The Miting by Dee Yoder Page A

parents were extra-absorbed in their scrambled eggs when she came to the table. No one lifted their eyes to greet her. Something was wrong. She tried to catch Ada’s eyes, but she uncharacteristically kept her gaze averted.
    “Good morning, Maem and Daet. ”
    Maem looked up, and the pain Leah saw on her face made her stomach drop. Something was definitely going on, but Maem said nothing beyond “ Gut morgen. ”
    Leah ate her breakfast in silence, and for once, Ada was anxious to be off to school. She hurried through her breakfast and left. By the time Ada was gone and Benny had wiped the last of the jelly toast from his chin, grabbed his books, and dashed out the door, Leah was a nervous wreck. Neither of her parents said anything to her, and she wondered if someone had told them about her visit to the Bible study.
    Once the three were alone in the kitchen, Leah stood to wash the dishes but Daet motioned for her to sit back down. Her parents’ expressions were grim and serious.
    Daet fiddled with his beard and sighed. He shook his head. “Leah, I’m not going to beat around the bush. The bishop came by this morning and told me someone saw you getting into Abe Troyer’s truck last night. He said Martha was in there, too. I’ll not waste time asking you if this is true. What I am going to ask you is why and where did you go?” Daet ’s eyes never wavered from his daughter’s face, and his expression warned her not to even try denying it. She dropped her eyes, acknowledging the truth.
    “I’m sorry, Daet, Maem . I went to the Schrocks’ Bible study, and well, Martha said she would give me a ride with Abe, so—”
    “So you rode in the truck to an Englisher Bible study, and you lied and told your Maem you were going to Sara’s place. Is that right?” Daet ’s voice was steely.
    “ Ja , and I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you, Daet —and you, Maem —but I did try to ask. I wanted to do it with your permission.”
    “You wanted to go to an Englisher ’s place—especially that man’s house—and you thought Maem and I should allow it? And since we didn’t, you lied and went anyway?” Daet reiterated, his anger growing.
    “It isn’t that I wanted to disobey, but I do want to learn more about the Bible, and it is the only Bible study I can go to. None of the Amish have one.”
    Daet stood, pushing back his chair with force. “And may I remind you , young lady, that our church Ordnung does not encourage group Bible studies. You know that, Leah. We prefer to teach our own families in our own homes. And nowhere is there something that allows for you to be in a group of Englishers studying the Bible. It is forbidden for you to have that kind of connection. Forbidden! And to go to the Schrocks, of all people—the very people the bishop warned us about. You heard him yourself. That Matthew Schrock helps the youth leave their families and disobey their parents. He is a very bad influence, no matter how nice he seems.” Daet was pacing back and forth, his face puffed with anger.
    “ Daet , he and Naomi are good people, and all they’ve ever tried to do is to help me. I promise that’s all.”
    He rushed to her, raising the flat of his hand as though to strike her. Leah flinched just as Daet caught himself and stopped. He swallowed a couple of times, obviously trying to control his rage at her disobedience and her defense of the Schrocks.
    “I can guarantee that if you’re with them for long, you’ll want to leave, too. No!” He shook his head vigorously. “I have to be strong with you and forbid you to go to any more of these … these … Bible study things. No more, Leah. Furthermore, Bishop Miller will be watching you to make sure the Schrocks and Martha don’t influence you again.”
    He towered over her. His wrath, spurred by disappointment, scared her in its intensity. “This is your last chance to do the right thing, Leah. The last warning.”
    She lowered her chin, trying not to notice the