“Jah, that’s all. You didn’t have to come to meet me. I could’ve gotten a taxi to your haus. Dat gave me enough money.”
“We were looking forward to seeing you too much to let you get a taxi by yourself,” Martha said, as she linked her arm through Gabbie's.
“Come on you two. You can talk all you like when we get home.” Mr. Yoder took Gabbie’s suitcase and headed toward the taxi rank.
When they arrived at the Yoders’ house, and after Gabbie greeted the rest of the Yoder family, Martha walked up the stairs with Gabbie to help her unpack.
“Now, what’s going on with you, Martha? You haven’t written to say why you and Michael haven’t gone back to Ohio.”
“We’ll be going soon. We’re living in a trailer at his onkel’s haus. I’m heading back there soon. When I heard you were coming, I wanted to see you again.”
Gabbie studied Martha’s face. She looked very happy, and at that moment, Gabbie was pleased she’d left Lancaster County when she had. “Is that so? Good for you, Martha. I hope you’re happy and live a long and fulfilled life together with Michael.”
“I thought you might be upset about us being married since you didn’t come to the wedding,” Martha said.
“Nee, not at all.”
Martha breathed out heavily. “Gut, I’m glad you don’t mind. And I was sad to hear that Joseph is still going to marry Ilsa. I know that was the only reason you went home.”
“Denke, Martha, you’re a true friend.” Gabbie threw herself onto the bed. “Sometimes I’ve been selfish, I guess, but I’m trying to change.”
Martha nodded, lying down on her stomach. “Well, I’m glad you’re here, I’ve missed you a lot. We can have fun together.”
“You seem very happy, Martha.”
“I am very happy. I’m newly married, and we’ll have our own home soon with bopplis, and everything.”
Gabbie giggled. “You’re a nice person, and that’s why things are working out for you.”
“Denke, Gabbie, that’s a nice thing to say.”
“It’s true. You’re nice, and I’ve been horrible, wicked at times.”
Martha laughed and rolled onto her back.
“What’s so funny?” Gabbie asked.
Martha sat up. “You’re funny. You’re not horrible, wicked, or any of those things. You’re my good friend, and you’re like another schweschder. I was hoping that you’d be back. I missed staying up late and talking.”
It seemed to Gabbie that Martha was nice to everyone, and as a result, God gave her what she deserved, a nice family, and a husband who loved her. Gabbie was sure God gave her what she deserved, too, which was punishment for being selfish and deceptive. As she stared at Martha’s sweet face, she wanted to change to be as nice as Martha. If she were sweet and wholesome, then maybe she would have good things in her life too.
Chapter 41
Gabbie lay in bed. Her first night back in Lancaster County was over, and now it was early morning. She’d already decided to stop complaining and plotting. She’d let God guide her steps in life. God would reward her for the good things she did, she hoped, just as He had rewarded Amy and Martha.
Even though Gabbie hadn’t been very nice to Martha’s family the first time she’d visited, they were still pleased to see her when she arrived the second time. Mrs. Yoder had been cooking, and when Gabbie arrived in the taxi, she’d run out to meet her giving her a tight hug. As much as Mrs. Yoder’s hug made Gabbie uncomfortable, it also made her feel wanted. It struck Gabbie just how much the Yoders had warmth and love to offer her, even though she’d been a difficult girl at times.
Gabbie wondered if she should do volunteer work to show God she was serious about changing her life. She remembered from her last stay that Mr. Yoder organized volunteer work.
After Gabbie had washed her face, she headed downstairs for breakfast. Mrs. Yoder sat drinking coffee at the kitchen table and looked up. “Scrambled eggs, or pancakes?”
“Pancakes for me, denke,” Gabbie said. “But, let me make breakfast for everyone.”
Mrs. Yoder’s eyes lighted up. “That would be a nice change. Denke, Gabbie.”
“I’ll help,” Rose said when she came into the kitchen behind her.
While the girls made pancakes, Mr. Yoder came into the kitchen and sat at the table. “Morning, all.”
“Morning, Mr. Yoder.”
“Morning, Dat.”
Soon, the whole Yoder family was sitting at the breakfast table eating pancakes as fast as the girls could make them, with fresh butter and maple syrup.
“Mr. Yoder, I was wondering if you might have any volunteer work I could do?” Gabbie asked.
“Funny you should say that, Gabbie. I was going to mention it after breakfast. Mrs. Zook has had a bad case of stomach flu. Her niece has been looking after her, but she has to leave today.”
Gabbie’s face lighted up. “I’d like to look after her.”
Mrs. Yoder frowned. “Are you sure, Gabbie? It’s a big undertaking. Stomach flu isn’t nice. There’s a lot of cleaning up to do if you know what I mean.”
Gabbie adjusted her prayer kapp thinking of what kind of messes she might have to clean up. “Nee, I can do it. I want to make use of myself.”
“I’m pleased to hear it,” Mr. Yoder said. “I can take you there this morning.”
“Shall I stay there with her?”
“That might be best. Pack a few items of clothing, and if she doesn’t seem better, you might be best to stay there a couple of nights.”
Gabbie nodded, pleased that her plan was put into action so fast.
When Gabbie and Mr. Yoder arrived at Mrs. Zook’s house, Mrs. Zook’s Englischer niece greeted them. She took Gabbie into Mrs. Zook’s bedroom. Gabbie stared at the elderly lady asleep in her bed; she was small, frail-looking, and her long, silver-white hair was braided and draped over one shoulder. She hoped that the old lady wouldn’t die while she was caring for her.
“She’s asleep, but she’ll most likely wake up soon,” the niece whispered.
“What do I do? I’ve never really looked after anyone before. Well, except for my bruders, but they hardly ever get sick.”
“Encourage her to eat the broth — I’ve got some on the stove — and help her drink water to prevent dehydration.”
“Has a doctor been to see her?” Gabbie asked.
“She won’t see a doctor. She refuses medical help of any kind.”
“What else do I do?”
"Just basic cleaning; it doesn't need much. The woman ushered Gabbie out of the bedroom and showed her around the house.
“Okay if I leave you here now, Gabbie?” Mr. Yoder asked, interrupting the two women.
“Jah, Mr. Yoder, I’ll be fine,” Gabbie said.
Mr. Yoder smiled back, and added, “Mrs. Zook’s got a phone in her barn, so call me when you’re ready to come home, or if you run out of supplies.”
Gabbie smiled. “I will.”
Once Mr. Yoder had driven away, Mrs. Zook’s niece told Gabbie there were plenty of supplies in the house. “And I’ll give you my phone number.” She opened her purse and handed Gabbie a white business card with silver writing.
Gabbie looked at her name, and the title under her name. “You’re a caterer?”
“I’ve just started. I cater for small parties, and I’ve got two people working for me.”
“Were you ever in the community?”
She laughed. “No, my aunt is the only one in the family. She married an Amish man and became Amish for him.”
Gabbie nodded.
“When she’s better, I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it. She’s a talker when she’s feeling well. Bye, and thanks, Gabbie.”
Gabbie waved and watched Mrs. Zook’s niece drive away in a small white car. This was the first time anyone had put so much trust in her. She was responsible for another person. Gabbie walked back into the bedroom to see that Mrs. Zook was awake.
Gabbie stepped full
y into the room. “Hello, I’m Gabbie. Your niece has gone, and I’m looking after you.”
The old woman frowned.
“If that’s all right?” Gabbie asked.
“You sure she’s gone?” Mrs. Zook asked softly.
Maybe an elderly woman her age might be hard of hearing. Gabbie moved closer, and said, “Quite sure.”
“Good.” Mrs. Zook looked pleased with the news.
“Can I get you anything?”
“Nee.” Mrs. Zook pushed herself up onto her pillows.
Gabbie stood next to her bed. “Your niece said to encourage you to eat broth.”
The old lady grunted.
“Is there anything you’d like?” Gabbie asked.
“No more broth.”
Gabbie laughed.
She looked Gabbie up and down, and then said, “I’ll sleep a little more.”
“I’ll leave you alone then.”
The old woman lowered herself so that her head was flat onto the pillows before she closed her eyes. Gabbie backed out of the room. From what Mrs. Zook had said, she was pleased that her niece had gone. Gabbie walked into the kitchen intending to make a cup of coffee. On closer inspection of the state of the kitchen, she placed her hands on her hips and frowned. Gabbie decided to scrub the kitchen, and then she would make some fresh soup.
It was less than an hour later that she heard Mrs. Zook calling her.
Gabbie raced up the stairs. “Jah?”
“Got anything to eat besides that awful broth that tastes like horse pee?”
Gabbie put her hand over her mouth and giggled. “I’m making you some fresh soup, but it won’t be ready for a while. I’ll bring you something else.”
Gabbie ran down the stairs to see what else she could find in the kitchen. She had fresh bread that Mrs. Yoder had sent with her, and thin slices of corned beef. In the cold box were lettuce, fresh tomatoes and a jar of pickles. She made Mrs. Zook a small sandwich and took it up to her with a cup of meadow tea. The soup would do nicely for dinner.
She placed the sandwich and tea on Mrs. Zook’s nightstand.
“Gott has sent you to me, Gabbie. I prayed for that awful woman to leave me, and for Him to send me someone I’d like.”
Gabbie smiled, pleased that someone was glad to see her. “Let me prop your pillows up a little.”
The old lady pushed herself up into a sitting position while Gabbie supported her back with plumped up pillows. Gabbie placed the plate with the sandwich onto her lap.
“Shall I call you Mrs. Zook or Betty?” Gabbie asked.
“Just call me Betty. You’re not a child by the looks of you. I’d expect a child to call me Mrs. Zook, but I’d say you’re close to twenty?”
“Fairly close to twenty years old.”
“Now stay and tell me about yourself while I eat.” The old lady took a mouthful of sandwich and looked back at Gabbie.
Gabbie sat on the end of her bed. “I guess there’s not much to tell.”
When the old lady continued to stare, Gabbie said, “I was sent here some time ago because my familye thought that I needed to grow up. I liked a boy, and my vadder thought I was going to make some kind of trouble.”
Betty smiled and appeared to enjoy her story.
“I did like the boy, his name is Joseph, and I still like him, but he’s engaged to someone else.” Gabbie’s shoulders drooped.
Betty raised her eyebrows. “Go on.”
“Then I got a letter from my friend, Sally, saying that the boy I like had broken up with his girl, so I begged my family to take me back; I told them I’d changed. Mamm and Dat let me go back home, and then I found out that Sally had made a mistake.”
“Oh dear.” Betty looked saddened by her story. “Pass my tea?”
Gabbie helped Betty put the tea up to her and take a sip. Then Betty picked up a piece of her sandwich. Gabbie put the tea on the table and sat back down.
“What are you doing back here then?”
“My parents didn’t believe I had changed. They thought that I was trying to match Joseph’s girlfriend, Ilsa, with another man.”
A giggle escaped Betty’s lips. “Were you?”
Gabbie looked into Betty’s brown eyes. “Jah, I was.”
Betty gave a snigger. “Ach, my dear. Gott surely sent you here to cheer me up.”
Gabbie laughed. “I’m glad someone is pleased to have me around. I’m not proud of what I’ve done. My life is awful now because of my wrong actions.”
“I think I might be able to get out of bed and sit in some sunlight today.”
“You’re feeling better then?” Gabbie asked.
“I was very sick. I thought I would die, but now I think that I will live a little longer. Gott is not ready to take me home just yet, it seems.”
“I’m glad. You're the only person who hasn’t judged me or made me feel awful about myself.”
Chapter 42
The next day, Betty and Gabbie sat in the sun drinking tea.
“You’re rapidly improving,” Gabbie said. “I expected to be cleaning up all sorts of messes that sick people have.”
“I feel better. Now, what are your plans for this boy you like?”
“I’ve given up on planning anything. Nothing’s worked out for me, and it got me sent here to Lancaster County far away from him.”
Betty chuckled. “Things might be working out for you without you knowing it.”
“Do you think so?”
Betty nodded. “When I met my Harold, he was betrothed to another woman.”
Gabbie’s eyes grew wide. “He was?”
“Jah. And I wasn’t even Amish. My vadder was a blacksmith, and that’s how I met Harold. Dad used to shoe a lot of the Amish buggy horses. We weren’t Amish, but Harold was. He was engaged to an Amish woman named Daisy Morgan. A more boring woman you couldn’t even begin to imagine. I don’t know how Harold could have ever thought about marrying a woman like her.”
“How did he end up marrying you?”
Betty smiled, and her eyes lighted up. “We liked each other as soon as our eyes met. He told me he was engaged and said that he couldn’t marry an Englischer.”
“How did things work out for you, since he was engaged to Daisy?”
“I planned that we would bump into each other everywhere. I think that Daisy got the idea that something was happening between us.”
“You planned that?”
“Jah, I’m not proud of it, mind you, but I used to manipulate people into doing what I wanted.”
Gabbie’s eyebrows rose. “Just like me. I mean, I used to do that, but I’m trying to change and make myself better.”
Betty leaned over and patted Gabbie’s hand. “You’ve got a gut heart, Gabbie; Gott knows that.”
Gabbie looked down. “I’m not proud of the things I’ve done.” Gabbie looked into Betty’s smiling face. “I’m glad things worked out for you doing things that way, but they aren’t, or they didn’t work out for me.”
“All things work together for good for those who love Gott.”
Gabbie nodded. “Did you have a happy life with your husband?”
Betty blinked back tears and slowly nodded. “We had a blessed life. I wouldn’t change one bit of it for anything. But things always turn out how they’re supposed to. You might have had to learn your lessons so you could help other young people, or help them when you’re older.”
“Like you’re helping me now?” Gabbie asked.
“I hope I’m helping you.”
Gabbie nodded. “I think you’re the only person I’ve met who understands me. You’re the only person who knows what I’ve done and doesn’t think that I’m bad.”
“No one is ever bad, Gabbie. A person can do bad things, but that doesn’t mean that they are a bad person. There’s good and bad in us all. God has already forgiven our wrongdoing.”
Gabbie’s eyes opened wide.
Betty added, “It’s our choices that define who we are.”
/> “How do you mean?”
Betty took a moment to answer. “Whatever small choice you make sets your life on a different path. I try to make choices that will not hurt others. That’s what my long years on this earth have taught me.”
Gabbie had stayed a whole week at Mrs. Zook’s house before she returned to the Yoders.’ She was helping Martha in the garden when they both heard the mailman blow his whistle. Martha was at her parents’ for the day while Michael was helping his uncle. For Gabbie it was just like the old days. As the two girls had always done when they heard the mailman, they ran to the front of the house hoping to reach the mail first. More often than not, Martha was the first one to reach the letters, and this day was no different.
Martha held the letters up high, to avoid Gabbie snatching them out of her hands. “I believe one is for you,” Martha said.
“Really? From my folks?”
Martha passed Gabbie’s letter over. Gabbie turned her letter over to see that it was from her friend, Sally. “It’s about time she wrote to me. I hope she’s told me everything that’s going on at home.”
“The rest are for Dat,” Martha said with a sharp nod of her head.
Gabbie heard Martha say something and nodded, more interested in what her letter contained than what Martha had to say. She ripped the letter open and sat in one of the large porch chairs by the front door. In the letter, Sally told her that Joseph and Ilsa’s relationship had fallen apart. She read the letter again carefully to make sure there was no way that she was reading it incorrectly.
After she reread the words, she dropped the letter into her lap. There was no mistake in what she read, but Sally had been wrong before, so she could be wrong again. Last time she’d heard this news, she had left the Yoders as quickly as she could, but this time she was a little older, a little wiser.
Martha plopped down in the chair next to her. “Well? What news does Sally send?”
Gabbie could not speak when she handed the letter over for Martha to read. Martha read the letter and then handed it back to Gabbie.
“Do you think it’s true?” Martha asked, knowing that Sally had sent the same letter once before.
The Amish Deacon's Daughter Page 23