Room on the Porch Swing

by Amy Clipston

  “My leg.” Her lower lip trembled and she gasped. “The pain is radiating up my leg and into my hip. I can’t move it, and it hurts so badly I can hardly breathe.”

  “Ma-ma-ma,” Mollie wailed between hiccups. “Mmmmmma-ma-ma.”

  Allen’s heart twisted as he looked up at his daughter. “It’s okay, Mollie. Mammi will be fine. I’m going to get her some help. Just calm down, sweetheart.” He looked down at Irma Mae and patted her arm. “Don’t move. I don’t want you to do any more damage. I’m going to call an ambulance.”

  Irma Mae nodded. “Dummle! Please.”

  “I will.” He rushed out the back door and down the steps to the side door of his shop. As he dialed nine-one-one in his office, he fought against the cruel, stinging memories still threatening to hijack his emotions.

  “Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?” A steady feminine voice responded on the other end of the line.

  “I need an ambulance. My mother-in-law fell off a step stool and she’s hurt.” Then he recited his address and gave his best description of her injuries.

  “We’ll have someone there to help you shortly,” the woman promised.

  “Thank you.” Allen hung up the phone and dialed his in-laws’ number. Again, memories of the night Savilla became ill taunted him, but he pushed on. He had to take care of Irma Mae.

  “Hello?” Milton answered on the third ring, and Allen blew out a sigh of relief.

  “Dat, it’s Allen. I need you to come right away. Mamm fell off a step stool.”

  “Ach, no!”

  “It’s going to be okay.” Allen held up his hand to calm him as if his father-in-law were standing in the office with him. “She hurt her leg and is in pain, but she’s alert. The paramedics are on their way. Can you get here quickly?”

  “Ya, ya. My driver is here. I’ll be right over.” Milton hung up before Allen could respond.

  Allen replaced the receiver and ran back into the house. Mollie was still crying and smacking her hands on the high-chair tray.

  “Give her some Cheerios.” Irma Mae pointed to the counter.

  “Oh. Right.” Why hadn’t he thought of that? He grabbed the box of cereal and placed a handful on the tray.

  When Mollie arched her back and continued to howl, Allen removed the tray and lifted her into his arms. He bounced her and whispered in her ear until her wails were reduced to sniffs. Once she was calm, he returned her to the high chair, buckled her in, and replaced the tray.

  “Why don’t you eat some Cheerios?” He moved the cereal around on the tray.

  With a loud sigh, Mollie picked up a piece of cereal and popped it into her mouth.

  With his daughter soothed, Allen turned his attention back to Irma Mae. He crouched down, facing her. “Milton and the paramedics are on their way. Would you like a glass of water?”

  “Ya, please.”

  He poured a glass of water and then knelt beside her, holding the glass as she took a few sips. Sirens sounded in the driveway.

  “I’ll be right back.” Allen jumped up, set the glass on the counter, and rushed outside. A fire engine sat next to an ambulance.

  He jogged down the back steps as Jamie Riehl, the eldest of the Riehl siblings as well as a volunteer firefighter, climbed out of the fire truck. Waves of relief flowed through Allen.

  Jamie loped over to him. “What happened?”

  “Irma Mae fell off a step stool. I think she may have broken her leg.” Allen pointed toward the house. “She’s in the kitchen.”

  “Where’s Mollie?” Jamie asked.

  “In her high chair. She’s fine, but Irma Mae is in bad shape.”

  Jamie turned toward the EMTs. “We’ll need a gurney.”

  In moments, the EMTs, both men who looked to be in their mid-twenties, rushed by, pushing a gurney. Leon King, another firefighter, and Brody Morgan, their volunteer firefighter chief, came to stand on either side of Jamie. He repeated what Allen said.

  “Let’s get inside and see how we can help.” Brody nodded toward the back porch, and Leon followed him.

  Jamie stayed behind. “Is Milton on his way?”

  “Ya.”

  Allen suddenly realized the EMTs might be scary for Mollie, so he sprinted into the house, made sure the team had no questions, and took Mollie outside. She’d stayed calmer than Allen had thought she would, but she seemed glad to see him.

  He blew out a puff of air in frustration when he rejoined Jamie. “Irma Mae said she was trying to reach a large mixing bowl from the top shelf.” Holding Mollie against his chest, he shook his head and kicked a stone with the toe of his boot. “I feel like I should go to the hospital with Irma Mae and Milton, but I can’t take Mollie there. She’ll get cranky, and that will just cause everyone more stress.” Just being in the hospital at all would be stressful. The memories of Savilla’s unexpected death there were still so fresh.

  “There’s an easy fix for that.” Jamie started walking toward the shop.

  “What’s the easy fix?” Allen fell into step beside him as they moved up the path.

  “I’ll call mei schweschdere.” Jamie stepped into the shop through the side door, went to the office, and began dialing the phone. He held the receiver to his ear, and after a few moments, he began to speak. “Hey, Mark? It’s Jamie. Could you ask Laura or Cindy to come to Allen’s haus?”

  As Jamie explained what happened to Irma Mae, Allen sat down on the edge of his desk, balanced Mollie on his lap, and held his breath. Mollie loved Laura and Cindy. If one of them came, she’d be all right and he could go to the hospital to lend his in-laws support.

  Laura hefted her tote bag onto her shoulder and then headed up Allen’s back porch steps.

  As her shoe touched the top step, the door swung open, revealing Allen clad in black trousers and a dark blue shirt. At twenty-six, he stood at Mark’s towering height. He had light-brown hair and, having been married, a beard. He also had a strong jaw and bright, intelligent baby-blue eyes.

  His intense expression softened as he met her gaze. “Danki so much for coming on such short notice. I didn’t know what to do with Mollie, and that’s when Jamie suggested seeing if you or Cindy could come.”

  “Gern gschehne.” She stepped into the mudroom. “I’m always froh to help you, and my driver was able to come right away.”

  He held out his hand. “Let me take your bag.”

  “Oh, no. It’s not heavy.” She followed him into the kitchen and set the bag on a kitchen chair. Then she glanced around the room. “Where’s Mollie?”

  He nodded toward the family room. “She’s asleep in her play yard in the schtupp.” He shook his head. “As the EMTs were loading Irma Mae into the ambulance, she was shouting instructions to me. She said Mollie will nap until about noon, eat lunch, play for a while, and then nap again.”

  “Okay.” Laura tilted her head with concern. “How is Irma Mae?”

  He rested his arms on the back of the chair beside her. “I’m afraid her leg is broken. She was in a lot of pain.”

  Laura winced. “I’m so sorry.”

  He stood up straight. “Ya, I am too. She was trying to reach a mixing bowl. If she’d only called me in, I could’ve grabbed it for her.”

  She rested a hand on her hip and lifted an eyebrow. “What makes you think Irma Mae would’ve asked you for help? After all, she was barking orders at you as the EMTs were taking her to the hospital.”

  He nodded. “You’ve got a point.”

  “So after Mollie wakes up, I need to make her lunch.” She crossed to the refrigerator. “Do I need to prepare anything special for her?”

  “No, Mollie usually has something simple at noon.” He pointed to two sippy cups and lids sitting in the drainboard. “Yesterday Irma Mae gave her half a cut-up grilled cheese sandwich, a couple of slices of banana, some yogurt in a bowl, and a cup of milk.”

  Then he pointed toward the family room. “Irma Mae has a diaper-changing station set up near the sofa. Diapers, cream, and wipe
s are all there. We’ve been using mostly disposable diapers lately, but cloth diapers are drying in the utility room if you want to use them. Irma Mae switches between the disposable and cloth ones. Mollie naps in the play yard since the upstairs is so hot this time of year.”

  “Okay. I can handle all that. Is there anything else I need to know?”

  “She usually sleeps in the afternoon until about three.” His eyebrows drew together. “Do you need to be home by a certain time?”

  “No.” Laura leaned back against the counter and pointed to her bag. “I brought clothes in case you decide to stay at the hospital and need me to be here overnight.”

  “I don’t expect you to do that.” He turned toward the window above the sink. “My ride is here.” Then he looked back at her and clasped his hands together. “Can you think of anything else you might need?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Do you need me to do any chores? I can make dinner or do some cleaning.”

  “I didn’t ask you to be my housekeeper. Just watch over Mollie, okay?”

  “That’s an easy job.” She waved him off. “Go. Give my love to Irma Mae and Milton.”

  “I will. Danki.” He went through the mudroom and out the back door.

  Laura walked to the sink and peered out the window as Allen climbed into the gray van. It steered down the driveway and out of sight, and then she leaned back against the counter. She glanced around the large kitchen, taking in the familiar long oak table with seating for six, the matching oak cabinets, and the golden granite countertops.

  Her eyes stung with unshed tears at the realization that Savilla had been gone for as long as she had. She pressed her lips together as memories of the special times she’d spent in this kitchen with her best friend tumbled around her mind. It was here that Savilla shared she was expecting a baby, here that they cried together when Laura lost her mother, and here that they talked about their future plans. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected to lose her best friend before they turned twenty-three.

  The aroma of fresh, moist air mixed with daffodils came through the window as her mind swirled with memories of how Savilla and Allen met. He was her cousin Lena’s neighbor in Indiana, and he had just lost his grandmother, who raised him. Lena said he was a shy but kind man who could use a friend.

  Lena suggested Savilla write to Allen, and a special friendship soon blossomed through their letters. At first Savilla called Laura when she received a letter from Allen and read it to her. But after a couple of months, Savilla only blushed when Laura asked if she’d heard from him. Laura realized Savilla was falling in love with her pen pal from Indiana.

  When Allen came to visit Savilla for the first time, Laura rode with her to the bus station to pick him up. And as soon as Savilla saw Allen, Laura was certain she would marry him. When their eyes met, both Savilla and Allen grinned, and excitement radiated off the two of them. It was as if they’d known each other their whole lives, and Laura immediately felt like an intruder in their private moment.

  Soon after that meeting, Allen sold his carriage business in Indiana and purchased a home and business in Bird-in-Hand. Savilla couldn’t wait to be married and start a family. Their future seemed bright, but it had been snuffed out only months ago.

  Laura’s heart squeezed as she crossed the kitchen and stepped into the family room. Mollie slept on her stomach. Laura smiled as she crouched down and took in the baby’s sweet little face and the shock of golden-blond curls covering her little head. Her left thumb was stuck in her mouth, the only sound coming from her soft snores.

  Laura reached into the play yard and touched the back of Mollie’s pink onesie and then her little hand. She enjoyed the softness of her skin. Oh, how her heart ached for Savilla, who wouldn’t get to see her beautiful daughter grow up and become a woman.

  “I’ll be here for you, Mollie,” she whispered. “If you ever need anything, you can talk to me. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Mollie moaned and snuggled deeper into the play yard’s cushion, her thumb never leaving her mouth.

  Laura walked to the bookcase on one wall and ran her finger over the bindings of Savilla’s collection of Christian novels. Savilla had always loved reading, and she read a book every week if she had the time.

  She pulled one of the books from the shelf and opened it, finding a bookmark decorated with “John 3:16” and a rainbow stuck near the back. Was this the novel Savilla had been reading when she died? The thought caused her eyes to flood with tears, and Laura blinked them away.

  She kicked off her shoes and curled up on the sofa next to the play yard, tucking her feet under her purple dress. Then she opened the book and began to read.

  She was starting chapter three when Mollie began to rustle around. Mollie’s eyes fluttered open and she stared up at Laura. While she had her father’s baby-blue eyes, Mollie’s golden hair resembled Savilla’s. She also had a petite nose and a smile that could light up a room, just like her mother’s.

  Laura closed the book and set it on the end table, and then she leaned forward and smiled down at Mollie. “Hello, sleepyhead.”

  Mollie groaned and rubbed her hand over her nose as her eyebrows drew together.

  “Wie geht’s?” Laura stood over the play yard and held out her arms.

  Mollie rolled onto her side and sat up. Then she grabbed the side of the play yard and pulled herself up, her stare never moving from Laura’s face.

  Laura clapped. “That’s wunderbaar!”

  “Mmmm-ma-ma-ma-ma,” Mollie said with her little face contorted in a scowl.

  Laura sighed. “You want your mammi, don’t you? Your mammi had to see a doctor, but I’m going to take care of you. You know me. Mei schweschder Cindy and I stop by to visit you every week.” When Mollie continued to frown, she added, “Can you say Laura?”

  “Ma-ma-ma.” Mollie’s bottom lip quivered.

  “Don’t cry, little one. I promise we’ll have fun together while we wait for your dat to get back.” Laura scooped up Mollie and carried her to the sofa.

  As she changed her diaper, Laura’s thoughts turned to Irma Mae. She couldn’t imagine the pain the older woman must be going through. She’d been through so much since Savilla’s death.

  They all had.

  FOUR

  Allen stepped into the kitchen and stilled as a sweet, melodic voice sounded from the family room.

  “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so . . .”

  He quietly moved to the doorway leading to the family room, leaned his right shoulder against the doorframe, and peered at Laura and Mollie in the rocking chair. Laura was singing to his daughter as she sprawled across Laura’s lap, staring up at her as she drank from a bottle.

  Laura’s dark-brown hair peeked out from under her prayer covering, and her blue eyes sparkled as she gazed into Mollie’s. Allen had often marveled that Laura shared hair coloring with her older brother, not with Mark’s. Her twin’s hair was a lighter shade of brown than hers and Jamie’s, but all three of the siblings shared the same bright-blue eyes.

  “Little ones to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong.” Laura smiled down at Mollie as she continued to rock. “Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me . . .”

  His heart twisted as a vision of Savilla rocking Mollie in that same chair filled his mind.

  Laura lifted Mollie to a sitting position and patted her back. “Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me—” She gasped when her eyes moved to the doorway, her gaze colliding with his. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Her cheeks blushed bright pink, and she looked down at Mollie. “Your dat is home. See?” She pointed to Allen.

  Mollie let out a loud belch as she turned toward the doorway. Then she squealed and held out her arms.

  “Hi, Mollie-girl.” When he crossed the room and picked her up, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Aww.” Laura smiled and stood. “You can have the rocking chair.”

  “No. Ple
ase sit.” He sank onto the sofa as she sat back down.

  “I was giving her formula.” She handed him the bottle. “I remembered Irma Mae telling me when I visited last week that Mollie still has two bottles a day. I hope that’s okay.”

  “It’s perfect. Danki.” He looked down at Mollie when she swiped the bottle from his hand and began to drink again.

  “I guess I didn’t need to feed her like a boppli.” Laura folded her hands in her lap. “She was a little fussy earlier, but she stopped when I sang to her.”

  “You have a schee voice.”

  “Danki.” She rocked the chair back and forth. “I think Mollie misses Irma Mae. How is she?”

  Allen shook his head. “She not only broke her right leg in two places, but her hip as well. No wonder she was in such pain. She had surgery today, and she’ll need more this week.”

  “Ach, no!” Laura cupped her hand over her mouth.

  “She’s still in a lot of pain. I was going to stay longer to keep Milton company, but he sent me home. He said he could handle everything.”

  Regret settled over him. If only—

  “But how are you, Allen?”

  His eyes snapped to hers in confusion. Why would Laura ask how he was when Irma Mae was the one who was in pain and facing multiple surgeries?

  Her expression softened. “You look upset.”

  “I am upset.” He frowned.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “It happened in mei haus. I can’t help but feel responsible.” He rubbed Mollie’s back. “Irma Mae’s going to be in the hospital for a while and then go into a rehabilitation center to learn how to walk again. I can’t work and take care of Mollie, so I’ll have to hire a nanny.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  He looked into her eyes, surprised she’d think so. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll take care of Mollie.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “But you have chores to do at your dat’s farm.”

  “I’m sure Cindy will handle my chores while I’m here.” She placed her hands on the armrests as she continued to rock back and forth.

  “Are you sure?”