The Mockingbird's Song

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

  Dennis pointed to a couple of doves. “It’s interesting that they’re related to pigeons.”

  “I never thought about that, but they do look similar.”

  “I hope it was okay to come here and have a picnic.”

  Sylvia nodded, and then looked over at the children again. Between all the activity her son and daughter experienced here this evening, as well as the hearty picnic fare they would eat soon, she felt sure they’d both sleep well tonight. Dennis had furnished the picnic food from a local deli and included peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that the children would enjoy.

  If only my mother could understand my needs and how Dennis makes me feel. Sylvia let her thoughts wander as she sat back until she could rest comfortably against the bench where she and Dennis sat. She thinks my only priority should be raising my kinner, and I’m doing that. Doesn’t Mom see that being with Dennis brings me joy? I don’t see anything wrong with it. Maybe I’ll be like my sister in the near future, planning for a wedding. I wonder what my mamm would say about that.

  “I enjoyed meeting your mother and brother last week,” Sylvia said as they watched the children run around. Brutus ran with them, playfully barking and wagging his tail.

  Dennis looked over at Sylvia and smiled. “Mom and Gerald were pleased to have met you and your family. Every time my mamm’s called me this past week, she’s asked about you.”

  “That’s nice to know.” Sylvia sat quietly for a few minutes and gathered up her courage to say something that had been on her mind since she and Dennis had begun courting. “I want to apologize for my mother’s curtness toward you.”

  Dennis shifted on the bench so they were directly facing each other. “I had noticed it, and I think I know why.”

  “Oh?”

  “Your mamm probably thinks our relationship is moving too fast.”

  “That is part of the reason,” Sylvia admitted. “But I believe there’s more to it.”

  “Such as?”

  “Mom’s afraid I might end up getting married someday, and then it would be just her and Henry to run the greenhouse.” “Married to me?”

  Sylvia’s cheeks warmed. “Well, she might think that, I suppose.”

  Dennis reached for her hand. “And she might be right. I’ve thought about it a lot, in fact.”

  “You…you have?” Sylvia’s skin tingled beneath his gentle touch.

  “Jah.” Dennis stroked the top of her hand with this thumb. “Even though our relationship is still fairly new, I feel like I’ve known you all of my life.”

  “I feel the same way about you.”

  “The thing is, I can’t really think about marriage until I’m making more money. I need to build up my business, so it’s successful. But in the meantime, I’d like to continue our relationship, making it stronger.”

  Sylvia licked her lips, feeling cautious hope. “I’d like that.”

  Belinda had finished mixing the ingredients for the macaroni and cheese she’d planned for supper, when Henry burst into the room. “I talked to Seth, and now our freindschaft is over. Sis nau futsch.”

  She turned to face him. “In what way is your friendship ruined now?”

  “Seth said he’s not the guilty one, and he’s mad at me for thinkin’ he would do something like paint the greenhouse windows black.” Henry sank into a chair at the table and groaned. “I apologized to him for making the accusation, yet he refused to forgive me. There’s no doubt about it—I’ve lost my good friend.” He held his fist against his chest. “Something right here told me he wasn’t the one who did it, but I had to ask, just the same.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic,” Amy said from across the room, where she stood making a tossed green salad. “If Seth was ever a friend, he won’t hold it against you because you asked if he had anything to do with the vandalism.”

  “Your sister is right.” Belinda put the casserole dish into the oven. “And if he does break your friendship off, then maybe it’s because he was in fact guilty and refused to admit it. Some people are like that, you know. When they’re caught doing something they shouldn’t have, they try to lie their way out of it and can even go so far as to put the blame on someone else.”

  Henry shook head. “Seth didn’t blame anyone else, Mom. He just said he didn’t do it. Now I don’t have my friend to hang around with anymore.” His shoulders slumped.

  “You really weren’t spending much time with Seth anyway, Son,” Mom said.

  “That’s ’cause I’m workin’ so much around here and in the greenhouse.”

  “Well, the fact that he got angry with you tells me there’s something amiss. Maybe I should speak to Seth’s mother about this matter.”

  Henry rubbed his sweaty forehead. “Please don’t do that, Mom. It would make Seth even more umgerennt with me.”

  “If he’s innocent, then he has no reason to be upset.” Amy put the finished salad in the refrigerator then she came over to the table and put her hand on Henry’s shoulder. “If Seth’s not guilty of anything, then give him a little space. I bet by this time next week, he’ll come around and resume his friendship with you.”

  Henry shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll see, but I’m not holding my breath. Seth was pretty upset, and he basically told me to leave him alone.”

  Belinda’s heart went out to her son. She watched him as he shuffled up the stairs. I have a feeling Henry will go up to his room and mope around over this now. He did what he thought was right by talking to Seth about the blackened windows, and now he has to worry about losing his friend.

  Belinda sighed. I hope for Henry’s sake that he is right and his friend is innocent, because it’s not easy to watch my boy suffer. But if Seth was responsible for the damage, then my son is better off without him.

  Sylvia went blissfully through the summer months as she and Dennis saw each other more frequently. They went to church together, spent time with the children, and continued birding—most times together and sometimes by themselves or with Henry. These adventures brought them even closer, as they compared notes, sightings, and messages they’d heard on the bird-watcher’s hotline—like the buff-breasted sandpiper someone had seen near the end of August.

  Sylvia felt certain that Dennis was the right man for her, and she thought if Toby could look down from heaven, he would approve of the special relationship she’d found herself in. Sylvia looked forward to the day Dennis would feel ready to propose marriage and knew her answer would be yes.

  Her mother still hadn’t fully accepted Dennis, but Sylvia continued to hope that would change once Mom realized what a good husband and father he’d make.

  Today was the first Monday in September, and Amy’s wedding was only a month away. Sylvia looked forward to the occasion and especially to being one of her sister’s witnesses, along with Amy’s friend Lydia. She felt honored to have been asked.

  Jared’s best friend was Gabe Fisher, whom he’d known since he was a boy, so he had asked him to be one of his witnesses, as well as Jared’s younger brother Daniel.

  This morning, Sylvia had gotten up early to do some baking while the kitchen was cooler than it would be later in the day, and with the children still in bed, there would be no interruptions.

  Sylvia heard a bird creating a racket outside the window. She opened it wide and peered out. There sat that silly old mockingbird chirping out a song.

  “Hush now. It’s too early to be making a nuisance of yourself.”

  Chirp…chirp…chirp…

  Sylvia put a hand on her hip. “Are you mocking me?”

  The bird flitted to another tree and continued to warble.

  Sylvia couldn’t be sure what a mockingbird really sounded like, because according to what she’d read in Henry’s bird book, these birds often took on the tone of other birds in the yard. I sure enjoy being able to identify the species around our yard. I couldn’t do such a thing a few months ago. Thank you, Henry and Dennis, for your encouragement.

  “What are you doi
ng?”

  Sylvia jerked at the sound of her brother’s voice. “Ach, you scared me, Henry. I didn’t think anybody else was up.”

  “Just me, as far as I can tell. I thought I was the only person up till I came in here and found you.” Henry went to the cupboard and took out a glass. “How come you got out of bed so early?”

  “I wanted to get some baking done before the kitchen gets too hot and everyone is up and about.”

  He sniffed and looked around. “Don’t see or smell anything yummy.”

  She poked his arm playfully. “That’s because I haven’t started anything yet, silly.”

  “Well hurry up. I’m hungerich.” Henry opened the refrigerator and took out a jug of apple cider Jesse Smucker had given them recently. It had been frozen when he’d brought it over, and he’d said it was the last of the previous fall’s squeezing that he’d put in the deep freezer he rented. With autumn around the corner, it wouldn’t be long before Jesse would get out the cider press, and there’d be plenty of apple cider to share with others.

  “What’s your reason for being up so early?” Sylvia asked as her brother poured cider into his glass.

  “Wanted to check all the feeders. They’re probably getting low. I need to keep our feathered friends happy and coming back to visit.” He grinned. “I’ll probably spend some time just lookin’ at birds after I’m done with the chore.”

  “Here in the yard, I hope. Mom wouldn’t like it if she found out you went somewhere without asking.”

  He crossed his arms and frowned. “I don’t think our mamm trusts me. Truth be told, she probably still thinks I’m the one responsible for all the vandalism that’s been done here since Dad, Abe, and Toby died.”

  “Don’t be silly Henry. It’s been a long time since Mom’s suspected you, and since you weren’t at home when some of the things were done, she has no reason to believe it was you.”

  He pulled out a chair and sat down. “Guess you’re right. As soon as I drink my cider, I’m going out in the yard to look for birds—or maybe I’ll climb up into the loft like I’ve done before. I prefer goin’ up there, ’cause it’s got a nice soft place with loose hay to sit and lean into.” Henry gulped some cider and licked his lips clean. “The vantage point is nice because I can see into the big tree in our yard. There can be a lot of bird action goin’ on in that old maple.”

  “That explains why you like to go up there more than not.” Sylvia opened the pantry door and took out the ingredients needed to make cornmeal muffins. If we could get to the bottom of who’s responsible for the vandalism, no one would be a suspect anymore.

  Virginia pulled open the door to her mailbox. After retrieving the mail, she stood thumbing through each piece. She couldn’t help glancing up her neighbors’ driveway to take a look around. Her thought was to catch someone outside to chat with about the upcoming wedding. Hopefully it might lead to a verbal invitation.

  Virginia saw no one in sight. The place appeared quiet and still. Think I’ve done a decent job of playing nice to these Amish neighbors, and I really want Stella to come for another visit.

  Her forehead wrinkled. Still no invitation in the mail from the Kings, and that wedding was just a month away. Virginia had gone over to the greenhouse a few weeks ago, and dropped a couple more hints about the wedding, asking when they’d be mailing out invitations. Belinda had been really busy that day and hurriedly said, “About a month before the wedding.”

  Virginia slammed the flap shut, and after looking both ways, she limped back across the street. I wonder if they forgot about us. This really stresses me out.

  Virginia drew in a couple of deep breaths and tried to calm herself. Of course, maybe one of them might come over and deliver the invitation in person. “At least I can console myself with that,” she mumbled as she made her way up to the house.

  A robin flew past and landed on the garage roof. Virginia watched it preen itself for a minute. She thought the Kings’ yard and the feeders they had hanging brought a lot of bird activity.

  I should buy myself a few of those bird hoppers to draw more birds into our yard, but Earl might think it’s silly and too expensive.

  Once inside, she tossed the mail on the coffee table. She’d hoped she might catch one of the King family members outside, but that hadn’t panned out.

  Virginia’s fingers trembled as she pulled them through the ends of her hair. I’ve got to calm my nerves. Maybe some coffee would help, but I know something else that would take the edge off.

  Virginia went to the hall closet and took out a metal box where she’d hid a carton of cigarettes. If Earl knew she had started smoking again, he’d have a conniption.

  She took one cigarette out and put the rest back, then walked out to the kitchen and looked at the clock. “I’ve got plenty of time to ease my stress before starting supper.” She stepped over to her mug, filled it with creamer from the refrigerator, and then topped it off with coffee.

  After grabbing a book of matches, Virginia went out the back door and took a seat at the picnic table. Once her cigarette had been lit, she took a puff and inhaled deeply before blowing out the smoke. “Ah, that’s better. Now I feel more relaxed.”

  Virginia propped her bum leg on a nearby chair. As the sunshine warmed her up, she admired the pretty flowerbed that held an abundant array of flowers. The hanging baskets she’d put up also added a splash of color up under the eaves of the house. She’d bought all the plants from the greenhouse across the street. So far they looked happy, slowly putting on more buds. “At least these plants should do well, since I didn’t add any of that dumb horse manure to the soil. My poor tomato plants—now that was sure a waste last year.” Virginia took another puff from her cigarette.

  Virginia had quit smoking nearly a year ago, but since moving to a place she didn’t like, she’d started up again whenever she felt testy. Virginia kept the evidence well-hidden and always smoked outside and made sure her clothes were aired out or washed before Earl came home from work. She used mouthwash and toothpaste to freshen her breath and either washed her hair or applied a lot of hairspray and perfume to mask the smoky odor. So far Earl hadn’t caught on, and she aimed to keep it that way.

  After I finish my cigarette, think I’ll get out the binoculars and watch whatever birds come into the yard. If that gets boring, I may sit on the front porch and spy on the neighbors.

  Clymer

  “Look what came in the mail today,” Ezekiel said when he entered the kitchen, where Michelle had breakfast waiting for him. He held an envelope out to her and grinned.

  She looked at the return address. “It’s from Amy, right?”

  He nodded. “Go ahead and open it.”

  She opened the flap carefully and removed a card. “It’s our invitation to her and Jared’s wedding.” Michelle put her arms around Ezekiel and gave him a hug. “I can hardly wait to witness their marriage and see all the rest of our family and friends in Strasburg.”

  “Same here. It’s been five months since we last saw them, and by the time we arrive for the wedding, it’ll be six.”

  “Will we get to go a few days early so we can help out? As you well know, there’s a lot to be done those last few days before the big event.”

  “You’re right, and we will definitely want to be there for that.”

  Excitement bubbled in Michelle’s soul. How wonderful it will be to see not only Ezekiel’s family but Mary Ruth, Lenore, and maybe even Sara as well. Until then, Michelle would count off each one of the days. The first Thursday of October couldn’t come soon enough.

  Strasburg

  Virginia remained at the picnic table, drinking more coffee, while working on a crossword puzzle. This one was harder than most in the book she’d purchased last week, but she was determined to finish the puzzle, even if she had to get out the dictionary for help.

  As she sat trying to decide what a word meant for “someone who complains a lot,” something rubbed against her leg.

 
Virginia looked down, and her eyes widened when she saw a gray-and-white cat with its furry tail flipping back and forth across her leg.

  “Now where’d you come from?” She leaned over and pet the critter’s soft head. Virginia had never seen the cat before and wondered if it was a stray.

  “You lookin’ for food?” She continued to stroke the cat. “I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you except maybe a bowl of milk or a can of tuna.”

  She pulled her hand back and thumped the side of her head. “What am I thinking? If I feed the stray, he’s bound to keep coming around. Nope, not a good idea. I need to use some common sense.”

  “Common sense about what?”

  Virginia whirled around. “Earl, what are you doing home so early?” She glanced at her cell phone. “It’s only two o’clock.”

  “I’ve been fighting a headache all day, so the boss said I could go home.” He gestured to the metal-framed hammock he’d bought earlier this summer and set up on the patio. “I thought maybe a cold beer and a nap in that might help.”

  “It’s too hot to sleep out here. Why don’t you go inside and lie on the bed?”

  “Because I want to take my nap outside.”

  Meow!

  Earl looked toward Virginia’s feet, and his brows shot up. “Where’d that mangy cat come from?”

  “It’s not mangy, and it just showed up here a few minutes ago. I have no idea where it came from.”

  “Well it’s not staying.” Earl clapped his hands as he took a few steps toward Virginia.

  The poor cat took off like it had been shot out of a cannon.

  Virginia scowled at him. “Now look what you’ve done. I bet that poor animal will never come back.”

  “Exactly.” Earl put his nose in the air and sniffed. “What’s that putrid odor?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t smell anything.”

  “Smells like cigarette smoke.” He sniffed again. “Virginia, have you started smoking again?”