CHAPTER
33

At suppertime, Gloria decided to share that she would be leaving the house after evening Bible reading and prayers. Not that she needed Pete and Millie’s permission, of course, but she was polite and wanted to follow Leona’s recommendation. “I’m meeting an old friend for coffee,” she said while passing the mashed potatoes across to Leona.

“An old friend?” Millie asked innocently.

Gloria caught Leona’s eye.

“He’s not that old,” Leona said.

“Well now.” Millie passed the gravy boat to her and looked Pete’s way, though he seemed preoccupied with his food.

“Just a friendly chat,” Gloria said. “Nothing more.”

Leona’s Dawdi Benuel cracked a smile and continued eating.

There, thought Gloria. That wasn’t so hard.

———

Following devotions, Leona spent a few minutes with Gloria in Leona’s room. “How was your visit with Dawdi Benuel?” she asked. “What did ya talk about, if I may ask?” She removed her Kapp and hung it on the bedpost.

“Oh . . .” Gloria sighed. “I told him I’ve thought of talking to Deacon Ebersol sometime while I’m here. He’s all for it.”

Leona stared at her. “Really, you want to?”

Gloria nodded her head but didn’t divulge what she had in mind.

“Well, you can be sure Dawdi’s advice is trustworthy . . . the deacon’s, too.”

“Still sorting it all out.”

“As long as ya pray ’bout it, too.”

Gloria’s cheeks turned pink. “If I prayed over every little thing, that’s all I’d ever be doing.”

“Ain’t such a bad thing, is it? The Lord teaches us to pray without ceasing.”

“But how is that possible?”

Leona smiled and adjusted the pillows behind her. “Dat once said that it means always being in an attitude of prayer. You know—having your heart tuned to the Holy Spirit.”

“Your father is wise . . . and a truly devoted husband and father,” Gloria observed.

“I used to think that about your father.”

Gloria patted the tops of Leona’s feet. “Nice of you to say, but—”

“Nee, I’m serious. I envied your relationship with your parents.”

Gloria grimaced. “Funny . . . I haven’t really felt like I can rely on my parents. Not even Mom. She’s always in Dad’s corner now, whether she wants to be or not.”

“I’m awful sorry.” She felt sick hearing this, though she’d noticed the flaws in Gloria’s relationship with her parents while visiting in Arkansas. Jeannie had talked so sweetly to Gloria whenever Leona was around, but there were definitely some cracks. Like the pressure over Darren . . .

Gloria glanced at the day clock on the dresser. “Yikes! Guess I’d better get going.” She scooted off the bed. “Remember, it’s just coffee.”

“Exactly.” Leona winked.

“Besides, I’d be a terrible choice for Orchard John, and you know it.” With that, Gloria left to freshen up in the spare room.

———

Leona watched Gloria back out of the driveway and head down the road to meet Orchard John. “She loved him once, and he loved her,” she mused as she prepared to write in her daily journal, chronicling the day, particularly Gloria’s and her visit to Ada Miller’s. How strange it was to see her standing in her old room, she wrote. And pointing out the little nicks in the window—reminders that must cause Gloria a certain amount of sadness now.

When she finished, Leona closed her journal and redid her hair bun, preparing to go out herself, over to Deacon Ebersol’s to get his opinion on Gloria.

She heard Mamma’s footsteps in the hallway, and then Mamma appeared in the doorway. “I hope things go well for Gloria.”

“She’s maybe callin’ this a friendly meeting, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Orchard John wishes otherwise.”

“Poor fella . . . still single after all this time.”

“He’s gotta be going through a lot, seeing her back.”

Mamma stepped into the room and sat on the bed, something she rarely did. “Gloria helped me cut out my new dress pattern this afternoon. She sewed up the seams and pressed them, too.”

“She didn’t tell me.”

Mamma linked her hands in front of her. “I daresay there’s a tug-of-war taking place in her heart.”

“I sometimes think she’s ashamed because of her shunned father.”

“The dear girl . . . I pray Gott shines peace into her troubled soul.”

“Denki, Mamma.” Leona went to sit next to her mother, just being quiet there with her. A treasured moment, for certain.

“Gloria’s blessed by your loyal friendship, ’specially now. Not too many folk in our district would welcome her back when she hasn’t made any declarations ’bout returning to the church.”

Leona placed her hand over her mother’s callused and wrinkled hand. “You’ve been so kind to my friend, Mamma. It means ever so much to me.”

The coffee shop seemed quiet even for a weeknight. As Gloria entered, she immediately spotted Orchard John sitting in the corner at the table they’d always frequented. He waved to her, straw hat removed and his blond hair looking fresh from a recent shower.

He stood up to greet her, sitting down again only when she did.

Gloria noticed a latte awaited her, and smelling it, she realized it was her favorite kind. “You remembered?”

“Of course,” he said softly, eyes shining. “How could I forget?”

“Well, thank you.” She took a sip, and the familiar taste and surroundings reminded her of the many wonderful times she’d spent with the smiling young man across the table.

“Are you enjoyin’ your visit with Leona?” he asked.

“I guess the grapevine’s caught up with me.”

John smiled. “Sometimes a person just has to come home again, jah?”

“Well, I’m only here for a short break.” An escape from my life . . .

“I was curious ’bout why.”

To keep things from becoming too personal, she quickly said, “Leona and I had an interesting morning over at Jacob Miller’s house.”

Orchard John took a sip of his coffee before speaking. “It was providential that Jacob got all that land when he did.”

“Well, he’s a terrific carpenter. I saw his handiwork in the kitchen.” She described the handsome cupboards and built-ins. “I’m not sure my father could have gotten my mother to leave if it looked like it does now.”

John nodded, chuckling. “A woman and her kitchen.”

Gloria thanked him for inviting her.

“When I saw ya sitting there on the stone wall yesterday mornin’, I knew I needed to see you again.”

She found herself nearly holding her breath and wondered what more he would say.

“It might seem like a long while since you lived here, but for me it was just a matter of time before you’d miss all of us and return, if just for a visit.” He paused, clutching his coffee cup with his right hand.

“And now, seeing me in these fancy clothes, you must wonder how I could’ve left it all behind—right, John?”

He held her gaze. “You always were a devoted daughter. Naturally, you’d want to follow your father . . . stay with your family. ’Specially if you were just goin’ along to get along, ya know. Not really buying into their beliefs.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.” She reached for her cup, glad for the comfort of something to hold.

“I’d rather not embarrass ya, Gloria, but I’d like to ask ya something.”

“You were never shy.” She smiled.

“One night before you and your family moved away, I tossed some stones at your window. . . . Were you in your room?”

She looked at him, stunned that he was bringing this up. “Yes . . . I heard them.” Drawing a long breath, she continued, “But my father wanted me to date other fellows before settling down with a serious beau. It had only been a year since I’d started going to Singing and other youth gatherings, remember?”

He nodded thoughtfully. “I only asked because I wanted to know if it was your choice . . . or someone else’s.”

It wasn’t necessary to go a step further and say how distressed she’d felt. Pointless now. “I simply could not disobey my father . . . you understand.”

“And he was right: You hadn’t had much chance to get to know other young men.” Orchard John kept his attention on her as she sipped more of her latte. “What about now, Gloria . . . are ya seein’ someone?”

She’d hoped he wouldn’t ask. “Actually, I’m here to sort things out with my boyfriend. Well, not with him, but about him. And there are some other things to mull over, too.”

“I see.” His eyes squinted in confusion. “Do yous have much in common, then? Has he always been an Englischer?”

Her thoughts right now were beyond her ability to verbalize. Besides, John’s questions were tying her stomach in knots.

“I’m sorry, but what if we talked about you instead—your work, your family and friends?” she suggested.

John didn’t seem to mind switching topics and told her about his day tending to hundreds of apple and peach trees with his father and other workers. He also mentioned that his sister Naomi had left a message on their father’s barn phone to say that Gloria had stopped by the fabric and notions shop where she worked. “Daed heard the voicemail first and wanted me to listen. Guess he doubted I’d believe him if I didn’t hear it myself.”

Gloria was embarrassed they had made such a big deal of it. “It was real nice seein’ your sister again, even so briefly.” Then she mentioned she ought to head back to Leona’s. “She’ll be waiting for me, no doubt.”

“It was great to see you again, Gloria.” John walked her out to the car.

“You too . . . and thanks for the delicious treat.” She opened her car door and got in as he walked to his father’s old horse cart and untied the mare from the hitching post.

What a great guy, she thought wistfully. Hopefully, he’ll find someone special and move on with his life.