“I’ll probably be bombarded with all sorts of questions about this,” Eustace grumbled, heading back outside to tend the meat. “Shoulda fixed a bowl of cereal instead of tryin’ to satisfy my craving for steak and eggs.”
Akron
Even though the cool morning air was invigorating, Joel’s jumbled thoughts made it hard to concentrate as he drove his work truck to town. He had been so preoccupied that he’d forgotten to fill his rig with gas last evening before heading home. Now the fuel gage sat on empty. He didn’t need this headache on top of everything else.
Sweat beaded on Joel’s forehead, but not from the outside temperatures. He hoped there was enough gas in his truck to get to town. He’d ridden on fumes a few times before, so maybe this time would be no different.
In an effort not to be consumed by his anxiety about the gas, Joel concentrated on what he was about to do. He’d convinced himself that taking money from his and Kristi’s bank account was the right thing, but his conscience told him otherwise, constantly reminding him that the position he’d put himself in was his own fault. He’d never been one to admit his mistakes, however. Even when he was a young boy, it had been easier to wangle his way out of things rather than face the truth and admit he was wrong. He had come up with an idea to fix the mess he was in, and right or wrong, he’d carry out the plan.
Joel had gotten back too late yesterday to make it to the bank, which had given him more time to think things through. But it hadn’t helped much, because after looking at his last bank statement, he realized the money in their joint account would only pay a few of his subcontractors. He didn’t dare draw it all out, either. Thank goodness the monthly statements came to his place and not Kristi’s. The last thing he needed was for her to find out he’d taken the money without her knowledge.
Joel swiped at the sweat on his forehead as he approached the bank. The gas station, which wasn’t too far away, would be his next stop. With the exception of not telling Kristi about his family, he’d never done anything this deceitful to her. But he couldn’t come right out and ask if she minded if he borrowed their money to pay his debts; he’d then have to tell her about the Corvette.
I can’t worry about it right now, he thought, stepping into the bank. I need to solve this problem.
When Joel left the bank, he squinted against the glare of the sun. In his hurry to leave this morning, he’d forgotten his sunglasses.
Climbing back into the truck, Joel felt a headache coming on. Was it from the glare on his windshield, or the stress of what he’d just done?
“I’m really in a pickle right now,” he muttered. The sun’s brightness and his near-empty fuel tank were just a small part of the bigger frustrations plaguing him. All Joel could really hope for was that another big job would come along so he could pay the rest of his men, plus have enough to put back in the bank what he’d withdrawn. If things didn’t go his way soon, he may have no other option but to make a trip to see his dad. But that was the last thing he wanted to do.
CHAPTER 7
After a week with only small job prospects, Joel had no choice but to visit his father and ask for a loan. He was almost out the door when his cell phone rang. As soon as he realized it was Kristi, he answered. “Hey, Kristi, what’s up?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to go for another run with me this evening.”
“Uh… I can’t do it today.”
“How come?”
“I have to go out of town on business, and I’m not sure what time I’ll get home. It’ll probably be late.”
“Oh, I see. Maybe tomorrow then? Since it’s Saturday, I’ll have the day off.”
“Sure, that’ll be fine.” Joel shifted the phone to his other ear. “Listen, I’d better go. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kristi.”
“Okay. I hope you have a good day.”
“You too.” Joel hesitated a minute, then quickly added, “Love you.” Before Kristi could respond, he clicked off his phone, grabbed his truck keys and sunglasses, and headed out the door.
Joel made a face when he glanced at his truck. The outside was a mess and needed a good washing. At least he’d taken the time to clean the windshield. Joel wished he could drive the Corvette to Charm, if for no other reason than to see how it performed once again on the open road. But he couldn’t show up with an expensive car and then ask for money to help him out of a jam. Joel hoped his dad would be glad to see him and have no problem opening his wallet.
As Joel stepped into his truck, he reflected on the lie he’d told Kristi about where he was going today. It really wasn’t a lie. He technically would be out of town doing business—with his dad. It was either tell a fib or tell Kristi the truth, which he definitely did not want to do. I may never be ready to tell her about my Amish family, he thought. Then I’d have to explain the reasons I left and admit I used to be engaged to someone else.
Over and over, Joel contemplated how he could tell Kristi about his past, but he found no easy way to announce that he used to be Amish. One thing was certain: Joel would avoid it for as long as possible—maybe indefinitely. If only Dad would give him the money. What a relief it would be to replace what he took out of the bank and be able to pay off his debts. Hopefully by tomorrow, things would be as they should.
Charm
As Eustace headed to the barn to let the horses into the pasture, he heard the soft cooing of doves, which made him think once again about Effie. Everything around here brought some sort of memory about his wife—the flowers blooming in late August, the birds singing overhead.
Unbidden tears sprang to Eustace’s eyes, remembering how, whenever he used to bring the horses in for the night, he’d see Effie waiting on the porch, waving at him. He would remove his straw hat and wave in response. Eustace always drew comfort in knowing Effie would be there to greet him after his chores were done.
It had been a week since he’d singed his beard, and of course, he’d received some comments from family members, as well as friends at church on Sunday, which was embarrassing. Especially the part about how it happened. Now he had to be patient while it grew back.
I wonder if I combed or brushed my beard a lot more if it might help it grow faster, he mused. Or maybe there’s some kind of lotion I could look for at the drugstore that would quicken the process. Eustace shook his head. Guess it’s probably best to leave it alone and let time take care of things. Eustace’s friend Henry hadn’t seen his beard yet, but he was due here anytime, so Eustace was prepared for some ribbing.
Entering the barn, Eustace thought about Joel, and how, as a boy, he’d helped bring in and let out the horses every day. Never in all of Joel’s years of growing up had Eustace suspected his son would become dissatisfied with the only life he’d ever known. He’d seemed content when he was a boy. Eustace had foolishly convinced himself Joel would someday follow in his footsteps and raise horses, the way he had before he’d agreed to let oil wells be placed on his property. Now that money was no object, Eustace only raised a few horses for his own enjoyment.
“I was sure wrong about my boy. Guess I didn’t know him as well as I thought.” Eustace yanked off his old straw hat and swatted one of the horses to get her moving. In his exuberance, he missed the critter’s rump and hit the side of the barn instead.
“Oh, great. Not what I needed this morning.” Eustace squinted at the brim of his hat where a chunk had broken off. “Guess I deserve it for not payin’ attention to what I was doing.”
Once the horses were out, Eustace went back in the house. Grunting, he plunked down in his favorite chair with wheels, rolled over to his desk, and pulled the junk drawer open. After removing the roll of duct tape, he proceeded to tape the brim back on his hat.
Effie had bought the hat for him two years before she died, so he wasn’t about to throw it out. The only sensible thing to do was mend it the best way he could. If it looked ridiculous, then, oh well! He’d only be wearing it for everyday, so it didn’t matter what others might say.
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Rolling his chair back across the room, Eustace pulled up to the table and grabbed a banana to tide him over until lunchtime. Rising from his seat, he ambled over to the refrigerator. Think I’ll have a glass of buttermilk to go with the banana. Then I need to go over the plans one more time before I start working on the tree house.
While getting out the milk, Eustace heard the familiar rumble of a tractor coming up the drive. He knew without looking it was his New Order Amish friend, Henry Raber. Old Henry rode around in that tractor more than his horse and buggy.
Eustace went out the door, leaving his glass of buttermilk on the counter. As soon as he stepped onto the porch he heard Henry’s dog, Peaches, howling like a baby from her metal carrier fastened to the back of the tractor. Peaches, so named for the color of her hair, was always with Henry whenever he came to visit. The cocker spaniel was kind of cute, but she was a fat little thing with a hearty set of lungs.
“Morning, Henry,” Eustace called. “Glad ya came by. How’s everything with you these days?”
“Can’t complain I—” Henry tipped his head. “Say, what happened to your beard?”
Eustace groaned, reaching up to touch his shorter chin hairs. “Got a little too close to the barbecue grill when the flames shot up.” He went on to tell his friend the rest of the story.
With a snicker, Henry thumped Eustace’s back. “You’re lucky ya didn’t lose your whole beard.”
Eustace nodded. “Indubitably.”
“Indu-what?” Henry’s brows squeezed together.
“Indubitably. It means ‘definitely.’”
“Sounds like you’ve had your nose in the dictionary again.”
“Yep. It’s a great pastime, and I learn a lot.” Eustace clasped his friend’s shoulder. “So what have you been up to so far today?”
“Saw the widow-woman Ida at the post office this morning. She asked how you were doing.” Chuckling, Henry yanked on his full gray beard and nodded. “Jah, she was anxious to know that, alright.”
“So what’d ya tell her?” Eustace leaned on the porch railing.
“Said as far I knew you were good and I was heading out to see you.” Henry walked up to the carrier to let his faithful companion out. The dog looked at Henry and tipped her head. Yip! Yip!
“Alright, already.” Henry leaned down and, as if in slow-motion, lifted Peaches into his arms. One thing about old Henry—he did things slowly, never in much of a hurry.
“Well, that widow-woman may be interested in me,” Eustace commented, “but my heart will never belong to anyone but dear Effie. Now enough talk about Ida. Let’s go inside, and I’ll get some coffee brewing. Oh, and I’ve got some blueberry fry pies to go with it that my daughter Doris picked up at Der Dutchman Bakery yesterday. She works next door in the restaurant, ya know.”
Henry bobbed his graying head. “She’s waited on me a time or two. You have a thoughtful dochder, Eustace.”
“Jah. Doris sometimes brings me a sandwich or soup for supper.” Eustace smiled. “All three of my daughters go out of their way to help out. They always want to clean around here or just drop by to check up on me, no matter how much resisting I do.”
Henry thumped Eustace’s back. “I, myself, would be in favor of all that fussin’. But then, you aren’t like me.”
“That’s true. We’re different, alright, but still good friends.”
Henry took a seat at the table, still holding Peaches like she was his baby. “With most of my kinner in Indiana, I get far less attention than you do.” He scratched Peaches behind her left ear. “But I’m content with what I’ve got.”
Taking a sip from his glass of buttermilk, Eustace nodded. “I like to do things my own way. If I wanna climb a tree and cut off branches, I do it. No one likes to be told to wait on someone else to help when they can do it themselves.” He puffed out his chest. “I may be sixty-five, but I’m more than capable of doing most chores around here myself. In fact, I’m quite proficient. Besides, I enjoy the work. Keeps me from missin’ Effie so much. I can’t stand to be idle.” Eustace moved across the room. “Guess I’d better get the coffee goin’.”
Berlin
“I’m going out to check for phone messages,” Elsie called to her fifteen-year-old daughter, Mary. “Will you keep an eye on the breakfast casserole I have in the oven?”
Mary’s blue eyes twinkled as she bobbed her head. “Sure, Mom. Hope and I will also set the table.”
Elsie smiled. “Danki.” She appreciated her two girls and their willingness to help, even without being asked. “The casserole should be done by the time I come back to the kitchen, and then as soon as your daed and brothers finish up with their chores, we can eat.”
“Good, ’cause I’m hungerich.” Hope, who had recently turned eleven, spoke up.
Mary giggled and poked her sister’s arm. “You’re always hungry. You could probably eat more than both of our brothers put together.”
Hope made no comment as she opened the cupboard door and took out six plates, placing them on the table. Elsie was pleased her youngest daughter could take a little joshing without getting upset. Some children, like her nephew Scott, became defensive when teased. He also had a bit of a temper, but Elsie’s sister Arlene and her husband, Larry, had been working with Scott on the issue.
Elsie went out the back door. Stopping at her garden, she bent to pull a few weeds. If she didn’t keep at them, they would soon choke out the plants. Things had been growing well this year. Vegetables were abundant, with plenty of tomatoes, green beans, corn, zucchini, and potatoes. After breakfast she would enlist the girls’ help to pick and snap beans so they could have some for supper. She smiled, glancing at the carrots. They were sure getting bigger. This had been a great year for her garden.
Moving on down the driveway, Elsie opened the door to the phone shack to check for messages. She had no more than stepped inside when a spider web hit her in the face. “Eww…”
She cleaned the sticky web off her face and then checked her fingers, relieved there was no spider. From the time Elsie was a little girl, she’d had a spider phobia. Whenever she’d seen one, she had nearly freaked and usually asked someone to get rid of it for her. Since Elsie was now an adult, she took care of things like disposing of unwanted bugs, unless her husband was around of course.
Elsie took a seat in the folding chair, and was about to check the answering machine, when an ugly brown spider, hovering on a single web strand, lowered itself in front of her face. She screamed, ducked under the spider, and bolted out the door. Trembling, Elsie drew in a few shaky breaths. She had to go back in and check for messages, but not until the spider was out.
She spotted a twig lying in the yard and bent to pick it up. I wish John or one of the kinner was here to do this for me right now, she thought. Since they’re not, it won’t get done unless I do it myself. I sure hope that spider is still there and not hiding in some corner waiting to creep me out again.
Cautiously, Elsie stepped back into the phone shack. Sure enough, the spider was still there, dangling over the answering machine. Despite her trepidation, Elsie held out her hand, wrapping both spider and web around the twig. Then she carefully took the creature outside, placing it on a bush farther away. Once the job was done, she re-entered the phone shack and quickly checked for messages. The first was from her driver, saying she would be available Monday afternoon to take Elsie to her dental appointment. The second message surprised Elsie the most. It was from her brother, Joel, saying he’d be coming for a visit later this afternoon. It had been several months since they’d seen or heard from Joel. Elsie hoped this visit would go better than the last. Did she dare anticipate Joel may have decided to return to his Amish faith? Or was it wishful thinking? The fact of the matter hadn’t changed—Dad was still hurt and angry because Joel turned his back on his family, as well as his faith. Deep down, however, Elsie felt sure Dad loved his son as much as his daughters.
Think I’ll plan a big supper this eve
ning and invite everyone over to Dad’s place. I won’t tell Dad, though. I want it to be a surprise.
CHAPTER 8
Charm
Joel pulled his truck off to the side of the road and got out. As he leaned against the door and closed his eyes, familiar sounds came to his ears. The dog days of summer had definitely arrived, and it was anything but silent in late August. Instead of hearing the birds’ constant melodies, he picked up the sound of certain bugs singing their own tunes. Crickets chirped, cicadas buzzed, and locust sounds were at their peak. Trrrrrr… c-c-c-c…
Memories from Joel’s childhood flooded his mind as he stood on the hill above his father’s house and looked down. He remembered many afternoons on this very rise, lying on his back, watching the clouds while enjoying the noises surrounding him.
A small grin reached Joel’s lips as he wondered how, after all these years, a chorus of bugs could remind him of school days starting soon.
Joel could see the old swing hanging from the big maple tree, still looking as it had when he was a boy. He and Doris, being the youngest siblings and closest in age, had taken turns pushing each other on the swing a good many times. They’d run through the barn, chasing the cats, and climbed into the hayloft to daydream and talk about the future. Little had Joel known that he’d someday have his own business, let alone become part of the English world. It surprised him how content he was living a different way of life than his family assumed he would. At least Joel thought he was content. If he were completely honest, part of him still missed some aspects of being Amish, but he’d been English for seven years now. For the most part, it felt right. He was not about to give up the dream he was living, nor break up with Kristi. The Amish way had many good aspects, but it wasn’t for Joel anymore.
The English Son Page 5