Abram's Daughters: The Betrayal Part 13

"You really think this is a gut idea?" Sadie rose and walked 11 a% length of the room and then turned to face her sister. "Do you honestly think Dat might agree to this me tradin' places with you?"

Leah's heart sank. "It would keep me on here longer hclpin* him outdoors and all."

"I wasn't goin' to tell you this, but I had once thought of licadin' to Ohio." Sadie paused a moment before continuing.

"Aunt Lizzie got me thinkin' that way last spring, said she'd give me money for a bus ticket... ." Her voice trailed off.

165.

-ly J2e Leah remembered her conversation with Lizzie in the hunter's shack. "But this is better; it's the perfect situation," she said. "And you'll be back before too long."

Leah spoke up again quickly, sharing what Jonas had said of his bishop being so knowledgeable about the Scriptures. "Now, what do you think of that?"

To this Sadie nodded. "I wouldn't mind attendin' the Mellingers' church."

Leah was startled, really, at how easy it had been for the light to dawn in Sadie's heart. But wouldn't Dat and Mamma nix the idea? Unless they didn't have a chance to. ...

Why not help Sadie leave secretly ... not tell a soul? she thought. But how could that happen, and with what money?

"How soon can you be ready to leave?" she asked Sadie.

"By tomorrow if need be." Sadie's reply was not only swift but certain.

"That quick?" Leah asked, quite startled. Seemed her sister would be gone before Leah even got accustomed to the idea.

After milking the next morning, Leah returned to the house from having used the telephone at Dr. Schwartz's clinic to call Jonas. Right quick she sought out Mary Ruth, knocking on the twins' bedroom door.

"Hannah, is it you?" asked Mary Ruth.

When Leah opened the door, she found Mary Ruth dressed, all but her long ap.r.o.n. Her face registered surprise.

164 166.

"( Mi, it's you, Leah. I thought maybe Hannah forgot some- lliln1," she said.

1 c:ih got to the point. "I need to borrow some money. I 11 mild pay you back in a few months. Is that agreeable?"

Promptly Mary Ruth went to the bureau, opened the seo hihI drawer, and pulled out her pay for the past several days.

"I I civ, take what you need."

j Leah was both stunned and grateful that the way for ' die's leaving seemed to be ever so smooth. Thus far. If Sadie had to go, at least she'd be safe with the Mellin r< i="" s.="" and="" perhaps="" she'd="" have="" a="" change="" of="" heart="" while="" there="" in="" i="" millersburg.="" leah="" could="" only="" pray="" so,="" because="" nothing="" 11="" kinged="" the="" fact="" that="" if="" sadie="" didn't="" return,="" the="" people="" here="" would="" shun="" her="" for="" sure="" and="" for="" certain.="" leah="" hung="" on="" to="" 11lie="" hope="" that="" a="" short="" time="" away="" from="" gobbler's="" k.n.o.b,="" with="" julias="" and="" his="" minister,="" was="" the="" best="" thing="" for="" her="" troubled="" ulster.="" after="" all,="" she="" believed="" the="" whole="" idea="" had="" been="" given="" i="" ht="" by="" the="" lord="">

3f 165.

m167/ 'ilC'ti

vy<4 e,*="" f="" 3="" -i-3c="" 4-="" &="" &="" -*-="">

At this time of year less than a week before the school 'i rc'sumed everyone was so keen on cooler weather they "ited to taste it in the form of Strasburg Bakery's famous I exceptionally delicious sweet rolls. "Sticky buns," as they ^ commonly referred to, were always added to the specials ul every year just before September, and at a discount. 'V number of Sadie's relatives and neighbors might have i ily made up a batch of them, but there was something spei i il tibout going to the cheerful shop to eat them.

Hul this Thursday was not a typical day for either Sadie or i ill. Long before Dat or Mamma had awakened, Sadie had htl en her suitcase out to the buggy, and shortly afterward, she tiiul Leah had slipped away to the quaint village of Strasburg, which was a good, long ride in the dark.

By the time they arrived, the sun had begun to peek over ilir eastern hills. The window shades on the bakery shop had Urn raised, inviting early risers inside to enjoy the freshly I in* wed coffee and a variety of pastries. s Entering the bakery, Sadie noticed the place was already 168.

buzzing with folk. Word of mouth was always the best advertis.e.m.e.nt for both English bakeries and Amish roadside stands. She and Leah stood in the line and waited their turn, knowing full well they had plenty of time before the Strasburg trolley left for Lancaster.

She eyed a large wall poster. Annie Get Your Gun, an Irving Berlin musical were the words most prominent. "Annie," who must be Ethel Merman, the woman named on the poster, was all decked out in glittering western attire, staring back at her from the wall as the line to the counter inched ahead.

Once their purchase was made, they found a vacant table, talking softly all the while in their common language, Pennsylvania Dutch, to guarantee the privacy of their conversation precisely how Sadie preferred it this day. While she and Leah wondered aloud about Mamma's and Dat's ultimate reaction to her unexpected leaving, not to mention Leah's a.s.sistance, other customers around them had their own concerns.

At a nearby table there was hushed, somber talk of war casualties, even this long after America's boys had returned to the homeland. The enormous loss of life continued to be on the minds of those whose families had been ravaged by war's calamity, though the community of the People in Gobbler's k.n.o.b had scarcely been touched by the horror. At another table, plans for building a new shed were being discussed, and at yet another, women spoke of sewing new Girl Scout un i forms.

Sadie briefly considered asking Leah about Gid Peachcy and seeing them in the forest the day before, but she quickly dismissed the idea. This wasn't the time or the place to ask 169.

I cih Mich a question. Surely she and Gid were simply friends, ii Leuli liad always declared.

Alicr sipping coffee and relishing their sweet rolls, the sisiiUN Niil without speaking for a moment. Then Leah licked her lingers before reaching into her pocket to hand a wad of bills mi Siidie. "You'll need part of this for your trolley fare and mjhIii in Lancaster when you purchase your ticket at the train li- ii ii. Be sure to save the rest for your return trip in October."

won't be comin back, Sadie thought, a lump in her iliniiii. She mustn't let on, though. She must keep her chin h' 'in quivering when they said good-bye.

1 >-. idle felt thankful for her younger sister's unmistakable I'i ui k'ness, noticing for the first time the beauty that radiated In nil her smile and the way she sat tall and slender in the I uiir. Her hazel eyes shone with tenderness. Strong both in I m uly and spirit, Leah was the kind of young woman a person i mid entrust her life to. Sadie felt she was doing just that by I1 lowing herself to be secretly whisked off to Ohio.

Sadie and Leah sat together in the family buggy on Main Street, waiting for the trolley. "I guess this is Hatyee so Inii(4 for a little while," Leah said, smiling sadly. "Tis hard in believe you're goin'."

Sadie thought of the many miles that would eventually .fparate them. "My head's still spinnin', so quick you were to urnnge things. I don't know how I'll ever thank you."

"Jonas was a big help with the plannin' ... though he 170.

e tD e r I y iu ,, knows nothin' at all about what you did during rumschpringe." Leah looked downright glum. "He'll be the one to meet you in Millersburg. Stay alert when you change trains in Pittsburgh, jah? Don't be shy about askin' for directions. It'll be wonderful-gut for you to get away."

They embraced ever so tightly. Sadie hung on to her sister longer than she might have under different circ.u.mstances. It was next to impossible to think of saying good-bye forever. "Oh, Leah, thank you for keep in' my awful secret you and Aunt Lizzie both. You're a dear sister."

Leah's face turned ashen just then. She seemed at a loss for words.

"You'll tell Mamma and Aunt Lizzie I love 'em, won't you? After they realize I'm gone and all. Same for Hannah and Mary Ruth ... and Dat, too."

"I'll be sure and tell everyone."

Sadie reached for her suitcase. "Don't worry 'bout me, hear?"

Leah nodded. "I've been wantin' to ask you somethin', Sadie. Will you still consider bein' one of my bridesmaids, come November?"

"Well, I " She fought hard the tears. Truth was, long before then Naomi would have gone to the brethren with her revelation of Sadie's sins. And if so, Sadie could be in Leah's wedding only if she was willing to confess, and they both knew it. Still, she couldn't blame Leah for asking. "It'll be a wonderful-gut day for you and Jonas."

"I really want you to stand up with me," Leah persisted. "Will you think on it?"

"I'll send you a letter in due time." They hugged again.

171 C^Ae lOelraLjal Hi! In-inissin' your baptism, too," Sadie said, torn with Html imi.

I " 'I is all right."

I his was torture, now that she was this far into her flight H v >y I mm home. To think she might never lay eyes on Hili on any of her family ever again.

'.ulie did not delay. Climbing down from the carriage, she Hivi'il one last time, tears threatening to spill down her Mfeks.

"Safe trip!" she heard Leah call.

liirning to look once more, she saw her sister stand, wavi id her from the buggy. The horse started a bit, and Leah Hi i h witl quickly, still holding the reins tightly in her hands. H The image of Leah, looking so forlorn, even anxious, Himiined with Sadie during the trolley ride past the Strasburg Hfeiuionite Church and cemetery and down Route 222 to Hi i u uster.

H i Ince she was settled on the train, she kept to herself, not "ii. . speaking to the pa.s.senger next to her. She warded off iIn c-ver-presofit stares of the English while covertly looking mound herself. Two women with bobbed hair wore interesting dtirk .suits with collared jackets that hugged the bodice, then 11 tired slightly below the waistline. One woman powdered her I iohc and applied bright red lipstick before opening her book, Wfae Egg and I by Betty MacDonald. Sadie wondered how the Hjthor had come up with such a peculiar t.i.tle.

H The pa.s.senger across the aisle and up one seat was reading Jiuge from The New York Times. A half-page advertis.e.m.e.nt Hr something called A Streetcar Named Desire caught Sadie's

171 172.

-Lu J2e

attention, but she had no idea what such a thing as Broadway was.

Turning toward the window where she sat, she realized just how excited she was to be on a train for the first time going anywhere, really as the rhythmic sway of the pa.s.senger car lulled her into thinking she was indeed doing the right thing. To think it was Leah, of all people, who had made it possible for her to take the train, which ran from Pittsburgh west to Orrville, Ohio, before heading south to Millersburg.

Already, Sadie was missing home. Dear Mamma and Dat, her sisters, and Aunt Lizzie, along with the deceased baby she'd birthed missing him every day she lived. She must dry her endless tears and attempt to make a new life for herself, leaving the old behind, including her constant thoughts of the love she'd shared with Derek Schwartz. Hard as it was to forsake the only folk she'd ever known, she must set her mind on meeting a good Amish boy and becoming his wife someday. Nothing else would do.

The more Mary Ruth read from the book Uncle Tom's Cabin, the more outraged she became. She thought con' stantly about the enslavement of helpless black folk during her ch.o.r.es, on the way to house church, and while she prayed silent prayers at night. What a torturous life poor torn led in the south! she thought sadly.

Sometimes her imagination ran unchecked, and she wondered if somewhere in the world there were other men as173/Oeirayal fliel us plantation owner Simon Legree. Never in Pennsylvania (nlsl country, she a.s.sumed. Her world was far different; she H# mile here.

v Slu-would not think of breathing a word of this book, or y like it, to her family. Not even to Hannah, though she t lu-iird last year from several students at the Georgetown fhdol that the book was required study in high school. That ling the case, she'd done herself a favor by devouring it 1 hkI of time.

When she scurried downstairs to help Mamma with Pffikfast, she was startled to find Sadie nowhere around. To jf il off, Dat was just now coming in from the barn, asking, (In, have ya seen Leah?"

Minima's red and swollen eyes told a sad story.

I Abram locked his legs deliberately where he stood, there jl i he lower portion of the barn where he milked, fed, and I.

limrcd his cows daily. He listened with ears to hear, but he Eli! not comprehend not immediately the things Leah was pi ling his weeping Ida and him. "What do you mean, you lelpnl Sadie leave home?" Bewildered, he took off his hat.

w/y would you do such an impulsive thing, daughter?"

I I -t-ah hung her head.

I "Ain't like you, Leah," Ida spoke up.

I At last Leah raised her head. "Sadie was... well, afraid pu wouldn't give her your blessin' to go away."

I kl;i was rocking back and forth as she sat on a milk stool.

174Id e u> e r I y &L-e w I s "Your sister's wants and wishes haven't influenced you before. How could you act on your own judgment, without your father's say-so?"

"Truth be told, Sadie was plannin' to sneak away on her own."

"And you felt you ought to help her?" Abram felt the ire rising in him and struggled to keep his temper in check. Then, before Leah could respond, he added, "I thought it was you who was lookin' to go out to Millersburg."

"I was, but I honestly thought it wiser for Sadie to be the one. There she'll be welcomed by shirttail cousins looked after, too. I guess you could say she and I traded spots."

"Just a short trade, I hope," Ida said, her jaw set as she leaned against a bale of hay. Her blue eyes looked faded, as if her tears had washed away some of the color.

"Jah, 'tis what both Sadie and I thought she needed a new outlook on life for a little while," Leah replied, looking as sheepish as Abram had ever seen her.

"And was this turn of events disappointin' to Jonas? Sadie goin', 'stead of you?" he couldn't help asking.

"Jonas seemed to understand when I called from Dr. Schwartz's office."

"You used Dr. Schwartz's telephone?" Ida was obviously disappointed.

"I left money beside the phone," Leah said. "I know ir sounds awful forward, Mamma, but there was no other way to make plans quickly. And since Jonas took the train out there, I knew he could give me advice for Sadie's trip."

"Why on earth was it necessary to do all this so quicklike?" Ida folded her arms over her ample bosom.

174 175H I iHiking up at him, Leah captured Abram's heart anew. "I Hninlcr, l)at ... and Mamma, did you ever happen to hear Httllc weepin' in the night?"

H 11 ln's sad eyes gleamed and she nodded her head.

H Ahrnm didn't own up to having heard any such goings-on.

Hf wns more interested in knowing the real reason for Sadie's Bint Ing to up and leave ... and where on earth she'd gotten Hv money.

H "I believe gettin' away for a bit will help my sister." Leah HflU'J her head and stared at the hayloft.

H Sinnt as it was, that was all the explanation she appeared Hilling to give for now. Yet he was almost sure Leah knew Hi hv i ban she was letting on. "You must go to Preacher Yoder Hlib whatever you're not tellin' us," he said. "Tell him why Bulic's in Ohio."

H "But ... Dat, I love my sister" came the soft protest.