The Photograph (20 page)

J
ED
'
S
YOUNGEST
SISTER
met him in the kitchen that night, sporting a big smile.

“I want you to hear this from me first,” Bettina said, eyes dancing as she told him of her wedding plans come November.

He knew she was hoping for his brotherly blessing. “I'd be happier if you were a little older. What's the big hurry, sis?”

“Aw, Jed
 . . .”

“Well now, think about it. You've only been goin' to Singings a year.”

“Levi and I
love
each other,” she said, wringing her hands. “Why should we wait?”

She was far from ready to be a wife, young as she was. “Have ya thought of talkin' to Dat and Mamm?”

She ignored his question. “I forgot to tell you—Levi wants you to be one of his side sitters at our wedding.”

“Shouldn't
he
be askin'? That's traditionally the way it's done.”

“Oh, Jed, I'm just so thrilled! I can hardly think straight.”

Thinking straight should
come first. . . .

“Remember, Lord willing, you'll be married to Levi for a long
time—might be sixty years or more,” he offered kindly. “Besides, isn't Levi the only fella you've ever gone with?”

She nodded. “And he's the one for me, so there's no point in arguing that.” Bettina sighed. “
Ach
, you're too tired to be happy for me, I daresay.”

He
was
tired. Evidently undaunted, Bettina left the kitchen to go upstairs.

Jed recalled Eva's interest in Bettina's possible news, but he pushed the thought away. What did it matter now?

He headed back to his bedroom, adjacent to the front room, and noticed Lily's book lying on the dresser. There hadn't been time to give it another look during the trip from Lancaster County, what with all the conversation in the van. Jed had wanted to be considerate of his driver and fellow passengers.

I could mail it
to Lily,
he thought.
If I knew where she was.

He heard voices drifting down the stairs now and assumed Bettina had taken his suggestion to heart, although Jed supposed their parents might have guessed something was up.
The way
she's prancing about like a young filly.

Their father might also caution about Bettina's young age, although Daed had married Mamm the year they each turned eighteen.

Flipping through the book's pages, Jed zeroed in on a note:
Love gladly sacrifices itself for the beloved.

He closed the book, still aware of the muffled conversation.
Bettina's
arguing for her own beloved,
he thought as he leaned back onto the bed, his hands behind his head.

I
have no right to discourage her.

The next morning, Jed rose an hour before the alarm clock went off, anxious to turn up at work before Uncle Ervin arrived.
Considering the raucous birds outside his window, he'd needed no further incentive.

O Lord, pave the way for me today
with Uncle Ervin,
he prayed, on edge about whether his absence might have proved a boon to Perry.

Bettina met him in the kitchen, looking like she hadn't slept much. “Well, I did your bidding,” she said conspiratorially.

He nodded. “How'd it go?”

“Not the way I expected. And Mamma's not feelin' so well this morning because of it.” She groaned and went to the fridge and reached for some orange juice and milk. “I hate causin' her worry,” she said as she opened the cupboard and brought over two choices of cold cereal.

Jed picked up the cereal box. “This is all I get?” He rose to get a clean bowl from the shelf and returned to help himself to a large amount of Wheaties without saying more. He was dismayed by his sister's apparent mind-set. It wasn't
his
doing she'd gotten herself engaged too young.

“Mamma was cryin' by the end of our talk,” Bettina volunteered.

He kept his mouth shut, except to eat, believing anything he might say could make things worse.

“So now you're not talkin' to me?” Bettina poured orange juice into a tall glass and set it down in front of him.

He thanked her with a nod, but she ignored him and left with a sad face.

A dramatic start to the day,
Jed thought.

Ervin Stutzman wasn't the easiest boss to please, despite the fact that Jed was related to him. He was known to expect perfection, or close to it, and he wanted his employees to work long hours when necessary. Now that he'd had two apprentices for
some time, Uncle Ervin's exceedingly high standards were even higher than before, although here lately he was nearly too frail to bark orders.

These thoughts were running through Jed's mind as he walked up the familiar lane to the shop and pushed the door open.

Surprisingly, there sat Ervin, smoking his pipe, surrounded by stacked plywood for seats and the main box of the buggy, as well as lumber for the canopy frames. He sputtered when he spotted Jed. “Didn't expect ya this early.”

“Mornin',
Onkel.
Just thought I'd get a head start since I've been gone.”

His uncle gave him a nod and returned to puffing away. “
Willkumm
back.”

Jed proceeded to tell him about Jonas Byler's carriage shop—the equipment, the setup, and the various techniques he'd learned there. “Found it takes Jonas and his employees about a hundred and fifty hours to make a buggy, same as here.”

Ervin smiled and slowly nodded his head. “It's never right to cut corners,
niemols.
”

“Jonas has quite the big operation,” Jed said, catching his uncle up on all that he'd seen and heard.

“And how was your visit with Lovina and Orpha Byler?” Ervin asked with a quirk of his eyebrow.

Jed might have guessed this would be next. “The Byler sisters were pleasant enough,” he replied.
But that's where it stops.
His uncle didn't need to know the rest of the story.

Uncle Ervin got up and leaned heavily on his cane. “They were pleasant, ya say? Just pleasant?”

Jed smiled. “Orpha seems like a real
schmaert
and helpful young woman, too,” he added.

“Helpful is
gut
, but ya don't sound like a would-be beau. She chust ain't for you?”

“'Fraid not.”

Quickly, Jed changed the subject. “I'm wondering if Perry finished makin' the seat for the surrey he's been building.”

“
Jah
, and one of the curtained doors and the hinged door in back, too. Perry's a fine welder and painter and mechanic, but he needs to work on his upholstering and painting. Ain't nearly as
sarchsam
—painstaking—as you in all areas of work.”

Rare affirmation.

Jed set to measuring the vinyl-covered black cloth for the new buggy tops, sides, and back and decided the day was turning out better than it started.

E
VA
HEARD
ONE
OF
A
BNER
M
AST
'
S
HEIFERS
bellowing across the road as she emptied the trash early Tuesday afternoon. Frona was finishing up the ironing, and Eva had felt restless, going from room to room to gather up the wastepaper baskets. She felt she needed to get away from her sister, who had nothing good to say today.
She's out of
sorts, stewing over Lily.

Returning from behind the barn, Eva saw Sylvia Lantz pull into the driveway in her family carriage, waving. Eva hurried her step, then set the empty trash can down near the old hand pump. “Nice to see ya,” she called to their neighbor.

Sylvia got out and went around to the opposite side of the buggy, where she removed a large casserole dish nestled in her handmade quilted carryall. “I decided to bring some supper over as a surprise,” she said. “Since it's your day off from the candy shop, I thought I'd catch ya before you start cookin'.”

“Perfect timing.” Eva was especially pleased because it was her day to cook. She walked with Sylvia into the house. “Heard from Naomi that you're expectin' company this weekend.”

Sylvia nodded. “
Jah
, Tilly's girls attend a private Christian school that lets out earlier for the summer than most public schools in Rockport, so the family's comin' for a nice long visit. Oh, I can't wait to get my hands on their youngest! Tilly wrote in her last letter that he's growin' as fast as kudzu. It's past due for them to come see us.” Sylvia set the dish on the counter. “Hope ya like homemade noodles and turkey with carrots and onions.”

“
Wunderbaar,
” Eva said. “
Denki
.” She asked if Sylvia could visit awhile.

“For a little bit, I guess.”

Frona was still ironing in the next room, but she came around to poke her head in to see who was there. “Did I hear something 'bout a turkey casserole?”

“I made a double batch.” Sylvia sat down at the table and smiled at Frona, then Eva.

“Well, it ain't like we're in mourning,” Frona said, startling Eva and obviously Sylvia, too.

“That is, we're putting on our bravest faces, waiting to hear—” Eva started to say, hoping to soften the blow of Frona's bad temper.

“It must be awful hard,” Sylvia interrupted.

Frona frowned. “We're struggling
 . . .
that's for sure.” She sighed. “Eva and I are grateful for your thoughtfulness, Sylvia.” Then she withdrew to the next room.

Sylvia motioned for Eva to join her at the table. “None of us knows what we'd say or do if we were put in the same circumstance as you and your family.”

Eva smiled. “You're always so kind.”

They talked about Menno's contact in Apple Creek, Ohio. “Let's pray he'll be able to find Lily and bring her home,” Eva said, not surprised when Sylvia admitted she'd already heard a little about this from Menno's wife, Bena, just up the road.

“Something
gut
has to come of this.” Sylvia touched the back of Eva's hand. “You believe it, too, don't ya?”

“I certainly try.” She asked if Sylvia would like something to drink. “We have plenty of meadow tea in the fridge.”

“I'll have a small glass,” Sylvia replied. “What about you, Frona? Can you hear me
 . . .
would you like something, too?”

Eva was pleased Sylvia had reached out to Frona, but Frona merely said she wasn't thirsty from the other side of the wall.
She must be embarrassed.

While they sipped their cold tea, Eva asked if Sylvia might reintroduce her to Tilly. “If ya think it might suit sometime while they're visiting.”

“I'll ask once they arrive,” Sylvia assured her.

She didn't mind that Frona had probably heard what she was saying; Eva could just imagine her perpetual frown. “I'll look forward to meeting your daughter,” she added.

“And Tilly will enjoy getting to know you, Eva.”

Eva hoped she could manage without being too bashful. Oh, she wanted to pick Tilly's brain about ever so many things.

That evening, after they enjoyed Sylvia's hearty casserole meal, Eva and Frona each indulged in one of the delectable leftover truffles. Eva asked Frona's advice about letting Naomi see Lily's photograph. “I know she'll keep mum, if I ask her to.”

“Show it to anyone you like,” Frona said, wearing her oldest blue kerchief over her thick hair bun. She looked tired and was apparently still distressed over her rude response to Sylvia earlier. “It might be the last we see of Lily.”

Eva sighed at Frona's dispirited remark. “Let's keep prayin'.”

“Well, the bishop and I talked briefly yesterday before he went over to get you from your shop,” Frona said. “According to him,
the world can be more appealing than the Kingdom of God, 'specially to younger folks.”

“That's one of the reasons we're praying.”

Frona seemed to ignore this. “By the way, you never said how you ran across that photo.”

Eva shrugged, not willing to admit to the sad affair. “You surely remember how Lily started backing away from the church after Mamma died.”

“
Jah
, I do.” Frona set her fork down. “But where'd you find the photo?”

I'll have to say
eventually,
Eva thought, not wanting to be impudent but still reluctant to talk about her final visit with Jed.
Not
just yet.

“Eva, ain't ya listenin' to me?”

“I don't think it matters, Frona. Honestly, I doubt Lily meant for us to see it.”

“You and Lily, fully of secrets.” Frona grimaced. “Guess I can't squeeze blood out of a turnip.”

After the dishes were washed and put away, Eva headed across the road and straight to Naomi's side door.
How many times did we girls
come over with Mamma for homemade ice cream?
she recalled.
Naomi's heart and home have always been open to
us.
 . . .

Inside, Naomi rose immediately from the table and led Eva into the front room while Abner stayed put with the coconut cream pie.

“Poor Abner,” said Eva. “I've interrupted your dessert.”

“
Ach
, I can tell by the looks of ya, you need to bend my ear, ain't so? Abner will understand.”

“You know me well,” Eva admitted and began to share about the surprising photograph of Lily. “Have a look if you want.” She pulled it out of her pocket and showed Naomi.

For the longest time, Naomi held it out a ways from her face,
her chin up as she stared at it. “Well, I've never seen Lily so dolled up before,” she said softly, glancing now toward the doorway to the sitting room.

“What do ya mean?”

“Well, it looks to me like she's done something to make her eyes stand out.” Naomi pointed to the photo, and Eva leaned closer to look. “See there?”

“I haven't the slightest idea where she would've gotten makeup,” Eva said. “I never saw her wear it. And I can't figure out when she would've had this taken.”

“Wait just a minute.” Naomi put her hand to her mouth. “I was over at Ida Mae's the mornin' after Lily left, and Alan Yoder stopped by to deliver some biscuits from his mother. Evidently, a few weeks ago Lily asked him to take her to the mall—she was adamant that he wait for her in the parking lot.”

“Wha-at?”

“
Jah
, he said Lily came out later clutching a flat paper sack.”

“Maybe that was the day she had the picture taken.” Eva was flummoxed. “Did ya read what's on the back?”

Naomi turned it over, and her lips moved as she read Lily's writing. “I wonder what was goin' through her mind. ‘The best and worst day
 . . .'”

“It's awful peculiar.”

“You haven't said how ya came across this.” Naomi gave the photo back to her.

Eva leaned back in the chair, trying to relax—she felt too wound up. “You remember Jed Stutzman? He found it on the train comin' here.”

“Well, I'll be. Must've been the same train Lily took to Ohio.”

“I thought of that, but it also might've been that another traveler found it in a van or a cab and carried it onto the train. Without being able to ask Lily, how can we ever know for sure?”

Naomi reached for the settee pillow and pushed it behind her back. “We can't always know why things come our way. But we know this: ‘All things work together for
gut
to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' Remember?”

Eva was anxious to tell her more about Jed. “It was so nice of him to take me riding and walking. We had a wonderful time feeding the ducks at your pond, too. And then, before he left town, he stopped by The Sweet Tooth to see me.”

Naomi was trying not to smile. “You're fond of him, and there's no doubt in my mind he likes you, Eva. Anyone who saw the two of you together would have to agree.”

Eva felt confident enough now to reveal everything—how the minute Lily's picture had fallen out of his wallet, Jed's attitude had changed before her very eyes. “I can't explain it, but I know there's a link between that photograph and him seeking me out after we met by accident at the auction.”

“Are ya sayin' you think he's enamored with the picture?” Naomi asked, eyes wide.

“I wondered at first, but I don't think it's that.” She went on to tell Naomi about Jed's former fiancée. “It could be that he's just not ready to move on.”

“Well, for pity's sake.” Naomi put her hand on her chest. “Will you hear from him by letter, perhaps?”

“He said he'd write, but that was before I found out about the photo. Now I have my doubts.” Eva thought of Alfred Dienner just then and told Naomi of the letter she'd received from him. “It surprised me, really.”

“Why's that, my dear?”

Eva lowered her head.

“Listen here, these young fellas know a perty face when they see one.” Naomi leaned forward. “And you've got a beautiful heart inside.”

“Tellin' the truth, I've never been so confused.” Eva poured out her angst over her uncertain future. “Menno's determined to take over the house as soon as possible, and there's really only room for one of us to stay. He seems to think—well, he
hopes
—we girls will be married by then.” She sighed. “But now, with Lily gone, it just doesn't feel right to me. First Lily
 . . .
and now Frona and I won't be able to stay together, either.” She went on to tell Naomi that if things didn't work out for them to live with one of their other brothers, Frona supposed they might end up living in Berne, Indiana, with a great-aunt.

“So far away?” Naomi exclaimed.

Eva rose and went to stand next to the large window. “I'd miss ya something terrible.”

“And I'd miss you, too. Yet when ya think 'bout it,” Naomi said, coming over to stand beside her, “when you do marry, things will definitely change anyway—you won't be over here as often, of course.”

“Even so, I don't want to rush into something with Alfred or anyone else just for the sake of stayin' put here.”

“You don't have to cross that bridge yet.” Naomi slipped her arm around Eva's waist. “I believe you have too many thoughts pushing round in your head for one evening, child.”

Eva turned to clasp Naomi's hand. “You're prayin' for me, aren't ya? And Lily, too?”

“You know I am.”

“Mamma always said prayer was ever so important.”

Naomi nodded sweetly, and if Eva wasn't mistaken, there were tears in her eyes.

When Eva walked through the kitchen toward the back door, Abner was still sitting at the table, his old German
Biewel
open. His pointer finger was on the page, following the lines.