A Place Called Eden

by R. H. Hull

  Even their hair had to be braided and brought around the top of their head to fit under their traditional white cap. In fact, most girls of her Mennonite Order were not even allowed to wear jeans and a sweatshirt when they were working hard on weekends! And, why would Jacob even be interested in someone like her? She felt very plain, while the other girls looked so stylish and pretty!

  Chapter 8

  It seemed that the week had dragged on and on. It was finally Friday, and as Jacob dozed off to sleep that night before his visit with Rebecca, he had still not come up with a good reason to convince his father that it was important for him to leave for a while during the next morning to the Eden General Store. Absolutely nothing came to mind!

  When Saturday morning arrived, the sun had already risen and it was going to be a bright and sunny day. Although his mother had awakened him earlier, Jacob’s father called from the bottom of the stairway that led up to his bedroom. “Jacob, time to get up! We have a full day ahead of us.” Jacob’s first thought as he awakened was, ’And, I need to drive to Eden to see Rebecca! If I don’t show up, she will wonder what happened, and why I did not fulfill my commitment to see her! What can I do now? Dad seems to already have plans for the day!’

  Jacob dressed quickly and climbed down the long stairway from his room. As he reached the bottom, his father greeted him by saying, “After you finish getting ready for the day, I want you to finish your chores, and eat breakfast in a hurry. We have very little outside work to do today, so it would be a good day to drive another load of grain over to Eden. I need for you to drive over there again to take another load to be ground into feed for the dairy cows. I realize it’s a second load, but I would rather have too much feed than have us run out when we have no time to take another load for grinding during the rest of the field days late this summer. The cows do need their food, just like we do!”

  When Jacob heard his father ask him to drive to Eden, he was momentarily stunned! When he did regain his composure, he said without the broad smile that he felt inside, “Yes, dad. Sure, I’ll do that for you. I should have the chores done and breakfast eaten in no time!” Jacob was relieved and overjoyed! He had no idea when he awakened that this near miracle would happen! He was joyously happy! He would eat the breakfast that has mother had prepared for him with much greater pleasure than he thought that he would!

  Since it was now only about 8:30 a.m., Jacob took his time doing chores and eating breakfast, even asking for another helping of the hot wheat cereal that he would usually not request since it was so filling, nor was he particularly fond of it. In fact, every morning, Jacob was served the same breakfast. Always after the series of morning chores that he was to complete, he was served a large bowl of hot whole grain wheat that had soaked overnight and then boiled in the morning into a hot cereal. The only change in Jacob’s first meal of the day was when his mother took the time to ask him, “How do want your eggs, boiled, fried, or poached?” The reason that breakfast did not change from morning to morning was that his mother simply said, “Because, it’s good for you.” And, it was. Good food and hard work, and a strong genetic heritage helped to make Jacob the strong, lean young man that he had grown to become.

  Jacob ate his breakfast more slowly than usual, trying to pass the time so that the chances would be greater that Rebecca would have arrived at her father’s store. When he delivered the second truck load of grain at the grain elevator to be ground and mixed into feed for their dairy cows, he wanted to be sure that he was able to see Rebecca for a moment, and not her father! And, he wanted to arrive promptly at 10:00 a.m. as he had told her he would.

  After he finished eating his breakfast and found a few more things to do around the farm to kill some time, Jacob walked to the old rusty pickup truck that was already filled with grain. His heart was beating a little faster than normal, and he was filled with anticipation at the thought of seeing Rebecca again. However, there was a little dread mixed with the anticipation.

  What would he say to Rebecca once he saw her, beside “Hello?” He was never a real conversationalist, particularly with girls. He simply did not know what to say. Also, perhaps his greatest fear was that instead of being able to talk with Rebecca, her father would be standing in the main part of the store, and he would have to rationalize his reason for being there. He didn’t have much money of his own, so what could he say that he was going to buy? He hoped desperately that she would be alone so they could talk for a few moments without being seen by her father.

  As Jacob drove to the Eden Grain Elevator and Feed Mill, his anxiety grew. He was filled both with excitement, and the same anxiety that he had experienced earlier. On the telephone, Rebecca said that she would be glad to see him again. Was she just being nice, or did she really mean it? Again, would her father be in the main room of the store where Rebecca would also be? That was his greatest fear. If he was, would he be allowed to talk with Abraham Yoder’s daughter? If he was there, he very well may tell Jacob that he is not permitted to speak to her, but to take care of his business and leave! If that occurred, Jacob did not know what he would do. In the end, however, he would be greatly disappointed, but would do as he was told.

  When Jacob arrived in Eden, he drove into the dumping area of the feed mill and deposited the grain that would be processed into feed. He quickly passed the time of day with the men who worked there, discussed the weather, the reason for the second load of grain to be ground into cow feed, how the wheat harvest had gone this year, and other such commonplace topics.

  But his major focus was on the Eden General Store. It was now five minutes before 10:00 a.m., and he had told Rebecca that he would be there at about 10:00 a.m. He was wishing that he could look into the main part of the store to see if Rebecca was really there, and whether her father was in the same room. But what windows existed were not in a location where Rebecca could be seen without Jacob being completely visible to anyone who was also in that large room. So, if her father happened to be in the same room as Rebecca where the store merchandise was displayed, he would be able to see Jacob peering through the windows. That was definitely not what Jacob wanted to happen. So, he would have to take his chances. When Rebecca was there on Saturday mornings, he supposed, or hoped, that Mr. Yoder would spend most of his time in his office which was but a short walk down the hallway from the main part of the store.

  Jacob finally mustered the courage to leave the secure haven of the feed mill and begin the short drive down the gravel road to the Eden General Store. The first thing he saw as he made the left turn onto the only street of Eden was what he feared—Mr. Yoder’s pickup truck that was parked in front of the store. He was there, but was Rebecca? When he walked through the front door of the store, would Rebecca’s father be standing there? What would Jacob say if Mr. Yoder asked him what he needed?

  Jacob drove to the front of the store, parked the old truck, and sat for a moment gathering his courage. Rebecca had seemed pleased when Jacob had called to say that he would be stopping by on Saturday morning. But, did she realize how much courage it took for him to come there to see her?

  He finally stepped out of the truck and began the short walk to the front door of the store. He paused there for a moment, and then opened the door and walked in. He looked around the large main room of the store, and walked over to the rack of gardening tools so that he would appear to have a reason for being there in case Rebecca’s father was somewhere nearby.

  Through the corner of his eyes, Jacob caught site of Rebecca who was once again up on the tall ladder stacking shelves for her father. Suddenly he heard a man’s voice, “May I be of help?” Startled, Jacob turned to see Rebecca’s father walking toward him. He stopped abruptly before walking up to Jacob, and then remarked, “Don’t I know you?” He thought for a moment, and then remarked, “Oh yes, you were here last week to buy cartons of soda and other supplies. Milo Swenson is your father, isn’t he?”

  “Yes,” Jacob replied, still somewhat shaken from bei
ng startled by Abraham Yoder’s sudden appearance. “My father sent me back here with another truck load of grain to the feed mill down the street, and I wanted to look at the garden tools that I saw briefly last Saturday,” Jacob said, trying to sound as sure of himself as possible.

  On this day, Abraham Yoder seemed almost friendly, which surprised Jacob. Mr. Yoder, seeming to accept Jacob’s reasons for being there, then called to Rebecca, “Rebecca, if Jacob needs assistance, come down from the ladder and help him. I have work to do in my office.” Hearing those words, Jacob was thoroughly relieved, and now hoped that he would have a chance to talk with Rebecca for a little while.

  Rebecca’s father left the front of the store and exited to the back room of the building, which Jacob assumed was the store room and probably his office. Jacob stood silently for a moment looking admiringly at Rebecca as she stood on the ladder. She was wearing her standard uniform for Saturday work at the General Store—her long plain dress with puffed sleeves, dark hose, brown shoes and white cap with the long white ties laying on her shoulders. In spite of the traditional plain clothes of her religious order, Jacob was still taken by her beauty.

  In case Rebecca’s father returned, Jacob once again moved to the garden tool rack and pretended to look at them. In the meantime, Rebecca climbed down the ladder from the display shelves, and then moved toward him, as though she was going to ask him if he needed help.

  As she walked closer, she was about to say something to Jacob when the bell over the front door of the store rang, announcing that someone else had just entered the store. Jacob turned toward the door and recognized the one who had entered as Saul Koehn (pronounced Cane), a tall, rough-looking young man with the broad shoulders and tanned muscular arms of one who works daily in the fields of his family’s farm. His beard that was the tradition of the men of the Eden River Mennonite Order was growing well for one who was only a little over 19 years of age, and was indicative of his masculinity and strict observance of the traditions of their conservative Mennonite Order.

  Jacob had heard a rumor that Saul Koehn had his eye on Rebecca as his potential wife, since in their community, men married by around age 19 or 20, and young women were eligible for marriage any time after their sixteenth birthday. After age 21, they were nearly considered to be spinsters.

  Jacob’s heart sank as Saul walked with assurance over to Rebecca, not even acknowledging his presence. “I’ve come to see you, Rebecca,” he said brusquely. “I want you to go with me to the church supper that is being held tonight. I will pick you up at your home at 6:30 p.m.” As he turned to leave, Rebecca stared at Saul with a startled look, seeming momentarily to not know what to say. Then, with a look of anger in her eyes, as though the words came from deep within her, she responded loudly by saying, “Saul—How dare you tell me that I am to go anywhere with you, and to tell me when you will pick me up! I do not belong to you, nor can you expect that I would desire to go anywhere with you!” Rebecca stood straight, hands on her hips, looking directly at Saul. She revealed a spirit that Jacob had not expected would exist in her!

  Saul stopped abruptly, turned and stared at her with a puzzled look, his mouth slightly open. Then with a sudden angry response that rose in intensity, “Oh, you will, little lady. You will go with me when I want you to! My parents and your parents have talked, and you and I are to be paired!”

  Rebecca was taken aback at that last remark. She knew well what ‘paired’ meant! It meant that she and Saul were to be paired off from the rest of the young people, with the intent that they would eventually become engaged and then married!

  “That, Mr. Saul Koehn, has not been determined! Being paired with you is definitely not what I desire, nor will I allow it! I will speak with my parents, and have that decision, if it exists, nullified! Now, I wish you to leave this store! Get out! I do not wish to see you!”

  Saul Koehn then looked angrily at Jacob, apparently just recognizing that he was in the room, and then looked back at Rebecca. “What is he doing here?” Saul asked loudly. “Has he also come to court you?” Saul moved slowly toward Jacob as though to threaten him. Jacob stepped back and opened his mouth as though to speak but Rebecca interrupted,

  “Saul Koehn, I said that I want you out of this store. Now!”

  “You will be hearing from me, Rebecca!” Saul muttered as he turned abruptly and stomped out of the store. He got into his plain black pickup truck and raced down the gravel street, dust rising and rocks thrown by his tires throughout the area as he left that tiny town.

  Rebecca looked at Jacob, not quite knowing what to say, but then quietly, “I am so sorry, Jacob. I was not expecting Saul to come here today. I was looking forward to seeing you, and am embarrassed and saddened by Saul’s words.”

  “It wasn’t your fault,” Jacob said quietly. “Saul seems to be rather possessive, doesn’t he?”

  “He’s a bully!” Rebecca said, looking intently at Jacob, her eyes blazing. At that moment, Rebecca’s father came out of the back room,

  “I heard loud voices out here. What is going on? Are you all right Rebecca?”

  “Yes father, I’m all right. Saul Koehn was here and was acting as though he owns me! He said that you and mother and his parents have met and decided that Saul and I are to be ‘paired’ together, and that I am to go places with him, and we are to be seen together as potential partners in a relationship, including marriage!”

  Rebecca’s father appeared to be startled at Rebecca’s strong comments, and then replied quietly and with sincerity, “Rebecca, we have not met with Saul’s parents, nor have we at this time agreed that you should be paired. We had mentioned that such a fine young man as Saul would be one you should consider being with from time to time, and perhaps…in the future…you may decide to become serious.”

  “He is NOT a fine young man, father!” Rebecca said with firmness that she had never before used in speaking to her father. “He is a rough bully! I will NOT be seen with him! He appears to feel that he owns me, and that I should be honored to be with him! That is not true. I will not go anywhere with him!” Rebecca looked with firmness into her father’s eyes, and Abraham Yoder knew at that moment that the discussion was over.

  Abraham saw that Jacob was still standing in the room, looking somewhat stunned. He looked at Jacob and said rather apologetically, “I am sorry that you were exposed to this discussion, Jacob, and to the actions of Saul. He is a very self-assured young man, and perhaps feels that Rebecca should be pleased to be seen with him. But, from Rebecca’s response to him, that does not appear to be the case, does it? Well, you go about your business, and I will now return to my books in the back room.” And, Rebecca’s father left her and Jacob alone.

  Jacob felt that he should not remain in the store much longer since he was really not there to purchase anything, since his only purpose for being there was to see Rebecca and speak for a moment. He moved closer to Rebecca and was about to attempt once again to tell her that he had been looking forward to seeing her.

  Just as he was about to speak, the bell over the front door of the store rang once again to announce that someone had entered. Jacob looked quickly over his shoulder to see if it was Saul who was returning. But no, it was a Mennonite couple who was standing slightly inside of the front of the store.

  Rebecca moved quickly to them to ask them if they needed assistance. They did not, so she walked back to Jacob. As she moved toward him, she paused as though she was waiting for him to say something. After all, it was he who called to find out if she was going to be at the store, as though he wanted to see her and talk. As Jacob looked at her, he was once again reminded how pretty she was, her fair skin, her blond hair, her big blue eyes. Her very petite shape was definitely not typical of the other young women of the Eden River Mennonite community, since many seemed to be rather round, similar to that of their mothers. And, she looked so very young, as though she couldn’t be over 15 years of age, rather than her current age of 17, going onto 18 years.
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  Since it was evident to Rebecca that Jacob was having difficulty speaking, she broke the silence by smiling coquettishly at him and saying, “Hello, Jacob.” Then she paused and said through a pretty smile, “Cat got your tongue?”

  Jacob smiled and began to relax a little. “Sorry I was so quiet. After Saul came in and all that happened, I was concerned that maybe I shouldn’t be here.”

  “Oh, that Saul Koehn!” Rebecca replied with feeling. “He thinks he is just so much, as though every girl should simply fall all over themselves for him just because he is buying more land for the farming operation with his father! I truly do not like him. He is much too pushy! He’s a bully! Beside, he’s not even good-looking!”

  When Jacob heard Rebecca express her feelings about Saul, he felt somewhat relieved as he continued, “And, I realized that I don’t know what to say to someone of your Eden River Mennonite Order. After all,” he smiled slightly, “I am from ‘the world,’ and even though my family lives in your community, we are not of your Mennonite Order.”

  Rebecca paused briefly, and then without missing a beat, she replied, “You can talk with me like anyone else. I am Old Order Mennonite, Jacob Swenson, but I am also human. I’m a girl who is pleased that I could see you today!” She stood, looking straight into Jacob’s eyes, her hands on her hips. She was obviously serious, and was a young woman who knew what she had to say to get through to Jacob.

  Jacob swallowed hard, then replied, “I, too, was looking forward to seeing you again, and talking a little. It took more courage than I thought I had to call your home yesterday evening. I was afraid that your parents would not allow me to speak to you since they know that I am not of your Mennonite heritage. And, now I have a question for you. Do your parents mind that I am here? I mean, if they knew that I came here to see you, and not to buy something from the store, would they mind?”