12

Early Thursday morning, Ellie was picking peaches from the same tree as Menno, who had asked her to join him. She was quick to do so.

“The volleyball tournament sure was loads of fun last Saturday,” Menno said with a grin. “I wish we played volleyball at every youth gathering, ’specially during the warm weather.”

“Jah, I’ve always enjoyed playin’.” Ellie placed the peaches carefully into the harvesting crate she’d strapped around her shoulders and waist. “Maybe the girls could play against the boys sometime.”

“Gut idea.”

Ellie realized how nice it was to spend time with Menno beneath the shade of the tree like this.

“Say, Ellie. I wonder if you’d like to double-date with Yonnie Kurtz and his girlfriend, Katie, on Sunday. I’d suggest doubling with Sol, but Ruthann and her parents are goin’ to visit relatives down in Quarryville, and won’t be back in time for her to get to Singing.”

Pleased, Ellie nodded. “Sure, that’ll be fun.”

“Yonnie and I thought it’d be nice to take you girls for some ice cream at my cousin’s place,” he said, his golden-brown eyes twinkling.

“Wunnerbaar,” she replied, looking forward to it.

He smiled, and they moved around to the other side of the tree. It was the first time they’d picked together, and she was delighted.

Pinch yourself. You’re goin’ out again with Menno Bontrager, she thought, inwardly sighing. Every girl’s dream . . .

That Sunday evening, Dat dropped Ellie off for Singing since Evan had left after the post-Preaching fellowship meal and hadn’t yet returned. More and more, it seemed like he was too eager to spend extra time away from home.

Things are so different between Evan and me, she thought. He lives and works at home, but I can almost see the walls he’s building around him.

When it was time for refreshments halfway through Singing, Ellie noticed Menno over in the corner, talking with his cousin Yonnie. She was excited for another double-date but sorry it couldn’t be with Sol and Ruthann.

She picked up a sugar cookie just as Sol wandered over for a can of cold pop. He seemed hesitant at first, then said, “Leah wrote me a short note and said to tell ya she’s awful sorry to hear ’bout Evan’s low draft number—she must’ve heard it from the grapevine, ’cause I didn’t tell her. She’ll be writin’ a long letter to ya soon.”

Leah must wonder why I didn’t tell her, Ellie thought.

“But the best part—she’s comin’ home for Thanksgiving,” Sol added.

“That’s great news. Oh, I can hardly wait to see her.”

“Believe me, she feels the same way.”

Ellie looked at her cookie, “Ya know, I feel sad ’bout joining church without her.”

Sol nodded. “You and Leah were two peas in a pod. Well, are.”

“It’s somethin’ I think about a lot. Not that I don’t want to be baptized—I just wish Leah could be there, too.” She could imagine that sacred moment, shared by her family, all the People, and her precious friend. It was a day she’d looked forward to for a while now.

“You know you can share whatever’s on your mind with me, like Leah does.” He paused and glanced at her. “Ach, maybe I shouldn’t’ve said that. You’ve got plenty of other people to talk to.”

There was an awkwardness in their silence, and Ellie wished she’d kept her thoughts to herself. He must think you’re ferhoodled, sayin’ such a thing. After a time, she ventured to say, “I’m glad you and Leah are close siblings, like Evan and I used to be.”

“I suspect any change isn’t your doing. Evan’s nothin’ like he was a few years ago. Back then, he talked with me ’bout joining church early.”

With everything that had transpired, it felt so long ago now. “It’s puzzlin’ what happened to change his mind on that, other than becoming too interested in the world.” She sighed. “I wish Even were like you, following the path of peace.”

Sol took a swig of his pop. “Evan will certainly regret being non-resistant.”

“How could he not?” She stared at her last piece of cookie. “I think my parents are worried ’bout the shame it’ll bring on our family. But even more so ’bout the possibility of losin’ Evan in battle.” Her voice broke.

“I’m so sorry, Ellie. I shouldn’t have brought him up.”

She shook her head, unable to speak.

Sol stood there with her at the refreshment table as Ellie finished eating her cookie. Then he excused himself, still looking concerned as he left for the other side of the haymow to hang out with the fellows. His seeking her out here at Singing was another surprise—the first time they’d talked since their conversation at the volleyball game. But it seemed obvious he wanted to discuss their mutual loss of Leah and the family heartache over Evan’s painful decision.

She could see Yonnie and Katie waiting over near the barn entrance, as Menno walked toward her smiling. We’ll have a nice time, she thought.

The following evening, Ruthann arrived in her father’s gray carriage in time for dessert. Since Evan hadn’t stayed around for dessert, Ellie went into the hallway to the side door to greet her like Evan usually did.

“Hullo there, cousin,” Ruthann said, smiling. “These’ll melt if we don’t eat ’em right away.”

“Kumme en,” Ellie said. “Dawdi will be so happy to see ya . . . and have some of your amazing fudge!”

“He does enjoy sweets,” Ruthann said, heading inside as Ellie held the screen door.

Mamm’s eyes lit up to see Ruthann with her tasty offering. Since the house had been much too warm to bake today, Mamm had brought out only a few leftover cookies. “It’s so gut to see ya,” she said, and Dawdi’s eyes suddenly brightened.

“Evan will be sorry he didn’t stay around,” Dat said in a flat tone.

Ruthann frowned empathetically but said nothing.

“I’ll get some milk for us,” Mamm said, rising. “It would’ve been nice to have ice cream ready, but . . . this’ll do.”

“No apologies necessary,” Ruthann said, then sat across the table from Ellie, next to Evan’s vacant spot.

“Say now, Ruthann,” said Dawdi, “did I ever tell ya ’bout the time when, as a youngster, I painted horseshoes and sold ’em at our roadside stand for a little bit of nothin’?”

Ruthann shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Ellie couldn’t help but smile. Here was another story from Dawdi’s brimming memory bank.

“Well, one year at Christmastime,” he began, “I made a wreath for the schoolteacher out of painted red and green horseshoes. Bless her heart, bein’ the city girl she was, I doubt she knew what to think.” Dawdi paused to laugh. “All the same, she held it up for the class to see and announced to all, ‘Somebody’s horse is trotting around in his socks.’”

Ruthann burst out laughing, and Mamm shook her head, smiling.

Ellie asked, “Dawdi, are ya sure you’re not just pullin’ our legs?”

“Say now, I know this one’s true,” Dat said, vouching for Dawdi. “I heard ’bout it many times from your Mammi Hostetler growin’ up.”

“Come to think of it, I might still have one of ’em horseshoe wreaths lying round in the attic somewheres,” Dawdi said, looking more serious now. “Jah, ’tis every bit true.”

Ellie wished Evan was present to hear this. She was grateful Dawdi’s incomparable humor remained intact despite the perpetual cloud hanging over their family.