Free The Amish Seamstress by Mindy Starns Clark Page B

“I’d love to sit with Verna.” I took a deep breath and then lowered my voice. “As long as you’re sure she doesn’t have any serious health problems.”
    â€œWell, high blood pressure. Edema. And her balance isn’t good.” Susie picked up the doilies and headed for the shelf under the window.
    â€œBut no cancer? Or heart disease?” I took a deep breath. “Nothing fatal?”
    Susie shook her head as she arranged the doilies.
    â€œThen I’ll take the job.”
    Susie’s head shot up as a smile spread across her face. “Are you sure?”
    â€œPositive. When do I start?”
    â€œMy parents will be visiting tomorrow, so how about the day after. Nine sharp?”
    â€œPerfect,” I answered.
    Susie hugged a doily to her chest. “ Danke! ”
    â€œI’ll see you Wednesday,” I said and then smiled at the Englisch women on my way to the front door.
    â€œBring your handwork,” Susie said. “To fill your orders.”
    I waved in acknowledgment. “See you then,” I called out as I opened the door and dashed out to the buggy.
    When the horse and I were both ready to go home, I decided to turn left and left again, circling around through the alley on my way. As I did, I couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the face in the window of Susie’s house on my right. Verna was still sitting in her chair, but now she was smiling back at me, her hand raised in a wave, as I went past.
    Day after tomorrow I’d start my new job. I was sure it would all work out. At least my loneliness, for the first time in over a month, had lifted.
    Somewhat, anyway.

F IVE
    T o my surprise, Mamm wasn’t too happy about my big news. She didn’t say much that night, but she finally weighed in the next day as we were peeling apples for applesauce.
    â€œI think you need to focus on your long-range plans instead of jumping from one job to another.” She spun the silver handle of the apple peeler as she spoke. “It’s time to settle down, choose a path, and stick to it.”
    I sighed.
    â€œYou were finally starting to get up to speed with your sewing and actually see some profit. Now you’re going to drop that and move on to this…” She shook her head. “Izzy, how long do you think this new caregiving job will last? A week? A month?”
    My face grew warm. “As long as they need me, I suppose. And I can do my handwork at the same time as the caregiving.” Her frown remained fixed, so I added, “Verna is your aunt, Mamm . I thought you’d be pleased.”
    She pulled the apple off the spindle and plunked it on the corer, jerking down the lever. “Of course I’m pleased, for her sake. But what I amconcerned about is what happened at school. Who’s to say you won’t get hysterical again?”
    I grabbed another apple from the pile I’d washed and slid it onto the spikes of the peeler. “That was because a patient died . My favorite patient. Aenti Verna isn’t even ill.”
    â€œIzzy, she’s ninety-one. Just because she’s not ill now doesn’t mean she’s going to live all that much longer. Life comes to end; that’s a fact. You can’t just fall apart when things get hard.” Mamm dropped the apple slices into the pot on the stove.
    â€œI won’t,” I muttered.
    â€œPardon?” Her voice rang out over the clatter of the peeler.
    â€œI’ll be fine,” I answered, keeping my tone respectful. “I know the realities of life and death. Last time just took me by surprise, is all.”
    Mamm harrumphed but didn’t speak.
    â€œBesides, Verna’s going to help me with some family research about our ancestors who came to America back in the 1700s. I need that information for Zed’s script.”
    Mamm looked my way, one eyebrow raised.
    â€œFor his next film,” I added, trying not to sound as