men. He then took her to a store where she could buy pedal sewing machines and other items she would need. She purchased two sewing machines and left instructions how to send them to her.
She was very tired by now and her brain was spinning with all the good news and how she could improve her store.
Isaiah reminded her that he was hungry and it was the middle of the afternoon. She apologized to him and explained that she had been too excited to think of eating. He laughed and assured her that he knew the feeling. They walked to ‘Eat A Plenty’ for a light snack before they walked around more of the town and allowed Charity to see so many wondrous sights.
It finally dawned on her that she was keeping Isaiah from his house and possible work. She kept apologizing, and he kept assuring her that it was all right. By now they had walked a good distance from his home. He asked her if she wanted him to rent a horse and buggy to take them home, but she said she would prefer to walk if it was all right with him.
By the time they arrived at the house, her feet were tired and she felt she needed to change clothes. She gratefully sank into a tub of hot water and enjoyed soaking in quiet with no one banging on the door and wanting her.
It was six thirty, the time Erin had said she would serve supper. Charity hurried down to the kitchen to offer help, but was refused. Erin took her into the dining room where she met a sweet, elderly English couple celebrating sixty-five years of marriage. With a catch in her throat, Charity wished them well. She also met a thirtyish English man who was on a business trip and a young Amish couple thinking of moving to Shipshewana.
After supper, Charity insisted on clearing the table and helping that much. Later she went into the parlor to hear Erin play the pump organ. She excused herself at about nine and went up to her room to yearn for a hug from Jeremiah and to see her parents.
The next morning Charity had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, thick slices of toast with butter and jam, and coffee. She decided to walk around a little more before boarding the bus at ten to go home. She thanked Erin and Isaiah and made them promise to visit her when they got a chance.
As she walked along Van Buren, she was almost even with an alley between buildings. Three young English men, obviously drinking, came walking toward her.
“Well, will y’all lookee here. A purty little gal.”
“Yeah, she’s one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen.”
“I’ve always wondered what they wear under those long dresses. Hey! Pull up your dress and let us see what you’re wearing.”
Charity, with heart fluttering wildly, turned and pretended to need to go back another way. She ignored them and hoped they would go on and leave her alone. She looked around and could only see an elderly couple on the sidewalk across the street.
One of them grabbed Charity by the left arm and swung her around.
“Now come on. You’re not going high hat on us, are you?”
“Sir, I do not even know you. I am a lady minding my own business and I would appreciate you doing the same -- minding your own business.”
“Hear that? She’s so well mannered. She’s minding her own business and she wishes I would mind mine.”
They all laughed as if it were the funniest thing they’d ever heard. The elderly couple realized what was happening. The woman leaned against a store front while the man hobbled inside and told someone what was going on with the young Amish woman.
They dragged her toward the alley and all Charity could think to do was pray out loud. “Oh, Lord, I promised Jeremiah I would be safe and come back to him. I promised him he would not lose me like he did his daddy.”
“Listen to that. Do you have a little boy and did you lose your husband?”
“Yes, an English man killed my husband with a car and my little boy is home with my family waiting for his mother. Please let me go. I have done nothing to you.”
“Aw. We’re sorry that you lost your husband. We’ll make up for that.”
“Please. No man has ever touched me but Adam.”
“Adam. Is your name Eve?” They laughed drunkenly. “If you haven’t had another man touch you we’re going to give you a thrill.”
Charity felt herself passing out from fright just as she was thrown to the ground on her back and hit her head on a rock. Her dress was yanked up as the man was hit with a tackle worthy of Joe Montana.
Two young men had run across from the store and knocked two of the men down. The one that had the most to drink tried to get into the scuffle, but could not control his balance. He fell on top of Charity. In a couple of seconds sirens were heard and police pulled up to take over. The three men were taken to jail and Charity was taken to Parkview Regional.
Word traveled quickly in the Amish community and Isaiah and Erin heard about it as they were eating brunch. They were angry and concerned. Erin insisted on going immediately to see about Charity. They realized how naive she was and unaccustomed to being handled so roughly.
It was late, supper time, when Charity woke to the clatter of carts and dishes. Her head hurt and she felt nauseated. She slowly turned her head when she heard her name whispered and was thankful and surprised to see
Erin and Isaiah by her bed.
“Where am I?” she croaked on a raspy throat.
“You are in Parkview Regional, a wonderful hospital, and you will get the best of care.” Erin answered as Isaiah nodded and clumsily patted her hand.
“Charity, I need to call someone and tell them about this, but I do not know who to call. I know you do not have a phone where you live.”
“In my case is a paper with the name of an English neighbor and their phone. Yes, my parents will want to know, but I do not want to worry them.”
“I will be careful how I word the message, but I know they will want to know.”
“Yes, they will. Erin, how am I? I mean what happened to me? Was I --?” She couldn’t say any more. Isaiah saw she was embarrassed and tiptoed out of the room.
Erin took her hand. “No, sweet girl, you were not raped. Two English men ran just in time and knocked the drunks down. Our mayor is angry and so embarrassed that this happened to you. Your pretty blue dress was dirty and a tiny torn. I have taken it home with me to wash and repair. Did you make your dress?”
“Yes, I make all my clothes.”
“I thought you might. It is very well done.”
“Erin, my head feels funny.”
“You hit the back of your head on a rock and have some stitches in it. You will be fine. There will not even be a scar and your hair will cover it.”
“I ache all over.”
“I guess you do. You are not accustomed to being thrown around and knocked down. I will leave you in peace. You will get the best of care.”
“Erin! I do not have insurance and I did not bring enough money with
