Page 65 of Unforgotten

“Come on. The party is going to start before we know it.”

Jah. Bethanne whispered a silent prayer as she headed outside. That’s what she was counting on.

21

The evening weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too humid, thanks to a hint of a northern breeze coming down from the Ohio River Valley. Jay gave thanks to the Lord for providing such a perfect backdrop for John Hostetler’s fiftieth birthday party.

After getting home from work, he’d spent some time with Tommy, then helped his father with chores in the barn. Then he took a long, hot shower. By the time he was finally ready, he’d somehow ended up walking to the Hostetlers’ party with his father. That wasn’t a bad thing, it was just unexpected. It was also rather unexpected to see his father carrying two large stoneware jugs of cider. They were his gift for John.

“You sure you don’t need me to carry one of them, Daed?” Jay asked.

“Certainly not. I haven’t gotten so old that I can’t carry a bunch of apple juice, son.”

“It was just an offer, not a judgment.”

“Good to know.” Looking up at the sky, he breathed deep. “It’s a gut evening out, ain’t so? Not too hot or buggy.”

“You’re right. It’s a perfect night for a gathering.”

“And what a gathering it is. You woulda thought a young’un was getting married, there’s so many people coming.”

“John Hostetler is a good man. He’s well liked.”

“Jah, he is.” Sobering a bit, he added, “He’s had his share of hardships too.”

“Like what?”

His daed cast him a sideways glance. “Like the obvious. His daughter’s trauma.”

“I never thought of him being affected. I mean, I know he loves Bethanne and worries about her, but I didn’t think it had affected his life.” Of course, now that he’d said the words out loud, Jay realized he’d been naïve.

“One day you’ll understand just how much a child’s hurts can affect a father, son. It’s the lot of a parent, I reckon. You kinner might be experiencing something, but mothers and fathers feel the hurt almost as much. In some ways, I think it feels almost harder because there’s nothing we can do but sit and watch.”

Jay nodded slowly. “I can see why you’d say that. I felt that way a bit.”

“Of course you did. You not only lost Peter, but you realized that your buddy was not the man you believed him to be.”

“That’s exactly how it felt. It was a long time ago, though.”

“Indeed it was.” He brightened. “And now, here we all are. About to celebrate a birthday together. Seems like a perfect time for all of us to move forward, don’t you think?”

“Is that your not-very-sneaky-way to hint about me courting Bethanne?”

“I don’t think it needs to be sneaky, son. She’s had your attention for years.”

“She has.”

“And ...?”

“And I think we’re doing good.”

He coughed. “But are ya serious?”

“You know I am. I’m visiting her house as often as I can.”

“You’re certain that she’s the one for you?”

“Mighty certain. I know I’m the one for her too. I can be the man she needs. I know it. I love her.”

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