Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [133]
Katy’s jaw dropped. “But I didn’t know you felt that way. I would never—”
“Ah!” Lil lifted her hand to interrupt Katy. “I don’t really feel that way. I just had this hunch, and it worked. Mom’s mothering instincts took over, and she told me she’d help me. We’d get through it together. That maybe we should sign up for those cake-decorating classes I had mentioned, after all.”
Katy paused from wiping down the cupboard. She turned and perched on the top rung of the ladder. “So you want to do my cake?”
“Yes, silly. And Mom’s agreed to help me with it. This is going to be so good for her.”
“And she even suggested it? That’s great.” Katy shook her head, thinking how great Lil was at helping others to move in positive directions. “You’re amazing.”
“And our first class is next Tuesday.”
Megan put a bucket in the sink and ran some water. Once she’d turned the faucet off, she said, “Things are coming together, aren’t they? Hey, Katy, you’re not still scared at night, are you?”
“Not scared. Just lonely.” Katy pointed at the cupboard under the sink. “Can you add a little vinegar to that?”
Megan opened the green cupboard door and found the vinegar.
“I do still use my night-light. But something amazing happened. When I trusted God for Jake and my job, my terror of the dark fled.” She tilted her head, thoughtfully. “I don’t think I’d ever choose to live alone. Nights aren’t exactly pleasant. But I can make it a few more weeks.”
Megan lifted the bucket up to Katy and filled a second one to wash the baseboard and windowsills.
“This place really isn’t that dirty,” Lil stated. “It hasn’t been that long since we moved in.”
Considering that remark came from someone who didn’t make her bed or pick up after herself, Katy couldn’t help but protest, “I think some of that construction dust settled after we moved in.”
Lil shrugged and started on the baseboards. “Jake told me you guys had decided on your honeymoon, but he wouldn’t tell me where you’re going.”
Megan turned from where she was working at the sill to listen. “Sarasota, Florida. I want to thank Mrs. Beverly in person.”
“That’s awesome,” Megan replied. “You’ll love it.”
Katy knew that Megan’s family often drove down over the Christmas break during her school years. They had extended family in Sarasota, and there was a Mennonite community there.
“Jake’s going to do some research on the Internet to find us a place to stay.”
“The Internet?” Lil asked, drawing out and exaggerating the word Internet.
Needing to move her ladder, Katy came down. She got herself a cold drink and couldn’t resist placing the cold glass against the back of Lil’s neck.
“Ah! Stop!”
“Actually, Jake was willing to get rid of the computer, knowing my reservations. But I suggested we keep it for business only, and that any other use should be discussed between the two of us first. That way, it won’t be so easy to use it for frivolity and get pulled into the world.”
Lil had turned away from the baseboard and now sat cross-legged on the floor. Her expression turned dreamy. “That sounds like a great plan.”
Megan poured two more glasses of water, handed Lil one, and joined them. “While we’re on the subject of computers …” Her voice became tentative. “There’s something I wanted to give you for a wedding gift if you don’t think it’s too worldly.”
Katy tilted her head. “It sounds like you’re up to something. Let me guess. A computer cam so that we can talk to you in Bangladesh?”
Megan scowled, looking beautiful as ever. “How did you know about those?”
“Jessie explained them to me.”
“Oh. I knew you wouldn’t agree to that. Anyway, you’ll be on your honeymoon. But one of my friends at school is great at photography. He does his photos on the computer. I’d like to arrange for him to shoot your wedding.”
Katy smiled with pleasure. “I’d love it. As long as we keep it simple.”
“Great. You won’t even know what he’s up to, I promise. I think my parents will chip in. We’ll definitely keep it simple.”
“I’m so blessed,” Katy whispered. “I wish your photographer