Danika's Journey (Amish Girls Series--Book 2)

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  The girls giggled. “So, do you think you will like school here?” Chloe queried.

  “I don't know. I'm awfully nervous but at least I have some friends.” Danika sighed heavily. “It would be easier if my dad was here. He always encouraged me to do my best in school.”

  “What did you're parents look like?” Joanna wondered.

  “I have a picture of them. Just a minute.” Danika felt around her neck and brought out a locket and opened it. It held two small photographs; one was a wedding photo of her parents embraced in each other's arms, and in the other photo Danika sat in between her mother and father. She’d been just two years old when the photo was taken, but she remembered it well.

  “It's very pretty,” Chloe commented, “but we're not allowed to have pictures...or jewelry.”

  Danika held up her hands in protest. “There's no way I'm giving up my locket. It's one of the few things I have left of my parents. Please don't tell anyone that I have it,” Danika requested desperately.

  “Sure, you don't have to worry about us telling anybody,” Joanna spoke for both girls.

  <><><>

  Danika was apprehensive when she first entered the schoolyard. She was unsure how she would be treated since she was an outsider. Will I be judged because of my skin color? she wondered privately, noting that she had the darkest hair and skin of all the students. It was different in California. There had been much diversity, so she felt comfortable. But here, she was clearly the only Mexican. She took a nervous breath.

  The other scholars quickly turned around to take a peek at the new girl, Eli Yoder being one of them. He flashed a big smile and she noticed how perfectly straight his teeth were. And how handsome he was. She smiled back at him, and then quickly looked away as she felt her face flush. She could feel that his eyes were still on her as she walked up the steps into the classroom with Joanna and Chloe.

  “Danika, this is our teacher, Grace,” Chloe introduced. “She's Joanna's sister.”

  “Nice to meet you, Miss Fisher.” Danika tried to be polite. She doesn't look that much older than me, she thought to herself.

  “Gut to meet you too. And you may call me Grace,” the teacher instructed. Danika then remembered that they didn’t use Englischer titles. “I have an empty desk over here, where you can sit for now.” Grace walked to the back of the classroom, showing Dani where she would be sitting.

  “Thank you.”

  “What was the last grade you completed at your previous school?” Grace asked, trying to determine which books Danika required.

  “I just started eighth grade.”

  “So, this will be your last year,” Grace stated.

  “Yeah, until high school,” Danika said matter-of-factly, “and, of course, college.”

  Grace looked at Joanna and Chloe, who had no idea how to respond. “Amish only have school till eighth grade,” Grace informed her.

  “You've got to be kidding!” Danika noticed that she was the only one laughing, finding solemnity in the other faces. “Seriously?”

  The three girls nodded their heads.

  Oh no! “But, I planned on going to college. My mom and dad have been saving money since I was a baby. I'm going to be a medical doctor,” Danika said in a somewhat defiant tone.

  “Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to talk that over with your uncle Philip,” Grace advised, walking to the front of the classroom to pull the school bell.

  <><><>

  When the children filed in, Danika was pleased that Eli sat in the row next to hers, just one desk away. Joanna and Chloe sat fairly close as well, but they were a little further away, towards the front. When she glanced to her left, she noticed Jonathan Fisher who wore a mischievous grin. To her right was another girl about her age whom she did not know.

  Jonathan leaned over and pointed to a girl a couple of rows over. “That's Susie, the one I told ya about. She's my best girl,” he whispered.

  Danika looked to where he pointed and noted the auburn-haired girl. “She's cute,” Danika agreed.

  “Yep, she's real cute. And I'm gut friends with her bruder. Matt's my friend too. We're gonna go –”

  “Shh...” Matthew hissed from the desk next to him. “Don't tell her all our plans.” Danika overheard him say. She couldn't imagine what kind of plans a couple of nine year old boys could have in this secluded community.

  “Danika, will you please come to my desk?” Danika hoped she wasn't in trouble already. By Grace's calm demeanor, Dani figured she was about to receive her school books. She released a relieved sigh and headed toward the front.

  While she was away, Jonathan pulled something out of his pocket and sneakily placed it into her desk. Since the other scholars were busy with their schoolwork, nobody had even noticed. Danika came back to her desk to place the books inside. As her desktop creaked open she spotted something moving inside. When she realized it was a snake, she screamed as loud as she could and ran to the other side of the room. The snake slithered out of her desk and onto the ground, causing all of the other girls to scream as well. Spying the snake, Eli nonchalantly picked it up, holding it out for the teacher to see.

  Right away, Grace knew who had put it there. “Jonathan Fisher! How many times do I have to tell you not to bring creatures into the schoolhouse? I'm going to have to tell Dat, I mean, your vadder about this incident. Now apologize to Danika and go stand in the corner,” she scolded her younger brother.

  Jonathan hung his head as he walked to the corner and muttered, “Ah, it's just an old garter snake. It won't hurt no one.”

  “Anyone,” the teacher corrected. “Eli, will you please deposit that poor snake outside?”

  Eli quickly walked outside with the slithering reptile, returning a short while later. The girls had already taken their seats. Danika opened up her desk and searched for her favorite subject. When she noticed that her science book wasn't there, she quickly raised her hand.

  “Yes, Danika?” Grace asked.

  “You forgot to give me a science book,” Danika informed her. Some of the other scholars began chuckling, which befuddled Danika.

  “We don't study science,” Grace said.

  No science? I've never heard of a school that didn't teach science, Danika thought disappointedly. She took out her English book instead and started reading.

  A folded piece of paper lay on the edge of her desk, and she quickly hid it between herself and the desk so the teacher wouldn't see. She quietly opened the note. It read: May I walk you home after school today? - Eli. She looked up to see Eli smiling diffidently. Danika cheerfully nodded her reply.

  <><><>

  As the children were let out of school, most of them ran to their scooters and took off in a flurry. Danika had notified Joanna and Chloe that she wouldn't be walking home with them, but she didn't say why. She waited by the old oak tree behind the schoolhouse where Eli had instructed her to wait for him. From the tree, she could see him talking to a few younger children and pointing the opposite way. As he stepped away from them, a girl about Danika's age came rushing up to him. If Danika wasn't mistaken, it was the snobby blond girl that sat next to her in class. Her name was Sadie Lapp.

  Danika waited at the tree for a while, until Eli could finally pull away from Sadie. After the girl took off, Eli jogged over to where Dani waited. “Sorry about that,” he attempted to apologize, “Sadie is always trying to get my attention.” They didn't realize that Sadie had been watching them from a distance as they walked off toward Danika's house.

  “Oh,” Danika said, not sure how to respond.

  “Here, I can carry your books,” Eli offered, holding out his arms.

  “Thank you,” Dani said timidly, as they walked along. “I told you about me the other day, but you didn't tell me much about you.”

  “Okay, what would you like to know?” He grinned.

  “I didn't see you at the Fishers' for church on Sunday.”

  “Ow.” He winced. “Sore subject. But if you re
ally want to know, I'll tell you. Do you want the long or short version?”

  “Well, since both of us have chores to do when we get home, why don't you tell me some other time?”

  “Jah, that would be gut. So, what else would you like to know?”

  “What do you mean what else? You haven't told me anything yet,” she teased, producing a smile from Eli. Danika contemplated for a moment. “Hmm...How about your family?”

  “Okay, my dat is Jacob Yoder and my mamm is Sarah Yoder. I have ten siblings: five brothers and five sisters. Two of my brothers and one of my sisters are married. There are four of us in school, and the others are either too young for school or have already completed it.”

  “Wow, I don't think I could keep track of that many brothers and sisters. The children that you were speaking to after school – are they your siblings?”

  “Jah. Hannah, Annie, and Samuel.”

  “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

  “My vadder wants me to farm like him. But I think I'd like to raise horses, or maybe have my own buggy shop. That's what Nathan Hostettler, the bishop's son, does.”

  “That would be cool, I guess. But…” She hesitated to speak her mind.

  “But, what?”

  “Well, did you ever want to do anything else? I mean, like something non-Amish?”

  “But I am Amish. I don't ever plan on being anything else. I don't want to be anything else. I am happy here.” He smiled, hoping she could understand.

  “Don't you think you're missing out? I mean, I could never become a doctor living here.”

  “But your uncle Philip is the best doctor I know, and he is Amish.”

  How could she explain to a backwoods Amish guy that what her uncle did was just a bunch of silly nonsense? Old wives' fables, foolishness. That stuff didn't really work.

  “What are you thinking?” Eli asked gently.

  “Okay, if you really want to know, I'll tell you.” She yielded.

  “Say on,” he urged.

  “I'm going to say something that might offend you,” she continued on slowly, “I don't believe in all that old wives' tales stuff; it's just a bunch of foolishness if you ask me.”

  “Do you mean using herbal medicine?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you know? Have you ever tried them?” he challenged.

  “What? Well...no,” she admitted.

  “Did you ever meet Isaac Fisher, Joanna's older brother? He hurt his leg in a buggy accident two years ago and your uncle treated it with an herb of some sort. Now his leg is fine. It's as if the accident never happened. He might have even died if Philip hadn't arrived when he did. You should ask him sometime, he just lives across the street from the Kings.”

  “Wow. No, I never heard that.”

  Eli continued on, “Or, you should meet Martha Troyer. Her medical doctor told her that she had cancer and gave her six months to live. He wanted her to go through chemotherapy, which she adamantly refused, then decided to see Philip instead. He put her on a special diet, I think a lot of fresh juices and mostly fruits and vegetables. He gave her some herbs to take too. Philip told her that she would feel sick at first, and then she'd feel great, which happened just as he’d said. After about a year, she went back to her medical doctor. Guess what?”

  “I don't know.”

  “They couldn't find any cancer in her body. It was gone. That was seven years ago,” he stated.

  “Wow!”

  “You know there is a verse in the Bible that says something to the effect of 'when you answer something before hearing it, it will be a shame to you'.”

  Danika stopped in her tracks, and looked at him. “How do you do that?” Danika asked in astonishment.

  “Do what?” Eli stood looking at her.

  “It seems like you always have the right words to say to me. You get me to think about things that I have never thought about before. You make me change my mind about the way I feel. It's as if you can see into my soul. It's not fair,” she complained.

  “Wow, now that's a compliment.” He smiled at her again. “I like you, Danika.”

  “I like you too, Eli.” She grinned back.

  “No, I mean, I really like you a lot. I...I care for you, Danika. In a special way, I mean,” he said, exposing his heart. Eli took her hand; he seemed even more serious now. “Do you think you would be willing to wait for me?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, staring at her hand in his.

  “I think we're meant to be together. I’ve never felt this way about anybody. I want you as my aldi. Will you let me court you when I turn sixteen?”

  Danika's heart melted. “But your father and my uncle –”

  “Shh...” He put his finger to her lips. “Don’t worry. We'll work all that out, I promise.”

  She trembled and took a step back. “I-I...” She wanted to say yes, but was suddenly overwhelmed. Eli wants me to be his girlfriend? She'd never had a real boyfriend before.

  “We can be friends now – just friends. We can get to know each other better. But I want to know that you'll wait for me.” His eyes were pleading.

  “Yes, I will,” she managed to squeak out, her eyes intent on his.

  <><><>

  “You seem happy. How was school today?” Naomi asked, as Danika walked in the door with an enormous smile.

  “It was great!” she answered, running up the stairs to change into her work clothes.

  “Was that Danika that just came in?” Philip asked, grabbing a quick snack out of the fridge before returning to the herb shop next door.

  “Jah. She seemed excited. School must have gone well,” Naomi stated.

  Danika seemingly came down the stairs just as quickly as she'd gone up. She handed a bag to Naomi. “Here Naomi, I don't need these anymore. Do you think we can take them to the thrift store next time we go into town?”

  Naomi peeked into the bag. “Your Englischer clothes?” She looked up at Philip, who also appeared surprised.

  “Jah, I don't need them anymore,” she stated, as she grabbed the milk pail off the kitchen counter to head outside. “Oh, and will you help me finish sewing up my dresses tonight? I'd like to wear my blue one tomorrow.” And with that, she was off to milk the goats.

  Philip and Naomi just stood there looking at each other, completely baffled.

  <><><>

  Chapter 7 – The Englisch Holiday

  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

  Jonathan, Matthew, and Joshua sat in the pony cart watching Englisch children dressed in strange clothing. They looked down at their own attire, hoping it would sufficiently accomplish their goal. Joshua tied the pony to a street sign and the boys determined which house to go to first.

  “Okay. She said that they just knock on the Englischers' doors,” Jonathan informed his friends.

  “What should we say?” Matthew asked.

  “I don't know,” Jonathan said, shrugging. “I guess we just ask for candy.”

  “It will be strange to ask an Englischer we don't know for free candy. Maybe we should offer some money,” Joshua suggested.

  “Jah,” Matthew agreed. “I have a few quarters.”

  “Alright, let's stop talking and just go. I will knock first,” Jonathan said.

  The boys cautiously walked up to a door and Jonathan knocked confidently. A teenage boy with blue spiky hair opened the door, his face completely white. The boys stared wide-eyed at the strange looking boy. Jonathan gulped, but found his voice, “Can we have some candy?”

  Matthew offered a quarter to the boy, but the teen simply stared at it. “Man, if my mom caught me taking money from a kid, I'd be in big trouble. Keep your money, kid.” He then took a big handful from the bowl on the table next to him and held it out to Jonathan. Jonathan stood mesmerized. “Hey, didn't you bring a bag or something for your candy?”

  Jonathan looked at Josh and Matt and they all shook their heads.
<
br />   “Okay, then just hold out your shirt and I'll put the candy in there,” the teen said. “Or I can put it in your hat.”

  With shirts full of candy, the boys followed the children in front of them to the next house. “This is fun!” Matthew said as he popped a small chocolate bar into his mouth.

  The next door yielded a kind, normally dressed Englisch woman. Her eyes lit up and she called her daughter over. “Look at these boys here, Jessica. They're dressed Amish. Don't they look so cute? They remind me of the little boys at the farmer's market.”

  The boys stood smiling, as the woman looked over their 'costumes'.

  “Didn't you boys bring something to put your treats in?” the woman asked. After the boys shook their heads, she turned to her daughter. “Jessica, go get three plastic grocery bags for these boys. It's a shame their mother would send them out with nothing to put their candy in.”

  They continued on to several more houses on the block. “Look at all the candy we've got and we've only been to five houses!” Joshua said excitedly, chomping on a stick of gum he found in his bag.

  “And I still have all my quarters! It seems no one wants to take my money for some reason. I feel bad taking all this candy for free,” Matthew said.

  “Ach, it's okay. The Englischers like to give us the candy,” Joshua said.

  “Jah and I like to eat it!” Jonathan said, taking a lick from the lollipop in his mouth. “I can't wait to give some to Susie.”

  “I don't think my sister likes you none,” Joshua said, “but she does like candy.”

  “Well then I'll just have to save lots of mine for her, so maybe she'll like me then,” Jonathan said.

  “You can give her a kiss,” Matthew said.

  “Ach, she'd hate 'im for sure if he tried to kiss her,” Joshua said adamantly.

  “No, I mean a candy kiss, dummkopp!” Matt said. He reached into his bag and pulled out a Hershey's Kiss and showed his friends. “See, it says 'kiss' right here. I got lots of 'em, so you probably do too. Girls like chocolate.”

  “Hey, we should probably go home before Dat notices I'm gone,” Joshua said, noticing the late hour. “I don't feel like visiting the woodshed tonight.”