The other two board members nodded their agreement and Bishop Yoder turned to face the rest of the parents in the room.
“Are there any other issues that need to be brought to our attention?” he asked.
No one spoke but Jesse stood, signaling he wished to make a comment.
“Ja, what is it?” Bishop Yoder asked in a kind tone.
“Ahem.” Jesse cleared his throat and shifted his booted feet nervously. “I just wanted to say that Miss Graber has gone out of her way to provide extra tutoring for my Sam. She’s done a wundervoll job working with him and he’s even speaking a little bit now and then. I wanted the school board to know how grateful I am that you hired such a willing, capable teacher for our children.”
A couple of the mothers in the room nodded their agreement. Becca stared, completely overwhelmed. She couldn’t believe Jesse had gone out of his way to give her a good review. He seemed so harsh. So disapproving and downright difficult at times. And then he went and did something so kind and generous. And just in time too. There was only one month left before school let out for the summer. She was beyond grateful for what he’d done.
“Danke. It has been my pleasure to work with Sam and the other scholars. They’re great kids and I care deeply for each one of them,” she said, retaining her professional demeanor.
And she meant every word. She loved teaching. Loved serving these amazing children. She just wished she could stay in Riverton and teach them next year too. But Caroline Schwartz was out of the hospital and walking with the help of a walker. She’d possibly need the aid of a cane for the rest of her life but she was healing and would be back in the fall. There was no other position for Becca in this community. In order to support herself, she’d have to leave the area.
She’d have to leave Jesse and little Sam too. And though she didn’t understand why, that thought made her feel so sad and forlorn that she wanted to cry.
The meeting ended soon after and Jesse slipped out the door before she could catch him to thank him privately for what he’d said. She watched him go, thinking maybe it was for the best. He was still hurting over the deaths of his wife and daughters. He had his hands full with Sam and making a go of his farm. He had no room in his life or his heart for an opinionated schoolteacher like Becca. And yet, she couldn’t help wishing he did.
As promised, Jesse arrived early the following Monday to teach the fire safety class. He parked his buggy in the back and Sam helped him carry a couple of fire extinguishers into the schoolhouse. As they crossed the graveled yard, Jesse watched his little son race toward the front door, his arms filled with his lunch pail and a red extinguisher. The boy was smiling, eager to get inside and greet Becca. And Jesse couldn’t help thinking how happy his son was lately. In fact, Jesse felt happier too. And though he didn’t fully understand why, he sensed that it was partly due to Becca and her gentle influence in their lives.
“Guder mariye! I’m so glad you’re here.” She greeted them with her usual cheery disposition.
Jesse returned her smile. He couldn’t help himself. She was depending on him and he wanted to do a good job for her.
“I’ve cleared the top of my desk, so you have a place to set your things during your presentation.” She eyed the two red standard fire extinguishers he held.
“Danke but I won’t need much room. This is for you. For the schoolhouse.” He held one of the extinguishers out to her.
She took it and looked up into his eyes. He felt transfixed by her gaze.
“That’s very kind of you,” she said, her voice seeming to come from a haze.
He cleared his throat and moved away, trying to focus on the task at hand. Sam set the third fire extinguisher he’d been carrying on top of a desk, then picked up the wood bucket from beside the cold potbellied stove. He hurried outside to collect some firewood and kindling, just as Jesse had asked him to do before they’d arrived.
The students came in, doffing their jackets and placing their lunch pails on the shelf beneath the coatracks. They talked quietly together as they took their seats. Jesse stood silently at the side of the classroom and watched as Becca greeted each and every scholar. She asked them questions pertaining to their lives. One had a new baby sister at home and another one had found an injured starling they were caring for. It seemed she knew everything about these children’s lives and took a genuine interest in them.
Sam returned with the wood bucket and set it beside the stove. Jesse was surprised when he waved to Caleb Yoder. The older boy smiled back before sliding into his seat.
Becca stood at the front of the room and folded her hands together as she lifted her chin higher in the air. The children quickly took their seats.
“Scholars, we have a special guest with us today. Mr. King is a certified firefighter from Pennsylvania. He has agreed to teach us some fire safety techniques. And I know you’ll be extra polite and give him your undivided attention.” With a satisfied nod, she stepped aside and sat at an empty desk near the front of the room.
Okay, Jesse was on. He cleared his throat and stood, gazing into each earnest face. They seemed so eager to learn. And he couldn’t help thinking about the lesson he’d heard at church the day before. The minister had preached from the book of Matthew: Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find. Jesse had been pondering the powerful message ever
