The Decision (9 page)

Back in the kitchen, Elaine found Grandma standing in front of the sink, staring out the window. “Are you all right?” Elaine questioned, dropping the pie mess into the garbage can.

“I was just thinking about your grandpa. If he were still here, he’d probably be in the other room right now, entertaining our guests with a few songs he liked to play on his mouth harp.”

“You’re right about that.” The tourists had always enjoyed listening to Grandpa’s music. “Well, guess I’d better take that other pie out to our guests now,” she said, removing the third chocolate–peanut butter pie from the refrigerator. “If you’d rather stay here, Grandma, I think I can manage on my own for the rest of the evening.”

Grandma shook her head. “I won’t hear of it. But before I go back in, I’m going to get out a bowl of fresh fruit for anyone who doesn’t want pie.”

Just then, one of their guests walked into the kitchen with an empty cup. “Would there be any coffee or tea to go with our pie?” She set her cup down on the table.

Elaine gave a nod. “Yes, of course. I’ll bring it right in.”

Returning to their guests, Elaine placed the coffeepot and pie on the table. “While you finish eating your dessert, perhaps some of you have more questions you’d like to ask.”

“I do,” said a middle-aged woman who’d introduced herself earlier as a schoolteacher from North Carolina.

“What is it you would like to know?” Elaine asked as she cut the pie.

“I heard that Amish children only attend school until the eighth grade. Is that true?”

Elaine nodded. “After they graduate, the young men learn a trade, and in addition to learning how to run a household, the girls will often find jobs outside the home. Sometimes if a family member has their own business, a young girl or boy might help in the store.”

Just then, Grandma walked into the room, and Millie flew in right behind her. “Where’s the pie? Where’s the pie?” the bird shrieked.

This caused a round of laughter from some of the tourists and a few screams from others, while some of the people ducked their heads.

Oh no, now what?
Elaine cringed. “Grandma, I thought you had covered her cage.”

“Dear me!” Grandma exclaimed, red-faced and looking quite flustered. “I think I must have opened the cage door by mistake.” Grandma stood in the archway with her arm extended, which Millie usually landed on immediately, but not so this evening. The parakeet flew this way and that, while Elaine and a few others ran around the room chasing her. Elaine could not believe what was happening. Not only did she feel like a fool, trying to catch the crazy bird, but most of the people laughed, as though they were enjoying the show. Some were rude, however, and took pictures, even though they’d been told that it wasn’t permitted. Elaine couldn’t really blame them, though. How often did a person get photos of a desperate Amish lady chasing after a bird? This was entertainment the tourists hadn’t expected. Elaine hoped she wouldn’t end up on the front page of their local newspaper. She could read the headline now: “Parakeet Invades Amish Dinner.”

J
onah tried to concentrate on the song they were singing, but he couldn’t help watching Elaine. She sat between her friends Leah and Priscilla on a backless wooden bench in Thomas Diener’s barn, where church was being held. Although she sang along with the others, Elaine’s heart didn’t seem to be in it this morning. Jonah could tell by the slump of her shoulders and her droopy eyes that she was struggling to stay awake. He glanced at the chairs that had been provided for some of the older women, and noticed that Elaine’s grandmother also looked tired.

I wonder how things went with the dinner they hosted Friday night
, Jonah thought as he shifted on his bench, trying to find a more comfortable position. He’d planned to go over to the Schrocks’ on Saturday to check on Elaine and Edna, but he’d gotten busy in the buggy shop and let time slip away. By the time Jonah was done for the day and had taken a shower and eaten supper, it was almost nine o’clock—too late to be making a call on anyone, he’d decided. Hopefully after church let out, he would have a chance to speak with Elaine. He’d been concerned when he’d heard that Elaine and Edna would be hosting a dinner. Jonah didn’t understand why they were so determined to do it so soon after Lloyd’s death. Elaine and her grandma hadn’t had time to grieve properly. Hosting a big meal must have been a drain on the women, and if they weren’t careful, one or both of them would end up getting sick.

During the noon meal after church was over, Elaine took a seat beside Leah. “I need to ask a favor of you,” she said, leaning close to her friend.

“What is it?” Leah asked.

“Things didn’t go well during our dinner for the tourists the other night, and in addition to forgetting several things, Grandma had another dizzy spell.”

Leah’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

Elaine gave her friend a recap of the events, then said, “I was so glad when the evening finally came to an end.”

“I think your grandma ought to see the doctor.”

“So do I, and I suggested that to her, but she wouldn’t agree to it.” Elaine touched Leah’s arm. “Grandma’s been coming to you for foot treatments for some time, and she has confidence in you, so I was hoping you might have a talk with her about this.”

“When she got dizzy last week, I did suggest that she see the doctor, but I can try again if you like.”

“I would appreciate it. I’m worried about Grandma.”

“Why don’t you bring Edna over to our place tomorrow morning around ten for a foot treatment? I’ll talk to her then.”

“That sounds good, Leah. We’ll be there on time.”

Just then, Susan Diener, whose home they were at, stopped by. “Leah,” she said, “I just wanted to tell you that I haven’t had any trouble with my sinuses since you worked on my feet last Friday.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Leah smiled at the elderly woman, who then moved on down the table to talk with some of the other women.

Elaine hoped Grandma would have equally good results when she went to see Leah for a foot treatment. Maybe while her feet were getting massaged, Grandma would be more receptive to the idea of seeing the doctor.

For the first time all day, Elaine relaxed a bit. This was the first time since last autumn that anyone had been able to have the after-church meal outside. The Dieners’ spacious backyard featured two large maple trees to sit under. The leaves were just emerging and offered little shade, but no one seemed to notice in this mild April weather. There was plenty of room in the yard for all the tables and benches to be set up as well.

Elaine smiled to herself. She could imagine Grandpa Schrock sitting among the men, as he’d done so many times over the years. Several conversations were going on at one time, each carrying a sense of excitement in the voices as they discussed various topics with friends. How Grandpa would have enjoyed being here today and taking part in the discussions.

“Are you listening to me?” Leah patted Elaine’s hand gently.

Elaine shook her thoughts aside. “What was that?”

“I said, while I’m working on your grandma’s feet in the basement, it might be best if you wait upstairs with my mamm. I don’t want Edna to think we’re ganging up on her. She may be more willing to listen to me if you’re not there.”

Elaine nodded, but she wasn’t sure that her absence when Leah talked to Grandma would make any difference. She hadn’t been around the last time Leah expressed her concerns to Grandma. Maybe this time, since Grandma had gotten dizzy again, things would be different.

Elaine had just finished eating and was heading over to see if Grandma was ready to go home when Jonah stepped up to her. “I was wondering how things are going and if there’s anything I can do for you.”

“You can pray for Grandma. Things didn’t go well during the dinner we hosted.”

“What happened?”

“For one thing, Grandma had a dizzy spell.”

“Is she all right?” Jonah’s expression revealed his concern.

“I’m not sure, and I’m hoping she’ll agree to see the doctor.”

“That would probably be a good idea. Did anything else happen at the dinner?” he questioned.

“It was a total disaster. Grandma dropped one of our pies, and that crazy parakeet, Millie, got out of her cage and created quite a stir with the tourists. I’ve always enjoyed helping Grandma with our dinners, but I was actually relieved when the people left.” Elaine paused to massage the back of her neck. “Anyway, I’ll be taking Grandma to see Leah in the morning for a foot treatment.”

Jonah’s forehead creased. “I have nothing against Leah’s reflexology practice, but she’s not able to do blood tests and some other things that the doctor would want to do. And, as I’m sure you’d agree, Leah’s treatments are not a cure-all for every illness.”

“I realize that.” Elaine didn’t know why, but Jonah’s comment made her defenses rise. “The only reason I’m taking Grandma to see Leah is in the hope that while Leah works on Grandma’s feet, she can talk her into seeing the doctor.”

“Do you think Edna will listen to Leah?”

“I hope so, because I wasn’t able to convince her.” Elaine’s lips compressed. “When Grandpa was alive, he could talk Grandma into almost anything. I remember once when he wanted the three of us to go camping. Grandma didn’t take to the idea, because she wasn’t comfortable with sleeping in a tent.”

“So what happened?” Jonah asked.

“Grandpa said if Grandma went camping, then he’d wash and dry the dishes for a whole week after we got home.” Elaine smiled. “That was all it took. Grandma went camping.”

“Did she enjoy it?”

“For the most part, but when it came time to crawl into that little tent for the night, she let it be known that she wasn’t happy about it.” Elaine’s smile disappeared. “If Grandpa was here now, he’d figure out some way to get Grandma to see the doctor.”

“Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you or Edna. I’ll drop everything to come and help if you need me.” Jonah’s tender brown eyes remained fixed on her face.

“Danki.” While Elaine appreciated Jonah’s offer, he had a thriving business to run, and the thought of asking him for help made her feel guilty.

“I don’t see why you felt it necessary to come with me today,” Grandma said to Elaine as they headed to Leah’s on Monday morning. “I’ve been to her house for foot treatments many times, and you never went along unless you were getting one, too.”

Elaine gripped her horse’s reins a little tighter. How could she explain her concerns without Grandma getting upset? She couldn’t admit that she’d talked to Leah yesterday and planned the whole thing. Nor did she intend to mention that she didn’t want Grandma taking the horse and buggy out alone until her physical issues had been resolved. Were these spells due to stress because Grandma missed Grandpa so much, or were they caused by some illness or other medical condition? If anything happened to Grandma, Elaine didn’t know what she would do. More than anything, she longed for things to be as they were before, but that was just wishful thinking.

In an effort to relieve some of her own stress, Elaine tried to focus on the fruit trees growing in a nearby orchard, with some of their colorful blossoms opening while other blossoms were drifting away. The white blossoms looked like snow as they flew off the trees and floated in tiny swirls across the road in front of them.