Read Online The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online

doing with a sack of cat food. She’d never understood why her sister didn’t care much for cats.
    Thelma went to the kitchen and grabbed her flashlight then made her way down to the basement. As soon as she descended the last step, she heard mewing. Taking a quick peek, she saw that the mama cat now had four babies. “I brought you some nourishment, Misty.” Thelma chose that name because the cat had light gray fur. She poured food into the dish she’d brought along and set it near Misty. The cat sniffed it and then started chomping. While Misty ate, Thelma filled another bowl with water from the utility sink. Some dirty clothes were in the laundry basket, and Thelma was glad the cat hadn’t climbed in that to give birth to her babies.
    Passing the hot water tank on her way to give Misty her drink, Thelma noticed a small puddle. She hoped the tank wasn’t leaking. Perhaps some water had sloshed out of the washing machine when she’d washed a few towels yesterday. But if that were the case, wouldn’t there be moisture in other places, too?
    Thelma gave Misty a drink then grabbed an old rag and sopped up the water. If it had come from the old tank, it would probably happen again. She’d check it the next time she came down. Thelma sighed.
One more thing to remember.
    LaGrange
    Joseph leaned back in his chair, locking his fingers behind his head as he visited with Delbert after the noon meal following the church service in their district. They’d stayed longer than usual today, enjoying the fellowship with members of their community.
    “Those were good messages our ministers preached today,” Joseph said. “The one our bishop preached about being trustworthy and keeping our promises really spoke to me.”
    Delbert nodded, stroking his chin. “The promises we render to unbelievers can make a difference in how they view us as Christians.”
    “That’s true. If we say we’re gonna do something and don’t follow through, it makes us appear dishonest.” Joseph reached for his coffee cup and took a drink. “The other sermon, about helping others when we see a need, was important, too.”
    “Jah.”
    “Speaking of helping others,” Joseph said, “when we were in Shipshe the other day, I picked up a flyer about a cooking show that will take place next month. It’s for a good cause. Would you like to go there with me?”
    Delbert grinned. “You know, now that you mentioned it, I picked up the same flyer. I must have dropped it somewhere, though, ’cause when I got home it wasn’t with my purchases.”
    “Did you plan to go?”
    “Sure, if something else doesn’t come up.”
    Joseph snapped his fingers. “Say, I have an idea. Since you’re a pretty fair cook, maybe you could make something and have it auctioned off.”
    “No way! I’d have to not only make something ahead of time and bring it to the event, but I’d be required to stand in front of everyone and make the recipe from scratch.” Delbert shook his head vigorously. “I wouldn’t mind bringin’ something to auction off, but I could never prepare it in front of a large crowd.”
    Joseph tapped his friend’s arm. “Okay, Dell, forget I mentioned that part, but if you’re not busy that day, you can join me, because I plan to go.”
    “Jah, okay.” Delbert smiled. “As you said, it is for a good cause. Maybe we’ll find something we’d both like to bid on that day.”

Chapter 8
    Topeka
    T he next morning, Thelma had breakfast ready when Elma entered the kitchen. “Did you sleep well?” Thelma asked. “Is your koppweh gone?”
    Elma walked over to the window and looked out. “Jah, my headache is gone. It upsets me when I get a migraine like that, because it puts me down, sometimes for hours.”
    “I’m sorry you have to deal with those. I can’t imagine what it must be like. Even when I get a sinus headache, it’s rough.”
    Elma sat down at the table. “I’m glad headaches like that are one thing we don’t have in common.