by Beth Wiseman
“What will you do about the truck?” Lydia held her breath as she carried a small bag with rotten apples.
“I don’t know. Give it away, I guess.” Rebecca lowered another bag, larger this time, and even smellier. Lydia didn’t look inside. Margaret’s daughter didn’t seem to have any concerns when it came to money, but the truck was probably worth a few hundred dollars if it was cleaned up.
“What does your husband do for work?” Lydia put a hand to her forehead, blocking the sun, while she waited for Rebecca to give her something else to toss in the trash.
“He’s an air traffic controller.” Lydia must have looked confused, which she was. “He guides the planes in and out, lets the pilots know when it’s safe to land and take off.”
“Do you work?” They’d been so consumed with Margaret’s life that they hadn’t really discussed Rebecca’s.
“I just retired from teaching. I’ll probably get bored. I’m really too young to retire, but I want to spend as much time as I can with my new grandbaby when she arrives.”
Lydia smiled. “It’s a girl?”
“Yes.” She’d heard the Englisch had ways of learning an unborn child’s gender. Lydia didn’t think she’d want to know ahead of time.
“Oh no.” Rebecca covered her mouth with her hand, and Lydia hoped she hadn’t found dead dog bones. But she held up a stringer of what used to be fish. “Here’s where a lot of the stench is coming from.” She held her nose and handed down the offensive item.
After another fifteen minutes, they were done. Rebecca went back inside the police station and asked if Margaret had a driver’s license, and the officer behind the desk said she did—as well as a car registration. Both surprised Lydia, but she recalled hearing that mental illness didn’t necessarily mean incompetence. And she’d learned that Margaret could read. Then Rebecca asked if someone might benefit from the truck, saying she wanted to give it away, not sell it. The officer told her he’d ask around.
As they headed back to Lydia’s parents’ house to pick up Mattie, they both seemed lost in thought. Rebecca pulled to a stop when they arrived. “I noticed the name of Margaret’s hospice worker on the bulletin board in her room. I wonder how much time they think she has.”
“I don’t know.”
“I’d still love for my mother to see her house before she passes.” She shook her head. “But even the best contractor couldn’t get it in order in time for Margaret to visit there—not unless he had a hundred people on his crew. I could be wrong, and only God knows for sure, but I don’t think Margaret will be here more than a month. A few weeks before she died, my mother looked like Margaret does now.”
Lydia caught that Rebecca was still swapping names back and forth. Not surprising. It was surely going to take a while for her to sort through her emotions and land on the names most comfortable for her.
“Would you like to come in and meet my parents?” Lydia felt closer to Rebecca than she probably should, given what a short time they’d known each other. But they seemed to have a strange bond. Maybe that was because Margaret had thought of Lydia as her daughter and now her real daughter was here.
“Oh, wow. I don’t know. They’ll probably smell me long before I get near them.”
Lydia chuckled. “I don’t smell any better.” She opened the car door. “But I’d like for you to meet them.”
Rebecca got out of the car, and they started toward the house. “Yes, I would like to meet the parents of such an amazing young woman.”
Lydia’s cheeks heated, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She recalled what Beverly said the day they were in Margaret’s house. This haus is in horrible shape, but the structure looks solid. Maybe the community could come together and help her get the place livable. If her people could build a barn in a day, they could renovate a whole house in less than a month, couldn’t they? Their work crew was in excess of a hundred for sure.
* * *
Samuel listened to Lydia’s idea that evening, never prouder of his wife. “I can talk to Bishop Miller and the elders and see what they say about it.”
“Do we have to have the bishop’s permission? If so, and if he isn’t in agreement, the argument would be that no one pushed hard enough to help Margaret. As Christians, everyone should have tried to do more. She lived in squalor in a confused state of mind most of her life. Instead of dealing with her problems, people avoided her.” She paused as she gazed into his eyes. “We did too. But now Rebecca wishes Margaret could see the haus one last time before she dies. I do too. It will be a double blessing if Margaret gets to meet her granddaughter, a triple blessing if she meets her great-granddaughter.”
Samuel nodded. “You also said something about a wedding?”
Lydia chuckled. “I’m glad Joseph is resuming his relationship with Beverly, but I think it’s much too soon for a wedding. And I don’t know of anyone who’s engaged in our community, so we won’t be able to fulfill that part of Margaret’s wish.”
Samuel smiled at his wife before he leaned over and kissed her.
Chapter 24
After going home for a day to tell Dawn what was going on and see her husband, Rebecca stayed with Lydia and Samuel for two weeks. And at least a dozen times a day she told them she didn’t know how she’d ever repay the kindness she was witnessing.
Samuel had met with the bishop and elders, pled the case to restore Margaret’s home, and surprisingly won them over with no opposition. Lydia suspected everyone who agreed to work on the house had turned a blind eye to Margaret at some time during his or her life. Whether or not they were pitching in to clear their consciences, Lydia and Rebecca were thrilled with the way the house was coming together.
Rebecca was packing to spend her first night there when her son-in-law called to say Dawn was in labor. Rebecca headed back to Indianapolis, planning to return in time for their plan.
Lydia, who promised to visit Margaret daily, prayed for Rebecca’s family, asking that all would be well. But she also asked God to help Margaret hold on until Rebecca got back.
Lydia hadn’t visited Margaret much over the past couple of weeks. She recognized Lydia only as a friend of her daughter’s, and Lydia wanted to give Rebecca alone time with her mother for as long as Margaret had left. But she knew Margaret would be heartbroken if no one showed up today and explained where Rebecca was.
Rebecca said Margaret wasn’t too confused most days, thanks to the change in medication, but she saw her energy slipping away. On the few days when she had been confused, she’d thrown Rebecca out of her room, so Lydia didn’t know what to expect when she opened the door to Margaret’s room. But while Rebecca was gone, she would do her best to keep Margaret’s spirits up.
“Wie bischt,” she said softly as she tiptoed inside with Mattie on her hip. “How are you feeling today?”
Margaret’s eyes were barely open, and she’d lost a considerable amount of weight since Lydia had last seen her. A part of her still wanted Margaret to call her Delila, for her to refer to Mattie as Rebecca. It was a selfish thought but there just the same. Lydia owed it to Margaret to be truthful, though.
“Rebecca had to go home for a few days, but she’ll be back soon.” Lydia held her breath as she braced for a reaction.
“She better hurry.” One side of Margaret’s mouth curled upward into a smile. “Gott is calling mei home soon.”
Lydia hoped God would wait a little longer. She’d prayed for Him to. So many people had put tons of effort into making Margaret’s wishes come true, and Rebecca would be heartbroken if Margaret passed away before they had. She’d be especially distraught if her mother died while she was gone.
Margaret’s bottom lip trembled. “I know mei dochder has been coming to visit me.” She blinked back tears. “But I don’t remember her name.”
Lydia had just mentioned Rebecca’s name, but she’d tell her again. “Her name is Rebecca.”
“Ya, ya.” Margaret closed her eyes, and Lydia stood by the bed wishing Mary we
re here right now. Her sister had witnessed her elderly friend, Adeline, die. She might know how close they were to losing Margaret. But Mary had just found out she and Levi were expecting their first child, and she didn’t want to deflate her sister’s mood. They’d been trying to conceive for a while.
“I’m going to let you sleep.” Lydia spoke in a whisper, unsure if Margaret even heard her, especially now that Mattie was making noise. “I just wanted to let you know Rebecca will be back soon.”
Lydia was almost out the door when she heard Margaret say, “Danki, Delila.”
Bringing her free hand to her chest, Lydia slowly turned around and locked eyes with Margaret, praying it wouldn’t be for the last time. “You’re welcome.”
* * *
When Rebecca returned a week later, this time with her husband and the rest of her family, Margaret had grown weaker and less communicative. And she hadn’t called Lydia “Delila” or seemed to recognize her as anyone other than a friend of Rebecca’s. But she had asked about her daughter daily, even when she didn’t remember her name. Every day, Lydia assured her that Rebecca would be returning soon.
Today, Margaret’s house was ready. Almost a hundred men had taken turns with the structural work. Windows were replaced, the loose boards on the porch and stairway were repaired, and the outside of the house had a new coat of white, with the porch painted gray.
The ladies in the community had cleaned inside, overhauled furniture, and planted fall foliage in the flower beds out front. Lydia thought fall was the prettiest season in Indiana. She loved the fields of mature corn that lined the roads this time of year, lush green crops that seemed never-ending, and the trees offered a rainbow of fall colors. It was like God’s gift before winter settled upon them.
When Lydia and Samuel had visited Rebecca and her family at the house last evening, Lydia had found Peter to be a kind man, and Dawn and Liam were delightful. So was their infant daughter. Rebecca had cried, wondering again how she could ever repay them and the community, but they explained no payment was necessary.
Lydia glanced around the room at the guests. They’d decided to keep the affair small so as not to overwhelm Margaret. Rebecca had already made arrangements for her to pass here, in her own home. A hospice nurse would be coming daily, and Lydia and Rebecca were both grateful to Mary, who had helped Rebecca set up one of the bedrooms with items they’d need to tend to Margaret. She’d also supplied phone numbers they’d need when the time came. The family had decided Margaret would be buried next to Delila and her husband in Indianapolis.
Everyone was eager for Rebecca and Peter to arrive with Margaret. Beverly was aglow, and Joseph couldn’t seem to wipe the grin off his face. Lydia’s parents, sister, and brother-in-law were all there, and they’d brought Levi’s brother, Lucas, and his wife, Natalie. Samuel had picked up his parents earlier in the day.
Dawn was holding her newborn daughter near the front door when they all heard a car pull into the newly paved driveway. It took a few minutes for Peter to get Margaret into her wheelchair, but once they’d pushed her up the temporary ramp on the side of the house and through the door, you could have heard a pin drop. Rebecca carried a small red suitcase, presumably packed with the few things Margaret had accumulated at the facility.
Please, dear Lord, let this be a good day for Margaret.
Margaret was thin and pale, but as she glanced around the room, at her restored home and all the people, tears streaked her cheeks.
Rebecca’s daughter was the first to speak. “I’m your granddaughter, Dawn.” She leaned down. “And this is your great-granddaughter. We named her Margaret Delila Witherspoon.” Rebecca beamed.
Margaret could barely lift her hand to touch the baby, but she said, “So beautiful.” Then she found some strength and cupped Dawn’s cheek. “Mei granddaughter.”
As Rebecca wheeled her through the crowd, Lydia held a hand over her mouth and watched. Margaret addressed every single person as if they’d always been in her life in some way or another.
They finally made their way to Lydia, where beside her stood Samuel, holding Mattie. Lydia didn’t care if Margaret called her Delila, Rebecca’s friend, or anything else. She was just glad to be sharing this special day with her and all those in attendance.
Margaret reached for Lydia’s hand and squeezed. “Wie bischt . . . Lydia?”
It was the first time Margaret had ever called her by her name, and for fear of choking up, she just nodded.
Samuel, Levi, and Lucas had all offered to carry Margaret upstairs to visit the nursery, but for now she just toured the downstairs of her home. Lydia stayed in the front room, but she could see the delight in Margaret’s eyes when she returned.
Then Bishop Miller cleared his throat and asked if everyone was ready.
Lydia took a tissue from her apron and dabbed at her eyes, determined not to cry now. Samuel handed Mattie to his mother, who was in her wheelchair as usual. Then Lydia took her husband’s hand and turned to face him, elated that their family and friends were present to see and hear them exchange wedding vows.
Samuel’s parents had been aware of the challenges Lydia and Samuel faced within their marriage, so a renewal of vows didn’t surprise them. They loved the idea. But Lydia thought her family would just be excited she and Samuel had chosen to recite their vows again. Then Mary told her they’d all known her marriage wasn’t perfect. Lydia was glad it was out in the open. She was tired of hiding her feelings, faking perfection, and being caught up in untruths and lies. And today was a day of celebration and new beginnings.
Renewing their vows had been Samuel’s idea, and she’d been speechless when he suggested it. Doing so was a testimonial to the relationship they’d been building over recent months. They were learning about each other’s feelings, a process that would continue to help them grow as a couple. And they were in love, truly and deeply.
Margaret was able to see her house the way she’d always wanted to, surrounded by friends and family. Her great-granddaughter would be sleeping upstairs in the nursery Margaret had preserved. And Margaret would get to see a wedding—even if it wasn’t her own.
Lydia and Samuel were grateful Bishop Miller had agreed to the wedding on such short notice. He and his wife stood side by side as she and Samuel repeated vows they’d made more than a year ago, but this time the exchange was more than just words. She knew Samuel believed that too. And she could feel God’s blessings pouring down on them as they professed their love for and commitment to each other.
As the bishop gave Samuel a holy kiss on his forehead, his wife placed a holy kiss on Lydia’s forehead. Lydia glanced in Margaret’s direction. Dawn had squatted next to her, and Margaret had the new baby in her lap. She smiled at Lydia.
At the end of the day, Lydia and Samuel said their good-byes, and then Lydia held her husband’s hand as he carried Mattie to their buggy. She knew they would still experience challenges; that was how a marriage—and life—worked. But for the first time since she’d married Samuel, she felt as one with him, no longer traveling on a separate journey. They were in love, and they’d professed that love to God in front of friends and family. Now it was time to go home and live the life they’d wanted from the beginning.
Everything had been beautifully arranged according to God’s will.
Epilogue
The following August
“Who’s hungry?” Lydia carried a large bowl of chicken salad to the picnic table and set it beside a tray filled with pickles and olives. Beverly was right behind her toting a jar of chow chow, along with two loaves of bread she’d baked that morning.
Lydia put her hands on her hips and chuckled. “Look at those two. You’d think they were twelve again.”
Beverly laughed. “At least they’re keeping the little ones entertained.”
As Lydia watched Samuel and Joseph in their new aboveground pool, she thought about the past ten months. Margaret passed three weeks after Rebecca brought her home, surrounded by h
er family. And because Rebecca had insisted Lydia was family, she’d seen Margaret take her last breath. Finally, Margaret had gone to be with Delila and her parents, to a place where she was no longer confused. She was perfect now.
Rebecca and her family usually came to Montgomery twice a month, on the weekends. On a whim, once the winter snow had melted, Rebecca went to the spot where Margaret told her money was buried and found it in a can under a rock. The amount was six hundred dollars. Rebecca insisted that Lydia and Samuel take it. She knew Samuel worked hard to take care of his parents.
They refused the money, but then they came home from worship service in late spring to find an aboveground pool set up and ready to use. Rebecca had heard Samuel talk about one more than once. Lydia had trouble getting him out of the pool each evening to come in for supper. But teaching the babies to swim was their excuse for spending so much time in the pool. He’d already taught Mattie how to hold her breath under the surface, and Joseph had taught Susan how to tread water.
Beverly put a hand on her abdomen, then Lydia did the same, and both women laughed. “They’ll have two more bopplis to start teaching next summer.”
Lydia smiled when Samuel held Mattie high above his head. “Wave to Mamm!” And Mattie did. It was hard for Lydia to believe their first child was a year and a half old.
Beverly waved too. “Only eight more to go after this one.”
“Four more for us,” Lydia said. After renewing their vows, she and Samuel had truly found their way to each other and remained hopelessly in love. Joseph and Beverly had married in November. That was only a few months after they met, but neither of them wanted to wait, and their little family was thriving.