The Brethren (19 page)
Authors: Beverly Lewis
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Laura rushed to set the table while Annie quickly grilled the open-faced sandwiches, hoping Essie might sleep in her own bed this night. “Lord, let it be so.”
“Now you sound like Mamma,” Zach said, still sitting at the table, making backward Z’s.
” Tis a good thing,” Laura said, helping wash John’s face and hands with a washcloth. “Mamma says we should talk to God all day long.”
Annie’s heart swelled with love, and she wondered anew how she could walk away from the People she loved so dearly. Yet if it means a lifetime with Ben …
“Come to the table now,” she told the children. Laura helped John get into his booster chair before sitting down across from Annie. She asked to say the table grace, as had become their new custom, and Annie agreed. “Where’s Mr. Ben eating tonight?” Zach asked afterward. “I don’t know.” “Can he eat with us again?”
“When your mamma’s home, maybe,” she told him. Zach grinned, showing his gums. “I hope she gets home right quick. I like him.”
So do I Annie hoped her blush wouldn’t give her away.
“I like Mamma,” little John said, his lower lip puckered.
“Aw, I know you miss her.” Annie tousled his hair. “She’ll be home when she’s better.” Dear Lord, please let it be soon.
“Let’s dig in now.” She filled each bowl with a generous helping of soup, and as they ate, she tuned her ear to Essie’s coming, praying it might be tonight.
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Jbsther remembered Julia teaching James and Molly a little song about letting their lights shine for the Lord. “You in your small corner … and I in mine. …”
She didn’t know why she thought of this as she lay in her hospital bed. More than anything she wanted to be like a candle in the darkness, yet she viewed her life with Zeke as rather dark and dismal. She longed for her husband to “see the light,” to share this freedom from sin and despair she’d experienced since discovering the lover of her soul, as one of the songs sung at Julia’s church so aptly expressed.
Her concern for Zeke tugged at her heart as she settled herself in for yet another night away from her little ones and Annie. Oh, she desperately wanted this wee babe, caught between life and death, as much as she had wanted each of her other children. But she knew Zeke would suffer if God saw fit to let this child survive. My wounded, defiant husband.
How could he say he loved her while treating her so? Was his harsh love an extension of his selfishness or another symptom of his disturbed mind?
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She would not allow herself to think on how he might be treated by the brethren should their secret be discovered, even at this most precarious moment of her wee one’s life. Of course Zeke could be reinstated as a voting church member if he were willing to repent. But their being found out was the sort of thing to set him off again, and she had no desire to cause a wedge between him and the People. He needed time to heal somehow … time to become readjusted within the family, too, if and when his release came. it be your will, O God. And surely it was the dear Lord’s will to reunite families and to mend broken hearts.
The morning dawned while Jesse finished up the milking with Omar, Luke, and Yonie, the clouds giving way to rain. “It’s makin’ down mighty hard,” Yonie hollered to Luke at the far end of the barn. “So much for heading over to Gordonville with the hay wagon.”
Jesse wondered what his sons had cooked up but didn’t ask. Better not to know too much these days, though after talking with the brethren it sure seemed like he ought to be coming down harder on them especially on Yonie.
Still, sometimes taking a backseat to their bantering was better than saying anything. He carried the fresh milk to the cooler in the milk house.
The minute he was done here and had washed up some, he would head over to Irvin’s, then ride with Ben Martin out to Moses’ place. He didn’t quite know what to make of it, but since talking with Ben, he’d become downright nervous about the meeting. If Annie was right and Ben was Isaac in
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the flesh, well, then he’d sent Ichabod’s son packing back last month. And his headstrong daughter had been seeing the longlost boy they’d all loved and missed for more than sixteen years. If Isaac were truly home.
Regardless of what he’d said to Ben about his being English now, he knew it didn’t make sense to run off one of their own. The thought had already given him more than one restless night.
On the other hand, if Annie was off beam and Ben was an imposter, Jesse had already extracted a pledge of sorts that Ben would not take his daughter from the People. Once Old Moses confirmed the truth, Jesse would remind Ben of his promise, and surely if Ben had any trace of integrity left, he’d make for the door. Even if he stayed around, Annie would finally see him for the devious fellow he was, what with all those fake memories he was trotting out at will.
Sighing, Jesse headed for the house to change out of his work clothes, although he was sure to get muddy and wet heading down the road to his cousin’s place in the rain. If I weren’t so upset at him, I’d ask Yonie to drive me over to Old Moses’ place and be done with it.
As it was, he’d soon be riding in an Englischer’s car, so which was worse?
Scrubbing up in the kitchen sink, he noticed Barbara staring at him. “I’ll be eatin’ breakfast right quick,” he said before she could speak.
“Oh, you off somewhere on this ugly day?” she asked, coming to him.
“Got me someplace to be, jah.” ,ť.: “Well, I hope you don’t get indigestion like sometimes.”
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He sensed there was more than thoughtfulness behind her attention.
He turned toward her. “You all right, love?”
She nodded, but tears welled up in her pretty eyes.
“Aw, what’s-a-matter?” He took her in his arms. “It’s not one of those bad dreams again, is it?”
She struggled but could not speak.
“It sure must be.” He kissed her cheek and held her even nearer, glad his elderly parents hadn’t come over yet for breakfast.
When she’d managed to compose herself, she wiped her eyes on her apron hem. “No, not a dream. But livin’ life without our girl … well, it’s worse than any nightmare, I daresay.” She began sobbing.
He should’ve guessed she was missing Annie. Jesse shook his head, feeling awful sorry, too, but not enough to say he’d go and seek her out again. What would his poor wife do if she knew of Annie’s hopes for Ben Martin? He didn’t have the heart to reveal his latest news not till Old Moses had a chance to weigh in on the matter.
Even so he kindly waited, hoping he could calm his wife with his arms around her. “I’m no prophet, but things are bound to improve, don’t ya think?”
She breathed in, her shoulders rising. “Annie surely knows better, but then, so does Yonie. Word has it he’s seeing a worldly girl.”
There it was again: the judgment of God in those blue gdjj eyes. Not as steely as what he’d seen in the bishop’s, but H mighty close. Truth was, he had failed as a father on two H counts, and two out of seven was a terrible proportion in the H
236 Lord God’s eyes … and those of the People.
“Yonie’s in the midst of running round.” His words sounded hollow even to himself.
“Been mighty long enough, I’d say.”
“Jah, but boys … they tend to take longer to get all that rowdiness out.”
“I s’pose, but still. Everybody watches the preacher’s children,” she said, pausing. “What’s your excuse for Annie?”
Where his daughter was concerned, he was more wary. She’d demonstrated her will, her ability to flit right over to Esther’s as if his opinion didn’t matter. “I’ll think on it” was all he would say, much to her apparent dismay.
“There’s more fuss,” she said softly.
He clenched his jaw.
“Word is Esther’s in the family way,” she whispered.
“How do you know, love?”
“Sarah Mae has a friend who works over at the hospital.”
Jesse groaned. “Bad news always travels fast, jah?”
Barbara made no comment. He would be sure to verify it when the time was right. Zeke was in a heap of hurt if true. For now, the crazy man was too ill to be shunned anyway. The brethren would simply wait. They would deal with Zeke’s sin in Jehovah’s time.
The rain rushing against the windows had lightened to drizzle by the time Jesse and Ben reached Moses’ place. Jesse saw the aged man through the rain-streaked windshield, headed for the woodshed. Moses glanced over his stooped shoulder as Ben and Jesse stepped out of the car, and Jesse
237 was sure he’d spotted them. But Moses continued on his way. That’s like him, thought Jesse, somewhat amused.
Jesse glanced at the dreary sky, wondering if they might not get another downpour.
“This is the old homestead,” he told Ben, “where Zeke’s grandparents lived and raised a whole houseful of young’uns, including Preacher Moses and Daniel.”
Ben took in the house, the big barn, and the surrounding land. “I think I remember this place… . Yes, that horse fence. I think I helped whitewash it once.”
Jesse grimaced but kept silent. How long will this charade go on?
“The corncrib’s in the same spot it was when I came here to play when I was young. Zeke and I both did, I think. I just don’t quite remember being here with my brother.”
Surprised he’d admit that.
Moses came back out of the woodshed and they wandered over to meet him.
When they neared, Moses offered a smile. “Wie geht’s.7” “Oh, I’m all right,” Jesse replied. “I see you’re out workin’ early.”
Moses nodded, glancing now at Ben. “Is this here the man in question?”
“I’ll let him speak for himself.”
Ben stuck out his hand. “Ben Martin’s my name. Good to meet you.”
“Moses Hochstetler.” He accepted the handshake and let go, looking Ben over, eyes lingering on his face. “I remember young Isaac well. I also happen to know he cut his left foot badly when he was three. Had to have a whole lot of
238 stitches.” The old man stopped and inhaled slowly. “Does that sound familiar to you, Ben?”
Ben wrinkled his brow. “Maybe so.”
“Then there oughta be a scar to show for it,” said Moses. “Somethin’ else, too. Isaac always had a swirl in his hair, at the crown. Like a cow licked him hard one too many times and his hair stayed that-a-way.”
Ben grinned. “Oh yeah, I’ve got that. When I had short hair back in school, my mom always tried to slick it down.” He turned around and showed them his head.
“Well, I’ll be …” Moses muttered.
Then, without being asked, Ben sat on a log and removed his shoe and sock and peered down at the ball of his left foot.
Moses leaned down a bit and, frowning, lowered his spectacles. “Sure looks like a scar there to me.”
Jesse squinted at Ben’s bare foot. “Where?”
Moses pointed to the faded scar snaking across the ball of Ben’s foot. “There it is, for sure and for certain.”
“How’d I cut it?” Ben asked, still studying the scar.
Straightening, Moses pulled out his blue paisley kerchief, wiping his eyes for a time before speaking. “On a broken canning jar … Isaac.”
As Ben slipped his sock and shoe back on, Jesse grabbed Moses’ arm. “Surely you must be mistaken?”
Moses shook his head, his voice thick with emotion. “Like Simeon of old, I have seen the hand of the Almighty. This here’s a miracle of God, I daresay … bringin’ our lost son home again.” He smiled right at Ben; then, next thing
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Jesse knew, Moses reached around Ben and gripped his shoulders, shaking all over.
Jesse, stunned at this turn of events, couldn’t hold back his laughter. The joke’s on all of us. This old man’s too blind and senile to count five fingers much less find a scar!
Ben stood up and smiled like they’d just given him a new horse and buggy. “Wait until Annie hears this.”
Jesse shook his head in disbelief. “Proves nothing.” Moses crept closer to Jesse, his face solemn again. “Since we don’t know if or when Ichabod is coming, take him to Zeke for a final say-so. I dare ya to.”
“Zeke isn’t in any condition to identify an insect, much less his brother.”
“Perhaps you underestimate him.” Moses turned to Ben. “That just might clinch it. I say it’s a good idea.”
Ben stood there, looking from one man to the other, like he scarcely knew what to do next.
Jesse crossed his arms. “I don’t know how that’s possible not anytime soon.”
Moses rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. “Maybe you can get Zeke a pass to attend Preaching service here before too long.” He turned to Ben. “You’re not leavin’ anytime soon, are ya?”
“I don’t know what my plans are exactly,” Ben confessed. “I’m staying with the Rancks for the time being, but I don’t want to mooch off them for long.”
“Well, you’re always welcome over here,” Moses told him. “Any close kin of my brother’s is family to me.” He slapped a hand on Ben’s back and moved toward the house.
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“Come on in and meet some more of your relatives.”
Moses was clearly convinced, but Jesse was mighty annoyed. Someone needed to put a stop to this drivel, and if it had to be Zeke, so be it.
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Annie tried to hold back her excitement but still let out a little whoop when she saw the hired driver bringing Essie home later that afternoon. “Guess who’s here,” she told Laura, picking up little John as Laura reached for Zach’s hand. All of them went rushing out for the welcome.
A peachy glow had replaced Essie’s sallow cheeks, and Annie set John down and watched him run to his mamma. “Ach, we’re so glad to see you,” Annie said, waiting her turn while the children hugged their mother.
“Oh, it’s nice to be home.” Essie was looking at the children as if she hadn’t seen them in weeks. “Ach, I missed yous!”
Annie kissed Essie on the cheek. “And we all missed you. But come now, let’s get you inside.”
Essie let Annie help her into the house. “The baby’s goin’ to be all right,” she whispered. “Thank the dear Lord.”
“Oh, such wonderfulgood news!” Annie suppressed her tears of joy.
“We must keep mum ‘bout all this,” Essie warned. Annie was glad she’d tried to keep Essie’s condition a