The Bridesmaid

by Beverly Lewis

  Despite the weather, she’d arrived a few minutes before the designated time. After all, it would be a shame to have missed Eben’s call. But now that she was here and the hour had passed, she wondered if something had come up on his end, maybe, to keep him from getting to the phone.

  It was snowing harder, and the wind blew through the openings around the door. All the little cracks in the shanty that helped keep the place cool on the hottest days of summer made it downright frigid now.

  Just when she was beginning to think he might not call after all, the phone rang. Joanna let it ring twice, so as not to appear too eager. “Hullo?” she answered, feeling terribly shy.

  “Joanna?”

  “Jah. Is this Eben?”

  “It’s so gut to hear your voice.”

  “Yours too.”

  “I’m sorry it’s a little later than I’d planned, but it couldn’t be helped.” He explained that the phone had been tied up. “You just never know with these community telephones.”

  “That’s all right.” It was such fun hearing him, and he sounded so happy to talk to her. She wanted to flutter around; it was all she could do to stand still.

  “Our neighbors to the north have a phone installed in their barn, but so far my father will have nothing to do with that.”

  She mentioned that some of the youth there in Hickory Hollow had cell phones. “And so do a few folk who work away from the farm.”

  “What do you think of that?” he asked.

  “Ain’t for me: I’m baptized.”

  He agreed, sounding somewhat relieved. “My bishop only permits them for business use,” he said. “But how’s it possible to enforce?”

  She nodded, then laughed because he couldn’t see her.

  “Ach, you laugh just the way I remember,” Eben said. “How’ve ya been, Joanna?”

  “Real gut, and you?”

  “Oh, just fine. Keepin’ mighty busy here.”

  She loved listening to his voice, but was still curious as to why he’d wanted to call.

  One thing led to another, and soon they fell easily into talking about their weeks. Then he surprised her by asking, “Would it suit for me to come visit, say, next week sometime?”

  Joanna was elated. “Why, sure . . . what day are ya thinkin’?”

  “Thursday or Friday, either one.”

  “Well, we have a wedding on Thursday, so Friday would be better.”

  “All right, then. I’ll ride out with a Mennonite van driver who makes regular trips between here and Lancaster. I’ll grab a cab from there. It’ll be about ten hours to get to your place.”

  “Such a distance! How long can ya stay?” she asked, her heart thumping hard.

  “Just overnight. Then I’ll have to head back the next afternoon.” He mentioned needing to get someone to cover his farm work.

  “So do your parents know, then . . . ’bout us?”

  “I plan to tell them in due time.”

  She smiled. “I haven’t told anyone here, either. We still keep a bit quiet ’bout such things.”

  “We don’t as much anymore here, but I wanted to wait to say anything till a few more things are worked out.”

  She wondered what things he meant. “You’ll need a place to stay.”

  “If that’s all right. Whatever’s best for you and your family, Joanna.”

  Oh, she loved it when he said her name! “I’ll see if you can stay with our neighbors, the Stoltzfuses. That is, if you’re comfortable having the bishop’s in-laws suspect you’re here to see me.”

  He chuckled. “Sounds wonderful-gut.” Pausing, he continued, “I’d like to meet your parents, too.”

  Her heart leaped at the thought. Oh, praise be! This was getting serious! “All right.”

  A gust of wind suddenly pounded against the door.

  “Sounds like a windstorm there,” Eben said.

  “Practically a blizzard.”

  “Will you be all right getting back to the house?” There was concern in his voice.

  “I haven’t far to go and I’m all bundled up, so no worries.”

  “Well, don’t get chilled.”

  “I’ll be quite fine, Eben,” she said, not wanting to hang up just yet.

  “Can’t have my girl catching her death of cold,” he added softly.

  My girl . . .

  Oh, Eben, she thought, shivering now with something more pleasant than cold.

  “Say, I have an idea. What if we talked by phone like this every so often? We could set a regular time. Would ya like that?”

  Would she? “Sounds ever so nice,” she said, hoping her voice sounded calmer than she felt. It was happening at last . . . and just as she’d hoped. Surely he was planning to court her in earnest!

  Then they were discussing several things they might do together during his short visit, and Joanna said she hoped things might warm up. “But ya never know this time of year.”

  “True, but no matter what, we’ll get better acquainted, which is why I’m comin’. That and to meet your family.”

  She smiled into the phone. “I look forward to it.”

  “Jah . . .”

  She could tell Eben was every bit as reluctant to hang up as she was. Eventually, though, she had to tell him she was afraid her flashlight was going to conk out.

  “All right, then, I’ll let you go.” He said he’d write to let her know what time to expect him on Friday. “I hope to get an early enough start so I can arrive sometime in the afternoon.”

  “I’ll see ya soon,” she said.

  “Until then,” he said. “Good-bye, Joanna.”

  “Good-bye.” Slowly she placed the receiver back in its cradle.

  The flashlight dimmed, and she picked it up. She opened the shanty door and ran through the snow, hoping to get home before the light sputtered out completely. Still enraptured by the wunnerbaar-gut phone visit, Joanna scarcely minded the wind and cold.

  Eben’s coming to see me!

  Chapter 4

  The familiar smell of freshly baked cookies greeted Joanna when she returned to the house from the phone shanty.

  “Where’ve you been?” Cora Jane asked, eyeing her sharply.

  Joanna wasn’t ready to reveal her news yet, not without Mamma around. “Oh, just outside.”

  “Well, that’s obvious.” Cora Jane reached for two cookies and sampled both kinds as she continued to watch her. “Well, aren’t you the secret keeper!”

  Joanna ignored that and took her time removing her boots and outerwear. She wanted to savor every moment of her phone chat. Nearly too good to be true!

  The back door opened just then, and there was Dat, his boots tracking in snow. He wiped his feet on the rag rug near the door as usual, just as she had, and looked at her curiously as she hung up her coat and scarf. But he said nothing.

  All during family worship, Cora Jane stared at Joanna, taking away some of her joy. The minute the silent prayers were finished, Joanna slipped upstairs to write in her diary, which she kept hidden between the mattress and the bedsprings.

  “He’s comin’ to visit at long last!” Joanna whispered as she dressed for bed.

  But it was hard to fall asleep, if not impossible, with Eben’s voice still in her head. She cherished everything he’d said and was nearly as excited as the first time they met. Oh, she could scarcely wait to show him around Hickory Hollow!

  The bitter cold and steady winds made delicate designs on the windowpanes the next morning. Joanna was captivated by the frosty patterns when she awakened just as the sun rose, spraying light on them. She’d overslept, and no wonder, having replayed Eben’s phone call happily in her mind throughout the night.

  When should I break the news about him—and his visit—to Dat and Mamma? She pondered this while getting ready for another day of chores prior to the Lord’s Day tomorrow. She took extra care to inspect her best blue church dresses on wooden wall pegs over near the dresser, thinking she’d wear one of them next Friday when
Eben arrived. She wanted to look her very bescht since he hadn’t laid eyes on her all this time.

  Breakfast was applesauce, bacon, and steel-cut oatmeal, which Mamma always said had a way of sticking to your gizzard. Cousin Lena Witmer stopped by right afterward. She didn’t bother knocking, just rushed in, tossing off her boots at the back door. She made her entrance into the kitchen still wearing her outer clothes, her blue eyes aflutter.

  Lena grabbed Joanna’s hand and hurried her upstairs to her room, where she closed the door and fell into Joanna’s arms, coat, mittens, and all. “Oh, cousin, I don’t know what to do!” Lena cried. “I hope you can help me.”

  “What’s happened?” Joanna tried to comfort her, suggesting Lena sit on the bed.

  Lena carried on a bit longer, then managed to wipe her tears away, though she looked terribly forlorn as she sat down. “My sister Verna was going to be my first bridesmaid, but she’s been called away to Wisconsin to help with our father’s ailing sister.” She sighed and seemed to gather herself. “With the wedding next Thursday, I’m out in the cold.”

  Joanna sat beside her. “Have ya thought of askin’ one of your younger sisters?”

  Cousin Lena removed her black outer bonnet and fiddled with the strings. “That’s just the problem: They’re both lined up to be bridesmaids on that day—for Ruthann’s wedding, and our neighbor, Kate Elizabeth’s.”

  Joanna hardly knew what to say. Or think.

  Again, Lena sighed, her eyes tearing up once more. She searched Joanna’s face, then looked away. “I know it’s awful late, but I was wondering if, well, maybe you’d consider standing up with me. Along with my cousin Mary Ruth.”

  Joanna wondered if her surprise registered on her face.

  “I really don’t want to ask anyone but you, Joanna.”

  So she has no other options. . . .

  It may have sounded presumptuous, coming from any other cousin, but Joanna could see poor Lena’s dilemma.

  “Well, it’s nice of you to consider me, but have ya thought of Cora Jane? She’s closer in age,” Joanna suggested.

  Lena wrinkled her nose, then shook her head. “Ach, not sayin’ anything against your sister. It’s just that, well, I much prefer you, Joanna.”

  Joanna wondered whether she’d even have time to sew a bridesmaid dress if she consented. “What color are ya planning?” As was the custom, the two female wedding attendants would dress to match the bride.

  “Plum’s what I chose for under my white cape apron, since nearly all the brides wear blue anymore.”

  “Well, I don’t have a dress that color, but—”

  “Oh, I’ll give you money for the fabric and thread. I’d be ever so glad to.”

  “It’s just that, well . . . I’d need time to sew it.” With Eben’s visit coming up, too, Joanna would be scrambling.

  “I can hem or do whatever ya need.” Cousin Lena smiled. “Denki ever so much, Joanna! You have no idea how grateful I am.”

  Based on Lena’s jubilant reaction, Joanna certainly did understand. And just that quickly she was committed, without even really agreeing. She must try to dismiss the notion that this was to be her fourth time as a bridesmaid, of all things. Once Cora Jane heard this, she’d say Joanna was pushing it for sure. But Joanna felt more confident than ever now, because Eben Troyer was arriving the very day after Cousin Lena’s wedding. To think he was traveling nearly half a day just to see her!

  What’s it matter how many times I’m a bridesmaid? Joanna thought as she hugged Lena good-bye. “I’ll get started with the dress first thing Monday, after the washing’s hung on the line.”

  “Ach, I feel so much better.” Lena kissed her cheek. “Denki, dearest cousin.”

  Joanna walked her downstairs and waited while she donned her black bonnet. Cousin Lena reached to give her another hug. “This means so much to me.”

  “Glad to help,” Joanna said, aware that Cora Jane and Mamma were within earshot now. “I’ll go and get the material and thread this afternoon yet.”

  Waving, Cousin Lena made her way over the snowy walkway to the waiting horse and buggy.

  Just as Joanna thought she might, Cora Jane crept up behind her. “What on earth was that about?”

  Joanna briefly described the pickle Cousin Lena was in.

  Mamma kept silent, but Cora Jane pressed for more. “So she wants you, then?”

  “Guess I know which wedding I’ll be attending.” Quickly changing the subject, Joanna asked to borrow the driving horse. But Mamma said to ask Dat, just in case he needed the mare for a trip of his own.

  With Cora Jane’s eyes boring into her, Joanna slipped on her winter things and headed out to the barn to talk to her father. Truth be known, she was relieved to exit the house. Glad, too, that she just might have an opportunity to talk privately with Dat about Eben’s upcoming visit. Such a father-daughter chat she’d never undertaken before.

  The field mules were dismantling several hay bales in the barnyard as Joanna made her way to the stable. Sliding open the door, she was greeted by the damp, earthy smell of animals and bedding straw.

  She found her father freshening the foals’ area. She stood back before making herself known, waiting for courage. Knowing how reserved her father was, Joanna felt tense about breaking this news.

  She drew a breath, then stepped forward as Dat acknowledged her. “Can I have Krissy for an hour or so? I need to run an errand right quick.”

  Dat nodded his consent.

  Then, while he was still forking straw from the bale, she ventured ahead and brought up Eben. “We met while at Great-Uncle Amos’s funeral back last summer and have been writing since. He’s from Indiana, Dat.” She paused, aware that her hands were clammy inside her gloves. “And . . . somethin’ else. Eben’s comin’ to visit next Friday.”

  When her father said nothing—didn’t even make eye contact—Joanna tried not to make too much of it. After all, this was Dat’s customary response to most things. “He wants to meet you and Mamma, if that’s all right.”

  Her father stopped what he was doing and leaned on the pitchfork. “This is what you want, daughter?”

  “I’m in agreement, jah.”

  Dat frowned. “Is he willing to move here and join our church?”

  “I ’spect so.”

  Dat reached for the pitchfork and resumed his work. At last he said, “Then, jah, we’ll meet him.”

  Joanna had to make herself be still, although she’d much rather have squealed her delight. For Dat’s sake, she remained sedate and calm, at least on the outside. “Denki ever so much!”

  The slightest hint of a smile crossed his face, warming her clear through. Then she turned toward the stall to get the driving horse. A pleasant look is a good start, she told herself.

  So all was well.

  Doubtless Dat would pass the word to Mamma later in the privacy of their room, so Joanna wouldn’t have to go through this again with her. But as for Cora Jane . . . it would be best to tell her directly. “I’ll wait till she’s in a gut mood,” Joanna murmured as she led her favorite mare out of the barn to hitch up. “Whenever that might be.”

  Chapter 5

  In the middle of the night, Joanna dreamed she was running through a cornfield, chasing after Cora Jane, trying to catch her to tell about Eben. But in the dream, each time Joanna drew near enough, her sister darted ahead . . . relentlessly out of reach.

  Joanna’s heart pounded in her sleep. Oh, how she wanted to talk to Cora Jane once again, like sisters should, to say she’d never felt this way about a fellow. She tossed and turned, pulling the sheet like a rope.

  Awaking with a start, Joanna was grateful to realize even in her clouded state that what she’d just experienced was not real. Surely my sister will want to hear my news, she thought, rising to greet the dawn.

  It was the Lord’s Day, and a Preaching Sunday at that. The sun’s rays were just beginning to extend over the horizon, and Joanna went to raise the dark green shade at
first one tall window, then the other. Instead of digging into her hope chest for her writing notebook as she liked to do, she instead felt compelled to read several psalms to start the day. Working on her story somehow didn’t seem wise this morning.

  Glancing across the hall at Cora Jane’s partially closed bedroom door, Joanna contemplated what she ought to do. Surely by now Mamma knew about Eben’s plan to visit. Dat would’ve told her without delay.

  Joanna sighed and stared at the lineup of postcards on her dresser which she’d received from her Englischer friend, Amelia, presently in Europe. Such interesting sights and descriptions of London, Amsterdam, and Berlin—places Joanna would never see.

  She reached for her Bible and read two psalms, then considered going over to awaken Cora Jane—tell her right away about Eben and be done with it. Yet with her sister so quick to find fault, news of an out-of-state beau had the potential to spoil the reverence of the day, and Joanna decided against it. At least, not before church.

  Joanna ended up postponing her talk with Cora Jane even longer, as her sister seemed in no disposition for it. Perhaps after the common meal? she mused while waiting in the cold to go into church at Cousin Malinda’s. Shivering, she stood with Mamma and Cora Jane and her maternal grandmother, Mammi Sadie, along with Salina and several of their sisters-in-law, all of them in line with the other womenfolk. Everyone was bundled up, most of them waiting with their arms wrapped around themselves for warmth.

  Up ahead, Joanna spotted Cousin Lena with her own mother and two younger sisters. Despite the frosty air, Lena was smiling.

  Such a happy bride to be!

  Later, after the Preaching service, Joanna sought Lena out, greeting her warmly. Lena clasped Joanna’s gloved hands and insisted they walk around the barn until it was time for the second seating to be served.

  In the chilly air, they strolled along together. What a difference a day had made for Lena. “You’re simply beaming,” Joanna remarked, her breath floating before her. “You actually seem relaxed.”

  “I surely am.” Lena flashed a big smile. “Because of you.”