The wheels of Mennonite justice turn slowly at times, but they turn nevertheless. A few weeks passed before the
Finally the Indian man from Intercourse Market identified Harmon and Willard as Henry’s partners in crime. He described in broken English how the boys had purchased candy bars and Mountain Dew and left together in the Ranger – returning several hours later to throw a volleyball net in front of his store.
The boys were sentenced to 10 hours of community service at the
“Harmon, I am so disappointed in you,” he told his son one night in early October. They were both in the barn. Harmon angrily cleaned a cow’s tit and rammed the milker nozzle onto it. He said nothing. After a period of straight up denial, he had admitted to his role in the volleyball drive-by.
“As punishment for the evil deeds you have done, I’m going to ground you an extra 3 weeks, after your 5 weeks are up.”
Harmon looked at his dad without blinking.
“While you are grounded you may not go to anywhere without adult supervision.” You may only go to church, bible study, and one date every two weeks with Millie.” The dates will be supervised by your good brother, Pete.” Harmon II cleared his throat and looked at his son. “It’s time for you to grow up.” What you did to the Easterns has brought shame to our name.” When I was a boy, I one time went on a mail box smashing spree with my friends and my dad whipped me.” I was 17 but he whipped me.” I’d like to whip you, but I think you’re a little too old.”
Harmon looked at his dad again and walked to another cow. He didn’t say anything. He was prepared to take whatever punishment his father dealt out.
“In addition to the grounding,” Harmon II continued, “You will milk the cows by yourself every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night for two months.”
Harmon groaned and walked away and his father yelled something at him. He was mad. He was mad at his Dad and the preachers and the Easterns. They thought they were so smart. He was mad that he wouldn’t get to see his two best friends very often and he was mad he wouldn’t get to see Arvilla at all. But he had a smile on his face when he finished milking the cows. He would only have to see Millie twice a week and all the dates would be chaperoned. How great is that, he thought as he walked into the house for supper. And Pete is the chaperone. Ha ha. This is too good to be true.
A few weeks later Harmon, Henry, and Willard were at the
Around 7:15 a car load of Eastern youth pulled up and stopped. Three boys and three girls jumped out and looked at the boys. Harmon recognized one girl as the big girl Willard had hit with a stick. The youth stood there and laughed at the boys for awhile. One ugly boy with tight pants took a bag of leaves and dumped it on the ground. They said rude things to them and Abraham did nothing to stop the abuse. The three Amish Mennonite boys kept raking without saying anything.
After awhile the youth got tired of harassing Harmon and his friends so they jumped back into the car and drove away again. Abraham walked around the church to get a drink. Harmon looked up to make sure Abraham was gone then eased closer to Willard and said, “Let’s get rid of this old man and run away.”
Willard looked at Harmon and kept raking. “Yeah, but what would happen to us then? We’d probably be grounded for a year.”
“So what, we could take his car and be in
Henry walked over to the boys. “Harmon, you are crazy,” he said. “We can’t run away.” Lets just put in our hours and it’ll be over before long.”
“No, I’m sick of this,” said Harmon. “These people are treating us like dirt.”
“I’m not gonna run away and that’s that,” Henry said and went back to raking.
Abraham came back around the church and yelled, “Get to work, boys.”
At eight o clock Willard’s father came and picked the boys up. He dropped Harmon off at his house. He went to bed thinking about Arvilla. What is she doing, he thought. Oh, how I miss her sweet voice and her pretty face. And even if I could see her, she’d be with Karl. What could I do to get rid of that twerp?
While Harmon was raking leaves and being abused by the Easterns, his love, Arvilla, was eating free range chicken at a fancy restaurant in
The evening had gone quite well for Arvilla up to that point. This was their first date out on the town at a nice restaurant. She had looked forward to it all week at work, at home, and wherever else she went. Karl was such a nice guy. She found herself constantly dreaming about him. She thought of his strong hands, his handsome face, and his funny jokes. She thought about how much potential he had. She considered herself very lucky to be his girlfriend because she knew several other girls wanted him.
Karl had picked her up in his Blazer and drove toward
Finally they pulled into the restaurant in
Karl pulled Arvilla’s chair out for her and she sat down thinking about how cool he was. She sat there looking at him and he took her breath away countless times. How lucky I am, she thought. Then she looked at her reflection in the window. And how pretty I am. Who wouldn’t want to go out with me?
When Arvilla looked at the menu she was amazed at all the fancy foods. She didn’t really understand what half of them were so she settled on the free range chicken because she knew what a chicken was. She was shocked by the high prices of the foods but Karl assured her that she could have anything she wanted.
The rest of the evening went well, but Arvilla soon noticed something that concerned her slightly. Karl spent the whole night talking about himself, and she hardly got the chance to say anything. He made fun of people he thought were dumb, he talked about his job, he talked about his life plans, he talked about him and God, but not once did he ask Arvilla anything about herself. Arvilla liked hearing about Karl, but she was annoyed she could hardly get a word in. One time she managed to say she thought covering strings are annoying and Karl looked at her like she was crazy.
When Karl finally dropped her off at 11:03 she went into the house with a heavy heart. She didn’t know what her problem was and she was mad at herself. She was dating the coolest guy in Bird-in-Hand. He was hot, smart, and funny, but there was something wrong. Oh I’m just having second thoughts and I’m sure that’s normal, she thought. I wish I’d have someone to ask how it was when they started dating. Who could I ask?
Sometime the next week Arvilla was at Suzanne’s house in Ronks helping her clean. Suzanne was 8 months pregnant and couldn’t work very well. After the cleaning was done they sat outside and drank orange juice.
“So how’s it going with you and Karl?” asked Arvilla’s sister.
“Oh, it’s going great,” Arvilla replied quickly.
Suzanne looked at her sister. Arvilla looked back. “Is something wrong?” Suzanne asked.
“No, nothing’s wrong.” It’s going great.” I have so much fun with him and he is so cool.” And he took me out to a fancy restaurant the other night.” I felt so special.” Why do you think something’s wrong?”
“Well, I just thought you looked kinda sad when I asked about him.” That’s all.”
Arvilla paused a little bit and looked at the ground. She took a sip of orange juice and said, “Well, it’s just that, um, something doesn’t feel quite right.” I got so annoyed at him the other night because he only talked about himself, and he made me feel kinda simple sometimes.”
Suzanne looked at Arvilla with some concern. “Well I think it’s normal to have second thoughts about dating.” I almost broke up with Alfred soon after we started dating but then I didn’t and I’m so glad.” He is such a good husband.”
“Whew, I’m glad to hear that.” I was wondering if it’s normal or if I’m the only one.” But why does he always talk about himself?” Doesn’t he know I have some things to say too?”
“I don’t know about that,” Suzzane said, rubbing her pregnant belly. “It’s kicking so much lately.” I’m sure it’s gonna be a girl.” Don’t do something dumb like breaking up.” You know Karl is the coolest guy around here, and I heard he’s starting a bible study for inner city youth.”
“I won’t do anything crazy,” Arvilla said. “I learned my lesson last time.” The girls sat quietly for awhile. Both knew the other was thinking about Richard Mast and those unfortunate circumstances.
“Just don’t move to fast,” Suzanne finally said. “You don’t have to go and get engaged in 3 months.” I think 6 months is a better length to date before you get engaged.”
Arvilla didn’t say anything. 3 months, 6 months, she thought. She knew 3 months were way to short but 6 months sounded about right, or maybe even 9. Whatever, she thought. I’m pretty enough. If it doesn’t work out between me and Karl I’m sure there’ll be other boys waiting.
Arvilla drank the rest of her orange juice and then she drove away. When she passed the Stolzfus farm in Bird-in-Hand she saw a boy cutting weeds in the ditch. It was Harmon III. He was covered in weed clippings and wearing goggles but he managed to look up in time to see Arvilla’s car coming up 340. He immediately threw the weed eater on the ground and started waving. Arvilla waved back and slowed down. Harmon waved harder. Then Arvilla did something she could never explain in later years. She pulled off the road and stopped.
Harmon ran toward her car. Oh how pretty she is, he thought. I haven’t talked to her in forever. His heart was beating wildly but he kept running till he was looking into the open window at the girl of his dreams.
Arvilla smiled as Harmon came running toward her. He looked hilarious in his goggles. “What’s going on?” he blurted.
“Oh not much,” she replied. “How are you?”
Oh, I’m doing ok, considering the circumstances.”
Arvilla knew he was talking about the Eastern drive-by and his subsequent punishment.” So are you grounded or what?” she asked. “I haven’t seen you around much.”
“Yeah, I’m grounded.” I’m only allowed to go to church and bible study.”
“What about Millie?” Do you ever get to see her?”
Harmon looked mad when he heard this. “Oh yeah, we’re allowed to go on a date every two weeks, but it’s chaperoned by Pete.”
Arvilla chuckled. “Pete,” she said. “I’m sure that’s fun.” Pete scared Arvilla. “I thought that thing you did to the Easterns was kinda funny.” But don’t tell anyone I said that.” Easterns scared Arvilla.
Harmon looked surprised. “You thought it was funny!” Yeah I did too but now I feel bad about it and don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what you said.” Arvilla laughed.
Harmon and Arvilla talked for awhile. Harmon was sweating and Arvilla didn’t know why she was talking to him. But she didn’t drive away. After awhile a Blazer shot by and blew its horn. The children looked and saw it was Karl. “Oh my,” said Arvilla. “I should go.”
“Will he be mad,” Harmon asked as he watched the Blazer drive away.
“Ah, I don’t think so.” He trusts me.”
Harmon knew his time was up. He wanted to ask her something but he was afraid. But then he thought about his plan and said, “So how’s it going with you and Karl?”
Arvilla looked at him like he had crossed a thin line. Why am I talking to this poor boy? she thought. She looked uncomfortable.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you that,” Harmon said.
“That’s ok.” It’s going good.” I mean, as good as you could expect.” We haven’t been dating that long and we’re still getting to know each other.”
Harmon looked at her. He wanted to say something but he didn’t. He just stared. Finally Arvilla broke the uncomfortable silence by saying, “I should go.”
“Yeah, Ok, it was great seeing you again,” Harmon said. “We should go on a double date some time.”
“Yeah, we should,” Arvilla said. Harmon wasn’t sure if she was serious or just being nice.
Then she said “bye” and drove away. Harmon stood there in his goggles covered with weed clippings. His heart was still beating wildly. Omigoodness, he thought. That did not just happen! He had a smile on his face as he stood beside 340. He wasn’t sure what the meeting meant, but she had given him what he needed. He thought about what she had said about her and Karl. I know she’s not happy with him. I know it. I know it.
Harmon whistled as he walked back to the weed eater. He didn’t see the Blazer coming back up the road. It slowed down as it approached Harmon. He was busy weed eating again. Someone got out and walked angrily toward our hero..(by iw 5/27/07 to be continued).
click here to read chapter 9
Read Our Hero Harmon next week to see what the angry boy wanted with Harmon. Plus see what happens when the youth pass out tracts in the city.