The Beloved Christmas Quilt

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean; Brunstetter, Richelle

  “I’ll leave you to talk to your children.” Rachelle got up from the couch.

  “Thank you for watching my girls and letting me unburden my soul.” Karen rose with the baby.

  “That’s what friends are for. I’ll be praying about this.” Rachelle wrapped Karen in a warm hug.

  “Danki.” Karen appreciated her friend’s kindness and support. She knew some of the other women she’d gotten to know in Lykens would be equally compassionate.

  After Rachelle left, Karen took a seat again and looked over at Roseanna and Mary.

  “Momma, why are you so sad?” Roseanna asked.

  “I’m sad because your baby sister can’t hear.” Karen teared even more.

  “How do you know this?” Roseanna questioned.

  “The doctor tested Nancy Anne with equipment earlier today and found out she can’t hear.” Karen struggled hard to keep her emotions in check.

  “Can they make her hear again?” Roseanna held her baby sister’s delicate hand. Mary placed her hand on top of Roseanna’s.

  “I’m not sure, but we’ll all take good care of her, no matter what the outcome is.” Karen tried to be brave and positive. “I’ll tell your daed about Nancy Anne when he gets home later, so please don’t say anything, okay?”

  The girls nodded, their faces somber.

  Karen dreaded talking with Seth about their baby’s condition. How would he take this devastating news?

  Karen threw a casserole together for supper and had it cooking in the oven. She looked up at the kitchen clock. How would she tell Seth, and when should she tell him? She was still in shock, yet it fell to her to break the news to so many others in a calm and rational manner.

  The rumble of Mike’s rig pulling in made her look out the window. Seth’s normal day was about to be changed in a big way.

  She went over to Nancy Anne and checked her diaper. It needed to be changed, so she picked her up and headed to the nursery.

  The front door opened, and Seth announced he was home. Soon she heard the girls in the kitchen with their dad. Karen could hear him setting down his lunch box and sliding a chair out while talking to Roseanna and Mary.

  She finished up with Nancy Anne and brought her out to the living room. Karen watched her husband come out and take a seat. “How long till dinner’s ready?” he asked.

  “About a half hour.” Karen placed Nancy Anne on a blanket on the floor and then plopped down in the rocker.

  “What a day.” Seth groaned. “That Stan guy sure can get on one’s nerves.”

  Karen sat and listened.

  “I’d better go out and feed the animals, even though I’m beat,” he grumbled.

  “First, I need to talk to you.” Karen licked her lips.

  “Can it wait till I get done?” Seth tapped his foot.

  “No. I need to tell you what happened at Nancy Anne’s appointment.”

  “Okay.” Seth sat up in his seat, giving her his complete attention.

  “The doctor ran tests on her vision and hearing.” Karen’s voice broke.

  “What’s wrong?” He kept his eyes glued on her.

  “It’s not so good. After he tested her hearing, he seemed serious, but he didn’t say why.” She paused. “Then we had to wait in his office for the results.”

  “So what are the results?” Seth leaned forward.

  “Well…” Karen hesitated when Mary stepped into the room.

  Seth looked at her, then he got up. “Maybe we should talk later.”

  “Our girls already know about Nancy Anne.” Karen rose and motioned for Mary to go back upstairs. She was pleased when her daughter did what she was told.

  “What do they know about her?” His voice raised.

  “If you will please sit down, I’ll tell you.”

  Seth did as she asked.

  “The results on our baby aren’t good.” She started to choke up.

  “What’s wrong with her. Just say it.” His form grew rigid.

  “Nancy Anne cannot hear.”

  His face turned red. “What do you mean, she can’t hear?”

  “Nancy Anne is deaf, and we’ll need to learn sign language.” Karen sat quietly, her vision blurred with tears.

  “I can’t believe this. I’m already having a difficult time at work. I’ve got a lot of chores around here to do.” Seth stood up. “I don’t want to learn sign language.” He headed for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Karen stood up.

  “I need to take care of the animals.”

  “When you come back in, I’ll have supper on the table.” She stepped over to him and placed her hand gently on his arm.

  “I’m not having anything to eat. I’ve lost my appetite.” He turned away and went outside, slamming the door.

  Feeling like she had been slapped, Karen hurried down the hall to the guest room. She closed the door, pulled the beloved heirloom quilt from the bed, and wrapped herself in it. She fell across the bed and sobbed deeply, muffling her cries in the bedding. The Christmas quilt seemed to bring her closer to Mom. Karen felt isolated from her husband. Seth seemed to be in denial and had pulled away from her. She looked for the embroidered scripture on the quilt backing and ran her finger over the raised stitching while reading it. Then, she prayed that God would heal her family. Whatever the outcome, she would accept His will.

  Karen dried her eyes, remade the bed, and hurried out to the kitchen. Her daughters came into the room with downcast expressions. Karen had a feeling her girls had spoken about their baby sister to each other. “I’m pulling the casserole out of the oven.” She put on the hot mitts. “Could you two see how Nancy Anne is doing?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Roseanna grabbed Mary’s hand, and they both darted out of the kitchen.

  As Karen grabbed the wheat bread out of the refrigerator, she heard Roseanna in the other room talking to Nancy Anne. “It’s okay if you can’t hear me, baby sister. I love you.”

  “Me, too, sister,” Mary chimed in.

  Karen’s heart ached, listening to her daughters. They were dealing with this sad news better than their own father.

  She buttered the bread and set it on the table, wondering if she should remove her husband’s plate. She hoped Seth would decide to eat, after all, so she left his plate as it was.

  When supper was ready, she called her daughters in to eat. Karen made up some cereal for Nancy Anne. The baby sat perfectly in her highchair these days, and she waited patiently for her food.

  “Is Dad coming?” Roseanna asked.

  “He might join us, but he’s outside working right now.” Karen lowered her head. “Let’s pray.”

  When they’d finished praying, she helped dish Mary’s food on her plate then set the casserole near Roseanna. Once Roseanna had dished up some casserole, Karen passed the bread to them.

  The girls nibbled on their food, while Nancy Anne ate like a champ. Why shouldn’t she? Her silent world hadn’t changed at all.

  “You are sure enjoying your cereal.” Karen smiled at her daughter.

  Nancy Anne smiled and wiggled her legs in her seat.

  “She’s happy, Momma. Look how she is eating.” Roseanna picked up her slice of bread and took a big bite.

  “I’m happy, too.” Mary hopped down and came over to Karen.

  Karen was about to tell her to sit back down, when she heard the back door open.

  Mary dashed over and returned with her dad, holding his hand.

  “You go back and sit down now.” Seth nudged her toward the table.

  “Come eat with us.” Roseanna looked up at him.

  “I don’t feel like eating right now. I’ll just grab some water.” He sauntered over to the cupboard and pulled out a glass.

  Mary sat back in her chair and looked at her dad as he was filling his glass at the sink.

  “It’s okay. Eat your dinner, Mary.” Karen spoke in a calm tone as she fed Nancy Anne another spoonful of cereal.

  Seth drank his glass of water
and set it in the sink. Then he walked out of the room and headed toward the bathroom.

  Karen tried to eat her meal along with the children, even though her appetite had disappeared.

  After they’d all finished their food and cleared the table. Karen took Nancy Anne to the nursery. Seth had gone back outside to work. She wondered how the night would play out. He wasn’t acting at all like his usual self, and of course with good reason. Actually none of us are being our normal selves. The only exception is the baby.

  Karen changed Nancy Anne and laid her in the crib. The baby’s eyes drooped. Her little one had had a busy day at the doctor’s with all the shots and tests. Karen stood watching her daughter slip off to sleep. What will Nancy Anne’s life be like someday? Will everyone accept her the way she is? Can our daughter live a normal life?

  Later that evening when the children had gone to bed, Seth sat in the living room, his shoulders slumped in the chair. He stared blankly at the latest issue of The Budget.

  “I’m tired.” Karen yawned. “Maybe I’ll get ready for bed.”

  Seth looked up at her briefly and nodded.

  Karen got up and walked to their bedroom. She took her hair out of its bun and grabbed the brush on the dresser. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she began brushing her long hair. Karen continued for a bit then set the brush back in its spot. She grabbed her nightclothes and went into the bathroom to change.

  She heard their bedroom door open, followed by the squeak of a dresser drawer. Karen continued flossing her teeth, hoping to find Seth in a better mood. She stepped out of the bathroom and saw Seth leaning against his dresser with his arms folded.

  “I’ll need to call my folks about Nancy Anne.” Karen sighed.

  “I’m not wanting to call my parents to tell them this news.”

  “You need to, and the sooner the better.”

  “I’m not going to call them.” His face reddened.

  Karen stiffened. “Seth, you need to accept this and deal with it.”

  “I don’t want to talk anymore about this. I’ve got enough on my plate right now.” He clasped his hands behind his back and dropped his gaze to the floor.

  Karen began to cry. “You are being unreasonable.” She choked on a sob. “I’m not sleeping in here. I just can’t.”

  “Fine, have it your way!” He jerked the covers back.

  She rushed out of the bedroom, straight for the guest room. How can I deal with this myself if he’s not willing to talk about it?

  CHAPTER 7

  The early fall morning was cool and cloudy. After Karen placed her sleeping baby in the playpen, she walked outside, carrying a couple of small baskets. Her two young daughters followed along. She caught sight of Seth standing near the barn with his arms folded, watching her. His ride would be here soon, and he would be on his way.

  Karen trudged through the thick grass to check on her garden. Roseanna and Mary stopped to watch a bumblebee on one of the roses.

  Karen squatted next to the garden and was about to pick a tomato when Seth approached. “We need to talk.”

  She gave an impatient huff. “About what?”

  “About us.” He tapped his foot. “About you moving to the guest room. How long are you going to let this go on?”

  “When you apologize for your lack of support and can accept our baby’s disability.”

  “I have accepted it.” Seth’s voice rose. “What other choice do I have? You just expect too much of me, Karen. Nothing I say or do ever seems good enough.”

  Roseanna ran up to them, her chin trembling. “Daddy, why are you yelling at Momma?”

  “I’m not yelling. We’re having a discussion.”

  Mary came over to Karen with tears in her eyes. She, too, looked visibly shaken.

  Mike’s rig pulled into the yard, and Karen didn’t think she’d ever been happier to see it. The sooner Seth left, the faster she could calm the girls.

  “Good-bye,” Seth mumbled. He sprinted to the truck.

  When it left the yard, Karen hugged her daughters.

  “Help me find all the red tomatoes. They can be hiding anywhere, so look carefully.”

  Mary crouched next to Karen. She held Big Ears in one hand.

  “This is like a game,” Roseanna commented.

  Karen picked at the tomatoes, barely able to focus on the task. All she could think about was her argument with Seth. Why did he not see that he wasn’t giving her the support she needed?

  “Look, Mom, here’s what I’ve picked.” Roseanna showed her the pretty red fruit.

  “Me, too! Me, too!” Mary had a couple green tomatoes resting in her cupped hands.

  “Wait, Mary, those are green ones, and they aren’t ready yet to eat. Just pick this color.” Karen showed her the basket of red cherry tomatoes.

  Mary nodded then reached out and pulled off an orange one from the bush. “Look, Mamm!”

  “That’s right, Mary.” Karen patted her arm.

  After they’d picked off all the ripened fruit, Karen stood for a moment, enjoying the view of her surroundings. The sun had finally broken through the clouds. Karen thought she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She shielded her vision with her hand but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Roseanna and Mary stood beside her, watching a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the grass.

  Mary pointed. “Hass.”

  “Why don’t you two go talk to Star, the bunny, while I peek in on Nancy Anne?”

  They both nodded and dashed off.

  Karen picked up both baskets and plodded back to the house. Once inside, she placed the tomatoes on the counter next to the sink. Karen turned and saw Nancy Anne move in her playpen, but she was simply stirring in her sleep. Karen tiptoed back outside and headed for her two older daughters.

  Both of the girls came running toward her.

  “The bunny is gone!” Roseanna’s cheeks were flushed.

  “Hass! Hass!” Mary tripped with Big Ears, nearly taking a spill.

  “Star is missing?” Karen rested her hands on her hips. “We should take a good look around the yard.”

  “I’m going to keep looking near his cage.” Roseanna turned around and headed back to the rabbit’s area.

  Mary stayed with Karen, and they walked together toward some thick shrubs.

  “These plants and shrubs can make a good hiding spot for any rabbit,” Karen commented.

  A rustling came from some small, moving grasses. Star hopped out from behind a plant. Mary pointed and began to jump and squeal.

  “Roseanna, we found Star. He’s over here by us!” Karen yelled.

  “Oh, good, he’s been found.” Roseanna ran over and bent down to pick up Star. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” She cuddled the silky-haired pet.

  Mary reached out and petted the little fella. She looked up at Karen with her sweet smile.

  “How about after lunch, the four of us ride into Lykens and go to the library?” Karen scratched behind the bunny’s ears.

  “That sounds like fun.” Roseanna held Star up close to her face and nuzzled him.

  “Mir! Mir!” Mary tried to get close.

  “Let Mary see Star. When she says, ‘Me, me,’ she really wants to do the same thing.” Karen rested her hand on Roseanna’s shoulder.

  After Mary was reassured about Star’s well-being, Karen announced, “We should put Star away into his cage and go back to the house.”

  When they were back inside, Karen made lunch, and the girls washed up. She thought about how weeks ago, she’d talked to the receptionist about scheduling an appointment with the specialist for Nancy Anne. Adjusting to their youngest daughter’s situation wasn’t the easiest thing to do, and she and Seth were dealing with it in very different ways. He left her the job of contacting family and friends. She’d called her folks and left a message about Nancy Anne. She’d also called Seth’s folks because he never followed through with them.

  From everything she could discover, no one else in the area
or from their hometowns had dealt with a child facing this condition, so there was no one whose experiences they could learn from. The whole situation was uncharted territory, but at least they had their families’ promises that they’d keep Karen and Seth and little Nancy Anne in their prayers.

  After Karen, Roseanna, and Mary ate their lunch and things were put away, Karen asked the girls to find their library books. She’d changed Nancy Anne and replenished the diaper bag for their trip into Lykens this afternoon. Karen went out to hitch up Millie.

  They rode together in the closed buggy to town. Beautifully colored leaves fluttered down from the trees.

  “I like to go to the library, Mom,” Roseanna commented.

  “I like to go to the library, Mom.” Mary slipped the pink clog on that had fallen off her sock-covered foot.

  “Stop repeating everything I say!” Roseanna shouted.

  Mary whimpered. “You’re not nice.”

  “You’re not nice when you copycat all the time.”

  “Do not.”

  “Do so.”

  Karen glanced over her shoulder. “That’s enough, you two.” If you don’t stop fussing at each other, I’ll turn the horse and buggy around and go home.”

  The girls settled down.

  “Remember, in the library we need to be quiet.” Karen reminded them.

  “Nancy Anne doesn’t know what that means,” Roseanna replied.

  “Jah, but she shouldn’t be too noisy there.” Karen snapped the reins, getting Millie to move quicker.

  Nancy Anne was wide awake, and she liked to have attention from her sisters. She’d play by putting her hand out for either Roseanna or Mary to hold.

  They reached the library parking area and pulled up to the hitching rail. After Karen secured both the buggy and horse, she held the baby carrier while she helped the girls out with their books.

  Once inside, they headed to the return desk to drop off their books. Then they went over to the children’s section. In no time the girls were sitting and looking through their choices.

  “Girls, can you stay right here and flip through the pages of the books you have?” Karen asked.

  They nodded.