Chapter 9
H ENRY
I’m not sure what prompted Ellie to kiss me like that, but I’m not going to complain.
Even if Mamm grabbed my arm, hauled me out into the mudroom, and is glaring at me like she’s about to send me out into the yard for a tree branch. “Henry Clarence Yoder!”
Three names. I’m in trouble.
“What in the world possessed you to take advantage of sweet Ellie Petersheim? This is not the behavior I expect to see from you while I’m out caring for your grandparents, young man. I should…I should ground you!”
I try to picture my five-foot-four mother disciplining me. I can’t help it. I attempt to hold in a laugh, but it bursts forth anyhow.
I’m so floored from Ellie’s kiss right now, I don’t think anything can dampen my mood.
“This isn’t funny! How am I going to explain this to Ellie’s mother?” I hear stress in Mamm’s voice and realize I need to de-escalate this situation as soon as possible.
“Mom. You don’t need to say anything to Ellie’s mother. Or anybody else. It’s none of their business.”
“You don’t think Ellie’s mother has a right to know that my son and her daughter were caught…” She waves her hand haphazardly.
“Making out.” I finish the sentence for her since she didn’t seem to want to describe what she walked in on. Something I will be dreaming about as I lay my head on my pillow tonight, no doubt. And that I’ll be daydreaming about every waking hour.
Really, I can’t get over how amazing—and quite unexpected—that was. Just to find her in my room wearing my cowboy hat had me reeling with delight. She looked so irresistibly cute. But to have her lips on mine? Her hand clutching my chest? Her fingers in my hair? Of her own volition? Priceless.
“How am I supposed to leave again, knowing you’re bringing women into your bedroom?”
“It wasn’t like that, Mamm . And that’s the first time Ellie, or any woman besides you and Ivy for that matter, has ever been in my bedroom. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.” I need to change the subject. “When are you going back to Ohio? How’s grossdawdi ?”
Tears glaze Mamm’s eyes. “He’s taken a turn for the worse. I didn’t plan on going back this soon, but I need to be there. Since your grossmammi has dementia, hospice has come to help out. They’re staying at the house until I get back tonight. The driver’s still waiting outside.”
“Tonight? You’re not even staying the night here?”
“That’s what I was coming into your room to tell you, son.” Mamm glances around. “Where’s Ivy? I didn’t see her.”
The last thing I want to do is burden Mamm any further. “She’s not here right now. Was there something you wanted to tell her?”
“When is she coming back?”
“I don’t know. I think it’s going to be awhile.” My description isn’t detailed, but it’s also not a lie. You’re welcome, Ivy. Besides, if Mamm’s not going to be here anyway, Ivy’s absence will be less for her to worry about.
Mamm sighs. “I was hoping to see her too, but I guess it’ll have to be next time. Are things going well here, then?”
“Things are fine, Mamm . Don’t worry about anything here.”
“Well, okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. If Ivy or I need anything, we’ll call. You need to get some rest yourself too, Mamm . Don’t wear yourself ragged. We still need you.”
Mamm pats my cheek. “You’re such a good son. So much like your father.”
At Mamm’s words, I almost tear up. I always looked up to my father when he was alive. And now that I’m the man in charge of the family, I think I appreciate him even more. I never realized how much dat did for all of us. “ Denki .”
Then I watch Mamm as she heads toward the waiting vehicle with an overnight bag over her shoulder. If I would have thought about it, I should have carried it out to the car for her. But it’s too late now.
With Ivy and Mamm both gone, it’ll be lonely for the next couple of nights. The kind of nights that will have me wishing I had a fraa to share them with.
My mind immediately goes back to my time in the bedroom with Ellie and a wave of heat surges through me. Then I smile thinking of my possible future. Our future.