The HOPE of SPRING Read online

  “Just think, spring’s less than a month away, so we don’t have too much longer to wait,” Anne said, breaking into Susan’s thoughts.

  “I know, and as soon as the weather warms up, I’ll be sticking my hands in the dirt and helping Grandpa putter around in his garden.”

  “You definitely inherited your desire to work in the garden from him.” Anne flipped a curly tendril away from her face. “I’d rather read a good book than play in the dirt.”

  “I like to read, too,” Susan agreed, “but not as much in the warmer weather, since I can do other things. You know how it is with me.” She held up her hands. “I like to see results from something I’ve worked on with my hands—especially if it takes me outside.”

  Susan’s thoughts drifted as she glanced at her polished fingernails and thought about the vegetables she and Grandpa would plant this year. Her nails wouldn’t look this good once she started working the soil for their garden, but that was okay. She’d rather have dirt under her nails than give up something that brought her so much pleasure and satisfaction. Susan could almost smell the earthy aroma of the damp soil as she worked it through her fingers. Better yet, she could just about taste those delicious BLTs they would make with the juicy beefsteak tomatoes they’d pick. What wasn’t there to like about biting into a sandwich made with fresh, homegrown tomatoes? Even better was sharing a meal at the picnic table Grandma and Grandpa had in the corner of their backyard, under the shade of the maple tree.

  They rode in silence for a while, until they passed a homeless man holding up a sign saying he was out of work and needed money. Seeing him made Susan think about one of her patients who’d been admitted to ICU a little over a month ago. Anne must have been thinking of him, too, because she glanced over at Susan and said, “How’s that John Doe of yours doing?”

  “About the same. The poor guy had surgery to repair the damage that had been done to his spleen, but unfortunately he’s still in a coma.”

  “That’s too bad. Has there been any sign of him waking up?”

  Susan shook her head. “He flutters his eyes and jerks his hands once in a while, but he hasn’t responded to any verbal stimulation. Along with the trauma to his spleen and his vocal cords, he suffered a serious injury to his brain tissue, which resulted in a blood clot. The doctor’s still giving him medicine to dissolve the clot. His other injuries included several broken ribs, a cracked sternum, and a fractured collar bone. They’re healing okay on their own and won’t require surgery, but I fear he may never wake up. And if he does, he may not be as he once was. We still don’t know his name, so I call him Eddie.” She sighed. “Even though I know he might not hear me, I talk to him about all sorts of things, and I also pray for him—sometimes out loud.”

  “It’s good that you’re doing that,” Anne said. “Doctors always encourage nurses to talk to their patients, even though they don’t seem to hear what you’re saying. That will keep his brain stimulated, just hearing your voice. And of course,” she added, “prayer is important, too.”

  Susan smiled. “Well, if Eddie does hear what I’m saying, he probably thinks I’m a bit of a motormouth.”

  “I doubt it. Your positive attitude and compassion are the best medicine that young man can get right now.” Anne switched lanes again. “I’m happy to say that most of my patients aren’t in as bad a shape as your Eddie. It’s easier to work with them when they’re conscious and able to communicate. Hopefully, by the time Eddie is stable enough to be moved to rehab, he’ll have woken up from his coma.”

  Bird-in-Hand

  “How long will it be till supper?” Jonah asked when he entered the kitchen and found his mother in front of the sink, peeling potatoes.

  She turned and smiled, her green eyes twinkling. “You’re home early today, and since I’m just getting started on the potatoes and carrots that will go with the roast we’re having for supper, it won’t be ready for at least another hour yet.”

  “Can you keep something warm for me in case I don’t make it back before then?” Jonah asked as Mom handed him a piece of raw potato.

  He went to the table and sprinkled a little salt on the potato before popping it into his mouth.

  Mom grinned. “I see you still like eating raw potatoes.”

  “Some things never change,” Jonah answered, enjoying the uncooked morsel. “I’ll take another chunk if you don’t mind.”

  “So, where are you going?” Mom asked, handing him one more piece.

  “Over to the Kings’ place to speak with Meredith. Remember, I told you last night that I planned to go over there after Dad and I finished up at the buggy shop today. I want to see about buying her husband’s gaul.”

  Mom thumped the side of her head, pushing her covering slightly askew, and exposing the light brown bun at the back of her head. “I’d forgotten about that,” she said, readjusting the covering. “I assume you’ll be taking your daed’s horse and buggy?”

  “Yep, that’s right.”

  “You’re welcome to ride over to the Kings’ on my scooter.” Mom grinned, reminding Jonah of a young schoolgirl. Truth was, his fifty-six-year-old mother was so thin and petite she could almost pass for a teenage girl if it weren’t for the few wrinkles on her forehead. Dad often teased her, saying she was his child-bride.

  “Think I’ll stick to Dad’s horse and buggy,” Jonah replied with a chuckle. “It’ll take me less time, and won’t be as hard on my legs as a scooter.”

  “That’s true,” Mom agreed, “but at least with my scooter you won’t have an unruly horse to deal with on the road.” She looked past Jonah toward the door. “Where’s your daed?”

  “Out in the barn. Said to tell you he’ll be in soon.” Jonah stepped up to Mom and gave her a hug. “I’m going to wash up and change into some clean clothes, then I’ll be heading over to see Meredith.” He snatched a raw carrot before heading out of the room, and smiled when he heard Mom crunch one, too.

  Ronks

  Meredith had been resting on the sofa most of the afternoon, and her youngest siblings, Owen and Katie, were getting on her nerves. They were either fussing at each other or running through the house, hollering at the top of their lungs. Owen, who’d turned three last November, had started walking by the time he was ten months old and never had any trouble keeping up with six-year-old Katie. Mom had been trying to keep the little ones quiet today, but every time she got them interested in doing something in another room, they’d end up back in the living room. With Meredith’s teenage sisters, Laurie and Kendra, both working at the farmers’ market today, and thirteen-year-old Nina visiting a friend after school, Mom was short-handed this evening.

  “You’d better give me that!” Katie shouted as she raced past Meredith, chasing after Owen, who had taken her doll.

  Meredith grimaced. I wonder if I’ll feel this way when my own baby is born and starts fussing or being too loud. I hope not, because I don’t want to be an impatient mother.

  Meredith loved her family, but she wished she could go back to the quiet of her own house. She didn’t remember that the antics of her younger brothers and sisters bothered her before she got married like they did now. Maybe that was because, for over a year, it had just been her, Luke, and Fritz, with no energetic little ones underfoot.

  Adding to Meredith’s frustration were all the things she wanted to get done at home, and the preparations she wanted to make for the baby. But there was nothing more important than the safety of her unborn child, and most of her aggravation was from not doing anything except lying around. Hopefully, she could get started on making those head coverings soon.

  She glanced around the room. Not much had changed in the large home where her family lived. From the looks of the furniture, one would never know that seven children were still being raised in this house. Most of the pieces were still original and had been here when Meredith was growing up. Mom had a knack for taking good care of things and teaching her children to do the same. With a little sanding an
d some varnish, Mom had brought new life to some of the old pieces of furniture she and Dad had purchased at auctions a long time ago. Meredith had been told that some of the pieces in this room had been handed down to Mom and Dad from their parents. She remembered Dad saying once, “If you take care of what you have, it’ll last a long time.”

  Looking around, the proof was here, right down to the large oak table and chairs in the dining room. A lot of celebrations had been held around that table, and many great memories were made with family and friends.

  I hope I can be a good role model for my child, like my parents still are with all of us, Meredith thought. She closed her eyes, breathing in the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen. Was that fried chicken she smelled? She hoped so. Mom’s fried chicken was the best.

  “I’m sorry if the little ones are disturbing you,” Mom said, dashing into the living room, hoisting Owen onto her hip, and taking hold of Katie’s hand. “Your grandma and I have been busy fixing supper, and we figured either Stanley or Arlene would keep an eye on the little ones, but things didn’t quite go as planned.”

  “Where are my little bruder un schweschder?” Meredith asked.

  “Stanley’s in the barn doing some chores, and Arlene’s resting upstairs in her room. She came home from school this afternoon complaining of a koppweh.”

  Meredith sighed. “Arlene’s not the only one with a headache. My head’s pounding so hard I can barely think.”

  “Why don’t you go to your room and lie down?” Mom suggested. “I’ll call you when supper’s ready.”

  “Maybe I will.” Meredith swung her legs over the side of the sofa, and had just started across the room when a knock sounded on the door. “I’ll get that,” she said, looking at Mom. “You’ve got your hands full right now.”

  Mom nodded and hurried into the kitchen, with the two little ones in tow.

  When Meredith opened the front door, she was surprised to see Jonah Miller.

  “Wie geht’s?” he asked with a smile.

  “I’m doing okay,” Meredith replied, making no mention of her headache. “Come in out of the cold,” she said, opening the door wider.

  “Danki.”

  When Jonah stepped in, Meredith motioned for him to take a seat in the rocker, and she returned to the sofa.

  “I want to thank you for calling 911 for me.” Meredith looked at Jonah, feeling shy all of a sudden. “Your timing was perfect.”

  “You’re welcome, and I’d have to say that it was God’s timing, not mine, that brought me to your house. I’m glad you’re doing better and were able to come here to stay with your folks.” Jonah removed his straw hat and raked his fingers through the ends of his dark, curly hair. “Uh … the reason I’m here is to talk to you about your husband’s gaul.”

  She nodded. “My daed said you were interested in buying the horse, but there’s something you need to know.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Socks can be a bit spirited, so he may not be what you need. Luke seemed to be the only one who could handle the horse effectively.”

  Jonah smiled. “I’ve had spirited horses before, so I’m not worried about that.”

  Meredith sucked in her lower lip as she mulled things over. Jonah was probably right about handling Luke’s horse. It was just the thought of giving Socks up that made her feel like crying. Unfortunately, it was another reminder that the love of her life was gone and would never be back.

  At least she had warned Jonah about Socks being feisty. The rest would be in Jonah’s hands if he ended up buying the horse. “How much would you be willing to pay for the horse?” Meredith questioned.

  “Does two thousand dollars sound okay?”

  “Oh, no,” Meredith said with a shake of her head. “That’s way too much money.”

  Jonah leaned forward, looking at Meredith with a most sincere expression. “I checked the horse over before I left your place yesterday, and I think Socks is worth every bit of that.”

  Meredith sat for several seconds, then finally nodded. She needed the money. She just wished she didn’t have to part with Luke’s horse. If only he hadn’t been killed on that bus. If he’d just stayed home like she’d wanted him to do, instead of heading for Indiana to buy his uncle’s business. Would she ever stop regretting that she hadn’t tried harder to convince Luke not to go?

  Oh, Luke, she thought, fighting back tears, I don’t think I’ll ever get over losing you.

  CHAPTER 3

  As Meredith headed down the hall from her room, she yawned and stretched her arms over her head. It was the second Monday of March, and she was more than ready to go home. Not only were her younger siblings still getting on her nerves, but she missed her own surroundings and the things that reminded her of Luke. She was feeling stronger, with no more contractions, so she didn’t see any reason to keep staying with her folks. Now she just needed to convince Mom of that.

  When Meredith entered the kitchen, she found Mom in front of the stove, stirring a kettle of oatmeal. “Guder mariye,” Meredith said, moving across the room.

  Mom turned and smiled. “Good morning. Besides me, you’re the first one up. Did you sleep well last night?”

  Meredith shook her head. “Not really. Between Dad’s snoring, the wind howling and rattling my bedroom window, and then Owen crying out several times during the night, I had a hard time staying asleep.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” Mom apologized. “I’ve grown used to your daed’s snoring, so it doesn’t bother me that much, but I’ll ask him to be sure he wears one of those nose strips he bought awhile ago. And I think things will be better with Owen once he gets over his cold.” Mom sighed. “I’m not sure about the window, though. The March winds are picking up, and for as long as I can remember, that window’s been making a racket. I’ll ask your daed to look at it. Maybe there’s something he can do to make the window tighter so it won’t rattle so much.”

  “You don’t have to worry about any of those things, because I’m ready to go home,” Meredith blurted out. “It’s quieter there, and since I’m feeling better now, I’m sure I can manage fine on my own.”

  Mom’s lips pursed. “It’s not a good idea for you to be alone, Meredith. I shudder to think what would have happened if Jonah Miller hadn’t dropped by to see you the day you started having contractions.”

  “I’m glad he was there, but if I had been alone when the pains got bad, I would have somehow made my way out to the phone shack and called for help,” Meredith said in her own defense. She could see by the look on Mom’s face that she wasn’t convinced. Truthfully, Meredith knew she might not have made it, and she was thankful that Jonah had showed up when he did.

  “If it’s too noisy for you here, then we can talk to Luke’s folks and see if you can stay with them, like you did for a few weeks after Luke died.”

  “Sadie and Elam are getting up in years, and they don’t need me to look after.”

  “I’m sure it wouldn’t be an imposition. They’d probably love having you there for a while again.”

  Meredith shook her head. “I don’t need to stay with anyone, Mom.”

  “What if someone stays with you at your house? Would you be okay with that?”

  “Who?”

  “I was thinking of your sister Laurie. I’m almost sure she’d be willing, and I know she would be a big help to you.”

  “But Laurie has her stand at the farmers’ market, so she’d be gone most of the day,” Meredith pointed out. “How would that help me?”

  “But the market’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays through April. And in May, it’s just three days a week. It’s not until July that it goes to four. On the days Laurie’s working, we can ask someone else to come and stay with you.” Mom’s eyes brightened, and she snapped her fingers. “I know. We can see if Alma Beechy would go to your house whenever Laurie’s at the market.”

  Meredith’s jaw clenched. She didn’t want anyone babysitting her, but if she didn’t agree
, Mom would insist that she stay with the family.

  “Okay,” she said with a slow nod. “If Laurie’s agreeable, then she can move in with me for now, and if Alma’s willing, she can come during the hours Laurie’s not there.”

  Mom’s face relaxed a bit, and she gave Meredith a hug. “I know you think it’s not necessary, but it’ll make me feel a little more at ease.” She patted Meredith’s growing stomach. “It’s nice to see that you’re starting to show. It makes me even more excited about becoming a groossmudder.”

  “I’m excited about being a mudder, too,” Meredith said.

  “Just wait until your child is born,” Mom added. “No matter what age he or she should be, you’ll still worry, same as I do now.”

  Mom was right. Even though she was only four-and-a-half months pregnant, Meredith already worried about her baby.

  Darby, Pennsylvania

  “Would you please pass the syrup?” Susan’s grandfather asked after she’d handed him the platter of fresh buttermilk pancakes Grandma had made for breakfast.

  Susan smiled, and after she’d passed him the maple syrup, she bit into one of the pancakes on her plate and wiped the sticky, warm syrup from her lips. “Yum! Grandma, this is delicious. You’re such a good cook.”

  Grandma laughed, her cheeks turning pink. “You say that at nearly every one of our meals.”

  “That’s because it’s true,” Anne agreed from her place across the table. “I doubt that I’ll ever be able to fix a meal as tasty as any of yours.”

  Grandpa leaned over and kissed Grandma’s cheek. “Now you know why I’ve stayed married to her all these years.”

  Grandma playfully swatted his arm. “Oh, Henry, you’re such a big tease.”

  Susan smiled. She loved watching the camaraderie between her grandparents and felt blessed to have them both in her life. Many people didn’t have a close relationship with their grandparents, and some didn’t know them at all. Susan couldn’t imagine that, and it made her all the more thankful for what she and Anne had.