The Parting (27 page)
Daed will think I’m a man in love . . . or a fool
.
Reuben rode fast after an early dinner Saturday, passing Ephram’s place as he headed toward his firstborn sons. Jeremiah and Thomas would hear from him today about God’s plan for man’s salvation, as stated in the Good Book.
Although he had been praying for this encounter for a while, he asked now for divine wisdom and the right words to say.
Thomas and Jeremiah were the best starting place among his grown children, because if he could persuade them to get involved in Bible study, they would more than likely encourage their younger brothers to follow in their footsteps.
Reuben’s heart sang with praises as he rode toward the sunset, making his way along Beaver Dam Road, then turning south on Plank Road. God had already worked a miracle by turning Betsy’s heart toward Him so swiftly—Manny’s, too. He noted a few dozen feathered stragglers perched high on a telephone wire. When all was said and done, how many of the People would heed Preacher Manny and pursue saving grace? He couldn’t help but wonder how he’d feel if he and Cousin Jonathan were the only ones sticking their necks out; he was mighty thankful they had Manny to look to for direction.
He thought of Bishop Joseph, concerned about his older brother’s health. Would he respond soon to his and Manny’s request? Perhaps having a minister conducting the studies would somehow suffice. He could only hope for a yea.
All in God’s hands . . .
Spotting his sons’ big farmhouse on the left, he slowed the horse, seeing his eldest sons putting away the sickle-bar hay mower. So they’d been making hay today, too.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
.
Though eager to share those things Reuben wished he’d known years ago, he took his time turning into the drive. He marveled at the brilliant orange, gold, and white mums in the flower beds in front of the porch and running alongside the house; nearly the same color arrangement as Betsy’s own flower garden. Esther and Fannie—Thomas’s and Jeremiah’s wives—were known to work well together, painstakingly planning the color scheme. A laughing good time they always had, especially with their daughters alongside.
O Lord, help us keep our closeness as a family in spite of the upheaval ahead
.
“That wasn’t so bad, now, was it, Nellie?” asked Caleb as they rode away from the hog butchering.
Nellie had to admit she’d enjoyed herself, thanks in no small part to Rhoda. Her eldest sister had chosen to work alongside her, mixing seasonings into the sausage, while Nan spent her time with Rebekah Yoder, helping grind the meat.
For a change, Rhoda didn’t seem like a stranger,
thought Nellie, happy for some time with her.
She leaned close to Caleb presently, her hand in his. “Thank goodness for that good, stiff breeze . . . it cleared out the awful smell.”
“You and your smells.”
“Must run in the family,” she said, thinking of Suzy’s famously sensitive nose—quick to savor a lovely fragrance, swift to wrinkle at a foul one.
“Aw, love, maybe that’s partly why you enjoy bakin’ so much—all the wonderful-gut scents.”
Love?
Her heart sped up.
Dat calls Mamma that!
He let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her. “Come here closer.”
“Closer?” A giggle burst out. “That’s just about impossible, Caleb.”
He kissed her cheek. “Well, now, it won’t have to be like this forever.”
He’s thinking of marriage, surely he is!
He leaned his head on top of hers. “You’re my girl, Nellie Mae. Don’t forget.”
She sighed, fully content to be riding into the twilight with him. She didn’t want to ruin the special moment, but she felt she ought to be forthright about the things happening with her parents, and the sooner the better.
Better he doesn’t hear more tittle-tattle ’bout our family from the grapevine
.
“Um, Caleb, mind if we talk frankly?”
“Why sure. What’s on your mind?”
She took a breath for courage, hoping what she had to say wouldn’t create a wedge between them.
“My father’s taken a shinin’ . . . well, to studying.” That was all she could get out at first.
“You had me uneasy there for a minute. I thought you were goin’ to bring up all the tractor talk.” He turned to look at her.
“Jah, but Dat has no interest in goin’ fancy. What he’s mighty interested in is the Good Book.” She continued, her heart in her throat. “He’s waitin’ on word from Uncle Bishop to see if he and Preacher Manny can hold meetings on the no-Preaching Sundays.”
“What for?”
“Bible study.”
Caleb fell silent.
He’s displeased
. She could almost hear the beating of her own anxious heart in the quiet.
“I’ve heard of Amish in other districts wanting this,” he said at last. “But I can’t imagine our bishop allowing it. It’s not in keeping with the Old Ways.”
“Seems so.” She sighed sadly. “What do you think will come of this, Caleb?”
He squeezed her hand. “No matter what, you and I won’t be affected by it. Will we?”
She loved Caleb and wanted to say it right then, but now wasn’t the time. Such a profession of devotion must come from him first. “I hope not,” she said softly.
Truth was, Dat’s determination to have the entire family follow his beliefs could pose a problem. She dearly hoped Caleb’s and her relationship would not suffer as a result.
This was a day of wonders, the way Reuben saw it. Not only had his twins eagerly joined ranks with him, but James and Benjamin, as well—his youngest son a bit more hesitant—agreed to unite in learning Scripture at the meetings Preacher Manny planned. They’d also voiced keen interest in tractors and electricity, but Reuben hoped that was not the motivation for his four sons’ ready agreement. Still, he was anything but ignorant.
It was Ephram who would have to see the light, in good time, he told himself as he made his way toward his father’s place. Ephram had refused to hear him out, as Reuben had supposed he might; his son had not wanted to make any trouble with the bishop. Reuben could only pray that his father would not greet this unexpected news the selfsame way. For certain, he felt as nervous as a young boy just now.
Mamm ushered him into the front room, where Daed was reading
The Budget
. Reuben sat down across from him, praying silently for wisdom.
“How’s Betsy?” asked Daed right off.
Reuben guessed his reason for asking. “Well, she’s surely missin’ Suzy yet.” He paused. “We all are.”
“’Tis God’s doin’, and we must accept it as His plan.” Daed hung his head for a moment. “Mighty hard to understand why she’d go off with worldly folk, though.”
“Daed . . .” Reuben didn’t want to get his father worked up before he’d even begun. “I came to talk ’bout other things.”
“Oh?”
Reuben leaned forward. “I want you to hear this from me . . . from your son who loves you and respects all you’ve done for me.” He paused briefly. “You and Mamm, well, you brought me up in the fear of the Lord God. I appreciate that. But there’s more to God’s ways.”
“What’re ya sayin’, son?”
He stopped, weighing the moment, then continued. “I’m a believer, Daed—saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Daed rose swiftly, his face nearly ashen. “
Nee
—no, Reuben! This is the last thing I want to be hearin’ from you.” He walked away, stopping to stare out the window, his back to Reuben.
“Hear me out, Daed. I want to explain what I’ve learned . . . all that God is teachin’ me through Scripture.” Reuben went to his father and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Get out of my sight!” Daed spun around, frowning. A glint of a tear was in his eye. “Be gone!”
Reuben did not want to risk upsetting him further, though he would have welcomed a conversation without such turmoil on Daed’s part.
How did I expect him to respond?
Reuben wondered, stopping to kiss his trembling, bewildered mother on the cheek before heading out the back door.
Long after supper and spoken evening prayers, Reuben sat with Betsy in their bedroom. “Ephram flat-out rejected the idea of attendin’ any Bible study, just as I supposed,” he told her. “Said he didn’t want to make trouble with the bishop, which is understandable.”
“That one has always clung to the Old Ways . . . much like our Nellie Mae seems to be doin’. She’s come right out and said she’s opposed to anything involving change,” Betsy remarked.
“I pray she’ll come around in time,” Reuben said, glad for this moment with Betsy. He needed her comforting presence after such a day. “At least Nan’s showing some interest, but Rhoda’s a harder one to read. Do ya think she’ll embrace the gospel?”
Betsy shrugged. “Still findin’ her bearings, I daresay,” she said.
“Seems so.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s pray for the Lord to lead all our dear ones to Him.”
She nodded, tears welling up. “Jah, pray I will.”
Reuben held her hand, looking down at their intertwined fingers. “We’ve been through some awful hard things, love.” He paused, attempting to stay composed. “I hate to say it, but the days and months ahead could be ever so trying.”
Betsy’s eyes filled with tears. “Don’t know how I’ll manage. Yet somehow . . .” She tightened her lips. “Jah, somehow we will.”
“We’ve placed our trust in our Savior . . . and I’ll do everything I can to spare you more pain.” Reuben didn’t go into what he foresaw in the near future, but just the same, he sensed it was coming. Like a bolt out of the sky, lightning would strike and divide the People smack down the middle.
The first sign of serious trouble came in the form of a reply letter from Bishop Joseph the Tuesday nearly two weeks after Reuben had sent his request. It seemed his brother’s health had taken a swift turn for the better, and he and Anna were heading home right quick.
Just so you know—Preacher Manny, too—it cannot be God’s will for any of you to come together to study that way, preacher or no preacher,
the bishop wrote.
Folk who do don’t stay Amish. I’ve seen it time and again. . . .
Reuben’s courage wavered briefly as he read the short and pointed note. So that was that: His brother had denied them. Reuben had expected as much, but there had remained a small spark of hope.
