Chapter 28 #2
Becky grinned and then said, “Anyway, Ike and I took one look at each other and it was love at first sight. We sold our cars, took the membership class, joined the church, and then married.” Becky brushed her hands together. “And that’s that.”
“Forty-seven years next month of that’s that.” Ike stood in the doorway. Was that a tear in his eye? He looked at Joanna. “She might not give me chips, but she’s given me everything else I’ve ever wanted.”
As Lu and Joanna walked home late in the afternoon, Lu felt anxious about the upcoming confrontation with Nehemiah. Would Joanna stand up to him? Could he somehow force her to go with him?
Joanna broke the silence. “So what makes a marriage work?”
“Liewi,” Lu answered. “Love is what makes it all work. And you have to nurture that love throughout your entire relationship.”
“That’s interesting. It seems as if everyone focuses on commitment. Dat said once he thought any Amishman and Amishwoman who were committed to each other and Gott could make a marriage work.”
Lu’s nostrils flared as she exhaled. She’d heard that sort of thing before. “When Marcus and I were courting, our bishop said essentially the same thing, but I disagreed. I couldn’t have made a marriage with Daniel work.”
Joanna laughed. “What about Dawdi Hiram?”
“Nee.” Lu shook her head and put up one hand. “Nothing against Hiram.”
“What about Ike?”
Lu chuckled. “Definitely not, as much as I care about him. Ike was absolutely made for Becky.”
“Who married first?”
“Becky and Ike. Becky did everything first in our group.” Lu paused for a minute before she added, “Love is what matters, but so does Freindschaft. You have to have both. I believe it’s a solid friendship that gets you through the years.
Life can be hard—marriage should make it easier.
” She felt the lump forming in her throat and the tears pooling in her eyes. “Marcus was my best friend.”
“Wait. I thought Becky is your best friend.”
“Best girlfriend. Your Dawdi Marcus was my very best best friend.”
“Really?” Joanna switched the basket to her other arm. “A better friend than Becky?”
“Really. Becky is my oldest friend, but I could trust Marcus about everything. He’d tease me to make me laugh—but never to embarrass me.
He always had my best interest at heart.
He never competed with me. He always listened.
This might sound like a given, but he took such good care of me after each of our babies was born.
” Lu thought for a moment. “He encouraged me to grow and sell flowers. He never minded our kitchen had flowers and herbs hanging from the ceiling. Marcus was always there for me, prioritizing my needs and interests.”
“Aww,” Joanna said, smiling down at her grandmother. “I love that.”
Lu nodded. “Wait for a man who is a good friend first and then see if the two of you fall in love. That’s the kind of man you can rely on. That’s the kind of husband you want.” She laughed. “Love at first sight worked for Becky and Ike, but it doesn’t work for everyone.”
Joanna slowed a little more to match Lu’s pace.
“I know my parents are committed to each other—but Dat’s so wrapped up in his own ideas and dreams and projects that they don’t spend as much time together as you and Dawdi did.
I don’t think Dat’s a good partner to Mamm, a good support. I don’t want that.”
Lu understood what Joanna was saying, but she countered it with “You never know exactly what goes on between two people when they’re alone.”
“That’s true.” Joanna sighed. “I feel so unsettled about my life right now, about my future.”
“Jah, of course you feel unsettled. But also remember you’re resilient—and being resilient can feel unsettling. But eventually things will stabilize. You’re strong. Right now you might not feel that way, but you will again. In fact, you will feel stronger—because you will be stronger.”
They’d reached Lu’s driveway. Two figures sat on the porch.
Lu squinted. “Can you tell who’s here?”
“Dat and—” Joanna hesitated. “Is it Jacob?”
Lu bit her tongue to keep from saying she hoped not.
Joanna sounded relieved as she said, “It’s Adam.”
Nehemiah stood. “Jo, we only have a few minutes. Get your things!”
Joanna didn’t respond and continued walking at Lu’s pace.
“Hurry!” Nehemiah stepped off the porch. Adam stood and leaned against the railing.
“Our ride will be here any minute,” Nehemiah said. They’d nearly reached him. “Adam came to tell you goodbye.”
Lu’s heart skipped a beat, and she put her hand to her chest. What did Joanna plan to do? Nehemiah was like a bundle of clean and dirty laundry all mixed together, the good and the bad. She needed Gott to sort him out—it was beyond her.
They’d reached the steps to the porch. Joanna stopped and so did Lu. Joanna, her voice firm, said, “I’m not going.”
“What do you mean you’re not going? Of course you’re going. We already figured this out. You decided to go.” Nehemiah was clearly upset.
“You decided.” Joanna stood tall. “I never intended to go. I’m staying here.”
Lu exhaled the pent-up breath she just realized she’d been holding.
A vehicle turned down the driveway. A van.
“Our ride is here.” Nehemiah sounded frantic. “Go pack your clothes. You still have time.”
Joanna shook her head. Nehemiah glared at her, but she didn’t budge. He stepped back onto the porch, grabbed his bag, and brushed past Joanna as he said, “Machs gut, Luanna. Suz will write soon.”
Lu shook her head. She’d been waiting nearly thirty years for Nehemiah to grow up. It wasn’t going to happen. “Make it good, Nehemiah,” she parroted in English. “I’ll write back.”
Once he’d climbed into the van, Joanna turned her attention to Adam. “Did you come to see me off?”
“Nee. Of course not.” He leaned toward her over the railing. “I didn’t come to tell you goodbye, although your Dat assumed that. I came to give you moral support in case you decided to stay.”
Gratitude filled Lu. She’d been annoyed with Becky for wanting to matchmake, but she couldn’t help but agree with her friend. Adam and Joanna were good for each other. And, it seemed, they were friends. Maybe even good friends.
“Adam,” Lu said, “I made meatloaf this morning. All I need to do is boil the potatoes. Will you have supper with us?”
His eyes danced as he smiled. “I will.”