The Lopsided Christmas Cake (23 page)

“Can we change the subject?” She stood. “It’s getting chilly in here. Think I’ll throw another log on the fire.”

“Want me to do that so you can keep working on your new dress? You’ll probably want to wear it to church this Sunday.”

“You’re right. I do. And if you’re sure you don’t mind, it would be nice if you put the next log on the fire.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Thelma set her knitting aside and crossed the room. She’d picked up a piece of wood when she heard a loud
meow.
“Uh-oh. I’ll bet that’s Tiger. I forgot to let him in this evening. And by the way, I found a good-sized box in the back of the store earlier today. It’s perfect for Misty and her growing kittens. Before long, we’ll be able to take them out to the store to try and find them new homes. I hope you won’t mind, but I’d like to keep one of Misty’s kittens.”

Elma wrinkled her nose. “Another cat? Oh, Sister, don’t you think we have enough of those already?”

“Maybe, but they do keep the mice down.”

“True.”

“I’ve grown attached to the little cuties but mostly the white-colored female in the group.” Thelma yearned to keep the kitten.

“Okay. I guess one more katz won’t matter. As you said, having the katze keeps down the mice. But one thing to consider is that Delbert is allergic to cats. We can’t allow Tiger in the house when Delbert is here, but it’ll just be till he’s done working for us.”

“I thought he was done. He fixed the front porch and put the doors under the kitchen sink. Isn’t that all you asked him to do?”

“At first it was, but then I asked if he would fix the loose railing going upstairs to the bedrooms, and I’m thinking we may want him to replace the broken lock on the kitchen window. There’s also that door upstairs that catches.”

Thelma smiled. “I’m thinking from your expression that you’re worried about Delbert. Does that mean you like him a lot?”

“I can’t say that. I don’t want him having an allergic attack when he’s trying to work on our house.”

“He won’t be coming here tonight, so I’m gonna let Tiger in.” Thelma tossed the wood on the fire and opened the front door. She hoped things would work out between her sister and Delbert, because if Elma didn’t have a man friend, then Thelma wouldn’t, either. It wouldn’t be fair, and besides, she’d made that childhood promise not to get married unless Elma was, too.

I
am sure looking forward to this evening,” Thelma said as she and Elma climbed into their buggy the next Friday. “It’ll be fun to see where Joseph lives and spend the evening with him and Delbert.”

Elma sighed. “I suppose, although I was honestly looking forward to a restful evening at home. It’s been a busy week at the store, and I’m tired.” She picked up the reins and got Pearl moving. “Brr… You can tell it’s November, even though it’s only the first week.”

“If the night air doesn’t do it, I’ll bet you’ll perk up as soon as we eat and play a few board games. I know how much you enjoy the competition.”

“That’s true. A good game of Rook or Settlers is always fun.” She yawned. “I hope you’re not planning to stay too late.”

Thelma touched Elma’s arm. “We can go whenever you like. Just say the word and I’ll be ready to head for home.”

Elma had a feeling that wouldn’t turn out to be the case. Knowing her sister, they’d probably be there until quite late, since Thelma liked to socialize.
I hope she doesn’t get any ideas about the two of us doing some silly skit tonight.
Thelma had always enjoyed putting on skits when they got together with a group of friends or attended some family function. Elma always went along with it because she didn’t want people to think she was a poor sport or too serious about things. Tonight though, with two men they were getting to know, Elma wouldn’t feel comfortable trying to make Delbert and Joseph laugh by acting out one of the skits they’d done in the past.

Clucking at Pearl, Elma watched as the steam blew from the horse’s nostrils when she picked up a little more speed.
Maybe if we keep busy playing board games, the subject of skits won’t come up.

LaGrange

“Yum. Those pizzas baking in my oven sure smell good,” Joseph said to Delbert as they worked together at setting the table. “Danki for helping me make them.”

“Not a problem,” Delbert replied. “I’m happy to do it.”

“You know your way around the kitchen a lot better than I do.” Joseph placed four glasses on the table and glanced at the clock on the far wall.

“Living on your own as long as you’ve been, I would have thought you’d be a pro by now.” Delbert enjoyed teasing his friend.

“You’d sure think so, wouldn’t you?” Shrugging his shoulders, Joseph looked toward the window. “I was expecting Thelma and Elma to be here by now. Hope they don’t have any trouble finding my place. Since it’s the only house on this road that looks like a log cabin, it shouldn’t be too hard to find.”

“It’s a crisp, clear night, so if you gave them good directions, they shouldn’t have a problem.” Delbert thumped Joseph’s back. “Try not to worry.”

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week, and I want everything to go right.”

“You’re one big bundle of nerves. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.” Delbert gestured around the room. “You got the place all clean and tidy, so relax.”

Joseph smiled. “By the way, danki for agreeing to get together with Elma again. I think it should be a relaxing evening for all of us.”

“If things don’t go well tonight, you’re gonna owe me big—maybe another meal out at my favorite restaurant.” Delbert chuckled as he went to get the hot pepper flakes from the refrigerator. He wasn’t so sure this evening would be relaxing but looked forward to eating that pepperoni pizza and drinking a tall glass of the cold cider he’d brought along. Thelma had left a message for Joseph, accepting the supper invitation and saying that she and Elma would bring a dessert. He hoped it would be something he liked and not more overly baked cookies.

Why can’t Elma be more laid back like her sister?
he wondered.
She always seems so uptight. It gets on my nerves when she’s so free with her opinion. Joseph’s lucky to have found a girl like Thelma.

“I think they may be here. I heard a horse whinny outside.” Joseph went to the window to look out.

Delbert laughed. “I sure hope it was outside.”

“Very funny.” Joseph opened the back door. “I’ll go take care of their horse.”

After Joseph went outside, Delbert opened the oven door and checked on the pizza. It was a good thing Elma and Thelma were here, because the pizza was almost done.
Probably should’ve waited till they showed up to bake the pizza,
he told himself,
but I figured they’d be here before now.

Delbert closed the oven door and turned the oven down. Then he went to the refrigerator and took out the tossed green salad he’d also made, placing it on the table.

One of the twins entered the kitchen. “Good evening, Delbert. The pizza smells good.” She stepped up to the stove. “I don’t mean to sound envious, but I wish we had an oven like yours.”

“I’m sure it’s a challenge to use your old woodstove for cooking.” He stood by the table, holding the pot holders.

“Jah,” she said, holding out a container. “Here are some pumpkin whoopie pies I picked up at the bakery today, since neither Thelma nor I had time to do any baking this week.”

“That’s great.” Delbert now knew that he was talking to Elma. “You can set them over there on the counter.” His mouth watered, thinking about how good those cookies were going to taste. “Pumpkin’s one of my favorite kinds of whoopie pies. Course I like chocolate, banana, and lemon, too. Anything sweet and it’s all right by me.”

Elma set the container down and turned to face him. “You certainly have a sweet tooth, don’t you?”

“Guess I do.” He put the pot holders away.

“Have you ever considered how much damage all that sugar can do to your body?”

He shrugged. “Nope, sure haven’t.”

“Well, maybe you should.”

Delbert grunted. If this was what he could expect all evening, he might go home early instead of spending the night at Joseph’s like he’d planned. They were going fishing on Saturday and he had brought his fishing gear along, but they could always meet in the morning. Joseph had suggested they invite the twins again, but Delbert talked him out of it, saying he thought they’d get more fishing done if it was just the two of them.

“What kind of pizza did you make?” Elma asked.

Delbert opened the oven door. “It’s ready, so I hope Thelma and Joseph come in soon.”

She bent down to observe the pizza. “Is that pepperoni?”

“Yep. It’s Joe’s and my favorite kind.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Is that the only topping you have?”

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like pepperoni?” He turned off the oven and closed the door.

“To be honest, it’s not one of my favorites.”

“Sorry about that. When Thelma told Joe she liked pepperoni, I figured with you being twins that you would, too.”

“We may look alike and enjoy some of the same things, but we’re not identical in every sense of the word.”

“What kind of pizza do you like?” he asked, studying the curve of her pretty face.

“I really enjoy a vegetarian pizza, but plain cheese is okay, too.”

Delbert motioned to the bowl he’d set on the table. “There’s plenty of salad, so maybe you can fill up on that.”

She offered him a quick smile. “Maybe I will try one piece of pizza, since Joseph worked so hard making it for us.”

Delbert leaned against the cupboard and folded his arms. “Actually, I did most of the work. Joe’s not much of a cook, so he asked me to help him make the pizza.”

Her eyes widened. “I—I didn’t realize that. I’ll definitely try a piece, then.”

Just then the back door creaked as it opened, and Joseph and Thelma stepped in, both smiling from ear to ear.
Those two are obviously crazy about each other,
Delbert mused.
I have a feeling by next year at this time my good friend may be growing a
baart. He stroked his own chin.
Wonder how I’d look wearin’ a beard.

As they sat around the table a short time later, Elma found herself enjoying the meal. The salad was delicious, with lots of cut-up veggies in it, as well as green lettuce leaves. She had to admit that even the pizza was pretty good. Of course, she picked off the pieces of pepperoni and fed them to Joseph’s dog, who lay under the table. While she didn’t care much for cats, Elma did have a soft spot for dogs—especially one as pretty as Ginger.

“Would you like to try some of this crushed pepper to sprinkle on your next slice of pizza?” Delbert asked, looking at the twins. “It adds a little kick to—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Elma took the bottle and shook a fair amount on.

“You may want to—”

Eagerly taking a bite, Elma felt the heat rise from her throat as she swallowed the piece of pizza. An uncontrollable cough started as she tried to catch her breath, while tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Here, Sister, drink some of this.” Thelma handed Elma a cup of cider.

After Elma drank some of the cold cider, she looked at Delbert and frowned. “You should have warned me that it was so hot.”

“Tried, but you put those hot pepper sprinkles on so fast. By the time you took a bite, it was too late.” Delbert picked up his napkin and fanned Elma’s face with it, which only made her more irritated. “You only have to use a little of that stuff to enhance the flavor of the pizza. Are you all right now?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine.” Elma brushed the flakes off the rest of her pizza. Glancing to her left where Delbert sat, Elma noticed that he had a glob of cheese stuck to his chin. Wondering if she should say anything, she kept staring at him.

“What’s wrong?” Delbert asked, sprinkling a little more pepper on his pizza. “Why are you lookin’ at me so strangely? Are you waiting for me to choke?”

Before she could say anything, Joseph snickered and pointed at Delbert’s chin.

Delbert swiped his hand across it, leaving the sticky cheese on his fingers. Everyone laughed. It was then that Elma saw a splotch of pizza sauce on Delbert’s shirt, but she decided not to mention it. If someone else did, that was one thing, but she didn’t want to seem overly critical. She wouldn’t have minded getting back at Delbert, after choking on the hot pepper, but in truth, it was her own fault. For Thelma’s sake, she needed to be on her best behavior this evening.