The Miting by Dee Yoder

would react.

    One afternoon a few days later, Benny begged Ada and Leah to play Duck, Duck, Goose in the soft grass where the sun warmed the fallen leaves. As the children’s steps crushed the dry leaves, they released a spicy, pungent aroma of autumn into the air.
    Leah’s attention was caught by a passing car. A teen girl waved from inside the shiny red auto. What would it be like to be inside with the Englishers ? Would she love the freedom they seemed to enjoy? If she left her family and the Amish, their times together would be limited, maybe even forbidden. She plopped down in the grass and watched her siblings taunt each other, gazing also at the yard, shop, and house. The familiar corners of Daet ’s shop, the golden swell of the fields behind the house, the barn sitting so solemnly and importantly at the end of the lane—they all became dear and comforting to her in that moment. The thought of leaving them behind grew unbearable. She wondered if her doubts about the Ordnung could compare to the comfort of knowing this familiar world would be here now, tomorrow, and into the future. If she wanted it to be.
    Leah’s thoughts were interrupted when Daet came out of the shop, stopping on the threshold to turn back and lock the door for the day. He crossed the yard, greeted his younger son and daughter with a smile, and then turned to her. His smile faded, he clenched his jaw, and a shadow of resentment lit his eyes.
    Her heart twisted, the disappointment on her daet ’s countenance dredging sorrow from her very bones. But as quickly as sorrow grew, her own flame of resentment sparked, swelling until it mirrored his.
    So this is how it will be? From now on, failure will always be the first thing he thinks of when he sees my face?
    “Leah, please come with me to find Maem . We have things to discuss.” He walked ahead with assurance that she would follow along behind. And she did.
    Leah glanced at his cold back and realized that the smiles she’d received from Daet in the past were all earned by her dutiful obedience. For the still-obedient Benny and Ada, he had smiles, but for her, only disdain. Apparently his one desire was for her to become a good Amish girl. As her brother had done before her, she was expected to accept her Amish role of church member. Then, as she matured, she would become a supportive wife and mother. Daet had never spoken to her of anything else, and indeed, his role as father did not require much more from him than to provide for her, show her the way to Amish spiritual acceptance, and be the final authority for her decisions.
    Leah swallowed and hoped Maem would intervene. She had always been more attentive to Leah’s emotional well-being.
    Maem relaxed in the swing on the front porch, a mug of tea in one hand, and the Amish newspaper, The Budget , in the other. She looked up as they approached the porch, scooting over to make room for Daet to sit beside her. Leah took a seat in one of the two wicker chairs facing the swing.
    Daet didn’t waste any time. He tented his fingers and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Leah, these accusations Martha is making; who does it involve?”
    “She told me a name, but should I tell, Daet ? She asked me to keep her confidence.”
    “I just need to know this: is she accusing her stepdaet ?”
    “No. Not her stepdaet. ”
    His face relaxed a bit, and she noted his mouth softened, too. “These kinds of things have to be handled privately. First, Maem and I will talk with Bishop Miller. We’ll ask his advice about what to do next, but I expect he and the elders will take it from there.” His eyes squinted against the late afternoon sun slanting its way under the porch eaves. “Now, don’t get upset with my next question, but you know Martha’s behavior hasn’t made her a very reliable source for this story.”
    She shivered at his words. Could it be that no one would believe Martha’s account?
    Daet cleared his throat. “Did you