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

but surely he hadn’t been inside while Norman was here.
    â€œI was playing ball, and I bent my finger in my glove.” Noah held up the offending body part.
    â€œHow bad does it hurt?” Katie took his hand and turned it over. Redness spread from the joint to the fingertip, but it wasn’t bleeding.
    Noah tried to smile. “It’s not too bad, but I didn’t want to continue playing. Not until it feels better anyway.”
    Katie let go of his hand. “We’ll pray it gets better really fast, okay? And you need to be more careful with those fast balls. Was it one of the big boys batting?”
    Noah nodded and added, “It was Lester. But it’s worth playing ball even if you get a little hurt once in awhile.”
    Katie smiled and rumpled Noah’s hair. How like life, she thought. It was worth living even if you received a few bruises along the way. And Norman would be worth it in the end. But she’d have to get used to his anger. What a surprise that was. Did he have these outbursts often? If he did, this might be something she could work on with him. Perhaps she could help Norman get over them.
    And tonight she would have to temper her own anger when she spoke with Mabel. Mabel was certainly going to get a talkingto. This tale-spreading from Mabel couldn’t be allowed to pass without a strong rebuke. Passing around family information to aid one’s own position was not Christian. What did Mabel expect from her actions? That she’d break up Norman and Katie’s relationship? Mamm and Jesse should probably be brought in on this too.
    Noah was pulling on her sleeve with his uninjured hand. He interrupted her thoughts. “What did Norman want this morning? He looked upset when I walked past him.”
    â€œHe just needed to speak with me.” Katie smiled down at him.
    â€œHe’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?”
    Katie’s smile broadened. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Noah.”
    He grinned. “You’re a little too old for me. But you used to date my brother.”
    â€œ Yah , before your brother got into so much trouble.”
    He looked away for a minute before continuing. “We visited Ben a couple of nights ago at the hospital. I heard him tell Mamm you stopped by.”
    â€œ Yah , I did.”
    Noah shrugged. “I think Ben still likes you.”
    â€œWell…” Katie tousled his hair again. “It’s about time for school to start,” she said, hoping to end the conversation.
    Noah wasn’t deterred. “You ought to stop by again sometime. Ben’s really feeling low. I’d like to see him cheered up some.”
    â€œ Nee , it wouldn’t be right for me to do that, Noah. I’m dating Norman now.”
    â€œBut you could still stop by. Ben is quite blue.”
    Katie forced a smile. Noah had only his brother’s welfare on his mind and meant no harm. “It’s time for me to ring the bell, but thank you for the invitation. It’s kind of you to think of your brother’s well-being.”
    Noah nodded but he looked quite sorrowful.
    Katie left him to grab the bell and lean out the window. She rang the bell vigorously. The students came pouring in, finding their way to their desks. When things quieted down, Katie opened the Bible storybook and read a short piece, followed by leading the class in prayer.
    She was still thinking about Ben when the five first-graders came to the front. They sat down with their readers open on their laps. Katie stared at them vacantly. She was seeing Ben’s pale face lying on the hospital bed pillow. His eyes were closed, and he was alone. The children’s rustling feet interrupted her thoughts, and Katie jerked back to the present. She gave them all a quick smile. “Are we ready to learn more words today?”
    They looked hesitant but tried to smile.
    Katie forced herself to focus. “You’re going to do great