Lenore took down two hand towels and placed them in the basket. “Jah, babies don’t stay little long enough. Just like the vegetable plants in my grandma’s garden, they shoot right up, and before you know it they’re ready for harvest.” Lenore giggled. “Guess there’s really no comparing your daughter to produce from the garden though.”
He laughed. “There is in the respect that both grow quickly.”
“Jah.”
Jesse removed several more pieces of laundry, and Lenore did the same. She was about to pick up the basket when he stopped her. “I’ll carry it up to the house for you. But first I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Certainly. What do you want to know?”
“You will be teaching school again soon, and I won’t be bringing Cindy over here every day anymore.” Jesse paused and moistened his dry lips. “So … I was wondering … Would it be all right if we continue to see each other socially?”
Lenore’s cheeks turned a pretty pink as she moved her head slowly up and down. “I would like that, Jesse.”
He bent down and picked up the basket. “That’s good. Jah, it’s a real good thing.”
Sara listened with interest as Brad shared a passage of scripture with those who had come to their barbecue and Bible study. “‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.’ You see,” Brad continued, “as a new believer, you may be tempted to become discouraged when things don’t go well. It’s easy to find ourselves questioning God.” He placed his hand on the open Bible. “That’s why it’s important to study the scriptures and seek God’s will in all you do.”
All heads nodded in agreement. The participants were obviously eager to learn about God.
Sara thought about Rick Osprey. As expected, he hadn’t shown up. It was too bad he couldn’t be here to take part in this study for new Christians. Sara hoped that nothing had discouraged him or, worse, that he’d given up on his faith. Perhaps it was the reason they hadn’t seen or heard from him these past several weeks. Or could it be that the questions Sara asked him during the first Bible study had made him nervous? Did he suspect she was Rhoda’s daughter? Was he trying to avoid her? But how could he know what was on her mind? Sara hadn’t mentioned her mother or said anything about trying to find her biological father that evening. Yet she supposed the discussion they’d had about his teen and young adult years might have hit a nerve.
I am being paranoid, Sara told herself. After searching and asking questions of people who knew Mama during her teen years and coming up with nothing, I’m grasping at straws. Rick may not have known my mother.
She shifted on the unyielding picnic bench, trying to find a more comfortable position. I need to put my obsession with finding my father aside and get on with the business of living and being a good wife.
Chapter 18
Early Monday morning, August 26, Lenore entered the schoolhouse and placed her things on her desk. At the moment, her thoughts were conflicted. While it felt good to sit behind a teacher’s desk again, she missed the joy of caring for Cindy and visiting with Jesse when he came by after work to pick up his daughter. But she would see them at church this Sunday, and Grandma had invited Jesse to bring Cindy to their house for Sunday evening supper. That was certainly something to look forward to. In the meantime, Lenore needed to focus on getting acquainted with the scholars who attended this school.
She glanced at the battery-operated clock on the far wall. It was eight fifteen, and school started at eight thirty sharp, so the children should be arriving soon.
Since Lenore had not taught this group of scholars before and didn’t know how well they conducted themselves, she hoped there would be no behavioral problems. At the last school where she’d taught, one boy in particular had been a challenge at first. She’d worked diligently to teach him, as well as the rest of the students, how important it was to practice the Golden Rule in class and during recess. But Thomas Beiler, full of mischief and a bit hyperactive, had stretched her patience several times when he teased other children or defied the classroom rules.
Lenore had learned during her years of teaching never to let things get out of control or give one of her students the upper hand. The goal of every good teacher was to teach her pupils the skills needed to lead a useful Amish life, as well as how to function and do business in the outside world. In Amish schools children were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, English, and history. All of these skills would be needed once the scholars graduated school after finishing the eighth grade. From there, some boys would go back to the farm to learn agriculture skills. Others might serve an apprenticeship to Amish shop owners or other businesspeople in the area. Girls polished their homemaker skills under the guidance of their mothers, and some might work outside the home for other Amish or to keep house for a local English family.
Lenore’s thoughts were pushed aside when she heard the sound of children’s laughter outside the schoolhouse.
Pulling in a deep breath, she left her desk and went to ring the bell, announcing the start of the school day and letting the scholars know it was time to come inside.
Things went well during the first part of the day, and Lenore’s assistant teacher, Viola Weaver, was a big help.
At ten o’clock, Lenore dismissed the children for morning recess. They were encouraged to use the outhouse, get a drink of water, and sharpen their pencils so that these things would not need to be done during class. When those items had been taken care of, it was time to go outside and play. With thirty children in the class, ranging from first to eighth grade, it would be difficult to start an activity they all could engage in and enjoy. Lenore got a game of baseball going for the older ones, while Viola kept an eye on the younger ones as they enjoyed swinging and climbing on the old-fashioned wooden playground equipment.
The ball game was going at full speed when a young girl named Linda ran out of the girls’ outhouse, hollering as though there were no tomorrow.
Lenore ran quickly to the child. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Der weschp hot ihr gschtoche.” Linda’s sister, Katie, pointed to the wasp nest outside the girls’ outhouse.
Lenore felt immediate concern hearing that one of the children had been stung by a wasp. She would look in the shed behind the schoolhouse to see if there was any insecticide she could spray on the nest. Before she had a chance to do that, however, one of the older boys rushed up to her. “Don’t worry, Teacher. I’ll take care of the nest while you tend to Linda’s arm.”
She gave him an appreciative nod. “Thank you, Andrew.” Lenore took Linda’s hand. “Let’s go inside and I’ll put some drawing salve on that stinger.”
Sniffling all the way, the little girl went willingly with Lenore across the yard. Glancing over her shoulder before stepping inside, Lenore was glad to see Viola take charge of the little ones again while the older children continued playing ball. She hoped things would go better the rest of the day.
Before recess was over, Lenore had Linda resting at her desk while the salve was doing its job. She looked over at the child, sitting at her desk with her head down. “I’ll be back in a few moments, Linda.”
“Okay.”
Lenore opened the schoolhouse door and stepped onto the porch, looking out toward the sunny schoolyard. All the children were busy playing. She saw Andrew and called to him. “Did you take care of the nest?”
“Yes, I sprayed it real good then knocked it down after that. I even looked around the rest of the building but didn’t see any more wasps or nests.”
“That’s good to know. Thank you for taking care of it so quickly.”
“You’re welcome, Teacher.”
Lenore went back inside and checked on Linda. “How does your arm feel now?” she asked.
“It doesn’t hurt as much as it did.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Lenore lifted the child’s arm and turned it gently so she could see the lightly reddened spot better. Then she careful
ly rubbed away the dried medicine. “I don’t see any sign of the stinger in there. I think you should be all right now.”
Linda grinned. “Thank you, Teacher. That was real scary being stung by a wasp.”
“I’m sure it was. But don’t worry anymore, because the nest is gone now.” Lenore glanced at the clock on the wall across the room. “It’s time to start class, so I’m going to call the other children.”
Lenore rang the bell and watched as the scholars filed in and took their seats. A few of them had stopped to get a second drink of water, but soon all the children were at their desks, looking up at her with expectant expressions.
She took a seat at her desk. “Before we begin, I wanted to let you all know that Linda is doing fine after getting stung by a wasp.”
The child bobbed her blond head, and many of the students smiled.
Lenore tapped the little bell on her desk. “All right now, class, grades three through eight will have reading class with me, while Viola works with the first and second grades on their numbers in their workbook.”
The older students began reading their lesson for the day, preparing to answer Lenore’s questions that would determine their reading comprehension. Once the children had been given sufficient time to read their lesson, Lenore called each grade in turn up to the front of the room to read some and answer her questions.
As the children read, Lenore got up and opened a few windows to bring some fresh air into the stuffy room. With summer still in full swing, the days could get rather warm. But not too far in the future, fall would arrive.
Earlier this morning, Viola had mentioned that her dad had read in the local paper’s forecast that rain was on its way. Viola was anticipating the rain eagerly because it would cool things off and help to freshen the stale humid air. Lenore had to agree, but she still preferred the warmer summer weather.
She smiled to herself. Teaching again felt good, and so far she had stayed in control. She hoped the rest of the day would go as well.
“How are things here today?” Ivan asked when he entered Mary Ruth’s kitchen.
“Lenore started teaching again, and it’s been so quiet around here I scarcely know what to do with myself.” Mary Ruth’s forehead wrinkled. “I miss Jesse’s sweet little girl too. If I didn’t have the responsibility of caring for your daed, I may have volunteered to watch Cindy myself.”
Ivan shook his head. “Watching a boppli is a full-time job, and since you have enough on your hands taking care of Dad, I’m glad you didn’t volunteer to watch Jesse’s baby.” He glanced around. “And speaking of Dad, where is he right now? Didn’t see him in the living room when I first came in, and I wanted to check with him and see if there are any specific chores he’d like me to do before I head back to the store.”
Mary Ruth’s mouth puckered as she picked up the coffeepot to fill it with fresh water. “That’s strange. After lunch, with the use of his cane, he went to the living room and sat in his favorite chair. Maybe he got up and made his way down the hall to the baadschtubb.”
“I don’t think so, Mom. When I came down the hall, the door to the bathroom was open, and I didn’t see any sign of Dad.” Ivan leaned on the counter near the sink. “Maybe he decided to take a nap and went to your room to lie down.”
She set the coffeepot down. “He usually naps in his chair, but I’ll go to our room and check, in case he decided to go there.”
Mary Ruth left the kitchen and shuffled down the hall. When she arrived at their door and found it slightly ajar, she opened it a little further and stepped inside. A chill ran up her spine. Willis lay facedown on the floor near the foot of their bed. Could he have stumbled and fallen? Become dizzy and passed out?
“Willis, can you hear me?”
He lay there unmoving.
Fear gripped Mary Ruth’s chest like a vise. She wasn’t strong enough to pick up her husband and put him on the bed, but she needed to get him off the floor and evaluate his condition.
She cupped her trembling hands around her mouth and hollered, “Ivan! Come quick! Your daed’s fallen, and I can’t get him to wake up.”
Chapter 19
Sara had just finished waiting on a customer when Brad came into the shop, wide-eyed and with deep furrows lining his forehead. “I got an urgent call from your uncle Ivan about twenty minutes ago. He asked me to come here right away and get you.” He moved close to her desk. “We’ll go by the schoolhouse and get Lenore next.”
Sara blinked rapidly as she stared up at him. “You’re scaring me. What is it, Brad?”
“Your grandma found your grandpa on the floor of their bedroom, and she couldn’t get him to wake up. Fortunately, Ivan was at their house. He got ahold of me as soon as he called 911.”
“Is … is Grandpa gonna be okay?” Her voice wavered as she clutched the pen in her hand.
“They don’t know yet. He’s been taken to the hospital in Lancaster. From the way Ivan talked, it didn’t sound good.” Brad gestured to the front door. “We’d better go now.”
“Okay, just let me tell Misty I’m going.” As Sara headed for the back room on shaky legs, images of what might happen flashed through her mind. She paused at the door of the other room and closed her eyes. Dear Lord, please let Grandpa be okay, and be with my dear grandma right now. She must be so worried and afraid.
“I am surprised to see you here. Aren’t you supposed to be at your shop this time of the day?” Lenore asked when Sara entered the schoolhouse and hurried up to Lenore’s desk. Most visitors didn’t show up at school right in the middle of class.
“Grandpa’s in the hospital, and Brad’s waiting outside in the van to take us there.” Sara spoke breathlessly. “Can you dismiss school early and come with us now?”
“School will be out in half an hour, and my assistant can take over for the rest of the day.” Heart pounding and mouth quivering, Lenore rushed over to Viola and explained the situation.
“Of course I’ll take charge of the class.” Viola placed her hand on Lenore’s arm. “I’m sorry about your grandfather. I’ll pray that everything will turn out for the best.”
Lenore managed a weak smile, got her purse, and followed her cousin out the door. As they headed for Brad’s van, Sara slipped her arm around Lenore’s waist. “Grandpa’s going to be okay. He has to be.”
Lancaster
“Where’s Grandpa? Is he going to be all right?” Lenore drew in several quick breaths in an effort to calm herself. When she, Sara, and Brad entered the waiting room, they saw Grandma huddled beside Lenore’s dad. The scene was almost too painful to bear. Her grandmother’s unfocused stare and the grim twist of her mouth let Lenore know Grandpa’s situation must be grave.
“My daed’s suffered a heart attack, but we won’t know how bad it was until the doctors have finished examining him,” Lenore’s father explained. “I did CPR on him before the paramedics came to the house, but I’m not sure it did any good.” He leaned forward, rubbing a spot on the bridge of his nose.
Sara and Lenore went down on their knees in front of Grandma, while Brad stood behind her chair with his hands resting on her trembling shoulders. “Let’s pray.” Brad spoke quietly but with assurance.
All heads bowed as he prayed out loud: “Heavenly Father, please be with Willis right now, as well as those who are caring for him. If it be Your will, we ask for complete healing. If not, then give us the grace to accept the outcome and the courage to go on without Willis should You decide to take him. We ask it all in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
Grandma sniffed and wiped the tears running down her cheeks with the tissue Sara handed her. “I can’t imagine my life without my dear husband, but if it’s God’s will to take him, then I’ll have to accept it and go on. That’s what Willis would want me to do.”
“It’s not easy to accept it as God’s will when someone you love dies.” Sara’s tone was filled with emotion. Lenore figured her cousin must be thinking about when her mother had died. No doubt Sara h
ad questioned God many times and perhaps had never fully come to grips with her loss.
Lenore stiffened. “We’re being too negative. Grandpa is going to be fine. He got better after his stroke, and I believe he’ll get better this time.”
With a slow nod, Grandma sank into a chair. Everyone else took seats too and talked quietly until Lenore’s mother and brothers arrived.
“How’s Grandpa doing?” Peter asked, clutching his father’s shoulder.
“We don’t know yet. He’s still being examined. They’re running some tests to see how bad his heart is.” Dad rubbed his eyes. “That’s why we’re all waiting out here.” He looked over at Mom. “Who’s minding the store, or did you put the Closed sign in the window?”
“I left Anna in charge, and Becky is also there to help out. The boys and I wanted to be here, and I’m sure everything at the store will be fine with our two capable employees in control.”
“Okay.” Dad blew out his breath with a puff of air that lifted the hair off his forehead. “I hope we hear something soon. I’ve never been good at waiting for things, and I’m nearly out of patience.”
A short time later, a doctor came in and approached Grandma. “We did all we could for your husband, Mrs. Lapp, and I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but unfortunately, his heart gave out. Willis is gone and is now resting in peace.”
Lenore’s fingers touched her parted lips, and Sara stifled a gasp. Grandma, however, merely stood and said, “May I please see him?”
The doctor nodded. “Of course. Follow me.”
“I’m coming too.” Lenore’s father got up and, pressing a fist against his chest, followed his mother out of the room.
Sara reached over and clasped Lenore’s hand. “I … I can’t believe our dear grandpa is gone.”
Lenore’s throat felt too swollen for her to talk. All she could manage was a nod.
The Healing Jar Page 11
