October song (21 page)

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kitchen thoroughly, make a slight dent in the mending, and shower and dress in her most professional attire. So much for a canning lesson at Miriam’s.

She sighed..gustas well.Sometimes she thought it best to keep her distance, to some extent, from the many Plain women of the community. She and Bryan had no plans to surrender their “fancy” life, as Lyddie often referred to their lifestyle. “No sense kiddin’ anyone, jah?” Lyddie would say, her serious look soon turning to a grin.

Lydia was her mother’s perceptive oldest offspring. She was also Sarah’s salvation. She often thought of her niece in that way

the epitome of liberator. Lyddie, after all, had won her heart less than a year ago, having “prayed her into the household.” The delightful young woman was a bundle of energy, both physically and spiritually. Some days Sarah wondered what she might have done without Lyddie to confer with, to talk through Plain issues that were still very foreign . . to help her make the transition from distant aunt to stepmother and legal guardian. With Lyddie’s wedding only a few weeks away, Sarah was begin ning to miss her “right arm,” so to speak, which was precisely what Lyddie had be come.

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“The Lord will provide for all your needs body, mind, and spirit. Don’t doubt it,” Lyddie assured her with a disarming twinkle in her golden-brown eyes. “Besides that, I’ll be just down the road, less than a mile. You can always call me up or drive over for a visit. Anytime.”

“We’ll manage somehow, but that’s not to say we won’t miss you terribly. All of us will,” Sarah had replied.

Now she set about cooking an enormous breakfast, placing a bowl of fresh fruit on the table — raspberries, grapes, and sliced oranges. All the while she thought of the Scripture passages her husband had read to the children last night before bedtime. Gladly, they had continued to observe “evening prayers” not only for the children’s sake, but for their own. Bryan, a fairly new Christian, and Sarah, having even more recently embraced the faith, were eagerly growing in the knowledge of God’s Word. In many ways, they enjoyed much of the Plain family rituals pertaining to the study of the Bible. Sarah especially relished her morning talks with God. Her deceased sister had acquired this joyful habit, too, as revealed in Ivy’s personal journals. Thanks to Lyddie, Sarah had been privileged to read nearly all of her sis-281

ter’s letters and diary entries. A blessing in more ways than she could enumerate, be cause Ivy and her husband had also come to the Plain community after having lived and experienced a modern way of life. Just as Sarah and Bryan had, though for com pletely different reasons.

Thinking back to the struggles how, in fact, her present existence had come to be — she was grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in her sister’s or phaned children’s lives. The irony was that Lydia, Caleb, Anna Mae, Josiah, and little Hannah had, indeed, altered the course ofherlife . and for the better. As much as she wished to be a loving wife and mother figure, she also wanted to manage effec tively the household God had ordained for her.

Former friends and colleagues back in Oregon had been shocked at her declara tion last winter that she was moving to Pennsylvania Amish country to raise her nieces and nephews. And she had married her college boyfriend, Bryan Ford, on top of everything else. “What’s happened to Sarah Cain?” the whispers flitted from one end of the real estate office to the other. “How will a modern businesswoman fit in?”

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Fitting inhadbeen challenging. Still was. But it wasn’t as though she’d had to revolutionize her entire lifestyle. Thank fully, she enjoyed her collection of classical CDs and watched the fluctuating stock market with interest on her and Bryan’s TV. The “one-eyed monster,” as the chil dren referred to it, was confined to their bedroom. Her magazine subscriptions con tinued to find their way to her each month, and her cell phone was in use when neces sary, not to mention a laptop computer with its faxing and e-mailing capabilities. Plain dressing had never been part of the plan for either her or Bryan; neither was abandoning their nice cars.

She sometimes wondered how the chil dren viewed her and Bryan. As outsiders? Certainly not “seekers,” in the sense that they were interested in church member ship among the People. Did her nieces and nephews suspect her to be a part-time mother figure, planning her getaway the minute they were married and on their own?

Nothing could be further from the truth. Having fallen in love with Ivy’s precious offspring, Sarah had never considered abandoning the family that had become hers in every way. And Bryan,hewas

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equally smitten with the whole lot of them, eager to add to the family unit whenever the Lord chose to bless them with another child.

“Who do you know that sews for pay in the area?” Sarah asked Lyddie as they all sat down at breakfast.

“Plenty of women do,” Lyddie replied. “There’s a notice posted in the church entrance hall. I’ll check on that for ya give Preacher Esh a call.”

Sarah glanced at the children, lined up on either side of the table, looking bright-eyed and happy. “I would gladly pay someone to sew for Hannah and Josiah. And anyone else in the family for that matter.”

Bryan was in total agreement, nodding his head. “Well, honey, maybe the boys won’t mind if I had some clothes sewn for me, too.”

Josiah jumped on the comment, leaning over his plate as he spoke.“You,Uncle Bryan? Are you gonna wear Plain clothes like Caleb and me?”

Sarah intervened. “Uncle Bryan’s pulling your leg.”

Josiah lifted the tablecloth and looked under the table. “My leg’s fine ain’t

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being’ pulled on a’tall!”

“‘Isn’t,“said Lyddie. “Ain’t isn’t a word . remember?”

But Josiah was still looking down at his leg, playing along with Sarah. “I’m waitin’ for Uncle Bryan to tug on my leg.”

Sarah, aware of the time, folded her hands, waiting for her husband to lead in a prayer of blessing over the food. “We’ll talk after the prayer,” she said, and immediately a hush fell over the kitchen.

Sarah wrapped things up at the real estate office a half hour or so before the children began their trek home from school. She concluded her phone call with an interested client and said goodbye to the receptionist, frustrated that she hadn’t been able to “nail the deal.”

Tomorrow or the weekend,she thought, hoping she’d have time to phone back later.

When she arrived home, Lyddie was talking on the phone to Preacher Esh, gathering information about a seamstress.

“Ithink I’ve heard of this woman,” Lyddie said, after she hung up. She studied the piece of paper, where she’d written the name and phone number. “Preacher Esh says he knows both her and her husband. They’re conservative Mennonites — ‘good,

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solid Christian folk,’ who live not far from Hickory Hollow.” Lyddie handed the information to her.

“Thanks for your help.” Then, picking up the phone, she dialed the number for a Mrs. Katie Fisher.

The phone rang twice, then “Hullo

. .Fishers.” “May I speak to Katie, please?” “This is she.”

“My name is Sarah Ford. I live near Strasburg and I’m calling about my young niece and nephew, who need traditional

Amish clothing sewn for them.” “May I ask how you got my name?” Sarah quickly filled her in about the notice posted at Lyddie’s church. “Preacher Esh highly recommended you.”

“Jah, I know Brother Esh well . through my husband,” the woman said. “And I do happen to have some time this week. When wouldia like to come over?”

Sarah decided on tomorrow afternoon, which was ideal. Both Hannah and Josiah would have something new to wear — that actually fit — for their big sister’s wedding. I’ll look forward to meeting you tomorrow.”

“Please bring the children along when you come.”

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“Oh yes, of course I will.” She was glad Katie Fisher had thought of reminding her of that important detail. Face flushed with embarrassment, she hurried back to the kitchen to prepare supper. Knowing she could ease Lyddie’s burden somewhat by her not having to sew after all made Sarah feel lighter. Even joyful. Perhaps she’d find time to dive into the mending basket this evening, after supper and evening prayers, after addressing the rest of the wedding in vitations with Lyddie, after making another phone call to her client . . once everyone was tucked into bed.

Sarah washed some lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes for a vegetable salad, while Lyddie graded papers at the kitchen table. As she worked, she wondered about the secret behind Martha Stewart’s suc cess. Was part of it the fact that the amazing woman demonstrated each time she was in front of a TV camera, every time she wrote a book or a magazine article — her ability to extend part of her self to others? Wasn’t that, after all, the basis of hospitality, offering oneself com pletely?

Looking up from her stack of work, Lyddie offered to help peel potatoes, “when I’m finished grading papers.”

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Instantly, Sarah felt guilty. “You have so much to do, Lyddie. Just leave all the cooking to me tonight. I insist.”

“Honestly, I don’t mind, Aunt Sarah.”

She smiled. “I know you don’t, which is precisely what makes you so special.”

At that, Lyddie rose from the table and hurried across the room to Sarah. She planted a kiss on her cheek. I’ll go ‘n’ find Anna Mae. ‘Tis time she helps out a bit more in the kitchen.”

Sarah had been thinking the same thing. “Anna Mae’s a good candidate for potato peeling,” she said.

“And don’t ever let her talk you out of inside chores. Anna Mae can be testy that way,” Lyddie said over her shoulder, heading outside to find her younger sister.

Sarah laughed softly, thinking of her friends out west. If they could see her

“After school tomorrow I’ll pick up you and Josiah,” Sarah told Hannah just before supper. “Caleb and Anna Mae can ride home in the buggy with Lyddie if they like.”

Hannah’s eyes lit up. “Where’re Josiah and me goin’?”

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“Josiah and I,” Lyddie corrected as she set the table.

Sarah leaned down and kissed Hannah’s little head. “You and your brother are going to have some new clothes made.”

That brought a grin to Hannah’s face. “Are ya sayin’ I won’t hafta wear Anna Mae’s clothes no more?”

“Anymore,” Lyddie said.

“Yes, that’s exactly what it means.” Sarah pointed to the sink, where Hannah quickly went to wash her hands.

“Ach, I can’t wait!” Hannah said.

Sarah was pleased with the little girl’s re sponse, hoping that Josiah, when he and Caleb came in from milking, might feel equally happy.

The news quickly found its way to Josiah’s ears. Hannah must have filled him in while Sarah and Lyddie carried serving dishes to the table. Less than two seconds passed after the “amen” was said, and Josiah, now scowling, announced to all of them, “I hope I won’t hafta strip naked to morrow!”

“Well, for goodness’ sake, Josiah!” repri manded Lyddie.

Sarah stifled a smile. “Why would you think you’d have to remove your old clothes to be measured for new ones?”

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“That’s what my friend Ezra has to do whenhegets new clothes,” Josiah said.

“I can tell you right now, you have nothing to worry about.” She passed the potatoes around to Caleb, then the chicken gravy.

“Who knowswkatthe seamstress will do?” Caleb piped up, his voice deeper than Sarah had ever heard it.

Josiah’s eyes grew wide. “Ach, what’s Caleb sayin’?”

Sarah spoke directly to Caleb. “Why are you trying to frighten your brother?”

The older boy’s face was even more solemn than before. “Do you have any idea

who you’re goin’ to to have clothes

sewn for this family?”

Sarah gave Caleb a sidewise glance, frowning. “I think you’d better say what’s on your mind.”

The young teenager’s eyes narrowed a bit, and he leaned forward at the table. “Some of my older friends have heard tell of Katie and her husband-Daniel Fisher

a man who disappeared years ago at sea and was passed off as dead for a gut five years.”

“What on earth are you talking ‘bout?” Lyddie spoke up. “Just listen. Katie Fisher is a shunned

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woman, an outcast in her community.”

“Maybe so, but Preacher Esh never would’ve suggested her to Aunt Sarah if he thought there was a problem,” Lyddie said. “Besides, the way one church district disciplines a member has nothing to do with another’s treatment of that person, jah?”

Sarah wondered about the mysterious Daniel Fisher. Why hadn’t Lyddie heard any of this? “Why was the woman shunned in the first place?” she asked.

Caleb shrugged. “Don’t know for sure, really. Word has it she upped and jilted the bishop she was s’posed to marry, and he put a harsh shunning on her. After that, she went searchin’ for her birth mother, leavin’ behind the People, only to come back and join the Mennonites.”

Anna Mae had a question. “What hap pened to the man who almost drowned?”

“Katie marriedhiminstead of the bishop,” said Caleb.

Josiah clapped his hands with glee. “Sounds like a fish story to me Jonah and the whale!”

Sarah got things calmed things down by passing the mashed potatoes and gravy around a second time.

Then Lyddie said, “Preacher Esh told

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me that Katie Fisher and her husband are solid Christians, so I’m goin’ to takehisword over all of yours.”

“Suit yourself,” Caleb said glibly. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Josiah stared nervously at the puddle of gravy in the middle of his potatoes. “Do I hafta go? I can make do with my old clothes.”

Sarah reached across the table and touched his hand.“Ithink you’d much prefer the britches Mrs. Fisher sews for you than the ones I could make.” That brought a smile to the boy’s face, and the subject was dropped.

Once the children were settled into bed, however, the topic surfaced again. Sarah and Lyddie were working together at the kitchen table, Sarah addressing invitations as fast and as neatly as possible and Lyddie setting in the sleeves of her wedding dress by hand.

“What type of sin would cause an Amishwoman to be shunned?” Sarah had heard very little about the practice, and due to Caleb’s comments at supper, she was quite curious.