The Decision

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Edna didn’t argue. Her stomach seemed to appreciate the food, as did the rest of her body. In fact, with each bite she took, she felt her strength returning. It’s a simple matter, really. Just don’t go too long without eating.

  Elaine hurried into the other room. After she’d placed the butter dishes on the tables, she checked on the vegetable bowls and meat platters to see if any were empty.

  “Yuk! What did I just bite into?” A freckle-faced boy crinkled his nose and spit something out of his mouth. “What was that in my mashed potatoes?”

  Elaine hurried over to the table, perspiration dripping down the back of her neck. She knew one thing: her bed would never feel better than when she crawled under those covers tonight. We shouldn’t have hosted this dinner. It would have been better to have a nice quiet Friday evening, just me and Grandma.

  As Elaine looked at what the boy held in his hand, she let out a breath of relief. “I’m sorry about that,” she said, “but I think it’s just a seasoned chicken cube that must have gotten into the potatoes by mistake. You didn’t break a tooth on it, did you?”

  He shook his head. “Naw, I’m fine. Just freaked me out when I bit into it.”

  Elaine said a silent prayer. Please help us get through the rest of this evening without any more mishaps.

  Seeing that the gravy was the only item that seemed to be getting low, Elaine paused to answer a few questions from an elderly woman, and then she picked up the gravy bowls and went back to the kitchen.

  “Are you doing okay, Grandma? Do you need something more to eat?” she asked, noting that Grandma’s plate was empty.

  “No, I’m fine.” Grandma wiped her hands on a napkin. “I feel much better now.” She gestured to the chair beside her. “Why don’t you have something to eat, and I’ll go check on our visitors?”

  Elaine shook her head. “That’s okay. I’m not hungry right now.” Usually she and Grandma waited until their guests had gone home to eat their supper. But at least one of them needed to get back in the other room to make sure the food was being passed around for a second time and then to bring in the pies for dessert. “Why don’t you stay here and relax?” she suggested. “I’ll take care of everything else that needs to be done.” Elaine kept the mashed potato incident to herself, not wanting to upset Grandma further.

  Grandma gave a stubborn shake of her head. “We always work together as a team.”

  “I know, but if you need to rest, I can manage by myself this time.” Even though Grandma had said she was feeling better, she still looked pale, and Grandma’s droopy eyelids betrayed her exhaustion.

  “I won’t hear of it.” Grandma pushed away from the table and put her dishes in the sink. “Is it time to take the pies in yet?”

  “Not quite. I need to make sure everyone has all the meat and vegetables they want, and then I’ll clear away the dishes.”

  “That will go quicker if we both do it.” Walking slowly, Grandma left the kitchen. Elaine followed.

  While their guests finished eating, Elaine and Grandma answered more questions about the Amish way of life, and then they excused themselves to clear away the dishes and bring in the desserts.

  “I’ll carry the sour-cream peach pies I made, and you can take the strawberry-rhubarb ones that you baked,” Grandma told Elaine.

  Just inside the kitchen, Elaine paused. “Actually, Grandma, you made chocolate–peanut butter pies this morning.”

  “Now that I think of it, I had wanted to make the peach pies, but since there are no ripe peaches on our trees yet, I changed my mind and made chocolate–peanut butter instead. Of course, I could have used some of our frozen peaches.” Grandma nudged Elaine’s arm. “Well, don’t dawdle, now. You’d better get busy.”

  “Okay,” Elaine replied, feeling suddenly like she was a young girl again and Grandma was completely in charge. Grandma had never been bossy, but she’d always let Elaine know that she was the one to make the final decision on things. Out of love and respect, Elaine had never questioned Grandma’s authority.

  They’d just stepped into the other room with the pies when Elaine heard a shrill screech, followed by, “Pretty bird…pretty bird… Where’s the pie? Where’s the pie?”

  “Why, there must be a parrot somewhere in the house,” the elderly woman who’d asked a question before said.

  “Millie’s my grandma’s parakeet,” Elaine explained.

  Grandma’s once pale face colored to a bright pink. “Oh dear, I must have forgotten to cover Millie’s cage before everyone got here.” She placed one of the chocolate–peanut butter pies on the first table and was approaching the second table when she tripped on one of their throw rugs and the pie fell on the floor. “Oh no!” she gasped, tears of obvious embarrassment running down her cheeks. “How clumsy of me. I—I’d better get something to clean up this mess.” She hurried back to the kitchen, walking faster than she had all evening.

  Elaine quickly followed. “It’s okay, Grandma. I’ll clean up in the other room. Why don’t you stay in the kitchen and rest awhile longer?”

  “I don’t need to rest.” Grandma shook her head determinedly. “I feel like such a dappich naar, tripping like that.”

  “You’re not a clumsy fool. An accident like that could have happened to anyone.” Elaine motioned to a chair at the table. “Please sit and relax. After I’ve cleaned up the floor, I’ll bring in that extra pie we baked earlier today.”

  Grandma sighed heavily and sank into a chair. “Whatever you say. I do feel like I need to sit awhile.”

  Elaine grabbed a large spatula and a serving tray to put the remains of the pie on, as well as a bucket and mop to clean the floor. Then she rushed back to the dining room.

  “Let me help you with that,” Sharon, the tour guide, said when Elaine knelt on the floor.

  “My grandmother isn’t quite herself tonight, and she feels terrible about this,” Elaine explained as the two of them began to clean up the pie. “You see, my grandfather died just a week ago, and—”

  Sharon’s eyes widened. “Oh dear, I hadn’t heard. Why didn’t you call and cancel this dinner?”

  “I suggested that to Grandma, but she insisted on carrying through. And since she’d already scheduled it with you, Grandma didn’t think it would be right to back out at the last minute.”

  “I would have made some other arrangements for this group, and I won’t schedule any more dinners here for at least a month, or until you let me know that you’re ready,” Sharon was quick to say. “You and Edna need time to grieve, and I’m so very sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you.” Elaine blinked against tears threatening to spill over. She wished she had tried harder to talk Grandma out of hosting this meal or at the very least taken Priscilla and Leah up on their offer to help. The way Grandma had been acting this evening was proof that she wasn’t ready to entertain yet.

  I wonder if Leah’s concerns about Grandma are founded, Elaine thought as she headed back to the kitchen with the remains of the chocolate–peanut butter pie. She does seem quite forgetful, not to mention how pale and woozy she got earlier. I think when I see Leah at church this Sunday, I’ll ask her to have a talk with Grandma about going to the doctor. Grandma put a lot of faith in Leah’s foot doctoring, so she might be more willing to listen to her than Elaine. At least Elaine hoped that would be the case, because if Grandma refused to see their doctor, then Elaine might ask if he would be willing to make a house call. One thing was for certain, she wanted to make sure Grandma was okay.

  Back in the kitchen, Elaine found Grandma standing in front of the sink, staring out the window. “Are you all right?” Elaine questioned, dropping the pie mess into the garbage can.

  “I was just thinking about your grandpa. If he were still here, he’d probably be in the other room right now, entertaining our guests with a few songs he liked to play on his mouth harp.”

  “You’re right about that.” The tourists had always enjoyed listening to Grandpa’s music. �
��Well, guess I’d better take that other pie out to our guests now,” she said, removing the third chocolate–peanut butter pie from the refrigerator. “If you’d rather stay here, Grandma, I think I can manage on my own for the rest of the evening.”

  Grandma shook her head. “I won’t hear of it. But before I go back in, I’m going to get out a bowl of fresh fruit for anyone who doesn’t want pie.”

  Just then, one of their guests walked into the kitchen with an empty cup. “Would there be any coffee or tea to go with our pie?” She set her cup down on the table.

  Elaine gave a nod. “Yes, of course. I’ll bring it right in.”

  Returning to their guests, Elaine placed the coffeepot and pie on the table. “While you finish eating your dessert, perhaps some of you have more questions you’d like to ask.”

  “I do,” said a middle-aged woman who’d introduced herself earlier as a schoolteacher from North Carolina.

  “What is it you would like to know?” Elaine asked as she cut the pie.

  “I heard that Amish children only attend school until the eighth grade. Is that true?”

  Elaine nodded. “After they graduate, the young men learn a trade, and in addition to learning how to run a household, the girls will often find jobs outside the home. Sometimes if a family member has their own business, a young girl or boy might help in the store.”

  Just then, Grandma walked into the room, and Millie flew in right behind her. “Where’s the pie? Where’s the pie?” the bird shrieked.

  This caused a round of laughter from some of the tourists and a few screams from others, while some of the people ducked their heads.

  Oh no, now what? Elaine cringed. “Grandma, I thought you had covered her cage.”

  “Dear me!” Grandma exclaimed, red-faced and looking quite flustered. “I think I must have opened the cage door by mistake.” Grandma stood in the archway with her arm extended, which Millie usually landed on immediately, but not so this evening. The parakeet flew this way and that, while Elaine and a few others ran around the room chasing her. Elaine could not believe what was happening. Not only did she feel like a fool, trying to catch the crazy bird, but most of the people laughed, as though they were enjoying the show. Some were rude, however, and took pictures, even though they’d been told that it wasn’t permitted. Elaine couldn’t really blame them, though. How often did a person get photos of a desperate Amish lady chasing after a bird? This was entertainment the tourists hadn’t expected. Elaine hoped she wouldn’t end up on the front page of their local newspaper. She could read the headline now: “Parakeet Invades Amish Dinner.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Jonah tried to concentrate on the song they were singing, but he couldn’t help watching Elaine. She sat between her friends Leah and Priscilla on a backless wooden bench in Thomas Diener’s barn, where church was being held. Although she sang along with the others, Elaine’s heart didn’t seem to be in it this morning. Jonah could tell by the slump of her shoulders and her droopy eyes that she was struggling to stay awake. He glanced at the chairs that had been provided for some of the older women, and noticed that Elaine’s grandmother also looked tired.

  I wonder how things went with the dinner they hosted Friday night, Jonah thought as he shifted on his bench, trying to find a more comfortable position. He’d planned to go over to the Schrocks’ on Saturday to check on Elaine and Edna, but he’d gotten busy in the buggy shop and let time slip away. By the time Jonah was done for the day and had taken a shower and eaten supper, it was almost nine o’clock—too late to be making a call on anyone, he’d decided. Hopefully after church let out, he would have a chance to speak with Elaine. He’d been concerned when he’d heard that Elaine and Edna would be hosting a dinner. Jonah didn’t understand why they were so determined to do it so soon after Lloyd’s death. Elaine and her grandma hadn’t had time to grieve properly. Hosting a big meal must have been a drain on the women, and if they weren’t careful, one or both of them would end up getting sick.

  During the noon meal after church was over, Elaine took a seat beside Leah. “I need to ask a favor of you,” she said, leaning close to her friend.

  “What is it?” Leah asked.

  “Things didn’t go well during our dinner for the tourists the other night, and in addition to forgetting several things, Grandma had another dizzy spell.”

  Leah’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

  Elaine gave her friend a recap of the events, then said, “I was so glad when the evening finally came to an end.”

  “I think your grandma ought to see the doctor.”

  “So do I, and I suggested that to her, but she wouldn’t agree to it.” Elaine touched Leah’s arm. “Grandma’s been coming to you for foot treatments for some time, and she has confidence in you, so I was hoping you might have a talk with her about this.”

  “When she got dizzy last week, I did suggest that she see the doctor, but I can try again if you like.”

  “I would appreciate it. I’m worried about Grandma.”

  “Why don’t you bring Edna over to our place tomorrow morning around ten for a foot treatment? I’ll talk to her then.”

  “That sounds good, Leah. We’ll be there on time.”

  Just then, Susan Diener, whose home they were at, stopped by. “Leah,” she said, “I just wanted to tell you that I haven’t had any trouble with my sinuses since you worked on my feet last Friday.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Leah smiled at the elderly woman, who then moved on down the table to talk with some of the other women.

  Elaine hoped Grandma would have equally good results when she went to see Leah for a foot treatment. Maybe while her feet were getting massaged, Grandma would be more receptive to the idea of seeing the doctor.

  For the first time all day, Elaine relaxed a bit. This was the first time since last autumn that anyone had been able to have the after-church meal outside. The Dieners’ spacious backyard featured two large maple trees to sit under. The leaves were just emerging and offered little shade, but no one seemed to notice in this mild April weather. There was plenty of room in the yard for all the tables and benches to be set up as well.

  Elaine smiled to herself. She could imagine Grandpa Schrock sitting among the men, as he’d done so many times over the years. Several conversations were going on at one time, each carrying a sense of excitement in the voices as they discussed various topics with friends. How Grandpa would have enjoyed being here today and taking part in the discussions.

  “Are you listening to me?” Leah patted Elaine’s hand gently.

  Elaine shook her thoughts aside. “What was that?”

  “I said, while I’m working on your grandma’s feet in the basement, it might be best if you wait upstairs with my mamm. I don’t want Edna to think we’re ganging up on her. She may be more willing to listen to me if you’re not there.”

  Elaine nodded, but she wasn’t sure that her absence when Leah talked to Grandma would make any difference. She hadn’t been around the last time Leah expressed her concerns to Grandma. Maybe this time, since Grandma had gotten dizzy again, things would be different.

  Elaine had just finished eating and was heading over to see if Grandma was ready to go home when Jonah stepped up to her. “I was wondering how things are going and if there’s anything I can do for you.”

  “You can pray for Grandma. Things didn’t go well during the dinner we hosted.”

  “What happened?”

  “For one thing, Grandma had a dizzy spell.”

  “Is she all right?” Jonah’s expression revealed his concern.

  “I’m not sure, and I’m hoping she’ll agree to see the doctor.”

  “That would probably be a good idea. Did anything else happen at the dinner?” he questioned.

  “It was a total disaster. Grandma dropped one of our pies, and that crazy parakeet, Millie, got out of her cage and created quite a stir with the tourists. I’ve always enjoyed hel
ping Grandma with our dinners, but I was actually relieved when the people left.” Elaine paused to massage the back of her neck. “Anyway, I’ll be taking Grandma to see Leah in the morning for a foot treatment.”

  Jonah’s forehead creased. “I have nothing against Leah’s reflexology practice, but she’s not able to do blood tests and some other things that the doctor would want to do. And, as I’m sure you’d agree, Leah’s treatments are not a cure-all for every illness.”

  “I realize that.” Elaine didn’t know why, but Jonah’s comment made her defenses rise. “The only reason I’m taking Grandma to see Leah is in the hope that while Leah works on Grandma’s feet, she can talk her into seeing the doctor.”

  “Do you think Edna will listen to Leah?”

  “I hope so, because I wasn’t able to convince her.” Elaine’s lips compressed. “When Grandpa was alive, he could talk Grandma into almost anything. I remember once when he wanted the three of us to go camping. Grandma didn’t take to the idea, because she wasn’t comfortable with sleeping in a tent.”

  “So what happened?” Jonah asked.

  “Grandpa said if Grandma went camping, then he’d wash and dry the dishes for a whole week after we got home.” Elaine smiled. “That was all it took. Grandma went camping.”

  “Did she enjoy it?”

  “For the most part, but when it came time to crawl into that little tent for the night, she let it be known that she wasn’t happy about it.” Elaine’s smile disappeared. “If Grandpa was here now, he’d figure out some way to get Grandma to see the doctor.”

  “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you or Edna. I’ll drop everything to come and help if you need me.” Jonah’s tender brown eyes remained fixed on her face.

  “Danki.” While Elaine appreciated Jonah’s offer, he had a thriving business to run, and the thought of asking him for help made her feel guilty.