The Parting

by Beverly Lewis

  Straightaway Reuben breathed easier. Putting it that way, sure, he could tell the group how God was working in him. Standing in the threshold between the kitchen and the large sitting room, he recognized several more of his own kin, including Cousin Jonathan and his wife, Linda. These hearty souls were his brothers and sisters in the family of God.

  I can do this, he decided. With the Lord’s help.

  Preacher Manny stood before them, cheerfully welcoming each person. Then he bowed his head for a prayer of blessing, encouraging all of them to open their hearts “to the tender witness of the Father’s presence in our midst.”

  This was a far cry from what they were accustomed to hearing in prayer of a Sunday, and for this wonderful-good start to the meeting, Reuben was thankful. He and Betsy sat close to the front, in one accord, sharing the Good Book when Manny read from the verses that had transformed his life in the past weeks. The reading was powerful to Reuben, as well as to others, some of whom were sniffling. Tears spilled down his own Betsy’s cheeks. They’re starving for this, just as I am, Reuben observed, his heart filling at the very thought.

  CHAPTER 29

  On the day before they were to move Reuben’s parents into the Dawdi Haus next door, Betsy had an unexpected visitor.

  Heavy snow had fallen in the night, a good six inches by the looks of it. A gray November haze sagged over dormant fields like a dark blanket, making it difficult to see.

  Betsy was both surprised and concerned when she heard a horse neighing in the lane. She hurried out to see Reuben’s mother making her way toward the back door. “Well, hullo. What brings you on such a Wednesday?” asked Betsy.

  Hannah leaned on the crook of her cane, all bundled up in her heaviest woolen coat. “Wie geht’s?”

  Betsy hurried down the shoveled walkway and took Hannah’s arm to lead the dear woman up the steps and into the house. “You want something hot to drink?” she asked.

  “That’d warm me up a bit, jah.”

  “You came all this way by yourself?”

  “Me, myself, and the horse.” Hannah smiled momentarily as she lowered herself into Reuben’s rocker with a groan.

  Betsy couldn’t help wondering why she’d risk traveling alone. “How were the roads?”

  “Just terrible.” Suddenly Hannah’s eyes were bright with tears. “Ach, Betsy, we best be talkin’.”

  The poor woman looked so completely distraught, Betsy assumed someone had died.

  On edge now, she pulled one of the chairs away from the table and settled in beside Hannah. “What is it, Mamm?” She reached out to touch her arm.

  “Oh, Betsy, word has it that you and Reuben . . .” Hannah stopped, hanging her head. Her shoulders trembled. “Oh, goodness me.”

  “What ’bout Reuben and me?”

  Hannah slowly raised her head. “Ain’t you with that bunch who’s plannin’ to jump the fence? Over there at Preacher Manny’s?”

  Betsy said, “Now, Mamma, we’re all sincere . . . all of us growin’ in the Lord together.”

  “You’ll grow right out of the Amish, then . . .” Hannah lowered her gaze, shaking her head. She began to rock in the chair. “Movin’ far away from the church of your baptism. It’s just as Noah said.”

  “Oh, Mamm, don’t be sad. I’ve never felt so happy . . . truly.”

  Hannah reached into her dress sleeve and pulled out a folded hankie, dabbing her eyes. “You’ll be shunned if this keeps up.”

  Betsy knew as much. She and Reuben were waiting for the deacon to come knocking any day with a warning.

  “I hate to say it, but I doubt we’ll be movin’ in here with you and Reuben after all.”

  All the plans they’d made—everything was set in motion to bring Noah and Hannah under the covering of this house. “No . . . no, yous mustn’t change your mind on that.”

  “Ain’t for me to say.” Hannah wept openly. “And you neither.”

  Getting up, Betsy went to boil some water, having forgotten to put the kettle on. Well, we ain’t shunned yet!

  “Our attending Preacher Manny’s meeting last Sunday doesn’t have to affect you and Noah.” Betsy realized she was pleading. Hannah was as stubborn as Reuben and his brothers had always been. Being a saved man hadn’t changed Reuben’s tenacity, and she knew what he’d say about his mother’s visit.

  When the teakettle whistled, she poured the boiling water into her pretty yellow teapot for brewing. Then she went to sit again with Hannah. “It would be wonderful-good if you came to hear what we’re learnin’,” Betsy suggested. “I never thought I’d be sayin’ such a thing, but there’s so much that’s been . . . well, kept from us, it seems.” There. She’d said right out what was on her mind.

  “We’ll be doin’ no such a thing,” Hannah said, her eyes flashing. “And looks to me like we’re gettin’ naryets—nowhere—on this.”

  “Reuben said believin’ was likely to bring a separation”—and here she touched her heart—“but I was ever so hopeful . . .” She couldn’t finish, lest she weep.

  Hannah rocked harder in the chair, gripping both of its arms, her lips pursed. “Let’s say no more on this for now. I’ll have that tea, Betsy.”

  She rose and went to pour the tea, putting a little extra sugar in Hannah’s cup for good measure. Then she took the matching teacup and saucer to her, gently placing them in her wrinkled hands. “Here you are, Mamm.”

  Hannah accepted it, had herself a sip, and blinked her eyes at Betsy. “Speaking of partings, have you heard what Kate Beiler’s plannin’ to do?”

  Betsy shook her head. She found it interesting that Hannah had so quickly abandoned her dispute. “What ’bout Kate?”

  “The strangest thing, really.” Hannah frowned deeply. “She’s going to give her babies to Elias and Rosanna, but it’s all hush-hush.”

  Betsy was stunned and almost asked Hannah if she was sure . . . if she wasn’t mixed-up, as she sometimes could be.

  “Seems your Nellie Mae has known of this for some time. Rosanna told her, as I understand it from Kate’s midwife, Ruth Glick.”

  My girls and their secrets . . .

  “Nellie hasn’t said a word.”

  “Well, Ruth thinks the twins will be comin’ sooner than was first thought.”

  Dear, dear Rosanna, keeping wee ones all bundled up in this cold. “Guess Rosanna will be ever so happy. Sure has had a time of it, jah?”

  Hannah nodded, drinking some more tea before answering. “I daresay Elias will be sleepin’ in the spare room some.”

  To this both women smiled.

  “Poor man has no idea what he’s in for,” Hannah stated flatly.

  “Do you know why on earth Kate would give her babies away like this?”

  “Kate loves her cousin is all I know. Like I said, it’s a secret . . . not even Rachel knows.”

  “Kate’s own mamma doesn’t?” Betsy shook her head. “That’s mighty surprisin’, ain’t so? Best we be keepin’ word to ourselves, then.” Betsy didn’t want to think of Rachel’s possibly hearing such news from someone other than Kate. Truly, the midwife should know better than to be speaking of it to others.

  Hannah nodded. “When the news is out, some will take it in stride; others will be flabbergasted.” Hannah wiped her eyes with her hankie again. “I say it’s just the nicest thing, truth be told. Rosanna’s getting her heart’s desire, two wee, perty babes.”

  Betsy had to agree with pretty, because every one of Kate’s brood was just that—as fine-looking as any children she’d ever seen, including her own. “Such a generous thing to do, jah?”

  Hannah drank the rest of her tea, pausing to look over her cup at Betsy. “Wonder if the babies will know who their real parents are.” Her hand trembled.

  “That’d be a good thing, given they’re all cousins.”

  But Hannah thought differently. “Those poor young’uns wouldn’t know who to mind, though, would they?”

  Betsy hadn’t thought of that. She couldn’t imagine
what Rosanna might face if that were so. “I hope all goes well, but I could never do what Kate’s doin’. And I’d be nearly beside myself if any of my children were to hand off my grandchildren to someone else!”

  Hannah nodded slowly, finally agreeing with something Betsy had said. They talked about less contentious things for a while—the next quilting bee and how many weddings were coming up this week.

  “Would you like a quick visit with Nan and Nellie Mae?” Betsy looked out the window. Unless someone had arrived on foot, there didn’t appear to be a single customer at the bakery shop.

  “Sure I would.” Hannah brightened significantly.

  “I’ll go and call them.”

  Unexpectedly, Hannah remarked, “If her sisters don’t mean to be on hand, your Nellie’s goin’ to look mighty lonesome during Preachin’ next Sunday, I daresay.”

  At the comment Betsy stopped in her tracks as she was heading out to get her shawl. Turning to stare at Hannah, she wondered why she’d brought this up. “Why would ya say this, Mamm?”

  Hannah ignored the question. “I daresay sensible Nellie Mae’s goin’ to marry herself an Old Order fella, and you and Reuben won’t even be welcome at the wedding.”

  Betsy had heard all she cared to. “Well, for goodness’ sakes.”

  “Now you be thinkin’ good and long ’bout this, Betsy. You and Reuben need to consider what you’re givin’ up.” Hannah had scooted herself to the edge of the rocking chair. “You think on it real hard, ya hear?”

  Betsy bit her tongue and hurried to get her wrap. Stepping into the cold, she realized she had been thoroughly reprimanded and humiliated by her mother-in-law. In the past she would have given the woman what for, but today she decided to offer the utmost kindness to Hannah and prayed to that end, making her way to the bakery shop.

  Nellie saw Mamma approaching the bakery shop around the time she’d told Nan they ought to slip away to see why Mammi Fisher had come on such bad roads. Now here was Mamma hurrying into the shop door, her face redder than it ought to be from the short jaunt.

  “Girls, your grandmother’s eager to see you.” Mamma put on a smile. “Go down and see her once.”

  Nan nearly ran for her shawl and out the door, but Nellie paused. “Why on earth . . . today of all miserable days?”

  “For a visit.” Betsy turned away.

  “You’re upset, ain’t so?” Nellie went to her.

  Mamma breathed visibly. “Your Dat said things like this would happen. I never dreamed . . .”

  Nellie leaned her head against her mother’s. “What did Mammi say?”

  “She and Dawdi won’t be movin’ back here. We’re as good as shunned.”

  Nellie struggled with the lump that threatened to close her throat. She felt frightened to think of such a thing happening to her parents . . . to their family as a whole, as would likely be the case. “Is there no stoppin’ this?” she whispered.

  Mamma shook her head, clearly trying to keep her composure. “Go visit with Mammi now.”

  Nellie nodded, willing to obey her mother on this account. But unbaptized though she was, she wouldn’t think of abandoning the Old Ways—not for the world, nor for Dat’s faith.

  CHAPTER 30

  Snow fell in thick, fluffy flakes as Nellie Mae closed up the bakery shop that Wednesday. She had a hankering for a walk, and since she’d already enjoyed a short visit with Mammi Fisher earlier, she bypassed the house and headed toward the road for a breather, ready for some time alone. She could see through the window that Mamma and Mammi still looked to be hashing things out in the kitchen.

  Mamma’s all fired up, she thought, taking in the sight of waning maples outlined against the frosty curtain of snowflakes. Dawdi and Mammi refuse to move here. If that don’t beat all!

  Nellie pulled her shawl more tightly around her, against the chilling air. She wondered how many folk would be affected by the commotion in their midst. How far would the disagreement over the rules of the Ordnung spread?

  Putting that out of her mind, she breathed in the refreshing frostiness of the late afternoon, watching the heavy snow and remembering the many times she and Suzy had caught snowflakes on their tongues. Such wonderful-gut growingup years.

  The account of Suzy’s slide into sin still gnawed at Nellie, keeping her awake at night. She hadn’t decided whether to bury the diary again or completely destroy it, but she was going to do something. She couldn’t risk anyone else in their family reading about Suzy’s disgraceful behavior.

  Mrs. Landis’s comment about Joy’s cousin Darlene and Suzy came back to her just then, haunting her.

  Suzy’s past is nobody’s worry now. Even so, it was dreadful to know others remained all too aware of her younger sister’s wicked behavior.

  She forced her thoughts back to Mammi Fisher and her grandparents’ sudden decision not to live here. Had Dawdi sent her to confront Mamma?

  Nellie pushed through the snow, moving faster as her head cleared. She had not heard yet this week from Caleb, even though he had written three letters to her last week. The weather being this cold, they hadn’t seen each other for seven days, despite their original plan to go to the millstream together last no-Preaching Sunday. She missed him, wondering when their special night might come. When would they talk quietly in her room while sitting on the little loveseat? Cousin Jonathan’s father and brother were well-known in the area for upholstering these beautiful pieces of courting furniture with their delicate oak arms and legs.

  Smiling momentarily, she wondered what she would have done if Caleb’s flashlight had shone on her window while Suzy was still alive and sleeping soundly in the room. She supposed she might have asked her sister to sleep in the spare room for that particular night. The way she’d heard it from Maryann and her other sisters-in-law, most girls could sense when their beau intended to propose.

  Caleb loves me. What’s keeping him from asking me to be his bride?

  She’d had fears that Caleb was upset at what she’d told him about Dat’s keen interest in the Good Book. More than likely, he knew of her parents’ connections to Preacher Manny by now. It seemed nearly everyone was aware who had attended the meeting last Sunday.

  And who hadn’t.

  Lately she felt nearly frayed, loving Caleb yet wanting to obey her father in his leanings, as she’d been taught to do. Rhoda and Nan were planning to join their parents and older brothers at Preacher Manny’s house come this Sunday. A bold and foolhardy move, holding a meeting on the actual day of Preaching, of all things!

  As for Nellie, she planned to walk alone to Preaching service, where she assumed Uncle Bishop would give the main sermon—his first since returning.

  What will Caleb’s family think if I show up by myself?

  Even though courtship was usually to be kept confidential until the planned marriage was announced, Nellie was fairly sure that at least Rebekah had an inkling Caleb was seeing her. That girl didn’t seem to be one to miss anything.

  Up ahead the roof of a tobacco drying barn glistened thanks to an ample layer of snow, and she was struck by how picturesque it was, though she must have seen the same barn hundreds of times.

  She continued walking briskly, the dense cold penetrating her bones. When she sighed, her breath nearly froze in midair, and she wished she’d worn a scarf to wrap around her face.

  A good half mile later, she spotted Rhoda’s distinct silhouette coming up the road’s shoulder. She called “hullo,” glad she’d stumbled upon her. Even though they lived in the same house, recently she’d scarcely spoken two words to her oldest sister. “Hullo!” she called again.

  “Nellie Mae . . . where’re ya goin’?” Rhoda crossed the road toward her.

  “Just needed some fresh air.”

  “Well, you’ve picked icy air.” Rhoda laughed.

  Nellie smiled. “You must be workin’ a lot these days.”

  Rhoda hugged herself, rubbing her mittened hands against her arms. “It seems best, well, to be aw
ay from the house as much as possible here lately.”

  “Are you really goin’ to Preacher Manny’s with Dat and Mamma?” asked Nellie.

  “Only out of respect for Dat. Aren’t you?” Rhoda asked.

  “Can’t.”

  “Must be you’ve got yourself a beau, then?”

  Rhoda sounded like Nan had some weeks back. Nellie wouldn’t be tricked, however; she would not say a word about Caleb.

  “Well, do you?”

  “Look, Rhoda, I don’t ask you ’bout your friends or what you do away from home, do I?”

  Rhoda shrugged. “I’d tell ya. Ask one question you’re dyin’ to know.”

  “All right.” The air stung Nellie’s lungs. “Why’s it so important to work away from home . . . for Englischers, of all things?”

  “That’s two. I said only one,” Rhoda snipped.

  Looking at her, Nellie was shocked at Rhoda’s sassy, even worldly response. She flinched, shying away. “Never mind, I guess.”

  “Aw, come now, Nellie Mae. What’s wrong with you?”

  With me? Nellie stared.

  Rhoda sighed. “Dat’s sure been ferhoodled lately.”

  “Ach, now you’re bein’ rude.”

  “Well, you and I know better than to say we’re saved. I’m surprised Mamma’s putting up with it, even sayin’ she believes such things, too. What’s happening to our family, anyway?”

  “I s’pose I could ask you the same, Rhoda. Seems you’re gone an awful lot.”

  Rhoda’s eyes flashed her frustration. “I like workin’ . . . making some money, is all.”

  “Savin’ up for something?”

  “Maybe so.” Rhoda gazed at her. “But it ain’t for what you might think.”

  Nellie Mae had no idea what she meant. “Well, I didn’t mean to pry.”

  Rhoda huffed, walking past her. “I’ll see you back at the house, sister,” she called. “Don’t stay out too long, or you’ll catch a cold and miss goin’ to your precious Preachin’ come Sunday.”

  Nellie sputtered, her breath turning to ice crystals before her. She’s just dying for electric, no doubt.