by Jordan Shay
Jumping out of the buggy, I started running towards the house.
“Anna!”
“Yeah, Caleb?” I halted to a complete stop.
“Be ready.” I nodded. I was more than ready.
Saturday was a big day. There was still a lot of work to do around the barn in preparation for winter. Aunt Cheryl came over, and several men from the community as well. As much as I wanted to avoid Aunt Cheryl, my mom needed my help in the kitchen. The men were helping my father in the barns.
“Well, Anna. Are you ready to return to work Monday morning?” Aunt Cheryl was making small talk as she cut up carrots for the salad. “John said he was looking forward to having you back.”
I ignored her.
After dark, everyone started heading home. Even Aunt Cheryl. Thank God. My excitement was mounting.
I ran upstairs and finished packing my bags. When I heard the knocking at my door, I quickly tossed them under my bed. “Be right there!”
I swung the door open there stood Abe, his head slightly tilted and his eyes scrunched up. He was confused.
“Why was your door locked, Anna? You never lock your door?” I ruffled his hair.
“Uh, I must have accidently hit the button. Sorry buddy.” Abe hung out with me for a few minutes, telling me about his football games with his cousins today, their plan to explore the back creek tomorrow and catch crayfish...hoping he would find some, even though it was so cold out; and asking me about Aunt Cheryl.
“She’s kind of mean, isn’t she Anna?” His eyes avoided mine. It wasn’t Amish-like to discuss older relatives negatively.
“You bet she is, kiddo. Don’t worry, though, it’s not you.” I smiled and Abe looked a little relieved.
After he left, I finished packing and lay in bed. Pretty soon I would be watching by the window for Caleb’s buggy lights. Pretty soon.
Time was moving so slow. I was pacing the room. My hands couldn’t stay still, either. I was playing with my hair, my clothes, the window curtains. Fuck. I was a mess.
When I finally saw the distant flicker of light in the distance, I couldn’t breathe. I was choking on my own air. I grabbed my bags, tried my best to take a deep breath, took one last glance around my room, and quietly tiptoed out. I took the big candy bar that I had bought for mama, and put it by the kitchen window sill. She would know it was from me. My last gift to her.
Somehow I made it outside. I nearly couldn’t believe it.
I started running towards the road. Caleb halted the horses to a stop and I threw my bags in the back and then ran around front to hop in. I was still in my Amish clothes, but I had put on warm fleece tights and brought a sweater to stay warm. Caleb was bundled up, and he put a blanket over my lap as we turned the horses around and headed towards Derek’s house.
I tried to catch a couple of last minute glances at my house. My farm. The place where I had grown up. So many memories. But, it was dark, and the horses were moving swiftly.
And just like that my past became my past. Only memories.
Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to give in.
Get it together Anna. You will have Derek with you every step of the way. You will get to wake up to his warm body every morning. You will be able to look into his green eyes every time you feel unsure of anything. He will be your rock.
I blinked the tears away and Caleb and I rode in silence. I must have dozed off and I woke up a little while later to Caleb nudging my knee.
“We are almost there, Anna.” My eyes slowly opened, and for a minute I didn’t know where I was. “Derek’s house is just around the corner.”
Derek’s house.
I sat straight up. Caleb laughed at me. “Little excited, there?” I was so excited to see Derek, my heart was racing so violently I thought it was ready to implode.
Fuck, Anna. Now is not the time for a heart attack.
The area was pitch black, but somehow I saw him standing there. In the middle of the driveway, awaiting our arrival.
Before the buggy even came to a complete stop, I jumped out and ran right into his arms. Without any hesitation, he swept me up and swung me around as if lifting my body was no effort at all.
Finally, he slowly lowered me to the ground, keeping my body pressed up against his. The moment my feet hit the ground, his lips landed on mine with tenacity. Fierceness. He kissed me like he had never kissed me before. His tongue pressed between my lips, and his hands kept a firm grip behind my neck. He kissed me like he owned me. And I loved it.
The cold drifted away and I felt a surge of heat. I rubbed my hands down his bulging biceps, and melted into his arms.
I was ready to start the next chapter of my life. I wanted it. A tear of happiness ran down my cheek and Derek wiped it away.
“Are you ready, my Amish princess?” He kissed my forehead.
“Oh yes, Derek. I’m ready.” This time it was my turn. I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him. He pulled away after a minute and laughed.
“Well, let’s go babe. Let’s go start our life together. North Carolina here we come.”
I’m certain there was never a happier moment in my life. The sadness of leaving my family had disappeared. All I had now were feelings of joy. I knew those sad feelings would weave themselves into my life in the future, but for now, I just wanted to bask in the exhilaration of a new life ahead of me.
Derek grabbed my hand and led me towards the waiting truck.
We were off to start our life together and there was no turning back.
And I couldn’t be happier.
* * *
[LJ1]They have only been out of the church for 15 minutes tops. Abe was running around with friends. I am not sure how in 15 minutes he could have an accident, the ambulance turning up and the mesage getting back to the village, considering they use a cart and horse? I'm thinking 15 mins for Abe to get in a cart and out of the village. Another 20 minutes for the ambulance to turn up and then 15 mins for word to get back to the village?
Just pointing out my view as the reader.
