An Amish Betrayal

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  He’d snuck in undetected earlier and hoped nobody would notice little Fluffy. But that appeared inevitable now.

  “What was that? Is there a lamb in this house again, David Bo King?” He cringed at his mother’s exasperated tone. His full name twice in a row. This wasn’t gut.

  “No surprise. Probably has a whole flock up there.” One of his brothers chuckled.

  “I do not,” David said. “Fluffy was bit by a rattler today. I wanted to keep her close until she’s better. An injured lamb would be easy prey for a wild animal. Ain’t so, Dat?” If he could get Dat to support him, Mamm would agree.

  “Jah, for sure.” Dat scratched his scraggly beard. “But I’m not sure the haus is the best place for him.”

  “Her. Fluffy’s a girl,” David corrected.

  “A rattlesnake?” His mother gasped. David’s words finally registering, no doubt.

  “Yep. Don’t worry, Mamm. He’s dead now.”

  “I don’t know if I like the thought of you being so close to snakes.” His mother frowned. “You need to have a care out in the wild, son. It could be dangerous.”

  It was dangerous. Just last week, he’d spotted a mountain lion roaming the hills. But he wouldn’t tell his mother that, lest she forbid him to tend the sheep altogether. It had become his favorite pastime over the years.

  “I will, Mamm.” He shrugged. “Besides, snakes are everywhere, not just up yonder in the woods.”

  “And the lamb needs to sleep in the barn,” his father said, addressing the situation at hand. The one David hoped had been forgotten.

  David sighed in defeat. There would be no swaying anyone’s opinion on the matter. “Okay, Dat.”

  After supper, he’d need to go make sure one of the stalls was clean. He’d take his blankets and pillow out there too and fix up his own bed before darkness descended. He purposely didn’t mention his plans to his folks, so they wouldn’t disallow it.

  Poor Fluffy would be scared if she had to stay out in the barn all alone away from the flock. At least if David was there, he could comfort her if needed.

  ~

  David leaned back against a bale of hay and softly played his harmonica to lull Fluffy to sleep. It wasn’t all that late, but the sheep usually laid down as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon.

  He enjoyed the daily quiet time with his sheep up on the hill. It allowed him to clear his head, to write in his journal, and talk to Gott. It also provided a nice reprieve from his brothers’ constant teasing. Usually, though, he didn’t let his brothers get to him. They were just doing what older brothers did. At least, that’s what Dat had told him one time.

  He patted little Fluffy’s wool coat, certain she was contently sleeping by now. The turn of buggy wheels drew his attention just outside the barn. Who would be visiting at this late hour, he wondered.

  He quickly slipped out of the stall and froze in place the moment he saw the bishop.

  “Good evening, Bishop Saul. Would you like me to get my father?”

  “In a moment, son. Who was that I heard playing music?”

  Fortunately, the mouth harp wasn’t a verboten musical instrument in their community. He had nothing to fear. Perhaps the tune had been verboten, though. But he was certain Der Her had given it to him, put it in his heart. What could the bishop say against that?

  “I-I was playing a tune for Fluffy, my little lamb.”

  The bishop smirked. “You play for your sheep?”

  “Jah, it calms them right down when they’re scared. Fluffy was hurt today, so I thought she’d enjoy something to lull her to sleep.”

  “It sounded real gut.” The bishop frowned.

  Ach, gut. The bishop wasn’t concerned at all. His heartbeat slowed to almost normal. At least he didn’t sound concerned. But why did he frown if all was well? Nee, his demeanor didn’t seem to match his words.

  Bishop Saul rubbed his bearded chin. “I haven’t been able to sleep too gut myself lately.”

  Ach, so that was the problem. David knew that lack of sleep could make one grumpy.

  “I don’t suppose your songs could help me? Will you play me something?” Had he heard hopefulness in the man’s tone?

  “You want me to play right now?” David’s brow shot up. He’d never played for people.

  “Sure.”

  Ach, had he ever seen the bishop this pleasant? He prayed he wouldn’t disappoint him.

  “Okay.” David brought his harmonica to his mouth and played one of the lullabies he’d often used on his flock. It was another tune he’d come up with himself. With Der Herr’s help, of course. He’d written words to it too and sung them in his head while he played his mouth harp. The gentle melody danced upon the cool night air.

  Bishop Saul closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, seemingly enjoying the song. A smidgen of the weariness seemed to lift from his face.

  David’s heart swelled with joy to know his music could please the bishop.

  “That was very gut, son. I don’t suppose I could persuade you to come over to my house each evening?”

  “Ach, I would be honored, Bishop Saul. But you’d have to ask my dat first.”

  Bishop Saul nodded. “If he’s agreeable to it, come for supper tomorrow night.”

  “Jah, okay. I will do that for sure and certain.” Excitement welled in David’s heart at the thought of joining the bishop’s family for a meal. It was an honor he wouldn’t take lightly. He’d play his very best for Bishop Saul, as though he were playing for Der Herr himself.

  THREE

  “Dave?” His friend Jonathan’s face brightened as he opened the door to allow him entrance into the Kauffman home. “What are you doing here?”

  “Your father asked me to come for supper.” David pulled his harmonica from his pants pocket and held it up. “He wants me to play my mouth harp for him.”

  Jon’s brow rose.

  “You had no idea I was coming, ain’t so?” David smiled. It was gut to see his friend.

  “Dat said we’d be having company for supper. I wasn’t expecting it to be my best friend.” Jon’s grin widened. “I’m thrilled to see you. We don’t seem to get much time together these days. Not since we finished school.”

  “Jah. I’ve been busy with my father’s sheep.” He shrugged. “Your vatter wanted me to come play every night, but Dat said only three nights a week. So, I guess we’ll be seeing each other more often yet.”

  “But you’ll be coming with the young folks soon, ain’t so? I’ve been several times yet but haven’t seen you among the youngie.”

  “Jah. I will for sure if I know you’re there.”

  “You should. We could use another gut volleyball player.”

  David had always enjoyed sports. “I think I will come.”

  “Why do you not come already? You’ve been of age for quite a while.”

  David shrugged. “Ach. My older brieder. Not sure they want me there. They still think I’m a boppli.” He frowned.

  “I assure you the maed will not think you are a boppli.” A teasing look flashed on Jonathan’s face and he playfully punched his arm.

  Heat rose up the back of David’s neck. He hadn’t thought much about the maed. Just the appeal of hanging out and having a gut time with his friends was motivation enough. But girls? Ach, he wasn’t sure he was ready for them just yet.

  “I see our guest has arrived.” Bishop Saul’s voice boomed when he entered the room. “Jonathan, bring David into the living room.”

  “Denki for inviting me, Bishop.” David nodded demurely.

  “It is an honor having you here.” The bishop smiled.

  “It’s an honor to be here.”

  “Mei fraa and dochdern have prepared a fine meal for us. I hope it will be to your liking.”

  David grinned. “I pretty much like all food. I’m sure it will be wunderbaar gut.”

  “Easy to please, huh? Your future fraa will appreciate that, to be sure.”

  David sat at the table when
prompted, feeling special to be a guest at the bishop’s table. When the women set the food on the table, his mouth immediately began to water in anticipation.

  After the bishop finished the silent prayer, the chicken and dumplings were passed around. David was sure not to take too much, lest the others didn’t get their fill. Although he could have easily eaten more, he wanted to be considerate. Unlike his brothers who often offered him what was left after everyone else had taking their servings.

  No doubt, he’d gain weight and maybe even grow a little taller if he had free rein on the food.

  He glanced up to find several of Jon’s siblings staring at him. Did they not have company over often? He set his fork down and swallowed his food. “Denki, sehr gut!”

  ~

  David was so engrossed in his meal and the pleasant conversation that he barely heard the knock at the door. Jon shot up from the table and went to answer it. Familiar voices floated into the dining area, then Jonathan appeared with several men. A few of them were David’s brothers.

  Oh, no. Have they come to take me home? He hoped it wasn’t so.

  David stood from the table after thanking the women for the delicious meal, and walked to the group of men, who now hovered between the living area and the dining room. He enjoyed being in the bishop’s home. Somehow, he felt older here, confident, respected.

  Deacon Yoder frowned and handed an envelope to Bishop Saul. “Several of us received one of these. Did you get one in your box today?”

  The bishop frowned, leading the way into the family room. “What is it?”

  “They want to take our land.” One of the other men said, his words laced with frustration.

  “What for?” David spoke up.

  His brother sneered at him. “This isn’t a concern for bopplin. The men will handle it.”

  David frowned at his brother. Did he have to insult him in front of the bishop’s family?

  “David is only a few years younger than you,” Jonathan stared at David’s brother. “If he’s a boppli, you’re not far from it.”

  David was thankful Jon had risen to his defense. He nodded at his friend in appreciation.

  Apparently, Jon’s reprimand had worked, because nothing more was said to him.

  Minister Miller looked at each of them. “They’re building some super shopping center. They will use our land to widen the roads.”

  “They can’t do that!” Saul protested. “We bought our land fair and square.”

  “It doesn’t matter. The government has imminent domain.” Deacon Yoder shook his head.

  “But, for a shopping center?”

  “Jah, but it’s for the roads. Several of our people have received these papers today.”

  “What do they expect us to do? Gut land is hard to come by. Especially if we’re talking about several farms. And this is gut farm land. It doesn’t make sense to replace this gut soil with asphalt. Do they want us to just move our entire district to another part of the state?” The bishop pressed his lips together.

  “This is our home. They can’t make us move.” One of David’s brothers insisted.

  “It’s the government. They do whatever they want.” The deacon sighed.

  “It is not right,” David said. “We must speak with them.”

  “We?” His brother scolded. “There is no ‘we.’”

  “I do not know what to do about this.” Saul shook his head. “This appears to be a battle we will not win.”

  “Der Herr can work miracles, ain’t so? We can ask Gott to help.” David insisted. Surely, nothing was too big for Gott.

  Jon nodded his approval and smiled at David.

  David’s brother rolled his eyes. “It’s not that simple, little bruder.”

  ~

  “You have done a gut thing for mei vatter.” Jon smiled as he walked with David to the barn.

  “What?”

  “Playing your harmonica for him.”

  “Ach, jah.” He’d still been thinking about the super center. David went to the stall, brought his horse out and saddled it. “It was truly my pleasure.”

  “Let’s go fishing tomorrow. Will you have time?” Jon bounced on his heels.

  David thought about his day. He could certainly spare an hour or two to spend time with his best friend. “First thing in the morning, after chores.”

  “I’ll meet you at the pond at six thirty. Sound gut?”

  “Jah, perfect. I’ll be there.” David smiled and waved as he rode out of sight.

  He thought of the land dilemma the men had previously discussed. Jah, Der Herr would make a way for them. He was confident of it. But he didn’t want to think about that right now. Nee, he had the young folks’ gathering to look forward to and now a fishing excursion with his best friend.

  Ach, could his life get any better? Nee, he didn’t think so.

  FOUR

  “Dave, I think my little sister has a crush on you.” Jon leaned against the snack table and grabbed a handful of popcorn out of his bowl.

  David glanced across the room to Jon’s younger sister, who was two years younger than David. “Michaela?” He’d noticed that she’d glanced his way a time or two when he’d visited the bishop’s home for supper.

  She looked up at that moment and smiled at David, then timidly looked away.

  “You think so?”

  “Jah.” Jon chuckled. “You’re pretty much all she’s talked about since you came to supper. Made quite an impression.”

  “I did? What should I do?” Since he’d never been to a young folks’ gathering, David had never asked a girl to ride home with him. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to.

  “It would probably make her happy if you asked to take her home in your buggy.”

  David rubbed the back of his neck and glanced back over at Jon’s sister. His throat felt dry all of a sudden. “I…uh…”

  “You don’t have to tonight. We can just hang out.”

  “But Bishop Saul, your father, he probably wouldn’t be pleased if I asked your sister to ride home yet.”

  “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t I ask him? If he thinks you’re a good match, you can ask her. If not, then don’t.”

  Honestly, he didn’t think he was gut enough. Who was he to have a chance to drive the bishop’s dochder home?

  “Uh, jah. Okay.” David exhaled in relief. That sounded somewhat safe. “So, tonight I’m free?”

  Jon laughed and patted his back. “Jah, you are free.”

  David put his arm around Jon’s shoulder. “Gut.”

  “Would it be such a burden to court my sister?” Jon’s brow quirked upward and he took a bite of an apple slice. “You know…if you and my sister marry, we’ll be brothers.”

  “It might be worth it just for that.” David chuckled.

  “Just don’t let my sister hear you say that.”

  “Ach, I’m too young to even be thinking on marriage, ain’t so?”

  “Not so young.” Something flickered in Jon’s eye.

  David studied his best friend with curiosity. “What? Don’t tell me you’re—” He followed Jon’s line of vision to a pretty young woman. “Katie Rose? You’re interested in Katie Rose? You—you never said anything.”

  “I haven’t even taken her home yet, but I’m thinking on it. Have been for some time now.” Jon frowned and turned to him. “Listen, Dave. No matter what happens, we’ll always be best friends, ain’t so? Nothing will ever come between us. Not our aldis or our families. Nothing.”

  “As long as we both serve Der Herr, then jah. Nothing will separate our friendship.”

  “Gut. ’Cause there’s nobody more important to me than you. I’d rather stay single if marrying meant we’d lose our friendship.”

  “Nee. We will never lose it. Not for anything.”

  “You are part of me. I feel as though our souls are stitched together like one of Mamm’s quilts.”

  “Me too.” David nodded. “We are closer than brothers already.”<
br />
  Jon glanced through a window. “Let’s go play baseball?”

  David grinned and reached for his glove. “Jah, let’s go.”

  ~

  David filled a bucket with water and set it down in front of his horse. He surveyed the bishop’s barn to see if any of the stalls needed mucking out. “Jon, do you have the papers that were sent to your folks?”

  “Nee, but I can get them. Why?”

  “Ach, I’ve been praying about the situation. I think someone should go sit down and talk to these people. Let them meet the people whose homes they’re taking away.”

  “I’m not sure that would work.”

  “Maybe it will and maybe it won’t.” David rubbed his chin. “Do you think you can get me the address of the man that’s in charge? Or his phone number maybe?”

  “I can see if it’s on the papers. But I really think you should talk to my vatter before you do anything.”

  “Jah. I would not talk to anyone without his permission, for sure and for certain.” David nodded. “I will speak to him after supper.”

  A couple hours later, David found his opportunity to speak with the bishop.

  “What is this you wanted to discuss?” Saul frowned.

  “About the people that want to take our farms. Would you mind if I go talk to them?”

  “Ach, David. We have already tried. Several of the leaders have spoken with the Englisch man in charge and he has denied our requests.” Bishop Saul hung his head. Surely he hadn’t lost faith in the power of Der Herr.

  “May I try? Please?”

  Saul shrugged. “I guess it couldn’t hurt.”

  “Ach, denki! I will go tomorrow.”

  “What do you plan to say to them?”

  “I do not know. But when I am there, Der Herr will put the words in my mouth that I need to speak.”

  Saul nodded, as though pleased with David’s plan.

  David’s confidence rose.

  He whispered a prayer as he left Saul’s house for the evening. “Ach, Gott, help us to win this battle. Please fight for us.”

  FIVE

  “I don’t have a lot of time, so you’ll have to make this quick.”