Katie's Redemption by Patricia Davids

care for and a growing debt to the people that had befriended her.
    The memory of Nettie and Elam’s tender care of Rachel brought tears to her eyes. For one horrible instant she wondered if her baby wouldn’t be better off without her.
    Turning over, she muffled her sobs in the pillow as she gave in to despair.
    The following morning she stayed behind the screen until Elam had gone outside. She didn’t want to answer his questions about why she hadn’t written to Malachi. It was cowardly and she knew she couldn’t avoid the subject much longer, but she didn’t know how to explain.
    She had been a trial to Malachi and his wife all her life. Even though the Sutters were aware she had made badchoices, she didn’t want them to know Malachi had disowned her. She was too ashamed to admit it. If she had to grovel before Malachi, for her child’s sake she would, but what little pride she had left kept her from admitting as much to the Sutter family.
    The day passed slowly, but when Elam came in for supper he didn’t mention her brother or ask her for a letter. Relieved, but puzzled, she was able to eat a little of Nettie’s excellent beef stew and listen as Elam talked about plans for planting pumpkins to sell in addition to their normal produce.
    “Pumpkins?” Nettie cocked her head to the side. “Would you sell them through the organic farming co-op?”
    “ Jah. The demand is growing.”
    Katie’s curiosity was aroused. She knew most of the area’s Amish farmers sold their produce from roadside stands and at the local produce auctions. Every year her brother had complained bitterly about how hard it was to earn a living competing against the large, mechanized English farms. She asked, “What’s an organic co-op?”
    Nettie passed a bowl of her canned pears to Katie. “Last year Elam persuaded several dozen farmers to switch from conventional agriculture to organic, using no chemicals, no antibiotics, none of those things.”
    Katie could see the spark of interest in his eyes. “There’s a good market for organic vegetables, fruits and cheeses. I had heard about such a co-op near Akron. Aaron Zook and I contacted them. They helped us find a chain of grocery stores in Cleveland that were interested in selling our crops. They even helped us obtain our organic certification from the U.S.D.A.”
    “The government men came and inspected the barns and the fields of everyone involved,” Nettie added.
    Frowning slightly, Katie asked, “Isn’t it more expensive to farm that way?”
    He gave a slight shake of his head. “Not if it’s done right.”
    “Elam attended seminars on soil management to learn what organic products would give our soil the best nutrients. He learned how to make the plants strong, so they wouldn’t fall prey to insects and disease without chemicals to protect them. It has already saved two of our families from losing their farms.” Nettie beamed, clearly pleased with her son’s accomplishments.
    It seemed there was more to Elam than the stoic farmer Katie had assumed he was. The Amish were known as shrewd businessmen, but it was plain Elam was also forward thinking.
    Nettie picked up her empty plate and carried it to the sink. “If our people can make a living from the farms and not have to work in factories, then our families will stay intact. It’s a win-win situation.”
    After the meal was over Nettie retired to her sewing room, and in what seemed like no time she emerged with a stack of baby gowns for Rachel and two new cotton nightgowns for Katie.
    “You shouldn’t have.” Katie managed to speak past the lump of gratitude in her throat.
    Nettie smiled. “You might as well accept them. They’re much too small for me and I’m not going to rip out all those stitches.”
    It seemed that every minute Katie stayed here shebecame more indebted to Elam and his mother. She needed to be on her way. It was doubtful that Malachi would pay back any of the money the Sutters had spent on