The Beloved Hope Chest

by Amy Clipston

  “Your name?” a young woman with strawberry-blonde hair and clad in purple scrubs asked.

  “Martha Petersheim. I mean, Martha Fisher,” she added quickly, aware of Leroy’s intense gaze as he stood beside her. “When someone called me to remind me of my appointment a couple of weeks ago, I explained I’ve remarried and changed my name.” She bit back the sigh threatening her lips. She hoped she hadn’t hurt Leroy by using the wrong last name. She didn’t want to hurt him by saying careless things.

  “You may have a seat, Mrs. Fisher. We’ll be with you shortly.”

  “Thank you.” Mattie watched as Leroy crossed the waiting room area and sat down by the window. He patted the seat beside him, and she joined him.

  As Mattie absently rubbed her abdomen, she held her breath and waited for him to express disappointment because she said her last name was Petersheim and not Fisher. Instead, Leroy picked up a magazine and began to thumb through it. She studied him, looking for any sign of hurt but found none.

  Was he so deeply hurt he had to look away from her to keep his emotions in check? Maybe he was even angry. But she’d never seen him lose his temper. Perhaps he was fine and understood her mistake.

  “Mrs. Fisher?” A nurse holding a clipboard stood in the doorway leading to the examination rooms.

  Leroy stood and held out his hand to her.

  Surprised, Mattie took it, allowing him to lift her to her feet. “Danki.”

  “Gern gschehne.” His voice was soft and warm in her ear. He held her arm as they made their way across the waiting room, and he waited in the hallway as the nurse took Mattie’s weight.

  When they reached the examination room, Leroy stood outside while Mattie changed into a gown. He knocked on the door and then cracked it open. “Do you want me to wait in the hall?”

  “No, you can come in and hear what the doctor has to say.” She waved him into the room.

  He hesitated for a beat and then walked in. After sitting down on a chair, he lifted another magazine from a table and flipped through it.

  Guilt and regret warred inside of Mattie as Leroy perused an article. He seemed to be reading the words to avoid the elephant in the room. She couldn’t take his silence or the guilt that drowned her.

  “I’m sorry.” The words exploded from her lips.

  He peered up at her and arched an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m sorry for upsetting you out in the waiting room. You have to remember I was Mattie Petersheim for two years, and I’ve only been Mattie Fisher for less than a month.”

  He closed the magazine. “It’s all right. This is all an adjustment.”

  “Right.” The muscles in her shoulders relaxed slightly. He was going to forgive her, and maybe they would be okay.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Dr. Carrie Sheppard stepped into the room. An attractive woman in her mid-forties, she had light-brown hair and warm hazel eyes.

  “Hello, Mrs. Fisher.” She shook Mattie’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.” She turned to Leroy. “You must be Mr. Fisher.”

  “Hi.” He shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “How are you feeling?” Dr. Sheppard asked.

  “Fine.” Mattie rubbed her lower back. “Just a little tired and sore.”

  “The doctor seemed pleasant.” Leroy sat across from Mattie in a booth at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant. “She said everything is going fine. That’s gut news.” He looked down to peruse the menu.

  “Ya, it is. I can’t believe I have only six weeks to go.” Mattie skimmed the selections. Although she’d tried to prevent Leroy from going to the doctor’s appointment, she was grateful he had gone with her. He was considerate enough to leave the room before the exam, and he was quiet and attentive while Dr. Sheppard spoke. It was as though Leroy sensed what she needed without her having to even ask.

  She peered up at him as her mother’s words from Saturday afternoon echoed through her mind: “Your dat once remarked at how Leroy has always been so devoted to you.”

  “Do you know what you want for lunch?” His question broke through her thoughts.

  “I think I’ll have the meat loaf.”

  “Your usual. That sounds gut.” His gaze moved back to the menu. “Meat loaf it is.”

  The waitress stopped by to take their order and then left.

  Leroy leaned forward, resting his folded hands on the table. “Your doctor seemed very attentive.”

  “Dr. Sheppard is very nice.” Mattie touched her cool glass of water. “She actually hugged me and let me cry on her shoulder when I told her Isaiah had died.”

  Leroy gave her a weak smile. “She seems compassionate and thoughtful.”

  “She is.” Mattie sipped the water. “Danki for coming with me today.”

  “Gern gschehne. I’m froh I could go.” He leaned back in the booth and eyed her for a moment. “Mattie, don’t shut me out, okay? I want to be part of this.”

  “Ya.” She needed to change the subject, and she racked her brain for something to discuss. “I haven’t made it out to the harness shop since Saturday. Is your key chain display empty yet?”

  “No, but I’ve had to make more key chains. Hank and I are trying to keep up with the inventory in between customers.”

  “What’s your biggest seller so far?”

  Leroy gripped his suspenders as he considered the question. Mattie took in his face, studying his deep brown eyes. He was so attractive in that dark-blue shirt. Her mind wandered back to their kiss.

  Would he kiss her again? And if so, how soon? She shivered with a mixture of fear and excitement at the notion. She was now Leroy’s wife, and part of her wanted to surrender herself completely to him.

  The waitress appeared with their food, and Mattie nibbled her meat loaf as Leroy continued to discuss the harness shop. She half-listened to him as her confusing feelings for him clashed inside of her.

  “Are you feeling well?” Leroy’s question hurled her back to the present.

  “Ya. I’m just not very hungry.”

  “Oh. Do you want to go straight home and rest?”

  “No, I need a few groceries. It would be helpful if we could get the shopping done today.”

  “All right. As long as you promise to rest when we get home.” He gave her a sweet smile, and her heart seemed to turn over in her chest.

  Was she developing romantic feelings for Leroy? Everything was just so confusing.

  After lunch, the driver took them to the grocery store. They filled the shopping cart with food and supplies and then wandered over to the baby section.

  While Mattie perused the displays of disposable diapers, Leroy disappeared into a nearby aisle with the shopping cart.

  “I’m going to get these,” Leroy said when he returned. He held up a blue onesie and a pink onesie. “What do you think? This way we’re covered whether it’s a bu or a maedel.”

  Mattie chuckled. “All right.” She kneaded her fingers on her lower back.

  Leroy frowned. “Your back hurts again.”

  “It’s okay. It seems to hurt constantly.”

  “Let’s get you home.” He looped his arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the checkout.

  Leroy paid for their groceries and supplies and then they climbed into the van and headed home. Leroy insisted upon carrying in all the groceries while Mattie began stowing the food and supplies. She was putting a gallon of milk into the refrigerator when Leroy burst into the kitchen.

  “I have a gift for you.”

  “A gift?” Mattie closed the refrigerator door and crossed the kitchen to where he stood beside a cradle. She gasped, running her fingers over the smooth oak wood. “This is so schee. Did you make it?”

  “No, it was actually mine. Mei daadi made it shortly before I was born. I just cleaned it up and stained it. I’ve been working on it a little bit each night after we close the shop.”

  “I love it.” Tears stung her eyes as she continued to run her
fingers over the precious cradle. In approximately six weeks, she’d rock her newborn in it.

  “I wanted to give you something special since you made the appeditlich peach salsa, chocolate cake, and raspberry pie for me.” He stood beside her. “You have a crib, but you don’t have a cradle. You can keep the cradle in our room while the boppli is little.” His eyes widened. “I mean your room.”

  While she’d heard him call the bedroom her room, she didn’t correct him. She wasn’t certain how long she’d want to stay in the room alone, and she didn’t want to give him any false hope for their future as a couple. “Danki. I love it.”

  “Gut.” He breathed a deep sigh. “I was worried you wouldn’t like it.”

  She tilted her head. “Why wouldn’t I like it?”

  “I don’t know. Woodworking was never my gift.” He ran his hand over the top of the cradle. “Mei daadi was a gut carpenter. I just tried to clean it up.”

  “It’s perfect.” Mattie rested her hand on his arm as admiration surged through her. “I can’t wait to use it.”

  Leroy touched her cheek. “We can use it for all our kinner. We’ll make it our family tradition. All our babies will sleep in this cradle.” He stroked her cheek with the tip of his finger, and she enjoyed his gentle and affectionate touch. “That nosy woman in the store on Saturday asked us how many kinner we wanted. How many do you want?”

  “I’m not sure.” She looked down at her protruding abdomen as she caressed it with her hand. “Why don’t we see how this goes first.”

  “That sounds like a gut idea.” He nudged the cradle, and it rocked back and forth with a soft swishing sound. “Would you like me to put it in the nursery?”

  “Ya. Danki. It’s the perfect gift.”

  “I’m froh you like it. I’ll take it upstairs.”

  As he carried his gift toward the stairs, Mattie hugged her arms to her middle and envisioned her baby rocking in the gorgeous cradle.

  CHAPTER 10

  MATTIE BRUSHED A PAPER NAPKIN ACROSS HER SWEATY BROW as the unrelenting August heat seeped into the kitchen through the open windows. She’d hoped for a cross breeze, but instead, the kitchen sweltered like the inside of an oven set to four hundred degrees.

  “Did Tillie help you with the laundry today?” Leroy asked as they sat at the table.

  “Ya. She also helped me cook supper. I’d be lost without her.” She swiped the napkin across her brow again. If only she had a battery-operated fan that could move the air and offer some relief.

  He set down his fork and leaned toward her. “You look miserable.”

  “I’m fine.” She forced a smile despite her aching back, throbbing legs, and swelling feet. Her back pain had increased during the past month, and her feet and legs had also joined her list of complaints.

  But she didn’t want to burden Leroy with her issues since she’d already caused him enough stress with her manic moods. He seemed to walk on eggshells around her, giving her pleasantries and offers of help while she tried her best to complete her daily chores. Although he never raised his voice or lost his temper, she sensed his growing despondency because of her constantly erratic attitude.

  Her gaze moved to the cross-stitch hanging by the back door. If only she could find some relief . . . or happiness. You’ll find it after the baby is born.

  “This is the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.” His compliment yanked her from her thoughts.

  “I’m glad you like it. I’ll tell Tillie.” She rested her hands on her abdomen. In approximately two more weeks she would be a mother. She wasn’t certain she was ready for that responsibility.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “What?”

  “You seem lost in your thoughts.” He placed the fork next to the plate. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Mattie continued to move her hand over her abdomen. It had grown so much during the past month she was certain she resembled a cow instead of a young woman. “I’m just sore, but you’re probably tired of hearing about my aches and pains.”

  “No, I’m not tired of hearing anything you want to say.” He held his hand out to her, and she took it, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his skin against her.

  Tears flooded her eyes, and he frowned.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No.” She wiped away an errant tear. “You said the right thing. I know I’m an emotional mess, and I’m sorry you have to deal with me.”

  “You don’t need to be sorry.”

  “Danki for putting up with me.”

  A low rumble of laughter sounded from his throat. “Are you joking? I’m froh to put up with you. You’re my fraa, and you’re entitled to be achy and emotional. Tell me what else is bothering you. Please talk to me.”

  “Okay.” She sniffed. “The boppli hasn’t been very active in the past couple of days. It’s strange. I’m used to the boppli having the hiccups every morning and then kicking me most of the afternoon. I haven’t felt much movement at all today. The last time I felt the hiccups was Saturday morning, and I think the last real kick was Saturday night.”

  He gaped. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He glanced toward the clock. “The office is closed now, but I would’ve taken you in to see the doctor earlier if you’d told me. Do you want me to call the answering service and tell them what’s going on?”

  She waved off the idea. “No, it’s not necessary. We can call tomorrow.”

  “All right.” He leveled his gaze with hers. “We’ll wait, but we have to call as soon as they open tomorrow. I’ll go with you to the doctor’s. Hank can handle the store.”

  Mattie yawned. “That sounds gut. I think the office opens at eight.”

  “You should go rest. I’ll do the dishes.”

  “No, I can do them. You worked all day.”

  “You worked too.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Remember what I said. We help each other, okay?”

  Mattie’s lower lip quivered, and she cleared her throat against the emotion lodged there. “Okay.” Hopefully someday I can find a way to thank him for all he’s done for me.

  Leroy sat up straight in bed. The bedroom was shrouded in darkness. He rubbed his eyes as he turned toward the clock. It said 3:59.

  The light tapping of raindrops sounded on the roof above him, and a spray of cool rain misted in from the window beside the bed and moved over his hot and clammy skin.

  He yawned, wondering what had awakened him.

  A noise resonated from downstairs. What was that?

  He flipped on the lantern beside the bed and padded to the doorway. Leaning out into the hallway, he listened again.

  “Leroy!” Mattie shrieked.

  “Mattie! I’m on my way!” Leroy rushed down the stairs, his pulse pounding in his ears. “Where are you?”

  “In the bathroom! Please hurry!”

  Leroy ran to the door and then skidded to a stop. “I’m here. Was iss letz?”

  “My water broke.” Her voice was breathy and then she groaned. “The contractions have started.” She groaned again. “It hurts.”

  Alarm shot through Leroy. He reached for the doorknob and then stopped. Should he go inside or give her privacy? “What can I do?”

  “We need to go to the hospital.” She moaned again. “Would you please call for an ambulance?”

  “Ya, ya, of course.” He pressed his hand flat against the door. “How long have you been calling me?” He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping she hadn’t been screaming for an hour while he slept.

  “It wasn’t long. Maybe ten minutes.”

  “I’m so sorry.” He hung his head. “I should’ve started sleeping on the sofa last week.”

  “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” She sucked in a loud breath and then let out a long groan.

  “Mattie?” He leaned against the door as his heart pounded.

  “Please go call for an ambulance, okay?” Her words came in short puffs of air.

  “Oh, right!” He pushe
d his hands through his messy hair. “Then I’ll get dressed and grab your suitcase.”

  “Great.”

  “Hey, Mattie,” he called as he walked away.

  “What?”

  “We’re going to have a boppli!”

  She laughed, and he grinned. “Quit talking and go call nine-one-one!”

  Leroy chuckled as he rushed out the back door to the phone shanty. After placing the call, he hustled back through the house and knocked on the bathroom door.

  “The ambulance is on its way.” He leaned against the door. “How are you doing in there?”

  “I’m still here.” She sounded exhausted. “The contractions seem closer together. I wonder if this means it won’t be long.”

  Excitement combined with fear twisted inside his gut. “I’ll get dressed and then help you to the kitchen.”

  “That sounds gut.” She sucked in another breath.

  “Can I help you?”

  “No, no. I’ll be fine.”

  He hesitated, longing to take away her pain. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay.” Her voice seemed small, like a frightened child.

  Leroy ran up the stairs, quickly dressed, and then jogged back down the stairs. After retrieving the suitcase Mattie had packed last week, he returned to the bathroom door. “I’m here. Are you ready to try to go to the kitchen?”

  “Ya. Just give me a minute.” After several moments she said, “You can come in.”

  Leroy entered the bathroom and took her hand. She was clad in a white nightgown, and her hair fell in waves to her waist. She was pale, and her face was twisted into a grimace.

  “Do you want to get dressed?”

  “No.” She grabbed his arm, and he lifted her to her feet. “Would you please get my robe and a scarf for my head?”

  “Ya, of course.” He helped her to a kitchen chair, and after she gingerly lowered herself into it, he retrieved the robe and scarf from her room. He helped her cover her hair with the scarf. “Do you need anything?”

  “Water, please,” she whispered while wincing.

  He brought her a glass of water, and her hand shook as she took a long drink. He was helpless as she squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. He was helping her into the robe when a knock sounded on the back door.