Katie's Forever Promise

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Well, sitting here worrying about things wasn’t going to help, Katie told herself. The music might as well be faced. And she couldn’t think about schoolwork anyway with all this on her mind. At home Mamm would have work which needed doing in preparation for Mabel’s wedding. That would be much more profitable than doing nothing here.

  Locking up the schoolhouse, Katie brought Sparky out of the barn. She was glad Joel had gotten a ride home with a friend so she could have some peace and quiet. She hitched her horse to the buggy and climbed in. Minutes later she was on the road, heading homeward. An Englisha car pulled up behind her. Instead of passing, the horn blew. Katie pulled off to the shoulder, yet still the car didn’t go around. Her heart pounding, Katie quietly assessed the situation. She was on an open stretch of road, and there were plenty of houses around. No harm was going to come to her here.

  Just as she was ready to pull out on the road again, the car pulled out and came alongside the buggy. The man on the passenger’s side waved. Katie clutched the reins and gasped when she caught sight of his face. It was Ben! What was he doing flagging her down right out in the open?

  Katie leaned out of the buggy door.

  “Hi, Katie!” Ben called out.

  “Ben!” She couldn’t overcome her astonishment.

  “I was hoping to catch you still at the schoolhouse.”

  “I left early.” A great desire to speak with him overcame her. Whoever was driving Ben surely wouldn’t mind spending a few minutes more of his time. Not if they’d been hoping to catch her still at school. She shouted, “I’ll turn around and go back. Meet me there.”

  Ben nodded. The car raced forward and turned around in a driveway.

  Katie turned Sparky around at a broad sweep on the road, urging him back toward the schoolhouse. She soon turned in the lane, entered the schoolyard, and tied up Sparky at the hitching post.

  Ben jumped out of the car parked nearby.

  Katie waited for him. If someone saw them, well, so be it. Besides, she was partly hidden by the buggy, so what did it matter? She reached out for his hand.

  Ben laughed, taking both of hers in his. “My, my, what a greeting. I think I should come more often!”

  Katie grinned. “That you should! Is something wrong?”

  “Nee, I just had to see you.” Ben pulled her close and gave her a long kiss.

  Katie clung to him. “Hold me tighter, Ben.”

  “Why?” His fingers brushed the hair dangling under her kapp. “Is there something going wrong for you?”

  Katie said nothing, but she didn’t meet his gaze.

  “That’s as I expected,” Ben whispered.

  “They don’t mean to make it so difficult,” Katie said as she raised her eyes to his. “They just don’t understand, that’s all.”

  Ben sighed. “What is it, Katie? Tell me.”

  “Enos…and Norman…and Mabel, and now Mahlon Bontrager,” Katie blurted. “And now there’s children cheating at school.”

  Ben raised his eyebrows. “All that? Will you be okay? I can stay away if that will help you.”

  “Not that, Ben! I can take anything as long as I can see you.”

  He smiled. “That’s nice to know, but it’s not nice that I’m causing you trouble.” A shadow crossed his face. “I’m sorry, Katie. I guess I’ll have to say it a hundred times more before this is all over.”

  “I’ve tarnished my reputation with the Kuntz family,” Katie admitted as she grimaced. “And that’s causing trouble too.”

  “Because of me?”

  Katie tried to smile. “Because I love you, and I didn’t love Norman.”

  “That’s no laughing matter, Katie. Enos is a powerful man in the community. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “I’m afraid it wouldn’t do any gut, Ben. It goes deeper than that. I offended Norman, and there’s little that can be done about that. And it’s not going to help that your little brother was accused of cheating today by none other than Abram Kuntz—and I think Abram was in the wrong, so it came across as though I sided with Noah. So I’m deep in trouble, and nothing you can do will really help.”

  Ben’s brow had furrowed. “I’ve been expecting something like this, but there’s no reason I can’t do my part. The issue of my testifying in court again seemed like the last straw to Bishop Miller. I wish he’d believed me when I told him I wasn’t going to do that. Perhaps if I visit him tonight again and assure him I have no plans to testify—that I’m sticking with the traditions of our people, he can make it easier for you.”

  “But what about the danger of the man who attacked you being on the loose? He could harm you again!” Her fingers stroked his face.

  “It doesn’t matter, Katie. Not testifying is the right thing to do. It’s our way.”

  She gazed up at him. “The right thing to do for me. Isn’t that what you’re really saying?”

  He held her face with both hands. “Aren’t you worth it, Katie?”

  “Do you really want me to answer?”

  “Nee, just give me a smile. Your sorrow is tearing my heart out.”

  They held each other for several minutes until Sparky’s loud whinny interrupted them.

  Ben let Katie go. “I have to be going.”

  “When will I see you again?” Katie clung to his hand.

  “We have to be careful,” he said, touching her cheek. “But I’ll try to stop by as often as I can.”

  Katie nodded.

  Ben turned and was gone. In what seemed like seconds, his friend was turning the car around and pulling away. She watched until they were out of sight before climbing back into her buggy. Swinging Sparky around, Katie drove down the lane and turned onto the main road. She hugged herself as she drove, remembering Ben’s tight embrace. He was worth it! she told herself. Whatever trouble she had to go through, she wasn’t going to lose Ben again. They would be together someday as husband and frau. That was Da Hah’s will, was it not? Pulling into their lane, Katie hadn’t even come to a stop beside the barn before Mabel came racing out of the house. She screeched at the top of her voice, “You sneak, you! Katie, what a low, rotten trick! How could you?”

  Katie noticed Willis stick his head out of the barn doorway. He grinned and pulled it right back in. So what’s happened now? Katie wondered as she climbed out of the buggy.

  Mabel came to a halt inches away, her face red. “Now I know you’re the sneakiest girl in the whole community, Katie. Your Mamm even finally admitted it today. You’ve known all week that you’re not dropping that Ben Stoll, and yet you let me think you were. I don’t want you at my wedding.”

  “That would be a sight, wouldn’t it?” Katie said with a smile. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  Mabel threw her hands in the air. “You’re hopeless, Katie. Don’t blame me for your mess. I tried my hardest to help you out.” Mabel turned and marched off toward the house, giving one last screech toward the sky before disappearing through the washroom door.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, Bishop Miller was in full cry, his beard lifted toward the ceiling as he preached. Mabel and Norman were being married today, and Katie shifted her seat to get a better view of her sister. She looked happy enough—glowing, in fact. She stole brief glances at Norman, who was seated across from her. Mabel wasn’t paying attention to Bishop Miller. Obviously the bride-to-be was interested in other things than the lesson being presented.

  Katie sighed as she looked around. If she’d agreed not to see Ben again, she would be sitting beside Mabel as her bridesmaid instead of being stuck here in the unmarried girls’ section. She shook herself mentally. This was Mabel’s wedding—a day that should be all about joy and gladness. The happy couple would soon be beginning their new life together within the community. Katie pasted a smile on her face as Bishop Miller began telling the familiar story of Jesus attending the wedding feast in Cana where He turned water into wine.

  “Weddings a
re that way,” Bishop Miller said. “They are places of miracles. They are places where love grows, where two can become one and create a new home together. There the next generation is born and raised in the fear of Da Hah.”

  Katie listened and kept smiling. The embarrassment this morning when she wasn’t at Mabel’s side wasn’t quite as bad as she’d expected. Most people didn’t seem to notice she was sitting in the unmarried girl’s section. Maybe they thought Mabel wanted an immediate family member by her side, not a sister by marriage.

  Wanda, Mabel’s cousin, had immediately accepted the last-minute offer to be bridesmaid. So she was now seated up front with a young man—someone she liked and had suggested. Mahlon had declined to take part after he was informed of the switch. Likely Mahlon knew he’d feel awkward sitting next to such a young girl, Katie thought. And people would wonder why he’d even been asked—not all of them knowing the original plans. Mahlon had made a wise decision, in her opinion. But then she’d expected that of him. The man was decent, and she hoped he’d find someone to stand by his side before long. Mahlon deserved a gut wife since his beloved frau, Lydia, had died.

  Bishop Miller was now wrapping up his sermon, asking Mabel and Norman if they still wished to promise their lives to each other. Katie sighed with relief. Not that long ago she’d planned to be the one sitting in Mabel’s chair today, promising her life to Norman until death parted them. How mistaken she’d been! Listening to her head instead of her heart. Thankfully Da Hah had intervened in His own way—a way that was too wunderbah to believe. That the love she’d once had for Ben had all come back…and even a little more if that were possible—was a miracle.

  She hadn’t seen Ben since that afternoon he’d stopped in at the schoolhouse. He would have loved to be here today, she was sure. But that wasn’t possible. Maybe someday after the trial things would settle down to normal. Then Ben could come back home.

  Norman and Mabel were now standing up. Katie watched as the last questions were asked and answered by first Norman and then Mabel. Bishop Miller joined their hands and pronounced them husband and frau.

  Mabel’s face was flushed with excitement. For all her fights with Mabel, Katie was still glad that Mabel was so happy. With Mabel married, maybe things would settle back to normal around the house. Without the rush of wedding preparations and Mabel’s frequent outbursts over perceived transgressions, life had to be more peaceful. Katie grimaced. Maybe their relationship could settle to a more even keel now that Mabel was married. She’d thought that had happened after she came back from Europe—and it had…until Norman came along.

  The last song had been sung, and the service was dismissing now. Norman led the way out to the pole barn where the noon meal would be served.

  Katie suddenly thought of Mamm’s wedding at this very place not so long ago. In her mind’s eye, she could still see the dashing figure Jesse had made that day in his new black suit. Mamm had been blushing as they left the house, just like Mabel was now. But Norman didn’t look much like Jesse.

  Someday soon she’d probably be heading out this very door following Ben after they’d said the vows together. That would happen when they had solved their problems with the community. And they would, eventually.

  Someone tapped her on the shoulder, and Katie turned around to see the smiling face of Jesse’s sister Sarah. “Beautiful day for a wedding, isn’t it?”

  “Yah,” Katie agreed and smiled back. “I’m glad Mabel had such a nice one.”

  “You’re not sore then…about Norman? I’ve been wondering about that.”

  Katie laughed. “Nee, it was for the best.”

  “That’s a gut attitude to have,” Sarah said. “And it might have been a little too much if you’d been bridesmaid. I understand perfectly. I was just curious, I guess, since Wanda was asked to be bridesmaid at the last minute.”

  Katie kept a smile on her face. “Let’s just say…that also worked out for the best. And there are no hard feelings.”

  “That’s a girl.” Sarah patted Katie on the back. “I hope things work out the best for you also. And with that teaching job of yours.”

  Katie glanced up. “Why did you bring up my teaching job? Have you heard something I should know?”

  Sarah looked down for a minute. “I probably shouldn’t have brought it up. I suggest you speak with Enos Kuntz—and the sooner the better, Katie.”

  “But how can I today, a Sunday and a wedding day? How do you know something is amiss?”

  Sarah shrugged. “One hears things. If I were you, I’d call for a board meeting. Tell them you’re having trouble. It’ll make for a more sympathetic hearing from the parents that way.”

  “But…” Katie stopped. There was no use showing her ignorance to Sarah. Obviously Sarah knew something. Maybe the tale of Noah’s alleged cheating had made the rounds already.

  “I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment of the day,” Sarah said and squeezed her arm. “Don’t worry. I’m sure tomorrow will be plenty soon enough to head off trouble. That’s what I always tell myself anyway.” Sarah left then, melting into the pressing crowd of women moving toward the barn.

  Katie moved with the flow of human traffic, but her heart felt like it was dragging on the ground. This was all she needed. More trouble ahead…trouble she didn’t know how to deal with.

  An usher at the pole barn door directed Katie to a seat among the other single females from Mabel’s side of family. Mamm was already seated across the room in a choice spot near the corner table. Katie waved before she sat down and forced herself to smile. Mamm waved back, looking quite cheerful. Mabel was absolutely glowing with happiness now, hanging onto Norman’s arm as they spoke with well-wishers passing in front of them. Norman was trying to look happy, Katie thought. But then he never looked very happy.

  Bishop Miller soon stood and silence fell over the crowd. “We wish to thank everyone who has come here today on behalf of Norman and Mabel. This is their joyous day when they begin life together. We wish them Da Hah’s greatest blessings until He should see fit to call one of them home. And now let us pray and give thanks for this delicious meal we’re about to receive.”

  Katie listened to Bishop Miller praying and wondered what he’d say if he knew she still loved Ben. She’d strayed far from what the ministry hoped would occur. Not that long ago the bishop had openly expressed his approval of Norman’s relationship with her and then later of a possible match between her and Mahlon. Bishop Miller didn’t approve of Ben. That much she knew. And he was likely saddened by what he was hearing right now about her from the parents in the community. A failed schoolteacher would long be remembered, and Katie’s shame would reflect in some measure on Bishop Miller himself.

  Katie sighed as Bishop Miller said “Amen.” The food was passed around. After filling her plate, Katie pushed aside the dark thoughts and tried to enjoy the meal the women had worked so hard to prepare. Baked chicken done to a golden perfection, corn, green beans, various salads and Jell-Os. The young serving couples dashed about, making sure plates stayed full and food was kept moving along the tables.

  Katie had heaped a large amount of food on her plate. She shouldn’t indulge like this, what with the hymn singing coming up tonight when an “eligible” girl should look slim, but she was depressed. And Ben wasn’t here anyway—he was the one person she really cared about and wanted to be eligible for.

  Pies soon followed: cherry, apple, and blueberry. Added to that were big bowls of date pudding and sliced fruit. Mabel had gone all out, Katie thought. But that was only natural. A girl usually only had one wedding day in her lifetime so the most should be made of it. She continued to eat in silence. There were cousins sitting on both sides of her, but they seemed more interested in taking in the sights and sounds of the wedding than chatting with her, which suited her dark mood just fine. Food was the only thing cheering her spirits right now.

  Bishop Miller stood and led the closing prayer. After that, the crowd spilled into the yard
. Katie knew she should get in line to shake hands with Norman and Mabel and wish them well, but she didn’t feel like it in the least. She almost left for the house but forced herself to stay. Once the line had thinned out, Katie approached the new couple. The greeting turned out easier than she’d imagined. She didn’t even have to paste on a smile—it came on all by itself once she arrived in front of them. Katie offered her hand to Norman. “Congratulations to the two of you. And best wishes on your wedding day. It sure was a nice one.”

  Norman actually managed a decent smile back. “Thanks for coming, Katie.” He bent low to whisper, “I’m sorry about the problem with the bridesmaid thing. I hope you’re not too sore.”

  “I’m fine,” Katie assured him. She then turned to Mabel, who reached out to squeeze her hand. Mabel was still glowing with happiness.

  Katie moved on and found her way outside. All was forgiven and forgotten now. And there was actually a gut feeling inside of her. Mabel would move on with her life, and the bad things from this day would soon be forgotten. Only the gut would remain, just as it should be.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The upstairs bedroom of Bishop Miller’s house was filled with teenaged girls whiling away the afternoon of Mabel’s wedding. They sat on the bed, along the floor, and leaned against the walls with their feet tucked under. Their low chatter had fallen silent as soon as the red-haired Stephen Graber stuck his head through the doorway. A grin spread over his face, and the rest of his short, stocky frame soon came into view. He was holding a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other.

  “What do you want?” one of the younger girls, Claudia Glick, snapped.

  Stephen didn’t say anything as his grin grew wider.

  They all knew perfectly well what Stephen wanted, Katie thought from her place on the floor in the back of the room. But acting disinterested was part of the game. In fact, most of the girls in this room had been gathering here for the last hour in anticipation of Stephen’s appearance. Well, they didn’t know it would be Stephen, but they knew some boy, along with a sidekick, would come marching up the stairs looking for them. The two were assigned the gleeful task—from the boys’ point of view—of making sure every unmarried male and female at the wedding was paired up for the evening’s festivities.