Wanda E. Brunstetter - A Cousins Promise

DEDICATION/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my dear friends Arlene and Wayne Randolph. Thank you for introducing me to so many wonderful Amish people who live in northern Indiana. To my new friend Dale Burnet. Thank you for your willingness to share the experience of losing a leg with me.

CHAPTER 1

Ach, theres a bee in the van! Somebody, get it out of here before I get stung!

Loraine Miller looked over her shoulder. Her cousin Katies face was as pale as goats milk, and her eyes were wide with fear. Ever since theyd been children and Katie had been trapped in the schoolhouse with a swarm of angry bees, she had panicked whenever a bee got too close. Poor Katie had been pelted with so many stings that day, much of her body had looked swollen. The doctor had said it was a good thing Katie wasnt allergic to bee stings or she would have probably gone into shock.

Get it! Get it! Katie screamed. She sucked in a deep breath and ducked her head.

The bee flew past Loraines shoulder, buzzing noisily.

Open your window, schnell! Loraine said to her fianc, Wayne Lambright. We need to get that bee out before Katie hyperventilates.

Wayne quickly opened the window and shooed the bee with his hand.

Did ... did it go out? Katies chin trembled as she lifted her head. Her vivid green eyes glistened with unshed tears. Loraine found it hard to believe anyone could be so afraid of a bee, even though she knew the source of her cousins fear.

Jah, Im sure its out. At least, I dont see it anymore, Loraine said, hoping to reassure her cousin.

Its gone, Katie, so you can relax. Wayne closed the window and nudged Loraines arm. You know what Im thinking?

Whats that?

Im thinking I can hardly wait to get you on the Side Winder Ive heard so much about!

She grimaced. It would be just like you to try and talk me into going on the scariest ride at Hershey Park.

Waynes eyes twinkled. Do you really think Id twist your arm and make you do that?

She doesnt think it; she knows it, Loraines cousin Ella spoke up from the back of the van.

Jolene, Loraines other cousin, giggled behind her hand, while Katies boyfriend, Timothy, snorted like one of his fathers pigs.

Remember, Loraine, youre the one who suggested we take this trip to Hershey Park, Jolenes brother Andrew said. So I would think youd be looking forward to going on all the scary rides.

Thats right, Ellas brother Raymond chimed in. Getting scared out of your wits is the whole reason for going to an amusement park.

Wayne nudged Loraines arm again. Dont you remember how much fun we had when we went to the Fun Spot last Labor Day weekend?

Loraine nodded. It had been fun to visit their local amusement park, but those rides werent nearly as frightening as the ones shed heard about at Hershey Park. Even so, she was excited to take this trip. Ever since she was a little girl, shed wanted to visit Hershey Park and Hersheys Chocolate World. She loved chocolate and had heard there was a ride inside Chocolate World that showed visitors how the various kinds of Hershey candy were made. Their plans were to travel through the night, arrive in Hershey around 2:00a.m., and check into the hotel their driver, Paul Crawford, had reserved for them. Then they would sleep a few hours and spend all day Saturday at the park. They planned to rest awhile on Sunday, and then maybe take a drive around the surrounding area. Early Monday morning, they would head for home. Loraine figured this trip could turn out to be more fun than if her parents had taken her when she was a girl.

Even though the Amish didnt celebrate Labor Day, Timothy, Raymond, and Andrew worked at the trailer factory in Middlebury and had Monday off, as did Loraine, who worked at the hardware store in Shipshewana. Since neither Katie nor Ella had full-time jobs, being gone for three days wasnt a problem. The same held true for Wayne, who farmed with his father. Only Jolene, a teacher at the local Amish schoolhouse, was scheduled to work, but shed been able to get a substitute for Monday.

I dont know about anyone else, but Im more anxious to eat some of that wunderbaar chocolate than go on any of the rides at Hershey Park. Katie smiled and relaxed against the seat, obviously feeling better now that the bee was gone.

Listen to you ... talking about food already, and were not even to Ashley yet. Timothy bumped Katies arm. Cant you at least wait until we leave the state of Indiana to talk about food?

Katie muffled her snicker.

Loraine smiled. It was good to see everyone in such good spirits. Paul had been laughing and telling jokes since hed picked them up at Jolene and Andrews house in Topeka.

Hey, Paul, Timothy called, Katies hungry, so we may have to stop soon and see that shes fed.

Ill be stopping before we get to Highway 69, Paul said over his shoulder. Will that be soon enough?

Timothy needled Katie in the ribs. What do you say? Can you hold out till then?

She wrinkled her nose. If you dont stop teasing, I wont go on any of the rides at Hershey Park with you.

Is that a threat?

Its a promise.

Loraine looked over at Wayne and rolled her eyes. Katie was her youngest cousin, and shed recently turned nineteen. Sometimes, like now, Katie still acted like an immature adolescent. Timothy, who was twenty, wasnt much better, always goofing around, mimicking others, and making all sorts of weird sounds. But the two of them seemed happy together and planned to be married in the fall of next year. Maybe by then, theyd both have grown up some.

I wish people would quit cutting me off and tailgating, Paul complained as he merged the van into heavier traffic. Seems like everyone and his brother is headed somewhere for Labor Day weekend. If its this bad now, I can only imagine how it will be on the trip home.

Hershey Park will probably be crowded, too, Andrew put in.

Wayne gave Loraines fingers a gentle squeeze. This will be our last chance for an outing with our single friends before we become an old married couple, so wed better enjoy every moment, he whispered in her ear.

He looked at her so sweetly she wanted to tousle his thick auburn curls, the way she sometimes did when they were alone. In just a little over a month, she and Wayne would get married, and then she could tousle his hair to her hearts content. By this time next year, they might even have a baby, and their lives would take a new directionone that wouldnt include weekend trips to amusement parks. A baby would mean changing dirty diapers, getting up in the middle of the night for feedings, and so many new, exciting things. Loraine could hardly wait to make a home and raise a family with Wayne. It would be a dream come true.

She leaned her head against Waynes shoulder and let her eyelids close. She felt safe and secure when she was with Wayneenjoying his company and happy to know shed soon be his wife. I wonder what our kinner will look like. Will they have my brown hair and brown eyes, or will they resemble Wayne with his curly auburn hair and hazel eyes? Will they be easygoing and even-tempered like Wayne? Will they have a servants heartgenerous in spirit and sensitive to others in need?

In her minds eye, Loraine could see a sweet baby with curly auburn hair, gurgling and reaching chubby hands out to his father.

The van lurched suddenly, and Loraines eyes snapped open. Whwhat happened?

Were stopping for those snacks I promised you could get, Paul said as he pulled off the road and into a gas station. If anyone wants anything, youd better get it now, because I wont be stopping again until I need more gas.