by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean; Brunstetter, Richelle
“Okay, I won’t be long.” Karen toted Nancy Anne in the baby carrier over to a different section. She looked for another sign language book to learn what she could. Someday I’ll be glad that I studied signing, but only if Nancy Anne can’t be helped by the specialists. Too bad Seth has no interest in learning. Is he just being stubborn, or is he still in denial?
Karen came back to her girls. “Do you have some books picked out yet?” She looked at their choices.
“Guck, Mamm.” Mary held the book out to Karen.
“I’ll look at your book.” She turned a few pages and gave it back. “This is a good one Mary.”
“How about mine, Momma?” Roseanna’s voice was quiet.
Karen thumbed through her choice and then looked up at the library clock. “I think yours is good, too. Let’s go check out our books, and maybe we’ll have time for one more stop.”
“Where?” Roseanna tilted her head.
“You’ll see.” Karen set her books on the counter for the librarian. Her daughters did the same.
After they completed checking out the books, the four rode in the buggy. Karen pulled into the drive-in parking lot. “Would anyone like an ice-cream cone?”
“Yippee! Yippee!” Mary jumped off her seat.
“Yippee, Momma!” Roseanna shouted.
Karen was happy to treat her girls to something special. After the argument they’d witnessed between her and Seth this morning, the girls were feeling the tension. Since she’d moved to the guest room to sleep, she and Seth were barely speaking to each other. She was struggling with her faith right now. Normally Karen looked to Seth for help, but between the situation at work and his inability to cope with Nancy Anne’s disability, he didn’t seem to be dealing too well with his own issues.
Seth rode along after work with Mike. His old green truck had been leaking water from the front of the engine for days, and the noise was getting louder.
Mike pulled off to the side of the road and turned off the ignition. “I can’t keep putting water into this radiator. I’m gonna call for a tow truck and have them drop it off at the garage for repair.” Mike pulled out his cell phone, found the number, and called.
Seth got out of Mike’s rig to take a look at it. “Yep, there’s a good-sized puddle underneath the front, and it’s still dripping.”
Mike nodded at Seth but continued talking to the tow place. A few seconds later he stuck his head out the driver’s side window. “They’ll be here soon. I’m calling my wife now. She can pick us up, and then we’ll drop you off at your place.”
Seth smiled. “Okay.” He leaned against the truck. It was nice working on Bishop John’s new wall. The staggered blocks looked real nice, and Stan wasn’t there. He shook his head. But I’ll be working with him tomorrow, and I’ll try to do as the bishop suggested and be kinder to Stan. Seth lumbered back into the truck and watched Mike as he looked through some paperwork.
Minutes later the tow truck pulled up, and Mike hopped out to talk to the driver. Not long after, a red minivan pulled up behind Mike’s rig. Seth got out and chatted with the tow truck driver as he began setting things up. Mike called Seth over to meet his wife. The green truck was hoisted up onto the flatbed of the rig and hauled away.
Mike opened the side door to the minivan and moved a black cowboy hat to the backseat. “Here, Seth. Get in.”
He climbed in and located the safety belt, while Mike closed the door. Seth noticed the pink camo seat covers up front. Even the woman’s fancy purse was in a camo print. The interior of the van reeked of perfume, but what could he do? Seth sure couldn’t hold his breath the whole way home.
Mike’s wife, Jane, drove down the road, humming to a country song playing on the radio. Mike hummed, too, for a moment. Then he turned to Seth. “Pheasant hunting will be coming up in a couple of months. Would you be interested in going with me?”
Seth grinned. “I’d like to go.”
Mike looked over at his wife. “I’d like to do an overnight trip and would use the small trailer.”
Jane patted her husband’s arm. “You’ve been working so hard. You deserve some fun.”
“How about it, Seth?” Mike turned toward him once more.
“I’ll definitely give that some thought.” Seth twiddled his thumbs.
They pulled into his driveway, and he said good-bye, closing the van door. Seth watched them turn around and leave. He liked how nice Jane was to Mike about the hunting trip and wished he and Karen could get along like that again. Seth had told Mike about his daughter’s plight, but the conversation hadn’t lifted his burden.
Seth came in through the kitchen door. “Hello, I’m home.”
His daughters raced into the room with hugs for him. Karen came into the kitchen with Nancy Anne on her hip.
Seth put his lunch box on the counter and came over to Karen. “How’s Nancy Anne doing?”
“She’s doing okay.” Karen shifted her weight. “Supper’s almost on the table. Everything is ready.”
“I’ll go wash up, then.” Seth moved away and headed for the bathroom.
When he returned, they prayed and ate their supper of roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. Karen kept looking at him, and it made Seth wonder what she was thinking.
“Whose van were you in?” Her brows furrowed.
“That minivan belongs to Mike’s wife, and we were in it because his truck had an issue after work today. His green rig is at the garage for repairs on the water pump.” Seth scooted up in his chair.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Karen sipped her iced tea. “Otherwise, how are things at work?” She leaned a bit forward, setting down her glass.
“Tomorrow I’ll be working with Stan again. Need I say more?” His face contorted.
“Sorry to hear that.” Karen fed a spoonful of cereal to Nancy Anne.
“Why am I having to work with the guy?” Seth moaned.
His daughters looked over at him but kept eating their mashed potatoes.
Seth felt totally bummed and didn’t even want to go to work in the morning. He ate the rest of his meal in silence then retreated to the living room.
Karen put the rest of the leftovers from supper away in the refrigerator. Nancy Anne sat in her carrier, smiling and playfully kicking about. “I haven’t forgotten about you, baby girl.” Karen started to fill the sink with hot water and added dish soap to it.
Roseanna stood by Mary and the baby.
Karen turned off the water. Then she handed her oldest daughter the rinsed-out sponge. “Please wipe the table off, Roseanna.”
She complied, and Karen took Nancy Anne down to the nursery. When they returned, she noticed her daughters were in the living room. They were telling their daed about their day. Karen sat the baby in her playpen and went into the kitchen to do the dishes.
“I wish Dad would be happier,” Roseanna whispered, having slipped in to stand next to Karen.
She nodded at her daughter and rinsed off a plate.
“I told him what fun we had today, but Dad still looks sad.” Roseanna’s voice trailed.
Karen sighed. “It’ll get better around here, just give it more time.”
“I’m gonna go upstairs and look at my books with Mary.” Her daughter shrugged and left the room.
Karen heard Roseanna call Mary to join her up in their room.
I can’t get over what I’ve just told my eldest daughter. “It’ll get better around here, just give it more time.” Karen blew out a breath. It’s been strenuous for weeks in this house between Seth and me. She bowed her head. Lord, help us tonight. I need my husband back, and we both need You to help us out. Thank You. Amen.
When Karen was done praying, she felt a little better, knowing God was in control. She finished washing the dishes and left most of them to dry. Karen went out to the living room and took a seat in the rocking chair. Her husband’s shoulders drooped, and he sat quietly looking out the window. Karen looked away and watched Nancy Anne playing with a toy ball. Th
e silence, as usual, was deafening, but she couldn’t help feeling sorry for how distraught Seth was.
Karen cleared her throat. “Was supper all right this evening?”
“It was fine.” He turned and looked at her. “I’ve just been thinking. When does Nancy Anne go in for that visit to the specialist?”
“I’ll have to look on the calendar. It was a way’s out. The ear specialist’s secretary left a message about the doctor’s vacation coming up. So that moved some of the patients’ dates out, like our daughter’s.” Karen rocked in her chair.
“The date doesn’t matter, because whenever it is, I’m going with you.” His voice cracked. “I owe you an apology, Karen. When I saw how our girls reacted to me being so sad this evening, I realized I’ve been so caught up in my own problems, that I’ve neglected your needs as well as the children’s. When we learned about Nancy Anne’s problem, instead of working with you to deal with our difficulties, I turned inward and only thought about myself. Will you forgive me?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Jah, I forgive you Seth, and thank you so much for offering your support by coming with me to that appointment.” She smiled and got up. “I’d like some coffee. How about you?”
Seth pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “I could use a cup after the day I’ve had.”
She got them their hot drinks and went back to the living room. Karen handed Seth his coffee. “Tell me all about your day.” She took her seat in the rocker.
They visited over an hour before tucking the children in bed. Tonight, Karen did not go to the guest room. She came into their bedroom and found comfort in her husband’s arms. She would not return to the guest room again. Her place was here with Seth. Karen wondered if things from now on would improve, or was this just one night of joy and peace?
CHAPTER 8
Karen separated the clothes for washing. Seth’s work pants and shirts smelled heavily of cigarette smoke. That could only mean her poor husband had worked around Stan again. She threw his dark items into a separate load in the washer and started the machine.
It was a crisp, sunny afternoon in November, and the girls were wearing jackets as they sat on the steps just outside, blowing bubbles. Karen heard them giggling and having a good time together. She grabbed her signing book off the kitchen table and found a page to practice from. Seth still wasn’t interested in any of it, but at least he’d shown interest in going to their baby’s first hearing appointment.
Weeks ago, they’d gone to the clinic together with Nancy Anne. The doctor had gone over the information from the baby’s pediatrician. He’d asked them if their child had shown any other problems or symptoms since she had been born. Neither of them could come up with anything specific.
Karen held Nancy Anne in her lap during the checkup. Dr. Bulcan checked her ears with an instrument and a light for any wax buildup. Then a number of other tests were done on their baby girl, but none of them were painful, and the visit took about an hour. So far the specialist hadn’t detected any signs of hearing.
Karen tried to be strong and didn’t want to worry. It wouldn’t help Nancy Anne get better. She stopped practicing, closed the book, and set it on top of the refrigerator.
Roseanna hurried in with Mary. “Momma, can we have some juice?”
“Jah, there’s apple cider in the refrigerator.” Karen stood and got her daughters their drinks.
“Mmm… this juice is good.” Roseanna licked her lips.
Mary wiped her mouth with her dainty hand. “Das gut, Mamm.”
“Apple juice is good, and it’s healthy for you, too.” Karen smiled and got Nancy Anne from the playpen.
Roseanna took another sip of her juice. “Momma, when can I go to school?”
“When you are six years old before school starts again next fall.” Karen sat down at the table with Nancy Anne. She playfully bounced the baby on her knee. “That’s less than a year away.” Karen shook her head. “Jah, Roseanna, you’ll have fun learning new things.”
She nodded.
“I talked to Rachelle yesterday. We’ll be going over there today to visit.” Karen looked at her daughters.
“I’d like to do that.” Roseanna finished her drink.
Mary drank her juice then set the cup down. “Ash, kumme?”
“Sure, we can use our new horse Ash to come along today.” Karen stood with the baby. “Let me take care of Nancy Anne first. You two can put your cups in the sink and bring in your bubble stuff. Then you’ll need to get ready.” She headed out of the kitchen.
Karen couldn’t wait to go over to her friend’s place. Seth wasn’t going to be home this evening. He’d gone hunting with Mike and wouldn’t be back until sometime tomorrow. Karen nursed Nancy Anne and put her in a fresh diaper. She made sure she had everything her daughters might need. Karen looked forward to a visit with Rachelle and knew their children would enjoy playing together.
Seth was thrilled with Karen’s positive attitude about him going hunting and getting out of the house. He needed some “guy time” that wasn’t work related. Seth was geared up to go hunting with Mike and hoped he’d get his prize to bring home. They’d arrived after work and set up camp. Seth still had the issue of their baby’s deafness to deal with, as well as Karen’s occasional moodiness over missing her family, but he hoped to gain some perspective while he was here. Since Seth had Friday and Saturday off, he could enjoy this hunting break.
He and Mike walked into an area, watching and listening for signs of pheasant. They crouched, and Mike set his firearm down beside him. He put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small bag of jerky. “Would you like some?” He held the open end toward Seth.
“All right, I could use a snack.” He grabbed a couple of pieces.
So far things were quiet, and the men talked low, hoping their prey would show themselves.
Seth stuck his hand into a deep front pocket and pulled out a bottle of water. “I think this is a good way to spend a Friday after work.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Mike took a drink from his canteen.
Seth stood up slowly and looked around the vast meadow. A small creek fed the area. He reached for the binoculars around his neck and looked through them for a while.
“I’ve gotten birds here before, and maybe we both will come home with something to show for our time today.” Mike stood and glanced around, too. “Well, do you see anything?”
“So far I haven’t.” Seth continued to look through the binoculars.
Mike walked over and took a seat at the base of a tree. “I’m gonna take a load off.”
“Go ahead. I might join you in a bit.” He continued scanning the area, but eventually he joined Mike under the tree. Seth reached into another pocket and pulled out a bag full of popcorn. Mike worked on more jerky but took a handful after Seth offered it to him. They sat shooting the breeze and snacking.
“I hope those steaks I’ve got in the cooler will be good.” Mike stared straight ahead.
“They will be. With the highs today in the fifties, the heat from the outdoor grill this evening will feel good.”
“The meat will smell good, too.” Mike folded up the jerky bag and crammed it in his pocket.
Minutes later, Seth heard the call of a pheasant and jumped up. Mike leaped to his feet, too.
“I hope there are a couple running together for us.” Mike looked around.
Seth grabbed his binoculars again and began combing the landscape.
“Anything so far?” Mike’s voice elevated. “I should’ve remembered to grab my field glasses from the trailer before we left camp.”
“Nothing yet. I’ll keep looking.” Seth stepped forward. “I hope it shows itself soon.”
Seth waited with patience as time ticked on. Then another call rang out from a different direction. Soon Seth saw movement out near a fir tree. He pointed and gave Mike his binoculars to take a look.
“I see it over there. Here’s your field glasses back,
Seth. I’m gonna try and get ’em.” Mike pulled his firearm up close to line up the site. Then the shot echoed through the meadow.
Another bird scared out of hiding flew into the air. Seth took his turn and fired at it. The feathers flew when he hit his pheasant. The men looked at each other, smiling as they started walking toward their targets.
“Well, let’s see how I did.” Seth kept walking a ways. His shot had gone farther out, closer to the creek.
Mike walked and then stopped, glancing around for a moment. “Hey!” He held up his prize. “What do you think?”
“Very nice!” Seth shouted then started walking again. He’d reached the spot where he thought the bird had dropped. Puzzled, Seth walked around for a bit.
His friend, carrying his bird, walked toward Seth. Mike soon pointed to the ground. “Your pheasant’s right here.”
“You’re kidding.” Seth shook his head and chuckled. “In the excitement I lost my focus.”
“It don’t matter because you’ve caught a nice-sized pheasant.” Mike laughed. “This one I’m holding might look good stuffed and sitting in my den at home.”
“I might do that one of these days, but mine will be supper.” He picked up his bird and looked at it. “Well, what do you think? Should we take these back to camp?”
“Might as well. I can fire up the heater in the trailer then get the grill started.” Mike started strolling back to camp.
Seth walked along with him, glad he’d come this weekend. He couldn’t wait to eat and relax this evening.
When they got back to camp, Mike got things going. He started up the heater in the trailer and then set up the portable grill on his tailgate.
Seth grabbed the folding chairs from the truck bed and set them near the warming grill.
“I’m gonna give my wife a quick call before I start cooking the steaks.” Mike slipped into the cab of his pickup, while Seth sat in one of the chairs, nibbling on the remainder of his popcorn.
Mike emerged a few minutes later, putting his cell phone back in his pocket. “After I was done talking to Jane my phone buzzed again. It was Stan. He’s out here hunting, too.”