The Decision

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Hoping Leah could convince Grandma that she needed to follow the diet her doctor had suggested, Elaine had scheduled several more reflexology appointments for Grandma. In fact, Grandma had seen Leah yesterday, but apparently it hadn’t helped much, because everything she’d talked about on the way home was negative. Was her attitude because of her diabetes, or did she miss Grandpa so much that she couldn’t focus on anything positive?

  Maybe Grandma needs something to look forward to, Elaine thought. Well, the phone message Elaine had found on their answering machine might put some sparkle back in Grandma’s eyes. It was from Sharon Sullivan, asking if Grandma was ready to host another dinner for a group of tourists Friday evening. It had been over a month since the last one, so maybe it was time to try again.

  Elaine had talked with their doctor’s nurse about Grandma and been told that depression could be the cause of Grandma’s memory issues, which was logical, given that she was still grieving for Grandpa and now had diabetes to worry about.

  Elaine frowned, thinking back on the dinner they’d hosted soon after Grandpa’s death. After everything that happened that evening, it had been obvious to her that Grandma wasn’t up to cooking a big meal or serving guests. She’d had some time to rest, though, and since Grandma was taking her medicine and watching what she ate, maybe things would go better with this dinner. Elaine hoped so, because if Grandma kept making mistakes and forgetting things, they might have to give up the dinners and find some other way to supplement their income. But what could it be?

  CHAPTER 15

  Oh, Grandma, what are you doing with that?” Elaine asked, watching in surprise as Grandma poured sugar into one of their saltshakers.

  “I’m filling the saltshakers to set on the tables,” Grandma replied.

  “But you’ve got zucker not salse.”

  Grandma set the bag of sugar on the counter and stared at it with a peculiar expression. “Ach, my! You’re right about that. I think I may need to clean my glasses.” Grandma went to the sink and turned on the water. After she’d rinsed off her glasses and dried them with a soft towel, she put them back on. “There, that’s better. I can see everything more clearly now.”

  “That’s good,” Elaine said, smiling with relief. Grandma had been so forgetful lately, and Elaine was worried that she may have confused the sugar for salt. Apparently it was just that she hadn’t seen the label clearly.

  While Grandma poured the sugar back into the bag, Elaine glanced out the window, wondering what the noise was that had caught her attention. A woodpecker was making quite a racket as it worked to get insects out of the old maple tree in their yard. This particular tree had been struck by lightning last year, which ended up scorching the leaves. In the spring when no new growth emerged, it became evident that the tree had not survived. It had become quite the meeting place for woodpeckers, though. Even from inside the house, Elaine could hear the bird as it chiseled its way around the tree, leaving holes at each place it searched.

  Seeing the bird gave Elaine an idea. The next time she went to town, she would check at the hardware store about purchasing a few bird feeders. Grandma would probably enjoy watching all the birds in their yard, and it might help her mind stay active, trying to identify each one. Elaine would find a good spot for the feeders so she and Grandma could see them while they were either porch-sitting or seated in the kitchen near the window. Actually, observing the birds’ antics would be fun for both of them.

  Elaine thought more about the dead tree. It would probably be good to find someone to cut it down. Otherwise the tree would eventually become brittle, and as much as the birds enjoyed looking for insects inside the bark, Elaine wanted to make sure the tree was no threat to the house. She would add it to her ever-growing to-do list. But like Grandpa had told her one time, “It’s better to have a full in-bin instead of an empty one.”

  Elaine smirked. Right now an empty bin would be just fine.

  Physically, Grandma seemed to be feeling a little better since she’d been eating right and taking her medicine, but her emotions were up and down. One minute she’d be laughing and talking about the future, and the next minute she seemed sullen and almost out of touch with what was going on. Elaine felt sure it was part of the grieving process, but she would let the doctor know if things didn’t improve. In the meantime, she’d keep reminding Grandma to take her medicine, exercise, and eat the right foods.

  “Shall we get busy cooking for our guests now?” Grandma asked. “It won’t be long and the evening will be upon us.”

  Jonah had been working in the buggy shop with his apprentice all morning and was getting ready to take a break when the boy asked him a question.

  “Say, Jonah, I’ve been meaning to ask. How long have ya been makin’ buggies?”

  “I started working in my daed’s buggy shop when I graduated eighth grade.” Jonah chuckled. “But sometimes it seems like forever.”

  “What makes ya say that?” Timothy asked, looking curiously at Jonah.

  Jonah shrugged. “Guess it’s because I’ve had an interest in buggies since I was a boy. When I was a little guy, my daed made me a wooden buggy that I could sit inside and pretend I was driving a horse. I had more interest in thinking up things to do with that little buggy than I did in pretending there was a horse at the front of it.” Jonah rubbed his chin thoughtfully, thinking back on those carefree days, when all he had to worry about was doing the few chores his dad had assigned him and finding new things to do with his wooden buggy. One day, he’d removed all the dark blue material Dad had used on the buggy seat and replaced it with one of Mom’s good tablecloths. Mom had been none too pleased about that.

  “Are you enjoying the work here?” Jonah asked, pulling his thoughts back to the present.

  Timothy nodded enthusiastically. “It’s interesting to see how a buggy is put together, and I’m anxious to learn all I can.”

  “Think you might want to own your own buggy shop someday?”

  The boy shook his head. “There’s a lot of stress that comes with ownin’ your own business. I’ve seen how frustrated my daed gets sometimes when things don’t go right in his leather shop. Even my brothers Andy and Paul, who work with Dad, have mentioned how Dad gets upset about certain things.”

  “There can be some stressful times when you have a business,” Jonah agreed, “but if you like something well enough and you want to be your own boss, then the stressful things don’t bother you quite so much. Of course, being your own boss is not all stress, and I do have to remember to treat all of my customers right and get their orders done in a timely manner. Another advantage of having my own business is that I can take a long lunch or run errands whenever I need to.”

  Timothy scratched the side of his head. “Think I’ll just be happy workin’ for you right now and not think too hard about the future.”

  Jonah smiled. “That’s probably a good idea.” I’d better take Timothy’s advice, he thought. I need to quit worrying about my future with Elaine and leave it in God’s hands. When the time is right for Elaine to accept my marriage proposal, it’ll happen. I just need to be patient and keep offering her support as she helps Edna deal with Lloyd’s death and her health issues.

  As the six o’clock hour approached, Elaine checked everything twice to be sure they were ready for the tour group that would be arriving soon. Both tables had been set with their best dishes, and the food they’d be serving was keeping warm on the stove. Elaine had even checked the door on Millie’s cage to be sure it was latched. She’d also covered Millie’s cage so the bird would think it was nighttime and wouldn’t chatter away, like she often did. Elaine did not want the noisy little parakeet to swoop into the dining room, creating a stir, as she had done during the last dinner they’d hosted. What an embarrassment that had been for both her and Grandma.

  An hour ago, Elaine had made a light supper for the two of them so that Grandma could take her medicine. That would be better than waiting to eat until after th
e tourists all left. By then Grandma could become weak and shaky.

  “Is my head covering on straight?” Grandma asked, stepping out of the kitchen and joining Elaine in the dining room.

  Elaine smiled and nodded. “Jah, Grandma. You look just fine.”

  “That’s good, because the last time these people came, I don’t think I left a very good impression.”

  Elaine’s eyebrows squeezed together. “No, Grandma, it won’t be the same people we served dinner to several weeks ago. It’ll be a new group of tourists coming here this evening.”

  Grandma pulled back slightly but then gave a quick nod. “Of course. How silly of me. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Elaine didn’t know what Grandma had been thinking, either, but she chose not to make an issue of it. Perhaps it had just been a slip of the tongue. Maybe Grandma hadn’t really thought the people coming tonight were the same ones who’d been there before. At least, Elaine hoped that was the case.

  “Oh, look, they’re here,” Grandma said, motioning out the window to a van.

  As Elaine went to the door to greet their guests, she sent up a silent prayer. Dear Lord, please help everything to go well this evening.

  “It’s so good to see you again,” a tall, dark-haired woman said when she entered the house and gave Edna a hug. “I couldn’t believe it when Sharon, our tour guide, told us your name and said you’d been hosting tourist dinners for several years.”

  Confusion settled over Edna like a heavy quilt on the bed. She had absolutely no idea who this woman was and found it to be quite unsettling. If she were a previous dinner guest, she probably would have said so, not acted surprised that Edna was hosting meals for tourists. Think, Edna. Think. Have I ever met this woman before, and if so, where? Maybe she has me confused with someone else.

  “Sorry, but I’m not sure… Have we met before?” Edna asked, looking beyond this lady as the rest of the tour group lined up to come in. She felt uneasy, making people wait while she tried to figure out who the woman standing in front of her actually was.

  “I’m Cindy Hawthorne.” She gestured to the older, gray-haired woman beside her. “I’ve been visiting my friend Dawn, who lives in Chicago, and she signed us up for this tour, not realizing that I used to live in Arthur.”

  Edna stared at Cindy, trying to recall her face. She felt foolish not being able to recognize someone she’d apparently known in the past.

  “My husband, Rick, and I used to be your neighbors before we moved to Nevada.” Cindy’s dimples deepened when she smiled. “But then, that was twenty years ago, so I can understand why you might not have recognized me. Unfortunately, time has a way of changing how people look.” She touched her face, moving her fingers around. “A few wrinkles here, and several gray hairs there. Oh, and I’ve probably put on a couple of pounds from when you knew me, too.”

  “Ah, yes,” Edna said, relieved that she now remembered Cindy. She just hadn’t recognized her at first. “And of course, I’ve changed a good deal since then, too.”

  “Not that much.” Cindy shook her head. “You’ve still got that nice smile I remember so well.”

  “Thank you,” Edna said. “Did your husband make the trip to Chicago with you?”

  Cindy shook her head. “He’s working as a computer analyst and couldn’t get away from work.”

  “Ah, I see.” Of course, Edna didn’t really see. She had no idea what a computer analyst did, and the truth was, she barely remembered Rick.

  “So how is Lloyd?” Cindy asked. “Will I get to see him, too, or is he off doing something else this evening?”

  Edna swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn’t give in to the tears that so often seemed near the surface. “Lloyd passed away a little over a month ago. He had a heart attack.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Cindy gave Edna another hug. “I’m sure it must be difficult for you to be without him.”

  “Yes, it is. I miss Lloyd so much, but I’m thankful that I have my granddaughter living with me. She’s such a comfort.” Edna motioned to Elaine. “This is Elaine. She came to live with Lloyd and me after her parents were killed in a buggy accident. She was just a little girl then, and it was after you’d moved, so you never got the chance to meet her.”

  “You mean, Milton was killed?” Cindy’s eyes widened.

  “Yes, Milton. You remember my son, I’m sure,” Edna added.

  Cindy nodded and then she looked at Elaine. “Since Rick and I lived next door to your grandparents, we knew your father when he was a boy. He was a fine young man.”

  Edna thought Cindy would simply shake Elaine’s hand. Instead, she gave her a hug. “I wish we’d had the chance to know you, because I’m sure that any granddaughter of Edna’s must be as kind and sweet as she is.”

  Elaine’s cheeks colored. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”

  “Well, I’d better move aside and let the others in the door,” Cindy said, stepping farther into the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hold things up.”

  “We’ll talk more later.” Edna bobbed her head. “Maybe when dessert is served.”

  Soon everyone was inside and seated at the tables. After the tour guide introduced Edna and Elaine to everyone, the two of them headed for the kitchen to bring in the food.

  “I feel so narrisch not remembering Cindy,” Edna remarked as she removed the chicken from the oven.

  “It’s okay, Grandma. You’re not foolish. As the woman said, it’s been some time since you last saw her.”

  “I know, but it’s just another reminder of how my memory seems to be slipping these days. Makes me wonder if I’m losing my glicker.”

  “You’re not losing your marbles, either.” Elaine patted Edna’s arm. “We all forget things sometimes, and you’ve been under a lot of stress since Grandpa died.”

  “Jah, but that’s no excuse. My mind used to be sharp as a sewing needle. Guess maybe it’s just old age catching up with me.” Edna sighed and turned toward the door. “Well, I can’t fret about that now. We have a meal to serve.”

  As Edna headed into the other room, a terrible thought hit her. What if I am losing my glicker? That would be baremlich. Jah, absolutely terrible.

  CHAPTER 16

  When Sara stepped into her house with Mark, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was good to be home again, with the peace and quiet of just her and her son. It wasn’t that Sara didn’t love her husband’s family; she just wasn’t used to so much commotion on a daily basis. And those petty squabbles that had gone on between her two young sisters-in-law had really grated on her nerves. She and Mark could never move into Harley’s parents’ home on a permanent basis. If she chose to remain in Arthur, it would be right here, in her own house.

  When my sister, Marijane, and I were children, we never fussed at each other like that, Sara thought, placing Mark in his high chair before offering him a cheese-and-cracker snack. But then, our folks would never have tolerated it if we had.

  Nevertheless, Sara couldn’t help but observe that Carolyn and Marla’s disagreements seemed to go unnoticed by Herschel and Betty. Could be that they were just more tolerant than some parents. Or perhaps her in-laws may have been allowing their children to work out their differences. Of course, Herschel wasn’t home that much due to his business, so he probably had no idea how often the girls argued about things. And Betty may not have had the energy to deal with it.

  “Well, I’m home now, and taking care of my nieces and nephews is no longer my problem,” Sara said aloud. She leaned over and kissed Mark’s forehead. “All I have to worry about is taking care of you, my sweet little boy.”

  Mark looked up at her and grinned; then he popped a piece of cheddar cheese into his mouth and smacked his lips. “Yum…gut kaes.”

  Sara smiled. “Jah, cheese is always good to eat.” Watching her son, Sara’s love for him swelled to overflowing. According to Betty, Mark was a mirror image of what Harley had looked like when he was that age. Sara had to admit t
hat Mark certainly took after his daddy, with the same deep blue eyes and dark hair. He even had a dimple in the middle of his chin—a feature Sara had thought was so cute about her husband when they’d first met, before he’d started growing his beard.

  The love Sara felt for Mark couldn’t be measured, for there was nothing she cherished more on this earth. Even with the bumps along the way that everyone encountered in life, Sara would do all that was humanly possible to make sure Mark grew into a fine man like his father had been.

  Taking a seat near Mark’s high chair, Sara let her head rest on the table. She felt so tired this morning that she could almost fall asleep right now. Hopefully after Mark’s snack he would go down for a nap, and then maybe she could rest awhile, too. After spending the last eight weeks at her in-laws’, it felt wonderful to finally be home, where everything was familiar. There were so many things she wanted to do once she caught up on her rest, however.

  Earlier, Sara had looked around and seen all the dust she wanted to tackle. It was so thick, she could actually write her name on some pieces of furniture. Sara didn’t know how a house could get so dusty when no one was around, but somehow it had. She didn’t mind, though. She was anxious to start doing her own household chores and get back into a routine of some sort.

  Sighing, and unable to keep her eyes open any longer, Sara let them close and soon succumbed to sleep.

  “Mammi! Mammi!” Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Sara’s head came up and her eyes shot open. Poor little Mark, tears rolling down his flushed cheeks, pounded his fists on the high-chair tray with a look of desperation. How long had she been sleeping, with her poor little guy crying like this? Sara certainly didn’t enjoy upsetting her son and figured from the appearance of his aggravated red face that it must have been long enough to frustrate him.

  “Mamma’s sorry.” Sara rose to her feet, and after lifting her son from his chair, she patted his back, soothing him the best that she could. Glancing at the clock on the far wall, she grimaced, realizing that she’d been asleep for thirty minutes. It was a wonder Mark hadn’t woken her sooner, but either he’d remained quiet for most of that time, or she’d been in such a deep sleep that she hadn’t heard him.