John was not prepared to delve into it with them—particularly Lydia—when nothing was certain. Best wait until things sorted out as God willed.
****
The evening meal was over, and Josie stood to clear the table.
“Wait, daughter,” Dat said, holding up his hand.
Josie sat.
“Your mamm and I have something to tell the family.”
Josie glanced at her sisters and brother and noted they looked as curious as she was. Mamm was smiling, though, so it couldn’t be bad news.
“The Board has selected a new teacher for the coming year.”
Relief swept through her. Now Mamm had no reason to keep on her about it.
“A widower,” Mamm interjected, “with a baby.”
“A baby?” her sister Susie asked. “I thought widowers were old.”
Dat chuckled. “They often are, daughter, but not this one. Sad to say, the young wife died of complications in childbirth. Tragic, really. But one must always trust the Lord God and His goodness. It’s all in His hands.” Dat’s face was solemn. “But to continue, your mamm and I have offered our daadi haus for the two of them to live in.”
“But that was Granddaedi’s house! No one else is supposed to live there,” Susie cried.
“Jah. It’s his house,” Rachel chimed in.
Again, Dat held up his hand. “Your dawdie has been gone for more than a year. The house is sitting vacant.”
“It’ll be nice to have some life in it again,” Mamm declared.
Josie remained silent, her mind wandering through memories of her elderly grandfather and the many afternoons she’d spent with him near the end.
“Of course, his boppli will need to be cared for.” Mamm looked with meaning at Josie.
Josie flinched and brought herself back to the present. “What?”
“We’ve offered your services to care for the baby during the school day,” Dat said. “Mamm thought it a good idea, and I agree.”
Frustration swept through Josie. Another attempt to keep me busy?
“Mamm! You couldn’t even ask me first?”
Dat’s brows wrinkled into a frown. “You’re still under this roof, Josie, and there will be no disrespect shown your elders. Besides, you’ve always liked the wee ones. Mamm thought you’d be happy to help the community in this way.”
“It is the Lord’s work,” Mamm said. “And this boppli has lost her mother. You’d be doing a great service.”
Josie’s breath seeped out, and she folded her hands on the table. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. At least she wasn’t being forced to teach. Truth was, she did love bopplis. But what she really wanted was a boppli of her own.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on her.
“Yes, Dat,” she agreed. “Of course, I will care for the boppli.”
“When’s he coming?” Rachel asked.
“Will he be our teacher?” Lizzie asked.
Dat chuckled. “He’ll teach both of you. Of course, our Susie’s too young, and she’ll continue in the same class she was in last year. The new teacher is coming next week. He wants to get his little one, Emmy Sue, well settled before the school year begins.”
“Which means you girls must give the daadi haus a thorough cleaning,”
“But, Mamm, we cleaned it last spring,” Susie said. “And no one’s used it since.”
Dat frowned and rose from the table. “If your mother says it needs cleaned, then it needs cleaned.”
“Jah, Dat. Sorry,” Susie mumbled.
Dat looked at his son. “Thomas, can you help me in the barn? The plow blade’s gone dull again.”
Thomas jumped up from the table, and the two of them headed out.
Josie eyed her mother, and there was no mistaking the satisfaction on her face.
Two
John Beiler sat in the rocker in the main house. Emmy Sue was perched on his knee where his large hands easily balanced her. He faced his in-laws, who both sat on the opposite couch.
“What’s this about?” Lydia asked, her voice suspicious. Her eyes narrowed, and her hands fidgeted with the corner of her apron, twisting the fabric around her fingers.
“Everything all right, son?” Ben Miller asked. “No troubles at work?”
“Nee. Everything’s fine at work.” John took a deep breath to quiet his heart. “I’ve made a decision.”
Lydia’s eyebrows arched high, and a look of dread covered her face.
“I’ll be moving to Hollybrook in a week.”
Lydia shot up. “What?”
Ben tried to grab her back down to the couch, but she resisted and remained standing. “Hollybrook? That’s miles away! Why?” Her voice rose in pitch with each word.
“I’m to be their new teacher.”
“What?” This time it was Ben’s incredulous voice.
John bounced Emmy on his knee and gave her a nervous smile. Looking at his in-laws, he continued. “You needn’t have any worries. They have a daadi haus for Emmy Sue and me. They’re providing meals, too.”
“But what about Emmy?” cried Lydia. “Who’s to look after her?”
“That’s all arranged, too,” John said, working to keep his voice level.
Lydia stepped to him and snatched Emmy Sue from his hands. Emmy Sue cried, and Lydia hushed her and held her close.
John stood. With measured movements, he removed Emmy Sue from Lydia’s arms and resumed his seat. Emmy blubbered and sucked on the edge of her hand.
Lydia sank to the couch, and Ben reached over and put his hand over hers.
“I appreciate both of you more than I can say…” John started.
“Then don’t do this!” Lydia cried. “Why take her away?”
John took a slow breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they brimmed with unshed tears. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Lydia. Or you, Ben. We’ll visit often. And you can visit us, too.” He pulled Emmy close to his chest. “I’ve prayed about it. Many times. It’s the right thing for Emmy and me both.”
Ben studied his son-in-law, sadness stamped across each of his features. He stood and walked over to John to put his hand on his shoulder. “I know this has been hard on you, John. It’s been hard on all of us. But do you really want to take Emmy Sue away from her grandparents? Her home?”
John looked at Ben and nodded. “For the school year, at least. This doesn’t mean we won’t come back.”
“But what about your job here? What about the Dry Goods and Supply?” Lydia asked.
“I’ve spoken with my brothers. My job will be here if I decide to come back.”
“If?” Lydia’s response was quick and choked with tears.
“Lydia, none of us knows what might happen. We learned that when Essie…” He paused. “Well, we learned that. Only the Lord God knows the future.”
“Please don’t do this,” she pleaded.
John looked at her, and a wave of compassion swept through him. But he knew that if he was to heal—if he was to become the father Emmy needed, he must go away. He must get out of Lydia and Ben’s house. Get away from all the memories. At least for a time. He dreaded causing his in-laws more pain. He knew only too well the amount of anguish they’d all faced when Essie passed. But this was the right move.
He felt it in his soul.
“I’m sorry, Lydia. Truly. But I must do this.”
She began weeping and put her hands over her eyes. Ben’s face turned a strange gray color. He coughed and cleared his throat.
“All right then, Son. If you have prayed over this and feel it’s the Lord’s will, then we’ll support you.” He looked at his wife. “Both of us will support you.”
“Thank you, sir,” John said. He swallowed over the tightness in his throat. “Again, I thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
He stood and held Emmy Sue close. “We will miss you. But it is for the best.”
With no further words, he slipped from the big house and went to the daadi
haus to pack.
****
“Is all ready?” Mamm asked for the fifth time.
“Jah. Please relax. You’re making everyone nervous,” Josie told her mother, feeling no small amount of nervous excitement herself.
“He should be here any minute.” Mamm glanced over the table, checking the setting once again.
“Stew is boiling!” Lizzie called from the kitchen.
“Get it off the burner, then,” Josie answered, hurrying into the kitchen to supervise.
“Exciting, isn’t it?” Lizzie asked, her gray eyes twinkling. “I hope he’s nice.”
Josie gave her sister a playful shove. “Of course, he’ll be nice. Have you ever had a mean teacher?”
Lizzie put her finger to her lip as if in great thought. Then she burst into giggles. “I’ve only had two teachers so far, and you know they were nice!”
“So, there you are.” Josie grabbed two hot pads and carried the pot of stew into the dining area.
“What if it gets cold before he arrives?” Susie asked. “Cold stew is icky.”
“She’s right,” Mamm said, worry etched on her face.
“He’s here!” cried Rachel from her perch next to the window. “The van is here!”
They all hurried through the front door and lined up on the top porch step. The white van stopped in front of the porch. Josie watched as inside the van, a man reached over to unlatch a baby’s car seat. The burly driver, one she didn’t recognize, jumped out and went around to the back of the van, opening the hatch door. He began removing various suitcases and a fairly large box.
Mamm bustled down the steps and stood before the vehicle as John Beiler emerged, holding the cutest baby Josie had ever clapped eyes on. The little girl cooed and stretched her chubby arms over her head. She had a tiny patch of red curls, and the wide-eyed charm she offered to the group of gawking strangers made Josie smile.
She watched the father and daughter together and saw the fond look on John’s face as he regarded the baby. Her heart stirred, and she knew she was going to like this new schoolteacher.
“Ach, what a charming boppli!” cried Mamm, giving Emmy’s chin a tickle.
“That she is,” agreed John, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a grin.
“And you’re John Beiler?” Mamm asked.
“Jah. That I am,” John replied.
“Good to see you. Welcome to your new home.” She turned to her daughters. “This is young Susie, and this is our Rachel—she’s going into seventh grade, and here is Lizzie—who’ll be in eighth. Our eldest daughter, Josie, will be caring for your wee one.”
John surveyed the group, his eyes coming to rest on Josie. Josie felt her cheeks flush, and awkwardly nodded a greeting.
Mamm leaned close to Emmy Sue and gave her another tickle. “Dinner is ready. Come join us.”
Josie was unsure whether she should take the baby from John. Was she to care for her only during school hours?
Mamm turned to the driver, who was still busy at the back of the van. “Will you also join us for dinner?”
“No, ma’am. I need to get back. But if you’ll show me where to put the luggage…”
Mamm gestured toward the porch. “Just set it right there. My husband and son will take it round back to the daadi haus.”
John grabbed one of the suitcases with his free hand and carried it to the porch. The driver made quick work of the rest of the bags, and they were soon all lined up ready to be moved. The driver bid his farewell, got back in the van, and headed off down the lane.
They all herded into the house just as Dat and Thomas came in from the barn.
Dat offered his hand to John. “Welcome, John Beiler. We’re pleased to have you with us.”
“Thank you, sir,” John answered with a smile.
Mamm interjected, “Malachi, will you and Thomas take the teacher’s luggage around back to the daadi haus? Then hurry back in for dinner.”
“Will do,” Dat agreed, and off the two of them went.
A few minutes later, Mamm had everyone organized at the table, and Dat gave the silent blessing. After the amen was sounded, Susie got busy making silly expressions at the baby, even wiggling her hands next to her own ears, pretending to be a goofy elephant.
“Susie, enough fooling around. Eat your dinner, child,” Dat instructed.
Rachel and Lizzie both laughed. “Our Susie loves the bopplis,” Rachel said.
John gazed with tenderness at Emmy Sue, who sat on his lap.
“We do have a high chair, you know,” Mamm said, pointing to an old wooden chair that had been stored in the attic since older brother Matthew’s little ones had grown out of it.
“With so many new faces, I thought Emmy might be more comfortable sticking close to her dat,” John said and gave Emmy Sue a squeeze.
Emmy leaned against John’s broad chest, and her eyelids flickered and slowly closed.
“She’s going to sleep,” Susie observed.
“That she is,” John said and laughed.
Mamm passed the warm biscuits around the table for the second time. Josie ate quietly, observing the baby and this man who would now be such a huge part of her life. She’d been reluctant in the beginning, but now, seeing Emmy Sue, her heart warmed and she looked forward to the first day of school when she’d be given the baby’s full care.
She didn’t dare consider her interest toward the handsome blue-eyed man holding the little one.
****
John glanced around his new home. The Bontrager’s daadi haus was bigger than the Miller’s. He went to the smaller bedroom and lay Emmy Sue on her back in the crib placed next to the window. He ran his hand over the smooth shiny wood and wondered whether Mr. Bontrager had made it himself. Peering down at his daughter, he noted her soft regular breaths and smiled.
“Welcome to our new life,” he whispered and then quietly left the room. He unpacked what he could but didn’t put any of the baby’s things away for fear of waking her. All in all, he hadn’t brought much with him. He’d been hesitant to bring any of his and Essie’s household goods, out of concern for Lydia. He feared she might come completely unglued if she went out to the daadi haus and found Essie’s special dishes and her ornate clock gone—even though he’d been the one to give the clock to Essie as an engagement gift.
John shook his head. Dwelling on old memories wasn’t going to help this chance at a new beginning.
There was a tentative knock at the door. He opened it to Lizzie.
“Mamm thought you might like to see the school room. It’s close by, so no need to take the buggy.” She looked at her new teacher and gave him a shy smile. “Mamm said if you’d like to go now and the baby is still asleep, Josie can watch her while I take you over.”
John returned her smile. “That’s kind of you. It’s Lizzie, isn’t it?”
She nodded.
“That’s a fine offer, but I’d prefer to wait for Emmy to wake up. She’ll want to see where her daddy’s working, jah?”
Lizzie’s forehead creased. “But she’s too young to understand.”
John laughed. “I know. Just teasing. But I will take you up on your offer when she awakens. If it isn’t too dark.”
Lizzie glanced up at the sky. “Will she sleep that long?”
John was embarrassed to discover he wasn’t well acquainted with his daughter’s napping habits. He realized anew how much Lydia had done for the baby and how little he had done. Yet caring for bopplis was woman’s work, wasn’t it?
But what about bopplis with no mama?
John tensed and felt the familiar emptiness in his heart. His life was backwards, turned upside down. Nothing was right.
Lizzie stood on the porch staring at him. “You okay, Mr. Beiler?”
He cleared his throat. “Jah. Of course. I’ll see you later, then?”
“Come on over when Emmy Sue’s up. I’ll be ready.” Lizzie turned on her heel and disappeared around the corner of the big house.
/> John took a step out onto the porch. He inhaled deeply, smelling the roses that climbed the trellis against the side of the house. He heard a noise and glanced toward the clothesline that stretched the entire length of both houses.
“Sorry,” Josie said. “Susie had a little mishap with the grapes. I did an emergency wash up.”
With that, she flung the dripping apron over the line, securing it with two pins.
John raised his chin in acknowledgement. “Susie’s the youngest, right?”
“Jah.” She ran her hands down her own apron and started back toward the big house.
“Wait a moment,” he called after her. She turned, and he continued. “You’ll be the one to watch my Emmy Sue then?”
Josie walked over to him. He couldn’t help but notice how dark her eyes were—he’d almost classify them as black. He saw from the loose wispy curls framing her face that her hair was a good match. She had a warm smile, and he felt himself strangely at ease with her.
“Jah, I’ll be caring for her. I’m looking forward to it, Mr. Beiler.” Her voice was melodious and kind, which boded well for his daughter.
“I’ll be heading to the school later today with your sister,” he said. “Tomorrow, I reckon I’ll want to spend more time there, making plans and such. I’m also meeting with the board in the afternoon. Do you think you could watch Emmy for me both those times?”
“Of course.”
“I probably should give you information on her bottles. We had a wet nurse in the beginning … after Essie…” John blew out his breath. Explaining it never got easier. “Anyway, Emmy takes a bottle now. I’ll show you everything.”
Her smile deepened, and he sensed both her compassion and her interest regarding Emmy Sue. The muscles along his spine relaxed, and he stepped off the porch. “My mother-in-law has been caring for her since my wife died.”
How many more months needed to pass before his throat didn’t close up every time he spoke of Essie’s death? Josie watched him, her expression soft. He gave a small cough.
Amish Days: The Schoolteacher's Baby: An Amish Romance Short Story (Hollybrook Amish Romance) Page 2
