GOODBYE to YESTERDAY

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  When the waitress came, Luke ordered a ham sandwich, fries, and a glass of chocolate milk. Waiting for his food to come, he read the newspaper, while all around him, people came and went. This sure was a busy place. There was an old jukebox in the corner, and someone had chosen a tune where the singer was crooning, “You were always on my mind.” Luke wasn’t used to hearing that kind of music, but he couldn’t help listening to the part of the song that said, “Maybe I didn’t treat you quite as good as I should have.” The song was kind of catchy, that was for sure, but all it did was make Luke regret even more how he’d treated Meredith recently.

  Trying to block out the words in the song, he stuck his nose deeper into the paper and concentrated on what he was reading. It was hard to believe all the bad news, and he searched through several pages before he found something positive to read. A group of senior citizens had participated in a class called “Water Walking,” which gave them the exercise they needed, while getting to know other people their age.

  Luke smiled at the happy looks he saw on the faces of the elderly people in the picture. They obviously enjoyed being in the water, just as he did during the warm summer months. If he had an indoor pool to use, like these people did, he’d probably swim in it all year.

  He also found an article on the winter storm that had already created havoc in states to the west. It sounded like his travels would be taking him right through the blizzard. Even so, his excitement about his new job opportunity outweighed any anxiety about bad weather.

  Luke’s thoughts turned to Meredith once again and the fact that he’d soon be able to provide a decent living for their future. Luke could never repay his uncle for the gratitude he felt for giving him a chance for a new beginning.

  Earlier in the evening in an act of desperation, Alex had stolen some drugs. Now he had not one, but two dealers after him. But even in his most desperate times, he still had bouts of luck. In the alley behind the bus station he’d found a five-dollar bill, so he’d ducked into the diner across the street to get something to eat. He would figure out what to do from there.

  Taking a seat, he drummed his fingers nervously along the edge of the table. He was exhausted, cold, and wanted something to eat almost as much as he’d needed his last fix. He looked around while he waited, hoping he wasn’t too conspicuous. The place was sure busy and bustling with people. Alex was so hungry he could eat a horse and was almost to the point where he felt faint.

  “What’ll it be?” the middle-aged brunette waitress asked, looking down at Alex without a hint of a smile.

  “What’ll five bucks get me?” he mumbled, rubbing his hands briskly over his bare arms, wishing he looked a little more decent.

  “How about a burger and some chips?” she replied stiffly, making no eye contact with him.

  “Yeah, that’s fine.”

  “You want some water to wash it down?”

  “Sure.” Alex nearly choked, trying to hold back his irritating cough.

  When the waitress went to turn in his order, Alex sat back and surveyed his surroundings. Over the years there’d been a few instances when people were nice to him, but most of the time they acted like the waitress, either looking at him with disgust or avoiding his gaze altogether. Alex didn’t care anymore. There wasn’t a person on this earth who meant anything to him.

  Now there’s a familiar scene, Alex thought when he spotted an old man slouched in a booth near the door. The guy’s eyes were closed, and his mouth hung open as his head lulled against the back of the seat. The lazy bum’s probably drunk. Alex clenched his jaw. Reminds me of my old man when he was in one of his stupors. Sure don’t need no reminders of them horrible days. Just wanna forget about my past and try to have some kind of a future. But if I don’t get outa here before I get caught, that’s not likely to happen.

  Directly across from Alex sat a young bearded man with blond hair, reading a newspaper. He wore dark trousers and a heavy-looking black jacket. A black felt hat lay on the table next to his plate of fries.

  Alex pulled his fingers through the ends of his own bristly beard, noting that the man’s beard was about the same length as his. After closer observation, he realized the guy was Amish. Alex had seen some Amish men at the farmers’ market in Philly, selling their wares. Just a week ago, Alex had stolen some produce from one of their stands. The old guy had been so busy yakking with one of his customers that he hadn’t noticed what Alex had done. Or if he had, he’d chosen not to say anything about it.

  Alex’s burger came about the time the Amish man was finishing up with his meal, and when the fellow took his wallet out to pay, Alex couldn’t help but notice the wad of bills sticking out. He also noticed how nice the waitress was to the bearded man as she counted back the change he was due. What’s the point of bein’ nice to people? They’re all strangers anyways, and they don’t care about nobody but themselves.

  Alex gave his beard a quick tug. I’ll bet that guy would be an easy target. From what little Alex knew about the Amish, he understood them to be a peaceful bunch of folks. He figured it shouldn’t be too difficult to get what he wanted from the man. He just needed the right opportunity.

  CHAPTER 8

  Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania

  Meredith rolled over onto her side and bunched up her pillow. She’d been in bed nearly two hours and hadn’t been able to sleep because she couldn’t turn off her thoughts. She’d started nodding off while reading downstairs, but by the time she’d gone to the kitchen for a glass of milk and then climbed the stairs to her room, she was wide awake again. All Meredith could think about was how much she missed Luke. She wished he’d let her pack some sandwiches for his trip. At least he’d have something from home in his stomach right now. I wonder where he ended up eating and what kind of food he had.

  She glanced at the battery-operated clock on the small table beside her bed and saw that it was getting close to midnight. Luke was probably in Philadelphia by now and should be boarding the next bus soon. Meredith tried to imagine everything as if it was playing out in front of her, but all she could do was guess. The trip to Indiana was long, and Luke would be glad when he got there. Being patient wasn’t easy, but she’d have to wait for his call tomorrow evening to find out how his journey had gone.

  Lying on the small braided rug near the foot of Meredith’s bed, Fritz woke up suddenly and started to bark.

  “What’s the matter, pup? Do you need to go out?”

  Fritz darted around to her side of the bed and put one paw on her chest. Woof! Woof!

  “Oh, all right.” Meredith pushed the covers aside and climbed out of bed. Slipping into her robe and slippers, she went downstairs and let the dog out.

  “Now hurry up and do your business,” Meredith called as Fritz dashed into the yard. The frigid air made her even more awake, so she quickly shut the door. Spring couldn’t come too quickly. She looked forward to planting her garden and tending all the colorful flowers in their yard. She loved having the windows open and the front and back door, too. The mild spring air wafting through the house always made everything smell so fresh and clean, especially after a good rain.

  Several minutes went by; then Meredith heard a—Thump! Thump!—on the door, followed by a loud bark. “Are you ready to come in?” she asked, opening the door.

  Woof! Woof! Fritz tromped inside and raced up the stairs.

  When Meredith entered the bedroom, she found Fritz sitting on the floor at the foot of her bed, whining.

  “I know, pup,” Meredith said, patting the dog’s head. “Luke hasn’t even been gone a full day, yet I miss him so much.”

  Then, seeing the wet paw prints on the floor, she grabbed a towel and wiped up the water.

  Going around in circles until he found just the right position, Fritz grunted and finally bedded down on the floor.

  Meredith crawled into bed, and as she pulled the covers up to her chin, she said a prayer on her husband’s behalf. It seemed like she’d been praying for Luke a lo
t since he’d left this afternoon.

  But that’s okay, she reminded herself. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are told to pray without ceasing.

  Philadelphia

  Alex gulped down half of his burger and grabbed the rest of it in a napkin. Then he slapped his money on the table and followed the Amish guy out the door. When he saw the fellow enter the bus station across the street, his interest increased. He had no idea where the guy might be heading, but anyplace out of Philly would be good enough for Alex. Wanting a quick getaway, and to be far from the drug dealers he’d stolen from, he thought this might end up being a piece of cake. To have the money he needed would be an extra bonus.

  Leaning into the wind, and giving in to yet another coughing fit, Alex stepped inside the bus station, grateful for the warmth. Sure wish I had a jacket, he thought.

  Once again, his gaze went to the Amish man, who had taken a seat between two old men on the other side of the room. The lucky guy had a jacket and a hat to chase away the cold. All Alex had was a dirty old T-shirt and a pair of faded, holey jeans. If he switched clothes with this fellow, he’d finally be warm.

  I’ll bet the guy won’t give me too much trouble, Alex thought. If he’s peaceful, like I’ve heard the Amish are, then he oughta do everything I ask.

  He took a seat on the bench across from the Amish man and gave a nod when the fellow glanced his way. There were too many other people in the bus station for him to make a move right now, but if he could get the guy alone, he might have a chance. Feeling a bit stronger with some food in his belly, Alex decided to finish his burger and wait the man out.

  After eating, then sitting there waiting, Alex felt himself getting drowsy, but he wouldn’t give in to the temptation to sleep. As more passengers departed, the bus depot started clearing out. Alex knew for sure that his luck was changing when the Amish man stood and headed for the restroom. He could make his move now. Getting to his feet, he didn’t hesitate to follow, anxious to get this over with.

  Luke had just finished washing his hands when the scruffy-looking bearded man he’d seen come into the bus station shortly after he had entered the restroom. He stood staring at Luke a few seconds then sidled up to him and said, “Gimme your clothes.”

  Luke’s forehead wrinkled. “You … you want my clothes?”

  “That’s what I said. Give‘em to me right now!” The man’s hand shook as he balled it into a fist. “You’d better do as I say, or you’ll be sorry.”

  Luke was tempted to resist, but seeing the desperation on the man’s face, he thought better of it. This would be a good opportunity to show his Christianity. And with nothing but a T-shirt and a pair of holey jeans, the poor man was probably cold. Luke knew he could borrow some clothes from his uncle when he got to Indiana. Besides, he’d be getting on the bus soon, and that would give him some warmth.

  But the scruffy-looking fellow wasn’t satisfied with just Luke’s clothes. Once they’d traded, he demanded Luke’s wallet. Luke could see that the man was shaky and agitated, so he offered to buy him something to eat.

  “Already ate,” the man growled. “Now, don’t give me no trouble! I just want some money, and I want it right now!”

  Luke shook his head, determinedly. It was one thing to give up his clothes and put on the stranger’s uncomfortable jeans and dirty T-shirt, which didn’t smell too good. He couldn’t simply hand over his wallet. He needed that money to give his uncle as a down payment for the equipment he’d need to begin his new business. He had to somehow convince this determined fellow to change his mind about the money.

  “I won’t give you my wallet,” Luke said, holding his ground and hoping to intimidate the angry-looking man. Luke had never met anyone like this before, and he hoped the situation would be resolved peacefully but feared it wouldn’t. Maybe someone would walk into the restroom, and the encounter would be over before it got any worse.

  “And I say you will hand it over!” the man shouted, his eyes squinting and his face turning red.

  That determined expression and rising temper caused Luke to realize he was in serious trouble. Short of a miracle, this would be anything but a nonviolent encounter.

  The look of outrage in the fellow’s eyes gave no hint of him wavering, either, and before Luke could protect himself, the man stepped forward and punched him in the stomach, causing Luke to double over from the pain. Unleashing his fury, and with a string of curses, the enraged man knocked Luke to the floor and began viciously kicking him everywhere, including his head and face. Over and over, Luke was beaten, until he didn’t think he could take any more pain. He tried to protect himself, but everything inside of him felt like it was breaking, and he was sure his body couldn’t take much more abuse.

  Dear God, please help me, Luke silently prayed as another serious blow connected to his head.

  Will I ever see my beautiful fraa again? he wondered. Then everything went black.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  New York Times bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish way of life when she first visited her husband’s Mennonite relatives living in Pennsylvania. Wanda and her husband, Richard, live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the States, where they have several Amish friends. Wanda and her husband have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, beachcombing, stamping, and having fun with her family.

  Visit Wanda’s website at www.wandabrunstetter.com, and feel free to e-mail her at Wanda@wandabrunstetter.com.

  THE SAGA CONTINUES IN

  The

  SILENCE of

  WINTER

  COMING MARCH 2013!

  OTHER BOOKS BY WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER

  Adult Fiction

  The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

  KENTUCKY BROTHERS SERIES

  The Journey

  The Healing

  The Struggle

  BRIDES OF LEHIGH CANAL SERIES

  Kelly’s Chance

  Betsy’s Return

  Sarah’s Choice

  INDIANA COUSINS SERIES

  A Cousin’s Promise

  A Cousin’s Prayer

  A Cousin’s Challenge

  SISTERS OF HOLMES COUNTY SERIES

  A Sister’s Secret

  A Sister’s Test

  A Sister’s Hope

  BRIDES OF WEBSTER COUNTY SERIES

  Going Home

  Dear to Me

  On Her Own

  Allison’s Journey

  DAUGHTERS OF LANCASTER COUNTY SERIES

  The Storekeeper’s Daughter

  The Quilter’s Daughter

  The Bishop’s Daughter

  BRIDES OF LANCASTER COUNTY SERIES

  A Merry Heart

  Looking for a Miracle

  Plain and Fancy

  The Hope Chest

  Amish White Christmas Pie

  Lydia’s Charm

  Love Finds a Home

  Love Finds a Way

  Children’s Fiction

  DOUBLE TROUBLE

  What a Pair!

  Bumpy Ride Ahead

  RACHEL YODER—ALWAYS TROUBLE SOMEWHERE SERIES

  The Wisdom of Solomon

  Nonfiction

  Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook

  Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook Vol. 2

  The Simple Life

  A Celebration of the Simple Life