Miriam's Secret by Jerry S. Eicher Read Free Book Online

shouldn’t go into Berlin any more, Shirley. Not for a long time. You need to stay away from the temptation to see this young man.”
    Alarm rushed through her. “But I have to help with the shopping! I’m the one who always makes…”
    â€œShirley!” Mamm cut her off. “ Daett is right. And the way you’re reacting right now is all the sign we need to know this is the way it should be. Miriam will do the shopping tomorrow,and then we’ll consider what we’ll do from there. No hardship on us is too much if it helps keep you safe from temptation.”
    Shirley swallowed hard. Mamm was right. If there was anything that judged where her heart lay, it was the pain running through her right now at the thought of not seeing Jonas tomorrow. Mamm looked at her as if she knew Shirley’s thoughts. But thankfully no one said anything. They were kind to her, much more than what she deserved. Somehow she would have to get over Jonas Beachy.
    Daett cleared his throat again. “And then there’s the matter of our faith, Shirley. I know you’re only seventeen, so perhaps you don’t see the seriousness of this situation. Love will not cover the vast differences between the Beachy family and ours when it comes to what we believe. They aren’t Amish anymore. They’re not even of the conservative Mennonite faith. Did you know that, Shirley?” Daett paused, but then continued when she didn’t answer. “Not that I want you to marry a Mennonite. The Beachys have left the faith of our fathers completely. Please keep that in mind. I know this can be hard in matters of the heart, but you must pay heed, Shirley. These things must be remembered even in your rumspringa time.”
    â€œI know.” Shirley hung her head again.
    Silence followed. Am I allowed to go? Shirley wondered. Is Daett finished? She took a quick glance toward her daett. His head was bowed and his lips were moving. He’s praying, she realized. More pangs ran through her chest. Daett ’s sorrow over her misdeeds was indeed great. She ought to say something that would help ease everyone’s mind, but the only words she could think of would sound empty.
    â€œYou may go now, Shirley,” Mamm said.
    Shirley rose, followed by Miriam. The two girls made theirway upstairs to the bedroom they shared. Once they were behind the closed bedroom door, Shirley faced Miriam and said in a low voice, “You didn’t say anything.”
    â€œWhat could I say?” Miriam sat on her single bed with a sigh. “You know it’s going to be hard for you to keep your promise.”
    Tears burned in Shirley’s eyes. “You think I don’t know that?”
    â€œI wish there was some way it could be different. That the money situation here at home would ease.” Miriam appeared genuinely concerned as she continued. “I know that bothers you much more than it does me.”
    â€œWhy can’t I be more like you?” Shirley’s question hung in the air.
    Miriam shot her a quick glance. “We’re all different, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
    â€œThat’s kind of you to say,” Shirley replied with a rueful smile. “But when ‘different’ involves such temptations as Jonas Beachy and money, there is a problem.”
    Miriam reached over and touched Shirley’s shoulder. “Maybe we’d better get some sleep. A good night’s rest will be good for both of us. Morning will come soon enough.” She blew out the kerosene lamp and was soon in bed under the covers.
    Shirley lay fully dressed on top of the quilt on her bed. The day had been a long one for all of them—Miriam especially. Long day or not, Shirley had no desire to sleep. Thoughts of Jonas wouldn’t stop. And the awful truth was that she didn’t want them to stop—even though she knew that in the long run the life Mamm and Daett had together