The Decision

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Oh, I see.” Leah couldn’t help but notice that even though Edna was trying to put on a brave front, she looked exhausted and seemed kind of forgetful. No doubt the stress and pain of losing her husband was the cause.

  When they entered the kitchen, Leah went to the cupboard and got out two cups for their tea. She turned just in time to grab hold of Edna, who all of a sudden had turned pale and seemed unsteady on her feet.

  “Dear me,” Edna said, holding her head. “I must have stood up too quickly when I put the clothes basket down. Either that or I’m feeling a bit woozy because I’ve gone too long without something to eat. It’s been awhile since Elaine and I had breakfast.”

  “Let me take care of making the tea and cutting the banana bread,” Leah said as she guided Edna to a kitchen chair. “You’ve been through a lot this past week, and it’s okay to rely on others. After all, that’s what friends are for.”

  Rather than pushing herself to keep busy, Edna ought to take time to rest and allow herself to grieve, Leah thought. Once again, she didn’t voice her concerns, figuring Edna might not appreciate it. She would, however, keep Edna and Elaine in her prayers and stop by whenever she could to help out.

  “We’re going to see your Grandma Stutzman today,” Sara said, lifting her son up to the buggy seat. Betty had invited them over for lunch, and Sara looked forward to the visit. Spending time with her in-laws made her feel closer to Harley—at least the memory of him. Betty always had humorous stories to tell about things Harley had said or done when he was a boy. Just the familiarity of being at the Stutzmans’ place, where Sara and Harley had visited so many times, gave her comfort.

  Riding down the lane before getting to the main road, Sara glanced in the direction of the small grove of trees on the far side of their property. Quickly, she turned away. She couldn’t avoid seeing that area every time she went to and from her home. Hopefully, instead of the constant reminder that her husband’s life had ended there, someday happy memories would override the bad ones and remind her of the joys they’d treasured among their once-cherished woods. Harley and Sara had enjoyed Sunday picnics there, and during the week, it was a resting place where they had many times shared lunch during warmer weather. Sara had delighted in looking up at the leaf-covered branches while relaxing on a blanket beside Harley. The steady currents from the gentle breeze made the leaves move in a beautiful, hypnotic dance as Harley and Sara talked about their future. Sometimes they’d enjoyed simply relaxing in the shade’s coolness before getting back to work again. They had even flown kites one spring day, and Sara would never forget the fun they’d had.

  They’d enjoyed bringing Mark to their special woodland spot as well. The baby seemed to love the fresh air, and while nestled on a blanket, cushioned by the soft grass underneath, he would kick his little legs and giggle. Like a store-bought mobile, the wafting leaves above kept him content. It never took Mark long to fall into a relaxing sleep.

  “Someday, perhaps, I’ll be able to smile again when I see those woods of ours,” Sara said out loud, as if her husband sat right next to her. But for now, it was a constant reminder of how her life had changed in a split second of time.

  Mark’s sleepy blue eyes closed soon after Sara pulled onto Route 133, and he slouched in his seat. She smiled. Either her son was very tired, or the rocking motion of the buggy had put him to sleep.

  As Sara guided her horse down the road, she thought about stopping to see how Edna and Elaine were doing. But she’d left the house a little later than planned and didn’t want to be late for lunch. Besides, Mark was napping, and Sara wanted her precious boy to rest. She could stop by the Schrocks’ either on the way home or sometime later in the week.

  When Sara pulled onto the graveled driveway leading to her in-laws’ house, she saw Harley’s eighteen-year-old brother, Andy, coming out of the phone shanty. Sara waved but waited until she’d pulled her horse and buggy up to the hitching rack near the barn before speaking. Andy had followed her up the driveway, and he held the horse while Sara got out of the buggy.

  “Harley’s friend Jonah was here a few minutes ago, delivering some bad news.” His forehead creased with wrinkles. “My mamm’s buggy got hit in front of Rockome Garden Foods, and she’s been taken to the hospital. I called my daed at work and let him know right away.”

  Sara’s fingers touched her parted lips as she drew in a sharp breath. “I’m sorry to hear about Betty. Was she seriously hurt?”

  “I—I’m not sure. Jonah said Elaine Schrock and Priscilla Herschberger were there when the accident happened, and they thought Mom’s left leg might be broken. Jonah also mentioned that she was pretty banged up. We won’t know till we get to see Mom, and since Dad’s on his way home now, I called one of our drivers to take us to the hospital in the next half hour or so.” Andy gulped in a quick breath before slowly shaking his head. “I can’t believe this happened. We aren’t over losing Harley, and now Mom is hurt. What more could go wrong?”

  “I know, it’s hard,” Sara agreed, “but at least your mamm’s life was spared.”

  “Jah, and I’m thankful for that.”

  “I’ll have to go home and get some things, but I’ll be back in time to greet the children when they get home from school today,” Sara offered.

  “Try not to scare ’em with the news about Mom,” Andy said. “Don’t think they need to know a lot till we have all the facts.”

  “I understand, and don’t worry about anything here. I’ll take care of everyone until you and your daed return home.” Harley’s siblings had taken his death pretty hard, and if they thought they might lose their mother, they’d really be upset.

  “By the way,” Andy added, “Jonah brought Mom’s horse back with him. It broke away when the buggy was hit, but the mare seems to be okay. Said he stopped by your place, but somehow you must have missed each other.”

  “I wonder how that happened,” Sara pondered. “I took the main road here.”

  “Oh, I remember now.” Andy scratched the side of his head. “Jonah did mention that he’d taken the back road. Guess he thought it’d be better, since he had Mom’s horse tied to the back of his buggy, and there’d be less traffic and all.”

  Dear Lord, Sara prayed as she lifted her sleeping son from the buggy, I hope and pray that Betty’s injuries aren’t serious. This family has already had to deal with one tragedy, and we sure don’t need another.

  CHAPTER 5

  When Elaine got home, she found Grandma and Leah sitting on the porch, drinking tea.

  “It seemed like you were gone a long time,” Grandma said. “Did you make more than one stop?”

  “No, I just went to Rockome Garden Foods.” Elaine set the paper sack she held on the wicker table and took a seat beside Leah. “I was visiting with Priscilla there when we heard a loud crash and looked out. A buggy had been hit by a car in front of the store.”

  “Ach, no!” Grandma’s face paled. “Was it someone we know?”

  “I’m afraid so. Betty Stutzman was driving the buggy, and we stayed with her until the ambulance arrived.”

  “Was she badly hurt?” Leah’s thoughtful expression revealed her concern.

  Elaine bit her lip. “It appeared that her leg was broken, and I heard one of the paramedics say that he thought she might have some cracked ribs, as well as some possible internal injuries.”

  “I hope they don’t lose her.” Grandma stared across the yard as she got the wicker rocking chair moving rhythmically back and forth. Was she thinking about Grandpa? Grandma’s face looked pale, and from the droop of her shoulders, Elaine thought she appeared to be tired—even more so than she had earlier this morning.

  “I’m sure they’ll take good care of her at the hospital,” Elaine reassured her.

  “Betty and her family have been through…losing their son. I hope she’ll…be okay, because…” Grandma teared up as she fumbled for words to express how she felt.

  Elaine reached over and gently touched Grandm
a’s arm. “You look mied. Why don’t you go inside and try to take a nap?”

  “That’s a good idea,” Leah put in. “You do look as if you could use some rest.”

  Grandma slowly rose to her feet. “All right then, I’ll take the items you got at the store and put them away. Then I’m going to my room to lie down awhile. Please let me know when it’s time to fix supper so I can help.”

  As Grandma took the paper sack and shuffled into the house, Elaine glanced curiously at Leah and said, “If she sleeps that long, I’ll be surprised. It’s not even lunchtime yet.”

  “Maybe she’s verhuddelt about what time it is. She does seem a bit confused today.”

  “In what way?” Elaine asked.

  “At times while we were visiting, Edna had a hard time focusing and remembering things.”

  “That makes sense, don’t you think? I mean, it’s only been a few days since Grandpa died. Since then, I don’t think either of us has had much sleep. And with the funeral being just yesterday, well…” Elaine paused, looking out over the yard where she had played as a child.

  “I realize that, but there was something else, too. Your grandma became quite wobbly when we came into the kitchen. I grabbed hold of her before she lost her balance.”

  “What?” Elaine eyed Leah with newfound concern. “I wonder what caused that.”

  “I’m not sure. Edna said she thought it was because she stood up too quickly after putting the clothes basket down.”

  “I guess that could have caused her to be light-headed. I’ve done that myself sometimes, standing up too quickly, and then the blood leaves my head.” Elaine twisted her head-covering ties around her finger. “Of course, it could be because she hasn’t had enough sleep or even just from being under too much stress. Grandma is emotionally and physically drained, and so am I.”

  “That’s understandable, but she bent to set the empty basket down before we went to the kitchen,” Leah explained. “Her wooziness didn’t occur until after we’d gone in there to brew some tea. Edna also mentioned not having anything to eat since early this morning, so I’m wondering if her blood sugar was low. If so, that may have been the cause.”

  Elaine sighed deeply. “I’m so worried about Grandma.”

  “I am, too, which is why I think it’s way too soon for you and Edna to be hosting a sit-down dinner this Friday night.” Leah tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair.

  “She told you about that?”

  Leah nodded. “Said she needed to keep busy.”

  “We both do.” Elaine clenched her hands tightly together in her lap, watching as a bumblebee flew lazily across the porch. She didn’t like where this conversation was going and figured she was probably in for a lecture.

  “I understand that to a point,” Leah said, “but you need to rest and take time to heal emotionally. Pushing yourself to keep going and doing is not the answer, Elaine. And it’s fairly obvious, even to you, that your grandma needs to rest.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but Grandma’s insistent on us doing this dinner, and no matter how I feel about it, I won’t go against her wishes.”

  “Where’s Mom? I didn’t see her buggy parked outside, and it’s not in the buggy shed, either. Do you know why she isn’t here?” twelve-year-old Paul asked Sara when he and his sisters arrived home from school that afternoon.

  Sara removed a tray of ginger cookies from the oven and turned to face the children. “Your mamm is at the hospital.”

  Paul’s mouth dropped open. “What? How come?”

  “Her buggy was hit by a car this morning.”

  Marla, age seven, let out a sharp scream. “Oh no! Is our mamm gonna die?” Tears pooled in the little girl’s blue eyes and splashed onto her cheeks.

  “No, she’ll be fine once her injuries are taken care of.” Sara gathered the child into her arms. “She broke her leg and has some other sore places, so she’ll have to stay in the hospital overnight, but her injuries aren’t life-threatening.”

  “That’s baremlich.” Carolyn, who was nine, frowned deeply.

  “You’re right, it is terrible,” her brother agreed.

  “Guess I’ll have to stay home from school tomorrow so I can take care of things while Mom is gone,” Carolyn said.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Sara assured the child. “I went home after lunch today and got a few things so Mark and I can stay here overnight. In fact,” she added, trying to sound as cheerful as possible, “we’ll stay for as long as we’re needed.”

  “I’m glad you’re stayin’, but where’s little Mark?” Carolyn glanced around, as though she expected to see him appear.

  “He’s taking a nap in the other room.” Sara placed several cookies on a plate and set it on the table. “Would anyone like some kichlin and milk?”

  The children nodded eagerly and hurried to wash their hands before taking seats at the table.

  “Are Timothy and Andy out in the barn?” Paul asked.

  “Timothy is, but Andy’s at the hospital with your daed. He said he’d be home later this evening, but your daed plans to spend the night at the hospital with your mamm.”

  Sara decided to join the children at the table, knowing they would probably have more questions about their mother. She was glad she’d thought to check the Stutzmans’ answering machine earlier and had listened to Andy’s message. If there was one thing Sara knew, she wouldn’t be moving back to Indiana anytime soon, because Betty and her family needed her now.

  “Let’s go, boy! Now quit your dallying!” Jonah called to his horse as he headed down the road toward the Schrocks’ house. He was anxious to see Elaine this evening, and of course, Sassy chose this time to go into his plodding mode. There were moments like this when Jonah wished he’d bought a different horse when he arrived in Arthur. Since the last horse he’d owned, when he lived in Pennsylvania, had belonged to Meredith’s husband, Jonah had felt the need to return it to Luke when he came home, recovered from amnesia.

  “What’s the matter with you, Sassy?” Jonah snapped the reins. “You’ll get fat and lazy if you don’t do a little running once in a while. Guess I shoulda named you Poky instead of Sassy, because you’re sure poking along today.”

  The horse picked up speed, and Jonah smiled. “That’s better, ol’ boy.” Even though he’d seen Elaine at Rockome Garden Foods, he hadn’t been able to visit with her due to the accident. He had left right away to let Sara know. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been home. He’d wasted no time in getting to Herschel’s to notify Betty’s family and return her horse, but he’d promised Elaine he would stop by her house this evening to visit awhile and let her know how Betty was doing. Only trouble was, he hadn’t heard anything about Betty’s condition, so he planned to stop by the Stutzmans’ place on his way to Elaine’s and see what he could find out.

  Redirecting his thoughts, Jonah smiled as he passed a sign along the side of the road. It read: YOU’RE A STRANGER ONLY ONCE. He had seen that sign when he’d first come to Arthur, and it had made him feel as welcomed then as it did now. Of course, the folks in this community had welcomed him, too, and that made his transition much easier. Moving from Pennsylvania and starting over here had been a good thing for Jonah, especially after he’d met and fallen in love with Elaine. If only he felt free to ask her to marry him.

  Just try to have patience, Jonah told himself. I’ll know when the time is right to propose to Elaine, and hopefully she’ll say yes when I do.

  A short time later, the Stutzmans’ place came into view, so Jonah guided his horse onto the path leading to their house. When he secured Sassy to the hitching rack, he noticed another buggy parked nearby and figured it must belong to Herschel or one of his boys.

  Taking the steps two at a time, Jonah stepped onto the Stutzmans’ porch and knocked on the door. He was surprised when Sara answered his knock.

  “Afternoon,” Jonah said. “Is Herschel here? I was wondering if there’s any news on how Betty is doing.”

&nb
sp; “Herschel’s at the hospital with Betty,” Sara replied, her brown eyes downcast. “She has a broken leg, some fractured ribs, and several bruises and contusions, so they’re keeping her overnight.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Jonah said, “but at least her injuries aren’t life threatening. It could have been so much worse.”

  Sara nodded and lifted a slender arm as she swatted at a bothersome fly. “I wonder how the English woman who ran into Betty’s buggy is fairing.”

  “From what I saw, she wasn’t hurt, just shook up pretty bad.”

  “That’s understandable. Do you know how or why she hit the buggy?” Sara questioned.

  “When the police came, I heard the woman say she’d started to pass the buggy and didn’t realize it was turning into Rockome Garden Food’s parking lot.” Jonah frowned. “It seems like there are so many accidents involving our horses and buggies. Makes me wish there were no cars on the road.”

  “I’ve thought that many times myself, but I guess it’s just wishful thinking. I can’t imagine that the Englishers would ever give up their cars in favor of driving a horse-pulled carriage, or that we would decide to give up our horses and start driving cars.”

  “I think you’re right about that, Sara,” Jonah agreed. “So are you here to take care of the kinner?”

  “Jah. Mark and I will be staying until Betty’s well enough to take over running her household again. Oh, and before I forget,” Sara added, “I heard you stopped by my place before bringing Betty’s horse home. I appreciate you doing that, and I’m sorry I missed you.”

  “It’s okay.” Jonah smiled. “I took a back road because Betty’s mare was tied to the back of my buggy. Didn’t want traffic to spook the horse any more than she was. After being in that accident earlier, the poor animal was scared enough.”

  “That was good thinking.” Sara paused a moment. “Anyway, I’m here for however long Harley’s family needs me.”