A Place Called Eden

by R. H. Hull

  “We will see,” Rebecca replied with an air of confidence.

  “And, I will be thinking of you when you tell them,” Jacob replied.

  “No,” Rebecca said with assurance, “I want you to pray for me, Jacob. I will need your prayers when I tell my father. My mother is more understanding, but my father is much more strict. He has told me and my brother that when we begin dating, we are not to see anyone except those from our Eden River Mennonite Order! And, he said that was final!”

  Jacob was silent for a moment, wondering what he would do if her father said “No” to Rebecca’s request to see him again. Finally, he replied to Rebecca’s request, and said quietly, “Yes, Rebecca, you will be in my prayers,” as he without thinking reached out and took Rebecca’s hands. She looked down at their hands that were joined, and then looked up at Jacob. Tears were filling her eyes, and then began running down her soft cheeks. Jacob, again without thinking, took his other hand and wiped Rebecca’s tears away. He had never touched her before, and realized at that moment as he touched her tears, that he loved her.

  Rebecca released Jacob’s hand, and said quietly that she would see him next week—not where or when, but simply that she would see him. And, then she turned and quickly ran to the family car that Sarah was driving. Jacob paused briefly, and then drove back onto the main road and headed north toward their family farm.

  Sarah and Rebecca sat for a moment before they left. They had just begun to talk and were starting to leave the parking lot, when a plain black car pulled next to the family car that Sarah was driving. It was Saul Koehn! He stopped, rolled down the window on the driver’s side, placed his elbow on the window sill, leaned close to window on the side of Sarah’s family car where Rebecca was sitting, and said loudly so that she could hear him, “I will be calling on you Rebecca. As I have said before, my parents feel that you and I should be paired, and I feel that we are meant for each other. So, get ready for me to come calling on you! We can go to church and let everyone know that we are together,” he said bluntly as though Rebecca was to mind him, whether she wanted to or not!

  Rebecca, shaking with emotion from all that had transpired that evening, replied loudly in an equally blunt manner, “Saul Koehn, I have told you in no uncertain terms that I will not go any place with you! I do not want to see you or be with you! Do you not understand what I am saying? I have said this before, and I will say it again, NO! Now please leave me alone!”

  Saul Koehn replied in as firm a voice as he could muster, “You have had your chance, little lady! This is it! No more will I give you the chance to be with me! There ae many other girls who would just love to be with me!!!”

  The engine of his care roaring, tires spinning, he drove from the church parking lot with gravel and dust flying in all directions, almost losing control of his car!

  “Please take me back home, Sarah,” Rebecca said as she trembled, her voice shaking with emotion. “I am very tired. Saul Koehn frightens me. But, perhaps now he will not bother me again.”

  “I will pray that he will not,” Sarah replied quietly, as they drove toward Rebecca’s home.

  Rebecca left Sarah’s car, walked to her family’s house and went directly up the stairs to her room. She was exhausted, and emotionally drained! She slept fitfully that night, but arose bright and early the next morning to meet her father down stairs, who, after breakfast, drove her to the Eden General Store where she helped him stock shelves for the coming week.

  The rest of the weekend went by slowly. On Sunday morning at church, Rebecca and Sarah talked briefly, Sarah consoling her best friend trying to help her forget the frightful encounter with Saul Koehn the evening before. Rebecca simply wanted the weekend to end so that perhaps she could see Jacob at school on Monday morning.

  Chapter 11

  At school the next morning Rebecca saw Jacob near his locker. She wanted very much to talk with him, but that day was so busy that there was no opportunity. At least they were able to see each other and say “Hi!”, and that they would plan on having lunch together on Tuesday. At least it was something to look forward to.

  That afternoon at the close of school, Rebecca’s brother Tom was waiting for her in his car outside of their high school. As she entered his car and as they drove away, he noticed her silence. In fact, he had noticed it all weekend. She was not her usual ‘bubbly’ self. She was apparently deep in thought. She had seen Jacob only briefly that day. He for some reason really didn’t seem anxious to see her, and she wondered if something was wrong. She had brought her lunch with her, hoping that they could meet at the back of their high school to sit together while they ate. But he had told her that he didn’t have enough time to spend conversing with her that day and wondered if they could on Tuesday. She did not realize that he had an agricultural class project to complete, was in the carpentry shop during the lunch hour, and was there every spare moment that day. He hadn’t thought to explain that to her.

  “Is something wrong, Rebecca?” Tom asked. “You were rather quiet all weekend.” Rebecca was silent for a moment, as Tom listened. Finally, she looked at him and said, “You are my brother, and as such, I feel that I can tell you what is in my heart and that you will understand.” Searching for words, Rebecca was silent again.

  Tom broke the silence, asking her again if something was wrong, if someone from school had offended or hurt her!

  She responded quickly, “No. It is not that,” she continued. “It is just the opposite, but difficult for me to express.” She was silent again for a moment. Then with an outpouring of emotion, she said, “It is just that I have met someone who I think I care for very much. He is very nice, and….”

  Tom broke in, “Is he someone you have met here in school?”

  “No,” Rebecca continued. “Well…he does go to our school, but I met him at the store our father manages in Eden. One Saturday morning, he came to Eden to bring grain to the feed mill for his father, and then stopped at the General Store to buy cases of soda and dairy supplies for his father.”

  “Hmmm,” was Tom’s only expression. But he smiled and listened quietly, realizing at that point that Rebecca was telling him something that was very important to her.

  “The young man to whom I am referring is Jacob Swenson. Do you know him, Tom?”

  Tom looked surprised, and said, “Sure, I know him. We are in the same Future Farmers of America club here at our high school, and we both sing in the school choir. He seems like a very nice person. Well—anyway, I like him. He is, however, not of our Mennonite Order, and is ‘of the world,’ so I’m sure that our father wouldn’t want you to go on any dates or anything with him.”

  Rebecca continued, “His father’s name is Milo Swenson. Jacob was born and raised on their large farms that are owned by his family, about six miles north of Eden, and his father also owns land that is just one mile north. I was working to help father that Saturday morning when Jacob came to the store. That is how we met. I was helping him make his purchases, and we talked for a while, but father came into the main part of the store and interrupted our conversation. Then, when Jacob made his purchase, father helped him load the cartons into his truck. After father left, we talked a little more, and I found that I would very much like to see him again. He seems kind and gentle, and I enjoyed talking with him, and he seemed to enjoy being with me. Besides, he is very good looking!”

  “When father spoke to Jacob,” Rebecca continued, “he realized that he knows his father, mother and grandparents, and knows them as fine farmers. They have farmed in our county for nearly six generations. They are a good, God fearing family, but they are not of our Mennonite Order, and that is why I am fearful that father and mother, particularly father, will not permit me to see Jacob socially. You know that father has made it clear to both you and me that when we date, or begin to see those we would like to be with, that we are to only be with those who are members of our faith, which technically means only our church!”

  As they drove t
oward home, Tom thought for a moment about what Rebecca had just explained, and then replied, “I know Jacob. As I said, we are in the same Future Farmers of America club at school and go on field trips together to help farmers with various tasks. He seems to be a very upstanding young man and comes from a good family. I enjoy talking with him while we are on our FFA field trips. And, I agree that he would be a good person for you to see. But, I’m not our father. I don’t know what he would say.”

  Tom thought for a moment, but before he could speak again, Rebecca asked, “So, what would you suggest that I do?” Again, Tom paused, and then said, “Do you want me to speak to father on your behalf. I can speak to Jacob’s good qualities.”

  Rebecca replied without hesitation, “No, I will do it,” she said with an air of assurance. “It’s my responsibility.” She paused and then repeated, “Yes, it is my responsibility.” But this time as she said it, it seemed that it was with less assurance.

  Rebecca remained silent for a moment longer, and then continued, “And, I didn’t know whether to tell you this or not, but Saul Koehn continues to pursue me. He frightens me, and I do not want to be with him!”

  Tom replied, “Do you want me to talk with him? He is pushy, and self-centered, but I would be willing to tell him to leave you alone.”

  “No,” Rebecca responded, “I can take care of it myself. I have told him that I do not want to be with him, nor to see him.”

  “I hope you said it firmly, Rebecca. That is the only way he’ll believe you.”

  “I did,” Rebecca said, “as firmly as I possibly could. He seemed to comprehend, and he then threw gravel and dirt all over Sarah’s parent’s car as he spun the tires of his car when he left us!”

  They drove in silence toward their home, Rebecca thinking about the words she would use in talking with her father and mother. She had planned all weekend, but still did not have the words that satisfied her as those that would be best to say in the defense of her and Jacob. She wanted her mother to be there to hear what she would ask her father. She knew that her mother would be more understanding of her desire to see Jacob. ‘Perhaps,’ she thought,’if she simply requested to go with Jacob to a high school activity! Perhaps that would be allowed. It wouldn’t actually be a date, but he could ask if he could drive her there so that her parents or her brother Tom would not have to.’

  That seemed a logical solution! And, if everything went well and Jacob brought her home safely and even early, perhaps she would be allowed to see him again! Rebecca knew that her brother Tom would speak well of Jacob on her behalf. He likes Jacob and had already said that Jacob would be a good person for her to see! Her spirits lifted as she thought of those things. Yes! Now, she was ready to ask her parents!

  Rebecca and Tom pulled into the long driveway of their parent’s farm. Rebecca’s heart began to beat faster as they drove up into the farm yard and near their house. Her first thought was that perhaps she could just postpone asking her parents the question that must be asked. But, then, she reminded herself. It cannot be postponed! The question must be asked. She had to know what the response of her parents would be!

  They walked into their house and into the large kitchen that is typical of those found in many farm houses—rather spacious cupboard top space around three walls for cooking and meal preparation, a large gas stove and oven, cupboard cabinets on all four walls, and a linoleum covered floor. A large round table with four chairs sat was the center for family dining and conversation. Their new telephone had only recently been affixed to the wall near the kitchen doorway that joined the kitchen and the living room. As they entered the kitchen where her mother was putting the final touches on their supper, Rebecca noticed that her father was not at his usual place at the large oak table that was situated in the middle of the room. She assumed correctly that he was still out in the barn feeding the animals. The momentum that had moved her forward toward asking both of her parents her important question was temporarily halted.

  Rebecca’s mother was standing at the stove, keeping supper warm. “I don’t know what is keeping your father. I hope nothing has happened!” She always worried about him. On a farm there are so many ways a person can become injured. A farmer must climb very high into barn lofts and silos, use very sharp tools, lift heavy sacks of grain, work on and around heavy equipment, work closely with 1500-pound animals, and many other dangerous things. It is no wonder that farming was considered a very dangerous occupation!

  Thirty minutes later, much later than dinner was usually served, Rebecca and her mother heard the stomping of heavy feet on the steps leading up to the back door and the “mud room” where dirty shoes and work coats were kept. Then, Rebecca’s father burst into the kitchen, “I apologize for being late. One of our dairy cows is about to give birth, and she was having difficulty. But she is comfortable now, and waiting to bear her calf.” Without saying more about the cow, Abraham Yoder said loudly in his barrel-chested voice, “I’m hungry! What’s for supper?”

  Rebecca’s mother only said in reply, “I was worried about you. I am glad you are safe.” Rebecca and Tom took their usual places at the table.

  After the family prayer, the bowls of well-prepared food were passed from person to person around the table, and plates were filled. However, Rebecca’s usual chatter about happenings at school each that day was strangely absent. She was unusually quiet.

  After noticing the silence, her downward look and the appearance of concern on Rebecca’s face, her mother finally said, “Rebecca, is anything wrong? I don’t remember you ever being so quiet at supper time.” Rebecca continued to look down at her plate, only picking at her food rather than the healthy appetite that she usually displayed at supper time. She was usually smiling and full of chatter! But she had not said a word since sitting down at the table.

  Rebecca’s mother, as a mother should, waited quietly for her response. Rebecca then stopped eating; her fork was held suspended in her right hand. As she sat silently, tears began to fill her eyes, and then ran down her rose-colored cheeks.

  Both her mother and her father stopped eating and looked at their daughter. “Rebecca, tell us what has happened! Tell us, please!” her mother said as kindly but as firmly as she could. She tried to speak without sounding concerned, but a note of urgency was the overtone in her voice. Her father sat silently without eating, looking intently at Rebecca.

  Rebecca began speaking quietly, her voice wavering slightly because of her emotion, “I have something to tell you….”

  Her mother interrupted, not allowing Rebecca to complete her sentence, “What has happened to you? Something awful must have happened! Please tell us!”

  “I am trying to tell you, mother,” Rebecca said, but now with greater conviction. “Let me talk! First of all, nothing bad has happened to me. In fact, it is something good! I am happy, but I am afraid of what you both will say.” Her parents relaxed somewhat, and her mother became silent again, wondering what could be ‘good,’ but still bring tears to Rebecca’s eyes.

  Rebecca quietly began, “Father, do you recall the young man who you helped a few weeks ago load soda onto the back of the truck he was driving on a Saturday morning when he came to your store? I was talking to him when you came into the main part of the store to ask if I needed help. Do you recall that his name is Jacob Swenson, and you said that you knew his father and mother and grandparents? Do you recall helping him and talking with him?”

  Her father thought for a moment, and then said, “Yes, I do recall. Jacob’s father farms north of us, and they have two other large pieces of land near us. Jacob’s father Milo and grandfather are big farmers. Why do you ask?”

  Rebecca continued. Her voice now trembling, she began with some hesitation, "After I spoke with Jacob at your store that day, and then again the next Saturday morning when he returned, I have found that I enjoy talking with him. He seems like a very nice young man. And, since those two Saturday mornings, we have talked at school. I do enjoy talking with
him, particularly that morning in the store when I was to help him, although I did not help him much.

  “As I said, we have talked at school, and once outside of school. We have had a nice time talking, although we have had very little time to spend together.”

  Her mother and father had ceased eating their supper, their eyes were fixed on Rebecca while Tom squirmed a little in his chair. He was keeping his eyes focused both on his parents and Rebecca to try to keep track of his parents’ reaction.

  Rebecca felt that it would be as good a time as any to continue, and so her words poured forth, “Jacob has asked me if perhaps I could accompany him to a school activity next Friday evening. I would come home immediately afterward, and I would be very happy if you would allow me to go with him. May I please?” she pleaded.

  Without a pause, Tom joined in to support Rebecca, “I personally feel that it would be a fine thing for her to do. Jacob is a good person who comes from a fine farm family from this community.” Rebecca glanced approvingly at Tom as he gave his support. She felt as though she had said enough at that point, and to let her request rest so that she could wait for her parents’ response.

  A lengthy silence was the first response. Rebecca’s parents were quiet, each sharing quick side glances. Finally, her father spoke. And, what he said was in the form of a question, a deadly question that could have held them all in contempt if at that time was a court of law and if Rebecca as the plaintiff lied under oath.

  He spoke firmly, and directly to Rebecca, “Can you tell me which Order of the Mennonite faith Jacob and his family belongs to? I have not seen them at our church.” Rebecca somehow knew that this question would be asked, and she answered forthrightly by admitting that his family was not of any Order of the Mennonite faith, but was still a good church-going God-fearing family who were Methodist.