Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:3
Bree was jolted from a deep sleep when she heard a loud knock on her door. When she opened her eyes, she didn’t know where she was for a moment. She sat upright in bed and Cora stuck her head through the doorway.
“Time to wake up.”
Bree’s natural instinct was to throw something at the person who’d woken her from a deep sleep, but she’d asked for someone to wake her. The best she could do in her groggy state was mutter a polite word of thanks to Cora. When the door was closed, she stretched her arms over her head and looked out the window. It was barely light and the treetops were swaying; it looked cold out there.
Not wanting to make the family late, she got out of bed and found her dress. Once she’d pulled it over her head, she grabbed her wooly pullover and slung it around her neck in case it was as cold outside as it looked. She rubbed her half-opened eyes.
“Now what?” Seeing her shoes near the door she slipped her feet into them, then drew a brush through her hair. There was no mirror to see what she looked like. All she could do to look her best was to brush her hair. Even though she’d brought makeup with her, she wanted to look as plain as possible so she’d fit in. After she figured she looked as good as she could under the circumstances, she headed downstairs and joined the family in the kitchen.
They fell quiet when she entered the room and Marie stood up from the table. “Bree, have a seat. We’ve got scrapple for breakfast.”
“I’m not sure what that is, but it smells nice.”
She looked at Andrew and when he forced a smile, Bree sensed tension and knew that he was not totally happy with her being there. After she took a seat at the table, Mrs. Stauffer placed a plate in front of her.
“Scrapple is made from meat and cornmeal,” Cora told her.
Not only was there scrapple, there were also eggs and potatoes on her plate. “It looks like a fine feast. I didn’t expect this, I thought there might have been a cold breakfast this morning.”
“There’s not much to it,” Mrs. Stauffer said with a warm smile.
Bree smiled back at her and picked up her knife and fork, glad that Mrs. Stauffer was not as stressed as when she’d arrived. Seeing everyone had nearly empty plates in front of them she ate quickly so she wouldn’t make them late.
“Andrew and I need to hitch the buggy,” Mr. Stauffer said as soon as they’d eaten.
“We’ve got plenty of time, you don’t need to eat so fast,” Cora said to her.
Bree nodded, pleased that she’d be able to slow down and enjoy the food. She wondered what type of meat it was but wasn’t sure she should ask. She wasn’t certain if she’d finish it if she found she was eating rabbit or pork. At home, the only meat she ate was steak or chicken.
When Bree had finished everything on her plate, Cora took the plate from her and ran it under the tap in the kitchen sink.
“Okay, are you ready, Bree?” Cora asked.
Bree stood up. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Bree walked out the front door behind Cora. She’d never been in a buggy before and wondered what it would be like. Cora sat in the middle of the backseat in between Andrew and Bree. Bree felt like a child in the backseat. She looked across Cora to Andrew. How did he feel about being well into his twenties and still living with his parents?
The buggy set off down the driveway. The air was fresh as it blew across Bree’s face and the rhythmic beat of the horse’s hooves soothed her nerves. They hadn’t gone far up the road when they turned into another driveway.
“This is the Millers’ house where the meeting is being held today,” Cora explained.
Bree looked at the buggies lined up in a row not far from the house. “How many people are coming?”
“We normally have around one hundred and fifty people,” Andrew said.
The buggy traveled a little farther and pulled in-line at the end of the row of buggies. Simon had told her nothing of the Sunday meetings and Bree was intrigued to see what they were like.
When they got out of the buggy, Cora leaned in close. “You can stay by me.”
“Thank you. I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been to a church except for weddings.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about.” Cora walked toward the house and Bree walked alongside.
Mrs. Stauffer caught up to them. “I’ll take you to meet the bishop when the meeting’s over, Bree.”
“Yes. I’d like to meet him.”
“Bree’s going to sit with me, Mamm.”
Marie nodded.
“I always sit at the back row,” Cora said to Bree.
“That sounds perfect to me.” Bree looked at the crowds of people heading into the house and considered they would have to sit fairly close together so they could all fit in.
Once they stepped inside, Bree kept her head down as she walked to the back of the room with Cora. They sat on a long wooden bench with no back. Bree had imagined she might be able to relax or doze off but how could she? She’d most likely topple off the bench if she did. Bree stifled a yawn; she wasn’t used to waking up so early. If she were home, she wouldn’t have gotten out of bed until twelve on a Sunday.
Once the place was filled to capacity, a man stood and led the congregation in a song in German. Even though she’d studied German at school, she could only pick up a few words here and there.
“That’s the bishop,” Cora whispered to Bree when a man with a long black beard stood at the front of the room.
After a prayer was said, the bishop began his sermon. He was a little hard to understand which caused Bree’s mind to wander. Looking over the crowd of people, she wondered who these people were, and what their lives were like. It was impossible to see who was married and who wasn’t, as none of the couples sat together. Women sat on one side and men on the other.
Simon had never mentioned how tedious and formal the Sunday meetings were. He’d obviously only told her about the good things the community offered. Taking another look at the men’s side, Andrew caught her eye. Staring at his head, which was turned slightly to one side, she noticed his profile was exactly like Simon’s. He had the same straight nose, which was neither too big nor too small, and the same strong jawline.
Then, Bree’s eyes wandered to the other side at the younger women. She couldn’t get a look at their faces, but from what she’d already noticed they were all plain-looking women. Plenty of people had told Bree that she was an attractive girl, so she knew that was true, but she wondered if she looked all right with no makeup and dressed in hideous clothes.
Lost in a world of jumbled thoughts, Bree jumped when Cora jabbed her arm. “Come on, we can go out now; it’s over.”
“Oh good,” Bree said without thinking, which caused Cora to giggle.
“If we hurry, we can get out first before the old ladies come to talk with us. Follow me.” Cora took the lead and Bree followed close behind until they were safely out of the house and away from the crowd.
“What’s wrong with the old ladies?”
Cora giggled. “Nothing really, but they’ll tell me how much I’ve grown, even though I’m sure I’ve stopped growing by now. They’ve said the same thing since I was five-years old.”
“I guess everyone’s wondering who I am.”
“Yes they’ll all want to know who you are. They won’t ask you or anything. They’ll just ask around until they find someone who knows. Let’s go and get a drink.”
Making sure not to let her new guide out of her sight, Bree stayed close. Cora poured Bree a drink, and then got one for herself.
Bree took a mouthful and then noticed Andrew talking to a small light-haired girl just outside the house. “Is that your brother’s girlfriend?”
Cora giggled. “No! That’s Cilla Jones. Her brother is a friend of his, and he’s broken his leg. I’d say Andrew is only finding out how he is. Andrew doesn’t have a girlfriend. He had one once.”
Her interest was piqued. “What happened?” Bree took a sip of her soda, pleased to hear some gossip.
“He doesn’t know that I knew about it, but he took Michelle Fuller home from a singing a few times, and then nothing.”
“They mustn’t have got along, then.”
“Mamm thinks he’s too fussy, that’s what she said.”
“I suppose when it’s right, then you just know.”
Cora smiled. “Like you and Simon?”
“Yes. Just like me and Simon.”
As more people came out of the house, Cora took Bree over to one side of the yard. They stood looking at the crowd and then Cora suddenly waved to a girl around her age.
“Is that your friend?” Bree asked.
“That’s Becky, she’s my best friend.”
“Why isn’t she coming over?”
“She’s shy. She’s always been that way with people she doesn’t know.”
“You don’t have to stay with me. Go and be with your friends.”
“No! I can’t leave you by yourself.”
Bree laughed. “I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t.” Cora stared across at Becky who joined another group of girls.
It was obvious to Bree she wanted to join them. “Did someone tell you to stay with me?”
“Andrew said I should stay with you because you would feel strange not knowing anyone.”
“That was thoughtful of him.” She looked around for Andrew but now she couldn’t see him anywhere. “I didn’t think he liked me that much,” she said more to herself than to Cora.
“He does. He likes everyone.”
As Bree was looking for Andrew, she saw Mr. Stauffer walking toward them with the bishop. Nerves gnawed at her stomach. “I guess you can go be with your friends now because it looks like the bishop’s coming to talk with me.”
Cora took a step away. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Go be with your friends.”
No sooner had Cora walked away than the two men were standing in front of Bree.
“This is our bishop, Bree. Bishop Michael.”
“Hello, Bishop Michael.” Bree put out her hand. “I’m Bree Fortsworth.”
“I’m glad you could join us here today, Bree.”
“Me too. I’ve never been to a meeting like this before.”
“Joel tells me that you’ll be staying with his family for a time?”
“I’m glad everyone’s okay with me staying there.” By the way the bishop’s eyes kept flickering away from her, she was certain the bishop was a little unsure what to say to her which made her more nervous. Bree was pleased when Mrs. Stauffer joined them.
The bishop said a few more words about Bree enjoying her stay with them before he and Mr. Stauffer walked away. Soon she was left with just Mrs. Stauffer.
“I understand Cora was told to stay with me, but I told her to go and be with her friends.”
“Andrew was worried you might feel overwhelmed amongst all these strangers.”
“I’m fine.” It was just another thing she had to go through. A few more months with the Amish, and then her baby would be adopted by Simon’s parents and she would be free. She wasn’t certain what she would do after that, but one thing she did know was that she wasn’t ready to look after a baby when she could barely look after herself. So far, her plan was right on track. In the next few weeks, she’d have to go home to find more money but she’d worry about that another day.
“I didn’t realize so many people would be here today,” Bree said.
“This is about the same amount of people we usually have.”
Bree thought back to Simon’s funeral. There had been about three times more people at the funeral than at the Millers' house today. She was one of around ten Englischers who had attended his funeral.
Mrs. Stauffer turned to face her front on. “I know I didn’t have a good reaction when you arrived. I want you to know that I’m glad you came to us. It can’t be easy for you either. You must miss Simon terribly; just as much as we do.”
Bree nodded. “I do; more than I can say. I really need him right now and he’s not here.” Things would be different for me if Simon were still alive.
Mrs. Stauffer turned back to face the crowd and was right by Bree’s side again. “We have a meal now, and then the young people stay for a singing. Mr. Stauffer and I go home and then we go visiting. If you don’t want to stay for the singing, you can come home with us.”
“Is Cora staying?”
“Cora will stay on. Andrew will take us home and come back later to collect Cora.”
“I think I might go home, if that’s all right. I don’t know if I’m up for a lot of singing. I can’t really understand the words anyway.”
A woman approached them and Mrs. Stauffer introduced her to Bree as the bishop’s wife. Bree was pleased to have a good welcome into the community even though they knew she was only a short-term visitor, staying until she had a baby that she would give up. She wondered if anything like that had ever happened before in the community.