“Ah. I see. Okay, then, we’re starting treatment on him now. What short-acting bronchodilator do you have for him?”
Rachel pulled the small inhaler out, showing it to the doctor. “It’s empty. We had to use it overnight and –“ she sobbed.
“It’s fine. You did you best. Just dispose of that. We’ll give him a fresh one here, plus several nebulizer treatments,” the doctor said.
CHAPTER FIVE
By the next morning, Hannah Miller began showing signs of improvement. While Sarah breathed a silent sigh of relief that one of her patients was on the mend, she still struggled with anger at the girl for giving in to her desire to see a boy when she was sick. Sarah also felt anger at the girl’s mother for not asserting her parental authority and making her stay at home when she was obviously ill.
Sarah felt herself growing more and more angry at the duo, especially when she and Emily found it necessary to shuffle families among their bedrooms yet again – three other families were now showing signs of flu. Even worse, a stomach bug, showing that it would be virulent, began racing through the families held captive by the stubborn blizzard inside the Beiler home.
“Emily, you’ve been up all night, taking care of sick families. Go, lie down so you don’t get sick yourself. I’ll take over,” whispered Sarah to her friend and nursing counterpart.
“Denki, Sarah. It’s been a busy night. I am very tired. Let me know if you need any help and I’ll get up,” Emily said.
“Nee, don’t worry. Miriam will help me. Sleep is more important for you. Now, go!” Sarah ordered with a smile.
Sarah and Miriam bustled from room to room upstairs, both wearing face masks as they took care of their patients. Sarah gave Miriam instructions on taking care of the patients, then ran downstairs to give instructions to two healthy women who had volunteered to make soup and heavier fare for dinner and supper. Seeing Joseph coming back in with several of the men, she sent him a silent question: What is the weather like outside?
Joseph motioned with his head to the downstairs hallway.
“It’s slowing down considerably. The wind has almost completely died down, but it’s still snowing. We are praying that this will end sometime tonight or tomorrow,” he told Sarah.
“Good. Three more families have the flu – and now, we have stomach flu making the rounds. I just sent Emily Fisher to bed and Miriam is helping me out. How are you and the men feeling?”
“I feel fine. I did notice that one of the men was sniffling and coughing, so I sent him inside – Aaron Lapp, Joshua’s father. You might want to check on him,” Joseph said.
“Ach, no. Not another one! Denki, Joseph. I will check him out and give him something for fever. Two women are making more chicken soup in the kitchen. I’ll have them separate out more broth for those who can’t handle solid food,” Sarah mused.
After checking Aaron Lapp, she concluded that he was, indeed, coming down with flu. She gave him cool water and a painkiller for the fever and body aches, and then sent him to lie down in a corner of the quilting room.
That night, Emily had just come downstairs from her day of sleep. The healthy men came back inside after taking care of the livestock, reporting that the storm’s intensity seemed to have worn itself out.
Sarah and Emily smiled at each other – maybe this nightmare would end soon!
***
The next morning, Emily and Sarah looked to the back door as the men stomped snow off their boots and tramped into the house.
“Well? Is it cloudy, snowing or has the storm moved on?” Sarah asked, holding her breath. Inside, she was saying a fervent prayer that God would have mercy on them and send the storm elsewhere.
“Sunny, Sarah. We saw the sunlight as we looked – the storm is over!” Joseph said with a broad grin showing through his beard and mustache.
“Do you think it’s safe sending everyone home? We still have several sick families here. This flu won’t end until it has no victims living in such close quarters.”
“Let us talk to Bishop Stolzfus and see what he advises,” said Joseph.
“Okay. Breakfast will be ready in less than ten minutes,” Sarah said.
“Denki.”
Joseph and Samuel, the self-appointed leaders of the storm-isolated group, sought out the bishop.
“Bishop, it’s clear now. My wife tells me that this flu won’t stop until we’re no longer isolated in one large bunch. Do you think it advisable to send everyone home, sick or healthy?” asked Joseph.
“Let’s go back outside and talk,” said the bishop. Once outdoors, he made sure his coat was snug around his neck and torso. Standing in the snow-filled yard, he gazed around, turning a full 360 degrees so he could assess the horizon surrounding Ephrata.
“Ach, look to the east – do you see that far-off bank of clouds? Another storm is coming in, but, if we make good time, eat breakfast and help the Beilers clean up, then hitch the horses to our buggies and get home before noon, we should all get home before the next storm hits. Ya, we need to do this. Tell the women so they can get the families ready. Follow Sarah’s and Emily’s instructions on bundling up the sick ones so they don’t get worse by being outdoors, if possible. Let’s tell them,” he instructed, with a new spring in his step.
While the women were serving breakfast to those healthy enough to eat, the bishop, Joseph and Samuel broke the good news to Sarah and Emily.
“We’re sending everyone home today. It has to be today, because we saw a new bank of storm clouds in the distance. If you have any suggestions for sick families to get home without getting any sicker, we need them,” Joseph said.
“Thank you, Lord! First, feed everyone, even those who are sick. If they can only handle chicken broth and dry toast, so be it. They must be bundled up, with their mouths covered up so the cold air doesn’t irritate their airways. As soon as they get home, they must remove coats, hoods, gloves and scarves so their fevers don’t go too high. We’ll start spreading the word. All of you, sit down and eat, now,” Emily said with a grin on her tired, plump face.
Three hours later, everyone had eaten. Healthy community members helped straighten the mess inside the Beiler home – furniture was put back into place, sheets and blankets were stripped from beds and pillows and windows were opened upstairs so the fresh air could sweep out the germs. Emily, Samuel and Joseph volunteered to stay and help wipe down the house and all hard surfaces.
“Nee, don’t worry!” Sarah said. “You don’t want to get caught in the next storm!”
“Sarah, more hands make lighter work. We will finish in plenty of time to get home before the storm hits. We are staying,” Emily said firmly. “Now, let’s eat breakfast before it’s all gone.”
“I will be having a little talk with the Millers about exposing everyone to this kind of illness. Adam Zook could have died if we hadn’t been able to get him to the hospital!” Sarah said. After breakfast and making the announcement that the weather was clear enough for everyone to leave, Sarah carried out her promise. Spotting Hannah and Mary, she motioned with a finger to a quiet spot in the full house.
“Hannah, I know what it is to like a boy. However, you knew you were sick – and you still chose to come to service, exposing everyone to your ‘cold.’ We had to assign families to rooms and bed the men and older boys downstairs, because it was too dangerous to go home. As a result, the flu took its opportunity to move from victim to victim – and it very nearly killed Adam Zook. I don’t think you know this, so please accept it as educational only. Flu can kill people with lung conditions. We thank God that we could get him to the hospital for treatment, but by then, he already had pneumonia. If he had gone without specialized medical treatment for much longer – he would have died. Now, this is where I want you to think of the good of the community and selflessness. Was seeing Joshua Lapp worth that?”
Hannah’s eyes welled with tears as she shook her head.
“Nee, Mrs. Beiler. I am so sorry! I promise you, the next
time I feel so bad, I will let mamm know, and I will stay at home.”
“Denki. And you, Mary – you are the mamm, not your daughter’s best friend. It is up to you to be the parent and guide her when you know she is doing wrong or making a mistake. Had Emily and I not been blessed with nursing training, little Adam would have died. I know just how bad a ‘simple illness’ like flu can get. It is nothing to discount. I trust you will remember this the next time one of your children falls ill?” Sarah asked pointedly.
“ . . .Ya, Sarah. Thank you. I did suspect that she was more seriously ill than she was admitting to,” Mary said softly.
Two hours later, the house was blessedly empty. As promised, the Fishers stayed to help clean the house and barn. Sarah, Emily and Miriam tackled the house while Joseph, Samuel and John handled the barn. Sarah sent the Fishers home with extra chicken soup and fresh-baked bread, as thanks for all their help.
After the house was finally empty, Miriam collapsed onto the sofa in the living room.
“Ahh! It is heaven not to be tripping over children, blankets, legs and feet! Not to be cleaning up illness or taking temperatures . . . not to have to wear a face mask!” she said.
“Yes, it is! Now, help me freeze all that extra food. I sent some home with every one, but we still have so much left!” Sarah said.
“Gladly.” Miriam helped Sarah finish getting the large house straightened, cleaned and sanitized.
“Now, I can’t say we killed every flu germ in here, but we’ve given it our best,” Sarah mused, rubbing her hands over her arms.
“Mamm, can we close windows yet? It is cold!”
“Give the cold temperatures a little more time to kill the bugs in here,” Sarah instructed. “Cover yourself with a heavy shawl.”
Finally, Sarah was satisfied with the cleaning and disinfection efforts she, Miriam and Emily had made. She and Miriam went from room to room, closing and locking windows against the cold air.
CHAPTER SIX
The next day, the ominous clouds had edged closer to the community. Temperatures dropped once again as the wind picked up.
Inside the community schoolhouse, Rebecca Yoder glanced outside several times, seeing the clouds moving closer and closer. Picking up some wood, she stoked the fire inside the stove, encouraging warmth to move to the farthest corners of the room.
“Okay, everyone, let’s move to . . . Wait here. Open your language books to the unit on parts of language and I’ll be right back,” she instructed. Wrapping her shawl more closely around her torso, she walked to the front door, where Bishop Stoltzfus waited.
“Bishop? Is something wrong?”
“Ya, there is. I’m sure you feel the cold and hear the wind. We have alerted the families to come pick up their children before lunch. Another storm is coming and it would be too dangerous to keep them here until the usual dismissal time,” said the bishop.
“Denki! Yes, I saw the storm coming up and I began worrying about getting the children home,” Rebecca said.
“Do you mind?” the bishop asked, gesturing to the head of the classroom.
“Nee, go right ahead,” said Rebecca.
“Denki. Scholars, please listen to me! We are sending your parents to pick you up now. Another blizzard is coming and it would be safer to release you now rather than try to wait until this afternoon. Allow Miss Yoder to set your assignments for the next few days. Listen close, now! Your parents will be here – good, I see some riding up already,” the bishop said, trying to speak cheerfully.
“Scholars, read the parts of language assignment. I am writing everything down. Please write these assignments down and have them ready to give to me once we come back to school in a few days. You will have language, math, Bible, science and history. Now, your parents are waiting. Bundle up, take your books home and don’t make them wait! I will see you when it’s safe to have class,” Rebecca said over the sudden bustle of children putting their jackets on and finding their books.
“And, do you have a way home?” asked the bishop.
“Ya. My horse and buggy are inside the barn,” she said.
“I will follow you home – it is on my way, so don’t worry about putting me out. I am responsible for you, since the school board president is home sick with flu,” said the bishop.
“Denki. I’m ready – I just want to get inside, where it’s warm!”
Outside, Rebecca gasped as she saw the heaviness of the glowering clouds. Even though they were filled with snow, they appeared to hold something much more substantial. Hitching her horse the the buggy quickly, she tossed her belongings in and got into the buggy with the help of the bishop. She followed him, trying to keep the wheels of her buggy in the tracks created by his buggy. The trip was slow, and she squinted against the cold, stiff wind. Finally, she saw her daed’s and mamm’s farm. Dimly, she saw the bishop turn and give her a vigorous wave. Waving back, she turned into the driveway and urged her horse to the barn.
***
Joseph and Sarah Beiler decided to take the opportunity to stock up on their depleted stores of food. As fast as they tried to go, they realized they were in a race with the storm, which was now almost on top of them.
“Sarah, let’s hurry! If we move quickly, we can beat this storm!” Joseph shouted over the shriek of the wind. He signaled to the horses to move fast – as fast as they could without going off the road. Breathing a sigh of relief, Joseph brought the horses and buggy into the barn. As they were unhitching the buggy, he looked up, seeing snow falling heavily, blown about by the stiff winds.
“We’ll both have to carry as much as we can . . . Miriam, here! Take some of the food! Let’s try to get everything into the house in one trip. Thank God I left the guide rope up!” Joseph kneeled, handing several bags to Sarah and Miriam. Grabbing what was left, he managed to close and secure the barn door, walking as fast as he could to the kitchen door.
“Mamm, I’m working on dinner. Do you want me to help put the food away?” she asked Sarah.
“Nee, daughter. Keep working on dinner. I will put things away while your father brushes Brownie and Red down. Joseph, hurry before this gets any worse,” she told her husband.
That evening, the storm was still blowing strong. With Miriam’s help, he fed and watered the stock, then they milked the cows, pouring the fresh milk into the milk machine. Looking up, he saw a large tree branch swaying wildly in the wind. Hearing a sharp krak, he grabbed Miriam’s shoulder, pushing her out of the way. Both father and daughter landed on their sides in a deep, freezing snowdrift.
“Come on! Now!” Joseph yelled. As he did, he grabbed Miriam’s gloved hand and pulled her along the rope.
This second storm was a repeat of the first, with heavy snow, howling winds and bitterly cold temperatures. Miriam, closed inside the house, peered restlessly out the windows, wishing the winter weather would ease. The first day wore slowly into the second. Miriam, working on her quilt, stopped sewing as she felt a sudden, dull headache, body aches and a heavy exhaustion slam into her. Rubbing her throat, she coughed against a soreness there.
“Mamm! I think I’m sick with the flu. It just hit me and I feel bad,” Miriam said.
“Come here. Ya, this is bad. You have a temperature. Upstairs, into your nightgown and I will bring some chicken broth to you. Go,” Sarah said with a sigh.
Miriam struggled to climb the stairs as the exhaustion and body aches conspired to push her to the ground. As she was putting on her long-sleeved nightgown, she clutched her stomach against nausea. Running to the bathroom, she lost her dinner. Coming out several minutes later, she swabbed sticky sweat from her face.
“Come on, sweetheart. To bed with you. I’ll give you small sips so you can stay hydrated,” murmured Sarah.
Miriam huddled under her covers, alternately freezing and roasting. She obediently took small sips of the tasty broth, shaking her head at her mamm when her stomach began to rebel. She dozed off after several minutes, sleeping restlessly, visited by fev
er dreams. After several hours she woke up, with her mouth feeling as dry as a withered stalk of corn. Wincing against her body’s soreness, she got up and went downstairs slowly, needing cool water.
“Miriam? Go back upstairs and I’ll bring what you need. The only place for you right now is under your covers,” Sarah commented.
“But, mamm, I am thirsty. And hot!” Miriam complained.
“And you’ll be freezing cold again too soon. Upstairs, now. I’ll bring water and some more broth to you,” said Sarah, bustling into the kitchen.
“Okay,” Miriam said, realizing the truth of her mamm’s words. She hunched over, folding her arms over her torso, feeling a sudden chill moving from the center of her body. “I’ll be upstairs.”
Upstairs, she slowly sipped water, allowing it to moisten the dry tissues in her mouth. Sarah held a small bowl of chicken broth with potatoes out toward Miriam. As she did, she spooned up some of the broth, offering it to Miriam.
“Ohh, so good! Denki, mamm.” Miriam said as her voice cracked.
“I’ll give you a little broth. You need nutrition, but not to be sick at your stomach again. I’m also leaving some water up here – just promise me that you’ll only take sips, you won’t try to guzzle it,” Sarah said in warning.
“Ugh, after this afternoon, I don’t want to try to guzzle, mamm. I promise you, I will be very careful. That’s enough. I feel full, anyway,” she said waving the spoon away.
“Good. Depending on how you do tonight, let’s see if we can add hot tea, more vegetables and a slice of bread to tomorrow’s menu,” Sarah suggested.
“M-maybe,” Miriam said, feeling her stomach roll at the suggestion.
“Take this for your fever. It’ll help you sleep more restfully as well – something you need,” Sarah said, holding out an ibuprofen tablet.
Miriam took it, then rested her head against her pillow.
“Denki, mamm. I think I’ll be able to sleep now,” Miriam said, feeling exhaustion roll over her again. Her long, brown eyelashes fluttered down against her flushed cheeks as she drifted off to sleep.
Winter of Faith Collection Page 3
