A Simple Spring: A Seasons of Lancaster Novel

by Rosalind Lauer

  “I went to bed early,” Susie said, focusing on the platter of ham as she crossed the kitchen. “I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

  Sadie noticed that Susie’s eyes were shiny as glass, and she moved slowly. Her usual bouncy joy was gone.

  “Do you feel all right?” Sadie asked her.

  Susie hugged herself, then sat back on the daybed. “I’m hot and cold … and my skin hurts all over.”

  “That’s not good at all.” Sadie sat beside Susie and touched her cheek. She was burning up.

  “She’s sick.” Sadie’s words brought silence to the kitchen. Everyone knew Susie was not able to endure sickness well. With her condition, even a small cold or virus could make her very sick … even kill her.

  “Do you want to go back to bed?” Sadie asked.

  Susie nodded, then collapsed onto the daybed.

  It was the middle of the night, but the sound of Susie calling her name rousted Sadie from a dreamless sleep in the sickroom of the Doddy house.

  “Yes, Susie … I’m here.” Sadie slid from the top of the bed and crossed the room to her sister’s bedside. “What is it, liewe? Do you want something to drink? Dr. Trueherz says you should drink.”

  “I’m sorry, Sadie.” Her eyes closed, Susie writhed against the mattress. “I’m sorry but I can’t sing the song. I can’t sing anymore.”

  She’s delirious, Sadie thought. “It’s okay. You just rest.”

  “But I need a drink,” Susie whispered.

  “Okay. Good.” Sadie poured a cup of water from the bedside table and gave it to her. “Here you go.”

  Susie’s eyes opened to slits as Sadie helped her sit up and take a sip. “Denki.” Susie sighed as she sank back against the pillow.

  Sadie stood over her watching. She was determined to see her sister through this. Ruthie was all better now, but Susie—not so good. Mary and Mammi had helped care for the sick girl during the day, but Sadie had insisted on taking the night shift. She would not leave Susie’s side until Susie recovered.

  A moan escaped Susie’s throat as she rolled to her side and choked, throwing up on the bed. Sadie went to clean it up, but the color of it was so odd. Unnaturally green. Bile.

  A shrill warning chilled her blood as she remembered Dr. Trueherz’s words: “Call me if she doesn’t get better or if she starts throwing up. We can’t let her get dehydrated.”

  “Oh, Susie …” Fear ruled Sadie’s heartbeat, a cold, dull thud, as she pulled the soiled sheet away and wiped Susie’s face with a cool cloth. She had felt sure that Susie would get better with her constant care and God’s blessing.…

  But that wasn’t happening.

  Dear God, please shine your healing light on her, she prayed as she washed her hands. Back in the sickroom, where Ruthie had stayed but one night and then moved home, Sadie sat on the bed opposite Susie and looked at her silver cell phone. Two bars—enough of a signal. The time said 3:43 A.M. It was the middle of the night, but Susie had gotten worse. She had to call.

  Please, let this call go through, she prayed as she waited.

  “This is Doc Trueherz,” he answered.

  “It’s Sadie King calling for Susie. I’m sorry to bother you in the middle of the night, but she just threw up.” She explained what happened, and the doctor listened and asked a few simple questions.

  “Okay, Sadie, I’m glad you called me.” His words reminded her of Mike. A helper. He sighed. “I wish we’d gotten her to a hospital yesterday, but that can’t be helped right now. The thing is, a virus like this can be very serious for someone whose system is compromised by her GA type I. I don’t mean to scare you, but I want you to know what you’re up against.”

  Sadie tried to swallow but her throat was dry and gritty. “I know.” Her voice sounded small and distant. “We’ve been giving her twenty-four-hour care, like you said.” Sadie hadn’t left her side since she’d collapsed.

  “Good. That’s good. She really needs an IV, but since she’s not in the hospital, we’ll have to settle for a spoonful of water every ten minutes that she’s awake to keep her from dehydration. Do you think you can do that?”

  A spoonful every ten minutes …

  “Yes.”

  “And keep an eye on her temperature. If her fever gets any higher …”

  His words went on but Sadie was picturing a spoonful of water, clear, sweet water, and a giant clock ticking away.

  Every ten minutes …

  She couldn’t forget. She couldn’t let Susie down.

  “Call me again if you need me. Anytime, okay?”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  She closed the phone and fumbled at the bedside for the silver spoon.

  Every ten minutes …

  Sadie worked the spoon between Susie’s dry lips. There … that would help her get better soon.

  She held the spoon tightly and sat on the opposite bed.

  The two of them in this little sickroom seemed a world away from the farm. So isolated. Two beds on an island.

  She thought of the long day and night of nursing her sister. Susie’s fiery red cheeks, the verhuddelt talk from her fever.

  All this sickness … so much to clean up, to wipe away the germs.

  While Susie had dozed she had scrubbed the floors and walls. She had washed sheets in a tub out back and cooked broth for Susie and Ruthie, though only Ruthie had eaten it.

  So much work to do, but if it would heal Susie, she would work. She thought maybe, maybe if she worked harder and got the room spotless, God would have mercy and spare Susie.

  If she just worked harder … maybe she could make things right.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  This is my fault.” Sadie’s voice was flat, but her stern expression cut right through Mike. Cold eyes and red flares on her cheeks … this was not the Sadie he knew.

  One look, and Mike knew something was very wrong. He was glad he had driven out here, concerned after a strange phone conversation.

  “I brought this on my family,” she said as she fiercely scrubbed the banister of the Doddy house with a sponge.

  “No, you didn’t,” Mike argued. “God isn’t vengeful. He wouldn’t punish you by making your sister sick.”

  “You don’t understand! I broke the rules. I went against the Ordnung, pouring my heart into music and letting people photograph me. And now work is my punishment. I’m working for forgiveness for all of the family.”

  “Sadie …” He touched her wrist, trying to still her hand. “Please, take a break for a minute and talk to me. When was the last time you got some sleep?”

  “No, no, I can’t sleep. I’ve got bedding to wash and broth to make.”

  “How about if I wash the sheets while you lie down?”

  “And then who will care for Susie?”

  “Susie’s fever broke. I just checked on her, and she seems well hydrated. You did a good job taking care of her, but now it’s your turn to rest.”

  She turned back toward the stairs as if someone had called. “A teaspoon every ten minutes.” Suddenly she dropped the sponge and ran up the steps.

  “Wow.” Mike stared after her, unsure of how to handle this. He couldn’t force her to go to sleep, but she was freaking out from exhaustion.

  “There’s no talking to her,” came a gravelly voice from behind him.

  He turned and saw a short Amish woman. On her face were the creases of time and wisdom. “Are you Sadie’s grandmother?” When she nodded, he said, “I’m Mike Trueherz.”

  “The doctor’s son.” She moved a little closer. “You’d best go get your father. We’ve all tried to talk to her, but she’s like a log being swept downriver. The fever’s got her, too.”

  Fever. Of course. Mike had assumed it was exhaustion.

  “Okay, I’m going to get my father here. Would you please make sure she doesn’t leave this house? I’m really worried about her.”

  She nodded. “I’ll keep her here.”

  When Mike couldn’t get cell serv
ice at the farm he jumped in his Ford and headed down the road. By the time he got service, he was almost at the clinic on the outskirts of Paradise. He explained the situation to his mother, and she told him to head over and pick up the doctor.

  “I’m glad you’re doing this,” Henry said as Mike cruised back toward Halfway. “I’ve seen a few cases of this virus, and sometimes the fever hangs on for days. With a patient like Susie, we can’t take any chances. After her sister’s call last night, I was planning to head over there today.”

  Mike bit his lower lip, wondering how to break this big picture to his dad. “The thing is, Susie seemed stable when I stopped by there. Hydrated and a normal temp. It’s her older sister Sadie I’m worried about. She seems delusional. Probably running a fever, but I didn’t check. She’s under the impression that she needs to keep working and scrubbing to heal her sister.”

  “Sounds like a fever. I’ll check it out.”

  Although Mike’s eyes were on the road, he could feel his father studying him. “I have to ask you, how did you come upon these cases? You’ve been so vocal about not going into the medical profession. Have you changed your mind?”

  “No, no …” Of course his dad would think that. It was time to get honest. “Sadie King, Susie’s sister, has become a good friend, and I’ve been trying to help her navigate between the Amish world and the English.”

  “Oh, really? Well, I suppose you’re an expert on balancing those two worlds, having grown up out here in Amish country.”

  Mike blinked. His father got it.

  “I guess I always suspected that you didn’t love living out here. You and your brother grumbled a lot when we moved here from Philly, but I was on a mission, and kids adapt.” His father shifted in the seat, turned toward the window. “But you’re not a kid anymore. You’re old enough to call the shots for your own life. I see that now. You’ve got your own plans and dreams. I’ll find someone to take over the practice here.”

  Mike shot a quick look at his father’s earnest face. He really meant it.

  “I can’t tell you what a relief it is to hear you say that, Dad.”

  “Yeah, I know, I put a lot of pressure on you and your brother. Thought I’d dangle the bait, only no one went for it.”

  “We just can’t fill your shoes, Dad,” Mike said.

  “Yeah, and you want your own pair of shoes.”

  Both men laughed.

  At the King farm, Dr. Trueherz paused in the doorway of the Doddy house, assessing Sadie’s quiet panic.

  “I’d like to take a look at your sister,” he said, stepping forward to press the back of his hand to her cheek. “And then I’m going to take a look at you, okay? Okay. Up we go.”

  He trudged up the stairs, medical bag in hand.

  Mike knew Sadie wanted to follow, but she turned and sat on the bottom step, her purple skirt pooling around her legs.

  “What was I going to do?” She pressed her hands to her temples. “Ach. My head hurts so much.”

  “Have you taken any Tylenol yet?” Mike asked.

  “No, no. I have to take care of Susie.”

  “Not anymore,” Dr. Trueherz called as he came down the stairs. “Do you know your sister is sitting up in bed? Susie is doing much better. Her fever is gone, and for that I think we have to thank you, Sadie. You followed my instructions about small sips of water, I see.”

  Sadie stared up at him, a confused look on her face. “She’s okay?”

  “She’s going to be fine.” Henry propped his black bag on the floor and reached inside. He took out a thermometer, which he placed near Sadie’s ear. “A hundred and two. You poor kid. You’ve caught the virus, Sadie.”

  She pressed her face into one palm. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. You need rest and hydration, just like your sister. Oh, and these will help.” He handed her sample packets of fever-reducing medication.

  She didn’t seem to notice, so Mike took the packets and began to open them. “You need rest, Sadie.”

  “Absolutely,” the doctor agreed. “Rest and liquids. If you start to throw up, try to take a spoonful of water every few minutes.”

  “I’ll stay with her awhile.” Mike handed over his car keys. “I’ll give you a call if I need a ride.”

  The doctor nodded, then squatted down to meet Sadie face-to-face. “And one more thing. I studied medicine and anatomy, and I’ve practiced for twenty-five years. And I am very sure that your actions did not bring on your sister’s virus.” He straightened. “Rest now. Things will make more sense when you feel better.”

  Mike helped Sadie to her feet, pleased by his father’s ability to reach Sadie. He had always known his father was an astute scientist; he had just never realized he was such a wise man.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Sadie opened her eyes and looked toward the window. Sunshine streamed in through simple white curtains. What room was this?

  She took a deep breath and it came back to her slowly, like the details of a nightmare. The sickroom, in the Doddy house. She had been sick, but she felt better now. Her head felt clear; the fog had lifted.

  She sat up and swung her feet down, but the room started spinning. She rolled back onto the bed, surprised by the ache in her muscles. Not completely better yet, but at least her head wasn’t a tangle of thoughts and fears anymore.

  “You’re awake?” Remy came in carrying a bowl with a spoon sticking out. “I brought you rice—Dr. Trueherz’s recommendation.”

  “Denki.” Sadie pushed herself up in bed, noticing the strings of her kapp dangling over her dress. She patted her head. Her kapp was off to the side, but her hair was still pinned back. “I wore my clothes to bed?”

  Remy nodded. “You did. Mike was taking care of you, and he said you never take your kapp off. And, of course, he wasn’t going to get you into a nightgown.”

  Sadie covered her embarrassed grin with one hand. “Mike put me to bed? Oh, I think I remember that.”

  “And he stayed to watch over you, all last night. Adam sat with him for a while, and Mammi Nell made dinner for him.”

  “Adam was here?” Sadie wondered if he’d come over because of concern for her or a worry about how it would look to have an Englisher boy spending the night in the Doddy house.

  “Gabe gave Mike a ride to his parents’ house this morning, after your fever broke.”

  Sadie hugged herself as the curtains lifted in the summer breeze. Mike had taken care of her. He was always doing that. The thought of him sitting here in the Doddy house tugged at her heart. And what had Mammi Nell said to him? She supposed Mike had charmed her, the way he did most people.

  Remy handed her the bowl of rice. “Eat this. Mammi is making some broth for you.”

  While Sadie ate, Remy pulled a chair over to her bedside. “Susie and Ruthie are both perfectly fine now, thanks to your attentive nursing skills. Ruthie’s working at the market today, and Leah and Susie are out in the stables.”

  “Thank the Lord.” Sadie took a sip of water to get a glob of rice down. “I was so scared for Susie.”

  “I know. You were trying to handle too much on your own. Mary said you insisted on taking the night watch, but next time, I’m going to butt in sooner.” She pressed the back of her hand to Sadie’s cheek. “Poor Sadie. This can’t be the way you expected to spend your visit. I’m glad you’re feeling better now.” She arose, smoothing the skirt of her dark purple dress. “I’ll bring the broth up when it’s done.”

  “Remy, wait.” Sadie rested the bowl on the night table. “Have you talked to Adam about me? He won’t talk to me or even look me in the eye.”

  “We’ve talked.” Remy tugged nervously on one of her kapp strings as she sat down again. “But it would be wrong for me to speak for your brother. You two need to talk.”

  Sadie shook her head. “He’s not going to like what I have to say. I know he wants me to be baptized and join the community, but I can’t, Remy. When I think about living Amish forever, I feel trappe
d. I can’t breathe.”

  “And you need to breathe, dear Sadie.” Remy’s green eyes held a spark of compassion.

  “I love everyone here.” The words were thick in Sadie’s throat, but she needed to share her feelings with Remy. “But I believe that the Creator gave me this voice so that I could use it in a positive way. I’ve got to let the love inside me shine. And with Mike’s help, I’m finding my way.”

  “I had a feeling Mike fit into this,” Remy said.

  “While I was trying to find my voice, I found love. The Big Love, I used to call it.”

  Remy smiled. “Mike Trueherz seems like a nice guy.”

  Kind, generous Mike was everyone’s hero and helper. He made her feel alive and spontaneous and so special. “I thank God that I found Mike.”

  “Sadie …” Remy cradled Sadie’s hands in hers. “This is something you need to tell your brother. Just because he seems distant doesn’t mean that he hasn’t worried about you since you went away. Talk to Adam.”

  Sadie nodded. “The only bad part, the downside, is that my path is taking me away from my family.…” Her voice caught in her throat over the heartbreak of it, and she took a breath to calm down. “But I believe that is just how God wants it to be.”

  Remy nodded. She understood.

  For a while, the two women held hands, grateful that God had blessed them both in such different ways. Then Sadie gave Remy’s hands a squeeze, feeling the thick calluses on Remy’s palms. “Your hands … you’ve gotten used to living on a farm.”

  Remy looked down at both their hands. “I guess I have toughened up. But your hands have gotten softer. Check out these fingers, smooth and strong.” Remy smiled. “You have the hands of a musician now.”

  Sadie held her hands out, thinking of how she had learned to extend her fingers to reach distant keys on the piano. Manual dexterity, Katherine called it. She had learned that it was a good thing to reach out to new lengths.

  New places, new faces, new dreams … God willing, she would keep reaching out to the big world beyond this farm.