Abram's Daughters 05 The Revelation (18 page)

"The worst of it is I can never marry Lyddie." Grief registered powerfully on Jake's face. "If only Dr. Schwartz had told the trutii when Sadie gave me birth ..." His voice trailed off to nothing.

They remained silent for a time, their shoes making the only sound as they plodded along the frozen road. Jonas didn't intend to bring up the idea of pressing forward with one's life not at this difficult moment. There would be time for that later.

Jake glanced at him now, his jaw set. "I've never seen Dat so irate, 'specially not in front of Mamma . . . and Dr. Schwartz, too. What am I s'posed to do, Jonas?"

Jonas clenched his hands. All facts considered, Jake was going to have a rough time of it, starting with walking away from Sadie's little sister. "Well, we can only pray something gut will come out of the whole mess," Jonas said, wishing Jake might seek spiritual counsel from one of the brethren. But from whom? Gid, or even Abram? He would think on that and do a heap of praying on his own.

When at long last they arrived at Eli Yoder's, they were welcomed with a warm smile, even though Jonas told Eli precious little

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ti*t to why they needed a place to stay for a while. He would share mump liiicr, il need be, but for now he was mighty grateful for the ImiuI til friendship and a roof over their heads.

In the meantime Jonas was all too aware he was seeing Jake in a t Miiipletely different light which couldn't be helped as he struggled In m*t his mind bent around a Jake who was Sadie's son, as well as liiith Abram's and Dr. Schwartz's grandson.

/ need to get away, thought Henry. Too many years without a vai in ion had taken their toll, too many years of waiting for the in viuble revelation of his sin too many years, as well, of trying to (inilcc ( his good name, only to lose it with his own disclosures.

And when the truth finally filtered out to all his patients if it

11 it I---he preferred not to be in town. It crossed his mind that, if wi ti'NC en me to worst, he might end up being forced to take a vacation til an entirely unwelcome location, and he shuddered at the thought.

He trudged up the porch steps and entered the side door of the house. Instead of calling out, "Lorraine, I'm home," as he normally did upon returning, he went directly to the formal parlor, where he it nod before the tall bookcase and opened the glass door. Pulling out flic world atlas, he thumbed through the section for Switzerland, Iliily, and Austria,deciding to take Lorraine on an extended getaway, a sort of second honeymoon.

// might be our last chance, he thought morosely.

Standing at the window, he looked across the way to the woods, Iiuling a small clearing someone had made near the road where chopped wood had been neatly stacked. Seeing the firewood drove his thoughts back to hardworking Jake, who had cut firewood for linn on several occasions.

/ 7/ begin making travel arrangements tomorrow, he thought, takm 11', I he atlas with him into the kitchen. There he found a somewhat disheveled Lorraine cooking supper. "How would you like to go on a lrip with me, dear?"

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Her smile was unexpectedly spontaneous. "Really? Where to?"

"Does Europe interest you?"

"Oh, Henry . . . I'd like that quite a lot." She was silent for ;i moment, as if she wished to make a request but was reluctant to do so.

"What is it, dear?"

"Would you be interested in Florence, Italy?" she asked. "I'd like to see the cathedral and Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David."

He hurried to her side and wrapped his aching arms around her. "We'll go as soon as I can contact a travel agent to line everything up."

She looked surprised but pleased.

"Yes, it's high time we go somewhere special together. It could be an early Christmas present, come to think of it." But Henry dreaded spoiling his wife's happiness with the distressing truth he was compelled to reveal while they were gone from home. At leasi she would have ample time to process what he must tell her once they arrived in the Renaissance city, which was more than he could say for the now-cynical Jake and infuriated Peter Mast. It did not take any great intellectual enlightenment to understand that the mind-numbing news they had received today would take the Masi family a lifetime to recover from.

Such destruction I've wrought. ' : ..'

Word of Jonas and Jake's hasty move came to Leah's surprised ears at the Friday quilting frolic at Dorcas's house. Women folk sal around the large frame making small stitches to join together the colorful design they had pieced together some time ago when someone quietly mentioned that Eli Yoder had visitors.

"Jah, Jake Mast's been sent away," an older woman said.

"By his own father," added another.

At first Leah wondered why Jonas hadn't contacted her directly, though she assumed he was busy and would be sending word soon enough. Earlier in the week she'd heard from Dorcas that he was

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I helping 'Tomato Joe with the removal of large rocks in the fields for l|iiiv mul (liar he had been doing odd jobs for others, including her Mimic Icssc I'-bersol. Whatever had befallen him, Leah could not I inM^lne why both he and Jake were now staying with the Ohio widIliwri't mul she tried not to show undue interest as she listened. I I ,cah glimpsed Sadie, who appeared distressed, and then looked at MiyilltiMM, whose pretty face was screwed up as she pushed her needle I jhtn I he quilt. Such a trying time for poor Lyddie, especially, she thought. I "|on;is is ever so kindhearted to go along to stay with Jake at [NWilower Yoder's place," Dorcas spoke up, making it apparent she ikliew somewhat more than the others.

I I .mil felt her chest tighten but was determined not to fret, even IflltMipJi, most likely, Jake's and Jonas's leaving the orchard farmhouse presumably had much to do with the doctor's confession. < onlrl it be Dr. Schwartz spoke openly with the Masts? If so, it was MiiHy I he last straw for Peter Mast.

Where will it end? Leah worried, thinking of Jonas and what he niiisi be pondering. The secret, kept only out of concern for others, Wtis Hying in their faces.

'That afternoon after the frolic, Abe announced to both Leah duel Dat that he arM a group of boys were going on another pest hunt. "We'll be back after dark tonight," he said.

"We're all going over to Uncle Jesse's to visit tomorrow, so it'd lir .1 gut idea if you're not out too late," Leah gently reminded her excited boy.

Dat nodded in agreement. "Don't get too rowdy, like some of i he youngsters I've been hearing 'bout lately."

Abe flashed his winning smile and pushed his hands through his

11.iir. "I won't be that late, you'll see."

"Well, nobody's gonna wait up for ya, son," Dat said, rustling I Ins week's edition of The Budget as he looked up from his rocking t hair.

Dat having had his say, Leah went about her work, putting the

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finishing touches on the apple betty she was making. Sadie had sci tied in beside her to peel potatoes, not saying a word.

After Abe had disappeared out the back door, Dat cleared Ins throat, as though to request their attention. When Leah turned i<> look, he said, "I want to talk about whatever is goin' on with Jakr and Jonas Mast."

The direct reference to her beau took Leah momentarily oil guard, but she quickly composed herself. "I've heard nothin' from Jonas, if that's what you mean. But I'd think he'll fill me in soon."

"Seems Jake was not only asked to leave his father's house bin also told never to return," Dat said, as if he somehow knew firsthand.

She wanted to ask where he'd heard such a thing but waited I < speak, not wishing to interrupt her father's pattern of thought.

Dat continued. "I have a mind to go over there to Eli's and sec what's what." He shook his head. "Truth be told, it's bothered me no end this rift 'tween Peter and me. Ain't right." He paused. "All these years, well, it's just a shame."

"I think I know why Cousin Peter would send Jake away," Leah offered softly, motioning to include Sadie in the conversation.

"Jah, we both know," Sadie spoke up. "It's time to open tinfloodgates, I daresay."

Sadie's right. The secret's as good as out, Leah thought. No point pretending otherwise.

Sadie's voice remained at a whisper as she shared with their father the truth about Jake Mast, his own grandson.

When at last she had revealed every jot and tittle, Dat rose swiftly from his chair. His paper shook as he attempted to fold ii, but he gave up struggling to do so and pushed the whole bunch of ii onto the table. "I'm mighty shocked at this news. You mean to tell me I have a grandson I've never known?" He inhaled loudly. "Sadie, your son is alive?"

"Jah, Dat. . . 'tis quite true." Sadie's eyes were bright with tears.

Leah spoke up. "We should have told you earlier, but "

"Jah, you should've," Dat muttered, and Leah looked down ai the floor, ashamed. "But what's done is done. And . . . it's best u> leave every part of this in God's hands. He alone knows the end from the beginning."

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Leah and Sadie nodded respectfully.

It was obvious how shaken their father was. He wandered tliiougli (he kitchen and mutely came back to sit down as if the ^1 m t kill}', news had impaired his ability to speak his mind.

The loom was still as stone until he smiled. "Well, now, ain't it

Before either Leah or Sadie could respond, he headed outside for tlu* bum, leaving much changed.

Lcali rushed to Sadie's side and squeezed her but good. "You heard him, didn't ya? Your son your Jake might just be the one in cross I he chasm of years."

Sfitlir bobbed her head slowly, apparently awestruck at the idea. "Well, y.i know, Mamma always said, 'the tarter the apple, the tastier I In* cider.'"

To this both sisters burst into laughter. When Leah had wiped I it-1 face of bittersweet tears, she returned to her baking, adding the u ing to the apple betty while it was still warm.

With nearly a week having passed since he and Jake took up resulnice with bighearted Eli, Jonas was quite eager to see Leah again. I It- sat down at the*desk Eli had made years before and wrote a brief iK He, asking if he might visit her soon. He was reasonably sure the ui.ipevinc had begun to spread its creepers and Leah might already have heard of his and Jake's relocation.

Jonas had been mulling over what part, if any, Leah might have played in keeping the doctor's and Sadie's secret, at times even feeling the immediate need to ask her straight out why she hadn't (shared with him her possible knowledge of Jake's roots. He recalled having asked Leah what had prompted Lydiann to write a letter breaking things off with Jake for seemingly no reason, yet Leah had i rinamed silent on the matter that night, giving no indication of what was to come.

Now, if only she might be able to see him Saturday evening, it

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wouldn't be long before he and his darling would be able to clear the air on the matter, the Lord willing.

One week to the day following his visit to Dr. Schwartz's office, Jake received a letter from Mandie.

Dear Jake,

How are you? I simply had to write1.

Mamma told me the sad news a few days ago, though I can hardly believe it. How is it possible you and I aren 't twins or even brother and sister? I've cried myself to sleep and gone through the motions of my days as if in a nightmare. This has to be the worst thing that could ever befall me a cruel joke.

In case you don't know it already, you'll always be my brother, no matter what. How can anyone change the fact we grew up picking apples in the orchard together, sledding down the steep hill in winter, playing volleyball, husking corn all of that? Except for those long months you were in Ohio, we've shared all our lives so far together.

I know where you 're living, because Jonas has written to both Dat and Mamma twice already. I wish I didn 't have to bear the pain in our parents' eyes, especially Mamma's. Dat isn't himself, either. I can tell he's as upset as the rest of us, yet he is as stubborn as any man I know. Sending you away can't have made it easier on him. . And you, dear Jake? How on earth must you be feeling?

Ihope you'llwrite to me andsay whatyou're thinking these ' days. Will you go and see your first mother sometime? I would if

I were you. Jonas will go along, maybe. He's the perfect choice z , for a visit to the Ebersols, seems to me. :

With love and I miss you something awful, '-

Your twin sister (in heart), : .. -.. MandieMast

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) kc ha in Ifil the letter to Jonas, who was outside working on tne tin i| lu'himl Hli's house. "Read this when you have the chaiice- "e {illmil away, not wanting to stand there and see the hurt or* Jonas s Iriir. I Ir h.ul already pictured Mandie's red and swollen e7esHIIIIh.i ', loo.

^M 1 I is fwor mother, innocent as a daylily what terrible things ^11 l }',oing through her mind! He longed to console her, to re^s^Wp In i ihings would soon return to normal. Yet he wondered it \\\.\\ was even true, so topsy-turvy his life had become.

Miiij>Ifil with grief over the doctor's deplorable deed, th^ misery dl breaking up with the only girl he'd ever loved, and the lo^s r his luiiilv was i he budding realization that eventually he must Seek out 'inlir KIktsoI. Mandie was right that he needed to meet hef: A ':ew ilmi i mi miles on market day were never going to be enough-

I cah was not one to jump too hastily to conclusions, but when a Iriit'i I mm Jonas arrived in the mailbox with her name cleafv writ" Itn on it, she assumed this was the word she had been awaltmg( )| eniii|', the envelope out in the barn, high in the haymow, sne disKciril quickly that he wanted to see her again, "to talk." ^B There was no question in her mind that Jonas was out ^ sorts H|li her, because there was little else written, except a sing;'e cornTTV'iu .ibout the weather having been awful cold enough tnat ne It h he should come for her in a borrowed, enclosed buggy.

I eah wished ag\in that she and Sadie might have handed Jake in u I I .yddie's courtship differently. Dr. Schwartz must stlrev '3e dunking along similar lines where Jake was concerned, af*d shed lu'.ird from Lorraine they were planning a rather long getaway over ims.I'm not surprised he desires an escape, she thought, assurf1111? tne tloi lor's conscience must be gnawing away at him.