Changing Traditions, A Christmas Novella

  All eyes turned to Bethany now and she desperately wished she could hide under the table instead of being the tie-breaker. “Couldn’t we possible do some of both? I love our traditions, but this year is different. We can’t possibly go back to how it was before.”

  Laura stood, “No! Jesse and Carolyn, if you want to celebrate the traditions, do it with your own family. We don’t always have to do the same thing year after year.” Laura stood then and ran from the table.

  Feeling terrible, Bethany stood to follow her, but Heather placed a hand on her arm. “Let her go, Bethy. Just give her some time.”

  Poppa sighed, “I believe it’s time for pie. We can figure out what happens next later.”

  As Momma and Carolyn rose to get the desserts, Adam’s chatter was a happy divergence, but Bethany worried over Laura and Carolyn. Would the whole Christmas season be ruined if the two couldn’t figure out a compromise?

  Suddenly, Bethany had two Christmas options before her as well as two guys. Somehow she was going to have to decide on both instances.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Well that was…interesting. I bet Poppa wasn’t expecting that when he asked such a simple question.” Heather looked up from her dish washing at Bethany and Momma. It was just the three of them in the kitchen since Carolyn took Rosie and Adam out and the guys were doing the barn chores. Laura was still gone, though someone would probably go searching for her soon.

  Momma nodded, “I just don’t understand what got into Carolyn and Laura. I know they are both so different, but I’ve never seen Carolyn get as defensive as she did tonight.”

  Knowing her sisters the best, Bethany said, “I think that there is something deeper going on with Carolyn. She just wants everything to go back to the way it was and since she’s knows that can’t happen, the easiest way is to do everything the same.”

  Heather sighed, “But how does that explain Laura? She’s gotten more opinionated with age, but she has never spoken to Carolyn that way.”

  Momma placed the last dish in the cupboard and turned, “Laura and Carolyn have different ways of dealing with hurt. Laura, I believe, still misses Henry. I know I do, but Laura’s way of dealing with that is making things different. I can see her logic, but I tend to side with Carolyn in this matter. Sometimes those you love feel closer when you do things as you have always done them.”

  “The war has been hard on everyone and we all have different ways of coping. Perhaps the strain of it all has taken its toll on Carolyn.” Heather looked to Bethany, giving her a sad smile. “You seemed to be leaning towards Laura’s way. Does it have to do with missing someone still?”

  Bethany shrugged, “Perhaps Laura’s logic would make the pain not go as deep. I couldn’t hurt Carolyn though. Christmas and traditions are important to her.” For a time, her family members realized she was grieving her loss of Albert. Once the letter arrived though, they all appeared to think that Bethany moved on from him. Perhaps Heather still saw the grief that Bethany was going through.

  Or maybe she was thinking it is long time that Bethany moved on. Maybe this change in traditions would be just what Bethany needed to move on.

  Pulling Bethany out of her muddled thoughts, Momma squeezed Heather and her hand. “We can’t take sides, that’s for sure. I believe that it’s up to us girls to make sure this Christmas is the happiest one we’ve had in a long time.” And Bethany could only agree.

 

  Later that evening, Bethany found Carolyn sitting out under a pine tree. Going over to join her, Carolyn almost didn’t seem to realize her presence and Bethany suddenly wasn’t sure if she wanted to interrupt.

  Then Carolyn reached over and grasped her hand, “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, dear. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “It is alright. I know you didn’t mean it.”

  “But I did.” Carolyn turned and looked at Bethany. “Well, I meant what I said just not how I said it. Why is Laura so intent on doing this to me? I thought she’d understand?”

  Bethany hardly knew how to respond, “Understand what? I know you love your traditions, but is there something more going on here? Maybe you should try listening to Laura’s reasons too.”

  “I tried! Laura just wasn’t reasonable.” Carolyn stood, ignoring Bethany’s questions. For a moment, Bethany thought she would walk away.

  Quickly she reached up and grabbed her hand, “Please don’t go. I didn’t come out to fight with you. Actually, I needed your advice.”

  Carolyn sat back down, “Of course, Bethy. I should have been thinking of you. What can I do?”

  Now that the attention was back on her, Bethany wasn’t quite sure she wanted to talk about it. “It’s really not that important…”

  “Out with it, Bethany Woodsmall. You have something on your mind and it is important.”

  Bethany sighed, “Very well. I ran into Jeremy, literally, while I was in town today.”

  “Oh?”

  “I was checking for a letter…” Her voice trailed off and Bethany really didn’t want to break down in tears.

  “From Albert? Oh Bethy, I wish…”

  “Don’t. It hurts worse, you know, than actually losing him in battle. I lost him to a city, a job. Not that he was really mine though.”

  Carolyn grabbed Bethany’s arms and forced her to look up, “He was yours if you were courting and I can’t tell you how sorry I am that it didn’t work out. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

  “And if Scott didn’t come back, was I supposed to tell that to you? It wasn’t meant to be?” Carolyn looked horrified and Bethany regretted saying that, but she plunged on ahead. “Anyways, I didn’t come out here to say all that. I came to say — ask you — Jeremy asked to court me.”

  Carolyn’s eyes lit up, “What? This was not what I was expecting. The two topics have nothing to do with each other.”

  “They have everything to do with each other! I still care about Albert, but I consider Jeremy a friend. Albert…is not…here, but Jeremy is.”

  “Well it sounds as if you’ve made up your mind.”

  “No, I haven’t and that’s why I wanted to talk to you. What should I do?” Her attempt to not get emotional was fruitless as she swiped away some tears that had already begun to slip down.

  “Well, if you promise to listen without shouting at me, I’ll do my best.”

  “Carolyn, please, I didn’t mean what I said about you and Scott. Honestly. I love Scott like a brother and can’t image anyone else for you. But you have to understand, that’s what I thought about Albert too.”

  “Okay, Bethy, I know you were upset. Now, all that to say, I agree with you.”

  Bethany could hardly believe what she was hearing. “But I told you that I didn’t know! You’re supposed to help me decide.”

  “Calm down. It had seemed to me that you were right when you said that Albert is gone, but Jeremy is here. I think you should give Jeremy a chance. Albert has had plenty of time to come back, let alone write! I’ve been a foolish sister not to see how sad you’ve been all these months since his last letter.”

  “You didn’t know, plus you were happy Scott was back.”

  “But I should have. It’s time for you to move on, Bethy.”

  “What if I can’t?”

  Carolyn wrapped Bethany in a hug, “You will. You pulled me through my heartache during the war and now I can pull you through after. But you also have to rely on God though.”

  “But what if he does come back? How will I decide then?”

  “Bethany, you don’t have to think about that now. Albert hasn’t contacted you since the war ended in April. What if that’s God’s sign for you to move on?”

  Bethany took a deep breath, “Okay, I guess so. I’m still going to pray about it before I decide for sure.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to do anything else.”

  Scott sat down beside them and Bethany suddenly realized how dark it had become. “If you girls don’t mind, I be
lieve it’s time to be getting my wife home.”

  Carolyn laughed and swatted his arm, “Scott! Very well. You good, Bethy?”

  Bethany smiled and gave Carolyn a quick kiss, “Of course. Thank you.”

  Carolyn nodded and Bethany watched the two of them walk away. How much things had already changed since the war! Was it really only three months since she had been living with all her family? Now Carolyn and Scott had their own house and Jesse and Heather got their own house back too. Those changes were good, maybe Christmas traditions could change a bit too.

  But before she could even contemplate Christmas, Bethany had a more pressing matter on her mind to deal with.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Waking up was supposed to be a pleasant thing, instead Bethany found herself with the feeling that she had slept on nails. Laura had come home late last night and didn’t want to talk to Bethany about anything that had gone on the night before.

  Not that Bethany could blame her. In truth, she probably wouldn’t have been a very good listener since she kept going back and forth between Jeremy and Albert in her mind. Part of her wanted to court Jeremy and the other wanted to go find Albert.

  Seeing no way of solving this on her own, she decided to take Carolyn’s advice and read the Bible. Climbing down from the loft as quietly as she could, Bethany held the big Bible atop the fire place. How was she possibly to know where to read from?

  Bethany opened and found herself in Proverbs. Chapter 3 verses 5-6 seemed to practically pop off the page to her: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. If God wasn’t speaking to her through that, she surely didn’t know what to expect.

  Instead of spending half the night up, worrying about what she should do, she should have just trusted that God would take care of her like he always had. Maybe Carolyn was right. Perhaps God was telling her to accept Jeremy’s courtship since she hadn’t heard from Albert.

  And it wasn’t like Albert was injured. He had been writing his family almost regularly and Nettie would often tell Bethany how he was. Albert was prospering and he seemed to have forgotten about his small town sweetheart.

  Perhaps just like Laura proposed a change in traditions, Bethany should give Jeremy a chance.

  Hearing that her family was beginning to wake up, Bethany put the Bible away, just as Rosie tumbled down the ladder. Seeing Bethany, she ran into her arms. “It’s new day, Bethy! Momma always says that this is a new day from the Lord and we should make the most of it.”

  “How true, Rosie. Would you like to help me start breakfast?”

  As Rosie hurried ahead, Bethany stopped to thank God for his sense of clarity in Proverbs and also through her little sister. Every day was a new day and Bethany should learn to make the most of it, whatever may come her way.

 

  With the weather as finicky as ever, Bethany drove into town to pick up Laura at the doctor’s office. Laura was helping Dr. Luke and his wife, Nurse Katie, more than ever and she was indeed thriving. Never would Bethany have thought that her younger “farm-loving” sister would grow up to become a nurse and work in town of all places.

  As she began to reach the edge of town, Bethany caught sight of Jeremy walking toward her. Well, he wasn’t originally, but now that he saw her, a smile lit up his face. Bethany had come to peace with her decision, but she wasn’t quite sure if she was ready to tell Jeremy her answer yet.

  “Bethany, hello! It’s nice to see you again.” Jeremy had stopped by the wagon and was looking up at her. It seemed he wanted to say so much more, but began with pleasantries all the same.

  “And you as well, Jeremy.” The words couldn’t formulate at what else she wanted to say.

  Thankfully though, Jeremy didn’t let the silence prolong. “Might I talk to you for a bit? Perhaps we could walk around town?”

  “Very well.” Jeremy helped Bethany down from the wagon, and after the wagon was secured, they began their walk. While Bethany began to work up her courage, Jeremy was talking small talk with her about the weather and the upcoming Christmas season. Bethany could hardly make sense of what he was saying and she could only hope that her responses were coming out clean and formulated.

  “You see, Beth, I was actually planning on coming out to your place today.”

  That stopped her rambling thoughts, “You were?”

  “I’ve been waiting in pure agony these past few days wondering what your answer to my question could possibly be. I didn’t see you in town, so I thought I might as well go and ask you again.”

  “I see…actually, Jeremy, I’m glad I met up with you today.” Jeremy stopped, forcing Bethany to do the same. He turned her to him then and waited for her to continue. “And I well, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what you said to me. You know I consider you a dear friend and these past couple years have been rather difficult on me, and I’m sure on you as well coming back from the war and all. I can only imagine what you saw…”

  Jeremy grasped her hands, “Beth, please, don’t keep rambling. If your answer is no…”

  “No, it’s yes. How did you say it? I’d love to be your girl.”

  Bethany wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but she was beyond pleased when Jeremy pulled her into a crushing hug. All, well most, of Bethany’s doubts began to fade away then because suddenly, it felt so right being in Jeremy’s arms.

  “I hardly know what to think, Beth. I mean, I wanted this, but I wasn’t sure if you were ready.” Jeremy pulled away from her and began to study her face.

  Bethany gave a slight smile, “As you and my sister kindly pointed out, it has been eight months. I can’t spend the rest of my life mourning and unhappy.”

  Jeremy could only smile because at the next moment Laura was bounding toward them. “Bethany! Oh how glad I am to see you.”

  Bethany exchanged a look with Jeremy, “And when she says that, I’m not entirely sure if that’s a good thing.”

  Laura was soon beside them, “Listen to this? Dr. Luke just hired another assistant doctor! And here I thought that I was going to be trained as his assistant doctor, but no, I’m a girl.” Her eyes suddenly turned to Jeremy, “Oh Jeremy, I didn’t see you here with…Bethy?” Laura looked from Bethany and back to Jeremy, “I see you have much to tell me as well.”

  Jeremy chuckled while Bethany grasped Laura’s arm, “Not until you tell more about this new doctor. Did he arrive?”

  Laura crossed her arms, “Not going to work, Bethany Woodsmall. Older sister privileges for secret-spilling.”

  Jeremy was the one who finally spoke up, “Since you both are obviously too stubborn and we will get nowhere with this. Laura, I asked your sister to court me, and she said yes.”

  “Oh! How wonderful!” Laura grabbed them both in a hug. “Everyone will be positively thrilled, I’m sure.”

  Jeremy squeezed Bethany’s hand, “I’m glad you think so, Laura, now please, don’t spread it through town quite yet. You are the first person to know.”

  “And I am oh-so-thrilled by that…”

  “Laura, shh. Everyone can hear you and look, some are starting to stare.” Bethany stepped away from Jeremy and closer to Laura. “Now, are you ready to go?”

  “Certainly, but the better question is, are you?”

  Bethany offered a small smile to Jeremy, “I’m afraid I must. Carolyn and Heather are expecting us back to figure out some Christmas decorating…”

  “What?” Laura took a step away from Bethany and suddenly her light-hearted mood vanished. “You all started planning Christmas without me and are doing Carolyn’s ideas?”

  “You weren’t home, dear, and that’s why we were waiting for you. We wanted to ask you what your ideas were so we could begin to incorporate them.”

  “I can’t believe this. That you would go behind my back! You of all people, Bethany?” Laura turned and began walking away.

  Bethany coul
d hardly believe how fast this was spiraling down, “It wasn’t like that. Laura, wait. Where are you going?”

  “I’m walking home” and as if to prove her point, Laura picked up her pace.

  Bethany watched Laura and then turned to look at Jeremy, “I’m sorry, Jeremy, truly. We’ve been having some arguments at home between us girls about Christmas and Laura seems more determined than ever not to budge.”

  Jeremy took Bethany’s hand and squeezed it again, “Hurry and catch up to her. It might snow soon and I don’t want you caught out in it.”

  Bethany smiled, “Very well. I’ll see you later?”

  “You can count on it.”

  With a smile on her face, Bethany hurried to her wagon to see if she could catch up to Laura and manage to convince her sister to ride with her.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  It didn’t take long for Bethany to catch up with Laura, because even though Laura walked fast, Bethany had horse power on her side. Pulling up beside her, Bethany decided her best course of action wasn’t to talk about Christmas. “Please, Laura, it’s supposed to snow and I wouldn’t want to you get caught in the storm. Besides, you have yet to tell me about the new doctor.”

  That got Laura to pause. “I’d rather not talk about that right now.”

  “But you promised, Laura, remember. I told you about Jeremy.”

  Laura burst out laughing, “Fine, but just remember, Jeremy told me, not you.” Bethany moved over as Laura climbed up. When neither spoke right away, Bethany found she had to prompt Laura into talking about the new doctor.

  Laura sighed, “I just can’t believe Dr. Luke would do something like that to me. I’m sure I told him that I wanted to be a doctor, or at least Katie did. I love Katie and admire her as a nurse. Really, she was the one who inspired me. But Bethy, being a doctor is like proving to myself that a girl can do anything a man can do. Why do guys and girls have to have different occupations?”