The Love Letters (25 page)

Sure enough, Roman restated his staunch position: “Ellie, I've told ya before, I'm not keen on ya havin' close fellowship with women from other churches.”

She nodded and realized it was time to show her submission to his wishes. “If you're unhappy with certain students from other Plain groups comin' to my classes, I could give up teachin' to please ya, Roman.” She swallowed her sadness, secretly hoping he might back down.

“Would ya, now?” He went to sit on the nearby wooden bench.

“
Jah
, if it would make ya happier. You ain't so much these days.”

He was silent for a time, folding his hands, his arms resting on his legs as he hunched forward. Then, just when she was convinced he wasn't going to say another word, he glanced
up. “Well then, Ellie, let it be known you won't be teachin' anymore.”

Her heart crashed to the ground. Stunned, she set the large bowl of vegetables down and said nothing. She washed her hands in the cold water from the pump, splashing it onto her cheeks and into the crooks of her elbows. The welcome chill cooled her from the heat and humidity and kept her tears locked up so her husband could not see her bitter disappointment.

For pity's sake, what have I done?

A
t noon Small Jay walked out to the porch and gathered up Boston's dinner plate and utensils to carry inside to Mamma, then returned to his friend.

“Your mother is one remarkable cook,” Boston said, patting his stomach.

“
Jah
, for sure.” Small Jay had his mind on other things. “Mamma says we can take the pony cart down to Joe's again.”

“What does Eleanor need at the store?”

Small Jay didn't correct him. He'd tried doing that before and apparently it just made things more maddening for Boston. Coming closer, Small Jay whispered, “I need to run a secret errand. Once I get the pony hitched up, I'll tell ya all about it.”

Boston frowned. “You have a pony?” His eyes looked so glazed over, Small Jay wondered if it was a good idea to take him along.

“Wait here and I'll come back for ya.” He smiled at the man, feeling downright sorry for him. “Maybe you could have yourself forty winks on the drive,
jah
? A little snooze, ya know.”

Boston's face relaxed into a smile, and he leaned his head back against the rocker and was asleep nearly that quick.

It took only a short time to hitch up; then Small Jay walked out to the outhouse. There, he removed the rock he'd pushed in front of the door and inched it open just enough to see Shredder sitting there, the yellow-green eyes shining like the cat had expected him.

Small Jay noticed there was not a single piece of torn paper anywhere. “Prob'ly 'cause of Dat's clever idea,” he muttered. Out of necessity, his father had enclosed the shelf, making it impossible for the cat's claws to have a heyday again with the paper. However, this didn't mean that Dat wasn't still eager to wring Shredder's furry neck.

Small Jay removed Sassy's collar, already snapped to the red leash, from his pocket and talked softly to the wicked creature while he slipped the collar around his neck. “There now, let's take ya for a nice walk to the pony cart. I want ya to meet the mouth organ man.” He had it all planned now, right down to the minute. “My father's gonna have a fit if I don't get you out of here.”

He could see Allegro nosing around the barnyard. Shredder hissed loudly, then hacked up a hairball, which made Small Jay laugh.

Shredder strained against the leash, twisting and turning to bite it like a puppy might. It was obvious Shredder wasn't used to being confined, and as Small Jay tapped Boston gently on the knee to wake him up, he was glad they didn't have far to walk. As soon as they were all piled into the pony cart, Small Jay asked Boston whether he wanted to hold the ornery cat or take the reins.

Boston reached for the driving lines, and they were off.
“Which way shall we turn, young man?” he asked, seeming more alert again.

Small Jay pointed to the left, and quickly Razor pulled them down the hill, past the old mill, across the stone bridge and the mighty creek below, and over toward Joe's store. To attempt to control Shredder's wild movements, Small Jay had wrapped the leash tightly around his hand till he had a powerful-good grip. Even so, Shredder scratched at Small Jay's arms and legs.

“Keep goin',” he told Boston as Joe's store came into view. “Where we're headed first is up a ways yet.”

Just then Shredder began to howl. “
Sei schtill—
Be quiet! I'm savin' your life, cat.”
One of many lives, if you're lucky,
he thought, tightening his hold on Shredder all the more.

When they arrived at the Mast farmhouse, Small Jay asked Boston to wait there in the cart. “I'll be right back,” he said, taking the lines from him and tying the pony to one of the pickets on the whitewashed fence. “Come along, Shredder. I want ya to meet your new master.”

Luke must have seen him coming and waved as he approached. “I got your note 'bout Shredder. I'll be glad to take him off your hands.”

“Just a warning, the second he's let loose, he'll scram. If you've got some catnip, that'll help.”

“Oh, we've got plenty.” Luke smiled. “And some cats like sweet cream, too,
jah
?”

“Not sure about this one.”

Luke leaned down to size up Shredder. “By the looks of him, I'd say he prefers mouse meat.”

“He
is
a barn cat.”

“Ain't like your civilized Sassafras.”

“
Nee
, Mamma would never let Shredder in the house.
Niemols!
”
He'd tear up everything in sight,
thought Small Jay with a grimace.

“Looks like he'd like to scratch my eyes out,” replied Luke.

“He will, too, if I don't take him off this leash.”

“Maybe his name's his downfall. Ever think of that?” Luke tilted his head as he scrutinized the cat. “He needs a name he can live up to. He's mighty tall, even when he's sittin'. And grand, too. Like he thinks he's the king of the world.”

Small Jay wasn't sure what Luke meant.

“Maybe King's a better fit.” Luke reached for the leash.

King,
thought Small Jay. He followed as Luke led Shredder, or King, around to the back of the house. In short order, the unruly cat was eating out of Luke's hands, so to speak, licking up the fresh cream Luke had poured into a bowl there on the warm sidewalk near a purple-martin birdhouse.

Feeling mighty good about this, Small Jay figured everything was going to work out fine. He remembered to thank Luke, then added, “Keep that cat collar and leash. It's all right with me.” With that, he backed away slowly, gritting his teeth and hoping King Shredder would stay put. Then he turned to head down the driveway to the pony cart.

Boston's chin was resting on his fist as Small Jay untied Razor. He crawled into the cart just as Boston was waking up.

“Now off to Joe's store,” Small Jay said and explained that he'd given Sassy's collar and leash to Luke Mast.

“Ah, so you wish to purchase a replacement?” Boston asked as they made the turn onto the road.

“They'll help Luke keep that ornery cat in tow till he gets used to bein' round his new home . . . I hope.”

Boston yawned.

“Luke was kind enough to save Shredder's life, so it's the least I can do.”
King Shredder,
thought Small Jay, grinning to himself.

In Joe's parking lot, they got out and tied up Razor to one of several hitching posts. Small Jay asked if Boston had any sugar cubes left in his pockets.

“What are you referring to, young man?”

Small Jay reminded him of his purchase last week, but Boston didn't seem to know a thing about it, and Small Jay decided to drop it.
It's like he just plain doesn't remember.

They made their way up the front steps, and suddenly Boston stopped. “Now, wait a minute. I do believe I gave all those sugar cubes to your father's mares over the last few days. You see, son, when I have trouble sleeping, I go and talk to the horses for a time.”

“And feed them sugar cubes?”

“That's right.” Boston waved him on into the store with the very welcoming bell over the door. “So I may need to stock up.”

Small Jay smiled.
He remembered!

All afternoon, while Ellie cleaned and scrubbed the house, she felt like a
Dummkopp
. Why
had
she opened her mouth to Roman, offering to give up something she held so dear?

Three of her younger sisters and four female cousins arrived to help finish washing all the windows inside and out. They also spent hours weeding and edging flower beds—peonies, chrysanthemums, and painted daisies—and even used the push mower on the lawn. A couple of them went to the cellar and swept the place out good and washed down the cement walls, too, then dusted and reorganized the glass jars of preserves,
fruit, and vegetables from last year's canning season. Things were coming together nicely, and it was only Wednesday.

I should have time to write letters to my students tonight, so they receive them in Friday's mail
,
Ellie thought dejectedly. Suddenly it struck her that some might not get their mail delivered in time, and what then? Her needlepoint class was scheduled for this Friday morning, after all.

She groaned loudly, catching herself too late, and her cousin Lizzie wanted to know if she was all right.
How can I be?
But Ellie just kept shining windows, her arms beginning to play out. Her attempt to be respectful to Roman's wishes had ended in the worst possible result. Yet she knew she'd brought it upon herself.

How will I get word to my students in time?

“Dat, has Shredder turned up yet?” wide-eyed Sally asked at supper. She was having trouble cutting her meat, and Julia leaned over to help.

Ellie was pleased to see her girls looking out for each other. She noticed Small Jay paying no mind to the table conversation, lost as usual in his own world of thoughts.

“That's one
duckmeisich Kaader—
sneakin' tomcat,” Roman declared, his tumbler of root beer in hand.

“He just up and disappeared?” Dorcas paused in her eating. “Mighty handy, ain't so?”

Our perceptive girl,
thought Ellie, wondering what Roman would say to that.

“We've had enough talk 'bout that ornery cat. It's time we start preparin' our hearts for the Lord's Day comin' up,” Roman said, changing the subject.

Dorcas nodded humbly.

“
Jah
, and dessert's a-waitin',” said Sally. “Ain't so, Mamma?”

This brought out the sunshine all around the table, and Ellie was somewhat relieved.