Two World's Ridge
By J.B. Patel
()
About this ebook
Read more from J.B. Patel
The Orphan Train Ruffian Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Orphan Train Twins, And Their White Horse Dream Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fated Winchester Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpirit Mountain Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLong Road Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWalking Mountain-Shadow Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLonesome Valley: Book III a Collection of Frontier Stories by J. B. Patel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRock Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEyes Like Sky Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Five Star Ranch: A Collection of Frontier Stories. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hangman Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Two World's Ridge
Related ebooks
Women Most Wanted Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Opium of Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoing Solo (New Song Series: Book 1) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom the Grave: A McKenzie Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Will O Wisp Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCruel Summer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMissing Sarah Pryor: A Mother's Testimony of Choosing Love over Grief and Emptiness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Call of the Wrens Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shanna and the Raven: An Imbolc Story: Children's Wheel of the Year, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love Letters Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSwan Song Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn the Arms of an Angel (Brides of the West Series Book Ten) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Search for Adarna Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTinna's Might Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Amish Christmas Cowboy: A Fresh-Start Family Romance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Road to California Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaughter Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Return To Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Golden One: Deceit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTemple of the Inner Flame: Rest in Power Necromancy, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThrough the Years Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Clumsy Tooth Fairy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStar-Crossed Dragons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLost Highways An Anthology of Thrillers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLike Dandelion Seeds: A MFP Short Story of Forgiveness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Sola Quest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSara Bear Protector Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Hope Springs Christmas and Amish Christmas Abduction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Horse and the Crow: A Miranda and Starlight Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNothing Is Lost in the Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Romance For You
Adults Only Volume 3: Seven Erotica Shorts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stone Heart Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Erotic Fantasies Anthology Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Bossy: An Erotic Workplace Diary Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ugly Love: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All Your Perfects: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Naked: The Blackstone Affair, Book 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Him: Him, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before We Were Strangers: A Love Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Under the Roses Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It Starts with Us: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Swear on This Life: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Confess: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5November 9: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dating You / Hating You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Heart Bones: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Seven Sisters: Book One Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hopeless Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Favorite Half-Night Stand Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Kingdom of Dreams Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tess of the d'Urbervilles Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe Now: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Something Borrowed: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wish You Were Here: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding Perfect: A Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures: a joyful and heart-warming novel you won't want to miss Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe Not: A Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Witches of New Orleans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Two World's Ridge
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Two World's Ridge - J.B. Patel
ISBN: 978-1-4835673-5-8
Content
Two World’s Ridge
This is a work of fiction, the basis is derived from actual Amish occurrences. I spoke with Amish ladies regarding the story’s accuracy, their response surprised me to the point where some of the narrative had to become harsher. The thwarting of women’s ability to speak out was greater than I thought. Amish women cannot speak in the twice yearly meeting of their ordinances or during church. They are forbidden to speak in church in their own defense or ordnung meeting to bring up issues important to females….
In this story, from the outset, Sarianna is at odds with the Bishop of a small and strict Amish district. In reality, in the Amish community the Bishop would not have allowed the slightest retort from a female, never in church or meeting.
In the story, Ruben, Sarianna’s father’s verbal response to the rape of fourteen year old Fanny (A fairly common Amish name.) was an exact repeat of what I had heard from an Amish man when I posed the question of an actual rape in the Amish community. The Amish gentleman shrugged indifferently, What is that?
…was his response. As if the rape was nothing, it didn’t matter, as if the female’s involvement was inconsequential.
Sarianna breaks the Amish mold. In a male dominated society she is willing to stand up for children and those abused. In the Amish community one does not stand up, one blends in or one is deemed bold. If one is bold, they suffer a fate worse than shunning; gossip, isolation, and rejection for an undetermined time.
In the little Amish schoolhouse, Sarianna Miller closed her notebook, school was over for the day. It was Friday, sadly she thought, she had one more thing she felt compelled to do. She stood to dismiss the class, Scholars. It is time to go home. You have your assignments, I will see you on Monday. Next week is the final three days of school for the year. We will have graduation and a picnic on Wednesday. Give the invitation note to your family.
Sarianna looked at 14-year-old Fanny Gingrich in the front row. Fanny was bothered by something, she hadn’t been working up to par for the past week. Sarianna smiled and said, Fanny. I’m going to stop at the store. Since the store is just past your house. You will come with me.
Fanny’s eyes widened, Sarianna was sure she saw panic in in the face of Fanny. Pleading, with something akin to fear in her voice, Fanny quickly replied, Thank you Sarianna, but I don’t mind walking.
Sarianna smiled and stepped close to Fanny. She needed to talk to Fanny alone. Quietly Sarianna said, The ride wasn’t a request, Fanny.
Again with fear etched in her face Fanny pleaded, Can’t I walk?
Sarianna hesitated, most of the scholars had left; Sarianna smiled and softly replied, Fanny. I want to talk to you about some of your school work. You will ride with me.
Fanny seemed near tears, Sarianna thought she would get to the reasons behind Fanny’s distraction from her work. Sarianna said, Come on Fanny. Put your shoes on, you can help me hook up the buggy.
Fanny was quiet, she seemed to be almost in pain as she expertly assisted in harnessing the horse and snapping harness lines onto the buggy. Once the buggy was hooked up Fanny slid quietly onto the seat with her eyes diverted. Sarianna thought there had been much change in Fanny in the past week. As they started down the road, Sarianna was direct, Fanny, you have been one of my best scholars the past three years. Please, tell me what is bothering you?
Fanny suddenly burst into tears and sobbed uncontrollably. Sarianna put her arm around Fanny to reassure her. Sarianna knew that Fanny was a typical Amish girl, crying at her age was far from normal behavior, whatever the injury, it was severe. Sarianna slowed the horse to a walk considering that she may need some time alone with Fanny. Sarianna waited until Fanny calmed down before asking the question that seemed obvious to Sarianna. Fanny. Who did this to you? Who is responsible?
Fanny shuddered then shook her head. After some time Fanny calmed a bit, still crying Fanny said, They said I can’t tell or they would blame me.
Sarianna took an educated guess, Fanny was never out in the English community and Fanny talked of blame. The, ‘they,’ Fanny spoke of had to be Amish. A thing the young males sometimes got away with. Pinning the blame on the one that was harmed knowing that they would then not take the problem to the elders. Fanny wouldn’t be afraid to tell her story if ‘they’ were English. Fanny knew the English authorities would believe her, it was the Amish that were more likely to stand behind the young males in the community. Sarianna was saddened, even a fourteen year old knew that in the Amish community, the men ruled.
Sarianna asked, There were two Amish?
Fanny whimpered and nodded, but did not talk. Sarianna had a good idea who the culprits were but she doubted Fanny would admit their names. Sarianna asked, Daniel and Ivan Yoder?
Fanny’s eyes widened, then she shook her lowered head in silent denial. Sarianna’s guess was confirmed, she continued, We should go to the authorities.
Fanny’s fear was obvious, Go to the English?
Sarianna knew that the Amish wanted to handle problems within their own district even if an English law was violated. Amish children were taught that the English were outsiders, not to be trusted. Amish ordinances prevented them from taking violations to the English authorities. Sarianna responded, The Amish are not above the Nation’s laws. We cannot protect rapists from punishment. If we don’t go to the authorities, Ben and Ivan will do it again to someone else.
Fanny stopped crying but she was adamant, I can’t tell! I won’t tell!
Sarianna gently asked, Why Fanny?
Fanny had learned too well the way of the Amish. Fanny coldly replied, If I tell, everyone will talk. I will be thought of as bold and some will blame me.
Sarianna understood the Amish way of squelching any opposition. Shunning was the easy way, an even worse method particularly amongst the women was gossip. Gossip could be organized to the point where the talk would be more effective and punitive than shunning. Sarianna knew the Amish to be a very tightknit community; gossip, a very powerful form of community rejection, could put one on the outside.
Sarianna tried to assure Fanny, I will stand with you.
Fanny’s head lowered, this time with a lack of pride she responded and touched on the power of Amish gossip, Sarianna, some say you are bold. They say…
Sarianna wanted to keep Fanny talking. She asked, Yes Fanny? What do they say?
Fanny vigorously shook her head, I can’t….
Sarianna again probed, I think I’ve heard it all before many times. What do they say Fanny?
Fanny fairly blurted, They say the reason you are not married is because you are bold. They say you always talk back to the Bishop and…
Sarianna knew the rest but she pushed anyway, Yes? Go on.
Fanny hung her head in shame and finished, They say you are bold, cross eyed, and you are going to be a lonely old maid all your life.
Sarianna was saddened but she had heard the same thing from other children, Fanny, I have heard all of that ever since I can recall. I was told I was bold for speaking up at the last ordnung meeting asking for books, writing materials and printed materials for the scholars. I will not care if I am called bold for protecting my schoolchildren. I will stand with you. I am not afraid, and you are innocent. You are not to blame.
Fanny was astounded, You spoke at the ordnung meeting?
The Amish ordinances do not allow women to speak in church or during the semi-annual ordnung meeting.
Sarianna smiled, Actually, I blurted out my request just as the meeting was ending. I got the materials, but the bishop told me I was being bold. Your parents and the parents of the other school children spoke up for me.
Fanny seemed impressed but she continued to shake her head. Sarianna asked, Fanny. Did you tell your father or mother?
Fanny shook her head. Sarianna added, Fanny. You have wonderful parents. They will help you, they will not blame you. If you become pregnant Fanny, you’ll have to tell your mother and father what happened.
Fanny’s head slowly nodded, she started crying again. Sarianna asked, And if you are not pregnant, those boys will be able to rape you again if you don’t turn them in.
Fanny shuddered at