The Miting by Dee Yoder Read Free Book Online Page A

Abner? You live in the same house.”
    “Abe took me to town. I told him I wanted a lock for my bedroom door. Now I lock that door every night.”
    “You said you’re worried about your sisters. Has he bothered them since you’ve locked him out?”
    “They’re too young! He wouldn’t!”
    Leah could see that Martha hoped her words were true.
    “If he marries soon, they’ll be safe.” Martha’s voice wavered.
    Leah couldn’t imagine the pain her friend was going through—violated by her own stepbrother! How could Anna Mast allow such a thing?

    Everything changed for Leah after Martha revealed her secret. She spent nights wondering how Martha could stand living in her home, day after day after day. She was furious with Daet when he showed an unforgiving attitude toward her friend. She fought the urge to scream, “Don’t you know what she’s going through?”
    On a day not long after the frolic, Martha dropped off a couple of dozen sugar cookies she’d baked. Leah’s family was in the living room when she came, and Leah was dismayed when Daet took the plate of cookies without so much as a simple thanks. Even Maem frowned as she watched him leave for the kitchen without a backward glance at Martha.
    Leah clenched her hands, remembering Daet ’s rudeness. Sometimes she tried to justify his behavior by reminding herself he had no idea what was going on in Martha’s home. Her sacrifice for her sisters by remaining in that home went totally unnoticed by everyone—everyone but Abe and Martha, Leah, and Anna Mast. And Abner.

    One night, as she lay in bed thinking of Martha, Leah remembered the pamphlet she’d been given by the Schrocks. She crawled out of bed and crept across the cold floor to the dresser, rummaging through her drawers until she found the pamphlet. She took it to the window and pulled back the curtain. As she scanned the brochure, she squinted in the dim light to read the paragraphs, looking for a line she recalled reading once before. There it was: Mission to Amish People provides counseling to those who have been victims of sexual abuse.
    “God, if You hear me, please help me know what to do. Help me know what to say to Martha. Please, God.” Tears slid down her cheeks as she slipped back to bed with a strong resolve to tell Maem everything tomorrow. She’d promised Martha she wouldn’t tell, but she couldn’t bear this burden alone. Someone else had to be told what was going on in the Mast home. Surely, the church and the bishop would help Martha once they knew what was happening.
    She closed her eyes, but Abner’s angry face filled her thoughts. Her heart pounded when she recalled his features as he struck his stepsister. He was evil, and Martha needed her help. She needed God’s help. “Where are You, God?”

    Morning came and, with it, a brilliant sun burning through the limp curtains at her window. Leah squinted as she rolled out of bed. Her limbs were leaden as she slowly dressed, pulling the hot modesty slip on first and then her dress. The straight pins she used to close her dress pricked her shaking fingers, and she sighed in frustration. What was so sinful about buttons?
    Finally, she had her hair up and pinned smoothly. She pulled the apron over her head last and leaned down to tie the laces on heavy black shoes.
    Maem was pulling bread out of the wood-fired oven as she came into the kitchen. The smells wafted over her, her stomach growling in anticipation. Maem pointed to two thick pieces of fresh bread, lightly toasted. A pot of apple butter sat nearby, enticing her to spread the thick, sweet confection on the warm toast. Her six-year-old brother, Benny, had finished his oatmeal, and Maem rushed him along so he wouldn’t be late for school as Ada came into the kitchen to grab her light cape off the hook by the back door.
    “Get your lunch, Benny, now hurry!” Maem prompted.
    The commotion of the departing siblings kept Leah’s mind occupied while she slathered apple