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willing it away. This was home now. Here, where her
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    true roots were deep, where she had chafed under the ongoing prospect of becoming materialistic, like her parents. She had run from here for dear life and now, surprisingly, was back and making a bumbling attempt to reconnect.
    How can I possibly fit in here? I know too much about life. And about love… .
    Sighing, she heard her mother making superficial comments about Pennsylvania Amish traditions, admitting she had ”conducted some research” while Louisa was there. Mother sat stiffly on one of the stools, appearing out of place. “You rarely showed me any of Annie’s letters when you were growing up. I know I should have asked about her long before this. I was always curious, though. I never knew why you felt so close to her.”
    This surprised Louisa, but how could she explain that hers and Annie’s correspondence had been a special world of their own making? “Annie was someone who understood me right off the bat. Funny, isn’t it? A Plain girl with no sense of social decorum … who seemed to just get me. Even from our earliest pen pal days.”
    “But you left her world behind,” her mother stated. “You came back to your real home.”
    Louisa cringed. She hated hearing that, but she looked into her mother’s face and saw the absence of barbed insinuation. No, Mother wasn’t being the prickly pear she could certainly be. Not today, not here in Louisa’s small, cheerful studio.
    “I came back for lots of reasons,” she said. “If anything, I think I found my way my good senses, you might say. I
    37 found everything I’ve ever longed for in Amish country. Especially peace.”
    “Since I have no idea what that means, I’ll just say how nice it is that you found yourself with your Amish friend, though that is hard for me to understand. All your education, your wonderful upbringing … doesn’t that amount to anything?”
    My upbringing wasn’t so great.
    “Your father and I “
    “Please, let’s not bring Dad into this.” She felt beyond weary at the thought of her father’s financial aspirations for her future. What’s done is done, as Annies Mamm says. She excused herself and rose quickly.
    “Louisa, what is it?”
    She fully understood where her mother was coming from, so she tried again. “Have you ever had your senses thoroughly awakened? Have you ever experienced the incredible feeling of community neighbor caring for neighbor?” She sighed, fighting back the frustration. “And that’s only part of what I experienced so fully with the Amish, Mother.”
    “But Amish people are behind the times. Certainly you know that.”
    The pronouncement stung. “We’ll talk later.” Louisa rose and went to get her purse.
    Her mother rushed toward her, desperation on her face. “I want to hear more, Louisa. Believe me.”
    She turned around, forcing a smile. “I can’t now, Mother. Really …” She headed for the studio door, determined not to lash out in anger.
    “Wait. Before I forget, Courtney called. She wants to see
    38 you but says you aren’t returning her calls.” “I’ll catch up with her.”
    Mother frowned, touching Louisa’s sleeve. “Well, please, give her a call soon.”
    Exhaling, Louisa lifted her chin. “I’m not opposed to seeing Courtney, and if you must know, she is one of the main reasons I came home when I did.” “Really? I had no idea.”
    Louisa opened the studio door. “I’m sorry, but I need to get going.” She hurried out of the strip mall and to her waiting car. A half hour remained before her next students would arrive, and Louisa was in need of some coffee and some air.
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    Preacher Jesse watched his daughter prance shamelessly up the back steps and into the house, carrying the rope swing he’d just given her. She struts about like a peacock. “And does as she pleases,” he added aloud, spitting out the words. Such a time he’d had lately, folk fussing from all directions, since near