The Restoration (5 page)

“Are you comfortable, Davey? Do you need another pillow under your leg?”

David shook his head. “I’m fine, Gram. You don’t need to fuss over me.”

Gram squinted at David over the top of her glasses. “If a grandma can’t fuss over her grandson, then she ought to quit being a grandma.”

Gramps chuckled as he seated himself in the recliner across from where David lay on the couch. “You may as well give in, Davey, and just let your grandma fuss to her heart’s content.”

David held up his hands. “Okay, but I really don’t need two pillows.”

Gram placed the second pillow at the end of the couch. “All right, but it’s here in case you change your mind.” She took a seat in her rocking chair across from him. “By the way, as soon as we knew you were being released from the hospital, we called your folks again, to let them know we’d be bringing you here. Said not to worry, that we’ll take good care of you.”

David grimaced as he tried to find a comfortable position for his sore ribs. “I hope you told ’em I’m gonna be okay and there’s no need for them to come here.”

“Actually, we haven’t heard anything from them yet.” Gramps frowned. “When I called, I got your dad’s voice mail, but he never returned my call.”

Gram smiled. “I’m sure we’ll hear something from them soon.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Gramps went to answer it. When he returned, Priscilla and Elam were with him. David’s mood brightened.

“How are you doing?” Priscilla rushed to the couch.

“I’ve been better, but I could be worse.” David managed a smile. “It’s good seeing you, Elam. Did Priscilla tell you about my accident?”

Elam nodded and moved to stand beside Priscilla. “Priscilla and I went to Yoder’s Kitchen for supper this evening, and we decided to come by here to see how you were doing.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Let me take your coats. And please, have a seat.” Gram gestured to the love seat near the couch.

After Elam and Priscilla were settled, Grandma went to the kitchen to get everyone something to drink. When she returned with coffee and doughnuts, David sat up so he could eat and drink without spilling.

“Are you in much pain?” Priscilla questioned.

“I’ll admit it hurts, but the doctor gave me something to help with the discomfort.” David blew on his coffee before taking a sip. “Truthfully, though, I’d rather deal with the pain instead of taking medicine. It makes me too drowsy.”

“Rest is what you need right now,” Gram interjected.

“She’s right. A person’s body heals better during sleep,” Elam added. “If it were me, I’d be takin’ the pain pills.”

“I guess so, but I don’t like the idea of sleeping all the time; especially since I just got here.” David ran his fingers through his thick hair. “While I’m staying here, I’d like to help Gramps with chores especially if something needs to be fixed.”

“I appreciate it, Davey, but there’s no need to worry about those issues right now.”

“Your healing is what’s important.” Gram looked tenderly at David. Her smile intensified, causing the laugh lines around her eyes to deepen.

“Your grandmother’s right. You were fortunate your stay in the hospital was only overnight. You’ll be up and around before you know it.” Priscilla’s reassuring words gave David comfort. Deep down, he was glad to be here, surrounded by all this love and attention. He felt fortunate, but at the same time, he was more than ready to change the subject.

“Enough about me,” he said. “What’s been going on around the area since I’ve been away?”

While Elam and Priscilla filled him in, another knock on the door sent Gramps to see who it was.

Elam grabbed a doughnut and dunked it in his cup of coffee. “What brings you back to Arthur, David? Was it just to visit your grandparents?”

“I wasn’t happy with the way things were going for me in Chicago,” David answered honestly. “I left a week before Christmas break and decided to come live with Gram and Gramps for a while—till I figure out exactly what it is I want to do.”

“And what would that be, son?”

David blinked when his folks stepped into the room. “Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?”

Dad’s bushy eyebrows rose high on his forehead. “What are we doing here? More to the point, what are
you
doing here, David? And what did you mean when you said you left school early and were going to live with my folks for a while? I thought you were coming home for Christmas break.”

W
ell, David, I’m waiting for an answer.” David’s father tapped his foot impatiently, looking sternly at his son.

Mrs. Morgan stepped forward and placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “Stop badgering our son, Robert. We came all this way to see how David is, not ply him with questions about what he’s doing here.”

“I know why we came, Suzanne, and I don’t need you to remind me.”

She glared at him.

Priscilla cringed, seeing David’s hurt expression and knowing how embarrassed he must be. Having his parents argue like this—especially in front of her and Elam, whom they barely knew—had to be uncomfortable. She’d also found it odd how David’s father had jumped on him right away, without giving him any kind of greeting.

“By the way, it’s nice to see you, too.” David’s tone was sarcastic. “But okay, you want to hear the truth, then here it is.” David looked directly at his father. “I’m not going back to college after Christmas. I’m gonna stay here with Gram and Gramps until I figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

David’s father’s grim expression made it clear he wasn’t happy to hear this news. Knowing David, he wouldn’t back down.

“What do you want to do with your life?” Robert stretched out his hands. “I thought you had your heart set on becoming a veterinarian.”

“No, you had your heart set on me following in your footsteps. I’m not sure now I have the same dream.” David wiped his brow and threw the afghan off his lap.

The room grew quiet when Suzanne pointed at David’s cast and gasped. “Oh, son, how bad is your leg?”

“I broke it—in two places,” David said dryly.

David’s grandpa jumped in and explained that they’d tried calling several times after they found out the extent of David’s injuries. “All I got was your voice mail, but apparently you didn’t listen to any of my messages.”

Mr. Morgan scratched his head. “I did but not till this afternoon, when I turned my phone on.” He gestured to his wife. “Suzanne suggested I turn it off last night when we attended a musical, and I forgot to turn it back on.”

David then told them about his accident and how lucky he’d been to have Priscilla close at hand.

“I’m so sorry.” Suzanne sat on the couch beside David and gave him a hug.

“Not too tight, Mom.” David sucked in his breath. “A couple of my ribs are broken, and they’re pretty sore, too.”

“You should have known better than to take a trip on your motorcycle this time of the year. The weather and travel conditions can turn on a dime,” David’s dad scolded.

“Robert, we should just be grateful our son wasn’t hurt any worse.” Suzanne looked at Priscilla and smiled. “Thank you for staying with David until the paramedics arrived.”

“It was a good thing you were there.” Robert nodded in Priscilla’s direction. “But none of this would have happened if David had come home instead of here.”

Priscilla was about to change the subject, when David’s grandma said, “Why don’t we all relax and let our thoughts settle a spell?” Priscilla could tell Letty was trying to smooth things over. “We can talk more about this in the morning. Right now, I need to go upstairs and fix up the guest room. Oh, and Suzanne, when was the last time you and Robert had anything to eat?”

“Don’t worry about us, Letty. We stopped on our way here to get something to eat. And please, let me help you get our room ready.” Suzanne squeezed David’s arm before rising to her feet and following her mother-in-law from the room.

Elam bumped Priscilla’s arm. “We really should go now, don’t you agree?” It was the first thing he’d said since David’s parents arrived.

Priscilla gave a quick nod. “Take it easy, David.” She offered him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “We’ll come back in a few days to see how you’re doing.”

“I’ll look forward to seeing you again.”

Priscilla gathered up her coat and outer bonnet then followed Elam out the door. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for David to go against his parents’ wishes and give up his schooling. In all her twenty-six years Priscilla had never made any major decision that would upset her parents.

“Danki for seeing me on such short notice,” Elaine said, taking a seat in Leah’s recliner. “I woke up with a koppweh this morning, and the aspirin I took hasn’t helped at all. In fact, as the day has worn on, it’s gotten worse.”

“This must be the day for headaches,” Leah rubbed massage lotion on Elaine’s feet. “Iva Herschberger was here awhile ago, complaining of a koppweh. I believe hers stemmed mostly from her neck. She’s prone to neck problems, but a reflexology treatment always seems to help.”

Elaine smiled. “What you’re doing is a good thing, Leah. God has given you the gift to help others through reflexology.”

“Adam didn’t always think so.” Leah picked up Elaine’s right foot and probed for sore spots.

“But he’s come around and seems to be fine with your foot doctoring now.”

“Jah. He’s even asked me to do his feet a few times.”

“That’s good. I’m glad things are working out between you and Adam now.” Elaine winced. “Ouch. You found a sensitive spot.”

Leah held steady pressure on it. “Let me know when it gets better.”

“It’s easing up now,” Elaine said after several seconds passed.

“Let me know if I find more sore spots.”

Elaine gave a nod. “It’s awfully quiet in here. Are the girls in bed already?”

“I doubt it.” Leah continued to probe the bottom of Elaine’s foot, and even between her toes. “Carrie, Linda, and Amy are at my folks’ house this evening. Mom invited them to help her bake
kichlin
today, and they stayed for supper. Right before you got here, Adam left to get them.”

“Sounds nice,” Elaine said. “Speaking of Iva Herschberger, we ran into Priscilla and Elam at Yoder’s Kitchen this evening, and ended up joining them.”

“Iva did mention Priscilla and Elam were going out to supper this evening. How are they both doing?”

“They seemed to be okay, but did you hear about the accident Priscilla witnessed?”

“What accident?” Leah’s eyebrows drew together.

Elaine tried to explain all of what Priscilla had told them earlier at Yoder’s, including the extent of David’s injuries. “To tell you the truth, my head was hurting so bad, I’m not sure I heard everything exactly right. It might be best if you let Priscilla tell you the details of David’s accident, since she witnessed the whole thing.”

“I’ll have to ask her about it, and I’m glad her friend doesn’t have life-threatening injuries.” Leah paused. “By the way, where is Ben? You said he drove you here, right?”

“He went out to the barn to see if Adam was there. My guess, though, is that Ben’s either petting your black Lab or visiting the horse.” Elaine tried to relax as Leah continued the treatment. “I’m surprised Ben doesn’t have a dog of his own.”

“Pets can be a handful sometimes. Coal has become a special member of our family—especially to Adam and the girls.” Leah smiled. “Let’s hope those
kinner
bring back some kichlin with them, because I’m in the mood for cookies and milk.”

“Are they being saved for Christmas or to be eaten now?”

“A little of both.” Leah chuckled. “They’ll probably come home with their tummies full and won’t be able to sleep.”

“It’s good they can spend time with your parents. Since their paternal grandparents don’t live close, your mamm and daed sort of fill the roll.”

“Jah, and they love it. Of course, the girls do, too.”

“They seem to have adjusted pretty well since you and Adam got married.” Elaine winced again. “You found another sore spot.”

“Let me know when it’s gone.” Leah kept a steady pressure on the area. “And you’re right about the girls. They’re doing much better dealing with their parents’ death; although Amy still gets moody sometimes.”

“Guess it’s to be expected.” Elaine sighed. “Losing a loved one is never easy—especially when a parent leaves children behind.”

“Are you thinking about Jonah’s kinner right now?”

“Jah. Of course they’re much younger than Adam’s nieces, so it makes a difference. It’ll still be difficult for them, growing up without a mother.”

“Maybe at some point Jonah will remarry.”

Elaine leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Leah didn’t voice her thoughts, but she wondered if someday Jonah and Elaine might get together again. They’d loved each other once. Maybe God would bring them together again.