A Blessing for Miriam

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Miriam turned into her driveway and pulled up to the barn. Wayne’s buggy was still parked near the greenhouse, but he didn’t come out to help unhitch. His help was forbidden since Uncle William’s enforced month-long suspension of their relationship had begun. She could barely wait until the time was over. So far, at the Sunday services and at the youth gatherings, Wayne had behaved himself around Esther and stuck to Uncle William’s rules.

  Miriam noticed that Esther had managed to smile a little less at him. That was probably difficult to accomplish because Esther smiled at everyone. But from all appearances, she was making a serious effort to mend her ways since the apology. Miriam chose to trust Esther. There was really no other choice, Miriam decided.

  Wayne and Miriam were to be wed this fall. They had parted on gut terms, and Wayne had given no indication that he blamed her in any way for Uncle William’s separation order. Perhaps she should have resisted Uncle William’s decree, Miriam thought as she unhitched Sally. Wayne would have followed her lead, she suspected. But that would have caused a rift between them and her relatives. Tension was something they needed less of, not more.

  This morning was the first time she’d seen a break in Aunt Fannie’s sorrowful attitude. She had even hummed the tune “What a Mighty God We Serve” as she prepared breakfast. Had Aunt Fannie and Uncle William finally settled their quarrel? The church confession hadn’t come about yet, and the thought of Aunt Fannie’s humiliation in front of the whole church was almost too much for Miriam to bear. With great effort she managed to keep quiet. Aunt Fannie had said Uncle William must have a hidden motivation for his severe reaction.

  Miriam glanced again at the sky before she entered the house. Deep, dark storm clouds were gathering on the horizon. She shouldn’t be so wrapped up in her own troubles. Rather, she should pray for protection. There was obviously rough weather ahead this evening from the looks of things. With a firm push, Miriam closed the front door against a sudden gust of wind.

  “You’re home!” Aunt Fannie’s cheerful voice called from the kitchen.

  “Yah, and just in time. The weather doesn’t look gut.” Miriam peeked in the kitchen, and baby Jonathon cooed to her from his blanket on the floor by the stove.

  “He likes you.” Aunt Fannie looked up from the kitchen sink with a smile.

  Miriam took baby Jonathon into her arms. His arm reached up to touch her face, and Miriam blew kisses into his hand. The baby giggled.

  Aunt Fannie watched them for a moment before a concerned look crossed her face. “I noticed the weather too, but it’s normal for around here this time of year.”

  “That’s gut to hear,” Miriam said as she returned baby Jonathon to his blanket. From her attitude, Aunt Fannie had gut news to share so Miriam waited patiently. Perhaps Aunt Fannie would soon volunteer the information.

  Aunt Fannie didn’t wait long. “I suppose you’re wondering why I seem so happy?”

  “Yah, I noticed,” Miriam said with a wondering smile.

  Aunt Fannie nodded. “Well, William finally opened up to me, and…”

  Miriam interrupted. “You don’t have to tell me the details, you know.”

  “It’s okay,” Aunt Fannie said. “I figure you’ll think it’s worse than what it is if I don’t…” Aunt Fannie pulled out a kitchen chair. “Sit, Miriam. We shouldn’t stand for this conversation.”

  “Really, Aunt Fannie,” Miriam protested again. “I’m just glad things are going well between the two of you again.”

  Aunt Fannie smiled. “I want to tell you, Miriam. You’ve been honest and open with us about everything, and I want this out in the open too. William no longer asks that I do a church confession.” Aunt Fannie clasped her hands on the kitchen tabletop. “But there’s a reason. It seems William was engaged to an Englisha girl before we met! It was during his rumspringa time. I didn’t know until he told me this week. William planned to marry her and jump the fence, but the girl broke off the engagement.” Aunt Fannie’s breath caught, and she choked.

  Miriam reached across the table to hold her aunt’s hand. “Are you okay?” When her aunt nodded, Miriam continued. “This isn’t necessary, please. I’ve gotten you into enough trouble already.”

  A faint smile played on Aunt Fannie’s face. “This was all a blessing, Miriam. I know it didn’t seem so, but it’s true. These things aren’t meant to be kept secret. Look at the bitterness that lay beneath the surface of William’s life. As a result of our confessions to each other, our relationship has deepened in the past few days—more than I can tell you. I have you to thank that everything is out in the open.”

  “I don’t know about that…” Miriam demurred.

  Aunt Fannie’s hand clutched hers. “And I have the Lord to thank that the scales fell off William’s eyes when his heart was broken by his Englisha girlfriend. He saw how close he’d come to joining the Englisha world and changing his whole life. After the wedding to the Englisha girl, he probably never would have come back to the faith, Miriam.”

  Aunt Fannie paused as a shudder shook her. “William told me that in his shame he went to the bishop and offered to confess the whole thing in front of the church, even though he wasn’t yet a member. The bishop told him that wasn’t possible, and this was what rumspringa was for. The bishop said he was glad the Lord had opened William’s eyes.”

  “So it’s better now—your relationship?” Miriam asked.

  Aunt Fannie nodded and rushed on. “William wanted me to confess in church because he thinks he could have forgotten his Englisha girlfriend completely if the bishop had allowed his confession. But he realizes now that confession to each other was all that we needed.”

  “I’m still sorry I ever brought this up.” Miriam reached over to hold both of Aunt Fannie’s hands.

  “Stop saying that.” Aunt Fannie gave Miriam a quick hug. “On the other side of the pain lies a great blessing. Like I said, things are much better now. Already the Lord has placed a new song in my heart. William loves me as I love him. Our love has deepened now that he has shared this with me. Neither of us should have kept secrets from each other to begin with. Regrets aside, we have much we can be thankful for—and so do you, Miriam.”

  “I agree. And that’s kind of you to say,” Miriam said.

  Aunt Fannie rose. “So that’s over. Now, we’d better get busy with supper. Here I am all wrapped up in my own problems when the poor Swartz family is dealing with much worse. And your friend Ivan is still in a coma. He’ll wake up to find his frau already in the grave with his unborn child. How awful is that?”

  “Sometimes I just don’t understand the Lord’s ways,” Miriam said as she stood. She glanced toward the window as a gust of wind shook the house and rattled the panes. “And the weather outside…I’m still worried.”

  Aunt Fannie followed her glance out the kitchen window. “Oh, it’ll storm, but that’s normal. Still, maybe we should pray. Would that make you feel better?”

  “Yah, I think so,” Miriam said as she bowed her head. Aunt Fannie did likewise. Aunt Fannie’s lips moved silently as Miriam spoke her prayer:

  Protect the people in the path of the storm tonight, dear Lord. Give them warning of what’s coming and time to get out of the way. Keep the children safe from harm, and let no awful nightmares enter their lives because of this. Help us all—and especially the Swartz family as they bury their dear loved ones. And Ivan too as he lies in an unconscious state. Be with his soul, Lord.

  Aunt Fannie had already lifted her head when Miriam finished with amen.

  Aunt Fannie smiled. “It’s so gut to have a Father in heaven we can trust even when life looks dark.”

  “Yah,” Miriam agreed as she glanced again out the window.

  Aunt Fannie opened the breadbox on the counter. “Will you change clothes and help me with supper? I expect William will be in soon.”

  As if in confirmation, Wayne’s buggy went past the living room window and out the driveway.

  “Of course I wi
ll. I’m in my own daze.” Miriam smiled and hurried upstairs to her bedroom. She peeked out past the drapes. Wayne’s buggy was a dark dot on the road. With a quick rush around the room, Miriam changed and made a dash down the stairs.

  “Slow down!” Aunt Fannie lectured when she ran into the kitchen.

  Her aunt was definitely more herself again, Miriam thought as she joined in the supper preparations. They were still at work when Uncle William entered the utility room with a loud bang of the outside door.

  “Storm’s brewing tonight!” he hollered.

  “We know,” Aunt Fannie answered. “We’ve been talking and praying.”

  “That’s a gut idea.” Uncle William stuck his head into the kitchen. His worried face broke into a smile at the sight of baby Jonathon. “Hi!” He waved to the baby and glanced toward Miriam.

  “I’ve told Miriam the story,” Aunt Fannie said.

  Uncle William dropped his head for a moment. “I suppose that was okay. One’s sins always come out in the end. I’m sorry I wasn’t more open to your suggestions, Miriam—the evening you spoke with me in the greenhouse. I was blinded by the reminder of my own sins.”

  “I understand.” Miriam gave him a weak smile.

  “And now on to a more urgent subject,” Uncle William said. “I’ve spoken with Wayne and told him my objections to your relationship are in the past. I was a little hasty, what with my own problems and all. I explained to Wayne, and he forgave me. I hope you will do the same, Miriam. I am sorry. Wayne said he’ll talk with you tomorrow. And I won’t be surprised if he brings you home on Sunday evening.”

  A thrill ran through Miriam. “Thanks for the gut word,” she told her uncle. “It was for the best, I suppose. I do forgive you, Uncle William.”

  Uncle William nodded with a sober face. “You are a very understanding girl, Miriam. Wayne will be getting a gut frau. I need to check on the horses in the barn, and then I’ll be right back for supper.”

  “He’s a gut man,” Aunt Fannie said with a smile after Uncle William vanished through the washroom door. Outside rain was lashing against the kitchen window, and a roll of thunder pealed across the open prairie.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Miriam climbed into Wayne’s buggy Sunday evening after the hymn singing. “Gut evening,” she greeted Wayne, giving his face a quick glance and a smile before she settled into the seat.

  Wayne grinned. “I guess it’s legal to be seen with you again. I almost forgot there for a minute.”

  “Oh, Wayne!” Miriam leaned against him. “It’s so gut to see you and sit next to you.”

  Wayne’s smile was broad as he drove out of the driveway into the gathering dusk.

  Out of habit, Miriam had almost gone to the barn after the singing ended to hitch Sally to the buggy. The separation from Wayne had seemed to last for months…but, thankfully, that was behind them now. She relived the joyful memory when the ban from each other was lifted.

  Wayne had stopped by the house Friday after his work ended in the greenhouse, and they had spoken at length for the first time in almost a month. She’d expected his arrival, and the knock on the front door that evening had sounded through the whole house.

  “Go see who it is!” Aunt Fannie motioned toward the door with her hand.

  Miriam set down the plates and forks. Her hands were trembling. Wayne was at the door. She knew it, and so did Aunt Fannie. Her aunt’s gentle smile was all the confirmation the young woman needed. She drew in a long breath as she opened the door to reveal the familiar form on the front steps.

  “Gut evening!” Wayne’s smile was soft.

  “Gut evening!” Miriam replied. She tried to quiet the beating of her heart. Other than smiles exchanged at the community meetings, she hadn’t stood this close to Wayne since the separation.

  “I wanted to see you, and to speak with you.” Wayne’s smile broadened. “Your uncle told me…”

  Miriam didn’t allow him to continue any further. She wrapped her arms around Wayne in a huge hug. They clung to each other for long minutes, until Wayne whispered into her ear. “This is kind of public, I think.”

  Miriam had chuckled and let him go. Just like that their separation was over; they were together again.

  The buggy wheels rattling beneath them brought Miriam back to the present.

  Wayne glanced at her. “Are you cold?” he asked with concern.

  “A little—but I’m warm on the inside. Oh, Wayne! We’re together again after those long weeks.”

  Wayne wrapped his arm around Miriam’s shoulders for a quick squeeze. He let her go to pull a buggy blanket out from under the seat. He handed it to her.

  Wayne was still a gentleman, of course. The thought brought a fresh smile to Miriam’s face. “So what were you doing with yourself during all that time?” she asked.

  “Waiting till I could speak with you again.” Wayne’s arm crept around Miriam’s shoulders again. He pulled her tightly against his side. “I’m so sorry for my part in this, Miriam. I know Uncle William insisted that we spend the time apart, but that wouldn’t have been necessary if I’d…”

  “Shhh…” Miriam silenced him. “We will speak no more about this. Couples quarrel—even married ones. But, please, I don’t want another fight like this for the rest of my life.”

  Wayne laughed. “You’ll get no disagreement from me on that point.”

  Miriam looked up into his face. “With this storm in the past, we should be ready to go on with life together. Have you been past the farm north of the community lately? The one we’re looking into buying?”

  Wayne shook his head. “I haven’t thought of the farm, Miriam. I was too busy thinking of you. You’re such a dear. I can’t express my appreciation enough for how you’ve taken all of this.”

  She hesitated for a moment. “I have my faults, you know. One of them is that I never told Daett and Mamm about the inherited money. They’ll have to be told sometime.”

  “We’ll tell them together.” Wayne’s voice was resolute. “We’ll do everything together now, Miriam. And I’ll have nothing but the best words to speak to your daett if he questions your handling of the money.”

  “Wayne,” Miriam sighed as she leaned against his shoulder again, “you have no idea what a great weight that takes off my mind. I should have told Daett from the beginning, but I couldn’t. He was always so focused on the evils of money. You’ve changed my life for the better. Why the Lord has sent me such a wunderbah man, I’ll never know.”

  “I think you were sent to me, not the other way around,” Wayne teased. He changed the subject. “Are your parents coming to Oklahoma anytime soon?”

  Miriam shrugged. “Not that I know of. Shirley has another operation soon. Mamm mentioned it in her last letter. It’s with a plastic surgeon. There’s been no crisis that would require a trip all the way out here. I guess that means you’ll be traveling with me to Possum Valley to meet them after school is out for the summer. They’ll be so happy to see you. I know they will.”

  “I hope I pass their inspection.” Wayne hung onto the reins as they approached State Route 48. He pulled to a stop. “Did you tell them about our forced separation?”

  Miriam shook her head.

  “Thank you.” Wayne smiled down at her. “Even if you had, I could still sit in your halo when I’m around them. The light would drive away all my shortcomings.”

  Miriam laughed, and Wayne laughed along with her.

  When silence settled in the buggy, Wayne said, “I know you’re still worried about the money, but you shouldn’t. You ought to accept what the Lord has given you, Miriam. Look how well you’ve done with the money so far. You haven’t indulged yourself at all, like many people would have. I love you for that.”

  Miriam bit her lip and pressed back the tears. “I’ve had plenty of fears about the money, you know that.”

  “You have done well.” Wayne’s arm tightened around Miriam’s shoulders. “The Lord gave you the money, and that’s
now part of your life story. Don’t run down the gift or think less of it. Maybe we can do something wunderbah with the gift, such as helping other people.”

  Miriam studied his face. “I’ll be so glad when this is all over and we’re married. Then you’ll be responsible for the money. After we buy our farm, you can do what you want with the rest.”

  Wayne fell silent for a few moments before he spoke again. “Thanks for the confidence, Miriam. Right now I’m focused on counting the days until our wedding day arrives.”

  “Oh, Wayne,” she breathed. She steadied herself with one hand on the buggy door as Wayne drove the buggy into her driveway. “I do have to say this yet. Daett always taught us that money corrupts so we should stay away from it. I didn’t listen for a while, and then I was afraid of spending the money and falling into a trap set by the devil. That was what kept me out of trouble more than any virtue on my part.”

  Wayne reached for Miriam’s hand as he pulled the buggy to a stop. “That’s all behind us now. We’ve weathered the worst of the storm. I’ll be by your side when you break the news to your parents. It’ll be okay, Miriam. You are a blessing to me and to so many in the community. You and I will pray that the Lord will guide our hands as we make decisions on what should be done with the money.”

  Miriam gave Wayne a quick hug before she hopped down from the buggy and helped unhitch his horse. She waited while he put the horse in the barn and then returned. She smiled up at him and took his hand. Together they walked toward the house.

  When they entered the living room, Miriam motioned for Wayne to seat himself on the couch. “I’ll make popcorn and squeeze some orange juice. You can wait here.”

  A look of mock horror filled Wayne’s face. “After all these weeks apart you expect me to twiddle my thumbs in the living room while you work in the kitchen? I’ll squeeze the oranges, if nothing else.”