The Restoration

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ;

  “Whoa, Tinker! Whoa!” Priscilla directed her horse to the side of the road. She had to see if the rider was hurt.

  CHAPTER 2

  Priscilla’s hands shook as she guided her horse and buggy to the side of the road. She hopped out and tied Tinker to a nearby tree. She grabbed a flashlight and rushed over to the victim. Shining the light on his face, she gasped. It was David Morgan, a young English man she’d known since they were teenagers. David lived in Chicago and had been coming to Arthur off and on over the years to visit his grandparents. Even though Priscilla hadn’t seen him for some time, she recognized his sandy blond hair and vivid blue eyes.

  “David, are you hurt?” Panting, she dropped to her knees in the snow beside him, relieved to see he was conscious.

  He blinked several times. “Priscilla Herschberger, is… is it you?”

  “Yes, it’s me.” Priscilla nodded. “Are you hurt?” she repeated, lowering the flashlight and placing her hand gently on his arm.

  “My leg… I think it might be broken. My head and ribs hurt, too. It–it’s hard to breathe.”

  “Oh, David, I’m so sorry. I need to get you some help.”

  “My cell phone’s in my jacket pocket. You’d better call 911.”

  Priscilla’s fingers trembled as she reached into David’s pocket and retrieved his phone. She hoped help would come soon, because it wasn’t good for him to lie out here in the cold. She wasn’t strong enough to move him, which might do more harm than good anyway.

  After she made the call, Priscilla took a blanket from her buggy to cover David, who was shivering badly. She thought about placing something under his head, but worried he might have a neck injury, so decided against it. Using a clean towel she kept in a plastic bag under her buggy seat, she wiped the snow off his face.

  “I’ll stay right here beside you till help comes,” Priscilla knew she needed to keep him talking so he would remain awake. If David had a concussion, he shouldn’t fall asleep.

  “I didn’t know you were in the area,” she said as the falling snowflakes melted on his face.

  David’s teeth chattered, and he tried to sit up.

  “You’d better lie still,” she cautioned, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Your injuries could be serious.”

  “Priscilla, you’re my angel of mercy.” He closed his eyes.

  “Don’t fall asleep. Talk to me, David. Tell me why you’ve come back to Arthur after being gone two years.” Gently, Priscilla continued drying the melted snow from his face with the towel.

  “Came back to see if…” His voice trailed off as he sucked in a shallow breath. “It hurts, Priscilla. It hurts to breathe.”

  “I know it’s hard, but try to relax and keep talking to me. Help will be here soon.”

  Priscilla didn’t know how many minutes had passed, but it seemed like forever before the EMTs arrived. “What hospital will you take him to?” she asked one of the paramedics.

  “We’ll go to Sarah Bush in Matton. Depending on how severe his injuries are, he may be transferred to either Carle in Urbana or DMH in Decatur.”

  Priscilla moved close to the stretcher where David lay. “I’ll let your grandparents know what happened. I’m sure they’ll go to the hospital right away.”

  “W–will you come, too, Priscilla? I’d f–feel better if you were there.”

  She nodded and squeezed his hand. “I’ll be with them, David; you can count on it.”

  When Priscilla pulled her horse and buggy into the yard of David’s grandparents, she was relieved to see lights in the window. Thank goodness someone was still up.

  Although she didn’t know Walt and Letty Morgan well, she had met them several times when their grandson visited, and she and Elam had gone there to see him. David spent most of the time, though, at either Priscilla’s or Elam’s. Priscilla had never understood why David enjoyed hanging out with her and Elam, but he’d always seemed to enjoy their time together and had even teased about becoming Amish someday. Of course, Priscilla knew he was only kidding. After all, why would David, who’d grown up with modern things, want to give up his dream of becoming a veterinarian? He’d attended college for the last two-and-a-half years and had only been back to Arthur once since then. Priscilla and Elam first met David when some of the young people in their area got together to play volleyball. Priscilla had always gotten along well with David, and if he were Amish, she may have been interested in him as more than a friend. Of course, she’d never told anyone. It was silly, Priscilla knew, but when things weren’t going well between her and Elam, the notion of being with David sometimes popped into her head.

  Shaking her thoughts aside, Priscilla secured Tinker to a fence post and hurried to the house. As she reached out to knock on the door, it opened, and Letty greeted her. “Well, for goodness’ sake, I thought I heard a horse and buggy pull in. Walt said I was hearing things, but my hearing’s just fine. I know the sound of a horse’s whinny.” Letty peered at Priscilla over the top of her plastic-framed glasses. “You’re Davey’s friend Priscilla, aren’t you?”

  Priscilla nodded. “I came here to tell you—”

  “Davey’s on his way here right now. He called yesterday and said he should arrive sometime this evening.” Letty’s brows furrowed. “Walt and I expected him hours ago.”

  Rubbing her arms briskly beneath her woolen shawl, Priscilla said, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but David’s been in an accident.”

  Letty gasped. “How did it happen? Has Davey been hurt?”

  “What I believe was a deer ran in front of his motorcycle. David lost control and slid off the road. He complained of his head and ribs hurting and said he thought his leg was broken,” Priscilla explained. “I called 911, and he’s been taken to Sarah Bush Hospital.”

  “Oh my!” Letty motioned for Priscilla to step inside. “Walt, our Davey’s been in an accident!” she called. “We need to go to the hospital right away!”

  A few seconds later, Letty’s husband appeared, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a matching T-shirt. “I’ll change my clothes and get the car out of the garage.”

  “Would it be all right if I go with you?” Priscilla questioned. “David asked if I’d come, and I’d like to know how he’s doing.”

  Letty gave Priscilla’s arm a gentle pat. “Of course you can come. Walt can put your horse in our barn.”

  “Thank you.” Priscilla hesitated. “May I use your phone? I’ll need to leave my folks a message so they know where I am and don’t worry.”

  “Not a problem.” Letty pointed to the kitchen. “The phone’s in there.”

  “I wonder why Priscilla isn’t home yet.” Iva glanced at the grandfather clock her husband had given her as a wedding present thirty-four years ago. “It’s ten thirty. I would think she would have been here by now.”

  Daniel set his book aside and clasped Iva’s hand. “Try not to worry. With the way the weather is tonight, Priscilla may have decided to spend the night at Elaine’s.”

  “That makes sense. I’d better go out to the phone shack and see if she left us a message. If she decided to stay over, I’m sure she would have called.”

  Daniel stood. “I’ll do it. There’s no need for you to go out in the cold.”

  “Danki, Daniel.” Iva smiled as he put on his jacket and went out the door. Her husband had always been considerate of her needs, and she appreciated his thoughtfulness. She hoped Priscilla would find a man like her father. Elam Gingerich seemed nice enough, but Iva wasn’t sure how committed he was to her daughter. He’d hung out with Priscilla since they were teenagers and had been courting her for well over a year with no mention of marriage.

  Iva thought about her married sons, Alan, Edward, James, and Thomas, with just two years between them. They’d all fallen in love with lovely young women and proposed marriage after the first year of courting. Guess I shouldn’t worry about Priscilla and Elam’s relationship, Iva told herself. Priscilla hasn’t said much about it to me, so perha
ps she’s content with the way things are right now. One of these days Elam might surprise us all and pop the question.

  Iva clasped her hands behind her neck and rubbed the knotted muscles. Her neck had been hurting most of the day. If it didn’t let up soon, she would make an appointment with Priscilla’s friend, Leah, for a reflexology treatment. The last time Iva’s back acted up, Leah had been able to relieve the pain. Hopefully, she’d be able to work out the kinks in Iva’s neck as well. With Christmas a few weeks away and so much baking and cleaning to do yet, Iva would be in better shape if she were free of pain.

  When Daniel returned to the house, his expression was grim.

  “What’s wrong?” Iva asked, seeing the look of distress on her husband’s bearded face. “You look umgerennt.”

  “I’m not upset as much as concerned.” He removed his jacket and took a seat in the recliner across from Iva. “Our daughter left a message, but it wasn’t about spending the night with Elaine.”

  Iva tipped her head. “What was it then?”

  “Priscilla is at the hospital with David Morgan’s grandparents. Apparently he was injured when he fell off his motorcycle. Priscilla witnessed the accident on her way home from Elaine’s.”

  Iva’s hands went straight to her mouth. “Ach, my! Is David badly hurt?”

  “Priscilla didn’t say. Just said she was heading to the hospital with Walt and Letty and would fill us in on the details when she gets home.”

  Mattoon, Illinois

  At the hospital, Priscilla paced nervously as she waited for a report on David’s condition.

  His parents will probably come as soon as they hear the news. Priscilla thought about David’s father, a veterinarian. He and his wife lived in Chicago. From what David had said, his dad expected him to follow in his footsteps. It was the reason David had gone to college and would eventually attend a veterinary school.

  I’ll bet his grandparents have missed him, Priscilla thought, glancing at Walt and Letty sitting across from her with anxious expressions. Walt had called David’s folks to notify them of the accident and then returned to the waiting room to sit beside his wife.

  “Had to leave them a message,” Walt grumbled. “As usual, our son, Robert, didn’t answer his phone.”

  Priscilla figured David might be on Christmas break and had come to Arthur to spend the holiday with his grandparents. Perhaps his parents would be joining them. Since David was an only child, surely they wouldn’t spend the holiday alone.

  The ride to the hospital had been slow. With the icy roads, Priscilla was thankful David’s grandfather had driven cautiously. His grandparents were probably more concerned for David’s welfare than even she was. Broken bones could heal. What worried Priscilla the most was his head injury. If he’d been wearing a helmet, he would have been better protected. She hoped none of his injuries were serious.

  “Sure wish we’d hear something.” Letty fidgeted in her chair. “I can’t stand sitting here doing nothing, not knowing how Davey is doing.”

  “I don’t like waiting, either.” Walt patted her hand. “There’s not much we can do except try to be patient and pray for David.”

  “I’ve been praying for him, too,” Priscilla said.

  Letty offered her a weak smile. “It was nice of you to come along, and we appreciate the added prayers.”

  A nurse entered the waiting room and walked over to Letty and Walt. “The doctor’s with your grandson now. He’s been asking for you.”

  David’s grandparents rose from their chairs. “One of us will come back and tell you how David is doing as soon as we’ve talked to the doctor,” Letty said to Priscilla.

  She nodded slowly and closed her eyes in prayer as Letty and Walt left the room.

  CHAPTER 3

  Gram… Gramps… I’m sure glad you’re here.” David was relieved to see his grandparents beside his bed. “Where’s Priscilla? Didn’t she come with you?”

  “She’s in the waiting room,” Gram said. “The doctor explained what your injuries are, and we wanted to see you first, before Priscilla comes in.”

  “So let me have it. Am I gonna be okay?”

  “Of course you are.” Gramps moved closer to David’s bed. “Your left leg is broken, along with a couple of ribs.”

  “You also have a mild concussion.” Gram took David’s hand. “We’re thankful you weren’t hurt any worse. When you called to let us know you were coming, we thought you’d be driving your car. Riding a motorcycle in this kind of weather is dangerous, Davey.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s a good thing Priscilla came along when she did.” David glanced toward the door. “Will you ask her to come in?”

  “In a minute.” Gramps’s forehead creased as he took a seat in the chair beside David’s bed. “I need to talk to you about something.”

  Here it comes. I bet they’ve already called my folks and told ’em I’ve been in an accident.

  Gramps leaned closer to David. “I called your dad to let him and your mom know you’d been injured, but got no answer so I had to leave a message.” He glanced at Gram, seated on the other side of David’s bed. “I’m sure as soon as your folks get the message they’ll come.”

  David grimaced. “Can we talk about this later? I’m tired, and I’d like to talk to Priscilla before I conk out.”

  “Certainly. I’ll go get her.” Gram rose from her chair. “Are you coming, Walt?” She leaned over and kissed David’s forehead before heading for the door.

  “Yeah, sure. We’ll talk to you later, David.” Gramps got up and followed her out of the room.

  Struggling to keep his eyes open, David kept his focus on the door, waiting for Priscilla to show up. She was the one person who would understand his reason for leaving Chicago. She’d always been supportive of his decisions. He remembered how after he’d decided to go to college, Priscilla had encouraged him, saying she thought he was smart and would do well academically. If she’d approved of him going, surely she would support his decision to drop out. Or will she think I’m a failure?

  Yawning, David glanced around the room in an effort to stay awake. How far down the hall am I? he wondered. The room was spotless and actually smelled clean. Looking through the slats of the open window blinds, he saw in the glow of lights that it was still snowing. Hopefully, by the time his grandparents and Priscilla left, the weather would improve.

  Reliving the accident and how fast it had happened, David was glad it hadn’t been any worse. Although he wished it hadn’t happened at all.

  While he waited for Priscilla, David picked up the TV remote and surfed through the channels. He stopped when he caught the tail end of a local news channel, reporting on his motorcycle accident.

  When the door opened and Priscilla stepped in, David smiled, despite the throbbing in his head, ribs, and leg. Dark hair, ebony eyes, and a slightly turned-up nose—she was as beautiful as he remembered. Quickly, he turned off the TV.

  “How are you feeling?” Priscilla crossed over to his bed.

  “Much better since you’re here.”

  Priscilla’s cheeks flushed, making her dimples more pronounced. “I’ve been worried about you. Your grandmother explained the extent of your injuries. While I’m sure you’re in pain, I’m just glad they aren’t worse.”

  “Same here. What about my cycle? Did it get banged up pretty bad?” He made no mention of the news report he’d seen briefly.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, David. When the sheriff showed up at the scene of the accident, he said he would make sure your bike was picked up.”

  “Guess I’ll ask Gramps to check on things for me in the morning, ’cause it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting out of the hospital till the doctor gives the okay.” David gestured to the chair on the right side of his bed. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

  “You know, David, you’ve been through a lot tonight, and I’m sure you’re tired, so I’d better not stay too long.”

  “They gave me something for
the pain, and I can’t promise I won’t fall asleep, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  Priscilla pulled the chair closer to his bed and sat down. “Before the EMTs showed up, you were about to tell me what brought you back to Arthur. Is it to spend Christmas with your grandparents?”

  “Partly, but the main the reason I came is to see if I’d fit in.”

  She tilted her head in his direction. “I don’t understand.”

  “Fit in… Amish way of…” David’s tongue felt thick, as his eyelids grew heavy. The last thing he remembered before succumbing to sleep was the curious expression on Priscilla’s face.

  Arthur

  Elam Gingerich stepped onto the Hershbergers’ porch and knocked on the door. He was anxious to invite Priscilla out to supper.

  “Guder mariye,” Iva said when she opened the door.

  “Mornin’.” Elam smiled. “Is Priscilla at home?”

  “Jah, but she’s still in bed.”

  “Really? I figured she’d be up by now.”

  “Normally she would, but she was at the hospital last night and didn’t get home till the wee hours.”

  Elam felt immediate concern. “Why was Priscilla at the hospital?”

  “She went there to see David Morgan.”

  “I didn’t know he was in town. What was he doin’ at the hospital?”

  “David was in an accident. Priscilla witnessed it when a deer darted in front of David’s motorcycle.”

  Elam pursed his lips. “Sorry to hear about it. Is he gonna be okay?”

  “His injuries are not life threatening, but he did break his leg and a couple of ribs. He also has a mild concussion.” Iva frowned, rubbing her forehead. “I broke my wrist when I was a girl, and it was quite painful. I can’t imagine how much pain David must be in.”

  Elam nodded. “I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

  “From what Priscilla said, David was on the way to his grandparents’ when the accident occurred.”