Abram's Daughters 05 The Revelation (4 page)

As Leah was frying up the eggs, Lydiann wandered into the kitchen, all smiles. "Got me another letter from Ohio," she whispered at the cookstove. "And I couldn't be more pleased."

Fear gripped Leah's heart, but she tried not to let it show on her face.

"Jake says he's savin' up his money, hopin' to come home this year." Lydiann paused a moment before going on. "Besides me, he daresn't tell a soul, though. Promise me you won't, either, Mamma?"

Leah felt her toes curl. "You're not sure just when it might be?"

"He didn't say, but he made it clear he's mighty upset 'bout being sent away. It's got his goat, bein' traded for other men, and he

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mvN no reason to stay in Ohio with Jonas back here. Anyhow, I'm linpin' Jonas might clear the way for Jake's return with their fathrr, ya know."

Ml I ,cah struggled to fix her mind on buttering slices of toast for Hp k last, all the while shuddering to think what was in store if Jake ^iiilcl happen to come knocking on Lydiann's door. ^B 7 "ime to get Lyddie to Sunday singings again! Gschwind! Soon!

^m "Why on earth didn't ya tell me you broke your thumb?" Abram

^Bklcd Lizzie as they dressed in their room.

^H "Now, nobody knows that for sure," she countered, hoping he

^Hlild drop the matter.

^M Nonetheless, he asked her to unwind the makeshift bandage

Htd made on the day of the accident. "I wanna see for myself."

^B "I'll be fine, Abram. Honest."

^M I le persisted till she had no choice but to show him her

^Bunded thumb, now as purple and green as springtime wild flow-

^H He peered at it, pushing his bifocals down farther on his nose.

nim, this looks awful bad to me."

P^ "I daresay it'll get better right quick." She wanted to stave off

.my insistence she go to a doctor.

"You can say all ya want, Lizzie, but, truth is, this here thumb's jUtinna need to be rebroken and set correctly." He waited while she Kvrapped it up again. "I'll be takin' ya over to see Dr. Schwartz the ifninute you're dressed for the day."

I "Ach, Abram. That ain't necessary at all." She would stand her [ground to get her way if it took that. She was a strong woman, after gull, with no need for doctor visits and suchlike. Mercys sake!

"Well, I don't know what's come over you, but I'm takin' you,

lil.c it or not."

You 'II have to carry me to the buggy, then, she thought, unconlously locking her knees. "I'll think on it," she mumbled.

With a huff about how "awful stubborn this one is," her hus-

li.md left the room. Lizzie could hear his needlessly heavy footsteps

mi the stairs, and she breathed a great sigh of relief.

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BW Hy do ya s'pose we don't practice bundling anymore?" Lydiann Bdlu-cl Leah clear out of the blue while they were scrubbing potatoes Brt|',fi Her outdoors, near the well.

I I ,eah took what she hoped was an inconspicuous breath and willed herself not to reply too hastily to her girl's curiosity. BWIiere'd you ever hear this?" I "Oh, just one of Jake's letters."

I "Well, do you know how bed courtship first got started?" H "I think so." Lydiann went on to explain what she knew how Hie early colonists lifted in unheated farmhouses, so when a young %an came to visit his girl, they simply spent time in her bedroom. 'Tor practical reasons."

Leah nodded. "From what I know of this old custom, the couple would lie down on the made bed, fully clothed, and a bundling hoard was fixed between them as they talked and sometimes held hands late into the night. Later it became a time for the young lady tto display her pretty handmade quilts and pillow coverings, as well. least, that's how it was amongst our ancestors." I "A sort of getting-acquainted time?"

I' "Jah, with much talkin' expected between the twosome." She idn't say what was not supposed to happen. No need at the moment H> have another talk about the birds and the bees.

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"Jake says there are certain Ohio groups that still practice the custom." Lydiann looked rather embarrassed. "And . . . well, I best not be sayin' all that Jake knows."

Leah felt suddenly nervous, if not ill, at the thought of this sort of private talk being initiated by Jake; the possibility of his return made it all the more concerning.

"A friend of Jake's says there are some couples that get downright snug as a bug in a rug." Lydiann seemed unable to leave well enough alone. "They slip under the quilts "

"Lyddie," Leah interrupted. "I daresay 'tis best to turn our attention to other things now."

Lydiann's head bowed. "Sorry, Mamma."

"You surely know there's a time and a place for all things," Leah was quick to add.

"Jah . . . the wedding night, ain't so?" Lydiann wore a fine, sweet smile now.

Wiping her wet hand on her apron, Leah slipped her arm around Lyddie. "You've got plenty of time for smoochin' and whatnot. All good things come to those who wait."

Lydiann looked up at her. "Willj/ow ever marry?"

"That's up to the Lord, dear one." She suspected Lydiann had heard enough about Jonas from Sadie, years ago, that her girl would be curious now, although the recent church members' meeting was never to be discussed with folk not yet baptized. Without knowing what Jonas looked like, Lydiann would not have known Jonas Mast was present with the People last Sunday except for Jake and the incessant grapevine, of course. Such news was hard to squelch.

"I feel awful sad for you sometimes," whispered Lyddie, still standing near.

"Why's that?"

Lyddie shrugged. "You oughta have a husband to hug and kiss ya good night to cry on his shoulder when need be and laugh with him, too."

"Well, that would be nice, but this is the life the Lord God has given me . . . for the time being anyhow." Leah had no desire to be less than forthcoming with Lyddie, but she was thinking of having nearly fulfilled her dying mother's wishes. And if Jonas could regain

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Jii liability as a church member, they might end up marrying next

It ( *

I I'rti t was, the likelihood of marriage during this wedding season It n I i oinpk'tely flown out the window with the bishop's decree. l| luiiliiti[> back once more to Sunday made her worry she might lose hm jir.ice and march right out to the barnyard to ask Gid what on Mil il could be done about the unbearable situation, if anything. I Sighing, she looked into Lydiann's trusting blue eyes. She pill it I herself predicting the pain that would surely reside there pi ill last, Lydiann was told why Jake Mast could never be her ^Huiul. Leah must move heaven and earth to make sure such a ^Hli never happened, though just how she didn't know. But she ^Htl I hink of something, even if it meant telling Lydiann the bit^H'lilh at last.

I ydiann bumped into her brother, who was gathering eggs from Hi* henhouse. "This is my chore." She stared at the large wire basket |i< Ins hand.

Well, you weren't out here."

I I am now. Give me the basket!"

I letter be quiet or you'll scare the chickens . . . get them all ferm lied, and you* goose'll be cooked."

I ,cave me be," she said more softly, struggling to keep her voice

I" "'

H Abe gave her a smirk and continued going from one nest to an-

ij'il .t. "You've done quit attendin' singings, sister." H |;ih, a while back. No need asking 'bout it." She turned on her Hi' I. and left, not at all interested in bickering any longer with her I i mate brother. Truth be known, there was no need for her to go mgings when Jake was anxious to see her again even hoped to > 11 y her the minute she turned eighteen. But she was beginning to u i Hnlei" if he'd gotten in with a wild bunch out in Berlin. How else winilil he know so much about bundling and whatnot?

Blushing as she rushed toward the house, Lydiann was surprised

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to hear Abe calling to her. He'd emerged into the sunshine, his blond hair glinting purest white. "Brothers are s'posed to drive sisters to singings, in case you forgot. So 'tis my business."

"Puh!"

"Near as I can tell, your beau's comin' home, ain't so? That's why you're not interested in the boys here. I can see right through ya."

"Hush up! You know nothin' at all." She sucked in air and then, when she felt she might burst out saying further unkind words, she1 bit her lip and simply walked away. How could Abe possibly know any such thing about Jake's plans? Her Dummkopp brother had committed the sin of eavesdropping, no doubt.

Just wait till Abe's rumschpringe. Then we'll see what happens with him. Already less than three years away from the time, she could easily imagine Abe driving a fast car, seeing lots of different girls, getting himself a modern haircut, and only heaven knew what else all before he settled down and joined church!

Saturday afternoon Jonas heard his mother calling up the stairs. "Preacher Peachey's here to see ya!"

Hurrying down to greet the ordained man who was overseeing his Proving, Jonas wondered if he'd be able to keep from his brother-in-law-to-be his aim to see Leah tonight, especially since he'd just donned his newest shirt and trousers, wanting to look his very best.

Gid, however, seemed to take no specific interest in Jonas's attire but firmly shook his hand and asked if they could talk privately. Jonas motioned to the front room and they walked there together, taking seats in hardback chairs on opposite sides of the wide room. "I wouldn't be honest with ya if I didn't say this is the most awkward situation I've found myself in," Gid began. "But the bishop has asked me to see how you're doin'."

It occurred to Jonas yet again that the bishop had intended the arrangement to be downright uncomfortable. Why else would he

41.

httve chosen Gid as his overseer? "You're welcome to drop by anyilnia," he said. "I'm doin' just fine."

"Is there anyway I can help durin' this time?"

Momentarily, Jonas thought of making a bit of a joke. He woniltinl what Gid might say if asked for some solid suggestions on (linking a living off the land when the harvest was nearly past. Inlltwl, the bishop's Proving conditions were rather absurd.

" T ve been helping my father with orchard and barn work, living Iutc without payin' board and room, but I certainly won't be able to mi,ike enough to marry and support a family doing odd jobs."

(lid tilted his head as if to say, I hope you're not questioning the i,shop's decree.

" I )o you know of any Amish who make fancy furniture round In ic ?" A courageous question on his part, to be sure.

"' 1 here's the one fella from Ohio Eli Yoder but it's more of a li.ihby with him, I think." Gid frowned and glanced out the win! >w. "Honestly I don't know of any who make their living that-

* ly, but we do have our carpenters . . . those who help with raisin' ' mils and all."

Jonas was not interested in carpentry, although if he had to in m krr to bring in enough money to marry Leah, he might consider it.

"Are you willing to make your way farming?" Gid asked.

Jonas wasn't keen on giving a flippant retort to this kindhearted .Hid considerate preacher-man, especially married as he was to I .imIi's younger sister. Yet with his father so opposed to his marrying I cuh, he would not be expecting any help whatsoever from his parpiiU, once he was married. "I'll simply trust the Lord for His leadinp,," That, and work mighty hard at whatever my hands find to

ii' . , .

(lid made a throaty sound and rose suddenly, putting on his hat. llr shook Jonas's hand once more as he took leave. "I'll be checkin' mi on you every month or so till the Proving is done. If ever ya need Mivlhing, feel free to give a holler."

"Denki"was all Jonas said. He followed Gid through the kitchen MM utility room and then stood at the back door as the preacher ^mlcd for his horse and carriage. Gid was a good man, but already

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Beverly Lewis:

Jonas was missing his wise Ohio bishop and the many times they had openly conversed about Scripture. ': :'.

Long after the dinner of pork chops with rice, steamed carrots, and broccoli was devoured and the dishes were redd up Saturday evening, Leah slipped away to her bedroom and removed her head covering. / want to look as neat as can be for Jonas, she thought as she pulled the hairpins out and shook down her long hair, looking al herself in the tiny hand mirror. I'm not as young as I used to be. She sighed. So many lost years . . .

She took to brushing out the snarls and then pulled it all back from the middle part. But even as she prepared for their meeting, she dared not allow herself to dwell too much on seeing Jonas tonight, lest she become all scatterbrained and unable to think straight. That would never do, not with the way she'd always fell when they were together. Ever so giddy she was in his presence, though she was fairly sure she could hide this from Jonas especially on a night like this, when they were permitted to ride in Peter Mast's enclosed family buggy, being they were past the age of riding in an open courting buggy. Such carriages were for young folk Lydiann's age, who whispered dear words to each other under naught but the canopy of heaven.

Her hair smoothed with a comb and knotted in a bun, Leah placed her Kapp on her head and offered a silent prayer. Thank you, O Father, for bringing my beau back home to me.

She rose to stand at the bedroom window, looking out over the level grazing land that seemed to inch its way to the very edge of the immense forest, her heart suddenly as cheery and hopeful as if she were sixteen all over again.

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1 he air had a distinct chill to it, and Leah smiled when Jonas took Htlvuniage of her slight shiver. "Move closer." He reached around lici, "1 can't have my girl catchin' cold just 'cause I didn't offer a

u-1,

ii in lap blanket."

A little laugh escaped, but Leah didn't say what was on her

I ml. Truth was, she much preferred his warm embrace to a woolen

' ,ip any day. She'd missed him terribly, more than she'd even real-