“Supper will be ready here in a bit, Melvin,” Mamm said. “So for now, go get with the menfolk and stay out of my kitchen.” She shooed him out the side door.
Tillie wanted to laugh and cry all in the same moment. It was so much like so many times in the past when Melvin had come for one holiday or another, but it was so different as well. He didn’t have on his typical Amish clothing or his black hat. He had on some of the clothes she had helped him pick out when they had gone shopping at the Goodwill store. His hair was different, but his smile was the same, and for the life of her Tillie couldn’t figure out who was the real Melvin Yoder. Did she even know anymore?
“Do you want me to start taking the food to the table?” Libby asked.
Mamm nodded, and Tillie stood up to help as well. They were having a larger than normal supper tonight, on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow was church service with the typical Sunday fare, but the real supper would be on Monday, Second Christmas. It was traditionally a time for visiting and such, but they had planned to gather into the same house once more and celebrate together.
Mamm continued to stir the gravy but stood to one side when Tillie came back in for the green bean casserole. It was one of her favorites and Tillie figured Mamm had made it especially for her. The thought once again sent tears to her eyes. She had heard the hormones were supposed to slow down a bit since she had already had the baby. But it seemed that wasn’t the case. Or maybe her life had been just a little too much lately.
Once the table was set, the food ready, and the glasses of water poured, Mamm rang the dinner bell.
Gingeriches appeared from everywhere. It was just those who lived in the house tonight. Hannah, Leah, and Gracie and their respective families were all having Christmas Eve suppers at their houses. Jim and Anna had their own dinner planned, but as usual David was eating at the main house. Tillie could handle the smaller scale of the meal so much better. Strange how being around so many people had never bothered her before. And part of her wondered if she was merely uncomfortable having so many people there seeing her shame all at one time. They were family, and that should ease the censorship, but it didn’t. Maybe it even made it worse.
Dat and David had come in from the workshop, Libby reappeared from taking a plate to Mammi Glick, and Mamm had just returned from changing her apron. Tillie stood behind the chair where she usually sat. Emmy had been fed and was resting nearby in the baby carrier. Now all they needed was Melvin.
“Sorry,” he said, grinning at them as he came into the room. Everyone stopped and looked at him. Tillie couldn’t believe her eyes. Gone were the T-shirt and jeans. He now wore a traditional blue shirt and black pants with suspenders. Tillie couldn’t take it all in for a moment, his Amish dress and English haircut. What did it all mean? At least his smile was the same.
“Uh, sit down,” Mamm said.
Dat gave a firm nod of agreement and everyone took their places at the table.
After the time of silent prayer, Tillie looked to Melvin seated across from her, hardly able to believe her eyes. The shock must have worn off everyone else, for they started back up in conversation, David telling Mamm about something that had happened in the workshop and Libby and Mamm laughing in all the right places. Tillie could only stare at Melvin.
He had talked to her dat, something she had known would happen from the minute she saw Melvin again. The thing she hadn’t expected was the change in clothing. And that could only mean one thing. Melvin was coming back to join the church.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“What did Dat say to you last night?” Tillie asked as she and Melvin drove to church with David and Libby. They had promised to talk the night before, but they could never find time alone to discuss the important matters. Then before she knew it, it was time for bed.
David was driving and Libby was sitting in the front seat next to him. Her niece was facing front, though Tillie could tell she wanted to look back at them and chat.
Her father had told Libby that it was Christmas and a Sunday and they had church so it was a solemn day and she should treat it as such.
Secretly Tillie wondered if he didn’t want her riding with Melvin. Or maybe that’s why Libby was with them and not Joshua. Jim obviously wanted to keep Melvin away from Joshua at least until one of them joined the church. The problem was twofold. Joshua liked running around a bit too much and Melvin had yet to state his intentions toward her.
Since he was dressed Amish once again and riding next to her on their way to church, Tillie had a feeling he was staying, but she wanted to hear him say it all the same.
“He asked me what my plans were. You know, in coming back.”
Her heart beat a little faster in her chest. “And what did you tell him?”
Melvin cast a quick glance at David and Libby. Or rather, at the back of David and Libby’s heads. Then he reached over and twined his fingers with hers. She looked down at their hands and back up into his eyes. Had he really checked to see if anyone was watching before he held her hand? The good Lord knew they had already been way more intimate with each other than holding hands in
