by Ruth Reid
She motioned to the drinking fountain on the wall next to the elevator. “Water will do, danki.”
They strolled over to the fountain where she bent and took a long drink. The cool water was not only refreshing but it helped to relieve her dry throat. She stepped aside and he took her place at the fountain.
He finished drinking and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “How’s Olivia handling all that’s happened?”
Faith’s stomach hurt like it’d been kicked, but she faked a smile anyway. “I’ll send her out when I get back to the room so you can ask her yourself.”
She headed down the hallway, made a detour into the women’s restroom, then returned to her mother’s room. Faith shoved the hospital door open, surprised to find her mother now had a roommate. The patient, an elderly woman, must be hard of hearing because the TV was blaring.
“For more on the story of the kidnapped child, we will go to Sam Koen, who’s in Cheboygan. Sam, what are the latest developments?”
Chapter 11
After surgery, Daed rested comfortably, or so the nurse who introduced herself as Mallory had said when Faith inquired. According to the nurse, the pain medication made him sleepy and not able to hold his eyes open more than a few seconds. Even then, his expressionless gaze alarmed Faith. She wasn’t even sure her father recognized her or Olivia.
Daed’s face twitched as the blood pressure cuff around his arm inflated. Seconds later, Mallory released the valve, deflating the cuff.
“How is it?” Olivia was quick to ask.
“Low, but that isn’t uncommon for someone who nicked his femoral artery and had multiple compound fractures.”
According to the doctor, the surgery had gone well. The surgeon described the process of using a metal rod and screws to put Daed’s leg back together. Faith focused on the recovery process. Four to six weeks of physical therapy just to get back on his feet and most likely a limp and arthritis issues the rest of his life. Daed would not be pleased to hear that news. But more pressing were the barn chores, which hadn’t been done today. Bishop Zook would make arrangements for someone to do them in the days ahead, but Faith or Olivia needed to go home and milk the cows and tend the livestock tonight.
“We were told he was given blood during surgery. Do you think he will need more?”
Olivia pushed up her dress sleeve and extended her bare arm to the nurse. “You can take mine.”
Faith had never donated blood before, but if it would help her father, she would gladly offer hers as well. “Mine too. I’ll donate.”
The nurse removed the blood pressure cuff from Daed’s arm. “That’s very kind of you to consider donating. I know the blood bank is always looking for more donors. Do you know what blood types you are?”
Faith shook her head. “Is that a problem?”
“No, not at all. The blood bank will determine if you’re a match.” The nurse made a notation on a clipboard, then left the room.
Faith approached the bed. “How many blood types do you suppose there are?”
“Several,” Olivia replied. “A, B, AB, O, and then there are the positive or negative Rh factors too.”
“How do you—I know, you read a lot.” Olivia was like a walking encyclopedia. “What kind of books are you reading, Liv?”
“Anything I can get mei hands on.”
Daed flapped his arm against the mattress. Without opening his eyes, he called, “Irma?”
Faith reached for his hand and his arm relaxed. “Daed, it’s Faith. Are you in pain?”
No response.
Olivia clasped the bed rail. “Do you think he was dreaming?”
“Probably.” Faith held his hand a little longer before releasing it. He needed sleep, and one of them should head home and tend the livestock. Looking at Olivia, Faith motioned with a head nod at the door.
“What?” Olivia said, trailing her into the hallway.
“I don’t think we should both stay when there are barn chores at home to be done. Snowflake hasn’t been milked, and the calves and hogs still need feeding. Do you want to stay or go back to the haus?”
Olivia’s mouth pursed for a second. “Since I’m the only one of legal age listed on the hospital paperwork, I should be here in case I have to make any medical decisions.”
Faith hadn’t thought about someone having to make medical decisions, but her sister was right. When the paperwork had been signed, the hospital worker made a point in asking if either of them were eighteen or older. Not yet seventeen, Faith reluctantly saw Olivia’s point. “I agree. You should stay.”
Moaning filtered into the hall from Daed’s room. They went back inside as he called for Mamm once again.
Olivia placed her hand on his shoulder. “Try and relax.”
“The truck’s too close . . . Irma!” He grasped the bed rail and rolled slightly, apparently unaware of his limited mobility with his leg suspended.
“You’re in the hospital,” Olivia said calmly. “Mamm isn’t here right nau—but she’s okay.”
Daed tried to push himself up and Olivia’s eyes widened. “Faith, let the nurse know he’s awake and restless.”
Faith nodded but her feet didn’t move. She had never seen her father combative in any way, yet nothing Olivia said or did could stop him from flailing his arms at her as he wrestled in an attempt to get out of bed.
“Faith, geh nau! I can’t hold him down long.”
As reality set in that he was close to falling out of bed, Faith rushed from the room. She found Mallory sitting at the nurses’ desk in front of a computer. “Please, help, mei father is trying to climb out of bed!”
The nurse pushed off the chair and rounded the desk. She rushed into the room, relieved Olivia, and pinned Daed’s shoulders down. “Mr. Pinkham, I’d like you to calm down. Your leg is in traction and you can’t get out of bed.” Her voice was steady and reassuring, but Daed didn’t follow her orders. He continued to call for Mamm, telling her to hold on in Pennsylvania Deitsch as if reliving the accident. The nurse pressed the Call button on the remote. “Code Yellow 3110,” she said, repeating it three times.
A red-haired man rushed into the room and helped restrain Daed.
“You got him?” Mallory asked. “I need to get a dose of Ativan.”
“Yep, go,” the man replied.
As Mallory left the room, the man explained to her father that he’d been in an accident. Everything he’d already been told, but maybe this time it would register. “Mordecai,” he said soothingly. “Let your mind relax and listen to my voice. Your help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
The hairs on Faith’s arms stood on end as the man spoke in Pennsylvania Deitsch.
Daed mumbled something in return, but his words were scrambled. His agitation simmered and within a short time disappeared altogether. He unclenched the bed rail and sank back against the mattress. Without uttering another sound, his eyes closed, a peacefulness taking root.
Two more nurses filed into the room along with Mallory, who stood beside the red-haired man and readied a syringe.
“He is resting in the hands of the Lord. He doesn’t need the medication,” the male nurse said.
Mallory studied Daed, then signaled the nurse on the opposite side of the bed, who began to buckle a strap around Daed’s wrist, then fasten it to the bed. “These restraints will help if he becomes combative again,” Mallory explained, fastening the one on her side.
“He’s nett a violent man,” Faith said, feeling compelled to explain her father’s unusual behavior.
His nurse smiled apologetically. “The restraints are precautionary. We don’t want him pulling out his IV lines or trying to get out of bed. It isn’t unusual for patients coming out of anesthesia to be disoriented or hallucinate. Sometimes they will say things that don’t make sense. It’s something we’re aware of and will continue to monitor.”
Faith hoped he remained sedated. It would be better for him to stay asleep than be awake and aw
are he was tethered to the bed rail like an animal. She scanned the room for the red-haired man to thank him, but he was already gone.
The nurse took Daed’s blood pressure, made a few notations on a clipboard, then she and the other helpers left the room.
“You might as well go home,” Olivia said matter-of-factly. She settled into the chair next to the bed. “Don’t worry. I’ll be here if he wakes up.”
Faith eyed her sister. For some reason Olivia needed to stress the fact she wasn’t going to leave his side, as if she was the loyal daughter. Jealousy flared, but Faith refused to give it fuel.
“I know he’s in gut hands with you.” She motioned to the door. “Beverly is sitting with Mamm. I’ll ask her to drive me home. Do you want me to see if she will bring me back into town after I’m finished with chores so I can relieve you?”
“Nay, I’ll spend the nacht. But you’ll need to find someone to work for me tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Faith had already planned to stop by her cousin’s house on the way home and let her know about the accident. Once word spread through the district, it wouldn’t be hard to find volunteers to help with barn chores and work at the restaurant. “When Daed wakes up, please tell him I’m praying for him and love him.”
“Jah, I will.”
Someone tapped lightly on the door, then opened it. A man entered wearing a pressed white button-down shirt, a navy tie, and a State of Michigan Police Officer badge clipped to his shirt pocket.
“I’m Officer Halbert,” he said. “I’m here to speak with Mordecai Pinkham.”
Faith blurted the first words that popped into her mind. “Why? Is he in trouble?”
“I’d just like to ask him a few questions about the accident.”
“Oh.” She gulped.
“The desk clerk said his visitation wasn’t restricted, but if this isn’t a good time, I can get the information for my report later.”
“Mei father just had surgery and he’s asleep.” Faith stepped closer and lowered her voice. “May we talk in the hall so we don’t disturb him?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
Olivia joined Faith and the officer. “Is there something we can help you with?”
He consulted his notepad. “Were either of you passengers in the buggy?”
“Nay, but our mother was with him,” Olivia volunteered. “She’s also a patient, but her room is on another floor.”
“Yes, I’ve already obtained Mrs. Pinkham’s statement.” He peered over Faith’s shoulder into the room, then reached into his shirt pocket and removed a card. “This is a number where I can be reached.” He handed the card to Olivia. “The investigation will remain open until I have the chance to talk with him, so it’s important that I obtain his statement as soon as possible.”
“I’ll be sure he contacts you.” Olivia looked at the information. “Officer Halbert.”
Faith waited for the officer to walk away, then nudged Olivia. “Do you think we should have told him what Daed said about the truck being too close?”
Olivia shrugged. “We weren’t eyewitnesses. Plus, you heard the nurse. Daed might have been delusional.”
Daed wasn’t delusional about his concern for Mamm. Her well-being was on the forefront of his mind. Faith sighed. Even somewhat sedated from surgery, her father demonstrated the type of man she hoped one day to marry. She glanced into the room at her father sleeping peacefully.
“Before you go,” Olivia said, stiffening her back, “it takes some people longer to make a commitment to the church—and to marriage.”
“I know.”
“Gideon and I talked in the barn, and after I explained how confused I’ve been lately, he understands.”
Of course he does. Faith forced a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned and rushed toward the elevators, her thoughts swirling. Forgive me, Father. I should rejoice. I’ve been praying for Olivia and it seems You’ve answered mei prayers. She’s no longer confused.
She pressed the elevator button, silently confessing her guilty conscience to God. The door opened, and she nearly bumped into Gideon, who was holding a Styrofoam cup in each hand.
“Hiya,” he said, smiling wide and extending one of the cups toward her. “Kaffi?”
Faith peered into the elevator—empty except for Gideon. “Danki, but drinking caffeine this late might prevent me from falling asleep tonight.” She bit back sharing that sleep would be iffy at best, since she’d never been alone overnight before, not to mention thoughts of him and Olivia being back together would keep her awake.
“I wanted to see how your daed is doing.” The door started to close, but he stopped it with his knee. “Are you going up to see your mamm?”
“Jah.” She stepped aside, clearing the way for Gideon to exit, but instead he gestured with a nod that she join him. “I thought you were getting off on this floor to see mei father.”
“I’ll ride up with you. If you don’t mind mei company.” He winked.
“That’s fine.” Faith stepped inside and averted her gaze to the tile floor. She knew enough not to take his flirting seriously. After all, they’d been good friends for a long time and he could be quite the tease. She pushed the playfulness aside. “I’m afraid I won’t be the best company.”
“So you say.” He held up the drink again. “You sure I can’t talk you into a cup of kaffi? I think you could use a pick-me-up.”
She hesitated a minute, then accepted the drink. “Danki. Nau if I’m up all nacht, I’m going to blame it on you.” She took a sip. Cream and sugar, just the way she liked it. Faith hoped the smile on her lips hadn’t revealed how much she enjoyed the coffee, nor how impressed she was that he knew exactly how she took it.
He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned, which caused her to wonder if he’d somehow managed to read her thoughts.
Her cheeks were flaming, and while he pretended not to notice how her face lit up, his grin conveyed he was enjoying the time together.
“The kaffi is gut,” she admitted with a surprisingly even voice.
“Jah, I know.” His grin deepened but quickly faded. Instead of carrying the teasing any further, his expression sobered. “How is your daed?”
“His leg is suspended by a pulley system, much like the contraption used in the barn for lifting hay up to the loft.”
He cringed. “That must be painful.”
“I’m sure it is. He’s been given pain medicine, which has helped him sleep. He only woke up once while I was there, or maybe he was having a nightmare. He kept calling out for mei mamm. I don’t think he knew Olivia and I were in the room.”
“I’m sorry.” The concern on his face was mirrored in his eyes, which tugged on her heart all the more.
Recalling the officer’s remark about having already spoken with her mother, Faith could hardly wait for the elevator to reach her floor to find out what questions the officer had asked and, more importantly, what her mother remembered.
“The accident must have been bad,” Gideon said. “Have you heard what happened yet?”
“Nay, but while Daed was sleeping, a police officer came to talk with him.” Faith replayed her father’s words about the truck. Her spine chilled. No one mentioned Buttercup.
“What’s wrong?”
Faith pushed the lump down her throat with a hard swallow. “What do you think happened to Buttercup?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Do you think she’s still lying in the ditch? The officer would have said something, right?” Why hadn’t she thought to ask the officer?
“Don’t worry, Faith. Focus on your parents and leave Buttercup to me. I’ll find out about her.”
“And the buggy. Daed will need his buggy.” Her stomach roiled at the thought of poor Buttercup. The moment the elevator door opened, she raced toward the first trash can she spotted. Pitching the Styrofoam cup into the receptacle, she gripped the sides of the waist-high trash can, hung her head, and vomited for several second
s.
Gideon handed her a hankie. “Kaffi too hard on your stomach?”
“Jah, I think so.” She dabbed her mouth with the cloth, then gently cleared her scratchy, raw throat.
“There’s a drinking fountain near the waiting room.” He motioned to the right.
“I’m sorry,” Faith said after taking a long drink. The cold water didn’t completely take away the bitterness in her mouth, but it did soothe her throat.
“No apology needed. Are you feeling better?”
“Jah, I am. It’s sweet of you not to mention how unladylike . . .” Did I really just say sweet? The same grin that appeared on Gideon’s face moments ago resurfaced, and though he clearly had no way of reading her mind, once again it was as if he had intercepted her unspoken thoughts.
“Were you going to drink more?” He motioned to the fountain, his grin intact.
“Nay, I ah . . .” I’m suddenly a blubbering fool around him. She pretended to contemplate which direction to go, fully knowing Mamm’s room was just around the corner.
He nudged her arm. “You sure you’re feeling all right?”
She nodded, but the movement made her queasy again.
“This way.” Gideon guided her to her mother’s room, then he stopped short of the door. “I’ll wait for you out here.”
She gave a slight smile at his show of respect for Mamm’s privacy. “Olivia is sitting with Daed. You might want to drop by and check how she’s doing.”
“Maybe later.” Gideon usually went out of his way to spend time with Olivia. Why was he avoiding her now after their talk in the barn?
Faith opened her mother’s door and smiled. Mamm was awake, and Beverly was keeping her company, sitting in the chair beside her. “How are you feeling, Mamm?”
“Sore. How is your father? I’ve asked to go to his room, but the doktah said I need to rest.”
“He’s sleeping.”
“And his leg? How bad is it?”
“He came through the surgery all right. The doktah said it would take four to six weeks to heal.”
“I’m thankful God spared us and we’re still alive.” Tears formed in Mamm’s eyes that she wiped away with a tissue. “It could have been so much worse.”
