Being given free room and board, and getting paid for her help with sewing and mending, seemed nearly too good to be true.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside ya,” Lena said as she reached for the pincushion, then unfolded the unfamiliar pattern onto the royal blue fabric. She smoothed it out and began to pin it in place.
The room set aside for Mimi’s sewing had three large windows, two on the side facing the backyard, and one facing the Dawdi Haus. It was furnished practically, with a long table for laying out patterns, a tall, skinny spool chest, and a freestanding cupboard stained to match. In addition, a treadle sewing machine sat along the back wall beneath a multicolored, quilted wall hanging that looked to be an antique.
“Has Eli invited you to attend the next Singing with the other courting-age youth?” Mimi asked, breaking the silence. Her rosy-cheeked face shone there at the treadle sewing machine, where she sat threading the bobbin.
Lena cringed inwardly, thinking it was much too soon after her parents’ funeral to start attending community gatherings other than Preaching. “Eli and I haven’t talked about that. We’re just gettin’ acquainted, really.”
“Well, I know you’d be welcomed by die Youngie,” Mimi said, giving her a compassionate smile.
Lena thought now of Hans. “Honestly, it’s nice of you to consider me, but I’ll be more comfortable stayin’ home.”
“Whenever you decide to go is fine,” Mimi said, her glasses sliding down her nose as she squinted over the top of them. “I just thought you might want to spend some time with people your own age.” She smiled. “I don’t need a mirror to know that I’m a bit long in the tooth!” Then she laughed.
Lena shook her head and smiled in return. “Well, let me be your mirror. You seem plenty young enough to be good company for me.”
“Well now.” Mimi’s face reddened. “Such a kind thing to say.”
Lena nodded. “I mean it. And I’d like to say how much I appreciate you and Cousin Harley opening your door to me. Eli too.”
Mimi nodded and returned her gaze to her sewing machine, where she began to make a long seam, her stubby fingers carefully guiding the bobbing needle as her feet pedaled below, creating a homey humming sound.
The minutes ticked slowly by as Lena and Mimi worked. Despite the Stoltzfuses’ kindness, Lena’s parents’ passing was heavy on her heart, and she wondered how she would adjust to so many things. In all truth, Lena Rose was glad for the quiet job that sewing afforded. Here lately, she felt best when alone with her thoughts; the grief at never seeing Dat or Mamma again was so sharp most of the time—nearly crushing.
She tried to imagine her brothers and sisters sitting down to a kitchen table other than Mamma’s. Or falling asleep in beds other than their own. Quickly, she brushed away a tear and hoped that Mimi hadn’t noticed.
It wasn’t lost on Lena that her coming to Lancaster County had turned Harley and Mimi’s own household somewhat topsy-turvy. In the days before Lena’s arrival, their son Eli had moved to the upstairs bedroom of the Dawdi Haus, where Harley’s uncle Solomon had his bedroom on the first floor. Mimi had been quick to explain to Lena that it wasn’t a hardship for Eli, up as he was before dawn every day for the milking. Eli liked feeling a bit more independent, yet he remained only a few steps away, ready for good fellowship or a round of Dutch Blitz from time to time in the evening.
Yesterday, Lena had met Eli’s very blond sweetheart-girl, Lydia Smucker, who’d dropped by late in the afternoon with baked goods for Mimi. Lena had been impressed by the young woman’s exceptional friendliness—as kindhearted as Mimi. Lydia had even invited Lena to go for a walk with her sometime, so they could get to know each other better. Encouraged by the connection, Lena had thanked her, grateful for such a caring new acquaintance.
Even so, she still questioned how this move could be God’s will for her.
———
Presently, Lena Rose reached for the large pinking shears, thinking that if she ever did decide to go to a Singing here, it would be to sit with Lydia, who reminded her of dearest Emma. Besides young Chris, it was Emma she missed most, though her closest sister had vowed to write each week about her latest news and each of the other children. My lifeline to home . . .
Wilbur had also promised to write, though she expected his letters would focus on what he was doing to help his host family on the farm rather than be filled with sentiment.
Mimi’s chair gave a squeak as she leaned forward, and Lena glanced her way and noticed the woman’s lips moving. Was she praying?
Or perhaps Mimi was simply talking to herself while she worked. It wasn’t any of Lena’s concern, but praying aloud, even in a whisper, was something her parents had never done. But then, there were a few spiritual practices Lena was discovering here that were rather new to her. For one thing, at supper last evening, Eli and Harley had discussed the daily reading in a devotional book they both owned. Dat and Mamma, on the other hand, had always only read the Good Book for devotional time or for family reading—Dat had said it was “more than enough.”
Like an unexpected wave falling over her, Lena was filled with a longing to see little Chris and the rest of them. At least she had her Saturdays off from sewing so she could write to her siblings. That and attending Preaching on Sundays would help to occupy her thoughts with other things.
She tried to push away her sorrow and focus on cutting along the dress pattern lines with Mimi’s sharp scissors, but she found herself asking God to heal her siblings’ broken hearts and her
