The Parting

by Beverly Lewis

  Walking faster, she felt terribly annoyed. “Who does she think she is, livin’ a double standard?”

  Just ahead a buggy was swiftly heading this way, through the shroud of snow and fog. “Hullo, Nellie Mae!” came a familiar voice.

  She recognized the woman in the buggy as the midwife—Mary Glick’s granddaughter Ruth. “You look to be in a hurry,” Nellie called to her.

  “Kate Beiler’s wee ones are a-comin’!”

  So soon? Turning, she watched the enclosed gray buggy as it sped by. “Ach, Rosanna. Today’s your blessed day.” She wished she might run and catch up with the carriage to ride straight to her dearest friend, but the horse had already galloped past.

  Nellie stood there in amazement. “I hope Kate’s—and Rosanna’s—babies come healthy and ever so safe.”

  She rushed back to the house to divulge the startling news, glad she’d have something worth writing to Cousin Treva and the others in their circle letter. Out of breath, she spotted Mammi’s buggy still parked near the back door.

  Maybe I can borrow it to run over to Kate’s, where Rosanna surely will be.

  But when she arrived inside mere moments after Rhoda, Mamma was tending to Mammi Fisher, laying a wet cloth on her forehead and soothing her with her gentle hands and voice. Rhoda knelt at her feet.

  “What’s happened?” Nellie rushed to the rocking chair, shocked at how red and stricken Mammi’s face was.

  “Will one of yous ride for the doctor?” asked Mamma.

  Nan brought another damp cloth. “What’s wrong with Mammi?”

  “She nearly collapsed,” Mamma explained. “Limp as a dishrag now.”

  “I’ll go for the doctor.” Nellie turned and ran for the back door, throwing on her winter things. She was glad a horse and carriage were already hitched as she hopped inside and picked up the reins.

  All the talk of shunning . . . no wonder Mammi’s ill, she thought, feeling sick herself as she headed toward a completely different destination than Kate and Rosanna’s tiny babies.

  Having alerted the doctor, Nellie dashed back down the steps outside the doctor’s cottagelike office, anxious to return to Mammi’s side. She watched the doctor’s car speed out from behind the building and turned to see Mrs. Landis coming up the walkway, her arm in a sling. “Hullo, neigh-theParting_ bor,” she said to the older woman. “What did you do to yourself?”

  “Oh, it’s so embarrassing, really. I fell on the sidewalk in front of my own house. I’m just heading in for a followup appointment,” Mrs. Landis told her. Then she lowered her voice. “I’m so glad I ran into you, Nellie Mae. My daughter was terribly self-conscious at your shop, you must know.”

  “Oh?” Nellie fidgeted, eager to be off, but she was polite and listened.

  “Fact is, your sister Suzy saved my niece Darlene’s life. Suzy made all the difference to a girl who was sinking fast.”

  Saved her life? “Your niece . . . did she get into a bad crowd?” Nellie felt she was sticking her neck out by asking, but she had to know.

  “Oh, mercy, yes! But Suzy kindly helped Darlene see the error of her ways.”

  Thunderstruck, Nellie had almost forgotten why she was standing there. “Ach . . . I’m awful sorry to have to run off, but my grandmother’s ill. The doctor’s already on his way over to our place.”

  “Well, I hope she’s all right,” Mrs. Landis offered. “I’ll be sure to say a prayer for her.”

  Nellie thanked her and waved good-bye as she raced down the walkway. My sister must’ve fooled Mrs. Landis but good. What’s she mean by saying Suzy helped Darlene?

  Nellie was mighty sure—Mrs. Landis had the wrong Suzy.

  CHAPTER 31

  By the time Nellie arrived back at the house with the horse and buggy, the country doctor’s car was already parked in the lane. Swiftly she tied the horse and hurried indoors, relieved to find Dawdi Fisher there, as well as Dat.

  Dawdi Noah leaned over Mammi. “Poor, poor, dear,” he said as he fanned her. All of them were hovering until the doctor shooed everyone into the front room so he could take her blood pressure and try to determine if she’d had a stroke.

  Anxious, yet relieved to see Mammi more coherent now, Nellie headed to her room for some quiet. Observing her grandmother so incapacitated at first had been frightening. She would stay put until the doctor was finished with his examination.

  Her worry for Mammi alternated with her curiosity about the twin babies Rosanna would soon hold in her arms. Of course, it was too dark to venture over there now. Besides, the midwife at John and Kate Beiler’s place might be saying the selfsame thing as the doctor here, scooting everyone out till the babies came. She could only hope and pray the wee ones were strong enough, being born so early.

  With troublesome thoughts swirling in her head, she decided to add to the circle letter. This time of year, once the harvest was in, the circle letters fairly flew back and forth, and her cousins would be expecting news.

  Finding the lined stationery in her dresser drawer, Nellie Mae felt a strong need to narrate her day, to keep her mind occupied.

  Picking up her best pen, she began to write.

  Dear Cousins,

  Hello from Honey Brook.

  There is so much to tell you, starting with the most wonderful news: Kate Beiler’s twins are soon to be born—I haven’t heard if they have actually come today, but the midwife fairly flew past me when I was taking a walk a while ago. I’ll give you the firm details in my next letter. All right?

  We’ve other interesting news here, too. Our bishop is back from a long vacation in Iowa. His trip wound up being longer than planned due to an illness, but I hear he’s healthier now.

  My sister-in-law Maryann’s baby will be the next one to arrive, at least for our family. Of course, there are oodles of little ones on the way. And, oh goodness, all the weddings! Mamma said we’ve been invited to three on a single day next week. Not sure which one they’ll pick, but it’ll surely be fun.

  She paused in her writing, wondering which weddings Caleb and his family might attend. If Caleb happened to be at the same one as she and her sisters and parents, would she end up at the feast table across from him, maybe?

  Sighing, Nellie contemplated the pleasure of seeing Caleb at an all-day wedding celebration now that they were truly a couple. But that wasn’t the kind of thing she would share with Cousin Treva and the others who would receive this letter.

  Thinking again of her very sick Mammi, Nellie struggled to remain upbeat—she didn’t want to spoil the tone of the letter. After a moment, she resumed her writing, apologizing for bearing the sad news about Mammi Fisher. We’re still awaiting the doctor’s word as to what she’s suffering from. She added a few more lines before signing off, asking Treva and the others to please keep the letters coming “nice and fast.” Then she folded the letter.

  With Mammi’s health still weighing heavily in her mind, Nellie Mae slipped the folded letter into the drawer of the small bedside table. Pausing there at the sight of Suzy’s diary, she reached in and picked up the book, terribly aware of the guilt that yet lay hidden inside her—the anger, too, which made her impulsively lift the bed mattress at one end and shove in Suzy’s diary.

  There. That’s where it stays till I burn it up.

  She straightened the quilt coverlet and headed out of the room to see how Mammi was doing.

  The labor was intense for her cousin, and Rosanna cringed each time Kate stirred from rest to moan. Rosanna sat in the corner of Kate and John’s large bedroom, not close enough to see the babies crown and be birthed, as she was hesitant about being present at all. Yet Kate had insisted she be in the room once word had reached Rosanna that the babies were most likely coming today. Ephram had received a call on the community telephone up the road from Rosanna and Elias’s place, and Maryann had rushed over to deliver the news. Upon hearing it, Rosanna had offered nary a word of explanation, other than to say her cousin surely needed her help.

  When
will Kate reveal her plan for her babies? Rosanna wondered. Perhaps her cousin had decided it best to wait until the babies were actually born.

  Several times Kate’s cries jarred Rosanna so much that she held her breath, feeling more and more as if she, too, were a part of the birthing process. As if in some strange way, she were the babies’ mother, too.

  O Lord, please help them to arrive safely. . . .

  Kate moaned again, and Rosanna’s heart went out to her suffering cousin. She would stay by Kate’s side as long as it took, waiting patiently for the twins’ birth.

  Reuben hadn’t seen so many folk in his house since before James and Benjamin had married and moved away. More were on hand than could possibly be of help, yet he was grateful for their presence, a sign of their care and concern for his mother. Presently, he attempted to occupy his father’s attention even as his mother was seriously ailing, but it was nearly impossible to keep Noah Fisher away from his bride of over sixty years. How thankful Reuben was that he’d fetched his Daed right quick after arriving home and learning of Mammi’s condition.

  Reuben struggled with the lump in his throat as Daed checked in with the doctor for probably the tenth time this hour, getting reports every few minutes. At last the doctor determined his mother should not be moved—at least not tonight. With Mammi ordered to bed rest, his parents would stay in the downstairs bedroom whether they liked fellowshipping with “Preacher Manny’s bunch” or not.

  Reuben helped the doctor get his mother into the spare room and settled on the edge of the bed. She was more coherent now and the color had returned to her face. The doctor had administered a diuretic to lower her blood pressure, as well as a medication to open her blood vessels, assuring them that, in time and with rest, she would recover.

  Betsy, ever thoughtful and kind, helped dress Reuben’s mother, offering one of her own nightgowns. Once she had settled her under the covers, she left Mamm alone with Dat, who remained there all during supper.

  After the trying events of the day, Reuben was eager to retire early for the night and told Betsy so. He would not tell her, however, of his encounter with outspoken Ephram this afternoon, because it would only serve to upset her more. Ephram had been awful hotheaded, saying some mighty hurtful things. “Best be cuttin’ the cord with Preacher Manny and come back where ya belong,” his son had spouted off, a deep frown of condemnation on his ruddy face. “You’re embarrassing your family . . . bein’ the focus of community criticism ’n’ all.”

  No doubt Ephram’s anger and disappointment had compelled him to say the disrespectful, even harsh, words. Yet Reuben had heard nearly the same from a whole group of men in Bishop Joseph’s barn, armed with spiteful threats. Preacher Lapp himself had put pressure on Reuben to sever his ties with Preacher Manny and return to the fellowship of the brethren. But that hadn’t smarted as much as his intimidating remark—“We’ll starve you out if you’re not careful, Reuben Fisher!”

  Never had Reuben thought someone’s beliefs could cause so much loathing. He’d headed home to seek refuge, only to find his mother suffering the aftereffects of an apparent stroke.

  What he needed most was Betsy’s tender touch on his brow, the loving way she had of caressing his cares away. Reuben went around extinguishing the gas lamps and then took Betsy by the hand to lead her upstairs.

  “Oh, he’s so tiny,” Rosanna said as Ruth Glick, the midwife, placed Kate’s son into her arms. She fought back tears, wanting to clearly see his wee red face, so wrinkled and sweet.

  “Say hullo to your first son,” Kate said weakly between more labor pains—the second baby was coming fast.

  Rosanna was surprised at how very light he felt in her arms. Nearly as tiny as a baby doll. Oh, the joy of cradling him so near! And to think a sister or brother was on the way.

  Soon her attention turned back to dear Kate, who was clearly struggling harder with this second birth. By the time the blanketed baby boy was replaced with an even smaller infant girl, Kate was unable to control her mournful cries, which shortly became muffled shrieks of pain.

  Something’s terribly wrong, thought Rosanna, wanting to shield the infant in her arms and to ease her poor, dear cousin’s pain.

  Rosanna did her best to keep her emotions in check as she held Kate’s hand. Her cousin reclined slightly in the backseat of the English neighbors’ car, groaning and gripping her abdomen. John was at her side, while Rosanna and Ruth Glick each held one of the babies. Rosanna wasn’t even sure which twin snuggled in the crook of her arm; they looked that much alike. But as rosy-faced as the babies were, they were too early and small, and their lungs might have difficulty with breathing. The hospital would keep them in an incubator for some days—possibly longer.

  This was not as disappointing as it was worrisome, but Rosanna would not borrow more anxiety than she was already experiencing, what with Kate bearing such enormous pain next to her.

  Kate’s neighbors had kindly offered to drive all of them, including helpful Ruth Glick. Such a crowd for one vehicle! On a day like this, Rosanna was thankful for the speed and warmth of the car as it raced toward the hospital. Anything to spare Kate’s life.

  I wish there was a way to alert Elias, thought Rosanna. She would like for him to join her at the hospital somehow, to meet their perfect children. Probably he sensed something was up, what with her still being away at this late hour.

  Are other couples as closely connected? she wondered.

  Outside, the shadowy landscape and occasional lights seemed to literally fly by . . . she’d never gone so fast in her life. Goodness, but she could scarcely focus her eyes on the lit houses and other cars. Was this what it was like to be fancy?

  She’d heard tell of a group of folk meeting over at Preacher Manny’s house and wondered if all of them would be driving cars next thing. Tractors, surely, as that was all es Gschwetz—the talk. She wondered if Elias might not have been upset at supper a couple weeks ago about all that ruckus, more than worried about not getting a boy.

  Well, he’s got himself a son after all . . . and I’ve got me a daughter.

  Now if the doctors could just help Kate . . . and get these little ones to a healthier weight, Rosanna and Elias could bring them home to the snug oak cradles Elias’s father had made. Then, and only then, would all be well.

  CHAPTER 32

  An hour before dawn, Nellie Mae rose and dressed to do all the baking for the day. When the last five pumpkin pies were out of the oven and cooling, she began mixing the eggs and milk for scrambled eggs for everyone.

  In spite of Dawdi’s protests, Mammi Fisher walked slowly from the bedroom to the kitchen table with the help of her cane. Looking much better this morning, she seemed terribly reluctant to sit at the same table with all of them, even though they were kin and had bedded her down for the night. This struck Nellie as ridiculous, but she had no desire to laugh. Who was her grandmother to arbitrarily slap the Bann on all of them, for pity’s sake?

  Dawdi was less inclined to hover today, Nellie noticed, and he and Dat slipped out to the barn together following breakfast, probably for a man-to-man talk.

  Rhoda and Mamma began to wash and dry the breakfast dishes as Mammi headed back to the bedroom for some more rest. Nan politely offered to tend to the bakery shop so Nellie could go and see if she could help out at Kate’s. Nellie could hardly wait to set eyes on the babies, so she took the pony and cart over to Beilers’, glad for her sister’s easygoing manner today.

  The pony cart shifted and skittled over the snow, and she wished she’d brought Dat’s old sleigh instead. Even so, the cold tranquility was soothing, just as her walk had been yesterday—prior to having words with Rhoda. She shook her head, wondering when Rhoda had become so direct.

  Like Mammi Fisher was with Mamma . . .

  When Nellie arrived at the Beilers’, she was stunned not to see a single buggy parked in the yard. She wouldn’t jump to conclusions, but she couldn’t help but think Kate might have needed some medical h
elp birthing the twins.

  Curiously, she peeked in the back door and saw Kate’s niece Lizzy playing with two of the younger children.

  “Come in,” Lizzy called at her knock, meeting her at the door. “If you’re lookin’ for Kate, she and the babies went to the hospital last night.”

  “Are the twins all right?”

  Lizzy grinned. “Ach, though ever so tiny . . . a boy and a girl.”

  Oh joy, one of each!

  “Did Rosanna King happen to stop by, do you know?” asked Nellie.

  A warm smile spread across Lizzy’s face. “Oh my, did she ever. Rosanna said the midwife handed the first twin—the boy—right into her arms nearly the second he was born.”

  Nellie felt like crying. “That’s so dear, ain’t?” She assumed Lizzy knew why Rosanna had been on hand for the births.

  Nodding, Lizzy agreed. “Kate’s the one they’re most worried about, I guess.”

  “Oh no. What’s a-matter?”

  “All I know is she needed to get to the hospital along with the babies, and right quick.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you’re here,” she told Lizzy.

  One of Kate’s toddlers howled in the kitchen behind them. “I’d better get back to bein’ a mother’s helper,” said Lizzy. “Come again, if you want.”

  Nellie said good-bye and returned to the pony cart. The hospital was much too far for this colt, even though it was one of Dat’s best trained. Had she brought the enclosed family buggy she might have considered making the trip to town. Besides, it was treacherous on the roads, especially with all the traffic and impatient Englischers.

  Somewhat disappointed, Nellie headed home, wishing she could offer something besides the rote prayer that now sprang to mind.

  The rooster’s sharp crowing nudged Nellie Mae awake at the break of dawn, and she jumped out of bed, having overslept this Lord’s Day.

  Mamma was waiting in the kitchen, already laying out fruit and cold cereal, her expression as gray as dusk. “Dat and I would like you to come along with us to Preacher Manny’s.”