The Mockingbird's Song

by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Kristin Billerbeck, Kristy Dykes, Aisha Ford, Birdie L. Etchison, Pamela Griffin, Joyce Livingston, Tamela Hancock Murray

  Virginia continued to fill the sack and stopped when a dress from the past came into view. “Oh, now, this needs to go. I can’t believe it’s even still in the mix.” She held up the dowdy, navy-blue dress. She’d worn it during her first marriage, and seeing it now was a negative reminder of the past.

  “Goodbye.” She stuffed the dress deeply into the bag. “Think I’ll quit with this one.” All the clothes needed to go to the local thrift shop, but Virginia would wait until she’d gone through everything first.

  Growing hungry, she stowed the bag in a corner of the closet, closed the door, and made her way to the kitchen. She’d been on her feet too long and should have sat on the bed to do her sorting.

  In the kitchen, Virginia opened the refrigerator to see what she might fix for supper this evening, when her cell phone rang. She closed the door and limped across the room to pick up the phone.

  Virginia recognized the number and quickly answered. “Hey, Stella. How’s it going?”

  “Everything’s fine here. How about you?”

  “Same as usual. Nothing exciting, that’s for sure.” Virginia reached down to rub her throbbing knee. “Unless you call listening to the steady clippity-clop of horses’ hooves exciting.”

  “Still getting lots of horse-and-buggy traffic on your road, huh?”

  “Yeah, and now that the greenhouse across the road is open for business again, the noise will only increase. There have been cars, trucks, and of course, smelly horses pulling Amish buggies going past our house today.”

  “Guess there’s never a dull moment.”

  “Yeah, and sometimes I think I’m goin’ out of my mind.”

  “Say, I’ve been thinking it’s about time that I come to Pennsylvania and pay you a visit. Would it work out for you, or are you too busy with other things?”

  Virginia snorted. “Not hardly. Most of my days are spent watching game shows on TV and working crossword puzzles, although yesterday I washed all the windows, inside and out. And today I started sorting through old clothes.” She groaned “Big mistake, and I’m paying for it now.”

  “Your bum leg?”

  “Yep.” Virginia pulled out a chair at the table and sat. “Most evenings are just as boring. After supper, it’s watching television or working crossword puzzles again, while I listen to Earl snoring up a storm from his easy chair. So feel free to come anytime. It’ll be a welcome change for me.”

  “How about a week from next Monday? Since your hubby will be at work during the days, maybe he won’t mind an extra person in the house.”

  Virginia perked right up. “Sounds great, Stella. How long can you stay?”

  “Maybe three days, if that’s okay. Sure don’t want to wear out my welcome.”

  “Not a chance. I’ll look forward to seeing you.”

  “As you know, there’s a meadow on the other side of our neighbor’s property, and it’s a good place to spot birds,” Henry said as he and Sylvia walked along the shoulder of the road. “So let’s head over that way first.”

  “Okay, but I don’t want to go too far or be gone too long, because I need to be back in time to help fix supper,” Sylvia replied.

  “Didn’t ya hear what Mom said before we left? She and Amy are gonna take care of fixin’ supper this evening, and we’ll eat a little later than usual.”

  “I did hear that, but I would feel guilty if I wasn’t there to help.”

  “You oughta get over that, Sister, because you have the right to have a little fun once in a while.”

  Sylvia wasn’t sure how much fun this little trek would be, but she offered no response to her brother’s comment.

  As they neared the clearing, Henry pointed to an Amish man holding a pair of binoculars up to his face. “Looks like someone else had the same idea as us, and I’m pretty sure he must’ve spotted some kind of interesting bird on the branch of that bush over there.” He lifted his own binoculars and took a look. “Yep, I was right. There’s an eastern kingbird.” He handed the field glasses to Sylvia and pointed. “Here, take a look. It’s a gray-black bird with a white belly and chin.”

  She looked in the direction he’d pointed, but all she saw in her vision was the Amish man’s straw hat, sitting atop a full head of dark hair.

  Sylvia lowered her hands and handed the binoculars back to Henry. “I didn’t see any sign of the bird.” She made no mention of the Amish man’s head.

  “It’s right there.” Henry stood next to her and held the lenses in front of her eyes. “Do ya see it now?”

  She shook her head.

  “Oh, for goodness’ sakes. Are ya lookin’ where I pointed?”

  “I thought I was.”

  “Then ya must be completely blind.” He puffed out his cheeks and groaned.

  “Don’t speak to me like that,” she snapped. “I am not blind, and I’m not stupid.”

  “Never said you were.”

  “The way you spoke to me, in that disgusted tone of voice, made it seem like you thought I was dumm.”

  “Well, I don’t think you’re dumb. I just can’t understand why you’re not able to see the kingbird.”

  “I’ll try again.” Sylvia held the binoculars close to her face.

  “Don’t bother. The bird’s gone now anyways. Let’s walk into the meadow a ways farther and see what other birds we can find.”

  “Okay.” Sylvia was glad she’d worn a pair of sturdy shoes and her long black stockings.

  As they approached the middle of the open field, the Amish man turned in their direction. “I thought I was alone till I heard voices.” He glanced at Henry’s binoculars. “Are you two bird-watchers, like me?”

  Henry bobbed his head. “Don’t recall seeing you around here before. Are you new to the area?”

  “Jah. I’ve only been here a few days.” He held out his hand. “My name’s Dennis Weaver. I moved down a few days ago from Gratz.” The man glanced at Sylvia, then back at Henry.

  Henry clasped the man’s hand. “Nice to meet you. My name is Henry King, and this is my sister Sylvia.”

  Dennis shook Sylvia’s hand too. “Do you two come here often?”

  Sylvia was about to respond, but Henry cut her off. “I’ve been here looking for birds, but this is my sister’s first time. She’s new to birding.”

  “I see.” Dennis looked at Sylvia again, and this time he smiled.

  Her cheeks warmed as she lowered her head a bit.

  “So where are you staying?” Henry asked. “Do you own a place here in Strasburg? Did you bring your family here?”

  “Henry, don’t be so nosey.” Sylvia bumped her brother’s arm.

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” Dennis kept his attention on Henry now. “My mother and siblings live in Dauphin County, and I’m single, so I moved down here by myself. I’m currently staying with a friend in Ronks, but I have been looking for a place to rent that has some acreage with it.”

  “I own a home you might be interested in,” Sylvia blurted out. “Maybe you’d like to look at it sometime.” Her face grew warm. Now what made me say that?

  With an eager expression, Dennis nodded. “That’d be great. How about tomorrow morning? Would that be too soon?”

  “Umm…well…” Sylvia realized that she’d have to drive her horse and buggy over to her house if she agreed to meet him there in the morning, and she’d need someone to watch the children while she was gone or bring them along, which would make it difficult to show the house.

  “If it’s going to be a problem, I understand.”

  “No, it’s not a problem. Tomorrow morning won’t work for me, but I could meet you at the house around five-thirty tomorrow evening.”

  “That’ll be fine.”

  “If you have a pen and something for me to write on, I’ll give you the address and also the phone number where I can be reached, in case you have to cancel for some reason.”

  “I have something to write with, but no paper.” Dennis pulled a pen from the pocket of his
dark-colored trousers. “I’ll just write it here on my arm.”

  Sylvia bit back a chuckle. She’d never seen anyone use their arm instead of paper. When she could speak without laughing, she gave him the information, and he wrote it down on the inside of his left arm.

  “We really should get going now.” Sylvia looked at Henry.

  “Jah, okay. Guess we’ll have to do more bird-watching another day.” He looked at Dennis. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Weaver.”

  “Nice meeting you too.” Dennis returned his gaze to Sylvia. “I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

  All Sylvia could manage was a quick nod. She had no idea why she’d offered to let a total stranger look at her house with the idea of possibly renting it. I don’t know what came over me. I must be daft in the head.

  On the way home, Henry remained quiet for a while, before slowing his pace and clasping Sylvia’s arm. “What were you thinking, agreeing to show that man your house? He’s a complete stranger, and we know nothin’ about him except where he’s from.”

  “He seemed nice enough. I saw a kindness in his eyes. If he likes the place, I’m going to rent it to him.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I can’t keep expecting my neighbors to watch the place, and I’m never moving back there, so it doesn’t make sense to let it sit empty any longer. Next month it’ll be a year since the accident, Henry.”

  “I don’t need that reminder.”

  “Sorry, but it’s a fact, and I need to find some closure.”

  Henry kicked at a stone with his boot. “Don’t see how rentin’ your house is gonna give you any closure.”

  “For one thing, I won’t have to go over there anymore or worry about whether someone might break in and take things.”

  “I get that part, but havin’ someone living in your house is not gonna bring an end to your grief.”

  “I realize that, but having someone living in the house will give me a sense of peace.”

  “So you’re set on doin’ this, assuming Mr. Weaver likes the place and wants to rent it?”

  “Jah.”

  Henry shook his head. “Oh boy. Our mamm’s not gonna like it when she hears what your plans are.”

  “Please don’t say anything to her, Henry. I’m the one who should tell her, since I’ll need to ask if she or Amy can watch the kinner for me tomorrow.” She stopped walking and reached over to touch his arm. “I do have one favor to ask.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Would you mind taking me over to my house tomorrow to meet Mr. Weaver? I wouldn’t feel right about meeting him there alone. Besides, as you know I’m not comfortable taking the horse and buggy out by myself.”

  He lifted his shoulders in a brief shrug. “Sure, why not? If Mom knows I’ll be goin’ along, she’s less likely to make a big deal of it.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Sylvia tapped his shoulder. “Oh, and Henry, before I forget…danki for going with me today to look for birds. It was an interesting adventure.”

  “Well, we only found one specific bird, but sure, no problem. Besides, the other day you told me about the gray bird you’d seen. I’d hoped we’d both get to see it today, and I could be sure it was a mockingbird. So anytime you wanna go birding again, just let me know.”

  She gave a nod. “I definitely will, and hopefully there’s another pair of field glasses around the house for me to use when we do go out again.”

  As Dennis traveled back to his friend’s place in Ronks, he tried to figure out if the young woman he’d met was married or single. There’d been no mention of a husband, but it seemed odd that she would own a place to rent out. Maybe some relative, like a grandparent, had died and left Sylvia their home and land, and rather than selling it or moving there herself, she’d chosen to rent it out.

  There were so many questions Dennis wished he had asked, and maybe he would when he met up with Sylvia at her house tomorrow.

  While Henry ran out to the barn to make sure his dog was fed, Sylvia hurried into the house. She found her mother and sister in the kitchen scurrying about, and the table had already been set.

  “You’re back sooner than we expected,” Mom said. “Didn’t you and Henry find any interesting birds?”

  “Just one that’s worth mentioning. Although I never actually saw it. Henry spotted the bird through the binoculars, but for some reason, I could not locate it. All I saw through the field glasses was an Amish man’s straw hat.”

  Amy stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Sylvia. “Was the hat on the ground?”

  “No, the man was wearing it.” Sylvia glanced around the room, and when she didn’t see Rachel or Allen, she said, “Where are the kinner? I figured with supper being made, they’d both be in the kitchen wanting to play with pots and pans.”

  “They’re in the living room, playing quite nicely,” Mom replied. “Now what were you saying about an Amish man’s hat?”

  Sylvia explained about meeting Dennis Weaver, and how she’d offered to let him look at her house as a possible renter.

  Mom’s eyes widened as she folded her arms across her chest. “You did what?”

  “I said he could look at the house, and I was hoping to do it tomorrow after the greenhouse closes for the day, because I need one of you, if you’re willing, to watch the kinner for me again.”

  “I’m always willing to spend time with my grandchildren, but don’t you think you’re rushing things a bit? I mean, what do you really know about this man?”

  “Well, nothing, but he had kind eyes and was very polite, so…”

  “It’s not like you to be so trusting of a stranger,” Amy cut in. “And how are you planning to get over to your house? Are you going to walk, or ride your scooter?”

  Sylvia shook her head. “Henry said he’d take me with the horse and carriage, so since he’ll be there when I show Mr. Weaver the house, that should give you both one less thing to worry about.”

  I wonder what’s up with Sylvia. Why would she jump right into something without giving it a good amount of thought? Belinda fidgeted with her apron straps. Her father and I didn’t raise our children to make such rash decisions. Oh Vernon, if only you were here to offer your opinion on this.

  She rested a hand on her waist as she studied Sylvia’s body language. “Are you certain you’re doing the right thing by showing your home to the stranger you met yesterday?” Belinda asked when Sylvia got ready to head out with Henry that evening.

  “I am quite certain, Mom. I have to rent out the house, and Mr. Weaver needs a place to stay.”

  I’ll do a little more pressing to make sure she’s thinking this through. “But you don’t know much about him,” Belinda argued. “And you haven’t even run an ad or notified others that your place is available to rent.”

  “I don’t need to now, since I’ve already found someone.” Sylvia grabbed her handbag and opened the back door. “Henry’s waiting outside with the horse and buggy, so I’d better go. I hope the kinner are good for you and Amy while I’m gone.”

  “I’m sure they will be fine. Oh, and don’t forget…” Belinda’s words were cut off when her daughter went out the door. “Well, thanks for listening,” she mumbled with a huff. “I think my daughter is acting headstrong and foolish.”

  Belinda moved to the kitchen window and watched as Sylvia got into the buggy. A few seconds later, she heard footsteps coming up the porch steps and figured it must be Amy.

  “I don’t know what’s come over your sister lately,” Belinda said when Amy entered the room. “She seems to have lost all sense of good reason.”

  “Because she’s thinking of renting her house to a man none of us knows?”

  “Jah. I definitely dislike the way that sounds. It’s not like Sylvia to speak to strangers, much less make such an unexpected offer.” Belinda released a heavy sigh. “I wish your sister hadn’t run into that fellow when she and Henry were out bird-watching.”

  “Perhaps we are
worrying too much about nothing.” Amy spoke in a soft tone. “Maybe when she meets the man at her house, he will have changed his mind. Or he might not show up at all.”

  “Guess I can hope for that.” Belinda tapped her chin. “Having a renter you don’t know at all could mean nothing but druwwel. And believe me, we’ve got enough troubles already to keep us busy and on our toes.”

  Amy nodded. “Speaking of trouble… Have you told Sylvia or Henry about the threatening message I heard on our answering machine yesterday?”

  “No, and I’m not planning to.” Belinda looked directly at Amy. “I hope you erased that horrible message.”

  “I did, Mom, but by erasing it, the evidence that it happened is now gone.”

  Belinda tapped her foot. “And that’s how it should be—gone and forgotten.”

  “Forgotten? How can we forget something like that? It was the creepiest message ever left on our machine. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it.”

  “I have to agree with you, Amy. Whoever it was needs help.” Belinda paused. “You and I need to get past this though, and we can if we try not to think about it.”

  “What if it happens again?”

  “Then we’ll pray a little harder and ask God to convict the person responsible for the call.” Belinda slipped her arm around Amy’s shoulders. “That’s all we really can do, Daughter.”

  I hope Mom can understand me better and see how much this means, even if I have acted spontaneously. I’m trying to heal, and so far, the decision I made is making me feel like I’ve taken control of something that needs to be done. Sylvia watched her brother, who seemed so comfortable driving the horse and buggy. At least he appears to be in my corner, and that’ll help me be able to see this through.

  When Henry guided Sylvia’s horse and buggy into her yard a short time later, she saw another horse and carriage waiting at the hitching rail. Dennis Weaver sat on a wooden bench on her front porch.

  She grabbed her purse. Mr. Weaver being here already waiting for them was a good sign that he truly was interested in seeing the place.