The Decision Read online

  “I can go with you.” Grandma opened her mouth wide and yawned, then quickly covered it with her hand. “That way I can tell the pharmacist what I need.”

  “He will know what you need as soon as I show him this.” Elaine reached into her purse and took out the prescription. “You look tired, Grandma, so it might be best if you stay here and rest.” While that was true, the real reason Elaine didn’t want Grandma to go into the pharmacy was because she’d be tempted to buy something sweet. In addition to prescriptions and other medical-related products, the pharmacy on Vine Street had an old-fashioned soda fountain where a person could sit and enjoy a tasty cold treat. Grandma had never been able to resist the root beer floats that were sold there.

  Grandma frowned, making Elaine wonder if she might insist on getting out of the buggy, but to her relief, she finally nodded and said, “I am kind of tired. Maybe I’ll just sit here and close my eyes for a bit.”

  “I shouldn’t be gone long, so try to relax.” Elaine patted Grandma’s arm gently, then climbed out of the buggy and headed down the street.

  When she entered the pharmacy a short time later, Elaine went straight to the drop-off area and turned in Grandma’s prescription, since it might take awhile for it to be filled. After she was told that it would be about fifteen minutes, she headed toward the discount aisle, where things were usually marked down. On her way, she passed the candy and gum aisle. Normally, Elaine would have bought some candy, but knowing Grandma shouldn’t have any, she thought better of it.

  I’m going to have to think twice before I bring sugary treats into our home anymore. Since Grandma had always enjoyed sweets, it would be hard for her to give up some of the things she liked to eat. Elaine didn’t like the idea of giving up sweet things, either, but if it would help Grandma, she would do whatever it took to keep her from being tempted. It’s probably best for me, too, she told herself, since diabetes can be hereditary.

  Elaine looked at a few of the discounted items but didn’t see anything that interested her. She was about to head back to the prescription area and wait for her name to be called when she noticed Priscilla standing in the checkout line at the other end of the store. Elaine hurried to catch up with her and got there just as Priscilla finished paying for her purchases.

  “I’m glad I ran into you today,” Elaine said to her friend. “I thought you might like to know that we got the results of Grandma’s blood work today.”

  “How did it go?” Priscilla asked.

  Looking for a better place to talk, Elaine led the way to the greeting-cards aisle, since no one else was there at the moment.

  “Grandma has Type 2 diabetes.” Elaine cringed at the thought of what may lay ahead for Grandma—and her as Grandma’s caregiver. “That’s why she hasn’t been feeling well lately.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Priscilla’s tone was as sincere as her expression. “Can it be controlled by altering her diet, or will she have to be on insulin?”

  “The doctor said Grandma will have to change her eating habits and exercise, but he also gave us a prescription for medicine, which she’ll have to take every day.” Elaine sighed deeply. “I hope Grandma does everything she’s supposed to, because if her diabetes worsens, she may have to take insulin shots. Unfortunately, I’ll be the one giving them to her, and just the thought of that makes me naerfich.”

  “Try not to worry about it.” Priscilla gave Elaine’s shoulder a tender squeeze. “I’m sure with you there to remind Edna to eat right and take her medicine, everything will be fine.”

  Edna had been in a deep sleep, but the nap hadn’t lasted long. The sound of her own snoring suddenly woke her. Waiting for Elaine, she grew more restless. It was getting stuffy inside the buggy, and she could really use something to drink. Whatever breeze had been moving through the open buggy door when they’d first arrived was suddenly at a standstill. Think I’ll get out and walk over to the pharmacy, she decided, taking a hankie and wiping the back of her neck where perspiration had collected. One of Edna’s legs was on the verge of getting a charley horse, and no matter how much she wiggled and rubbed it, her toes started cramping, too.

  The idea of treating herself to a frosty chocolate malt, root beer float, or dish of hand-dipped ice cream sounded pretty good to Edna. The pharmacy in Arthur had been making milk shakes, malts, and sodas in a variety of flavors for a good many years, and for as long as she and Lloyd were married, they’d made a trip into town once a week to indulge in one of the icy cold treats. Edna’s mouth watered just thinking about it.

  With the decision made, she grabbed her purse, stepped down from the buggy, and headed toward the pharmacy. It felt good to get the kinks out of her legs, although her dress clung tightly against the front of her legs as she walked head-on into a sudden, refreshing breeze.

  She’d only gone a short distance when she spotted the Stitch and Sew, which was also on Vine Street. Maybe I’ll pop in and buy some white thread, she decided. It won’t take long, and I’m sure I’ll be done before Elaine leaves the pharmacy.

  CHAPTER 12

  When Elaine left the pharmacy and returned to the buggy, she was surprised to discover that Grandma wasn’t there. It was much warmer than when she’d gone into the drugstore, so perhaps in order to cool off, Grandma had taken a walk. But where can she be? Elaine felt a sense of panic. She didn’t come into the pharmacy—I’m sure I would have seen her there.

  Elaine looked up and down the street, but there was no sign of Grandma. She figured she only had two choices: wait at the buggy and hope Grandma returned soon from wherever she’d gone, or start looking for Grandma in some of the stores. Deciding on the latter, Elaine headed back down the street.

  After checking a few places along Vine Street with no success, Elaine decided to stop by the Stitch and Sew. When she entered the building, the smell of material hit her nostrils and made her sneeze. Her eyes also began to water. It must be my allergies to chemical odors kicking in.

  Stepping up to the counter, Elaine was about to ask the clerk if she’d seen her grandmother when she spotted Grandma talking to Priscilla’s mother, Iva, near the notions aisle.

  “Oh, what are you doing in here?” Grandma asked when Elaine walked up to her. “I thought you’d gone to the pharmacy to get my prescription filled.”

  “I did go there, but when I got back to the buggy you were gone.”

  “It was getting stuffy, so I went for a walk, and when I saw the Stitch and Sew, I realized that I needed some thread.” Grandma gestured to Priscilla’s mother. “Then when I spotted Iva, we got to talking.” She stared at Elaine and pursed her lips. “Is everything okay? You look like you’re about ready to cry.”

  “I’m all right,” Elaine said when Grandma handed her a tissue. “Sometimes the smell of so much material in one place makes my eyes tear up and causes me to sneeze.” She smiled at Priscilla’s mother. “It’s nice to see you, Iva.”

  “You, too, Elaine.”

  Feeling a sneeze coming on, Elaine held the tissue up to her nose. “Achoo!”

  “Bless you,” Grandma said, patting Elaine’s back.

  Elaine giggled self-consciously, feeling heat creep up the back of her neck and spread quickly to her cheeks. “How are you, Iva?”

  “I’m doing pretty well. By the way, Priscilla was going to the pharmacy. Did you happen to see her there?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did.” Elaine placed her fingers against her nose to stifle another sneeze. “We visited awhile, and then I think Priscilla said she was going over to Yoder’s Lamp Shop. She’s probably there now.”

  Iva turned toward the door. “I’d better go see if I can catch her. It was nice seeing you both, and don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything at all.”

  “Danki.” Elaine waved as Iva went out the door, but Grandma just stood there with a peculiar expression.

  “What’s wrong, Grandma?” Elaine asked. “Are you pondering something?”

  “I—I know I c
ame in here for a reason, but for the life of me, I can’t think of what it is.”

  “You said you needed some thread.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Grandma made her way to the notions aisle and picked out her thread.

  “Let’s go get something cold and frosty.” She pointed toward the door. “I’ll have a root beer float.”

  “That sounds good, but remember what the doctor said. You’re supposed to be careful of what you eat now that you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.”

  Grandma’s chin dropped slightly. “I’ll feel deprived if I can never indulge in anything sweet.”

  “You can have fruit in moderation, and we’ll learn to make some desserts using sugar substitutes.”

  Grandma sighed. “If I can’t get a root beer float, then as soon as I pay for my thread, we may as well head for home, because I’m hungerich.”

  Elaine felt bad as she watched Grandma shuffle over to the checkout counter with slumped shoulders. With all that had happened in the last couple of weeks, it would be hard to see Grandma deprived of something as simple as enjoying ice cream. Once she got started on her insulin, and with the doctor’s approval, maybe it would be okay if she cheated on her diet once in a while.

  “We’ll stop at the market before going home and pick up some fresh fruit,” Elaine said after they’d left the store.

  Jonah had just pulled up to one of the hitching racks in Arthur when he noticed Elaine’s horse and buggy parked at the other end.

  “How are ya doin’ there, Daisy girl?” Jonah asked the horse, walking up to her and petting her velvety soft nose.

  Daisy nickered in return, stomping her foot and swishing her tail to keep the bothersome flies at bay.

  “Good thing you’re in the shade over here. The sun’s warming things up real quick today.” Jonah glanced down the street as he reached up to scratch behind Daisy’s ears.

  Daisy shook her mane as if in agreement, then nudged her head closer. “Ah, I see that you like your ears scratched, too.” Jonah smiled and watched as Daisy’s head lowered and she closed her eyes. He even thought he heard the horse heave a sigh.

  Jonah felt silly standing here, talking to a horse, but he was actually biding time. Should I wait till Elaine comes back to her buggy, or would I have a better chance of seeing her if I went looking in some of the shops? As always, Jonah was anxious to see Elaine, if only for a few minutes. But knowing he needed to get back to his shop soon, he decided to poke his head into some of the stores on his way to Yoder’s Lamp Shop, where he needed to pick up a gas lamp he’d taken in for repairs a week ago.

  One last scratch behind Daisy’s ear and Jonah began to whistle as he headed toward Yoder’s. He checked a few of the other stores as he went by but didn’t see any sign of Elaine. When he reached his destination, he collided with Priscilla, who was just coming out the door.

  “Sorry about that,” Jonah apologized, propping the door open with his foot. “Sure hope you’re not hurt. I should have been watching where I was going.”

  Priscilla’s face flushed as she quickly shook her head. “You just startled me, is all. I didn’t expect anyone would be coming in the door at the same time I was going out.”

  “Me neither.” Jonah stepped to one side. “Say, you haven’t by any chance seen Elaine around town? I spotted her horse and buggy at one of the hitching racks, so I figured she must be here someplace.”

  “I met up with her at Dick’s Pharmacy awhile ago,” Priscilla replied. “She was getting a prescription filled for her grandma.”

  Jonah’s forehead wrinkled. “Is Edna grank?”

  “She saw the doctor today and got the results of her blood tests.” Priscilla pursed her lips. “I should probably let her tell you this, but Edna has diabetes and needs to take insulin for it.”

  “Wow, that’s too bad. Will she have to give herself shots?”

  “Not at this time, but she will have to take a pill that will hopefully balance her blood sugar. She’ll also need to be on a special diet.”

  “Hopefully between the medicine and eating right, she’ll be okay.”

  Priscilla nodded. “I know Edna likes sweets, so it’ll probably be hard for her to stay on the diet.”

  “I’m sure Elaine will see that she does,” Jonah said. “Speaking of Elaine, do you know where she went after she left the pharmacy?”

  “No, I don’t. If her horse and buggy’s still at the hitching rack, she’s obviously in town somewhere.”

  “Guess I’ll pick up my lamp and then check for her in some of the other stores. See you around, Priscilla.”

  After Jonah left Yoder’s, he stopped at several stores, but there was no sign of Elaine. Hoping he might catch her before she left town, he headed back to his horse and buggy. When he got there, Elaine’s rig was gone. He was warm and sweaty and couldn’t help thinking how refreshing a dip in his pond would feel. That would have to wait for some other time, because he had plenty of work waiting for him once he got home.

  “Guess I should have come back here as soon as I left the lamp shop,” Jonah mumbled, placing the box with his lamp in it inside his warm buggy. He would have headed over to Edna’s place to see Elaine right now, but he needed to get back to the shop and finish upholstering the seat he’d started this morning for the buggy he was making for their bishop. Maybe I’ll go see her this evening after supper, Jonah decided. I need to ask her something important.

  When they arrived home that afternoon, after stopping for lunch, Grandma went into the house while Elaine tended to Daisy, rubbing the mare down and giving her fresh water. Following that, she took a few minutes to play with the cats. Patches, as usual, demanded the most attention, purring and rubbing against Elaine’s ankles. This was the second cat she’d named Patches, and like the first one, whom her grandparents had given to her shortly after her parents died, Patches had always been a good mouser, even when she was a kitten.

  “Oh, I know what you want.” Elaine knelt on the barn floor and smiled when Patches rolled over on her back with all four paws in the air. “Does that feel good?” Elaine rubbed the cat’s belly and laughed when Boots, one of their other cats, got into the act, batting at Patches’ tail. Patches jumped up, and the two felines ran off. “That’s okay,” she murmured. “I need to quit lollygagging and go into the house.”

  As Elaine rose to her feet, she realized how nice it had been to take a bit of time and enjoy something as simple as petting the cat. As busy as she was, she needed to take time once in a while to do little things like that.

  When Elaine entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see several things cooking on the stove, and from the wonderful aroma, something was baking in the oven. Grandma was busily setting out the good dinnerware they used when hosting tourist guests.

  “Oh, I’m glad you came in.” Grandma turned to smile at Elaine. “I didn’t realize it was so late, and there’s so much to do before the tour group arrives.”

  “Oh no, Grandma, I think you’re confused about—”

  “Elaine, could you please check on the potatoes?” Grandma gestured to the stove. “I don’t want anything to boil over while I’m in the other room, setting the table. Oh, and the cake I have in the oven needs to be tested to see how close it is to being done.”

  Elaine couldn’t believe Grandma thought they were hosting a dinner. Could she have booked it without telling me? She hurried over to the desk in the kitchen to check the reservation book, but nothing was scheduled.

  “We aren’t hosting a dinner tonight, Grandma,” Elaine explained. “The tour director said she would give us at least a month before she called to schedule another one.”

  Grandma’s face blanched. “What?”

  Elaine repeated herself and added with emphasis, “There are no tourists coming here this evening.”

  Grandma blinked rapidly. “Oh, how silly of me. Don’t know why I thought that.” She motioned to the food on the stove. “Looks like we’ll have plenty to eat for our suppe
r tonight, with lots of leftovers for tomorrow. And oh, won’t it be nice to have a piece of that chocolate cake for dessert?”

  “Sorry, Grandma,” Elaine said, slowly shaking her head, “but that cake in the oven will have to go to someone else, because it’s not going to stay here to tempt you.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Jonah had just finished a tuna sandwich when a knock on the door startled him. Setting his empty plate on the kitchen counter, he went to answer it. Jonah hadn’t heard a horse and buggy pull into the yard, or he would have looked out the window to see who it was.

  When Jonah opened the door, he was surprised to see his twin sister, Jean, standing on the porch.

  “From the look of shock on your face, I’m guessing you’re surprised to see me,” Jean said, smiling up at him.

  He nodded. “It’s suppertime. Figured you’d be home fixing your family’s meal.”

  “We’ve already had our supper, and my thoughtful husband not only offered to watch the kinner while I went for a bike ride, but he also volunteered to do the dishes.”

  “Well, that was sure nice of him.” Jonah opened the door wider. “Come in. I’ll fix you a cup of tea.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Once Jean was seated at the kitchen table, Jonah poured them both tea and took the chair across from her.

  “What’s new with you?” she asked.

  “I finished upholstering the seat on a new buggy for our bishop today.”

  “That’s interesting, but I was thinking more along the lines of what’s new with you and Elaine.”

  He folded his arms. “Oh, that.”

  “Jah, that.” She winked at him. “Have you gotten up the nerve to ask her to marry you yet?”

  Jonah’s face heated. After hearing about Edna’s diagnosis, he’d made a decision. Did his sister know what he was planning to do this evening when he went to see Elaine? Well, he wouldn’t tell her now—not until he’d proposed and Elaine had said yes. Then Jean would be the first to know.