The Love Letters (16 page)

“Boston!” the lad continued to holler. “I was lookin' for ya!”

Marlena's heart went out to both the boy and the man, and she drew near, wishing she might alleviate Small Jay's obvious fear.

By now, Luke had moved protectively closer to the man with oily hair and disheveled clothes, a leather bag on his right shoulder.

“I wondered where you'd gone, Boston,” Small Jay spoke up again. “You had me mighty worried.”

The drifter beamed down at Small Jay and slowly reached for his hand. “I was lookin' for you, too,” he said softly. “Perhaps that's how I came to find myself here. If only I remembered.”

Marlena leaned to pick up the rolled-up blanket from the ground as Small Jay went to Luke and stood on tiptoes, cupping Luke's ear with his hand as he whispered.

Luke nodded immediately, his eyes alight at whatever Small Jay had said. “Come with us now, Boston.” He reached for the man's sleeve, then motioned to Small Jay to lead the way.

“Won't ya
kumme
home with me?” Small Jay implored the man.

“Home,” repeated Boston, grinning now at Small Jay. “The loveliest word of all.”

A few moments passed while those who'd gathered talked right fast in
Deitsch
, rehearsing the scene and what they knew of the man's wanderings in the area.

Marlena caught Luke's eye and smiled her thanks as he held on to Boston's arm, steadying the man.
So thoughtful . . .
and confident.
Without thinking, she fell into step with them as they moved gradually up the lane toward the Bitners' farmhouse.

When they'd passed the springhouse, Luke asked Small Jay, “Does your father know of your plan?”

“Not just yet.” Small Jay looked up at the man he called Boston.

“Well, at least one hurdle is past,” Marlena said quietly.

Small Jay stopped walking. “Boston, won't ya meet my friend Marlena Wenger? She's visitin' her Mammi yonder.” He pointed toward the house at the crest of the hill.

“I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Wenger. My name is Boston Calvert,” the older man said, shaking her hand. Boston's eyes met hers, and for a moment she was sure she saw tears. “I'm grateful beyond words, miss.”

She smiled, and they headed onward, the man's dog beside him as they made their way around the house to the paved walkway. And as they went, Marlena wondered how a man could sound so refined and have such perfect manners, yet look so down and out.

L
uke Mast hadn't waited around once Small Jay insisted he head on home, since his horse and the hay wagon were still parked out on the road. But Marlena wasn't as confident. She really had no idea what Roman's reaction to Boston's arrival might be, and she felt on edge as Small Jay pressed his nose into the screen door and called for his mother after setting his cat inside.

She noticed Boston's hands shaking and wondered if he'd had anything to eat recently. She didn't dare offer to have him stay over at Mammi's, what with the baby there and all.
I'm trusting something works out here with Small Jay and his family.

When no one came, the boy disappeared into the house, and Marlena considered asking Boston if he wanted to rest a bit on the porch steps. He was teetering now and she worried he might pass out. The man's border collie made whimpering sounds and settled at Boston's feet, his black-and-white head leaning on his stately white paws, eyes alert.

Despite Boston's earlier protestation, she wondered if he had been drinking, but when she asked if he could manage
to stand a little longer, there was no alcoholic smell to his breath. If he
was
sober, what was causing his terrible confusion . . . and the shakes?

Ellie appeared just then at the door, wearing a frown. Then, seeing Marlena there with Boston, she stepped outside and smiled. “Well, I didn't realize
you
were out here, dear. Goodness' sake, we can't have yous standin' in the heat.” Small Jay stood in the doorway now, and Ellie motioned for all of them to come up and sit on the porch.

Meanwhile, Ellie called into the kitchen for Julia to run and get their father. Small Jay had already seated himself next to Boston on the last available porch chair.

“Mamma, this is my friend Boston Calvert,” Small Jay told his bewildered mother. “The man I met . . . at the mill.”

“Hullo, Mr. Calvert,” Ellie said, making brief eye contact with the bedraggled man. She stood stiffly, her hands on her apron, and turned her gaze to the stable. “Calvert,” she said then, her glance returning to Boston. “I believe I saw your name written on a note.”

Small Jay's eyes blinked rapidly, but he said nothing.

Ellie shook her head, clearly flustered. “
Ach
, I don't know what's keepin' my husband.”

A long silence fell over them.

Finally Small Jay said, “Mamma, can Boston stay with us for a while?” His eyes were pleading. “He's got no place to lay his head.”

Boston leaned forward; his hands were shaking uncontrollably now. “May I trouble you, madam, for a glass of cold water?” he asked, his voice faltering. “I would greatly appreciate it.”

Marlena took pity on him and hoped Ellie might grant the man's wish. She glanced toward the barn to see if Roman was
on his way but saw no sign of him, so she offered to go in herself and get some water for Boston. “I don't mind, really, Ellie.”

“
Nee
 . . . I'll get it,” Ellie said right quick. She reached to open the screen door, which slapped behind her.

“I'd give up my own room for ya, Boston, but the stairs are awful steep.” Small Jay leaned down and petted the dog's nose. “Don't know where we could put Allegro, though. Dat's not so keen on havin' animals in the house . . . 'cept Sassy.”

“Is Allegro the dog's name?” Marlena asked, finding it peculiar.

“Yes,” Boston said, then he began to mutter something about his special letters and reached for the shoulder bag he'd dropped on the porch. His eyes looked foggy as he rooted through the soft leather bag.

Ellie returned with a pale green tumbler of water, ice clinking against the sides.

“Thank you kindly,” Boston said, his hand shaking so hard that Ellie had to help hold it for him till it reached his lips.

“I apologize for my husband's absence,” Ellie said, standing over Boston now like a worried mother. Her face was pink and her expression strained, like someone worried about stirring up a bees' nest. “If Roman doesn't come in soon, we'll just bring you something to eat out here.” Marlena suspected Ellie was going out on a limb by announcing this.

“That is music to my ears.” Boston craned his head toward Small Jay and handed him the empty tumbler. “I was quite thirsty. And I do thank you for saving me out there, young man.”

Small Jay grinned back at him. “We'll take
gut
care of ya now, Boston . . . you'll see.”

At that, Marlena observed Ellie's eyes grow as wide as Dawdi
Tim's old coat buttons. It seemed all too possible that, once Roman appeared, Boston would be sent on his way.

———

A few minutes later, Sassy came to the screen door and pawed at it, mewing as she peered out at them.

“I'll check your food dish soon,” Small Jay promised while Boston looked on, smiling and seemingly getting a kick out of the determined cat.

Meanwhile, Ellie squinted toward the stable, until finally she headed down the porch steps, making a beeline for it as the tail of her long apron fluttered behind her.

She's upset,
thought Marlena. Small Jay seemed nearly as nervous as his mother, fidgeting where he sat. Boston, on the other hand, had leaned his greasy head back, relaxed, and was presently snoozing.

“Is your
Dawdi Haus
empty?” she asked Small Jay quietly.

“All 'cept the long table and chairs in the front room for Mamma's sewing classes.”

“What 'bout a bedroom on the main level?” She couldn't imagine Boston making it up even a few stairs, at least not tonight.
If Roman will allow a stranger to stay . . .

Small Jay glanced at the sleeping Boston, then back at her, nodding his head. The boy had removed his straw hat, revealing uneven bangs, and she wondered if he'd accidently moved when Ellie was giving him a haircut. Or had Roman done the hair cutting?

Just then she looked up to see Roman coming this way, young Julia hanging on his arm, both of them talking and laughing. Oddly enough, Ellie was trailing behind. When the three of them were within a few yards of the porch, Roman stopped walking, and his expression changed to cautious.

Quickly, Ellie shooed Julia into the house, then stood near her husband and whispered something to him.

Marlena held her breath as Small Jay rose slowly, laboriously, making his way to stand beside the banister, looking down at his parents.

Marlena was glad Boston, weary as he was, had no knowledge of the obvious push and pull taking place out there on the lawn.

Small Jay started to move toward the porch steps, then paused and waited, his shoulders rising and falling.
He's scared and doesn't know what to do.

Marlena slid forward in the chair, wondering what was being said between Ellie and Roman. It was ever so awkward to witness Ellie's apparent pleading—it seemed certain Roman had refused whatever she'd asked.

“Can my friend stay here tonight, Dat?” Small Jay's voice rang out at last. “Just till we help him find his real home?”

Marlena swallowed hard, hoping.

Roman, glowering, moved toward the porch, where he eyed the sleeping man. He looked at Ellie, who'd followed him and slipped her arm through her husband's.

“He needs us, Dat . . . honest, he does.”

Marlena wasn't sure how to bolster Small Jay's pleas. So she sat still, trying to interpret Roman's demeanor.

Just then Sassy managed to open the screen door and scooted out, heading for the sleeping dog. She stalked over and sat herself down beside the dog's head and began to groom her paw.

“Sure looks like Sassy wants my friend to stay—his dog, too,” Small Jay offered, sitting down on the top porch step.

Roman's eyebrows rose as he watched the dog's eyes slowly
open, and then, surprisingly, lean his long muzzle on Sassy's back. “Where'd this dog come from?” he asked.

“It's Boston's,” Small Jay spoke up. “Ain't he nice and gentle with my Sassy?”

Ellie gazed at Roman, her arm still tucked into his.

With a little gasp, Boston opened his eyes and shook himself. “Pardon me. I don't wish you to think I find your company lacking . . . not in the least.”

Small Jay chuckled. “Dat, this is Boston, my friend from the mill.”

Roman stiffened. “Boston, ya say?” He glanced at Small Jay.

“Not named for the city,” Boston said. “My mother chose it because of her favorite pie.” He slapped one knee and chuckled.

“Boston cream pie?” Marlena said, unable to keep still any longer.

The homeless man gave her an appreciative smile. “Now, I believe that's exactly the name I was looking for . . . thank you kindly.”

By now Roman looked not only befuddled but outnumbered. And Marlena hoped the latter was true, because this man Boston was just delightful.

“I best be goin' home. Mammi will wonder where I've gone.” Marlena rose and turned to offer her hand to Boston. “I went with Small Jay to visit ya today, but you'd already left the mill,” she said.

“I'm certainly pleased to know anyone who is a friend of this excellent young man's.” Boston got up with great effort, yet managed to stand straight as he extended a formal handshake to Marlena.

“It's time for evening prayers,” Roman said abruptly, walking briskly toward the house.

“But, Dat.” Small Jay's voice cracked. “What 'bout Boston?”

“A drifter's place is outdoors, son.”

Small Jay continued. “We could bed him down in the
Dawdi Haus
—it's empty, after all.”

“You heard me.”

Marlena's breath caught in her throat. Surely Roman had a softer heart than this.

“Dat . . . I beg ya. Just one night?”

“Did I stutter, son?”

Ellie rushed up the porch steps and whispered to her husband again, but Roman merely shook his head and waved his right hand in the air as he stepped inside.

Inhaling deeply, Ellie placed her hand on her heart. “If Boston would like to sleep in the haymow, he is certainly welcome.”

Bright smiles appeared on both Small Jay's face and Boston's. “
Denki
, Mamma.
Denki!
”

“Tell that to your father,” Ellie said. “Now, go on in and get ready for family worship.”

“I'd be right happy to sit out here with Boston.” Small Jay paused. “If that's all right.”

“Your Dat wants ya inside, son.” Ellie cast an awkward smile at the man. “I'll bring some food out to ya soon, Boston.”

“Thank you kindly,” the man said, his face aglow.

Then, before going inside, Ellie fixed her eyes on Marlena, and although Marlena was not sure in the least how all this would turn out, she wanted to believe that Roman Bitner wouldn't be sorry for extending even a small measure of mercy to a very needy man this night.