The Divided Family

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  She grabbed another magazine and gave it a good shake. Arlene did the same with the one she held. More money came out—mostly dollar bills, but a couple of fives were also included. As they continued going through the magazines, they discovered more, and then the money stopped.

  “Guess maybe Dad only put money in those few magazines.” Arlene picked up the bills and counted them out loud. “I can’t believe it. Two hundred dollars. What should we do with it?”

  Elsie shrugged. “I’m not sure. It would probably be best to set it aside for now. You never know. We might find more in the days ahead.”

  A knock sounded on the door, and Elsie went to answer it. She was surprised to see Ben Yoder, a local taxidermist, holding a pheasant of all things. It took her a few minutes to recognize it, but then she realized it was the same bird she’d found in her dad’s freezer several months ago.

  “Your daed asked me to taxidermy this for him a few months back.” Ben held up the pheasant. “Business has been slow lately, so I got it done sooner than expected.” He dipped his head slightly. “Unfortunately, not soon enough for Eustace to enjoy.”

  Elsie nodded. She would give nearly anything to have her dad back.

  “Do you want the pheasant, or should I try to sell it to someone in the area?”

  “One of the men or boys in our family might like it. What is the cost?”

  “Normally, a bird like this can go for upwards to four hundred dollars, but since it’s standing and not in a flying position, I didn’t have to do quite as much work.” Ben pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. “This is how much I was planning to charge your daed.”

  Elsie stared at the paper and blinked. The bill was for two hundred dollars—exactly the amount she and Arlene had found in the magazines this morning. It seemed as if it were meant to be. “If you’ll wait right here, I’ll get the money.”

  He gave a nod and handed her the pheasant.

  “I need the money we found in Dad’s magazines to pay for this,” Elsie announced when she returned to the living room. She placed the bird on the coffee table. “Ben Yoder did this up for Dad, and the bill is two hundred dollars—which is exactly how much money we have.”

  “The last thing we need is a pheasant.” Arlene crossed her arms.

  “It’s a nice reminder of Dad, and maybe one of the men or boys in our family would like it.”

  Arlene sighed. “Since Ben did the work, I guess we should use the money we found to pay him.” She handed Elsie the bills and glanced briefly at the bird. “It sure looks real, doesn’t it?”

  “Jah. Ben did a good job.” Elsie moved toward the door, clutching the money in her hand. “I’d best not keep him waiting on the porch. As soon as I pay him, we can have lunch.”

  “What should we do next?” Arlene asked when she finished drying their lunch dishes. “We’ve gone through most of the magazines on the first floor and taken a break. Well, I did anyway, while you took care of Glen’s sheets.”

  Elsie wrung out the sponge and began wiping down the counter closest to the stove. “Guess we could do some more sorting upstairs.”

  “There’re still things in the basement that haven’t been gone through.”

  Elsie shivered. “I’m hoping we can talk the men into cleaning down there because schpinne are bound to be lurking about.”

  Arlene waved the dishtowel at Elsie. “You and your fear of spiders.”

  “I can’t help it. They creep me out.”

  Rolling her eyes, Arlene reached for the last dish she’d dried and placed it in the cupboard. “Maybe we should take the magazines and catalogs we’ve already looked through out to the burn barrel. There’s no point in keeping them.”

  “True.” Elsie put the sponge away. “Let’s put our jackets on and take care of those now. It’s a chilly day, and it might feel good to stand around the barrel while the magazines burn.”

  Arlene chuckled. “Next thing you’ll be suggesting we look for some marshmallows to roast.”

  “You know, that’s not a bad idea.” Elsie poked her sister’s arm. “Just kidding.”

  After putting on their jackets, they stacked magazines in a cardboard box and carried it outside.

  Arlene was about to light the fire when Henry Raber’s tractor pulled in. He climbed down and headed their way, leaving his dog in her carrier fastened to the back of his rig.

  “I was driving by and saw two buggies parked by your daed’s barn, so I decided to stop and give you my news.” Henry’s smile stretched wide.

  “What news is that?” Elsie asked.

  “I’ve hired a driver, and me and Peaches will be heading to Florida next week.”

  “So you’re really going to do it, huh?” Elsie remembered hearing Henry previously mention his desire to go there.

  He bobbed his head enthusiastically. “I’ve rented a small house in Pinecraft, and I plan to stay through the winter. Won’t return to Ohio till the weather warms up.” Henry stared at the ground and shuffled his feet. “I’d hoped your daed could make a trip to Florida with me, but since that’s not gonna happen, at least I’ll have my hund to keep me company.”

  “It sounds like a real adventure.” Arlene smiled. “Someday, when Samuel’s older, maybe my family will make it to Florida. I’m sure the kinner would love being able to run around in the sand and play in the waves.”

  Elsie thought about Doris, and how she and Brian had talked about going to Sarasota for a vacation. Once Doris’s leg healed, it might do her some good to get away for a while—especially to someplace warm.

  “I’m surprised to see you two here today,” Henry commented. “I heard what happened to Doris and figured you’d be in Berlin taking care of her.”

  “We’ve been doing that,” Elsie replied. “But Aunt Verna showed up yesterday to help out, so Arlene and I decided to take off for a few hours and get some more sorting done.”

  “Any luck finding your daed’s will?”

  Arlene shook her head. “It’s like looking for a sewing needle in a bale of hay.”

  Henry laughed. “There’s an awful lot here for you to go through. My good friend was quite the hoarder.”

  “How well we know,” Elsie and Arlene said at the same time.

  “Well, I won’t keep ya. If I don’t get goin’ soon, Peaches will probably wake up and start howling.”

  Elsie leaned closer to Arlene and whispered in her ear. When her sister nodded, she stepped up to Henry and said, “Ben Yoder came by earlier, with a pheasant he’d stuffed for Dad. How would you like to have it, in remembrance of him?”

  “Are you sure? You already gave me his old straw hut.”

  “The hat won’t hold up forever,” Arlene said, “but you can put the pheasant somewhere in your house, and it should last a long time.”

  “Jah, probably a lot longer than me.” Henry’s eyes misted and he gave them both a hug. “I’d be happy to take the pheasant. Oh, and when I get to Florida, I’ll remember to send you both a postcard.”

  Berlin

  “What would you like for supper this evening?” Aunt Verna asked when she entered the living room.

  Doris turned the corner of the page down from the book she was reading. “I believe there’s a package of ground beef in the refrigerator. Maybe you could make a meatloaf.”

  The older woman’s gray eyebrows squished together. “You want me to fix ground peas?”

  Exasperated, Doris heaved a sigh. For most of the day, her aunt had misinterpreted what she’d said. Her hearing is probably getting worse. It would make things easier if she would get a hearing aid. “Aunt Verna,” Doris said loudly and as patiently as she could, “I suggested that you make a meatloaf for supper, using the ground beef in the refrigerator.”

  Aunt Verna moved her head slowly up and down. “Sure, I can do that. Should I get started on it now?”

  “If you like.” Doris made sure to speak loud enough. She felt worn out from repeating herself so many times throughout the day.
>
  “All right then. Give a holler if you need anything.” Aunt Verna turned and shuffled off toward the kitchen.

  Even though Doris appreciated the extra help, she’d rather it be one of her sisters doing the cooking and cleaning for her. In addition to Aunt Verna’s inability to hear things well, she often became sidetracked, like when she’d left the refrigerator door open after lunch. Doris discovered it when she’d hobbled out to the kitchen for a glass of water. Fortunately, she had caught it before anything spoiled.

  Another time, Aunt Verna turned on the water in the kitchen sink and forgot to turn it off because she’d gone outside to fill the birdfeeders. Doris heard it running all the way from the living room.

  She shut the book, placing it on her lap, and closed her eyes. I wouldn’t even be in this predicament right now if I hadn’t fallen down the stairs. Tears seeped from her eyes. I can’t do much of anything around the house. I have to rely on others to help me. Their support is appreciated, but I feel helpless and don’t like being this way. She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. My clumsiness caused me to lose the child I so desperately wanted.

  Opening her eyes, Doris placed both hands on her stomach. “I’m sorry, so sorry,” she sobbed. Even though the baby was gone, she spoke as though it was still there. “This is all my fault. I’m the reason you were never born.”

  Doris rubbed her nose, breathing slowly to calm herself. Will I ever conceive again?

  CHAPTER 6

  Charm

  There’s a postcard and a couple of bills lying on the table. I went out and got them when the mail came earlier.” Aunt Verna unwrapped a piece of peppermint candy and popped it in her mouth.

  “Who’s the postcard from?” Elsie questioned.

  “Go ahead—take a look.”

  Elsie picked up the card and smiled. “It’s from Dad’s friend Henry Raber. He says he and Peaches are doing well, and enjoying the warm weather in Sarasota. They’ve been going to the beach quite a bit, and Henry often visits with other snowbirds staying in Pinecraft.” Elsie placed the card back on the table. “I’m glad he was able to make this trip. It’s hard to believe he’s been there a week an a half already.”

  “Jah. Henry’s a nice man, and I’m sure he’s been lonely since your daed passed on. I’m glad he’s having a good time down there.” Aunt Verna crunched on her candy.

  Elsie picked up the bills, setting them on her dad’s rolltop desk to pay.

  “You know, Elsie, I still don’t understand why you want me to stay here.” Aunt Verna put both hands on her hips and frowned, her upbeat countenance suddenly changing. “I was perfectly happy helping out at Doris’s. Besides, I thought you and Arlene wanted to search for your daed’s will.”

  “We do, but we thought it would be better if you were helping us since you said previously that Dad told you where he’d put the will.” Elsie made sure her explanation was loud enough for her aunt to hear. “Arlene and I will take turns helping out at Doris’s, while the other one is here sorting things with you.”

  “Guess that makes sense, but as I’ve said, I don’t remember where my bruder said he put it.” Aunt Verna took a seat at the table and massaged her forehead. “That’s the problem with getting older. You lose your thinker, and your ears don’t work so good anymore. Makes me feel nixnutzich sometimes.”

  Elsie patted her aunt’s shoulder. “You’re not worthless. I appreciate you staying here and helping me sort things.” She gestured to the refrigerator. “In addition to doing more sorting, I’d like to clean that, inside and out, as well as defrost the freezer section. The last time I put something in there for Glen, I noticed it was thick with ice.”

  “I could bake some peanut butter kichlin while you’re doing that. I’ll bet Glen would enjoy having some when he gets home from work this evening.”

  Elsie smiled. “I know he would. Peanut butter is my eldest son’s favorite kind of cookie. After we’re done in the kitchen we can do more sorting and searching.”

  Aunt Verna tipped her head. “What did you say?”

  Elsie repeated herself.

  “Oh, okay. I’ll get started on the kichlin right away.”

  While Aunt Verna got out the baking supplies, Elsie set a pan of warm water in the freezer, hoping the ice would thaw while she cleaned the inside of the refrigerator.

  By the time the first batch of cookies had been taken from the oven, the ice in the freezer had melted enough so Elsie could begin chipping away what was left. Removing a bag of frozen peas, she was surprised to discover a gallon-size plastic bag behind it. At first, she thought it was empty, but on closer look, she realized there was large manila envelope inside. “How strange. I wonder what this could be.”

  Elsie opened the plastic bag and took out the envelope. After reading the words on the outside, written in black marking pen, she gasped. “It’s Dad’s will! I’ve found the will!”

  Aunt Verna dropped her spatula on the counter and hurried over. “Did you say you found your daed’s will?”

  “Jah.”

  “Where was it?”

  “In there.” Elsie pointed to the freezer section. “It was behind a package of frozen peas.”

  Aunt Verna stood several seconds, blinking her eyes rapidly. Suddenly, her mouth opened wide and she screeched. “Ach, my! I remember now. How could I have been so schlappich?”

  Elsie’s forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean? How were you careless?”

  Aunt Verna took a seat at the table and motioned for Elsie to do the same. “This is so unbelievable, I barely believe it myself.”

  Desperate to know more, Elsie clutched her aunt’s arm. “Do you know why Dad’s will was in the freezer? Did he put it there?”

  “No, he did not.” Aunt Verna’s cheeks reddened. “I remember it all now, as though it happened yesterday.” She sucked in a quick breath and continued. “When your daed told me he’d made out a will and had it notarized, he took it out of the rolltop desk. Then he showed me the manila envelope, which he kept in a plastic bag, so if something were spilled on it, no harm would be done.” She paused and drew in another breath. “About that time, we heard a commotion going on outside with the horses. So Eustace handed me the bag and asked if I’d put the will back in the desk.”

  “But it wasn’t in the desk, Aunt Verna. Arlene and I looked through every drawer and cubby.”

  “That’s because it was in the freezer.”

  “But how’d it get there?”

  “I don’t actually remember doing it.” Aunt Verna glanced around, as though searching for answers. “I realize now how it must have happened. I had a bag of peas in one hand, and the will in the other. I must have put them both in the freezer by mistake.” She paused, rubbing her chin. “Then, anxious to know what was going on with the horses, I hurried outside and forgot that your daed had asked me to put the will away in his desk.”

  Elsie sat in stunned silence. The freezer was the last place she would have thought to look for Dad’s will. Now that it had been found, she needed to notify her siblings and call everyone together so the will could be read.

  Akron

  Joel was about to stop working for the day when his cell phone rang. Seeing it was Elsie, he answered the call.

  “Hi, Joel. I’m calling to let you know Dad’s will’s been found.”

  Joel released a throaty laugh. “Well, hallelujah! It’s about time! Where’d ya find it?”

  “In Dad’s freezer.”

  His head jerked back. “Say what?”

  “It was inside a plastic bag behind some frozen peas.”

  “I knew our dad was eccentric, but what in the world was he thinking, putting the will in the freezer? How did he think we’d ever find it there?”

  Elsie cleared her throat. “Actually, it was Aunt Verna who put the will in the freezer, but she did it without thinking.”

  “I would say so. No one with half a brain would do something that stupid on purpose.” Joel’s face heated. “I�
��I didn’t mean she was stupid. It just doesn’t make sense that she would put Dad’s will in the freezer.”

  “Dad had shown her the document, and when he went outside to check on the horses, Aunt Verna got sidetracked and accidently put it in the freezer along with the bag of peas.” Elsie paused. “Would you be able to meet with us tomorrow evening for the reading of the will?”

  “Why wait that long? I’m free tonight. Can’t we do it then?”

  “It wouldn’t give me time to notify everyone and make plans to get together. I’ll speak to Arlene and Doris, then call you as soon as we have a definite time and place.”

  “Okay, whatever.” Joel released a noisy breath. I should realize by now that we’re operating on Amish time, not mine.

  Berlin

  Joel’s heart pounded as he neared Doris’s house. He had been counting the minutes all day, anxious to get here this evening for the reading of Dad’s will. He’d had a hard time sleeping last night, wondering what his share of the inheritance would be. The only thing that helped him get through this day was keeping busy on the job he’d begun yesterday.

  When Joel started up his sister’s driveway, he spotted three buggies parked near the barn. I wonder who else is here besides Arlene and Elsie. Sure hope they didn’t invite anyone outside the family to join us. This is no one’s business but ours.

  He turned off the car and got out. Taking the steps two at a time, Joel knocked on the door. He was greeted by Brian, who invited him in. “Everyone’s in the living room waiting for you.”

  Joel removed his jacket and hung it on a wall peg, then followed Brian into the next room. Doris sat in the recliner with her leg propped up, while Elsie, John, Arlene, and Larry were seated on the couch. Joel spotted Aunt Verna in the rocking chair. “Are you here for the reading of Dad’s will?”

  She tilted her head. “Excuse me. What was that?”