plate toward him. When he’d cut himself a generous piece, she said, “I take it you’ve never lived in a small town?”
“I’ve lived in three or four. Just not for long.”
“You moved around a lot?”
“Yes, you could say that.” He couldn’t count on both hands the number of schools he’d attended before his mother settled in Hawaii and he started college.
After taking a sip of coffee, Amber glanced at the large round clock on the wall behind him. “Gloria said thirty minutes. That was ten minutes ago. We should hear something soon.”
He closed his eyes as he savored his sample of roll. “There are some very good cooks around here. Is it difficult working among the Amish?”
“It can be challenging. Many don’t readily accept an English midwife.”
Puzzled, he glanced at her. “English?”
“It’s what they call anyone who isn’t Amish.”
“I used to think my grandfather’s Amish stories were exaggerations.”
She grinned at that. “Harold is a talented storyteller. I don’t doubt he has embellished some things.”
“The Amish really don’t allow their children to go past the eighth grade in school?”
“That’s true.”
“It’s hard to believe anyone in this day and age is opposed to higher education.”
“They aren’t opposed to it. They just don’t want it for their children. They believe in on-the-job training for skills that will keep their family and community together. They aren’t all farmers, you know. Many are successful small-business owners. Their work ethic and craftsmanship skills are second to none. Employers love to hire the Amish. They work for less and work hard.”
“You sound like you approve of this.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Don’t you believe in freedom of religion?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you believe a person has the right to choose his own lifestyle?”
“Yes.” He didn’t like feeling he was in the wrong some how.
“The Amish lifestyle is their religion. They do not separate the two.”
Her intenseness reminded him of his mother’s Pomeranian standing guard over his food dish. Phillip wasn’t looking to get bitten. He’d had enough trouble for one day. “I defer to someone who knows them better than I ever will.”
After they finished eating, they returned to the E.R. waiting area and were soon joined by Dr. Kline. Shaking hands with the big, burly man in blue scrubs, Phillip immediately had the feeling that Martha was being well taken care of.
“Good news. The spine isn’t severed. A bone fragment is compressing it. That’s why she can’t move her legs. I’ve already placed a call for an airlift to Akron.”
Dr. Kline continued with a description of Martha’s injuries. Phillip conferred with him over some of her interim care and then left the hospital knowing she was getting the best possible treatment.
As he walked to his SUV with Amber at his side, he said, “My grandfather told me the Amish don’t believe in health insurance. How are Martha and her family going to pay for her care?”
“It’s true that they don’t believe in insurance of any kind. If a man gets insurance, that means he doesn’t have faith in God’s protection. Whatever happens is God’s will. On the flip side of that, they don’t sue for bad outcomes. Such a thing is also Gottes Wille.
“As far as the Nissleys are concerned, the Church community will take up a collection for them. A notice will be sent to the Amish newspaper and donations will come from all over. Their bills will be paid.”
Phillip had to admire people who cared so well for their own. While he thought they were some of the most backward people on the planet for refusing modernization, he had to admit that their sense of community was impressive.
The drive back to Hope Springs was made in silence. They were both too tired to make small talk. The only time Amber spoke was when she gave him directions to her home. It was nearly dark when he pulled up in
“I’ve lived in three or four. Just not for long.”
“You moved around a lot?”
“Yes, you could say that.” He couldn’t count on both hands the number of schools he’d attended before his mother settled in Hawaii and he started college.
After taking a sip of coffee, Amber glanced at the large round clock on the wall behind him. “Gloria said thirty minutes. That was ten minutes ago. We should hear something soon.”
He closed his eyes as he savored his sample of roll. “There are some very good cooks around here. Is it difficult working among the Amish?”
“It can be challenging. Many don’t readily accept an English midwife.”
Puzzled, he glanced at her. “English?”
“It’s what they call anyone who isn’t Amish.”
“I used to think my grandfather’s Amish stories were exaggerations.”
She grinned at that. “Harold is a talented storyteller. I don’t doubt he has embellished some things.”
“The Amish really don’t allow their children to go past the eighth grade in school?”
“That’s true.”
“It’s hard to believe anyone in this day and age is opposed to higher education.”
“They aren’t opposed to it. They just don’t want it for their children. They believe in on-the-job training for skills that will keep their family and community together. They aren’t all farmers, you know. Many are successful small-business owners. Their work ethic and craftsmanship skills are second to none. Employers love to hire the Amish. They work for less and work hard.”
“You sound like you approve of this.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Don’t you believe in freedom of religion?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you believe a person has the right to choose his own lifestyle?”
“Yes.” He didn’t like feeling he was in the wrong some how.
“The Amish lifestyle is their religion. They do not separate the two.”
Her intenseness reminded him of his mother’s Pomeranian standing guard over his food dish. Phillip wasn’t looking to get bitten. He’d had enough trouble for one day. “I defer to someone who knows them better than I ever will.”
After they finished eating, they returned to the E.R. waiting area and were soon joined by Dr. Kline. Shaking hands with the big, burly man in blue scrubs, Phillip immediately had the feeling that Martha was being well taken care of.
“Good news. The spine isn’t severed. A bone fragment is compressing it. That’s why she can’t move her legs. I’ve already placed a call for an airlift to Akron.”
Dr. Kline continued with a description of Martha’s injuries. Phillip conferred with him over some of her interim care and then left the hospital knowing she was getting the best possible treatment.
As he walked to his SUV with Amber at his side, he said, “My grandfather told me the Amish don’t believe in health insurance. How are Martha and her family going to pay for her care?”
“It’s true that they don’t believe in insurance of any kind. If a man gets insurance, that means he doesn’t have faith in God’s protection. Whatever happens is God’s will. On the flip side of that, they don’t sue for bad outcomes. Such a thing is also Gottes Wille.
“As far as the Nissleys are concerned, the Church community will take up a collection for them. A notice will be sent to the Amish newspaper and donations will come from all over. Their bills will be paid.”
Phillip had to admire people who cared so well for their own. While he thought they were some of the most backward people on the planet for refusing modernization, he had to admit that their sense of community was impressive.
The drive back to Hope Springs was made in silence. They were both too tired to make small talk. The only time Amber spoke was when she gave him directions to her home. It was nearly dark when he pulled up in
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