Plain Peace (A Daughters of the Promise Novel) (24 page)

She set the dish down and leaned back in her comfy chair, staring at her things with the familiar mixture of comfort and guilt and thinking back over the day.

She thought about Anna. Marianne knew she was going to have to stand up to Isaac. Anna was going to see that boy with or without their permission, and that would only cause more problems down the line.

Then she recalled the visit with Cora and Lucy. Marianne was still surprised at Cora’s quick switch from kindness to being cold and judgmental. It seemed so out of character.

Marianne eyed her things.
Maybe I’ll pay Lucy a visit and give her a gift
.

Anna pulled up at the lumberyard, unsure whether to go in or to wait for Jacob to come out. She could see Glenda through the plate-glass window. Sighing, she decided to go in.

Glenda closed a magazine she was reading when Anna pulled in. “I’ll buzz Jacob and let him know you’re here. He told me you were picking him up for lunch.”

“Thanks.” Anna fought the nasty little bug of jealousy burrowing into her skin. Again. She wondered how often Jacob and Glenda talked, and how often Anna’s name came up.

Jacob rounded the corner a few moments later. He stopped at a time clock on the wall behind Glenda, punched out, then turned to Anna. “Ready?”

They decided to walk to the deli down the street. As Jacob opened the door to the restaurant, they both scanned the room to see if there was anyone they knew. But Anna wasn’t very worried. “My grandparents wouldn’t be in here,” she said, “and I think
Daadi
is the only one we have to worry about.”

They both ordered from the counter. Jacob got a ham and cheese sandwich, and Anna chose chicken salad. As they ate, they made small talk. Anna was waiting for Jacob to mention Glenda’s party. She was already plotting how she would get out of the house. Using Emma as an excuse wasn’t going to work again—not that it had worked that well before. And though she and Emma had spent an hour yesterday discussing strategies, they hadn’t been able to resolve her dilemma. What she really wanted was to be able to see Jacob with
Daadi’s
approval. But until she had that, she was willing to do what was necessary.

Jacob said nothing about the party, but something was on his mind. Anna could sense it in his bleak expression and the way he was pushing the same chip around on his plate.

“Are you okay?” She lightly touched his hand, wishing more than ever that they could find some time by themselves.

“
Ach, ya
. I guess.” He finally picked up the chip and ate it. “I just . . .”

Anna spoke softly. “What is it, Jacob?”

“I heard
mei mudder
crying last night. She was in her sewing room, and I’d gotten up to get a drink.” He paused. “I almost went in to check on her, but I didn’t. Sometimes I need to just be by myself and grieve about Leah, and maybe she does too.” He paused, rubbed his chin. “Only thing is, I’m not sure that’s all that’s going on. I think my parents are really having problems.”

“Like marital problems?” Anna kept her eyes on him as she took a sip of tea. It was twelve fifteen, and lots of people were bustling around them, ordering food and getting seated.

“
Ya. Daed
isn’t any better. Still keeps to himself. And
Mamm
tries to carry on for the rest of us, but it’s really taking a toll on her.”

“I still wish your
daed
—or your
mamm
—would talk to
Daadi
. He is so sympathetic about the loss of a loved one. I’ve heard him talk to others when they are grieving.” She sighed. “I know he’s strict, but he truly is the most compassionate man I know. Everything he does, he does out of love for God and his belief that we are straying too far into the
Englisch
world.”

The
Englisch
world. What about Glenda’s party?

“I think
Mamm
confides in your grandmother. They’ve been spending time together.”

Anna was quiet for a few moments. “You know . . . I’m just going to have to stand up to my grandfather. I’m eighteen, and I should have the freedoms that go along with my
rumschpringe
. I have to get him to understand that I am old enough to make my own choices. I won’t be living there forever.” She let out a nervous chuckle. “I hope not, anyway.”

“He is protective because he loves you.” Jacob smiled before he finished the last little bite of his sandwich.

“I know he does, but he doesn’t realize that sometimes he just pushes people away—or forces them to keep secrets from him. I know my grandmother does—especially in that broom closet down in the basement where she goes all the time. It’s more like a small room. She’s hiding things down there that she doesn’t want
Daadi
to see.”

“Like what?” Jacob grinned.

Anna shrugged, smiling herself. “I don’t know. She keeps it locked, but there is a key up on top of the door molding. I’ve been tempted to go in there, but it’s her private space, so I don’t. She doesn’t think I know, but she orders things and UPS brings them.”

Jacob laughed aloud. “Your
daadi
wouldn’t like that.”

“
Nee
, he wouldn’t. To him, that’s just another connection to the outside world that threatens our way of life.”

“What do you think she orders?” Jacob wiped his mouth. Anna watched him in frustration. Lunch was coming to an end with no mention at all of Glenda’s party.

“Oh, probably quilting supplies, cinnamon pills for her diabetes, canning jars . . .” She shrugged. “Things that would ordinarily require a trip to town in the buggy. I guess she’s figured out that ordering is a lot more convenient, especially in this heat or in the cold winter months.” She grinned as she lifted up one finger. “However, I think she also splurges on some things
Daadi
wouldn’t agree with even if she purchased them in town.”

Jacob chuckled. “It’s kind of funny.”

“
Ya
. I know.”

He glanced at the clock behind the deli counter. “I guess I better get back to work.”

Anna stood up when he did, and he waited for her to go in front of him. She was starting to think that he’d forgotten about the party. Or maybe he just assumed she couldn’t go.

“I’m glad the weekend is almost here,” she said as they walked to the lumberyard.

“Me too. I’m off tomorrow. But I promised
Mamm
that I would repair the fence, so that will take up most of my day.” He paused, then looked her way. “I’d rather be hanging out with you.”

“Maybe tomorrow evening when you’re done?” She slowed down as they got to the entrance of the lumberyard and took a deep breath. “Or next Saturday?”

But he didn’t take the hint. Instead, he turned to face her, put his hands in his pockets, and rocked back on his heels a couple of times. “What about your grandfather? I don’t want you sneaking out to spend time with me. It’s bad enough that we’re meeting for lunch like this. As much as I want to be with you, I don’t want you getting in more trouble. And I don’t like lying.”

Anna hung her head. “I know.”

Jacob gently lifted her chin and glanced quickly to his left. “I want to kiss you, but I can see Glenda and one of the guys I work with. They’re watching us.”

Anna felt her face flush, wishing he’d kiss her anyway. But he winked at her, then gave a quick wave and left.

She walked to her buggy, looking back only once. Jacob was standing in front of the counter talking to Glenda. She swallowed back a lump in her throat. No mention of the party, and she had to consider that maybe Jacob didn’t want her going, that he’d rather spend time with Glenda.

As she flicked the reins, she wondered when she’d become this jealous person. Knowing it was wrong was one thing, but controlling the emotion was becoming a challenge.

She drove off, looking through the plate glass once more. Jacob was still there, talking and smiling. Anna decided right then and there that she was going to that party, even if Jacob never said a word about it.

After all, Glenda had invited her too.

N
OAH PEERED OUT THE WINDOW OF HIS LIVING ROOM
. Everyone had arrived for Jenna’s party—everyone except Lucy and Benjamin. Maybe it was too late to make them a part of the family. Perhaps too much time had gone by or there had been too much pain.

“I knew she wouldn’t come.” His sister Mary Ellen eased up beside him. “I tried a long time ago to get to know her a little bit. I don’t think she wants to be part of the family.” She paused. “And I have to admit I have mixed emotions about the whole thing.”

Noah turned to face his sister while everyone else was busying themselves in the kitchen, the women preparing snacks, the men nibbling. “No matter what happened, Benjamin is our nephew, and Ivan would want us to make sure he’s okay. He would want us to make a place for him in our lives.”

“What do you think Katie Ann would say?” Mary Ellen turned to face him, hands on her hips. “Do you think she might be hurt that we invited Lucy to a family gathering?”

“Katie Ann is happily married to Eli in Colorado. She has Jonas, plus Eli’s children and grandchildren. Every time I talk to Katie Ann on the phone, she sounds very happy. I don’t think she’d
have a problem with us getting to know our nephew.” He sighed. “But I’ll ask her next time we talk.”

“So maybe you should have asked her
before
you invited Lucy?” Mary Ellen’s words were softened by her gentle teasing tone.

Noah shrugged, peering out the window again. “Well, it doesn’t look like she’s coming anyway.”

“
Nee
, it doesn’t.” No matter what she’d said, he could tell she was disappointed.

Noah scratched his forehead. “Aren’t you worried about getting caught here? You and Rebecca both. What if the bishop were to find out that you come to our house?”

Mary Ellen grunted. “That new bishop, Bishop Byler, is simply unreasonable.” She shook her head. “You were shunned a long time ago, then reestablished into the community when Bishop Ebersol was still alive. Bishop Byler is hurting his district by reinstating the shunning.” She pointed a finger at him. “He better be careful. He’ll start running people off. No doubt he means well, but he needs to follow the lead of his district members, and almost no one agrees with the decisions he’s making.”

“I do miss all the Amish folks coming into the clinic. They made up the bulk of my clients. Not to mention that we’ve had to dip into our savings to keep operating.”

Mary Ellen looked up toward the air-conditioning vent above their heads, closed her eyes, and smiled. “I think I’ll spend the rest of the summer right here in the air-conditioning.”

Noah chuckled. “You’d be shunned for sure then.”

“And it might just be worth it.” She stood there enjoying the cool air for a few more moments, then sighed. “Guess I better go help with the food. But you let me know when you talk to Katie
Ann and what her feelings are about including Lucy in our lives.” She paused, frowning. “Although, since Lucy didn’t show up, I’m thinking it probably won’t be an issue.”

Noah followed her into the kitchen, thinking the same thing.

Lucy cleaned up her mother’s vomit from the kitchen floor, thankful that Benjamin was still napping.

“I’m sorry.” Mom covered her face with her hands and wept like a small child.

Lucy had already cleaned up her mother’s face and helped her get into fresh clothes. “It’s okay, Mom. Go sit down on the couch, and I’ll go get you some crackers.”

She wiped up the last of the mess as her mother shuffled into the living room. She wasn’t sure what was worse—when her mother was cussing her and calling her a worthless person, or when she was out of her mind and sick, like today. Twice she’d asked Lucy who she was, and once she’d asked if she could go to the post office to catch a train to Harrisburg. So far, her mother’s behavior had been blamed on the stroke, but Lucy couldn’t help but wonder if she had Alzheimer’s.

She tossed the soiled paper towels into the trash can, then followed up with damp rags. Once she was done, she cleaned herself up and went to check on her mother. She was sleeping on the couch.
Thank goodness
. She’d heard back from one of the facilities that her mother was third on their waiting list. But that could mean two weeks or two months.