Anna, Mammi, and Rachel all sat in the schtupp near the fire place with hot tea in hands. Anna glanced up at the clock again. It seemed like Jacob should have been back by now. They’d already finished supper, but set aside two plates for Jacob and Joe, knowing they’d be hungry upon their return.
The thought of Joseph being in the house again both excited and unnerved Anna. Perhaps when he arrived she should just go upstairs to her room. It would probably be best if she didn’t see him. But something inside of her wanted to – longed to, even. Oh, what a jumble of emotions she was!
He’s a thief, she reminded herself.
As the clip-clop of horses’ hooves entered the driveway, Anna watched Rachel rush to the window. “They’re here,” her excited voice announced. She hurried to the door to gander at the new horse Jacob rode. Anna figured Joe must have driven the buggy home.
“It’s a paint!” Rachel exclaimed. “I can’t wait to ride her.”
Anna smiled. Watching Rachel’s reaction to the horse was like watching a child open up Christmas gift.
Several moments later, the sound of stomping boots on the back porch reached their ears. In spite of herself, Anna glanced up at Joe as they walked through the door. He was now wearing a black felt hat – an Amish hat. Anna thought he looked quite handsome, she had to admit. For a brief moment, their eyes locked until Joseph looked away.
“Your hat,” she blurted out.
Joe offered a brief soft smile. “Picked it up in town.” He removed his hat and placed it on the peg near the door.
Jacob spoke now, “He wanted to pick up a nice hat before he leaves for Paradise.” Her cousin’s gaze met hers, sensing her unspoken question. “Joe’s leaving us.”
Anna’s heart clenched. “He is?” She looked to Joseph.
Joe nodded.
“When?” her spoken words were almost a whisper.
“Tomorrow,” Joe said quietly.
Mammi moved around them and sat two plates on the table for the men. She beckoned them to sit down. Rachel refilled the ladies’ tea cups and they joined the men at the table.
Rachel spoke up, “Speaking of Paradise, Leah called.”
“My Mamm?” Jacob asked. “What did she call about?”
Rachel’s tone sobered. “It’s not good news, Jacob.”
“What? What is it? What’s wrong?” Anna sensed panic in Jacob’s voice.
“Samuel was in a buggy accident,” Rachel said.
Jacob locked eyes with Joseph. “Samuel? Samuel Beachy?”
Joe’s head lowered.
“He died, Jacob,” Rachel finally divulged.
Joe spoke now, a look of unbelief flashed across his face. “Samuel Beachy is dead?”
“That is what Jacob’s mother said,” Mammi volunteered. “Apparently, there was a woman with him too. She has been hospitalized.”
“His wife?” Joseph asked.
“No, Samuel was a widower,” Jacob said. “His wife died of cancer not that long ago.”
<><><>
The news of Samuel’s sudden death had been shocking and saddening. He’d had no idea that his friend had been married, nor that he was a widower. Joseph chided himself for not visiting sooner. Now he’d never have the opportunity to see Samuel again.
He couldn’t help but feel like God was throwing him for another loop. What was he going to do now? That had been his escape, his excuse to leave. With Samuel now gone, he had no good excuse.
“I’d like to go to the funeral.” Jacob looked to his wife.
Rachel nodded, but Joseph sensed a bit of anxiousness.
Jake seemed to read his wife’s thoughts. “You and the girls may stay here, Rachel.” He turned to Joe. “You want to come to the funeral with me?”
Joseph nodded. “I’d like that. When is it?”
“In two days,” Rachel informed them.
“We’ll have to leave tomorrow,” Jacob said.
“Already?” Joe turned to Anna, surprised that she’d spoken. “Uh…I mean, does this mean that you won’t be working at the store? We’ve been busy lately,” she recovered.
“I’m certain you and Linda can handle it, jah?” Joe answered. He finished the remainder of his supper, then looked to Jacob. “What time do you want to leave?”
“I was thinking mid-morning would be a gut time. Say eight o’clock?”
“Sounds gut. Well, I better be going. It’s getting late.” Joseph turned to Mammi. “Thank you for the fine supper.”
Anna watched in dismay as Joseph lifted his hat from the rack, placed it on his head, and stepped outside into the night.
<><><>
Anna placed a bolt of fabric back on the shelf after cutting four yards for a customer. She ambled over to the cash register and rung up the sale, glad when the customer finally exited the store.
This was not a good day. In fact, it had been terrible.
Everything she’d done had turned out wrong. The four yards of material she’d just cut was supposed to be three. She’d inadvertently spoken Deitsh to a group of women who stared back at her as though she were an alien from outer space. She’d accidentally given a customer back a one dollar bill instead of a ten and the customer complained to her boss that Anna had been trying to cheat her.
And it was only ten-thirty.
She hadn’t slept well at all last night. The thought of Joseph leaving for good didn’t settle well. When she finally did fall asleep, she’d dreamt about him. Why couldn’t she get him out of her mind? Every time she reminded herself that Joseph Bender was a thief, her heart rebelled. Understanding her chaotic emotions seemed impossible.
By the time she arrived at the store this morning, Joe had already been gone. Gone, that’s it. No nice knowing ya, no maybe we’ll see each other again sometime, no anything.
He hadn’t even said goodbye.