After The Harvest. A Longer Short Inspirational Story. Free Read

 

After The Harvest

A Short Story by

Alison Lawrence

When Avi broke through the dark blanket of sleep on the morning of her twenty-first birthday, she knew for certain that she could not marry Dac. Time marched on callously in the busy household, but she took some moments to pray. Somehow, she felt peaceful; liberated. And terrified all at the same time.

***

Her sister Fern looked up from her place at the range, where she was frying eggs. "Happy birthday, Avi." She said softly, before focusing once more on her task.

"Thank you, Fern." Avi smiled.

Her mother, Maya sniffed. "There's still work to be done on birthdays. You can butter the toast."

"Yes, you were a real lazy bones this morning," Ivy, a younger sibling grumbled.

"It's my birthday." Avi said sweetly as she started buttering.

"No big deal." Ivy huffed.

"No. It's just another day. Life goes on." Maya kneaded her dough with powerful movements. "You don't see me fussing about my day of birth. And as for you, Avi, you should think of your up-coming wedding day. Last time I looked, your marriage chest lacked some items."

"Yes Mama," Avi said meekly. She took her feelings out on the toast instead. She wasn't about to stir that hornets' nest up on her birthday.

They worked in silence after that. The girls placed platters of eggs, bacon, and toast on the generous kitchen table. Maya covered the huge bowl of dough with a cloth before heading to the back door to ring a bronze bell. Before long, a scraping of boots and the sound of deep male voices could be heard in the mudroom.

Avi's father Lowri took his place without ceremony at the head of the table, and began eating at once. He was solidly built and browned by the sun of harvest time. His beard bobbed up and down as he ate. In between bites, he nodded in Avi's direction. "Good birthday, daughter."

"Good birthday, Avi." Her brothers, Declan, Archer, and Cai followed suit. 

"Thank you." Avi smiled as she poured coffee for the men. It was nice of them to have remembered.

The meal continued in silence after that, until Lowri scraped his chair back from the table. He smiled in Avi's direction. "I give you my blessing to meet with Dac today, daughter. It is not our way to make a fuss on birthdays," he said, nodding in his wife's direction, "but you may have the rest of the day off once you've helped your mother in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Papa." Avi nodded. She began to clear the table, inwardly wrestling with her father's offer. Meeting up with Dac was the last thing she wanted to do on her birthday.

***

After doing her chores, Avi walked into town. She passed the neighbour's house, where crisp washing flapped on long lines. The plain, solid building gazed solemnly down at her. She hurried past not wanting to draw attention to herself. As she walked along the dirt road towards town, the overarching plane trees embraced her, and she slowed her pace, determined to enjoy her day. A little song of praise she'd learnt at church bubbled up inside her and joined the melodies of the birds. No. Dac was not going to spoil her day.

***

But as she neared the town with its two facing rows of shops, Avi's thoughts turned solemn once more. She didn't love Dac. No, she couldn't. He was Papa's choice for her. Papa congratulated himself on his luck, no doubt. Dac was a strong, handsome young ox, with prospects of a large farm in his near future. It was more than enough for Papa, but not for Avi. She scanned the road ahead. Dac was waiting for her. Leaning up against a tree. He glanced her way, then summoned her with his eyes, as though she were already his. The happiness Avi had felt earlier seeped through her feet into the dust. But she forced her way forward. Dear Lord …

"Good birthday, Avi." He pulled her towards himself. Avi could smell the liquor on his breath. "I see your father agreed to my suggestion."

Avi nodded. She pushed him away and took a step backwards. "You've been drinking."

"So what if I have. It's my day off. And your birthday." He smirked. "You won't be one of those nags when we're married will you? A hardworking man needs a drink now and again. Best you understand that now."

"Can we walk?" Avi turned towards the street. She needed to talk to Dac somehow, but it would be easier if they walked.

Dac took her firmly by the arm. "I guess we could. It is your birthday. Say, I got you something." He pulled a package from inside his jacket. "Mind you, just this once. Don't believe in birthdays." Avi held the brown packet gingerly. 

"Open it."

Avi obeyed. She pulled out a bottle of perfume. The flashy bottle would have looked at home on some starlet's dressing table.

"You can wear it on our wedding night." Dac's eyes said more than she wanted to know. She shuddered inwardly, but thanked him politely.

Dac drew her closer, seemingly unaware of her lack of enthusiasm. "Only one month to go Avi. I can't wait to take you home."

Just one month. Thought Avi. As soon as the wheat harvest was all in, her life would end along with it. Like the wheat, she'd be crushed. And if Dac was anything like his father, beaten too. 

She'd be sentenced to a love-less marriage, and a life of toil and labour. But it was something more. Something greater that stirred in her breast. That made her shout "no" over and over again in her heart.

She started to speak, but the words died long before they reached her lips. Neither Dac nor her father would take the slightest notice of her frail protest if she were to find her voice.

***

Aware of her mother's pointed looks, Avi took up her own sewing. She worked with grim determination on the project, sewing the handmade crochet lace to the edge of the tablecloth. It wasn't long though, before she found herself enjoying the simple task. Fern glanced at her, concern and love in her eyes. The dishcloth she was hemming was for Avi's marriage chest too. Avi smiled at Fern as though to say, don't worry. I'm fine. Because oddly, she was. The love of Jesus burned strong inside her, and neither her father nor Dac could take it from her. Neither could they claim the joy she felt. She'd whispered truths from God's Word to her sisters at night time, hoping that they'd accept Jesus too. Fern whispered back not so long ago that she believed now, and Avi rejoiced at the news. But she continued to pray daily for her family. For Dac too. How she yearned for them all to know Jesus.

***

"What will you do?" Asked Fern later that night once soft snores could be heard from Ivy's bed. "Will you disobey Papa?"

Avi rolled onto her back and stared at the gray ceiling. "The Bible says we must honour our parents, Fern. I keep thinking of that. That I must obey Papa."

"But you don't love Dac." Fern's whisper was urgent. Pleading. "And he is so, so…horrid."

"I know. We must pray, Fern. That is the best thing to do. There is still a little time. Pray that God will give me wisdom. And strength to do what I must."

Fern squeezed Avi's hand in the darkness. 

***

That Sunday, Avi walked into church with her family. As they sat in their traditional pew on the left, she saw Dac sitting with his parents and brothers on the right. He glanced at her and she dipped her head slightly before looking away. Seeing him in church strengthened her resolve to pray. The grave, heavy tone of the organ music underlined the seriousness of her situation. The congregation dutifully bowed their heads, rose, and knelt as expected. Avi paid close attention to the sermon, and meant every word she prayed and sang. Towards the end of the service, she glanced Dac's way again. She knew what she had to do. 

Once they'd all spilled out into the sunshine, Avi approached Dac.

"Could we walk a little?" Avi asked quietly.

Dac smirked. "What is it with you and your walking. Seems like it's all you want to do."

"I'd like to talk with you if you don't mind."

He shrugged. "Sure."

Avi led the way, keeping to the road. She knew Dac would behave himself on Sunday morning with the other farmers driving by.

Dac restrained his hands by putting them into his pockets. "So. What do you want to talk about? The wedding?"

"Not really. I was hoping we could talk about God. About faith. That kind of thing." Avi's voice faltered a little, but she took comfort in the thought that Jesus walked at her side.

"That's dumb. We were just in church Avi. I've had my fill of all that stuff for the week. Last thing I need is for my girl to talk about religion to me. That's the preacher's job anyhow." Aled spat into the dirt. "Doesn't the good book say it's not a woman's place to yap to her man about religion. Didn't your Pa teach you?"

Avi took a deep breath. He was on a roll now, but she had to try anyway. "The Bible says we must repent and be born again. Dac, I gave my heart to Jesus some months ago now." Avi took courage even though she trembled. "I thought, perhaps you'd like to receive Jesus too. He loves you, Dac."

Dac stopped walking and turned to her, his face rhubarb red. "So now you think you're better than me 'cause you got more religion? I go to church. That's enough for me. Don't you go getting all holy on me Avi. It's bad enough that you don't even let me hold you. You turning into a nun or something?"

Avi shook her head. "No, Dac. I just think we must wait for marriage. It's what the Bible says. I just want for you to have what I have Dac…joy, peace. Please, Dac. Please just think about it."

"I don't think so, Avi. If getting saved means having no fun, then I'm not buying." He looked around to see if anyone was watching then pulled her roughly towards him. "Just remember Avi, when we're married, I won't have any competition from your Jesus. Do you understand?" Dac's harsh words hissed in her ear. 

Avi nodded. She understood. As she looked into the crimson blur that was Dac's face, she understood all too well.

***

Lowri put his feet up and lit his pipe as he soaked in the luxury of doing nothing. "Harvest's nearly in. Good one this year." He looked over at Avi who was packing away the last dishes. "Should imagine Dac and his family are close to finishing too. Gonna have ourselves a little celebration eh?"

Avi smiled weakly. "Yes, Papa."

"You don't sound too excited, daughter." Lowri took a long draw of his pipe. 

Maya snorted. "What's to be excited about? It's just a wedding. Was I excited when I married you?"

"No, but you did smile a little back then."

Maya just grunted and left the room to take up her mending.

Avi and her father were alone in the kitchen. She steeled herself and spoke quickly. "Papa, I'm not sure I want to marry Dac. He drinks too, Papa." She went on bravely. "I'm not sure he'll treat me right."

Lowri brought his feet to the floor with an abrupt thud. "Nonsense, Avi. Dac is a fine young man. There's no harm in an occasional drink, daughter. And as for him hurting you, if you are a good wife, he won't have reason to. I don't hit your mother, do I?"

"No, Papa."

"Well, you see. No worries then." Lowri relaxed into his chair. "And Avi, it won't hurt to smile more. It's a wedding. Not a funeral."

***

The following market day, Avi asked to be allowed to stay home. Her parents agreed, claiming it would be a good opportunity for her to see to last minute wedding preparations. The wedding was only three days away. Avi's heart was heavy, but her movements sure as she climbed the stairs after the wagon had rattled away. Once in the bedroom, she opened her wedding chest, and retrieved a cloth bag from the bottom. Then she took her writing tablet and pen and sat on the bed she'd shared for years with sweet Fern.

Dearest Papa, Mama, and family,

I am so sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot marry Dac. I hope you will understand one day. You see, I love the Lord Jesus and Dac doesn't. As a born again believer I cannot marry an unbeliever. To do so would be to disobey God. I love you all, and hope that you can forgive me. I will be gone by the time you read this. Please don't worry. I have my savings from my cleaning jobs, and will write as soon as I can.

Love, Avi

Ps. Please give the enclosed note to Dac.

Avi shouldered her small bag and left her childhood home. She avoided the main road and followed a dirt trail that would lead her to the train station. Avi walked past a farm where some wheat was still standing: waiting to be harvested. Only the Lord knew where she'd end up. She was going to trust Him to lead the way. All she knew was that after the harvest, she'd be far, far, away. Far from the tragedy that could have been her life : but for God's grace.

***

"Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: “I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor], And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:14‭-‬18 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/2co.6.14-18.AMP

If you need more encouragement or are searching for God, please look around the blog for more stories. You will find my testimony on the About page. A good place to start reading the Bible is the Book of John in the New Testament. Here, Jesus tells us that we need to be born again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks for reading. :) Please share.