Cousin's Challenge

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  3. Behave in class.

  4. Use total communication (signing, finger spelling, speech, and lip reading).

  5. Remember to do your homework and bring it to school.

  6. Cooperate and share with others.

  Consequences for Not Obeying:

  1. Name on the board—warning.

  2. One check—stand against the wall.

  3. Two checks—parents will be told.

  Jolene had made it clear to both Irvin and Sylvia that she expected them to follow those rules. She figured the children’s folks had made a few rules, too, for Sylvia, who’d cooperated from the beginning, had been even more attentive today, and Irvin had actually done most of his work. She had a hunch that Sylvia had told on Irvin, and he’d probably been punished at home for not paying attention in class and refusing to do what Jolene asked.

  Jolene had just taken a notebook and pen from her desk when she felt a swish of air. She looked up and saw Lonnie step into the room. When the door swung shut, he said, “I’m here for my lesson.”

  Knowing that the school desks were too small for Lonnie’s tall frame, Jolene pulled out the chair at her desk and motioned for him to sit down.

  He hesitated then asked, “Where are you going to sit?”

  Jolene moved over to the blackboard and wrote: I’ll stand for now. Then she wrote the letter A and turned to face Lonnie. She made the hand gesture for A, with her fingers balled into the palm of her hand and her thumb facing up. Next she wrote the letter B and made the hand gesture, with all four fingers facing up and the thumb pulled inward across the palm of the hand. She continued writing the letters of the alphabet and making the proper hand signs until she’d done each one.

  Lonnie looked at her with an eyebrow quirked and a perplexed expression. Was it really that hard to understand, or didn’t he want to learn?

  Maybe I’m going too fast, Jolene decided. She pointed to the letter A and made the hand sign for it again. Then she wrote on the blackboard and asked Lonnie to make the same hand sign she’d just made.

  He did as she requested but without much enthusiasm. Then she showed him again how to make the hand signs for the letters B and C. They practiced each of those several times then moved on to the letters D, E, and F. Jolene was about to start with the letter G when Ella stepped into the room.

  “Sorry I’m late,” she said, looking at Jolene. “I went with my daed to run some errands, and it took longer than we expected. He dropped me off here and suggested I go home with you after my lesson. He has a few more errands to run here in Topeka, so he’ll pick me up at your place later this afternoon.”

  “That’s fine,” Jolene said, “but we’ll have to walk to my house because That’s how I came to school today.”

  Ella smiled. “That’s okay. It’s a nice day, and I’ll enjoy the walk.”

  Jolene motioned to the blackboard and explained to Ella what she’d taught Lonnie so far. “Why don’t you have a seat at one of the scholars’ desks and follow along?”

  Ella pulled out a chair and took a seat. The desk was a bit small for her, but she was short and fit in the chair a lot better than Lonnie would have.

  Ella smiled at Lonnie, but he sat stony faced with his arms folded.

  Jolene went to the blackboard and wrote: Ella wants to learn how to sign, so I invited her to join us today. She pointed to the letter A. When she made the hand sign for it, Ella did the same.

  “I wish I hadn’t come,” Lonnie said.

  “What was that?” she wrote on the board.

  “Nothing.”

  Jolene thought Lonnie had said he wished he hadn’t come, but she couldn’t be sure because toward the end of his sentence, he’d lowered his head. She continued to show Ella how to make the letters B, C, D, and E; then she pointed to the letter F and made the sign for that, but Lonnie didn’t respond.

  A few seconds later, he jumped to his feet. “I’m going home.”

  Before Jolene had a chance to respond, Lonnie raced out the door. She groaned and flopped into the chair where he’d been sitting. “Es is mir verleed.”

  “Why are you discouraged?” Ella asked.

  “I’m not a good teacher. I feel like a failure.”

  Ella left her seat and stood in front of Jolene. “You need to stop questioning everything you do and quit blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault. It’s obvious that Lonnie doesn’t want to learn.”

  Jolene blinked back the tears stinging her eyes. “I think Lonnie’s discouraged and probably a bit overwhelmed because there’s so much to learn.”

  “Maybe I should bake him a loaf of friendship bread and attach a verse of scripture like I’ve done for several others in our community when they’ve gone through trying times.”

  “That’s a thought. I don’t know if he’ll appreciate it, though.” Jolene motioned to the blackboard then looked back at Ella. “Do you want to continue with the lesson, or are you ready to head for home?”

  “You look tired and stressed,” Ella said. “Maybe we should put the lesson on hold and start walking to your house.”

  Jolene nodded and pushed away from her desk. She was beginning to feel another headache coming on.

  ***

  As Ella and Jolene walked along the shoulder of the road, the afternoon sun shone in a crystal blue sky. Despite the chilly fall weather they’d been having, the sun had shone nearly every day that week.

  A slight breeze lifted the ribbon ties on Ella’s head covering, while it whispered through the nearly bare trees that were close to the road.

  Ella glanced at Jolene as she walked by her side. What a shame she couldn’t hear the wind or any of nature’s other sweet sounds. Ella couldn’t imagine what it must be like for her cousin. It would be horrible to lose one’s ability to hear. Yet Jolene seemed to be coping fairly well. Better than I would be if I’d lost my hearing, Ella thought.

  They hadn’t gone far when a hefty white goose waddled down the driveway of an English farmer’s house, honking as it went.

  Ella nudged Jolene’s arm and pointed to the goose. “Looks like there’s trouble heading our way.”

  “What was that? I can’t tell what you’re saying unless you look at me.”

  The goose gave a loud honk and started running toward them.

  “It’s a goose! Probably a mean goose!” Ella shouted, making sure that Jolene could see her face.

  As the goose grew closer, it headed for Jolene. She gasped and started running in circles.

  Suddenly the goose stopped, turned, and ran after Ella. She gave it a nudge with her foot. The goose stood still a few moments, but then it started after her again. Her heart pounding, Ella nudged the goose again, with a little more force. It turned and waddled a few steps toward home, but then it did a sudden U-turn and came after Jolene again.

  Jolene and Ella started running down the road, but the goose was much faster than Ella anticipated and soon overtook them. She screeched to a halt and gave the goose a sterner nudge with her foot, which sent the goose rolling in the tall grass along the shoulder of the road. But it quickly got back up and came after her again, honking and raising a ruckus.

  Jolene took hold of Ella’s arm. “Have you noticed that the goose hasn’t actually bitten either one of us?”

  Ella drew in a shaky breath and shook her head. “The only thing I’ve noticed is that it won’t quit running after us.”

  “Hold still, Ella. I think this silly old goose just wants to walk with us.”

  Ella froze. Sure enough, the dumb goose came right up, leaned into her leg, and looked up at her like she was a long-lost friend.

  Ella leaned over so she was eye to eye with the goose. “I’m sorry for rolling you with my foot and anything else I did that might have traumatized you.”

  Like an obedient dog, the silly goose proceeded to waddle alongside Ella. Finally, at Jolene’s suggestion, they turned back toward the farmhouse the goose had come from. When they got there, Ella walked the goo
se back to its yard, where it honked a farewell and waddled off like nothing had ever happened.

  Ella joined Jolene at the end of the driveway, and they both started laughing. Jolene laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks. Ella smiled as they headed back down the road. Jolene had seemed so down after Lonnie left the schoolhouse in a huff. It was good to see her relax and find some humor in what had started out to be a very stressful event. Maybe That’s what they all needed these days—to look for the humorous side of things.

  ***

  As Lonnie drew close to home, a feeling of guilt washed over him. He’d acted like a spoiled brat and knew he should have stayed and finished his lesson. For some reason, though, having Ella there had made him feel nervous. Maybe it was because she seemed so capable. Maybe it was because he didn’t want her to see how stupid he was. He’d had a hard enough time concentrating on what Jolene had shown him, and remembering the finger positions had been no easy task. At the rate he was going, he’d never learn to sign the entire alphabet, much less be able to sign any words.

  Lonnie guided his horse up the driveway and halted near the barn. After he unhitched the horse, he spent some time brushing the animal down. This gave him the opportunity to think things through a bit more. By the time he was done, he’d made a decision. After supper, he’d go over to Jolene’s and apologize for his childish behavior.

  When Lonnie headed for the house, he saw Mom sitting in a chair on the back porch, peeling potatoes. When he stepped onto the porch, she wrote something on the tablet that had been lying beside her and handed it to him. It read: You’re home sooner than I expected. How’d your first lesson with Jolene go?

  “Not good. There’s too much to learn.” Lonnie chose not to elaborate.

  It’ll get easier with time and practice. Mom smiled and continued to write. As soon as you learn how to sign, your daed and I will ask Jolene to teach us.

  Lonnie shrugged.

  Mom wrote something else on the tablet. I think I know something that will lift your spirits.

  “What’s that?”

  There’s a letter for you on the table. It’s from Carolyn.

  He hurried into the house and tore open the envelope, but he’d only read a few words when his heart started to pound:

  Dear Lonnie,

  This is hard for me to say, but I won’t be coming to see you after all. I’ve met someone, and...

  The words blurred on the page, and Lonnie blinked against the unexpected tears behind his eyes. He sank into a nearby chair. Carolyn wasn’t coming; she’d found someone else. Was it because she didn’t want to be stuck with a man who couldn’t hear?

  What was the use in learning to sign or read lips if he couldn’t have Carolyn? Without her, his life had no meaning. So much for that time when she’d told him she thought God had brought them together!

  Lonnie lifted his gaze toward the ceiling and railed at God for the injustices He allowed. “It’s not fair! Nothing in my life is fair anymore!”He sprang from the chair, knocking it to the floor. He was glad he couldn’t hear the crash.

  Lonnie dashed across the room and jerked open the back door with such force that he felt the vibration when it hit the wall.

  When he stepped onto the porch, he drew in a couple of shaky breaths. Then, taking the stairs two at a time, he headed straight for the barn. This day couldn’t be over soon enough to suit him!

  CHAPTER 17

  “How are things going at school?” Loraine asked Jolene when they met at the hardware store in Shipshewana the following afternoon.

  Jolene shrugged. “Things are a little better with Irvin and Sylvia, but Lonnie doesn’t seem to want to learn.”

  “Oh That’s right, you had...” Loraine turned her head as she reached for a stack of baby blankets.

  Jolene tapped Loraine’s arm. “What did you say? I couldn’t see your lips.”

  Loraine’s cheeks colored as she faced Jolene. “Sorry.”

  “Reading lips is the only way I can know what others are saying, unless they know how to sign.”

  “Speaking of signing,” Loraine said. “I understand that you’re going to be teaching Ella.”

  “That’s right. She had her first lesson yesterday and another one this afternoon. Lonnie was supposed to have another lesson with us today, too, but he didn’t show up.”

  “Maybe he got busy with something at home.”

  “I hope That’s all it was. He seemed upset when he left the schoolhouse yesterday, and I was concerned that he might not come back today.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be back for more lessons. He won’t be able to communicate without learning to sign and read lips.”

  “You’re probably right. I’ll give him a few more days, and if he doesn’t show up, I’ll go over to his house and talk to him about it.” Jolene motioned to the blanket Loraine held. “Are you getting ready for the big day?”

  Loraine smiled. “I can hardly wait until the boppli’s born this spring.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “I’ve been concerned about our finances, but Wayne’s begun making wooden items, and he’s already sold a few things to some of the furniture stores in the area, so I think we’ll be okay.”

  “What about Ada and Crist? Are they getting by on what Crist makes in his taxidermy shop?”

  “So far, but Wayne will be taking less money from the business now that he’s found a way to supplement our income, so Crist will earn most of the profits.”

  “I guess Ada could always look for a job if she needed to.”

  Loraine shrugged. “Maybe, but she likes being at home.”

  “She might find something she could make and sell from her home like some folks in our community have done.”

  “I’m sure she’ll help out if she needs to, so I’m trying not to worry about it.”

  Jolene swallowed hard. It was a challenge not to worry about a lot of things these days.

  ***

  As Ella approached the Hershbergers’ place, her breath caught. The sun peeked out between fluffy white clouds, casting a golden light on the pastures surrounding their farm. The fields of drying corn rustled, and birds chirped a happy chorus in the trees overhead. Fall was a beautiful time of year.

  Ella secured her horse to the hitching rail and reached inside the buggy to get the friendship bread she’d made for Lonnie. Then she sprinted to the house and knocked on the door. A few moments later, Lonnie’s mother, Irene, answered her knock.

  “I came to see how Lonnie’s doing and to give him a loaf of friendship bread.” Ella handed the bread to Irene. “There’s a verse of scripture attached to the wrapping.”

  “That’s nice of you. I’m sure Lonnie will appreciate the gesture.” Irene opened the door wider. “Come inside, and we can chat awhile.”

  Ella followed Irene into the kitchen, and Irene placed the loaf of bread on the counter. “Please, have a seat,” she said, motioning to the table.

  When Ella sat down, she noticed the late-afternoon shadows bouncing off the walls. The days were getting shorter, and soon it would be dark by late afternoon—a sure sign that winter was coming.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee or some tea?” Irene asked.

  “No, thanks.”

  “How are things at your place? Is your daed keeping busy in his shop?”

  “Since he hasn’t found anyone to take Lonnie’s place, he’s busy enough, but it’s mostly with out-of-state orders right now.”

  “Lonnie misses his job tuning wind chimes. He’s been miserable ever since he lost his hearing.” Irene sighed deeply. “Now, with Carolyn breaking up with him, he feels worse than ever.”

  “When did that happen?”

  “He got a letter from her yesterday, saying she’d met someone else. He’s convinced that she broke up with him because of his disability. Now he’s despondent and doesn’t want to learn how to sign or read lips.”

  “Is Lonnie at home now?” Ella asked. “I’d like to speak
to him.”

  “He’s out in the barn.” Irene took a tablet and pen from the desk in the kitchen and handed it to Ella. “You’ll need this so you can communicate with him.”

  “Okay.” Ella left her seat, plucked the scripture verse off the loaf of friendship bread, and scurried out the door.

  She found Lonnie in the barn, sitting on a bale of straw, staring at the rafters. When she touched his shoulder, he jumped.

  “Sorry if I startled you.”

  “Huh?”

  Using the tablet and pen Irene had given her Ella scrawled a note and handed it to Lonnie. He read her words with a look of disinterest. I went to the schoolhouse this afternoon for another signing lesson and was disappointed that you weren’t there.

  “I changed my mind about learning to sign.”

  How come? Ella wrote in reply.

  “Carolyn broke up with me. Nothing matters anymore now.”

  Ella saw the anger and pain on Lonnie’s face, even heard it in his voice. She wished there was something she could say to make him feel better. It was never fun to be jilted.

  Ella wrote again on the tablet: I brought you a loaf of friendship bread with a verse of scripture attached. I think the verse might help you understand that God has a plan for your life.

  “Some plan! There’s no way you could understand what I’m going through. You still have two good ears.”

  That’s true, but I’ve suffered losses. Ella squeezed onto the bale of straw beside him. You’re not the only one who’s lost your hearing. Jolene lost hers in the accident we were in, and she’s learned to cope with her handicap. She doesn’t sit around feeling sorry for herself because she can’t hear, either.

  “It’s not just my loss of hearing That’s got me down. It’s the fact that Carolyn broke up with me because of it.” He slowly shook his head. “I can’t understand why God allows people to do such hurtful things.”

  People aren’t puppets, and I don’t think anyone really understands why bad things happen to good people. Ella lifted her pen as she thought about what more she should say. God has a plan for your life, and I think you should let Jolene teach you to communicate through signing and lip reading so that others don’t have to write everything down. She handed Lonnie the verse of scripture that had been attached to the bread: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8.”