by Amy Clipston
Darlene wasn’t sure what Mamm would think about this. Over and over she’d made it clear she didn’t want anyone around but the family. But Darlene was overwhelmed with appreciation as she opened the door, and maybe Mamm would be amenable since she was having a good day. “Danki so much. Please come in.”
“How’s your mamm doing today?” Alice asked as she stepped inside.
Darlene smiled. “Fairly well. I helped her take a shower, but then she dressed and came out to the kitchen while I made breakfast. She’s resting in the schtupp now.”
“That’s fantastic!” Sharon said.
“Ya. It’s the first gut day she’s had in a long time.”
“Is Biena running the store?” Alice asked.
Darlene led them into the kitchen, where Alice and Sharon set their offerings on the counter. “Ya. And Dat’s running errands until suppertime.”
“Darlene? Is someone here?” Mamm’s soft voice called from the family room.
“Ya.”
Darlene motioned for them to stay where they were, and then she slipped into the family room, where Mamm sat in her recliner with her favorite light-blue and gray lap quilt on her legs. A gray scarf covered her head. “Sharon and Alice are here. They’d like to help us today. And they brought lunch.”
To Darlene’s surprise, Mamm’s expression brightened. “How nice. I feel so much better today, and I’d like to see them.” She paused. “As for helping . . . As long as you’ll help me with personal needs, I’m froh for your freinden helping you today. You work too hard, and so does Biena.”
Still surprised, Darlene brought Sharon and Alice into the family room.
“Danki for coming,” Mamm told them with a smile.
Darlene stood back as her friends sat down beside Mamm.
“You look gut today, Roselyn. How do you feel?” Sharon asked.
“I actually feel a little like myself.” Mamm touched Sharon’s hand. “How are your parents and Ruby Sue?”
As her mamm chatted with them, Darlene smiled. Yes, it was a good day—a very good day. Gratitude for God’s blessing rippled through her. Maybe he had been hearing her prayers.
Alice pointed to the kitchen. “If it’s all right, we’d like to have a noon meal with you and then help Darlene with chores.”
“They brought a tuna noodle casserole and brownies, Mamm.” Darlene stepped closer and held her hand out to her mother. “Do you feel like eating? Then you can nap in your room while we work.”
“Okay.” Mamm took Darlene’s hand, and Darlene helped her up.
After settling Mamm on a kitchen chair, Darlene warmed up the casserole in the oven and then took a plateful to Biena in the store. When she returned to the kitchen, she sat down with her mother and friends to enjoy their lunch.
“How’s Jay?” Alice asked Sharon.
Sharon grinned, and Alice and Darlene shared a smile.
“He’s great.” Sharon forked more casserole. “I’m really froh dating him. I feel like we get to know each other better every day.”
“That’s gut,” Mamm said as she picked at her casserole. “This is appeditlich, Sharon.”
“I’m so glad you like it.” Sharon sipped her water, then turned toward Alice. “And how is Dave doing?”
Alice gave a shy smile. “He’s gut.”
Darlene lifted her glass. “You two looked happy together at church.”
“We are froh.” Alice gave Darlene a curious look. “What about you and Andrew?”
Darlene shook her head as she set her glass back on the table. “There’s nothing going on between Andrew and me.”
“But he picked you up for the supper and singing Saturday,” Alice said.
“And you two talked a lot. I noticed you stood together when we sang and then you sat together when we ate.” Sharon pointed her fork at Darlene. “I think he likes you. He’s always been so shy, but he seems different with you.”
“Do you care for him?” Mamm asked.
Darlene turned to her mother, and she couldn’t stop her smile. It had been so long since she’d had a conversation like this with Mamm—one that almost made her forget about what they were all going through. Her eyes stung with happy tears.
“Are you okay?” Mamm reached for Darlene’s hand.
“I’m fine. Actually, I’m better than fine because you’re having such a gut day.”
Mamm shook her head. “You’re avoiding the question.”
Alice and Sharon laughed.
“Do you care about Andrew?” Mamm asked again.
“Answer the question, Darlene,” Sharon said.
Alice clucked her tongue. “Ya, Darlene. Answer your mamm.”
“You’re all ganging up on me.” Darlene sighed. “I like him as a freind.”
Sharon groaned and rolled her eyes.
“What was that for?” Darlene asked, frustrated.
“You two seem so gut together,” Sharon said.
Alice scooped more casserole onto her plate. “What if he likes you? Will you date him if your dat gives permission?”
“If he asked me, then I’d think about it, but I wouldn’t want to ruin our friendship. I like talking to him.” Darlene turned to her mother. “Weren’t you and Dat freinden before you started dating?”
“We were.” Mamm nodded. “Don’t rush it. See where the Lord leads you.”
As Darlene ate, she tried to imagine dating Andrew. But it was safer not to. She’d meant it when she said she’d never want to lose his friendship.
After lunch, Darlene helped her mother to her room. Then after she and her friends had cleaned the kitchen, they started on the chores Darlene and Biena had trouble getting to with Mamm needing so much care. Darlene cleaned bathrooms, Alice cleaned the upstairs bedrooms and sewing room, and Sharon cleaned the family room and mudroom.
When they were done, they sat at the table and ate brownies as they talked and laughed. Darlene relished their time together.
“Danki so much for coming today.” Darlene hugged Alice and then Sharon as they stood on the back porch waiting for Sharon’s driver. “It was so nice spending time with you, and I appreciate your help. Now all I have to worry about is the laundry, and Biena and I can handle that.”
Alice rubbed Darlene’s shoulder. “We’ve been offering to help for a while, and you kept saying no. So we finally decided to just come over without asking permission first.”
Sharon shrugged. “We figured you wouldn’t throw us off your porch if we were standing here with a yummy lunch and dessert. And we prayed your mamm would welcome us. Maybe God prompted us because he knew she was having a gut day.”
“I’m so blessed to have you as mei freinden,” Darlene said.
“And we’re blessed to have you too.” Alice smiled.
A black SUV pulled into the driveway, and Alice and Sharon started down the steps.
“Call if you need us,” Alice said over her shoulder.
“Take care,” Sharon said as she waved.
Darlene waited until the SUV left the driveway and then walked back into the house, smiling as she thought about the wonderful afternoon spent with her best friends.
Her thoughts moved to Andrew, and her heart danced a little. She hadn’t seen him or talked to him since last weekend, and . . . well, she missed him. If her mother’s good days grew more frequent, maybe she would see him again soon.
* * *
“Darlene!” Biena’s voice sounded frantic from the hallway outside Darlene’s bedroom later that evening. “Dummle!”
Darlene dropped the novel she’d been reading and sprinted to the door. “Was iss letz?”
“It’s Mamm.” Biena’s brown eyes widened as she grabbed Darlene’s hand and yanked her toward the stairs. “She’s lethargic and can’t seem to get out of the recliner. Dat’s been trying to get her to move, but she’s weak and not herself at all. Something’s wrong.”
“No, no, no.” Darlene rushed down the stairs, then halted in the family room doorway.
She held her breath as Dat stood over Mamm.
Dat wiped at his eyes as he leaned down and touched Mamm’s face. “Roselyn. Please answer me.”
Mamm didn’t respond. Her eyes remained closed.
“What’s going on?” Darlene asked, her heart thumping in her chest.
Dat spun toward Darlene. “I think we need to get her to the hospital.”
“I’ll make the call.” Darlene grabbed a lantern and the key for the store, then sprinted out the back door. She ran into the store and then dialed nine-one-one once she reached the phone in the office. She told the dispatcher her mother needed help and gave him the address.
Her heart sank as she hung up, and as she headed for the house, her knees nearly buckled, and she covered her face with her hands. Tears began to flow. Why had God let this disease ruin a perfectly wonderful day for her mother?
Please, God. Please. Mamm’s done nothing wrong. Please heal her! She’s suffered enough.
Biena opened the screen door on the back porch. “Is the ambulance coming?”
“Ya.” Darlene wiped her eyes.
“Let’s wait out here for it.”
Darlene joined her, then glanced up at the stars twinkling in the sky, choking back a sob.
A siren sounded in the distance, and Darlene bit her lower lip. Surely God would help her mother. But when? How long did God expect them to endure this nightmare before he stepped in?
And one more time, she wondered if he ever would. She’d heard of people facing a crisis of faith, but she’d never thought one of those people would be her.
* * *
Darlene sat in the waiting room and stared at the local news on the hospital television. The hum of quiet conversations filled the large room as other people sat on the surrounding chairs. She glanced at the clock on the wall. They’d arrived nearly three hours ago, and she and Biena still hadn’t received an update on her mother other than when Dat came out to say they were running tests.
She glanced to where Biena snored softly beside her. It never ceased to amaze Darlene how Biena could sleep no matter how stressful the situation was.
Darlene longed for someone to talk to. How she yearned to have Andrew here, sitting next to her, holding her hand, and telling her it was going to be okay.
But he wasn’t here. And she needed to be strong for her family.
Darlene sipped from a bottle of water she’d bought from a vending machine and then looked toward the doors leading to the ER treatment rooms. She’d gone up to the desk to ask about her mother more than once, but the person there just kept telling her she had to wait for her father to come back.
How long did they have to wait? And would Dat tell them if Mamm’s condition had become so grave that—
A chill zipped through her. Please, Lord. Please!
The doors opened with a whoosh, and Dat walked out. His eyes were red, and his face was drawn.
No, no, no!
Darlene shook her sister’s arm. “Biena, wake up. Biena!”
“Huh?” Biena jumped with a start and then yawned as she looked around. “What’s going on?”
“Dat’s here.”
Biena rubbed her eyes as she sat up straight.
“She’s going to be all right, but they’re admitting her.” Dat dropped into the empty seat across from them. “She’s severely anemic, and she needs a blood transfusion.”
“Ach, no.” Biena gasped.
Dat cupped his hand to his forehead.
“Can we stay with her?” Darlene asked.
“Only I can. Call my driver again and get a ride home.” Dat reached out and touched their hands. “She’ll have gut care here. Just keep praying. God will pull her through this.”
“But we’re family,” Biena said.
“There’s only one recliner in her room. I’m sorry.” He gave Darlene a quick hug and then hugged Biena. “Please, go home and get some rest. I’ll take gut care of her. And they think she can go home tomorrow.”
“Give Mamm our love,” Biena said.
“I will.” Dat gave them a sad smile and then left.
Biena nodded toward the reception desk. “Let’s see if we can use the phone over there.”
As Darlene followed her sister, she tried to imagine how empty their house would seem tonight without their parents. Worse, she found herself imagining what would happen to their family if her mother never came home. Dat said God would get her through this, but would he?
She didn’t know what to believe anymore. And she couldn’t let anyone in her community know that. Not their bishop or one of the ministers, not her family, not her friends—and even Andrew, despite his expressed willingness to listen without judgment. She was on her own, and she fought back fresh tears.
Chapter Eight
Saturday evening Andrew stood from the kitchen table and carried his plate to the counter. “Danki for supper. I’m going out for a while.”
“Where?” Mamm asked.
“To see Darlene. I haven’t seen her since last weekend, and I want to make sure she’s okay.” And I miss her.
Andrew had planned to visit Darlene during the week, but he wound up working late every evening. She’d been a constant presence in his mind, though.
“Are you dating Darlene?” Sam asked as he sat between their parents at the table.
Although Sam was eighteen, four years younger than Andrew, he was already slightly taller than Andrew, and Andrew suspected he would keep growing until he stood eye to eye with one of their six-foot-four uncles.
“No.” Not yet.
Sam raised his eyebrows. “Then why are you going to visit her?”
“Because she’s mei freind.” Andrew waved to his parents. “I’ll see you—”
“Wait.” Mamm jumped up from the table. “I made some sand tarts yesterday. Take some with you for her family.” She opened a cabinet and pulled out a container. “And tell her we’re praying for her mamm.”
“I will.” Andrew waved with his free hand and then hurried out to the barn to hitch his horse to his buggy.
As he set off on his journey, he smiled at the idea of visiting with Darlene. He just hoped her mother was well enough for him to be there, and that Darlene wasn’t too busy, especially with other guests. He’d run into Alice in town on Wednesday, and she told him Roselyn had allowed her and Sharon to eat lunch with her and help with chores a few days earlier. That was good for Darlene, but he wanted to see how good for himself.
When he reached the Bender house, he tied the horse to a fence and then took the back steps two at a time, the container of cookies in his hands. He knocked and then paced around the porch.
The screen door opened with a squeak, and Darlene peeked out. She was so pretty in a rose-colored dress. She smiled at him, and his pulse raced.
“Andrew. What a nice surprise.”
“I was hoping you might have time to visit with me.” He held up the container. “I brought sand tarts.”
“Well, you had me at sand tarts.” She laughed, and it was music to his ears. “And I do have some time.” She pointed to the glider. “Have a seat, and I’ll bring out some lemonade.”
“Perfect.” He sank down on the glider as he looked out toward the same green pasture he’d admired the last time he was there.
The sky was a clear, vivid blue, and he could hear birds singing in nearby trees. What a great day. He glanced at the garden and took in the colorful flowers, imagining Darlene and Biena caring for it alone while Roselyn convalesced from her treatments. He was certain the sisters were exhausted from doing all the household chores on their own.
The screen door opened, and Darlene stepped out with a tray holding two tall glasses of lemonade and some napkins.
Andrew popped up and held out his hand. She handed him a glass, and when their skin touched, a shiver danced up his arm. “I was just admiring your garden.”
“Danki. It’s really mei mamm’s, but I like taking care of it. It’s relaxing to be out in the sun whil
e enjoying God’s glorious creation. It’s my favorite pastime.”
“I can tell.”
She shook her head. “I just wish I had more time for it. The weeds grow so fast.”
He opened the lid on the container. “So you like sand tarts?”
“I love them. Danki.” She took one and bit into it. “This is appeditlich.” She eyed him. “Did you make these?”
He chuckled. “No. Mei mamm did.” Then he sobered. “She also told me to tell you she’s praying for your mamm.”
“Please tell her thank you very much.” She took another bite.
“I saw Alice, and she told me you had a gut day earlier in the week. How have you been since then?” He took a sip of lemonade.
She looked down at her lap and then back up at him. Her smile had faded, and a kind of pain entered her eyes. “Mamm was better, but then . . .”
Alarm shot through him. “Was iss letz?”
She held up her hand as if to calm him. “She’s home and doing better now, but she was in the hospital Thursday night. She was so anemic she needed a blood transfusion.” She blew out a deep breath that seemed to bubble up from her toes. “I was really scared. I had to run to the store to call an ambulance. The doctors had a gut report when they released her, but I’m still concerned.”
“I’m so sorry.” He took her hand in his and ran his thumb over her skin. “I wish you would have called and told me. If I’d known, I would have come sooner.”
Her whole body seemed to stall at his touch. “I wouldn’t want to bother you.”
He clucked his tongue. “You could never bother me.”
She stared out toward the store as if she were avoiding eye contact with him. He longed to know why.
“Is something else on your mind?” he asked.
She paused, but then seemed to have come to a decision.
“I’m just so confused. I don’t understand why mei mamm has to suffer so much. I keep wondering if . . . if God has forgotten her.”
Andrew tilted his head as he tried to comprehend her words. “Forgotten her? I don’t believe God forgets anyone. I just think sometimes we don’t understand his plan. But he’s always there to guide and comfort us.”
She turned toward him, and tears glistened in those coffee-colored eyes. “But why should someone like mei mamm suffer like this? She’s such a wunderbaar person. She doesn’t deserve this.”