by June Belfie
Rachel took her mother’s hand again. “I was real scared. What if something happened to you, Mamm? Would I be sent away to people I don’t know? Englishers?”
“Nee, little one. The Amish take care of their own. Aunt Beth and my parents would take gut care of you and the boys, but don’t worry your head about it. I’m in gut health.”
“Today you weren’t.”
“It’s not a serious thing, honey. Tomorrow I’ll feel even better than now. When you’re a little older I’ll explain everything.”
“I don’t want to grow old like you. I want to be a little maed forever.”
“I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. But being a grown person is nice, too. We get to marry and have boppli and take care of a home.”
“You like all those things?”
“Jah, very much.” Her throat began to tighten. But not by myself. I need your daed.
“Someday, a long, long time from now, maybe I’ll have a new daed. Maybe a man who wants a little girl will want to be my daed.”
“Mmm. We’ll see, Rachel, but not for a long time. Please don’t ask for a new daed. Onkel Zach is like a pa to you. He loves you very much. And Dawdi, too.”
“I love them, too. Especially Dawdi. He’s building us a tree house. Did you know that?”
Anna laughed. “Oh, jah, he started it when I was your age. Don’t expect it to be finished quick-like.”
“Luke is going to help him make it. He told me.”
They walked slowly as they talked and stopped at the barn to check the new kittens. They were surprised to see that Frisky, their dog, had delivered four pups during the night. She lay proudly on the hay as the pups gathered around her belly for a feast.
“Look at that, Mamm! She had her puppies all by herself. She’s so smart.” They knelt next to the new mother and watched the babes nurse contentedly, oblivious to their audience.
As they headed back to the house, the boys appeared coming down the drive. They each had their poles on their shoulders and Luke carried the can with the bait. There were no signs of a catch, but their smiles were endearing, though Anna knew she should reprimand them for leaving the house without her permission. Of course the small pond was on their own property and she was sleeping, so perhaps they weren’t really doing anything so wrong.
“No fish today?” she asked as they got close enough to hear.
“We saw a bunch, but they saw us first,” Mark said.
“I got two bites, but they got away,” added Matthew.
“So I guess we won’t have fish today for dinner,” Anna said, standing with her arms folded over her apron. Her boys were so handsome, resembling their daed, but each different in his own way. How proud her Jeremiah would be to see them growing into gut Amish men. Maybe he knew somehow.
Rachel frowned. “Mamm was almost sick, you know. She could have been dead!”
“Now Rachel, don’t make your bruders feel guilty. They just had a nice time together. Let them enjoy this beautiful day.”
“Sorry we missed church, Mamm,” Luke said. “I peeked in to check on you and you were snoring pretty gut, so I figured it would be too late to go. Hope you’re not mad at me.”
“Nee. Not today. We may get a visit from the bishop, but I think he’ll understand. I didn’t feel real gut before. This afternoon we’ll head over to see Grossmammi and Dawdi. They’re expecting us. I’m sure Aenti Beth will be there and probably some other family members. So scrub up and put on clean clothes.”
“Aw, do we have to?” Mark asked, drawing his brows together.
Rachel folded her arms like Anna and glared back. “Jah. You heard your mamm.”
Anna forced back a smile and nodded in agreement. Mark rolled his eyes and spoke under his breath. “Now I have two women to answer to.”
Anna and her children got the buggy hooked up and made their way over to her parents’ home. Beth met her first and gave her a hug.
Her mother had been concerned, but understood the family’s absence from church once Anna explained. “Your daed is outside with the others. Let’s go join them.”
Beth carried a tray of sweet tea and glasses outside where the family was seated under the trees enjoying their time together. Anna followed with dishes of homemade cookies and placed them on the metal round table alongside the tray.
Zach and his wife Lottie were sitting on an old metal swing together and soon announced a new child would be born in March sometime, bringing their total to six children. Everyone seemed excited for them. In the meantime, Anna’s children were attempting to play softball with Zach and Lottie’s children. The little ones were unable to swing the homemade flat bat and just ran around and around the bases designated by old copies of the Budget newspaper.
The adults discussed the weather and the progress of the crops. Then they talked about church and the sermon of the day.
“By the way,” Anna’s father interjected, “the Wilson farm was just sold.”
Zach looked over. “To someone locally?”
“Nee. An Amish man from Ohio. He’s young. Like thirty, I think I heard.”
“Married?” Lottie asked.
“Can’t say for sure. Don’t know much about him. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Maybe he’ll be single, Beth,” Anna’s mother, Rose, said, grinning.
“I don’t much care,” Beth said as she rose to refill her glass of iced tea.
“Sure you do,” her brother Zach said, with a crooked smile. “Maybe he’ll be gut enough for you this time.”
Beth glared at her brother. “Don’t start, bruder. I might just stay single. That way no one can aggravate me.”
“Just me,” he said, allowing himself a chortle.
“Leave your schwester alone,” Isaiah, said. “Someday the right man will come along. Gott will see to that.”
Beth let out a long slow sigh. “I wish everyone would leave me alone. It’s not like I’m fifty years old. I just don’t want to make a mistake.”
“Jah, you’re wise,” Lottie said, nodding. “I was just fortunate Zach and I fell in love early. I was only fifteen when I knew he was the right person for me.” Zach reached over and took hold of her hand, as they smiled intimately at each other.
Anna felt jealousy arise—an emotion she hated and tried never to feel. She quickly said a silent prayer asking God to take the feeling away. Slowly, she felt better and asked Lottie how she was feeling.
“Pretty gut. I kutz once in a while, but most of the time, I keep my food down. It’s the same with each boppli. My friend Norma and I were talking after church,” she added, turning toward Beth. “She thought she saw you in Lititz at the market, but then she said it turned out to be someone who looked like you. A pretty English girl. Funny. I’ve heard everyone has a double.”
Beth forced a smile. Her hands suddenly felt clammy. “Jah, I heard that, too.”
Anna looked over at her sister, questioning with her eyes.
Late that afternoon before leaving, Anna found herself alone in the kitchen with her sister cleaning up dishes at the sink. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
“Me? What?”
“In Lititz—at the market. I know you were there. Mamm told me you were going.”
“I often go there.”
“You’re not answering me. Did you put on English clothes to go see that Randy guy?”
“What if I did? What’s the big deal? It was fun to just try something different. Nothing happened.”
“Did you talk to him?”
“Well, jah. It would be rude not to, don’t you think?”
“You must really be drinking a lot of coffee lately.”
“Before Mamm gets back in here, let’s drop the subject.”
“I saw him.”
Beth’s eyes were as large as saucers. “When? How did you know it was him?”
“I hear Mamm. We’ll talk later. Follow me outside when I go out to round up the kids.”
With that, Ro
se came into the kitchen and smiled at her daughters. “That was fun, wasn’t it? I love it when we all get together. I’m glad Lottie’s expecting again. I love new boppli!”
“She stays pretty busy,” Beth said. “Better her than me.”
“Oh, your day will come,” Rose said as she reached for the dry plates to stack in the cupboard.
After several minutes the kitchen was in order again. Anna said good-by and told her mother she was going to herd the children into the buggy and get home before dark. Beth offered to help and followed her out.
Before calling the children, they stood by the buggy together. “So, answer me. Why did you go check him out?” Beth started.
“Because I wanted to see the attraction, and jah, he’s a gut-looking guy. Friendly and all, but you’d better watch yourself, or you may fall in love with him, and I can’t see a gut outcome for either of you.”
“Relax, Anna. I’m not going to see him again. At least, I won’t try to see him again. If we run into each other sometime, it will be by accident. He knows it’s not to be, as well.”
“You actually talked about your relationship already?”
“In generalities. Sort of.”
“So he was attracted to you, too.”
“I guess so. Does it surprise you that much?”
“Nee, of course not. Any man would be. You’re very pretty and smart.”
“Too smart for my own good. I scare guys away sometimes. I don’t have a lot of tolerance for ignorance.”
“I’m aware of that, Beth. You’ve put me in my place a few times.”
Beth’s mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry if I ever hurt you. You’re so schmaert, I can’t believe I would have insulted you.”
“I’m sure you didn’t mean to. It’s just that you read a lot more than I do and you’re interested in everything. So you’re more knowledgeable than I am. Sometimes I guess you get impatient with me—and others.”
“I wish I could be satisfied with my life, Anna. I’d love to be married and all, but part of me would like to go back to school and even get a degree in something. Anything.”
“I can’t advise you,” Anna said as she put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Just think long and hard before you make a decision that could change your whole future. You’ve taken your kneeling vows, you know. You could be banned if you step out too far.”
Beth nodded and looked down. “I know. I felt it was the right thing to do at the time. How would it affect our relationship if I ever left?”
Anna remained silent while she mulled over the question. “I’ll always love you.”
“I’ll let it go at that. I don’t like the implication.”
“I…I can’t say anymore without giving it more thought.”
“I understand, and I respect your honesty.”
“Let me get the kinner together. I’ll be by in a few days and we can talk again.”
“There isn’t much more to say on the subject. For now, I’m an Amish woman—single and aging. So be it.”
Anna leaned over and kissed her sister on the cheek. Then she called the boys and waved to Rachel to get ready to leave. There was a pit in her stomach. She would spend more time in prayer for her sister. Prayer for her to have a change of heart.
Chapter Seven
Anna loved the long days of summer. It was late July now. The children begged to stay up later, but she tried to hold to a nine-o’clock bedtime. Occasionally, it happened.
Tonight, after all were tucked in their beds, she sat on her small screened-in porch behind the living room and lit her propane lamp. Crickets serenaded her as well as the tree toads. It was a strange cacophony of sound bringing memories of her wonderful childhood to her mind. She closed her eyes and envisioned the many nights when she and her sister and brother would chase lightning bugs and place them in canning jars until bedtime, when they were released. She thought about the campfires on Sunday nights when she and her friends sat around and sang a Capella from the Ausbund—the ancient hymnal which was so much a part of the Amish traditions.
After a few minutes, she picked up the latest edition of the Budget, an Amish publication which served the whole nation. She knew several of the people who wrote the articles which give information about their local weather, crops, and visitors, as well as prayer requests for loved ones and friends. She often glanced at the obituaries and card shower requests as well.
Normally, she just checked Lancaster County contributions, but not wanting to go to bed yet, she expanded her reading to include Holmes County, Ohio, where she knew several families. Some of her own relatives had moved there ten or more years before, and she liked keeping informed.
How sad. A young mother had been killed in a buggy accident along with three of her children. How devastating. Goodness, the poor husband was left with three children—aged three, eight and ten. The little girl was even younger than her Rachel. Tears filled Anna’s eyes as she read the names of the children who had been killed. Nearly the same age as her own. Oh, dear Gott—help this poor family. Give the father, Abraham, the strength and will to go on.
She cut out the article and placed it on the refrigerator door with a magnet. Tomorrow, she’d have the family pray for them. Anna knew how prayer was helping her with her grief. And this poor soul not only lost his mate, but three of his dear children as well.
Anna wiped her tears and made sure all was closed up before heading up the stairs to bed.
The next day her brother was going to stop by and bring early corn for her to can. Beth had promised to help. It was a tedious job, but when one had company, it was that much easier.
At the end of summer, the community was introduced to the new neighbor who had purchased the Wilson farm. Josiah Yoder was in his late twenties. A tall gangly man with large features. Homely-good-looking is how her mother had described him. His dark eyes had a serious quality to them and he rarely smiled. He was soft-spoken and intelligent looking.
The first time the family met him was at church service at the bishop’s barn. He shook everyone’s hand and nodded, repeating each name as if scratching it in the concrete of his brain. When Anna and Beth introduced themselves, he allowed a faint smile on his rugged face.
After they were out of ear-shot, Beth leaned over and whispered in her sister’s ear, “He’s not as nice looking as Randy.”
“Nee, maybe not, but he’s Amish,” Anna remarked, pointedly.
“Girls,” their mother called out to them as she headed for the buggy, “I’ve invited Josiah Yoder to come tomorrow for supper. I hope you can both be there. It will be easier with a few people, since we don’t know the man.”
“I guess I can come, Mamm. Do you want me early to help?” Anna asked.
“Nee, he’s not coming until five. I should have my noodles done early.”
“Mamm, I hope you didn’t invite him for me,” Beth said, her mouth drawn.
“Now why would you think that?” Rose said as she winked at Anna.
“I saw that. I wish you wouldn’t play cupid. I can find my own man when I’m ready.”
“Now, just be nice to him. He’s a stranger and probably lonely.”
“Then he should have stayed where he was,” Beth said gruffly.
“I wonder why he moved to Pennsylvania,” Anna said as she waited for Luke to bring the horse around and harness him to the buggy.
“Maybe Gott wants him to meet your schwester,” Rose said, trying unsuccessfully to hide a grin.
Beth rolled her eyes and searched for her father to appear with their buggy. She shook her head and looked over at Anna to be rescued. “Anna come early tomorrow.”
“I’ll try.”
“I need someone there to protect me from a family conspiracy.”
Anna laughed. “What makes you think I’m not part of it?”
Beth allowed a smile. “Poor Herr Yoder. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.”
“The grand inquisition!” Anna added, grinning.
<
br /> Luke came over with the buggy. The younger children were already seated in the back, shoving and arguing—the new norm.
“And you wonder why I like my single life?” Beth said, shaking her head at her nephews and niece.
“Jah, that’s all they do now. Since Jeremiah left us, they just don’t listen to me.”
Rose walked over and put her head close to Mark. “You’d better listen to your Mamm or I’ll send Dawdi over with a switch.”
Anna and Beth looked at each other, arching their brows. Goodness, their father was the mildest mannered Amish man in all of Lancaster County. He’d never even consider punishing children with a switch. But the children didn’t know what they knew and they became immediately silent. Huh.
Rose turned around and looked over at Anna. “Let us know, Anna, if you need his help.” She said it loud enough for the little ones to hear, but winked at her daughter as she headed for her own buggy, which was drawing up with her husband in the driver’s seat. Not a word could be heard from the children as they watched their grandfather with new eyes.
All the way home, things seemed more in control. Before getting out of the buggy, Rachel asked the question on each of the children’s minds. “Would Dawdi really spank us with a switch?”
“Uh,” Anna began. She was unable to lie, but it had been such a pleasant ride home. “Why don’t you ask him when you see him?”
“No way!” Mark said, jumping out the door on his side. “I bet he would! We have Onkel Zach, too. Guess we’d better not fight so much.”
“Jah, it’s your fault, Mark,” Matthew added as he climbed down, too.
“You’re the one who makes me nuts,” Mark said, angrily.
“Hey, you guys!” Luke remarked. “Stop your grumbling and help me unharness Winnie.
“Mamm, aren’t you glad you had me?” Rachel asked her mother as she took her hand.
“I’m glad I had all of you, but you buwe sure can tire a woman out with your fussing. Tomorrow you all have to be on your best behavior at Grossmammi’s. We’re going to be eating supper with that new man you met at church. You don’t want him to think you’re naughty and disrespectful.”
