Cousin's Challenge Read online

  “How come?” Andrew asked before Jolene could respond.

  “I fooled around a lot this afternoon during our lesson, thinking it might put Ella at ease, but she seemed irritated and edgy the whole time. I know Ella doesn’t like me, although I don’t know why.” Jake kicked a pebble with the toe of his boot then looked back at Jolene. “Can I come over here for lessons instead?”

  She nodded. “That’s fine with me. Everyone in the family is busy with other things for the rest of this week, but on Monday evening we’ll have another lesson. Could you come over then?”

  “Sure.” Jake smiled at Jolene. “Will I see you at the game on Friday night?”

  “We’ll both be there,” Andrew was quick to say. And I’ll be watching out for my sister.

  CHAPTER 19

  Jolene sat on the sidelines, watching the game of volleyball that had begun a short time after she and Andrew had arrived. Andrew, who enjoyed any kind of ball, had joined the game right away. Jolene, already feeling out of place, had opted to sit and watch. It would be hard to play volleyball, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hear what her teammates were shouting to each other. Reading lips would be nearly impossible with everyone running and jumping after the ball.

  Jolene glanced around the building to see if Lonnie had come, but there was no sign of him. He’d probably decided not to come, knowing he wouldn’t be able to communicate with anyone without the use of a tablet and pen. It would probably be some time before Lonnie felt ready to attend a social event such as this. Jolene looked forward to teaching him how to sign and read lips and hoped he’d catch on quickly now that they’d begun regular lessons.

  She glanced back at the volleyball players and was surprised to see Ella and Jake playing on the same team. As much as Ella disliked Jake, it made no sense that she’d be on his team. Maybe she’d had no choice as to which side she played on.

  Someone touched Jolene’s shoulder, and her head jerked to the right. Fern smiled down at her. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Of course not; have a seat.” Jolene motioned to the folding chair beside her then turned to face Fern when she sat down. “It sure is a nice evening,” she said. “Not cold and windy like it’s been the last few days.”

  Fern smiled. “Sometimes when the fall weather turns warm we get a surprise cold snap with snow.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose as her smile was replaced with a frown. “I hope winter doesn’t come early this year, because I’m in no hurry for snow.”

  “Your scholars will probably like it, though,” Jolene said. “Most kinner love playing in the snow.”

  “That’s true. I enjoyed making snowmen and sledding down the hill behind the schoolhouse when I was a girl.” Fern touched Jolene’s arm. “How are things going with the lessons you’ve been giving after school? Are your adult students catching on to signing as easily as some of the kinner in my class seem to be?”

  Jolene shook her head. “Children learn new things easier than most adults, but I’m sure that, given a little time, Lonnie and Ella will catch on.”

  “What about Jake? I hear that he came over to the schoolhouse to sit in on a lesson on signing from you, too.”

  “He came once, but he’s decided to take part in the lessons I’m giving my family.” Jolene debated about telling Fern that Ella felt uncomfortable around Jake but decided it’d be best not to say anything.

  “I guess Jake’s keeping busy shoeing horses and doing his daed’s chores. Taking evening lessons will probably be easier for him.”

  Jolene nodded and was about to say something more when she spotted Eunice heading their way, holding a bag of ice against her left hand.

  ***

  Eunice flopped down on the chair beside Fern and groaned. “I’m never playing volleyball again!”

  “How come?” Fern asked.

  Eunice held up her hand and grimaced. “I was trying to hit the ball over the net, when Matthew Stoltzfus got in my way and knocked me down. When I landed, my left hand took the brunt of the fall, and I think I may have sprained my wrist.”

  “Are you sure it’s not broken?” Fern asked with a look of concern. “Maybe you should go to the hospital and have it x-rayed.”

  “If it was broken, I don’t think I could do this.” Eunice lifted the bag of ice and wiggled her fingers, and then she turned her hand palm up. “It does hurt, though.”

  “That’s exactly why I decided not to play. Volleyball can be a dangerous sport.” Fern nudged Jolene’s arm, and Jolene turned to look at her. “Have you ever gotten hurt playing volleyball?”

  “A few times. But I haven’t played since I lost my hearing.”

  “There must be lots of things deaf people can’t do,” Eunice said.

  Jolene pulled back like she’d been stung by a bee. “There are lots of things deaf people can do.”

  Eunice’s face heated. “I didn’t mean you couldn’t play. I just meant...”

  Jolene stood, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress. “I think I’ll go see if there’s any more hot apple cider.” She hurried away.

  So much for trying to befriend Andrew’s sister. Eunice turned to Fern. “It was sure rude of Jolene to walk off like that. She didn’t even let me finish my sentence.”

  “She probably couldn’t see your lips and didn’t realize you were speaking. Whenever you speak to Jolene, you need to look directly at her.”

  “I forgot.”

  “Maybe you should learn how to sign. Jolene’s been giving lessons after school.”

  “I really don’t have time for that right now. I’ve been busy hosting candle parties in the evenings and making soap deliveries during the day, and there’s not much time for anything else.” Eunice flicked a piece of lint from her dress. Truth was, signing seemed difficult to her. She’d never been good at learning new things and was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to learn how to sign. If she messed up, she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of anyone.

  “I know you’re busy,” Fern said, “but tell me who isn’t busy these days?”

  Eunice was relieved when Katie showed up and started a conversation with Fern. If Fern had kept pressuring her about learning to sign, she might have ended up telling her that she was afraid to try. It wasn’t easy for Eunice to admit that she felt like a failure. With the exception of Fern, Eunice had never been able to keep a friend. She knew that because of her shiny blond hair and vivid blue eyes, some men thought she was pretty. Yet even though she’d had several boyfriends, she hadn’t been able to keep one. Maybe she wasn’t smart enough. Eunice had struggled with reading and math when she was in school, and she had no artistic skills whatsoever. About the only thing she had ever succeeded at was her new soap and candle business.

  “Are you okay?”

  Eunice jumped at the sound of a man’s voice. She looked up and saw Andrew staring down at her, his dark eyes revealing the depth of his concern. “When I saw you fall, I was worried that you may have broken a bone or something.”

  Eunice smiled, despite the pain in her wrist. “I think I just sprained my wrist, so I’m not going to play ball anymore tonight.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe you should have it x-rayed.”

  “I’m fine, really. What I would like, though, is something to drink.”

  “I’ll get you a glass of apple cider.” Andrew started to walk away, but Eunice, feeling left out of the conversation between Fern and Katie, decided to join him. As they headed to the refreshment table, loud voices erupted from the players. The game had stopped. Jake and Ella were standing nose to nose.

  ***

  “Would you please stay out of my way?”

  Ella planted both hands on her hips and stared up at Jake, wishing she wasn’t so short so she could look him directly in the eye. “I was not in your way; you were in my way!”

  “No, I wasn’t.”

  “Jah, you were. Seems like every time I reach for the ball you step in front of me.”

  “That’s because you’ve be
en reaching into my playing space.”

  Ella gritted her teeth. It wasn’t her choice to play on the same team with Jake, but they’d both been chosen to play on this side of the net, so she’d decided to make the best of it. She’d figured as long as he stayed out of her way, everything would be fine.

  “Are we playing or what?” someone hollered.

  Ella took her position as Jake picked up the ball and served it over the net. Things went okay until the ball came her way again. She leaped for it just as Jake rushed forward, ducking his head. Smack!—their foreheads collided with a sickening thud.

  “You did that on purpose!” Ella winced and rubbed her forehead.

  “Did not.”

  “Jah, you did!”

  “No, I didn’t, Ella.” Although looking a bit perturbed as he rubbed his forehead, Jake kept his voice calm.

  Ella’s hand shook as she pointed at him. “You—you—oh, never mind!” She whirled around and marched off the court.

  “Are you okay?” Jolene asked when Ella joined her at the refreshment table and quickly poured herself a glass of apple cider. “Looks like you’ve got a good-sized bump on your forehead.”

  Ella touched the bump and winced. “Jah, and it sure does hurt.”

  “Want me to get some ice for you?”

  Before Ella could reply, Jake sauntered up. “You okay, Ella? Need me to get you some ice?”

  “I’ll live.” Ella figured that, as much as her head hurt, Jake’s must hurt, too, but she was so irritated with him that she didn’t bother to ask.

  “You sure?”

  “Sure that I’ll live or sure that I don’t need any ice?”

  Jake chuckled. “I was talking about the ice.”

  “I’m fine. If I need any ice, I’ll get it.”

  “Suit yourself.” Jake turned to Jolene, wearing that same goofy grin he’d had at the schoolhouse the other day. He said something, but his voice was so low, Ella couldn’t make out what he’d said.

  Ella edged a bit closer to Jolene, hoping she could pick up on their conversation. If Jake even suggested that he give Jolene a ride home tonight, she was prepared to intervene.

  “I’m looking forward to next Monday night,” Jake said to Jolene, his smile widening. “I think it’ll be easier for me to learn signing with your family than it would if I came over to the schoolhouse.”

  Ella was glad to hear that Jake wouldn’t be joining her and Lonnie at the schoolhouse, but she wished he wouldn’t spend any time with Jolene. At least they wouldn’t be alone.

  Jake and Jolene continued to visit, and Ella continued to fume. Once, Jake glanced over at Ella with a strange expression, but then he looked quickly away. Was he deliberately trying to irritate her by talking to Jolene?

  Ella was about to interrupt their conversation when someone called her name. She turned. Cara Cummings, one of her English neighbors, was racing across the room.

  “Your dad collapsed in your living room, and your mom asked me to come get you right away!”

  CHAPTER 20

  “I hope whatever happened to my uncle Rueben isn’t serious,” Andrew said to Eunice as he watched Cara Cummings’s car pull away. “Ella’s neighbor sounded desperate to take her home, and from the look I saw on Ella’s face, I think she feared the worst.”

  “Maybe it’s nothing serious. Maybe Ella’s neighbor is just overly alarmed. Some people get that way when someone passes out, you know.” Eunice was trying to show Andrew that she was concerned, but he gave her a blank stare and shook his head.

  “I don’t think Cara was overly alarmed. She wouldn’t have driven clear out here to get Ella if she didn’t think the situation was serious.” He glanced over to where Jolene sat with Katie and Fern. “I’m going to see if Jolene wants to go over to Ella’s with me. If something terrible has happened to her daed, then she’ll need our support.” Before Eunice could respond, Andrew hurried away. She wished she could have visited with him longer but appreciated the fact that he was so concerned about his family. Andrew would probably make a good husband someday.

  ***

  “I’m glad you suggested that we go over to Ella’s,” Jolene said to Andrew as their horse and buggy left Topeka and headed down Highway 5. “When I saw Ella leave with Cara in such a hurry I was worried.”

  Andrew turned in his seat so he was facing her. “I have a hunch Ella’s going to need our support.”

  “Are you saying you think Uncle Rueben might die?”

  “Let’s just hope for the best.” There were deep wrinkles etched in his forehead.

  “Instead of hoping, I’d rather pray.”

  “Jah, we need to do that, too.”

  Jolene closed her eyes and prayed, Heavenly Father, please be with Uncle Rueben and the rest of his family.

  ***

  When Cara Cummings’s car pulled into the yard, Ella’s heart leaped into her throat. A beam of light from the ambulance parked near her house flashed crimson against the barn. Whatever had happened to Papa must be serious, or an ambulance wouldn’t have been called.

  Ella leaped from the car and raced to the house with her heart hammering so hard she could hear it echo in her head.

  When she stepped into the living room, a scream tore from her throat. Papa lay on the floor, pale and unmoving. Two paramedics stood nearby, talking to Charlene, while Mama knelt beside Papa, sobbing as if her heart would break. Ella looked at Larry, who stood beside their younger sisters as though in a daze. “Wh-what happened?” she rasped.

  “Papa came into the house after doin’ some chores and said he felt kinda funny. Then all of a sudden he clutched at his chest and ... and he fell on the floor.” Larry motioned to the paramedics. “They think Papa had a heart attack.” He swiped at the tears running down his flushed cheeks and sniffed. “They told Mama that Papa is dead.”

  Ella felt the blood drain from her face. She tried to speak but couldn’t make her lips move. A jumble of thoughts tumbled around in her head like a windmill going at full speed. This couldn’t be happening. Papa couldn’t be dead. There must be some mistake!

  CHAPTER 21

  Despite Ella’s resolve not to break down during Papa’s graveside service, salty tears mixed with tepid raindrops and rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed deeply and glanced at Mama, who stood between her and Charlene. Poor Mama’s body shook as she leaned on Ella and sobbed. Ella knew that when Papa died, a part of Mama had gone with him. They’d been together over twenty-five years. In all the years Ella had been alive, she’d never heard either of her parents say an unkind word about each other, and only a few times had she heard them disagree on anything.

  Ella thought about how Lonnie’s uncle, Bishop James Hershberger, and his wife, Sadie, had stopped by their house the other day to offer condolences. “One generation comes, another passes away,” the bishop had said. “Many people miss out on great blessings because they don’t understand why God allows certain things. They question Him rather than accepting His will.”

  While Papa’s casket was being lowered into the ground, Ella prayed. Lord, I don’t know why You took my daed, but please be with us in the days ahead, and help me to accept this as Your will.

  As the seriousness of the situation settled fully into Ella’s mind, troubled thoughts tumbled around in her head. Larry wasn’t old enough to take over Papa’s business, and she didn’t know anything about running it except how to do the books. She couldn’t expect Charlene to take over everything Papa had done. Mama knew nothing about making wind chimes. Besides, it was all she could do to keep up with household chores and care for the younger children. None of them could take over Papa’s wind chime business, so how in the world were they going to support themselves?

  Even though many folks from their community had rallied around these past few days, bringing in food and offering to do whatever was needed, it wouldn’t be right to expect help from others indefinitely. Not when she was able-bodied and ought to take responsibility for her family’s welfar
e. Charlene was old enough to work outside the home. Maybe if they both got jobs, they could earn enough money to take care of Mama and their siblings. Trouble was, someone really needed to be at home helping Mama and making sure she didn’t overdo. Maybe it would be best if Charlene stayed home and Ella found a job.

  Ella glanced over at Jolene and Andrew, who stood nearby with their family. She’d been ever so grateful when they’d shown up at her house the night Papa died. Mama had needed her support, and with Andrew and Jolene taking over the responsibility of the children, Ella had been able to concentrate on helping Mama make the necessary arrangements for Papa’s body to be taken to the funeral home.

  Ella blinked as the crowd of mourners moved away from the gravesite. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn’t even realized the service was over.

  Mama’s chin quivered and her eyes glistened with tears as she looked at Ella. “I ... I know that death is a part of living, but it-it’s such a terrible thing.”

  Ella squeezed Mama’s hand. First Raymond had been taken from them, and now Papa. She wondered how much more her family could bear.

  Bishop Hershberger, holding a large black umbrella, stepped up to them. “Da Herr sei mit du.”

  The bishop’s wife, Sadie, nodded in agreement. “Jah, may the Lord be with you.”

  He’s going to have to be, Ella thought as they moved away from

  the gravesite. Because I sure can’t take care of my family alone.

  As Ella and her family approached their buggy, she saw Jake, whose rig was parked nearby, glance her way. She wondered if his look of sympathy was genuine or the result of doing what he thought was expected of him.

  Turning away, Ella grabbed the reins and backed up her horse. As she led the procession of black buggies toward their house, where the funeral dinner would be served, she made a decision. Tomorrow morning she would look for a job.

  ***