Free October song by Unknown Page B

“Your mam offered to help. And the older children Hickory John and Nancyare gut ‘bout helping when they’re home.”
    They talked a blue streak. But they were cautious, even wise, steering clear of the differences in their beliefs . . doctrines, too. Meanwhile, the vegetable soup was starting to thaw.“Is’pose we could chew the fat all day, jah?” Mary said, hurrying to put away the soup.
    From where she stood, Katie could see
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    into the kitchen, the long table stretching out under the windows on one side, a gas lamp hanging overhead, and the wood stove opposite the table and benches. Same layout as Mamma’s. “I best be going,” she said.
    “Wish you could stay . . wish we could ” Mary’s voice trailed off, and she leaned hard against the wall.
    “You sure you’re all right?” Katie asked before leaving. “You just look so tired.”
    “Oh, I’m fine,” Mary said, though Katie wasn’t convinced. There were dark circles under Mary’s eyes, prob’ly from lack of sleep or from pushing herself much too hard. Maybe both.
    Mary thanked her repeatedly for such a “wonderful-gut deed.”
    Just as Katie was turning to go, Mary said that one of the elders had spotted a red car parked out behind the Miller’s house, “over on the west side of the hollow.”
    She listened, a bit surprised that Mary would bring up such a topic, especially
    considering Katie’s status among the
    People. But she volunteered nothing.
    “The car’s parked over at Peter and Lydia Miller’s place of a night.”
    The homestead belonged to her
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    mother’s second cousins churchgoing Mennonites. “Ben’s in need of prayer,” Katie said, fumbling for the right words.
    “I’m afraid he’s got one foot in the world and one in the church.., ownin’ a car and all. Next thing the car will ownhim.”
    Katie sighed. This was terribly awkward. “Ben’s searching, that’s whatIthink.”
    “But all your brother needs is right here with the People,” Mary spoke her mind.
    Amish ways had been well ingrained in Katie, yet her heart had longed for more than man-made rules and traditions could offer. She’d best be careful what she said
    now.
    “Surely you haven’t gone and influenced Ben … away from the church, I mean.”
    Katie let it be known she’d had nothing to do with Ben’s disobedience. And with that, she opened the door to go.
    “Ach … I’m awful sorry, Katie. Truly, I am.” Mary reached out her hand. “Didn’t mean to cast blame on ya.”
    Katie gripped her friend’s hand.
    “You are so kind to come.” Mary snif fled.
    She wished she could open her heart and reveal to Mary that shedidhope to influ ence Benjamin someday, for the Lord.
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    Mary too. In fact, Katie prayed daily that she might lead each and every one of the People to Jesus, just as the Wise Woman had led her.
    As tempted as Katie was to stare at the long lane leading to Dat and Mam’s house, she kept going, past the old stone house where she’d grown up. Where Samuel and Rebecca Lapp had brought her home as a newborn infant to be their adopted daughter. She even nixed the urge to glimpse the Millers’ barnyard, where Ben’s shiny sports car was said to be hiding.
    She drove without stopping, all the way out to the intersection that ultimately led her to the clapboard house. Past the wide meadows and the creek running through it, where she made her home with Clan. As she drove, she prayed for Mary. “Provide for her every need, dear Lord, spirit, mind, and body.” Oh, how she longed to have a spiritual connection with her lifelong friend. Sharing the Lord brought people together in a way like no other. Surely God, in His sovereign plan, wouldn’t allow them to grow up together only to drift apart as young adults. And right around the time when one, or both of them, might become expectant mothers. In fact, she
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    had a feeling Mary was already expecting her first baby-hers and John’s. Was that the reason for her friend’s