Lucy knew that Mary Lou was staying in a small apartment with two other girls who were on rumspringa. Things hadn’t worked out with the man she’d left the community for.
“I don’t want to leave. I’m happy here. I’ve got no interest in anything the world has to offer. I’m happy just as I am and I don’t think I have to experience things to give advice on them.”
“Please yourself. It was just a thought.”
“I’ll have to go before it gets dark. Dat’s collecting me and I’m calling you from work.”
“Okay, I’ll speak to you in two days’ time.”
Chapter 6
After Lucy hung up the receiver, she placed the money in the tin. Her employer, Mrs. Trantor, allowed the girls to use the phone as long as they put some money in the tin provided, and as long as they didn’t call anyone during their working hours.
Lucy stared at the phone and was tempted to call the phone in the Fullers' barn, hoping Levi would be the one to answer it. After she thought about it some more, she resisted. He hadn’t made any attempt to contact her, and she didn’t want to be the first one to make the move. Plus she was afraid Mrs. Fuller might answer the phone.
She stood up, pulled on her black cape to keep out the cold, and headed out of the building to wait for her ride. Seeing a buggy with a chestnut horse parked out front, she hurried over to it and then stopped still when she realized it wasn’t her father’s horse at all. It was Levi’s. Levi jumped out of the buggy and took a few steps toward her.
“Hello, Lucy.” He looked a little timid and she knew it would have been hard for him to make that first move after the words they’d had.
“Hello.”
“I’ve come here to allow you to apologize.”
She smiled at his good-hearted attempt at humor. “Apologize for what?”
“Our argument the other day.”
“It wasn’t really an argument, it was a difference of opinion.”
“That difference of opinion became rather heated, and in my mind, it turned into an argument.”
“I can’t help what goes on in your mind.”
He looked down at the ground. “You’re making this very difficult.”
“What am I making difficult?”
“I don’t want us to have any arguments. I want things to be good between us.”
“At the wedding I was just talking about Mary Lou and saying I don’t think she was fairly treated, and I’m entitled to my opinion.”
“What does Mary Lou have to do with anything?”
Lucy frowned at him. “You don’t even remember the argument we had?”
He shook his head. “Don’t make this more difficult than it is.”
“So, you didn’t come here to apologize?”
“Nee, not really. I came here to talk about our differences and to patch things up. Mary Lou and her leaving the community should have nothing to do with us.”
“I was making a comment about what I think. Can’t you respect that my opinion might be different than yours?”
“Your opinion isn’t based on fact. If it was based on fact, I would respect your opinion.”
Lucy huffed and pulled her cape tighter around her. Suddenly, she looked over his shoulder at an approaching buggy. “Here’s my vadder.”
Levi kept his eyes fixed on her. “Lucy, we need to sort this out.”
“I know, I want to, but what’s the use? We’ll never agree on this.”
“We don’t need to let this come between us, do we?”
Lucy remembered Mary Lou’s words. If her best friend didn’t think Levi was a good match for her, maybe he wasn’t. Perhaps there was someone Gott had who was more suitable. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” She walked past him.
“When will we talk again?”
She ignored him and walked faster to meet her father’s buggy.
For the next two days, Lucy did the best she could to put Levi out of her mind. Then as she was closing up shop, she called Mary Lou again and hoped her friend had made a decision.
Mary Lou must’ve been waiting for her call because she answered almost immediately.
The first thing Mary Lou said before she even said hello was that she was coming back to the community.
Lucy squealed. “I’m so pleased.”
Mary Lou continued, “But only if you’ll come and talk to the bishop with me.”
“Of course I will. I’ll be happy to go with you, but I’m sure he’ll want to speak to you by yourself.”
“Gut, denke. And what else is happening? How are you doing with Levi?”
“Things are awkward between us.”
“That’s no good.”
Lucy sighed. “I think you were right about him.”
“Oh, Lucy, I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“If we can’t agree on things, that means we aren’t suited.”
“That’s right. You just weren’t suited. I saw that a long time ago, but I didn’t want to say anything until you saw it for yourself.”
“You saw it a long time ago?”
“Jah, I did,” Mary Lou said.
“I had no idea. We always got along so well and had never even had an argument.”
“Really?”
“Jah. I was sure we had the perfect relationship.”
“I don’t know why you thought that. You’re intelligent and you think things through. Whereas Levi just coasts along in life, following along like every other second-oldest bruder.” Mary Lou giggled.
Lucy wasn’t sure what her friend was laughing at. She saw nothing funny about it. “Do you think so? I hadn’t really noticed that.”
“Trust me, I’ve noticed it, but I guess I’ve been closer to all the Fuller brothers and I’ve known them all a lot longer than you.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“I know it’s upsetting, but don’t be sad. Now you’re free for when the right man comes along.”
“I don’t want to even think about anything like that. It’s far too soon for me to think about anybody else.”
“Nonsense. They say if you fall off a horse, you should get right back on.”
Lucy felt a little better. “I don’t know about that. Anyway, when are you coming back?”
“On Tuesday. I’m just annoyed that I have to keep paying for my room for another three weeks. Are you sure you don’t want to go on rumspringa?”
Lucy couldn’t think of anything worse. She’d be away from her family and the community. “I’m positive I don’t want to.”
Mary Lou sighed loudly.
“Don’t you want me around when you come back?” Lucy asked.
“Jah, it’ll be fun and we can do things together now that we’re both single.”
“I suppose.”
Mary Lou continued, “Hopefully, they’ll find someone for my room soon.”
“You’ve still got the job at the coffee shop, haven’t you?” Lucy asked.
“I do. I’ve been working there the whole time. I just hate paying rent when I don’t have to. I don’t have to pay anything at home.”
“Nothing?”
“That’s right, nothing.”
“Not even board?” Lucy asked.
“Nothing, and not even food.” Mary Lou chuckled. “I should never have left.”
“Jah, that sounds like a good deal to me. I had to pay board as soon as I got a job because my parents want me to be responsible with money.”
“My parents are pleased I’m coming back.”
“Of course they would be. I told you that.”
“And you’ll still come with me to see the bishop when I get back?” Mary Lou asked. “I’ll be shunned as sure as anything.”
“Jah, you will I’d reckon. I’ll come with you, just name the time and the day.”
“I’ll stop by as soon as I’m back in the community.”
“I look forward to seeing you.”
“Me too.”
Lucy hung up the phone’s receiver.
Interesting, she thought. Mary Lou left the community for a man and she'd had no intention of returning. Maybe Mary Lou had just needed that time away from the community to get her head straightened out after what had happened with Isaac.
Chapter 7
“Mary Lou’s here,” Lucy’s youngest sister, Catherine, called out on Tuesday afternoon when Lucy had just gotten home from work.
Lucy had known Mary Lou was coming back on Tuesday, but hadn’t expected to see her on the very same day she’d returned. She headed out to meet Mary Lou.
Mary Lou jumped down from her buggy wearing her Amish clothing, Lucy noticed immediately, and the two girls hugged.
“It’s so good to see you! I thought when you left you’d never be back.”
Mary Lou jumped back. “Why would you ever think that?”
Lucy giggled. “Because that’s exactly what you said when you left.”
“I never. I never said that.”
Lucy clearly remembered that was exactly what Mary Lou had said, but there was no point in getting into an argument about it. Lucy knew that Mary Lou handled the truth loosely, but still, she was a good friend. “Can you stay for dinner?”
“Nee, I’ve come to take you to talk to the bishop with me.”
“Right now?”
“Jah. You said you’d come with me, remember?”
“I thought I’d have some notice. You haven’t given me any, and I’ve had a long day at work. I wish you’d told me earlier.”
“You promised me.” Mary Lou opened her eyes wide. “I said I was coming back on Tuesday. I clearly remember telling you that.”
Lucy sighed. “Do you have to go right now?”
“He’s expecting us—both of us.”
“Me too?”
Mary Lou nodded.
“Okay, I’ll just tell Mamm where I’m going.”
“Gut. I’ll wait in the buggy.”
Lucy found her mother in the kitchen, quickly explained the situation and asked her to keep her dinner aside. Then she headed back out to join Mary Lou.
As soon as Lucy was sitting beside her in the buggy, Mary Lou urged her horse onward. “What happened with you and Levi?”
“Nothing.”
“Is it over?”
“Jah, it’s over, probably,” Lucy said.
“Oh, I’m very sorry, but I knew it would be over.”
“Well, as you said, now I’m free for the right man to come along.”
“That’s right. And he will come along. You’re smart, you’re intelligent and you are very pretty, so you need a man who’s the same as that.”
Lucy gave a little giggle. “Do you think so? Pretty? Really?”
“Jah, anyone would think so.”
“Denke, Mary Lou. That makes me feel a little better.”
“Well, it’s true. I’m glad you’re coming to the bishop's haus with me today. He always makes me feel a little nervous.”
“I know what you mean. I sometimes feel that way too with him, but it was nice of them to let Hazel live there with them for so long. Well, it wasn’t long because she married Isaac, but they would’ve had her there longer.”
“Do you mind if you don’t mention her name?”
Lucy leaned back in her seat a little. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m working on my feelings. I still haven’t quite gotten to the place where I forgive her for what happened.”
“I can understand that. Did you like being out in the world?”
“I suppose it was okay.”
“What happened between you and the guy you left the community for?”
Mary Lou’s mouth fell open and she slowly turned and glared at Lucy. “That’s not how it happened at all. I didn’t leave for a man.”
“Well, what happened with him?”
“I just want you to get things right before you open your big mouth and say the wrong thing in front of someone.”
Lucy stared wide-eyed at Mary Lou, wondering why she was suddenly being so horrid. “Firstly, I don’t have a big mouth, and secondly, who would I tell?”
“The bishop for one.”
“He would’ve heard the same talk as I have.”
“Hearing talk around is different from hearing talk from someone who’s close to me, like you are.”
“I see what you mean.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything rude by what I said before about you having a big mouth. You don’t have one at all. You’ve never spread rumors.”
“I’m glad you know that.”
“I do.” Mary Lou squirmed in her seat. “I’m just nervous about talking to the bishop, that’s all, and don’t mention a man.”
“I won’t, but you’ll have to come clean so you’ll have a chance of coming back.”
“I’ll be shunned for a time. No one will be able to talk with me or eat with me, so what? That won’t bother me. It’s not like getting a whipping or something, and if people think badly of me, that’s not my problem.”
Mary Lou secured her horse, and while she was doing that, Lucy looked over at the bishop’s house. The doors were closed.
"Well, come on. What are you waiting for?" Mary Lou asked.
Lucy hadn’t seen that Mary Lou had finished tending to the horse. "I was waiting for you."
“I'm ready.”
“You lead the way," Lucy said.
Mary Lou took the time to smooth down her dress and adjust her prayer kapp, tying the strings under her chin.
"How do I look?" Mary Lou asked as she spun around to face Lucy.
"You look fine."
Mary Lou strode toward the house, and then pounded on the door. While they waited, Lucy considered her own appearance. She, too, smoothed down her dress and quickly tied her kapp strings underneath her chin. Just as she’d finished, Ruth, the bishop’s wife, opened the door.
“Mary Lou, and Lucy. What a surprise."
Lucy turned to stare at Mary Lou. There had been no appointment made to see the bishop. Mary Lou had lied.
"I was hoping to see Bishop John about returning," Mary Lou said.
"Of course, come in. You caught us just in time, before we started dinner."
"I'll try not to be too long," Mary Lou said.
"Do you want to see him as well, Lucy? Both of you?" The bishop’s wife looked from one to the other.
"Mary Lou wants to see him, but I've come to keep her company," Lucy said.
She smiled at them, looking from one to the other. "Very well, this way." She showed them into the living room where the bishop sat reading his large black Bible. He took off his reading glasses as he looked up.
"What can I do for you girls?" He squinted. “Is that you, Mary Lou?”
"Jah, it’s Mary Lou and Lucy," Ruth said before she moved to stand behind her husband.
"I'd like to come back to the community. That’s why I’m here, to ask for forgiveness and take any punishments that are required," Mary Lou said.
The bishop’s eyes flicked over Mary Lou’s kapp, dress and apron. "I can see you expect to come back by what you're wearing."
Mary Lou looked pleased with herself. "I’ve been looking forward to coming back. I should never have left. I’ve searched my mind and my heart. Gott has shown me the wickedness inside me.”
"That is good news." He looked over at Lucy. “Ruth can fix something for you in the kitchen, Lucy.”
“Nee, please, can she stay? She’s my very best friend and I’d like her to be here for moral support.”
He rubbed his eyes. “You haven’t been baptized, have you?”
“Jah, I was baptized a couple years ago.”
“I'm sorry, I'd forgotten that.” While the bishop was telling them about the necessary process and about the importance of rejoining the community, and the necessity of making that a firm decision, Lucy's mind wandered. Mary Lou had definitely told her she made an appointment to see the bishop. She’d told Mary Lou she was tired, and before they got there would’ve been a good time fo
r Mary Lou to mention that no appointment had been made. She pushed her annoyance aside and tried to concentrate on what the bishop said. For her own sake, she tried to look past Mary Lou's failings.
“Will I be shunned?” Mary Lou suddenly asked.
“You’ll have to confess on this next Sunday, all of your sins and why you left us. Then, jah, there’ll be a period of shunning. That’s our way.”
“I know.”
While the bishop asked Mary Lou questions, Ruth talked quietly with Lucy.
“How are your parents?”
“Good denke.”
“And your job?”
“I love it there. Mrs. Trantor is so good to all us girls.” Four of the workers there were Amish girls.
“Have you had dinner yet?”
“Nee, but Mamm is keeping it hot for me.”
“That’s gut.”
All of a sudden, Lucy heard Mary Lou say, "I better go now because Lucy’s in a hurry to get home."
Lucy turned to Mary Lou. "I'm sorry, but if I’d known you hadn’t made an appointment to see Bishop John I would’ve stayed at home. If you had made an appointment I would’ve had time to arrange things better.”
"What are you talking about, Lucy?" Mary Lou asked.
"I thought you told me when you came to get me that you’d made an appointment to see the bishop, and then when I get here I find out no appointment was made.”
"Never mind." Mary Lou shook her head dismissively at Lucy.
"If you have to go, you have to go," Ruth said. “Stop by another time. You do look tired, Lucy.”
“I am.”
Bishop John said, “I need to see you before the Sunday meeting, Mary Lou. I want you to come by yourself and set aside half an hour for the visit. You can make your confession this very Sunday.”
“Jah, denke. I will. The sooner, the better. I need to get rid of this burden I’ve been carrying around. I will accept the shunning.”
“We will go over what is to happen on Sunday,” the bishop said.
Mary Lou nodded, looking suitably solemn. “Okay.”
After they stood up, Ruth showed them to the door and when the girls reached the buggy, Ruth closed the door.
Lucy could see that Mary Lou was upset. She knew it wouldn’t be long before Mary Lou vented her anger.
His Amish Romance: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 2) Page 4
