have thought that it would be the other way around? Though she looked forward to going home, she couldn’t wait until she could return to the Mahoneys’. They had opened their home and their arms to her. And Dylan had opened her heart. No matter what happened in the future, Rebecca knew she would treasure the Mahoneys’ hospitality for the rest of her days.
After breakfast, Dylan drove Rebecca to Lutz and pulled to a stop next to the winding road that led to the family farm. Dylan could go no farther. Rebecca’s family tolerated intrusions from the outside world during the week, but not on Sundays. The Sabbath was reserved for worship or visits with family or their Amish neighbors.
“Thank you, Dylan. For everything.” Rebecca looked around to make sure no one was nearby. Then she gave Dylan a quick kiss. “You made the first weekend of my rumspringa one I shall never forget.”
“Neither will I.” Dylan held her fingers against her mouth as if her lips burned. “Where do you want me to pick you up on Friday? Marian’s again?”
Rebecca noted the look of displeasure that crossed Dylan’s face. It was obvious Dylan hadn’t enjoyed herself at the hoedown. To be honest, Rebecca hadn’t, either. Just thinking about those few hours made her stomach queasy. “No, one weekend like that was enough. I did it once. I don’t have to do it again. Drinking and partying aren’t for me. I just want to spend time with you and your family. Is that okay?”
Dylan’s eyes glowed as if they were lit by a fire from within. “What do you think? Of course it’s okay. I’ll pick you up at the bakery and you can tell me where you want to go from there.”
“Can we do item number ten?”
“You want to go to Philadelphia?”
“I want to see the Liberty Bell. I learned about it in school but I’ve never seen it in person. Is it really and truly cracked?”
“Yes, it is, but the bell itself is much smaller than you might think. I thought it would be huge, but it’s only three feet tall.”
“Do you think we can go?”
“I don’t think my parents would let me drive to Philly without an adult in the car, but I’m sure my dad would tag along if we agree to buy him a cheese steak.”
“Can I have one, too?”
“You can have anything you want. If the Phillies are in town and we can get tickets, we can cross off item number twenty-seven, too. Your first professional baseball game.”
“I love baseball. When I was little, Sarah bought a battery-powered radio we kept hidden in our room. Late at night, after our parents were asleep, we would listen to music and learn the words to all the latest pop songs. She left the radio behind when she moved out. I use it to listen to broadcasts of the Phillies games. The announcers make me feel like I’m sitting in the ballpark with them. I never imagined I would be able to see the team play in person. You make me feel so special, Dylan.”
“You are special. I know you believe no one is better than anyone else, but you’re special to me, Rebecca.”
Her parents made Rebecca feel loved. Dylan made her feel wanted. Dylan seemed to be courting her. Rebecca didn’t know whether to ask her to stop or encourage her to keep going.
“See you next weekend.”
Rebecca got out of the car and waved good-bye to Dylan. She skipped up the road, pausing once to watch Dylan’s little yellow car head toward town.
“Was that Dylan Mahoney?”
Rebecca squealed in fright. “Who’s there?” she asked, resisting the urge to run.
Esther Hershberger, a basket of blackberries in her arms, stepped out of the wooded area next to the fence. “Only me.”
“Esther, I didn’t see you there.” Rebecca let out a deep breath but didn’t allow herself to relax. How much, if anything, had Esther seen?
Esther had chosen to spend her rumspringa participating in activities organized by the church. Hay rides, volleyball tournaments, and Sunday sings. While Rebecca ventured into the world,
After breakfast, Dylan drove Rebecca to Lutz and pulled to a stop next to the winding road that led to the family farm. Dylan could go no farther. Rebecca’s family tolerated intrusions from the outside world during the week, but not on Sundays. The Sabbath was reserved for worship or visits with family or their Amish neighbors.
“Thank you, Dylan. For everything.” Rebecca looked around to make sure no one was nearby. Then she gave Dylan a quick kiss. “You made the first weekend of my rumspringa one I shall never forget.”
“Neither will I.” Dylan held her fingers against her mouth as if her lips burned. “Where do you want me to pick you up on Friday? Marian’s again?”
Rebecca noted the look of displeasure that crossed Dylan’s face. It was obvious Dylan hadn’t enjoyed herself at the hoedown. To be honest, Rebecca hadn’t, either. Just thinking about those few hours made her stomach queasy. “No, one weekend like that was enough. I did it once. I don’t have to do it again. Drinking and partying aren’t for me. I just want to spend time with you and your family. Is that okay?”
Dylan’s eyes glowed as if they were lit by a fire from within. “What do you think? Of course it’s okay. I’ll pick you up at the bakery and you can tell me where you want to go from there.”
“Can we do item number ten?”
“You want to go to Philadelphia?”
“I want to see the Liberty Bell. I learned about it in school but I’ve never seen it in person. Is it really and truly cracked?”
“Yes, it is, but the bell itself is much smaller than you might think. I thought it would be huge, but it’s only three feet tall.”
“Do you think we can go?”
“I don’t think my parents would let me drive to Philly without an adult in the car, but I’m sure my dad would tag along if we agree to buy him a cheese steak.”
“Can I have one, too?”
“You can have anything you want. If the Phillies are in town and we can get tickets, we can cross off item number twenty-seven, too. Your first professional baseball game.”
“I love baseball. When I was little, Sarah bought a battery-powered radio we kept hidden in our room. Late at night, after our parents were asleep, we would listen to music and learn the words to all the latest pop songs. She left the radio behind when she moved out. I use it to listen to broadcasts of the Phillies games. The announcers make me feel like I’m sitting in the ballpark with them. I never imagined I would be able to see the team play in person. You make me feel so special, Dylan.”
“You are special. I know you believe no one is better than anyone else, but you’re special to me, Rebecca.”
Her parents made Rebecca feel loved. Dylan made her feel wanted. Dylan seemed to be courting her. Rebecca didn’t know whether to ask her to stop or encourage her to keep going.
“See you next weekend.”
Rebecca got out of the car and waved good-bye to Dylan. She skipped up the road, pausing once to watch Dylan’s little yellow car head toward town.
“Was that Dylan Mahoney?”
Rebecca squealed in fright. “Who’s there?” she asked, resisting the urge to run.
Esther Hershberger, a basket of blackberries in her arms, stepped out of the wooded area next to the fence. “Only me.”
“Esther, I didn’t see you there.” Rebecca let out a deep breath but didn’t allow herself to relax. How much, if anything, had Esther seen?
Esther had chosen to spend her rumspringa participating in activities organized by the church. Hay rides, volleyball tournaments, and Sunday sings. While Rebecca ventured into the world,
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