The Preacher's Son by Patricia Johns

Author:Patricia Johns [Johns, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2020-10-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Micah wound his way around the other passengers who were milling about, picking up their luggage, and he crossed the depot toward Isaiah. It was like no time had passed—the last couple of weeks had never happened. Micah had the same friendly look on his face, the same straw hat with the dent in the side. And after a moment of numbness the first thing Isaiah felt was a blast of anger.

Micah came back now? After leaving Bethany, abandoning their wedding, and letting her look like the fool? He came back now? But on the heels of the anger came another sensation—grudging relief. That flow of young people leaving their community was frightening for more than just the older folks. It left everyone feeling off-balance, grief-stricken, and afraid for the future for all of them. If Micah could come back, maybe the damage Abe had done was reversible. Maybe there was hope for Lovina to come back, too. Or any of the others who’d already left. He scanned the other travelers, hoping to see his sister’s face among them, but there weren’t any more Amish on that bus.

“Isaiah!” Micah said, and he forced a smile that didn’t look natural. He had rings under his eyes and he looked like he hadn’t been sleeping.

“Hi—” Isaiah swallowed. “You’re back.”

“Yah.” Micah reached out to Isaiah’s hand and they shook, then had an awkward hug with a few thumps on the back. “I’m back. And I’m glad you’re the first one I’m seeing.”

“I don’t imagine I’m the one you’re here to see,” Isaiah said.

“No, but maybe we could talk a bit before I go find her,” Micah replied.

He looked like the same old friend—the same clothes—except when Micah pulled his hat off again and rubbed his hands through his hair, Isaiah noticed that he had an Englisher haircut now. That would take a while to grow out.

“So where did you go?” Isaiah asked, and they moved off to the side, away from the chatter of other people.

“I’m in Pittsburgh,” he replied. “There are some Mennonite churches that help out Amish kids who leave, and . . . so yeah. They’ve been really helping me out. I got a job at a hardware store, and the pay isn’t bad. Plus, I’m staying with this family, and their kids are grown, so they like having someone young around . . .” His voice trailed off. “How are things here?”

“Not great,” Isaiah admitted. “No one trusts me, but I’m doing what I can.”

“I know your daet is shunned, and I know you won’t break the rules right now, but honestly, Isaiah, if it were me, I’d be talking to my father,” Micah said with a shake of his head. “The bishop and elders can’t tell you how to relate to your own daet.”

“Have you seen Lovina?” Isaiah asked. “Because the bishop thought maybe she’d gone to find Daet, and—”

“No, I haven’t seen her,” Micah said. “I’m sorry. She’s . . . she’s left, too?”

“Yah.” Isaiah let out a shaky breath.

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