A Cousin's Prayer

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Full grown.”

  Not much information, but at least she was talking.

  “What kind of dog do you have?”

  “Just an old hound, but he’s really my daed’s dog.”

  “One of Fern’s students presented her with a cocker spaniel puppy for her birthday. She’s real cute but can sure be a pescht.” Freeman grimaced. “One of us must have left the back door open yesterday morning, because the pup got into the house without our knowing it. When we came home from church, she was in the kitchen and had made a big mess.”

  “Puppies are known for that. Timothy had a puppy that chewed nearly every one of his socks.” Katie’s chin quivered. “I ... I miss him so much.”

  “I’m sure you do. It’s always hard to lose a friend or family member.”

  “We were going to be married this fall.” Katie’s voice broke, and she covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

  Freeman reached across the seat and touched her arm. “I’m sorry, Katie.”

  “Can we talk about something else?”

  “Jah, sure. If you’d rather, we don’t have to talk at all.”

  She nodded and sighed.

  Lord, please be with Katie, Freeman prayed . I can see that she really does need a friend.

  ***

  “Danki for the ride,” Katie said when Freeman pulled his horse and buggy to a stop near their barn.

  “You’re welcome.”

  She slipped the buggy robe he’d given her under the seat and stepped out of the buggy.

  “Take care, Katie,” Freeman called as she sprinted toward the house.

  When Katie entered the kitchen, she found Mom making a sandwich. “Where have you been, Katie? I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “I went to the cemetery.”

  “On foot?”

  Katie nodded.

  “But that’s a long way to walk.”

  “I needed to be alone, and I wasn’t thinking about how far it was.” Katie glanced out the window and watched as Freeman’s buggy headed down the driveway. “As I walked home, Freeman came along and offered me a ride.”

  “That’s good. I’m glad you didn’t have to walk all that way.” Mom moved closer to Katie. “You still look distressed. Are you still upset over that swarm of bees, or is it because you went to the cemetery?”

  Katie nodded. “It was a mistake to go there. I won’t go again.”

  “Avoidance isn’t the answer, Katie.” Mom opened one of the cupboard doors and took out two bottles. “I went to the health food store while you were gone and got these.”

  “What are they for?”

  “One’s valerian root, and the other’s a homeopathic remedy. Both are supposed to have a calming affect, and I thought they might help you feel better.”

  Katie shook her head. “I won’t take them.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t need them; I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine to me. Your face looks strained, and I can see from the red around your eyes that you’ve been crying.”

  “I don’t need any herbs or homeopathic remedies. I just need to be left alone!”

  “You’re being stubborn,” Mom said. “Just because you still look like a little girl doesn’t mean you have to act like one.”

  “I’m not a little girl, but you’re treating me like one!” Katie turned and dashed up the stairs.

  ***

  When Eunice returned home from the health food store, she found her mother sitting in a chair on the front porch with a basket of mending in her lap. “Here’s the chickweed salve you asked me to get for Richard’s poison ivy.” She handed the paper sack to her mother and took a seat in the chair beside her.

  “Danki. I appreciate your going after it. I’m sure your little bruder will, too.”

  “While I was at the health food store, I heard Priscilla and JoAnn talking about a couple of things that were very surprising.”

  “Like what?”

  Eunice leaned closer to Mom. “For one thing, Priscilla said that Ada and Crist Lambright are having some marital problems.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Eunice nodded. “Priscilla said she’s planning to speak with the bishop’s wife about it.”

  “You shouldn’t listen to idle chitchat, Eunice.”

  “It wasn’t chitchat. Loraine’s mamm is worried about Crist and Ada.”

  “Even if it’s true, it’s none of our business.”

  “You want to know the other thing I heard that really surprised me?”

  “What was that?”

  “JoAnn was talking to Priscilla about Katie, and she said that she needed to get a remedy to help Katie calm down.” Eunice crinkled her nose. “You know what I think, Mom?”

  “What’s that?”

  “I think Katie might be pregnant.”

  CHAPTER 14

  “Supper’s ready,” Mom called through Katie’s bedroom door.

  Katie groaned. She’d been taking a nap and didn’t want to be disturbed.

  Tap. Tap. Tap. “Katie, are you awake?”

  Katie nestled under her covers like a kitten burrowing into a pile of straw. She didn’t want to eat supper, but she knew if she didn’t, Mom would probably badger her some more about taking the remedy she’d bought at the health food store.

  Tap. Tap.

  “I’ll be right there!” Katie pushed the covers aside and climbed out of bed. Using her fingers, she tried to smooth the wrinkles from her dress, but it was no use; she looked a mess. She was tempted to change clothes but figured that if she took the time to do that, Mom would knock on her door again.

  She set her head covering in place, tucked a few stray hairs under the sides, and left her room. Pulling her shoulders back, she hurried down the stairs.

  When she entered the kitchen, she couldn’t help but notice the impatient look on Mom’s face.

  Dad tapped his foot a couple of times. “It’s about time,” he mumbled. “I’m hungry, and the food’s gettin’ cold.”

  “Sorry.” Katie slipped into her chair and bowed her head.

  After their time of prayer, Dad looked over at Katie and said, “Your mamm told me what happened earlier today. You shouldn’t have run off the way you did. Don’t you know how worried your mamm was when you didn’t come back right away?”

  “I didn’t mean to make her worry; I just needed to be alone.”

  “Jah, well, you could’ve gone to your room instead of takin’ off like that.” Dad helped himself to a slice of ham. “And what’s all the fuss about a few bees?”

  “It wasn’t a few bees, Dad. It was whole swarm.” Katie forked a piece of ham onto her plate and handed the platter to Mom. “I’m sorry for not helping with supper. I fell asleep in my room.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Mom said with a wave of her hand. “When we’re finished eating, you can clear the table and wash the dishes.”

  Dad looked over at Katie and frowned. “Your mamm also said that she bought something at the health food store to help calm your nerves, but you refused to take it.”

  Katie slowly nodded. She didn’t like being questioned like this. It made her feel like a little girl.

  “Why didn’t you give one of the remedies a try?”

  “I didn’t think I needed it. I just needed to rest awhile.” Katie took a drink of water. “I feel much better after my nap.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Dad shoveled some mashed potatoes onto his plate and dropped a pat of butter on top. “Your mamm and I have been very worried about you, Katie.”

  She gave a shaky laugh. “Well, you don’t need to be. I’m fine.” “Are you sure about that?”

  Katie nodded.

  “You weren’t fine when you passed out during church,” Dad said.

  “That was because it was so warm in the buggy shop, and it may also have been because I hadn’t had much breakfast.”

  “What about how upset you got today?” Mom asked. “You s
ure weren’t fine when you ran off the way you did.”

  “I was upset about the bees, and I’m sorry if I upset you.”

  Mom’s disbelieving look made Katie even more determined to prove to her folks that she didn’t need any kind of remedy to settle her nerves.

  ***

  Loraine had just set a kettle of water on the stove to boil when Wayne stepped into the kitchen.

  “What’s for supper?” he asked, sniffing the air. “I don’t smell anything cooking.”

  She pointed to a package of noodles on the counter. “I’m just getting started. We should be ready to eat in a half hour or so.”

  “I’m surprised my mamm’s not in here helping. Where is she anyway?”

  “She spilled coffee on her dress and went to her room to change.”

  Wayne’s forehead puckered. “I hope she didn’t burn herself.”

  Loraine shook her head. “It was a cup she’d forgotten to drink, so it wasn’t hot.”

  “That’s good.” Wayne looked over his shoulder. “My daed came in behind me, but I think he headed down the hall to the bathroom.”

  Loraine lowered her voice to a whisper. “By the way, have you had a chance to speak to your folks about their problem?”

  “What problem?”

  “Their marital problem.”

  Wayne shrugged. “I’m not sure they’re having a problem. I mean, I haven’t heard them raise their voices for a couple of days.”

  “ Absatz! Stop badgering me, Ada!” Crist rushed into the kitchen, his face bright red. He halted in front of Wayne. “Your mudder just won’t leave me alone!”

  “That’s because he won’t listen to reason!” Ada shouted as she followed him into the room. She frowned at Crist. “If he could listen, that is.”

  Crist took a step back from her. “You don’t have to yell! I’m standing right here!”

  “If I didn’t yell, you wouldn’t hear what I was saying!”

  Wayne held up his hand. “Don’t you two realize how it makes us feel when you argue like this?”

  “We wouldn’t argue if your daed wasn’t so stubborn.” Ada motioned to Wayne. “Can’t you talk him into getting his hearing tested?”

  Wayne’s eyes widened. “Is that why you’ve been hollering at each other so much lately?”

  Ada nodded. “I’m surprised you and Loraine haven’t been yelling so your daed could hear you, too.”

  Wayne gave a nod. “Now that you mention it, I have had to repeat myself to Pop several times lately.”

  Ada nudged Crist’s arm. “Uh-huh, I knew it.”

  Loraine heard a buggy rumble into the yard, and she glanced out the window. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

  “Now who’s come here this close to supper? I hope it’s not someone bringing another dead animal hide to your taxidermy shop.” Ada craned her neck to look around Crist. “Ach, it’s the bishop! I wonder what he wants.”

  Loraine’s mouth went dry. What if Mom spoke to the bishop’s wife like she said she might do? What if Sadie told James, and he’s come here to speak to Ada and Crist about their marital problems?

  “There’s only one way we’ll know what Bishop James wants, and that’s to open the door and let him in.” Wayne ambled out of the room and, moments later, returned with the bishop.

  The bishop pulled his fingers through his thick, full beard and looked right at Crist. “I heard some rather distressing news today. Figured I’d better come over here and find out if it’s true.”

  “What good news did you hear?” Crist asked.

  The bishop’s bushy eyebrows shot up. “I said distressing news, not good news.”

  “What distressing news?” asked Ada.

  Loraine’s heart started to pound, and she stepped between Ada and the bishop. “I ... uh ... think there’s been a mistake.”

  “What kind of cake?” Crist scratched his head. “Are we having cake for dessert tonight?”

  Ada groaned. “No one said anything about cake.” She turned to the bishop. “What kind of distressing news did you come to give us?”

  The bishop shook his head. “Didn’t come to give you any news. Came to see if I could help with your marital problems.”

  Ada’s mouth formed an O. “Crist and I aren’t having marital problems. Who said we were?”

  The bishop motioned to Loraine. “Her mamm told my fraa that you and Crist have been hollering at each other a lot lately.”

  “I holler because he can’t hear.” Ada needled Crist in the ribs. “He needs to get his hearing tested, but he refuses to go.”

  “That’s all there is to it?”

  Ada nodded.

  A look of relief flooded the bishop’s face. “You come with me later this week,” he said to Crist. “I’ll take you to my doctor to get your hearing tested.”

  Crist moved closer to the bishop. “What was that?”

  “Said I’ll be by later this week, and we’ll get your hearing tested!”

  Crist nodded and smiled. “Jah, sure; I’d be happy to go along when you get your hearing tested.”

  Loraine looked at Wayne; Wayne looked at Ada; and they all laughed. It was a relief to know that Ada and Crist’s marriage wasn’t in trouble. And if the bishop could get Crist to have his hearing tested, then Loraine was sure all the shouting would end.

  ***

  “Where are you going?” Fern called to Freeman as he started out the back door.

  “I’m headin’ to the phone shed to call a few customers. Need to let ’em know that their bikes are ready.”

  “Well, don’t be too long. Eunice will be here soon, and supper’s almost ready.”

  “No problem. I’ll be back in short order. Wouldn’t risk missing out on your baked ham and mashed potatoes.” He winked at Fern and went out the door.

  As Freeman headed down the path leading to the phone shed, he thought about Katie and wondered how she was doing. After seeing how she’d acted this afternoon, he was sure something was weighing on her mind besides missing Timothy. If there was just some way he could get her to open up about her feelings. If he could get her to do that, maybe he could find out what was at the root of her nervousness.

  I’ll just have to keep praying for her, and whenever I get the chance, I’ll offer an encouraging word, he thought as he stepped into the phone shed.

  Since the small building had no windows, it was dark inside. Freeman left the door open and turned on the battery-operated lantern sitting on the small table beside the phone. Then he took a seat in the folding chair, placed his notebook on the table, and punched in the phone number of the first customer he needed to call.

  He got a busy signal, so he tried the next number. There was no answer there, so he left a message on the customer’s voice mail.

  He’d just started dialing the third number, when a gust of wind came up. Bam! The door blew shut.

  A sense of uneasiness tightened Freeman’s chest as he thought about the discomfort he felt whenever he was in a confined place like this.

  He moved away from the phone and grabbed the doorknob. When he turned it, the knob fell off in his hand.

  “Oh no!” Sweat beaded on Freeman’s forehead and ran down his nose. His shoulders tensed, and he drew in a quick breath.

  Don’t panic. Relax. Stay calm.

  He placed the doorknob on the phone table, took a couple more deep breaths, and closed his eyes.

  An image from the past leaped into his head. He’d been seven years old and had gone down to the cellar to get a jar of peaches for his mother. He hadn’t been afraid at first—not until he couldn’t get the door open. Then when his flashlight batteries died, Freeman had panicked. He’d pounded on the door and hollered until his throat hurt, certain that no one would find him and he’d die in the cellar. By the time Mom realized he was missing and come looking for him, he was bawling like a newborn calf.

  Freeman’s eyes popped open, and his mind snapped back to the present. I’m not a little boy anymore.
I’m a grown man, and I know how to diffuse my fear.

  Breathe deeply ... move through the anxiety ... float with it ... get mad at it ... do whatever it takes.

  He stared at the doorknob, wishing he had the tools to put it back on. “This is really dumb,” he muttered. “All I need to do is call someone and say I’m locked in the phone shed.”

  He dialed the number of their closest neighbor, got their answering machine, and left a message. Then he called another neighbor, but there was no answer there, either.

  After making five calls and getting nothing but voice mails and answering machines, he was more than a little frustrated.

  Stay relaxed, he told himself. If someone gets my message soon, they’ll rescue me. Or else when supper’s ready and I’m not at the house, Fern will come looking for me.

  Freeman drew in another deep breath and rested his head on the table. While I’m waiting, I may as well try to take a nap.

  CHAPTER 15

  As Eunice guided her horse and buggy in the direction of the Bontragers’ house, her excitement mounted. She could hardly wait to see Freeman again and hoped he would enjoy the pie she’d brought for dessert.

  An unexpected gust of wind pushed against the buggy, and it started to rain.

  She leaned forward, straining to see through the rain-spattered windshield. At this rate, it would take forever to get to Freeman’s house.

  Eunice didn’t like driving in the rain, but fortunately she didn’t have far to go. She hoped that by the time she was to return home this evening the weather would improve.

  A pair of wide-beamed headlights went by; then she saw the red taillights as the car disappeared. Eunice leaned over and flipped the button to turn on the windshield wipers, keeping her focus on the road.

  As Eunice passed the Millers’ place, she thought about Katie and the way she’d fainted in church. Between that and the things she’d heard Katie’s mother say at the health food store, Eunice was almost sure Katie must be pregnant. She wondered if anyone else thought that, too. Mom had cautioned her not to mention her suspicions to anyone since she didn’t know for sure that Katie was pregnant, but it was going to be hard to keep quiet about this.