A Plain Man by Mary Ellis

the state highway to address their driver. “I’m putting this Carhartt atop your toolbox, Jack, because I don’t need it anymore and you’re about the same size as me.”
    Jack repositioned the rearview mirror to meet his gaze. “Thanks, Cal. How much do you want for it?”
    â€œNothing. It’s a gift. I bought it on rumschpringe while up in Cleveland.” While he spoke Caleb noticed an overlooked moth hole in his sleeve.
    â€œYour Carhartt looked brand new. Besides, you already gave me your Sawzall and Bob your cordless circular saw. I wouldn’t mind paying a fair price for the jacket—that brand lasts forever.”
    Caleb didn’t have a chance to argue, or decide upon a price for a used garment, or anything else. His father jumped into the discussion as though Caleb had been struck mute.
    â€œNo, just take it off our hands,” said Eli. “It’s a daily reminder of a place my son needs to forget. How about if Caleb foregoes his share of the gas money during the project in exchange for the tools?”
    Jack glanced into the rearview mirror at him. “Sounds fair to me, if it’s okay with Cal. But I’m still getting the better end of the deal.”
    Caleb stared out the window, not meeting Jack’s eye. With two other Amish men in the van, he didn’t wish to disagree with his father. “Deal sounds fair.” Three words, barely audible, but it was the best he could do at the moment.
    At the Millersburg job site Eli remained on the ground poring over blueprints and specifications, or on his cell phone ordering materials, or lining up their next project. Caleb and the rest of the crew worked unsupervised. All seven men were diligent and relativelyproficient—the Englischers more so than the Amish, due to their experience. During their lunch break, Jack and Bob headed across the street to McDonald’s while Eli met another contractor in a local diner. Caleb saw a chance to broach a subject that had been needling him with his fellow Amishmen. “I’ve noticed you continue to speak Deutsch even when Jack and Bob are with us. Don’t you think we should speak English out of common courtesy?” He glanced around the group where everyone munched on sandwiches or pieces of cold fried chicken. All food consumption halted, sandwiches held aloft in midair.
    Four sets of eyes focused on Josiah, Caleb’s roofing partner. “I had a feeling that has been bothering you,” he said. The Killbuck carpenter, a father of six with a seventh on the way, spoke in a calm manner. “We thought the same when we started working for your daed. So we spoke English in the van, at lunch, or anyplace else Englischers were present.” Pausing, Josiah glanced around the group.
    â€œGo on,” prodded Caleb. He set his egg salad sandwich down on the waxed paper. “What changed? Did you get mad at Jack or Bob?”
    â€œOf course not.” Josiah looked bewildered. “Truth be told, Eli told us that on breaks and before or after work we should speak Deutsch and let Bob and Jack carry on their own conversations. Only when we’re actually working with them should we converse in English.”
    Caleb waited for someone to burst into laughter to indicate Josiah was pulling his leg, but no one did. He received only nods of acknowledgement when he scanned the faces. “He instructed you to speak a language that Bob and Jack don’t understand?”
    Josiah took a bite of sandwich and chewed. “Eli has nothing but respect for them, but I have the feeling he doesn’t want his Amish employees”—he paused as though searching for a word—“fraternizing with the Englisch. ”
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding.” Caleb’s comment wasn’t a question.
    â€œNo, I’m not, but Jack and Bob don’t mind. Everybody is happy on this crew, Cal. Don’t try to fix something