Read An Unforgivable Secret (Amish Secrets - Book 1) Page 34
Chapter 31
Two days a week for a month, Hannah had been going to the clinic on Elm Street to try to talk to the young women entering the establishment. If they didn’t avoid her altogether, they certainly didn’t appear as though they wanted to hear a word she said. Although one or two women had politely listened for a minute or two, she hadn’t made a difference.
After the first week, she thought that perhaps she should write a letter about what she’d gone through. Maybe the women would take it into the clinic with them and read it. All she knew is that she felt like a failure. In all her efforts, she hadn’t been able to persuade one woman.
“So will you keep going to the clinic?” Deborah asked over her bowl of soup.
Hannah shook her head as she ladled some soup into her own dish. “I don’t think I want to. I wish there was something else I could do.” She tapped on her notebook, thinking for a moment.
“Wow. You’ve filled that journal up fast. Is that your second one?” Christian asked.
“Third. I feel like it’s my best friend. I write about everything.” She laughed.
“I know. You have that thing everywhere you go.” Christian scratched his head.
Peter spoke up. “Hey, what about a book?”
Hannah’s lips twisted. “A book?”
“Jah. Have you thought of writing a book about your life and all that you’ve been through? I bet that would be a way you could make a difference.” He raised his eyebrows.
Hannah’s face illuminated. “Ach, Peter. I think that’s a wunderbaar idea!” Hannah hesitated, eyeing Christian. “But…do you think the leaders would approve?”
“I don’t see why not,” Christian said.
Hannah shot up from the table with her notebook in tow.
“What are you doing?” Christian asked.
“Starting my book.” Hannah smiled.
“Now? I didn’t mean at this instant,” Peter said, feeling a little guilty his suggestion disrupted their dinner.
“I know, but I just got an idea for the introduction and if I don’t write it down right away, I might forget it.”
“But we just sat down for dinner,” Deborah protested.
“I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, I promise.”
Christian sighed as his wife walked away. “Okay.”
Deborah laughed. “When Hannah sets her mind to something, it’s not easy to persuade her otherwise.”
“Believe me, I know,” Christian agreed.
“Sounds a lot like someone else I know,” Peter said, winking at his wife.
True to her word, Hannah returned to the table a few moments later. Her notebook was still tucked under her arm.
“Well?” Deb asked.
“Well, what?” Hannah grasped her spoon, delighted that her soup had now cooled enough to enjoy.
“Aren’t you going to read it to us?”
Hannah’s cheeks flushed. “Nee.”
“Why not?” Christian joined the conversation.
“Well, it’s just my first thoughts. A draft is all. I might decide to change it,” Hannah said.
“May I see it?” Christian asked.
Hannah nodded and sheepishly handed over her notebook.
Christian’s eyes skimmed over the page. A smile spread across his face. “Hannah, this is good!”
Hannah never did know how to respond to praise. It had always been frowned upon by their People. “Denki,” she whispered timidly.
“Do you mind if I read it?” Deborah asked.
Hannah shrugged. What was the point? It’s not like they wouldn’t read it eventually.
Deborah received the notebook from Christian’s outstretched hand. To Hannah’s dismay, she began reading aloud:
“Hannah’s Hope. Introduction: The story that you are about to read is true. It is my story. It has taken me many years to overcome my grief, but by God’s grace, it has been overcome. My desire in writing this book is three-fold. One, if you have experienced the pain of abortion, my hope is that you’ll find healing. Two, if you are considering abortion as an option, I hope you will seriously consider the consequences first. And three, I pray that you’ll find the joy and peace that knowing Jesus Christ can bring…”
“That is really good, Hannah,” Peter agreed. “I think my bruder would be proud.” He attempted to swallow the emotion in his voice.
Hannah nodded humbly. “Denki for saying that, Peter. It means a lot.” Hannah glanced at Christian to gauge his reaction. Thankfully, he didn’t seem bothered. The last thing she desired was more tension between herself and Christian.
“I like the title. Hannah’s Hope,” Deborah said wistfully. “This is great. I think you may be able to impact a lot more lives than you think.”