by E A Lake
“Come over to convert them all, Rebecca?” Hunter shot at her sarcastically. Rebecca didn’t waver from her course.
“Oh no, Hunter. I was over here all day yesterday helping out while you slept one off. We’re all good friends here. Right ladies?” Six faces nodded while gawking between Rebecca and Hunter. She seemed to have some sort of power over the man. “So why don’t you finish breakfast, go get a shovel, and start turning over that garden? That is what you planned on helping with today Hunter, isn’t it?” She slapped his shoulders as she finished.
“Oh sure, why not.” Hunter shook his head. “I think I’m done eating anyway. You sort of have a way of taking away a man’s appetite, Rebecca.” Hunter rose from the table and left.
Rebecca sat down and smiled coyly at the remaining group. Theresa couldn’t believe the power Rebecca wielded over that man. When she got a moment alone with her later, she had to find out her secret. As the others finished eating, Rebecca addressed them. “Three of us should walk over to the Amish store this morning. It’s about two miles up the back road. We’ll just get you whatever supplies you are obviously missing. I’m sure you don’t have any money, but that won’t be an issue. Between my father and Hunter, they can pay for the little we will get. Father will be more than happy to help out. Hunter…” Rebecca grinned for a second. “…well, he’ll just help out through the goodness of his heart.” Rebecca almost laughed as she looked around at the astonished faces.
A short time later, Rebecca and Theresa decided that they, and Karen, would make the hike to the store. The others would help with the garden and watch the little ones. The women were only to be gone for an hour and a half, so everything should be okay, Theresa felt. As they went to leave, the three stood and watched Hunter dig. Finally, Rebecca addressed him, sternly, “We are going to the store. You need to keep an eye on the others, Hunter.” Turning slowly, he glared her direction.
“I’m not the babysitter here. They can watch themselves. And have them get their teenaged rears out here and help.” He looked as mean as he could muster at Rebecca.
“Hunter, just do as you are asked. And be nice.”
The group turned to leave when Sister Theresa wheeled around. “Do you need anything, Hunter? From the store?”
He gazed at the cloudless blue sky before he answered. “A couple of packs of smokes would be great. Becci there knows my brand. And how about some coffee? Is it possible for a guy to get a cup of coffee around here sometime today?”
“I think Sara knows how to make coffee. I’ll ask her to bring you some, when she comes out with the others to help,” Theresa answered, far nicer than Rebecca did.
Rebecca approached again, quickly. “Don’t call me that. You know I hate that.” She spoke quietly but tersely through her teeth.
Her admonishment made Hunter laugh. “I can remember a time when you liked being called Becci. Don’t you?” Hunter winked at the angry Amish teen.
“Stop it and behave. Try to be nice for once in your life.” A brief stare down followed and finally Rebecca took off with her two new friends.
A short time later, four teens and five babies joined Hunter by the garden plot. He pointed to two shovels and told Sheila and Mary to get to work. Sara got a reprieve having brought him his morning elixir. Emily took first watch on the five little ones in their infant seats.
He knew digging by hand would take a number of days to turn the large garden over, so he figured he needed to make as much headway as possible. There would be no stopping Rebecca’s wrath if he didn’t stay at the project. No way around that, Hunter supposed. One drunken night had basically cost him his freedom. One stupid, drunken night, and now here he was, somewhere between nanny and slave. This is what you get for being stupid, Hunter. At least the hard work would help get rid of this morning’s hangover.
Chapter Ten
Karen had plenty of time to think on the two-mile walk to the Amish store. While Rebecca and Theresa chatted about the local Amish community and the various tenets of the Amish religion, Karen kept deep in thought. On their return walk, with the minimal supplies they needed, Karen turned to Rebecca.
“Why aren’t there any cars on the road, Rebecca?” she said. “I thought maybe we’d see some traffic out here in the country. Except for the vehicle that brought us here, and a few horse and buggies I haven’t seen anything.” A keen observation on her part.
“The militia has outlawed all travel in the rural areas. Except for buggies, that is. They don’t want people wasting any more gas than they need to. I suppose the lack of gas is the main reason for that. It’s almost impossible to come by now.” Rebecca walked and talked easily. Her two travel mates had trouble talking at this pace.
“Say Rebecca…” Theresa took her turn with a question. “…what is this strange power you seem to hold over that man, Hunter? I swear I could almost see him shaking when he talked to you before.” Rebecca smiled broadly at Theresa.
“Oh, that’s what you get when you mix a foolish man with a clever Amish girl. It’s kind of our little secret.” Rebecca’s smile became more of a grin as she continued to walk.
“If we promise not to say anything can you let us in on your little secret? I wasn’t making much progress with him before you showed up this morning.” Theresa needed to know how to tame that man.
“Well, I shouldn’t,” Rebecca stopped and looked seriously at the pair, before winking at the pair. “But, if you promise to say nothing, I suppose I could tell you. But, no one else knows, so you have to promise to keep it to yourselves.”
Both her new friends nodded in anticipation.
“One night last summer I was in town with my father. There’s a small workshop that does welding in that little town just up the road and father needed a part fixed. I went along to keep him company. I wandered off uptown a little and ran into Hunter. He was drunk, as usual. He’s so pathetic at times, and he was at his worst that night.”
Theresa and Karen gave their complete attention to Rebecca’s story.
“Now remember, I was 16 at the time and engaged to my husband for just a few weeks,” Rebecca continued. “Well, Hunter had ideas that night. Suddenly he found this little girl attractive, now that she was getting married. He’s so silly when he drinks. So he starts in with this talk of love and family and children. He wants me to break off my engagement and come live with him. He promised to straighten up and quit drinking. Just the ramblings of a sad, drunk man. I think he’s mostly just lonely, but who would ever want a man like him? So, I told him no, and that I was going to tell my father. He stopped me and begged me not to. He promised to be good and never speak to me again if I just wouldn’t say anything. I really had no intention of telling father. I just wanted to see him sweat for a while.” Rebecca focused on her studious pair. “When I saw him again several weeks later, he was so nice and polite. A changed man really. I told him his secret was safe with me, as long as he behaved. But if he acts up, I told him I would tell my father. Oh, you should have seen him get nervous when I threatened that. I don’t know what father would do or say. He’d probably blame me. Hunter doesn’t know that though.” Rebecca gave her friends a quick grin.
Theresa shook her head. “I would have never guessed that. How old is he anyway?”
“Oh, I think he’s in his late twenties. I don’t believe he’s 30 yet. He just looks older from all that drinking and not taking care of himself. And he could stand to bathe once in a while. He just refuses to take care of himself.”
Theresa and Karen found her story enlightening and perhaps useful for the future. They agreed to keep Rebecca’s secret from the others.
When the three returned, they found the four teens, five babies, and one man on a rest break. The group had made good progress, so they earned their break. As Theresa approached, she saw Sara sitting on her knees next to Hunter, talking. The proximity bothered her.
“Sara, please sit back from Mr. Hunter when talking to him. Hunter, I mean.” She frowned
at the odd pair. “He has a strange odor to him, and I don’t want it rubbing off on you so Matty has to smell it the rest of the day. If it’s even removable.” Sara moved away from Hunter, while he glared at the nun.
“I don’t bite Sister. And trust me, I don’t have any interest in 14-year-old girls.” Hunter seemed to take this, as well as almost everything else, in stride. “I was just telling Sara her coffee could be twice as strong as this last batch. I could read the paper through it.” Hunter rose and picked up his shovel. “Sara and Mary, your turn with the grave digger. Grab those shovels and get turning dirt.” Hunter returned to the task.
Sheila and Emily came to spy the bounty from the Amish store. Inside the plain brown paper sack, the girls found clothespins, clothes line rope, coconut oil for diaper rashes and baking needs. In the far bottom of the bag was a special surprise for all – a bag of homemade toffee. Each teen grabbed a hunk and enjoyed the treat. Hunter noticed Sara and Mary go over and join the crowd.
Theresa brought Hunter his prize. “It looks like you’ve earned this. You’re working out better than I thought at first. Thank you for your help, Hunter.” Theresa squinted at the man who actually did smell pretty rank. “Perhaps we could wash some of your clothes if you bring them with you tomorrow.”
Hunter continued with his chore. “Some of those girls are pretty good workers, Sister. A couple need a little motivation, but they should be all right, I suppose. Not sure any of them seem ready to raise a child, but these are strange times. Calls for courage. Maybe with your help they’ll find that courage.”
“God’s help, Hunter, God can give us all courage.” Theresa spoke confidently of that which she knew.
Hunter’s face remained unchanged as he shook his head at the nun. “Whatever, Sister, whatever gets you through the day.”
Theresa tried to counter his argument, but Hunter went back to digging. She would have to wait to work on his faith. All in good time.
By late afternoon, a corner of the garden had been turned to black dirt. The rich black soil showed where weeds stood just hours before. Hunter put the shovels in the nearby shed and searched out Sister Theresa. He found her inside helping Emily, again, with her small child. While Calvin was the fussiest of all the little ones, Emily seemed to be the least prepared of any of the group. Theresa spent a lot of her time helping the girl with her baby.
“Take that little screamer and go rock him in the living room, Emily,” Hunter said. “Maybe he’s got gas. Put him on his belly on your knees and rub his back. That might help.” Emily left the room and Sister Theresa stared at Hunter. “What? I had nieces and nephews once upon a time. I’ve watched a few babies in my days. I know enough just to be dangerous.” Hunter grinned at the Sister. “So, about a quarter of the dirt is turned. I’d have them back out there first thing tomorrow getting another quarter done.”
Sister Theresa waited patiently for Hunter to finish. “I’m sure with your help tomorrow, that all should go just fine.” She looked away from the man who wasn’t happy.
“I’m not coming over here to babysit you every day. I mean you’re a blast and all, but this ain’t that much fun.”
The Sister continued to look off in the opposite direction.
“You can ignore me all you want, ain’t gonna help.”
Theresa’s expression lightened ever so slightly. “Does Rebecca know where to find you in the morning?”
Hunter closed his eyes. “Listen Sister, you can threaten all you like, it’s not gonna help.” Sister Theresa’s eyes came back to his, pausing long enough to make him look away. Finally, he frowned. “Sure, she told you I suppose. Damn her, damn her all to hell.” Hunter stormed away several strides and then returned. “Great, just great. See you for breakfast then. You know, I got a life outside of here, Sister. I’m a popular guy.”
Theresa patted the man on his arm. “I’m sure you do. Just try and not smell of alcohol tomorrow, please.”
Hunter walked off, curtly waving goodbye. Theresa turned for the house, satisfied with herself. This had certainly been an interesting first day.
Chapter Eleven
The next morning brought the best day, thus far, of spring. Temperatures continued to rise, and the sun was on full display. Flowers sprouted everywhere, trees budded, and the grass took on a deeper shade of green. A perfect late spring day in the making.
Sister Theresa sat on the back step alone after breakfast. She was mad, so she needed to be alone. More than an hour had passed since breakfast, and still no sign of Hunter. Even though this was only the start of her second day of knowing the man, she was already getting sick of his antics.
The longer she waited, the more upset she became. Finally, after another half hour of waiting, she decided to get things started. She would deal with that disrespectful man when he arrived. Theresa went and retrieved the large box marked seeds and opened it up. Inside were numerous packets of various vegetables and produce they would grow. This food and whatever the militia brought as a supplement would be all they would have. Perhaps Hunter could live up to his name and provide them with some venison, as well. But Theresa didn’t want to think of him just now.
Assembling the girls in the living room, Theresa laid out her plans for the day. “If we get at it now and stay at it for a while,” she said while pacing, “I’m sure we can get at least half of the garden plot turned over. Perhaps even the whole area.” Stopping, she noticed the faces of her flock disagreed.
“We tried to help Hunter yesterday,” Sara began. “But to be honest,” she stared at the floor moving her foot back and forth, “he did most of the work, Sister. I’m afraid we mostly got in the way.”
Theresa studied their faces carefully. “I’m not waiting for him. He’s obviously on his own schedule. I’ve met men like him before. They’re more trouble than good.” Her pacing quickened.
Karen stepped forward. “We’ll do whatever you want done, Sister. If you say we can get the garden turned today, I bet we can.” Taking Theresa’s hand, she turned to the others. Two, Sara and Emily, eagerly agreed. Two others, Mary and Sheila remained unsure. Karen frowned at the dissenters. “We are going to try at least; all of us.” Finally they nodded their agreement.
With only three shovels, they took turns digging up the weeds and pounding the fresh dirt away from the roots. Then, each reached down and tossed the remaining root ball into a pile at the far end of the garden. And then the process started again. One painful shovel at a time.
Theresa, Karen and Sheila stayed at the task during the first shift. Sheila finally tossed her shovel into the ground and glared at Theresa, hands on hips. “I thought you said we’d be taking half-hour shifts, Sister. I bet we’ve been at it for over an hour,” she complained. Removing her thin fabric gloves she held her right palm up for Theresa’s inspection. “I already have blisters. I need a break.” Sheila stormed for the house to retrieve a jug of water.
Theresa bit her tongue and said nothing to Sheila. “Sara?” she asked. “How long has it been?”
Sara turned her wrist to read her watch. A small shake of her head followed. “Ten minutes,” she replied.
Karen let out a snort. “You’ve got to be kidding Sara, ten minutes?” She removed her gloves and pouted at her palms. “I’ve got blisters, too, Sister.”
Letting her head hang and shoulders slump, Theresa inspected their progress. They had maybe cleared a spot of 25 square feet, only a tenth of what Hunter had accomplished yesterday. Finally, she raised her eyes to Karen’s and grimaced. “I have them as well, Karen.” She looked away and wiped her brow with her forearm. “I guess this isn’t as easy as it looks. Let’s just pace ourselves and see what we can accomplish.” Looking toward the others, she lightened her expression. “Sara, Emily, Mary, your turn. But don’t expect to make it too long.”
Theresa walked out of the garden, handing her shovel and gloves to Mary. She let her eyes focus on the Mueller farm, back across two fields. Just how have these people survived so
long out here? And seemingly thrived. The answer was something she was years from understanding, and she knew it.
The next day was a repeat of the previous. The beautiful spring weather contrasted Theresa’s foul mood with Hunter still missing. Again she rallied her girls, and again they made a run at turning more dirt. By midday, they had maybe a third of the garden turned. And that was after deciding to reduce the original plan from one acre to only a half-acre.
Theresa paced off a hundred feet north to south. Karen marked the ends by pounding tall stakes into the ground. Next, the nun paced 200 feet to the west. That would give them 20,000 square feet, almost a half-acre.
Sheila and Mary contemplated the plot size while leaning against the house, some thirty feet from the garden’s edge. Noticing Mary’s mouth nervously twitching, Sheila grinned slightly. “Another two or three weeks and we’ll have that area all turned up,” Sheila stated. Pushing off from the house, Sheila looked back at her friend. “Of course by then we’ll have to start turning everything again because the weeds will be so big.”
Mary sighed hearing Sheila’s negative comments. Striding confidently toward the garden, she called out. “Sheila and I will take the first turn with you Sister.” Sheila shot her an evil glare. Mary returned her look with a large smile. She could be equally positive to offset Sheila’s negative.
Theresa and Emily watched the rain pour off the roof and pool in the driveway. Where had the sunshine of the past week gone, Theresa wondered. Another day or two, perhaps three, and they’d have the garden ready for planting. But the morning’s heavy rain turned their well-worked garden into a mud pile. Letting her head fall against the glass pane of the side door, Theresa fought off the negative feelings invading her mind. But just barely.
A week had passed since Hunter’s one and only visit. Theresa had been so busy with the garden, crying babies, and pouting teens that she had failed to mention that fact to both Ruth and Rebecca on their almost daily visits. But the man’s absence had not gone unnoticed by Theresa’s Amish neighbors.
