A Life of Joy (28 page)

“That sounds good,” Janice said.

“Great,” Lindsay said with a wide smile. “I hope to see you soon.”

“Me too.” Janice patted Lindsay’s shoulder.

Later that evening, Lindsay sat on the sofa and powered up Frank’s laptop. With her heart thumping in her chest, she found her way to the website and registered for the GED test.

“I did it,” she said. “There’s no turning back now.”

“What’s that?” Frank said while flipping channels.

“I just signed up for the test.” Lindsay closed the laptop and blew out a deep sigh. “Let’s hope I pass it.”

“You will.” He nodded toward the kitchen. “I forgot to tell you that a letter came for you today. It’s on the counter.”

Lindsay hurried into the kitchen, wondering if she would find a letter from Matthew. She picked up the envelope and found that the return address was from Katie.

She grabbed a can of Coke and then headed to her room. Sitting on her bed, she opened Katie’s letter. She immediately recognized Katie’s neat script writing:

Dear Lindsay
,

Wie geht’s! How are you? I hope you’re having fun in Virginia, but not too much fun
.

How’s Trisha doing? I pray she’s continuing to heal well as you mentioned in your last letter. How’s Frank?

Are you still enjoying the beach? I can’t imagine what it’s like to live in a house that is on the beach! I would assume that the waves sing you to sleep at night. I hope I can see the ocean someday. I’ve always dreamt of walking barefoot in the sand and watching the sun set
.

Have you heard from your sister? I hope she is doing well and being safe in New York City
.

How was your visit with your old school friends
?

I suppose I have asked you enough questions. Things are the same as usual here. However, things don’t seem as fun without you. Lizzie Anne and I miss you very much, but of course we wish you well
.

I’ve been working in the bakery every day, and it’s very busy with nonstop tourists. We can’t seem to bake fast enough for them! Mammi Elizabeth is happy that we’re busy, and she never gets excited or stressed out. She hired two women from our district to help with the baking. They’re very nice and they’re good bakers, but it’s not the same without you. Kathryn said she misses talking with you and Beth Anne misses your laugh. Don’t forget us at the bakery, ya?

We had a couple of youth events since you left. Matthew looked like he was moping at the singing. I asked Samuel if Matthew has asked about you, and he said he hasn’t. But that doesn’t mean Matthew doesn’t miss you! You know how buwe are
—
they aren’t very good at expressing their feelings
.

Mammi and I visited Rebecca, and she seemed very tired. She said she was fine, but I don’t believe she was telling the whole truth. I offered to come and help her since we have new bakers working at the bakery to help carry the summer load. Since my parents gave me permission, I’m going to start helping her this coming week. I’ll let you know how she is
.

I just heard my mamm calling me to come and share devotions with my siblings before we go to bed. Write me soon! I miss you
.

Love,
Katie

Lindsay reread the letter and tears filled her eyes. She missed her family back in Lancaster. Worry filled her as she thought of Rebecca. She prayed that Rebecca was tired from the pregnancy and not experiencing complications. She also hoped that Rebecca or Katie would tell her if Rebecca needed Lindsay to come home sooner than planned.

She stared at the news about Matthew and how he behaved at the last singing. Did he miss her or did something else make him melancholy?

Yanking her pad from her nightstand, she turned to a new page, grabbed a pen, and began to write.

Dear Katie
,

Wie geht’s! How are you doing? Thank you for your letter. I’m glad to hear that everyone is well
.

Please keep me posted on Aenti Rebecca and how she’s feeling. I’m so happy that you’re going to help her. Give her a hug for me
.

That’s interesting that Matthew wasn’t himself at the last singing. Tell him that I said hello
.

How wonderful that Mammi Elizabeth hired a couple of new bakers to help keep up with the tourists. I miss everyone too. Again, tell them hello!

I’m doing well and staying busy. Trisha is still progressing well with her healing and will start physical therapy at home this week. She’s anxious to get off the crutches and into a walking cast, but it may be a few weeks before she does
.

We attended my former church on Sunday and I participated in the young adult Sunday school class. The class has taken on volunteer projects in the community, and I’ve signed up to help out at a nursing home near the house. I’m excited because my grandpa was in a nursing facility until he died, and I feel like I’m honoring his memory by helping others in the same situation
.

Lindsay glanced over at the GED Study Guide on her dresser and considered telling Katie that she was going to take the test. Would Katie approve of Lindsay’s decision to pursue an educational certification? Lindsay loved her best friend and knew that Katie had an open mind. After all, Katie accepted Lindsay as a family member even though she wasn’t a true Kauffman. But would Katie understand why Lindsay wanted to prove to her sister that she could get her GED?

Lindsay pondered that question for a moment. Was she only trying to get her GED to prove something to her sister or was she doing it for herself? She flopped back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling while the crash of the waves echoed from beyond her window.

Her gaze moved back to the book on the dresser and she sighed. She knew she wanted to prove that she could get her
GED. However, she didn’t expect Katie to understand why she was doing it.

Lindsay wished she could share the news with Katie, but she thought it best to keep it to herself for the time being. Katie had grown up in a traditional Amish household, and education beyond eighth grade wasn’t expected, nor was it encouraged or approved by the church. If Lindsay shared that she was pursuing her GED, Katie might feel awkward, akin to how Lindsay felt when she was with her friends at the pool party and they discussed their college plans. Lindsay decided it was best to keep that information to herself for now.

Sitting up, Lindsay crossed her legs and continued her letter.

I walk on the beach every day, and I love hearing the waves and feeling the sand between my toes. It helps me think and relax. Maybe someday you and I can visit Frank and Trisha together, and you can live your dream of walking barefoot on the beach at sunset. It would be so fun if we could get a group together and come and visit for a week. Maybe we’ll discuss that when I get home. Do you think your parents would let you go on a trip to Virginia Beach?

My sister and I talk about once a week, and she’s doing well in New York City. From the stories she’s shared, I believe she’s only working and not spending much time having fun. She reported that her friend Kim has a new boyfriend who is a graduate student working for a law firm. I think Jessica misses Jake, but she hasn’t admitted it to me. Have you seen or talked to him? Would you ask Matthew how Jake is doing? Jessica is too stubborn to give him a call herself, but I can give her a report
.

I had fun visiting my school friends. I’m hoping to see them again soon. Even though they’re getting ready to go to college and our lives are different, we had a nice time talking and getting caught up again
.

Lindsay chewed the end of her pen as her eyes moved back to the study guide. She needed to start studying if she was going to pass that test in about a month.

I should close for now. It’s late and I need to get up early tomorrow. Please give Aenti Rebecca, Junior, and Emma a kiss for me and tell Aenti Rebecca to take good care of herself. Tell Lizzie Anne I miss her too!

I look forward to seeing you all again
.

Write soon
.

Love
,
Lindsay

She addressed and stamped the envelope and then slipped the folded letter inside. She wrote similar letters to Rebecca and Lizzie Anne and also addressed their envelopes. After changing into her pajamas, Lindsay curled up on the bed with the book and began studying.

Kaffee Kuchen (
Coffee Cake
)

For the sponge:

½ cup yeast

1/3 cup lukewarm water

1 cup milk

¼ tsp salt

2 cups sifted flour

Crumble and soak yeast 25 minutes in lukewarm water. Scald milk, add salt, and let cool. Add yeast to lukewarm milk and mix enough flour to make thick batter. Beat smooth. Cover and let rise in warm place overnight.

For dough:

½ cup milk

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

¾ tsp salt

2 eggs

4 cups flour

Scald and cook milk. Cream butter, salt, and sugar. Add beaten eggs. Mix sponge in lukewarm water milk, then add butter mixture and enough flour to make soft dough. Knead by hand. Let dough rise until doubled. When light, turn on floured board and roll out gently until ½-inch thick. Place in buttered pans. Brush top with melted butter. Let rise until double. Sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

16

K
atie hugged her arms to her chest and glanced around the barn where her friends were singing and talking together Saturday. She touched her pocket where the letter from Lindsay was folded up and hidden. She’d been carrying the letter around since she’d received it this afternoon, and she’d read it several times. She’d been relieved and excited to receive news from Lindsay.

What she read hinted that Lindsay missed Lancaster County, but Katie also worried that Lindsay was enjoying herself too much. She hoped Lindsay would still return to Bird-in-Hand as planned.

Lizzie Anne dropped onto the bench next to Katie. “You’ve been quiet.”

Katie patted the pocket of her apron. “I got a letter from Lindsay today.”

“Oh?” Lizzie Anne asked. “I did too. What did yours say?”

Katie handed the letter to Lizzie Anne and watched the crowd around her while she read it.

“It sounds very similar to what my letter said,” Lizzie Anne said. “I think she’s having a good time.”

Katie nodded. “Ya. Do you think she’ll come back?”

Lizzie Anne gave a surprised expression as she handed over the letter. “Of course I do. Don’t you?”

Katie folded the letter and put it back in her apron pocket. “I hope she does.”

“Didn’t you read the letter?” Lizzie Anne pointed toward Katie’s pocket. “She’s very concerned about Rebecca and she misses us and her cousins. Of course she’s coming back. Her heart is here.” Lizzie Anne’s expression turned sly. “Besides, we all know who likes her.” She nodded in the direction of Samuel and Matthew who were across the room with a group of young men. “I think she likes him too. Remember the dandelion chain?”

“
Ya
, I do,” Katie said. “But she didn’t grow up Amish. If her old friends are going off to college, she may feel like she’s missing something.”

Lizzie Anne grimaced. “You sound like your mother when she was talking about Jessica.”

Katie frowned. “I don’t sound like her.”

“Ya,”
Lizzie Anne said. “You do. Don’t you remember how upset Lindsay gets when Jessica lectures her about going to school and making something of herself? Remember that disagreement they had when Jessica came to visit before she left for New York City?”

“I do.” Katie stared across the barn as she talked. “But maybe Lindsay went back to Virginia and decided Jessica was right.”

“You’re
gegisch
,” Lizzie Anne said, waving off the thought.

“I hope you’re right,” Katie said with a sigh. “Because I miss her.”

“I miss her too.” Lizzie Anne sat up straighter while she stared at something across the room.

Katie witnessed Lizzie Anne touching her prayer covering and then smoothing the skirt of her dark blue frock. She then followed Lizzie Anne’s gaze to her older brother who was talking to a few friends across the barn.

“You like Samuel,” Katie said before she could stop the observation from leaving her lips.

“No, I don’t.” Lizzie Anne’s expression defied her words as her cheeks flushed a bright pink.

Katie grinned. “You’re blushing.”

“I am not,” Lizzie Anne insisted. “Don’t tease me.”

“You like my brother,” Katie repeated. “I thought something was blooming between you two, and now I see it. It’s as obvious as that blush on your cheeks.”

“Stop it,” Lizzie Anne said, swatting Katie’s arm.