A REVELATION in AUTUMN

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Mom laughed, her eyes gleaming with tears. “That could very well be. And just look at how attentive Fritz is with your son. Why, I don’t think he’s left that spot since you put Levi in the cradle.”

  “Jah, the pup sure seems to like being close to the boppli.” Meredith reached down to pet the dog’s head. “You’ve seen how he barks as soon as Levi wakes up. The least little noise the baby makes, Fritz comes to me and starts whimpering.” She laughed. “I think he wants to make sure I know whenever the boppli’s awake or needs my attention.”

  “Some dogs get jealous when a baby comes along, but it doesn’t seem like Fritz is that way at all,” Mom added. “It’s kind of nice having a dog like that. It never hurts to have an extra guardian around, watching over you and the boppli.”

  “I know what you mean,” Meredith agreed. “I haven’t been keeping Fritz in the kennel much anymore. I feel more comfortable with him being inside—especially now that he’s been with the baby these first few days and has adjusted so well.” She smiled as she continued to admire her sleeping son. Levi had his father’s white-blond hair; although it was still very thin. Would this child have Luke’s adventurous personality, too? Or would he take after his mother, who tended to be a little more cautious about things?

  Meredith’s heart swelled with love as she bent to stroke the baby’s soft cheek. All she wanted to do was stay close to Levi and take in everything about him—from his long, doelike eyelashes lying delicately on his cheeks to the way he held his thumbs, each hand encircling a thumb with his tiny fingers. Every day since Levi’s birth, she had made little discoveries that made her cherish him even more.

  Watching her son in his peaceful slumber, Meredith thought once again of how this precious little boy would depend solely on her. Could she make enough money selling head coverings to support them both? Should she seek employment outside the home once she was strong enough and felt that she could leave Levi with someone else during the days she’d be working? Meredith had thought at first that she would look for a job, but she didn’t like the idea of being away from Levi several hours each day. There were so many unanswered questions. She’d just have to keep trusting in the Lord and take one day at a time.

  “Would you like me to start supper now?” Mom asked, touching Meredith’s arm.

  Meredith smiled and nodded, aware of just how much her mother was enjoying this new role as a grandmother. “I think while you’re doing that, I’ll lie down and take a nap.”

  “That’s a good idea. You need all the rest you can get.” Mom gave Meredith a hug and hurried off to the kitchen.

  Meredith was still a bit exhausted from giving birth, yet she felt full of excitement. But she knew she should take it slow and easy and try not to rush things, so she lay on the sofa, settled herself against one of the throw pillows, and tried to relax.

  She’d only been lying down a few minutes when she heard a horse and buggy coming up the driveway. She figured whoever it was would probably go to the back door and that Mom would let them in, so she remained on the sofa.

  A bit later, Luke’s parents entered the room, wearing eager expressions.

  “I hope it’s not too soon for us to pay you a visit,” Sadie said, “but we’ve been anxious to see the boppli and couldn’t wait any longer.”

  Meredith smiled and motioned to the baby’s cradle. “He’s right over there, sound asleep.” She lifted herself from the sofa and followed Sadie and Elam across the room. Then they all stood staring down at the baby.

  “Ach, my,” Sadie whispered, clasping her hands together. “Just look at him. He looks like his daed when he was a boppli.” Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Luke’s father. “Don’t you think so, Elam?”

  He bobbed his head. “Sure is a tiny fella. Don’t remember any of our kinner being so small.”

  “That’s because it’s been so long since our five boys were born.” Sadie turned to look at Meredith. “Have you chosen a naame for the baby yet?”

  “Jah. His name is Levi Luke—after his father and great-grandfather.”

  Sadie smiled, and Meredith knew that despite the tears on her mother-in-law’s cheeks, she was pleased with the name.

  “Would either of you like to hold him?” Meredith asked, figuring Sadie was eagerly waiting and ready to hold Levi.

  “We’d better not. He might wake up,” Elam was quick to say.

  “He’s a pretty sound sleeper, so he probably won’t,” Meredith replied. “And even if he does wake up, it’s okay, because I’m sure it won’t take much to put him right back to sleep.”

  “I’d like to hold him,” Sadie said, taking a seat in the rocking chair and extending her arms.

  Meredith lifted the baby from the cradle and placed him in Sadie’s arms. How sad that Luke can’t be here to share in this moment, she thought as Sadie started humming to her new grandson.

  Jonah whistled as he guided Socks toward Meredith’s house. It had been three days since she’d given birth, and he couldn’t wait any longer to pay a call on her.

  When Jonah turned his horse and buggy up Meredith’s driveway, he spotted two other rigs parked near the barn, so he knew she had company.

  Should I stop? he wondered. If her family is here, she might not appreciate me dropping by.

  Jonah’s head told him to turn around and go back home, because he didn’t want to overwhelm Meredith with too much company. But his heart said otherwise. He’d only seen the baby briefly on Sunday afternoon, when the paramedics came to take Meredith and the infant to the hospital. Now that she’d been home a couple of days, he was anxious to get a good look at her son, and if Meredith didn’t mind, maybe he could even hold the little guy. Jonah loved kids and couldn’t wait until he had some children of his own.

  I’m here now, so I may as well go inside, he decided. I won’t stay long; just enough time to say hello and hold the baby.

  When Jonah knocked on the door a few minutes later, he was greeted by Meredith’s mother, Luann. “It’s nice to see you, Jonah. Come inside,” she said politely.

  Jonah smiled and stepped into the kitchen, which was filled with the aroma of savory stew. Luann was a friendly woman, and he appreciated her welcoming spirit. “How are Meredith and the boppli doing?” he asked.

  “Quite well, but why don’t you go in and see for yourself?” Luann gestured toward the door leading to the living room.

  “I don’t want to intrude, but I would like to say hello,” Jonah said.

  “I’m sure Meredith will be pleased to see you. She’s grateful you came along when you did and were able to call 911.”

  “I believe it must have been God’s timing that led me there at just the right moment.” He smiled. “Laurie did a good job helping Meredith deliver the boppli. God was with them, too.”

  “He certainly was,” Luann agreed. She motioned to Jonah’s left foot, still encased in the walking cast. “How are you getting along these days?”

  “Okay, but I’ll sure be glad to get this off my foot so I can start helping my daed more in the buggy shop. I’ve been able to do some things while sitting down, but I can’t be on my foot too long or it starts to swell.”

  “Well, go on into the living room and take a seat.”

  “Danki, I will.”

  When Jonah entered the living room he halted. Sadie Stoltzfus sat in the rocking chair, holding the baby, while Meredith and Elam were seated on the sofa. Knowing that Sadie didn’t care much for him, Jonah was tempted to turn around and head out the door. But before he could take a step, Meredith smiled and said, “It’s good to see you, Jonah. I’m glad you stopped by. I wanted to thank you for getting us the help we needed when the baby came.”

  Jonah shook his head. “No thanks is necessary. I’m just glad I happened along when I did.” He glanced over at Elam. “It’s nice to see you.”

  “Same here,” Elam replied.

  Jonah turned to Sadie then. “It looks like you’re enjoying holding your grandchild.”r />
  She nodded her agreement but said nothing.

  Jonah moved slowly across the room and stared down at the baby. “I think he looks like you, Meredith,” he said, looking back at her.

  “He looks just like Luke,” Sadie was quick to say.

  Jonah squirmed. Since he’d never met Luke, he couldn’t say whether the baby looked like his father or not. But he wasn’t about to argue with Sadie. It was obvious from the icy-cold look on her face that she wasn’t happy to see Jonah there, so he didn’t dare ask if he could hold the baby.

  How long will Sadie’s hostility towards me continue? he wondered. Will her dislike of me make it harder to win Meredith over? I wonder just how much influence Sadie has with her daughter-in-law.

  Jonah took one last look at the baby then moved across the room to where Meredith sat. “He’s a nice-looking boppli. Have you chosen a name for him yet?”

  She smiled. “Levi Luke.”

  “That’s a nice name,” Jonah said. “I’m sure if his daed were here, he’d be real pleased.”

  Tears pooled in Meredith’s blue eyes. “I know he would.”

  “Well, I’d best be going. Just wanted to come by and see how you’re doing and take a peek at the baby.” Jonah started for the door but turned back around. “I should be getting my walking cast off sometime in the next two weeks, so as soon as I’m able, I’ll come by to help with any chores you may need to have done.”

  “Don’t concern yourself with that,” Sadie curtly replied. “Elam and Meredith’s daed will take care of any chores that Meredith might need to have done.”

  Hesitantly, Jonah glanced at Meredith to see her reaction and was pleased when she smiled and said, “I appreciate you coming by today, and I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

  At least she hasn’t shut me out, Jonah thought as he hobbled from the room. I just need to make sure that the next time I drop by Sadie isn’t here.

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Eddie stood looking out the window of his room for one last time. He’d gotten used to the scene before him, and during his stay here in rehab, he had enjoyed watching the bluebirds come and go as they busily fed their babies inside the birdhouse. Toward the end of spring, he’d even watched as the babies left their nest, all gathering at the entrance of their little house. Then one by one, they’d taken flight, landing in the nearby shrubs. The poor parents had been frantic, flitting from one chick to the next, trying to keep them all in sight.

  Redirecting his thoughts, Eddie glanced down at the pale yellow shirt and denim jeans he now wore. Susan had stopped by yesterday to give him some clothes to wear on the day of his release. She said they were a gift from her grandparents. From what Eddie had been told, he hadn’t had much when he’d come to the hospital—only the clothes on his back, which he’d later learned had been so tattered they were thrown away. He shook his head slowly, wondering once more if anybody had been searching for him.

  Susan and Anne’s grandparents must be really nice folks. Imagine, letting a complete stranger stay with them, let alone buying me clothes, Eddie thought. The jeans and shirt fit pretty well, although for some reason he felt funny wearing them. He couldn’t figure it out, but the pullover shirt felt a bit constricting, even though it fit good and wasn’t tight. And the jeans, although they fit around his waist, seemed somewhat snug against his skin.

  Eddie left the window and looked in the mirror across the room. Who was this person staring back at him? Even though he was dressed in normal clothes, nothing sparked a memory or a small glimpse of his past.

  “Wow, just look at you! Those clothes my grandma bought for you fit quite well,” Susan said, stepping into the room. “Anne and I tried to guess your size, and it seems like it was a pretty good guess.”

  Eddie smiled. “I appreciate the clothes, but I’ll never be able to repay your grandparents for letting me stay in their home.”

  “They’re happy to do it.” Susan motioned to the door. “Are you ready to head out?”

  He nodded and grabbed the satchel the hospital had provided with his comb, toothbrush, and other toiletry items. Eddie didn’t admit it to Susan, but he was a bit nervous about meeting her grandparents. What if they didn’t like him? What if things didn’t work out for him to stay in their home? Where would he go then?

  Feeling as though he was leaving the only home he’d ever really known, Eddie squared his shoulders, ready to start another phase of his life. Maybe by being in new surroundings, his memory would come back to him.

  CHAPTER 3

  Bird-in-Hand

  I can’t believe Jonah had the nerve to show up at Meredith’s this evening,” Sadie fumed as she and Elam headed for home in their buggy.

  “Guess he wanted to see the boppli, same as you and me,” Elam responded, holding tightly to the reins as they passed the horse farm not far from their place.

  Dobbin nickered but didn’t slow down when a few of the horses ran to the fence, watching as they rode by.

  “But Jonah’s not part of our family, and he’s pushing his way in as though he is,” Sadie said with a huff.

  Elam grunted warily. “You need to mind your own business. We’ve been over this before, and it’s time you realized that Meredith has her own life to live. If her future includes Jonah someday, then you’ll just have to accept it.” He clucked to the horse, while nudging Sadie’s arm. “See there,” he said, pointing to the west. “That’s what you should be enjoying instead of fretting about things beyond your control.”

  Sadie glanced at the sky, ablaze from the beautiful sunset. The deep orange near the horizon blended with the hues of pink and purple, making Dobbin’s auburn coat glow even more. As lovely as it was, it didn’t remove the worry she felt deep in her heart. Elam might be able to deal with it, but she wasn’t sure she could ever accept the idea of another man taking her son’s place in Meredith’s life. Sadie didn’t know what she was most afraid of—Jonah stepping in, or Meredith pushing them out of her and little Levi’s lives. What if Meredith fell in love with Jonah and they got married? What if they decided to move away? It would be a hard pill to swallow if she never got to know her new grandson well. She was sure Meredith’s mother wouldn’t like it either.

  “How’d your visit with Meredith go?” Jonah’s mother asked as they ate supper that evening. “Are she and the boppli doing okay?”

  Jonah nodded. “He’s a cute little fellow, and they both seem to be healthy enough, but I wish I hadn’t gone over there today.”

  “How come?” Dad asked, reaching for the basket of bread.

  “I should have realized her family would be there. Besides Meredith’s mamm, Sadie and Elam were there, too.” Jonah solemnly grimaced. “I got a cold reception from Sadie, which made me very uncomfortable. I don’t think she wanted me anywhere near Meredith or the boppli.”

  Mom handed Jonah a bowl of green beans. “Why not? You didn’t go over there with a bad cold or anything contagious.”

  “I think she’s still upset about me seeing Meredith,” Jonah replied. “Remember when I said she’d talked to me about it?”

  Mom frowned. “I was hoping she’d get over that.”

  Jonah shook his head. “Apparently not. She made me feel like I didn’t belong there, so I only stayed a few minutes.”

  “How’d Meredith react to you dropping by?” Mom asked.

  “She seemed okay with it; although she didn’t say a lot, except that she appreciated me coming by and would let me know if she needed anything.”

  “Well, there ya go!” Dad grabbed a drumstick from the platter of fried chicken. “Don’t think she would have said that if she didn’t want you comin’ over.”

  Jonah smiled. “Guess you’re right. I’ll just have to make sure that the next time I go, Sadie’s not there.”

  “That’s probably a good idea.” Mom patted Jonah’s arm affectionately. “As time goes by and Sadie comes to grips with her son’s death, I’m sure she’ll warm up to you. After al
l, it’s not like you and Meredith are courting or planning to get married.”

  Jonah shoved the beans around on his plate, debating whether he should tell his folks how much he cared for Meredith. Throwing caution to the wind, he blurted out, “I’m in love with Meredith, but I won’t express my feelings to her until I think she’s ready.”

  Philadelphia

  “Whew! It sure is hot this evening. I’ll be glad when fall gets here and the weather turns cooler,” Susan said as she pulled her compact car out of the hospital parking lot.

  Eddie gave a brief bob of his head.

  “Autumn’s my favorite time of the year,” she continued. “I love all the pretty colored leaves, but the season’s colors don’t last long enough for me.”

  Still no response from Eddie. Maybe he seemed pensive because he didn’t remember the colored leaves from autumn. Or perhaps he was deep in thought and didn’t hear what she’d said. “October is my favorite month; although it goes too quickly for me.” Susan tried once more to engage him in conversation.

  “Hmm…” Eddie quietly responded as he watched out the side window.

  Changing the subject, Susan informed Eddie that traffic would be thinning out once they got off the expressway and headed toward Darby. “If traffic is bad, it could take us half an hour to get home, but most times it only takes ten to fifteen minutes to get to my grandparents’ house.” She scowled, watching as the guy who’d just passed her in a sports car cut over in her lane, way too close. “Boy, you sure have to watch people like a hawk. Just look at the way that man is weaving in and out of traffic, like he owns the road.”

  Eddie released a heavy sigh—almost a groan. “I still can’t get over the fact that your grandparents would be willing to take me in when we’ve never met.”

  She smiled, realizing that Eddie hadn’t even noticed the crazy driver whose sports car was now nearly out of sight.

  Relaxing a little after they got farther away from Philly, Susan pushed the button to close the windows and turned on the airconditioning. The cool air felt wonderful, and having the windows closed drowned out the road noise as well. Hearing that alone could frazzle one’s nerves. “After you get to know Grandpa and Grandma, you’ll understand,” she said, glancing over at Eddie with a smile. “They’re the most loving couple, and they always try to follow God’s principles, while showing others what it’s like to be a Christian by their actions.”