The Stone Wall

by Beverly Lewis

  At least I don’t have to bother with hitching up a horse to a buggy! she thought.

  “I told Anna ’bout Gabe Allgyer’s great heartache,” Sadie shared with Glen that evening as they prepared to retire for the night.

  “It’s ’bout time ya did,” Glen replied, smiling.

  “Figured you’d think that.” She tried not to smile herself lest she egg him on, as fond of Gabe as Glen had always been.

  Glen removed his socks and tossed them into the hamper across their bedroom. “Did I tell ya that Gabe brought up Anna to me the other day, over at the smithy’s?”

  “Well, I’ll be.” Sadie was pleased. “Gabe and little Emmie certainly need a kind young woman like our Anna in their lives.”

  “Honestly, I have a feelin’ Gabe’s got an eye on her.”

  Glen’s admission got Sadie thinking. “I’ll have to pray ’bout how we can help this along.”

  Glen looked at her. “Now, dear. Maybe we shouldn’t.”

  “Nee, I think it’s a fine idea, to tell the truth.” Sadie walked over and gave him a big smooch.

  After the first Saturday session at the retreat, Anna was pleasantly surprised to encounter the blond woman who always accompanied little Emmie, either bringing her or picking her up. The pretty woman came into the stable and introduced herself as “Emmie’s aunt Barbara Mast.”

  “Wunnerbaar to meet you,” Anna said, thinking she looked even more like Emmie up close, her heart-shaped Kapp secured with bobby pins on the sides.

  “Emmie seemed particularly happy this morning on the way over here. She loves comin’ to ride, that’s for sure,” Barbara said, her rosy cheeks dimpling as she talked. She glanced down at Emmie. “Ain’t so, Emmie?”

  Emmie did not respond to her aunt but remained focused on Anna.

  “I’ve heard from folks that many of the children seem especially cheerful on their riding day,” Anna said.

  Barbara gently reached for Emmie’s hand. “Well, this one’s only cheerful on Saturdays,” Barbara said, her deep blue eyes turning sad.

  Assuming she was referring to Emmie’s grief, Anna caught herself nodding. Poor little girl!

  “Say, I’m havin’ a little get-together next Friday morning,” Barbara said. “Some fresh-brewed coffee and goodies, plus gut fellowship. Dottie and Katie will be there. Would ya like to join us, Anna?”

  Little Emmie blinked as she kept looking up at Anna.

  At first, Anna wasn’t sure what to say. Why would Barbara invite her when Anna wasn’t as traditionally Plain as she was, or as Dottie and Katie, for that matter? But wanting to be polite, she said, “That’s real nice. May I bring some sweet bread to share?”

  “Just bring yourself. I’ll have plenty to nibble on.” Barbara’s eyes were shining now, and she put out her hand to shake Anna’s. “Denki for takin’ such gut care of Emmie when she rides.”

  This, too, surprised Anna, since all the side walkers were extra careful with the younger riders. “Well, I’m happy to be Emmie’s side walker,” Anna said, hardly knowing what else to say; it seemed odd to be sought out like this.

  Barbara gave her the address, and Anna thanked her, still not sure what to make of the unexpected invitation.

  Anna glanced at Emmie just then and saw a smile appear. Heartened, Anna said, “I’ll see you again next Saturday, okay, Emmie?” She held her breath, hoping Emmie might nod her head. Anything in response.

  But Emmie turned slowly to go with her aunt Barbara, and Anna stood there, watching them walk quietly together toward the passenger van.

  Another lovely surprise happened that afternoon, when Heidi stopped by to see Anna at Flauds’. She brought with her an embroidered doily with yellow roses in the center. “I’ve been working on this since you first came to our church,” Heidi said as the two of them sat on the back porch together. “Just overlook the mistakes if you find any.” She sounded apologetic.

  “I can’t believe this, Heidi. It’s so kind of you,” Anna said, running her fingers gently over the embroidery. “Denki.”

  “Yellow roses stand for friendship . . . as maybe you know.”

  Anna nodded. “Which makes this perfect.” She smiled at her. “You and your sister have gone out of your way to make me feel so welcome.”

  Heidi blushed at the compliment.

  “I really feel like part of the community here with my mother’s Old Order cousins, as well.”

  “Don’t you miss electricity?” Heidi asked, moving back and forth in the porch rocker.

  “I really thought I would, but I’m getting used to being without it.”

  Heidi raised her eyebrows. “I’m not sure I could.”

  “Well, not having a car would be much harder.”

  “Right,” Heidi said. “My siblings and I all share one presently.” She pointed to the older model Ford parked at the end of the yard.

  “More affordable,” Anna commented, enjoying their relaxed conversation.

  “It’ll probably end up being Lester’s, but for now, we take turns.” At Lester’s name, Heidi looked at Anna and brightened. “We’ll be having another after-church party in a couple of weeks. I hope you’ll come again.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.”

  Their conversation slowly moved to other things—Heidi’s work as a part-time nanny for an Englisher in their neighborhood, and one particular fellow in the church who had recently asked her out.

  Anna wondered if Heidi might hint about double-dating at some point, but she didn’t bring it up. Instead, Heidi unexpectedly brought up Peaceful Meadows. “I suppose you’re making some friends there, too,” she said.

  “Yes, quite a few.”

  “I’m glad for you,” Heidi said. “I doubt I could make the transition to another town as gracefully as you have.”

  “Well, things are coming together quite nicely, which seems to confirm that it was God’s will for me to come here.” Anna smiled at her. “And to meet you, Heidi.”

  They talked about going swimming next Friday afternoon with Eleanor and some of the other girls in the youth group. Suddenly, Anna remembered that she would be going for coffee at Barbara Mast’s house. “I’d really like to if I’m back in time,” Anna said. “I’ve been invited to have coffee with some Amish friends.”

  “House Amish?”

  Anna nodded. “The woman who invited me is Old Order.” Like her former brother-in-law, Gabe, thought Anna. “I’ll tell you all about it, okay?”

  Heidi smiled. “Okay!”

  Then Anna caught herself, not sure how many people she wanted to know about this visit, lest it somehow drift back to her parents.

  Chapter 31

  By nine in the morning the following Friday, the temperature had already risen to ninety-two degrees, and according to Sadie’s battery-powered digital thermometer, the humidity reading was nearly as high. Thinking ahead to the coffee gathering at Barbara Mast’s, Anna felt at once happy and timid, and she brought this up to Sadie as they were redding up the kitchen.

  “That sounds like Barbara, chust bein’ neighborly to a newcomer,” Sadie said, pausing to wipe her face with a hankie she took from beneath her sleeve. “’Tis awful close in here, ain’t?”

  “Might be a smart thing to work in the basement, where it’s cooler,” Anna suggested. “If you have some mending or whatnot.”

  Sadie nodded. “Ain’t the most pleasant surroundings down there, but you’re right; it’d be much cooler.”

  Anna wondered if she should mention what was on her mind. She reflected for a moment, then realized she had been talking rather openly to Sadie for all these weeks, so why not?

  “How well do you know Barbara?” Anna asked tentatively.

  “Well, she’s in my church district, so pretty well. Emmie’s mother was Barbara’s close-in-age sister.”

  Anna had wondered. “Little Emmie looks so much like her, jah?”

  “Sometimes children look more like an Aendi or Onkel than one of their own parents
,” Sadie said. “It’s strange yet true.”

  Anna thought of her own nieces and nephews. “I think you’re right.”

  “Barbara keeps very busy cookin’ and having folks in. And she dotes on Gabe since Emily passed . . . worries ’bout him might be a better way to say it.”

  “Worries?”

  “Well, since he’s a widower with a youngster. Though surely the Good Lord will send along a nice wife for him in due time.” Sadie smiled a little. “Say, would ya mind droppin’ me off at Molly’s, since it’s on the way?” she asked.

  “Sure, and I can pick you up on the way back, too, if you’d like.”

  “Denki. That’s real kind.”

  “And if Molly needs a ride somewhere while you stay with your sister, I can take care of that, too.”

  “Oh, I think Molly’s just goin’ to walk up the road to her cousins’ place while I’m spelling her off a bit.”

  “Well, know that I want to help however I can. And just think, you won’t have to hitch up today.” Anna grinned.

  Sadie gave her an endearing smile. “Such a wunnerbaar help you already are! You just don’t know . . .”

  Anna wanted to go over and hug her, Sadie looked so moved. “Are you all right?”

  Quickly, Sadie nodded. “I count my blessings every day, Anna. And when I come to you, I count ’em twice.”

  Anna didn’t know what to make of this. “I think my Mamm would be glad to hear it,” she observed at last. “She’d say she raised me right.”

  “Oh, believe me, I’ve told her that in my letters.”

  Blushing, Anna had suspected that Sadie and Mamm were exchanging frequent letters. Maybe Sadie and Glen feel responsible for me since I’m staying with them.

  “Well, we’d better head out pretty soon,” she said, aware of a sudden flutter of nerves. Had Barbara invited any other women besides Dottie and Katie?

  The coffee get-together looked to be just the four of them, much as Barbara had indicated last weekend. Not far ahead of Anna’s car, Dottie and Katie were parking their buggies on the side yard, north of the driveway. Anna held back a smile; once again, she was parking her car amidst Amish carriages.

  Just then, Anna saw Gabe and Emmie standing over near the stable, playing with a white cat with black paws. Anna felt her body tighten.

  Do they live here? she wondered, still sitting behind the wheel as though in a daze. Are they coming to coffee, too?

  A tap came at her window, and startled, she turned to see Dottie standing there, grinning. “Ach, sorry,” she said and grabbed her purse, embarrassed.

  Dottie stepped back so Anna could open the car door. “Guder Mariye, Anna.”

  “Good morning to you, too,” Anna replied, falling into step with Dottie. She hoped her expression hadn’t let on how surprised she was to see Gabe and his daughter there. “It’s one of those hot and humid August days, jah?” Anna commented.

  Dottie chuckled. “You can say that again. Our watchdog somehow managed to get himself clear under the back porch. He was peekin’ out between the slats when I left, poor thing. Must be cooler there. We’re definitely into the dog days of summer now.”

  “I wonder where that saying comes from.” Anna noticed that Dottie had on a brown bandanna instead of her usual prayer Kapp.

  “Never really thought ’bout it.” Dottie glanced at her as they walked toward the back stoop. “I daresay you’re a thinker, Anna.”

  “Sometimes.”

  Dottie turned to wave Katie over to join them. “My ol’ Dawdi used to say that too much thinkin’ gets a body in trouble.”

  And too little thinking gets people in still more trouble! Anna thought, amused, as she followed Dottie up the steps and in the back door. They proceeded through the tidy screened-in porch into the large kitchen without Dottie announcing their arrival. She didn’t need to, for there at a trestle table laid with pretty mint green crocheted placemats and small white dessert plates sat Barbara, fanning herself with the hem of her long black apron.

  “Willkumm,” Barbara said, getting up and greeting them, her brow beaded with perspiration.

  “You look all in,” Dottie said, then urged Barbara to sit back down.

  “Are ya sickly?” Katie asked, looking concerned as she and Dottie hovered near her.

  “Nee . . . just didn’t sleep much at all last night. Neither did Aden,” said Barbara.

  Dottie perched herself on the wood bench. “Aw, did little Emmie keep yous up again?”

  Barbara glanced at Anna, as if thinking she’d better not reveal what was on her mind. “Let’s just say it was a very long night.”

  “Well, we’re here now, so let us pitch in an’ help,” Katie said, going to the fridge and removing a pitcher of ice water. She took down a tumbler from the cupboard and poured the water, then carried it quickly to Barbara. “Sip on this to keep from wilting more.”

  Barbara accepted the water and began to drink, still fanning her face, sunshine spilling in through the spotless windows.

  “We should ice the coffee,” Dottie suggested.

  Katie nodded. “What do ya think, Barbara?”

  Anna felt sorry for Barbara, sitting there looking so fatigued. She wondered why Emmie had spent the night and what would have caused her not to sleep.

  “I’m one step ahead of ya,” Barbara said, after downing nearly half the glass of water. “Look on the right side of the fridge, and you’ll see a Tupperware pitcher of iced mocha.”

  “Appeditlich!” Dottie said.

  Katie directed Barbara to just sit. “Dottie and I will bring everything to the table.”

  Meanwhile, Barbara was motioning for Anna to join her. “You’re the guest of honor, so come sit by me,” she said, pointing to the chair.

  “Maybe some iced coffee will perk you up,” Anna said, hoping she wasn’t out of line to say so.

  “Ach, a little caffeine never hurt anyone.”

  Anna smiled and glanced about the kitchen, noting a built-in bookcase on one wall, with many books neatly lined up. “Someone’s a big reader,” she remarked.

  “My husband, Aden, likes biographies,” Barbara said. “’Specially ones ’bout ordinary folk. Englischers.”

  Like me, Anna thought, knowing she was viewed as fancy, since she drove a car and grew up with electricity.

  By the time Dottie and Katie sat down, Barbara had already folded her hands for the silent blessing. Anna bowed her head, too, and appreciated the silent gratitude displayed, even for just iced coffee and sweets.

  After the prayer, there was animated talk about picking Glenglo peaches, and Dottie mentioned how eager she was to hear if Barbara and Aden were planning to have a cookout on Aden’s birthday again, like last year.

  “We might, since everyone had such a nice time,” Barbara said, sitting up straighter now.

  Anna enjoyed hearing all the chatter, sometimes in Deitsch, when they forgot and simply slipped back into their mother tongue. Hers, as well.

  After drinking the rest of her water and some of the iced coffee, Barbara changed the subject, turning to ask Anna, “How do ya like your work as a tour guide?”

  How does she know? Anna wondered, rather surprised. “Did Gabe mention that?”

  “Jah, some time ago,” Barbara said, a humorous glint in her eye.

  “Ain’t much that slips by unnoticed round here,” Katie said with a smile. “Everyone knows what folks are sayin’ or doin’, and sometimes even thinkin’!”

  “It’s a little like that where I’m from in Mifflinburg, too,” Anna said.

  “Gabe did some occasional construction work up there in Mifflinburg, but that was a few years ago,” Barbara said, her eyebrows lifting a little as she said his name. “I tend to view him as my flesh-and-blood brother, ya know . . . even though he’s not.”

  Dottie nodded her head and reached for another slice of banana zucchini bread. “Have ya tried this yet, Anna?” She passed the plate to her. “It’s so moist and yummy.”

&
nbsp; Barbara perked up a bit. “You have my recipe, ain’t?”

  Dottie said she did. “There are chopped walnuts in it, jah?”

  “An’ plenty-a sugar.” Barbara beamed. “Gabe makes quick work of it at breakfast time, and so does Emmie.”

  Hearing this, Anna felt certain now that they lived with Barbara and her husband. She wondered why Barbara kept mentioning them.

  “Well, getting back to your tour work,” Barbara said. “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve run into with travelers?”

  “I’d probably have to say a recent client, a young woman from Phoenix who wanted to attend an Amish wedding. In fact, she insisted on it until I explained that Amish wedding season typically isn’t until November. She seemed offended that they aren’t conducted year-round, to be honest.”

  “Ach, how funny,” Katie said, laughing. “Wonder why she didn’t think she’d need to be invited, seeing as she isn’t from around here.”

  “I did my best to educate her,” Anna said, taking another bite of the truly delicious banana zucchini bread.

  “Tell us more,” Dottie said as she passed the plates of cookies and bars around for the third time.

  “Well, here’s something that happened last week,” Anna said, feeling more included now. “A man and his wife from Illinois wanted to know if all the Plain folk in Lancaster County were Amish.”

  Dottie pressed her hand to her chest. “And what did ya say?”

  “I said there are many types of Plain groups, but the Old Order Amish are the most interesting to tourists.”

  “I don’t doubt that,” Barbara said. “And why do you think that is?”

  “Could be a fascination with the horse and buggy,” Anna said. “At least, that’s what my clients seem most curious about. It’s so different from what they know.”

  “Seems so,” Barbara replied.

  Just then, Anna heard footsteps outside, coming onto the porch and into the house. She wondered if Barbara’s husband and children might want some treats, too.

  Turning to look with the other women, Anna saw Gabe walking into the kitchen with Emmie, his straw hat on.