Love,
Papa
Allison let the letter slip from her fingers as a cold chill rippled across her shoulders. “Oh, dear God, please don’t let Aunt Catherine die before I get home. I need the chance to speak with her.”
Chapter 25
As if in a daze, Allison made her way back downstairs. She found Aunt Mary in the kitchen with Katie’s mother and a few other ladies from their community.
“I need to speak with you,” Allison said, stepping up to her aunt.
“Certainly. What did you need?” Aunt Mary asked with a pleasant smile.
“Can we find somewhere private to talk?”
“Jah, sure.” Aunt Mary led the way to her room and took a seat on her bed, motioning for Allison to join her. “What’s this all about?” she asked.
Allison swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I got a letter from my daed today, with some very bad news.”
Aunt Mary’s eyes widened. “What kind of bad news?”
“Aunt Catherine has colon cancer, and it–it’s spreading.”
“I’m so sorry to hear of this.”
“I’ve got to go home,” Allison said with a catch in her voice. “Papa and Peter need my help. So does Aunt Catherine.”
“We’ll be sad to see you go, but I certainly understand.” Aunt Mary clasped Allison’s hand. “Maybe you can return to Webster County when things are better.”
Allison shook her head. “I don’t think things are going to get better. Papa says Aunt Catherine has refused all forms of treatment, so I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before she dies.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “I need to speak to her about Jesus. I need to be sure she’s accepted Him as her Savior.”
Aunt Mary nodded. “Jah, that’s the most important thing.”
“Could I talk to you for a minute?” Joseph asked Katie when she brought a jug of water out to him. “Someplace in private?”
“Of course.” She motioned to the side of the house, where there was a shady maple tree. “How about over there?”
“That’ll be fine.”
Katie led the way, and Joseph followed. When they were under the tree, she turned to him and smiled. “Is everything okay?”
Joseph wiped the sweat from his forehead and grimaced. “I asked my daed the other day if I could go to work in his harness shop, and he said I could. But when I told him that I needed the job so I could marry you, he wasn’t so pleased.”
“How come? Doesn’t he like me? Does he think I won’t make you a good wife?”
“It’s not that. Papa likes you just fine. He just thinks we’re too young, that’s all.”
Katie swallowed against the burning in her throat. “I guess no one thinks we’re ready for marriage.”
“After thinking and praying about things, I think they may be right.” Joseph reached for her hand. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t want to work in the harness shop, but I would if it meant we could be married soon.”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t want you working at a job you didn’t enjoy. As much as I dislike saying this, I think it’s best that we wait until we’re both a bit older and you’ve found a job you really like.”
He nodded and smiled. “Is it any wonder I love you so much, Katie Esh? You’re exactly what I need.”
She stared lovingly into his eyes. “You’re what I need, Joseph Zook.”
Aaron had just returned to the work site with a can of nails when he spotted Joseph heading his way. He figured this might be a good time to confront Joseph about working at the harness shop, since he hadn’t been able to say what was on his mind as they’d traveled here this morning. Not with Zachary’s big ears listening to everything they said.
“We need to talk,” Aaron said when Joseph approached him. “Meet me over by the buggy shed.”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed. “What’s up?”
“I want to discuss something with you.”
“Jah, okay.”
Joseph headed for the buggy shed, and Aaron did the same. He was relieved to see no one else was about.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Joseph asked, leaning against the side of the shed.
“It’s about working in the harness shop.”
“Oh, that.”
“If you really want to work in the shop, there’s nothing I can do, but if you’ve got it in your head that you’d like to own the place someday, then I take exception.”
Joseph’s mouth dropped open like a broken window hinge. “Own the place? Ach, Aaron, no such thought has ever entered my mind.”
“Then how come you asked Paul if you could work there?”
“Because I need a full-time job.” Joseph grunted. “ ’Course that’s not so much the case now.”
Aaron wrinkled his forehead. “I’m confused. What are you talking about?”
“As you’ve probably guessed, I’m in love with Katie, and we were hoping to get married soon.”
“From the way you get all starry-eyed whenever Katie’s around, I kind of figured you were in love,” Aaron said. “But I had no idea you were thinking of getting married.”
“Thinking and wanting is about as far as it’s gone.” Joseph slowly shook his head. “Her folks said I’d need to have a full-time job and that they thought we were too young to be thinking about marriage. When I mentioned it to Papa, he said pretty much the same thing.” He shrugged and released a groan. “I figured after three negative votes, there wasn’t much point in talkin’ to Mama about it.”
“Let me get this straight. You thought if you had a full-time job you’d be able to marry Katie?”
Joseph nodded.
“I have to agree with the others. There’s a lot more to marriage than just being in love, Joseph.”
“Humph! What makes you such an expert on the subject of love and marriage? Until recently, I’ve never seen you take much interest in any woman.”
“Things are different now, and I need to be sure my job at the harness shop is secure—in case I should decide to marry.”
“Well, you needn’t worry about that, because I’ve changed my mind about working there. I’ve never really cared much for the smells in that shop, and spending eight or nine hours a day cutting and dying leather really isn’t what would make me happy.”
“What would make you happy?”
Joseph shrugged. “I haven’t figured that out yet. But when I do, you’ll be one of the first to know.”
Aaron chuckled. “After Katie, you mean?”
“Jah. After her.”
“I’m glad we had this little talk,” Aaron said. “I feel much better about things, and now I’m free to ask—” Aaron stopped talking when he noticed Allison heading his way. He needed to get rid of Joseph so he could speak to her in private.
As if he could read Aaron’s mind, Joseph said, “Well, I’d better get back to the work site.” He offered Aaron a wide smile. “See you later, big brother.”
As Allison passed Joseph on her way to speak with Aaron, she hoped he wouldn’t detain her with small talk. To her relief, he merely smiled and moved swiftly over to the work site. She hurried over to where Aaron stood by the buggy shed, hoping for the right words and praying she wouldn’t break down in front of him.
“Allison, I was hoping I’d get the chance to talk to you again,” Aaron said. “I just got some good news.”
“I could use some good news about now,” she said. “What’s your good news?”
“Joseph was planning to work at the harness shop, but he informed me that he’s changed his mind.”
Allison had no idea why that was good news to Aaron, but she knew if she didn’t say what was on her mind quickly, she might lose her nerve. “I came over here to tell you what was in that letter I got from my daed this morning.”
“Did he give you an answer about staying on here longer?”
She nodded, as tears stung the backs of her eyes. “He said he would have been fine with the idea, but
things have changed at home, so he couldn’t give his approval.”
Aaron frowned. “What’s changed?”
“My aunt Catherine has colon cancer, and it’s spreading to other parts of her body.” She swallowed hard. “I’m needed at home to care for my family.”
Aaron stood for several seconds, rocking back and forth on his heels. “I’m sorry to hear about your aunt, but couldn’t your daed find someone to—”
Allison shook her head. “I’m not just needed to cook and clean for them. I need to go home so I can tell Aunt Catherine about Jesus.”
Aaron looked at Allison like she’d taken leave of her senses. “She doesn’t know about Jesus?”
“She knows about Him, but I don’t believe she knows Him in a personal way.”
“I see. Then I guess it’s important for someone to tell her.”
Allison nodded. “Aunt Catherine and I have never been close, and I’m not even sure she’ll listen to anything I have to say. But I have to try, Aaron.” Tears clouded her vision and dribbled onto her cheeks.
“You will write to me, won’t you?”
“Of course. I’ll write as often as I can.”
“I’ll write you, too.” Aaron pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back. “Will you come back to Missouri?”
“I. . .I’m not sure. I want to, but I’ll have to wait and see how things go.” She sniffed. While she wouldn’t tell Aaron, she believed that once she returned home, she would never see him again.
Chapter 26
As Allison stood with Aunt Mary in front of Lazy Lee’s Gas Station on Monday morning, tears welled in her eyes and mixed with the raindrops that had begun to fall. The much-needed rain they’d been praying for was finally here, and it seemed fitting that the clouds overhead would add their tears to her own. Instead of taking her homemade Amish dolls to the chiropractor’s office so the receptionist could offer them to a gift shop in Branson, Allison now waited for a bus that would take her home.
It pained her to leave Aunt Mary and her family, and it especially hurt to be going away from Aaron. It had been hard to tell him she was returning to Pennsylvania, and even more difficult to admit she didn’t know when or if she might return to Missouri. Even though she and Aaron had promised to write to each other, it wouldn’t be easy to carry on a longdistance relationship. She wished she could have offered Aaron a guarantee that she would come back, but there were no guarantees. She didn’t know how long she would be needed at home, and if Aunt Catherine died, Papa would need someone to cook and keep house for him.
Allison could still see the forlorn look on Aaron’s face when they’d said good-bye yesterday in front of the buggy shed. She had longed to say she loved him and ask if he would wait for her, in case she was able to return to Missouri. But that wouldn’t have been fair. As much as it hurt, she would have to let Aaron go. He deserved the freedom to move on with his life and find someone else to marry.
“We’ll surely miss you,” Aunt Mary said, breaking into Allison’s thoughts. “We’ll be praying that God might offer a miracle for your daed’s sister.”
Allison nodded. “It would be wunderbaar if she was healed of her cancer, but as I’ve mentioned before, I’m more worried about healing for her soul.”
“We’ll be praying about that, too.” Aunt Mary smiled and slipped her arm around Allison’s waist. “I’ll ask God to give you the chance to witness to your aunt Catherine, just as you did with James.”
“Danki, I’m praying for that, too.” Allison glanced over her shoulder. A part of her had secretly hoped Aaron would come to see her off this morning. But maybe it was for the best that he hadn’t shown up. A tearful good-bye in front of Aunt Mary or anyone else waiting for the bus would have been too difficult.
“I appreciate your willingness to see if you can sell the dolls I’m leaving with you, and I’m also glad you gave Bessie permission to take my kitten,” Allison said, hoping the change of subject might lessen her pain. “There wouldn’t be much point in me taking the dolls with me, and since Aunt Catherine doesn’t like pets, I couldn’t take Shadow.”
“I don’t mind keeping the dolls or your cat,” Aunt Mary replied. “But I do hope you will continue making faceless dolls when you get home.”
Allison shook her head. “I doubt there’ll be enough time for that, since I’ll have so many chores to do. Not to mention that I’ll be needed to help care for Aunt Catherine as she nears the end.”
“I understand, but if you do find any free time, sewing might be good therapy for you.”
“I’ll have to see how it goes.” Allison looked at the piece of luggage sitting at her feet. All the clothes she had brought to Missouri were inside the suitcase, but one important item was missing—the little faceless doll her mother had made for her before she died. It didn’t feel right leaving without that precious doll; yet all that remained of it was the small white kapp Aaron had found in the flower bed.
After Allison had made a thorough search of the room, she’d resigned herself to the fact that someone had indeed taken it. She had questioned everyone in Aunt Mary’s family and searched the house and barn, but the doll hadn’t turned up anywhere.
“If you ever find the faceless doll my mamm made, would you mail it to me?” Allison asked Aunt Mary.
“Of course, and I’ll ask everyone in the family to keep an eye out for it.”
The rumble of the bus pulling into the parking lot brought a fresh set of tears to Allison’s eyes. She was about to leave Webster County behind, along with so many people she had come to love. At least she was returning home a little better equipped to run a house, and for that she felt thankful.
While Allison’s suitcase was being loaded into the baggage compartment, she turned and gave Aunt Mary a hug. “Danki for everything—especially for showing me how to find the Lord.” Her voice broke and she swallowed hard. “Come visit us sometime if you can.”
Aunt Mary nodded as tears trickled down her cheeks. “I’ll be praying that you’ll be able to come back here again, too.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Herman said as he took a seat on the sofa beside his sister.
“What is it?” Catherine asked, barely giving him a glance.
“I wrote Allison a letter the other day and told her about your condition.”
“Figured you would,” she mumbled. “Never could trust you to keep your word.”
Herman fought the urge to argue with her. Catherine always had to be right. He cleared his throat a couple of times. “The thing is I asked if Allison would come home.”
“You did what?” Catherine’s voice trembled, and her usually pale face turned crimson.
“Allison is needed here, and—”
“I told you I didn’t want her help.”
“I know what you said, but I also know that you can no longer keep up with things around here.”
“Write her back and tell her not to come.”
“It’s too late for that; she called me the same day she got my letter and said she’s coming home. Fact is, she should be on the bus by now and will be here in a couple of days.”
Catherine folded her arms and stared straight ahead. “Then I guess there’s nothing more to be said.”
As Aaron guided his horse and buggy into Lazy Lee’s, he scanned the parking lot, filled with numerous mud puddles. There was no sign of Allison or her aunt out front. Had he arrived too late to say one final good-bye?
A vision of Allison’s face popped into his head. He could still see her sad expression when she’d told him she was leaving. He could still smell the aroma of peaches from her freshly shampooed hair and hear the pain in her voice as she’d murmured, “I’ll write you as often as I can.”
Aaron pulled on the reins and halted his horse near the back of the station, where a hitching rail had been erected for Amish buggies. Maybe the bus hadn’t come yet. Allison might be waiting inside, out of the rain. He jumped down from the buggy, tied the
horse to the rail, and dashed into the building.
Aaron glanced around the place, noting the numerous racks of fast-food items and shelves full of oil cans, wiper blades, and other things the Englishers used on their cars. A man and a woman sat at one of the tables near the front of the store, eating sub sandwiches. But there was no sign of Allison or Mary. Could they have gone to the ladies’ room?
“Has the bus come in yet?” Aaron asked the middle-aged man behind the counter.
“Yep. Came and left again.”
“How long ago?” It was a crazy notion, but if the bus wasn’t too far ahead, Aaron thought maybe he could catch up to it along the highway.
“It’s been a good ten or fifteen minutes now,” the station attendant replied.
Aaron’s heart took a nosedive. He was too late. There was no hope of him catching the bus; it was well on its way to Springfield. He’d thought saying good-bye to Allison yesterday would be good enough, but this morning as he was getting ready for work, he’d changed his mind. With Paul’s permission, he had hitched his horse to a buggy and headed for Seymour, with the need to see Allison burning in his soul. He needed to hold her one last time and let her know how much he loved her.
“You wantin’ to buy anything?”
The question from the store clerk halted Aaron’s thoughts. “Uh. . .no. Just came in to see if the bus had come yet.”
“As I said before, you’ve missed it.”
With shoulders slumped and head down, Aaron shuffled to the front door, feeling like a heavy chunk of leather was weighing him down. Would he ever see Allison again?
Allison's Journey Page 19