Mary Ruth yawned as she padded down the hall toward the kitchen to get some coffee going and start breakfast. A few minutes ago, when she looked out their bedroom window, she noticed several inches of snow now blanketed the ground.
Approaching the living-room archway, Mary Ruth stopped short when she heard a sound she’d come to know well over the years. Someone was snoring, and it wasn’t Willis. She’d seen her husband go into the bathroom a few seconds ago, so the heavy breathing, coupled with snoring, couldn’t be coming from him. Perhaps because of the snow, Michelle had brought Sadie inside, instead of leaving her in the barn where she usually stayed.
Mary Ruth pursed her lips. Could the dog be making all those familiar sounds? Sadie had been known to snore as loud as any human being. Many afternoons when relaxing on the porch, Willis and Sadie would both end up napping. At times, Mary Ruth couldn’t distinguish her husband’s snoring from the dog’s.
Poking her head into the room, she was surprised to see it wasn’t Sadie cutting z’s at all. Ezekiel King, fully clothed except for his shoes, was spread out on the couch with a blanket draped over him. He’d obviously spent the night.
But why? Mary Ruth tapped a fist against her lips. When Ezekiel brought Michelle back from the gathering at Raymond’s last night, had he been too tired to go home? Or had the roads gotten so bad from the snow that he decided to stay here instead?
Knowing she would find out soon enough, Mary Ruth tiptoed out of the room and went straight to the kitchen. After lighting a gas lamp and lifting the window shade, she watched as a current of wind blew swirls of snow through the yard, swishing up and momentarily blinding the wintery scene. Her eyebrows lifted. I wonder if this weather is the reason Ezekiel spent the night. Looking farther out on the yard, she saw Ezekiel’s carriage covered with snow. Not far from it, Brad’s van was parked, also blanketed in snow. Did he spend the night here too? If so, where is he now?
Mary Ruth didn’t have to wait long for an answer, for a few minutes later, Sara entered the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re up. We had some overnight guests you weren’t expecting,” she announced.
Mary Ruth bobbed her head up and down. “I saw Ezekiel sleeping on the couch, and since Brad’s van is parked outside, I assumed he must be here too.”
Nodding, Sara pushed a lock of hair away from her face. “When he brought me home last night, I invited him in for a snack.”
“I see.” Mary Ruth leaned against the counter, waiting for Sara to continue.
“Then when Ezekiel and Michelle showed up, Ezekiel informed Brad that his van lights were still on but quite dim. So Brad rushed outside and discovered his battery was dead.” Sara paused and cleared her throat. “Since it was late and snow had started coming down hard, we invited the guys to spend the night. Ezekiel took the living-room couch, and Brad is in the downstairs guest room. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Course not.” Mary Ruth shook her head. “Staying the night was the sensible thing to do.”
Sara’s lips parted in a slow smile. No doubt she felt relief.
Mary Ruth filled the coffeepot with water. “Let’s get some breakfast going. I imagine most anytime now, everyone will file into the kitchen, eager to eat.”
Sara was about to go knock on the guest room door, when Brad stepped into the kitchen. Everyone else waited at the table. “Sorry for holding up breakfast.” He reached up, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I was on the phone with my buddy Ned. He’s going to pick up a battery for my van at the Walmart in Lancaster and bring it out to me. Then, once I get my rig running, we’ll go to his place so I can pack up my things before heading back to the university.”
“Are you sure the roads are clear enough to drive on this morning?” Sara’s grandpa asked. “Looks like we had a pretty good snowfall last night. You might hit ice or snow all the way up to Clarks Summit.”
“I agree.” Sara’s chin jutted out. “It could be dangerous. Maybe you should stay another day.”
Brad peered out the kitchen window. “My tires are good. I should be fine.” He scrubbed a hand over his face as he looked over at Sara. “If I didn’t have to go back to class tomorrow, I’d stay longer, but I can’t afford to get behind in my studies.”
She slowly nodded. “You will call and let us know when you get there, I hope.”
“Of course. I’d planned to do that anyway.”
She smiled and gestured to the empty chair next to Ezekiel. “My grandma outdid herself fixing breakfast this morning. Please, join us.”
“Now, Sara,” Grandma said, “I can’t take all the credit for this meal. You and Michelle made part of it.” She pointed to the platter of ham and eggs.
“Everything looks delicious, so thank you ladies, one and all.” Brad gave a thumbs-up and took a seat.
When Grandpa lowered his head for prayer, everyone else did the same. Sara wondered what her grandparents would think if they knew she only sat with her eyes closed out of respect, but never offered a single word in prayer. What was the point? If God was real, He wouldn’t care about anything she had to say.
Soon after Brad left, Michelle stood on the porch, watching Ezekiel hitch his horse to the buggy. She hoped he wouldn’t be in trouble with his parents for staying out all night. Had they received his message? Would they blame her for him not coming home last night?
It wasn’t my fault, she reminded herself. It was the blizzardlike conditions that made Ezekiel decide to stay overnight.
Michelle waved as Ezekiel got into his buggy and headed out of the yard. With head held high, Big Red snorted and plodded through the snow as though it was nothing. Truth be told, Ezekiel probably could have made it home last night. But Michelle was glad he’d stayed. In addition to spending a few more hours with Ezekiel, she didn’t have to worry about him being out on the road in bad conditions—not to mention dealing with any drivers who might have had too much alcohol to drink as they celebrated the New Year.
A chill ran through her body as she reflected on one particular New Year’s Eve, when she was ten years old. Her parents had gone out for the evening, leaving her alone to care for her brothers. Michelle hadn’t minded so much, since it allowed her and the boys a few hours of peace, without the threat that one of their parents might blow up at them. What she didn’t like, and still remembered, was when Mom and Dad arrived home. He was in a drunken stupor, and she wasn’t much better. They were both out of sorts, shouting all kinds of obscenities at each other, and ready to take their anger out on Michelle. Fortunately, Ernie and Jack were in bed, or they might have suffered the physical abuse Michelle had gotten later that night.
Her hand went instinctively to the middle of her back, where many welts had remained for several days after Dad used a thick, heavy strap on her. As far as Michelle could tell, she had done nothing to deserve such severe punishment. Her only crime was when she’d suggested Dad and Mom go to bed.
“Don’t be tellin’ me what to do, sister. You ain’t the boss around here,” he’d hollered with slurred words. While Dad went to get the oversized strip of leather, Mom shuffled off to bed. It was obvious she couldn’t have cared less about her children’s welfare.
The back door opened, causing Michelle to jump. She turned and saw Mary Ruth looking at her.
“What’s wrong?” the woman asked, gently touching Michelle’s arm. “Have you been crying?”
Michelle sniffed and swiped at the tears she hadn’t realized were on her cheeks until now. “It–it’s nothing,” she murmured, rubbing her arms. “I’m just cold, is all.”
“You should have put on more than a sweater to come out here.” As usual, Mary Ruth’s voice was soothing.
Silently, Michelle followed Mary Ruth inside. She wished she could shut the door on her memories as easily as she closed the door on the winter’s cold. Would things from her past always be there to haunt her? If Michelle could erase all the painful recollections, she surely would. Truth was, maybe she still hadn’t forgiven her folks.
Ezekiel looked at the snowy scene around him, as Big Red trotted down the newly plowed road. It was New Year’s Day, and traffic was low, but it was hard to enjoy the quiet beauty with the thoughts of what might be awaiting him once he got home.
He hadn’t expected anyone to answer when he called his parents last night, but no doubt by now, they would have gone to the phone shed and listened to his message. Would they understand his reason for staying at the Lapps’? Ezekiel figured they wouldn’t be satisfied until they heard the whole story, especially Mom. Instead of rehearsing what he would tell his folks, Ezekiel leaned back, letting his horse continue to lead.
Sure wish Michelle was sitting here beside me right now. Ezekiel looked over at the empty seat next to him, where she sat on the way to and from his cousin’s last night. Glancing out at the snow-covered hills, Ezekiel tried to redirect his thoughts by absorbing the untouched splendor. Before it was shoveled or plowed, the fresh fallen snow was pristine, hiding imperfections under a blanket of white. Sorta like our sins when we accept Christ into our life, he acknowledged. But the Lord doesn’t just cover our sins—He removes them.
A short time later, Ezekiel guided his horse up the driveway. With no encouragement, Big Red trotted right up to the hitching rail. Once in the barn, after attending to the gelding and making sure he had plenty of feed, Ezekiel headed for the house.
After stomping his shoes on the rug by the door, he walked into the kitchen. The smell of maple syrup still lingered from breakfast. I bet Mom fixed pancakes this morning.
“Guder mariye, Ezekiel. It’s nice of you to finally come home.” His mother’s remark startled him. Then her tone changed to concern. “You had me worried to death. Where were you all night, Son?”
“Mornin’, Mom.” Ezekiel took off his jacket and hung it on the peg, then balanced his hat on top of that. Running his fingers through his slightly damp hair, he sat down at the table. “I left a message on the answering machine explaining that I was staying at the Lapps’.”
His mother’s eyes opened wider and she gave a little gasp. “For goodness’ sake.”
Ezekiel figured Mom wouldn’t take it very well, so he continued to explain. “When I took Michelle home, she invited me in. It wasn’t midnight yet, and we wanted to see the New Year come in together.” Ezekiel paused to take a quick breath. “Brad’s van was there, and he’d left his lights on.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Her eyes narrowed.
“Nothing really, except his battery was dead, and because of the weather turning worse, we figured the chances were slim for him getting a tow truck to come.” The next part, Ezekiel knew, would be difficult. “To make a long story short, Michelle suggested Brad and I spend the night and wait till the roads cleared this morning. Sara agreed. Neither of ’em wanted to worry about us being out on the unplowed roads.”
“Oh, so you caused us to worry instead.” Mom gave the top of her apron a tug, as though it was the source of her discomfort.
“So I’m guessing you didn’t get my message?”
She shook her head. “Were the Lapps in agreement to you staying there overnight?”
“They were already in bed when we got there.” Ezekiel watched his mother’s muscles tense. Why is she making such a big deal of this?
Mom stood with her hands on her hips. “Do you have any idea how much I fretted? I got no sleep waiting for you to come home last night.” She went to the stove and poured herself a cup of coffee but didn’t offer any to Ezekiel. “I’m sure you didn’t have one bit of trouble sleeping.” She turned to face him. “And just where did you sleep, Ezekiel?”
“Mom, I have no idea what you are insinuating.” Ezekiel felt a headache coming on as his frustration built. “But if it makes you feel any better, I slept on the Lapps’ couch in the living room, and Brad took the guest room down the hall. Willis and Mary Ruth were in their bedroom, and the girls were upstairs in their rooms.”
“Well, I don’t think it was—” Mom looked toward the kitchen door as Ezekiel’s dad came in from outside.
“Oh, there you are, Son. Glad to see you made it home okay.” He hung his hat and jacket on an empty peg next to Ezekiel’s.
“Do you know where our son has been all night?”
“Why yes, Belinda. I just came from the phone shed, checking messages, and I learned where Ezekiel was last night. I heard him and Big Red go past the shed when I was listening to his message too. Why do you ask?”
“Why?” Mom’s eyebrows lifted. “And you’re okay with him staying all night at the Lapps’?”
“Jah. Our son is home, and he’s safe and sound.” Dad gestured to Ezekiel. “It was a good decision, with the way the weather turned last night.”
“Danki, Dad.” Ezekiel got up from the table and gave his father’s shoulder a couple of thumps. In times past, both Dad and Mom had been hard on him—especially where Michelle was concerned. It was nice to have Dad stick up for him this morning. “Think I’ll go check on the beehives to make sure they’re still in an upright position.”
Looking down at the floor, Mom cleared her throat. “Would you like me to fix you some breakfast, Son?”
“No, thanks. I already ate.” Ezekiel grabbed his boots and put them on. After slipping on his jacket and hat, he headed out the door.
Ezekiel had always respected his parents, but Mom was going a bit overboard this morning. I would think by now she’d trust my decisions. After all, I am an adult. He inhaled the cold crisp air, which helped to clear his head. I realize Mom is just concerned, but is this how it will always be with her—never having anything nice to say about Michelle and always assuming the worst of her?
Ezekiel felt ready to marry Michelle. In fact, he’d marry her tomorrow if possible. But until the classes were done and they’d joined the church, he would patiently wait. Michelle thought taking the classes would be a big test for her. Little did she know the bigger challenge would be his mother—not only for Michelle, but him as well.