The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Author:Elizabeth Byler Younts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2018-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

EMMA

The voice came to my ears from the other side of the pond. It was Sparrow’s “hello” like the chirp of a songbird. She walked out to the dock and waved at me. I looked up from my basket of wet clothes and waved back. I looked forward to seeing her several times a week. She had become a fixture to me already and it was only June. She seemed more familiar than someone I’d met not many weeks ago.

In that same amount of time, John had yet to speak to Johnny about the drinking that Mervin had tasked each parent to handle privately in hopes of quelling it. Johnny and the other young people were not baptized so a confession would not be required. Several nights each week he would be out late. It made me nervous, but John didn’t speak a word. Not to me or to our son.

His comments to Mervin about my visit to the Evanses’ had caused a greater chasm between us than ever before. He began to understand when he sipped the plain coffee I served him when we had company. Well into his too-sober, agitated state, his expression declared panic. Our stare lingered and I wanted him to know that I wouldn’t help him anymore.

While our life together had divided more than ever before, we had a rhythm to our days. Upon waking, he would take a quick swig from a bottle he thought was a secret—I was always already awake. He’d dress first, then through our open windows I’d hear the outhouse door creak and slap. Then I would ready myself. We did our chores in silence with little acknowledgment of each other.

We ate our breakfast quietly and then while Johnny hitched up the buggy, John disappeared into the basement. He always took his Bivell with him. However, his behavior blasphemed the holy Scriptures rather than blessed them. Johnny would get the lunches I’d packed for them the night before and wait in the buggy for his dat, and then they would leave. For most of the day I was alone.

If it was Monday, I did laundry. Then in order of the weekdays I ironed, mended clothes, cleaned, and baked. When someone was in need, I’d take in ironing, mending, or washing. It had been the same for as long as I could remember and the same for my mother who had been raised far away from this valley. This routine was the same at most Amish homes everywhere.

After work John and Johnny would clean up. We would have a quiet dinner, prayers, evening chores, and some time to sew or crochet. John would feign Bible reading or write a letter. Johnny retreated to his room or would slip out without a word. I would hear him return later when I lay awake in my dark bedroom. This was my life. It was set out before me like blocks and bricks.

But Sparrow.

She’d become the brightness in my gray.

These thoughts passed through my mind like fog as Sparrow tried to skip rocks across the calm pond.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.