Patricia Davids - An Amish Christmas Journey

She focused on Toby. “Your sister was telling me that she likes peach pie. I have a friend whose husband loves peach pie. His name is Levi Beachy and he makes buggies in our town. What do you do, Toby?”

“I work at a factory that builds RVs in Fort Wayne, or I did until recently. Before that, our family lived in Pennsylvania. There, I was a wood-carver, but the shop where my father and I were employed closed and we couldn’t find work. That’s why we moved to Fort Wayne. I’m not sure what I will do now, but Marianne and I will figure that out together.”

He looked at his sister as she sipped her chocolate with relish, and he smiled softly. Toby was a kind and caring brother. It made Greta miss her sisters. She would love to have them here with her now.

The cat jumped in her lap scaring the wits out of her. She jerked in fright, sloshing hot coffee on her hand. The cat ran back to her uncle. Greta saw him leaning heavily on his cane and clutching his chest.

Greta dropped her drink and hurried toward him.

“Are you all right, Onkel? ” she asked when she reached his side.

“Need my...pills.” He was fumbling at his vest pocket.

Greta quickly extracted a small vial. Her fingers trembled as she opened the lid and shook a pill into his hand. He put it under his tongue.

Toby slipped his arms around the old man’s shoulders and behind his knees. He lifted him like a child, carried him to the bench and laid him down. Morris was breathing heavily. Toby looked at Greta. “Should we call an ambulance?”

“Ja.”

“Nee.” Morris shook his head. “It’s better.”

“Are you sure?” She knelt in front of him.

He gave her a sour look. “You won’t have to pay for my burial yet, Mouse.”

Greta took a deep breath and disguised her shame with a show of indifference. It was a skill she had learned well living with him. But Lizzie wouldn’t let such a jab go unanswered. Greta narrowed her eyes. “That’s good to know, Onkel. My expense account is woefully inadequate at the moment.”

That took him aback. It did her good to see his surprise. The mouse hadn’t roared, but it squeaked.

Was there any way to reach him? To make him see how hurtful his words could be? Had he really tried to make her fall out of the van, or was it an accident as he claimed? She couldn’t be sure.

When she and her sisters had lived with him, his abuse had been overt. A beating with a belt or with a wooden rod. That punishment wasn’t available to him with so many people around. She didn’t want to believe the worst of him, but she had never seen anything else.

“Help me up,” he said, reaching for her hand.

She hesitated. Why should she? Why had she even come?

A second later, she knew the answer as clearly as if God had spoken to her. She was here because it was the right thing to do. Returning evil for evil did no one any good. Taking his hand, she pulled him into a sitting position.

He sighed heavily. “I would like a cup of tea.”

She kept one hand under his elbow as he stood. Toby stayed close until she had Morris seated at a booth inside the diner. Toby and Marianne chose their own table and sat away from the group. Marianne sat next to the wall, sinking into the corner as if hiding from the world. Greta’s heart went out to her.

Morris was watching them, too. “Why does she keep her hand at the side of her face all the time? Is she looking for attention?”

“I think she is self-conscious about the scars on her neck and face. She was burned in the house fire that killed her parents.”

“They aren’t noticeable scars. She’s vain.”

Compelled to defend the sweet child, Greta glared at her uncle. “To a girl that age they must seem enormous and ghastly. She deserves our kindness not our judgment.”

He turned his attention to the waitress and ordered tea. Greta ordered a cup of soup and a slice of peach pie.

Her uncle’s color improved steadily. He soon seemed to be his old self. He complained that the tea was lukewarm and sent it back. Then he asked for a glass of ice because it arrived too hot to drink.

When he finished his tea, he rose and headed for the restrooms at the back of the diner. He stumbled and staggered sideways a step before regaining his balance and heading on. Greta caught Toby’s eye. He nodded and then indicated his sister with a glance in her direction. Greta nodded, too. Toby rose to follow her uncle while Greta moved to sit with Marianne. It was amazing how easily they communicated with only a shared look. He wasn’t like anyone she had met before. She quickly pushed her interest in him to the back of her mind.

Taking her uneaten pie as a pretense, she sat down at the same table with the child. “Would you like my pie? I don’t have room for it.”

Marianne nodded. Greta pushed the dish toward her. She folded her hands and smiled. “I have always wanted to travel to Pennsylvania. Is it pretty?”

Marianne nodded again.

“Are you and your brother visiting family there?”

“We’re going to live with my aenti. ”

“You and your brother?”

“Ja.”

“I’m very sorry about your parents. My parents have gone to heaven, too, so I know your sadness. I miss them although I know they are happy with God. I’m not alone, though. I have three sisters and we all look out for each other the way your brother has been looking out for you on this trip. You are blessed that he was spared.”

Marianne didn’t say anything, so Greta forged ahead. “It’s hard to talk about the people we have lost, but you don’t have to be afraid. You can tell me about it.”

“ Nee , you will hate me.”

“We must never hate anyone, Marianne.” If only she could follow her own advice.

“It was my fault they died.” Marianne pushed the rest of the uneaten pie aside and got up from the table. She rushed outside leaving Greta to wonder exactly what had happened to the child’s family.

After paying her bill, Greta went outside, too. The Coblentz family was already in the van. Greta got in and sat at the back with Marianne. The girl lay curled onto her side facing the back of the seat. Greta couldn’t see her face. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

The child ignored her. Greta chewed her lower lip. She had been trying to help but she may have made things worse. Morris and Toby came out of the restaurant a short time later. Mr. Hooper started the van as Toby climbed in behind Morris. A loud thunk from the engine and a cat’s screech startled everyone.

Arles and Toby went to the front of the vehicle. Greta got out, and Marianne followed her.

Chapter Six

Arles lifted the hood of the van. Toby leaned in and pulled the limp cat free. It was the same calico that had fawned over Greta’s uncle earlier. The poor thing had been hit by the fan blade. It bore an awful gash on the side of its neck and most of its left ear was missing.

“Help her,” Marianne pleaded with tears in her eyes.

Greta quickly offered her handkerchief. “Use this to stop the bleeding.”

“Danki.” Toby pressed the cloth to the animal’s head.

“We must find the owner. The poor thing needs a veterinarian,” Greta said.

Toby looked around. “Maybe the restaurant owner or one of the customers will know who she belongs to. I’ll go ask.”

“I’ll take her,” Greta offered. She unbuttoned her coat. Toby handed the animal to her. She wrapped the poor thing in her long apron and tried to soothe her.

The cat started crying pitifully. Marianne watched with wide frightened eyes.

Toby rushed into the restaurant. He caught sight of the cook, a middle-aged Englisch fellow with a large stained apron tied around his ample middle. “We need some help. A cat has been injured. Perhaps you can tell us who owns it.”