Read Online Growing Up in Lancaster County by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page B

so I can start supper.”
    Rachel nodded. After that wild goat chase, she was more than ready to go home.
    When Susan pulled up to the house, Rachel thanked her, climbed out, and hurried inside while Mom paid for the ride. Rachel could hardly wait to show her new glasses to everyone in the family. She hoped they liked them as much as Mom and Esther did.
    She spotted Grandpa in the rocking chair in the living room. His eyes were closed, and she wondered if he was asleep.
    When she stepped into the room, he opened his eyes and greeted her with a smile. He leaned forward so fast the rocker almost tipped him out. “Your glasses look real nice, Rachel. Can you see better now?”
    She nodded. “When I’m wearing them, nothing looks blurry.”
    “That’s good to hear. It’s not fun to have blurry vision.”
    “You only wear glasses for reading, right?”
    Grandpa nodded. “Have for a good many years.”
    “The eye doctor said if I wear my glasses for a couple of years, I might not have to wear them all the time.” Rachel frowned. “I’m worried that he might have said that just to make me feel better, though. What if I have to wear them for the rest of my life?”
    “That wouldn’t be so bad,” he said. “Your mamm’s worn glasses for a good many years, and she’s never complained.”
    Rachel glanced at Mom, who’d just stepped into the living room.
    “Sorry we’re late,” Mom said. “We stopped by Esther’s so she could see Rachel’s glasses, and then Rachel and Rudy got involved in a wild goat chase.”
    Grandpa chuckled. “I’ve chased plenty of goats in my day, I’ll tell you. Always left me feeling plenty
mied
[tired].”
    Rachel nodded. “I was feeling meid after our goat chase, too.”
    “That’s how it usually is after a good goat chase.” Grandpa tugged his earlobe. “I remember one day when I was boy, my daed’s old billy goat stole my hat and chewed off the brim. So I took out after him and we ran around the yard so many times we made a path in the grass.”
    Mom clucked her tongue. “Ach, how you exaggerate, Dad.”
    “I’m not exaggerating.” Grandpa shook his head. “That story really happened, just the way I told it.”
    “Did you ever catch the goat?” Rachel asked.
    “Sure did. I caught him out behind the barn when he was trying to get through the fence.” Grandpa pulled his other earlobe. “Silly goat ended up getting his head caught instead.”
    Rachel snickered. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only one who’d ever had trouble with a goat.
    Just then, the back door squeaked open, and Pap entered the room.
    “Hi, Pap. Do you notice anything new about me?” Rachel asked, stepping up to him.
    He studied her a few seconds and smiled. “Are you wearing a new dress?”
    She shook her head.
    He glanced down at her feet. “New shoes?”
    “
Nee
[No]. They’re the same shoes I had on this morning.”
    “Hmm…” Pap stroked his beard then rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Now I wonder what could be new with my Rachel today?”
    Mom poked Pap’s arm and rolled her eyes. “Your daughter got her new glasses this afternoon, Levi.”
    Pap leaned closer to Rachel, studied her for a few seconds, and grinned. “Well, well…so you did. Those glasses are nice, Rachel. Jah, very nice indeed.”
    “What’s very nice?” Henry asked when he entered the room.
    “Your sister’s new glasses.” Pap motioned to Rachel. “Come see what you think.”
    Henry moved over to Rachel. “I see you picked out some blue ones to match your eyes.”
    She nodded. “Do you think they look all right?”
    “They look more than all right. They look
fehlerfrie
[perfect] for you.”
    Rachel smiled. “Danki, Henry.”
    Jacob stepped into the room. “I’m finished with my chores. How soon till supper?”
    “It’ll be a while,” Mom said. “Rachel and I were at the optical shop, and then we stopped by Esther and Rudy’s to show them her new glasses.”
    Jacob squinted at