The PIECES of SUMMER (10 page)

Susan wasn’t having any of that, so as soon as the service had ended, she’d told Grandma
that she was going to the hospital to see Eddie. She could tell by Grandma’s frown
that she wasn’t happy about it, but at least she hadn’t put up a fuss. Maybe she’d
changed her strategy and had decided that Anne and Brian would make a better match,
because she seemed quite happy when Anne said she’d be pleased to join them at the
Hagens’ house for lunch. Either way, Susan was glad she’d had an excuse to duck out.

When Susan got to Eddie’s room, he wasn’t there. She checked at the nurses’ station
and was told that Eddie had taken a walk. Thinking he might be in the garden area
outside, Susan headed in that direction.

When she stepped into the courtyard, she spotted Eddie sitting on a bench, with a
fluffy white kitten in his lap. He looked like a cute little boy, content and relaxed
as he gently stroked the kitten’s head.

“I see you’ve made a new friend,” Susan said, taking a seat beside Eddie.

His beautiful turquoise eyes sparkled as he grinned. “I heard some meowing in the
bushes, and when I went to take a look, she leaped right out and started pawing at
my leg, like she wanted me to pick her up. So I did.”

Susan smiled. It was refreshing to meet a man with such a tender spirit. She wondered
if he’d ever had any pets of his own. If he had, he’d probably treated them with the
same gentleness he was using on this kitten right now, as it purred and rubbed its
small head against Eddie’s hand. The kitten was definitely content lying there in
his lap.

They visited about the warm, sticky weather; then Eddie told Susan about his latest
physical therapy session in a jetted spa tub. He mentioned that he enjoyed being in
the water and felt like he was getting stronger every day.

“I’m glad. I know it’s taken a long time and lots of patience, but it’s been worth
the effort, don’t you think?”

He nodded. “I’m hoping that as my body becomes stronger my brain will heal, as well.
If I could just figure out who I am, I could leave this hospital soon.”

“Has Anne said anything to you about moving to our grandparents’ home?” Susan asked.

“Yes, she did, and I’m glad they’re agreeable, but now that I’ve had some time to
think about it, I’m not sure it’s such a good idea.”

“How come?”

“For one thing, I have no money and wouldn’t be able to pay them any room and board.”

“You’ll earn your keep by helping out with some chores.”

“But why would they want to take a total stranger into their home? For all they know,
I might be a terrible person.”

“Do you think you’re a terrible person, Eddie?” Susan questioned.

He shook his head. “I don’t feel like I am, but since I can’t remember anything about
my past, guess I could have done some terrible things.”

“I doubt it,” she said, reaching over to stroke the kitten’s head. “You’re kind and
gentle, even with this little stray kitten, so I’m thinking you’ve always been like
that.”

Eddie sat quietly for several minutes, then he released a soft moan.

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” she asked, feeling concern.

“Not here,” he said, touching his head. “But here.” He placed his hand over his heart.
“I’ve been having nightmares lately where I see a woman holding her arms out to me,
but she has no face.” He looked at Susan, and his beautiful turquoise eyes seemed
to penetrate her soul. “I know it wasn’t you I was dreaming about, ’cause if it had
been, I’m sure I’d have seen your pretty face.”

A rush of heat spread over Susan’s cheeks. Was Eddie flirting with her? Did she want
him to? “Thanks for the compliment,” she murmured. Knowing she needed to get back
to the subject of where he would stay, she quickly said, “You know, Eddie, if you
take a room at my grandparents’ place, we’ll see each other more, because Anne and
I live there, too.”

Eddie’s face brightened. “You do?”

She nodded. “We’ve been with Grandma and Grandpa ever since our folks were killed
in a car crash when we were girls.”

Deep wrinkles formed across his forehead. “I’m sorry to hear about your folks, but
I think your grandpa and grandma must have done a good job raising you ’cause you
and your sister are the nicest women I’ve ever known.” He dropped his gaze, and his
shoulders slumped. “Course, I’m not sure how many women I’ve known before.”

She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “So, how about it, Eddie? Are you willing
to stay at my grandparents’ house when the doctor releases you as an outpatient?”

He nodded slowly, while stroking the kitten’s head. “If your grandparents are anything
like you and Anne, then I’m sure I’ll like it there.”

“Are you okay?” Laurie asked Meredith as they rode in the buggy toward Meredith’s
home. “You look downright miserable today.”

“My back hurts really bad, and I’ve been having twinges all morning.” Meredith touched
her stomach. “I’ll sure be glad when the boppli is born.”

Laurie’s eyes widened as she turned to look at Meredith. “You’re not in labor, I hope.”

Meredith shook her head and flinched when the buggy hit a bump in the road. “At least,
I don’t think I am.”

“How bad is the pain? Should we turn around and head back so you can talk to Mom about
this?”

“No, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. I’m not due for a couple more weeks,
and most first-time mothers that I know have been late, not early, giving birth.”

“But everyone’s different,” Laurie said, clucking to the horse to get him moving faster.
“Remember what they said at the last childbirth class? Those back pains you’re having
could be labor pains, after all.”

“I suppose, but—” Meredith grimaced. “Oh, oh.”

“What’s wrong Meredith?” Laurie’s voice held a note of panic.

“My water just broke, and…” Meredith winced. “I—I think the boppli wants to be born
today, not two weeks from now.”

“Hang on while I look for the nearest phone shack so I can call for help.”

Another pain came, this one harder than the last. “You’d better pull over, Laurie.
I can’t believe it, but it’s happening so fast.” Meredith clenched her fingers until
they dug into her palms. “I think I may have been in labor during the night and didn’t
even realize it.”

“Well, you can’t have the boppli until we get you some help, ’cause I can’t help you
birth the baby.” Laurie’s voice shook, and so did her hands.

“Jah, you can,” Meredith said, working to keep her own voice calm. She tried to think
of that verse of scripture she’d memorized awhile back. It was something about God
giving peace, and not being afraid.

Oh, yes, now I remember. John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid.”
If she kept her focus on that, she wouldn’t feel so frightened.

She turned to Laurie and quoted the verse aloud. Then she said, “You’ve gone with
me to all the birthing classes, and the last one we attended was all about the birth,
so you know what to do. Just try not to be afraid.” She took her sister’s hand and
gave it a squeeze. “We can get through this together.”

Laurie shook her head vigorously, as though she hadn’t heard a word Meredith said.
“No, I don’t want to do it, Meredith. I’m terribly frightened I’ll do something to
mess up. All I know is how to help you through the birthing process by reminding you
how to breathe and coaching you along. I can’t deliver the boppli, Meredith. I’d be
too naerfich.”

Another pain came, harder than the last, and Meredith shouted, “Pull over, Laurie—right
now!” Breathing deeply, she held on to the edge of her seat. “This boppli is coming,
whether you like it or not!”

New York Times
bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish way of life
when she first visited her husband’s Mennonite relatives living in Pennsylvania. Wanda
and her husband, Richard, live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit
Amish settlements throughout the States, where they have several Amish friends. Wanda
and her husband have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time,
Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, beachcombing, stamping, and having
fun with her family.

Visit Wanda’s website at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
.