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guess. It’s nothing.”
    â€œHmm.”
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œI don’t know what to tell you.”
    â€œOh.”
    Yet another change in grip. “I suppose you could call him.”
    I scratched my neck. “I suppose.”
    â€œYou don’t want to?”
    â€œI want him to call me back. I don’t want to be the girlfriend who has to call constantly to get her boyfriend to return a call.”
    â€œI don’t think two calls equals
constantly
.”
    â€œYou know what I mean.”
    â€œIt’s up to you.”
    â€œIs there much cell service at your parents’ place?”
    â€œSometimes. Sometimes not.”
    â€œServes him right.”
    As we pulled into the long drive toward the farmhouse, Levi pointed ahead. “Look.”
    I squinted. “What is that?”
    â€œYour welcoming committee.”
    As we approached the house, I could see what he’d been pointing at. Arow of children stood like sentries outside, facing us. “Those aren’t all your siblings, are they?”
    He laughed. “No. Some neighbor kids are mixed in there. They’re all going to be very curious about you.”
    â€œHence the lineup and the stare down?”
    â€œExactly.”
    I smiled at the kids as Levi pulled the truck around to the side. Martha came around to meet us, a cautious smile on her lips.
    â€œThanks for doing this, Mom,” Levi said after he climbed down from the cab.
    â€œYour father believes this will be a good experience for everybody.”
    â€œIs he home yet?”
    â€œSoon.” She turned to me. “Come along inside, Jayne. I will show you around the house.”
    â€œGo ahead,” Levi said. “I’ll put your bike in the shed and bring in your bags.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t need a hand?” I asked.
    â€œIf I do I’ll find Samuel or Amos. Don’t worry. I’ll catch up.”
    I followed Martha into the house and tried not to pay attention to the small herd of children who followed us.
    The farmhouse smelled like baking bread and cedar, with a faint tinge of body odor. Martha led me through the dining room to the kitchen and front rooms, down the hallway to my bedroom.
    A brightly patterned Amish quilt covered the bed. There was a small flashlight on the bedside table, and a large armoire rested against the opposite wall. I smiled. “It looks very nice.”
    Martha brushed aside the compliment. “The toilet and shower are across the hall.”
    I heard Levi’s heavy footfalls a second before he came around the corner with my bags.
    Martha frowned. “Your father will be home at any moment.”
    Levi hoisted the bags over his shoulder. “I’ll be gone in seconds.”
    â€œYour father…” my voice trailed off as I followed him.
    â€œIsn’t all that happy with me.” He set my bags on the bed. “There, I’m done.” He kissed Martha on the cheek. “I’m out.”
    I looked from Levi to Martha, trying to read their faces. “Can I walk outwith you?” I asked, stalling. I wasn’t quite ready to be left behind, deposited into another family’s personal drama.
    If I’d really wanted drama, I would have gone home.
    But then, my family’s not Amish, and therefore not newsworthy.
    â€œAbsolutely,” Levi said, even as he patted heads and said goodbyes to the younger children.
    I waited until we were well into the yard. “Why doesn’t your mom want you home when your dad gets back?”
    Levi reached for his car keys. “I left the community. My father doesn’t talk to me.”
    â€œYou mean, you’re…shunned?”
    Levi shrugged. “Not formally. I never joined the church,” he said, sighing. “Come by the shop tomorrow or give me a call. Sorry to dump you here like this, but I really should leave. Don’t mention my name to him, okay?”
    â€œOkay,”