.” She dropped her gaze to the table. “Right now, we’re in the worst financial shape we’ve ever been.”
“You don’t understand.” Trent moved closer to the table. “The car is a gift. I don’t expect anything for it.”
Velma stared at him with her mouth slightly open. The words would hardly come. “I—I can’t believe you would do that for a stranger.”
Trent glanced at Miranda and grinned. “My wife told me about your situation, and then I learned more the day I came to the class with Debbie and Kevin.” He looked back at Velma. “So, you’re not really a stranger. I feel like I know you, and it’s my pleasure to help out.”
Velma placed both hands against her hot cheeks, barely able to swallow due to her swollen throat. “Thank you, Mr. Cooper. I humbly accept your wonderful gift.” Overcome with emotion and gratitude, tears coursed down Velma’s cheeks. Thank You, God, for bringing so many good people into my life when I needed it the most.