Excerpt of The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece by Jennifer Beckstrand

Mattie’s heart did flip-flops in her chest when she realized it was her turn. But whether she was bullied or ignored or dismissed, she was determined to stand up for Aunt Esther and Uncle Levi and all the other Amish people in town, because they wouldn’t stand up for themselves.

“My name is Mattie Zook. I’m here to speak against the new town ordinance.”

Bill sighed. “You have one minute.”

“I’m from Leola, Pennsylvania, and I’m visiting my aunt and uncle here in town.”

She could almost see Bill Isom’s ears perk up. “So you’re not even a resident of Byler?”

Mattie’s heart sank. Did she have to be a resident? “No.”

“Then technically you aren’t allowed to speak during the public comment section. We are only interested in hearing from people who actually live here. The way we conduct town business is none of your concern.”

Tami rolled her eyes. “That’s not true, Bill. Your brother-in-law came last month to comment on curbside recycling, and he lives in Monte Vista.”

“At least he’s a Coloradan,” Bill said. 

Tami tilted her head to one side, as if trying to see Bill more clearly. “It’s one minute, Bill. I dare say we can spend one minute hearing what Mattie has to say.”

Bill looked at his phone. “Well, it’s a moot point because her time is up.”

Tami’s face turned a shade redder, but she kept her temper. That kind of self-control was probably a requirement for being on any town council. “We’ve spent Mattie’s minute debating about whether she could speak. So we need to start her time over again.”

Bill set his phone on the table, as if he needed to prepare to do battle with both hands. “We’ll have to vote on it.”

A voice from behind Mattie pierced the void of the school lunchroom. “Let her talk, you Communist!” That was Cathy.

Tami clasped her hands together, and her knuckles turned white. “Do we really have to take three more minutes to vote on it?”

Bill pulled a yellow booklet from the bag at his feet and held it up for everyone to see. “I believe in strictly following Robert’s Rules of Order. If we don’t have procedure, we’re just a sham of a government.”

The mayor still hadn’t said a word, but he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely watching the town council bicker. He clasped a bag of trail mix in his fist and popped nuts into his mouth while his eyes grew as wide as saucers, much as if he were watching an exciting movie. 

Tami’s sigh came out sounding suspiciously like a groan. “Okay. Fine. I make a motion to give Mattie Zook one minute to speak, plus up to five minutes for question and answer.” She eyed Fred, who was now picking his teeth with his pocketknife. “Fred, I need a second.”

“Let her talk, you Fascist!” Cathy again. Mattie had no idea what a Communist or a Fascist was, but the title seemed to deeply offend Fred. His face turned beet red, and he ran his fingers through the comb over on top of his head. Unfortunately, this upset the delicate balance of his hair, and several long strands that were supposed to lie across the top of his head fell down over his ear. He quickly remedied the situation by pulling out the comb attachment of his pocketknife and smoothing his hair back in place.

Bill glared at Cathy. “If you can’t keep quiet, I’m going to have Margaret remove you from the meeting.”

Margaret looked up from her notes as if some loud noise had startled her. Her face turned a pale shade of green. 
Mattie bit down hard on her tongue to keep from laughing. Margaret was obviously not prepared to throw anybody out of the lunchroom. And Mattie was pretty sure that Cathy would put up a fight. Even though Mattie was still annoyed about the no-buggy ordinance, town council meeting was turning out to be quite entertaining.

The mayor broke his silence. “I second the motion.”

Bill leafed through his book. “I don’t think you’re allowed to second a motion, Mayor.”

Tami pressed her fingers to her forehead as if a headache was coming on. “He’s right, Lyman. It has to be a council member.” She folded her arms and stared at Fred. “Well, do you believe in free speech or not?”

Fred squirmed in his chair for a few seconds, glanced at Bill—who was also staring at him—and looked out into the audience at Cathy, as if he was afraid he call her more names. He cleared his throat. “I don’t think it will hurt to let the girl speak her peace, Bill. I second it.”

“We have a motion and a second,” the mayor said, obviously a little put out he hadn’t been able to second Tami’s motion. “All in favor of letting Miss Mattie Zook speak for another minute with five minutes for Q&A, say aye.”

“Aye,” Tami said.

Bill’s “nay” was almost deafening.

Fred pressed his lips together. “Aye.” He turned to Bill, whose frown was etched deeply into his face. “It won’t hurt to hear her opinion.”

“Three cheers for democracy,” Tami said, and Mattie detected only a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. Tami softened her expression and smiled at Mattie. “Please go ahead and speak, Miss Zook. You have one minute.”