Katie's Forever Promise by Jerry S. Eicher Page A

should be given that chance, and Jesse concurred. Ben was injured severely, you know. And one never knows when Da Hah will call a person home. Ben wanted to make peace with me and Da Hah , and I needed to give him that opportunity. Surely you can understand that.”
    â€œHow do I know what you say is true?” Norman snapped. “Am I supposed to ask Willis what happened when you spoke with Ben? And besides, that’s not the issue. It’s how things look. Now I’ll be seen as dating Ben’s ex-girlfriend who can’t seem to stay away from him. That’s how it appears to the community. You’re making a fool out of me, Katie Raber. Is this what Mabel meant by your sneaky ways?”
    Katie paused. This seemed so unlike the Norman she knew. “Is this your way of telling me you’re not going to see me again? That you’re ashamed of me?”
    Norman glanced up for a moment, taking in the tears on her cheeks. “Katie…Katie…please…of course I’m not saying that. I don’t start something without finishing it. But I needed to know whether this was true, and I needed to hear again that you are over that drug-dealing Ben Stoll.”
    â€œWell, it is true I went to see him in the hospital…” Katie let the statement hang.
    Norman hesitated before drawing himself up to full height. “I don’t want you speaking with Ben Stoll ever again, Katie.”
    â€œI wasn’t planning to, Norman. I won’t be seeing him.”
    â€œStill, you must promise me.”
    â€œBut what if I see Ben in church? I have to say gut morning to him. It wouldn’t be Christian not to.”
    Norman frowned. “That’s something you won’t have to worry about. Daett is going to speak with Bishop Miller this morning. Ben will be asked to leave the community at once, before he can bring more shame on all of us.”
    â€œHe’s leaving? But where is he to go? We can’t just drive him away. He’s not in the bann . That takes a vote by the church members.”
    â€œDon’t worry about Ben, Katie. He’s not your responsibility. Others who know better will take care of him. I can only say that on my part I’m just glad he’ll be gone.”
    He moved a step away, her need to promise apparently forgotten. He suddenly turned on his heels. Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “I’ll see you Sunday then, Katie.”
    â€œBut Norman!” Katie stopped him midstride. “What about us? You can’t just come in here, yell at me, and then leave. What am I supposed to think?”
    He gave her a weak smile. “Everything’s okay, Katie. At least you didn’t lie to me. And Ben will soon be gone.”
    Everything was not okay, Katie thought as she watched him walk out to his buggy. She ached in her heart over this. It was even more painful as she realized she couldn’t imagine Ben walking out like that—not after chewing her out over some matter. In fact, she couldn’t imagine Ben talking to her in that manner at all. But Norman wasn’t Ben. And Norman wasn’t deceiving her by hiding some awful sin as Ben had done. She ought to feel thankful for Norman’s care. Yet the truth was that she didn’t.
    How had things come to this awful state? By Ben’s actions, of course. And now everyone involved with him was reapingthe bitter harvest. If Ben had to leave the community, there was no one he could blame but himself. And she had no reason to hold anything against either Norman or his daett for wanting that. No doubt they were trying to deal with things as best they knew how. They were trying to stop evil from doing even more damage. If their methods seemed harsh, she would have to refrain from judging.
    A soft step coming from the closet area turned her around. “Well, Noah, where did you come from?”
    Had Ben’s brother overheard the conversation? He appeared troubled,