A Baby for Hannah (28 page)

“Sorry,” Hannah said. “We weren’t trying to lecture you, were we, Jake.”

“No,” Jake said, grunting. “Just warning.”

Miriam continued, “It’s like this. Betty is making more and more of a fit about me seeing Dennis. I think these tent meetings are really disturbing her world, and I hate to bring Dennis home to the house while Betty is in such a bad mood. Could I please use your living room for a few Sunday evenings until these meetings blow over?”

“I don’t know why not,” Hannah said, glancing at Jake.

“Sure,” he said, with a smile. “It’s not like we aren’t in enough trouble already.”

“Oh, you are both such dears,” Miriam said, jumping to her feet. “I just had to know that tonight yet before I could get a wink of sleep.”

Twenty-Nine

Jake drove his buggy into Mose Chupp’s driveway on Saturday evening, pulling to a stop by the barn and waiting. It was still early, but they needed plenty of time. Perhaps if things didn’t go too badly, they might even be able to make both stops tonight. Another evening next week would simply be too much. Hannah was already in tears when he left the house. Wearily he settled back into the buggy seat as Mose opened the front door and came quickly down the walk.

“Good evening,” Jake said, as Mose climbed in.

“Good evening,” Mose replied, nodding. “It’s not a
gut
night, is it?”

“No, it isn’t,” Jake said. “But Bishop John wants answers, and I guess this is the only way to get them.”

“The work of the Lord is often hard,” Mose said. “And we must bear the load as true servants of the most high God.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” Jake said. “But Hannah is much troubled tonight, and it grieves me greatly.”

“The women are the weaker vessel,” Mose said. “And especially so when they are young.”

“You forget that I am young,” Jake said, turning out of the driveway onto the main road.

“
Jah,
one does forget such things, but both of you seem much older than your years. I suppose it is the grace of God given for what is needed.”

Jake slapped the reins and said “Get-up” to Joel. “I don’t like how much stress this is placing on Hannah. She’s already lost one baby, and we don’t want to go through that again.”

“There will be grace given,” Mose said, nodding his head soberly. “Of that we can always be sure.”

“I still don’t like it,” Jake said. “And this had better be over with soon.”

Mose glanced sharply at him. “You’re not thinking of rebelling against Bishop John, are you?”

“Of course not,” Jake said. “But still, I’m very short on patience tonight.”

“It could get worse before it gets better,” Mose said. “But still we must bear the burden. Yes, as you say, you are young, but don’t allow yourself to be overcome with the rashness of youth. You are already pushing the limit with Bishop John. I think he’s being very lenient with you, considering the circumstances. Some of the older bishops would have you up for discipline already.”

“I know,” Jake said. “But it still wouldn’t be right. I am obligated to give my honest opinion.”

“I think that’s what Bishop John likes about you,” Mose said, settling back into his seat. “You are honest. I suppose you could have left for the Mennonites already if you had wanted to.”

“Why do you and Bishop John think I would want to join the Mennonites?”

“Ben Stoll sure went out of his way to try and pull you into these meetings. I guess we could ask the same thing about why Ben might think such a thing of you.”

“I don’t know,” Jake said, slapping the reins again as his horse moved forward. “I’m just tired of the subject. I’m tired of thinking of this mess. I’m tired of being the one who disagrees with Bishop John. I’m tired of the whole thing. I didn’t sign up for this. Hannah and I wanted nothing more than a peaceful life here in the valley, and look what it’s gotten us. And now my second child is threatened by all this.”

“Is Hannah not doing well?” Mose asked. “I didn’t know things were that serious. Perhaps Clara could visit her, maybe help out with the housework. Is that what’s causing the problem?”

“No,” Jake said. “It’s the church problems, that’s all. And I don’t think either of us can take much more, so we’d better get this done tonight, even if it goes late.”

“Hannah’s sister Miriam is here,” Mose said. “Can she help out? And isn’t Hannah seeing a doctor?”

“
Jah,
” Jake said. “And Dr. Lisa gave a
gut
report on the last visit, and Hannah has another appointment soon. But I’m still concerned.”

“Then you should trust in
Da Hah,
” Mose said. “He will see you through this. He will see all of us through this.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Jake said. “Whose place are we going to first?”

“I think Will and Rebecca’s,” Mose said. “That might be the easy one, and we can see if we still have time left afterward.”

“I don’t think any of them will be easy,” Jake said. “I don’t think losing people to the Mennonites is ever easy.”

“No,” Mose said. “But why are you so sure we have lost them? Have they spoken to you already?”

“Of course not,” Jake said, turning into Will and Rebecca’s driveway. “I would have told you or Bishop John if they had. Can’t anyone trust me anymore?”

“I would say Bishop John is placing quite a lot of trust in you by sending you out on this mission tonight.”

“Then perhaps it would be nice to not be trusted so much,” Jake said, pulling to a stop by the hitching post.

“You must not say such things,” Mose said, climbing down from the buggy.

“I know, and I’m sorry,” Jake said as he tied Joel. “And now let’s hope Will and Rebecca are home or we will have to come back another night.”

“They’re home,” Mose said, leading the way up the graveled sidewalk. “I just saw their children’s faces peeking out of the front window.”

Jake followed soberly behind him and waited while Mose knocked on the front door. Moments later, Will opened the door halfway, standing with his hand on the knob.

“Good evening,” Will said, not moving.

“Good evening,” Mose said. “Is it okay if we come inside? We have a church matter we wish to speak with you and Rebecca about.”

“Yes, I expected as much,” Will said. “And why did Bishop John not come himself?”

“We are not here to argue,” Mose said. “We just need to know what your plans are.”

“Well, come on in,” Will said, stepping aside. “I don’t think this should take long. I’m leaving the Amish church. Does that answer your question?”

Mose took off his hat, and Jake did the same. Stepping across the threshold, Mose glanced around quickly. There was no sign of Rebecca or the children.

Is Will keeping them out of sight on purpose? Jake
wondered.
Or is Rebecca simply unwilling to speak with us?

“We still need to speak with you about it,” Mose said. “Perhaps you could explain yourself a little better. We’d also like to speak with Rebecca.”

“I don’t think she wants to speak with you,” Will said. “At least that’s what she told me.”

“I think it would be best if she told us that herself,” Mose said, standing in the middle of the kitchen floor. Jake shifted on his feet beside him.

“Then take a seat on the couch,” Will said, waving his hand toward the living room. “I will find Rebecca.”

Jake sat down beside Mose, keeping his eyes turned toward the floor. Hannah’s weeping face rose in his mind. They should have brought along their wives. It would have made things so much easier, but Bishop John had insisted they leave them at home.

A door slammed in the house and Jake jumped. Moments later Will reappeared with Rebecca behind him, wiping her eyes with a white handkerchief. She did not look at them as Will led her to the other couch. They both sat down.

“I’m sorry that we have to speak with you,” Mose said, clearing his throat. “But it’s necessary that we hear from you how you’re feeling.”

“I’m not feeling very well,” Rebecca whispered.

“Have you been with Will to all the tent meetings this week?” Mose asked.

“
Jah,
” Rebecca said.

“And what are your feelings on the matter? Will tells us he is leaving for the Mennonites.”

“This is how we can find peace in our home,” Rebecca said, tears springing to her eyes. “There seems to be no other way.”

“So it is Will who wants to leave and not you?” Mose asked, his eyes moving to Will.

“It is,” Rebecca said. “He is my husband, and I have borne his children, and I love him.”

“This is a serious matter,” Mose said. “It could involve the church direction your children and your grandchildren take. Have you thought about that?”

“I have,” Rebecca said, wiping her eyes again. “But I’m tired of thinking about it. Will is not happy in the Amish church. He has wanted to leave for an
Englisha
church for some time now. I cannot give my word to such a thing, and I would stay behind with the children if necessary, but the Mennonites are another matter. Such a move should not warrant excommunication. At least there is that hope.”

Mose turned to Will. “Is this the basis on which to make a church move? Your wife is obviously not in agreement with your decision.”

“You can think of me what you wish,” Will said. “But I must do what I think is best.”

“And you think it is best to take your wife and children out into the world?” Mose asked.

“Perhaps it’s the world to you,” Will said. “But it’s where I came from. I was still a small boy when my parents joined the Mennonites, and then I moved on to the Amish. I guess I made a mistake, and my parents were right all along.”

“Are your parents still Mennonites?” Mose asked.

Will nodded.

“His father and mother were down to visit this week,” Rebecca said, her voice stronger now. “It’s what helped me make up my mind.”

“Is your father involved in these revival meetings?” Mose asked. “Surely he would not make church trouble for his son?”

“No,” Rebecca said, shaking her head. “It is not like that at all. Will’s parents are wonderful people. They wouldn’t try to take us away from the Amish church, but just seeing his dad talk with Will about spiritual things—like they haven’t in a long time, helped me become comfortable with the idea.”

“And they couldn’t talk about spiritual things before?” Mose asked.

“I don’t know about Will’s brother, Dennis,” Rebecca said. “But there always seemed to be a strain between Will and his father.”

“I was the one who took Dennis to the Amish,” Will said. “I said some harsh things to Dad before we left.”

“Does Dennis feel the same way you do?” Jake asked, leaning forward.

“No,” Will said, laughing. “That’s the funny part about this. Dennis doesn’t follow me around anymore, so I guess he’s grown up.”

“Has Dennis been to any of the meetings?”

“We haven’t seen anyone there but Mary Keim,” Rebecca said. “And Will has promised me he won’t try to lure any of the community members to do what we’re doing.”

“That’s
gut,
” Mose said. “But we also must tell you that Bishop John is planning on taking a vote this Sunday on excommunicating Ben and Sylvia Stoll. He feels that Ben has made a point of coming into the community to cause trouble and needs to be dealt with.”

“Oh!” Rebecca gasped, her hands covering her face. “What then does this mean for us? We can’t be excommunicated, Will, we absolutely
can’t.
”

“That’s what I needed to warn you about,” Mose said. “Anyone who attends the meetings after that will also be in danger of church discipline.”

Will wrapped his arms around Rebecca’s shoulder, pulling her close to him. “Don’t cry, dear,” he whispered. Then turning to Mose he said, “Then we won’t be attending any more meetings. That should solve the problem, shouldn’t it? But it won’t solve the problem of us leaving the church. We can still find a Mennonite church to join. That surely won’t bring us the threat of excommunication. Perhaps my parents’ church if nothing else, but I must say I am very troubled over this threat. I’m surprised, Jake, that you would give your word to such an outrageous move.”

Mose jumped to his feet, “I’m so sorry to hear that you’re leaving the community, but there is nothing we can do about that now. We do need to stop this problem of the revival meetings, and that is what the vote is about on Sunday.”

“Can’t you wait another week?” Rebecca asked, her voice a plea. “There’s only one more week of meetings, and no one else is attending that we know of.”

“But there could be more who wish to attend,” Mose said. “So we can’t take the chance, and Bishop John desires it. So, again, we are sorry that you are leaving the church.”

“Perhaps it is time for you to go,” Will said, leading the way to the front door. He held it open and Mose and Jake walked out into the gathering dusk.

Thirty

Jake drove out of Will and Rebecca’s driveway, turning north on the main road. The horse held back, shaking its head till Jake hollered, “Come on, now, Joel.”