A Life of Joy Read Online Free PDF Page A

just fine here. Besides, Elizabeth needs all the help she can get. But there is one thing you can do for me.”
    “Anything.”
    “I forgot to check the messages today. Would you mind walking out to the phone shanty?”
    “Of course. I’ll be right back.” Grabbing a flashlight from a shelf by the door, Lindsay clicked it on, stepped onto the porch, and spotted the three men still talking by the buggy. She waved to them and then quickly crossed the driveway to the phone shanty, which was a small shed containing a phone, stool, and counter. She lifted the receiver and dialed the voicemail. After entering the code, a recorded voice told her that she had one message. She punched the button to activate her message, and her older sister’s voice rang through the receiver.
    “Hey Linds,” Jessica called, her voice full of excitement. “Call me! I have amazing news. I wish you had a cell phone so I didn’t have to wait for you to get this and call me back. Anyway, call me as soon as you get this! Bye!”
    Lindsay deleted the message and then dialed her sister’s cell phone. Curiosity surged through her while she awaited her sister’s news.
    Jessica answered on the third ring. “Hey! I’ve been waiting for you to call.” Music blared in the background.
    “Hi Jessica,” Lindsay said, lowering herself onto the stool. “What’s going on?”
    “Hang on,” Jessica said, nearly shouting over the noise. “I can’t hear you. Let me move to another room.” The music muted. “Okay. I’m in a bedroom now. Kim insisted on throwing a party since we’re leaving.”
    “What?” Lindsay shook her head with confusion. “Where are you going?”
    “Yeah. I’ve been dying to tell you.” Her smile rang through the phone. “You remember when I told you that Kim’s dad works for a big accounting firm in New York City?”
    “Sure.” Lindsay shrugged, even though she didn’t remember ever hearing that.
    “Her dad was able to get me an internship with his firm this summer.” Jessica spoke quickly, her voice radiating with excitement. “It was totally unexpected. He had an intern back out at the last minute, so Kim and I are heading up there next week. We’re going to stay with her parents, which means that all I need is spending money. It’s so awesome because I’ll get college credit, and I’ll also be able to put this on my résumé. Can you imagine, Linds? I’ll have job experience at a big accounting firm in New York City! I mean, that’s like totally amazing, right?”
    “Whoa.” Lindsay held her hand up as if to shush her sister in person. Jessica’s rapidly blurted-out words soaked through her mind while she tried to make sense of them. “Did you say you’re going to New York City next week?”
    “Yes! Trisha and Frank say it’s a great opportunity. I mean, when will I have the opportunity to do something like this again? I’m so excited, Lindsay! I’m going to New York!”
    “I thought you were going to spend the summer here, working for Uncle Daniel in the furniture store,” Lindsay said.
    “But this is the opportunity of a lifetime, Linds! How can I not jump on this?”
    “I don’t know,” Lindsay said slowly.
    “I have so much to do. I need to go shopping for some nice clothes. I can’t wear jeans and T-shirts to a big-time accounting job, right?”
    Jessica droned on about her to-do list, and Lindsay shook her head. She and her sister were polar opposites. While Lindsay was contemplating whether or not to join the Amish church, Jessica was packing up and heading to a big city for the internship of her dreams.
    “So I was thinking,” Jessica continued. “I want to see you before I go. I’m going to drive up there this weekend on my way to NYC.”
    “Oh.” Lindsay sat up straight. “When will you arrive?”
    “Friday,” Jessica said. “Is that all right?”
    “Ya,” Lindsay replied. “Have you told Jake about this big adventure?”
    “No,” Jessica said quickly. “I want