MENDING FENCES by Brooke Williams Page B

nothing like running into her mother’s arms once again.
                “Maria!” her mother exclaimed, rushing to her just as fast as Maria ran.  “I’m so glad you’re back.  I could hardly sleep last night after hearing that you sent for a ride back in today.”
                Maria clung to her mother like a needy child.  “I have so much to tell you,” she whispered, trying to hold back her tears of joy.
                “There will be plenty of time for that once your father gets home,” her mother answered, loosening her grip and holding Maria at arm’s length.  “You look like you’ve aged years,” she said, shaking her head.
                Maria felt older too.  She left the community at the slight age of 18, but she returned a full adult…one who knew the meaning of human love.
                “When will father be home?” she asked, wanting nothing more than to tell her story and see what she could do for Eldon.
                “After the evening meal,” her mother answered, linking her arm with Maria and pulling her farther into the house.
                Maria knew having her father home that early was a treat.  He usually worked the fields until dark at this time of year.  She then spent the afternoon with her mother fashioning special little cakes for an evening family celebration.  They didn’t often have time with just their small little family, but tonight was a special occasion.  Tonight, Maria was to tell her parents about her decision.
                Of course, everyone expected since Maria was home in only one week that she was going to ask to be baptized and then commit herself to the simple life within the community.  It was what she always said she wanted, after all.  Maria knew that part of her still wanted it, but the other part of her was being tugged in Eldon’s direction.  She only hoped that she could reconcile the two forces by somehow getting him back into the community.
                The evening meal was a blur to Maria.  Everyone wanted to greet her and welcome her home, but she was not allowed to talk about her experiences or her decision until she first spoke with her parents.  It was a custom that was much easier for those who were able to talk with their parents right away.  Since Maria could only listen to chatter about the things going on within the community and not delve into the things she saw and learned on the outside, she found herself tuning others out and wondering what life was like for Eldon when he was completely ignored.
                Maria felt a bit set apart from the group because of the different life she had been leading over the past week so she almost felt like she got a small glimpse of what Eldon experienced.  The difference was that she was still accepted and people were still talking to her.
                When Maria and her parents and siblings finally arrived home, Maria was exhausted.  She had plastered a smile on her face all evening and listened to the stories from those she knew and loved.  It was comfortable being home, but part of her was still on the outside…the heart portion that she had given to Eldon.  She knew she couldn’t settle in until she had her say.
                Maria’s mother served the little cakes they labored over that afternoon while her father washed up a bit more and then plopped down at the kitchen table.  Maria’s siblings made themselves scarce so that Maria would have a little privacy with her parents, though everyone thought that it was more a formality than anything.
                “So, let’s hear it,” Maria’s father said as her mother sat down at the table and folded her hands expectantly.
                Maria poked the little cake on the plate in front of her.  “I didn’t see as much as I planned,” she began, wondering how to segue into the