The Hope Jar

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “We’d better get busy cleaning up the greenhouse and trying to repot the fallen plants before any customers show up.” Dad went to get the broom.

  “How’d things go at the singing last night, Ezekiel?” Mom asked as she knelt to pick up two potted plants. “We were already in bed when you got home, and I forgot to ask this morning during breakfast.”

  Ezekiel gave a forced laugh. “Let’s just say, it didn’t go as well as I’d hoped.”

  She tipped her head, looking up at him. “What do you mean?”

  “Sara didn’t have that good of a time.”

  “How come?”

  “She expected we would sit with each other.”

  “Well, that’s what you get for takin’ an English girl to an Amish function.” Dad entered the greenhouse and started sweeping up the dirt on the floor. “You should have invited Lenore or one of the other available Amish women.”

  Ezekiel knew if he responded he and Dad would end up arguing. So instead of offering a comeback, he went down on his knees to pick up a couple of clay pots. As soon as things slowed down in the greenhouse today, he planned to check on his bees.

  Ezekiel headed out to the far edge of their property to tend his bees. As he approached, he was surprised to see one of the boxes had been knocked over. Several bees hovered around the fallen hive, trying to get back inside.

  Staring at the box on the ground, Ezekiel figured some animal must have knocked over the hive. He didn’t think it was a bear, although it was not uncommon to have bear sightings around Lancaster County. A recent newspaper article stated that a captured bear had been released in the game lands north of Harrisburg, but he doubted one would travel this far.

  Ezekiel tapped his foot. Course, I guess it could have been a bear. They do love honey, as well as feasting on the bees. They like to eat the bee’s larvae as well.

  But after looking at the damage a little more closely, Ezekiel figured maybe a raccoon or even a skunk got into the hive. Probably the same critter that had gotten into the greenhouse and made a mess.

  In a hurry to get the hive set back up, Ezekiel didn’t take the time to put on a head net. Big mistake! Buzzing bees swarmed all around his face. The next thing he knew, he’d been stung in several places. Already, he could feel his cheeks beginning to swell.

  Ezekiel groaned. “That’s just great. I was going over to see Sara later today for another buggy-driving lesson. How can I go there looking like this? I’ll be lucky if I can even see to drive the horse and buggy.”

  Michelle went into the barn to look at more of the notes she’d found in the prayer jar. Each time she did this, she came away with something new to ponder. One of the messages she’d found today was in the form of a prayer and dealt with bitterness.

  “Dear Lord,” Michelle read silently, “I don’t mean to feel bitter, but the hurt in my heart has festered like an embedded splinter. I heard it said once that hurt fertilizes bitterness, making it grow like a weed. That’s exactly what has happened to me.”

  “I can relate to that,” Michelle mumbled. “I’ve lived through a series of hurts in my life. Mom and Dad hurt me. My foster parents hurt me, and so did Jerry.”

  She shifted on the bale of straw, wondering how to go about freeing herself from bitterness caused by deep-seated hurt. She couldn’t simply wave a magic wand over her head and ask it to go away. If it were possible to dispel the hurts life brought, there had to be something more.

  Hearing a horse and buggy pull into the yard, Michelle hurried to put the jar away. The note, however, she slipped into her jean’s pocket. If Willis and Mary Ruth had returned home, she didn’t want them to see what she had discovered. The two prayer jars she’d found had become Michelle’s little secret.

  Outside in the yard, she discovered Ezekiel’s buggy, not the Lapps’. Michelle smiled and waved, but when he stepped down and moved closer to her, she looked at him with concern. “What happened, Ezekiel? Your cheeks are red and swollen.”

  “I know. I stupidly didn’t bother to put on my protection mask when I went to take care of the bees this morning, and believe me, I paid the price for it.” He grunted. “Found one of the hives had been knocked over—probably by a raccoon or some other critter. And when I went to pick it up, the bees came after me.”

  “That’s a shame. Are you okay?”

  He nodded. “Mom had some stuff to put on the stings, and she gave me a homeopathic remedy called Apis mellifica. It helped quite a bit with the pain and kept the swelling from getting worse.”

  “That’s good about the remedy, but I’m sorry about your beehive.”

  Ezekiel scrunched up his nose. “That’s not all of the trouble we faced this morning. When we went into the greenhouse, we discovered that some animal had been in there and knocked over several plants, making a mess to clean up on the floor.”

  “Sounds like it wasn’t a good start to your day.”

  “That’s for sure.”

  “Well, I’m glad it wasn’t any worse.” Michelle reached out to rub Big Red’s ears. “So what brings you by today, Ezekiel? Shouldn’t you still be at the greenhouse working?”

  “Nope. My dad said I could have the rest of the day off. Think he felt sorry for me when he saw what the bees did.” He secured his horse to the hitching rail. “I came by for two reasons. First, to see if you’d like another buggy-driving lesson, and second, to invite you to my birthday supper tomorrow evening.”

  “That sounds nice, but are your parents okay with me being there? I’m not part of the family or anything.”

  Ezekiel waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that. It’s my birthday, and they said I could invite whoever I want. I’ll come over and pick you up around five. Is that okay?”

  Despite Michelle’s apprehension over what his parents would think, the idea of helping Ezekiel celebrate his birthday gave her a sense of joy. “I look forward to it, and will be ready by five.”

  Chapter 30

  Hallich gebottsdaag, Son.” Ezekiel’s mother gave him a hug as soon as he entered the kitchen.

  “Danki, Mom.”

  Ezekiel’s father, sister, and two brothers echoed Mom’s happy birthday greeting as they all took seats around the breakfast table.

  He grinned. “Thanks, everyone.”

  “I made your favorite johnnycake to go with fried eggs and ham.” Mom placed a platter on the table, along with a basket filled with the tasty cornmeal biscuits that had been baked in a square pan and cut into several thick pieces.

  Ezekiel smacked his lips. “Yum. You’re spoiling me today, Mom.”

  She smiled and gave his shoulder a pat before taking her seat at the table. Then all heads bowed for silent prayer. When the prayer was over, Mom passed the food around, starting with Ezekiel.

  As he looked around at his family, Ezekiel felt a true sense of belonging. If he decided to go English and move away, he would miss the closeness they had. But a few others he knew who had jumped the fence kept in touch with their families, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Ezekiel certainly wouldn’t want to be completely cut off from his folks or siblings. So if he decided to go English, he would make sure to visit as often as possible. Hopefully, they would visit him too.

  “Are you looking forward to your birthday supper this evening?” Amy asked. “Our big sister and her husband are expected to be here, so the whole familye will be together.”

  Ezekiel nodded before biting into one of the johnnycakes. “I invited Sara to join us too.”

  Mom’s brows furrowed, and Dad cleared his throat real loud. “We were planning to keep this more of a family get-together.”

  “I’m sorry about that, but I thought it’d be a good chance for you all to get to know Sara better.” Ezekiel took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. It didn’t take a genius to see that his parents didn’t approve of Sara. Which was why they needed to get to know her.

  Mom wiped a speck of egg yolk from her chin before looking at him. “I suppose having Sara
here will be all right, since I also invited Lenore and a couple of your other friends.”

  Dad cast her a sidelong glance, but said nothing.

  “It’s a good thing the swelling in your cheeks has gone down.” Abe bumped Ezekiel’s arm. “With all that company we’ll be having this evening, you wouldn’t want to show up looking like a squirrel with his cheeks full of nuts.”

  Ezekiel bumped his brother back. “Very funny.”

  “So what are ya hopin’ to get for your birthday this year?” young Henry chimed in.

  “Maybe some new bee supplies, or a cover for—” Ezekiel stopped short of finishing his sentence. He’d almost said he would like a cover for the seat of his truck. He’d done a good job so far hiding his purchase from Mom and Dad and didn’t want to blow it. If they found out the truth, it would put an end to any kind of birthday celebration.

  “A cover for what, Ezekiel?” Mom asked.

  “Um … I was thinking a throw cover or blanket would be nice to have in my buggy for when the weather gets colder.” Internally, Ezekiel justified what he’d said, because it wasn’t really a lie. It would be nice to have a new blanket to drape over his or any passenger’s legs when it felt chilly while riding in the buggy.

  At five o’clock on the dot, Ezekiel showed up to take Michelle to his house for his birthday supper. Looking out the kitchen window, she watched him pull his horse and buggy up to the hitching rail. She was certain he wouldn’t have picked her up in his truck. Especially since he’d be taking her to his parents’ house to spend the evening. He no doubt had said nothing to them about his recent purchase.

  “Ezekiel’s here, Grandma. So I’m gonna head out now.” It was strange, but Michelle had actually gotten used to calling the Lapps Grandma and Grandpa.

  Mary Ruth turned from where she stood at the stove, preparing supper for her and Willis. “Have a good time, and please tell Ezekiel we said happy birthday.”

  “I sure will.” Michelle grabbed the gift bag she had for Ezekiel, along with a sweater in case the air turned chilly, and went out the back door. She found him waiting near his buggy.

  “You look really nice tonight, Sara.” He touched the sleeve of her dress—another simple one Mary Ruth had made, only this one was green. “I’m glad you were free to come to my house for supper.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it. Happy birthday, Ezekiel.” She handed him the present. “I hope you like what I got.”

  He smiled down at her. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Just spending the evening with you is gift enough for me.”

  Michelle felt an ache at the back of her throat. Ezekiel was so sweet and kind. She enjoyed being with him more than any man she’d ever met. Even more than Brad, she realized for the first time. “Would you like to open your gift now? Or would you rather wait till we get to your house?”

  “Think I’ll open it now.” Ezekiel reached inside the gift bag and smiled when he withdrew a pair of binoculars. “Well, what do ya know? I lost my old pair about a year ago and haven’t gotten around to replacing them.” He leaned close to Michelle and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you very much.”

  Michelle’s pulse quickened. While uncertain of Ezekiel’s intentions, she’d never received such a gentle, heartfelt kiss before. It was nothing like Jerry’s smothering, forceful kisses, showing no tenderness at all. Being with Ezekiel was like a breath of fresh air. If she could stay here in Lancaster County permanently, Michelle felt that she could most certainly fall in love with this man. But she couldn’t allow herself to give in to those feelings—not with her leaving this place soon. It wouldn’t be fair to Ezekiel—assuming he felt the same way about her, which she suspected he might.

  “Well, shall we get going?” Ezekiel opened the passenger’s door for Michelle. “Sure don’t wanna hold up my birthday meal. Mom wouldn’t like that at all.”

  “And I couldn’t blame her.” Still unsure and a bit nervous about how his family would react to her being there, Michelle hoped everything would turn out all right.

  Ezekiel guided his horse and buggy into a long driveway, which had a sign at the entrance that read: Kings’ A-Bloom Greenhouse. Several large, majestic oak trees lined the driveway heading to the house. It surprised Michelle to see the lovely home Ezekiel’s parents had. It was a large farmhouse done in stunning limestone. The cooper roof appeared to have developed a beautiful patina, no doubt after years of exposure to the weather. Beautiful flowers adorned window boxes on the entire main level, and colorful flowerbeds throughout the property made the lush green yard even more attractive.

  They passed the house and drove toward the back, where a huge barn sat. The lower half was done in limestone, to match the house, while the upper half was wood and had been painted white. The barn also had a metal roof, but it was hunter green. Beyond the barn stood a greenhouse that seemed to stretch for miles. Michelle looked forward to visiting it someday, as she felt certain there’d be an overwhelming amount of pretty flowers and plenty of shrubs to check out.

  Ezekiel glanced at Sara from across the table. Mom had somehow made sure to seat her opposite of him and put Lenore in the seat to his left. She was up to her old tricks again, and it irked Ezekiel to no end. His siblings were all polite and friendly to Sara, but his parents were another matter. Mom and Dad were obviously uncomfortable with Ezekiel’s English guest, although she kept trying to make conversation with them. Did she sense his parents’ disapproval?

  Ezekiel figured their main complaint was Sara being English. Did they think she would sway him to leave home and not join the Amish church? Were they worried she might try to turn him against his family? Ezekiel thought he knew Sara pretty well, and there was no way she would do any of those things.

  Ezekiel’s cousin Raymond, who sat on the other side of him, leaned closer and said quietly, “My daed wants you to move your truck. It’s in the way, and he needs it to be gone by noon tomorrow.”

  The whole room got deathly quiet. Apparently they’d all heard every word Raymond had said. Ezekiel’s face heated, and Raymond covered his mouth with the palm of his hand. “Oops! Sorry, Cousin. I didn’t mean to spill the beans or for anyone to hear me.”

  Ezekiel’s father’s lips pressed into a white slash. “What’s this about a truck?” He leveled an icy stare at Ezekiel.

  Ezekiel felt like a bird that was about to be devoured by a hungry hawk. He was caught and had no choice but to fess up. “I bought a truck, Dad. And I parked it at Raymond’s place because I knew you’d never allow me to have it here.”

  Dad’s face reddened as he swatted at thin air. “Ya got that right!”

  Mom sat beside Dad, tapping all five fingers of her right hand against the tabletop, but she never said a word. She didn’t have to. Her clenched jaw and deep frown said it all.

  Ezekiel looked at his brothers and sisters, hoping one of them might take his side, but they all remained quiet with their eyes averted. Sara also sat quietly, looking down at her half-eaten plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and pickled beets.

  I shoulda told my folks the truth sooner, Ezekiel berated himself. And I should have never trusted Raymond to keep quiet about the truck.

  Dad leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “You are either going to sell the truck or find another place to live. Is that clear?”

  “But Dad, I just turned twenty-four and shouldn’t be treated like a child.”

  His father glared at him. “Then you oughta stop acting like one. And need I remind you that you’re way past the normal age of someone joining the church?” He shook his finger, the way he used to when Ezekiel was a young boy. “You’d better make up your mind soon, before it’s too late.”

  Too late for what? Ezekiel felt tempted to pound his fists against the table, but he held himself in check. Gritting his teeth, he pushed back the chair he sat upon and stood. “You’d better get your purse and sweater, Sara. It’s time for me to take you home.”

  Without a word, she rose to
her feet and followed him out the door. So much for a happy birthday. Ezekiel had only two choices now—sell the truck or move out and find a place of his own. Neither seemed like a good choice, but he’d have to make a decision, and soon.

  Chapter 31

  Saturday morning, after looking at and pondering more of the writings inside the prayer jar she’d found in the basement, Michelle decided to take a walk down the road. For a day this late in the summer, it was beautiful—warm, but comfortable, with low humidity. The mugginess in the country was a bit easier to take than in the city. She remembered the nights in her apartment back in Philadelphia when it was almost too hard to breathe. At least here in the wide-open spaces, she didn’t feel so constricted and closed in.

  Poor pup. Michelle looked toward the barn when she heard Rascal whimpering. She felt kind of bad for leaving Rascal at home but didn’t want the puppy to get used to walking along the road, where he could get hit by a car or even a horse and buggy. Besides, she was miffed at him this morning. She’d found the little dickens out behind the barn, chewing on the canvas hat that had gone missing. Apparently Rascal had found it, and now the hat was practically shredded. Definitely not good enough to wear any longer. So after scolding the puppy and taking what was left of the hat away, Michelle decided to work off her frustration by taking a walk. Some time alone would also be good for reflecting on how things had gone at Ezekiel’s birthday supper.

  Michelle had been getting to know the people in the community and felt close to the Lapps. But if Ezekiel’s parents found out who she really was, they’d have a good cause to dislike her. While they hadn’t actually said the words to her face, Michelle felt sure from their coolness toward her that Vernon and Belinda King didn’t think she was the right girl for their son. No doubt they would prefer someone like Lenore for Ezekiel.