Patricia Davids - An Amish Wife For Christmas

Gemma reached across the table and laid a comforting hand on Bethany’s arm. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea things had progressed to this degree of seriousness. He’s always been a little willful, but this is unacceptable behavior and it is his own doing. Bethany, you did not fail him.”

“Danki.” Bethany appreciated Gemma’s attempt to comfort her.

Gemma returned to the other end of the table and began dividing the dough into bread pans. “You’ll simply have to talk to the boy and tell him what the bishop has planned. Perhaps that will convince him to mend his ways.”

“I hope you are right. Christmas is only five weeks away. I don’t know if a change in Ivan’s behavior now will be enough to convince Onkel Harvey and the bishop that he should stay with us. Stealing is a serious offense.”

Bethany had lost so many people in her family. She couldn’t bear the thought of sending her brother away. She had promised to look after her brother and sister and to keep the family together. It felt like she was breaking that promise and it was tearing her heart to pieces.

“You still have the option to marry. I think Jesse would jump at the chance if you gave him any encouragement.”

“I saw him this morning and he didn’t appear love-struck to me.”

Gemma laughed. “Did you honestly go see him with marriage in mind?”

“Of course not. I took a stranger to see the bishop at his workplace. The bishop wasn’t there but Jesse was.”

“What stranger?” Gemma looked intrigued.

“His name is Michael Shetler. He claims my grandfather offered him a job and a place to stay.”

“Did he?”

Bethany shrugged. “I never heard Grandfather mention it.”

“What’s he like? Is he single?”

“He’s rude.”

“What does that mean? What did he say to you?” Gemma left the bread dough to rise again and returned to her seat, her eyes alight with eagerness. “Tell me.”

Bethany blushed at the memory of Michael listening to her conversation with Clarabelle. That was the last time she would speak to any of the farm animals. “He wasn’t actually rude. He simply caught me off guard.”

“And?”

“When I told him about Elijah’s passing he was very upset. I thought the bishop would be the best person to help him find work, so I gave him a ride to the shed factory. Jesse said he would put him to work.”

“You took a stranger up in your buggy? Is he old? Is he cute?”

“He walks with a cane.”

“So he’s old.”

“ Nee. I’d guess he’s twenty-five or so. I had the impression it was a recent injury to his leg.”

“So he’s young. That’s goot , but is he nice looking?”

Bethany considered the question. “Michael isn’t bad looking. He has a rugged attractiveness.”

“Michael?” Gemma tipped her head to the side. “He must be single. Is he someone you’d like to know better?”

“I have too much on my mind to spend time thinking about finding a man.”

“That’s not much of an answer.”

“It’s the only answer you are going to get. You’ll have the chance to see Mr. Shetler for yourself at the church service next Sunday.”

“All right. I won’t tease you.”

Gemma walked over and put on her coat. “Ivan is a good boy at heart. You know that.”

Bethany nodded. “I do. Something is wrong, but I don’t know what.”

“You’ll figure it out. You always do. I’m leaving you with a bit of a mess but all you have to do is put the bread in the oven when it’s done rising.”

“ Danki , Gemma. I’m blessed to have you as a friend.”

“You would do the same for me. Mamm is planning a big Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday. You and the children are invited of course.”

“Tell your mother we’d love to come.”

“Invite Michael when you see him again.”

“I doubt I’ll see him before Sunday next and by then it will be too late.”

“My daed mentioned the other day he needs a bigger garden shed. Maybe I’ll go with him to look at the ones the bishop makes. You aren’t going to claim you saw Michael first if I decide I like him, are you?”

Bethany shook her head as she smiled at her friend. “He’s all yours.”

* * *

Bethany was waiting at the kitchen table when both children came home. Ivan sniffed the air appreciatively. “Smells good. Can I have a piece of bread with peanut butter? I’m starved.”

Bethany clutched her hands together and laid them on the table. “After I have finished speaking to you.”

“Told you,” Jenny said as she took off her coat and boots.

“Talk about what?” Ivan tried to look innocent. Bethany knew him too well. She wasn’t fooled.

“Why don’t you start by telling me what you did wrong and why.” Bethany was pleased that she sounded calm and in control.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” He couldn’t meet her gaze.

“You do so,” Jenny muttered.

“Stay out of this,” Ivan snapped.

“I went to school today. I’m not in trouble,” Jenny shot back.

“I’m waiting for an explanation, Ivan.” Bethany hoped he would own up to his behavior.

“Okay, I skipped school today. It’s no big deal. I can make up the work.” His defiant tone made her bristle.

“You will make up the work for today, and Thursday and Wednesday and Tuesday. You will also write a letter of apology to your teacher for your deliberate deception. Is there something else you want to tell me?”

He stared at his shoes. “Like what?”

Bethany shook her head. “Ivan, how could you? Skipping school is bad enough. Forging a letter to your teacher is worse yet, but stealing from our neighbors is terrible. I can’t believe you would do such a thing. What has gotten into you?”

“Nothing.”

“That is not an answer. Why did you steal beans and potatoes from Jedidiah?”

Ivan shrugged. “He has plenty. The Amish are supposed to share what they have with the less fortunate.”

“What makes you less fortunate?”

When he didn’t answer Bethany drew a deep breath. “Your behavior has shamed us. Worse than that, your actions have been reported to the bishop.”

“So? What does the bishop have to do with this?”

“The bishop is responsible for this community,” Bethany said. “Because you have behaved in ways contrary to our teachings, the bishop has decided you need more discipline and guidance than I can give you.”

“What does that mean?”

“When Onkel Harvey and his family come to visit for Christmas, you will return to Bird-in-Hand with them.”

“What? I don’t want to live with Onkel Harvey.”

“You should’ve thought about the consequences before getting into so much trouble.”

Jenny, who had been standing quietly beside Ivan, suddenly spoke up. “You’re sending him away? Sister, you promised we would all stay together.” She looked ready to cry. “You promised.”

“This is out of my hands. The bishop and your uncle have decided what Ivan needs. They feel I have insufficient control over you, Ivan. I’m afraid they are right. Bishop Schultz believes you need the firm guidance of a man. If your grandfather was still alive or if I was married, things would be different.”

“That’s stupid,” Ivan said, glaring at Bethany. “I didn’t do anything bad enough to be sent away. It isn’t fair.”

“None of us wants this. You have time before Christmas to change your behavior and convince them to let you stay. You will return the items you’ve taken from Jedidiah. He knows that you sold one of the bags of potatoes you took. You must give the money you received for them to Jedidiah. You will have to catch up on all your missed schoolwork and behave politely to Jedidiah and to the bishop. We will pray that your improvement is enough to convince Bishop and Onkel Harvey to let you remain with us.”