The Atonement

by Beverly Lewis

  Upstairs, Lucy said good-night to Lettie and Faye, who said the same, mercifully not prying tonight.

  Lucy hurried to the third-floor staircase, put out with herself for having forgotten to remove her jacket downstairs. Going to the row of wooden wall pegs, she hung it there, then sat with a thump at her desk. Dare she try to finish her list of blessings?

  She glanced toward the window and saw only the stars and the rising moon. “I’m in no mood,” she murmured, opening her desk drawer and staring at the short list. Of course she was grateful for these people in her life, but when it came to listing less tangible blessings, she didn’t know where to start.

  Instead, she fretted over her conversation with Tobe. She saw it now for what it was—two lifetime friends moving away from each other. Since he’s probably leaving. Just the thought of never seeing him again made her feel depressed. But what could be done? It wasn’t as if she could expect him to stay in touch when he was clearly looking to marry and settle down. She was ever so sure he would find someone out west. Considerate and caring as he is . . . my best-ever friend.

  She liked the idea of putting that on her list and pulled the page out of her drawer. Friendship, loyal and true, she wrote.

  “What else?” She twiddled with the pen. Were there any blessings that had come from her time of grief? After all, she was fairly sure that focusing on those unexpected blessings was the purpose of the assignment. “Saying good-bye takes time,” the leader had made a point of saying. “It’s a process that can’t be measured.”

  Thinking of that, Lucy realized she now had yet another loss to grieve, even though she’d never had Tobe as a beau. Still, the idea of being courted by him had taken up a large part of her reflection here lately. And now that, too, was gone.

  Upon Lucy’s suggestion, she and her family went to visit Ammon and Sylvia and their children on the no-Preaching Sunday afternoon. When they arrived, Cora and Emma Sue ran to Lucy first, then to Lettie and Faye, obviously eager to spend time with their aunts.

  Ammon shook hands with Dat, and he and Sylvia quickly pulled up a few chairs, making a large enough circle for all of them in the spacious kitchen. Lucy noticed they’d redone their linoleum in a muted pattern similar to others’ in the community. The long oak table, even the overall layout, looked almost identical to Mamm’s.

  Lucy and her family greeted each of Ammon’s six children, all of them dressed up for Sunday, in case visitors dropped in. The fair-haired boys—Ammon, Jr., ten; Benuel, eight and a half; and twins Cyrus and Crist, six—quietly slipped out onto the back porch after a respectable amount of time visiting. It wasn’t long before Lettie and Faye did the same.

  Leaning toward Lucy, Cora whispered that she and Emma Sue wanted her to go upstairs with them. “We have a surprise to show ya.” Cora beckoned.

  Lucy caught Mamm’s eye and gestured toward Cora and Emma Sue, indicating that she was leaving to visit with her nieces.

  Up in their shared room, a brand-new quilt covered the double bed, a Nine Patch pattern done in reds, blues, and greens. “Do ya mean to say yous made this?”

  “Emma Sue and I pieced it inch by inch, with a bit of help from Mamma,” Cora said, soft blue eyes shining. “We’ve been wanting you to see it.”

  “Cora and I are thinkin’ of starting a quilt shop when we grow up,” Emma Sue said shyly, playing with a tendril of light brown hair that had escaped her bun. “What do ya think?”

  Lucy clapped her hands. “Sounds just wunnerbaar.” Then, remembering Rose Anna Yoder’s new shop, she asked if they’d been over there yet. “Mamm dropped by there recently, and I guess Rose Anna has some real interesting crazy quilts she’s made from scraps of old neckties and hatbands she’s gotten from Mennonite relatives, as well as other fabrics,” Lucy said. “Come to think of it, you might get some ideas of your own to file away for later.”

  “Jah, Mamma said she’d take us over there soon,” Cora said, resting against the footboard. “Would ya like to see the stitching pattern on the back, too?”

  “Absolutely.” Lucy could tell they were pleased with the result of many hours of work.

  The girls simultaneously reached for the border of the quilt and gently pulled it back to show off the cotton backing, with its stitching of hearts.

  “This can’t be your first-ever quilt.” Lucy was amazed.

  “It is,” Cora assured her, “but like I said, we had some help from Mamma.”

  “Not very much, though,” Emma Sue admitted quietly.

  “Well, I’ll say you’re on your way to becoming master quilters.” Lucy smiled. “I’ll know who to come to for my next new one.”

  “A Double Wedding Ring quilt, maybe?” Cora asked, eyes dancing.

  Lucy gave a small shrug. “You never know.”

  “Surely there’s a nice Amishman just waitin’ for ya,” Cora replied.

  There was, Lucy thought, but she could not manage any further mention of bridal quilts and nice Amish fellows. “I’m impressed with your neat stitching,” she complimented.

  Cora took the hint and left the room, returning with the pattern. “I s’pose anyone could make these stitches with this for help . . . don’t you think, Emma Sue?”

  Emma Sue frowned. “I doubt I could’ve done it on my own. Would probably take at least two people workin’ together.”

  “Has Mammi Flaud seen this?” Lucy asked.

  “Not just yet,” Cora said. “But she’s heard ’bout it, that’s for sure.”

  Lucy knew the girls’ great-Grandmammi would be delighted at their workmanship. “Oh, you must show her, and soon. In fact, she’s planning a little quilting bee, so be sure to come with your Mamma, if you’d like.”

  “When?” Emma Sue asked, brown eyes radiant.

  “She hasn’t said just yet, but with the colder weather and shorter days, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s soon.” Lucy thanked her darling nieces for giving her a private showing. “I think Lettie and Faye would enjoy seein’ your quilt, too.”

  Emma Sue nodded and hurried out of the room and downstairs to get them.

  “I’m sorry, Aendi Lucy,” Cora said, reaching for her hand.

  “Whatever for?”

  “Well”—and here she ducked her head—“for speakin’ out of turn . . . ’bout the Wedding Ring quilt.”

  Lucy waved it off. “Don’t worry yourself over that, honey-girl.”

  Cora’s pretty smile reemerged, and she wrapped her arms around Lucy. “I’ve always loved ya the best of all my aunties, ya know.”

  “Ain’t you sweet.” As Lucy slipped out of the room to join the rest of the family below, she wondered why that was.

  Christian had relished visiting with his eldest son and wife and seeing his grandsons having such a good time when they’d come inside to play jacks on the floor. He’d been delighted to go over and show them a trick or two.

  All in all, it had been a relaxing and peaceful afternoon.

  Unfortunately, that was not the situation during the buggy ride home. Lettie, in particular, was making too much of her and Faye’s recent match-up with two of the Mast boys—Matthew and Mark—which was downright peculiar, even though Christian knew not all dating couples kept to the old hush-hush ways of courtship anymore.

  First Lettie, then Faye told Lucy how many times they’d double-dated, and he knew it was bothering Sarah, as well, because she glanced at him twice, eyes flashing.

  He took it upon himself to look over his shoulder, frowning at Lettie. But it was only a short time before Lettie piped up again, mentioning some plans the four of them had together in the coming week.

  All the while, Lucy, poor girl, sat quietly, saying nothing at all. Christian didn’t have to wonder how she felt. He could nearly feel the tension radiating through the back of his seat.

  The courting years have nearly passed her by, he realized anew. Does this worry her?

  Sarah had shown him something that had arrived in the mail from an Amish singles group in Big Va
lley, Pennsylvania. Sarah had been so worried the mailing might upset Lucy, she’d held on to it for the time being.

  Truth be told, he had no idea what went through his eldest daughter’s mind anymore. Even so, he knew one thing for sure: It was altogether beneficial for her to attend the Thursday night meetings. The group’s warm reception of her might just give Lucy some confidence again.

  Lucy heard Dale’s pickup pull into the driveway, right on time. She had been sitting on the porch, watching the barn cats romp in the high grass behind the corncrib, waiting for him.

  He waved to her, and she smiled.

  Just then, the screen door flew open, and Mamm stood there. “Lucy . . . dear?”

  She greeted her mother and said that Dale was giving her a lift to Lancaster.

  Frowning, Mamm reminded her, “The People don’t ride in a vehicle on the Lord’s Day, Lucy. Just ain’t right.”

  “I know, Mamm, but this is a one-time exception,” she assured her. “I really need to find Kiana, the young homeless woman I told you ’bout. I have important news for her.” She didn’t spell out that Kiana had an opportunity for a job interview tomorrow afternoon.

  “I wish you’d heed the Ordnung all the same. It’s the Lord’s Day, after all,” her mother said, upset.

  “I wish it was any other day, Mamm. I truly do.” She didn’t know how to further justify this. “Please, Mamm . . . I won’t make it a habit.”

  Mamm looked miserable but made no move to stop Lucy as she hurried past, going inside to get her black jacket. A glance into the kitchen showed her father sitting at the table with his German Biewel open, head bowed. A thought crossed her mind, but she shook it off. I wish they wouldn’t worry I was going to fall for another Englischer.

  Turning, she opened the door and made her way down the porch steps to Dale, who walked to meet her in black dress pants, crisp white shirt, and black tie.

  Feeling guilty, Lucy turned back toward the house to wave to Mamm, but she was nowhere in sight.

  Just as Lucy had feared, Kiana and Van were no longer staying at the most recent shelter Kiana had mentioned, and when Dale inquired of them at the front desk, the receptionist suggested other possibilities, including the Water Street Mission. The helpful woman reached for a notepad and jotted down the locations.

  Dale thanked her and escorted Lucy out the front door amidst strange looks. Back in the pickup, they drove to the first two shelters but quickly discovered that Kiana and her son were not there, either.

  Is this a wild-goose chase? Lucy wondered, attempting to draw courage from Dale’s determination and hope.

  At the Water Street Mission, the last of the suggested locations, Dale asked again about Kiana and her son. This time, the well-dressed woman in charge confirmed that Kiana and Van were indeed registered in the program, which offered temporary housing, food, and medical care.

  Lucy fidgeted while they waited for Kiana to come downstairs, hoping her friend wouldn’t be too shocked at having been tracked down this way. Surely she’ll be pleased.

  Dale smiled encouragingly. “I’m looking forward to meeting Kiana.”

  “Thanks for bringing me here,” Lucy said. “She and others like her just need someone to take an interest and truly care, and you’ve done exactly that.”

  Dale nodded but waved off her compliment.

  In a few moments, Kiana appeared in the doorway, her pretty eyes wide when she spotted Lucy, who introduced her to Dale and wasted no time in filling her in about the job interview at the craft store.

  “Are you serious?” The young woman brushed away tears. “Do you really think they’d want me?”

  “You can only try, jah?” said Lucy.

  “Oh, believe me, I’m up for trying. I’ve filled out many applications, but it’s hard to get a job unless you’re already employed . . . and not having a permanent address has been a stumbling block, too.” She folded her arms against her tiny waist. “But, hey, they can’t all turn me down, right?”

  Lucy felt heartened by Kiana’s optimistic response, and Dale gave her the contact information for the country store.

  Kiana shook her head repeatedly. “How can I ever thank you two?”

  “Let’s just hope something gut comes of this.” Lucy smiled at Kiana, then at Dale, who nodded.

  When Dale offered to pick her up for tomorrow’s interview, Kiana said the center would arrange for transportation, as well as some appropriate clothing. “They’ll even look after Van while I’m gone—there’s a daycare on site. I’m going to cross my fingers and hope for the best.”

  Kiana’s anticipation tempted Lucy to reveal her plan for a down payment on a used car, but she bit her tongue. First things first, she thought, feeling as happy as Kiana looked.

  Dale gave Kiana his cell phone number to report back on how the interview went. “I’ll keep you in my prayers,” he added.

  Kiana blinked away tears. “I need all the help I can get.”

  On the ride back to East Lampeter, Lucy thanked Dale several times. “Do you think she’ll land this job?”

  “Well, considering her attitude and ambition, she has a decent chance. Even if she doesn’t end up with this position, I believe the Lord has something in mind for her.” Dale chuckled. “I can see you’re already on to Kiana’s next hurdle.”

  “And what a hurdle ’tis!” Lucy joined in the laughter, but inwardly, she was holding her proverbial breath that poor Kiana might get this break.

  Chapter 30

  DALE WYETH’S A GUT MAN, Lucy thought early Monday morning as she stared ahead to the spot up the road from Ray and Martie’s where the buggy had overturned. She steered her scooter onto the steep lane leading to the striking white farmhouse high on the hill, thankful again that Abe and his children had gotten safely home.

  Lucy hugged her nephews as she came into the kitchen, and Martie called a greeting to her from down cellar.

  “Aren’t you bright-eyed today?” Lucy said to Jesse, seeing that Josh was content in his Pack ’n Play.

  Martie was in a hurry to have Lucy help her get the second load in the washer and then hang out the first load, already washed. “I want to beat the rain that’s comin’,” she said, then asked if Lucy had brought her raincoat.

  Lucy assured her that it, along with a few snacks, was in her scooter basket on the porch. “Dat never said anything ’bout rain. Where’d ya hear?”

  “Well, Eppie Stoltzfus dropped by right after breakfast this mornin’, warning of a big storm a-brewin’.”

  Lucy waved it off. “Ah well, you know Eppie.”

  “Still, the livestock seem mighty riled up.”

  Lucy distributed the clothes evenly into the wringer washer, then followed her sister upstairs, the wicker basket overflowing with damp clothes. Smiling at Jesse, she leaned over to watch him color at the kitchen table.

  “Dat wants me to help him in the barn later on,” Jesse said, eyes sparkling.

  “Oh?”

  “Jah, gonna learn to sweep.”

  “Startin’ young,” she said, patting his shoulder.

  Ray wants to help Martie out, too, no doubt, Lucy guessed.

  The rain had yet to materialize when Lucy left for the hospice. Dorothea was significantly weaker this visit, but Clinton said she wanted to be read to from the Bible, which Lucy did while Clinton left to run a few errands. It occurred to Lucy that Dorothea was not long for this world.

  Later that afternoon, once Lucy was home again, her shoes damp from a light and steady rain, she took time to redd up her room and put away the clothes Lettie and Faye had taken down from the line and folded so neatly earlier. She’d made a point of going down to thank her sisters before heading back upstairs. Lettie had nodded abruptly, but Faye smiled, saying it was awful nice to see her home this soon.

  She went out to collect the eggs, then returned to the barn to help feed and water the livestock. Faye came too, eventually, but Lettie remained inside with Mamm to peel potatoes for supper.
/>   “Dat said his friend has started to build his chicken coop,” Faye told her as they worked.

  “Dale?”

  Faye nodded. “I guess Dat went over to his place and took a look at the diagram.”

  “Sounds like he’s making some good steps toward living the way he’s been wanting to.” Lucy wondered if Dale had decided yet how he planned to heat his home this coming winter.

  “Dat says Dale ain’t the only one talking like this. Quite a number of folk are worried ’bout unexpected interruptions in the national grid.” Faye frowned and stopped to wipe her cheek with the back of her hand. “Know anything ’bout that?”

  Lucy shrugged. “Maybe you could ask Dale next time we see him.”

  “Or maybe you could.” Faye looked serious. “Heard he picked you up yesterday and took ya somewhere downtown. On a Sunday to boot.”

  Lucy quickly told her about Kiana, then added, “Dale’s just a casual friend.”

  “Friendly’s how it always starts, right?”

  Lucy was a bit startled by Faye’s pointed remark.

  Dale’s pickup pulled into the lane after supper, and suddenly buoyed, Lucy grabbed her jacket and headed out to meet him. As she rounded the corner of the house to the driveway, she stopped abruptly, feeling foolish—most likely Dale was coming to see her father.

  She turned and headed back to the house and was just reaching for the back door when Dale called to her. “Lucy, I have some news from Kiana. She left a message on my phone.”

  “Did she get the job?” Lucy held her breath, hoping.

  Dale shook his head, coming up the porch steps toward her. “Mind if we talk?”

  She motioned for them to sit on the rockers. “How’d Kiana sound?”

  “Frustrated.”

  Lucy shook her head. “I wonder what happened.”

  He explained. “Evidently she didn’t get the job because she wasn’t well versed on yarn and fabrics.”

  Lucy groaned. “Why didn’t I think of that? I could’ve filled her in a bit.”

  Dale took out his phone. “It’s not the end of the world. There are many more options in the classifieds, which is another reason why I dropped by. If you have some time, let’s look and see what might be a good fit for Kiana.”