Visiting with the Amish Pt.2

Adeline woke up smelling chicken, and for a moment she forgot where she was. She looked around and it didn’t take her long to realize where she was. She heard pots and pans and Amish talk in the distance. She checked her phone for the time and to see if Malachi messaged her, but he didn't. She was a little disappointed and was missing her husband.

She wanted to take her phone down stairs in case Malachi would text her, but felt a little weird. She knew Amish don't believe in cell phones. At least she had a pocket to hide her phone. First, she double checked her sound was off and turned down the lighting. Adeline was hoping Malachi would text her to update on what the guys were doing.

Then she finally quietly walked down the stairs and was greeted by Miriam. She was fixing dinner while Laura was helping as best as she could.

"Did you get yourself some sleep?"

"Yes I did, I didn't realize how tired I really was." Adeline went to the same chair she sat in earlier. The food smelled delicious, her stomach growled realizing how hungry she was. She wondered where all the children went. The house was quiet and not filled with the children's big amounts of energy. Starting to feel again out of place, Adeline just sat there humbly. She couldn't wait for her husband to get back to feel a little more secure, and not alone.

~

Miriam added leaves to her table to extend it out enough for all her guests. Thinking to herself, "I wonder when the men are gonna be back. Richard said they were planning to be back by seven. I hope they get here soon, dinner is done." Miriam glanced over at Adeline. She was sitting quietly to herself, and looked like she felt uncomfortable. Miriam didn't want to make Adeline's stay uncomfortable. So Miriam tried to start a conversation hoping Adeline would begin to feel a bit more comfortable. "Do you know any Pennsylvania Dutch, Adeline? I thought that maybe you picked up a few words?"

Adeline glanced up as Miriam began walking towards her and sat in the chair near her. “I know a little, vos bish en dou. (What are you doing?) And Vee bish dou? (How are you?) I have only pulled Mr. Joshua's produce for 2 years, I can't pick up very much. You all talk so fast it’s hard to pick it up." Adeline giggled a bit. "Did I say that right, I'm not sure if I did?”

"Jah (yah), you said it right."

"Oh, good! My mother-in-law does the Amish school route; the little children teach her some of the language and she tries to teach me."

"Oh that's nice."

"Where are the boys?" Adeline wondered out of curiosity, she hasn't seen them since she came down stairs.

"They are outside. Hopefully they will get some of their energy out." Laura spoke as she smiled "I probably better go check on them to make sure they’re not getting into mischief." Everyone giggled as she headed out the front door and called for her boys to see what they were doing. Then seconds later came back in.

"My little John is taking a nap." Miriam added, and gave such a genuine smile. "He's a sound sleeper, it’s very nice."

The conversation continued, and the ladies began to talk about Adeline pulling for Joshua and how her hours worked with Malachi working too.

"Our hours are a little different; mornings are about the same 6 for him and 6:30 for me for 3 days of the week. I get home about noon or a little after, before Malachi does. The other 3 days I do afternoon routes and I get home after Malachi does."

Miriam had to get up and check on the food so it wouldn't burn. "Is it tough to drive for Joshua and keep up with house work?"

"It is tough sometimes. I may go home and feel worn out and tired so I don't do much when I come home. Malachi doesn’t work Saturday's, but I do, we don’t get to spend too much time together. But, sometimes he will go with me."

Miriam's baby boy began to cry she went to check on him. Then just right on cue, Laura's two little boys came in from outside, still as hyper as ever. The littlest one (Jacob) saw Adeline and smiled. “The most adorable little guy ever,” Adaline thought.

He ran up to Adeline with a smile and poked her and ran away. Then he came right back to poke her again. As Adeline tried to poke him back he ran away as fast as his little legs could go. He giggled and giggled, Adeline's heart was so overjoyed. Then his brother Luke gave him a toy and they began to play with their toys.

Adeline glanced around making sure no one was looking her way. Miriam had put John back to sleep then went to check on the food again. Laura began setting the table. So Adeline grabbed her phone out real quick to glance to see if Malachi messaged her. But to her disappointment, he didn't. She glanced at the time and it was 8 o'clock! Way past the time they said they would be back. Hoping everything was going ok, maybe they got a deer? Adeline put her phone back in her pocket and spoke up. "Is there anything I can help with?"

"I don't think there is much to do," Miriam again had said.

To Adeline's disappointment, she accepted the answer and just sat there... Feeling like a bump on a log…

After the table was set, Laura grabbed a book and sat on the couch, she called to her boys to get their attention and hopefully calm them down while they waited for the men to arrive. It began to get dark, so Miriam got up to turn her gas lamp on. Adeline was amazed as she watched her light up the room with a gas lamp. She had never seen how they did it before. Joshua had Adeline take his once to a place to get it fixed. She didn’t realize at the time what it was, until now. It was pretty bright to her surprise! It looks like a side table with doors and a pole sticking out the top like a lamp but a fire lamp. The pole is connected to what looks like a propane tank but it’s not propane it’s called white gas. Adeline always wondered how they got along with no light at night. Now she knew they had no problem at all!

After Miriam lit the lamp up, she sat down at the other chair that sat in front of Adeline. Both Adeline and Miriam listened to Laura reading the book to the two boys. Adeline was trying her best to put the words into English… Laura was reading the three little pigs but in Pennsylvania Dutch. Adeline could tell it was the three little pigs by the way she read it. The same way an English mother would read it to her children just in a different language. Adeline couldn’t help but smile, she couldn’t understand the language but the story played in her mind.

About half way through the book, an Amish couple walked in... With another baby... More Amish, Adeline started to feel a little more out of place, as if she was intruding.

Adeline had stood up as the Amish man came over to introduce himself. "Hello, I am Luke another brother of James, my wife Sara, and our daughter Sharon.”

Adeline stood and smiled as best she could and said her hellos. "I'm Adeline, Malachi’s wife." He turned to Miriam and Laura and they all began chattering... In Pennsylvania Dutch... Feeling lost, Adeline sat back down and tried to enjoy herself. But to be honest all the Amish around her began to feel intimidating. Even though they are kind Adeline just felt she was intruding an Amish Family gathering. Then not knowing a single word they were saying.

Soon after Adeline heard her husband's truck pull up. She felt relieved her husband was back. As soon as the truck was heard Miriam began rushing to get dinner on the table. She extended her table more and added another leaf. Adeline stood up hoping she could help this time. As if Miriam could hear her thoughts she asked if Adeline would like to add plates for the couple who just came over. Adeline instantly agreed happy to do something.

Malachi came in and Adeline glanced up wanting to run to him and give him a hug and kiss but didn't, her heart aching. He looked pleased that Adeline was able to help out with the ladies. Once Adeline was done setting the rest of the table she didn't know what else to do so she walked towards her husband. They both sat down in the two chairs. At least now she wasn’t alone anymore with the crowd of Amish. Adeline thought.

A couple minutes later... an older Amish man and lady came in. Oh great, Adeline thought... The Amish just keep coming... He saw her husband and pointed at him and grinned "I know you! Malachi!

Adeline smiled at that reaction as Malachi said "Oh, yeah I know you too!" He gave him a hand shake. The Amish man glanced at Adeline and gave her a nod as to say hello... Assuming it was Malachi's wife and he turn away to talk with his son, James.

With the reaction that she saw he gave Malachi compared to the reaction he gave her, Adeline really began to feel out of place. Should she really be here? Everyone knows my husband more than me. The Amish men went back and forth with Pennsylvania Dutch and English, mainly talking to Malachi than Adeline. All the ladies were putting dinner on the table and the men were sitting on the furniture talking.

Adeline again began to feel out of place. She could try to help the ladies but she wouldn’t know what to do, she feels like she would get in the way. Adeline felt like she wasn't doing her duty as a lady like the Amish Ladies were doing. But all she could do was sit and act like she was enjoying the men’s conversation.

Dinner was finally ready and on the table. Miriam announced that food was ready. Everyone gathered around the table while Adeline didn't know where to sit. She waited for her husband to pick a place and she would just sit beside him. But to her surprise her husband stood beside her waiting for someone to tell him where to sit. Richard sat at his usual spot and then called for Malachi to sit beside him to his right. "You can sit beside me then your wife can sit beside you."

Then everyone but James parents sat around the table. James parents said their goodbye in PA Dutch and then left. Miriam, who sat on the left side of her husband, glanced over to Adeline and said, "They already ate at a wedding, so they won't be joining us for dinner." Adeline hadn't asked why they weren't staying, but maybe Miriam felt as if Adeline thought they were leaving because "English" were in the house. She may be just trying her best to make Adeline feel more involved.

Adeline was excited! Her first dinner with the Amish! Was it like the books say? Do they really do a silent prayer? Everyone quieted down and without anyone saying anything they all closed their eyes and bowed their head.

Adeline and Malachi both followed as the silent prayer began... Silence... Adeline said a little prayer to herself same as she expected all the rest do during a silent prayer. She barely peeked open an eye to see if anyone else was done. About the same time, she heard a sound from Richard so she assumed he was letting everyone know he was done, and ready to dig in. Everyone opened their eyes and waited for the food to be passed around the table.

Joy filled Adeline's soul! This was the first time ever eating with the Amish at their table! Malachi and Adeline waited for the cue to go ahead and put food on the plate. They didn't want to be rude guests and began digging in...Although Adeline personally felt she could polish off every bite of food on that wonderful table!!! Richard grabbed a dish and put some on his plate and then passed it to Malachi.

We passed all the dishes around and began eating. It was very silent for a while, but then Richard broke the silence and began light conversation.

Adeline put a little bit of everything on her plate and it all tasted wonderful! She knew the food would be good! She had heard of weird Amish dishes (in books) that she might question whether to eat or not, but this dinner was safe! She didn’t want to be embarrassed if she had to try something new and not like it. But chicken was on the table with many other familiar things! Some noodles, mashed potatoes, and some other things. She was at the point of being full and barely could finish her last bite on her plate! As she took the last bite off her plate, she thought it was all very delicious!

Malachi was feeling stuffed too, as he mentioned. "Oh, I am stuffed! Everything was delicious!"

"You have room for dessert though, I hope! Dessert is the best part!" and as if on cue again, Miriam got up to get the dessert.

"Oh, I don't know if I can take another bite, Richard. I’m a stuffed as could get!"

"You have to at least taste the dessert!" Richard insisted.

Miriam sat the dessert on the table. Richard picked it up served himself a piece of chocolate pie and handed it to Malachi, while getting a piece ready to put on Malachi’s plate. Richard put a piece of pie on Malachi’s plate! "I want to make sure you like our food so you will want to come visit again some other time!"

"I'm sure we will, but you don't have to stuff me!" Malachi laughed. "But I will try it, to make you happy."

"I'm sure you will be very happy when you eat it." Richard smiled big and Malachi passed the pie on.

With Malachi's silly streak, he has to get everyone to laugh. "Your all's food was good, but I wonder what James' food would taste like!" He giggled a bit.

"His food would be well burnt" Laura commented and giggled at what she said. Everyone joined in with her.

Adeline put a piece of pie on her plate the passed it on. When she took a bite she mouth just watered. It was the best chocolate pie she has ever had! It was so good she really wanted more.... but she was already over stuffed. She and Malachi finished dessert and then waited at the table for everyone else. Not knowing what to do next.

"Is everyone full and done eating?" Richard asked as the head of the table. He double checked if Malachi and Adeline were done. Then he bowed his head again for another silent prayer. This surprised Adeline she didn’t know they prayed twice at the table for dinner! Malachi and Adeline followed as the rest and after the prayer everyone got up from the table. The ladies began cleaning the table and washing dishes.

Adeline tried to help a little bit. She tried her best to look like she knew what she was doing. But when it came to clearing the plates and putting leftovers away she couldn’t do much. So she decided to sit back down. Adeline’s phone needed to be charged so she asked Malachi if she would go outside with her to plug in her phone in the truck. They also needed to grab somethings from the truck. They excused themselves and went outside. Adaline gave Malachi a hug once they got to the truck, she missed him all day. “how did it go today?” Adeline asked as she pulled away from the hug and opened the truck door.

“It was alright, we obviously didn’t get anything. But we did see a few. The mountains are beautiful.” He kissed his wife, and grabbed a bag out of the truck.

Adeline smiled “Glad you had fun, and Tennessee Mountains are better,” she said teasingly.

“I’m glad to see you were able to do something with the Amish.”

“Well, I didn’t really do anything I was just put to work at that moment. I didn’t really do anything but talk a little. But, it was okay. I might go with you tomorrow, I’m not sure but I will think about it.” She plugged in her phone and they walked back to the house together.

They entered the house and Malachi turned to everyone and announced they were going to bed. "Well, we would love to stay up and talk more but I am beat I think we are going to retire to our room. Thank you for the food!" Malachi looked over at his wife and he knew she was tired too. They said their goodnights and headed upstairs to their very quiet bedroom. They were the first to go to bed.

For a little while they heard a little chatter then it got silent. No noise at all! Everyone must have gone to bed. As Adeline lay in bed, not a sound was made. It was so quiet. If a pen would drop you could hear it a mile away! She was used to a fan blowing. But Amish homes do not have any electric, so no fan. To Adeline's surprise it was quite peaceful. She thought it would be very difficult not having any sound and not be able to sleep. But to her surprise she closed her eyes and she was asleep in a heartbeat.

Malachi thought the same, he didn’t think the still quietness would be easy to fall asleep in, but again to his surprise he fell asleep in an instant. The day was long and sleep rushed to them.

TO BE CONTINUED….