| |
On Sunday, the entire community gathered for its meeting. After the service had ended, the elders held their hands up. “We need to talk about something.” Bishop John Lapp had decided it was important to confront the rumor head-on. “I was told early this week that some mysterious English person has been making statements to the effect of wanting our community to leave here. I have to say that this just doesn't sound like something our English neighbors would even think of saying. We are looking around and trying to determine who said it, if it was indeed said. If this is a baseless rumor, I don’t have to remind anyone what the consequences are for violating our Ordnung. Spreading rumors is a violation of our rules.” The bishop let his gaze rest on various community members.
Katie, seeing the bishop’s eyes on her, crinkled her forehead and tried to look confused. She must have succeeded because Bishop Lapp’s eyes moved on to another person.
***
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, Katie held in her lies. She didn’t want to hurt anyone, and the fear of discovery in combination with her newly allowed small freedoms were enough to keep Katie from needing to lie. She still fantasized about increasingly strange scenarios. What if she pretended to be kidnapped? What if she left a ransom note like she’d read in a book from the library a couple of years back? Would anyone even look for her? Or would they be glad she was gone?
What if Esther came back and asked Katie to come away with her to a beautiful castle? What if Amos asked Katie to be his wife?
Without Katie’s assistance, the rumor died down. But community members were still watchful and nervous, even so. Katie listened to her parents and did everything they told her to do. She tried hard to be a young, model Amish woman. When she was with Libby or doing shopping for her mam, she didn’t bring the rumors up at all.
Gradually, she was able to start going to singings with Amos. At these youth gatherings, she had fun, singing and talking with her friends. Katie was glad she had decided to let the rumor die down. She had spotted Deacon Eppie Yoder at the events and had a feeling he was there watching all of the community. Her topics of conversation were specific to Amish life, talking about dating, work, small businesses, selling quilts or baking, or even taking carpentry orders. Eventually, the deacon stopped coming to the singings, restricting himself to showing up at socials and Sunday services. She wasn’t aware that the deacon had, indeed, been watching the youth. He wasn’t sure if he bought the rumor at all.
***
ONE EVENING, AS HE was bringing Katie home, Amos brought up the topic of marriage. “Katie, are you taking your baptism instruction?”
“Nee, not yet. I’ll be starting next spring. How come?”
Amos inhaled, and then let the breath out in a long whoosh. “Because I want to have a talk with you. We’ve been dating now for going on two years. Shortly after you moved here. I am in love with you, and I want to be your husband. If you would marry me.”
Katie gasped. Was it a dream? Or was it something true? Katie pinched herself and winced.
“Katie!”
“I just had to know! Ja, of course! I want to marry you!” Letting out a nervous giggle, she looked at Amos, seeing his clear gray eyes resting on her.
“You are so beautiful. Inside as well as out. You’re giving, supportive and always fun to be with. I hope we will have a gut life with each other!” Reaching around her shoulders, Amos held her to him.
They kissed. He cupped the back of her head, and his thumb brushed the nape of her neck.
A rush of nausea overcame her. She tensed.
“Katie?”
Not now. Why now?
“I’m sorry,” Katie said. “It’s just, can you not hold my head that way?”
“Ja! Ja! Of course!” Amos snatched his hand away as if he’d been burned on a hot stove.
“I...uhh—just a weird cramp.” This lie didn’t make her feel better. She just felt sick. Wrong. “I love you,” Katie said. “Should we say anything to anyone?”
“Nee, not yet. I want to make sure you’re closer to baptism instruction first. We’ll keep it between ourselves for now.”
“Okay.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“Nee! I’m just glad that we’re keeping our own little secret from the rest of the community for now. It feels...I feel special. Can I...umm...kiss you again?”
“Ja.” Amos was careful not to touch her neck again. This time, she melted into his embrace. He’d never heard of a girl getting a neck cramp while kissing, but what did he know?
He loved her. She was so honest and good. He couldn’t wait for them both to take their Kneelings Vows and start their lives together.
***
OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, life was quiet in Big Valley. Katie kept the secret of her engagement to Amos to herself. At times, she was tempted to bring the rumor back to life, but she wanted a good future together with Amos. She hoped she could get past her reactions to his touch and be comfortable with him, even when he caught her by surprise. But as long as she kept trying, she’d get there. Also, Katie could tell Eppie Yoder doubted her. He watched her more during meetings and socials than any of the other young people.
Still, Katie couldn’t stop herself completely from telling stories. It wasn’t gossip, just harmless fun. And even if she wanted to stop, she couldn’t help herself.
Libby came to wonder about Katie and her love of storytelling as fall approached. She began to think about this as she heard Katie embark on yet another “what if” story.
“Ja, I’m serious! What if, oh, say, someone new came into Big Valley? Doesn’t matter if it’s someone Amish or English. They shake up life in a big way.”
“How do you mean?” Libby shifted on the swing, wrapping her shawl more closely around her.
“Well, for instance, let’s say it’s a new English person, visiting family here. They come driving into our area. They’re drunk, and they run into a buggy. But because they have a car, they get away...” Katie kept building her “what if” story until finally, Libby interjected.
“Wait! You have me confused!” In actuality, Libby was more concerned than confused. “Let’s stop the ‘what if’ game. Actually, I have to go home. I’m getting a headache, and Mam wanted me home early.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Katie bounded out of the rocker and helped Libby up. “Do you want aspirin and water?”
“Ja.” Accepting the glass and two pills from Katie, she swallowed them and left. On her way home, she was able to think in peace and quiet. This story featured an English person. That rumor had an English person wanting us gone. And Katie sure does like her stories! Getting home, she put the horses away and took her bags from the buggy. In the house, she greeted her mam quietly.
“Is everything okay? Are you okay?” Mrs. King was worried—Libby was usually never this subdued.
“Ja, I’m fine. I just got a bit of a headache at Katie’s. She gave me some aspirin, and I’ll be okay soon. Call me when you’re ready to start supper. I’m going to rest for a little while.” Upstairs, Libby continued to puzzle over the mystery that was Katie. Shaking her head and sighing, she decided not to say anything...yet. She wanted to see if she could figure Katie’s motives out first. For a few days, she didn’t spend very much time with her friend.