Father and son sat at the table and talked. John’s siblings joined in. They were much older, now grown, but had to stay to look after their father. “Is the Bishop so determined in his mind that there is no way I could ever be welcomed back?” Asked John.
“Son, you know the history of our church. You know that when a person is excommunicated it is a strong and nearly permanent severance from the community. I would never say there is not hope though. There have been instances when a person was welcomed back in.”
“And under what circumstances? What did the person have to do to be welcomed back?” Asked John. He wondered if he had made the wrong decision in coming here.
“You know what we believe, my son. You know that we value work and contributing to the community. We are not allowed to have insurance, even, because we are to depend on each other for help. That is our way of life, it will never change.” Jeremiah got a glass of water. “Think of the negative impact you have had. How would the Bishop know that you were not going to continue in your destructive ways. How could I know that you are changed.” Jeremiah lowered his head in sadness. “Our austere life makes us who we are. We are simple folk, and we do not question much. If we did, we would not be who we are. I think that tomorrow you should go to the Bishop and talk with him. I do not know what he will say, but there is always a chance.”
“I will do that,” said John. “But for now, let us have one more night like old times. It would do me more good than you could imagine.”
Jeremiah agreed. He stoked the fire, warming the house. The whole family sang songs together, and enjoyed the breaking of bread. Jeremiah wished that his son could stay. It would give him a sense of peace in his life, that what was lost has been restored. But there was also a part of him that didn’t know if he could ever forgive his son. He hoped that the bishop would agree to letting his son live with him. Even if he didn’t, Jeremiah knew he would still let his son stay, even if it was in secret.
John slept on the couch that night. Amish beds are not known for their comfort, let alone their couches. It was very stiff, but it was home. He was now with the plain folk that he had grown up with. He looked around the dark room, barely illuminated by the moonlight that seeped through the windows. There were no pictures on the walls, no colors of any kind beside grey and white and black. There was nothing that would promote vanity.
It was the exact opposite of what John had gotten used to during his time in the city. The Amish desired humility above all else. They desired to spend their lives seeking God, and not vain entertainment. John thought back to the stories he had heard as a kid. He remembered studying the Bible every day. There was something about it. Something that spoke to him. He couldn’t put his finger on it. As he thought about these things, he grew tired and drifted into deep sleep.
Mary wore the same clothes that she always wore, it made things simple. The gathering that she was going to was to be at the Bishop’s house. Amish never get together for parties or festivals, so an event like this was something to get excited about. Mary knew that the men would gather and talk about the community and ways to improve life. She wished that her father were there. He would be able to talk to the Bishop about needing money. But if her father were there she wouldn’t need money.
She wanted to spend her time talking with Samuel, but now she didn’t know if he felt the same way anymore. Besides, he would be busy talking with the other men.
“Are you ready, Mary?” asked her mama.
“Yes, mama, I will be right out,” she said.
Sarah and her little sister Ruth got inside the Buggy. The bishop lived about five miles away, so the trip would take about half an hour. Sarah and her mother knew they wouldn’t discuss the matters of the farm with her little sister sitting there. She was too young to be burdened with the realities of adult life.
The sun was still out, as the Amish rarely stayed up past sundown. Sarah tried to enjoy the scenery but it was difficult for her. It was difficult because of the heavy burden she carried. She wondered if this would always be the case, that she would never truly be happy again.
The Bishop lived in a larger home than the rest of the plain folk. It was not that he wanted to flaunt his wealth, but for purely practical reasons; as many social events took place there. Mary and her mother hitched the buggy out front. A few other families had already arrived, and there were a few more yet to come.
John sat, waiting for the Bishop. He had lived long enough in the Amish community to know what to expect. He would be interviewed and the Bishop would try to make a determination of if he was fit to return. The Bishoped entered the room.