Katie's Forever Promise

by Jerry S. Eicher

  “Hi, there!” Alvin Hochstetler joined Stephen in the doorway. He gave them all a little wave. “How are you all doing? Ready for the big night?”

  He was a regular tease, Katie thought, smiling in spite of herself. He was also a natural for this assignment. At least the powers that be hadn’t assigned some boy so nervous he couldn’t look the girls in the eye. That always produced painful moments above and beyond the one that lay ahead of them. And today Katie was back in the game.

  She knew none of the boys wanted to pick her. She’d already come to terms with that. It was common sense, what with how tattered her reputation was right now. She’d be left till the very end, when the leftovers were paired at random—usually by the two boys in charge, since no one cared much by that time. Right now, though, the interest level crackled. Every eye inside the room was fixed on Stephen and Alvin.

  “So let’s see,” Alvin said as he peered over Stephen’s shoulder. “We have the steadies all taken care of.” Alvin rattled off a long list of names that had nothing to do with the occasion. He was dragging things out and obviously enjoying it. There were no steadies in the room. Most of them were either chatting with their boyfriends out in the yard or helping with the lunch cleanup. The only girls here were the ones whose fates hung in the balance.

  “Just get to the point!” Claudia snapped again.

  “Oh?” Alvin raised his eyebrows. “In a rush, are we?”

  “Let’s see, Alvin, we have Claudia down as your choice, don’t we?” Stephen deadpanned.

  A nervous twitter ran through the room. Some of Alvin’s teasing was rubbing off on Stephen.

  “Just pay attention to what’s written down,” Alvin countered without cracking a smile. Apparently he couldn’t take a joke as well as he dished them out.

  “Okay…” Stephen grinned. “Let’s begin with Esther Gingerich. We have a request from Joseph Yoder.”

  A squeal came from the bed where Esther was sitting, which was followed by bright red streaks running up and down her neck. Apparently Esther had been hoping for that choice. Katie smiled with amusement. It was nice when things worked out that way—but they didn’t always. And from the smug looks on Alvin and Stephen’s faces, someone had pulled strings on that one. Likely Joseph had done something to make sure his request was read off before everyone else’s. Katie imagined Joseph had held a private conversation with either Alvin or Stephen. Otherwise some other boy’s request for Esther could have come first, and requests were turned down by the girls only in exceptionally onerous situations.

  “I’ll take that as a yah.” Stephen moved on with a grin. “Next is Anna Hochstetler, who has a request from Leland Graber.”

  This one was greeted with a groan, but none of the girls were fooled. Anna too had been waiting on that one.

  “So far so gut. Another yah.” Stephen looked pleased. “And now we have Katie Raber, with a request from Mahlon Bontrager.”

  Katie froze. Mahlon? Why would he do that? Did he feel sorry for her? That must be what it was. And she couldn’t say nee. Not that she wanted to, but this was so early on the list…and so unexpected.

  Alvin was looking around. “Katie?”

  “Here!” Katie squeaked out.

  “I’ll take that as a yah then.” Stephen moved on, reciting the names and going faster as the excitement level dropped. Soon it was simply a matter of pairing off the girls and boys who were left over.

  Katie’s head was still spinning when Stephen and Alvin finished. Would anyone think this strange? Mahlon taking her to the supper table? Most probably didn’t know about the kafuffle with the bridesmaid issue. They might not realize why Mahlon was taking pity on her. And what if Ben found out? He probably wouldn’t understand either. Well, she would just have to explain. And Ben would understand after all, she decided. He knew how people were paired for meals after a wedding. And their love had gone through so much already. It could handle a little thing like this. Before long they would have their lives straightened out, and Ben would be here at her side. Katie stood and stretched her legs. The room began to empty of girls, and Stephen and Alvin were long gone now, apparently ending their matchmaking list on a satisfactory basis. Following the girls downstairs, Katie veered off and went into the kitchen. A few women were working at the sink. They gave her smiles as she went past. They seemed friendly enough, just as everyone had been to her all day, which was strange, considering what was going on underneath the surface. But maybe things weren’t quite as bad as Enos made them out to be. He might be blowing things out of proportion. Katie walked outside where the men were sitting on benches under some oak trees and then passed an area where more people were visiting. No one paid Katie any attention as she went by, especially the couples who were engrossed in each other’s company. At least she had someone to sit with her tonight at dinner, even if it couldn’t be Ben. That was better than being left to the last pick or, even worse, having no one. That was what she’d expected would happen.

  Mahlon was a decent man. He really was. And thoughtful and considerate too. He hadn’t said anything the other night about wanting to spend more time with her, so he must be trying to make her feel better after Mabel’s rejection. That’s all it was, and the least she could do was make this a pleasant evening for him.

  Katie arrived at the tables in the pole barn and busied herself with straightening out the tablecloths and other small chores that needed doing before supper. Bishop Miller soon appeared, obviously ready to begin the evening. Katie scurried back to the house. Since she had a man taking her to the table, it wouldn’t be proper to meet with him before the official time. Arriving at the house, Katie mingled with the other girls who were peering out of the windows as the unmarried gathered. Bishop Miller was hollering something, and they were hollering back. Both parties soon dissolved into laughter.

  Katie smiled as she watched the scene. These were her people, and their traditions warmed her all the way down to her toes. How nice of Mahlon to ease her mind about the dinner so she could enjoy the evening fully. Now that she thought of it, the Kuntz family was probably hoping to see her in disgrace tonight. Maybe Mahlon even knew that and had set out to foil their plans. Katie almost laughed out loud. She really had an imagination the size of the Empire State Building! Likely the Kuntzs were overjoyed today with the addition of Mabel to their family, and they weren’t even thinking about her. But it was still nice of Mahlon—taking her to the table and all.

  Moments later Stephen and Alvin came up the walk and opened the front door. Alvin was smiling. “Are all of my girls ready to go?”

  “Shut up!” Claudia told him as she brushed past him. The rest of them followed her down the sidewalk and out to the pole barn. As each girl arrived, her steady date or partner of the evening positioned himself to fall in beside her.

  Katie gave Mahlon a warm smile when he arrived next to her. “Hi, Mahlon. This is nice of you.”

  “I didn’t want you lonely and crying all night.”

  “I wasn’t doing anything of the sort, but thank you.”

  He chuckled. “Just making sure, that’s all.”

  “I hope the kafuffle about this morning didn’t bother you too much. Mabel has her ideas. Well, actually, it’s probably more the Kuntz family that has their ways.”

  Mahlon smiled. “I guess we all do. But I understood—once Norman explained.”

  Katie glanced at him as they sat down. “Did Norman mention Ben?”

  “Yah. I find your loyalty a gut thing, really. Regardless of what Norman says.”

  “You do?” Katie straightened her dress “That’s not what everyone else seems to think.”

  Mahlon shrugged. “So how is Ben doing? I hear he’s living in town now by the ministry’s orders. I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Hopefully that will all be straightened out soon.” Katie smiled. “Ben told me the other day that he was going to Bishop Miller. One of the ministry’s concerns is Ben has been asked to testify at the trial of the ma
n who shot him. Ben said he’s not going to do that, but he wants to tell the bishop that he’s serious about not doing it. He testified at a trial last year, and that was a big problem, of course.”

  Before Mahlon could respond, Bishop Miller cleared his throat. “Now that we have gathered here tonight, let us pray and give thanks once more for this food which has been prepared for our bodies.”

  They all bowed while Bishop Miller led out in prayer. The buzz of conversation picked up quickly once he finished. Katie noticed that a few of the younger couples were still silently sitting and watching. Conversation wasn’t coming easy for them. In their nervousness, a few words might be all they managed most of the evening. Thankfully she wasn’t having that problem.

  Mahlon leaned toward her. “It may not be that easy, Ben not testifying.”

  “Why not?” Katie was looking at him intently.

  “The police or court might, well, you know—make him testify. I think the law can do that with a subpoena.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Mahlon shrugged. “Nee. I’m not a lawyer, but that’s something I’ve heard Englisha people talk about. They have more experience with these matters since they seem to do things they shouldn’t sometimes and end up having to go to court.”

  “What would happen if Ben refuses to testify?”

  “The judge can put him in jail, maybe even for a long time. But don’t let me scare you. I could be wrong. I’m not sure how the justice system works out there in the world.”

  “That’s just what I need,” Katie muttered, as the first plate of pork chops came around.

  “I’m sorry I mentioned it.” Mahlon held the meat plate for Katie before taking a pork chop for himself.

  “Let’s not make this a conversation about me tonight.” Katie said with a smile. “I’m tired of thinking about my troubles. Tell me what’s happening in your life.”

  A smile flitted across Mahlon’s face. “Well, my best cow had twins last week. That’s an accomplishment—for her of course. And a great gift from Da Hah. Both of them are heifers at that and healthy to boot.”

  “Oh!” Katie cooed. “I’ll have to see them sometime. Jesse’s cows haven’t had any calves for some time now. I suppose calving season is coming up though.”

  “All part of a farmer’s life.” Mahlon held the gravy bowl for Katie while she dipped some out. “You said your Mamm and you had cows when you lived by yourself, right?”

  Katie laughed. “Yah, we had two—Bossy and Molly. Do your cows have names?”

  Mahlon smiled. “Maybe on their papers. Other than that, it’s whatever I call them when they don’t cooperate.”

  “I can’t imagine you getting angry with a cow.”

  Mahlon smiled. “I’ve been known to twist a tail or two, but that’s about it.”

  A vision of Norman’s angry face when he was ordering her out of his buggy flashed through Katie’s mind. Mahlon wouldn’t ever be like that, she was sure of it. She couldn’t come close to even imagining him angry. Twisting a cow’s tail wasn’t exactly anger in her estimation. Katie reached under the table to squeeze his hand. “I’m sure it wasn’t quite like you describe it.”

  “A man’s anger is not from Da Hah,” Mahlon said, his face serious. “We must always fight against it.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Katie assured him. “But enough serious stuff. There must be plenty of gut things we can talk about.”

  He smiled and nodded. It was going to be a gut evening, Katie thought. Mahlon was being more than nice to her, and she was quite thankful.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The Monday after Mabel’s wedding, Katie came home from school and was sitting at the kitchen table with Mamm seated across from her. Mamm had told her that Jesse’s sisters, Sarah and Barbara, had been there earlier in the day to help clean up the last of the house. Katie had expected to help in the kitchen, but Mamm was insisting they take a break from the supper preparations. The house seemed quiet around them, almost as if it were holding its breath for the next outburst of trouble. Katie’s news would likely bring it.

  Let it not come, dear Hah, Katie breathed quickly.

  Still, the look on her face must have hinted at impending trouble because Mamm asked, “What is it, Katie? You’d better tell me.”

  “Ben stopped by after school today. He wants to take me out tonight. He says his daett will allow him to use Longstreet and his buggy if he doesn’t stay at the house very long.”

  Mamm was staring. “Stopped at the schoolhouse, Katie? Has this happened before?”

  “Once. Ben was with an Englisha friend in a car. We stood outside and talked beside my buggy.” And stole a kiss, Katie thought, but that didn’t need mentioning right now.

  Mamm sighed. “I’d hoped you were beginning to think about Mahlon as a possibility for dating, Katie. He was so nice to you at Mabel’s wedding.”

  “Mamm!” Katie gasped. “Mahlon was just being kind to me. He never mentioned a word about seeing me, and he knows I love Ben. We talked about it, and Mahlon understands. He’s not like some people in the community.”

  Mamm’s face fell. “I had hoped you would come to your senses eventually. Ben isn’t gut for you, Katie. Can’t you see that?”

  Katie sighed. “Really, Mamm. We’ve been over this so many times. Even before I went to Europe I loved Ben—and I still do. I’ve told you that. Da Hah has restored our hearts. You wouldn’t stand against that, would you?”

  Mamm looked away. “It’s your life, Katie, just like Jesse says. You’ll have to do what you think is best.”

  Katie smiled. “Please don’t look so glum, Mamm. Ben is just taking me out to eat. We’ll come right back. I won’t be out late.”

  “But that’s what the Englisha do, Katie. They go out to eat. Since when have you started those kinds of customs? That’s worse than running around with the Mennonite youth, in my mind.”

  Katie was silent. She hadn’t thought of that angle before. Ben’s invitation to spend time with him had been too exciting to think of much else. But Mamm did have a point. Going to an Englisha restaurant wasn’t something Amish dating couples did, even if they drove their buggies into town on an errand.

  “Ben could stay here for supper.” Hope gleamed in Mamm’s eyes. “I can’t see that Jesse would object to that.”

  Katie swallowed hard. That was an option indeed. And it would look much better to Jesse, Mamm, and the community. And right now she needed all the sympathy she could garner. Mamm might even see Ben in a different light if he stayed for supper. Katie nodded. “I’ll ask him when he comes.”

  Mamm smiled. “I appreciate that. And you can talk with him out on the porch later. That should be private enough for you.”

  “Thank you!”

  Mamm might think the swing was private enough, but Mabel had listened to enough of Katie’s conversations on that very swing so Katie knew better. Words carried easily into the house. And even though Mabel was gone, Katie was still nervous about talking there—unless everyone had gone to bed.

  “Then it’s settled.” Mamm was all smiles again, jumping up to continue the supper preparations. Katie joined her and listened for sounds of Ben’s buggy pulling into the driveway. Carolyn had just come down from upstairs when the sounds of buggy wheels carried into the house.

  “Who’s that?” Carolyn asked.

  Katie didn’t stop to explain; Mamm could do that. Right now she wanted to reach Ben’s buggy before Jesse or one of the boys did. The conversation that might occur was too risky without her there. Ben’s visit was going to be quite a surprise for them.

  Panting, Katie arrived at Ben’s buggy. Longstreet was such a welcome sight that she almost paused to give him a hug around his neck. Instead, she rushed up to the opening buggy door.

  Ben appeared quite pleased. “It’s gut to get such a welcome from the woman who loves me.”

  “Stop it, silly!” Katie said before pausing to catch her breath. “There’s been a chang
e in plans. Mamm wants you to stay for supper. She…well…I…we thought that might be better than going out to an Englisha restaurant.”

  Ben appeared surprised. “You don’t want to go out? There are nice restaurants in town.”

  “Yah, of course that would be nice, Ben. But things are a little…shall I say…touchy right now? And I’m a church member now, so I have to watch myself.”

  Ben smiled. “Okay, I understand. I’ll be glad to eat with your family tonight. In fact, it would be an honor.”

  She could have kissed him right out there in the open, but that had better wait until later—once she could get Ben away from the front porch swing to someplace where they could have some privacy.

  “Hello!” Leroy called from the barn door. “Who’s here, Katie?”

  Katie pulled her head out of the buggy door. “Ben! And he’s staying for supper.”

  “Okay.” Leroy appeared perplexed, but he disappeared back inside the barn.

  “He looks friendly enough,” Ben commented. “How’s the rest of your family?”

  “Okay now that Mabel’s gone.” That wasn’t totally true, but it was true in the way Ben meant it. They would be nice to him tonight. “Come in. We can sit in the living room until supper’s ready.”

  “I think I’ll do that.” Ben climbed out of the buggy and secured Longstreet to the hitching post. Katie took his hand as they walked across the lawn. Everyone might as well see where her heart lay. And she wasn’t doing anything wrong.

  Ben seemed to understand, and his fingers wrapped around hers.

  Mamm met them at the door with a smile on her face.

  She’s trying, Katie thought. Mamm really was a dear.

  Carolyn stuck her head out of the kitchen. “Hi, Ben!”

  “Howdy,” he said in reply.