A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray

she’d gotten it.
    Instead, he gave her directions to Josephine’s Café. It was located in the heart of Charm and was fairly new. With its eclectic décor and bistro-type menu, it was a welcome change from the many home-style restaurants in the area. Most everyone liked it, men and women, Amish and English alike. It seemed the right choice for Tess.
    He’d considered letting her choose a place in Millersburg, but then he would have had to depend on her for a ride home. He hadn’t wanted to do that.
    As they pulled into the parking lot, Tess said, “This place is new, isn’t it?”
    â€œYep. Opened about two years ago.”
    Still scanning Main Street, Tess frowned. “Wow. A lot haschanged around here. The only place I recognize is Grandma’s Homestead Restaurant.”
    He smiled. “I don’t think Grandma’s will ever close. You’re right, though. Some things around here are fairly different. Others, not so much.” Of course, he was talking about more than restaurants.
    She nodded. “I guess you are right.”
    After they got out, she pushed a button on her keys and set the alarm.
    â€œDoubt you have to worry about locking your car here.” On either side of her shiny sedan were two late-model farm trucks, one of which had its window partly rolled down. Near the back of the café was a hitching post with a horse and buggy tied up. Her fancy vehicle stood out like a beacon.
    â€œOld habits, I guess.” She looked a little chagrined but didn’t make a move to unlock her car. Instead, she dropped the keys in the opening of her purse.
    â€œI guess so.”
    He held the door for her and they walked in. Josephine looked up curiously from some menus she was cleaning. Two tables were filled, one with a pair of Amish women, another with a family of four. Simon gestured to a table near the back wall. “Let’s sit over here.”
    After they sat down, Josephine brought them menus and took their drink orders. Then, as if she sensed that they needed plenty of time alone, she walked away.
    â€œShe seems nice,” Tess said. “Do you know her?”
    â€œNot so much. It’s a gut restaurant, but I’ve never been one to chat with relative strangers.”
    She smiled softly, fingering the bright purple paint on their table. “I can see that.” Raising her chin, she said, “Simon, howdo you want to do this? Do you want to know what I’ve been doing? Do you want to tell me about you?”
    â€œWhy don’t we order some food first?”
    â€œOh. Sure.” She stared at her menu.
    It was strange, but Tess’s nervousness made him breathe easier. “I usually get the specials, but people say the soups and salads are good, too.”
    When Josephine returned with their glasses of water, she said, “I’ve got chicken parmesan today. It comes with a green salad and garlic bread.”
    â€œI’ll have that,” Simon said.
    â€œMe, too.” Tess picked up both of their menus and handed them to Josephine.
    â€œ Danke, ” Jo said, then narrowed her eyes at the two of them. “Hey, you two look almost like brother and sister. You have the same eyes.”
    Simon grinned. “ Jah, we do.”
    When they were alone again, Tess sipped her water. “Tell me about you, Simon. Are you happy?”
    â€œFor the most part.”
    â€œWhat do you do?”
    â€œI work at Kinsinger’s. I’m a manager there. I bought a little house two years ago. It’s not much, but there’s only me.”
    â€œDo, um, our parents still live in the same place?”
    â€œ Nee . They moved to a small place over near Berlin.”
    â€œDid they not want you to have the farm?”
    â€œThere’s no way I would have ever gone back there willingly, Tess.” Thinking about the cellar and the yelling and the switch their father used to spank him with— Simon chugged