Chapter Five.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Elmer," Kate said as her brother guided the buggy into place behind what seemed like a hundred buggies parked in the lane.

Elmer secured the reins and straightened his bow tie. "How else are you going to find a husband if you don't go to youth group?"

"The girls are so much younger," Kate protested, "and many of the boys too. I feel like an old mule among the colts."

Elmer made a face. "You have the strangest notions." He jumped from the buggy and came to the other side to help Kate down. "There are many boys and girls your age. Don't think you will stand out. You are just another girl come to the singeon, like everybody else."

Even at three years younger, her brother was often more sensible than Kate in the Amish ways. At the academy, Kate was accustomed to fighting for the attention of the instructors, making sure they noticed her above all other students. But the Plain People frowned on uniqueness and self-promotion. Individuals were discouraged from attracting attention. That is why, after much pondering and prayer, Kate had decided to leave home for the academy. In an Amish community, her voice would never be heard.

Kate adjusted her kapp while Elmer threw her shawl over her shoulders.

"The cousins might be here," Elmer added, draping his arm around Kate's shoulder. "Don't worry. It will be fun."

She saw the warmth in his eyes and tucked herself under his arm. "I'll stick with you. You are all the entertainment I need."

"I want to take Ellie Zook home tonight. Can you find another ride?"

Kate pushed away from Elmer. "I thought you were going to watch out for me."

"Why would I want to hang around you? You look like someone who gets in a lot of fights."

Kate cuffed her brother on the shoulder.

Almost two weeks had passed since her homecoming, and her lip had gradually shrunk to its normal size. The black around her eye had faded to a light yellow and would be barely noticeable in the dim light of the Yoders' barn.

Word of her violent encounter had spread throughout the community like a stiff breeze spreading dandelion seeds. Kate's first days home were filled with a variety of visitors who stopped by with pies or breads or embroidered hankies to help Kate feel better. The Plain People sought always to be compassionate. Two or three of the families were bound to say unkind things out of Kate's hearing, but most people avoided gossip and tried to be charitable.

John Yoder's barn was the largest in the district, perfect for singings and wedding parties. Young people in buggies arrived from every direction, the boys in vibrantly colored cotton shirts with black bow ties and suspenders and the girls in dazzling white kapps and black aprons. The floor was swept clean and the lanterns turned up their brightest.

As she ambled into the barn with her brother, Kate studied the hopeful faces of the wide-eyed teenage girls and the nervous, stoic young men. She recognized many of them but knew that few close friends would be there. Kate's two best friends from the one-room school were now married with families of their own.

Elmer scanned the eager faces. "Ah, there he is," he said. "Wait here, Katie. I will be back."

Elmer strode away, leaving Kate standing in the middle of the barn all by herself. As she surveyed her surroundings, she became aware of many of the boys staring at her. She put her hand to her forehead. Was the fading bruise around her eye that noticeable?

Looking to retreat to an inconspicuous corner, Kate noticed Sarah Schwartz, the bishop's daughter and Aaron's sister-in-law, standing with some friends. Sarah, a tall, pretty girl of nineteen, had never been un-neighborly to Kate, but neither had she gone out of her way to be a friend. Kate caught her eye, and Sarah acknowledged her with a plastered smile before she whispered something to her companions and they turned and walked in the opposite direction.

"Kate!" Two girls, wide-eyed and beaming, practically tackled her in their excitement.

Kate gave both of them pecks on the cheek. "I hoped I'd see you tonight."

Cousin Miriam Bontrager wrapped her arm around Kate's neck and studied her face. "I don't see no bruises. Well, I guess a little around the eye. I'm sorry I haven't come earlier to visit you. Two little brothers had the flu, and I needed to help Mamm."

The other cousin, Rebecca Miller, tucked an errant lock of hair under her kapp. "I wanted to see you something awful, but Fater said the buggy could not be spared. But Mamm practically begs me to go to the gatherings, so she let me come."

"Is your mamm still feeling poorly, Rebecca?" Kate said.

"She is taking some new medication that might help."

"And are you still working for Mrs. Johnson?"

Rebecca nodded. "She is grumpy as ever, but she sleeps most of the day."

Miriam leaned forward like she had a big secret. "Rebecca got a cell phone."

Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. "I am in rumschpringe."

"Do you have anyone to call?" Kate asked.

Rebecca smiled but lowered her eyes. "A few people. Mamm's not happy, but I can pay for it." She lifted her chin. "Besides, Joe Bieler bought a car. His parents are fit to be tied, but then parents will always find something to worry about."

Kate sighed. She knew a little of giving her parents something to worry about. "And you, Miriam. Are you and Ephraim engaged yet?"

Miriam stifled a giggle. "We promised ourselves to each other like as not five years ago."

"Miriam Bontrager," Rebecca scolded. "Does your dat know?"

"Of course he knows. Ephraim is the minister's son. Dat loves the idea."

Rebecca winked at Kate. Miriam, like Aaron and Ada, thought that a relationship to one of the elders lent her added importance. Or maybe it was just Miriam's dat who felt that way. Miriam and Ephraim had seemed destined for each other long before the lot fell to Ephraim's dat to be minister.

"Will there be a wedding this November?" Kate said.

"No, I'm eighteen yet. Hopefully next year."

"What about you, Rebecca?" Kate said. "Any interesting boys?"

Rebecca grimaced. "Who wants a husband?"

Elmer returned as suddenly as he had departed, with Nathaniel King following close behind. Nathaniel greeted Kate warmly, wearing the wide smile that almost seemed to be a permanent part of his face. Her cousins exchanged significant looks and backed away slightly. Kate was surprised by how overjoyed, how lightheaded, she felt upon seeing Nathaniel again.

In two years, none of the young men in Milwaukee ferhoodled Kate like Nathaniel had managed to do in the last two weeks. Many college boys sought girls who would trade their virtue like candy. Kate was perfectly aware of what went on between Englisch boys and girls. The girls willingly tarnished their honor for what they thought was love. But what they got from those boys was counterfeit affection. Nathaniel stood in stark contrast to what she had seen of the world.

"You look gute," Nathaniel said. "No bruises left. No swelling on the lip."

"Denki," Kate said. "Do you know my cousins, Miriam Bontrager and Rebecca Miller?"

Nathaniel vigorously shook hands with both cousins. "Jah, of course."

Rebecca grabbed Miriam's elbow and tugged her away. "We will talk to you after, Kate."

Elmer nodded to Nathaniel and then, for no reason at all, sauntered after the cousins.

Nathaniel nodded back then turned to Kate. "Your smile just about knocks me down every time I see it. Better than you sticking your tongue out every time you laid eyes on me."

Kate felt her face flush. "For a girl of eleven years old, that kiss was a grievous offense, Nathaniel King. Anna and Linda would not play with me for days because they said you gave me cooties."

"You did sock me a good one," he said, chuckling and rubbing his jaw as if still feeling the blow.

"You deserved worse."

Nathaniel stroked the stubble on his chin seemingly deep in thought. "I paid dearly for my transgression. You do not know how painful it was to be out of your good graces."

She would have truly felt bad about how she had behaved, except she could tell he was teasing. "Gute. Then you have learned your lesson."

"Jah, I have. I will never kiss you on the playground again."

Kate studied his face suspiciously. He sounded like he had every intention of trying it again-somewhere else.

"I am glad you have come," Nathaniel said. "Elmer claims he had to drag you out of the house. Do you not like the singings anymore?"

"Oh, jah, I love to sing. I just feel I am too old."

Nathaniel threw back his head and laughed. "I saw the eyes turn to you when you walked in, Kate Weaver. Your ripe old age does not seem to discourage anyone."

Kate had started to make an adamant denial of that nonsense when John Yoder climbed on a chair and called the gathering to prayer. Following the blessing, John invited everyone to sit at three long tables. Those who did not fit at the tables squeezed next to each other on bales of hay. Somehow Nathaniel managed to sit directly across from Kate at the table.

Everyone opened their prayer books and the enthusiastic singing began. Some songs were sung in unison, some enhanced with beautiful harmonies. Kate's soul floated to the top of the barn with the heavenly sounds. It didn't matter the circumstance, she loved to sing. She could be standing all alone on the stage singing an aria or here, in a barn among the Plain People, breathing in the spirit of the surrounding voices, each so different yet united in purpose.

One zealous young man started a baritone rendition of "The Puppy Parable." Everybody laughed then joined in for song after song from primary school.

Ever smiling, Nathaniel glanced occasionally at Kate and moved his lips, but Kate could tell he was not producing any sound. She raised an eyebrow, but he simply grinned and pretended to sing louder.

When the young people had their fill of singing, the Yoders passed out popcorn and dried fruit with lemonade to drink.

"Kate Weaver." A tall, stocky young man strode purposefully toward her, two dimples sinking into his cheeks as he smiled.

"Do I know you?" Kate asked, looking at the eager fellow in amusement.

"Caster Dan Zinck," the young man said. "I'm visiting from Ohio with the Beachys. I asked one of the local boys about your name."

"What part?" Kate said. "My sister Hannah Coblentz lives in Holmes County. Millersburg."

"I'm from Scio. Real small place. Don't get over to Millersburg much."

"How long will you be staying?" Kate asked.

"Clear through till harvest time," he said. "That's why I was wondering if you would like to-"

Before he could finish, Elmer and his buddy Jake practically sprinted to Caster Dan's side. Each placed a hand on one of Dan's shoulders. "Dan," Elmer said, "Elias wants to tell you all about the new water pump he rigged up for his dat."

Dan tried to be accommodating. "Jah," he stammered. "I would like to hear all about it. But first," he turned to Kate, "I would like to ask Kate if-"

Jake tugged at Dan's elbow. "Cum, Elias must leave soon. And you will learn something to take back to Ohio."

Dan looked at Kate helplessly as Jake pulled him away. "But I wanted to... Won't I see Elias tomorrow?"

They were already fifteen feet across the barn. "You need to meet my sister," Kate heard Jake insist as he coaxed Dan away from her.

Kate looked in puzzlement at her brother. "Elmer, what-?"

"He doesn't know."

"Doesn't know what?"

Taking Kate's elbow, Elmer gently pulled her aside. "Dan doesn't know that someone else is going to ask to drive you home."

Trying to ignore her fluttering heart, Kate studied her brother's face. "Who are you speaking of?"

"There is not a man in the district but would give a good report of him. He is always the first to jump in when a field wants plowing or a buggy needs repair. A gute man who deserves to be happy. We want him to have his chance with you."

The barn suddenly got very warm. "Ach, you are teasing me," she said quietly.

Elmer frowned at her. "Do I look like I am teasing?"

Kate did not reply.

"Just wait. But don't tell him I said anything. He would be embarrassed if he knew we conspired to bring you together."

Elmer walked away, and Kate put a cold hand to her warm cheek. She spied Nathaniel leaning against a wood beam, talking to three or four boys. She caught his eye when he lifted his head. His smile grew wider, if that was possible, as he stared at her, and his wintry eyes burned intensely. The blatant attention made her feel shy and giddy at the same time.

Soon other boys and girls pulled Kate's attention from Nathaniel. Some were strangers, but others were friends from families in the community. Kate visited and laughed until late.

Then the singing was over and, rational or not, Kate could not quell the disappointment that Nathaniel King had not asked to drive her home. She should have been satisfied. Much better not to encourage any young man, so unsure was she about whether she would be here come autumn. She could not be so unfeeling to anyone, especially Nathaniel.

Searching for Elmer in the crowd, she noticed a girl in a navy-blue dress sitting in the corner, her face buried in her hands. Quickly, Kate went to her and put an arm around the girl's shoulder.

The girl looked at Kate and dabbed her eyes with her apron. "Elmer's sister," she said, sitting up straight.

"And I think you must be Lizzie Troyer's youngest daughter."

"Jah," the girl said. "My name is Mandie."

"What is the matter, Mandie?" Kate said. "Can I help you?"

Mandie sniffed. "This is my first singing. I tried to be modest and demure like Mamma said, but Fran and Winnie say I am a flirt. Now they are off with boys and Micah is taking Ruth home and doesn't want me pestering him. I don't have a ride home because my brother has to have the buggy all to himself." Mandie wiped her eyes. "I dreamed it would be a most glorious evening, and now I will never marry because boys think I am a flirt. And I have to walk home all by myself in the dark."

"I am sure you are not a flirt, Mandie," Kate assured her. "We all have big dreams when we grow old enough for the gatherings. Before my first singing, I was so nervous I threw up all over my mamma's kitchen floor."