Seeing Your Face Again (28 page)

When
Mamm
didn't object, Ida rushed down the basement steps dragging the hamper behind her. She checked the load of wash. It had been ready to take out ten minutes ago, but their conversation had delayed that. This load of
Daett
and Emery's work pants could probably use extra time in the washer anyway. Ida spun the wringer around and began to run the heavy pants through. She watched the slow turn of the rubber wheels and thought about Melvin.

Mamm
's unenthusiastic approval of her plans had shocked her but it hadn't taken her feelings down like she would have expected. Perhaps she'd matured or gained confidence in her own decisions recently. And she could understand that
Mamm
had reasons for her lack of excitement. Lois weighed on
Mamm
's mind more than she admitted. Debbie's recent problems didn't help either. But no matter what else was going on, Ida had a right to happiness. Wasn't this what she wanted? Peace, the chance to fall in love with a husband who was kind, and a life she could share with him that had purpose? Melvin with his six children supplied all that.
Mamm
would get used to the idea. Ida decided she'd keep the wedding small. That ought to compensate for the short notice.

Ida reloaded the washing machine and went up the outside basement steps. The air had warmed some since breakfast, but it still carried a nip. The sun would be out of the clouds soon, and a fine springlike day was on the way. Ida was halfway through clipping the heavy pants on the clothesline when she heard a car pull into the driveway. She glanced up and almost dropped one of Emery's denim pants. Debbie's old car had stopped by the hitching post, right near where Melvin had kissed her last night and asked her to be his
frau
.

This couldn't be Debbie. Debbie had given away her car. It had to
be Lois. And how like Lois to show up on a morning like this even after what
Daett
had told her. Hopefully Lois had enough decency to dress properly this time.

The car door swung open, and Lois hopped out. She hollered across the lawn, “Howdy there, sister. Up early, I see.”

Lois knew their schedule well enough having grown up on the farm, Ida told herself. Her sister was just nervous—as well she should be. But at least she was dressed properly this morning. Perhaps that much of
Daett
's lecture had soaked in.

“
Gut
morning!” Ida answered with a warm smile as Lois approached.

“
Yah
, I'm decent,” Lois snapped as Ida's eyes surveyed her appearance.

“You don't have to get short with me,” Ida said. “You had it coming. You know that.”

“It's still not right.” Lois sighed. “But what can you do with hidebound people like the Amish?”

“Speak for yourself.” Ida glanced toward the house. Hopefully
Mamm
wouldn't see that Lois had arrived, but what hope was there of that? This would only add an additional burden to
Mamm
's already-rushed morning. “So what are you doing here this morning?” she tilted her head. “And how did you learn how to drive that thing anyway? Doesn't that take a while?”

Lois looked hopeful. “Did you want to learn?”

Ida laughed. “
Yah
, I can just see myself whizzing around the community scaring everyone half to death.”

“It's not that hard,” Lois assured her. “I studied hard and practiced a lot. Debbie's mom, Callie, has been most helpful. I never could have done it without her. And now she's helping me with my schooling. It's so wonderful to have someone appreciate who I really am for once.”

Ida gave Lois a sharp look. “You were loved well enough, if I recall correctly. You chose to walk away from us, Lois.”

“I can't change who I am,” Lois countered. “And I got tired of trying.” Her face lit up again. “But I do have great news to share.”

Ida waited.

When Lois remained silent she finally asked, “And what would that be—as if I really want to know.”

“You don't have to be so mean, Ida,” Lois said. “A
wunderbah Englisha
man I met at a party Debbie's mom took me to last week asked me out on a date. He took me to this fancy restaurant, and it was so…” Lois gazed toward the sky, apparently lost in the memory.

“And you came to tell us that?” Ida remembered Melvin's kiss last night, but pushed the thought away. Lois probably got kissed too, if she didn't miss her guess. But Lois's didn't seem decent in a way. Melvin's kiss would lead to wedding vows and the care of six needy children. Lois's kiss was for the fun of it, if the look on her face was any indication.

Lois came out of her reverie with a sigh. “He's such a nice man, and you don't have to knock him, Ida. I know what you're thinking. Love's the same out there as it is in here. Although I have to admit that I never felt this for an Amish man—not like I do for Doug.”

“You could have
tried
, Lois.” Ida busied herself with the last of the heavy pants. Lois could offer to help, Ida thought. She did know how to hang out wash, but there were obviously more important things on her sister's mind.

“So, how's life treating you?” Lois ignored the wash. “Still going on with old maid plans on your mind, hanging out clothes on a wash line when you could be drying them inside in a proper electric dryer?”

Ida ignored the insults. At least Lois had shown a concern for their lives. “I'll have you know I'm getting married in May.”

Lois gasped. “You're getting married? To whom? And why haven't I heard about it?”

Ida let a smile fill her face. “Melvin Kanagy asked me to wed last night, and I accepted.”

“But…” Lois clutched Ida's arm. “Not Melvin Kanagy! He has six children!”

“
Yah
, he lost his
frau
last year. And he has six lovely children. They are perfect dears.” Ida hung the last piece of wash on the line. “And Melvin's a decent man. Don't you go saying he isn't.”

“Decent or not, he still has six children, Ida. I know you like to sacrifice, but such a high number and right off the bat!”

“Well, it suits me.” Ida picked up the hamper. “Do you want to see
Mamm
?”

A cloud crossed Lois's face. “Perhaps I shouldn't. But it's been
gut
talking with you, Ida. I do so appreciate that. Maybe we can do this again sometime?” Lois glanced around. “I do so miss all of you. More than I care to admit sometimes.”

“You can come back, you know.” Ida allowed hope to stir inside her. “That would be such a
wunderbah
day, Lois.”

Lois shook her head. “I can't, Ida. But chatting from time to time I can do.”

Ida thought for a moment. “Will you come to Amish weddings?”

“Oh!” Lois beamed. “You're inviting me? Of course I will come.”

Ida glanced toward the house again. “Go then before
Mamm
sees you. We'll talk about this more later.”

Lois ran across the lawn to the car, hopped in, started it up, and drove out the lane. Ida walked toward the basement steps, but she turned to watch Lois's car disappear from sight. It was
gut
that Lois had stopped by, even if she never came back to the community. Lois would always be her sister. Maybe she wasn't supposed to have them, but warm circles ran around her heart at the thought. Ida began to hum.

Twenty-Seven

T
he afternoon sun cast fast-moving shadows across the lawn. Ida removed the clean wash from the line in the brisk wind. She filled the hamper to overflowing before she ducked her head and made a dash for the house. Once there, she emptied the sweet-smelling wash onto the couch in the living room before she went outside for another load. The wind was at her back now as she ran across the lawn. There was no rush really, Ida told herself.
Mamm
had begun the supper preparations in the kitchen, and she wasn't behind schedule. But she felt up to a good run at the moment.

Debbie would be home soon from her job in Ephrata, and Ida still hadn't spoken with
Mamm
about her detailed wedding plans. Not that she feared
Mamm
's further disapproval, but now didn't seem the right time. Lois's visit hadn't helped. From the troubled look on her face,
Mamm
must have spotted Lois from the living room window as she left.

“Is Lois in trouble?”
Mamm
had asked.

“
Nee
. I think she stopped in because she's lonesome,” Ida had replied.

Mamm
appeared ready to say, “Then why doesn't she come
home?” But instead she'd said nothing as she continued to knead the bread dough on the kitchen table. The counter was now lined with fresh loaves—enough for a week.

When would the wounds of Lois's departure heal? They couldn't go on like this forever. Each visit from Lois couldn't stir up this kind of pain or they would never find peace and happiness at the Beiler home again. At least her conversation with Lois hadn't been a disaster, Ida told herself. Lois didn't need unpleasant experiences every time she visited home. Not that she blamed
Daett
or
Mamm
. They were doing the best they could. Perhaps things would go better as time went on. But now Lois dated an
Englisha
man. Ida sighed. That was one thing she hoped
Mamm
wouldn't find out anytime soon.

In the meantime, life continued. And it had a right to, Ida told herself, even if she felt a little guilty. Without a doubt life improved for her each Sunday evening she spent with Melvin. Ida allowed a smile to creep across her face as she took the last hamper of clean clothing across the lawn and bent her head in the brisk wind. She entered the house and was ready to empty the load onto the living room couch. She paused and then took the wash into the kitchen instead where
Mamm
was working on supper. Ida set the hamper on the table and seated herself.

Mamm
glanced at her.

“I'm going to fold them in here, if it's okay with you. I'd like to speak of my wedding plans.”

“I've been thinking about them,”
Mamm
said, keeping on with her work. “I don't need to tell you, Ida, how uneasy I feel about all this. It's too soon—and to a man with six children!”

“But,
Mamm
!” The words burst out of Ida. She didn't intend such intensity, but the objections from
Mamm
caught her completely by surprise. “You never said anything before! And Melvin's brought me home from the hymn singings several times. Why didn't you say something sooner?”

“I guess it happened too fast.”
Mamm
sighed over the soup she was occasionally stirring. “I suppose I never thought it would go this far. And I've had Lois and Debbie on my mind. Then here you up and announce your wedding plans. And to a man with six children. It's a lot to deal with.”

That was the problem, Ida told herself. She should have given
Mamm
more warning, but how could she when it all had happened so quickly, even for herself. Ida glanced at
Mamm
. “But you're not forbidding this, are you? Seeing that
Daett
has no problem with Melvin. And you know I'm plain looking,
Mamm
.”

“Is that why you're taking Melvin? Because he's your only choice?”
Mamm
gave Ida a quick glance. “And you know
Daett
would approve of Melvin being he's Minister Kanagy's brother.”

Ida sputtered a protest. “
Daett
's not like that. Melvin's a decent man, and so what if I wasn't looking for Melvin's attention. At least the man loves me, and I'm falling in love with him—I think.”

“You
think
?”
Mamm
paused to glance in the soup kettle. “You'd better know by now if you've promised yourself to the man.”

“I do know.” Ida said at once. And she did, Ida told herself. Look at the way she blushed at the memory of Melvin's kiss last night. Even now it sent shivers through her whole body. So far she liked everything about Melvin, and she would like the rest of him. Enough that she wished to spend her life with him—if
Da Hah
so willed it.