The Decision (28 page)

“Jah, she is at home, but unfortunately, she’s not feeling well right now. When Leah got up this morning, she complained of a sore throat, so I suggested that she go back to bed.” Dianna sighed. “I think sometimes my daughter tries to do too much and then she ends up wearing herself out. Her immune system is probably weak, and I’ll bet she got the sore throat from being around someone who came to her for a treatment.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Sara lifted one hand to wipe the perspiration from her forehead, while clutching Mark’s hand with her other.

“You look flushed. Why don’t you and Mark come inside for a cold drink?” Dianna suggested.

Sara shook her head. “Danki for the offer, but I have some water in the buggy, and I’m not feeling the best right now, so I think we need to go home.”

“You could be coming down with whatever bug might be going around.”

“Maybe, so I’d best be going home.”

Dianna reached out and tousled Mark’s hair. “Take care, Sara, and I hope this little guy doesn’t get sick, too. Oh, and let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.”

“Danki, I will.”

As Sara headed for home, Mark became fussy, and she noticed that his face was flushed. She hoped it was just from the heat and that he wasn’t coming down with something. As eager as Sara was to get home, she didn’t want to push Lilly to go any faster than necessary, so she kept the horse at a slow, steady pace. She’d have to rub the horse down once she got there, and she dreaded it. She wished she could take Mark up to the house, curl up on the bed beside him, and take a long nap.

By the time they’d made it home, Mark had cried himself to sleep. After securing Lilly to the hitching rack, Sara took her boy inside and tucked him safely in his crib. Then she went back outside to take care of her horse.

As Sara began brushing Lilly, her arms started to tingle, and they didn’t seem to want to work. Her shoulders tightened as she breathed slowly in and out.
What’s happening here?
she asked herself.
Could I be having a stroke?

O
n Saturday morning when Sara woke up, she felt some better.
Guess all I needed was a good night’s sleep
, she thought as she fixed breakfast for Mark. It didn’t make sense how one day she could feel so bad, and the next day she felt better.

“
Melke!
” Mark hollered, smacking his palms on the tray of his high chair.

“Okay, little man, Mama will get you some more milk, but can you say please?” Sara asked in Pennsylvania-Dutch.

Mark extended his hands. “
Sei so gut
.”

Sara smiled. “That’s better, Son.”

After she poured milk into Mark’s sippy cup, she took a seat at the table and bowed her head.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the food You’ve provided for us and for the blessings You give every day. Thank You for helping me to feel better, and please give me the strength I need for this day. Amen
.

As Sara began eating her toast and eggs, she thought about her visit with Jean the other day, and how, just before Jean went home, she’d invited Sara and Mark to join her family at Yoder’s Restaurant this evening. It had been awhile since Sara had gone out to eat and would be a nice change from having to cook supper. Mark would no doubt enjoy being with Jean’s children. It was good for him to be around kids close to his age—especially since it seemed unlikely he’d ever have any siblings.

Is it God’s will that I should marry again someday?
Sara wondered.
How will I know if the right man comes along? One thing’s for sure. He’d have to love Mark as if he were his own son
.

Elaine stood at the kitchen sink washing the breakfast dishes. The room was quite warm, so she’d opened the window, hoping for a breeze, but there was none. From what she’d read in yesterday’s newspaper, a round of thunderstorms was predicted for later today that would push the humid air eastward, bringing in more comfortable temperatures like they’d had earlier in the week.

Yesterday had been a stifling day, and even with the battery-operated fans, the dining room, where they’d hosted their dinner last night, had been much too warm. Most of the tourists didn’t complain, except for one of the teenagers in the group. The girl acted rather spoiled, fanning her face with a napkin and making rude remarks about the lack of air-conditioning, asking how the Amish could stand the heat. Sometimes, Elaine had actually wondered that, too, but just like the pioneer women from long ago, the Amish were used to it, and better acclimated to the heat than those having the comfort of an air conditioner at the touch of a button.

Elaine had been pleased at how well Grandma had done throughout most of the evening, until someone asked her what kind of pie they’d been served. With a blank expression, Grandma looked at Elaine and said, “What kind of pies did we make?”

Elaine could still picture Grandma’s red face when she’d replied, “Sour-cream peach and coconut cream.”

How many times had Grandma made those pies and served them to their guests, without ever forgetting their names?

This morning when Elaine had looked for some honey to put on her toast, she’d finally discovered it under the sink where all their kitchen cleaning supplies were kept. Grandma must have put it there, since she was the last one to use the honey. There was no doubt Grandma’s memory was failing, and it seemed to be happening fast.

Think I’ll go to the health food store and look for something that might help Grandma’s memory. Surely there has to be a remedy that would at least slow the progression of her illness
, Elaine decided.

She glanced to her right, noticing the calendar on the wall. It was then that she was struck with the realization that today was Jonah’s birthday. Last year, when he’d turned twenty-four, Elaine had invited Jonah over for supper and baked him a birthday cake. She had been full of dreams for the future—dreams for her and Jonah that she’d thought by now would be coming true. But those dreams had dissolved like ice cubes on a hot summer day. This year Elaine wouldn’t even see Jonah on his birthday. As much as that hurt, she had to sever all ties with him. She needed to keep her focus on Grandma’s care; that was the only way.

After Jonah sent Timothy on an errand to pick up a few supplies, he stood in front of the window of his shop, watching for his folks to arrive. Mom had said they were hiring a driver to bring them to Arthur and should arrive sometime this afternoon. They would stay at Jonah’s house for the week they’d be here, since he had more room than Jean. Tonight, Jean had made plans for them all to go to Yoder’s restaurant to celebrate her and Jonah’s birthday. It would be great to have their parents here for the occasion, although Jonah had mixed emotions. Last year Elaine fixed him a nice birthday supper and even baked him a cake. But much to his disappointment, she wouldn’t be helping him celebrate his birthday this year.

It’s not fair
, he fumed inwardly.
Some men meet the woman of their dreams, get married, and raise a family, but not me. Seems like the women I fall in love with are always out of reach. Maybe I’m just unlucky at love. It took me a long time to get over Meredith, and now I have to do it all over again with Elaine
.

Jonah’s thoughts halted when he saw a silver van coming up his driveway. It must be his folks. He hurried outside as his parents stepped down from the van.

“It’s just wonderful to see you,” Mom said, giving Jonah a big hug. Her hair was the same light brown color as when Jonah had left home, only now he noticed a few gray hairs mixed in, too. Jonah’s mother was a tiny woman, with a narrow waist and flat stomach. Even at the age of fifty-seven, she almost looked like a teenage girl.

Jonah hugged Dad. “It’s sure good to see you both. How was your trip?”

“It went well; no problems at all.” Dad smiled and lifted the straw hat from his head, revealing dark, curly hair with a few streaks of gray. “We stopped by Jean’s place for a few minutes before coming here, and we’re sure glad to be able to spend some time with both of you. Happy birthday, Son.” He gave Jonah’s back a few thumps.

“Danki. Jean and I are getting the best present ever, having you and Mom here to celebrate our special day with us. We’ve both been lookin’ forward to your visit.” Jonah motioned to the van. “Does your driver need a place to stay? I’ve got plenty of room in my house if he’d like to stay here.”

Mom shook her head. “Al has a cousin in Arcola, so he’ll be at his place till we’re ready to go home. Before we got out of the van, he said he wanted to get going, since he heard there’s supposed to be a storm moving in later this afternoon or evening.”

“He’s right about that, but after the storm blows over, the weather’s supposed to be more comfortable.” Jonah moved toward the back of the van and opened the hatch. “Now, let’s get your suitcases hauled into the house. Once you two are settled, we can sit and visit awhile.”

“Don’t feel that you have to entertain us if you’re busy in the buggy shop,” Mom said. “We can unpack our suitcases and fend for ourselves until it’s time to meet Jean and her family for supper.”

Jonah pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. “I’m just about done with the work I planned to do today, so as soon as my helper gets back, I’ll close up the shop.”

“I’m anxious to see your new place of business,” Dad commented as their driver pulled out and they began walking toward the house.

“It’s not as big as the shop you have in Lancaster County,” Jonah said, “but it’s working out okay.”

“How about your helper?” Mom asked as they entered the house. “Is he working out for you, too?”

Jonah nodded. “Timothy still has a ways to go, but he’s a hard worker and eager to learn. How’s your helper doing, Dad?”

“Aaron already knew the buggy business when he came to me, and we work well together, so I’m sure things will be fine there while I’m gone.” Dad thumped Jonah’s back. “I still miss working with you, though.”

“I miss that, too,” Jonah said, “but it would have been too hard for me to stay in Pennsylvania after Luke returned to Meredith and their son.”

“We understand.” Mom slipped her hand through the crook of Jonah’s arm. “I’m glad you’ve found someone else, and your daed and I are anxious to meet her.”

“That’s right,” Dad agreed. “Will Elaine be joining us for supper this evening?”

“Elaine won’t be there, Dad. We aren’t seeing each other anymore,” Jonah muttered.

“What?” Mom’s eyebrows lifted as she removed her hand from the inside of Jonah’s arm. “But I thought you were on the verge of marrying her.”

Jonah’s shoulders slumped, and he held his elbows tightly against his sides. “I thought so, too, but I was wrong. Elaine broke things off with me.”

“Why would she do that?” Mom asked. “I thought you two were in love.”

“I do love Elaine, but I guess the feeling was never mutual.” Jonah touched the base of his neck, where a muscle had knotted. “Elaine’s grandma was diagnosed with dementia, and Elaine has to care for her now.”

“Aren’t you willing to help her with that?” Mom questioned.

“Of course I am, but Elaine seems determined to do it all on her own.”

“Maybe she’ll change her mind when she sees how hard it’s going to be,” Dad put in.

Jonah shrugged. “I was hoping for that, but the truth is, Elaine said she never really loved me, so as hard as it is, I’ve come to the conclusion that I may need to accept her decision.”

“Maybe there’s some other available woman in this area who might be better suited to you,” Dad said.

Jonah shook his head. “I doubt it, but even if there was, it’s too soon for me to be thinking about that.”