Katie's Forever Promise

by Jerry S. Eicher

  “Do you want more ice cream?” Katie asked as she picked up his bowl.

  “Nee.” Norman smiled. “I had enough—and plenty.”

  Katie took the plates into the kitchen and set them on the counter. She returned to the living room. Norman was looking at Jesse’s copy of The Budget, flipping through the pages.

  “Anything interesting?” Katie asked, attempting a sweet smile.

  “Not really. Just the usual. Do you think this week’s news will make it in?”

  He had to mean Ben’s kafuffle, Katie thought. “I hope not.”

  “Me too.” Norman appeared vexed, the level of his voice rising. “The community doesn’t need the added shame. It’s going to carry far enough the way it is. I mean, what Amish community has had such a scandal ever? Ben should be thoroughly ashamed of himself. In fact, he should leave and never come back. He should move to some other community where they don’t know him.”

  “I heard he’s moving in with his grandparents,” Katie offered.

  “That’s not nearly far enough.” Norman grunted. “He’ll still be around. And what if another attack comes, and his grandparents get hurt? I say Ben should leave for good.”

  “But surely there won’t be another attack?” Katie said, hoping her concern didn’t show through.

  “The police want Ben to testify, I heard,” Norman said. “I guess Ben can identify the man who shot him. It’s going around that he heard the shooter’s voice before he blacked out. If Ben testifies again, that will be another scandal we’ll have to live down.”

  “Maybe he has no choice?” Katie said, realizing she sounded like she was defending Ben.

  Norman stared at her. “No choice? We all have choices, Katie.”

  She might as well go on. It wasn’t right that Norman was being so hard on Ben. “They might be able to make Ben talk. I don’t know…somehow…by their Englisha laws.”

  Norman didn’t appear too happy. “No one can make anyone talk, Katie. Not when it’s not right. Our forefathers withstood fire and torture rather than betray the faith or each other. The least we can do is stand up for some principles in this peaceful land we live in.”

  He was right of course. Katie gave Norman a quick smile. Apparently it hadn’t occurred to him yet that she’d defended Ben. Well, even the worst people needed a little defending. Wasn’t that also the belief of their people?

  “How’s school going?” Norman asked, changing the subject.

  “Okay, I guess. Maybe it’s too soon to tell.”

  “A little overwhelming perhaps?”

  “No, well, yah, perhaps. It is after all, only my first year.”

  “You’re doing okay though. At least from what I heard. Daett said he’s getting very gut reports from the parents.”

  “Did your daett take a big risk then by hiring me?” The words burst out, and Katie looked away. Where was this insecurity coming from? School was going fine. She already knew that.

  Norman smiled. “It’s gut to see that you’re a little nervous about the subject. Pride and overconfidence are deadly sins.”

  He hadn’t answered her question, so it must be true. She wouldn’t ask again. At least she must have passed the test of meeting Enos Kuntz’s high standards despite the risk.

  Norman continued without looking at her. “I thought for the longest time you were a little full of yourself, Katie. Especially after you came back from your trip overseas and gave all those talks at the sewings. Mamm used to come home with the stories. She retold them to us around the supper table. But Daett told me you came from humble roots which had given you a gut heart—and a deep and religious one. That’s a rare combination in a girl, Katie.”

  “Thank you,” Katie choked out, trying to catch her breath. Norman had been thinking this about her?

  “Well, I’d better be going.” Norman was on his feet now and moving toward the door. “Thanks for the gut evening. And for the food. Tell Mabel I enjoyed her company also. Maybe we’ll have her join us again next Sunday night. That is, if you’ll let me come back again?” Norman paused with his hand on the door. He didn’t really look like he expected her to say nee so he must be much more confident of himself than he let on.

  “Yah…” Katie replied.

  Norman smiled. “And I hope you can make plans to be with my family this Thanksgiving day. Mamm and Daett would both love that. And so would I.”

  “I…sure…why not?” Katie clasped her hands in front of her. So Norman was serious about their relationship. That was a gut sign.

  He was gone in an instant, softly closing the door behind him.

  Through the window, Katie watched his form move across the lawn in the darkness dimly broken by the lantern light spilling out the window. Out by the hitching post he untied Bonnie and climbed into the buggy. He drove away, and as the lights went down the lane Katie turned to walk to the stair door. It had been a gut evening, she told herself. And a proper one too. So why was she seized with a great desire for something…someone…who had been banished from her life once and for all? Truth be told, she wanted Ben’s arms wrapped around her shoulders and holding her tight. She wanted them…him…badly. Catching herself, Katie turned her thoughts away as she opened the door. How could her heart so betray her after she’d spent the evening with a decent man like Norman? She must not think of Ben like that again, Katie resolved as she walked up the stairs in the dark with care.

  Chapter Eleven

  Katie leaned against the schoolhouse windowsill and watched the buggies discharge their young occupants. As usual, most of them made a dash for the ball field to get in precious playing time before she rang the bell. They were all gut children, and just as energetic with their schoolwork as they were playing softball. Katie knew she should be happy with her lot, and yet she felt dreary for no gut reason.

  On their second date, Norman had seemed a little more confident. The evening spent with him last night had been okay. At least Mabel had the decency to keep herself scarce when they’d arrived home this time. Other than a cheerful smile to Norman, she hadn’t said anything or hung around before dashing up the stairs. And Norman didn’t mention his interest in eating pie and ice cream with Mabel present. Perhaps his interest was now centering totally on Katie like it should be.

  Ben had seemed a distant thought all week. That was after she’d cried herself to sleep thinking about him after Norman left that first Sunday night. She didn’t want Ben back—nee, not after what he’d done. That wasn’t the issue. Her heart hadn’t sunk that low. But the good memories were still painful, even with the healing Da Hah had done. Perhaps dating again was stirring her wounds that needed further healing. She would make it through this with Da Hah’s help.

  Katie caught sight of Norman’s buggy racing into the schoolyard. His sister usually dropped off their youngest brother, Abram, but this morning it looked like Norman was driving. At least a black hat filled part of the buggy’s windshield. Was Norman going to stop and talk to her? If so, what could he want that would have him driving so much faster than usual? Or maybe he was driving because his sister was busy this morning? In that case, Norman would just give her a quick wave before turning to leave. Katie opened the window and leaned out. A few of the children in the playground turned her way, smiling and waving. She gave them a little wave back, her eyes still watching Norman’s buggy.

  He came to a fast halt as both doors burst open. Little Abram leaped out and tied up Bonnie. Norman marched earnestly toward the schoolhouse. Katie’s smile vanished. The man looked mighty grim. What could be wrong? She’d just seen him last night, and everything had seemed fine.

  Racing to the schoolhouse door, she held it open with a smile on her face. Norman paused a few feet away. “I need to speak with you, Katie. Right now!”

  Never had she seen him so disturbed. Katie stepped back inside, still holding the door open. “It’s almost time to begin school, Norman. What’s wrong?”

  He brushed past her into the schoolroom. S
he caught her breath and followed. Had she done something wrong? But what? And since last night?

  Norman turned to face her. “Is it true you visited Ben Stoll in the hospital?”

  Katie swallowed. “Yah, I did. Willis took me.”

  “So it is true!” His eyes were blazing. “Did you expect this to stay a secret? How could you, Katie?”

  “I…” She looked away. She hadn’t expected this level of anger from him. “I’m sorry you’re taking this so hard, Norman. But Willis insisted I go. He told me Ben wished to apologize to me face-to-face for what he’d done. Willis thought he should be given that chance, and Jesse concurred. Ben was injured severely, you know. And one never knows when Da Hah will call a person home. Ben wanted to make peace with me and Da Hah, and I needed to give him that opportunity. Surely you can understand that.”

  “How do I know what you say is true?” Norman snapped. “Am I supposed to ask Willis what happened when you spoke with Ben? And besides, that’s not the issue. It’s how things look. Now I’ll be seen as dating Ben’s ex-girlfriend who can’t seem to stay away from him. That’s how it appears to the community. You’re making a fool out of me, Katie Raber. Is this what Mabel meant by your sneaky ways?”

  Katie paused. This seemed so unlike the Norman she knew. “Is this your way of telling me you’re not going to see me again? That you’re ashamed of me?”

  Norman glanced up for a moment, taking in the tears on her cheeks. “Katie…Katie…please…of course I’m not saying that. I don’t start something without finishing it. But I needed to know whether this was true, and I needed to hear again that you are over that drug-dealing Ben Stoll.”

  “Well, it is true I went to see him in the hospital…” Katie let the statement hang.

  Norman hesitated before drawing himself up to full height. “I don’t want you speaking with Ben Stoll ever again, Katie.”

  “I wasn’t planning to, Norman. I won’t be seeing him.”

  “Still, you must promise me.”

  “But what if I see Ben in church? I have to say gut morning to him. It wouldn’t be Christian not to.”

  Norman frowned. “That’s something you won’t have to worry about. Daett is going to speak with Bishop Miller this morning. Ben will be asked to leave the community at once, before he can bring more shame on all of us.”

  “He’s leaving? But where is he to go? We can’t just drive him away. He’s not in the bann. That takes a vote by the church members.”

  “Don’t worry about Ben, Katie. He’s not your responsibility. Others who know better will take care of him. I can only say that on my part I’m just glad he’ll be gone.”

  He moved a step away, her need to promise apparently forgotten. He suddenly turned on his heels. Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “I’ll see you Sunday then, Katie.”

  “But Norman!” Katie stopped him midstride. “What about us? You can’t just come in here, yell at me, and then leave. What am I supposed to think?”

  He gave her a weak smile. “Everything’s okay, Katie. At least you didn’t lie to me. And Ben will soon be gone.”

  Everything was not okay, Katie thought as she watched him walk out to his buggy. She ached in her heart over this. It was even more painful as she realized she couldn’t imagine Ben walking out like that—not after chewing her out over some matter. In fact, she couldn’t imagine Ben talking to her in that manner at all. But Norman wasn’t Ben. And Norman wasn’t deceiving her by hiding some awful sin as Ben had done. She ought to feel thankful for Norman’s care. Yet the truth was that she didn’t.

  How had things come to this awful state? By Ben’s actions, of course. And now everyone involved with him was reaping the bitter harvest. If Ben had to leave the community, there was no one he could blame but himself. And she had no reason to hold anything against either Norman or his daett for wanting that. No doubt they were trying to deal with things as best they knew how. They were trying to stop evil from doing even more damage. If their methods seemed harsh, she would have to refrain from judging.

  A soft step coming from the closet area turned her around. “Well, Noah, where did you come from?”

  Had Ben’s brother overheard the conversation? He appeared troubled, but surely he hadn’t been inside while Norman was here.

  “I was playing ball, and I bent my finger in my glove.” Noah held up the offending body part.

  “How bad does it hurt?” Katie took his hand and turned it over. Redness spread from the joint to the fingertip, but it wasn’t bleeding.

  Noah tried to smile. “It’s not too bad, but I didn’t want to continue playing. Not until it feels better anyway.”

  Katie let go of his hand. “We’ll pray it gets better really fast, okay? And you need to be more careful with those fast balls. Was it one of the big boys batting?”

  Noah nodded and added, “It was Lester. But it’s worth playing ball even if you get a little hurt once in awhile.”

  Katie smiled and rumpled Noah’s hair. How like life, she thought. It was worth living even if you received a few bruises along the way. And Norman would be worth it in the end. But she’d have to get used to his anger. What a surprise that was. Did he have these outbursts often? If he did, this might be something she could work on with him. Perhaps she could help Norman get over them.

  And tonight she would have to temper her own anger when she spoke with Mabel. Mabel was certainly going to get a talking to. This tale-spreading from Mabel couldn’t be allowed to pass without a strong rebuke. Passing around family information to aid one’s own position was not Christian. What did Mabel expect from her actions? That she’d break up Norman and Katie’s relationship? Mamm and Jesse should probably be brought in on this too.

  Noah was pulling on her sleeve with his uninjured hand. He interrupted her thoughts. “What did Norman want this morning? He looked upset when I walked past him.”

  “He just needed to speak with me.” Katie smiled down at him.

  “He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?”

  Katie’s smile broadened. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Noah.”

  He grinned. “You’re a little too old for me. But you used to date my brother.”

  “Yah, before your brother got into so much trouble.”

  He looked away for a minute before continuing. “We visited Ben a couple of nights ago at the hospital. I heard him tell Mamm you stopped by.”

  “Yah, I did.”

  Noah shrugged. “I think Ben still likes you.”

  “Well…” Katie tousled his hair again. “It’s about time for school to start,” she said, hoping to end the conversation.

  Noah wasn’t deterred. “You ought to stop by again sometime. Ben’s really feeling low. I’d like to see him cheered up some.”

  “Nee, it wouldn’t be right for me to do that, Noah. I’m dating Norman now.”

  “But you could still stop by. Ben is quite blue.”

  Katie forced a smile. Noah had only his brother’s welfare on his mind and meant no harm. “It’s time for me to ring the bell, but thank you for the invitation. It’s kind of you to think of your brother’s well-being.”

  Noah nodded but he looked quite sorrowful.

  Katie left him to grab the bell and lean out the window. She rang the bell vigorously. The students came pouring in, finding their way to their desks. When things quieted down, Katie opened the Bible storybook and read a short piece, followed by leading the class in prayer.

  She was still thinking about Ben when the five first-graders came to the front. They sat down with their readers open on their laps. Katie stared at them vacantly. She was seeing Ben’s pale face lying on the hospital bed pillow. His eyes were closed, and he was alone. The children’s rustling feet interrupted her thoughts, and Katie jerked back to the present. She gave them all a quick smile. “Are we ready to learn more words today?”

  They looked hesitant but tried to smile.

  Katie forced herself to focus. “You’re going to do g
reat today! I know you are. All of you! Before long you’ll be able to read so well you won’t even have to think about it.”

  “I know what the lesson is about,” little Johnny piped up.

  “Okay! You can tell the class,” Katie said.

  “Be kind to all,” Johnny said at once.

  “That’s right. And how did you know?’

  Johnny looked sheepish. “Mamm told me.”

  Katie still gave him a warm look. “That’s okay. Now does anyone wish to begin? Maybe one word at a time, making the sounds like we learned.”

  Johnny launched right in. “Kind.”

  Katie glowed with approval. “Okay, that was good. Now, moving on to the next in line, what is the picture?”

  “Bird,” another student ventured.

  “And what is happening? Can you tell even though all the words aren’t there?”

  “The little birdie has fallen out of the nest,” Karla Miller said. “And it can’t fly away yet. And there’s a snake coming to eat it.”

  “That right, Karla. And what is the little boy doing that is kind? Look at the next page and tell me the word.”

  “Nest,” James Troyer read. “He’s putting the bird back into its nest.”

  “That’s right! Let’s say all those words together a few times to see how they’re sounded out.”

  Katie waited as they chanted together: “kind…bird…nest.” She kept smiling, leading them through the rest of the lesson but every word seemed associated with Ben. She saw the way he’d looked that last time at the airport before her trip to Switzerland. Ben had been so full of life and joy. His face had been aglow with love for her. And now his brother Noah wanted her to stop by the hospital again and cheer him up. But she couldn’t do that. The hospital was way out of the way. Ben had gotten himself into this mess, and she was dating Norman. It wasn’t her fault Ben was lonely. And Norman would never understand her going to see Ben twice for whatever reason. And she couldn’t blame Norman one bit.

  When the first-graders had completed the reading assignment, Katie dismissed them and called up the next group. Hopefully they would have a different kind of story. Katie didn’t need another reminder on kindness. When she opened the reader with the second-graders seated in front of her, Katie smiled. This story was on bravery. The story was of a young boy who needed to confess lying to his parents.