“Did you get my phone message?” he asked, pushing his grocery cart next to hers.
“Yes, I did, but I was waiting to talk to you in person.”
His forehead wrinkled. “How come? Couldn’t you have called and left me a message?”
Lenore shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mark, but I don’t want to go up to Hersheypark.”
“Why not? It’ll be fun. You’ll see when we get there.”
“Maybe for you, but not for me. I wouldn’t enjoy going on all those rides.”
“Well, okay then. I guess we could do something else.”
Lenore looked around to be sure no one was close and could hear their conversation. “The thing is, Mark, I don’t think we should see each other socially anymore.”
“What?” His eyebrows rose. “Why would you say that? We’ve been courting a few months now, and I thought we were getting along pretty well.”
Lenore made sure to keep her voice low. This was not the place she would have chosen to have this conversation. “We don’t have much in common, Mark, and—”
“Sure we do. We’ve done several fun things together, right?”
“True, but they were things you wanted to do, and I went along with them, thinking I might enjoy them myself.”
“And you didn’t?”
“Not really.”
“I see.” Mark folded his arms and scowled at her. “You’re just like my ex-girlfriend, Debra. Nothing I did was ever good enough for her. She accused me of being too pushy and always wanting things my way. That’s why, when she broke up with me, I decided to move back here and start over. I thought you and I were getting close and that my future was going to be with you.”
Lenore reached her hand toward him, then pulled it away. “I’m sorry, but I think we should go our separate ways. I should have said something sooner, but I kept hoping things might be different and that—”
His eyes flashed angrily. “Fine then, I’ll look for someone else who will appreciate me for the fun-loving guy I truly am.” Before Lenore could say anything more, Mark grabbed the handle of his cart and practically ran down the aisle toward the checkout counter.
She stood watching him go, wondering if she’d made a mistake. It wasn’t in Lenore’s nature to say unkind things or intentionally hurt someone, but that was exactly what she had done. It’s my fault for allowing Mark to court me. I should have said no in the first place. Now he’ll probably never speak to me again, and who knows what he will say to others about me?
Chapter 46
Clymer
She’s a beautiful boppli, and we’re glad you are both doing well.” Belinda smiled at Michelle as she caressed the baby’s cheek. “My only regret is that you don’t live closer so we can spend more time together and watch little Angela grow.”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” Ezekiel spoke up. “We’ll come down to Strasburg as often as we can. That way, everyone else will have a chance to see the baby too.”
“And you’re welcome to come here whenever you like,” Michelle interjected.
Ezekiel’s parents had arrived three days ago, but his dad would be heading back home tomorrow morning, leaving Belinda to stay for another two weeks to help out. Michelle was grateful for her mother-in-law’s assistance. Still weak from having given birth, Michelle needed to rest more than she usually would. Also, being a new mother, she was unsure of herself, and it was a comfort to have Belinda there to answer questions and respond to any of Michelle’s concerns about newborn babies. The only downside was that having her in-laws there caused Michelle to feel a bit of homesickness. Although she no longer dwelled on it, Michelle realized that her desire to move back to Lancaster County had never completely vanished. But she’d learned to accept that Clymer was their home now, and she would not ask Ezekiel to relocate again.
Michelle had heard from Ernie and Jack yesterday, both saying they would try to get by to see the baby sometime next week. She looked forward to seeing them again and of course showing her brothers their niece, Angela Mary.
She leaned against the sofa pillows and looked at her husband as she caressed her infant daughter’s silky hair. “Hopefully we’ll make it down to Strasburg before the summer is over. I’d like the rest of your family, as well as Mary Ruth, Lenore, and Sara, to see the boppli.”
Ezekiel smiled. “We’ll go as soon as you’re strong enough.”
She reached for his hand. “I can hardly wait.”
Gordonville
Jesse sat with his mouth gaping open. He could hardly believe all that Herschel had just told him. He’d stopped by after work to get a few things from Herschel’s store but had never expected to be told surprising news like this. “Lenore’s cousin Sara is your daughter?” Jesse asked when he’d found his voice.
“Jah, it’s true. Sara and her husband are going over to my folks’ place with me this evening so Mom and Dad can meet the granddaughter they never knew anything about.”
“Since this all came to light with Sara a few days ago, have you already told your parents how you discovered she is your daughter?” Jesse asked.
“Of course. I wanted to explain things and prepare them for meeting her.”
Herschel gave Jesse the biggest smile he’d ever seen on the man’s normally placid face. It was clear how happy his wife’s uncle was to learn that he had a daughter. It was wonderful to see things working out well for Herschel. He’d been unhappy for as long as Jesse had known him. Jesse had always assumed Herschel’s grief was because of his wife’s death, but apparently it went even deeper than that.
I guess it’s possible for a man to love more than one woman during the course of his life. Jesse twirled his straw hat in his hands. Could it be possible for me if I give myself a chance? The trouble was, Jesse still wasn’t sure how he felt about Lenore. Some days when he thought about her, his heart beat a little faster. Other times when Jesse compared his feelings for Lenore to the way he’d felt for his wife, he convinced himself that he could never love anyone as much as he had loved Esther. So unless and until it became clear to him, he would continue on with the way things were. Besides, what good would it do me even if I did get in touch with my feelings and declare them to Lenore? She’s already moved on with her life.
Jesse had prayed last night, asking God to teach him how to trust his own heart, mind, and intuition. Now he simply needed to listen to the Lord’s still, small voice guiding him in the days ahead.
Strasburg
“It’s hard to believe school will be starting again in a few weeks.” Lenore leaned her head against the back of the porch swing and drew in a few deep breaths. Today had been muggy, and it was good to sit outside next to her grandmother and breathe in some air that finally felt fresh.
“Are you sorry you agreed to teach again this year?” Grandma asked.
“Not really. What else would I do with my time? I’ve never worked at any job away from home other than teaching.”
“Is there something else you might enjoy doing more?”
Lenore shrugged. “I’m not sure.” She wouldn’t say it out loud, but the only thing besides teaching that appealed to her was being a full-time wife and mother.
She clutched the folds in her dress, then let go and smoothed out the wrinkles she’d created. I can’t allow myself to dwell on that.
“I hope things go well with Sara this evening as she meets her other grandparents,” Grandma said. “The Fishers should feel as blessed to have Sara be a part of their life as you and I do.”
Lenore agreed. Growing up, she’d had no idea if her aunt Rhoda, whom she’d never met, had any children, but she’d wondered sometimes if she would ever get the chance to meet her aunt and any family she might have. Even though Lenore had never met Grandma and Grandpa Lapp’s daughter, she felt fortunate to have met their granddaughter, Sara, as well as Sara’s half brother, Kenny. They had become such an important part of her family.
Gordonville
As Sara sat in the front passenger
seat of her husband’s van, she picked at her clear nail polish. It was a nervous habit whenever she felt full of apprehension.
Sara’s newly discovered father sat quietly in the back seat. Did he feel as nervous as Sara about her meeting his parents?
While Sara had always wanted to find out who her biological father was, she had never imagined meeting him or his parents. Since the Fishers didn’t live far from Grandma Lapp, Sara would be able to visit them regularly.
If they want me to, that is. Sara flipped the visor down and checked her appearance in the mirror. Even though they agreed to see me, maybe Herschel’s parents won’t accept me as their granddaughter. They may only want to ask me a bunch of questions about what my mother wrote concerning her relationship with their son.
At the moment, Sara understood exactly how Mama must have felt when she’d convinced herself that her family and others in their community would sit in judgment on her. Maybe because I’m Rhoda and Herschel’s illegitimate daughter, they will turn their backs on me. For that matter, they might be equally upset with their son for taking advantage of a young woman during her time of rumspringa.
Sara’s thoughts ran wild until she realized she was probably blowing things out of proportion. For all she knew, the Fishers might welcome her into their home with open arms.
As though sensing her apprehension, Brad reached over and clasped Sara’s hand. “We’re almost there, hon, and everything’s going to be okay. Now please take a deep breath and try to relax.”
That’s easy enough for you to say, Sara thought. It’s not you who’s about to step into the unknown. Well, in a way he was, because Brad had never met Herschel’s parents, and he couldn’t predict whether they would accept Sara or not. But Sara appreciated her husband’s positive tone and encouragement.
“No need to be nervous,” Herschel interjected. “My folks are looking forward to meeting you.”
When Brad turned in where Herschel instructed, Sara’s anxiety increased. Her hands were so sweaty she could hardly open the van door. Relax. Relax. Breathe deep like Brad said.
After they exited the vehicle, Herschel walked beside Sara, and Brad followed. Stepping onto the front porch, Sara said a prayer. Heavenly Father, please calm my nerves and my father’s as well.
Herschel opened the door and hollered: “Mom! Dad! We’re here!”
His parents joined them in the entryway. “Sara, these are my folks—Milton and Vera.” Herschel gestured to Sara. “Mom … Dad … this is my daughter, Sara, and her husband, Brad. He’s a minister at a church in Lancaster.”
All Sara’s fears and doubts vanished like vapor when her paternal grandparents enveloped her with hugs. Following that, they shook Brad’s hand.
“Welcome, Sara. Milton and I are so happy our son has found you—or maybe it was the other way around.” Vera’s eyes filled with tears. “When I came into your flower shop some time ago, if I’d had any idea you were our granddaughter, I would have welcomed you then.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” Sara turned to face Herschel. “God has truly given us a miracle, jah?”
His eyes glistened as he chuckled and gave a hearty nod. “And now we can spend the rest of our days getting better acquainted.” He looked over at Brad. “We welcome you into our family as well.”
Sara felt like singing, dancing, and shouting. I’m so blessed! If only Mama could be here to share in my joy.
Chapter 47
Strasburg
Cooler days had finally arrived in Lancaster County, and Lenore had begun the routine of teaching school three weeks ago. This year she had two difficult students—Andy, a second grader, and his brother, Dennis, who was in fourth grade. The boys were new to the area, and Lenore had to make sure they understood the rules and realized they were not allowed to talk out of turn. It had been a few years since any students had challenged her the way these two did, but she’d let them know early on what their boundaries were. Lenore did her best to keep an eye on Andy and Dennis when they went outside for recess too, because often one or both of them would get into a mischievous mode and find some vulnerable girl to tease.
Lenore had a different assistant this year, named Caroline. Unfortunately, she was not as good about making the children behave as last year’s helper was. The important thing, from Lenore’s point of view, was to mold positive attitudes and cooperation in each of her pupils that would be helpful to them throughout their lives.
As Lenore sat at her teacher’s desk looking over some test papers, she checked the time. It was two o’clock—time for the final recess of the day. She rang the bell on her desk and dismissed the scholars to go outside. Caroline went with them while Lenore took care of a few things inside.
Lenore smiled as the sound of excited chatter and laughter floated into the building through the open windows. She remembered her own school days, and how she and her friend Nancy had enjoyed looking for unusual things around the school, while most of the other children played baseball, jumped rope, or took turns pushing each other on the swings.
Lenore reflected on the time she’d found a heart-shaped rock near the teeter-totters. Someone teasingly said if a person found a heart-shaped rock, it meant they were going to fall in love and marry the first person they showed the rock to. Since, at the tender age of nine, Lenore had no interest in boys and didn’t want to be teased, she’d hidden the rock under the schoolhouse porch. Later, after school let out and everyone else had gone home, Lenore returned for the unusual stone. She took it home and put it in a box inside her closet with all the other collectibles she’d found.
“Maybe I should have gotten out the old rock and showed it to Jesse.” She lifted her gaze toward the ceiling. Now, what a silly notion. I seriously doubt showing the heart-shaped rock to Jesse would have made him fall in love with me.
Last week Lenore had seen Mark at the bank, but he’d barely mumbled a greeting. She’d heard through the grapevine that he’d begun seeing someone else, so she didn’t understand why he couldn’t have been a bit friendlier. Mark was definitely not the right man for her.
Lydia Ann, a fifth grader, rushed into the room, capturing Lenore’s attention. “Recess isn’t over yet, Lydia. You still have five more minutes.” Lenore pointed to the battery-operated clock on the far wall.
“I’m not supposed to be a tattletale, but there’s something going on that you might wanna know about.”
“What is it?”
“Those new boys, Dennis and Andy, left the schoolyard a while ago. They’re playin’ in that empty field on the other side of the fence.” Lydia came closer and placed her hands on Lenore’s desk. “I told ’em to get outta there, but they wouldn’t listen. Dennis even stuck his tongue out at me.”
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll take care of this right now.” Lenore rose from her chair and headed out the door. When she stepped outside, she saw the two boys in question laughing and running back and forth along the fence line, while some other children urged them to get back in the schoolyard before the teacher saw them. Caroline was busy pushing one of the first-grade girls on the swings, so Lenore headed out of the schoolyard to deal with the situation.
Walking quickly, Lenore went down the road a ways until she came to a place where the fence had been broken. Stepping through the opening, she hollered at the boys. “You are not supposed to be here. Recess is over, and you need to return to the schoolyard now.”
Dennis and Andy ignored her and kept running.
Lenore’s muscles tensed. If these two don’t come now, their parents are going to hear about this. She called to them again, but when they continued to run in the opposite direction, Lenore took off after the disobedient brothers. She was a fast runner—had been since she was a child—so it didn’t take her long to gain on them.
Lenore had instructed her class several times not to leave the premises of the schoolyard, not even for a wayward ball, and no one until now had challenged her on this rule.
She was gaini
ng on them, but as Lenore drew close to the youngest boy, she stepped on a decaying board and fell into a hole.
Darkness shrouded Lenore as she lay at the bottom of what she believed to be a dry well. She felt gravel underneath her, and from what she could tell, the walls were made of corrugated steel.
Lenore tried to stand up, but a searing pain in her right leg, in addition to a pulsating throb at the back of her head, kept her from moving. Cupping her trembling hands around her mouth, she shouted, “Help! Help! Somebody help me, please!”
A swirling sensation overtook Lenore, and then her world faded into darkness.
Jesse had gotten off work early for another dental appointment—this time just a cleaning—and was on his way home. He was approaching the schoolhouse where Lenore taught when he noticed a group of children gathered around an area on the other side of the fence separating the schoolyard and an empty field. Some of the children pointed downward, and a few of the younger ones appeared to be crying.
Concerned, Jesse pulled his horse and buggy into the schoolyard, jumped down, and secured Restless to the hitching rail. It didn’t take much for him to leap over the wire fence. When he approached the children and saw their worried expressions, Jesse knew something horrible must have happened.
“What’s going on? Why are you all over here?”
“It’s my fault.” A young boy with a thick head of dark brown hair pointed at a gaping hole. “Our teacher was chasin’ after me and my bruder, and she fell in a hole.”
Jesse’s muscles jumped beneath his skin as he moved closer and tried to look down the well. “Lenore! Can you hear me?”
All was quiet.
“I heard her hollering before you got here,” a blond-haired girl said tearfully. Her chin quivered as she looked up at Jesse. “Sure hope she’s not dead.”
“I have a cell phone. I’ll call for help.” Trying to ignore the young girl’s negative comment, Jesse pulled the phone he used for work only out of his pocket and dialed 911. As he knelt in front of the hole, praying and waiting for help to arrive, his heart hammered in his chest. Jesse had lost one woman he loved; he couldn’t lose another.
The Healing Jar Page 29