Cousin's Challenge (6 page)

Jolene's heart pounded as she stood on the Troyers' back porch, prepared to knock on their door. As soon as school was over for the day, she'd pedaled her bike over here, hoping to arrive before Irvin and Sylvia, who had walked to school. She wanted to speak to the children's parents without the children knowing she'd been here.

Mary, the children's mother, opened the door before Jolene was able to knock.

“I was looking out the kitchen window and saw you coming up the driveway,” Mary signed as she spoke. “If you came to see Irvin and Sylvia, they aren't home from school yet.”

“I'm glad they're not here, because I wanted to speak to you alone. Is your husband here? I think he should know what I have to say, too.”

Mary shook her head. “He's out in the fields, gathering hay. Come inside and tell me what's on your mind.” She held the door open for Jolene.

Jolene stepped inside and breathed deeply as the sweet smell of apples and cinnamon wafted up to her nose. “Are you making applesauce?” she asked, hoping to stall for time. She really didn't want to say what was on her mind.

“Jah, I've been working on it a good portion of the day. Just put the last batch in the pressure cooker a few minutes ago.” She motioned to the kitchen table. “Have a seat, and I'll pour us some coffee.”

Jolene pulled out a chair and sat down. She really didn't have time for coffee but didn't want to be rude.

“Would you like to try some of my applesauce bread?” Mary set a cup of coffee in front of Jolene, along with a plate that held several slices of deliciously moist-looking bread.

“No, thank you. I can't stay that long, but I wanted to talk to you about your children.”

“Are they doing well in school?”

Jolene took a sip of coffee as she thought about the best way to say what was on her mind. “Sylvia's doing well and seems eager to learn.” She paused and clasped her hands together. The expectant look on Mary's face made this even more difficult. She drew in a quick breath. “I wish I could say the same for Irvin.”

Mary's forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean?”

“He's not responsive in class and won't do his lessons. I asked the children to copy some words I'd written on the blackboard, but Irvin left his paper blank.”

“He didn't write down any of the words?”

Jolene shook her head.

“Maybe they were too difficult for him.”

“They were simple words, and Sylvia was able to write them all.”

The corners of Mary's mouth turned down. “I don't understand it. Irvin's not dumb.”

“I don't think Irvin's dumb, either, but I do think either he's not happy with me as his teacher, or he's upset because he's new here and hasn't made any friends.”

“But there are lots of other boys his age at school.”

“That's true, but Irvin keeps to himself, and...” Jolene stopped speaking and let her hands fall into her lap. She'd almost told Mary about the teasing that had gone on this morning.

Just then a blast of cool air floated into the kitchen, and Irvin and Sylvia raced into the room.

Sylvia went to the sink for a drink of water, but Irvin halted as soon as he saw Jolene.
“It wasn't my fault,”
he signed to his mother.
“Kyle Beechy's the one who started it.”

Her eyebrows furrowed.
“Started what?”

Irvin looked at Jolene, as though expecting her to say something.

“I didn't tell your mother anything about what happened this morning,”
she signed to him.

“Tell me what?”
Mary asked her son.

He squinted his eyes and stared at her. Jolene could almost see the gears shifting in his head.
“It was nothin', Mama.”

Mary, obviously not willing to give up on the subject, signed in return,
“Tell me what happened, Irvin.”

He dropped his gaze to the floor.

Mary looked at Jolene. “Do you know anything about this?”

As much as Jolene didn't want to tell Mary about Kyle and his brother teasing Irvin, she knew it was time to explain what had happened.

“Are you feeling sick again?” Ella asked when she entered the living room and found her mother lying on the sofa.

Mama yawned and pulled herself to a sitting position. “I'm not sick, just a bit tired and shaky this afternoon.”

Ella was tempted to suggest that Mama make an appointment to see the doctor, but that subject had been discussed too many times, and Mama wouldn't budge. Loraine's mother had come by a few days ago and almost insisted that Mama see the doctor, but it was to no avail. Ella wondered what it would take for Mama to realize that she needed to have some tests run in order to find out why she was tired and shaky so much of the time. Mama had also begun to put on some weight, and she seemed to be thirsty a lot.

“Should I start supper now, or do you want me to wait awhile?” Ella asked, turning her focus to their immediate need.

“Guess you'd better wait until Charlene and your daed are ready to quit work for the day. When your daed came in for lunch, he said they'd probably be working late since they're getting behind and didn't have Lonnie's help again today.”

Ella's eyebrows squeezed together. “I wish we'd get some word on how Lonnie's doing.”

“Have you been out to the phone shed lately to check the answering machine?” Mama asked. “Maybe someone from his family has called and left a message.”

Ella nodded. “I checked for messages before I came into the house, and there was no word from the Hershbergers.”

The back door opened and banged shut. A few seconds later, Larry raced into the room.

“Did ya hear the news?”

“What news?” Ella and Mama asked at the same time.

Larry's eyes were wide, and his face was flushed. “Joe Beechy fell off the roof of his house and was rushed to the hospital this afternoon!”

“Oh, dear Lord,” Mama moaned. “Not another tragedy in our community.”

“Jake, there's a phone call for you!”

Jake turned toward his boss's wife, wondering who'd be calling him in the middle of the day. “Can you take a message for me, Peggy?” he called in return.

She leaned over the porch railing and waved the dishrag in her hand. “I think you'd better take the call!”

Jake grunted as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He'd been working in the corral with a difficult horse and didn't want to let up until he'd made some progress. But he figured if he didn't take the phone call, Peggy would keep hollering and waving that piece of cloth.

Maybe it's someone from home,
Jake thought as he made his way up to the house. When he'd left Indiana and returned to Montana after Wayne and Loraine had told him they were in love and wanted to get married, he'd given his boss's phone number to Mom and Dad so they could keep in touch.

“Who is it, do you know?” Jake asked, stepping onto the porch. Peggy nodded. “It's your mother. She said it was important and that she needs to speak to you right away.” Peggy opened the back door and motioned to the kitchen. “You can take the call in there.”

Jake hurried into the kitchen and picked up the phone. “Hi, Mom, it's Jake.”

“Oh, Jake, I-I'm so glad you're there.” Mom's voice trembled when she spoke. “There's been an accident. You need to come home!”

As Jake's truck approached Middlebury, anxious thoughts filled his mind. When he'd talked to Mom on the phone, she'd said Dad's injuries weren't critical, but that he had two broken legs, some broken ribs, and lots of bumps and bruises. Dad would be laid up for several months, unable to work. As much as Jake hated the idea of taking over Dad's horseshoeing business, he felt obligated to do it. He didn't really mind shoeing horses; he just didn't want to do it full-time. Someday when the time was right, he hoped to have his own business—raising and training horses. He knew he wouldn't make the kind of money shoeing horses for Dad that he made back on the ranch in Montana, but he'd only be here a few months, and then he could head back to Montana, where he was accepted for the person he was and there were no painful memories from the past.

Jake's thoughts went to Loraine and Wayne. He hadn't seen them since he'd returned to Montana over a year ago, but he'd kept in touch by phone a few times. At least no one could say he'd run off to do his own thing and forgotten about his family and friends, the way he'd done the first time he'd left Indiana. He could still see the look of sadness on Loraine's face when he'd told her was leaving for Montana that first time, and his mind took him back to the past...

“Loraine, there's something I need to tell you.”

“What is it, Jake? Why are you looking at me so seriously?”

Jake directed his horse and buggy to the side of the road and reached for Loraine's hand. “I-I'm planning to go away for a while.”

“Go away?”

He nodded. “My cousin Sam, who used to live in Illinois, moved to Montana a few months ago, and ... uh ... I thought I'd spend the summer with him.”

“Which Amish community in Montana did Sam move to?”

“None of them. Sam's working on a ranch in Montana for an English man who raises horses.” Jake swallowed so hard that his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. “I want to try out the English way of life for a while—before I make a decision about joining the church.” He paused and swiped his tongue across his lower lip. “The wages the man is offering per week are more than I can make working for my daed in a month, so I really can't pass on this opportunity.”

Loraine's mouth hung slightly open. “What?”

“I said—”

“I heard what you said. I just can't believe you said it.”

“It's not like I'll be gone forever. Probably just for the summer, that's all.” He squeezed her fingers and smiled. “You'll wait for me, won't you?”

Loraine sat, staring at him.

“Say something, Loraine. Will you wait for me or not?”

Tears welled in her eyes. “For how long, Jake?”

“Until I come back to Indiana.” Jake pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the mouth. “Just a few months, that's all,” he whispered.

Loraine drew in a shaky breath and nodded slowly. “Jah, Jake. I'll wait for you.”

As Jake's mind snapped back to the present, he shook his head. He'd really blown it with Loraine by not coming back soon enough or staying in contact with her while he was in Montana. Truth was, he probably wouldn't have returned to Indiana the first time if he hadn't heard about the terrible accident Loraine and her cousins had been involved in.

After he'd returned home, he'd tried to reestablish his relationship with Loraine, but when he finally realized she was in love with Wayne, he'd given them his blessing and returned to Montana. It hadn't been easy for Jake to leave home the second time, but in his heart, he felt it was the right thing to do.

After Jake had returned to Montana, it had taken several months for him to come to grips with the fact that Loraine would never be his. He'd told himself that he'd done the right thing by giving Loraine and Wayne his blessing, and in time, Jake's broken heart had begun to heal. Any romantic feelings he'd had for Loraine were now just a pleasant memory. While Jake had no interest in anyone at the moment, he was prepared to follow his heart should the right woman come along.

Jake's thoughts shifted as his folks' place came into view. He grimaced.
I hope Dad's going to be okay, and I hope he appreciates my coming home to help out and doesn't criticize everything I do.

He pulled his truck up near the barn, turned off the engine, and stepped out.

When Jake entered the house, he found Mom in the kitchen, stirring a pot of something on the stove. She turned to face him, a grim expression on her face.
What, no “It's good to see you, Jake; I'm so glad you're home”?
This wasn't like Mom at all. She usually gave Jake a hug and said how much she'd missed him.

He stepped forward and slipped his arms around her waist. “It's good to see you, Mom. How's Dad doing?”

“He's hurting real bad and not one bit happy about being laid up.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “It could be some time before he's able to work again.”

“I'll take over for him until he's better. You know I will.”

Mom's bottom lip quivered. “Then you'll leave again.” Her words were crisp and to the point.

Jake only shrugged and turned toward the door. “I'd better go see Dad. Is he in his room?”

“Jah, but he's asleep right now. I'd rather you didn't wake him.”

“Oh, okay.” Jake turned back around. “Where are my brothers and sisters? Are they still at school?”

“Jah. They should be here soon, I expect.” Mom motioned to the table. “Why don't you take a seat and we can visit while I finish making my stew. I'd like to hear what you've been up to lately.”

Jake pulled out a chair and sat down. “Pretty much the same old thing ... breaking horses ... and doing lots of chores around my boss's ranch. Oh, and I've starting training some horses to pull buggies and wagons.”

Her eyebrows lifted as she handed him a cup of coffee. “Are there Amish in Montana?”

“There are a few small Amish communities, but the horses we've been training are to pull carriages and wagons at a dude ranch not far from my boss's spread.”

“What's a dude ranch?”

“It's a place where folks go to relax, hike the trails, and have some good clean fun. At this dude ranch, a person can take horseback riding lessons, and they also offer hayrides and buggy rides.”

“Do you like it better in Montana than here?”

Jake took a sip of coffee as he contemplated her question.

“Did you hear what I said, Jake?”

“I heard. Just wasn't quite sure how to answer.”

She grunted. “It's a simple enough question. Do you like it better in Montana than you do here?”

“I like some things about it, but I miss some things about Indiana, too.”

“Since you haven't come back and joined the church, I assume that means you're planning to stay English.” Mom's comment was more of a statement rather than a question.

Jake gnawed on his lower lip as he watched her slice carrots and drop them into the pot of boiling stew. Part of him had wanted to return to Indiana and join the Amish church, but the longer he'd stayed away, the harder it had been to come back. He'd originally wanted to open his own business right here, but that was when he thought he'd marry Loraine. If he stayed in Indiana now and tried to open his own business, he wondered if Dad would give him a hard time and pressure him to give up the idea and shoe horses instead.

Lifting his elbows and flexing his shoulders, Jake stretched and yawned. He'd think about this some other time. Right now, he needed to concentrate on doing what was right by filling in for Dad and taking care of his family.

“Are you tired, son?” Mom asked.

“A little. It was a long drive.”

“If you want to go lie down, I'll call you when supper's ready.”

Jake shook his head. “If I lie down, I'll fall asleep and might not wake up until morning.” He pushed away from the table. “Think I'll go outside and get my stuff out of the truck.”

“You can put everything in your room,” Mom said. “Kyle wanted to move in there when you left for Montana, but I told him no, that you might be back.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Jake smiled at Mom then went out the door.

Jolene trudged wearily up the stairs to her classroom. She'd just taught her first lesson in signing to Fern's class, and it hadn't gone well. The children who'd originally shown an interest in learning to sign hadn't acted interested at all. Jolene wondered if it had something to do with Kyle Beechy. She'd seen the way he looked at Irvin and Sylvia today—like they had two heads or something. Kyle had made it clear that he wanted no part in learning how to sign. Even when Fern asked the class to be attentive as Jolene taught them to sign some simple words, Kyle had remained aloof and disagreeable.

When Fern tried to coax him to take part, the fire in Kyle's eyes and the firm set of his jaw had said it all. He would not even try to sign. And his constant interruptions with silly questions that had nothing to do with signing made it obvious that he was determined to see that the other scholars didn't learn signing, either.

Someone tapped Jolene's shoulder, and she whirled around. Fern stood on the step below her. “The children have gone outside for recess, and I was wondering if you'd like to join us in a game of ball.” She spoke slowly while looking directly at Jolene.

Jolene shook her head. “I'm not in the mood to play ball right now.”

Fern followed Jolene upstairs to her classroom and leaned on the front of the desk when Jolene took a seat. “You look upset. Is it because the scholars didn't catch on to what you were trying to show them?”

Jolene gave a slow nod.

“I think you just need to give it some time. Signing is new to the children.” Fern shrugged. “I had trouble following along with what you were trying to teach us, too, but I'm sure with some practice I'll be able to learn.”

“Anyone can learn to sign if they want to,” Jolene said. “I'm just afraid that some—especially Kyle Beechy—don't want to learn.”

Fern traced an ink stain on the desk with her finger then looked up at Jolene and frowned. “Kyle's my most challenging student, but these last few days, he's been more difficult than usual. I think he's probably upset about his daed falling off the roof.”

Jolene suspected there was more going on with Kyle than just his dad's accident. He'd been mean to Irvin before that had happened. The boy obviously had a chip on his shoulder, and he seemed to enjoy causing trouble. Well, Jolene couldn't worry about that right now. She had her own students to teach, and That's where she needed to keep her focus. Irvin, while cooperating a little better the past few days, still wasn't staying focused on his lessons the way she felt he should be. If Kyle kept tormenting Irvin, Jolene planned to speak with Kyle's parents. Today, however, she wanted to stop by the stamp shop and pick up a few things on her way home. She planned to make some get-well cards—one for Jake's dad, and one for Lonnie Hershberger.

Lonnie lay in his hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. He'd just been told by the doctor that the damage to his auditory nerves was severe and had caused complete hearing loss. It was a shocking blow, and Lonnie felt as if his whole world had caved in. He couldn't imagine spending the rest of his life in total silence. It would be like being trapped in a cave with no way out. He couldn't imagine not being able to hear his own voice ... the warble of birds ... a cat's meow ... or the tinkle of wind chimes. There were so many things he would miss.

Pop tapped Lonnie on the shoulder, and he turned his head, barely able to swallow around the lump stuck in his throat. Pop picked up the notepad lying on the table beside Lonnie's bed and wrote something on it. His lips moved silently as he handed the notepad to Lonnie.

Lonnie's eyes had trouble focusing due to the tears he felt. He tried to blink them away as he read Pop's message:
There is one positive thing in all this. Jolene Yoder's here, and she'll be able to teach you how to read lips and talk with your hands.

Lonnie said nothing; he just stared at the food on his meal tray that he hadn't touched.

Then Mom took the tablet and wrote something.
I know you're disappointed, and so are we.

Angry words rolled around in Lonnie's head, and he gripped

the edge of his sheet until his fingers turned numb. “You got that right,” he mumbled. At least he thought his words had come out mumbled. Since he couldn't hear his own voice, he couldn't be sure how he'd sounded.

Disappointments are like weeds in the garden,
Mom continued to write.
You can let them grow and take over your life, or you can rout them out and let the flowers sprout.

Another wave of anger swept over Lonnie, and he slammed his fist on his meal tray so hard that the glass of milk toppled over and the silverware tumbled to the floor. “I don't want to talk with my hands or think about flowers and weeds! I want to hear with my ears!”