36. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
E lijah was walking down a long road with trees on either side. Sometimes, there was sun, and sometimes, it was night, sometimes it was uphill, and sometimes down, but the road went on and on. It seemed to be endless. There was no destination. There was only the road, and Elijah felt as though he could walk forever.
Then he realized he was walking with someone. Someone was there, to his left. Someone's hand was warm in his. It made him immeasurably happy that he shared this road with another. Not just another, but someone very, very dear to him. His heart burned with love. But when he turned his head to look, there was no one there.
Then Jon was in front of him, five paces down the road. It was Jon, but he was older, an old man, still sturdy and thin and handsome, but gray shuttered the brilliance of his black hair, and his face was lined.
Jon smiled and held out his hand.
Elijah was silent at breakfast, still lost in the dream. Had it been a dream? Or a vision? It had been so clear. He could still picture Jon. Old Jon. His eyes had been so warm and loving. Elijah ached for that Jon, to be seen and loved like that.
"Hope you're not feelin' poorly," Samuel said.
Elijah blinked and looked around. Samuel was nearly done with his eggs and toast, and he was giving Elijah a questioning look.
"Oh. I'm fine. Just daydreamin'." Elijah took a bite of his eggs.
Beyond the kitchen's large windows, it was still dark outside. This time of year, the days were short and cold. It was usually just Elijah and Samuel up this early. Jolie was not an early riser, and there was no need for Eddie to be up before dawn.
Anxiety prickled the back of Elijah's neck, but he spoke up anyway. "When you and Eddie became a couple, who courted who?"
Samuel put down his cup a little too hard, and it clattered on the counter. "Uh… well. I guess… why'd you ask?"
He seemed so uncomfortable, Elijah felt bad. "It's not important. Never mind." He focused on his food, but he could feel Samuel looking at him.
"I 'spose it was me," Samuel said hesitantly. "Guess Eddie never would have made the first move."
"Because you're Amish?" Elijah looked up anxiously.
Samuel considered it and nodded. "Ja. And because, to Eddie, I was the hired help. I mean, he kinda liked me, but he told himself not to."
Elijah sighed. It sounded too familiar. "I feel like the English don't respect us. Because we aren't as book educated, and we don't know TV shows, and movies, and gadgets, and all the things they grew up with."
"That's so. But there's a lot we know that they don't. Practical things. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not equal ’cause you didn't go to college or grow up with a TV. You've got skills and experience that's just as valuable. More even." Samuel suddenly grinned. "Eddie always says I'd be his first pick in an apocalypse. Most English'd have no idea how to survive a week without their gadgets. Or how to raise food or build a barn."
"That's true." It did make Elijah feel better.
Samuel took his last bite of toast and stood up. He was about to get on with chores, and Elijah was desperate to know more.
"But how did you… how did you tell Eddie? I mean, how did you change his mind and make him see you different?"
Samuel froze and his eyes went hazy, as if he was remembering the past. His cheeks flushed pink. "Er. Well." He cleared his throat. "Sometimes, people can overthink things. Their head gets in the way, all the reasons why not to do somethin'. Sometimes, it’s best to let the body take over, and just do what comes natural."
He muttered something about chores and hurried to the mud room. Elijah heard him put on his coat and leave out the back door.
He ought to go help Samuel. But Elijah sat for a few minutes longer, sipping his coffee and thinking over what Samuel had said.