A New Beginning

“Cole Adrian Forrester, you leave your sister alone this minute!” Abigail scolded, from where she stood behind the counter of the “Bookworm.” Her son, his brown eyes twinkling, had snatched his sister’s book away from her and ran, asking her to scream and run after him. Cole stopped in his tracks and smiled sheepishly, “Aww, Mom, I was just teasin’.” Abby raised her left eyebrow in question, “Oh yeah? Well, why don’t you put your over-abundance of energy into some proper use; like dusting off the back book shelves?” “Mom, I’ve got homework!” he replied, handing the book back to his sister. Chloe giggled radiantly and announced, “We don’t have homework Mommy. First graders never do, that’s what Olivia said.” Olivia Bontrager, a young Amish girl happened to be Chloe’s closest and most special friend. The twins went to an Amish only school, because the public elementary school in the small town had shut down due to a lack of teachers. Most of the children took a bus to a nearby town’s school since the parents did not want anything to do with the Amish. But the Brothers had allowed a few children to come to their school, and Abby did not like the idea of her twins so far away each day. “Why don’t you both open the new boxes that arrived today? They’re still in the back. You like doing that right?” They cheered and ran to the back; Chloe’s long curly dark hair bouncing as she went. Abby smiled and shook her head; than took the price stamps and headed for the shelves to do inventory. It was roughly a half hour later; Abby was eating a cookie as she read a new novel behind the counter, when the chimes above the door rang and a tall, handsome Amish man walked in. Abby smiled and stood up, eager to greet a new customer. “Good afternoon! Is there anything I can help you with?” She asked cheerfully, smoothing her hands down her skirt and shaking the cookie crumbs off, which had reserved there. He smiled, the dimple on his chin deepening, “Jah, in fact you can ma’am. I’m Olivia’s Oom Levi. She told me I could find just about any book I wanted here.” Abby walked around the counter and stood in front of him, her blue eyes meeting his brown warm ones, “Well, she was right about that. What kind of book are you looking for?” “I would like a book on carpentry. I started working for Frontline Construction in town, and I want to learn a little more than making furniture.” He ran a hand through his dark curly hair. Abby pointed to the back, “You’ve come to the right place, sir. We have a very wide selection. My Grandfather kept many because they are very popular around here.” Levi smiled, “Jah, I suppose so. Denki, ma’am.” “Anytime.” As he walked to the back, Abby noticed that something was different about him from that of the other Amish men she had met. She was still pondering over it when he turned back with a few books in his arms. “I found some books that I think will help me out. You have a wonderful gut selection!” he announced, his brown eyes sparkling in excitement. Abby smiled as she rang the books through the teller, “I’m glad you think so. We get new books in every month. It’s good to have a wide selection.” Levi nodded and Abby than noticed what was so different about him; he didn’t wear a beard. His face was clean-shaven and his hair was cut modernly as well. Yet, his manners, voice, and body language showed he came from the Amish origin. “You can ask me, you know. I don’t bite.” He suddenly retorted softly, his face slightly flushed. Blushing madly as she realized she had stopped what she had been doing to stare, she replied, “Ask what?” He grinned, showing a set of perfectly white teeth; a gorgeous smile. “You can ask why I don’t have a beard. I’m not scared to answer. That is what you were wondering, jah?” Abby nodded shyly, “Yes, I did wonder about that. Your books come to $24.83.” As he handed her the money he spoke quietly, “I left the community when I met a girl at the age of nineteen. She passed away two years ago, so I came home. Although I am shunned, my brother allows me to visit.” “That must be awful; to not see your parents?” Levi nodded, “Yes, it is. But I do not agree with the doctrine. When I met my late wife Sarah she told me all about her way of life, and about the God she had learned about.” “You’re a Christian?” Abby asked quite surprised, “That’s wonderful.” Grinning widely, Levi took his books off the counter and glanced around, “I believe I have seen you in church on Sundays. I sit upstairs so you wouldn’t necessarily see me. Well, it was lovely to meet you Abigail. I hope we can meet and chat again sometime. Jah?” “I’d like that,” Abby responded quietly. “Okay than; you have a wonderful gut day.” He said over his shoulder as he retreated from the store.