Today's Reading
When his mother tried to hug her, Tabitha had flinched at being touched. Mamm had acted as if nothing was amiss, but Seth had known better. He'd been sure that Tabitha was hiding bruises under the long sleeves of her dress.
Back in those days, Seth had been full of righteous indignation. He'd hated that Leon was mistreating Tabitha and he'd yearned to put a stop to it. But no one had wanted to hear about it. His father had told him not to gossip and his mother had acted shocked that he would mention such a thing. She hadn't looked him in the eye when she'd lectured him, though. Like she was going through the motions. Simply saying the words that should be said. Even when neither of them believed for certain that they were true.
A few months after that, right about the time Seth had come upon Peter Miller assaulting Bethanne Hostetler, accidentally killed him, and then landed in prison, Tabitha lost her baby. His sister, Melonie, had told him all about it. Well, she'd written letter after letter to him while he was in prison. In each one, she'd detailed all the gossip around their former teacher's circumstances. And then Leon had beaten up Tabitha so badly that she'd had to go to the hospital. There, she'd lost a whole lot of blood and her baby too.
Next thing everyone knew, Tabitha had pressed charges and Sheriff Johnson arrested Leon. And then, maybe just a day or two later, Tabitha Yoder was gone and no one saw hide nor hair of her for almost an entire year. Rumor had it that she'd gotten herself a lawyer and divorced Leon.
Melonie wrote that everyone had an opinion about that. Some folks had acted shocked that she would do such a thing. Divorce was forbidden. Melonie had shared that though their mother didn't participate in the gossip, even she had been surprised by Tabitha's actions.
Tabitha hadn't been shunned for filing charges against Leon. No one could find it in their heart to cast out a woman who'd been hurt so much in marriage. However, her decision to hire a lawyer and get a divorce had forced Tabitha to leave their faith. His sister had told him that more than a couple of folks thought Tabitha should've simply remained separated from Leon. After all, if he had apologized and had been arrested and even had to serve six months behind bars, shouldn't she give him another chance?
She had not.
Sitting in a cold cell behind bars, Seth had been so proud of her that he'd written her a note and posted it. She'd never responded, though. He hadn't been surprised. He was a convict, and she'd been a victim of violence. Of course she wouldn't want to have anything to do with him.
Still, her silence hurt. Seth knew in his heart that he was not cut from the same cloth as Leon. He would never hurt a woman, and especially not a woman he cared deeply about. Then again, words didn't mean all that much. Not anymore.
Shaking off the memories, Seth focused on the present. He needed to take care of Tabitha and then get on his way. He was working a construction job on the other side of Marion, and he'd told the foreman he'd put in five or six hours' work in the afternoon. Figuring it was time to go, he picked up several pieces of wood and carried them to her front door.
Just in time for her to open it.
Seth didn't know who was more shocked to realize that after all this time they were only a foot apart.
“Tabitha.”
Her brown eyes widened. “Jah. Um... Good day, Seth.”
She was talking as if they'd been chatting each time he'd come over. Well, he supposed he could play this game too. “Good day to you.” Realizing that he still held the wood in his arms, he walked over to where he usually stacked it. “It's getting colder. I thought you might need more wood today.”
“It's so kind of you to do that.” She watched him neatly stack the logs, then added, “I mean, I'm grateful for all the things you've done for me, Seth. I don't know why you are, but it's appreciated.”
“I have time.” He didn't see the need to mention the obvious—-that no one looked out for her anymore. Sometimes he wondered if anyone ever really had.
“Someone told me that you work at a construction company.”
He nodded. “Porter. I do the carpentry and trim work. I'm heading there now.”
Looking flustered, she stared down at her hands. “Oh, wait a moment, would you? I forgot the item I was going to bring out for you.”
Tabitha didn't wait for his response, just darted back inside the house. Though he still had to fetch the rest of the wood, Seth remained where he was. She was as skittish as a newborn fawn. No way was he going to do anything to make her think he left.
...
