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
Page 43
“And Roman’s help will be sorely missed. That’s why Nathan needs to come back.” Granny felt tears well in her eyes, but blinked, forbidding them to show. “I’m making the call.”
Granny jumped when Jack barked ferociously. What on earth? She sprang up and ran out onto the porch. The Baptist church van was coming mighty fast down the dirt road, leaving a cloud of dirt behind. I tell the Baptist not to drive so fast. When the van jerked back to a stop, right in front of her, she wanted to scold, but was too stunned to move. The entire van was full of Amish men, some she hadn’t seen in a long while.
Jonas got out of the passenger seat. “Where do we start?”
“What?” Granny covered her cheeks. “Start what?”
“Well, some are here to make rockers, and some to build the dawdyhaus. Where’s Jeb?”
“Gone,” she found herself saying. “But you can all decide who does what.”
Granny turned and ran back into the house. She headed toward her China closet drawer and pulled out a handkerchief. The one her mamm made her long ago, red roses embroidered on the corners. She let the tears flow freely.
Colleen encircled her in her arms. “It’s good to cry, right?”
Granny laid her head on Colleen’s shoulder. “Jah,” Granny sobbed. “Jah.”
~*~
Roman gazed up at Lizzie, her eyes mirroring the fear in his own. He heard the doctor speak the same words, but didn’t look his way.
Lizzie took Roman’s left hand. “Doctor, it sounds serious.”
“Well, it could be the reason your husband fell. We’ll need to do further tests to see if he needs medicine prescribed.”
“Medicine?” Roman blurted. “I’ll only take what’s natural: herbs.” Lizzie tried to hush him, but to no avail. “So no further tests.”
Lizzie stomped her foot, to Roman’s shock. “Roman Weaver. You are one stubborn man. You will take more tests, like the goot doctor said, and stop being so rude.”
The doctor stifled a snicker. “Are other Amish women as straight-forward as you?”
“Jah, my mamm,” Roman snapped.
Lizzie put her hands on her hips. “Doctor, Roman will do the twenty-four hour test. It’s battery operated, jah?”
“Yes. Right now, the EKG only gives us snapshots of his heartbeat pattern.”
“It’s my arm that needs help, not my heart.” Roman jutted his chin up, eyes on the ceiling.
“And it’s set in a cast for a while.” Lizzie bent down and kissed his forehead. “And I’ll be taking care of you.”
Jeb slowly walked into the room, pulling his gray beard. He nodded to the doctor. “Have to confess. I heard what you said from the hallway. Is my son sick?”
“I can’t disclose private information without the patient’s consent.”
Jeb tapped one foot on the floor nervously. “He’s my son.”
Roman was glad there were privacy rules. He didn’t want his daed to know.
“Go ahead, Doctor,” Lizzie said. “You can tell him.”
The doctor looked over at Roman in a questioning way, and he sighed. “Daed, you can’t tell Mamm.”
“I’ll be the judge of that…” Jeb and the doctor walked out into the hall.
Jenny came in, holding Joe’s hand. “Daed. Why’s Opa upset?”
Roman forced a smile. “He doesn’t like hospitals.”
“But he just told me how important it is to visit sick people. Said he liked coming here to visit.” Jenny let go of Joe’s hand. “I want to tell you a secret. Opa’s going to surprise Oma.”
“Most likely he will…” Roman laid his head back on the pillow and moaned.
~*~
Suzy stepped on the pedal of her spinning wheel, evenly feeding it alpaca. “See, it’s easy.”
Lavina stared in amazement. “You make it look easy.”
“It is. And once you get the hang of it, then you’ll be spinning, too. Like I said, a decent spinning wheel for two-hundred is for sale…and you can sell yarn.”
“And I can buy an alpaca for five-hundred. But it’s an impossible amount of money to get.”
“Not if you keep coming to knitting classes. You’re a quick learner.”
“Danki.”
“And, I have some simple patterns.” Suzy pointed to a cream vest on a hanger in the shop. “That’s called an ‘Instant Vest’. You can make it in one night. If you make ten, I can sell them, and you’ll have your spinning wheel.”
“Knitting and gardening, both goot for the nerves, jah?”
“Yes. And how is your secret garden coming along?”
Lavina only told Suzy about the ‘healing garden’. She and Colleen picked a spot in the woods, in a place they could both easily walk to. “We planted late pansies in a circle. Then we go into the center and talk. I feel like a kinner.”
“And how are your nerves?”
“Much better.”
“I’m glad. Have you written back to Nathan?”
“Nee. Jeb told me to guard my heart.” Lavina shifted in her chair. “Suzy, do you have a Bible like Janice’s?”
“Electronic? No. I like the feel of books, although I’m tempted at times to buy one. So many versions of the Bible, literally at her fingertips.”
“Do you have the version that talks like people do today?”
Suzy stopped her spinning wheel. “I think the Amish only use the King James Version, right?”
“Well, Jeb reads books that have other versions in them….”
Suzy got up and stretched. “What version do you want? I have several.”
“The Message Bible.”
Suzy walked up the steps and out of sight. Lavina admired how the woman lived so frugally, living on top of her shop. She looked over at Suzy’s beloved dog, Mollie. The poor thing just laid in her little bed, motionless. Lavina leaned forward and stared, and when she saw movement, she put her hand on her chest, relieved. Suzy soon appeared with a paperback Bible. “Let me look up the verse. This version’s a little different.”
“It’s Proverbs 4:23-26. Jeb said to memorize it, but I’m not sure of the meaning.”
Suzy licked her fingers and flipped through the Bible. “Okay…here it is:
“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.”
Lavina soaked it all in, but white lies threatened to drown her. “So, avoid anyone who tells white lies?”
Suzy looked down at the Bible again, her mouth silently moving rapidly. “’Avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.’ Wow, need to stop talking to some people I know,” she chuckled.
Lavina thought of Nathan not telling him about Sarah. It was a white lie that there was no one in Montana. He was careless in his speech. Forward, or froward, like her version of the Bible called it. Lavina got up and started to finger the alpaca Suzy was spinning.
“Lavina, what is it?”
“I know why Jeb wanted me to memorize that passage. I’m to forget about Nathan. Guard my heart.”
Suzy put the Bible on her kitchen table. “Jeb’s a smart man.”
Lavina thought of Nathan’s kind, tender ways. She’d miss him, but she wouldn’t write back. Lavina jumped when she heard Suzy scream. The dog appeared to be motionless, and Suzy hovered over her, calling her name, Mollie, Mollie, Mollie…. Soon Suzy was crying hysterically, bent over her little dog. Lavina lifted her dear knitting teacher up in prayer to God.
~*~
Joe rolled his eyes. “I said, I want to go to church with you.”
Marge stood motionless, not knowing if she should laugh or cry. Had Joe gone mad? Or had little Jenny finally gotten to him? Little female Amish preacher, Marge mused. “Okay. But tell me, was it Jenny or Jeb who convinced you to go?”
“No one, really. Although Jenny sure tried t
o tell me about her butterflies. You put her up to that?”
“Up to what?”
“Oh, Marge, you know. The cheesy tract you gave me about being changed from a worm into a butterfly?”
“The cheesy tract you keep by your C.S. Lewis book in the outhouse?” Marge scrunched her lips to one side, trying to stifle a laugh.
“I keep books in there just in case…”
“Of what? Run out of toilet paper? I keep it stocked, and yes, I do clean cobwebs and see your books. Looks like you gave Oswald Chambers back to Jonas. Does he charge late fees?” Marge couldn’t hold it in any longer, but let out a howl. “Joe, I know you. Why not admit you’re sorry for being a prodigal?”
Joe gripped the side of the table. “I don’t want anything to do with that poor excuse for a father!”
She felt her heart start to melt. “Oh, Honey, I’m not talking about your dad. I’m talking about God. You know about the wayward son who came home. God’s arms are open wide…”
Joe put a hand up in protest. “Don’t preach to me. I said I’d go to church, and let’s just leave it at that.”
~*~
Colleen walked down the path to the garden. “What do you think?”
Hezekiah’s eyes twinkled. “Looks goot. But only pansies?”
“Well, we don’t know what else will grow in these woods.”
“Bleeding hearts, clematis, hosta…But bleeding hearts cost a lot.”
His eyes penetrated hers, and shame filled her soul. “Who told you?”
“About shade plants?”
“No, about me. And my problem.”
Hezekiah took off his straw hat and fidgeted with the edges. “Colleen, we all have problems.”
“So you know?”
He sat down on a large rock. “We were having a nice walk, jah? But when I told you about shade plants you got upset. Why?”
Colleen felt her chest beating in her ears. “Bleeding hearts. So you know.”
Hezekiah looked down. “I know it’s wrong…”
“Me too. I never meant to…”
He looked up, hopeful. “What?”
“You know…my problem.”
Hezekiah got up and took Colleen’s hands. “Looks like our problem now.”
She pulled back. “You cut yourself, too? And you’re Amish?”
Hezekiah shook his head. “Colleen, you’re not making any sense.”
Colleen wanted to run. She tried to pull her hands away, but Hezekiah held them fondly, as if he cared for her. How had this conversation gotten so mixed up? She thought back to what upset her. Bleeding heart. She felt heat threaten to choke her as blushed. “I’m so sorry. I misunderstood.”
“What?”
“When you said the flower, Bleeding heart, I assumed something about cutting.”
He took her hands again. “All I know is that you cut me to my heart. No other girl has before.”
Again, Colleen pulled back. “I don’t mean to cut your heart. I’m not Amish.”
“But I think you care for me, a little, jah?”
She recalled all their berry picking at Ella’s, when she first met this kind man. So handsome, she was afraid at first, since good-looking men thought women were easy to get. But over their many walks, she knew he was a gentleman and a good friend. Someone she could talk freely to. And here he was, asking if she cared? Of course she did, but he was Amish, and she wasn’t. And she had to leave Smicksburg at some point. Colleen turned to him. “We better get back to Forget-Me-Not.”
~*~
Joe clucked his tongue audibly and Janice turned around, eyebrows high. Marge elbowed him, and he turned to her. “How many people are in on this?”
“What?”
“My conversion.”
“What?”
Joe winced as the children standing in front of the church sang Bullfrogs and Butterflies have both been born again over and over again. Then the lady, who was up there with them pointing to the overhead projector, asked them to sing along. He soon heard Marge sing and clap her hands:
Joe was so outraged; he just stared at the words. He sighed in relief when the song was over. Everyone clapped for the kids, but Joe clenched his fists. A little boy came forward. “Next week, we’ll sing another song from Agapeland, called, Diamond In the Rough.” The lady with the children thanked the congregation for giving to the children’s ministry, and talked about Agapeland again. She seemed to be staring at Joe.
He turned to Marge again. “What in the world is she talking about?”
“Agapeland. It’s music the kids love.”
He felt sweat forming on his upper lip. It was August, but at seven o’clock, it cooled down a bit. Or was his blood boiling! He always thought Marge should have chosen a military career. She could muster up an attack from several fronts. When she wanted to move up to Smicksburg, how many people “just happened” to bring up how exciting it would be to live off-the-grid? Yes, he was sure Jenny’s butterfly story, Jeb’s talk, and now this whole church was in on her mission. How many had contributed to the Save Joe Smith Campaign?
The spirited woman told the children to take their seats, and then smiled at the audience, a little too happy. “I told yinz I had a surprise, and here he is. My dear friends from Pittsburgh, Mike and Cheri Lee. And Mike is going to sing an original song for us. Come on up, Mike!”
The middle-aged Chinese man seemed dwarfed in comparison to the size of his large acoustic guitar. When he turned to talk to the lady, Joe saw that his guitar strap read Jesus Saves across the back, and moaned.
“What’s wrong, Honey?” Marge asked sweetly.
“Oh, nothing,” he said evenly. “But I’m on to you, Marge. I’m not the village idiot. One more thing, and I’m out of here.”
He looked ahead, but could feel Marge’s eye bore into his head. But he was not as easily brainwashed as she was, and still had his full senses.
Mike Lee tapped the microphone. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes,” everyone chanted back.
“Okay. It is so good to be here with you fine people. I wrote this song for prisoners in maximum security in Pittsburgh. But you don’t have to be in a physical jail to be a prisoner. Maybe some of you are in a jail of your own making, trapped and can’t get out. Unforgiveness, being judgmental, and so many other things can forge bars much stronger than any jail. So, examine your hearts as I sing, When Your Heart is Far Away…
Joe believed right then, if his head was not attached to his body, it would have blown off. “Get your purse. We’re leaving!”
Marge head spun toward him, her eyes ablaze. “No,” she snapped. “Janice said this guy’s a real talent. I’m staying.”
“You going to walk home?”
“No, Janice will take me.”
Joe felt numb. It was as if Marge couldn’t hear him, so transfixed on the man as he began to play the guitar. Brainwashed. He whirled around and stomped out of the church. But his anger turned to concern for his wife. He stood outside the porch long enough to listen to the song…
People crying in the night
‘Cause their hearts are far away
People runnin’ for their lives
‘Cause their hearts are far away
Chasing after thing they do not know
That the things of earth can’t feed their soul
Who will open up their eyes to show
That their hearts are far away
Jesus wants to be the light
To the heart so far away
Wants to be the morning light
Cast your sin so far away
Laying all your cares before the throne
Putting all your trust in God alone
Turning hearts of flesh to hearts of stone
Jesus is the only way…
Joe blinked his eyes rapidly to force back tears. Jonas had asked him What you are going to do about Jesus. Is He a liar, lunatic or Lord? After reading Mere Christianity in the outhouse, and seeing genuine faith in
the Amish and Baptists, he knew what he was going to do about Jesus…his hypocrite of a father was a different issue…He walked back into the church…
~*~
Granny sat on the porch knitting. She put the soft alpaca yarn to her cheek. Some little baby will have warm feet this winter. As she continued to knit, her concern for Lavina didn’t go away. Where was she? No one had seen her since three o’clock. When Maryann stopped by looking for the girl, it was apparent that Lavina had become like a daughter to her. Such fear in her eyes as she confessed she’d been having nightmares that Lavina’s daed or boyfriend would come down from Troutville again and try to get Lavina to go back.
Granny rocked as the anxiety in her rose. Lord, keep Lavina safe. She continued to knit, wondering if this bootie would turn out as badly as her last attempt, but she was determined. She heard the squeaky hinge on the screen door, and soon saw Jeb sit in the chair next to her. Granny knew he’d been avoiding her since he came back from the hospital. “What is it, Love?”
Jeb rocked, not saying a word.
“Something in the Gmay you’re not willing to talk about?”
“Nee, someone else…”
As Jeb’s voice quivered, a shiver shot down Granny’s back. “What is it? Tell me. Roman’s still not home.”
Jeb licked his lips, but still said nothing.
“Old Man! Is Roman alright?”
“Jah, he’ll be fine. Just running more tests.”
“For what? He broke his arm…”
“He got dizzy. That’s why he fell.”
“What caused the dizziness?”
Jeb didn’t speak. Crows cawed from the cornfield. Granny knew this morning she just had to take the next step in faith, every hour. Faith is a bridge over which we can cross all the unknown waters of tomorrow… “Tell me everything,” she said steadily.
“Roman has an irregular heartbeat.”
Granny dropped her needles. Her daed had heart troubles…
“He’ll need to be monitored for twenty-four hours. It’ll show the doctor what kind of arrhythmia he has. There’s medicine for it now, Deborah.”
Granny picked up her needles. “Medicine can fix it?”
“Won’t know until he does the test. And he’s staying longer because the doc thinks he’s allergic to morphine.”