The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts

by Patricia Davids

  Eva sat back. “All this is new to me. Can you explain what you mean?”

  “Dyslexic-friendly means things like using colors to highlight different parts of speech. One thing that has been found to be effective is tactile learning. By using something as simple as a tray of sand the student can say the letter and write the letter in the sand with his finger over and over. It reinforces learning in a different part of the brain.”

  “Teacher has been having me do that,” Otto said.

  The woman smiled. “Excellent start.”

  Willis listened intently to what the women were saying. What did it mean for him if he had this problem, too?

  Mrs. Kenworthy looked straight at Otto. “Children with dyslexia often believe they are stupid, but they aren’t. Not by a long shot.”

  Willis fought against the hope rising in his heart. Was it possible that he had dyslexia and that was why he couldn’t read? Maybe he wasn’t ignorant or stupid. Maybe it was because his brain didn’t recognize the squiggly lines as words. After all the years of believing he was inferior it was hard to wrap his mind around the fact that he might not be.

  If he could learn to read, he could hold his head up in front of a congregation and preach from the Good Book. He could take a wife and not worry that she would be ashamed of him. It would mean he could keep better records for his business. It meant he could admit his love for Eva. The hope unfolding in his chest was almost painful.

  “What else should I do?” Eva asked.

  “Read aloud to your students. Show them your love of reading and books. Make it part of every school day. Encourage the parents to do the same.”

  Danny leaned against the corner of Eva’s desk. “Are there some things that a teacher shouldn’t do?”

  “Never ask a dyslexic child to read aloud in front of classmates. It only serves to shame and embarrass them. We are learning more about this problem every year. Thousands of people live with this disorder. Most of them go on to become successful individuals. But it takes a lot of work.”

  “What about a grown-up who has dyslexia?” Harley asked. “Can they learn to read?”

  Janet nodded. “Many young adults with dyslexia do learn to read but not rapidly or easily.”

  Harley frowned. “But if they can’t read at all, can they learn with help?”

  Janet smiled sadly. “It is much more difficult to retrain an adult brain. It can be done but it takes years of work and therapy. Even with that it is unlikely that they will be proficient readers.”

  Willis swallowed hard. The memory of the humiliation he had endured in school and from his so-called friends burned in the pit of his stomach.

  “But it is possible?” Harley asked looking at Willis.

  Janet nodded. “It is possible.”

  Willis rubbed his hands on his pant legs. He wasn’t afraid of hard work. Not if a life with Eva was his reward.

  * * *

  Eva caught Willis smiling at her and she had to look away from the warmth in his gaze for fear she would start blushing. She was afraid the others would notice so she hugged the books Janet had given her to her chest.

  Willis cleared his throat. “I’d better get going.”

  Eva followed him to the door. “When you get back from Portland will you put shoes on Maddie’s pony? She is constantly asking me to remind you.”

  Willis’s smile disappeared. He looked at her with sorrow-filled eyes. “Maddie doesn’t have a pony anymore. Her pony was pulling the cart when her Mamm and Daed were struck by a semi. Her pony was killed, too.”

  Eva pressed a hand to her heart. “The poor baby. No wonder she has a make-believe friend. Bubble can’t be hurt.”

  “Thanks to you she is making real friends again. When I get back I have something I need to tell you.”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Can’t you tell me now?”

  “Nee, when we are alone,” he said quietly with a glance at the others watching them. He settled his hat on his head and left.

  That evening Eva went to the swing set instead of staying at home. She knew Willis was gone. She had seen him leave with Dale in his yellow pickup an hour ago. She prayed Willis’s trip would be successful. He was determined to provide for his family, and she loved him for it.

  She pushed herself back and forth with one foot as darkness descended. The swing was the place she felt closest to Willis. She missed his engaging conversations more than anything. She missed the way he looked her and the way he smiled at her. She touched her lips with her fingertips. Would he ever kiss her again? He cared. She knew that, but was it love? Was that what he wanted to tell her? She hugged her secret hope close to her heart.

  When she entered the house sometime later she found Danny raiding her cookie jar with a tall glass of milk in one hand. His eyebrows drew together. “Where have you been?”

  “Enjoying the evening. Why are you still up?”

  “I just wanted to tell you I understand why you are drawn to teaching, Eva. I never thought about it before, but I see how rewarding it can be. You have opened my eyes.”

  “Danki. Hand me a cookie, please.”

  He held one out. “Eat it first, and then I’ll tell you about your letter.”

  “From Gene?”

  “Yup.”

  “Put my cookie back. I’ve lost my appetite. Where is it?”

  “On the table by your rocker.”

  “Did you open it to see what he says?”

  “I don’t open other people’s mail. What kind of snoop do you think I am?”

  “I’m sorry. When will you be leaving?”

  “The day after tomorrow.”

  “I’ll miss you.”

  “Look on the bright side. You might be coming with me.”

  His joke wasn’t funny. She went into her sitting room and picked up the letter. Drawing a deep breath, she slit it open and read her brother’s brief note. He was expecting her to come home with Danny as soon as possible. He had included the money for a bus ticket this time.

  “And?” Danny asked.

  “I made myself plain in the letter I sent him. I want to stay. He’s enclosed the money for our bus tickets and says he has written to the bishop and the school board detailing why I shouldn’t be a teacher and why I’m needed at home. I lose. Gene wins.”

  “Gene’s going to be eating burnt pancakes for the rest of his life, isn’t he?”

  “Very likely.”

  “I’m sorry, sis.”

  “I know.”

  He walked away. Eva stared at her letter. Danny might calmly accept Gene’s order to return home, but she wasn’t going to leave unless she had no other choice.

  The next day started off well at school. She confiscated the rubber bands from the Yoder twins and made Sadie go home the first time she poked her nose in the door. Both Harley and Otto were quiet but that was a good thing. The children went out for the morning recess and Eva stayed in to grade papers.

  She didn’t see what started the fight. One moment the children were playing a game of softball and when she looked up again there was a fistfight in progress. Otto and Harley were pummeling the Yoder twins.

  She rushed out the door to break up the fight. She stepped between the two boys to push them apart. The next second she found herself in the dirt between them. Otto tripped over her legs and fell on top of her.

  Before she could get up, the boys were pulled apart by Bishop Schultz and Samuel Yoder. “What’s going on here?” Yoder demanded.

  “I haven’t the least idea,” Eva said breathlessly as she scrambled to her feet. The bishop had a hold of both Harley and the older Yoder boy.

  “Grandson, what is the meaning of this?” Samuel demanded.

  “Nothing.” The boy couldn’t look his grandfather in the eye.

  Harley’s face was beet red.
“He called my brother an idiot, and he wouldn’t take it back.”

  Samuel glared at Eva. “Is this the sort of behavior you are teaching our children?”

  Her temper flared. “It is not. Your grandsons had learned to throw insults and punches long before I came.”

  “Woman, where is your demoot?”

  She forced herself to calm down. “I beg your pardon. My humility is in short supply at the moment.”

  The bishop turned to the children gathered in a semi-circle. “School is dismissed early today. Go home.”

  They all filed away except for Harley, Otto and Maddie who gathered close to Eva. Jenny and little Annabeth waited by the school steps.

  Eva managed a smile for the Gingrich children. “Go to the house, get cleaned up, do your chores then go home with Jenny. Bethany and Michael are expecting you to stay with them another night aren’t they?”

  Harley nodded. “Willis said he wouldn’t be home until after midnight and he didn’t want to get us so late on a school night.”

  “Okay, I will see you all tomorrow and we’ll discuss what happened with him. Harley, my brother Danny is working in the new barn. Tell him Annabeth needs a ride home. She’s too small to walk so far alone.”

  Samuel scowled at her when the children were gone. “It is as your brother Gene stated in his letter to us. You are not a proper teacher if you allow the kinder to engage in fistfights. You were warned that your contract would run for one month at a time, but an exception must be made. Consider yourself terminated.”

  “What?” Her jaw dropped.

  “Samuel, I think you are being hasty,” the bishop said calmly.

  “I don’t believe I am. Your pay will be forwarded to your home in Illinois. I will take over your duties until a suitable replacement can be found.”

  The two men walked off, leaving Eva reeling. She had lost her job and her home in one fell swoop. Her days in Maine had come to an end. All that she had feared was coming true.

  She went back inside the school and stared at the blackboard. What was she to do? She needed to talk to Willis, but he wouldn’t be back until late. She didn’t want to wait until tomorrow to speak to him.

  She grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper. The time for maidenly reserve was past. She was in love with Willis. If he cared for her, she would defy Gene and find a way to stay in Maine but she had to know for sure.

  My dearest Willis,

  I have been fired from my position as teacher. I don’t want to leave you and the children. I love you Willis. I love Harley, Otto, Maggie and even Bubble. If you hold any feelings for me in your heart please meet me tonight at the swing set no matter what time it is. I’ll be waiting. I can’t leave without knowing how you truly feel. Your kiss gave me hope even if that wasn’t your intention.

  If you don’t come, I will know my hope was in vain and I will leave.

  Eva

  She sealed the letter and went to Willis’s house. The children had already gone. She placed the note on the counter under the kerosene lamp where he couldn’t miss it and left.

  She told Danny what had happened when he returned from taking Annabeth home. He was as astonished as she had been. “What are you going to do?” he asked.

  “I’ll let you know in the morning.” It all depended on Willis.

  Time dragged until it was almost midnight. She hurried to the schoolyard and waited.

  It was long before she heard Dale’s truck pull in. She saw Willis enter his house. The light came on in the kitchen. Her heart began hammering in her chest. He had to be reading her letter. What was he thinking? Had she been too bold? The chains of swing bit into her palms as she waited. He must love her. She loved him so much.

  He came out a short time later and went into his smithy without looking her way. She waited, afraid to breathe. When he came out of his workshop he went back into the house. Was he ignoring her request? His light went out.

  She waited for another half hour and then bowed her head as the bitter truth sank in. He wasn’t coming. He didn’t love her. The tears she’d been holding back slipped free.

  She made her way home, drying her eyes when she saw Danny was waiting up for her. “Well?”

  “I’m going back with you.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “The sooner the better.” She had been such a fool.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Willis couldn’t wait to share his good news with Eva, but he didn’t want to interrupt her during school. He’d been hired to supply all the hand-forged hardware for Ray Jackson’s shops in Portland and for his new store in Boston. Willis decided to wait until he knew Eva would be free at lunch. In the meantime he got busy on Mr. Jackson’s first order.

  It was almost noon when he crossed the road and headed for the schoolhouse. He noticed a van stop in front of Eva’s house. Bethany and Michael’s buggy pulled up behind it. Dinah and Gemma got out along with Bethany and Michael. They went up to Eva’s house. Was Danny heading back today? Willis would make sure to tell him goodbye, but he had to see Eva first.

  He opened the door of the schoolhouse and stepped inside. Samuel Yoder sat at the desk up front. Otto was standing beside him with his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He was shaking and there were tears on his cheeks.

  Willis strode to the front of the room. “What’s going on? Otto, what’s wrong?”

  “Your brother is being stubborn. He has refused to read his assignment out loud.”

  Otto looked at Willis. “I can’t.”

  Willis nodded. “I understand. It’s going to be okay.” He looked at Samuel. “Where is Eva?”

  “Eva Coblentz no longer teaches here.”

  Willis wasn’t sure that he heard right. “What do you mean she doesn’t teach here? Where is she?”

  “Preparing to return to Illinois with her brother.”

  “She wouldn’t leave without telling me.”

  But maybe she had told him. He thought of the note he’d found on the counter last night. He had brought it with him to have Harley read it when they were alone.

  Willis pulled the envelope from the pocket of his jacket and stared at it. She wouldn’t have written a goodbye letter. She would’ve come to see him in person. Wouldn’t she? He had to know if the note was from her. He held it out to Harley. “Read it.”

  Samuel scowled at them. “Willis, I am trying to conduct class here. If you have business with your brother, please step outside. Otto, read the statement on the board. You will not return to your seat until you have done as I asked, even if you have to stand here all day.”

  Harley came to Willis’s side, pulled the letter out of the envelope and opened it. “My dearest Willis.” Harley’s eyes grew round. “I don’t think I should read this. It’s kind of personal.”

  “Is it from Eva?”

  “Ja.”

  Willis took the page from his brother. “Danki. Otto, Maddie, we’re leaving.”

  Samuel rose to his feet. “Willis, you are interfering with the discipline of this classroom. Your brother is not dismissed.”

  “If you were half the teacher that Eva Coblentz is, you would know that Otto suffers from dyslexia. Did you even bother to read her notes about the boy? He can’t read his assignment. With special tutoring he will be able to someday, but humiliating him will not hasten that day. Come on, kids, we have to stop Eva.”

  Maddie was already headed for the door. Willis, followed closely by Otto and Harley, hurried to catch up with her. Outside he saw Danny loading a pair of suitcases into the van. Eva stood beside him. She was hugging Bethany. Michael shook hands with Danny while Dinah and Gemma looked on.

  Fear choked Willis and closed his throat so he could barely breathe. What if she didn’t want to stay? Why would she consider marrying a man as dimwitted as he was? She could have the choice of any man. A man who coul
d read the books she loved and talk to her about them. He didn’t deserve her.

  Maddie tugged on his hand. “Come on. What are you waiting for?”

  “I guess I’m waiting for my courage to show up.”

  “I don’t think you’re gonna find it standing here. You have to make Eva stay.”

  He smiled at his little sister. “I think I would rather face a bear than tell her what’s wrong with me, but she has to know.”

  Eva had her black traveling bonnet on. She hadn’t seen him. Willis crossed the strip of grass and ran up to the van where Danny was loading her belongings. “Eva, wait. What are you doing?”

  When she looked his way, he saw her eyes were red from crying. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her but he didn’t know if she would allow it.

  * * *

  Tears glistened on her lashes. “I’m going home.”

  “But why? I thought you liked it here. I thought you loved teaching the children.” He took hold of the van door.

  I thought maybe you loved me.

  She closed her eyes. “I explained why in my letter. I said everything there was to say. I don’t want to rehash it here. Please, just let me go. You’ve been a fine friend and I’m sorry I expected more than you could give. Goodbye, Willis Gingrich. God be with you, always.”

  She was going to leave him unless he could put his pride and fear aside and make her understand. Her friends stood a few feet away watching him. Willis swallowed hard. Everyone would know what a failure he was, but he was more afraid of losing Eva. “I couldn’t read your letter.”

  “I’m sorry if it embarrassed you. The feelings are my own and I understand that you couldn’t return them.”

  He held the paper out to her. “You didn’t hear me, Eva. I wasn’t embarrassed by your letter because I couldn’t read it. I can’t read.” He closed his eyes and hung his head.

  Please, dear God, don’t let her laugh.

  The silence stretched on so long that he finally looked up. There were tears running down her cheeks. “Oh, Willis, why didn’t you tell me?”