Stella Strutt cleared her throat and said in brassy dialect, “ I have to say not guilty. Not guilty. I have been wrong about much where Nurse Hal is concerned. My sister, Eliza, told me how much Nurse Hal did for my nephew, Jonas Yost. She would not have been to the field so quick if she had to use a buggy, and she got so much help there to lift the corn binder off that poor suffering young man in such a short time, a short time. None of us could have done what Nurse Hal did for Jonas. We need her to stay among us. We need her to help us.”
And on it went until each of the members had voted and each of them found Hal not guilty.
Bishop Bontrager stood and clasped his hands together. “The church members have spoken.” He turned to the ministers on either side of him and asked them to agree or disagree. The men stated that they considered Nurse Hal not guilty. Bishop Bontrager said, “Let me tell you how I rule about this matter as the head of our church district. Remember when Freda Stoltz had pneumonia. The doctor said she needed oxygen for a while until her lungs mended. We agreed it was more important that Freda have the comfort of the oxygen at that time until she was well again than to adhere to the strict letter of the Ordnunds. I think this matter with Nurse Hal’s car and phone is the same thing. The ends justify the means. We as a group have voted she is not guilty. I will allow the use of the car and the cell phone for Nurse Hal’s nursing services only,” the bishop stressed. “Now this matter is never to be brought up again. The meeting is ended.”
The women moved to the kitchen. John came to help Hal up from the floor. She felt as if she was in a daze. Had she just escaped discipline or was she in a wishful dream? She looked at John through swimming eyes for an answer. He smiled as he handed her his hanky. “Things will be gute from now on.”
Hal slipped her hand in John’s and squeezed. “You’re sure it’s all right now?”
“Jah, it is,” he said.
“John, help put these tables together,” Samuel Nisely called.
“I got to go,” he said, his face full of relief and joy.
Margaret rushed over and grabbed Hal’s arm. “Come to the kitchen with me to help.”
“Margaret, denki for sticking up for me. That must have been hard to do since you saw me using my phone,” Hal admitted in a hushed voice.
“Not really. You did not make the call. Barb called you.”
“That is true.”
“It is a fine line I walked with this secret I kept from the bishop and members. You did have your phone in your pocket, but I sensed that day you knew you had been wrong to carry the phone. I took your word for it that you put the phone away. We need you as a nurse in our community. I did not want Stella Strutt to think she had influenced the members and get you taken away from us. Turns out, she had not influenced any of them,” Margaret said.
Feeling a rush of gratitude to the congregation for their faith in her, Hal admitted, “I want you to know, Margaret I did leave the phone in the cupboard in the clinic that day and did not have it on me at home again. I wouldn’t of had it with me when Elton had his heart attack but I took it to Wickenburg and plugged the adapter in at the home health office so the battery on the phone recharged. That is my life line to help in an emergency. It was just gute luck for Elton that I did that.”
“Jah, very gute luck. None of us wanted to lose Elton,” Margaret agreed.
Hal stopped walking with her. “I see Elton. I need to talk to him. You go on. I’ll come to the kitchen as soon as I can.” She walked over to the bishop. “I don’t know what to say Bishop Bontrager. I didn’t expect so many people to stand up for me. It had to be your doing. You were the first to say good words on my behalf, and the others followed. denki for helping me.”
Elton took her cold hands between his warm ones and said in a kindly tone, “That is not so. The church members had those thoughts on their own. They waited until the time was recht to tell you how they felt. You, gute woman, are making adjustments to be one of us. We have to remember how hard that is. Did you not think we could make some compromises for you in return?”
“I just didn’t think I was worthy of the compromises in your eyes,” Hal said truthfully. She was weak kneed from the agony of not knowing for days what was going to happen. That feeling was not going to leave her so quickly. “I see I was wrong. Tell me, would anyone think it wrong of me to give the bishop a hug.”
Elton gave her a wide smile. “I dare anyone to come to me with a complaint on this matter. Relax and enjoy the rest of this day with these folks. They are your friends.” He drew Hal into his arms and patted her back.
When they parted, he leaned forward to whisper in her ear, “But remember, you are not to be driving the car or use the phone for anything other than your nursing duties. I will stand against you if I am told that has happened. It would be your second offense and the punishment will be harsh. I would have no choice.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t put you, me or my family in that spot ever again,” Hal vowed in his ear and gave him another squeeze for good measure.
The bishop asked bluntly, “Many of us work out and go to our jobs in buggies. What about your job?”
“I’ve asked for time off during the winter months so I don’t have to be out on the road. I’ll work in the months that are safe for me to travel in the buggy by myself,” Hal said.
“That sounds like a gute, sensible plan,” Elton agreed.
Hal smiled at him. “It was until I realized I’m going to have a baby. That means more time off for maternity leave.”
“Voonderball gute news though,” Elton explained. “I am so happy for you and John. I must confess Jane already suspected.”
Hal said forlornly, “I’m happy to be starting a family. It’s just that I feel like such a failure already at my Plain life.”
“Listen to me, Nurse Hal. No woman is a failure that has as many friends as you do. I have never heard of or seen such a majority of church members stand up for any other Plain person before,” Elton said sincerely.
“denki for telling me that. It makes me feel better. Now I have to talk to the children. They’ve been very worried about me.” Hal saw Emma and the boys on the front porch, looking in the screen door. She excused herself from Elton and went to the porch. “It’s all right. I’ve been forgiven,” she whispered.
Emma said, “We know.”
“Already?”
“Jah, we listened under the window, Mama Hal,” Noah said.
“I see.”
“We prayed for your forgiveness, and God answered,” Emma told her.
“denki for helping me, kids. I was in a pickle for sure and needed all the prayers I could get,” Hal assured them.
“We prayed hard,” Daniel assured her.
“I know you did. It worked, didn’t it?” Hal said, patting his head.
“I am glad our prayers worked. Maybe Emma was recht. If I had made Stella Strutt mad by the prayer I intended, she might not have voted for you,” Daniel whispered.
“Daniel, what was you going to pray for?” Hal asked hesitantly.
“For God to get Stella’s horse to bite her where the sun does not shine,” Daniel said seriously. “I will save that prayer for the next time Stella is mean to you.”
“Let’s hope there isn’t a next time. You heard her say I was not guilty. We have to make friends with Stella so she will like us better. Now I have to go help in the kitchen. I don’t know about you kids, but I’m suddenly very hungry,” Hal said, giving each of them a hug. She turned to find John watching her. He’d slipped outside and leaned up against the porch wall with his hands in his trouser pockets. His eyes held pride as he watched her with his children.
“Hello, John Lapp. Is everything all right with you now?” Hal said tentatively.
“Everything is fine with me denki very much, Hallie Lapp. Are you feeling better?”
She held the hanky out to him. “Well enough you can have this back. It’s only slightly used. I’m settling down now that the worst is over. I’m so glad everyone was so understanding. Listen in there. That’s all our friends, laughing, talking and working together. It’s a wonderful world we Plain people live in, isn’t it?”
“Jah, the best,” he solemnly. “I got to go back in. I just wanted to know you are all recht.”
He went back to helping the men put the tables together. Once two benches were placed on the trestle in one spot, the women came along and placed oilcloths on that one and waited for the next one to be ready. The rest of the women worked on the meal. Baked bread, pickles, beets, cheese, pretzels, a hot noodle soup, cookies, pie, and a standard favorite, a peanut butter spread sweetened with marshmallow creme and corn syrup or molasses were the choices.
With so many members in a district and so little space in the house, the Amish ate in shifts segregated by sex. Older adults ate first and on down to the younger ones and youth in later shifts. Plain women made the rounds pouring black coffee and ice water. The meal was followed by a much anticipated social time, an opportunity for fellowship and to catch up on news in the two weeks they hadn’t seen each other.
Later that afternoon, the Lapp family relaxed in their living room, eating popcorn and exchanging the news from church. Hal didn’t join in. In fact, she wasn’t even listening. She stared out the window by the game table. At best, all she managed was to concentrate on the ominous, charcoal gray clouds that were building behind the barn as she tried to gather herself. She had to come to grips with what had happened. The worse was over.
Problem was Hal couldn’t help worrying. She wanted to feel better about the rest of her life in the Plain community, but there was a little piece of her that wondered what wrong thing she’d do next. This had been a rough time while she waited for the church members decision. She had to move on and settle in to this new life. Let what happen in the past go and learn from it but put this unsettling time behind her where it belonged. Her head told her that, but a doubt nibbled at her emotions. Could she move on and not cause herself and her family more unintentional trouble?
As if to remind her the future held a welcome event, she felt a nudge inside her. The baby had been really active after Hal sat down and relaxed. Maybe the baby could tell it was finally safe to make his or hers presence known. She rubbed her stomach to let the little fellow know she felt him or her. Her thoughts should be on this baby. Time had a way of getting away from her. She better be preparing for this little bundle of joy to arrive. March would be here all too soon, and she needed to be ready for this birth. Not only this birth, but now she had Roseanna Nisely to take care of. March was going to be an exciting and busy month for the clinic.
John touched her shoulder. “Hal.” As from a long way off she heard his voice and forced herself to tune him in. He invited, “Hal, go for a walk with me. I think you and me can use the fresh air.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. I’d love a walk,” she agreed.
“Grab your coat. The temperature has dropped mightily,” John said.
They started off across the pasture, walking in the short brown grass and angled in the direction of the picnic grove. Hal could feel the weight of her worries melting away with John’s arm around her waist and their special place ahead of them. Off in the distance, the faint honking of geese on their southward flight broke the silence. Suddenly, the honks stopped. The geese must have landed on the pond for the night.
Dusk settled around the couple. Storm clouds covered the sky overhead by the time they reached the picnic grove. Dark wasn’t far behind, and a definite chill had taken over. They didn’t have long be by themselves. Hal sensed John brought her here so they could be alone for a reason. If he was going to have a discussion with her he’d have to get at it. It was just about chore time.
As if John read her mind, he stopped, leaned up against a tree and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “Hal, you have been much too quiet since we got home. Are you for sure going to be all recht with this new life you have chosen?”
Hal twisted to face him. She wanted to be honest about her feelings. “I want to be.”
“But?” He pushed.
“I’m just afraid I won’t muster up to what you and the others in the community expect of me. What if I do something else to upset the bishop and break the rules?” Hal asked. “Are you always going to have to worry that I’ll cause a problem for this family?”
“Stop being ferhoodled. I am not worried about you doing any such thing. This has been a hard time for you, but that has passed. You will do just fine from now on,” John scolded softly, brushing a wisp of shiny red hair out of her eyes. “You have become the heart of this family. You gave my children and me laughter where there was none. You offered us your love when we needed you. My children cannot do without you now. I know I cannot do without you ever. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Does it help to hear this?”
“Very much so. I’ll promise to stop worrying if you tell me I can count on you to keep me on the right path for all our sakes. Can you do that for me, John Lapp?”
“Jah, we will work on this life of ours together,” John said with a kind, loving smile.
Hal had one more question. “Do you think Stella Strutt is ever going to give me a break?”
“Maybe and maybe not. Who knows what Stella will try next? We cannot live our lives worrying about her. Can we?” John asked, trying to be the voice of reason.
Hal shivered as she pulled her coat tighter around her. “No, I guess not. What I do know is I’m committed to this life, committed to marriage with you and committed to our family, because I love you, John Lapp. Does it help you to hear that?”
“Jah, this from you helps me know we are going to be all recht,” John assured her.
“We better head back. It’s dark, and I hear the generator. The boys are milking already,” Hal said, taking his arm.
Not a leaf on the trees rustled. In the open pasture not a blade of grass twitched. The birds of day had gone quiet, and night birds had yet to wake. The atmosphere was laden with moisture as they headed home. “John, listen. It’s so very still,” Hal said, relishing the surreal peace on this farm she called home.
“Only two things quieter,” John said and kissed her cheek. “The hour before dawn and the first flakes of snow falling gently to earth.”
“I can think of one more moment of quiet. Just before the baby cries in the middle of the night,” Hal quipped.
As John laughed, the storm cloud opened up and goose feather snowflakes fluttered down. Hal held her hand out. Two flakes landed in her palm and vanished into specks of icy water. She giggled, feeling happier than she had in days. Hal met her husband’s warm dark eyes. She loved the way John looked at her. His words of wisdom made her feel secure and at peace. She loved everything about this man from the way he was taking charge of her life down to the way his beard tickled when they kiss.
Everything was going to work out for her and the Lapp family. She was sure of it now. Her worries had melted away just like the snowflakes in her hand.
John opened his arms, and Hal snuggled up against him as they walked. The words to a song kept running through her head. It was a cold, dark night, and my heart melts the snow.
About The Author
Hello! I’m Fay Risner and I go by booksbyfay when I post. I’ve enjoyed writing about the life of Nurse Hal while she struggles to understand Amish life. My books are made to give you a look into the Amish community and offer some humor along with the serious moments. As well as these books, I write a historical mystery series set in Iowa and westerns. Also, I have two books about Alzheimer’s disease. I worked for many years in a local nursing home and helped my mother care for my father which gave me insight about what caregivers deal with. Switching genres, when an idea comes to me, gives me flexibility as a writer. I write in 12 font to make the reading user friendly.
My husband and I live on an acreage with chickens, rabbits and cats. We enjoy raising a large garden and flowers. For fun past times, we go fishing in the summer and read a lot in the winter.
Fay Risner’s books
Nurse Hal Among The Amish Series
A Promise Is A Promise Doubting Thomas
The Rainbow’s End
Hal’s Worldly Temptations
As Her Name Is So Is Redbird
Emma’s Gossamer Dreams
The Courting Buggy
Amazing Gracie Historical Mystery Series
Neighbor Watchers
Poor Defenseless Addie
Specious Nephew
The Country Seat Killer
The Chance Of A Sparrow
Moser Mansion Ghosts
Locked Rock, Iowa Hatchet Murders
Westerns
Stringbean Hooper Westerns
Tread Lightly Sibby
The Dark Wind Howls Over Mary
Ella Mayfield’s Pawpaw Militia
Small Feet’s Many Moon Journey
Christmas books
Christmas Traditions - An Amish Love Story
Christmas With Hover Hill
Leona’s Christmas Bucket List
Children Books
Spooks In Claiborne Mansion
My Children Are More Precious Than Gold
Mr. Quacker
Nonfiction about Alzheimer’s disease
Open A Window - Caregiver Handbook
Hello Alzheimer’s Goodbye Dad-author’s true story
Cookbook
Midwest Favorite Lamb Recipes
Books published by Booksbyfay Publisher
Romance
Sunset Til Sunrise On Buttercup Lane by Connie Risner
Military nonfiction Vietnam
Redcatcher MP by Mickey Bright