The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club (35 page)

Emma was relieved when it quit raining shortly after noon. The fresh air felt good, and she was ready to be outside for a while. So she hitched her horse to her open buggy and headed in the direction of the pond to enjoy her and Ivan’s special tree.

Emma didn’t know why she felt such a strong need to go there today. Could it be because she’d had a dream about Ivan last night and had awakened this morning with him on her mind?

“Oh Lord, I thank You for all the beauty You created,” Emma murmured as she looked up at the pretty blue sky. Even the white, puffy clouds that had formed into such unusual shapes were amazing.

The birds sang a chorus of happy tunes from the trees lining the road, and Emma’s horse lifted her head as though sniffing the fresh air and enjoying it, too. Even God’s creatures were joyous after the rain. Emma loved how clean everything looked and smelled after a good rainfall and didn’t mind if a drip now and then splattered on her lap as it fell from the tree branches overhead.

She hardly knew which way to look. A blaze of orange led her onward as she admired a cluster of tiger lilies growing at the edge of the woods. How grateful she was for all God’s creation.

A short time later, Emma guided her horse and buggy up the path leading to the pond. She knew it had been raining hard these last few days but hadn’t expected to see so much water everywhere. She giggled to herself, watching a family of bluebirds splashing and bathing in one of the puddles. It even appeared as if the pond had grown to be nearly twice its size. Apparently the ground just couldn’t soak all that water in.

Searching for an area that wasn’t covered with water, Emma finally located a tree where she could secure her horse. Then, carefully stepping around one puddle after another, she made her way down the path leading to her and Ivan’s special tree.

As she approached the spot where it had stood so many years, Emma gasped. “Ach, my! What’s happened here?” Their beautiful tree had been uprooted, no doubt from all the wind and rain. It lay across the path, surrounded by mud and leaves, no longer a living, growing tree.

Emma stared, feeling sick at heart. How long has our tree been down? she asked herself. If only I’d come to see it sooner; but then how could I have, feeling the way that I did during my bout with shingles?

It saddened her to know that there would be no more times of coming here to think and pray while she gazed at the initials Ivan had lovingly carved in the trunk of the tree. Emma knew it was silly, but she felt as though she could burst into tears because such a special memory had been taken from her. She wished she were an artist, so by memory she could sketch and preserve that image of what once had been so special to her and Ivan.

Slowly, she walked to the fallen tree, tears clouding her vision as she stared at those precious initials now facing skyward. Running her fingers over the carved-out bark, Emma remembered once again the kindness that had drawn her to Ivan so many years ago. This place that had given them many wonderful yet simple memories would now be missing a piece of their past.

Emma closed her eyes before leaving, trying to keep an image of their initials imprinted in her mind. She knew that once some time had passed, she’d probably come here again, for it was the
place
that held those special memories, not just the
tree
. For now, though, she’d have to let it sink in that their tree would no longer be here, and that this place would be changed forever.

When the weather improved and everything dried out, someone would probably come along and cut up the tree for firewood.
Well, at least it will go to good use, even though our special initials will be gone, she told herself, trying to remain positive
.

Taking one final look, Emma noticed a few wild irises that had been close to where the tree had been uprooted. Because their bulbs were exposed, she decided to take a few home and put them in one of her flower beds. If they survived, her flower garden would hold yet another memory of something dear to her heart.

Swallowing against the lump in her throat while fighting back more tears of despair, Emma turned and slowly made her way up the path. All she wanted to do was go home, where she could occupy her thoughts with the work she needed to do. She knew from experience that keeping busy was the best remedy for self-pity.

Mishawaka

All was quiet that night as Stuart stepped out onto the deck overlooking their backyard. Following the cooler rain they’d had, the weather had turned muggy and warmer than normal—especially for the beginning of June. Summer would soon be upon them, bringing even hotter, humid weather. So this was simply a taste of what was yet to come.

The tall trees surrounding their yard shaded most of the lawn, but from the deck, the leafy branches didn’t obscure the beautiful view they had of the sky. How many times had he and Pam talked about sitting out here on a cool autumn evening or a warm spring night, stargazing while sipping from mugs of hot chocolate and eating s’mores. Somehow those plans were always put on the back burner, and they just never got around to doing it.

This was one of those times the stars looked so close—almost reachable. The fireflies were putting on quite a display as well. Their sparkling lights from the land to the sky seemed to mesh and intertwine with the stars.

Too bad Pam isn’t out here enjoying all of this with me, he thought with regret. But no, she’d rather sulk and refuse to talk to me. Don’t see how she thinks we’re ever gonna fix our marriage problems this way. For someone who complains about not spending enough time together, she has a funny way of showing she wants to be with me. She must not have been listening last Saturday to the things Emma had to say about marriage. Maybe she doesn’t care whether we get our marriage back on track or not. Guess I just need to keep pressing ahead and try to focus on something positive
.

As Stuart continued to watch the twinkling display, he reflected on how well this evening had gone with Devin and Sherry. After supper he’d promised them a game of Frisbee, and then as the sun began to set, he and the kids took a walk through the neighborhood while Pam did the dishes. He’d invited her to go with them, but she’d declined. Was it because she was still miffed at him for wanting to take Devin fishing? Well, she ought to get over it and be glad he wanted to spend time with their boy.

Pulling his thoughts back to the walk he and the kids had taken, Stuart thought about the neighborhood they lived in and how it was nice and spacious with plenty of yard space between each of the homes. As he and the kids had meandered down the streets, outside lights from neighbors’ homes glowed as if to invite them in. A few “Hi, how are ya’s?” were exchanged with those sitting on their porches and at picnic tables. One of their neighbors had waved as he rolled up the hose that had been left in the yard before the storm. Even though most were near-strangers, it was a friendly area. That had been proven to Stuart and Pam many times when there were emergencies in the neighborhood. People would drop whatever they were doing to lend help where needed, and it made them feel secure knowing they could count on others if it became necessary.

When they’d arrived home from their walk, Stuart had thought about roasting marshmallows, but it was near the kids’ bedtime. Much to Stuart’s surprise, Sherry and Devin had actually cooperated when Pam said it was time for their baths. Their energy level had been kicked up a notch since the end of the school year. But as bedtime approached, he could see that they were slowly unwinding. After kissing him goodnight, the kids had headed upstairs to their rooms. No doubt it wouldn’t be long before they’d drift off to sleep with dreams of summer swimming in their heads.

Pulling up a deck chair and taking a seat, Stuart thought how when he’d brought up the subject of camping last week, he hadn’t expected Pam would get so upset, and he still couldn’t figure out why she didn’t like camping in a tent.

Tent camping was the only kind Stuart had ever known, and he thought it was fun when he could rough it for a few days. Every summer when he was a boy, his parents had taken him and his younger brother, Arnie, camping, and they usually went to a different state park each year. What an adventure it had been, and like most kids, he’d always looked forward to their next family camping trip the following year. Stuart’s love of camping grew deeper over time, even though one of their trips could have been proclaimed disastrous.

Stuart shook his head and grinned as he remembered that year, arriving at Mohican State Park much later than they’d planned because Dad had taken a wrong turn and gotten them lost. When they’d finally pulled into their campsite, it was close to midnight, so his folks only had time to put in the crucial stakes to keep the tent in place. They’d decided to jury-rig the porch roof on the tent until morning, while Arnie and Stuart quickly gathered wood for the campfire.

Unfortunately, a terrific thunderstorm hit overnight, with high winds, torrential rains, and plenty of lightning to brighten the sky. It wasn’t funny then, and they’d all been pretty scared, but afterward it had made a good story, telling everyone how it went unnoticed that the porch roof had filled up with rainwater. During the storm, Mom and Dad had been more worried about the lightning. The pocket of rainwater was too heavy for the weakly extended porch roof to hold, and before daybreak, the overhang collapsed, sending a flood of water through the whole tent.

Stuart chuckled out loud as he remembered the wet awakening they’d all received that morning. Luckily, it was sunny the next day, and they could hang their sleeping bags and wet clothes on a makeshift clothesline to dry.

Oh brother, he couldn’t help thinking. I can only imagine Pam going through something like that. I can almost hear her squealing right now!

Thinking about Pam, he let his mind drift to something she’d said to him last week. It had shocked him to learn that Pam’s childhood wasn’t as rosy as he’d thought, and that she’d resented her father. Maybe tomorrow he would attempt to find out more—if she was willing to talk about it.

As Stuart got up and walked over to the porch railing, he caught sight of a falling star and watched as it fizzled out of sight. “Wish Pam had been here to see that,” he muttered.

Growing tired, he turned and was about to go into the house to make sure all the lights were out before going to bed when his cell phone rang. He saw on the screen that it was an employee from work and figured he’d better take the call.

Having just put the kids to bed and feeling the need for some fresh air, Pam decided to join Stuart on the porch. Maybe if they spent a few minutes alone, enjoying the cool breeze that usually came up on a hot sultry night, they could communicate without ending up in a fight. It was a worth a try, anyway.

Pam had been pleased when Stuart said he wanted to take a walk around the neighborhood with Sherry and Devin. She’d been tempted to join them but figured it would be good if he spent a little time alone with the kids. Besides, she needed an opportunity to reflect on the things Emma had said during their last quilting class. Pam knew she’d been dwelling on the negative and not appreciating all that she had.

Emma was right, Pam thought. If I hadn’t married Stuart, we wouldn’t have the pleasure of raising our two very special children
.

Pam was about to open the screen door when she heard Stuart talking to someone. Had one of the neighbors dropped by? It was getting pretty late in the evening for that.

She peeked through the screen and spotted Stuart near the porch railing with his cell phone up to his ear. Curious to know who it was, she stood quietly off to one side, listening.

“Yeah, this isn’t good, and I know what needs to be done,” Stuart said into the phone. “I’m going to call a lawyer first thing in the morning. I just don’t see any other way.”

Heart hammering in her chest, Pam moved away from the door and raced down the hall to their room. She knew things hadn’t improved much between them and had been worried that Stuart might leave her, but she hadn’t expected it would happen so soon—or that she’d have to hear it like this. Would it help if she told Stuart what she’d just heard and pleaded with him to reconsider? Or would it be better not to fight it—just agree to an amicable divorce? After all, even with all the counseling they’d had, their marriage hadn’t improved.

“Oh no,” she moaned, nearly choking on the sob rising in her throat, “if we go our separate ways, how will it affect the children?”