Phoebe's Gift

by Jerry S. Eicher

  “These are perfect eggs,” Phoebe said, her voice squeaking.

  David nodded, but all he said was, “Shall we pray?”

  “Certainly!” Phoebe closed her eyes. Finally they were back on familiar territory.

  Phoebe’s eyes flew open when David began to pray. “Our most gracious heavenly Father…” She hadn’t expected David to pray out loud again.

  “We give You thanks this morning for Your gracious hand toward us,” David continued, his voice steady. “Thank You for Phoebe’s hospitality this morning, and for her willing and open heart to help people, and for her kindness to us all. Thank You for this food we have before us. Bless it, and bless us as we go through this day. Let no evil come our way that You are not with us. Keep our hearts…”

  Phoebe tried to breathe quietly. She wanted to cry—but why? David did nothing that unusual, and yet he did. She knew it deep down inside. He was a very special person, and she had never noticed. Grandma Lapp had, but she…

  “Amen,” David said. He lifted his head with a smile.

  “Thank you,” Phoebe managed, but she avoided his eyes. “That was nice.”

  “Do you always pray like that?” Sadie asked.

  “We always pray for our meals,” Phoebe told her as she passed the plate of eggs.

  A crunch of tires was heard on the driveway, and David paused with an egg halfway onto his plate. “Who would be coming here this time of morning?”

  Phoebe shot up and rushed to the kitchen window. “It’s a strange car.”

  When Phoebe turned around, Sadie had disappeared.

  David shrugged. “She went shooting into the living room.”

  As if in answer, Sadie reappeared in the kitchen doorway. “It’s Mom!” she exclaimed, her face white. “She must have come to get us.”

  “Your mother.” Phoebe sat down to steady herself. What other shocks were in store for this morning? Was the week with the three girls to end before it began?

  “I’m not leaving,” Sadie said. “I don’t care what she says. She’ll just leave us again next week.”

  “I…we…” Phoebe gave up. What was there to say?

  “You must talk their mother into staying,” David told her. “Begin by inviting her to breakfast.”

  Phoebe tried to breathe. Did she dare? Could she? But here she went again, doubting herself. This was a brilliant idea.

  “What’s your mother’s name, Sadie?” Phoebe asked.

  “Melissa,” Sadie spat.

  Phoebe stood and steadied herself. She could do this. Somehow she could. Phoebe walked out of the kitchen and opened the front door moments before the woman came up the porch steps.

  Her face was angry. “Is this where my children are?”

  “Yah.” Phoebe breathed deeply. “Eva and Bella are upstairs asleep, and Sadie was getting ready to eat breakfast with us.”

  The woman’s face seemed to soften.

  “Would you like to join us, Melissa?” Phoebe put on her best smile.

  “I suppose I could. I am hungry, and the Amish do cook well, I’m told.”

  “We try,” Phoebe replied as she held the door open.

  Melissa walked inside and headed toward the kitchen. So far so goot, Phoebe told herself. Maybe with David’s prayers and his wunderbah ideas, they would make it through this week.

  “Help us, dear Lord.” Phoebe sent a prayer heavenward before she closed the door behind them.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Minutes later, Phoebe still lingered by the closed front door. All of her courage seemed to have fled. Her feet wouldn’t move to follow the girl’s mother into the kitchen. She could hear the murmur of voices clearly, but she couldn’t understand the words. At least they didn’t sound angry. Perhaps if she waited a few more minutes David would solve this problem with another splendid idea. Or he might have convinced Melissa to stay for the week. Melissa would want to take her children home with her, and Mrs. Broman wouldn’t allow that. Reconciliation took a long time in the Englisha world. The least they could do is give this family some immediate time together.

  Phoebe breathed another quick prayer heavenward. “Give David the wisdom to say what needs saying, Lord.”

  Phoebe forced her feet to move. When she walked in, Melissa was seated at the table with her plate filled.

  “There you are!” Melissa exclaimed. “I thought you had left me with your husband.”

  “Ah…” Phoebe began, but the words stuck in her throat.

  David smiled kindly. “I’m just the hired hand on the farm. I walked up this morning from—”

  “He’s the boyfriend,” Sadie added.

  “That’s not—” Phoebe stopped again. “David’s a dear friend,” she finished.

  Melissa had a sly smile. “I see. Well, he’s been regaling me with tales of the farm’s beginning. Seems like quite the fairy tale you people are living here.”

  Phoebe seated herself and kept silent. Grandma’s dream wasn’t a fairy tale, but a denial seemed inappropriate at the moment.

  “Excellent cooking, though,” Melissa told her. “On that the reports were accurate.”

  “I’m going now.” Sadie jumped to her feet.

  “You’re going nowhere, young lady.” Melissa’s command stopped her. “You’re staying right here until I finish eating, and then we’re leaving.”

  Sadie’s face grew stony. “I’m not going. You left us, and now we’re here for the week.”

  “Watch your mouth! I am your mother.”

  “Then why don’t you act like our mother?”

  Phoebe jumped into the conversation. “Sadie, why don’t you get your sisters up for breakfast?”

  “I already tried that, remember?”

  Apparently all goot will had been cast out with Melissa’s arrival.

  “I’m sorry. What was your name?” Melissa peered at her.

  “Phoebe,” she managed, “but that’s okay. Sadie’s—”

  “She’s a spoiled brat. Don’t pay her any mind. I’ll get the girls up in a minute. They don’t eat until noon anyway.”

  David cleared his throat, and Phoebe forced the words out. “Sadie has been a jewel since she arrived yesterday. I have no complaints. She’s…”

  Melissa frowned. “Of course you would think so. She knows how to put up a front for strangers.”

  “Like my mother does,” Sadie snapped.

  Melissa’s face turned thunderous. “Sadie! That will be enough out of you!” she yelled.

  Phoebe stared at the kitchen wall and breathed deeply. Outside the rain had begun to fall. Silence filled the room while the tears rolled down Sadie’s face. Melissa ignored the girl to take another egg and butter a piece of toast. How could a mother be so unfeeling? Phoebe had to do something. But what?

  David spoke up. “I really think you should stay here for the week and see what life on an Amish farm is like. Phoebe has plenty of room upstairs, and you could—”

  Melissa glared at him, but David smiled and continued. “I think the Lord wants to touch all of your hearts with a special time here on Grandma Lapp’s farm. Not that we are special people, but the Lord can minister here where Grandma’s tender heart used to live. I know I can bear record to how she touched my life. She gave me a chance to work on the farm and help Phoebe. I will always be grateful.”

  Melissa stared at him. “You have your nerve, meddling in my business.”

  “It seems as if you could use some help,” David said, nonplussed. “Your girls are in the care of Child Protective Services, and I’m thinking I should give them a call.” He let the threat hang for a moment. “I don’t know how you found out where they were, but I don’t want to make that call. We do things differently here. Perhaps…”

  “Perhaps what?” Melissa demanded. “And for your information, I have friends who keep track of my kids.”

  Phoebe clung to the edge of the tabletop with both hands. She wanted to slip down through the kitchen floor, right into the darkness of the basement
. How could David be so brave?

  Yet he continued without missing a beat. “Your life is not what it should be.” David gave Melissa a kind smile. “Spend some time here with your girls.” He waved his hand outward toward where the rain drummed against the side of the house. “Who knows? Perhaps the Lord will minister a special healing to your family this week. I know Grandma Lapp’s prayers were offered up in this house, and surely they still rise before the throne of the Lord.”

  Phoebe tried to breathe. Never had she heard David speak like this. What would Melissa’s reaction be? The woman’s face displayed flashes of anger and shame, but she hadn’t replied yet.

  “Yes, Mom. Let’s!” The words burst out of Sadie’s mouth.

  “I’ll have to think about this,” Melissa finally allowed. “In the meantime, my breakfast is getting cold.”

  Phoebe dared to breathe again. “Thank you,” she mouthed to David, who smiled in return.

  Sadie’s face glowed through her tears. She raced around the corner and disappeared up the stairs.

  “Where’s she going?” Melissa demanded.

  Phoebe stated the obvious. “Upstairs.” Thankfully, Melissa didn’t pursue the girl.

  “We should pray again and give thanks for the food,” David said. “I need to tend the animals in the barn.”

  “Pray!” Melissa exclaimed, but David had already bowed his head.

  He spoke in a firm voice. “Our gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the food we have eaten and for Melissa’s arrival. Thank You for the pleasant week she and the girls will spend at Grandma Lapp’s farm and for the great mercies You will show them through this time. Thank You for all the kindness You have shown to us and will show in the future. Amen.”

  Phoebe never closed her eyes. The astonished look didn’t leave Melissa’s face. The woman still had not spoken when David stood and left the kitchen. Phoebe pushed her chair back and hurried after him.

  He paused at the front door. “Yah?” he asked when he heard her behind him.

  “Oh, David.” Phoebe came to a stop in front of him. “That was so brave of you, and so right.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say so,” he said. His smile flickered.

  “That prayer was so perfect,” she assured him. “And your words? I just know it.”

  “Even if Melissa up and leaves?”

  “If she does, we have to call Mrs. Broman. They won’t let Melissa keep the children for a while yet. That’s how they do things.” Phoebe reached out to touch his arm. “Thank you so much for everything. And for this morning, for coming up early, for breakfast, and now that wunderbah…This was much better than making popcorn together.” She paused to gaze into his face. He was so manly and so handsome.

  “I’m happy you think so.”

  Phoebe touched his arm again. “Grandma was right, David. About so many things. About—” She couldn’t get the word you out. Grandma Lapp was right about you. What would he think? That she had been unable to form her own opinion? Or see what was right in front of her eyes?

  “Phoebe.”

  “Yah?” She looked up at him.

  “You know that Grandma Lapp was also right about you?”

  She dropped her gaze. “Well, I don’t know about that.”

  “Don’t say so,” he said. His fingers caught her chin gently.

  She gave in and gazed up at him. His face was a conflict of emotions.

  “David,” she said as she reached for him. This was Grandma Lapp’s living room, but what better place to show the man what a jewel he was, how much she admired him this morning. How deeply he had moved her heart with his brave words, while his spirit had trembled just like hers. She, too, had to move past the horror of those words and the sting of that pain.

  “David,” she repeated as she pulled him closer. “Can I tell you something?”

  He nodded and waited.

  “Outside on the porch,” she whispered.

  He opened the door, and she followed.

  “I…”

  “Phoebe.” His fingers touched hers. “Please.”

  “I have to tell you. I have to. I want to.” Tears stung.

  He held her hand as she collected herself. “In the schoolyard, after classes one day…you know how it was back then in our schooldays. They were the same in Lancaster as they were here in the valley. That day I stayed behind, and so did he. Paul Mast. We were in the same grade. I liked him, and I thought he liked me. Out of sight around the corner, I kissed him on the cheek. Twice, David. His older brother Willie caught us, and he slapped me on the face. Hard! He said I was a wicked and wild woman, and that I would never find a husband in the community. That Amish men only wanted submissive women.”

  “Phoebe, stop. None of that is true. You are—”

  “I have to say it, David. I have to.” Phoebe looked up at him. “Paul smirked afterward, and he slapped me too. They both ran off, and Paul never talked to me again.”

  “Phoebe.” He reached for her.

  She clung to him. “Can I, David? Will you let me?”

  He resisted for a moment as she touched the bristles on his chin with both hands. He must have rushed over this morning without his usual shave, concerned about her first night with the girls. His face was inches from hers. She had dared once to imagine this moment, this preciousness, this nearness, this overwhelming sense of a man’s presence.

  He came closer, and she lifted her face to his. His lips were gentle, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders. She didn’t let go for a long time.

  He pulled slightly away and stared down at her, wide eyed.

  “Oh, David,” she whispered.

  He came close again, and the kiss was longer this time. Soon she wouldn’t be able to breathe. He let go, and Phoebe gasped.

  She turned toward the kitchen doorway.

  “They didn’t see us,” he said.

  “I don’t care. I don’t care if the whole world saw us.”

  “I love you, Phoebe.” His voice was tender, and she melted into his arms again.

  “Oh, David,” she mumbled into his chest.

  After a moment, he held her at arm’s length to gaze into her face. “What does this mean, Phoebe? I just…”

  “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I’d best get back to the kitchen.”

  “Of course.” He reached for the front door.

  “David.” She stopped him. “I love you too. Don’t forget that, and don’t be sorry for what happened. You have…oh, David, you don’t know what you have done for me this morning.”

  “I have…you have…”

  “The Lord will help us. Hasn’t He so far?”

  “He has,” David agreed, rushing off the porch into the rain. There was a raincoat in the mudroom, but he was already out of sight in the mist that hung heavy between the barn and the house.

  Phoebe gathered her wits about her. She smoothed her dress and straightened her kapp the best she could. She had kissed David Fisher—a man, a strong man, a man who loved her. The weight of the years seemed gone. They had disappeared into the mist beyond the front porch railing. She was not a wicked and wild woman. She was just a woman. They were two sane young people who followed the Lord’s will. Phoebe entered the house and crept toward the kitchen doorway, but Sadie’s face appeared before she arrived. She grinned and vanished.

  “So he is the boyfriend!” Melissa declared when Phoebe walked in.

  Sadie nodded knowingly. At long last, mother and daughter were unified.

  “He’s…ah…” Phoebe gave up. Appearances would negate any denial she made. They would have to straighten things out later. How that would be done was beyond her. David hadn’t even taken her home from the Sunday evening hymn singing, and here she had kissed him.

  “I’ve decided to stay the week,” Melissa announced, all smiles. “I think I like this place.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. David said many wise things this morning.”

  “I
s he a preacher or something?” Melissa asked.

  Phoebe laughed. “No, he’s just a neighbor…” She stopped to think about Melissa’s words. David had acted like a preacher this morning. Maybe he would become one someday, if the Lord willed it so. But she must not think about such things right now. “Let me go wake the girls.”

  “How about if I do it?” Melissa stood. “Just show me the way.”

  “Up there.” Phoebe told her. “The bedroom door that’s closed on the left.”

  Melissa nodded, and the stairs squeaked as she climbed the steps.

  “I can’t believe Mom is staying with us this week,” Sadie gushed when silence had settled in the kitchen.

  “Neither can I,” Phoebe agreed. “But in the meantime, are you helping me with the dishes? I’d appreciate it.”

  Sadie hesitated only a moment. “Okay, but you have to show me how. You don’t have a dishwasher.”

  Phoebe managed a smile. “Nope. We are the dishwashers around here.”

  Sadie giggled. “Human dishwashers and an Amish couple kissing outside the front door. I agree with Mom. I like this place.”

  Phoebe hid her bright red face with a quick rush to the kitchen sink and a long stare out of the window into the falling rain.

  TWENTY-THREE

  David rose early on Wednesday morning at the Fishers’ homestead, but he lingered in the barn after breakfast. How was he to proceed with life from here? He had kissed a Lapp girl. Maybe the whole problem would be solved by a rebuff from Phoebe this morning. Things would be easier on that familiar road. Even a little hesitancy on her part would help, but she wouldn’t go back on what they had shared. When he left last evening, she had come out on the front porch to holler, “Goot night!” as he ran through the rain.

  Phoebe would have stayed inside if she had regretted the precious moment they had shared that morning. His face burned with the sweet memory of her in his arms. Somehow he had managed to appear normal last evening around his family. He had retired early, exhausted from the day’s efforts, and had slept uneasily all night. And not only because of the decisions that lay ahead of him, but also because Ruth hadn’t come home from her schoolteaching job until well after the big clock in the downstairs living room struck twelve. Apparently he was the only one in the family who had noticed.