The Restoration (23 page)

“Yep, it’s fine by me.” David forked two sausages onto his plate and passed the platter to Gramps. “What would you like to talk about, Gram?”

“I don’t know.” She took some eggs and passed the plate to David. “We could talk about the weather, I suppose.”

“Humph! The weather we’ve been having is not much to talk about. There’s still too much snow on the ground to suit me,” Gramps mumbled.

Gram gave a nod. “Yes, and unless it warms up considerably, the snow will probably stay on the ground for several more weeks.”

“I forgot to tell you, Daniel Hershberger came by the other day and asked if we’d like another dog.” Gramps smiled at Gram. “Said he was willing to get us one but wanted to ask first.”

She shook her head. “He doesn’t have to get us a dog. Besides, I’m not sure I want one—at least not yet.”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing but wasn’t sure how you felt about it.”

David ate silently while his grandparents discussed the situation. He’d just finished his breakfast when someone knocked on the door.

“I’ll get it,” he said. “It’s easier for me now, since I’m not using crutches.”

When David opened the back door, he was pleased to see Priscilla on the porch.

“Hey, look at you.” She smiled up at him. “No crutches and you got your cast off.”

He grinned. “I feel like a new man.”

“I’ll bet you do.”

“I’m glad you came by.” David motioned for her to step inside. “I’m planning to see your bishop today, and I’d like you to go along.”

“You’re really serious about joining the Amish church?”

“Absolutely! The sooner the better.”

T
wo more weeks went by before Cora brought Jared home. Last evening he’d been released from the hospital, and as soon as she’d gotten him settled, she’d called Adam, as well as Evan. No doubt Adam would either call or come by in the morning, but Cora wasn’t sure about Evan. He’d called a few times to check on Jared’s progress but hadn’t come to see him since New Year’s Day. What was going on back there in Chicago? Surely Dr. Evan Finley couldn’t be that busy.

Cora was grateful for Evan’s good insurance, knowing it would cover most of Jared’s hospital bills. She certainly could not have paid them on her own, even with the sale of her house. The money, when she got it, would be used to buy a home here in Arthur. If any was left, it would go into the bank for Jared’s future schooling.

This morning, Cora had awakened early and tiptoed into Jared’s room to check on him. The sun was up and reflected on the far wall of his room. She was glad he was still asleep, because he needed to rest as much as possible right now. She closed the curtains before leaving his room. Maybe later they’d put on their coats and sit outside for some fresh air. A little sun therapy couldn’t hurt.

Cora had taken some time off work, since Jared wasn’t strong enough to return to school yet. She certainly wouldn’t leave him at home alone. The clinic hired a temporary nurse to take Cora’s place but assured Cora that her job would be there when she returned.

After taking a seat at the kitchen table, Cora reflected on her last visit with Adam. He’d gone to the hospital to visit Jared again, and after Jared fell asleep, he and Cora went to the waiting room to talk. Adam had said she was welcome to come by his house to meet her granddaughters whenever she felt ready. However, he suggested they not tell the girls any details about Cora abandoning her husband and children. He felt they were too young to hear it right now. Adam thought it would be best to simply introduce Cora as their grandmother and say she used to be Amish. When the children were older, if they raised any questions, he’d explain whatever details he thought were necessary. Cora looked forward to getting to know her granddaughters. Their first meeting wouldn’t happen, though, until Jared was stronger.

When the telephone rang, Cora dashed across the room to answer it before Jared woke up.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Cora, it’s me.”

“I’m glad you called, Evan. Did you get my message saying I’d brought Jared home from the hospital?”

“Yeah, that’s great news.”

Cora waited as Evan became silent. Was that all he had to say? Wasn’t he going to ask how Jared was doing?

“Listen, Cora, there’s something we need to discuss. Can I come down there this weekend so we can talk?”

“About what?”

“I’d rather not discuss this over the phone. It’s better to do it in person.” Once more, Evan paused. “Oh, and I want to see my boy. I’m glad he’s well enough to be home.”

Shifting the receiver to her other ear, Cora said, “What day were you thinking?”

“How about Sunday? Will that work?”

“I suppose, but if Jared’s feeling up to it, we’ll go to church in the morning.”

“Since when did you start going to church?”

“Since I made things right with God.”

“Humph! Interesting.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Forget it, Cora.” Evan cleared his throat. “What time on Sunday should I arrive?”

“Would one o’clock work for you?”

“I guess so. See you then. Oh, and tell Jared I’m looking forward to seeing him.” Evan hung up before Cora could respond.

I wonder what Evan wants to talk about.
She moved back to the kitchen.
He seemed insistent on coming here. I hope he won’t start any trouble.

Leah’s stomach gave a lurch as she stood at the stove making scrambled eggs for breakfast. The smell of eggs cooking had never made her nauseous before.
Could I be coming down with the flu? I hope not
, she fretted.
I have too many responsibilities to be sick right now.

In addition to taking care of Carrie, while Linda and Amy were in school, Leah had scheduled two people for reflexology treatments today. One was her friend Elaine, who’d be coming by this afternoon. And their bishop’s wife, Margaret Kauffman, had an appointment at ten o’clock this morning. Leah didn’t want to disappoint either woman and hoped by the time they got here she’d feel better.

“Guder mariye.” Adam stepped up to Leah. “I see you’re making scrambled eggs for breakfast.”

She nodded, and another wave of nauseous coursed through her stomach.

“Are you okay?” he asked with a look of concern. “You look kind of pale this morning.”

“Just feeling a little queasy is all. I hope I’m not coming down with the flu.”

Adam touched her forehead. “You don’t seem to be running a fever. Do you feel achy or chilled?”

She shook her head. “Just nauseous.”

He tipped her chin so she was looking into his eyes. “Are you
im familye umschtende
, Leah?”

Leah blinked rapidly as his question sank in. “I suppose I could be expecting a
boppli.
” Her monthly was often off, so until now, she hadn’t given it much thought.
Now wouldn’t that be something?

A wide smile stretched across Adam’s face, and he slipped his arms around her waist. “If you are carrying our child, it would be
wunderbaar
, Leah.”

“Jah, it surely would.” Leah smiled, glancing at the calendar on the wall. She had missed her monthly in December and hadn’t had it this month, either. Perhaps the nausea she felt was actually morning sickness. “I’ll make an appointment to see the doctor. Then we’ll know for sure.”

“I’m nervous,” David said from the passenger’s seat in Priscilla’s buggy.

“About what?”

“When I talked to your bishop the first time, he gave me a lot to think about. I hope he believes I truly want to become Amish. Last time, he may have thought it was just a passing fancy.” David pulled his fingers through the sides of his hair.

“You didn’t seem nervous when we went there.”

“That’s because I didn’t have much time to think about it. Now I’ve had two full weeks to ponder everything he told me.”

Priscilla let go of the reins with one hand and reached over to touch David’s arm.

“Are you having second thoughts about joining the Amish church?”

He shook his head. “No second thoughts. I’m just not sure I can do everything expected of me.”

“Anything specific?”

“Learning the language, for one thing. Then there’s the matter of driving a horse.” David sighed. “I know you said you would teach me, but I’ve never been good with horses. Truthfully, they make me naerfich.”

Priscilla smiled. “That’s one Pennsylvania Dutch word you’ve learned well.” She sobered. “All kidding aside, if becoming Amish is something you really want to do, then everything will fall into place—including learning to handle a horse and buggy.”

His face seemed to relax. “You’re a good friend. I appreciate your support, because I’m sure not getting any from my folks these days. When I told them what I was planning to do, Mom started to cry and Dad called me crazy.”

“I’m sorry, David. I was hoping they would understand.”

“Yeah, me, too.” David folded his arms. “Do you have any idea what the bishop might want to talk to me about today?”

“When you spoke to him two weeks ago and expressed your interest in becoming Amish, he didn’t go into much detail about everything you’d need to do. So he will probably give you more information during your meeting with him today.”

“Yeah. Last time he mostly talked about Amish values and said I should take some time to think more about my decision before deciding if becoming Amish is what I truly want to do.” David’s lips compressed. “I just hope he won’t give me the third degree.”

Priscilla snickered. “I doubt that very much.”

“Since I’ve visited this area several times I already know some things about the Amish life. But I guess there are still plenty of things I don’t know. Can you enlightened me any?”

“Is there something specific you’re curious about?” she questioned.

David gave a slow nod. “Jah—that’s how you say yes, am I right?”

She nodded. “What are you curious about, David?”

“I’m curious about you.”

Priscilla’s face felt like it was on fire. “Wh–why would you be curious about me?”

He touched her arm. “I want to know everything about you.”

“We’re not here to talk about me,” she admonished. “We’re heading to see the bishop, to talk about you and your desire to join the Amish church.”

“Oh, that’s right; I almost forgot.” David’s eyes twinkled as he grinned at Priscilla. “Seriously, though, I do need to know as much in advance as I can before I speak to your bishop again.”

“Okay then, here are a couple of tips.” Priscilla held up one finger. “Before deciding to join the Amish church, you need to learn as much as possible about our religion, history, and lifestyle.”

“Great! Please fill me in.”

“Well, I can’t begin to tell you everything in one day, but to begin with, you might be interested in knowing that the Amish communities of today are descendants of Swiss Anabaptists. They came to America in the early 1700s, and the largest Amish community is in Holmes County, Ohio.”

“Are there Amish in every state?” David asked.

Priscilla shook her head. “Some states, like Washington and Oregon, had an Amish settlement for a while, but unfortunately, they didn’t last long.”

“That’s a bummer. I wonder how come they didn’t make it.”

“I’m not sure, but it’s not easy for new communities to start out—especially in areas where there aren’t other Amish. Even so, it’s my understanding that there are Amish living in twenty-eight states and also some in Canada.” Priscilla smiled. “There’s even a small community in Sarasota, Florida, where some Amish and Mennonites vacation or spend their winters.”

David’s eyes widened. “Wow! Guess the Amish must enjoy going to the beach as much as I do.” He stretched his arms out in front of him then locked his fingers and placed his hands behind his head. “I can see there’s a lot for me to learn. Think I’ll go online and search for more information about the Amish way of life.”

“You could do that all right, but some of it might not be accurate,” Priscilla said. “Really, the best way to learn is for you to become part of the Amish community.”

“Guess that makes sense. Think I’ll do that as soon as I get back to Gram and Gramp’s house.”

Priscilla didn’t say much, but she wondered why David preferred to learn about the Amish through the Internet, when he had the real thing right here in front of him.