Smicksburg Tales 1,2 & 3 (Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle & Amish Knit Lit Cirlce ~ Complete Series: 888 pages for Granny Weaver Lovers and 30+ Amish Recipes

by Karen Anna Vogel

  Ella’s eyes misted. “My faith means more to me than my life, I think. When we read the Martyr’s Mirror and learn of all the torture our ancestors went through for their love for the Lord, I want to be like them. When I read the story of Dirk Willems, of him helping his enemy out of the icy pond, saving his life, only to be burnt at the stake when caught; well, I’m so ashamed.”

  Zach got up and kissed Ella on the cheek. “I picked you as my wife because of your love for God. And didn’t Granny tell you she admired your faith too?”

  Ella looked down, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. “Jah.”

  “Maybe your faith is being tested, as if in a fire. But we know the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When they were thrown into the fire, everyone saw four people, not three. The Lord was with them in that fire.”

  Ella slowly looked up. “I forgot about that.”

  “And how about Job? A good example that we’re small and God is too big for us to understand. You try to figure everything out, or do all women do that?”

  Ella got up and put her arms around Zach’s neck. “I don’t know…” She felt Zach’s lips on hers and then her head being cradled against his chest. Her tower of strength. “So what do I do?”

  Zach kissed the top of her head. “Pray for strength to forgive. We can’t do it on our own. And think the best of Lavina. She’s done a lot of things right. She could have done away with the twins but she wanted them happy, so she gave them up, even made sure she liked you first…”

  “I almost forgot. She wrote and asked me lots of questions. Even little things, like whether we had a tire swing or not.”

  Zach cupped her cheeks and kissed her again. “I think they’ll understand if you’re late for knitting circle. Why not go?”

  She beamed. “Because I want to spend time with my husband.” She pulled Zach down and kissed him. “Let’s put the twins down for bed early.”

  Zach scooped her up and kissed her until she was out of breath. He winked. “Let’s all go to bed early. “ He kissed her nose. “That proverb, ‘Kissing wears out, cooking don’t’, isn’t true for me.”

  Ella laughed and buried her face in his chest.

  ~*~

  Granny heard buggy wheels and went over to the window. Lavina, Becca and Maryann had arrived. She saw Nathan shoot out of Roman’s house like a rock from a slingshot, and head straight to Lavina, taking the pies from her hands. She hid behind the white curtain, pulled over on one side, and studied Nathan’s face, especially his eyes. Did she see love? Another pain in her stomach. She turned and willed herself to not fret, casting her concerns on God. This was getting to be an hourly ritual.

  When they entered she welcomed them, telling them to take some bar cookies. Nathan put the pies on the table and Granny got out plates and knives. Maryann protested to any desserts, and Granny suspected Dan, their herbalist, had convinced her white sugar was bad for her health. Granny shrugged her shoulders. She was seventy, healthy, and desserts full of white sugar were served daily after every meal. The meal wasn’t complete without dessert.

  She noticed that Fannie looked mighty down, and went over and put her arm around her, as the other women sat at the table eating pie.

  “Lavina, did you make this berry pie?” Ruth asked. “The crust is so flakey and tastes different.”

  “I use butter, not margarine or Oleo. I think it makes a difference.”

  “She’s teaching me things about baking I never knew,” Maryann said. “Your mamm taught you well.”

  Lavina’s eyes had a far-off look about them. “I miss her.”

  “Are you thinking of going back home?” Fannie asked.

  “Nee, I talked to the bishop here. Told him why I couldn’t go back and he agreed. He’s glad I’ll be a sheep in his flock.”

  “But where will you live? “ Granny asked, turning toward Maryann. “With you?”

  “Jah, she’s a big help…”

  Becca chimed in. “I can actually go out more with friends.”

  “And I can live with a family where I see lots of love in the home. I’m getting a vision of what I want my family to be like.”

  Granny couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Maryann had been Lavina’s biggest critic, but now offering a permanent home? She knew Maryann was a goot judge of character though. But the bishop usually encouraged reconciliation between families. Why wasn’t he telling her to go back home and make amends? It was all such a mystery.

  Lavina looked across the room at Becca. “I see Gilbert Miller was baptized too. Yinz seem like goot friends…and now being both baptized.”

  “What are you saying, Lavina? Granny asked. “Becca’s only fifteen and not looking to marry soon. “ She turned to Becca. “I didn’t know you were taking baptism classes. So young.”

  “With everything happening with Mamm, I got real scared. Always thought Mamm would be out there watching my baptism. Now I know life’s like a teacup, fragile.”

  “Maryann, you’re going to be alright?” Fannie asked.

  “I should be. Doctors say it looks goot. They caught it all…Becca just got nervous.”

  “But the baptismal vow is the most sacred and important. You had no doubts?” Ruth asked.

  “Nee, not one. I’m Amish to the core.” Becca said.

  The side door opened and Lizzie soon appeared. “Sorry I’m a little late. Was over at Roman’s.”

  “Seeing those precious girls?” Maryann asked.

  Granny saw that Lizzie now looked pale. Maybe her stomach pains weren’t from stress but a virus. “Lizzie, you feeling alright?”

  She looked at Granny, sorrow in her eyes. “I feel fine.”

  Granny got up and took Lizzie’s hand. “You girls can start to knit, now that you’re almost done with dessert. I need to talk to Lizzie private-like.”

  The women all put their dirty dishes into the sink and went out into the living room. Granny put her hands on Lizzie’s shoulders. “This should be the happiest day of your life. Why so sad?”

  “Roman’s awful upset, and so is Jeb. Those two are like goats, butting horns. Neither will give in.”

  “Jeb’s concerned about me. I can tell. April’s birthing time and May for plowing. You know how he goes on about staying in step with nature.”

  “Jah, but Roman and I don’t need the type of wedding young folk have who don’t have anything. Roman has a house....”

  Granny knew she had to talk sense into Jeb. As touched as she was that he hovered over her, protecting her, she could do this wedding if…”Let’s go into the circle and you can give your goot news. At least you and Roman are together again and that’s the important thing.”

  Lizzie followed behind her as they entered the circle. “Lizzie has some goot news.” Granny said.

  “Jah, Roman and I are courting again.”

  Silence filled the room, only the ticking of the pendulum clock and the faint sound of peeper frogs from outside could be heard.

  “That’s wunderbar, Lizzie. But why do you look so sad?”

  Lizzie looked at Granny, bewildered.

  “My son wants a spring wedding and my husband is against it. So they’re not in unity and we all know what that means this time of year.”

  “Well, all year long, we need to focus on it,” Maryann corrected. “But communion will be delayed if no unity. That hasn’t happened in a while.”

  Granny looked around the room. “Jeb thinks it’s too much work for an old woman like me. I have sheep that will be birthing their young. ..”

  Fannie stood up. “I have an idea. Yinz know Melvin and I are planning a spring wedding. Why not have a joint wedding. A double wedding?”

  Lizzie slowly took a seat and put her loom on her lap. “I couldn’t. It’s your day, Fannie. But danki just the same.”

  Fannie put her hands on her hips. “I don’t want to be the center of attention. It unravels me. This could be my answer to prayer.” She sat down. “And my big day won’t be happy anyhow…”
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  “What?” Becca blurted. “It’s your wedding day.”

  “Yinz heard about the Coblenz’s moving to New York? Well guess who wants to move there too? Melvin’s daed.” She looked over at Granny, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’d miss everyone so much, but he’ll be my husband. “

  Granny couldn’t imagine Fannie being so far away, but then again, it was painful when all her sons moved, too. “You’ll be greatly missed. Melvin too.”

  “What will he do with his shop?” Lizzie asked. “He’s always loved that place. What would he do in New York?”

  “Dairy farming,” Fannie moaned. “We’ll have to hand milk the cows too and it’s freezing up there. But I love Melvin so…”

  “So you tell him how you feel,” Granny said. “A marriage has two people in it. And the husband should love his wife and care how she feels about big decisions.”

  “Really? I thought it would make Melvin think I didn’t love him. I do love him enough to move to New York.” She turned to Lizzie. “But he loves his shop. His daed’s selling it to buy the farm and cows.”

  “Fannie, yinz need to talk,” Lizzie said. “And I need to talk to Roman. I told him how much I wanted a spring wedding, saying it was the prettiest time of year for a wedding. But if it causes dissention, it’s selfish on my part. It’s just so much warmer…”

  “Jah, it’s cold in November and most the leaves are off the trees,” Ruth said.

  “How’s the unity between you and Luke?” Maryann asked. “Been reading the Bible and praying together? Remember what I told you?”

  “Jah, we have and it’s binding us together.” Ruth’s face slowly grew red. “I can say we should be in full unity to take communion on Easter.”

  ~*~

  Lizzie could see the girls’ lights were out, so she headed over to Roman’s after the knitting circle. He greeted her with a kiss that lingered.

  “My Lizzie again…” He held her close. “We’ll have a spring wedding, don’t you worry.”

  Lizzie could hear the beating of his heart, and wished she could stay in his arms forever. “Roman, we can wait until fall. I don’t have to have a spring wedding.”

  Roman led her to the bench and sat her on his lap. “So, you’re having second thoughts?” He winked playfully.

  “Roman, do you know how upset your daed is? He thinks we’re being selfish, and I’m starting to agree. We can wait…”

  Roman pulled her to himself. “But I have a house. There’s nothing to prepare.”

  “Only the wedding and it takes a lot of work, and the women do it all.” Lizzie sighed. “Fannie’s been planning hers for weeks, since she got engaged.”

  “But we’re not like the English, who plan theirs for a year. We just need to have the wedding feast.”

  “Which the women do and we need time to prepare…plus your btothers won’t be here. I think that’s bothering your daed too.”

  Roman kissed her cheek. “My brothers in Ohio can come.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I called them. Used the neighbor’s phone and called the numbers they gave me. They called back and they said just to tell them the date a week in advance. They have a driver who needs work.” He kissed her again. “My other brothers can’t come, but two can.”

  “Does your daed know this?”

  “Nee, but he will tomorrow when we talk with the bishop.”

  Lizzie snuggled against Roman. “What about my daed? We need to see how he feels, moving into this house and giving up the store…”

  “I talked to Nathan and he said he’d be happy to live with your dad. Maybe for a year, if need be.”

  Lizzie looked up at Roman and their lips met. “I’ll be Mrs. Roman Weaver.”

  “I’ll be the happiest man in town…”

  ~*~

  “My neck hurts,” the bishop blurted. “Turning to each of you as you hurl words back and forth.”

  “Sorry,” Roman said.

  “Jah, I’m sorry too,” Jeb said. “I’ve just seen what Roman’s impulsiveness has done in the past, and want him to wait until fall.”

  “Daed, I won’t be changing my mind.”

  “But it wasn’t long ago that yinz both had your dander up when around each other. All the time.”

  The bishop put his hand up. “And we know why, Jeb. Lizzie was a hurting woman.”

  “Jah, Daed, you know the whole story.”

  Jeb clasped his hands on the table. “I still think you should wait.”

  “Jonas is mighty happy for Lizzie. His legs are worse in the winter and he said Lizzie has to help pull him up and even tries to lift him at times. Goot thing he’s a small man.” He cocked his head toward Jeb. “Two of your sons will be coming. What’s the real reason you want them to wait?”

  Jeb raked his fingers through his hair. “It’s too sudden-like. And Deborah seems so tired at times. She’d be doing most of the planning, with Lizzie’s mamm gone.” He turned to Roman. “As for Lizzie, let’s have Nathan live with Jonas now and help if his legs are bad.”

  “What do you think, Roman? Sound like a plan?” the bishop asked.

  Roman’s eyes misted. “You both don’t understand, do you? Spring is Lizzie’s favorite season. It reminds her of new life. Since the assault, the life inside her seemed to die. It’s like she’s been resurrected. And if she wants spring to be like a symbol to her, I want her to have that.”

  Jeb leaned toward Roman. “She told you that?”

  “Nee, it’s in little things she says.”

  Jeb rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re more like your mamm than I thought. Always seeing things no one else is seeing.”

  “I’m not imagining this all up,” Roman snapped.

  Jeb put his hand on Roman’s shoulder. “It was a compliment, Son. Calm down.”

  ~*~

  Fannie saw Melvin pull in the driveway and she closed her eyes. Lord, give me strength. She went to the wooden pegs where all the capes and shawls hung and decided on a shawl, since it was warming up. She met Melvin on the front porch.

  “How’s my peach?” he asked.

  Fannie tried to talk but got tongue-tied. Embarrassed that she stuttered, she looked down.

  “What’s wrong Fannie? You’re acting like you did when we first met, shy and all. It’s me, Melvin. “

  “Let’s sit on the porch swing.” She walked over to the white swing and Melvin sat next to her. “I have something to tell you.”

  “You’re scaring me Fannie. So somber. Do you want to call off our wedding?”

  Fannie noticed when Melvin was fearful, his green eyes seemed darker. “Nee, I want to be your wife, but I think I’ll be a bad one. You may not want to marry me.”

  “Now that doesn’t make any sense.” He leaned away from her. “Are you saying there’s something from your past that you haven’t told me about? Some reason why I’d think you’re bad?”

  “Nee, only something in my heart.”

  Melvin looked straight ahead. “I saw you talking to Hezekiah. When I first met you, that’s who you always talked about…..”

  Fannie remembered how she used to dream of Hezekiah and become upset when “skinny little Lottie” got his attention. She hadn’t thought of her jealousy in so long. To think of how insecure she was and how the knitting circle helped her recondition her mind, when she thought of her love for Hezekiah, it made her laugh. No, Melvin was someone who she thought of only in a dream, not even attainable. She took his hand. “I see him in passing, and believe me, I feel nothing.” She kissed his cheek. “See how it feels to be jealous. Remember how insecure I was about Lizzie?”

  Melvin looked at her and grinned. “I suppose I’m doing the same thing. So what is it then? Why would you think you’d be a bad wife?”

  “I don’t want to move to New York. Granny said I should let you know how I feel. Said marriage is between two people and they need to both share their feelings.”

  Melvin looked straight ahead again. “W
e may need to postpone the wedding then. I was right. Daed had a buyer for the house and shop. If I don’t go to New York, I’ll have to find a place to work.” He took her hand. “A fall wedding then. We can live with your folks, just like everyone else, and spend the winter saving to build a house in the spring. “

  Fannie saw the dread on Melvin’s face. Could she be this selfish? His daed had offered to build a shop next to the farm in New York. He wanted to turn the big farmhouse into a duplex, so they’d have their privacy. “Melvin,” she blurted. “I’m sorry. I never should have said anything. Now you’re not happy. If you’re not happy, I’m not either.”

  “And the same here. I want you to be happy.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s time I grow up.”

  ~*~

  Ella pulled the buggy into Maryann’s driveway and noticed buds were on her azalea bushes, and daffodils were scattered across the yard. She stared at the tire swing; she’d forgotten her prayer long ago. To have kinner for the tire swing Zach had put up several years ago. God heard that prayer and now she had two little ones. God really did care about all the times she’d swung on the tire, crying her heart out to him. And Lavina was, in a way, an answer to her prayer.

  She heard laughing and froze when she saw Lavina and Nathan walking in from the back field, holding hands. As they approached she could make out what they were saying….”Can’t wait until the next singing…” That meant he was taking her home, after Sunday Singings, in the wee hours of the night. Was Lavina seducing Nathan? Is Nathan the reason she didn’t want to go back home? But she said the bishop agreed that she stay in Smicksburg…or was Lavina lying? Nathan was the sweetest man and thought the best of everyone. Was he just plain naïve?

  Ella put her head down and closed her eyes. She didn’t like the Ella she was becoming, feeling anger every time she was around Lavina. In the past, she’d always thought the best of people, but when it came to Lavina, she always feared she was being lied to, and that she was naïve. She had to stop this. The Bible said love was thinking the best of others, not keeping a record of wrongs. She confessed her bad feelings about Lavina to the Lord, and felt a burden lift slowly lift. It was God’s job to reveal the truth, not her. She was not to judge.