His Amish Choice. Leigh Bale

favorite dishes. It’ll go well with Naomi’s crusty homemade bread,” Abby said.

      “Did you see Eli Stoltzfus listening to the bishop’s sermon? I hope it sank in. That boy needs to mend his ways, that’s for sure.”

      Lizzie looked up and saw elderly Marva Geingerich standing next to Linda Hostetler. The two women were unwrapping trenchers of sliced cheese and ham. Slightly deaf at the age of eighty-nine, Marva’s rasping attempt at a whisper carried like a shout across the kitchen and everyone paused in their work. Especially Fannie, Eli’s mother.

      “Ja, I saw him. He’s trying hard to fit back into the Gmay and doing a good job of it from what I can see,” Linda said.

      Marva’s thin lips curved in disapproval. “Ach, I don’t know why he ever came back. Once they leave and get a taste of the Englisch world, they never can get rid of it. I’ve seen it happen several times.”

      Something hardened inside of Lizzie. Though she was angry at Eli, she didn’t like what she was hearing. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right.

      “Marva! What are you saying?” Naomi paused in her slicing, her forehead creased with a frown.

      “He won’t stay long, you mark my words,” Marva said. “As soon as that boy gets tired of living our humble way of life, he’ll be off again to live among the Englisch.”

      “You don’t know that. Eli returned of his own choosing. He wants to be here with us.” Sarah Yoder, the bishop’s wife, set a casserole dish on the wooden counter with a thump.

      Marva jerked her head up, the wrinkles around her gray eyes deepening with her scowl. “Ach, he’s been gone too long. Who knows what wickedness he’s been up to? I don’t know how he’ll ever fit in with the Gmay now. No doubt he’s got plenty to repent of. Mark my words, he’ll leave again and that will be that.”

      An audible gasp filled the room and Lizzie flinched.

      Turning, she saw the reason why. Eli stood in the doorway, holding an empty glass in one hand. His expression looked peaceful as a summer’s morning, but Lizzie knew he’d overheard the conversation and must be upset. It was there in the subtle narrowing of his eyes and the tensing of his shoulders. Other people might not notice, but Lizzie knew him too well. For just a moment, she saw a flash of anger in his eyes, then it was gone and she thought perhaps she’d imagined it.

      He cleared his voice, speaking in a composed tone. “I’m sorry to intrude, but Ezekiel has a cough. Could I trouble someone for a glass of water?”

      Ezekiel, or Dawdi Zeke as most everyone called him, was the eldest member of the Gmay. Having just turned ninety-four years, he still had an active mind and was as kind and compassionate as Marva was harsh and unforgiving.

      “Of course you can.” Naomi, who was Dawdi Zeke’s daughter, took the glass from Eli’s hand, filled it with tap water, then handed it back to him.

      “Danke.” He ducked his head and left without another word.

      Everyone stared in mortified confusion, not knowing what to say. A part of Lizzie felt compassion for Eli and the urge to run after him. But another part thought it was just what he deserved. That made her feel worse because it wasn’t charitable to think that way.

      “How could you say those things? It wasn’t very nice. We should be more compassionate.” Naomi shook her head, her expression showing her dismay as she gazed intently at Marva.

      “I don’t know what you mean. I only spoke the truth.” Marva drew back her shoulders, pursed her lips and lifted her chin a little higher.

      The hackles rose at the back of Lizzie’s neck. Even if it was the truth, it wasn’t kind. She would never consider belittling Eli to other members of the congregation on Church Sunday. It wasn’t their place to judge him or anyone. Especially right after the bishop had preached to them about forgiveness and their upcoming Communion. But she couldn’t help feeling like a hypocrite since Marva had voiced aloud her very same concerns.

      Lizzie’s gaze shifted to Fannie, Eli’s mother. She had been cutting thick pieces of Schnitz apple pie but had dropped the knife onto the table when Marva had begun speaking. Looking at her now, Lizzie saw that her face had gone white as a sun-bleached sheet, her chin quivering.

      “He’s mein sohn. Do you really think he’ll leave again?” she cried with naked fear.

      Naomi quickly set her bread knife on the table before wrapping her arms around the other woman in a comforting hug. “Ne, it’s nonsense! Don’t you listen to such talk, Fannie. Eli fits in here with all of us just fine. He’s one of our own and a welcome addition to our community. We love him and we’re blessed to have him back. Look at all the gut he’s done already for the Beiler familye. Isn’t that right, Lizzie?”

      Naomi looked at her and Lizzie blinked in stunned silence before stuttering over a reply. “Ja, he...he’s been very kind.”

      “And who are we to judge others? We all have our faults. We are all happy that Eli has returned to his faith.” Sarah nodded her approval.

      “Danke.” Fannie wiped one eye, showing a tremulous smile of appreciation.

      “Humph! We’ll see.” Marva huffed as she carried a tray of sliced homemade bread outside.

      Swallowing hard, Lizzie realized she was staring. Her mind whirled in confusion. Seeing the hurt on Fannie’s face, she hurried over to comfort the woman.

      “Don’t listen to such talk. Eli loves you and Leroy. He wants to be here with you,” Lizzie said, trying to believe her own words.

      “But what if Marva is right? What if Eli leaves again? I don’t know what I’d do. He’s our only sohn,” Fannie whispered.

      A tremor ran down Lizzie’s spine, but she fought off her own fears and tried to be brave. “If he leaves, we’ll do as Christ taught and turn the other cheek. We’ll exercise faith and face whatever comes our way and pray that he’ll come back again. We can never give up on anyone.”

      Speaking these words aloud brought Lizzie a bit of courage. She meant what she said, yet her heart thumped with trepidation.

      “I just don’t think I can stand to lose him again.” Tears shimmered in Fannie’s eyes.

      “We’ll all be here for you, no matter what happens,” Lizzie said.

      Fannie nodded, but her sad expression still showed her unease as she returned to her chore of slicing pie.

      Lizzie watched her, her own hands shaking.

      Abby laid a hand on her arm. “Lizzie, are you all right?”

      She gave a stuttering laugh. “Ja, I’m fine.”

      What else could she say? Only Eli knew if he would stay or go. Any member of their community could leave at any time, including her. Lizzie just wished she could be certain she wouldn’t be hurt by his decisions.

      “Don’t worry,” Abby said to her. “It’ll be all right. Komm on. Let’s get out of here. I need some fresh air.”

      Lizzie followed her friend outside, the screen door clapping closed behind them. They paused beneath the shade of the back porch. Children raced across the yard in a game of chase. Teenaged boys stood in a group, watching the teenaged girls. The afternoon sun sparkled in an azure sky. Lizzie wanted to cherish such a day...one of the last warm ones before the cooler weather rolled in. As she gazed at the rows of men sitting at the long tables, she let their subdued laughter soothe her ruffled feelings.

      “I can’t believe Marva said those horrible things. What was she thinking? She has such a waspish tongue,” Abby whispered, her hands gripping the soup ladle like a hammer. “She’s never been happy since her son brought the familye here from Ohio after his vadder died. She understands