Part 17 (1/2)

Julie knew that it wasn't her place to say anything, and that she was here to help Susan, so she shouldn't say anything. So she shuffled forward and tried to forget what had just happened. As they walked the length of the cereal aisle, her mind tumbled over and over with thoughts, and regrets, and memories of what Thomas had said just last night. ”You truly see people. You notice when someone is sad, or uncomfortable, when most people would not give them a second glance.” If that truly was a gift she possessed, wasn't this the time to use it? She turned and leaned against a shelf of Toasted O's. ”I don't think this is a good idea.”

”What? Shopping? I think you'll get used to it.” Susan's voice was light, but her eyes widened in a warning to Julie.

”That's not what I was talking about.”

”Hey there. What are you all talking about, so serious over here?” Lisa bounded up the aisle, all smiles. ”Did I miss something?” She moved to join the group, which had all gone stone silent.

”Julie was just saying she didn't like this.” Thomas put his arms around her shoulders. ”She was just about to tell us what it is she doesn't like.”

Julie could have throttled Thomas at that moment. He should have known she would not want to have this conversation in front of Lisa. That would make it all the more likely to come back and hurt Susan.

”What don't you like, Julie?” Lisa's voice was full of interest. ”I really want to know all concerns that any of you might have.”

”Amish clothes.” The words barely croaked out of her closed throat.

”You knew when you came here that this would happen at some point during your stay. We were very upfront about that.” Kendra looked toward Lisa and rolled her eyes. ”Let's head to the produce. We need to keep on schedule.”

Lisa squeezed Julie's arm. ”It's only for a week. It'll be over sooner than you think.”

Susan shot her a warning glance, and then the group started down the aisle. Everyone except Julie, whose feet wouldn't move.

”Here's the thing . . .” She said the words so late, and so quietly, it stunned her when everyone stopped and turned around. She didn't dare look in Susan's direction for fear of losing her nerve, but the right words evaded her. She rubbed the back of her neck, praying for help.

”You know, it really doesn't matter what the thing is; this is a crucial part to the show.”

Julie looked up at Kendra and felt her resolve starting to slip. Maybe she shouldn't have spoken up. But what if this really was her gift, the loaves and fish she was supposed to use, and she was too much a coward to use it at a time like this?

”Yes, we did make an agreement, but at the time I didn't understand how wrong it would be.” As she said it, Thomas reached over and took her hand. She wasn't certain if it was meant as an offer of support or a warning.

”What is it that bothers you?” Lisa moved closer, squinting her eyes in concentration.

”I'm sure it's nothing,” Susan offered. Julie could see the panic in her eyes. Julie had backed down throughout filming for her sister-in-law, but this seemed bigger than even Susan's dreams. This was about something larger.

The word came to her.

”Respect.” Julie looked Kendra in the eye with every bit of conviction in her body flowing through her. ”It's one thing for us to try this experiment so the rest of the world can get an idea of what it would be like for a modern family to try to live a more Amish lifestyle. The clothes we normally wear do that just fine. But to dress exactly like them . . . it only matters when we're here, in public. And, well, you saw how that Amish couple looked at us. That was a slap in the face. Especially with all these cameras following us around, something that flies against everything they believe in.”

”We're simply taking on one more aspect of their lifestyle,” Kendra said dismissively.

Julie shook her head. ”No. No, it most definitely is not. From what I've seen, they are a quiet people full of dignity. And this . . . well, it goes too far.”

”If you're going to break our contract, then we'll be forced to-”

Lisa's upheld hand stopped Kendra from saying the rest of whatever the threat would have been. ”You know, she may have a point. This whole experiment was about a modern family living simply. It's not supposed to be demeaning or disrespectful of another group of people. That's the last thing I would want to do.”

”But we've already got next week's schedule planned around that.”

Lisa tilted her head to the left side. ”Then we'll just have to think of something else. We've got a group full of bright minds here. Let's think this through.” She looked at her watch. ”But we're going to have to think about it on our way through the parking lot, because I've got a plane to catch.”

Thomas squeezed Julie's hand. He leaned closer and whispered, ”Well done.”

The realization of what she'd just done flowed through Julie's veins in a warm tide of happiness. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this good about anything. It didn't even bother her when Susan refused to meet her eye.

A few minutes later, they were walking through the parking lot when Lisa called the group over. ”Everyone come over here. I think I've got our answer.” The group a.s.sembled around her, Kendra looking as if she'd taken a bite of something sour and needed to spit it out.

”How about rumspringa? Why don't we give the kids a week to ease up a little bit, out of their parents' control?”

Whitney, Angie, and Brian immediately shouted their approval, and Lisa smiled at them.

”They could go into town, maybe see a movie, eat at McDonald's. I don't know, what else do Amish kids do during their running around?”

”The Amish in this part of the country do not partic.i.p.ate in rumspringa.” Kendra's voice was firm. ”That's their more liberal counterparts up north.” She folded her arms across her chest, unwilling to concede.

Lisa shrugged. ”We didn't name this series, Almost Swartzentruber Amish. We named it Almost Amish. I think we have quite a bit of lat.i.tude in which to work here. Don't you?”

Kendra shrugged. ”If that's what you want us to do.” Her face was red with anger. Julie suspected they would feel the brunt of that over the course of the next few days.

”That's what I want you to do. In fact, I'm declaring tomorrow a day off for everyone. Thomas has to go to the airport, right?”

”Yes,” Thomas said.

”Well, why don't you all ride in the Suburban with him, give him a proper farewell at the airport? I think it would be good for everyone to take a little break. Don't you agree, Kendra?”

It was obvious from Kendra's face that she did not agree. ”If that's what you want us to do.”

”It is.” Lisa nodded. ”I only wish I didn't have to go back tonight or I'd hang around a little longer and see how it all works out.” She hugged each of them. ”Good-bye. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.” She climbed into a Suburban, which pulled away.

”I guess I'll see you all day after tomorrow.” Kendra climbed into the other Suburban without saying another word.

Chapter 28.

Susan swished the water back and forth in their was.h.i.+ng machine. The lever to churn water and laundry required a fair amount of back and arm muscles, and even though it was barely 8:00 A.M., it was already hot. She leaned as far as possible from the steam rising from around the lid. The kids had gotten especially dirty this week, and the whites were refusing to give up their spots without a fight.

”You want to switch places for a while? You've got to be roasting over there.” Julie was scrubbing the back porch steps, which were currently in the shade. The water wasn't hot either, making for a much cooler job.

”These clothes are pretty dirty. May require a few times through the cycle to finish them.”

”All the more reason for us to switch off.” Julie left her post and walked over, prepared to take Susan's place.

Susan looked at the not yet quite clean clothes. She was tired, but they still showed their stains. She just couldn't imagine Julie truly working until they were clean. *Why bother to get them perfectly clean when they're just going to get dirty again?' She shook her head. ”That's all right. I'm good for now.”

”Susan, your face is bright red, you've been pumping that lever for half an hour, and I know you're burning up. Now trade places so you can cool off, at least a little.”

Susan did not release the handle. ”It's very important that we get these clothes super clean.” Kendra had been in a huff ever since Lisa Lee sided with Julie and overruled Amish clothing week. Susan couldn't afford to do anything wrong at this point, because Kendra was looking for mistakes to highlight.

”Yes, I know that, and I promise I'll do my very best. Now get over there and take a breather.”