She had managed to keep how she’d felt that morning to herself, shielding others from knowing it seemed nearly like a betrayal to her for Evan to have abandoned the teaching of his childhood. Leaving Amish life behind . . .

Ellie mailed a letter to Evan the following Monday. She wondered when she might hear from him. How busy was he at basic training?

Only recently had Jonah told her that when Dat paid Evan for his work just before he left, he had included a generous amount extra. Another kind deed from Dat in spite of the circumstances, she thought, glad for her father’s kind heart.

18

A full week later, October fifth, Ellie still had no reply from Evan. But she had decided to try something new.

Without telling her father, she headed to town with a dozen bushels of apples, making a beeline for a restaurant that had been open less than a year. She prayed that God would help her have a winning way with the owner, like Evan always seemed to with their accounts. Once she got over her nerves and even offered apple samples to taste, the amenable middle-aged man purchased three bushels on the spot. He also asked to be on their regular customer list, then suggested another larger restaurant she might want to stop by. “My cousin’s place,” he said. “Be sure to tell him I sent you.”

Greatly encouraged, she drove the spring wagon straight to the next restaurant, ever so thankful and excited to tell Dat the news.

When she returned home, Ellie found her longed-for letter from Evan. Tears of joy sprang to her eyes as she hurried to the house to announce it to Mamm, who smiled and placed her hand on her chest.

“Praise be to God!” she whispered.

Ellie sat at the table and opened the envelope, wishing there was another letter from Evan for Dat and Mamm.

“Why don’t ya read it first, then tell me what you’d like to share,” Mamm said.

Ellie nodded at the suggestion and began to read, her hands trembling a little.

Dear Ellie,

Thanks for your great letter! I enjoyed getting it—read every word. I’ll try to answer quicker next time. Since I don’t have a lot of time right now, I probably won’t be able to write Mamm and Dat today, too, so go ahead and pass on whatever I’ve written here that you think won’t alarm them.

Nearly within the first hour after I arrived at camp, my head was shaved down to my scalp and all my personal possessions were taken away and replaced with army-issued items like toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a comb. Then came a whole batch of required shots in my arm and more tests. I didn’t feel like myself at all.