The Lopsided Christmas Cake (19 page)

“How did the painting go last week, when you went home after the show?” Joseph managed to ask.

“It went pretty well,” Thelma replied. “We got all the furniture moved to the middle of the room, and with two of us painting, we had the walls done in a few hours. The color looks nice, too—like the shade of wheat.”

When their waitress, a middle-aged Amish woman, came to take their order, everyone agreed that they would have the all-you-can-eat buffet. “Oh, and could you please bring some extra napkins?” Thelma asked.

“No problem. I’ll grab you some and bring out your waters.” She stuffed her pencil in her apron pocket and headed off toward the kitchen.

“Should we pray now, before we go to the buffet?” Delbert asked.

Joseph bobbed his head. “That’s a good idea.”

All heads bowed, and when Joseph opened his eyes, their waitress returned with glasses of water. She also handed Thelma a whole stack of napkins.

Thelma snickered. “I wonder why she gave me so many. Maybe I look like a messy person.”

“I’m sure she was only being helpful.” Elma patted her sister’s hand. “And I doubt she thought they were just for you.”

Thelma handed each of them three napkins and laid the rest beside her plate. Then they made their way to the buffet.

When they returned to the table with their plates full of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, roast beef, corn, and noodles, Joseph was more than ready to eat. Just smelling the delicious food made his mouth water.

“Too bad they’re out of the butterfly shrimp,” Delbert commented. “I was kinda hoping for that. Truth is, I like all kinds of seafood.”

“Same here,” Thelma agreed. “And I like freshwater fish, too.”

“Do you ever go fishing?” Joseph asked, and he didn’t even stutter.

She nodded enthusiastically. “Ever since I was a little girl and my daed took me out to the lake near our home, I’ve been hooked on fishing.” She covered her mouth and giggled.

Joseph laughed, too. He enjoyed Thelma’s humor. She was bubbly, and the more he was with her, the more relaxed he became. Not only that, but she was a fine-looking woman.
I wonder how old she and her sister are? Do I dare ask?
Deciding that it would be too bold, he said instead, “If you and Elma aren’t busy, maybe you’d like to go fishing with me and Delbert. We’re planning to go next Saturday. Would that be a good day for you?”

“Oh, we’d love to go!” Thelma’s face broke into a wide smile. “Wouldn’t we, Sister?”

Elma, looking none too enthused, slowly nodded. “I—I suppose we could do that, but we’d have to close the store that day.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Thelma said, before taking a drink of water. “We closed it to go to the cooking show, and since it’ll be open for business Monday through Friday, I think we deserve a little break, don’t you?”

Again Elma nodded, but Joseph sensed she’d rather not go.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything, but I’d like the chance to get to know Thelma better. Since we all like to fish, it should be a fun day.
He glanced at Delbert and realized that his friend hadn’t made a single comment about taking the twins fishing.
I wonder if he’d prefer that they not go. Or maybe he’s too busy eating his fried chicken to join the conversation right now.

Joseph was having such a good time that he really didn’t care what Delbert thought. Besides, the fishing trip would give Delbert a chance to get to know Elma better, too.

At home after the men dropped the twins off, Thelma brought up the topic of Joseph and Delbert. “You were kind of quiet during supper,” she said, sipping her cup of chamomile tea while holding a peanut butter cookie. “Weren’t you having a good time?”

“It was fine. I enjoyed the meal.” Elma blew on her tea. “I only wish you hadn’t told Joseph that we’d go fishing with them.” She sighed, finally taking her first cookie. “You know I don’t like to fish. I don’t have the patience for it.”

“Don’t worry about fishing. You can bring a book along. Anyway, it’ll be a chance for us to get to know Delbert and Joseph better.” Thelma smiled. “I think Joe likes me, Sister. And I have a hunch that Delbert may be a good match for you.”

Finished with her snack, Elma said, “I’ll admit, I am attracted to his good looks, but I don’t know yet whether he and I are compatible.”

“Which is why we need to go fishing with them. It’ll be a relaxing, fun day—the perfect opportunity to visit and get to know what they’re like.”

“I suppose.”

Thelma placed her hand over Elma’s and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You know, this could be our one hope of finding husbands.”

Elma finished drinking her tea. “We’ll have to wait and see about that.”

H
ow come you’re bringing all of that?” Thelma asked when she noticed Elma stuffing several items into two large tote bags she’d placed on the kitchen table.

Elma blinked, as though surprised at Thelma’s question. “We might need all these things. Remember, Mom would say that you never know what can occur on any outing, and being prepared is always good.” Elma stood by her totes with her arms folded. “Did you remember to check on all the animals this morning?”

“Jah, I did. They are fed and content, and so are the mama cat and her babies in the basement.”

“What about the eggs? Did you collect them like usual?”

Thelma nodded with a sigh. “I did all of that. And why do you always have to remind me of everything?”

“Because you’re often preoccupied—this morning, more than usual.”

Thelma lifted her gaze to the ceiling. In addition to a first-aid kit, her sister had packed bug spray, disinfectant wipes, blankets, sunglasses, and two umbrellas. “I’m glad we were able to get our fishing licenses earlier this week, and I’m looking forward to meeting Joseph and Delbert at the pond they told us about. If they were picking us up and we went in one buggy, there might not be room for all those things.” Thelma glanced at the totes again.

Elma simply went to the refrigerator and took out the sandwiches she’d made to share with the men for lunch. Along with those, the twins were bringing potato chips, pretzels, cut-up veggies, and grapes. For dessert, they’d baked chocolate-chip cookies. Delbert had volunteered to bring beverages, and Joseph would provide the fishing bait.

Thelma had been looking forward to this day ever since they’d made plans with the guys a week ago. Even though she’d only met Joseph, she found him to be quite pleasant. He seemed a bit shy and, except for small talk, hadn’t said a lot during their meal at Tiffany’s. Maybe that was because she had monopolized too much of the conversation. Joseph was a good listener, though. He seemed interested in everything she’d said. It was a good thing she and Elma had chosen to wear different-colored dresses today. That would help the guys to keep them straight. Thelma had double-checked the way she looked this morning, as she wanted to make a nice impression on Joseph. She was even debating about going back to the bathroom and checking one more time to make sure her head covering was on straight.

“I am not really that interested in fishing.” Elma broke into Thelma’s thoughts.

“Then why’d you agree to go?”

“I did it for you—because I know you like to fish.” Elma paused and put a package of paper plates in the wicker basket, along with the chips and cookies. The sandwiches would go in their small cooler. “And I can tell you’re smitten with Joseph.”

Thelma tipped her head. “Aren’t you interested in Delbert? Have you forgotten so soon how handsome he is?”

“You’re right, but good looks are not that important.” Elma smiled. “I would like the chance to get to know him better, though.”

“Then it’s settled. I have a feeling that by the end of the day, we’ll both know more about those men.”

LaGrange

“This will be a great day for fishing, and the weather is looking favorable. The sun is shining, and I’m feelin’ the warmth,” Joseph said as he climbed into Delbert’s buggy, which looked sharp and clean, as usual. Recently, Delbert had installed a new heater in the dash of his buggy, but they wouldn’t need that today. If Joseph didn’t know better, he’d think it was late summer, instead of the middle of October.

Truth was, all week Joseph had been looking forward to this day and getting an opportunity to spend it with Thelma. While he didn’t know much about her yet, she’d said she liked to fish. He hoped they’d get some time alone to visit and that he’d discover other things they both liked.

Delbert took up the reins. “Let’s hope the fish are biting and the women bring something good for lunch.”

“I’m sure they will.” Joseph smiled. “Thelma said she was going to bake chocolate-chip cookies.”

“Sure hope they look better than that crazy cake she and her sister made.”

“The cake may not have looked so good, but it sure was tasty. You’re lucky I shared it with you.”

Delbert guided his horse onto the main road. “You almost had to share it, since I’m the one who got that lopsided dessert for you.”

“That’s true.” Joseph rubbed his chin. “You know, we never did ask the twins how that cake ended up looking so uneven or why the whole thing wasn’t frosted.”

Delbert thumped Joseph’s arm. “Not a problem. You can ask them today.”

“You don’t think they’ll forget about meeting us, do you?”

“Naw. I’m sure they’ll remember.”

“Can’t you make your horse go any faster?” Joseph couldn’t help feeling impatient.

“Hold your horses. Snickers is going fast enough.” Delbert chuckled. “I want to stop at the store and get some sweet tea.”

“What if the twins aren’t able to find the pond we told ’em about?” Joseph continued to stroke his chin, trying to keep from becoming too antsy. At least he’d remembered to shave this morning. He’d been so excited about seeing Thelma again he’d almost left the house without doing that. “Maybe we should have gone over to their place to pick them up.”

“I gave them good instructions,” Delbert said. “Since the small fishing hole is halfway between LaGrange and Topeka, it only made sense that we should meet them there. Now, quit fretting and relax.”

As soon as Elma pulled Pearl into the designated spot where Delbert and Joseph had said they would meet, Thelma climbed down and secured the horse to a tree. It was nice that Elma had driven today. She seemed happy to have Pearl pulling their buggy, too.
I’m glad I told Dad about Elma’s fear of Rusty and he decided to bring our docile, dependable horse.

“Are you sure this is the right pond?” Elma asked when she joined Thelma by the tree. “I don’t see any sign of the men, and no one else seems to be here fishing, either.” She made a sweeping gesture of the area.

“We followed Delbert’s directions, so this has to be the place.” Thelma didn’t admit it, but she was a little worried, too, that they might be at the wrong pond.

“Let’s leave everything in the buggy till the men arrive. I wouldn’t want to have to put it all away if they don’t show up.” Elma opened the bag of grapes and popped one into her mouth.

“You’re right.” Thelma walked around for a bit, surveying the pond and enjoying the warmth of the day. It was interesting how the weather could change so quickly. Yesterday it had been chilly with a bit of rain, and now this morning, the sun shone brightly. The sun’s warmth felt so good.
How silly of Elma to bring those umbrellas along,
she mused.
I doubt we’ll see any rain today.