by Aqua Allsopp
Grandpa Levi chuckled at the quite visible expression of shock on the boy’s face. He was glad he had been the one to faze him, ever since the boy came here he had seemed to be unflappable. Nothing thrown his way, no matter how unexpected, seemed to shock him. The kid claimed it was a byproduct of the work he did, but at that moment Levi the fourth had made up his mind that he would be the one to throw the kid off balance.
“If you knew, why didn’t you stop me?”
“Why would I stop you?”
“Isn’t it against the rules?”
“Yes, but every teenager still does it. It’s an unspoken tradition, would have been a shame to stop you from experiencing a genuine courting.”
Grandpa Levi heartily chuckled at his expression once more before he made his way out of the dining room.
He paused at the doorway and turned back to Levi
“You better go tell your girl the news. I’m going to go nap with Grandma.”
He then continued to the stairway and made his way upstairs to his bedroom. Levi wasted no time after that encouraging conversation and after collecting his shoes and hat made his way over to the Graber house. It was a fairly long walk through his grandparent’s fields, but finally he arrived. When he knocked in the door Leah answered, and immediately perked up as soon as she saw who it was. She pushed him outside and they wordlessly slipped into the forest closest to her house. Levi waited until they broke the tree line to start speaking.
“I talked to Abaddon and everything is set. I just have to go home a couple more times to allow my affairs to run without me for a while and if I decide that I can handle the Amish life, I’d just need to go back to finalize everything so I can move here for good.”
Leah practically beamed at the news and reached out to hold his hand. Levi gladly allowed Leah to grab hold of his hand and then she enthusiastically began her favorite past time of playing with them to her heart’s content.
“I think Abaddon still has a thing for you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“When I mentioned that I wanted to court you, his scales started to show. Grandma basically threw him out of the house.”
“That man needs to get over himself. It’s been years since I turned him down. He was twice my age and very creepy back then… actually he’s still very creepy.”
Levi’s eyes were pulled away from Leah when his brain detected a flash of movement in his peripheral vision. However, by the time he consciously focused on the spot, everything was still.
Turning his full attention back on to Leah he acquiesced to her request for a blow-by-blow of how the confrontation between Abaddon and his grandmother. They spent another hour talking until Leah had to go because she had left the house while in the middle of preparing dinner and her father would be home soon. Levi escorted her home and then walked back to his grandparents’ place, contemplating his decision and his future.
The day passed as most days on the farm did. The family came over for dinner, with the notable exception of Abaddon Byler. When his wife was asked where he was, she simply said he had been behind on his sermons and had sent her along to represent both of them. Levi had to work really hard to stifle a smirk and automatically his eyes found his grandfather, who was sporting an identical look of veiled amusement.
Dinner was a rather peaceful affair. His Uncle Caleb was in a festive mood and had the whole table cracking up with his anecdotes, in broken English, about the other inhabitants of the community. The language somehow added to the hilarity of the jokes and Levi found himself laughing the loudest. This seemed to set the mood for the night as even Aunt Bethany told a joke or two to the delight of her husband. Levi had to admit that man really loved his aunt.
The night of course ended with all his family returning to their respective homes and his grandparents and himself heading to bed.
*****
The sun had not yet risen when they were awoken by someone pounding on their front door. As the youngest and quickest, Levi made it to the door first. When he jerked it open he was surprised to see Abaddon leading, what appeared to be, the whole community to their front door.
“Goodnight Minister, how may I help you?”
“I need no assistance from an English. Where are the real owners of this household?”
Levi could have rolled his eyes at the level of dramatics this man was bringing.
“Keep your hat on Abaddon, we’re here.”
His grandfather’s voice originated from the staircase as he and Levi’s grandmother, made their way down the stairs.
“Sorry to disturb you but you see, the community has a matter we would like to discuss with you.”
Apparently Grandma Schwartz had not forgiven Abaddon for his slight of Leah because even in her half-woken state, she managed to land blows on him with the sharp edge of her tongue.
“And why, on Earth couldn’t one representative discuss this matter with us in a couple of hours after the sun had risen?”
Grandpa Levi placed a calming hand on Grandma Schwartz’s waist, and then addressed the congregates, “Now that you are here why not assemble in the church room so that you can discuss these matters with us.”
The whole troupe made their way into the large gathering area where church services were held when it was the Schwartz’s turn to host. Levi sifted through the crowds as they lined in until he found Leah. She made her toward him and they both blended in with the crowd as they too entered the meeting area. As everyone settled in the seats meant for the congregation, Abaddon walked straight up to the pulpit. Levi spotted his grandparents in the first row and made his way toward them with Leah following close behind. They sat so that Grandpa Levi was on one of Leah’s sides and Levi himself was on the other.
Grandpa Levi stage whispered to Leah if she knew what was going on and Leah whispered back that she didn’t. Her father had just awoken her to come to this gathering. He had been the one to talk with Abaddon. When Abaddon was satisfied that everyone had settled in, his eyes casually perused the people. When his gaze found Leah sitting beside Levi, a spark ignited in his eyes and he began his speech
“Everyone except the Schwartz’s should know, Atarah King, ran away from home this night.”
From somewhere in the middle row a sob was heard from who Levi assumed was Ruth King.
“As I’ve discussed with most of you here, I believe that this exodus of our youth will continue! Unless we address the root of the problem!”
“Get rid of him!” A distressed outburst once again originating from Ruth King rang out.
The Schwartz’s in the front row exchanged confused glances, who was this “he” she wanted to get rid of?
“We are coming to that now Ruth. As I said, the root of the problem, I believe are the new outside influences that have been interacting with our community lately. Namely, the Schwartz’s English grandson!”
Mumbling broke out around the room, until one outraged voice piped up from the back row.
“Levi has never even interacted with Atarah King!”
Aunt Bethany was fuming, apparently the unjust accusations against her nephew had given her the courage to speak up on his behalf. Levi saw the pride he was feeling on the inside reflected on the face of her husband as he got to his feet and stood beside his wife in a show of support.
“His evil is such that he does not need to interact with the children. His mere presence causes them to doubt the way of God.”
Abaddon performed a very righteous reading of that line, even throwing in a humbling shake of the head at the end. But Levi saw this for exactly what it was a persecution based on a personal vendetta. He knew enough about human nature to know that anything he said would just be twisted. And while his family’s heart was in the right place, he could already see that the sentence had been decided this was not the trial but the execution.
“Then how do you explain Abigail Schwartz?” This voice of reason came from beside him in the form of his very own Leah. He felt
touched that his family was piping up to defend him like this.
“She was the boy’s mother. It seems apparent that waywardness simply runs in his blood.”
That remark evoked the wrath of Sabine Schwartz and she popped to her feet so fast that Grandpa Levi had no time to try and calm her down.
“How dare you Abaddon Byler! I’m that girl’s mother, how could waywardness run in her blood?”
Abaddon was apparently feeling big and bad now that he was at the pulpit for his reply was rather unexpected.
“Some cases of waywardness are more extreme than others. You may not have left home Sabine, but to allow a man to court you unsupervised, tut tut.”
Sabine blushed and slowly sank to her chair.
Levi senior, not too pleased with his wife’s treatment pitched in her defense.
“Every married couple in this room did it.”
But Abaddon didn’t even miss a beat.
“And even some unmarried. When were you going to tell Abiel Graber that your grandson was secretly courting his daughter?”
An outraged cry came from the opposite corner of the room, from assumedly Abiel Graber.
“Enough with this pointless babble! The decision has already been made. Levi Schwartz you are no longer welcome on these Amish lands. You have by sunrise to leave.”
Abaddon threw one smug look of victory at Levi before he walked down from the pulpit and made to leave. When Leah heard her father’s enraged calls of her name from across the room, she took Levi’s hand and led him outside into his grandparents back yard before turning on him.
“You said nothing in your own defense!”
“I could see there was no point. He brought all those people here to maximize damage, not hold a trial.”
Leah groaned in frustration as she started pacing.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to leave of course.”
She paused in her pacing to face him.
“We can’t just allow him to win!”
She passionately exclaimed.
“Don’t worry, he won’t. I already have a plan. But I still plan to leave and I want you to come with me.”
Leah looked up at Levi in shock.
“I can’t leave.”
“You did before for college, nearly did again when you came back after you graduated.”
“But my father…”
“Will be unbearable now that he knows I secretly courted you. Any little freedom you had will now be gone.”
Leah bit her lip as she resumed pacing, her speed more contemplative than frenzied now.
She paused at one particular spot, her gaze stuck to one particular blade of grass. The sun was due in about half an hour she had no time to contemplate, she needed to decide. So she closed her eyes and didn’t think. Just felt.
“Yes.”
Levi’s expression didn’t change drastically but suddenly he seemed lit from within. An air of purpose clouding his expression.
“You won’t need to pack any clothes, I’ll buy you whatever you need when we get out of here. Is there anything else you want to bring?”
“My letters.”
“Please tell me they’re not in your house because I have a feeling Abaddon is waiting there with your father for you.”
“No, they’re in the forest.”
“Then hurry and grab them and be back here in ten minutes.”
“All right”
Leah grabbed on to Levi’s hands and held them for a second. He nodded at her and she took off toward the forest, to the tree with the hollowed trunk that she had used to hide her letters after her mother’s death.
Levi made his way inside, at the doorway he was greeted by his grandfather.
“You and Leah leaving?”
“Yes in ten minutes. But before I go I’m leaving something in your hands, to do what you want with it. Give me a second.”
Levi made his way upstairs to his room and from the drawer of his bedside table grabbed the packet of his mother’s letters, from which he removed one. He then took the rest of the packet and placed it in the suitcase he lived out of while he visited his grandparents. Changing out of his Amish garb and replacing it with his regular clothes, he then walked around the room, collecting his stuff that had become scattered around the room and throwing them in his suitcase. He zipped it up and picked it up in one hand and the letter in the other. As he walked out the door he gave his mother’s room one last sweeping gaze before making his way downstairs.
Meanwhile, Leah was on her return trip to the Schwartz house. She was running, to make sure she met Levi’s ten-minute deadline, but, she was also running to escape the guilt that was creeping up on her. The whole scene reminded her of when she tried to run away the last time. She had been running through this section of forest when she had heard her mother’s voice calling out her name. It was only that voice that had kept her here the last time. She had only stayed the last seven years because of her mother. But, as she ran she realized all she could hear were the nocturnal animals going about their lives and the pounding of her own feet. Her mother wasn’t here anymore, she wouldn’t call her back and while this made a part of Leah sad, it mostly made her feel free. She was free. And with that thought she finally emerged from the trees and into the Schwartz’s backyard. She didn’t stop running until she was safely in their living room, heaving and sweaty. By this time Levi was on the couch with his grandparents and he popped up as soon as she burst in to help her to the couch. He then took the letter from on top of his suitcase and handed it to his grandfather.
“That was a letter my mother had written to you, but never sent. It explains why she left and you can use it to get rid of Abaddon Byler if you so desire. But I’ll leave that up to your discretion.”
“What does one have to do with the other?”
Sabine Schwartz asked, confusion marring her face.
“You’ll see when you read it. It’s the reason I drove here in the first place.” With that Levi hugged his grandmother and grandfather.
“I want to get Leah in the car before Abaddon gets back.”
Leah had recovered her breath and took this as her cue to get up. She hugged the Schwartz matriarch and patriarch who wished her well and welcomed her to the family while Levi scouted outside to ensure nobody was around. The sky was beginning to lighten so with what little darkness was left, Levi smuggled Leah into his Tesla and made sure she was well hidden by a quilt provided by Grandma Sabine.
He then locked the doors and returned to the house. A couple minutes later there was a knock on the door and sure enough it was Abaddon Byler and Levi’s numerous aunts, uncles and cousins with the notable exception of his Aunt Damaris. He wondered if her absence was voluntary, before putting the matter out of his mind. With suitcase in hand he hugged and bid farewell to all his relatives. Abaddon had positioned himself away from the group nearer to Levi’s car. Throughout his farewells he had seen Abaddon peek in through the windows more than once, probably to ensure that Leah was not inside. As Levi walked toward his car, Abaddon began to dramatically recite The Lord’s Prayer in Pennsylvania Dutch. As he passed him Levi quietly whispered one sentence that not only shut him up mid-prayer but also caused the blood to drain from the his face. As Levi got in his car and drove off, Abaddon didn’t even move a muscle.
Once they hit the highway Levi encouraged Leah to join him in the passenger seat. She nimbly climbed over and settled in, staring out the window. She looked at Levi beside her and then the flashing scenery on the other side of the window. For the first time in a long time, Leah felt excited about her future.
THE END
Another bonus story is on the next page.
Bonus Story 6 of 15
On the Outside Looking In
Description
Kenneth Garrity works as a stocker in a department store. On a regular basis, he sees the nearby Amish community coming through to get their supplies. He’s spent the early part of h
is twenties making bad choices and, for several of those years, he’s made it a point to talk to the Amish people whenever they came into the store. Especially one bright, attractive young woman named Eve. Every week, she comes in with her father, mother and some of her siblings.
Kenny is always there to help them find what they need. He forms a bond with them, beginning to trust them for the good, wise people they are.
Kenny’s made the decision to turn over a new leaf and he wants to do it by joining the Amish community. Unfortunately, his bad reputation reaches even the quiet solitude of the Amish. Can Eve trust that Kenny’s motives for joining the community are genuine?
*****
It had not been a good morning for Kenny Garrity. He woke up with a headache, frustrated that the neighbor’s dog had kept him up half the night barking like he had nothing better to do with his time. It was unusual, which was the only reason he hadn’t complained to the Smiths. Then something had gone wrong with his water heater and his shower had suddenly turned cold while he was in it, giving him the shock of his life.
He tried to be as pleasant as possible at work but it was increasingly difficult as customers flowed through the store, asking him questions and trying to get his attention even when it was obvious he was helping someone else. His coworkers had noticed his frustration. They all seemed to be avoiding him as much as they could. They knew it wasn’t like Kenny to be so sour.
The only thing that calmed his mind was that it was Thursday. It was the day the nearby Amish community made their weekly trip to the city. They always came through his store and he’d noticed in the past that they made a point to stop and say “Hi” to him.
He packed the bag with his customer’s goods, wished her a good day and handed her the bag.
“Thank you, Kenny. I hope you feel better soon.”
He stared after the woman as she left, realizing that she was a regular. He sighed and pressed the button on the small intercom microphone attached to his shirt with a clip.