Seeing Your Face Again

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Ida breathed easier again. “I appreciate your confidence, Melvin. Daett blames himself plenty, but I can assure you Lois was always this way.” Melvin might as well know their family troubles, she figured—if he planned to take her as his frau.

  Melvin reached for her hand, and his fingers closed around hers. “I’m not trying to say anything, Ida. I don’t doubt you or your daett. Let’s be clear about that. I love you already more than I wish I did.”

  Ida felt her hand tremble and figured Melvin must feel it too. He would know that she was timid on the inside—if he didn’t already know that. And he would also know that she wanted this to work. She wanted it more every time she was around him.

  He pulled her closer to him. “Let’s not let church trouble keep us apart, Ida. I don’t know much about Debbie, other than that you like her, and I trust your judgment of a person. But the ministry can take care of any problems should they arise. In the meantime, I love you, Ida.”

  Her fingers tightened in his. “You know how I feel about you, Melvin.”

  “Can you love me enough, Ida?” His voice caught. “Enough to want to spend your life with me and my children?”

  She leaned against his shoulder. “Why else would I let you bring me home like this?”

  He turned to face her. “I’m asking you to be my frau, Ida. Do you love me that much?”

  Ida’s head spun. Had she heard right? Had Melvin asked for her hand in marriage right out here beside the buggy? Yah! Her knees would buckle under her at any minute. Thankfully Emery and Debbie were already inside the house. What an embarrassment if a buggy pulled into the driveway right in the middle of a marriage proposal.

  Red Rover neighed beside them, and Melvin’s hand touched her face. “Will you marry me, Ida?”

  Her voice shook. “Melvin, yah. Of course I will. I’m willing!”

  “Even with my six children…even then you will have me?” Both of his hands found her face.

  She trembled as his callused fingers gently touched her soft skin. “I will love you and them with all my heart, Melvin. It would be a great honor…to be your frau.”

  His hand slipped around her waist, and he pulled her close.

  She lifted her head to meet his. Wild thoughts raced through her mind, and time seemed to stand still. A man was ready to kiss her. She would die from the excitement if it didn’t happen soon. Ida closed her eyes, as his lips touched her. He smelled of Ivory soap and barnyard hay. It was sweet…and so was his mouth. She’d never imagined how this would be, but it was beyond her wildest thoughts. Even if she’d tried, she never would have come close to how wunderbah kissing the man who would be her husband would be.

  His beard brushed her face as he pulled away.

  Did he like her kiss? Ida searched his face for affirmation in the dim light. Had he enjoyed her touch? Even after he’d kissed Mary so many times over the years?

  As if he heard the questions in her heart, he bent his head and whispered, “You’re the sweetest woman, Ida. So fresh and pure.” His mouth sought hers again.

  Now she would die, Ida thought. Even the thought of heaven had never seemed better.

  “This is enough.” Melvin lifted his head. “You’re too wunderbah for the likes of me.”

  “I’m not!” she protested and tried to breathe.

  “We must set the wedding date,” he said. “Tonight yet, if you don’t object.”

  She clung to his hand. “Of course I don’t. I told you earlier…”

  His hand touched her face again. “Yah, I know. But when will you wed me?”

  She laid her hand on his chest. “I’m not one to boldly think of such things, Melvin. But I will say the wedding vows whenever you wish. I don’t need pampering.”

  He took her hands in both of his. “You’re more than I could ever have hoped for, Ida. Shall we go inside?”

  She laughed. “It might be easier to make plans there.” A great happiness swelled up inside her. How quickly things were moving along! But was that not Da Hah’s way? Doing wunderbah things that no one thought possible.

  “We will have to tell the children.” His voice was a little worried. “I do so hope that won’t be a problem. They’re all small yet and shouldn’t complain of whom I choose as a frau. And with you, I’m sure there shouldn’t be any problem at all.”

  “It’ll be okay.” She opened the front door for him. “What’s Willard’s age—the oldest? About nine?”

  “You’re right, nine.” He was impressed. “You took the trouble to ask around to find out?”

  “I’m a woman,” Ida told him. “That’s what we do. Especially if we love children.”

  She held the door for him, and he entered and sat at his usual place on the couch. When she made to walk past him toward the kitchen, he motioned for her to sit beside him. “I want to look at you right now, Ida. I don’t think I can get enough of you.”

  She sat down and knew heat was rising in bright streaks of red up her neck. He saw her discomfort and took her hand. “It’s okay, Ida. I know I’m still a little strange to you, but I love you. I hope that’s enough.”

  She met his gaze. “It’s all I need, Melvin.”

  He grinned. “So about that wedding. When can it happen?”

  “We can get ready by May perhaps,” she said. “Is that gut enough? Of course, I should speak with Mamm, but I’m sure she’ll understand.”

  He made a sad face. “I suppose I can wait that long.”

  “You’ll have to wait that long.” She jumped up as he looked ready to kiss her again. “I’d better get that food out in the kitchen.”

  His fingers lingered on hers as she pulled away and scurried into the kitchen.

  Twenty-Six

  The following Monday Ida cleared away the breakfast dishes, humming as she worked. In the basement the washer motor had run since well before daylight. Mamm was down there now with a few more loads of the weekly wash ahead of her. The rest was already out on the line. Only minutes ago, Debbie had left for her job at Destiny Relocation Services with her friend Rhonda, who also worked there. Rhonda lived near the town of Penns Creek. She could easily pick up Debbie in exchange for gas money. The way Debbie made the adjustments necessary to her new life without an automobile was so wunderbah, Ida thought. Debbie had such a cheerful attitude, and Da Hah blessed her for it. There was no doubt about that.

  Melvin’s face was still in front of Ida’s eyes as she worked. She could still see his smile after he’d kissed her goodnight beside the buggy. Ida blushed at the thought, and the dish in her hand clattered to the table. She bent over to pick it up, her thoughts still fixed on Melvin. He had asked her to be his frau! And in May already! How fast things moved. And how would they ever get ready in time? That’s what she ought to be thinking about. Instead, her head was up in the clouds, and all about a kiss. But that’s what people in love did, didn’t they? She felt the heat rise to her face again.

  Ida rushed to clear the rest of the table. She must speak with Mamm about the wedding the first chance she had. Maybe after all the wash was on the line. Ida paused to catch her breath. She really couldn’t be blamed for her mixed-up state this morning. A man had never kissed her before. Melvin wasn’t as dashing as Paul Wagler, but Paul had only been a fantasy, not unlike a young schoolgirl’s idle dream. Melvin, on the other hand was real, and he loved her. What more could she ask for than that? And he had already done the family a great favor when he stuck up for Debbie. That gesture alone made Paul look like a shadow of the man Melvin was. Paul was too consumed with himself to think of such a kind action.

  With a quick step Mamm burst into the kitchen with an empty hamper in her hand. “Another load down and two to go, I think.” Mamm paused to glance at Ida. “You’re awful dreamy this morning.”

  Ida kept her face turned away. Now that the moment had come, she really didn’t want to tell Mamm about the proposal. It had all been so sudden, and she wanted to savor it a while longer. But Mamm waited, so she had to
say something. “Melvin spoke up for Debbie with his brother. That’s why there hasn’t been the trouble we expected.”

  Mamm didn’t say anything for a moment. “I didn’t know Melvin had so much influence with Minister Kanagy.”

  “Apparently he does,” Ida said.

  Mamm muttered something Ida couldn’t hear and disappeared toward the bedroom. She was back moments later with the hamper full again.

  Ida stopped her. “I have more I want to say. The kitchen work is almost done anyway. And Melvin…”

  “I guess I’ll have to stop.” Mamm sank to a kitchen chair with a sigh. “These old bones don’t take to work like they used to.”

  “Mamm, don’t you like Melvin?”

  Mamm shook her head. “It’s not that, Ida. Just all the kafuffle that’s been going on lately, with Lois and now Debbie’s church troubles, has me distracted. But don’t worry, Ida. I like the man—even though this whole thing of bringing you home seems kind of quick.”

  “He needs a frau, and he has six children who need a mamm,” Ida said.

  “Yah, but are his children reason enough to marry him?” Mamm regarded Ida for a moment. “You do love him a little, I hope?”

  Melvin’s face as he kissed her flashed before Ida’s eyes. She must have turned bright red, because a slight smile played on Mamm’s face.

  “He must have made some kind of impression on you, it seems.”

  “He’s strong, and decent, and has a tender heart,” Ida managed.

  “Okay, okay.” Mamm waved her hand. “You don’t have to tell me the details. If you’re happy, I won’t complain. But I do wish people could keep church things out of love.”

  “Melvin was just trying to help,” Ida said. “He asked me to marry him last night, Mamm!”

  “I was wondering what this was all about. I figured it would come sooner or later. You accepted, I assume?”

  “Yah.” Ida hesitated. She made no effort to keep the dismay from her face. This was not how she had imagined the moment when she would tell Mamm the news of her upcoming wedding. “You don’t seem overly happy. You surely don’t object?”

  Mamm reached over to touch Ida’s arm. “Of course I don’t object. Melvin’s a gut man. I just want you to be happy. But he does have six children, you know.”

  “I know that.” Ida paused. “That’s why we’re getting wed in May.”

  Mamm jumped up. “In May! Ida! That’s in two months! What were you thinking?”

  “It doesn’t have to be a big wedding! It really doesn’t.” Ida clutched Mamm’s arm. “Melvin’s perfectly happy with almost nothing. This, after all, is his second wedding, and he has his children’s needs on his mind.”

  Mamm collapsed into her chair again. “Ida, it’s just so much happening so soon.”

  Her mamm seemed close to tears, so Ida thought it best to let the topic rest. “Here, Mamm. I’ll take the hamper down and work on the wash. You sit and rest.

  When Mamm didn’t object, Ida rushed down the basement steps dragging the hamper behind her. She checked the load of wash. It had been ready to take out ten minutes ago, but their conversation had delayed that. This load of Daett and Emery’s work pants could probably use extra time in the washer anyway. Ida spun the wringer around and began to run the heavy pants through. She watched the slow turn of the rubber wheels and thought about Melvin.

  Mamm’s unenthusiastic approval of her plans had shocked her but it hadn’t taken her feelings down like she would have expected. Perhaps she’d matured or gained confidence in her own decisions recently. And she could understand that Mamm had reasons for her lack of excitement. Lois weighed on Mamm’s mind more than she admitted. Debbie’s recent problems didn’t help either. But no matter what else was going on, Ida had a right to happiness. Wasn’t this what she wanted? Peace, the chance to fall in love with a husband who was kind, and a life she could share with him that had purpose? Melvin with his six children supplied all that. Mamm would get used to the idea. Ida decided she’d keep the wedding small. That ought to compensate for the short notice.

  Ida reloaded the washing machine and went up the outside basement steps. The air had warmed some since breakfast, but it still carried a nip. The sun would be out of the clouds soon, and a fine springlike day was on the way. Ida was halfway through clipping the heavy pants on the clothesline when she heard a car pull into the driveway. She glanced up and almost dropped one of Emery’s denim pants. Debbie’s old car had stopped by the hitching post, right near where Melvin had kissed her last night and asked her to be his frau.

  This couldn’t be Debbie. Debbie had given away her car. It had to be Lois. And how like Lois to show up on a morning like this even after what Daett had told her. Hopefully Lois had enough decency to dress properly this time.

  The car door swung open, and Lois hopped out. She hollered across the lawn, “Howdy there, sister. Up early, I see.”

  Lois knew their schedule well enough having grown up on the farm, Ida told herself. Her sister was just nervous—as well she should be. But at least she was dressed properly this morning. Perhaps that much of Daett’s lecture had soaked in.

  “Gut morning!” Ida answered with a warm smile as Lois approached.

  “Yah, I’m decent,” Lois snapped as Ida’s eyes surveyed her appearance.

  “You don’t have to get short with me,” Ida said. “You had it coming. You know that.”

  “It’s still not right.” Lois sighed. “But what can you do with hidebound people like the Amish?”

  “Speak for yourself.” Ida glanced toward the house. Hopefully Mamm wouldn’t see that Lois had arrived, but what hope was there of that? This would only add an additional burden to Mamm’s already-rushed morning. “So what are you doing here this morning?” she tilted her head. “And how did you learn how to drive that thing anyway? Doesn’t that take a while?”

  Lois looked hopeful. “Did you want to learn?”

  Ida laughed. “Yah, I can just see myself whizzing around the community scaring everyone half to death.”

  “It’s not that hard,” Lois assured her. “I studied hard and practiced a lot. Debbie’s mom, Callie, has been most helpful. I never could have done it without her. And now she’s helping me with my schooling. It’s so wonderful to have someone appreciate who I really am for once.”

  Ida gave Lois a sharp look. “You were loved well enough, if I recall correctly. You chose to walk away from us, Lois.”

  “I can’t change who I am,” Lois countered. “And I got tired of trying.” Her face lit up again. “But I do have great news to share.”

  Ida waited.

  When Lois remained silent she finally asked, “And what would that be—as if I really want to know.”

  “You don’t have to be so mean, Ida,” Lois said. “A wunderbah Englisha man I met at a party Debbie’s mom took me to last week asked me out on a date. He took me to this fancy restaurant, and it was so…” Lois gazed toward the sky, apparently lost in the memory.

  “And you came to tell us that?” Ida remembered Melvin’s kiss last night, but pushed the thought away. Lois probably got kissed too, if she didn’t miss her guess. But Lois’s didn’t seem decent in a way. Melvin’s kiss would lead to wedding vows and the care of six needy children. Lois’s kiss was for the fun of it, if the look on her face was any indication.

  Lois came out of her reverie with a sigh. “He’s such a nice man, and you don’t have to knock him, Ida. I know what you’re thinking. Love’s the same out there as it is in here. Although I have to admit that I never felt this for an Amish man—not like I do for Doug.”

  “You could have tried, Lois.” Ida busied herself with the last of the heavy pants. Lois could offer to help, Ida thought. She did know how to hang out wash, but there were obviously more important things on her sister’s mind.

  “So, how’s life treating you?” Lois ignored the wash. “Still going on with old maid plans on your mind, hanging out clothes on a wash line when you could be dr
ying them inside in a proper electric dryer?”

  Ida ignored the insults. At least Lois had shown a concern for their lives. “I’ll have you know I’m getting married in May.”

  Lois gasped. “You’re getting married? To whom? And why haven’t I heard about it?”

  Ida let a smile fill her face. “Melvin Kanagy asked me to wed last night, and I accepted.”

  “But…” Lois clutched Ida’s arm. “Not Melvin Kanagy! He has six children!”

  “Yah, he lost his frau last year. And he has six lovely children. They are perfect dears.” Ida hung the last piece of wash on the line. “And Melvin’s a decent man. Don’t you go saying he isn’t.”

  “Decent or not, he still has six children, Ida. I know you like to sacrifice, but such a high number and right off the bat!”

  “Well, it suits me.” Ida picked up the hamper. “Do you want to see Mamm?”

  A cloud crossed Lois’s face. “Perhaps I shouldn’t. But it’s been gut talking with you, Ida. I do so appreciate that. Maybe we can do this again sometime?” Lois glanced around. “I do so miss all of you. More than I care to admit sometimes.”

  “You can come back, you know.” Ida allowed hope to stir inside her. “That would be such a wunderbah day, Lois.”

  Lois shook her head. “I can’t, Ida. But chatting from time to time I can do.”

  Ida thought for a moment. “Will you come to Amish weddings?”

  “Oh!” Lois beamed. “You’re inviting me? Of course I will come.”

  Ida glanced toward the house again. “Go then before Mamm sees you. We’ll talk about this more later.”

  Lois ran across the lawn to the car, hopped in, started it up, and drove out the lane. Ida walked toward the basement steps, but she turned to watch Lois’s car disappear from sight. It was gut that Lois had stopped by, even if she never came back to the community. Lois would always be her sister. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to have them, but warm circles ran around her heart at the thought. Ida began to hum.