“Why?”
“I dunno . . .” Sarah said uncomfortably.
“Sarah . . .” said Mr. Kurtz. “You won’t get better if you don’t answer honestly.”
Sarah sighed, looking as if she wanted to be anywhere but here. “I am always afraid I am failing. My neatness. My classwork. The only place I’m really comfortable is here.”
“Okay. So you feel as though you don’t measure up.”
“Nee.”
“According to whose ideals, Sarah?”
Sarah couldn’t answer. She opened and closed her mouth. Then, “Mine?”
“Exactly. We’ll be working with you on learning how to be comfortable with working to the expectations of others, especially when theirs aren’t as high as yours. Okay?”
Sarah looked silently at Amanda, then gave her the ghost of a smile.
“Denki. I like that. I must get started with supper, if you’ll excuse me,” she said.
Several minutes later, after tucking signed forms into her bag, Amanda left and returned to town. She was unaware that one additional person knew about her work with the Kurtz children.
At the Lapp farm, Hannah busily basted meat and chopped vegetables with her mother. She worked almost on autopilot as her mind threshed through the logistics of where Amanda was working with the Kurtz children. The school house was empty and locked when I passed by. Where could she be meeting them? How do I use this information and get Annie removed from her teaching position here in Peace Landing? What can I say that will make it impossible for her to stay in her role as a teacher?
After dinner in the Lapp household was over, Hannah and her mother washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen. As soon as she could, Hannah disappeared upstairs into her bedroom so she could puzzle over the information she had and how best she could use it against Annie.
That kind of information is supposed to be confidential. If I spread it and make it look as though Annie is saying something she’s not supposed to be saying, I can make sure it gets to the different school board members. Once they know she’s spread private information . . . Hannah’s mouth widened in an eerie, satisfied rictus. Nodding once sharply, she went back downstairs to spend time with her family.
***
The next day, after she finished her chores, she offered to shop for her mother.
“Ya, Hannah, I do have a lot to do here. If you’ll take this list and the money, buy what we need. Are you going to check on that opening in Hope Township? It’s been a few weeks, you know,” said her mother. “Your brother will be here to take you to the store in a few minutes.”
“Mamm, why can’t I go by myself like other girls my age?” asked Hannah in an aggrieved voice.
“Hannah, you have a wild streak. Your father and I have decided you need someone to watch over you to make sure you don’t try to do anything. When we see we can trust you, then we will allow you to go to town without an escort,” her mother said firmly.
Hannah, unwilling to admit that she was, indeed, up to something, clamped her lips shut tightly, looked at the ground and nodded.
“Ya, I know. I’m trying to show you I can be trusted.”
Ten minutes later, Jacob was sitting next to her, directing Mollie, their mare.
“I have this list of things from mamm, and I think it’ll take me about an hour to get them all. Do you need to get anything?”
“We need a part for the plow, so I want to see if it’s in,” said Jacob. “I won’t be more than ten minutes while I check. Will you be okay while I’m gone?”
“Ya,” Hannah said as she rolled her eyes mentally. She had lied to Jacob about how long it would take to complete the shopping – she knew she’d be done in less than thirty minutes. She rushed through her shopping then, when she was done, she loaded her family’s purchases in the back of the buggy and returned to the inside of the store, where she sought out an old schoolmate.
“Miriam, do you know what I heard about the Kurtz children? Do you remember what happened to Barbara and their mother?”
Miriam, always ready to gossip eagerly nodded. Ten minutes later, she scurried off, bursting with the “secret” that Hannah had just implored her to keep, upon pain of the loss of their friendship if she breathed even one word.
Hannah, looking at the other woman, smiled in self-satisfaction. Miriam is such a gossip. This will be spreading through Peace Landing by tomorrow morning. Now, to find just one more person to tell before Jacob finishes his errand . . .
Wandering around the small store, Hannah sniffed at the fruits and vegetables, looking around surreptitiously. Seeing Rachel Yoder, she waved happily to her and set the oranges down.
“Rachel how are you? it’s been so long!”
“Yes, it has! We hardly ever see you in town! What are you doing?”
“Today, helping mamm out with the shopping. I am hoping I can get to Hope Township to check on a teaching position I’m interested in . . .” Ten minutes later, Hannah had done just a little more damage. Rachel was appropriately shocked and disgusted by the ‘news’ Hannah had just told her. “Please, Rachel, you have to keep this to yourself.”
“Oh, I will . . . but I can’t believe that of Annie! Oh, will you look at the time. I need to get home so I can start on supper,” Rachel said as she hurried to buy her purchases.
“I have to go, too. Jacob is probably done with his own errand,” Hannah said. “Remember . . .”
“I will.” Rachel gave another head-shake of disgust.
After driving to Hope Township, where Hannah learned she was high on the list of teaching candidates, she and Jacob returned home. Hannah wore a smile and allowed Jacob to pass it off to the news she had gotten about the teaching position. In reality, she knew that Annie’s reputation was already being shredded.
***
One week later, Annie and her mother were buying groceries. Annie smiled at a former classmate, who looked unsmilingly at her and walked past without saying a word.
Annie turned and looked at the classmate, stunned. Over the next several days, she grew more puzzled and hurt.
“Mamm, I don’t know what’s going on! But I’ve been ignored by more people in the past week than I have in my whole life!”
“It will come out eventually, Annie. More often than not, these people have been influenced by a lie. I know you’re a good person, and so do you. Just keep on doing the work you’re doing and we’ll find out what’s going on,” said Mrs. Fisher, giving her distraught daughter a firm hug.
***
The “secret” Hannah told Miriam and Rachel had begun flying through Peace Landing, moving from person to person much the same as a flu germ would. Some who heard the gossip discounted it, knowing that Annie was more ethical than the gossip suggested; others were ready to believe it, if only to liven up dull lives. Those in the second group, not knowing or caring that the gossip was a lie, eagerly spread it to others. And, as usually happens with gossip, it reached the ears of someone involved with the family – Mr. Kopp.
“What do you say?” he growled to his wife.
“I heard that Miss Fisher has been talking about the Kurtz family seeing that Englisher therapist. It’s all over town, John! In the store. If it’s true . . .”
“She has spoken of something she promised she would keep confidential,” said Mr. Kopp.
“I hope you’ll find out what – or who – is at the bottom of this, John. I trust the Fishers. They are honest and humble,” said his wife.
“Bah. Maybe so. But this news is spreading from some source, and the only ones who know about it should be Miss Fisher, the Kurtz family and me.” Mr. Kopp had completely forgotten about his conversation with Annie, when she came to him with the news that Hannah Lapp had somehow found out about her arrangements for the Kurtz children. “I am going to see her and find out what happened. We may have to look for another teacher.” Clapping his hat on his head, he drove to the Fisher farm, where he waited for Annie to return from that day’s school sess
ion.
CHAPTER SIX
“Annie, do you remember when you were snubbed at the store? I think I know what happened . . . Mr. Kopp is here to see you, and he’s not happy,” Mrs. Fisher said in warning.
“Mr. Kopp? Oh, no . . .” Annie dropped her books and lunch pail and ran into the kitchen.
“Mr. Kopp. My mother told me . . .”
“Sit, Miss Fisher. We must talk,” said Mr. Kopp.
“What is it?” Annie said, feeling apprehension squirming in her stomach.
“Why did you disregard my directive for privacy for the Kurtz children? It’s all over town that they’re seeing that Englisher therapist.”
“But . . . but sir! I came to you and told you that Hannah Lapp had somehow found out about what I set up! I don’t know what you’re talking about, because I have said nothing to anyone. I know these things have to stay confidential, and I know why!” Annie wrung her fingers together, struggling to hold back hot tears. Now, the snubs she’d received began making sense.
“Different community members are aware that the Kurtz children are working with a therapist. My wife told me! She heard it at the store in town.”
Annie drooped her kapp-covered head. She was stunned. She didn’t know how it could have happened, given all the precautions she and Amanda Williams had taken.
“Mr. Kopp, to protect their confidentiality, I had Amanda – my friend – meet with them at their farm, after school. I figured, after what Hannah had asked me, that it would be too risky for them to work at the school. Do you remember . . . that day that I came to you with my concerns?”
“No. No I don’t. I don’t want to say this, Miss Fisher, but I almost believe you’re trying to lie to protect your position as the Peace Landing teacher. Continue teaching. We will be in touch with you in due time,” said Mr. Kopp.
Annie was unable to help her mother with dinner preparations because she was so upset. Every time she thought about their conversation, she felt a wave of queasiness and began crying all over again.
“Annie, you told him the truth. You’re an honest young woman and the truth will come out. Whoever is doing this, it will come out. Please come down for dinner,” said Mrs. Fisher.
“Nee, mamm, denki. I can’t eat. I’m too upset and my stomach is very upset. I went to him! I told him what I found out!” Annie said, a wave of fresh tears engulfing her.
After Mrs. Fisher had cleaned up the kitchen, she went upstairs to tell her that Jenny King was waiting for her downstairs.
Annie reluctantly got up, washed her face, combed her hair and put her kapp back on. Downstairs, her pink nose and reddened eyes gave away her upset and Jenny’s eyes widened.
“Annie, what’s wrong??” Annie explained the whole story and Jenny was just as upset.
“You said you saw Hannah Lapp around the school house on that first day? Annie, do you know what kind of a troublemaker she is within Peace Landing? You may not know because you only recently came back from your ‘running-about’ time.”
“N-no, I wasn’t aware of that. All I remember is that she was very upset that day after meeting when Mr. Kopp told me the teaching job was mine – and now, it may not be mine,” Annie said softly, succumbing to a fresh wave of tears.
“I don’t like talking against anyone, but this sounds just like something she would do. If you promise me you’ll keep this to yourself, I’ll tell you what she’s done to others,” Jenny said quietly. She looked up quickly as Mrs. Fisher came in.
“Would you like lemonade or cookies? Annie, you had no dinner. Try to eat something, please?” implored Mrs. Fisher.
“Ya, I’ll try something,” Annie said, sighing.
“Do you think it would help for your mother to hear this?” Jenny asked.
Mrs. Fisher wisely stayed out of that question, allowing Annie to respond.
“She was a teacher, so she knows the rules. Ya, I do. Mamm, Jenny is about to tell me how this news might have gotten out. Would you sit down and talk with us?”
“Ya, denki,” said Mrs. Fisher.
The three women sat around the large table and talked about Hannah Lapp’s transgressions. They talked about the gossip she had started against an imagined romantic rival and different rumors she had had a part in against former classmates. When they got to the current gossip making the rounds of Peace Landing, Mrs. Fisher listened very closely.
“Yes, it is very important to keep the confidentiality of families receiving any extraordinary services. I know that Annie spoke to Mr. Kopp when Hannah asked her about the Englisher counselor – she was very concerned. When we went to town a few weeks ago, she was snubbed by several people, and now I think we know why,” finished Mrs. Fisher.
Annie, now knowing what she did, was even more upset. I don’t want another situation like I was involved in with Barbara Kurtz. She rubbed the spot on her thigh where her leg had been broken in a violent encounter with Barbara. All I want is to see Mark and teach. That’s not too much to ask! Why does Hannah want what she can’t have?
“Annie, we will go talk to Mr. Kopp. Before we do, we’ll come up with some ideas to show that you didn’t break the confidentiality of the Kurtz family. It will be all right!” She smiled and gripped Annie’s limp hand.
Annie gave her mother a faint smile. “Denki, mamm.”
***
However, the next evening, Annie received a visit from the entire school board – all three members, after dinner.
“Annie, the school board is here to talk to you. Just remember, stay calm and be honest,” said Mr. Fisher.
Annie went downstairs, feeling a return of her queasiness and nervousness. Walking into the kitchen, she knew her nerves were showing.
“Mr. Kopp, Mr. Zook, good evening. Hello,” she said.
“Miss Fisher, we need to get to the bottom of this. We want to interview you and tell us everything that you remember happening.”
“Ya . . .” Annie turned in surprise as her mother came into the kitchen, smoothing her kapp over her smooth brown hair.
“Mr. Kopp, would you mind if I sat in on your meeting? I’d like to speak in Annie’s defense, if I could,” she asked.
The school board members looked at each other and nodded.
“Ya, you may, Mrs. Fisher. We only want to get to the bottom of this situation and make the best decision possible,” said Mr. Kopp.
“Annie, explain what you told me about how Hannah found out about the Kurtz children seeing your friend,” directed Mrs. Fisher.
“After the first day of school, I locked up and went to the barn to get in my buggy and come home. Hannah came to me from the road and asked me about the Kurtz children, and I told her I couldn’t say anything. That’s when I went to your farm, Mr. Kopp, because I didn’t know how she found out about the counseling,” Annie said truthfully.
“Miss Fisher, are you aware she’s been hanging around the school? She’s applied for a position teaching outside Peace Landing, but until she hears anything, she stays very close to the school, listening to you teach,” said Mr. Zook.
“No! No I wasn’t aware of that. Today is the first day I knew of this,” Annie said.
“If you’ll allow me to speak out, I have something important to add. Hannah Lapp has a well-deserved reputation as a troublemaker. I’ve taught Hannah, and, in all the years she was my student, I figured out what lengths she’d go to get what she wanted,” said Mrs. Fisher.
Mr. Kopp leaned back in the chair and scrubbed his hands over his face.
“Miss Fisher, I owe you an apology. I remember now that you did come to me with your worries. A farm emergency took me away from our conversation – do you remember the bull in my field?”
“Ya.”
“When Micah told me about that bull, I completely forgot about our conversation, and for that, I sincerely apologize. Your job teaching is secure – but we must ask you to ask your friend and Mr. Kurtz to move their counseling sessions outside Peace Landing. Perhaps in the next town ove
r . . .”
“Ya, I will! Denki, Mr. Kopp!” Annie smiled broadly, feeling the heavy weight lifting from her stomach and spirit. She sat straight, looking forward to the next day.
Chapter 4
The next morning, Hannah Lapp got up quickly and rushed through breakfast preparation and house cleaning for her family – she needed to get to the school house to see who had taken Annie’s place. She had been roaming throughout Peace Landing and learned that the school board had planned to visit Annie the day before.
“Come on! You need to leave for school and I have housework to do. Go on!” she told her younger siblings. They looked strangely at her, knowing that they still had a few minutes before they needed to walk to school.
Hannah released a sigh of relief when they had left. Gathering the dirty dishes, she quickly washed and dried them, putting them away. Making sure her kapp was settled on her head, she hurried to the school house, taking her usual roundabout way to get to the side window. Crouching down, she cocked her hear so she could hear the instruction taking place inside. After several minutes, Hannah’s jaw dropped.
Is she still in the classroom? The way Mr. Kopp was talking, she was about to be fired! What happened? Hannah was stunned to the point that she nearly revealed herself as she quickly stood up to leave and go back home. At home, she was grumpy and had to fight not to take her mood out on her parents or Jacob. After lunch, she received a visit from the school board of the Hope Township school.
“Miss Lapp, we have selected you to be our teacher, beginning after the Christmas holy day. You are replacing a teacher who has chosen to stay at home with her family. Here are the materials you need on your students. Study them and be ready to start school right after the beginning of the new year,” the school board president said.
Hannah, knowing her parents were watching, pasted a less-than-enthusiastic smile on her face. “Thank you. I am . . . honored.” She accepted the small packet of information. “How many students will I be teaching?”
“Eighteen. You have a good spread in the age and grade ranges. Come to the school before the beginning of the next year and I’ll introduce you to your students and the outgoing teacher, hmmm?” suggested the president.
Simple Amish Love 3-Book Collection Page 9
