The Miting (34 page)

“Did I catch you at a bad time? Your roommate told me you were at MAP today. I have a question for you about Thanksgiving.”

“Okay. I have time to chat a bit.”

As the ladies in the office had talked earlier about holiday plans, Leah had been very aware she had no family to go to for Thanksgiving. She’d thought of the dinner
Maem
usually made: turkey, mashed potatoes, noodles with the turkey gizzards, and pan gravy. Leah and her sister had been helping
Maem
cook the dinner since they were little girls. Her heart had grown heavy with the thought she wouldn’t be with them this year, but now her pulse quickened. Perhaps Sally had a plan in mind. Maybe she wouldn’t be alone after all.

“I was wondering what your plans are,” Sally said.

“I … don’t know, I guess. I used to help
Maem
cook the dinner, but …”

Sally forged ahead while Leah forced the tears from her voice.

“Honey girl, I wish I could replace your family. I know you’ll miss them, but we always have enough to feed an army, and it will be just my husband and me this year. Our kids are with their in-laws. We’d love to have you join us, if you want to. You could come early and help me cook a turkey dinner. I know how good you are in the kitchen. How about it? It would be fun. We’d consider it a blessing to have you with us!”

Leah was surprised by the invitation, but somehow it was hard to accept. Could she get through the dinner without breaking down when thoughts of home intruded? Leah contemplated saying no and staying at the Schrocks’, but when she thought of Sally’s fun nature, she realized the day could be a wonderful time of getting to know her friend better.

“Sure. That sounds lovely. Thank you, Sally. It’s so nice of you to ask.”

“Sugar, you don’t need to thank me. With my kids gone, this old house will feel mighty lonely without a young person in it. I’ll pick you up, okay?”

“Okay.” Leah hung up the phone and smiled. Already her spirits were lifting as she considered spending the day cooking and eating with her employer. Sally had a heart for others, and her joy was contagious.

Thanksgiving Day dawned bright and chilly. A few snowflakes darted and danced in the air as Leah rummaged through her meager supply of clothes for a sweater and slacks that were warm. By the time she finished dressing, she heard a knock on the side door leading to the garage. That would be Sally. She’d promised to pick Leah up around ten so they would have plenty of time to prepare dinner together. She went to open the door just as Hannah was making a dash from her bedroom.

“Leah! Let me give you a hug before you go,” she called.

Leah laughed and returned her friend’s heartfelt hug. “Where’re you going for Thanksgiving, Hannah?”

“My boyfriend’s family. They’re ex-Amish, too.”

“Have a good day, Hannah.”

“You, too.”

Leah found herself basking in the warmth of Sally and Len’s home that Thanksgiving, grateful for the laughter, the noise and cheers of the football game, and the new foods—all so different from her own traditions but good all the same. Even cleaning up was fun, with Leah and Sally chattering about the upcoming holiday season. For Leah, the warmth of her growing friendship with Sally was a balm to her lonely soul. Sally knew no strangers, and her infectious laugh and boundless energy never failed to encourage Leah.

Driving home later that evening, Sally asked if Leah wanted to come to her place on Saturday to help prepare for a catering job for a local cancer fund-raiser.

“Catering? You do that, too?”

“It’s more a side job. I do some fund-raisers and donate the food. I usually have a few nephews and nieces to help me, but this Saturday, they’re all on vacation with their families. It isn’t a big job, but I sure could use some help getting the food prepped and then serving. I’ll pay the same as your hourly rate for the cleaning, if that’s okay. What do you think?”

Leah thought about the chance at extra income, knowing it would put her that much closer to getting her own car. Naomi had helped her open a checking account, and she had also gone back on her own and opened a savings account. Leah was setting aside a portion of every check for the day when she would be able to move into her own apartment and buy a car.

“I’d love to help. I’m trying to save for my own apartment and car so any extra work will be appreciated.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up about three—it will take us almost three hours to prep the food and then about four hours after that to serve and clean up. Sound all right to you?”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you Saturday afternoon.”

When she entered the apartment, Leah realized Hannah hadn’t returned yet, so she had the apartment to herself. She put the plate of Thanksgiving leftovers in the refrigerator, kicked off her shoes, and stretched out on the sofa. It had been a good day after all.

Just before she dozed off, she thought of her family. She thought of Jacob. His smile and kindness to her. How he made her feel safe. She fought to stave off the familiar sadness that crept in, but she whispered a prayer for all of them—especially Jacob.

The following Thursday, Hannah drove Leah to take her final driver’s test. She had passed the written exam with flying colors, but she was nervous again when it came time to take the road test. The examiner asked all kinds of questions and then indicated for her to get in the car to demonstrate her driving skills.

Leah did well at the four-way stop, kept the speed limits, and even aced the parallel parking, but when it came time to turn left onto a small road near the exam office, the examiner spoke up, “Don’t show me your bad habits. That corner was sloppy and you drove too far into the other lane. Keep your cool.”

Of course, keeping her cool was the last thing Leah thought she could manage, but she concentrated on the road, and when she finally turned into the parking lot of the DMV, she turned off the ignition with a sigh.

The examiner scribbled on the clipboard in his lap. At last, he turned to Leah, his face serious.

“If you keep driving like that”—he paused dramatically, a frown covering his face—“you’ll be a very good driver.” He offered a broad smile. “Congratulations—you passed!”

Leah exhaled loudly. “Thanks!”

She couldn’t wait to tell Hannah. She followed the examiner into the building and filled out all the appropriate paperwork. Finally, the clerk handed Leah her first official driver’s license. She couldn’t help herself: a huge grin spread over her face as she hurried to the lobby. She waved the license in the air as Hannah stood to congratulate her with a hug.

“Woo hooo! Let’s go celebrate, Leah! Here”—she tossed her the car keys—“you drive.”

They spent the afternoon treating themselves to lunch and running errands—and Leah had to admit, doing all the driving gave her quite a sense of confidence. Now she couldn’t wait to save enough money for a car.

That evening the Schrocks invited Hannah and Leah up for dinner to celebrate reaching her goal. Afterward, she thought of how she’d love to share her happy news with her family, but the sober reality of how they would condemn Leah for the success hit her. No way would
Maem
and
Daet
be happy or proud of her tonight. Instead, the bishop and everyone in the church and community would claim Satan had a grip on her soul for sure.

Leah settled in front of the movie Hannah had switched to, but her thoughts were not focused on the story unfolding on the screen. Instead, her heart sadly recognized the things she was accomplishing in the English world were further distancing her from Amish family and friends.

Even Jacob would have trouble defending me now.

C
HAPTER
E
IGHTEEN

S
aturday morning, Leah drove into Ashfield alone for the first time. A few snow flurries drifted around the car, and though she was nervous, she experienced a sense of freedom and independence she’d never realized could mean so much.

The mega store was busy, and as she cruised up and down the rows looking for a parking spot, she noticed the line of horses and buggies tied to a rail. Because the air was nippy, the horses were covered in blankets. She slowed down to see if she recognized any of them, her heart beating with the hope of catching a glimpse of her family or Jacob Yoder. but she didn’t see Sparky or Jacob’s horse, Bingo.

Leah found a spot and parked.

The wind was picking up, and as she hugged the warm parka to herself, she remembered how cold she’d been in her black wool cape. Though the wraps did an adequate job, the wind easily came under the hem, blowing frigid air from bottom to top.

Brrr … I don’t miss that at all.

Inside, the cheerfully decorated store brought joy to Leah’s heart. She hummed a carol as she shopped. An Amish Christmas wasn’t as decorative, but it still was a happy and festive time for the family. Special cookies and foods were prepared, and Leah especially loved the secret gifts they made for each other the last weeks before Christmas. Longing for
Maem
’s special holiday pies, Ada’s silly jokes, Benny’s excited cries, and even
Daet
’s readings from the German Bible crept in. She’d been gone for just over a year.

“Leah!”

She turned to the voice interrupting her thoughts and caught a glimpse of Martha wheeling a shopping cart between the bustling crowds. In the cart, she could see an infant car seat, a little baby just visible beneath the canopy. Leah heard his whimpers and saw tiny fists waving in protest. Martha rushed to her side and hugged Leah tightly.

“Martha, you had your baby!” Leah exclaimed as she moved to the cart and grasped one soft, little hand. “How old is he and what’s his name?”

“He’s four months old and his name is Johnny.” Martha proudly smoothed the soft chestnut hair of her son as she smiled. Though her happy expression seemed genuine, Leah could see dark circles and worry lines framing her eyes.

“Are you still in your apartment downtown?” Leah asked.

Martha frowned and shook her head. She picked at the fuzzy blue yarn of the baby’s blanket, and then forced a tight smile. “Actually, we’re staying with friends right now.”

“Oh. Is Abe still working at the factory? I know he was worried last summer he might get laid off.”

“He did get laid off. And then he moved out of town.”

“What? Are you going to join him?”

“No.” Martha shook her head sadly. “He left me and Johnny. He was stressed over not having a job, and one day, about a month ago, he came home, told me he had a job offer in Florida, and packed up and left.”

“Oh, Martha! I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say!”

Martha looked embarrassed. Johnny began to cry, and she lifted him from the seat to give him his bottle. “Leah, I hate to say this, but we’ve got to go back home.”

“You mean home to your family?”

“Yes.
Maem
wrote me after I sent a note home with one of the Miller girls, and she told me I could move back in if I confessed and joined the church. The bishop okayed it, too.” She shrugged. “I don’t have a choice, do I? I can’t get a job with Johnny so young, and none of my friends are willing to let us stay with them for free.”