Something Old (4 page)

And hadn’t the outsiders’ Christmas decorations enthralled her? She pressed her lips together and straightened a fork. She hadn’t even felt ashamed. Then she relaxed. Her mind was just occupied with this doddy house problem. But she didn’t want to live among the outsiders, too. She liked the idea of a safe little place tucked in among her own people. She wished she could find a job with another Mennonite family.

“Katy!” Her mother’s sharp tone invaded her rambling thoughts.

“What?”

“I asked you before. Do you want to mash the potatoes or go round up your siblings?”

“Oh.” She glanced about confused.

“Karen helped me get supper started and took some clean laundry upstairs. She was going to work on a school report. Your brothers are out in the shop with your dad.” The woodworking shop, which now specialized only in cabinets, was located at the end of a long, piney lane. They owned one of the five-acre lots on a Plain City rural road where a farm had been subdivided. Mom wiped her hands on her apron and placed them on her hips. “Are you fretting over that job you lost?”

Katy nodded.

Glancing at the wall clock, Mom said, “The potatoes can wait another five minutes. Let’s sit a spell and talk.”

Katy sank into the closest chair with a sigh of relief. “It’s more than just the job.”

“Go on.”

“You know how I’ve been saving to move in with Lil and Megan?”

“Oh that crazy idea.” She gave a brush of her hand. “Go on.”

“Did you know Ivan Miller’s renting out their doddy house?”

“That old thing? There’s not even any electricity. Are you so eager to leave us that you’d live like your Amish cousins?”

“You know my friends and I have been planning this since we were little girls.”

Her mom poked at the pins securing her prayer covering. “I wish you were more concerned about finding someone to marry. If I know my daughters, and I do, then marriage will make you happy. That Miller boy keeps asking you out. He’s such a nice young man. What’s his name?”

With a sigh, Katy replied, “David. I can date even if I move into the doddy house, but you’re missing the point.”

“Okay. What’s the point?”

“Lil’s been working now for a month at a good job. I’ve got money saved, too. If we’re going to do this like we always dreamed, now’s the time. Before one of us does get a boyfriend and gets married.” She nibbled on her lip. “Only what if I don’t get another good-paying job? That’s what worries me. I need Dad’s permission, and I want this so much.”

Marie Yoder’s naturally bright eyes softened. “I see you’re serious about this.”

“I’m afraid if we don’t get this doddy house, Lil will push me to rent a city apartment.”

Her mom’s brown eyes widened, for she not only knew her daughters, but she knew a lot about their friends, too. “Well, if you are stubbornly set on it, I wish you’d take the doddy house. That is, if your dad agrees.”

“Me, too.”

With a shrug, her mom said, “I’ll mash the potatoes. We won’t want them lumpy if you’re going to ask your dad about this after supper.”

Katy flew out of her chair and threw her arms around her mom’s neck. “Thanks.” Then she rushed to find her siblings.

Supper lagged forever with Katy forcing down smooth potatoes. A shame she couldn’t enjoy the flaky pork, but her stomach was no longer interested in food. She let the rest of her dark-haired siblings chatter while she mentally rehearsed her speech. After dinner, her mom surprised her by shooing the younger children off to do the dishes.

Katy settled on the sofa beside her mom. Her dad took his favorite chair beside the little side table that displayed a worn checkerboard game.

“What’s on your mind, dumplin'?” It’s what her dad called both his daughters.

“Ivan Miller’s doddy house.” Katy’s words spilled out in a rush. “Since Lil and I both have jobs, and I’ve been saving for over a year now, and with no marriage prospects, we’d like to rent it. Move in together.”

His brows shot together. “Like a bunch of old maids?”

“No–o,” Katy drew out the word. “Like girls who are particular about whom they date.” Katy tried to tell if he was serious or joking. Sarcasm was part of Vernon Yoder’s way of speech.

“And how will I be a good dad to you if you’re not living under my roof? Have you thought about that? How can I protect you from the world?”

Moving to the edge of the sofa cushion, Katy straightened her posture and replied, “Of course, I will honor your final decision, but I’m nineteen. I think it would be good for me to learn responsibility. I think the Millers’ doddy house would be a safe place to do this.” In talking to her mom, she’d happened upon her most persuasive point.

And to Katy’s relief, her mother added, “Better than some apartment in the city.”

Dad rested his gaze on Mom, who dipped her head. He folded his hands on his lap and turned a stoic face toward Katy. “What are your plans for the doddy house?”

“To renovate it with part of my savings—”

“Hah!” he interrupted, with a wave of hand. “More like all your savings.”

Her face heating, Katy ran her palms down the front of her dark skirt. “Lil made a list of our ideas, and she plans to get construction bids on the work. Ivan Miller said we could deduct the renovation costs from rent unless they exceed one year’s rent; then he will start to charge rent anyways.”

“And what about the job you lost?”

Beads of perspiration collected on Katy’s forehead. “I will look for work. I want to work.”

He rubbed his slightly shadowed chin, his gaze indiscernible. Finally he nodded, and Kate held her breath. “I will agree on three conditions.”

“Yes?” Katy was too pleased to move lest she hinder what could only be a blessing from the Lord.

He thrust one finger in the air. “First, I will look over the bids and the financial arrangements and see if I think they are feasible and fair.”

“Yes.” She took several quick breaths. “I welcome your advice.”

“Second, I will go and speak to Ivan Miller to see if he is willing to keep an eye out for you girls.”

Embarrassed because their ages weren’t that far apart, Katy frowned. But she gave her head a reluctant nod.

“And third, you must go on three dates with David Miller before you move into this doddy house.”

“What!” Katy almost toppled off the couch, and her mouth wouldn’t close.

“It would please your mother.” He patted her mom’s hand. “Her feelings matter in this, too.”

Katy stared at her mom, whose eyes widened and then twinkled.

Silence prevailed while Katy tried to tell if he was joking. Her dad cracked his knuckles. Katy swallowed, still mystified over her father’s unusual request. Finally, unable to prevent a hint of disrespect from tainting her voice, she asked, “And do I have to report to you after these dates?”

“You can report to your mom.”

Still struggling with disbelief, Katy watched her siblings burst into the room. They skidded to a stop when they saw all the serious expressions. Her sister Karen tilted her head. “We’re finished, Mom.”

“You may go work on your report.”

“Dad promised to play checkers,” Katy’s youngest brother reminded them.

Dad picked up a checker and rolled it between his thumb and one finger. “We’re not finished with our talk. I’ll call you.” The trio shuffled back out, and the checker pinged back onto the game board, bounced, and rolled onto the floor.

Katy quickly retrieved it and placed it back on the board, returning to her seat.

“Where were we?” he asked.

Katy’s cheeks heated again. “About David Miller. If after these three dates, I don’t like him. Then what?”

“Then you are free to quit him.”

“But you must agree to give him a chance,” her mother interjected.

Dad patted Mom’s hand, as if reminding her who was in charge.

But Katy thought her dad was losing his mind. “Isn’t there something you’re forgetting?” He bunched his mouth considering but didn’t come up with anything.

“I’ve turned David down twice already. He probably won’t ask me again.”

Her father’s face broke into a satisfied grin. “I have it on good authority that he will. Perhaps as soon as the New Year’s skating party.”

T
hat night Marie Yoder folded back her star quilt. She’d been restless all evening, anxious to get her husband alone. “Vernon. I can’t believe I had to wait all night to find out what you’re up to. Spill it.”

He chuckled and stepped up behind her to touch her loosened hair, dark like his and streaked in gray. “Ingenious, wasn’t it?” he asked.

She turned to face him. “I never would have taken you for a matchmaker. Especially for your own daughter.”

His voice turned gruff. “I’m not.”

“Then why?”

“You liked the idea, admit it.”

She fiddled with the tie to her white nightgown. “Yes, but what are you cooking up?”

With a sigh, he moved to his side of the bed and sat. “Jake Byler is coming back to the church.”

Marie’s heart pounded with fear. “What? Where did you hear this?”

“At the elders’ meeting. He came to talk to us. He’s turning over a new leaf. Of course I’m happy for his soul, but I don’t trust him. And I don’t want him turning Katy’s head again.”

Marie skirted around the bed and touched his shoulder. “Oh, I don’t either. I’m afraid he’ll hurt her again. He was so wild. Our Katy needs a gentle man who is strong in the faith like her.”

They remained silent a moment. Marie stared at the plain oak headboard Vernon had fashioned with his own hands before they got married. Then she remembered the rest of her questions. “How did you hear that the Miller boy was going to ask Katy out again?”

Vernon removed his shoes. “Through his brother Ivan.”

“What? He told you about the doddy house? You already knew of Katy’s plans?”

“Of course.” His voice held a hint of pride, and he found her hand. “Settle down, Marie. Ivan talked frankly, concerned that the girls would renovate and then get married. He didn’t want to cheat them out of their money. He told me of his brother’s interest in Katy.”

“And what if Katy does spend her savings and then decide to move out and marry David? What then?”

“Then she’s learned a valuable lesson. But that’s something I need to work out with Ivan. Just in case. He’s a kid himself, but he wouldn’t have come to me if he planned to cheat them.”

Marie nodded and went to her side of the bed. “Seems like you’ve thought of everything,” she said, before flicking off the lamp.

Inching along in line at the church’s monthly potluck spread, Katy and Lil each grabbed plastic silverware rolled in napkins and a paper plate.

“So what did you bring?” Katy asked, trying to tamp down her excitement until the perfect moment.

“Stew and broccoli corn bread.”

“Hope there’s some left.” Everybody in church knew Lil and her mom were the potluck queens, a matriarchal honor passed down for generations in their family. Katy plunked baked beans on her plate, the serving spoon suddenly fumbling and splattering beans onto the tablecloth. They both reached for it at the same time. “Wish Megan could’ve come.”

“Yeah. Too bad she’s got the flu.”

“At least she’s still on break and has her mom to take care of her. Is that it?” Katy pointed at an empty pot, wondering if it was the stew.

“Yeah. But it looks like it’s all gone.”

“Your dishes always are. Aha!” Her enthusiasm on eyeing the nine-by-thirteen dish beside the empty pot was overplayed even for one of Lil’s recipes. Using a spatula, Katy scooped up a small piece of Lil’s corn bread. It missed the empty spot on her plate and plopped on top of her beans. She shrugged. “Clumsy today.”

They carried their filled plates down a center aisle, glancing at the rows of long tables at either side of them. “How’s that?” Lil asked, nodding her head toward a few empty folding chairs.

They settled in, and Lil glanced over at Katy. “You’re acting weird. Jittery. You talked to your folks, didn’t you?” Katy opened her mouth, but before she could reply, Lil gave a little squeal. “And they said yes?”

Raising her palms to calm her friend, Katy wavered, “Yes…no.”

Lil poked her arm with her plastic fork. “Quit.”

“Okay. I talked to them. But here’s the deal. Dad agreed.” She had to pause when Lil bounced and nearly collapsed the gray metal chair. “But he put conditions on it.”

“Of course. Parents always do that.” Lil shoveled down several bites of tossed salad. “So we just meet those conditions.”

Katy shook her head. A part of her wanted to grab Lil by the arms, squeal, and dance with her in a circle as if they were a couple of kids, or at the least do the garbanzo shimmy. But if she didn’t tamp down her friend’s enthusiasm, Lil would never understand the gravity of the stipulations. And if Katy had to bear this trial, she wasn’t going to bear it alone. She pointed a carrot stick at Lil. “Three conditions, to be exact.”

Holding her fork at eye level, Lil stared at a chunk of gooey brownie. “Give ‘em to me. One at a time.”

“First, he wants to see the bids and the financial stuff.”

“Easy enough. What else?”

“He wants to persuade Ivan Miller to keep an eye on us.”