Three
Drawing a deep calming breath, Lillian returned to the schoolroom determined to be pleasant to Miss Merrick. She would apologize to Timothy soon. Perhaps she could think of an excuse to visit the Bowman household after school tonight and find a way to speak to Timothy alone. And then again, maybe she was being foolish. Their friendship was surely strong enough to weather one disagreement. Wasn’t it? She didn’t need to run after him and beg his forgiveness.
Inside the school, she helped Debra set up the eye charts. Together, they taped off the correct distance on the floor where the children were to stand. Suddenly, the outside door burst open, and Lillian’s little sister Amanda raced in.
Spying Lillian, the four-year-old dashed across the room and threw her arms around Lillian’s legs. “Shveshtah, I koom to visit you at schule. Teach me something?”
Tiny for her age, Amanda had been born with dwarfism. Her arms and legs were short, but her body was near normal in size. Her blond hair was fine and straight as wheat straw with wisps of it peeking from beneath her white kapp.
Lillian scooped the child up in her arms and settled her at her hip. “The first thing my scholars learn is to be quiet in the classroom. No shouting. No running.”
Amanda’s smile faded. “I was bad, wasn’t I?”
Lillian nodded. “A little.”
The outside door opened again and Lillian’s father, Eldon Keim, came in, his face set in stern lines. Something must be wrong.
Miss Merrick gave Amanda a bright smile. “Is this your daughter?”
“Amanda is my sister.” Lillian introduced her father to Miss Merrick.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr. Keim, and you, Amanda.” Debra held out her hand to the child.
Amanda shyly shook it.
Debra’s smile widened. “I have a brother who is a little person. His name is Brandon. He has cartilage-hair hypoplasia.”
A rush of empathy caused Lillian to look kindly at Debra. Here was someone who understood the challenging life her little sister faced. “That is exactly what Amanda has.”
“I mentioned my family has Amish ancestors. I’m sure you know CCH is one of the more common types of dwarfism among the Amish. I wish Brandon could meet Amanda. He loves children, especially little-people children. He and his wife have adopted two children with dwarfism. He’s a professor of agriculture at Ohio Central University. I know that sounds like a stuffy job, but he’s not a bit stuffy.”
Her father spoke quietly in Pennsylvania Dutch. “I’m going into town. Your mother said you needed something.”
“Ja, I have two library books that are due back today. Can you drop them off for me?” It would save her a long walk this evening. Bless her mother for thinking of it.
“Fetch them quickly.”
She put Amanda down, hurried to her desk and returned with both volumes. “Danki.”
He scanned the titles and frowned. “Are these proper reading for an Amish woman?”
Lillian was glad he’d kept the conversation in Pennsylvania Deitsch. It stung that he didn’t trust her judgment, but as a minister of the church, he had to make sure his family obeyed the Ordnung, the rules of the church. The books were teaching guides for elementary science, a subject she struggled to understand and teach. “They were recommended to me at the last teachers’ conference I attended. What’s wrong, Daed?”
He tucked the books under his arm. “I received a letter today from my sister in Wisconsin. My onkel Albert is gravely ill and wishes to see me. We are leaving tonight. I must speak with the bishop and let him know I won’t be preaching with him on Sunday.”
“I’m so sorry. Is Amanda going with you?”
“Nee, your mother and I think it best she stay at home with you and Jeremiah. Can she spend the rest of the afternoon with you today?”
Lillian winked at Amanda. “She isn’t old enough to start school.”
“If it is a problem, she can come with me to the bishop’s home,” he said.
Amanda’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. The bishop was a kindly man, but his stern countenance and booming voice had frightened the child once and she remained leery of him.
Planting her hands on her hips, Lillian pretended to consider the situation, then finally nodded and smiled. “Ja, she can stay with me.”
After her father left, Debra took a tentative step closer. “Is something wrong?”
Realizing Debra hadn’t understood their exchange, Lillian explained. “My father has been called to his uncle’s deathbed in Wisconsin. He and my mother must make arrangements to travel there as soon as possible.”
“They can’t go that far by horse and buggy, can they?”
“They will hire a driver to take them. We are not allowed to own cars, but we are not forbidden to ride in them. Many local people earn extra money by driving their Amish neighbors when there is a need.”
“I see. I’m sorry your father’s uncle is so ill.” Debra laid a hand on Lillian’s shoulder. Lillian was surprised by the sincere sympathy in her eyes.
“He has lived a long full life.” Lillian recalled with fondness her great-uncle’s gnarled hands and his toothless grin. He kept a tall glass jar by his chair and he always had a licorice twist to share with her and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was sad to think of his passing, but she knew he was ready to go home.
Debra stepped back. “I should get to work. Will the children have trouble understanding me? I know you speak a different language.”
“Only the youngest will have trouble. Start with the upper grades today. They have all had eye exams before.”
Lillian settled Amanda on a seat by her desk and gave her several picture books to look at while she finished grading the spelling tests from the day before. Debra was only halfway through the eye exams when it was time to dismiss for the day.
Lillian looked out over the classroom. “Put your books away and quietly get your coats.”
Abe and Gabriel rushed to the cloakroom and then dashed out the door before she could stop them. She couldn’t very well chase after them. She would have to deal with their disrespectful attitude tomorrow. This couldn’t continue.
She walked to the door and held it open. “Children, you are dismissed.”
The rest of the children filed outside in an orderly manner that lasted only until they reached the final step on the porch. After that, they bolted like young colts being let out to pasture. Childish laughter and shouts filled the air as they said goodbye to each other and to her. For Lillian, there was always a sense of relief followed by a small letdown when they were gone from her sight. They were hers for seven hours each day, but none of them belonged to her.
Thankfully, she had Amanda. Her baby sister was as close as Lillian would ever come to having a child of her own. She looked toward her desk and saw Amanda was sharing her picture book with Debra.
“What is this?” Debra asked, pointing to the page. She had taken a seat on the floor by the child’s chair.
Amanda said, “Dess ist ein gaul.”
“Gaul. That must mean horse. Am I right?” Debra looked to Lillian for confirmation. She nodded.
“And this?” Debra pointed to the page again.
“Hund.”
“So dog is hund.”
Amanda grinned and turned the page. She pointed and said, “Hohna.”
“Chicken is