Amish Rock of Ages

By Monica Marks

Marriage is on the rocks for Abraham and Allison. They are in their mid-forties and the last of their children have left the home. They both fear growing apart as the children soon became the only things they had in common. But when Allison stands on a pile of wood and falls...she breaks her leg...the doctors tell her that she may never walk again....Working together, Abraham helps nurse her back to health as their marriage heals along with her leg...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201094645

Book preview

AMISH ROCK OF AGES

MONICA MARKS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AMISH ROCK OF AGES

RODEO AND JULIET

THE AMISH WEDDING SEASON

DEEP IN THE AMISH HEART

BEATRICE

They had long since finished their respective drinks but something seemed to be hanging over the room, even if Allison couldn’t pinpoint it. Eva stared at her mother across the table, blue eyes blinking with slight concern. It wasn’t until her daughter spoke that Allison understood the slight tension.

"Mamm, are you all right? the young woman asked. You seem...tired."

Allison raised her head from where she was staring into her empty coffee cup. She realized she had drifted off into her own thoughts as Eva talked.

I’ve been doing that a lot lately; losing myself in my own head. Maybe that’s part of the problem.

Yet she knew that wasn’t it in the least.

Quickly, the older Stoltzfus woman forced a smile and nodded eagerly as she realized her daughter waited for an answer.

"Ja, of course, lieb, she fibbed. Maybe I’m a little tired."

Immediately, Allison regretted her words, noting the look of guilt that crossed over her youngest child’s face.

I knew it! she cried. You’re working too hard!

"Nee, lieb. It’s not that."

I will speak to Jacob when I get home, Eva said firmly, a look of determination on her face. We will work out a schedule to come around more often.

Nonsense, Allison said quickly, instantly seeing her mistake. "Your duty is to Jacob and his business now that you’re married. Your vedder and I are handling everything just fine."

"If that’s true, why do you look so tired, Mamm? You never looked this way before I left."

Allison met her daughter’s eyes and swallowed the knot of apprehension forming in her throat. She and Eva had always been close, even for a mother and child. Eva was intuitive enough to sense that something was amiss with her mother but Allison couldn’t allow for her to know the truth.

"Maybe I miss you and your bruder," Allison confessed. She knew that wouldn’t put Eva’s mind at ease but it would lessen the questions from firing from the younger woman’s mouth.

That isn’t a lie. I do long for the days when Eva and Thomas lived under the same roof as us.

A look of sympathy crossed over Eva’s face and she sighed, shaking her honey blonde braid with regret.

"I’m sorry, Mamm, she said sincerely. I will make an effort to come around more often."

You will tend to your husband, Allison said with determination. "I’m only experiencing what all mothers feel when their children leave the roost, liebling. You don’t need to worry about me. I only need to adjust to the change."

Are you sure it isn’t the work? Eva insisted, looking around the pristinely kept kitchen in the house which she had been born and raised. Allison could tell she was looking for an indication that things were falling apart in her absence but the older woman knew that she wouldn’t find anything. As she had told Eva, her and Abraham were working their small but profitable dairy farm without any issue. Yes, there was more work to be done without the help of the children but they had done it before Jacob and Eva had been born. The couple was in their mid-forties and in good health.

No, the work wasn’t the problem.

"Where is Daed?" Eva asked suddenly, her brows knitting as if she suddenly realized she hadn’t seen her father.

He is the problem, Allison thought to herself.

Um...maybe in the barn? she offered. I haven’t seen him all morning.

She rushed out another smile to follow her words, concerned that Eva might sense the tension in her voice.

Oh. I’ll have to stop and see him before I leave.

Eva paused and cast Allison a final look.

"Unless you want me to stay, Mamm."

You’ve been here long enough, Allison laughed. Jacob will come looking for you soon if you don’t return home.

"Nee, he won’t," Eva replied, rising from the kitchen chair. Smoothly her long skirt with a hand she glided toward the back door and Allison watched her admiringly.

She is the spitting image of me at her age, she realized with affection. She has such a loving soul.

The smile froze on her face as Allison thought of how kind she had also been in her youth.

Marriage changed all that for me, she thought with some bitterness. Abraham stole that from me.

"I’ll see you on Sunndaag for Karrichdaag," Eva said as she opened the door.

"Ja. Until Sunday."

Eva disappeared into the back of the property, leaving Allison alone with her thoughts. She would never admit it aloud but she wished Eva would stay. She welcomed the distraction that her lovely daughter brought, even if it was fleeting.

Anything is better than being left alone with Abraham, she thought, a frown twitching at her mouth. Although is it really much different from being alone when I’m with Abraham?

Not for the first time, Allison understood that was to be her future. She and Abraham, without anyone else. Allison wasn’t sure how she would survive it.

~ ~ ~

The cow mooed lightly, shuffling to indicate something was disturbing her. Abraham put a hand on the cow to calm the movement but as he did, a figure stepped from the shadows.

Eva! he chuckled. "You startled me and the kuh, he told his daughter affectionately. When did you arrive?"

His daughter gave him a worried smile as she neared.

"I’ve been here over an hour, Daed, she replied. I was expecting to see you in the haus."

The mere mention of the house sent a flutter through Abraham’s gut but he also forced a nonchalant beam.

"I have chores, lieb."

Eva’s smile faded, her eyes darkening.

"Daed, is something wrong with Mamm?" she asked nervously. Abraham swallowed, his neck stiffening.  

What did that fraa say now? He wondered angrily. He wouldn’t have thought Allison would involve the children in their affairs but the way she had been acting, he would not have been surprised to learn that she had been complaining to anyone in earshot.

Why do you ask? he replied, unwilling to disclose any more than Allison had already said.

I don’t know, Eva murmured. She seems...distracted, tired.

Eva’s eyes narrowed more.

Come to think of it, so do you.

Abraham sighed and rose from the milking stool.

"I’m fine. Your midder is fine. You should be concentrating on your new familye, not concerning yourself with your leit."

"Daed, just because I’ve left here and am married now doesn’t mean that Jacob and I have forgotten about you. If you need something—"

I need you to tell me about your business, about living with Jacob. Is he being a good husband? Are you happy?

Eva hesitated, clearly not wanting to change the subject but her good spirits got the best of her and she relaxed her shoulders.

"Ja, she chuckled. He is a gud husband. Gotte blessed me with such a man."

I should hope so. I would not want to have to reclaim you if he wasn’t.

Abraham was joking, of course but as he spoke the words, he wished Allison’s father would take her back.

"Have you seen your bruder? Abraham asked, realizing there was a slight lull in conversation. I feel like I haven’t seen him since Oschterdaag."

I went to his district last week, Eva replied. "He and Anna are very happy but he plans to come for worship this Sunndaag."

Abraham felt inordinately pleased by the announcement. Since Thomas had left to care for his father-in-law’s farm in a neighboring district, Abraham had missed his only son more than he had anticipated. When Eva married Jacob, all the feelings of desolation seemed to overwhelm him at once.

And Allison did not make things any easier with her endless nagging.

It was why he secluded himself in the barn those days, away from his wife where he could be alone with his thoughts. Seeing Allison would only lead to an argument and Abraham had no interest in engaging with her.

Were we ever in love or did we marry because it was expected?

The unbidden thought stunned him. It was one he’d never considered before.

"Daed!"

He blinked and forced his attention back to his daughter, a weak grin forming on his lips.

I’m very happy to hear about Thomas, he said honestly. Maybe we should travel to service together on Sunday?

Eva nodded slowly, pursing her lips as she regarded him.

She can tell something is wrong.

Would you tell me if something was troubling you? she finally asked.

"Ja, of course, Abraham fibbed. But there is nix, nothing wrong. Your only concern should be Jacob."

"You sound like Mamm now," Eva laughed but Abraham did not find the comparison amusing.

I am nothing like that embittered woman, he thought firmly. Danke Gotte for that.

~ ~ ~

Eva had left the Stoltzfus house six months earlier. Allison had moved into her daughter’s bedroom three months after that.

As she stood before the mirror, brushing her long, blonde hair in silken, even strokes, she caught sight of a gray strand and stifled a sigh. Hastily, she swept up her mane into a braid and finished dressing for church.

In the hallway, she heard Abraham descending the stairs, not waiting to check on her progress.

He would leave