A Heart Once Broken by Jerry S. Eicher

Sandra assured herself. Nothing!
    Rosemary was nowhere around when Sandra entered the kitchen again. She retrieved two coffeepots from the counter and made her way back downstairs. Most of the men wanted coffee, and Sandra teased them, “Don’t you know coffee is for old men?”
    Light laugher went around the table.
    One of the men asked, “Where did our other server go?”
    â€œIf you wouldn’t take so much coffee you would only need one,” Sandra shot back.
    â€œNext she’ll be calling us spoiled again,” someone said.
    Clyde raised his voice. “I’m sure Sandra can take care of everyone. So go easy on the woman.”
    The man seated next to Clyde punched him in the ribs. “How come you’re going sweet on Sandra all of a sudden?”
    Clyde nearly spilled his coffee as laughter filled the basement.
    â€œI have to try my hand at love once in a while,” Clyde finally choked out. “And what prettier girl than Sandra Troyer?”
    Hoots of laughter greeted the words.
    â€œMen!” Sandra muttered again, glancing at Ezra. He now had acalm smile on his face. But why couldn’t the man stick up for her? Sandra moved closer to Ezra to whisper in his ear again. “Can’t you say something?”
    Ezra appeared puzzled. “They’re just teasing. What’s wrong with that?”
    You should claim me as your own and be offended, Sandra wanted to say.
    â€œ Yah , nothing is wrong with teasing,” she said instead, and gave Ezra the best smile she could manage.
    Ezra shrugged and turned his attention to his coffee. He took a long slow sip. Something had obviously gone wrong with her plan, but what? Had Lydia been right, and had Ezra seen through their scheme?
    Sandra took both empty pots upstairs and deposited them on the counter. Bishop Henry called for the last prayer of thanksgiving, and the room hushed as everyone paused to bow their heads. Once the prayer was over, Rosemary appeared in front of her, all cheerful. “Ready to go down to the basement and clean up?”
    â€œI think I’ll get Lydia to help,” Sandra replied. She needed reinforcements.
    â€œWe can all work together, then. That would be nice,” Rosemary chirped.
    Sandra found Lydia in a corner of the living room surrounded by a circle of younger girls. She must have hidden out there so no one would ask her to wait on the unmarried men’s table.
    Lydia looked up when Sandra approached. “ Yah ,” she said, before Sandra spoke.
    â€œI need help cleaning the table in the basement,” Sandra said.
    â€œOh, sure.” Lydia didn’t hesitate, but she did say on the way down the stairs, “I suppose Ezra’s gone.”
    â€œOf course!” Sandra couldn’t keep the irritation out of her voice. “And I’m getting nowhere. Has Ezra been paying you attention?”
    â€œNo, but I wish he would,” Lydia snapped.
    Sandra snorted. “That goes without saying.”
    â€œSo you’re giving up?” Lydia sounded hopeful.
    Sandra lowered her voice as they approached the bottom of the steps. “I was hoping you had some fresh suggestions.”
    Rosemary greeted them with a smile. “Hi, Lydia. Where have you been hiding out?”
    Lydia ignored the question and began gathering up the dishes. “You’re awful cheerful today.”
    â€œMaybe,” Rosemary allowed. “I’m trying to be. I think I’ve moped around long enough, you know, after Clyde hurt me the way he did.”
    â€œYou should have let the memory of Clyde go a long time ago,” Lydia said.
    Sandra bit her lip and kept silent.
    â€œCan I say something to the two of you?” Rosemary asked.
    Lydia didn’t hesitate. “Sure. Is something wrong?”
    Rosemary hung her head for a moment. “No, there’s nothing wrong. But both of you have been my friends, so that’s why it’s so hard to say