Susie set it on the long table and let Mattie unwrap it, eager to watch her reaction. At that moment, they heard footsteps and turned to see Ella Mae coming through the connecting hallway from her little Dawdi Haus.

“You’re just in time,” Mamma said, welcoming her to observe the unveiling.

When Mattie removed the wrapping, the oohs and aahs made Susie blush, though she was pleased with the response.

“My Onkel and Aendi will love it,” Mattie said, shaking her head in obvious admiration. “What marvelous workmanship, Susie.”

“Well, I sure enjoyed makin’ it,” Susie told her.

“She always prays before she starts stitchin’,” Mamma said, smiling as she looked Susie’s way.

Again, Susie felt her face warm. “I just want it to be a blessing to the family that receives it.”

“Oh, believe me, it will be.” Mattie’s eyes glistened just then, and she pulled a hankie from beneath her sleeve. “It truly will.” She walked over to the cookie jar and began to remove chocolate chip cookies by the handful, placing them on a plate. “I made these earlier, so why don’t we all sit down and enjoy a sweet.”

Ella Mae brightened. “I’ll go an’ get some freshly brewed peppermint tea, too.” She started toward the hallway.

“Have Susie help ya, Mamm,” urged Mattie, signaling Susie with her eyes.

When they returned, Mattie poured the tea into yellow butterfly teacups with matching saucers, and the four of them gathered around the table for Ella Mae to pray the silent blessing, as she liked to do for even desserts or snacks.

After the prayer, Mamma presented the pillowcases to Ella Mae. “These are for you.”

“Is it my birthday?” Ella Mae said, a smile spreading across her wrinkled face.

“Just a small gesture of my appreciation for our many decades of friendship,” Mamma told her.

“Well, I’m honored, Aquilla.” Ella Mae looked fondly at Mamma. “And my old set’s wearin’ mighty thin, too.”

“Perfect timing, then,” Susie said.

As they continued to sip their tea and munch on the delicious cookies, Mattie began to share her anticipation for a new buffet David was making. “It’ll give me more space to display my best dishes and knickknacks.”

“Do ya still have the original set of dishes your parents gave as a wedding gift?” Mamma asked.

“Oh jah, but some are chipped awful bad,” Mattie replied, her teacup close to her lips.

“Every chipped plate has a story behind it,” Ella Mae said, stirring more sugar into her cup.

Susie caught herself bobbing her head and realized she didn’t yet have a single plate or piece of china in her own hope chest. Britta, on the other hand, already had a large set of teacups and saucers.

“Do you have a story to tell just now, maybe?” Mamma asked her longtime friend.

“About old plates?” Ella Mae asked, her smile mischievous.