Harmon III walked slowly toward his father in silence. It had been a long day. It had started so good. The Scum game had cemented his belief that Arvilla did indeed like him and not Karl. Then he had proclaimed his love to her and she had run away crying. The emotional roller coaster had taken a plunge when Arvilla was lost and Harmon was sure she ran away to avoid him. He was tired – too tired to talk to Harmon II, but he knew he had to.
Harmon sat down at the kitchen table and his father looked at him. A grave look was on his face. The lines on his face were evidence of his 49 years and 10 children. His beard was graying and his head was partially bald. He looked at Harmon and cleared his throat. “Son,” he said, “today I was conducting my biweekly sweep of my children’s rooms when I discovered something which greatly concerns me.”
Harmon was tired but he still had enough energy to feel worried. What had his father discovered? Was it his secret stash of Baseball Weeklys? Was it the DC Talk CD he had hidden between his mattresses? And why was his Father snooping in his room anyway?
“Why are you snooping in my room?” asked Harmon.
“Snooping,” said his father, “Anything under my roof is subject to my inspection.”
“Whatever,” Harmon mumbled. He looked at his father and noticed he was holding a piece of paper.
Harmon II held the paper toward Harmon and said, “Can you explain this to me.” I hope it’s not what it looks like.”
Harmon looked at the paper and he suddenly felt a large lump in his throat. He couldn’t breathe. He said nothing.
On the paper before him was scrawled in his handwriting, “THE PLAN.” Beneath the heading was a list. Over half of the points were crossed off. NO, screamed Harmon’s mind. It can’t be.
But it was. Harmon’s father had discovered his crafty plan to get rid of Millie. The plan Harmon had spent days devising. Now it was bound to fail because Harmon II would surely quell it.
Harmon stuttered, “What is that.” I never saw it before.”
Harmon II looked at him. “Son, don’t lie.” This is clearly your handwriting. “I compared it to a birthday card you gave me last year and there’s not question.”
Harmon didn’t know what to say. He knew he was caught.
“This is a horrible plan,” his father said, “how could you come up with something so mean and nasty?” And what do you have against Millie anyway.” She is a nice girl from an upstanding family and you will not go through with this. “You and I both know that this would never work anyway.” Let me reiterate, you will continue dating Millie or you will go to live with your uncle Abner on his rabbit farm in
Harmon was tired. He was too tired to argue but he couldn’t take it anymore. Our young hero entered uncharted waters. He stood up to his father. He was sick of Millie. He was sick of being treated like a kid and he couldn’t take it anymore.
Slowly, but firmly he said, “I don’t care what you say, Dad.” I don’t like Millie and I’m not going to date her anymore.” I don’t care if I have to go live in
Harmon II looked at Harmon III in stunned silence. He didn’t know what to do. None of his children had ever stood up to him before. Finally he said, “Well Harmon, I hope you change your mind by tomorrow or you can plan to be grounded again for a long time.”
Harmon felt good. He had stood up to his father’s ludicrous demands and he was on a roll. “Whatever Dad,” he said quickly, “I know what this is about anyway.” You’re just trying to make up for the things you did when you were young.”
“Harmon, you watch what you say.” I was a good boy when I was young and in the past few months you have done more bad things than I ever did.”
Harmon looked at his father. He wasn’t sure if he should say it but then he did. “So if you were so good, why was Pete born 5 months after you and Mom were married?” I know it’s true.” Willard told me and I didn’t believe it but I looked in the Amish Mennonite Directory just the other day and it’s true.” You got married in January, 1984 and Pete was born in June.” Harmon would’ve kept talking but he stopped because his father looked so sad. His head drooped to the table and he refused to look at his son.
Mr. Stoltzfus said nothing for a long time. Finally he said, “Son, I have reaped the consequences of my actions for a long time.” I am so sorry you had to find it out from the Amish Mennonite Directory.” Can you please forgive me for what I have done?”
Harmon felt bad. He hadn’t intended to hurt his father so drastically. He was only trying to get out of dating Millie. Quickly he said, “sure Dad, I forgive you, but could you just stay out of my love life.”
Harmon II didn’t say anything. Harmon II looked at him for awhile and then he reached across the kitchen table, grabbed The Plan, and went to bed. It was well past midnight. In the distance a dog barked.
The next morning Harmon II did not levy a punishment upon his 2nd son. In fact he never again told Harmon III how to conduct his love life. Harmon was on edge for a few days but finally realized he had been successful in thwarting his father’s plan for his life. He was happy about this but felt guilty for speaking to his father the way he had. He never apologized.
The Christmas Season came upon Bird-in-Hand and the surrounding areas with its usual tourists, merriment, caroling, and cookies. Harmon enjoyed Christmas, but in the year 2005 it was painful. He wanted to pour out love, affection, and gifts on a certain young woman from Leola but he couldn’t. He was still with Millie and Arvilla was still with Karl.
“How can I fix this aching feeling I have in my heart,” Harmon said to himself as he drove toward the Miller farm east of Intercourse. He was going to pick up Millie and then they were going caroling with the youth. “I should break up with Millie tonight and then I wouldn’t have to give her a Christmas gift.” But I bet she’s gonna get me a huge gift so it’d probably be better to wait.”
Harmon and Millie arrived at Ervin Lapp’s house east of Bird-in-Hand at around 7:00 and joined the other youth. It was cold and everyone was bundled up in thick coats and the girls had blankets. Millie was wearing a ridiculous orange coat and Harmon thought she looked like a teddy bear. The youth jumped on a hay wagon which was hooked to a tractor which would pull them around the neighborhood.
Harmon looked around for Arvilla. Finally he saw her. She was sitting with Karl near the middle of the wagon. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were unusually green. She had a hood over her head so all Harmon could see was her face. He wanted to go sit right beside her but knew he couldn’t. Arvilla still hadn’t talked to him since
The wagon full of youth drove around the neighborhood and stopped at the homes of the old and needy. By the end of the night they had sung “Joy to the World” 11 times and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” 13 times. Harmon was so sick of singing the same songs over and over again he fell asleep and didn’t wake up until the tractor was chugging back into the Lapps’ driveway. He awoke with a start when Pete poked his nose with a piece of hay. Millie shrieked with laughter and Pete poked Harmon again. He was leaning over Millie and their faces were almost touching.
Harmon looked angrily at his brother and whacked his hand away. Pete and Millie kept on laughing. Harmon looked away. He noticed Arvilla was looking at him. Their eyes met briefly. In her eyes was a mixture of sadness and pity. Harmon wondered why. Arvilla looked away quickly. She said something to Karl and they both smiled. Harmon slumped down on his bale of hay and wished he was in
After the caroling the youth gathered inside the Lapps’ house for a snack. Harmon drank his hot chocolate with Willard and Henry and they talked about football. Harmon was not a football fan but Willard and Henry were. Harmon preferred baseball. He wanted to go talk to Arvilla. He looked around. She was sitting with Mandy and Mary on the other side of the room. Her coat was off and Harmon racked his brain for a way to start a conversation with her. He couldn’t think of anything so he stayed where he was and she stayed where she was.
The boys were devising a plan to get back at the Easterns when Harmon was startled by a rustling. It was Arvilla and she was walking right past him. He looked up quickly, trying to catch her eye, but she refused to look at him and walked out the door. Harmon looked quickly around the room. Karl was talking to Sylvester. Should I go after her? Does she want me too? I know she does.
Finally Harmon jumped up and followed Arvilla out the door. He found her outside sitting on the porch swing in the cold December night. She was looking pensively into the night. The stars were shining brightly and a half moon was sitting low in the sky. The night was quiet. Harmon looked around the corner at the girl. She didn’t know he was there. He stood there watching her for 2 minutes. She was so beautiful he could hardly contain himself.
Slowly Harmon stepped onto the porch. The boards creaked under his weight, but Arvilla didn’t turn. Harmon took several steps toward her. He almost fell off the porch when he heard her voice. It cut through the night. “Harmon, what do you want,” she said softly.
Harmon didn’t say anything. He walked closer till he was standing right beside the porch swing. He didn’t know what to say. Finally he said, “Can I sit down.”
Arvilla looked up at Harmon and didn’t say anything so he sat down. They sat there in silence for what seemed like an eternity to both young people. After awhile Harmon broke the silence saying, “Wow, it’s a really nice night.”
Arvilla looked straight ahead. Finally she said, “You can’t be here.”
“Why not,” stammered Harmon.
Arvilla paused, “It’s just, just, I can’t talk to you right now.”
Harmon looked at her and said, “But Arvilla, you can’t let me hanging like this.” You have to tell me how you feel about me.”
Arvilla turned her face toward him. It was ashen. The color was gone from her cheeks. “I can’t tell you how I feel about you if I don’t even know myself.” She looked away. “It’s just, I’m so confused right now.” I want to talk to you but I know I shouldn’t.” I can’t go on living like this.” And what if someone catches us sitting out here?” The rumors will start flying.”
Arvilla looked back at Harmon. He was silent so she continued. “I don’t want it to be like this.” I want to be happy.” I just hate it.” Anyway, why don’t you break up with Millie once?” You said you were gonna.”
Harmon stuttered, “Well, I’m gonna soon.” At this Arvilla got up and walked off the porch. Harmon stayed on the swing for ½ hour. He watched the youth leave one by one and two by two. After a while, Arvilla and Karl walked out to his Blazer and left. Neither looked at Harmon. Soon Millie came out and Harmon took her home.
Christmas came and went. Harmon bought Millie a teddy bear and Millie bought him 2 shirts, a sweater, and a watch. Harmon was glad to receive many more gifts than he gave and it almost made him want to keep dating Millie. He thought about dating her until after Valentines Day so he could get more gifts but he didn’t.
After an especially horrid date on a Sunday night in mid-January, our hero finally broke up with his girlfriend. It was 10:24 and Millie was creeping toward him on the couch when Harmon stood up and said, “There’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it?” asked Millie looking lovingly at him.
Harmon almost couldn’t do it but he continued, “I don’t think we are right for each other.”
Millie’s face went from adoration to shock. Harmon figured she had probably been expecting a marriage proposal. After all they had dated for almost six months and that was pretty long for Amish Mennonite couples. Harmon felt sorry for her but he had put up with her long enough and he was not going to stop now.
“What do you mean?” Millie asked.
“What I mean,” Harmon replied, “is that I want to stop dating you.”
Millie took it in. She thought a little bit and then she got angry. Her face got red. “You what!” she said loudly. “You’re breaking up with me.” But, but you can’t.”
“Yes I can,” replied Harmon, “and I will.” Harmon walked toward the front door. Millie jumped up and followed him.
“Why,” asked Millie, “why, why, why.”
Harmon went for the typical Amish Mennonite defense. “I don’t think God wants us to be together,” he said.
“Harmon, that’s not true,” Millie replied. “I feel so right about us.”
Harmon continued, “We just don’t click, and you have an inappropriate relationship with my brother.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Millie said.
“No it’s not.”
Millie didn’t know what to say so she lost it. “You are dumb anyway,” she yelled, “and you stink.” Why don’t you ever use deodorant?” And you are rude and why did you take me to McDonalds on a date?” I’m glad you broke up with me cuz I was gonna break up with you anyway.”
Harmon didn’t say anything. He walked out the door and jumped into his car. As he was leaving Millie came running out of the house and threw her Christmas teddy bear at the Ford Escort. Harmon kept driving. He looked in his rearview mirror and he felt sorry for Millie. But it had to be done. He hoped Pete would ask her out soon because he really didn’t want her to go crazy.
Harmon felt good as he drove through Intercourse. Thoughts of Millie’s disappointment were soon replaced by thoughts of Arvilla. Soon she will find out about our breakup and then she will break up with Karl too, he thought. Harmon felt good. He took the Miller 4 tape from the cassette player and tuned the radio to 105.1. It was the only station he could pick up. A song was playing about two dozen roses and Harmon wished he had two dozen roses to take and give Arvilla at that very moment. But he didn’t have any roses and he knew Arvilla was in bed so he didn’t.
On that very same night in Leola Arvilla Beiler was having a hard time sleeping. It had been an especially bad night with Karl. After the youth party he took her home and they had a date. All night she had been thinking of a way to break up with Karl. She was going to do it when they left the youth party, but she couldn’t. She was going to do it when they got to her house, but she couldn’t. She was going to do it when Karl left her house, but she couldn’t. She was too nice to do something so mean and she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to do it.
Karl had been so demeaning of everything she said and did. He talked about how cool he was and how popular. He talked about his recent election to youth president. He never mentioned that Arvilla was the secretary. She had been the secretary for the past year and had won reelection. Arvilla thought it would be neat to be on the youth committee with her boyfriend.
When Karl got up to leave, Arvilla followed him to the door and said, “Um Karl.” She was going to say, “I think we need a break.” But she couldn’t. Instead she said, “I hope you have a good week” and flashed a fake smile. Karl turned to her and said cockily, “Don’t worry; I’ll have a good week.” Who wouldn’t with a girlfriend as nice as you?”
After Karl said this Arvilla knew she could not go through with her plan so she said goodbye and shut the door. She went to bed with a heavy heart. As she lay in bed she thought about her life. Karl was a cool guy but she just didn’t think they were right together. This is probably just a stage, she thought. Tomorrow I will feel better about us. I will talk to Suzanne and get advice from her. Arvilla thought about Harmon but knew she wasn’t tired of Karl because of him.
Arvilla laid her head on her pillow and prayed to God and asked for guidance. She prayed for a long time and when she was finished praying her mind was made up. She felt better and drifted off to dreamland. (by iw 6/25/07 to be continued).
to read chapter 13 click here
Read Our Hero Harmon next week to see what Arvilla does. Plus Millie does something that has everybody talking.