Tessa continued. “When we were dating, Manny used to tell me, ‘Ya don’t have to have everything figured out to take the next step.’”
Lena wondered if, like Mimi, Tessa meant that God had everything planned for every person, and it was important to simply trust Him for the future. “Did what Manny tell ya help?” she asked, eager to know.
“Well, it helped me try not to worry about the details of things, jah. And here I am, married now and with our first baby.”
Lena wished Mimi were here to weigh in on Manny’s advice to Tessa. Would Mimi agree? Or would Mimi talk more about the importance of prayer in all of that?
Tessa grinned at her. “From what Manny says, Arden’s a real fine fella.”
Eli says the same thing, Lena thought, only smiling in return. And I’d have to say he’s right.
CHAPTER
31
Harley was sweeping out the barn later the next morning when Manny Beiler’s family buggy rolled into the driveway with Tessa and little Joey. “Well, what do ya know,” Harley muttered, setting his push broom aside and opening the barn door.
He went out to welcome them, mighty pleased to see Manny carrying a fancy fruit basket all wrapped with yellow cellophane and a big gold ribbon.
“This here’s for Mimi,” Manny said and handed it to Harley before reaching to take Joey from Tessa, whom he helped down from the carriage. “Just thought we’d stop by an’ say hullo.”
“To celebrate Mamm’s homecoming,” Tessa added as she stepped across to the walkway that led to the back door.
Harley trailed behind with the large fruit basket, squelching a grin. Mimi will be surprised to see her and Joey again so soon, he thought. And doubly pleased Manny’s along.
Lena came to the door and opened it; then when she’d greeted them and made over little Joey, she politely excused herself to see if Mimi was still resting while Tessa took the fruit basket from Harley and set it in the middle of the kitchen table.
Manny found a seat on the bench, put Joey on his lap, and whispered in the little fellow’s ear. Then Manny blew lightly on Joey’s button nose, prompting giggles.
“Mighty nice of yous,” Harley ventured, wishing he’d never been standoffish with Manny after he and Tessa married. It’s partly my fault he doesn’t come round much, he thought. Tessa surely knows I was never pleased with her choice. Dummkopp, I was, and with such rigid expectations, too!
Tessa glanced at Manny as if to encourage him to say something.
Manny lifted Joey and blew into his chubby little neck, creating a stream of cackles. “You wanna see your Mammi, don’t ya?” Manny said in Deitsch, focusing his attention on the eight-month-old. “Here now, show Dawdi how old you’re gonna be soon.” Manny helped his son put up his chubby pointer finger. “There, that’s right.”
Soon Mimi appeared, Lena walking at her side as they came into the kitchen. She’s tuckered out, thought Harley, going to assist her and motioning for Lena to have a seat at the table.
Manny held Joey up for Mimi, who leaned slightly to kiss her grandson’s dimpled cheek. Then, seeing the fruit basket, she exclaimed, “Ach . . . what’d ya bring?”
“For you, Mamm,” Tessa said, moving over to let Mimi sit next to her.
“What’d I do to deserve that?” Mimi shook her head, laughing. “Ain’t done much of anything here lately.”
“Aw, Mamm . . .” Tessa slipped an arm around her. “We’re glad you’re on the mend.”
Mimi didn’t go on like some folk might have in her condition, but she did say how she wished Joey might sit on her lap. “But I’d better wait till I’m completely healed up. Lord willin’, it’ll be soon.” She smiled at Joey, who clapped his cute little hands just then.
Harley grinned at the boy, aware of the tender bond between Mimi and their youngest grandchild.
Manny and the family stayed awhile longer, and Tessa asked if there was anything more she could do in addition to helping with sewing projects.
“Oh, you just take care of your little one, my dear. Lena Rose will see to getting meals and such.”
“Well, I’ll still come over an’ help wherever needed,” Tessa added, offering Lena Rose a friendly smile. “Don’t be shy about asking.”
Harley noticed the exchange and was glad of it. A relief, he thought.
Eventually, Manny said he had to get back to work, so they couldn’t stay very long, even though Mimi tried to convince them to linger for the noon meal. “I told Arden I’d help him wrap up a project this weekend.”
“I’ll see ya soon, Mamm,” said Tessa as they rose from the table and said their good-byes. “Don’t overdo things now as you feel better. I know how you are.”
“Don’t ya worry,” Mimi said with a little wave. “Real nice to see all of yous,” she said, looking now at Manny.
“Jah, come anytime,” Harley said, thinking he should offer to shake hands with Manny. Then again, he didn’t want to force himself where he wasn’t wanted when Manny and Tessa had come without coaxing.
Next time, he thought.
Suddenly thinking the better of it, he reached toward his son-in-law and was pleasantly surprised when Manny gripped his hand in a firm handshake.
Nearly three weeks passed, and Lena returned to attending numerous activities with die Youngie, including Ping-Pong, volleyball, and now, with the end of April approaching, sometimes going fishing with Arden. At last the day came when Mimi was ready to resume her sewing work, telling Harley and Lena at that Friday breakfast that she felt ready to sew for at least an hour or so, here and there. “I’m feelin’ much more like my old
