Holding a Tender Heart (10 page)

“I know you said Lois is considering breaking away from the Amish life. Is this about you moving in with us for a while, Lois?”

“No, Mom!” Debbie said, shocked. “It's almost the opposite, in fact. But let's wait for Dad…please?”

Lois cleared her throat. “I really should be going, Debbie. I hope you all enjoy the supper.”

Callie looked from one girl to the other. “What is going on here? What do you mean just the opposite?”

“I'll explain when I come back, Mom,” Debbie said. “I need to take Lois home.” She took Lois's arm and ushered her outside.

“You should have told your
mamm
,” Lois protested as they climbed into the car.

“I will at the right time. She's not going to take this well.”

“I didn't think
Englisha
people would object to such a thing.”

Debbie whipped the car out of the driveway. “Well now you know.”

“I hope your mom isn't going to be too upset.” Lois was all sympathy.

Debbie pulled into the Beiler driveway. “I'll smooth things over. It'll be okay.”

Lois paused before she got out of the car. “You're still not ‘in' you know. Don't expect
Daett
to make up his mind for a while. It'll take him a week or more to consider this, if I don't miss my guess. And I'm not sure what he'll decide.”

Debbie nodded.

Lois opened the door and climbed out. She waved before heading into the house.

At least Lois hadn't said anything tonight about switching places! Debbie drove home and parked in the driveway. She entered the house to find her mom seated at the table.

“I don't object to food I don't have to fix, you know, Debbie. But this fairly shouts to me that something serious is up. So what is it? What have you got up your sleeve?”

Debbie sighed. She should have known better. Supper was growing colder by the minute, her mom wanted answers, and her dad wasn't even home yet. The meal would be ice-cold long before it could accomplish its intended purpose.

“I'm waiting for an answer,” Callie said. “You're not in trouble, are you?”

Debbie glanced out the window, hearing crunching sounds in the driveway. “It's Dad. I'll explain everything when he gets in.”

The front door opened, and her dad stepped in. He surveyed the spread on the table and smiled. “My, my! Have the fairies been here?”

“Sit down, dear,” Callie said. “Debbie's got something to tell us.”

Herbert walked closer. He stared at the food-laden table.

“You'll get to eat afterward, I promise,” Callie said.

“But it's getting cold!” he protested.

Debbie almost laughed, but she turned her face away instead. Her ploy had worked! Her Dad would be easily won over, she was sure.

Debbie's mom glanced in her direction. “Shoot, girl! I'm still waiting.”

The time had come. Debbie took a deep breath. “Well, Dad and Mom, the truth is that I've asked the Beilers if I can board with them for a while.”

“I see,” Callie said. “And they have agreed to this?”

“Well, no. Not yet. But I'm hoping they say yes.”

Callie spoke slowly. “Herbert, did you hear that?”

Her dad grunted as he looked longingly at the food in front of him.

“I might as well go on and tell you the rest,” Debbie said. “You both know how I've admired the Beilers all these years, especially their way of life. And…well…I-I-I think I might like to eventually
join the Amish community.” There! It was out in the open! Debbie let out another breath.

Her mom wasn't pleased. “So that's what they're after? Converts?”

Debbie sighed. “No, it's not that at all.
I
approached
them
. It'll be a miracle if they even let me rent a room.”

“But you've just graduated from college! Life is just beginning for you, Debbie. How can you throw it all away for…for a life of, well,
blandness
?” her mom asked.

“I thought you were happy here,” Debbie's dad said.

“I'm sorry,” Debbie said, dropping her chin to her chest. “I don't want to hurt you. Really, I don't. This isn't about you and what you've provided. It's about me. You're both great parents. I just want something different. Is that so bad?”

Her mom thought about that. “I guess worse things happen to people than having a daughter join a monastery. I never could understand your fascination with those Beilers. It seems to me to be a very staid life. But I won't stand in your way. Maybe a few weeks with the Beilers will open your eyes to a few things about life. I suspect you'll come running home before summer's out.”

“Well, maybe I will,” Debbie acknowledged. “But I hope not…and I don't think I will. And I'll be right next door. It's not like I'm moving to China or something.”

“I suppose you'll be putting your hair up soon? Growing it long like they do?” her mom chided.

“I think that's rushing things a bit,” Debbie said. “I've just asked them to let me board there for now. You did say it was time I got out of the nest. Tried out my wings and all that.”

“Going Amish is not what I meant, Debbie,” her mom said. “I wanted you to
grow
as a young woman. I'm afraid with the Amish you'll just wither. You won't grow at all.”

“You both are partially right,” Herbert said, finally getting a word in edgewise. “But in the meantime all this wonderful food is growing cold. I'm going to eat even if no one else is.”

“Men and food,” Callie muttered good-naturedly.

Herbert ignored the remark and said, “Shall we pray?”

Callie huffed but bowed her head as Herbert said a short prayer.

“Amen!” he said as he reached for the potatoes in front of him.

“Take it easy, Herbert,” Callie told him. “The Amish aren't quite known for their heart-healthy diet. There's probably more cholesterol on this table than you've had in a month. I had a tossed salad planned for tonight.”

“My mom used to cook meals like this when I grew up in Michigan. My dad lived to a ripe old age,” Herbert countered.

“And you waded through ten feet of snow in stocking feet,” Callie snapped.

Her dad didn't respond. Instead, he turned to Debbie. “So tell me the details about your Amish venture.”

“Don't be encouraging the girl,” Callie said. “Remember what she's throwing away—including all that college money we spent on her.”

“I think Debbie ought to make up her own mind,” Herbert protested.

Callie helped herself to the food and didn't answer.

Herbert shrugged. “So, Debbie, what were you going to say about this venture of yours?”

Debbie felt joy rise in her heart. “I guess I've always admired their lifestyle, Dad. Like the peace they seem to radiate. In fact, I think I like most everything about them. I always have. I guess completing college and beginning the new job brought things to a head. I think it's time I pursued my dream to see if it's what I really want.”

“Are you quitting your job?” her dad asked, frowning. “After I pulled strings to help you get it?”

Debbie winced. “No, I can't do that. I need money to pay for my room and board. I don't want to sponge off the Beilers or you.”

“Thank goodness the girl has that much sense,” Callie commented.

“She's your daughter,” Herbert said. “Of course she has sense.”

Callie didn't appear mollified. “Then why isn't she acting like it?”

“Because everyone is different.” Herbert seemed to ponder his own statement. “I think we should wish Debbie nothing but the best.”

“Thank you,” Debbie said. “I appreciate that, Dad.”

“What about Doug?” Callie asked.

“I saw him Saturday night, and I told him my plans,” Debbie said.

Her mom thought for a moment. “I'm sure he was thrilled at that news. Or is he considering donning a black hat and suspenders himself?”

Debbie laughed as she imagined Doug in suspenders. “No, Mom.”

“I didn't think so. At least your taste in lifestyle isn't contagious.”

“You're sure right there,” Debbie assured her. “I imagine very few people wish to join the Amish, and even fewer succeed.”

“And may you be one who doesn't succeed,” her mother said quietly.

“Mom, I'm sorry you don't approve. But if I don't do this now, I'll always wonder what might have been. I wish you could see how important this is to me.” Debbie thought she might break into tears if her mom didn't ease up.

Callie noticed her daughter's frustration and changed the subject. “Amish food is good at least.”

“Thanks. I didn't have much of a hand in making it,” Debbie admitted. Perhaps the tide of this argument had turned, she thought, and they could converse on more pleasant subjects.

Her dad, though, wasn't finished with his questions. “Will you be staying single all your life?”

Debbie gave him a sweet smile. “Dad, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

“That's what you think!” Callie said. “I do want grandchildren someday.”

Debbie noticed a sudden softness around her mom's eyes. “Mom, there are single men in the Amish community, you know!”

Her dad burst out with a laugh. “That's the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. I would say from the size of their families there must certainly be a few.”

“Herbert, be decent!” Callie protested.

“Just sayin'.” He reached for another slice of meat, a grin still on his face. “Who knows? We might end up with a dozen grandchildren!”

“Dad!” Debbie said, her face turning red.

Callie, on the other hand, turned serious. “Debbie, is this about a specific Amish man? Have you met someone? Is that what's behind all this Amish talk? Perhaps someone who hangs around the Beiler place?”

Debbie choked. “Mom, the Amish don't ‘hang around' anywhere. They work all day during the week, but I've never been to one of their Sunday meetings. How could I have met someone?”

Her mom murmured, “Remember, I said
grandchildren
, Debbie. But not a dozen, okay?”

“Mom! I don't even know the man.” As soon as she said it, Debbie wanted to bite her tongue.

“
Aha!
So there
is
a specific man!”

“Not like you mean. There is a man I've admired. Can we talk about something else? This is embarrassing.”

“Look at her, Herbert!” Callie said. “She's blushing redder than a rose in summertime. Our girl's in love with an Amish man.”

“Well, you said you wanted grandchildren,” her dad responded with a smile.

“Mom! Dad!” Debbie almost hollered. “Please! This is not funny!”

“Okay, honey,” her dad said. “Callie, I think we should leave Debbie to her own decisions and choose to be happy with the results. Agreed?”

Her mom thought for a moment before she nodded.

Debbie was thankful Lois hadn't stayed. If she'd heard this conversation and shared it with her parents, what would they think of her?

Nine

T
he following Saturday afternoon Bishop Beiler stood by his barn door and peered down the lane. The first warm, summer breeze blew across his face. He pushed back his hat. The sound of a buggy coming traveled toward him in the still air. It soon came into view, and the bishop sighed. That would be Deacon David Mast's buggy from the looks of it. This could only mean one thing on a Saturday. There was church trouble afoot. Adam sighed. Likely one of the deacon's regular visits with a family had turned out badly, and he needed a consultation before presenting whatever the matter was to the rest of the ministers tomorrow morning at the church service. Or, worse, perhaps something completely new had come up that needed urgent attention.