The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club (40 page)

“Pam and I both have something for you,” Stuart said. “Mine’s some frozen wild berries I picked when I went camping last summer, and Pam’s is a plant that she set on your front porch.” He grinned and handed Emma a paper sack he’d carried tucked under his arm.

“That’s really nice. Thank you both so much.” Emma turned toward the kitchen. “I’ll just put these in the refrigerator while you all find seats.”

When Emma entered the kitchen, she glanced at the clock on the far wall and realized it was fifteen minutes after ten. Since Jan still hadn’t shown up, when she returned to her sewing room, she suggested that they get started with the class and wait on taking their picture.

As Emma showed everyone how to bind their quilted wall hangings, Star was barely able to concentrate on what was being said. She kept looking at the clock, and as time went on, she became even more concerned.
Where is Jan? Maybe he’s not coming today. He’s probably upset about the things I said to him last week and doesn’t want to see me again
.

“I baked a couple of angel cream pies yesterday,” Emma said at around eleven o’clock. “Should we stop for a break and have some now, or would you rather keep working on your wall hangings and have the pie at the end of our class?”

“I’m really not hungry,” Star mumbled. “But the rest of you can do whatever you want.” She was convinced that Jan wasn’t coming. If he was, he would have arrived by now.

Emma smiled sympathetically and offered Star a few comforting words. The others did as well, but as much as Star appreciated their concern, she still felt miserable. All her life she’d wished she could know her father. Now, even though she knew who he was, she was certain that she’d never get the chance to really know him.

“I think we should keep working on our wall hangings and eat when we’re done,” Ruby Lee said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Each of them took turns using the battery-operated sewing machines, and Ruby Lee even tried out Emma’s old treadle machine, commenting on how much harder it was to use.

“You’re right,” Emma agreed, “but once you get a feel for using the treadle, it won’t be so difficult, and who knows—you might even think it’s fun. I certainly enjoy using that old machine.”

Shortly before twelve, everyone had finished binding their wall hangings, so Paul got out his camera and suggested they all gather for the class picture.

Star shook her head. “I’m not in the mood. Besides, Jan isn’t here, and without him, it wouldn’t really be a class picture.”

“I’m real sorry he’s not here,” Emma said, “but wouldn’t you at least like to get a picture of those of you who are here today?”

Star really didn’t want to, but reluctantly, she finally agreed. She’d come here today without her hooded sweatshirt but wished now she’d worn it, because she was in a really black mood.

“Let’s go outside to take the photograph,” Emma suggested. “It’s probably not light enough in here for a good picture.” She opened the door, and they all stepped onto the porch and struck a pose. Star was the only one not smiling. She just couldn’t force her lips to turn up when she felt so sad.

After Paul showed Emma what to do with the camera, she stepped into the yard and was about to take the picture when Jan came trudging up the driveway, huffing and puffing. His arms and face were sweaty, and his clothes were covered with splotches of dirt.

Tears of joy seeped through Star’s lashes, but she didn’t utter a word. Just waited to see what Jan would say.

“Sorry for bein’ late,” he said to Emma. “Stupid chain on my bicycle broke, and then I spun out in some gravel and fell off the bike. Fooled around with the chain awhile, but with no tools, it was pretty much hopeless. Since I was determined to get here, I just left the dumb bike there and started walkin’. Then some mangy mutt, who shoulda been home in his pen, chased after me for a time. But when a horse and buggy happened along, the dog gave up on me and started buggin’ the horse. Things went from bad to worse after that. The horse was so spooked, it ended up pullin’ the buggy into a ditch.” Jan stopped and drew in a quick breath. “Well, I couldn’t leave the poor Amish woman who was drivin’ the buggy alone to deal with all that, so after I’d shooed the dog away, I led the horse outa the ditch and got the woman’s buggy back on the road. By that time, I knew I’d missed most of the class, but I had to come anyways, ‘cause I needed to see Star, even if it was for the very last time.”

“It’s okay. You’re here now; that’s all that matters,” Emma said.

Everyone smiled and murmured words of agreement. They, too, seemed happy that Jan had made it before the class ended. But none was happier than Star. She was so glad to see Jan that she almost gave him a hug. Catching herself in time, she just smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re here. I was worried you might not come.”

Jan shook his head. “I’d actually thought about not comin’, but no, I decided I just couldn’t do that.”

“I need to tell you something,” Star said, moving slowly toward him, hands clasped behind her back. Her heart thumped so hard she feared her chest might explode.

“What’s that?” he asked with a hopeful expression.

“I spoke with Mom last night, and she admitted that she was the one who took off.”

Jan’s face broke into a broad smile. “Really?”

Star nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, but I didn’t want to think Mom would lie to me about something as important as this. Can we start over—maybe spend some time together and get to know each other better?” she asked, looking down.

“Yeah, I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.” Jan raised Star’s chin so she was looking into his eyes. “I’ll be getting my driver’s license back soon. Think maybe you’d like to go for a ride on my Harley then?”

“Sure, that’d be great. I’d also like the chance to meet your dog. I’ve never had a pet, so it would be fun to see what that’s like, too.” Star went on to tell Jan that when the time was right, her mom would like the chance to make amends with him.

Jan, looking more than a little surprised, nodded and said, “No problem. I’d be glad to talk to Bunny again and try to make things right between us. I know we can never get back what we once had, but if we could be friends, that would mean a lot to me.”

“It would mean a lot to me, too,” Star said sincerely.

Star and Jan started talking about some other things they’d like to do together until Paul cleared his throat real loud. “Should we take our class picture now so we can have our refreshments?”

“I sure can’t be in no picture,” Jan said, looking down at the dirt and sweat on his clothes and arms.

“How come? Is it against your religion, too?” Stuart asked.

“Nope, it’s nothin’ like that, but just look at me, man—I’m a mess!”

“The bathroom’s just down the hall,” Emma said. “You can go there and get cleaned up, and I’ll even let you borrow one of my husband’s shirts.”

Jan grinned at her. “I’d be much obliged.”

“While you’re changing and cleaning up, I’ll bring out the pie and something for us to drink. Then I’ll take a picture of the six of you, and after that we can enjoy the pie while we visit,” Emma said.

“Sounds good to me.” Jan looked down at Star, and tears welled in his eyes. “Never thought I’d hear myself say this, but somethin’ good came from me losin’ my driver’s license.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Because I lost it and had to serve some time in jail, I was forced to see a probation officer, who said I should find my creative self. And if I hadn’t seen Emma’s ad and signed up for this class, I never would have met my daughter.” Jan smiled at Star in such a special way that she really did feel like his daughter.

“Well, guess I’d better get cleaned up,” Jan said, before heading down the hall. When he was halfway there, he turned and called to Star, “Don’t go anywhere now, you hear?”

“I wouldn’t think of it!” she hollered. Star didn’t know what the future might hold for her musical career, but she knew she was grateful for the chance to get to know her dad and was happy that her future would include him.

After Emma found one of Ivan’s shirts for Jan to wear, she hurried to the kitchen and was pleased when both Pam and Ruby Lee followed.

“What can we do to help?” Pam asked.

“Let’s see now…. The pie’s on the counter, so if one of you would like to cut it, I’ll get out the plates, silverware, and napkins.”

“I’ll cut the pie,” Ruby Lee offered.

Emma looked at Pam. “There’s some iced tea in the refrigerator, and glasses are in the cupboard. So if you don’t mind, you can take those out to the dining room where we’ll sit and eat our refreshments.”

Pam smiled. “I don’t mind at all.”

“You can put them on here.” Emma handed Pam a large serving tray.

“I’m going to miss coming here every week,” Ruby Lee said as she began slicing the pie.

“I’ll miss all of you, too,” Emma admitted. “But you’re welcome to stop by anytime you like—either for a visit or for help with another quilting project. I’d love to see all of you again.”

“You’ve been a good teacher,” Pam said. “And I, for one, have learned a lot coming here—and not just about quilting.”

“Me, too,” Ruby Lee agreed. “Getting to know everyone and sharing our problems has been good for all of us, I do believe.”

“Well, throughout these last six weeks, I’ve learned quite a bit myself,” Emma said. Pam’s eyebrows lifted high. “About quilting?”

Emma shook her head. “About people, and how each of us is special in God’s eyes. I’ve also learned to accept help from others whenever I have a need.”

“You mean like that nice man who filled in for you when you were sick?” Ruby Lee asked.

“Yes. Lamar’s been a big help in many ways, and last night he stopped by with something he made for me.”

“What was it?” Pam asked.

“He made a very special table. I’ll show it to you after we’ve had our snack.”

“This is ready now.” Ruby Lee motioned to the pie she’d cut into equal pieces.

“Then let’s get back to the others.” Emma led the way to her sewing room, where Stuart, Paul, Jan, and Star sat visiting around the table.

“Can we take the class picture now, before we eat?” Star asked.

Emma nodded. “Let’s go outside on the porch.”

Pam and Ruby Lee put the pie and iced tea on the dining room table, and everyone filed out the door.

Paul showed Emma again which button to push and reminded her that the camera could focus itself. Then Emma’s six students gathered together on the porch while Emma stood in the yard with the camera.

“We may be just a bunch of half-stitched quilters,” Jan said as he stood next to Star and smiled, “but we’ve sure learned some lessons here while gettin’ to know and understand each other, and I think we’ve also learned quite a bit about love.”

Star looked over at him and grinned. “I’m really feelin’ it right now. How about you? Are you feelin’ it, too?”

Jan gave her a high five. “Yep. Sure am, and I never wanna lose you again.” Hesitating a moment, he reached up and put his arm around Star’s shoulder. He looked happy when Star moved a bit closer.