The Forgiving Jar Read online

  “Your grandma said you have something for us.” Grandpa’s deep voice pulled Sara’s thoughts back to the present.

  “Yes, I do. I was going to give them to you when I visited last month but I didn’t have Grandma’s gift done yet.” Sara held out her right hand and handed the beaded keychain she’d made to her grandfather.

  His face lit up as he pointed to the initial “L” she had etched into the leather patch. “This is a great gift. Thank you, Sara. I’ll keep my house keys on it.”

  Pleased that he liked the gift, Sara presented Grandma with the black-and-blue coin purse. “I made this from an old scarf my mother used to wear.”

  “Oh my! Thank you so much.” Grandma’s eyes teared up as she held the item against her chest. “Knowing you used something of my daughter’s makes this even more special to me.”

  She stood and gave Sara a hug. “And now, how about the three of us sharing a cup of hot tea?”

  “And don’t forget to bring in some of those pumpkin cookies you made after lunch.” Grandpa smacked his lips.

  “How would you know what I baked, Husband? You came right in here after lunch and took a snooze.” Grandma flapped her hand at him.

  He wiggled his bushy brows. “My eyes may have been sleeping, but my sniffer was wide awake.”

  Sara laughed. “You are so comical, Grandpa.”

  “Jah, well, I don’t set out to be. Funny stuff just comes out of my mouth.” He winked at Sara.

  “Okay, I’m going to get the goodies now.” Grandma turned toward the kitchen.

  “I’ll help you.” Sara hurried along behind her grandmother.

  “Where’s Michelle?” she asked when they entered the kitchen. “Will she be joining us for tea and cookies?”

  Grandma shook her head. “She hasn’t been back since she left this morning. Said she was going over to see Ezekiel.”

  “Oh, I see.” Sara wouldn’t admit it to Grandma, but she was glad Michelle hadn’t returned yet. It was nice to have some time alone with her grandparents. If the pretender was here, she would have monopolized the conversation.

  As Sara got the water heating for tea, Grandma took out several cookies and placed them on a tray.

  “You know,” Grandma said, “dark blue was one of you mother’s favorite colors.”

  “Yes, she wore the scarf I used to make your coin purse a lot. Mama had a couple of blue dresses too.”

  “She took after me in that way.” Grandma sniffed. “I still miss her so much. I am sure you do as well.”

  Nodding, Sara touched her chest. “The memory of Mama will always be with me.” She wished she could express how she felt about her mother’s deceit. Grandma didn’t need to know Sara hadn’t forgiven her mother for keeping her heritage a secret. Sara couldn’t imagine the pain Mama had put her folks through by leaving home and never contacting them. Grandma and Grandpa Lapp were kind and loving. Surely they would have welcomed their daughter back with open arms. How could Mama not have known how much they loved her? Sara wondered. Her parents did not deserve to be treated that way.

  Once the tea was ready, Sara carried the cups and teapot to the living room, while Grandma brought out the tray of cookies and placed it on the coffee table in front of the couch. They all took seats, and after everyone had a cup of tea and a cookie, Sara decided to ask a few questions about the Lancaster Amish.

  “When I stopped for lunch at a restaurant in Bird-in-Hand today, I heard someone mention how they looked forward to the mud sale that would take place in the spring of next year.” Sara looked at Grandpa. “What is a mud sale anyhow?”

  Grandpa leaned slightly forward, with both hands on his knees. “Local volunteer fire companies in Lancaster County raise funds through what they call ‘mud sales.’ Many of the items available at these auctions are sold outside during the spring when the weather is normally wet.”

  “Which, of course, makes the ground muddy,” Grandma interjected. “That’s why the auctions are called mud sales.”

  “What kind of things do they auction off?” Sara questioned.

  Grandpa spoke again. “Everything from furniture, tools, building materials, farming equipment, garden items, livestock, and Amish buggies to a variety of quilts.”

  Sara reached for another cookie. “I’d like to learn how to make a quilt someday.”

  Grandma’s eyes brightened. “Then I shall teach you. Maybe during the cold winter months, when there isn’t so much work to be done outside, we can set up my quilting frame and I’ll teach you and Michelle how to make a simple nine-patch quilt for your beds.”

  Sara smiled, but inside she fumed. Why does Michelle, who isn’t a family member, have to be included in everything? It seemed as if Grandma—and Grandpa too—thought of her as one of their granddaughters. This irked Sara, but she kept her thoughts to herself. If she said what she truly felt, her grandparents might think she was a terrible person. They may even choose Michelle over me. I’ll bet the pretender would like that. Truth be told, she’s probably hoping I’ll move back to New Jersey so she can have my grandparents all to herself. Sara’s spine stiffened. Well, that’s not going to happen. Even if I do move out of Grandpa and Grandma’s house to a place of my own, I’ll be living somewhere in Lancaster County.

  When Michelle arrived home—feeling as if this truly was her home—she put Peanuts in the stall and rubbed her down real good. “You sure have a nice, heavy winter coat already.” Michelle patted the mare’s neck. “But it’s not that surprising, with the cold weather we’re having.”

  Michelle continued grooming Peanuts, while talking to her. She understood the horse’s hard work and wanted to reward the animal with some proper care in return.

  When Michelle left the mare’s stall, she took a few minutes to pet Rascal and Sadie, who had eagerly greeted her.

  “You two go play now or take a nap,” Michelle instructed the dogs after she’d given them what she felt was enough attention.

  Sadie slunk away, but Rascal remained by Michelle, pawing at her leg.

  She bent down and patted the dog’s head. “All right, pooch, go find something else to do.”

  Rascal gave a pathetic whine, and Michelle lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “Some dogs would do anything to get attention.” She gave Rascal another few pats, then sprinted out of the barn.

  When Michelle entered the house a few minutes later, she heard Willis and Mary Ruth talking to Sara. Their voices came from the living room. She stepped partially into the room. “Hi, I’m home.”

  “Come join us.” Mary Ruth pointed to the coffee table. “There are still a few cookies left, and I’d be happy to fix you a cup of tea if you’d like.”

  “No, that’s okay. I don’t wanna interrupt,” Michelle replied. “Besides I was planning to help Willis with any chores he needed to get done this afternoon. Is there anything I can get started on?”

  “You’re not interrupting,” Willis said with a shake of his head. “And we can get to those chores later. Please, come have a seat.”

  Feeling like a fifth wheel on a buggy, Michelle came fully into the room and sat on one end of the couch. She glanced over at Sara, seated on the other end, and smiled. “How’s your day been going so far?”

  “Okay.” Sara didn’t look at Michelle.

  “Sara got a job working at the flower shop in town,” Mary Ruth said.

  “Have you had any job offers?” Sara asked, barely glancing in Michelle’s direction.

  “Not yet. But after I left the Kings’ place this morning, I stopped by several restaurants in the area to see if they were hiring.” She frowned. “So far, nothing. I’ll keep trying until I find a job though.”

  “What kind of work are you looking for?” Sara asked.

  “I’ve done some waitressing in the past.” Michelle lifted her shoulders. “But I’ll do most anything if it pays well enough. I’d even wash dishes—although it’s not my first choice.”

  Sara made no comment, but Willis and Mary Ruth
both encouraged Michelle to be patient. “The right job for you will open soon,” Willis said.

  Michelle didn’t understand why she hadn’t found anything yet. She’d been here a whole month without a single interview. I need to get out there again tomorrow and make an effort to find something, even if I have to look outside of Strasburg. I can’t sit around here mooching off the Lapps any longer. There must be some restaurant in Lancaster County that needs help and would be willing to hire me.

  “Look what Sara made for us.” Mary Ruth held up a coin purse, and then motioned to the key ring lying on the end table next to Willis’s chair.

  “How nice.” Michelle didn’t want Willis to think she wasn’t interested, so she picked up the gift and looked it over. “Oh, this reminds me. I’ll be right back.”

  Running outside to the buggy, she felt a pang of jealousy creep in. Sara has a job, and I don’t. The Lapp’s are impressed with her little gifts. I hope they’ll like what I got them today.

  Michelle retrieved the poinsettia Ezekiel’s mother sold her this morning. While it wasn’t homemade like Sara’s gifts, it was home grown and would add a little pre-Christmas feeling to the inside of the house.

  “While Michelle is outside, I have something else I want to give you.” Sara got up and brought the bag she’d left in the hall into the living room. “Here you go.”

  “I can’t imagine what else you could be surprising us with.” When Grandma peeked inside, her fingers touched her parted lips. “Look here, Willis. Isn’t it lovely?” She took the plant out of the bag and held it up.

  Grandpa nodded agreeably. “Bet it would look nice on the dining-room table.”

  Grandma rose to her feet and gave Sara a hug. “Thank you, Sara. I’ve never seen a poinsettia this big before, and it’s such a beautiful deep red.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it. After I got the job at the flower shop, I couldn’t resist getting a poinsettia for you. The store is filled with them.”

  “It’s sure a beauty.” Grandpa offered Sara a wide grin.

  At that moment, Michelle burst into the living room. “I have something for—” She stopped talking as she looked at the beautiful poinsettia Sara had given them. It was twice the size as the one Michelle held. “I—I had hoped to surprise you with this,” she stammered. “But I see that you already have a much nicer one.”

  Before Grandpa or Grandma could say anything, Michelle set the poinsettia on the coffee table and dashed out of the room. Her footsteps could be heard bounding up the stairs, followed by the slamming of her bedroom door.

  “Oh dear.” Grandma looked at Grandpa with eyes widened. “I’d better go see if she’s all right.”

  Chapter 9

  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.”