The Hope Chest

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Rachel reached for a bag of sugar on the top shelf of the cupboard. She’d have to wait awhile yet ... until she had Anna all to herself.

  The pie baking was finished a little before noon, and Anna, who seemed quite anxious to be on her way, asked if she could forgo lunch and head on over to Emma’s.

  “I suppose that would be okay,” Mom said. “I could fix you a sandwich to eat on the way.”

  Anna waved her hand. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’m sure Emma will have something for me to eat.”

  Mom nodded but sent Anna off with a basket of fresh fruit and a jug of freshly made iced tea. “For Emma,” she stated.

  Rachel finished wiping down the table, then excused herself to go outside, hoping her sister hadn’t left yet. She saw Anna hitching the horse to the buggy, but just when she was about to call out to her, Dad came running across the yard. “Not so late tonight, Anna!”

  Anna climbed into the buggy. “I’ll do my best to be back before dark.”

  Dad stepped aside, and the horse moved forward.

  Rachel’s heart sank. Not again! Am I ever going to get the chance to speak with that sister of mine? With a sigh of resignation, she turned and headed back to the house. Today was not going one bit as she’d planned.

  CHAPTER 7

  Rachel gripped the front porch railing, watching as Anna climbed out of the buggy and began to unhitch the horse. It was almost dark. She could hardly believe her sister would be so brazen as to disobey their parents two nights in a row. What kind of shenanigan is Anna pulling now? Why is she acting so defiant all of a sudden?

  Before Rachel had a chance to say anything to her sister, Dad was at Anna’s side, taking the reins from her. “Late again,” he grumbled. “You know right well we don’t like you out this late. You’d better have a good excuse for this. Something better than what you told us last night.”

  Rachel wanted to holler, “What did you tell them last night?” Instead, she just stood like a statue, waiting to hear Anna’s reply.

  Anna hung her head. “I ... uh ... need to have a little heart-to-heart talk with you and Mom.”

  “Fine. I’ll do up the horse, then meet you inside.” Dad walked away, and Anna stepped onto the porch. She drew Rachel into her arms.

  “What was that for?” A feeling of bewilderment mixed with mounting fear crept into Rachel’s soul.

  Anna’s eyes glistened with tears. “No matter what happens, always remember that I love you.”

  Rachel’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s going on, Anna? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  Anna’s only response was a deep sigh.

  “I’ve been wanting to talk to you all day—to see why you’ve been acting so strange and to find out how come you were late getting home last night.”

  Anna drew in a shuddering breath. “Guess you’ll learn it soon enough, because I’m about to tell Dad and Mom the truth about where I was then and why I’m late again tonight.”

  “Weren’t you running errands in Paradise yesterday?”

  Anna shook her head.

  “And today—didn’t you spend the day at Emma Troyer’s?”

  “I went to Lancaster both times,” Anna admitted as she sank into one of the wicker chairs sitting on the front porch. “I know you probably won’t understand this, but I’m going to have to leave the Amish faith.”

  Rachel’s mouth dropped open. “What? Oh, no ... that just can’t be!”

  “It’s true.”

  “But how can you even think of doing such a thing now that you’ve been baptized and joined the church? Don’t you know what it will mean if you leave now?”

  A pathetic groan escaped Anna’s lips, and she began to cry.

  Rachel knelt in front of the chair and grasped her sister’s trembling hand. “I’m guessing the folks don’t know,” she said, hoping this was some kind of a crazy mistake and that as soon as Anna was thinking straight again, she would say it was only a joke and that everything would be all right.

  “I made up some story about why I was late last night.”

  “What story was that?”

  “I said I was with Silas all day, and the reason I wasn’t wearing my cape and apron was because I spilled ice cream all over me.”

  “And the kapp? How come you weren’t wearing that last night?”

  Anna winced as though she’d been slapped. “I lied about that, too. Said Silas wanted to see me with my hair down, so I took the kapp off and forgot to put it back on before I headed home.”

  Rachel’s mind whirled like Mom’s gas-powered washing machine running at full speed. First Anna had said she wasn’t interested in Silas; then she’d lied and said she was. It made no sense. And why would her sister do something so bold as to let her hair down in front of Silas—or anyone else, for that matter?

  The words Rachel wanted to speak stuck in her throat like a wad of chewing gum.

  “You ... you ... really lied to the folks about all that?” she finally squeaked.

  Anna nodded.

  “And they believed you? I mean, you said the other day that you had no interest in Silas.”

  “I know, but I wanted to throw them off track.” Anna swallowed so hard her Adam’s apple jiggled up and down. “I’ve got to tell them the truth now; there’s no other way.”

  Rachel made little circles with her fingers across the bridge of her nose. This wasn’t good. Not good at all. Anna had been lying to Mom and Dad and saying things about leaving the Amish faith. How could she be so mixed-up? What in the world was happening to their family?

  Rachel had every intention of questioning her sister further, but Dad stepped onto the porch just then. “Let’s go into the kitchen, Anna.” He pointed at Rachel. “You’d better go on up to bed.”

  Obediently but regretfully, Rachel stood, offering Anna a feeble smile. At this rate, she would never find out the whole story.

  When Rachel entered the kitchen, she discovered her mother working on a quilt. A variety of lush greens lay beside vivid red patches spread out on the table, making it look like a colorful jigsaw puzzle.

  “Isn’t it nice?” Mom asked as she glanced up at Rachel. “This is going to be for Anna’s hope chest, seeing as to how she’s got herself an interested suitor and all. Why, did you know that she snuck off yesterday just to be with Silas Swartley? The little scamp told us she wasn’t interested in him, but it seems she’s changed her mind.”

  Before Rachel could comment, Dad and Anna entered the room. “ Gut nacht, Rachel,” Dad said, nodding toward the hallway door.

  “Good night,” Rachel mumbled as she exited the room, only closing the door partway. She stopped on the stairwell, out of sight from those in the kitchen. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but she simply couldn’t go to bed until she found out what was going on with her sister.

  “Anna, you said you had something to say,” Dad’s voice boomed from the kitchen. “Seems as though you ought to start by explaining why you’re so late.”

  “She was probably with Silas again,” Mom interjected. “Anna, we don’t have a problem with him courting you, but we just can’t have you out near dark by yourself. It’s much too dangerous.”

  Rachel knew Anna was taking the time to think before she spoke, because there was a long pause and a shuffling of feet. Suddenly, her sister blurted out, “I lied about me and Silas. He’s not courting me, and I–I’m sorry to be telling you this, but I’ll be leaving the faith.”

  Goose bumps erupted on Rachel’s arms as she peered through the crack in the doorway and saw Mom’s face blanch.

  “You’re what?” Dad hollered.

  “I–I’m leaving because I got married today.”

  “You were supposed to be at Emma’s,” Mom said as though the word married had never been mentioned.

  “What are you talkin’ about, girl?” Dad sputtered. “How can you possibly be married?”

  “Reuben Yutzy and I got married today by a justice of the peace in Lancaster.” Anna
’s voice sounded stronger by the minute. “We’ve been seeing each other secretly for some time now, and yesterday we went to get our marriage license.”

  Rachel clasped her hand over her mouth as she stifled a gasp. This was worse than she had imagined, and it simply couldn’t be true.

  “What caused you to do such a thing?” Dad’s back was to Rachel, and she could only imagine how red his face must be.

  “If it’s Reuben you love and wanted to marry, why did you hide it?” Mom’s voice quavered like she was close to tears. “Why didn’t Reuben speak with one of the deacons about the two of you getting married? We could have had the wedding this fall, and—”

  “I’m sure you must know that Reuben hasn’t been baptized or joined the church yet, and he doesn’t plan to, either.” There was a pause, and Anna cleared her throat a couple of times. “So that means I’ll have to leave the Amish faith in order to be with him.”

  “You can’t be serious about this!”

  “Daniel, you’ll wake the whole house.” Mom’s voice lowered to a near whisper, and Rachel had to strain to hear what was being said.

  “I don’t care if I do wake everyone! This is most serious business our daughter has brought to us tonight.”

  “Can’t we at least discuss this in a quiet manner?” Mom asked in a pleading tone.

  Dad shuffled his feet a few times, the way he always did whenever he was trying to get himself calmed down. A chair scraped across the kitchen floor. “Sit down, daughter, and explain this rebellious act of yours.”

  Rachel stood twisting the corners of her apron, too afraid to breathe. Nothing like this had ever happened in the Beachy home, and she couldn’t imagine how it would all turn out.

  “Reuben and I have been in love for some time, and I was hoping he would decide to join the church, but he wants to go English, so if I’m to be with him, then—”

  “You could have told him no—that you wouldn’t marry him unless he joined our church.”

  “Dad, please try to understand. I love Reuben so much, and I feel that my place is with him no matter which world we must live in.”

  “So you just snuck off and got married without consulting any of us first? Is that the way we do things in this family, Anna?” When Mom stopped speaking, she released a muffled sob.

  Dad leaned over so he was looking Anna right in the face. “Why’d you wait so long to tell us this? Why weren’t you honest from the beginning?”

  “I was afraid if I was up front with you about this that you wouldn’t understand and would try to talk me out of marrying Reuben.”

  He nodded. “That’s right. We would have. Any decent parent would try to make their kinner understand the consequences of a choice such as this.”

  Mom let loose with another sob, and it nearly chilled Rachel to the bone. She leaned against the wall, feeling as if her whole world was caving in around her. How could she have been so blind? Anna had been telling her that she didn’t love Silas, yet she’d been leading the poor fellow on. She’d been acting secretive and kind of pensive lately, too. Rachel should have asked her sister what was going on much sooner. If Anna had been straight with her about things, maybe she could have talked some sense into her stubborn head.

  “As you probably know, Reuben’s got himself a job working for a paint contractor in Lancaster,” Anna continued. “That’s where we plan to live—in an apartment Reuben found for us. I just came home tonight to explain things and gather up my belongings. Reuben’s home telling his folks now, too, and he’s coming to get me in the morning.”

  “I won’t hear this kind of talk in my house!” There was a thud, and Rachel was pretty sure her father’s hand had connected with the kitchen table.

  “Oh, Daniel, now look what you’ve gone and done,” Mom said tearfully. “All my squares are verhuddelt.”

  “Our daughter’s just announced that she’s gotten married today and plans to leave the faith, and all you can think about is your mixed-up quilting squares? What’s wrong with you, fraa?”

  “But ... but ... Anna was raised in the Amish faith,” Mom blubbered. “She’s been baptized and has already joined the church, so we’ll have to shun her now.”

  “Don’t you think I know that already?”

  Rachel chanced another peek to see how things were looking. Dad paced back and forth across the faded linoleum. Mom had gathered up the quilting pieces that had been scattered all over the table. Anna just sat with her arms folded.

  “I know you don’t understand my decision to go English with Reuben, but I love him ever so much.”

  Dad slapped his hands together, and Rachel jumped back behind the door. “You’re our firstborn child, Anna, and it’s gonna break our hearts if you run off and leave your faith behind.”

  “I’m not giving up my faith in God,” Anna defended. “We’ll find another church where we can worship God.”

  “Are you sure you can’t talk Reuben into staying Amish?”

  “No, Mom. Reuben’s set on leaving. He likes having a truck to drive, and he enjoys many other modern things.”

  “Maybe I should have a little talk with that young fellow. Might could be that he’ll come to his senses once I set him straight on a few things.”

  “Please, Dad, don’t do that. I’m sure it will only make things worse.”

  “You’d have to give up your way of dress if you left,” Mom said.

  “I know.”

  “Since Reuben’s not joined the church, he won’t be shunned, but you will be, Anna. Surely you must realize the seriousness of this.”

  “I know it won’t be easy.” Anna sighed. “For Reuben’s sake, I’ll just have to deal with it.”

  Dad’s fist pounded the table again. “You can’t do this, Anna. I forbid it!”

  Rachel shuddered. Whenever their father forbade anyone in the family to do anything, that was the end of it, plain and simple. No arguments. No discussion. But if Anna was already married to Reuben, then she had to consider what he wanted now, didn’t she?

  Anna sucked in a huge sob. “I’m sorry, Mom and Dad, but my place is with Reuben, and the two of us will be moving to Lancaster in the morning no matter what anyone says.”

  Rachel had heard all she could stand, and a raw ache settled in the pit of her stomach. She turned and tiptoed up the stairs as quickly as she could. Her oldest sister was about to be shunned, and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.

  ***

  Morning came much too quickly as far as Rachel was concerned. To make matters worse, she had awakened feeling as though she hadn’t slept at all. Part of her heart went out to her sister, for she seemed so sincere in her proclamation about loving Reuben and needing to leave the Amish faith because of his desire to go English. Another part of her heart felt sorry for poor, lovesick Silas. What was he going to say when he got wind of this terrible news? He’d been friends with Anna a long time and had brought her home from a singing not long ago. He must believe he had a chance with her.

  And what about the greenhouse? Who would help Mom and Dad with that? Anna had been working there for several years, and the folks weren’t getting any younger. Eventually they would need someone to take the business over completely.

  Rachel slipped out of her nightgown and into a dress, feeling like the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. She was sure that she would be asked to fill in for Anna at the greenhouse. Joseph liked flowers well enough, but he was busy working the fields, and Dad often helped in the fields, especially during harvest season. If Rachel were forced into the confines of the stuffy, humid greenhouse, she would hardly have any time for watching birds, hiking, or fishing. She knew it was selfish, but she was more than a little miffed at Anna for sticking her with this added responsibility.

  A sudden ray of hope ignited in Rachel’s heart. With Anna leaving, Silas might begin to take notice of her.

  She poured some water from the pitcher on her dresser into the washing bowl. Guess I could even tolerate
working with flowers all day if I had a chance at love with Silas.

  The idea stuck in Rachel’s mind like unbuttered taffy, and she splashed some water on her face, hoping the stinging cold might get her thinking straight. As the cool liquid made contact, she allowed her anxiety to fully surface. Silas wasn’t going to turn to her just because Anna was no longer available. Besides, even if by some miracle he did, Rachel would be his second choice. She’d be like yesterday’s warmed-over stew.

  Her shoulders drooped with anguish and a feeling of hopelessness. She wasn’t sure she wanted Silas’s love if it had to be that way. But then, she was a beggar, and beggars couldn’t be choosy.

  Rachel hung her nightgown on a wall peg and put her head covering in place. She might look ready to face the day, but in her heart she sure wasn’t ready. She hated the thought of going downstairs. After everything that had gone on between Anna and the folks last night, Rachel had a pretty good notion what things would be like with the start of this new day. As much as she might like a chance with Silas, she didn’t want it this way. Anna’s leaving would affect them all.

  A sudden knock on the door startled her. “Who is it?”

  “Rachel, it’s me. Are you up?” Anna called through the closed door.

  “Just getting dressed. Tell Mom I’ll be right down to help with breakfast.”

  “Could I come in? I need to talk to you.”

  “Jah, sure.”

  When Anna opened the door, Rachel saw immediately that she had been crying. Probably most of the night, truth be told. She also noticed that her sister’s hope chest was at her feet.

  Anna bent down and pushed the cumbersome trunk into Rachel’s room. “I can’t stay long,” she said in a quavering voice. “I’ll be leaving soon, but I wanted you to have this before I go.”

  Rachel’s heart slammed into her chest. Should she tell Anna she had been listening in on her private conversation with the folks last night or play dumb? Probably wouldn’t be a good idea to let her know she had been eavesdropping.

  “You’re leaving?” she mumbled.