Mark had to admit, Mattie always came to his rescue, although that embarrassed him, too. She’d been teased a time or two about her red hair as well, but it didn’t seem to bother her, so the other kids didn’t waste their time taunting Mattie anymore. And they backed off quickly when she stood up for Mark, but he still wished she wouldn’t defend him.
The ball whizzed out of the pitcher’s hand and went straight over home plate, pulling Mark’s thoughts aside.
“Strike one!” Allen Hostetler shouted from where he stood behind John.
Another ball left the pitcher’s hand, coming fast and hard, and it was heading straight toward John.
“Look out!” Mark hollered, but it was too late. The ball hit the side of John’s head, knocking him to the ground.
John lay there, unmoving.
“Oh no! Is he dead?” someone shouted. Then everyone ran over to John and started talking at once.
“I think he’s hurt bad.”
“I see blood on his head.”
“Is he breathing?”
“Jah. Look there. His chest is moving.”
“We need to get help,” Allen said, his dark eyes wide with fear. “Where’s the nearest phone shack so we can call 911?”
“Mattie and Mark’s house is the closest,” Stella spoke up. She looked at Mattie and then Mark. “Will you two go for help?”
Mark didn’t hesitate to nod. His best friend had been hurt, and he wanted to get help for him right away. “Come on, Mattie!” he shouted. “Let’s get on our bicycle and ride like the wind. We’ve got to get help for John!”
Without any quarreling, Mattie climbed onto the back of the bike, and Mark took his seat at the front, whispering a prayer for his friend. Then off they went down the road. Mark didn’t have to remind Mattie to pedal this time, and they both kept the bike moving steady. No more wobbling or driving like a crooked snake. It was the first time they’d ridden the bicycle built for two without arguing, and they did everything just right. Maybe this bike wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe, despite their differences, they could do something together.
“I’m sure worried about John,” Mark called over his shoulder, his heart beating hard in his chest. “What if he’s hurt really bad? What if …”
“He’s gonna be okay,” Mattie said, letting go of the handlebar with one hand, and patting Mark’s shoulder. “We’ll be home soon, and then we can go to our phone shack and call for help. We just need to pray and hope for the best.”
“You’re right.” Mark felt a little better now. Hearing his sister’s calm voice and her reassuring words gave him the faith to believe that God would answer his prayers.
As Mark and Mattie continued to pedal in unison, they even conquered the hills, which at any other time they’d have ended up walking the bike up.
In no time at all their house came into view. They stopped the bike in front of the phone shack, and Mark called 911 while Mattie ran up to the house to give Mom the bottle of aspirin and tell her what had happened.
“I heard what happened at the schoolhouse with your friend John today,” Dad said as Mattie and Mark sat at the table eating supper with their family that evening. “It’s good you and Mattie were there and rode home so quickly to call for help.”
“It was the first time we rode our bicycle as a team,” Mark said.
“That’s right,” Mattie agreed. “Before we didn’t like riding the bike, but today we didn’t even think about that. We just pedaled hard and rode straight home.” She smiled at Mark. “It was like we were a team. And now I kinda like having a bike that’s different from everyone else’s.”
He grinned back at her. “You’re right, and I agree.”
“It just goes to show that even though each of you likes different things, you can do something together and do it well,” Mom put in.
The twins both nodded. Mattie was glad Mom was feeling better. After she’d taken an aspirin and rested awhile this afternoon, she’d been her own smiling self again.
“It’s just like Grandpa Miller told us once,” Mattie said. “Mark and I are both special. In fact, there’s no one just like either of us. We’re unequalled—we’re unique.”
“You’ve got that right,” Russell said with a snicker. He bumped Mark’s arm with his elbow. “I’ve never met anyone who likes to tease and play tricks on other people the way you do.”
“And don’t forget about our sister Mattie. She’s different, too.” Ike winked at Mattie. “I’ve never met anyone who likes to decorate so many things with flowers—even the fence posts.”
Mattie’s cheeks warmed. “I just like our yard to look pretty.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Dad reached in front of Mark to get the saltshaker.
“You two sure haven’t eaten much.” Mom motioned to Mark’s plate, and then to Mattie’s. “Aren’t you hungerich this evening? Don’t you like my savory stew?”
“I like it fine, Mom,” Mattie said. “I’m just not all that hungry right now.”
Mark bobbed his head. “Same goes for me. I can’t think about food ‘cause I’m worried about John. Sure wish we’d hear something about how he’s doing.”
“It’s probably taking some time for him to be examined,” Dad said. “And the doctor’s most likely running some tests.”
“Are they gonna make John take a test even when he’s not at school?” Mattie’s eyes widened.
Russell chuckled. “No, silly. The doctor will run some tests on John to see how badly he’s injured. Isn’t that right, Dad?”
Dad nodded. “I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.”
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the back door.
“I’ll get it,” Ike said, pushing away from the table. He hurried from the kitchen, and when he returned, John’s older brother, Peter, was with him.
“Just came by to tell you that John has a slight concussion and a nasty bruise on his head, but he’s going to be okay.” Peter smiled at the twins. “I heard how you two went for help when my bruder got hurt today. Danki for being such good friends.”
“We were glad we could get home so quickly,” Mark said.
“Jah,” Mattie agreed. “And since we rode our bicycle built for two, we got here really fast.”
Peter’s smile widened. “My family is very grateful, because thanks to you, John got the help he needed, and quite promptly, too.”
“Tell John that I’ll be over to see him soon after he gets home from the hospital,” Mark said. “Oh, and I’ll bring the kitten he wanted, too. That should help him feel better.”
“That’s real nice of you,” Peter said. “My bruder’s lucky to have a good friend like you.”
“I’m lucky to have John for a friend, too.”
After Peter left, Dad put one hand on Mark’s shoulder and one hand on Mattie’s. “We all appreciate you, and we’re pleased that you not only acted quickly on John’s behalf today, but you have finally learned how to work together as a team.” He gave their shoulders a gentle pat. “You two are quite a pair!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER is a bestselling author who enjoys writing historical, as well as Amish-themed novels. Descended from Anabaptists herself, Wanda became fascinated with the Plain People when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda and her husband live in Washington State. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. Wanda and Richard often travel the country, visiting their many Amish friends and gathering further information about the Amish way of life. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, reading, stamping, and having fun with her family. Visit Wanda’s Website at www.wandabrunstetter.com and feel free to e-mail her at [email protected].
Rachel Yoder—
Always Trouble Somewhere!
Join Rachel Yoder on a series of adventures with these 4-in-1 story collections written by bestselling author of Amish fiction Wanda E. Brunstette
r. Whether Rachel is bringing frogs to church, chasing ornery roosters, or taking wild buggy rides, girls will encounter a lovable character who finds trouble nipping at her bare-footed heels at every turn!
Look Out, Lancaster County!
Growing Up in Lancaster County
Available wherever books are sold.
Find Mattie and Mark
Online!
Visit Amish Fiction for Kids online for:
Games
Puzzles
Vocabulary Words
& Much More!
www.AmishFictionForKids.com
What a Pair! Page 11