Katie Opens Her Heart

by Jerry S. Eicher

  The woman stopped for a breath again just as Katie bagged the last pie. The total on the register was high, but the woman never blinked as she slid her Visa through the credit card processor. Katie waited until the woman moved away from the counter before she turned to the next customer.

  This one was an Englisha man about her age. He was tall, and his blue eyes twinkled as he smiled. Katie managed a quick smile as she ran his items over the scanner. Why was he looking at her that way? Katie wondered. Young, good-looking guys like this one never paid her any attention. Maybe he’s just having a very good day.

  “That was kind of funny,” he said. “The way she never let you get a word in edgewise.”

  Katie took a moment to look up before she answered. “Oh, I didn’t mind.”

  “You must be very patient,” he said. “I find people like her interesting. Do you find people interesting?” He sounded curious.

  Katie looked down and forced her hands to move, entering the amount for his sandwich manually. “Most people,” she finally managed, not looking at him.

  Esther Kuntz had fixed this sandwich only minutes ago at the deli counter. That would mean this boy had talked with Esther. He probably was still under the spell of her many charms. That girl could spew out words like water from the rock Moses hit with his staff. So why was this boy speaking with her, with plain Katie, who usually couldn’t get an interesting sentence out if her life depended on it?

  “You look like a person who is a good listener,” he said with a short laugh.

  Her voice barely a whisper, Katie asked, “Will that be all?”

  What a stupid thing to ask, she thought. Of course that was all he wanted. She was working the register, not the deli counter where customers often did want more. Esther would roll on the floor laughing if she saw this exchange. “No wonder you never get a date,” Esther would say. “Your verbal skills are on the level of a farm horse.”

  “I think this will do just fine,” the young man replied, acting like Katie had just said something brilliant.

  Katie took his offered money. The change came to a dollar ten, and she handed it to him.

  He smiled but didn’t move on. “Do you work here regularly?”

  “Most days.” Katie’s voice squeaked. “On weekdays, that is. Unless, of course, I’m sick, which is hardly ever. And sometimes on Saturdays.”

  “I’ve seen you here before,” he said, eyes twinkling again. “Well, have a good day. And maybe you will listen to me chatter sometime.”

  “Of course. I–I’d l–love to,” Katie stammered out.

  The young man left then, the double doors swinging behind him. Katie stood still for a moment. Had she really spoken to an Englisha boy? Had he actually noticed she existed? She turned to the next customer and began scanning her purchases. This woman didn’t seem to mind her silence. She paid with cash when Katie announced the total.

  As the woman left, Katie quickly glanced at Arlene. She was looking at her with a slight smile on her face. Ugh, Katie thought. Arlene had noticed the exchange with the Englisha boy. Did Arlene know him? It was possible. Arlene was in her rumspringa, and she seemed to know everyone in town—Amish and Englisha. Now there would be no end to Arlene’s teasing. Thankfully the customer line was still full at both of their registers, but this was bound to change soon.

  Sure enough, twenty minutes later the lines had died down. Katie knew what would happen.

  Arlene glanced around, and seeing no one approaching, sneaked over to whisper to Katie. “I can’t believe what I saw! You were chatting with Mark Bishop like he was your best friend.”

  “Who’s Mark Bishop?” Katie asked, trying to keep her blush to a minimum.

  Arlene rolled her eyes. “He’s an Englisha farmer’s son who lives a little ways toward town. He’s a looker, as I’m sure you saw. I wish he’d stop by and chat with me like that.”

  “He wasn’t chatting with me,” Katie protested.

  “You could have fooled me,” Arlene shot back. “And your face—it’s fiery red.”

  “I’m…just warm, that’s all,” Katie reasoned.

  Arlene didn’t look convinced. “I do declare. Who would have thought it? Where have you been, Katie? And you’re not even in your rumspringa! What will your mamm say?”

  “She will say nothing,” Katie said, “because there’s nothing to say. That boy went through my register line like a lot of people have today. That’s all there is to it.”

  Arlene shook her head. “You’re not fooling me, Katie. I heard what he said. ‘And maybe you can listen to me chatter sometime.’ And you said, ‘I’d love to.’ I’ve never heard that from you before.”

  “You’re overreacting,” Katie retorted.

  A customer walked up to her register with his purchases. Arlene glanced back at her own register, and when she saw no one in line, she stayed to bag the man’s items.

  When the man left, Arlene began again. “Did Mark say anything more that I didn’t hear?”

  “Nee, of course not! You ought to know by now I don’t know how to talk to boys. Especially Englisha boys. I was so astounded he was speaking with me. Really…it didn’t mean a thing.”

  “I’m not so sure. I know lots of girls—Amish ones included, who would love to get even a ‘hi’ from Mark Bishop. You’ve been changing, and I guess I haven’t been paying attention. You go, girl!”

  Nothing has changed in the least. Ben Stoll wouldn’t even give me a wave this morning, Katie almost said. Instead she pressed her lips together. There was no sense adding fuel to Arlene’s overactive mind. Arlene might think she’d received some attention from Ben before and was looking for more. That wasn’t possible. Katie was still Emma Raber’s daughter. That wasn’t changing anytime soon. Or if it did, it certainly wouldn’t happen in a moment of time while tending a cash register at Byler’s.

  “You have a customer,” Katie whispered.

  Arlene hurried away. She was soon back, though, to help bag groceries for the customer Katie was waiting on. Arlene obviously was waiting to continue their conversation.

  “He didn’t even know my name,” Katie said, anticipating Arlene’s curiosity. “And he had to ask whether I work here regularly. He doesn’t know me.”

  “Well, you’ve never lied to me, so I guess I have to believe you,” Arlene allowed. She returned to her register. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you though.”

  And she would, Katie knew. And now she was going to turn red every time an Englisha boy her age came through her register line. What if another one paid her attention today? Arlene would never let her live it down! Katie forced herself to think about something else. She had worse things to worry about than an Englisha boy paying her attention. That had been a once-in-a-blue-moon happening.

  “Hi.” A man’s voice broke into her thoughts and Katie jumped.

  “Nice day outside,” he continued.

  Katie’s eyes flew up, taking in his face. He was young and smiling, and his hand was pushing a sandwich and drink forward.

  “Oh! I’m sorry.” Katie drew in a quick breath. “Is this all you have?” Of course it was all he had, Katie thought, her mind racing. What a dunce she was. She was still nervous from the encounter with the other Englisha boy. Surely this one would soon move on.

  “Yep!” the boy said. “Just had to grab something quick for lunch. I was told the sandwiches here are really good.”

  Katie scanned his items. The world was indeed coming to an end. Two Englisha boys paying her attention on the same day? What had she done to garner this?

  “Thank you,” Katie said quietly as she took the boy’s money, her eyes avoiding his face.

  “You’re Amish, aren’t you?” he asked.

  Katie nodded, afraid to speak up as she handed him his change.

  “Well then, have a nice day,” the boy said with a smile.

  Katie managed a smile in return as the blood pounded in her head. “I hope you enjoy the sandwich,” she said, wishing she had
n’t as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

  “Thanks, I will!” he said, waving over his shoulder.

  Katie dared glance toward Arlene’s register. Perhaps by some miracle Arlene had missed this encounter. After all, the boy hadn’t lingered that long. But Arlene was staring across the aisle with her mouth open. She’d heard everything.

  Chapter Three

  When their shifts ended at four o’clock, Katie led the way out of Byler’s, Arlene walking closely behind her. Now that the workday had ended, Arlene was obviously itching to launch into a lecture of some sort about the attention Katie had received from the two Englisha boys.

  The two girls reached the fence where Sparky was tied, and Katie paused as Esther came out of Byler’s behind them. Esther waved and climbed into her dark-blue Corvette and, with the engine roaring, sped out the driveway. Once the sound died away, Katie turned to Arlene. “I know what you’re going to say. And you might as well save your breath. I don’t want to hear it.”

  Arlene glared. “You’ve been trying to shut me up about this, Katie. So I know there’s something to it or you wouldn’t try so hard to avoid talking about it. What do you think? That I’m stupid?”

  “Nee, of course not,” Katie said, trying to smile. “You’re a lot smarter than I am.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Arlene said. “But I’m beginning to think you’re more devious than I thought you were—after what I saw today.”

  “It was nothing,” Katie declared. “Those two boys were pure accidents. I had nothing to do with it.”

  Arlene laughed. “Two Englisha boys giving off smiles and practicing good graces around you, Katie? How do you expect me to believe you’re innocent? You must have done something they interpreted as flirting.”

  Katie’s face turned red. “Me? Flirting?” She almost burst out laughing. Instead she simply said, “Okay, so you don’t believe me. But I know who I am—and I am not a flirt!”

  Arlene studied Katie for a moment. “So you’re telling me you don’t know those boys? That you’re still not in rumspringa?”

  “Do I look like that sort of girl?” Katie met Arlene’s searching gaze.

  Arlene sighed. “I didn’t think so. But you’re not answering my question, Katie.”

  “I’ve never met them before.” Katie faced Arlene squarely. “Honest promise, cross my heart. I’m not disobeying Mamm or sneaking out without her knowledge. Nor am I flirting. Now, does that satisfy you?”

  Arlene’s face was intent for a moment. “I don’t know.”

  Katie threw up her hands. “Okay! So be it. I really need to get home. I have chores to do.”

  Arlene ignored Katie and continued. “If you’re telling the truth about not flirting, then maybe you’re just changing. And maybe you don’t realize it.”

  “You’ve lost your mind,” Katie said. “I’ll never change. I am who I am.”

  Arlene smiled. “No offense, but I think a change would do you good. Your mamm’s mostly to blame for this. You do know that, don’t you?”

  “Mamm is wonderful!” Katie said just as quickly. “She does the best she can.”

  “I didn’t say she doesn’t,” Arlene said with a shrug. “But you know how it is. She avoids people and has you doing it too. I guess some things can’t be helped.”

  Katie turned to Sparky. This conversation had gone on long enough. Arlene was stirring up feelings that were best left buried. Things were the way they were. No boys noticed her, let along Englisha boys. Today was a fluke and nothing more.

  “Truth is, the boys coming through Byler’s have been looking at you for some time,” Arlene said. “You just never saw it until today when those two guys spoke up.”

  Katie looked at Arlene. What she was saying wasn’t possible.

  “The Englisha boys,” Arlene insisted, “they’re seeing you change.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Katie said.

  Arlene shrugged. “Suit yourself. You are changing, Katie. That’s what’s happening. A little late, but…” With that, Arlene turned to go.

  Katie stood frozen beside her horse. Sparky nudged her and Katie came back to the present. As she untied him, led him over to the buggy, and hitched him up, she thought about what Arlene had said. If her words were true, if by some miracle she was becoming attractive to Englisha boys, it was a bit upsetting. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Her thoughts about romance had always centered on Amish boys, especially Ben Stoll. And even he’d been just a fantasy. She could never win the love of someone like him.

  Katie climbed into the buggy as she thought about Ben. If Arlene was right…if Englisha guys were noticing her, then was it possible Ben might also? Well, she’d just have to wait and see. Something gut was happening, it just wasn’t what she’d expected. But that was life, wasn’t it? You took what came your way and made sense out of it—with Da Hah’s help, of course. Katie drove the buggy out on the road and turned toward home. Before long Mamm would be wondering why she’d been delayed. Byler’s Store usually didn’t ask her to work late, so that wouldn’t be a good excuse. Well, she’d be home soon so Mamm might not be too worried yet.

  Katie drove fast, passing Royal Farms and turning right toward the little town of Hartly. On the edge of town lay their twenty acres, which was all they had left from the hundred her daett had purchased years ago. After he died, Mamm had sold off a lot of the acreage to raise money for their survival.

  Katie turned into the driveway and saw her mamm standing beside the old barn looking down the road toward her. Ach, so she had been worried, Katie noted. But it would have made things worse if she’d hurried away and refused to speak with Arlene. She didn’t need rumors circulating about her. Rumors Mamm would hear. Rumors claiming she cavorted with Englisha boys. Rumors far, far from the truth.

  Mamm had her hands clasped in front of her as Katie pulled to a stop.

  When Katie climbed down from the buggy Mamm started to take the tugs off on the far side. She didn’t say anything.

  “Mamm…” Katie broke the silence. The subject might as well be addressed. “I’m sorry I was a little late, but Arlene wanted to talk with me after we got off work.”

  Mamm still said nothing.

  “It was important,” Katie added. “Arlene had a misunderstanding she needed to straighten out with me.”

  “You had me worried,” Mamm said, finally looking up. “I won’t say I wasn’t. There are so many dangers out there, Katie. And you’re still a young woman driving the roads alone. I wish you wouldn’t sometimes. I declare, if we didn’t need the money so badly, I’d keep you home with me all the time.”

  “But Mamm!” Katie protested. “I love my job. And it gets me out where I can see other people—the rest of the world, so to speak.”

  “That’s another thing that bothers me,” Mamm said, her face stern. “What kind of influence is working at Byler’s having on you, Katie? I’ve noticed a change in you lately. I’ve been meaning to say something about it. And Arlene is in her rumspringa. That can’t be having a good influence on you.”

  Leading Sparky forward while Mamm held the buggy shafts, Katie’s heart was pounding. Was Arlene right? Had Mamm also noticed the mysterious changes the Englisha boys were seeing?

  “What kind of a change are you talking about?” Katie asked, her voice shaking.

  “I don’t know,” Mamm said, studying her for a moment. “Sometimes I think I see the world creeping into your life, Katie. I don’t know how to describe it. It must have something to do with Byler’s though, because you never were like this before.”

  “Nee, there’s nothing at Byler’s that influences me in a bad way,” Katie said, hoping her words were true.

  “You’re exposed to a lot of temptations there,” Mamm persisted. “You see Englisha people all day long. And you see the fancy cars they drive. You see all the money they have to spend and the worldly clothing they wear. Is that what’s changing you, Katie?”

  “I’m not changing
in that way, Mamm!” Katie exclaimed, stopping so fast the reins jerked Sparky to a stop.

  “Maybe not,” Mamm said, taking Sparky from Katie. “I’m glad to hear there are no worldly thoughts moving around in that head of yours. Go into the house and change. I’ll take care of Sparky.”

  Mamm led Sparky off while Katie stood there and stared after her mamm. Only when Mamm looked over her shoulder did Katie walk toward the house. Once inside, she went upstairs and changed into a choring dress. She joined Mamm in the barn ten minutes later.

  Mamm didn’t offer any further comments about changes, so Katie wondered if she dared mention Jesse Mast and his intentions. But the words had to be said or something was going to burst inside her.

  Katie sat down to milk one of their two cows. She adjusted the three-legged stool before pushing the milk bucket under Molly’s udder. Behind her, Mamm threw down a bale of hay from the loft. A cloud of dust rose, spreading across the barn floor. The beams of sunlight through the open barn door shone through the settling dust. At least there was still peace in the world, compared to the turmoil of her day, Katie thought as a smile crept across her face.

  Moments later the peace that had descended over their chore time was disturbed by the sound of buggy wheels coming down the driveway. Mamm had said nothing about someone coming. Half standing, Katie peered out the barn door. Molly protested, and Katie lunged for the bucket of milk, jerking it out of the way before the cow’s hind foot came forward.

  Katie sat down again. Whoever this was, she’d just have to wait and see. Mamm wouldn’t want her stopping halfway through the milking just to see who had driven in the driveway. And Mamm certainly wouldn’t want milk spilled on the barn floor. Mamm came down the hayloft opening, and Katie relaxed.

  “Did I hear someone drive in?” Mamm asked.

  Katie nodded.