Clymer
Michelle listened intently as one of their elderly ministers read Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The minister delivering the message was the easiest to understand. He tended to use more English words in his address to the congregation than the bishop and other preachers did.
Michelle was still getting used to deciphering the German words spoken during Amish church, but her language skills were coming along. At least she understood most of the Pennsylvania Dutch words the Amish spoke as their everyday language.
She’d gotten used to doing without TV and other modern electronic conveniences. She no longer needed those forms of stimulation. The simple life was what Michelle thought was important.
As she sat with the other women on wooden benches, Michelle appreciated the pillow she’d been offered to sit on today. Another young woman also sat on a pillow. She was expecting a baby too, only she wasn’t as far along as Michelle.
Michelle rested both hands on her stomach. In a little over two months she would give birth, and since she’d finally set her fears aside, she could hardly wait for the big day. Michelle felt certain that Ezekiel would be a good father, and hoped she’d be a good mother as well. Ezekiel’s mother planned to come and stay with them for a while after the baby was born, and Michelle looked forward to that. Even though Belinda hadn’t accepted her at first, as time went on and Michelle became a member of the Amish church, their relationship had improved.
Michelle glanced at her new friend, Anita Beiler, who was also new to the area. Anita and her husband, Nate, were expecting a baby in August. The two couples had gotten together a few times to visit and play board games. Michelle and Anita had also spent some time together, sewing clothes for their babies and helping each other with their gardens. It was nice to have someone to talk to who was about her age, and Michelle had finally reached the point where she felt like Clymer was her home.
She gave her belly a gentle tap, and as if in response, the baby kicked. It will be your home too, little one. As the Bible verse said, all things were working out for her good.
Michelle glanced at her husband from across the room. Ezekiel’s relaxed expression let her know that he too felt content.
Strasburg
As Lenore sat in church, listening to the second message of the morning, she glanced at the men’s side and noticed Mark looking at her. She quickly dropped her gaze, hoping no one had noticed them making eye contact, which would be inappropriate in church.
Lenore wondered why he hadn’t picked her up for a buggy ride on Friday evening as they’d planned. He hadn’t even bothered to call. Had he forgotten about it or simply changed his mind? Either way, it was inconsiderate of him not to let her know.
Lenore kept her gaze focused on her folded hands. Since I have no expectations of us establishing a relationship and apparently neither does Mark, I suppose it doesn’t really matter that he didn’t show up on Friday evening. He’s just an acquaintance—not even a close friend, because a friend would have the courtesy to let the other person know if they had to cancel their plans.
As the next song began, Lenore looked up from her hymnal and saw Jesse holding Cindy. The child looked so cute sitting on her daddy’s lap with a wide-eyed expression. Drawing her arms close to her body and gripping the Amish hymnal tightly, Lenore dropped her gaze once more. Some men can’t be trusted. At least that’s how it appears to be with Jesse and Mark. They say one thing and then go back on their word.
When church was over and everyone had been served a light lunch, some people went home while others lingered, gathering in groups to visit. Since Cindy had become fussy and needed her diaper changed, Jesse decided it was time to head for home. Hopefully she would sleep after he’d changed her diaper, and then Jesse would try to do some reading, or he might even take a nap himself.
As Jesse headed for his buggy, carrying Cindy as well as her diaper bag, he thought about how things were when he’d been courting Lenore. He reflected on the advice Vera had given him a few weeks ago and wondered if he’d been too hasty breaking things off with Lenore. Maybe he did have some feelings for her. It could be that if they had gotten married those feelings would have turned to love. Jesse wondered if he should see if Lenore might be willing to let him court her again.
Almost every Sunday that their district held church services, he and Cindy had gone over to Mary Ruth’s house and spent the afternoon and evening hours with her and Lenore. They’d often played board games or just sat and visited. And of course, the women would always fix something tasty to eat. Jesse missed those times. Truth was, he also missed conversing with Lenore. But the question was—did he love her? If he did, he had been pushing his feelings down to keep from being untrue to Esther’s memory.
Jesse approached his buggy and got Cindy settled inside. As he turned toward his horse, waiting patiently to go, he caught sight of Lenore over by the fence, talking to Mark Zook, whom he’d finally met.
Jesse tried not to gawk at the two of them as they visited. Instead, he turned his head to look inside the buggy at Cindy, yawning in her car seat. When Jesse looked back, he noticed Lenore’s buggy. Mary Ruth stood outside the buggy with her arms folded, no doubt waiting for Lenore. Jesse caught sight of her looking in the couple’s direction. He couldn’t see her expression from here but wondered if Mary Ruth approved of Lenore’s new friend.
The skin under Jesse’s eyes tightened as a pang of jealousy shot through him. His teeth clenched. I bet something is going on between those two. Guess I waited too long, he berated himself. So now what do I do? Should I forget about Lenore and move on with my life, or see if there’s a possibility of pursuing a relationship again?
“I’m sorry about not coming by to pick you up on Friday for a ride in my buggy.” Mark reached out his hand as if to touch Lenore, but quickly pulled it away. “If you’re willing to listen, I’d like to explain what happened.”
Lenore leaned against the fence and looked up at him. “I’m willing to listen.”
“I had to work later than normal Friday evening, and by the time I got back to my uncle’s place, I’d developed a koppweh.” Mark leaned on the fence too, and when he smiled, she caught a whiff of his minty breath.
“It’s too bad about your headache. I understand how miserable those can be. What I don’t understand, though, is why you didn’t call and let me know you weren’t coming.”
“I did call, but the voice mail on your answering machine must have been nearly full, because it cut off before I could even say who I was.” He popped a few knuckles on his left hand.
“Oh, I see.” Lenore had no choice but to give him the benefit of the doubt—especially because she had discovered that their answering machine was full when she’d checked it last evening.
“Am I forgiven?” Mark’s arms hung loosely at his sides, but his tender gaze remained on her.
“Jah.” Lenore looked over toward her buggy and saw Grandma waiting. She appeared to be looking their way. Lenore’s face warmed, and Mark’s proximity wasn’t helping. I wonder what Grandma is thinking right now. Am I moving on too soon?
Mark cleared his throat. “Lenore, are you okay? Your cheeks look mighty red all of a sudden.”
“I’m fine. Uh, sorry, what did you say?” She stepped from Grandma’s view.
“I’d like another chance, and I was thinking if you’re not busy, I could come by your grandma’s place this evening and take you for a ride.” Mark’s sincere expression made it difficult to say no.
Lenore managed a weak smile. “I have no special plans for this evening, so jah, I’m willing to go for a ride.”
Mark’s lips stretched into a pleasant smile. “Okay, good. I’ll see you around seven.”
As Mark walked away, Lenore turned toward her buggy, where Grandma sat waiting. Sure hope I didn’t make a mistake saying I would go.
That evening, Lenore’s parents came by to see how she and Grandma were doing. Mom brought along some cold fried chicken and potato salad, and Lenore took coleslaw from the refrigerator that she’d made yesterday, along with some pickled beets and chow-chow.
“Danki for helping me get supper on,” Lenore said to her mother. “It’s nice for Grandma to just sit and relax for a change while she visits with Dad.”
Mom nodded. “Jah, it’s good for them to have a little mother-son time.”
“I agree. It’s been awfully quiet around the house ever since Jesse found someone else to watch Cindy, and Grandma misses the little girl.”
“I figured as much. She’s not as cheerful as she was when she kept busy taking care of Cindy,” Mom observed. “So how are things going with you?”
Lenore shrugged as she placed the bowl of coleslaw on the table. “Okay, I guess. I’m getting a bit bored with teaching though, and I’ve been praying that God will show me what He has in store for me down the road.”
“I’ll be praying for you too.” Mom hugged Lenore. “Now your grandma mentioned when we first arrived that you were talking to a nice-looking Amish man after church this afternoon.”
“It was Mark Zook. He and his folks used to live in the area, and he went to school with me.”
“So are he and his family here for a visit?”
“No, I believe Mark plans to stay here. He’s working for his uncle John in his woodworking business.”
“I see.” Mom tipped her head. “Do you mind me asking what the two of you were talking about today?”
“Nothing much. Mark was just asking if he could take me for a buggy ride.”
A wide smile spread across Mom’s face. “I’m glad to hear that. It’ll be good for you to start courting again.”
Lenore released an exasperated sigh. “Mom, Mark and I are not courting. We’re just renewing our acquaintance, and he probably needs a friend.”
“Well, you just never know—your friendship with Mark might lead to something else.” Mom’s tone sounded hopeful. No doubt she was as eager to see Lenore married off as Lenore was herself. Well, it remained to be seen what her future held. The main thing, Lenore kept reminding herself, was to keep her focus on God and live a good Christian life. And as long as she was teaching, she needed to be a good example to her students, even if she no longer felt that teaching was her true calling.