Chapter 14 - The Confrontation

“...for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7c

 

A knock on the back door of the schoolhouse interrupted the class. An angry voice boomed, “Is Eli in here?”

“Jah, I'm here, Dat. What is it?” Eli gulped. Surely his father coming to find him at school couldn't be good.

“Come outside with me, boy!” he said as he glanced around the room, searching for the dark-haired girl. His lancinate stare permeated Danika's being as he cast an evil eye at her.

Oh no! Danika breathed silently. This can't be good.

Eli hesitantly walked outside with his father. “Your mother found this in your drawer today. What is it?” Jacob Yoder held out the lock of hair Danika had given to Eli.

“It's Danika's hair,” he said trembling.

“The Kings' girl?” he asked upsettingly.

Eli nodded.

“I thought I told you not to see that girl anymore!” Jacob Yoder's words echoed through the classroom.

Danika could hear the words clearly from where she sat and immediately put her face in her hands. Please God! This cannot be happening.

“But I...we haven't –” Eli didn't want to lie to his father; he was in enough trouble as it is.

“When did you get this, boy?” he asked roughly.

Eli sighed. “On my birthday.”

“You mean to tell me you saw that girl after I forbid you to?” Mad as a hornet's nest, anger dripped with every syllable.

“Jah, sorry Dat,” Eli squeaked.

“Oh, you'll be sorry all right,” Jacob Yoder threatened. “We are going down to Philip King's right now and I'm going to have some words with him. Get in the buggy.” Eli hesitated at his father's command. “Now!”

“No, Dat,” Eli dared to say. “I love Danika and I plan to marry her whether you like it or not.”

Danika could feel the eyes of all of her classmates on her.

“Don't be a fool, Son. Get in the buggy, I said,” Jacob demanded and grasped his arm; Eli had no choice but to obey.

Danika jumped out of her seat and ran out of the schoolhouse. She raced home on foot as fast as she could. Please, Lord, no! she silently prayed. Please don't let this happen, I beg you! Her heart had never been heavier.

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Jacob Yoder came stomping into Philip's herb shop with Eli behind him. “King, I want to talk to you,” Jacob said in a semi-controlled voice.

“Uh, let's step out back,” Philip suggested, not wanting to startle his customers.

“I found this in my boy's drawer.” He held out the lock of hair. “Your girl gave it to him,” he said angrily.

Philip said nothing. He could see poor Eli was trembling.

“What kind of girl gives a gift like that?” he stated more than asked. “And black hair too. She’s not our kind.”

Jacob Yoder was definitely a different man now than who Philip had known in the past. It was plain to see that bitterness had gotten a hold of him. Just then Danika ran up, panting. She and Eli locked eyes in horror.

“Philip King, you've given me more trouble than –” Jacob grasped his heart, obviously in pain, fell to his knees, and his face began turning white.

“Danika, quick, get the cayenne. He's having a heart attack!” Philip called to Danika who was closest to the herb shop.

“No, Dat!” Eli cried.

Danika ran back with a glass full of something red, and they gave it to Jacob to drink. After he had drunk the entire glass, they moved him into the house where he could rest. Eli went and stayed by his father's side. “I'm sorry, Dat.” He sobbed on his father's shoulder, while he lay on the bed.

Philip walked up behind Eli and touched his arm. “It'll be okay, Son,” he said comfortingly. Eli stood up and Philip embraced him while his tears flowed freely. “It's not your fault,” he stated.

Danika stood in the kitchen explaining the whole situation to Naomi and Cindy. Afterward, she went outside alone and prayed, Dear Lord, Please don't let Eli lose his dad. Not like this. It would be too much of a burden for him to carry. No matter what happens to Eli and me, please let his father live.

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“Hi, Danika,” Eli said, as he came and sat by her on the porch swing. “It looks like Dat's going to be okay.”

Danika gave him a big hug, and he held her tight. “I'm so glad, Eli.”

“Your Uncle Philip is in there talking with him right now. He's sharing the Gospel, can you believe it?”

“We must pray that he gets saved. Jesus is the only one that can heal his heart,” Danika stated. Eli took her hand and he prayed aloud.

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Philip poked his head out the door, and informed Eli and Danika, “Jacob would like to see you now. Both of you.”

They looked at each other with questioning eyes, then back at Philip.

“It's all right, kumm,” he reassured them. They followed him into the quiet house and he led them to the living room, where Jacob now sat on the small couch.

Jacob still appeared a little frail, but his countenance had changed somehow. Eli and Danika sat down on the two wooden chairs in the room. Jacob looked at Danika as if to be studying her. She did not look away. He then looked at his son and began to speak, “Eli...” his voice cracked, “I have been wrong.”

“'Tis okay, Dat.”

“No, my behavior was not okay. I have let my own pride stand in the way of truth. Because of it, I have become a despicable man. I am not only ruining my own life, but also the lives of those around me. I am ashamed that it had to come to this before I opened my eyes. Will you please forgive me for the grief I have caused you?” he asked, his eyes pleading.

“For sure and for certain.” Eli smiled at his dad.

Jacob then looked at Dani. “Danika, is it?”

She nodded her head.

“Please come here,” he requested.

She came and stood before him, quickly glancing at Eli.

Jacob took her hand and searched her eyes. “Forgive me for misjudging you, I was wrong. You and your uncle have saved my life. I am indebted to you.”

“All is forgiven,” she granted with misty eyes.

Philip broke his silence and spoke up, “Jacob, I would be honored if you and your family would join us for lunch this Sunday.”

“We would be honored to come,” he replied.

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