Free A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman Page A

see who it was.
    Later the moment would crystallize in her mind, for it seemed — even more than when she saw the girl in the pond — this moment changed their lives.
    What had happened the day before had been at Reuben’s house. It hadn’t seemed quite real, as she’d explained to Jonas the night before when they snuggled on the couch.
    This morning, she opened the door, smiled down at Joshua, and listened to the sounds of the girls and Jonas at the table behind her as beams of fall sunlight shone through the windows — and everything changed.
    This morning the tragedy on her doorstep spilled into her home, shattering the sweet, warm nest she and Jonas had made.
    Esther stood there, or a shadow of Esther, reminding Deborah of one of those paper dolls the girls cut out from their books. She looked as if the sun would not continue rising on the day. Pale and rumpled, her hair barely covered by her
kapp
and clinging to Esther’s hand, stood Leah.
    “Deborah.” Esther’s voice trembled. She stopped and pressed her fingers against her lips, as if to regain control of herself.
    “Esther,
was iss letz
? Come in. Come inside.”
    Deborah pulled her friend into the sitting room. “Martha, come and get the baby, please. Mary, would you take Leah to the table and offer her some breakfast?”
    Esther nodded when Leah looked up at her for permission.
    When they’d crossed the few steps to the sitting room and sat on the couch, Esther covered her face with both hands and began to sob, her shoulders shaking as the last thread of her composure snapped.
    Deborah’s body flooded with alarm.
    She’d never seen Esther show such emotion before. Maybe recently she’d begun to allow herself to show some happiness, a smile here and there, even a laugh occasionally. But she’d never actually expressed strong joy or grief — not even when her husband, Seth, had died.
    Deborah moved closer to her on the couch, placed an arm around her shoulders, and began to rub up and down. She prayed silently for a moment, prayed for a way to calm her best friend. “Would you like some
kaffi
or some tea?”
    “No. No.” Esther wiped at her face with her sleeve, and Deborah handed her the clean cloth diaper she’d been carrying. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been so upset. I wanted to wait until the children were at school, only I couldn’t. I needed to see you, to talk to you.”
    “Of course you did, and I’m glad that you came over. But what’s wrong? Is it Tobias?”
    “Yes. No. I’m not sure.”
    Deborah accepted the hot mug of tea Jonas handed her and pushed it into Esther’s hands. “Drink this. It will calm you.”
    “Where is Tobias now?” Jonas sat down on the chair across from them, braced his forearms against his knees, and looked straight at Esther. Perhaps it was his no-nonsense voice that brought Esther around. He’d always been kind to her, always helped during planting and harvest, though she had plenty of brothers and brothers-in-law who had picked up on chores when Seth had died.
    Sometimes, though, it was a relief to have friends step in. Deborah was guessing that was why she’d turned to friends now.
    “He’s in town, with Reuben. And Reuben’s in jail.” The words out, Esther’s hands began to shake. She tried to raise the mug to her lips, but seemed to realize she would spill its contents.
    “Let me help you, Esther. I believe you might be in shock.”
    Deborah glanced over at Jonas, worried that this latest blow might be more than Esther could handle. She’d always been the strong one, but this turn of events, on the doorstep of what was to be a new life —
    “How did you hear Reuben had been arrested?” Jonas asked.
    “Tobias called down to the feed store before first light, since he couldn’t make his shift. They sent the delivery boy out to t-t-tell me.”
    “All right. And what exactly did he say?” Jonas’ voice was smooth, like the horse brush gliding over Cinnamon.
    As Esther