41

Ellie scurried out to meet Sol on the back part of the porch while Dat helped Dawdi unhitch their horse by the stable. She told Sol that Evan had been in an explosion before suffering through months of recovery and rehab all while not even remembering who he was until recently. And he’d lost his left arm.

“He lost . . . what?” Sol clenched his jaw, clearly stunned.

“It’s a lot for him to deal with.” Her stomach turned again at the thought. “Yet he seems to be taking it in stride. Doesn’t seem like him.”

“He may be coverin’ up his real feelings, maybe for your sake and your parents’. I mean, how can ya lose a limb and not grieve the loss?” Sol sighed. “This is unbelievable.”

Ellie nodded. “Thank the Lord he didn’t lose his life. And there’s some good news, too. Evan wants to make things right with the bishop first thing.”

“Can you repeat that?” Sol said, pointing to his injured ear.

She did.

Sol looked startled. “So I did hear ya right the first time. What a blessing!”

“And not only that,” she said, glancing toward the side door, “but he’s talking of joinin’ church come fall.”

“Glory be!”

“That’s for sure. Evan’s heart’s been changed, Sol. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Sol leaned down to kiss her. “Your face is lit up like a candle.”

She hugged him tight. “Evan sounded eager to get out of his uniform. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s upstairs changin’ clothes right now.”

Sol followed her around to the side door.

Ellie continued, “Honestly, I was uncomfortable seein’ him dressed that way. He looked like he’d been plucked out of another world and dropped into an Amish farmhouse.”

“I can only imagine,” Sol said, opening the screen door for her.

Ellie stepped inside and yet again realized that both of these young men she loved had lost something in their stand—one for peace and the other for military service.

Recalling Evan’s fondness for it, Ellie prepared macaroni goulash for supper while Sol read the newspaper at the table. Evan had slipped away upstairs to his room, and after a time, Dawdi came over and asked to see him before heading upstairs. Ellie was glad their grandfather was eager to visit with Evan. He’ll need all the encouragement we as a family can give him, she thought as she browned the ground beef.

A while later, Dawdi came down the stairs and stood in the kitchen, sighing. “Ach, mighty hard to see Evan like that,” he said, his straw hat in his big hands.

Ellie nodded, turning away from the cookstove. “How’s he doin’ up there?”

“Seems fine. Already talking ’bout packin’ his uniform away. He looks like an Amish fella again—got his Plain clothes on.”

“I wondered if he might want to change.”

“He’s prob’ly put on a brave face for yous, but he was weepin’ when I went up there. Our boy’s depressed, that’s certain, and for gut reason.” Dawdi paused, grimacing. “He showed me what little’s left of his arm. It’s still healing, but he said he knows what to do to take care of it. He told me a warm towel will go a long way when he gets phantom pains.”

“I wish he’d said somethin’ earlier,” Ellie replied, wishing she’d thought to ask if he needed anything special.

“He’s havin’ to relearn how to do many things that used to be second nature.” Dawdi shuffled to the hallway leading to the side door. “I invited him to come stay with me next door whenever he’s ready, since I’ve got that spare bedroom an’ all. He an’ I, we’ll look after each other.”

Sol perked up. “That’s just like ya, Hezekiah.”

“You’re welcome to have supper with us tonight,” Ellie said, thinking it might be easier for all of them if Dawdi was around. He knew how to make the best of every situation.

“Your Mamm already invited me over there, but I appreciate it, Ellie-girl.” Dawdi put on his hat. “Well, yous have a nice evening together.” With that he headed for the hallway.

Ellie heard the door open and close, saying nary a word, wanting Sol to talk first if he was so inclined. My brother’s upstairs, she thought with a somewhat contented feeling, in spite of her concern.

Sol was quieter than usual after they bowed their heads for the suppertime blessing. Ellie felt as if she had to carry the conversation, talking about everything except Evan’s injury. She wished she knew what Sol was thinking at the head of the table she’d set with their good dishes.

“I’ll be packing my uniform away up in the attic, out of sight. The Purple Heart medal, too,” Evan shared. “They stir up memories I want to forget. Reminds me of everything I turned my back on. Other soldiers are proud of all that, but I was never really one of them.”

“That’s all up to you, Bruder,” Ellie said, passing the big bowl of green beans to Sol as she considered what Dawdi had told them earlier.

A shadow seemed to pass over Evan’s face. “Three of my closest buddies died in the explosion that nearly took my life,” he said more quietly. “Sometimes at night, I see flashes when I close my eyes, reminding me of the nonstop horror we saw night and day. And then there are the nightmares. I wake up drenched with sweat.”

A lump rose in her throat. “I wish there was somethin’ I could do.”

“Tying my shoes would be a start.” Evan sounded embarrassed to say it.

Sol leaned forward at the table. “Whatever ya need, Evan, we’re here for you, and we want our home to be a place of refuge. I know Hezekiah invited ya to move over there, but Ellie and I want ya to stay with us however long you’d like.”

Evan looked surprised and frowned a little. “I appreciate this, comin’ from you. You were the better man, Sol . . . choosin’ the way of peace.” His voice broke. “It means . . . more than I can say.”

“We don’t have to talk about any of that,” Ellie said, seeing how grim and beaten down he looked. “You’ve had more than enough trouble for one lifetime.”

“Ellie’s right,” Sol said. “Your family truly cares, Evan. Every one of us.”

“Denki,” Evan said, eyes glimmering.

“And we’re brothers now, remember,” Sol said, smiling.

Ellie’s shoulders relaxed. All will surely be well, she thought, grateful for this generous welcome from her husband. It had made all the difference for their first meal together. But she also knew Sol would understand if Evan decided not to stay in his boyhood room, living in the same house with her and Sol as they began their marriage.

Still, she worried Evan was in more pain, both physically and emotionally, than he was letting on. Like Dawdi said.

That evening, Ellie, Sol, and Evan met in the front room for early Bible reading. Evan requested prayer for the families of his deceased unit buddies, as well as for the nurses who offered care and kindness to him, especially after his amputation.

“They were like the ministering spirits mentioned in the New Testament,” Evan said before they knelt in silent prayer. “The medics and corpsmen on the battlefields need prayer for energy and stamina, too. So many soldiers are wounded and dying every day.”

Ellie’s heart was touched by Evan’s sincere request, and she did as he’d asked. But she added a prayer for her brother’s emotional and mental state as well.

Before Evan headed up to his room for the night, Ellie offered him a warmed towel, and he thanked her.

“I also have some aloe juice, if ya think that would help soothe the scars on your face and neck,” she said.

“Wish I’d had that overseas. Might be too late now, but I’ll try it.”

Much later, as Ellie and Sol settled in their room for the night, she told him she had something to discuss before too long.

“Why not right now?” he asked as they sat in bed by the light of the lantern.

She moved closer to him. “I can’t help wonderin’ if Dat might be wishin’ he’d waited to appoint us the orchard’s future managers.”

“That crossed my mind, too.” Sol reached for her hand. “If it’ll help, just know that I can get a job with my older brother. That was always my plan before we were engaged.”

“You wouldn’t have continued workin’ here?” She was a little surprised.

“Maybe part-time. I would’ve missed workin’ in the orchard, no question, but I knew I’d need a better income eventually.” He paused. “About the time I was gonna tell ya, your Dat approached us ’bout takin’ on his role.”

Ellie sat there in the dim light and pondered that. “First I knew this.”

“So now that Evan’s back and lookin’ to become a church member, are ya thinkin’ of talking to your Dat ’bout changing the current plan?”

“If it’d free him up to follow his heart with this, jah.” She leaned her head on Sol’s shoulder, and he cupped her chin in his hand. “But only if you agree, love.”

“Go ahead, but with Evan missin’ an arm, I really don’t know how he could handle everything,” Sol said. “It could take him a long time to fully adapt. But your father will tell you what he’s thinkin’, and it’ll be less awkward if you’re the one to offer for us to bow out.”

“You don’t want to come with me to discuss it?”

Sol shook his head. “I’m in agreement with whatever’s decided.”

Closing her eyes, Ellie was relieved at Sol’s kindhearted understanding. She tried to think what it’d be like not to be involved in the business side of things after all this time working alongside Dat and loving the orchard as she did. But Evan had made an about-face, and it was worthwhile to share with Dat how she and Sol felt.

“Sleep peacefully,” Sol whispered, “knowin’ that we’ll be well taken care of either way—whether I work elsewhere or we continue on here.”

She scooted down under the covers and let that sink in. I want Evan to know how happy we are to have him home, she thought before slipping toward sleep.

Lyle turned in bed and draped his arm over Elisabeth as she lay on her side. He’d dreamed Evan had returned home intact, not wounded at all and still hardheaded and distant, then headed straight for the Herr farm and his worldly friends. It was all Lyle could do to relax, and he had to remind himself that Evan was indeed severely wounded, yet his heart was in the right place.

“You all right, dear?” Elisabeth murmured.

“Just a bad dream.”

“You were gasping.”

“I’m fine now.”

“Something ’bout Evan?”

He scooted closer and reassured her he was okay. “Our son has returned to us. There’s no cause to fret, love.”

“M-hm,” she whispered, then sighed back into slumber.

Lyle remained awake, recalling the day’s events and feeling wholly indebted to the Lord above. All the same, he felt certain that Evan’s sense of self-worth was at stake, given the trauma and loss he’d endured and would suffer for some time. Our son needs to find something meaningful to do, something that will give him a purpose.