Allison's Journey (10 page)

As Aaron traveled home from the pond, he thought about how much he’d enjoyed being with Allison. Even if they couldn’t develop a lasting relationship, it would be nice to get to know her better while she was here for the summer. They’d begun a good visit this afternoon until Dan’s little mishap had cut things short.

I wonder if Allison would enjoy working in the harness shop
. Aaron slapped the side of his head, nearly knocking his straw hat off.
Don’t get any dumb ideas. It would never work, even if she could stay here. I wouldn’t be able to forget how things were for Mom when Dad died. I could never trust that it wouldn’t happen to me
.

As Aaron turned onto his property, he noticed light shining through the harness shop windows. He’d thought he had shut off all the lanterns before he’d left.

He brought the horse to a stop in front of the building, hopped out of the buggy, and dashed inside. He discovered only one gas lamp lit—the one directly above Paul’s desk.

Paul was seated in his oak chair, going over a stack of invoices. He squinted at Aaron. “Where have you been?”

Aaron shifted from one foot to the other, feeling like a young boy caught doing something bad. “I went fishing this afternoon.”

Paul’s heavy eyebrows drew together as he fingered the edge of his full beard. “You went fishing when you should have been working?”

Aaron nodded. “There hadn’t been any customers since noon, so I didn’t think there’d be any harm in closing the shop a few hours early.”

Paul pushed his chair aside and stood. “I left you in charge today because I thought I could trust you to take care of things in my absence.” He motioned to the front door. “Then I come home and find the shop door is locked, the C
LOSED
sign’s in the window, and you’re nowhere to be found.”

Aaron opened his mouth to defend himself, but Paul cut him off. “I know you’re expecting to take over this shop someday, but your irresponsible actions don’t give me any indication that you’re close to being ready for something like that.”

“I work plenty hard.” Aaron pursed his lips. “I think I always do a good job, too.”

“That’s true, but you’re often late to work, and sometimes you look for excuses to slack off. You can’t coast along in life if you expect to support a wife and family someday.”

“I don’t think I’m coasting. Besides, I’m not planning to get married, so I won’t have to worry about supporting a wife or a family.”

“I’ve heard you say that before, Aaron. Would you care to explain?”

Aaron shook his head and started to walk away, but he halted and turned back around. “Say, how come you’re home early from Springfield? I thought you were planning to eat supper out.”

“Emma came down with a
bauchweh
.”

“What’s wrong with Emma? Has she got the flu?”

“I suppose she might, but more than likely her bellyache’s from eating too much candy earlier in the day. Our driver, Larry Porter, always has a bag of chocolates he likes to hand out to the kinner.” Paul grunted. “Emma ate way too much candy before either your mamm or I realized it.”

“I remember once when Davey was a little guy and got into Mom’s candy dish,” Aaron said. “The little
schtinker
polished off every last piece. Mom said she didn’t have the heart to give him a
bletsching
because suffering with an upset stomach was punishment enough.”

“Sometimes the direct consequences of one’s transgressions are worse than a spanking.”

“I guess that’s true.” Aaron moved toward the door.

“Before you go up to the house, I’d like to say one more thing,” Paul said.

Out of respect, Aaron halted. “What’d you want to say?”

“Just wanted you to know that I love you. That’s the only reason I want to be sure you get your priorities straight.”

Aaron nodded.

“Tell your mamm to ring the supper bell when it’s time to eat.”

“Jah, okay.” Aaron opened the door and stepped outside. “I’m not a baby,” he muttered under his breath, “and I wish he’d quit treating me like one.”

Allison entered the house and was pleased to discover Katie Esh sitting at the kitchen table, talking with Aunt Mary. “I’m sorry about bringing Dan home soaking wet,” Allison apologized.

“It’s not the first time he’s fallen into the pond, and it probably won’t be the last.” Aunt Mary smiled. “He’s in the bathroom, taking a warm bath.”

Allison looked down at the muddy footprints leading from the kitchen door to the hallway. “Since I’m the one who took Dan fishing, I’d better mop up the mess he left behind.”

“Nonsense,” her aunt said, pushing away from the table. “You sit with Katie and visit. I’ll see to the floor.”

Allison was amazed at her aunt’s generosity. If this had happened in Aunt Catherine’s kitchen, the woman would have been grumpier than an old goat.

Katie smiled and motioned to the chair beside her. “How about a glass of cold milk to go with the carrot cake I brought over?”

Allison glanced at Aunt Mary, who was at the sink, dampening the mop. “When are you planning to serve supper?”

“Not for an hour or so. Ben, Harvey, and Walter will probably work in the fields until it’s nearly dark, so feel free to eat some of Katie’s cake.”

A hunk of moist carrot cake did sound appealing, so Allison poured a glass of milk and helped herself to a slice of cake.

“I came by to visit with you, but your aunt said you and Dan had gone fishing. How’d it go?” Katie asked.

“Not so good. We didn’t catch a single fish.”

Katie snickered. “From the looks of Dan when he came through the door, I’d say the fish caught him.”

Allison laughed, too. “Aaron and I rescued my waterlogged cousin before the fish could reel him in too far.”

Katie’s pale eyebrows lifted in obvious surprise. “Aaron Zook?”

“Jah.”

“I didn’t realize you were meeting him at the pond,” Aunt Mary said.

“Oh, I wasn’t,” Allison was quick to say. “He and his collie showed up. It was shortly after they arrived that Dan fell in the water.” She leaned closer to Katie. “Do you know if Aaron has a girlfriend?”

“Nope, he sure doesn’t.” Katie blinked a couple of times. “Why, are you interested in Aaron?”

“No, of course not. I barely know him.” Allison quickly forked a piece of cake into her mouth. “
Umm
. . . This is sure good.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Next to chocolate, carrot’s my favorite kind of cake.”

“What kind of pie do you like?” Katie asked.

“Most any except for mincemeat.”

Katie wrinkled her nose. “Me, neither. I never have understood why my mamm likes mincemeat pie so well.”

Aunt Mary swished the mop past the table and stopped long enough to grab a sliver of cake. “My favorite pie is strawberry.”

Allison’s mouth watered at the mention of sweet, juicy strawberries, so ripe the juice ran down your chin.

As if she could read Allison’s mind, Katie leaned over and said, “We’ve got a big strawberry patch. Why don’t you plan to
come over some Saturday toward the end of the month and help me pick some? They should be ripe by then.”

“That sounds like fun.”

Katie smiled. “In the meantime, let’s set this Thursday evening aside, and the two of us can go on a picnic in the woods near my house. I’ll furnish the meal,” she quickly added.

Allison glanced at Aunt Mary, who had finished mopping and was now peeling potatoes. “Would that be all right with you?”

“I have no problem with it.”

Allison smiled. She could hardly believe how agreeable her mother’s twin sister seemed to be. She hated to keep comparing Aunt Mary to Aunt Catherine, but they were as different as winter and summer. What made the difference? What was the reason for Aunt Mary’s sweet disposition?

A
llison sat at the kitchen table, reading the letter she’d just received from her father:

Dear Allison
,

      
Except for that one letter you wrote soon after you arrived in Missouri, I haven’t heard anything from you, and I’m wondering why. I’m anxious to hear how things are going and what it’s like for you there
.

      
We’re getting along okay here. We went to Gerald and Norma’s for supper the other night, and all your brothers were there except for Clarence and his family. They couldn’t make it because Esther’s been quite tired during this pregnancy
.

A wave of homesickness washed over Allison. She’d always enjoyed spending time with her brothers, especially family
dinners at one of their homes. All of her siblings except Peter were married, and from what Sally had said in her last letter, Allison figured it wouldn’t be long before they were, too. Then she’d be the only one of her siblings not married.

Directing her focus back to the letter, Allison read on:

      
The weather has been hot and muggy. We could sure use a good rain. Peter and I are keeping busy as usual with the dairy, and Aunt Catherine stays busy with the household chores. We all miss you and hope you’re having a good time. Write back soon
.

Love
,
Papa

Allison shook her head. “You might miss me, Papa, but I’m sure Aunt Catherine doesn’t.”

“What was that you were saying?” Aunt Mary asked as she stepped into the room.

Allison’s cheeks warmed. “I was reading a letter from my daed that came in today’s mail.”

“How’s my brother-in-law doing? I’ll bet he’s missing you already.”

Allison nodded. “He says everyone misses me, but I don’t think Aunt Catherine does.”

Aunt Mary took a seat at the table. “What makes you think that?”

“Aunt Catherine has never shown much interest in me except to find fault. That’s why I can’t cook or sew very well.”

“Still, that’s no reason to believe she doesn’t care about you.”

Allison shrugged.

“Speaking of sewing, would you like to try to make a faceless doll after we’ve had lunch?” Aunt Mary asked.

“Do you think I’m ready for that?”

“You’ve been practicing at the machine nearly every day this week, and you’ve been able to make several potholders.” A wide smile spread across Aunt Mary’s face. “I think you’re ready to try making a doll.”

“Okay.”

Aunt Mary squeezed Allison’s shoulder. “I’ll leave you alone to answer your daed’s letter, but I’ll be back when it’s time to start lunch.”

“I probably should answer his letter right away,” Allison agreed. “He seemed a little worried because I haven’t written but one letter since I’ve been here.”

Aunt Mary’s forehead creased. “I guess that’s my fault for keeping you so busy.”

“It’s not your fault. I’ve enjoyed staying busy.” Allison smiled.

Aunt Mary motioned to the desk in the corner of the room. “There’s a book of stamps, envelopes, and plenty of paper in there, so use whatever you need.”

“Danki.”

When Aunt Mary left the room, Allison hurried over to the desk. Maybe she would write Sally a letter after she finished writing Papa. She was anxious to let them both know how things had been going.

“I thought you were out in the fields,” Aaron said when Joseph stepped into the harness shop.