Love Beyond The Rite

Chapter 13

EMBER

As I left the diner, the cold afternoon air hit me, and I shivered. The roads were slick with rainwater, and I slowed down, careful not to hydroplane.

As I drove home, I noticed groups of Amish walking back to their houses from church. They were bundled up in their traditional attire, their faces serene despite the rain.

A noticed a lone man was walking alone and far away from the other group.

Suddenly, a big truck sped by, and I watched in horror as it splashed through a nearby puddle, soaking that lone Amish man standing on the side of the road.

My heart sank. It was cold, and the poor guy was going to freeze.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should stop and help. But something compelled me to pull over.

I rolled down my window and tried to get the man’s attention, speaking in Amish as to let him know I’m an ally. "Gut tag." (Good day)

“Would you like a ride so you don’t freeze out here?” Unsure if he would even be allowed to be in the car with me, I figured I’d be nice regardless.

The man looked up, startled, and our eyes met.

And then I saw him.

Elijah.

My heart skipped a beat. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

I stood there, frozen, unsure what to say.

Elijah's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. The rain-soaked streets and the puddles around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us.

"Ember," Elijah said finally, his voice low and rough.

I swallowed hard, trying to process what was happening. Elijah, here, in front of me, soaked and shivering.

"How...how are you?" I stuttered.

Elijah's gaze drifted to my car, then back to me. "I could ask you the same thing," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I felt a flutter in my chest. What was he doing here? And why did he look so...different?

Elijah

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should get into the car with her. But the rain was coming down harder, and I was freezing.

"Thanks for stopping," I said, trying to sound casual.

Ember nodded, her eyes still locked on mine. "Get in," she said, gesturing to the passenger seat.

I climbed in, feeling a little awkward. The seat was warm, and I could smell the scent of strawberry’s. Just like I remembered. It took my breath away.

As I settled in, Ember started the car and pulled away from the curb. I watched her, feeling a little out of place.

"Where are you headed?" she asked, glancing over at me.

I shrugged. "I was walking home from church. I guess some people don’t know how to slow down around here”

Ember nodded, her eyes back on the road. "Well, I'll take you home."

We drove in silence for a moment, the only sound the rain pattering against the windshield.

"Thanks again," I said, breaking the silence.

Ember smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "No problem."

As I sat beside her, I couldn't help but notice the bruises on her face, the faint marks on her cheeks and neck. Her tiny frail body. My heart twisted with regret.

I glanced at her hands, still holding the steering wheel, and wondered if she was okay. The rain-soaked streets blurred together outside.

"Ember?" I said softly.

She turned to me, her eyes questioning.

"Are you...are you okay?" I asked, my voice low.

She nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said.

I studied her face, searching for any sign of distress.

"Ember, those bruises..." I started.

She waved me off.

"Nothing I have to worry about anymore m," she said.

I nodded, still concerned.

As I looked at her, I noticed her gaze flicker to my face, specifically my stubble.

A pang of anxiety hit me.

Was she wondering if I was still married? Did she even know I was married?

I didn't want to deal with that conversation.

Not yet.

"Let's just get home," I said, trying to sound casual.

Ember nodded, her eyes returning to the road.

The silence between us was thick with unspoken questions.

Trying to avoid making her feel uncomfortable with my stares I looked at the screen in between us. A song caught my eye - "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day. I know she was trying to be respectful of the Amish rules and have the sound off but I couldn’t help but try to make her smile. I moved the volume dial up and started singing. Just how I knew she liked it.

As I sang along to "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," I felt a rush of nostalgia and rebellion. Growing up Amish, music like this was forbidden, but Ember and I had always shared a secret love for it.

We'd sneak around, listening to Green Day and Foo Fighters, feeling like we were breaking free from the strict rules of my community.

I glanced over at Ember, her eyes shining with amusement.

"Remember when we used to listen to this in the barn?" I asked, my voice low.

Ember's smile grew wider.

"I thought we were going to get caught," she said, laughing.

I chuckled, feeling a sense of freedom.

"But we didn't care," I said. "We just wanted to be free."

The song ended, and the silence between us was filled with unspoken memories.

For a moment, I felt like we were back to our childhood. Not 10 years later, and lots of life in between. The memories came flooding back - our secret meetings in the barn, our late-night conversations under the stars, our laughter and whispers shared in hushed tones.

As I looked at Ember, I saw the same spark in her eyes, the same mischief and curiosity. It was as if time had stood still, and we were once again two kids exploring the world together.

But reality quickly set in, and I remembered the complexities of our past, the mistakes I'd made, and the distance we'd grown apart. I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment, and the chance to reconnect with Ember.

Ember pulled into her mom’s drive way.

"I'm glad I ran into you," I said finally, breaking the silence. “Not just because I was freezing”

Ember's smile grew wider. "Me too," she said.

I nodded, feeling a sense of connection. "I should probably get going," I said.

Ember nodded, her eyes locked on mine. "Yeah, me too."

We sat in silence for a moment longer, the tension between us palpable.

Then I spoke up. "Hey, I'd love to catch up with you again sometime."

Ember's smile grew wider. "I'd like that," she said.

I nodded, feeling a sense of hope. "If you ever feel alone, need a friend, or just want to talk, you know where to find me." I paused, knowing that the lantern in the barn held a special significance for us. It was our secret spot, our haven. "Just look for the light," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ember's eyes sparkled. "I'll look for you," she said.

I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. "Take care, Ember," I said.

Ember nodded, her eyes locked on mine. "You too, Elijah." I could tell this wasn’t easy for her.

I stepped out of the car and looked around hoping nobody saw. I quickly ran to my house through the trees.

I burst through the door, shaking the rain off my clothes. My two daughters, Anne and Lydia , looked up from their books, curious.

"Hey, Papa!" Lydia exclaimed.

"Hey, girls," I replied, smiling. "I'll be right back, I just need to change out of these wet clothes."

Anne nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Can we have a story time?"

I smiled, feeling grateful for the distraction. "Of course, I'll be right back."

I quickly changed into dry clothes, my mind still wandering back to Ember. I couldn't believe I'd run into her like that.

As I returned downstairs, Anne and Lydia were snuggled up on the couch, blankets wrapped around them.

"Okay, Papa, tell us a story," Lydia said, her eyes shining.

I smiled, launching into a tale of adventure and bravery. As I spoke, I felt my worries about Ember fade away, replaced by the joy of spending time with my daughters.