A Life of Joy

by Amy Clipston

  She could’ve sworn his cheeks blushed a light pink.

  He folded up the piece of paper and stuck it into the pocket of his trousers. “I’ll think about it. Danki for the information.”

  “Gern gschehne. How’s your sister doing?” she asked.

  They talked about his sister and her family for a few minutes. While they were talking, the back door opened, and Daniel stepped out onto the porch.

  “Matthew,” Daniel said. “What brings you out here today?”

  “I was concerned when I didn’t see you at service today,” Matthew said. “Rebecca was telling me she wasn’t feeling well.”

  Daniel rubbed his chin. “Ya, she had a rough morning.” He turned to her. “I think you should head up to bed. You need your rest.”

  “Ya, you should go rest,” Matthew echoed. “I can visit with Daniel for a while.”

  “That’s a gut idea,” Daniel said, holding out his hand to her.

  Rebecca took his hand, and he helped her stand. “Danki,” she said. She faced Matthew. “It was gut seeing you. Please give my regards to your sister and her family.”

  “I will,” Matthew said. “You take care of yourself.”

  Stepping into the kitchen, Rebecca hoped that Matthew would write or call Lindsay and remind her of what awaited her back in Lancaster County.

  17

  Dr. Fitzgerald frowned, and Rebecca held her breath. The hand on her shoulder gave little comfort. She glanced up and found Daniel staring down at her, his eyes full of the worry she felt in her heart.

  “Mrs. Kauffman,” Dr. Fitzgerald began, removing his glasses. “I’m very concerned about your blood pressure. The aches and pains are normal, but the rise in blood pressure gives me pause.”

  “Is the baby going to be all right?” Rebecca’s voice was a trembling whisper.

  “The ultrasound shows that the baby is growing as it should, but the swelling in your legs and feet and the blood pressure could lead to serious complications,” Dr. Fitzgerald said. “I would like you to rest more. You need to stay off your feet as much as possible. Can you possibly find someone to help you with the children during the day?”

  Daniel cleared his throat. “My niece has been helping Rebecca during the past week.”

  “Good. She needs to come over every day and do as much around the house as possible. I want Mrs. Kauffman to stay in bed or even on the sofa with her feet up.” He wrote in the medical chart. “I would like to see you back here in two weeks. If there is any change at all that concerns you, please call as soon as possible. You can’t ever be too cautious.”

  Daniel squeezed Rebecca’s shoulder. “I’ll keep a good eye on her, Doctor. I’ll be sure to call if we have any worries.”

  “Good.” The doctor shook Daniel’s hand. “I’ll see you back here in two weeks.” He met Rebecca’s stare. “Take good care of yourself, Mrs. Kauffman.”

  Rebecca stared out the window during the ride home. Her mind raced with questions about the pregnancy. The worry she saw in the doctor’s and Daniel’s eyes filled her with dread. She prayed that the baby would continue to develop normally and that she wouldn’t be sentenced to bed rest for the next several months. However, she was willing to follow the doctor’s orders if it meant the baby’s health.

  When the van steered into the driveway at the house, Rebecca stared at the back door. She knew she would have to tell Katie why she was resting, and she hoped that her niece would honor their wishes and keep the secret to herself. Rebecca worried that if Katie’s mother, Sadie, found out, then the news would spread quickly through their church district.

  The van stopped at the back door and Daniel turned to Mike, the driver. “I’ll just be a moment,” he said before jumping from the van and opening the back door for Rebecca. He took her hand and helped her out of the van and then guided her up the porch steps.

  When they reached the back door, she stopped him by gently nudging his arm.

  “Was iss letz?” His eyes were full of worry again.

  “Do you think the boppli is going to be okay?” she asked, praying his answer would be positive.

  He touched her cheek. “Ya, I do, but you’re going to have to follow the doctor’s orders. I don’t want anything to happen to you or the boppli.”

  She squeezed his arm. “I promise I will, but we’re going to have to trust Katie with the secret. It won’t make sense to her if I have to remain on bed rest for a stomach flu.”

  He touched his beard, considering her suggestion. “That’s true. I think she can keep a secret. She’s a gut girl.” He squeezed her hand. “I have to get to work. Do you need me to walk in with you?”

  Rebecca shook her head. “I’m fine. You have a gut day.”

  “You too. Take it easy, just like the doctor ordered.” He jogged down the steps and climbed into the van.

  Rebecca opened the back door as the van sped down the driveway toward the main road. The sweet smell of baking cookies filled Rebecca’s senses, causing her to smile. She spotted a batch of chocolate chip cookies cooling on a rack on the counter. Her niece was so thoughtful to mix up some cookies for the children.

  She found Katie in the family room reading to the children.

  Katie looked up at Rebecca as Emma and Junior rushed toward her.

  Rebecca sat on the sofa and hugged the children. They returned to the floor, playing with a set of blocks in the middle of the room.

  “What did the doctor say?” Katie asked.

  “I have to rest as much as possible.” Rebecca lifted her feet onto the sofa and leaned back against the arm. “My blood pressure is up, causing my legs and feet to swell.”

  Katie’s eyes rounded. “Are you going to be all right?”

  “Ya, I am, but I have to be very careful.”

  Katie crossed the room and stood over Rebecca, her eyes flashing with concern. “Was iss letz? Is it serious?”

  Rebecca glanced at the children and then back at Katie.

  “Oh,” Katie whispered. “You don’t want the kinner to hear. Do you want me to ask them to go to the kitchen for a cookie and then I’ll come back and talk to you?”

  Rebecca shook her head. “No, I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it to yourself.”

  “Of course.” Katie nodded, her expression grave.

  She motioned for Katie to come in closer and then she leaned up to Katie’s ear. “I’m expecting a boppli.”

  Katie gasped, cupping her hand to her mouth.

  Engrossed in their playtime, the children never looked up.

  “Now, you can’t tell anyone.”

  Katie grinned, her head bobbing excitement. “I won’t. I promise, Aenti Rebecca.” She leaned down and hugged her. “I’m so froh for you. When are you due?”

  “January eleventh.”

  “That’s wunderbaar.” She stood up. “Why do you have to be on bed rest? You said your blood pressure is up high?”

  Frowning, Rebecca nodded. “Ya. The doctor is concerned about my blood pressure and the swelling in my legs and feet. He said I must call him if something changes or I start feeling worse.”

  Katie took Rebecca’s hand in hers. “I promise I’ll run like the wind to the phone shanty if you need me to.” She bit her lower lip. “I think my mamm had problems with her blood pressure when she was pregnant with my brother Aaron and everything turned out fine. I’m certain the doctor will take gut care of you.”

  Rebecca gave a sad smile. “I hope so, Katie.”

  “Does Lindsay know about the boppli?”

  “Ya, but you mustn’t tell Lindsay that I need to rest all the time. I don’t want her to be so worried that she changes her plans and rushes back here. I want her to enjoy Virginia without any guilt about my condition. Understand?”

  Katie gave a serious expression. “Ya, I promise I won’t tell her anything, but you have to promise to follow the doctor’s orders and let me take gut care of you.”

  Rebecca couldn’t stop her smile. “You’re a gut maedel
, Katie.”

  “Danki.” Katie grinned. “You’re a gut aenti.”

  As Katie hugged her again, Rebecca closed her eyes and silently thanked God for her family, and also prayed that Katie was right about the pregnancy being healthy despite the worrisome complications.

  Later that evening, Katie climbed the stairs toward her bedroom. All day long she’d been thinking of Rebecca and worrying about her condition. While she’d been following the doctor’s orders, Katie couldn’t stop herself from worrying that Rebecca was more ill than she’d ever seen her mother. She was concerned that Lindsay would be upset if she didn’t know just how sick their aunt was, and she needed someone’s advice on what to do.

  Although she longed to tell her mother, she also was aware that her mother was known for having a loose tongue. Her mother had a good heart, but she didn’t always use caution when sharing information. Katie had once confided in her mother about a girl at school who had kissed a boy behind the outhouse. Instead of keeping the information to herself, Sadie told the girl’s mother, and the girl never spoke to Katie again.

  Katie knew that if she told her mother about Rebecca and the news was shared, Rebecca would never trust Katie again.

  However, Katie needed someone to listen to her worries. Glancing down the hallway, she spotted a lamp burning in Samuel’s room. She believed that Samuel was capable of keeping a secret. He’d proven that time and again when Katie had asked his advice on how to handle a sticky situation with friends at school. As far as Katie knew, Samuel never once repeated her questions about boys. She believed she could trust him with this too.

  She walked down the hallway and peeked in his doorway, finding her older brother propped up on his bed, reading the Bible. She tapped on the door frame, and he glanced up.

  “Ya?” he asked, closing his Bible and placing it on the nightstand. “Didn’t Raymond take out the trash?”

  “I’m not here to ask about the trash.” She gestured toward the chair near his bed. “Do you have a minute?”

  He looked suspicious. “This sounds serious.”

  She pursed her lips. “Sort of.”

  He motioned toward the chair. “Have a seat.”

  She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her, and then sat on the chair across from his bed.

  “Was iss letz?” he asked. “Bu trouble?”

  “Bu trouble?” she muttered. “What buwe?”

  “What was that?” He raised an eyebrow with curiosity.

  “Never mind,” she said, sitting up straighter in the chair. “Listen, I have something that’s bothering me, but I’m supposed to keep it a secret. You’re a very gut secret keeper, and I need someone to listen. Would you please listen in confidence?”

  He grimaced. “I don’t know. This sounds awfully serious, and I don’t want to get in the middle of something that would potentially get me into trouble with daed.”

  “Samuel, you won’t get in trouble.” She held her hands up for emphasis. “I promise. The only way we could get in trouble is if this leaks out before it’s supposed to.”

  “We?” He shook his head. “Don’t put me in the middle of your schemes. I know how maed can be.”

  Frustration built within her, and she glowered at him. “I thought I could trust you to help me, but I was wrong.” She stood. “Forget I even came in here.” She stomped toward the door and wrenched it open with as much force as she could muster.

  “Wait,” he said with defeat in his voice. “Don’t get all angry and storm out of the room as if I just insulted you.”

  She faced him, crossing her arms in front of her chest with defiance. “You did insult me. You said you didn’t want to get involved when I asked you for help.”

  “Fine, fine,” he said, gesturing widely. “I’ll help. Close the door, sit down, and tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Danki.” She pulled the door closed with a soft click and then returned to the seat. “I’m very concerned about Aenti Rebecca.”

  “I know she hasn’t been feeling well.”

  “It’s more than that.” Katie leaned forward and lowered her volume. “She’s pregnant and having complications. Her blood pressure is very high, and she has swelling in her legs and feet. The doctor said that she has to rest as much as possible, and I need to do all I can to help her around the haus.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll pray that her pregnancy goes well and that she’s feeling better soon.”

  “I can’t share this with anyone,” Katie continued. “But I think Aenti Rebecca is wrong to keep this from Lindsay. If Lindsay knew that she was having these problems, she would come home and help her. She would be very upset to find out that Aenti Rebecca needs her, but Aenti Rebecca didn’t want her to know.”

  “That’s Aenti Rebecca’s choice,” Samuel said. “It’s her business.”

  “I disagree,” Katie said with a shake of her head. “It’s more than that. Lindsay is like a dochder to her. If Mamm was sick and needed me, I would be devastated if she didn’t tell me. Besides, Lindsay already knows that Aenti Rebecca is pregnant. She needs to know that she’s having these problems.”

  He shrugged. “You’re right, but it’s Aenti Rebecca’s choice.”

  “But if something happened to Aenti Rebecca or the boppli and Lindsay wasn’t here to help,” Katie began, “Lindsay would be very upset.”

  “We’re supposed to respect and honor our elders,” Samuel said. “I understand what you’re saying. But if you go against Aenti Rebecca, you’ll be in trouble with Aenti Rebecca and possibly Mamm and Dat. Do you want that? You could jeopardize your relationship with Aenti Rebecca.”

  “You’re right,” Katie said. “I’m just worried about Aenti Rebecca, and I’m worried about what Lindsay will say when she finds out.”

  “I think Lindsay will be home soon enough, and she can help Aenti Rebecca too.” He pushed back a lock of blond hair that fell over his forehead. “Maybe by the time Lindsay gets home, she’ll be doing just fine, and Lindsay won’t have to feel guilty for leaving.”

  “I hope so,” Katie said, swatting the ties from her prayer covering back from her shoulders. “That would be a miracle.”

  “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

  She grinned. “How about you and Lizzie Anne?” She thought she might’ve caught a glimpse of a blush, but his cheeks were their normal ivory almost instantly.

  “What about Lizzie Anne?”

  “You’re courting?” she asked.

  “Not officially until after she’s baptized. We have fun just being together and talking. Nothing serious.” He looked nonchalant. “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing, but I hope you don’t break her heart. She really likes you.”

  “She does?” His smile was wide.

  She shook her head. “You two are so gegisch.” Standing, she smiled. “Danki. I’ll let you get back to your devotions. Gut nacht.”

  “Gut nacht,” he repeated. “Don’t forget what I said about keeping the news to yourself.”

  “I won’t,” she said, heading to the door. “And don’t forget that everything I told you was a secret that you have to keep to yourself. And more importantly, don’t forget what I said about treating Lizzie Anne right.”

  “I heard you, Katie,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s late. Get on to bed. You need to take gut care of Aenti Rebecca tomorrow.”

  “I will.” She slipped out the door and crossed the hallway to her room. Sitting at her small desk, she pulled out her stationery and a pen.

  Pulling the letter she’d received from Lindsay from her pocket, she stared at the words and silently debated how to begin her reply. While she longed to tell Lindsay everything about Rebecca, she knew her brother was right. Sharing a secret that was supposed to be private would only result in hard feelings and possibly punishment. She still believed that Lindsay had a right to know about their aunt’s health struggles, but it wasn’t Katie’s place to tell
Lindsay the news.

  She poised the pen in her right hand and began to write.

  Dear Lindsay,

  Wie geht’s! Thank you for your letter. I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well and that Trisha is healing.

  That’s wunderbaar that you saw some old friends and you’re attending services and Sunday school at your former church. Please tell me all about your volunteering experience at the nursing home. I would imagine that you’ll do a great job and take gut care of the people who need your help.

  Saturday night I went to a singing at the Esh farm, and I wish you’d been there. You’ll never believe what finally happened —Samuel gave Lizzie Anne a ride home! We all knew it was coming, and he finally did it. Lizzie Anne was grinning when she climbed into his courting buggy.

  She was hyper and even more talkative than usual at service yesterday too. I’m very happy for her, but I have to admit it’s going to be difficult being the fifth wheel with her and Samuel at youth gatherings. I may have to spend time with Nancy and her friends instead of feeling like I’m interfering between my brother and Lizzie Anne. I’m certain she and I will remain close friends, but it will be different. She’ll be the one with a boyfriend, while I’m the one who is all alone.

  When I was left without a ride Saturday night, Matthew was gracious enough to offer to take me home. Please don’t be upset or jealous—we spent the ride talking about you. In fact, we spent nearly all evening talking about you. It’s very apparent that he likes you, Lindsay. I’m certain he’s concerned that you won’t come back to Lancaster County. And when you do come back, I’m certain he’ll be anxious for you to join the church so that he can court you.

  A tap on the door frame drew Katie’s attention to her mother watching her.

  “It’s getting late, Katie,” Sadie said with a frown. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m writing a letter to Lindsay,” Katie said. “I’ll only be a few minutes longer.”

  “Finish up,” Sadie said, pointing to the battery-operated clock on Katie’s dresser. “You have to be up early tomorrow so you can get a ride to Rebecca’s.”