The Decision (23 page)

“That would be nice. Nathan’s mamm volunteered to watch the kinner for me today so I could run some errands, and since she said I could take all day if I needed to, I have plenty of time to stay for lunch.” Jean smiled and bent to ruffle Mark’s hair. He’d been sitting on the throw rug in front of the kitchen sink, playing with some of Sara’s pots and pans while she was making sandwiches. “He’s sure growing, and such nice thick hair.”

“It’s like his
daadi’s
,” Sara said.

Jean smiled. “Is there anything I can do to help with lunch?”

“The sandwiches are almost finished, but you can pour some iced tea for us if you don’t mind.” Sara gestured to the refrigerator. “I made sun tea yesterday and it should be nice and cold.”

“No problem. I’ll get the tea and glasses.”

While Sara put the finishing touches on the roast beef sandwiches and Jean poured the tea, Sara told her how she’d fallen asleep a few weeks ago and Mark had wandered off. “I was ever so grateful that your brother spotted Mark in the field near my property,” she said. “It was right before a storm hit, and I’m thankful that no harm came to my boy.”

“I heard about that from Jonah.” Jean placed their glasses on the table. “You must have been really scared when you woke up and discovered that Mark had wandered off.”

“I really was. Thankfully, God was watching over my boy. And when I saw him with Jonah, I knew that my prayers had been answered. Jonah got us back to the house in the nick of time, before the rain let loose.” Sara picked Mark up and put him in the high chair. “I was surprised that Mark took to Jonah right away. Even though my little guy doesn’t know Jonah very well, he didn’t cry or seem to be afraid at all.”

“Jonah has a way with children,” Jean said, taking a seat at the table. “All three of my kinner adore their uncle Jonah.”

“If he’s as kind and gentle with them as he was with Mark, I can understand why.”

“Jonah will make a good daed someday,” Jean commented. “He plans to marry Elaine, and I hope it will be soon, because I want my brother to be happy, and I’m anxious to become an aunt.”

“When will they be getting married?” Sara had known Jonah and Elaine were courting but hadn’t heard there was a wedding in their future. Of course, she should have assumed that would be the case. Couples who’d been courting awhile usually ended up getting married.

“It probably won’t be until Elaine is sure her grandma can live on her own,” Jean replied. “Edna was recently diagnosed with diabetes, so between that and losing Lloyd, I’m sure it’s been quite an adjustment.”

Sara nodded in understanding. “I’ve never had a serious illness, but losing Harley and facing all the responsibilities of raising our son, plus everything there is to do around here, has been a difficult adjustment for me. Some days I think I can do it. Other days, I don’t know how I will manage.”

“I understand. After I lost my first husband, Silas, I felt as if my whole world had fallen apart. With two small kinner to raise, I was sure I’d never make it. But then Nathan came along, and my life took on new meaning. He’s such a kind, loving man, and a wonderful stepfather to my two older children. I’m grateful that God has given me a second chance at love.” Jean touched Sara’s arm. “Perhaps someday you’ll have the opportunity to fall in love and marry again, too.”

“I doubt that, because I’m not looking for love. Besides, my heart belonged to Harley, and no one will ever take his place.”

“I felt the same way about Silas. But eventually I came to realize that I could love again. Even though I will never forget what Silas and I had, my love for Nathan is strong.”

Sara smiled. “I’ll keep an open mind and trust God with the future. In the meantime, though, I think we ought to pray so we can eat.
Heavenly Father
, she silently prayed,
thank You for good friends like Jean, and if it’s Your will for me to ever marry again, please give me wisdom in choosing the right man
.

E
laine took a sip of iced tea as she opened the book she’d picked up at the library the other day. She’d received some information from the doctor on dementia, but this book was more detailed and provided a lot of information about the disease, as well as things that caregivers could do. Elaine felt better knowing all the facts. Understanding the disease was important, but so was knowing what she could do to help Grandma through the agonizing process that lay ahead. Elaine would have to be strong. She was committed to taking care of Grandma the best way she could, and since that meant making some sacrifices, she wouldn’t have a lot of free time to spend with her friends.

But I don’t have to worry about that today
, she thought with anticipation.
Grandma is still doing well enough for me to leave her awhile. Besides, Priscilla’s mamm will be with Grandma while I go to lunch and do some shopping with Leah and Priscilla, and I’m sure we’ll all enjoy the day
.

Elaine’s thoughts turned to Jonah. He had dropped by again yesterday to see how she and Grandma were doing. Elaine appreciated that but hoped he wouldn’t come over on a regular basis. It was difficult seeing him and knowing they couldn’t get married. She was also concerned that if they saw each other too often, Jonah might try to pressure her into accepting his proposal. She couldn’t marry him now, and she wouldn’t ask him to wait.

If it becomes necessary, I may ask him not to come around anymore
, Elaine decided. Oh, how she dreaded having to tell him that. She would miss Jonah so much.

Elaine had cried herself to sleep so many nights recently, and it had only made her more miserable, knowing her dreams of a life with Jonah were no longer possible. She was exhausted, holding her emotions in throughout the day and then letting them loose after she’d gone to bed. Crying was good; Grandma had often said that when Elaine was a girl, but Elaine couldn’t allow herself to give in to tears too often, for it would do no good. She needed to pull herself together and take one day at a time.

A squirrel chattered from a tree nearby, as if to scold Elaine. “I know…I know,” she said. “I need to perk up.”

It was a beautiful morning—the kind of day that made a person feel energetic. Elaine had always been appreciative of the simple things, but life’s challenges had overwhelmed her, and she wondered if she’d ever be truly happy again.

She glanced over at the stump where the old maple tree once stood. The yard looked almost bare without it, even though a few other trees stood nearby. It just added to the emptiness that consumed Elaine. She truly needed to be with her friends today, and maybe, if only for a little while, some of that emptiness she felt would be replaced.

“What are you doing out here?” Grandma asked a bit harshly, stepping out the back door. “I thought you were going to clean Millie’s cage.”

“I did that yesterday, Grandma.” Taken aback, Elaine quickly closed her book. It wasn’t like Grandma to speak to her in such a severe tone. Elaine took a deep breath, allowing her heartbeat to slow to a normal rate again. “I’ve been sitting out here waiting for Leah and Priscilla to arrive.”

“Oh, are they coming to visit?” Grandma’s tone softened as she took a seat beside Elaine, folding her hands in her lap.

Elaine had told Grandma during breakfast that her friends would be coming by to pick her up shortly before noon, but apparently she’d forgotten about that. “I’m going out to lunch with Priscilla and Leah,” Elaine said patiently. “Priscilla’s mamm will stay here with you to visit.”

Grandma smiled. “Oh, that’ll be nice. I haven’t seen Iva Herschberger for a long time.”

“We just saw her on Sunday, Grandma,” Elaine reminded. It had only been three days, yet Grandma couldn’t remember?
Is she one of those dementia patients I read about in the book who goes downhill quickly? Oh, I hope not
.

Grandma looked out into the yard and pointed. “Would you look at those pretty birds drinking from the birdbath? I wish Millie could join them.” She sighed. “But then, I guess if we brought her cage out here and let her out, she’d probably fly away and we might never get her back.”

“You’re right,” Elaine agreed. “Even if we bring her cage outdoors for some fresh air, we must never open the latch on her door.”

“When Iva gets here, I’ll see if I can get Millie to talk for her.” Grandma snickered. “I like it when she says, ‘Pretty bird…pretty bird.’”

“It’s fun to listen to your parakeet mimic the things she hears.” Elaine was glad Grandma had a pet. The little bird gave her such pleasure and, quite often, a good laugh.

“Millie can be quite the chatterbox sometimes.” Grandma yawned and covered her mouth as she leaned back in her chair. “I don’t know why I feel so tired today. Guess maybe I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

“Would you like a glass of iced tea?” Elaine asked, pleased that she and Grandma were having a nice conversation and that Grandma seemed to be thinking more clearly right now. These were the moments Elaine would always cherish.

“No thank you, dear. I’m not thirsty just now, but you go ahead and enjoy yours.” Grandma pointed to Elaine’s glass of iced tea on the small table between them. It was a piece of outdoor furniture Grandpa had made several years ago, and except for a few water stains, the table was still in good shape. Some folks might try to get rid of those stains, but Elaine saw them as memories from the days when Grandpa was still with them. He’d enjoyed relaxing on the porch after a hard day’s work, and the three of them had spent many an evening out here together, drinking iced tea and having dessert.

Elaine reached for her glass and took a drink. She’d just placed it back on the table when she spotted Priscilla’s horse and buggy coming up the driveway.

“Looks like your friends are here,” Grandma said, rising to her feet. “Should we walk out to the hitching rack to meet them?”

“We can,” Elaine responded, “but it might be better if we wait here on the porch.”

Grandma tipped her head and looked at Elaine curiously while rubbing the tiny mole on the left side of her nose. “How come?”

“Some horses can get a bit spooky while they’re being tied to the rack. At least that’s how mine is sometimes.”

“My horse is never spooky,” Grandma said. “Misty is gentle as a sweet little lamb.”

It was true. While Misty was calm, Grandpa’s horse, Dusty, acted up sometimes. When Grandpa was alive, he’d always been able to handle the gelding. Since they didn’t use his horse for pulling a buggy anymore, Elaine thought they ought to sell him. She hadn’t mentioned that to Grandma, though, knowing she probably wasn’t ready to part with Grandpa’s horse. Grandma often went out to the barn to talk to Dusty and had even told Elaine that being near Grandpa’s horse made her feel closer to him. Elaine wasn’t about to take that pleasure from her—not yet, at least. Besides, Grandma needed as much familiarity around her as possible right now.

Knowing his folks would be arriving early next week, Jonah decided to take some time away from the buggy shop and shop for groceries as well as a few cleaning supplies. He’d left Timothy in the buggy shop to work by himself, knowing he’d only be gone a couple of hours. Sassy must have wanted to make a trip to town, too, for he seemed to be quite frisky this morning, trotting down the road without Jonah having to flick the reins or holler at him to get moving.

Jonah couldn’t blame his horse for feeling energetic. It looked to be a glorious day, one that could win first place if there was a weather contest. He’d been up early, and standing in the door of his buggy shop, he’d watched the sun slowly rise. Jonah wasn’t sure what the temperature had been, but after exhaling a few times, he thought he could actually see his breath. Of course, that was probably his imagination, since it was still summer. Today was so cool and crisp, though, that it felt like fall.

Jonah looked up at the bluest of skies and breathed deeply, filling his lungs with fresh, clean air. On a day like today, he didn’t feel weighed down by the humidity. There was not a cloud in the sky, which made being outdoors pure pleasure.

As far as I’m concerned, this kind of weather could stick around for the rest of summer
, Jonah mused.
Bet it’ll be a good night for stargazing, too
.

When Jonah guided his horse and buggy to the hitching rack outside the bulk foods store, he spotted his friend Melvin Gingerich getting out of his buggy.

“How’s it going?” Melvin called, lifting his hand in a friendly wave.

“Fair enough, I guess.” Jonah stepped down from his buggy and secured his horse. “How are things with you, Melvin?”

“With weather like this, I can’t complain. My crops are doing well, and oh, you may not have heard, but Sharon Otto and I will be getting married this fall, so I have much to be thankful for.”

“Glad to hear it.” Jonah gave Melvin’s shoulder a squeeze.

“How are things going with you and Elaine?” Melvin questioned. “Will you two be setting a wedding date soon?”

Jonah shook his head. “Afraid not. Elaine hasn’t agreed to marry me. At least, not yet,” he quickly added.

“How come? I thought you two were getting along well.”