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The woman bobbed her head. A blunt acknowledgment. In Ava’s opinion, Mrs. Baty didn’t seem honored by the compliment.
Mama was still standing. “Even though Gil has volunteeredto see to the postal routes and Mr. Willems’s chores, I’m sure he wouldn’t reject offers of assistance. After all, he’s also committed to directing our men’s band for the summer.”
From the front pew, Mrs. Plett stood and faced Mama. “Will he continue to direct the band, considering that Mr. Willems’s accident happened at the end of a practice? I should think the experience would make him nervous about bringing the band together again.”
Ava spoke without thinking. “The accident won’t change his mind. He will continue.”
Mama sat, and several women craned their heads around, looking at Ava. If only she could shrink behind Mama the way she’d done when she was very small and embarrassed by attention. What she’d experienced the evening she watched Gil direct the men was personal. She didn’t want to divulge the emotions that had rolled through her. Nor did she want to share the wonder she’d heard. The women would understand it themselves the first time they listened to how well the band played under Gil’s leadership. Even still, the awkward silence lengthened, and Ava wished someone would say something.
Dorcas Baty gave Ava a stern frown. “How do you know he’ll continue? Did he tell you so?”
Ava’s conversations with Gil were none of these women’s business, but she could attest to Gil’s intentions without divulging private exchanges. “Gil made a commitment to Papa. They’re good friends. He’ll keep his word.”
Several women nodded, seemingly content with her reply, and a few others exchanged sly grins. But they all faced forward again when Mrs. Plett took her seat. Mrs. Ediger invited the banker’s wife, Sarah Siemens, to record the remainder of their meeting in the log she always carried when the ladies came together. Mrs. Siemens toted the leather-bound bookand a pencil to the podium, opened the pages, then stood with the pencil poised. “I’m ready.”
“Ladies, since Mr. Willems’s job and chores will be adequately attended,” Mrs. Ediger said, “shall we take it upon ourselves to make sure he and Gil Baty are fed for the duration of Mr. Willems’s recovery?”
Murmurs of assent came from every corner of the room.
The minister’s wife addressed Mrs. Siemens. “I’ll start by taking a plate of food to Mr. Willems’s house for Gil this evening.”
Sarah started to write on the page, then paused and looked at Mrs. Baty. “Unless he is taking his meals with you, Dorcas.”
Dorcas shook her head. “He said he was moving into Mr. Willems’s house. He gathered up his things after breakfast, and we bid him farewell. He didn’t even come to the house for lunch today.”
The woman’s tart tone stirred defensiveness within Ava. “He couldn’t come to your house because he was on a mail route,” she said, then clamped her lips closed. For someone who didn’t feel as if she was an accepted part of the group of women, she was doing more than her fair share of talking. She ordered herself to be quiet for the remainder of the meeting.
Mrs. Baty stood and gave Ava a withering glare. “He’s moved out. He’s on his own now. And I have work to do at home.” She left the building with her chin held high.
For several seconds, the women stared after Gil’s aunt, as if confused by her attitude. Then Mrs. Ediger cleared her throat. “As I said, I’ll take him supper this evening. Who would like to take a meal tomorrow?”
“I’ve already invited him to our place for supper tomorrow night,” Mrs. Rempel said. “But you can write my name on Friday, too.”
Mrs. Siemens put down the pencil and stepped away from the podium. “Ladies, please come record your names on the calendar yourself. I don’t want to mix something up.”
Mrs. Plett hurried to the podium and picked up the pencil. As she bent over the page, Ava swallowed a chortle. The woman meant well, but Gil would most likely go hungry the night she provided his supper. Other eager volunteers rose and formed a line behind the podium.
Mama nudged Ava. “Go write us down for Saturdays and Sundays.”
Ava raised her eyebrows. “Both? Every week?”
Mama nodded. “Yes. The other women all have more to do on Saturdays, with additional chores and children underfoot. And your father enjoys Gil’s company. He’ll be happy to deliver the meals and spend some time visiting with him and Mr. Willems. Maybe after they eat on Saturday evenings, Gil could help him learn to play the trumpet.” Tears winked in Mama’s eyes.
Ava squeezed her mother’s hand. “All right. I’ll take all the Saturdays and Sundays on the calendar.”
When it was Ava’s turn at the podium, she found that the others had each taken a single weekday, leaving all of the weekends open. Even though Ava would prepare the food, she added Mama’s name to the calendar rather than her own. It made her smile to see her mother’s name on the page with the other women’s. Much of the time, Mama’s weak heart prevented her from attending quilting bees or wedding preparations or baby showers. But for this benevolent project, she was the overwhelming contributor.
As Ava started back to her seat, something occurred to her. She turned to Mrs. Ediger instead. “Ma’am, since Gil will be working for Papa for the next several weeks, perhaps I couldtake a copy of the calendar for Gil. Then he’ll know which evenings a meal will come and which evenings he’ll need to fend for himself.”
Mrs. Ediger gave Ava a quick hug. “That is sound thinking, my dear. Please wait until all the women have made their choices, then I’ll have Sarah make a duplicate for you.” She sighed and sent her smile across the group. “So nice to see everyone come together in caring for a brother in need. Sometimes I think this is why God allows a hardship to befall a member, to give us an opportunity to look beyond ourselves.” Then her brows came together, and she gave Ava a worried look. “I hope we haven’t offended dear Dorcas by ministering to Gil.”
Ava wouldn’t call Gil’s auntdearafter the way she behaved. Why had Mrs. Baty seemed so hostile? Shouldn’t she appreciate the community’s concern for Gil’s well-being? Ava searched her mind for a reasonable excuse. “I’m sure she’s only disappointed that so much of Gil’s time will be taken since he’s been away from the family for so long.”
Understanding bloomed on Mrs. Ediger’s dimpled face. “Ah, jo, that makes sense. Thank you for reassuring me, Ava. I feel better now.”
Ava left the podium and returned to Mama, who said she was ready to go. As Ava drove the two of them back to town, she heard Mrs. Ediger’s voice in her head.I feel better now.She was glad she’d been able to comfort the minister’s wife, but a worry nibbled at her. She might not feel better again until Gil was back in New York, out of her life for good.
Chapter Nine
