A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters) (9 page)

“Okay, I have movies I’m planning on taking to the beach, but I thought we’d watch one now. I need to relax after that wild driving lesson.” Violet rolled her brown eyes at her.

She laughed at Violet’s remark. “Yeah, right. You don’t need to relax after my awesome driving. I did so well that I could probably help drive to Florida if I had a license.”

“Geez, get an Amish girl behind a steering wheel and she’s ready to hit the highway.” Violet plopped down on a couch. “Okay, I’m teasing and you did great. I’m glad we drove on a few side streets. It was more fun than driving up and down the driveway. Would you really like to get a driver’s license?”

She shook her head before sitting. “Definitely not now. It’d be scary to drive in traffic. And I’d only consider driving if I didn’t join the church. I know this will be hard to believe but I enjoy driving a buggy. I like hearing the click-clopping of the horses’ hooves as they hit the pavement. It’s relaxing.”

“But it takes you so long to get anywhere in a buggy.”

“It’s nice to go a slower pace because you have time to enjoy the scenery. If we need to get somewhere faster, we can arrange a ride with an English driver.”

“I thought we’d watch a Reese Witherspoon movie. She’s one of my favorite actresses.” Violet handed her the DVD. “Hey, you can read the synopsis while I get us something to eat. Would you rather have popcorn or chips to nibble on while we watch the movie?”

“I like both so whatever you prefer is fine.”

After reading the movie blurb for “Just Like Heaven,” she heard corn popping. Violet must have decided on having popcorn. She glanced around the spacious living room. Cherry hardwood flooring and a few rugs looked nice under the beige and cranberry furniture in the room. She fingered a throw pillow while noticing how the room wasn’t cluttered but tastefully decorated. Seeing only a few decorative wall hangings surprised her. Mrs. Maddox’s walls were covered with photos and various types of metal hangings. Aunt Carrie did have a few photos on the white fireplace mantel and noticed one showed her grandparents holding Adam and Violet when they were small. She was sure that Grandpa and Grandma Troyer didn’t request a picture to be taken with their grandchildren, but they probably didn’t see any harm in Aunt Carrie having one of them together. A big family photo of Uncle Scott, Aunt Carrie with their children in a silver frame hung above the mantel.

The electric ceiling fan and the big screen TV definitely wouldn’t be in an Amish house. She wondered if her parents had watched TV when they stopped to visit her aunt and uncle. She was glad they’d been here. It was comforting to feel this connection with them. If her aunt had been baptized and a member of the church before marrying Uncle Scott, she would’ve been shunned. Would her parents have dared to visit Aunt Carrie when that meant going against the bishop?

That was another reason she had waited to join the church; she had to be positive it was the right thing for her to do. She couldn’t bear being shunned, but understood why accepting the
Ordnung
, the set of rules and regulations that govern Amish life, were so important. It was serious business to decide to accept the
Ordnung
and become baptized. If afterwards a decision was made to marry someone out of the Amish faith, it would be considered flaunting the church rules. She had heard Bishop Amos recite the passage from Thessalonians when he defended shunning.
“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”

It was a blessing that Aunt Carrie fell in love with Scott before she accepted the
Ordnung
, but if she hadn’t, there would have been other options. In the milder form of shunning, practiced by numerous Amish communities where she lived, the
Bann
was lifted if the individual joined a related Anabaptist-umbrella church, such as a Beachy Amish or more progressive Mennonite church. Many individuals who left their faith did happen to join the Mennonite faith. She bet that Scott and Aunt Carrie might have become Mennonites. Although some Amish disliked the practice of shunning and only performed it symbolically, she didn’t want to risk any type of shunning by rushing into joining the church and later regretting her decision.

“Okay, here’s our movie food and I brought napkins. I might have gotten a bit carried away with the butter.” Violet put the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table.

Aunt Carrie handed her a glass of Coke and said, “I called Adam and they’re flying to Florida on Thursday afternoon so we’ll have tomorrow night and the whole day on Wednesday without the boys. I want to call that husband of mine next and see what he’s got planned.”

“Mom, we can wait to start the movie so you can watch it with us.”

“No, go ahead. I want to make sandwiches out of the meat and loaf of bread I bought for our lunch. I thought we’d stop and eat at a rest area. That will save some time and break up the trip. I think we’ll just hurry eat breakfast at a McDonald’s after we drive a couple of hours. We can make pit stops for bathroom breaks and snacks.” Aunt Carrie patted her shoulder. “Thank you for baking cookies for us. They’ll be delicious to eat on our road trip.”

Violet looked at Rachel with admiration in her eyes. “I don’t know how you do it. You baked cookies for your dad and I’m sure you did for your brothers too. Plus you baked bread and other stuff ahead to make everything easier on Judith. And knowing you, I bet you cleaned the whole house from top to bottom. I don’t think I could ever be an Amish daughter and sister.”

“Don’t give me so much credit. I love to bake and also I don’t want Judith to call begging me to return home. I figured the more I did before leaving would help to keep things running smoothly for a couple of days.”

“I’m sure Judith will be fine.” Violet said to her mother, “Are we still leaving at five o’clock?”

Aunt Carrie nodded. “We should make good time leaving early, and the weather forecast says no rain and sunny.”

“We can go shopping sometime on Wednesday for your clothes.” Violet took a handful of popcorn.

“Enjoy your movie,” Aunt Carrie said over her shoulder as she left the room.

Violet kicked off her flats. “I was just thinking how if you should decide to become English, you and I’ll both be undecided about our future careers. I have no clue what I should do after college. I always wanted to become a doctor, but Adam beat me to it. He’s already been accepted at several medical colleges. I’m majoring in chemistry but I need to decide on what kind of a job I want after college.”

“You should still go to medical school. Don’t let Adam’s decision make you give up something you’ve always wanted to do.”

Violet shrugged. “Maybe. But I hate to do the same thing as Adam.” She ate a few kernels of corn. “I guess you could still work in a bakery, or have you thought of something you’d love to do if you are no longer Plain?”

While sipping her drink, she thought, what could she do to make a living for herself if she left Fields Corner? “I don’t know. I love children so I could follow in your mother’s footsteps and take early childhood classes. I think teaching in a preschool might be something I’d enjoy.”

“Or you could become an actress like Reese Witherspoon.” Violet wiped her fingers on a napkin. “You’re beautiful enough, that’s for sure. And I never heard of any Amish becoming a movie star so you’d be the only one.”

“I’m pretty sure I have no acting ability. When I was in school, I had a small part in the Christmas program and I forgot my lines. I was nervous and kept worrying that I’d pee my panties.” She’d been mortified until a prompter finally came to her rescue and whispered a few words to help her to remember the lines.

Violet grinned at her. “We can be beach bums together until we figure it all out.”

“That sounds good. It might happen. I can’t imagine not loving the beach.”
Tomorrow at this time, I’ll be looking at the beautiful ocean and white sand.

Violet stood. “We better get the movie started because we need to get to bed early. I want to take my shower tonight too.”

Only attending school through the eighth grade was a problem if you didn’t join the church, she thought.
What jobs would be available to me without having a high school diploma? I love to bake so it seems like working in a bakery might be the best choice. But even then, I might have to have more education to work in an English bakery.

God would direct her to making the right decision about her faith and a career. Her
mamm
had always said that God heard their prayers and He answered them.

Although living on the beach with Violet sounded like fun.

Chapter Eight

Cocoa Beach, Florida

After helping her aunt and cousin carry their bags in from the SUV into the beach house, Rachel said, “I can’t wait another second. I’m going to walk and see the beach.” She turned away from her relatives to stare out of the patio glass door and was thrilled to see such a gorgeous sun-filled day. She was glad they’d made it to Cocoa Beach before nighttime.

Aunt Carrie nodded. “You do that while I order a pizza. Marlene mentioned to me a few good places to order from. I have their phone numbers in my Blackberry. Are mushrooms and pepperoni okay for the toppings?”

“That sounds good to me.” She felt so antsy, wanting to feel the sand beneath her toes.

Violet smiled. “Enjoy the ocean. I’m going to return a few phone calls before going outside.”

“See you two in a bit.” Rachel slid the glass door open and stepped onto the deck. Staring at the ocean, she was struck with the vastness of it. Taking a deep breath, she enjoyed the smell of the saltwater… so different from home.

As she walked on the beach, a strong feeling of thankfulness came over her. The day was glorious with the perfect weather. The blue water sparkled as the sun’s rays hit the waves. The gentle splashing of the waves soothed her spirit. Although the temperature was in the high seventies, the ocean breeze kept her from getting too warm in her dress. In silent prayer, she said,
Dear God, I see the beauty You have created around me. Just as I watch the ocean tides, I know the strong tide of Your love will support me in finding the answers I need before I can commit to marrying Samuel. I want Your will to be done in my life and work always. Thank you for loving me. Through Jesus Christ, Your Lord. Amen.

She lifted her dress so the bottom wouldn’t get wet in the water. While walking in the water, she leaned down to pick up seashells. After having too many to hold in her hand, she decided to take off her
kapp
. Her prayer covering would hold lots of shells. She’d share them with her sister and brothers. And she’d promised to bring seashells back for Katie.

She put her sunglasses back on the top of her head, so she could see everything clearly. She loved feeling the wet sand on her bare feet. Stopping for a moment, she glanced again at the beauty of the ocean. The water stretched as far as she could see to the skyline.

Turning her head toward the house, a thin and dark-haired man caught her eye. She guessed his age to be around late thirties because he looked older than her brother and Samuel but younger than her
daed
. He wore shorts and a T-shirt. He had a camera in his hands which made her realize he’d already taken pictures of her or wanted to. She sighed.
What is with the English and their pictures? It isn’t like I’m the only Amish person in the world.

“Excuse me. I hate to interrupt your obvious enjoyment of the beach, but could I bother you for a minute?”

She could say that he’d already bothered her, and how she was a bit busy at the moment, but picking seashells might not be considered enough of a reason to refuse his request. Besides, she shouldn’t be rude. She gave him a small smile. “Sure. I can spare a minute for you.”

“I noticed your lovely hat thing and dress. Are you Amish?”

I’ll have some fun for once with an English person. It’s not like I’ll be losing business at Weaver’s Bakery by teasing him. Violet mentioned that I should be an actress, so I’ll use that excuse for being dressed this way.
“I’m trying out Amish clothing for a part in my next movie. I want to feel like an Amish woman so I can do justice to the role I’m going to play.”

“I’m impressed. I’m sorry I don’t recognize you.”

Noticing his raised eyebrows, she wondered if he realized her fib. For one brief second, she considered making up a name that sounded like a movie star. Watching movies with Violet probably had been a bad idea because why else would she lie to this man about being an actress? Her parents raised her to tell the truth. She should be ashamed of herself. Telling a lie was a sin so she said truthfully, “My name’s Rachel Hershberger. What’s yours?”

“I’m Kevin Sullivan.”

She pushed her toes hard into the wet sand. She better fess up about her true identity. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry that I lied to you. I’m not an actress. I am Amish.”

“Maybe you should consider acting. I believed you and you definitely are pretty enough.”

“Hi,” Violet said to them.

She turned to look at Violet and felt relief to see her cousin, because continuing the conversation with Kevin Sullivan wasn’t something she cared to do. She had a feeling he was buttering her up to ask to take her picture.
Will the English ever tire of snapping pictures of us?

Violet grinned. “Geez, I leave you alone for a moment and you’re already fishing for compliments.”

“Violet, this is Kevin Sullivan. And Violet’s my cousin.” Although it was doubtful Mr. Sullivan would tie Violet to her famous father, Rachel decided to play it safe by not mentioning the last name. And with her uncle arriving on Friday evening, she needed to make sure his name was never mentioned. Aunt Carrie hoped the media wouldn’t learn of her husband’s weekend visit to Cocoa Beach. Personally, she looked forward to seeing her uncle under happier circumstances. The last two times she’d spent time with him had been during the funerals of her grandparents and her mother.