Deacon Miller then went on to name a nearby family that had offered a place for Emma, Liz, and Verena just yesterday. “They’re real fine Amish folk with other children similar in age. Your sisters will be well looked after. And another home just up the road from them has space for Wilbur.”
So it’s done. A chill swept through Lena. We are to be separated.
“There is also one particular couple who could really use your help, Lena.” Deacon’s expression turned serious. “Harley Stoltzfus is your father’s second cousin, and his wife, Mimi, is a seamstress like you. They replied to my telegram and indicated they’d be glad to pay ya for your work . . . and happy for your companionship for Mimi, too.”
Harley . . . and Mimi? Lena had heard her father talk of these relatives—Dat had met Harley at a wedding many years ago. But they live in Pennsylvania!
Uncle Noah raised his eyebrows and nodded. “It would be a gut situation for ya, Lena. And maybe you could send some of the money ya earn to help with your younger siblings—for clothing and whatnot.”
This was the worst possible thing Lena could think of. Oh, how she despised the idea of leaving Centreville!
“Your father kept in close contact with Harley through the years,” her uncle continued. “He was mighty fond of him.”
Lena shook her head. “But they live out east.” Truly, Harley and Mimi Stoltzfus might as well have been on the other side of the world.
“That’s the difficult part,” the deacon agreed slowly, eyes serious.
“It’s entirely up to you,” Uncle Noah assured her. “But you’d have a place to stay for the time being—just a few months or so—and then surely something here will open up for you.”
“Only a short time, then?”
“Jah, that’s my guess . . . and your Dat would be in favor of Harley and Mimi’s invitation, to be sure,” Uncle Noah added. “Your room and board would be free there, too—another benefit.”
Even though he’d said it was her choice to make, she could tell that her uncle thought it was a good idea.
“Besides, as unlikely as it may seem, you might come to enjoy your time there. Lancaster County is beautiful, with many gut folk.”
How can I possibly enjoy anything ever again? she thought, wanting only to be with her brothers and sisters.
Yet as challenging as this was, Lena knew she had to set a good example for her siblings and be courageous. She needed to consider this option, no matter how discouraged she felt.
Their discussion continued, and in the end, they put their heads together to decide where all of her brothers and sisters would live, Chris included. Lena gave a great sigh and straightened her shoulders. There remained just one more decision to make.
If I do go to Pennsylvania, I’ll be home soon, she reasoned, recalling Uncle Noah’s words.
CHAPTER
3
Two weeks later, Lena Rose found herself on a bus heading to Pennsylvania. Though she knew she would never send it, she passed the time by writing a long letter to Emma, expressing how heartsick she was at leaving, even though she expected to see them all again at Christmas. But that’s three long months away. . . . Writing out the sad words also helped her release the intense grief she felt at the sudden loss of Dat and Mamma. The memory of the policemen coming into the farmhouse with the devastating news continued to plague her nightly dreams, shattering her life anew.
She recalled now her last encounter with Hans, who’d dropped by to see her as she helped pack up the house for auction. Her beau had worn such disappointment on his handsome face when she told of her plans to go to Pennsylvania for a few months to help her relatives with sewing work.
“Where else can I go?” she’d said woefully. There was simply no one in Centreville able to take her in. Lena had even tried to rent a place with several other young women her age, but without ready employment, that had turned out to be a dead end.
Hans had been silent as she shared about her thwarted attempts to stay in Michigan, not suggesting she check with any of his own relatives. Considering how he seemed to care for her, she wondered why.
Yet as they were about to part ways, Hans had reached for her hand and asked if he could keep in close touch with her by mail. “I’d like to continue courtin’ you long-distance till you return,” he’d said, his usual bright smile somewhat faded. “I’d hate to lose ya, Lena Rose.”
Her heart had been soothed, hearing him say it so fervently, and she’d nodded, her eyes searching his.
“You’ll write back, jah?” he had asked.
“Of course!” she was quick to reply. Truly, it was a relief to know he would be awaiting her return.
As the sun began to rise, Lena Rose leaned now against the cool pane of the bus window and gazed out at the familiar landscape of her life. I’m leaving my family and everything I know behind. She sighed, trying to keep her composure.
After the bus arrived in downtown Lancaster, Lena got a taxi and instructed the driver to take her to West Eby Road. After stepping into the back seat, she closed her eyes, weary from the long, confining bus ride and her heavy heart.
At the appointed address in Leacock Township, she admired the white frame farmhouse with ivy laced about its stone foundation. The place was well kept, with a rather large Dawdi Haus attached to the east side of the main house. It looked as though both houses had been newly painted, and a darling little potting shed nearby was sheltered on one side by a tall silver maple.
