The Stone Wall

by Beverly Lewis

It was obvious when Sadie entered Marianna’s kitchen next door that this might not be the kind of visit where they could sit and talk quietly over iced meadow tea or lemonade. Baby Jimmy was wailing in Marianna’s arms, and little Sally had cluttered up a large section of the floor with her toys—she’d even dragged a rag rug over to make a small tent of sorts for her dollies.

  Sadie went to help Sally pick up her toys, then led her into the front room to read her a story while Marianna nursed Jimmy in the kitchen rocker.

  Soon, the baby’s crying ceased, and the house was pleasantly still as Sadie and Sally cuddled together on the settee near the open windows. She was happy to spend time with her littlest granddaughter, but Sadie also missed her usual conversation with Anna, who was off on another outing with her Mennonite friends.

  Maybe Glen’s right and I do need to focus more on our immediate family, but should I deny myself time with Anna? Sadie thought. If she needs a listening heart, I’ll welcome it.

  When Mart held open the Chocolate Lab door for Anna at the Hershey Story Museum, she caught the scent of chocolate, laced with tantalizing hints of vanilla and nuts.

  Charlotte and Austin were already discussing whether they preferred dark or milk chocolate, and when Mart asked her, Anna said, “Dark, hands down.” Mart agreed, then showed his tickets to the attendant for the unique workshop advertised as “Hershey’s sweetest hands-on activity.”

  The place was already filling up with not only parents and their children but couples of all ages. Anna was eager to learn about the ingredients combined in the making of chocolate, as well as a few Hershey secrets. Following interactive demonstrations by expert chocolate makers, she and the others would get to pour the freshly melted chocolate and have the chance to decorate it.

  “Ever seen anything like this?” Mart asked her as they waited for the workshop lab to begin.

  “Never! Where’d you hear about it?”

  “Folks on the tours have mentioned it, but I’ve never been myself, so I checked it out online. It looked like fun, so here we are.” He winked at her.

  Anna’s face warmed. “Maybe the information center should put this on their list of things to do and see,” she said. “Even though most of the tourists we work with come to see the simpler side of life.”

  “True, but who doesn’t love the taste of chocolate?”

  Charlotte glanced their way and nodded her head, apparently having overheard. “This is the sweetest place on earth, right?”

  Anna smiled, glad to be a part of such a great group of young people.

  ———

  Before Anna and the others left the Chocolate Lab to see the interactive museum exhibits, Anna breathed in deeply the amazing chocolate scent one last time. The rest of the place was interesting, as well, especially the rags-to-riches story of Milton Hershey and the chocolate and town that bore his name.

  Charlotte and Austin lagged behind, which was fine with Anna, since it felt like she and Mart were more on their own.

  After a stop at the chocolate café, where they all enjoyed a late lunch, the group headed through the enormous parking lot to the van. Charlotte and Austin shared a Hershey’s chocolate and almond bar as they walked, talking quietly and laughing occasionally, which gave Anna a chance to interact with several others in their group. But it was Mart who kept catching her eye.

  Anna found Sadie in the kitchen preparing a beef roast to use for sandwiches tomorrow, since she wouldn’t be doing any cooking for the main meal on the Lord’s Day. “Sounds like a wunnerbaar-gut recipe,” Anna said.

  “Jah, it really is.” Sadie rubbed the sides of the meat with a mix of brown sugar and seasonings. “Did ya have fun?” She glanced at Anna.

  “Oh yes, there was lots to do.” Anna began to describe all she’d experienced. “Have you ever been there?”

  “Many years ago, before all the extra attractions were added. Glen took me on a trolley tour of Hershey with several of our older children.”

  “I think the trolley still runs.”

  Sadie’s eyebrows lifted. “Is that right?”

  “We didn’t ride it today, but sometime I might.” She paused. “Need any help?”

  “Ach, nothin’ to it,” Sadie said, picking up the roaster. “Now I chust slip this in the oven for an hour or so. You go an’ relax a bit.”

  “Okay, then.” Anna walked through the sitting room to her room, where she closed the door and sat on the bed, recalling the day. Mart had seemed so friendly and attentive, and there’d been that flirtatious wink. Did he want to date her at some point? And if so, how would she feel about it?

  Chapter 23

  SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1948

  Eliza felt frozen in place under the tall pin oak as Eb motioned to her. Except for his white shirt, buttoned at the throat, he was dressed head to toe in black. She’d already come this far from Great-aunt Joanna’s farmhouse, but suddenly she was having second thoughts.

  “What’s a-matter?” he asked, inching toward her.

  “Not sure why I’m here,” she managed to say, not admitting that she shouldn’t be. But he surely knows I’m breaking the rules. . . .

  Eb chuckled. “Well, since we can’t spend time together where we can be seen, this seemed like a gut place.” He waved for her to follow him. “Besides, I wanted to show you something.”

  It was getting darker, and without the moon’s brilliance, she might have felt even more hesitant. She honestly wished that Eb had stayed on the other side of the stone wall. Then she remembered what her parents had told her about their family’s past and how their Beachy church had broken away from the Old Order. There’s more than one boundary between us. . . .

  Looking around her at the shadowy world, she thought of how Eb had shared about his own parents being forbidden to court, since his father was Old Order and Eb’s mother had been a Mennonite. Eliza had been very curious about that.

  Finally, she agreed. “Well, since I’m here . . .”

  Eb flashed a grin. “I wanted to tell ya the rest of my parents’ story. Under the covering of night, they spent a lot of time talking right here where we’re standin’. Sometimes, when Dat couldn’t get a chance to see her, he left her special notes hidden in the stacked stones of this very wall. And in time, she started leavin’ some for him, too.”

  Eliza thought that his parents had taken a big risk sneaking around for their relationship, just as she and Eb were now.

  “It took a few months, but Dat managed to convince her to join his church. They married a year later, and when I was born, Dat named me Ebenezer after the stone of help talked about in First Samuel. ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us,’” Eb quoted. “So ya see, this ol’ wall was important to my parents . . . so important I was named after the stones in it.”

  Leaning down, Eb pointed to the very spot where his father’s love notes had been concealed nearly twenty years before.

  Even in the dim light, she could see the place where the rocks were a bit looser. “How did your parents manage to find the same spot?”

  “Notice that tall oak tree behind us, standin’ there all by itself? They claimed it was their special tree. They’d stand next to that, then look straight ahead to this larger dark gray rock. It’s kinda hard to see the color in the moonlight, but do you see how it stands out?”

  Eliza nodded.

  “Mamm said they’d count six rocks over from there, then three up,” Eb said. “And that was their secret hiding spot.” He chuckled. “If I were hidin’ a letter in this stone wall, I’d make it real simple to find.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I’d choose this large dark rock and slip it under there.” He shrugged. “But that’s just me.” He held Eliza’s gaze.

  Eliza pondered what Eb had said, then asked, “Did the numbers six and three mean something special to your parents, by any chance?”

  “Jah, those numbers marked the date they first met here . . . June third.”

  “I like that,” s
he whispered, realizing that her nervousness had vanished, though she didn’t know just when. “It’s pretty special to think you were named Ebenezer to honor the part this wall played in their courtship.”

  “Jah.” Eb was studying her.

  She felt her cheeks warm. “Denki for sharin’ that with me, but I really must get back to my aunt’s.”

  Eb dipped his head. “I’ve never told anyone that story ’cept you.”

  Eliza felt the uneasiness return and didn’t know what to say.

  “Don’t worry.” He shook his head. “No one will think to look for ya here, Eliza. Your fears are unfounded.”

  “But still, my aunt would be upset to find me gone.”

  “Then we’d better not delay. Kumm, I’ll walk with ya,” Eb said, moving toward her, acting like the bold fellow he had been the first time she’d encountered him, with her wagonful of asparagus stalks.

  “Oh, I can find my way. Honest.” She pointed to the moon.

  He nodded but kept walking with her across the meadow, down toward the road . . . then he began to whistle softly.

  Eliza did not object again, but the closer they got to her great-aunt’s, the more nervous she felt, lest she be seen with an Old Order fellow. My parents would have my hide, she thought. Though she couldn’t deny there was something charming about nightfall while with such a handsome young man.

  When they reached the end of Joanna’s pebbled walkway, Eb waited as Eliza headed around to the back door.

  She glanced over her shoulder and saw him still there, and a little shiver ran up her spine. He likes me too much. . . .

  Chapter 24

  Anna awoke late into the night. Sighing, she mentally pictured the corner writing desk and the long letter she’d written to Mamm before saying her prayers. In it, she’d mentioned Martin Nolt, in case Wanita had said something to Mamma about Anna’s seeing him twice now with his friends.

  No official dates yet, but he winked at me today, Anna thought again, smiling at the memory.

  She stretched beneath the sheet and yawned. Then, closing her eyes, she realized that Atley Brenneman had not come to her mind even once since she’d started spending time with Mart.

  That has to mean something, she thought as she drifted back to sleep.

  The next morning, Sadie turned over in bed and reflected on the proverb Glen had read during their Bible reading last evening. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

  Sadie smiled, thankful now that her husband cared enough to caution her as he had. Glen was right, she thought. Others in the family need my time and attention, too. Not just Anna.

  ———

  The cloud cover that hung around all day yesterday had moved out of the area overnight. Presently, the vivid red of the sunrise reminded Anna of the glory she felt at the dawning of each Lord’s Day, and she quickly dressed to go walking in the woods. There, alone with God and His creation, she could pray aloud and feel ever so close to her Savior.

  When she came to the tree house, she walked up the steps to the first level, then on to the second, gazing out at the beauty in every direction as she breathed in the fresh scent of a new day.

  After her walk, she returned to the house and dressed in preparation for worship at her church, renewed from a good night of sleep, the nature walk, and prayer.

  As she arrived at the meetinghouse later that morning, she was met by Heidi Denlinger in the church foyer, who again invited her to sit with her and Eleanor. After visiting quietly about the week, Heidi whispered that Lester had inquired if Anna was seeing anyone. “I told him I didn’t know,” Heidi added with a quick smile.

  “Let’s talk later, okay?” Anna said as together they walked into the sanctuary and saw where Eleanor was saving two places on a gleaming pew.

  The congregational singing was followed by the passing of the offering plate, and then a sermon from Exodus, chapter fifteen. As the minister spoke about the complaints of the children of Israel, it crossed Anna’s mind that, despite all the miracles they had witnessed firsthand, they continually doubted Jehovah’s promises. Instead, they continued to question or grumble—or worse, disobey. Even today, we tend to forget God’s miracles . . . and His promises.

  After the service, while they waited for the fellowship meal to begin, Anna told Heidi that she had been going out with a mixed group of youth from another church. “Friends of my colleague at work,” she said, not mentioning Mart’s name.

  “So, no one special?” Heidi asked in a whisper.

  Anna gave a little shrug. “Time will tell.”

  Heidi nodded and smiled. “God will guide you.”

  Anna was counting on that.

  The following Saturday, Anna was assigned to be one of the side walkers for little Emmie, one of two young riders who didn’t speak. Anna spotted Emmie’s shiny black pony, Promise, already waiting in the lineup of horses.

  Dottie introduced her to Emmie and explained that Anna would be with her the whole time, as would Katie Blank, another volunteer Emmie was already accustomed to. “You’ll like Anna,” Dottie assured her in Pennsylvania Dutch, and Emmie glanced briefly at Anna, eyes tentative.

  “Promise is all set to ride,” Dottie announced, grinning at the little girl. “Can you say his name today? Pro . . . mise.”

  Fleetingly, a smile appeared, and then Dottie lifted the girl gently onto the pony. Anna helped Emmie get her right foot into the small stirrup while Dottie assisted with the left one, but Emmie still did not make a sound.

  The leader turned out to be Gabe, who picked up the line after greeting Anna and Katie, then grinned at Emmie. “All ready, jah?”

  “Fix un faerdich,” Katie repeated in Deitsch for Emmie’s sake.

  “Can ya tell Promise to walk?” Gabe asked Emmie. “Wanna try?”

  Emmie remained silent, her little eyes focused on Promise’s mane.

  Anna held on to Emmie as Dottie had taught her, and they moved slowly through the stable, following the horses and riders in front of them, heading toward the sunshine and the round pen in the near distance. A slight breeze cooled Anna’s neck as she kept her eyes on the petite girl in the saddle, as well as their leader, Gabe.

  Halfway around the pen, Anna noticed the stone wall across the field, and she couldn’t help thinking of Mammi Eliza’s remark about meeting someone at such a wall. Had Mammi been clear in her thinking that day, as it seemed?

  The second time around, at the halfway point, Anna wondered whether the stone wall within walking distance of her now was the very one Mammi Eliza was talking about. Wasn’t it possible?

  She firmly held Emmie’s arm and leg through her long rose-colored dress, yet never once did Emmie so much as look her way, instead keeping her gaze on the pony’s bobbing head and mane. Promise whinnied softly as they went, and Anna wondered if it was a way for the pony to comfort the little girl.

  At the end of the session, Gabe helped Emmie down, and Anna went to get a bucket of water for Promise to drink. After Emmie and the other riders headed for the passenger van, Anna and Katie and a few more volunteers began the work of untacking a few of the horses not needed for the second session. Anna and Katie unbridled Promise and put him in crossties, then removed the girth, saddle, and saddle pad, talking softly to him as they worked. Promise bobbed his head, neighing gently in response.

  Eager for the next session, Anna offered to help Dottie in whatever way needed.

  “I see they’re putting you to work,” Gabe said when he encountered Anna in the tack room.

  “And I’m enjoying it very much.”

  “Gut to know,” he said with a smile.

  Anna finished hanging up the saddle pad and then stood there, conscious of his continued presence and feeling a bit shy.

  “I appreciate your volunteering . . . and I’ll look forward to seein’ ya next Saturday, too,” Gabe finally said, excusing himself to go and meet the incoming riders.

  It was more than an hou
r later that Anna said good-bye to Dottie and headed to the car, grateful to have spent another delightful morning at this very special retreat.

  Chapter 25

  Monday of the following week, Anna spent time talking with Mart between their individual tours.

  “How was your morning at Peaceful Meadows?” Mart asked as he served himself a cup of coffee and walked over to join her at the break room table.

  “Oh . . . real nice. I got to be one of the side walkers for a five-year-old girl named Emmie. She doesn’t speak.”

  Mart frowned. “Is she autistic?”

  Anna shook her head. “No, Emmie became mute when her mother died,” she told him. “She’s just darling, and because she’s so tiny, she always rides a pony named Promise instead of one of the horses. Come to think of it, Promise reminds me of Misty, one of my favorite ponies that Dat raised.”

  Mart opened a packet of sugar and stirred some into his mug. “What happened to Misty?”

  “We sold her to a family in Peach Bottom,” Anna said, remembering how difficult it had been to part with the sleek beauty. “It was a painful good-bye.”

  He reached for his coffee mug. “Did you ever visit her?” He took a sip.

  “My siblings and I wanted to, but Dat thought it would be too hard on the pony . . . and on all of us, too, so we didn’t. Ponies are very intelligent, I’m sure you know. It was important for her to settle in with her new family.”

  “No wonder you’re interested in working at the retreat.” He chuckled, then asked more specifics about the kinds of responsibilities she had there.

  Anna was happy to fill him in. Then she added, “I can’t believe how many new friends I’ve made since coming here.”

  “Friends are the whipped cream on the pie of life,” he said with a grin.

  “Did you just make that up?”

  He chuckled. “I actually did.”

  “Well, whipped cream is the best part of the pie.”