A Cousin's Challenge Read online

  “Danki.” Ella reached for a magazine and thumbed through a couple of pages. Aunt Priscilla and Mama had always been close. If anyone could get through to Mama, it might be Aunt Priscilla.

  “I have a few worries of my own this morning,” Loraine said with a lingering sigh.

  Ella, feeling immediate concern, snapped the magazine closed. “What kind of worries? It’s nothing about the boppli, I hope.”

  “No, everything’s going fine with my pregnancy. Wayne told me this morning that he’s worried because the taxidermy business has slowed down all of a sudden. He’s afraid if things get any worse he won’t be able to support us.” Deep wrinkles formed in Loraine’s forehead. “With a boppli on the way, it’s even more frightening to think of Wayne being without a job.”

  Ella’s fingernails dug into the armrests on her chair. “So many of our people are out of work and struggling financially. I’m beginning to wonder if things will ever turn around for us.”

  “It’s very frightening,” Loraine said, “but we’ve got to keep the faith and do whatever we can to make extra money. Wayne’s good at woodworking, and he’s made a few nice pieces of furniture for our house. He’s also made some things for his folks’ new home. I suggested to him this morning that he start making more things. Maybe he can sell them to one of the local furniture stores.” She smiled, despite her obvious concerns.

  “In the meantime, we just need to keep praying and trusting that God will provide for our needs.”

  ***

  “Guder mariye,” Andrew said when he entered Tiffany’s Restaurant in Topeka and found Wayne waiting for him at a table near the back. They’d decided to meet for breakfast before they began work for the day. Freeman would also be joining them.

  Wayne looked up at Andrew and smiled. “Mornin’. Is this table okay with you?”

  “Suits me just fine.” Andrew pulled out a chair and took a seat. “No sign of Freeman yet, huh?”

  “Nope. I’m sure he’ll be along soon, though. He’d never pass up the opportunity to be in such good company as ours.”

  Andrew chuckled. “I doubt he’s coming here for our company. More than likely it’s to fill his belly with ham and eggs.”

  “You’re probably right about that.” Wayne thumped his stomach a couple of times. “I hope he gets here soon, ’cause my belly’s startin’ to rumble.”

  A young English waitress came to their table. “Would you like to place your orders?” she asked, smiling at Andrew.

  “Just some coffee for now,” he replied. “We’re waiting on a friend.”

  The waitress left the table and returned a few minutes later with two cups and a pot of coffee.

  Andrew had just poured some coffee into the cups when Freeman walked in. “Sorry for making you wait, but I had a bike that needed fixing right away this morning and it took me longer than I expected.” Freeman took a seat. “Have you two ordered your meals yet?”

  Wayne shook his head. “Figured we’d wait for you.”

  Freeman thumped Wayne’s back a couple of times. “It’s sure nice to have such good friends.”

  The waitress showed up again and took their orders. While they waited for their food, they visited about the weather and caught up on each other’s lives.

  It wasn’t long until the waitress returned with their orders: scrambled eggs and ham for Wayne; pancakes with maple syrup for Andrew; and a ham-and-cheese omelet for Freeman.

  About halfway through their meal, Eunice showed up at their table. “This is a nice surprise,” she said, smiling down at Andrew.

  He nodded and reached for his cup of coffee to wash down the hunk of pancake he’d just put in his mouth. “I’m surprised to see you out so early this morning.”

  “I needed a few things at the Shoe and Boot store and decided to stop here for some breakfast first.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Eunice leaned on the edge of the table. “I met your sister on Saturday, over at Ella’s. She seems like a nice person.”

  Andrew nodded. “Jolene’s one of the nicest people I know—even if she is my schweschder.”

  Wayne needled Andrew in the ribs. “You probably wouldn’t say that if Jolene was sitting here, would you?”

  Andrew shrugged. “I’ll bet I would. I say nice things about everyone in my family.”

  “My sister’s pretty nice, too,” Freeman put in. “And I’m not ashamed to say it.”

  Eunice bobbed her head. “Fern and I have become good friends. She’s one of the nicest people I know.” She gave Andrew another heart-melting smile. “I hope Jolene and I can become friends, too.”

  “If you want to be her friend, then it might be a good idea for you to learn how to sign so you can communicate with her better,” Andrew said. “Sometimes it’s hard for her to read lips, so signing’s the better way to go.” He grunted. “Of course, I’ve only had one lesson in signing, and I’ve got a long way to go. I do plan to learn, though, and so do my folks. Jolene’s going to have regular signing sessions at our house once or twice a week, so you’re welcome to join us.”

  Eunice moved closer to Andrew. “That sounds interesting, but I’m not sure I’d have time for signing lessons right now. I’m keeping very busy selling soaps and scented candles.”

  “Well, if you ever find the time, I’m sure Jolene would be willing to teach you.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind, but I’d better get going now.” Eunice gave Andrew one last smile then hurried across the room, glancing over her shoulder before she went out the door.

  Wayne poked Andrew’s arm. “I think it’s safe to say that Eunice is definitely interested in you.”

  Andrew shrugged. “Maybe so; I don’t know.”

  “Kumme now,” Wayne said. “Are you blind?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Couldn’t you see the look of longing on her face when she was talking to you?” Wayne bumped Andrew’s elbow. “What about you? Are you interested in Eunice?”

  Andrew reached for his coffee and took a sip. “She’s a friend, nothing more.”

  “Better make sure you keep it that way,” Freeman spoke up. “Eunice might look good in the face, but she’s a gossip and has been known to cause trouble with that unruly tongue of hers.” He grunted. “I’ve had firsthand experience with her, so I know what I’m talking about.”

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about, because I’m not getting involved with Eunice.” Andrew set his cup down and leaned his elbows on the table. “Besides, some people change, and there are some good things about Eunice.”

  “Name me one thing, besides the fact that she has a pretty face.”

  “Let’s see now....” Andrew drummed his fingers along the edge of the table. “She’s schmaert enough to have started her own business, and from what I’ve heard, she’s doing pretty well with it, too.”

  “That’s fine as feathers,” Freeman said, “but it doesn’t make her a nice person.”

  “She wants to become Jolene’s friend,” Andrew said. “That seems nice to me. Besides, she’s interesting to talk to.”

  “Oh, jah, she always has a lot to say.” Freeman reached for a piece of toast and slathered it with apple butter. “Unfortunately, much of what Eunice says is nothing but gossip.”

  “You can think whatever you like,” Andrew said, “but the Bible says we aren’t to judge others, so I’m giving Eunice the benefit of the doubt.”

  CHAPTER 8

  As Jolene pedaled her bike toward the schoolhouse, she reflected on some of the things that had been going on with her two students. It had been a busy week since she’d started teaching the children, and she’d made some headway with Sylvia, but as far as she could tell, she’d made none at all with Irvin. He just didn’t seem to want to learn.

  Last night after Mom had spoken with Aunt Dorcas on the phone, Jolene and Mom had discussed the situation. Mom said that Aunt Dorcas had talked about her days of teaching and said that she’d had a few students who’d been
stubborn and didn’t want to learn. It took patience, perseverance, and a willingness to keep trying new things. Aunt Dorcas felt certain that eventually Jolene would find something that would spark an interest in Irvin.

  I hope Aunt Dorcas is right, Jolene thought as she turned her bike up the lane leading to the school. I’ll feel like a failure if I can’t get through to Irvin.

  Jolene parked her bike beside several others and had just stepped into the schoolyard, when she saw some of the boys from Fern’s class pointing at a smaller figure huddled on the ground near a clump of bushes. As she drew closer, she realized it was Irvin.

  “What’s going on?” she asked Kyle Beechy.

  He pointed at Irvin. “I asked him a question, and he wouldn’t answer, so I poked him a couple of times. What’s the matter with that fellow? Is he dumm?”

  “No, he’s not dumb. He can’t hear what you’re saying because he’s deaf.” Jolene was glad Irvin hadn’t learned to read lips yet. The quiver of his jaw and the tears glistening in his eyes let her know that he was quite upset. He didn’t need to know that he’d been called dumb.

  She reached for Irvin’s hand, but he just sat there, shaking his head. “Come with me into the schoolhouse,” she signed.

  “I don’t want to go to school. I want to go home.”

  “What’d he say?” Kyle asked.

  “He said he doesn’t want to go to school.”

  Kyle wrinkled his freckled nose. “He’ll be even dumber if he don’t go to school.” He nudged his younger brother, Elmer. “Ain’t that right?”

  Elmer bobbed his head. “Jah, That’s right. He’ll be dumber than dirt.”

  The boys who stood nearby laughed. Jolene couldn’t hear their laughter, of course, but seeing their open mouths and the way they were holding their sides let her know that they were laughing. It made her angry to see Irvin being treated this way.

  “It’s not right to make fun of anyone—especially someone with a disability.” She pointed to herself. “I can’t hear, either. Does that make me dumm?”

  Kyle blinked a couple of times. “You don’t have to yell. I’m standin’ right here.”

  “Sorry.” Jolene hoped her words came out a little quieter this time.

  “How come you can talk, but that boy don’t say a word?” Kyle asked, pointing at Irvin.

  “As you know, I lost my hearing two years ago, but Irvin and his sister were born deaf. If a person is born deaf, it’s difficult for them to learn how to speak clearly because they can’t hear what they’re saying.” Jolene glanced across the schoolyard and spotted Sylvia playing with Arie Smucker by the swings. It appeared that she’d been accepted—at least by one of the scholars. “I’ll be teaching Irvin and his sister phonetics, as well as how to read lips,” Jolene said. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to talk some, too.”

  “He won’t learn.” Kyle shook his head. “He’s too dumm to learn.”

  Jolene clapped her hands in front of Kyle’s face. “Stop saying that! Irvin is not dumb!”

  Just then Fern rushed up to Jolene, wearing a look of concern. “What’s going on here? I could hear you shouting from inside the schoolhouse.”

  Hoping her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt, Jolene explained what had happened. She motioned to Kyle and Elmer. “I’ll never get through to Irvin if these boys keep making fun of him. Nobody likes to be teased, and I’m afraid if it continues, Irvin will refuse to come to school.”

  Fern shook her finger at the boys. “You ought to know better than to tease. I want you both to apologize to Irvin.”

  Kyle turned his hands upward. “What for? He won’t hear a word I say.”

  Jolene compressed her lips to keep from shouting at the insolent boy.

  “Jolene can let Irvin know what you say by signing to him,” Fern said.

  “What’s signing?” Kyle asked.

  “It’s a way of talking with your hands,” Fern replied.

  “Oh, that.” Kyle raised his chin a notch and shook his head. “I still ain’t sorry for sayin’ he’s dumm, and I won’t apologize.”

  Jolene was stunned. She’d never seen a student so defiant before. Irvin had definitely met his match. “He was teasing Irvin by laughing and poking him, too,” she told Fern.

  Fern tapped Kyle’s shoulder and squinted her eyes. “You need to apologize to Irvin, and you’d better do it now.”

  The seconds ticked by as the boy stared at the ground, making no move to apologize for his behavior.

  Jolene ground her teeth together. It was disrespectful for any student to speak to his teacher that way. Seeing the way Irvin had been treated by Kyle made Jolene even more determined to get through to him and see that he received a good education.

  Fern took hold of Kyle’s arm. “If you won’t apologize to Irvin, then you can stay after school for the rest of the week.”

  He kicked at a clump of grass with the toe of his boot. “I can’t stay after school. I’ve got chores to do at home.”

  “Then apologize to Irvin.”

  “Tell him I’m sorry,” Kyle said to Jolene.

  Fern nudged Elmer.

  “Me, too,” the younger boy said.

  Jolene gave a nod then squatted down beside Irvin and signed, “Kyle and Elmer said to tell you that they’re sorry for teasing you.”

  “They’ll do it again; you’ll see!” Irvin scrambled to his feet and raced into the schoolhouse.

  Kyle and Elmer ran across the lawn and joined some of the other boys who sat on the fence.

  Fern turned to Jolene. “I’ll make sure every one of my scholars knows that they’ll be in trouble with me if they tease your students.”

  “If they could only communicate with Irvin and Sylvia, things might be better,” Jolene said.

  “I think I have an idea.”

  “What’s that?”

  “How would you like to come into my class a few times a week and teach the scholars to sign?” Fern smiled. “I think it would be good if I learned how to sign, too.”

  “I’d like that.” As Jolene headed for the schoolhouse, she felt a little better about things.

  ***

  There was a spring in Lonnie’s step as he headed for the pigpen with a bucket of slop. He was in good spirits, and it had nothing to do with feeding and watering smelly pigs.

  His injured hand felt much better, and as soon as he was done with his chores, he’d head over to the Yoders’ to work for Rueben.

  In just one week, Carolyn would be coming. It would be great to see her again, and he had figured out exactly how and when he’d propose. He didn’t know what he’d do if she turned him down. He loved her so much, and while she’d never actually said the words, he felt sure that she loved him, too.

  By the time Lonnie reached the pigpen, the wind had picked up, scattering fallen leaves all over the yard. If the wind kept blowing, maybe the leaves would blow out of the yard and no one would have to rake them.

  Lonnie poured the slop into the trough and watched with disgust as the gluttonous hogs raced for it, grunting noisily while pushing and shoving each other with their snouts.

  “Dirty, greedy pigs,” he mumbled. “I’m glad I don’t have to smell you all day.”

  Lonnie turned on the water and filled the watering trough before he headed back toward the house. As he approached the place where their propane tank sat, he halted and sniffed the air. The pungent rotten-egg aroma of propane gas drifted up to his nose. Could there be a leak in the line, or had the nozzle on the tank not been closed tight enough?

  He was tempted to move closer to investigate but decided that it would be best to call the company that delivered their propane and ask them to come and check things out.

  Lonnie hurried down the driveway toward their phone shed, but he’d only made it halfway there when an earth-shattering explosion shook the ground beneath his feet. When he turned his head, he saw flames shooting into the air and a fence post coming straight at him!

  CHAPTER 9<
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  Jolene handed Sylvia and Irvin their pieces of paper and asked them to copy the words she’d written on the blackboard. She’d tried talking to Irvin about what had happened outside before school started, but he wouldn’t respond to her at all.

  Maybe I should have a talk with Irvin’s parents. Jolene tapped her pencil on the edge of her desk. But if they find out that Irvin was teased by those boys, they might take him out of this school and send him elsewhere for his education. I’d really like the chance to prove that I can teach these children, so maybe I should speak with Kyle and Elmer’s parents instead, and let them know that their boys were antagonizing Irvin. She continued to tap her pencil. No, that might make things worse. If Lydia or Joe Beechy punishes Kyle and Elmer for teasing, then the boys might try to get even with Irvin and torment him even more.

  She leaned back in her chair and tried to relax, deciding that it was best not to say anything to either set of parents right now. She’d wait and see if the boys could work things out on their own. In the meantime, she needed to concentrate on teaching.

  While the children did their assignment, Jolene made a list of projects she planned for them to do—making posters to hang in their class and cutting out pictures to color during recess when the weather turned cold and they couldn’t play outside. She hoped that doing some fun projects might draw Irvin out of his shell. She knew it must be hard for the children to have moved from their home in Ohio and come here where nearly everyone was a stranger.

  If only Irvin could make some friends, she thought. Everyone needs a good friend.

  Jolene didn’t know what she’d do without the friendship she’d established with her cousins. Even when she’d been living several hundred miles away, she’d kept in touch with Loraine, Ella, and Katie through letters. And even when they’d each gone through trials of their own, she’d felt their love and support.

  Pulling her thoughts aside, Jolene glanced at the battery-operated clock on the far wall. It was time to collect the children’s papers.

  She rose from her chair and stepped up to Sylvia’s desk. “Are you finished?” she signed.