News of Harmon and Millie’s breakup traveled like wildfire through Bird-in-Hand and the surrounding areas. It was unusual for Amish Mennonite couples to break up. By Monday evening most of the Beachys in
Harmon’s family found out on Monday morning. Millie’s father called Harmon’s father. The two men who had arranged the couple’s relationship decided they couldn’t do anything about its demise. Harmon’s father mentioned that he had several other sons and Mr. Miller chuckled. At the dinner table Harmon II told the whole family and looked grimly at his 2nd son. Harmon looked at his meatloaf, took a bite of mashed potatoes and said nothing. Willie and Rosie laughed at Harmon. He said nothing. Pete reached over and grabbed the meatloaf off Harmon’s plate and ate it. He had a smug look on his face. After the meal, Harmon’s mother approached him and said, “Harmon, everything will be ok.” I too had to break up with a boy one time and it all worked out for me.” Just don’t forget to trust God.”
Harmon could hardly imagine his mother had ever dated, but was glad for her encouraging words. He wondered who she’d dated but didn’t ask. “Thanks Mom,” he said, looking at the floor, “it just wasn’t working out between us.”
Harmon’s father didn’t talk to his son about the breakup.
The next day the phone calls started. Somehow, during the story’s dissemination, a few facts had become blurred. Most people heard that Millie ended the relationship, so everyone felt sorry for Harmon. Willard and Henry both called and congratulated Harmon on his successful breakup. Harmon was glad they cared. Then Leonard Stoltzfus called.
Harmon was shoveling manure when his phone rang and he didn’t recognize the number so he answered it. “Hi Harmon, this is Leonard,” the voice said.
Leonard, Harmon thought, how did he get my number? “Oh, Leonard,” Harmon said, “how did you get my number?”
“Oh I got it one time at gym night when your phone was lying there,” Leonard said. “But that’s not important is it?” I just wanted to call and let you know if you need anyone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Uh, OK,” Harmon said.
“You see,” Leonard continued, “I’ve experienced some of the same things in my life and I know it’s hard.”
“Ok,” Harmon said, “Thanks.”
“Just be strong man,” Leonard said.
“Thanks,” Harmon said, “I gotta go.” He shut the phone and looked at a cow. He chuckled. What in the world was that? That was too weird. He wasn’t sure what was weirder – that Leonard had secretly gotten his number or that he had called to comfort him. Leonard was a weird boy. He was 24 and had asked 4 girls out. They all rejected him. Evidently Leonard thought that getting rejected by a girl was equivalent to breaking up with a girl.
Harmon never hung out with Leonard and hardly ever talked to him. He found it very strange that now Leonard was calling to comfort him. He smiled and frowned and went back to work. He threw manure onto the manure spreader and thought about his situation. I am only 19 years old, he thought, and now I’m finally free again. I’ve done my part and now all Arvilla needs to do is break up with Karl and we can be together forever and ever. We can get married and live in a house on
Harmon was torn from his musings when his phone rang again. He looked at it quickly, hoping it was Arvilla. But it wasn’t. It was another boy Harmon didn’t like, trying to comfort him. Throughout the day, night and the next week, Harmon’s phone rang often. Each time it rang his he got a strange feeling in his stomach and prayed it was Arvilla, but it never was.
Arvilla heard about the breakup on Monday afternoon. She was at Suzanne’s house in Smoketown when her sister got a phone call. Arvilla was holding her neice, Marylynn, and thinking about how pretty she was. Suzanne hung up the phone and looked at Arvilla.
“Did you hear the news?” she asked.
“No, what news?” Arvilla replied.
“Oh it’s something, something pretty strange.”
“Well tell me what it is!”
Suzanne looked at her first child and said, “Isn’t she cute?” She had a sheepish grin on her face and Arvilla was getting mad.
“What is it?”
“Oh, it’s not really anything,” Suzanne said slowly, “Harmon and Millie broke up.”
Arvilla showed no emotion as she took in the news. She stroked Marylynn’s face. “They did?” she finally said, “last night?”
“Yeah I think so,” Suzanne said, “that was Marge Miller and she didn’t know much other than that they broke up.”
“Who did it?” asked Arvilla.
“Oh I’m not sure.” Marge said she heard Harmon did it and then she heard that Millie did it so she wasn’t sure.” It was probably Millie.” Harmon’s not good enough for her anyway.”
Arvilla almost protested when she heard this. Then she stopped herself. “Yeah,” she said, “that Harmon is a weird boy.”
“I wonder what happened,” said Suzanne.
The two sisters sat there for awhile. Marylynn started crying and Suzanne fed her. Arvilla sat there quietly. Finally Suzanne said, “Why are you so quiet?”
Arvilla looked at her and said slowly, “Oh, I’m just thinking about some things.”
“You are?” How’s it going with you and Karl anyway?” You’re not thinking about breaking up with him are you?”
Arvilla looked at the floor and replied, “What a dumb thing to ask.” Of course I’m not breaking up with Karl.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear things are going well.” Do you think he’ll ask you to marry you soon?”
“I don’t know.” I’m not ready to marry yet.” I’m too young.”
“Yeah right,” teased Suzanne, “I’m sure you’d say yes if he asked you.”
“No I wouldn’t,” Arvilla replied forcefully, “I’m still not sure he’s the one.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well I’m still having a lot of questions.” Just last week I was so mad at him.” He’s so inconsiderate sometimes.” I just don’t know if he appreciates me.”
“Well he is a nice guy,” Suzanne said, “If you want to date I think you should date him.”
Arvilla wanted to date. That much she knew. Later that night she thought about what Suzanne had said. I want to date, she thought. And now I could date Harmon if I wanted to. But that would look so strange if I broke up with Karl now. It’d look like I just broke up with him so I could date Harmon. People would think I’m weird. She thought about the decision she’d made on the previous night and decided to stick by it. She thought about calling Harmon, but she didn’t. She thought about calling Karl, but she didn’t.
On Friday night of that same week, Arvilla and Karl went to Ruby Tuesday’s on date. Halfway through the meal, Arvilla put her fear and uncertainty aside and told Karl exactly how she felt. They were talking about Harmon and Millie’s breakup and Karl was making fun of Harmon. Arvilla couldn’t take it anymore.
“Do you think you’re so much better than him or what?” she blurted.
“Well no, not exactly, but if I was a girl, I think I’d rather date me than him,” Karl replied smugly, taking a bite of chicken.
Arvilla didn’t say anything for awhile. She picked at her food and pushed it away. “Well, I don’t think he’s that bad,” Arvilla said, “and even if he is, why do you have to make fun of him?” Are you trying to make yourself feel better?”
Karl looked at her in stunned silence. Never before had his good, Beachy girlfriend raised her voice to him. He chewed his chicken slowly and took a drink of water.
Arvilla continued, “In fact, I have a few things I wanna say to you.” Karl’s ears perked up. “I don’t think you appreciate me at all.” You always talk about yourself and what you do, but you don’t even care about me!” You never ask about me and when I say things and you make me feel so dumb!”
Karl’s mouth fell open. He didn’t know what to say so he didn’t say anything. Arvilla continued, “And why do you think you’re so cool?” Just because people are different than you doesn’t make them dumb.” Just because you have a mission with inner city kids doesn’t make you better than me.” And just because you’re youth president doesn’t make you better than the other boys.” Arvilla went on and on. She spewed forth everything she wanted to say and a few things she hadn’t planned to say. Later in her life she was ashamed of some of the things she said.
Through it all Karl sat there and didn’t say anything. He was too shocked. He quit eating and gazed intently at her. The black people at the next table also listened for awhile and chuckled.
When Arvilla was finished criticizing Karl she said a few things she liked about him. Then she brushed a wayward hair from her face and looked at her boyfriend. He was still sitting there. The triumphant, cocky look his face usually carried had been replaced by a look of shame. Arvilla thought he looked like a beaten puppy and almost smiled.
Karl slowly opened his mouth and said, “Is it safe to talk?”
Arvilla didn’t say anything. She folded her arms and wondered if he was going to be sorry or mad. Please don’t attack me, she thought. Karl did not attack her. Instead he apologized and apologized up and down and over and over. He told Arvilla he was so sorry for the way he had acted. He asked for forgiveness and promised to do better. He told Arvilla she was smart and beautiful and virtuous. When he was done Arvilla felt bad for ever attacking him. She hoped he was serious about the promises he made.
The rest of the night went better than ever. Arvilla was so happy. She poured her heart out to Karl. She shared her plans and thoughts and dreams with him. She told him what she liked and what she hated and what made her happy and what made her mad. Karl sat there and listened to her and didn’t say much. When Karl dropped her off that night, she was truly happy. She sighed and looked at him. He looked in her eyes and she felt her heart melting.
“I’m so glad you told me how you feel tonight,” Karl said as he opened her door, “I want you to be happy.”
“Thanks for not getting mad at me and most of all for listening,” Arvilla said as she stood beside the Blazer in the brisk, winter moonlight. “I think I overreacted, but all couples have to go through disagreements and stuff.” Karl looked at her and agreed. He was standing close to her and she could smell his cologne. Arvilla thought it would be incredibly romantic if he kissed her. But hands (and lips) off prevailed.
Arvilla stood in the doorway and watched the Blazer roll down the driveway. She felt giddy. I think I’m in love with him, she thought, and why wouldn’t I be since he is smart, hot, spiritual, and the coolest guy in Bird-in-Hand?
Arvilla went up to her room and saw her cell phone lying on her desk. She had forgotten it. The message light was blinking so she checked it. “One New Text Message.” I wonder who it’s from, she thought. She pushed the Check Message button and her heart suddenly did something strange. The message was from Harmon. She pushed the Read Message button. “What are you up to” was all it said.
Oh, Harmon, thought Arvilla, what am I gonna do with you. That was the first time she’d thought of our hero since her blowup at Ruby Tuesday’s.
Harmon spent that Friday night at home in Bird-in-Hand. He wanted to do something but he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to meet people who would try to comfort him or cast sorrowful looks in his direction. Willard and Henry were at the mall and he thought about going. It felt weird not to have a girlfriend, but he didn’t miss Millie. Pete went with her and some other youth to play volleyball. Harmon sat in his room and read a book. He wondered what Arvilla was doing. She still hadn’t called him and he was beginning to lose hope. He thought about calling her, but he was afraid to. He picked up his phone and scrolled down to her name. He thought about calling her again. He put the phone down and read his book. His mother had given it to him and it was about finding a Godly woman. He didn’t like the book because he knew which woman he wanted.
He finished a chapter, picked up his phone again and scrolled to Arvilla’s name. After 7 minutes of looking at her name, he sent her the text message which she received after her date. Then he sat there and waited for her reply. He sat there for hours and hours. He shut off his phone and turned it on again, hoping it wasn’t working properly. As the hours passed, his hopes waned and he threw his phone onto the bed. He pulled the covers over his head and fell into a fitful sleep.
At 11:15 he was roused from his sleep by his beeping phone. He quickly grabbed it and whipped it open. When he saw the message was from Arvilla, his heart skipped a beat. Excitedly, he read the message. It said, “Hey, how are you holding up? I was on a date w/ Karl and didn’t have my phone.”
Harmon read the message over and over. She wants to know how I’m holding up. That’s good. But then she tells me she was on a date. That’s bad. Should I text her back? Should I ask her if she broke up? No, she’d tell me. What should I write back? He felt good and bad at the same time and he didn’t know what to do.
Finally he texted back, “I’m doing great. How was the date?” Then he waited.
Two minutes later he got a reply, “Good to hear. The date was great gnite.”
Harmon put the phone down and tried to find meaning in the text. She cares about me, he thought. Yeah, but she had a good date. That is stupid. And she said goodnight which means she wants to stop texting. She knows she could call. Should I call her? Harmon decided not to call her. That was a good thing. He read her texts 17 times each. Then he went to sleep, not feeling too good about the whole situation.
Seven miles away, Arvilla went to sleep with a smile on her face. (by iw 7/02/07 to be continued).
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Read Our Hero Harmon next Week to see what happens on Valentines Day. Plus Harmon goes to NBC.