by Sarah Price
Everyone else had moved along with their own lives during the week. After all, animals needed feeding and milking while crops needed tending. Of course, the evening meal was often brought in by different women in the community while on the weekends, people visited with Menno and the children. But during the week, Mary Ruth was becoming the primary caregiver during the workweek. She was too young to be burdened with this responsibility and Anna made a mental note to discuss this with Isaac, Elias, and Miriam.
She returned to the kitchen to prepare a plate for Melvin. Rachel and Lizzie were beginning to wash dishes in Leah’s sink while several other women began to refill dishes of food for the second seating. Anna grabbed a towel and began to dry the dishes as fast as her two sister-in-laws could wash them.
“Elijah’s headed to a doctor this week,” Rachel said, her voice flat but the stress clearly apparent.
Looking up from the sink, Lizzie stared at her sister. “You don’t say?” Lizzie asked. “Whatever for? He looks fit as a fiddle.”
Something flashed in Rachel’s expression that wasn’t lost on either Lizzie or Anna. It was as if a dark shadow passed before her. For that moment, she looked far away and removed from the situation. “It’s his cough,” she said. “Just won’t go away. Never heard of a flu lasting this long, especially without fever. And he’s always so tired.”
Lizzie glanced over Rachel’s shoulder to meet Anna’s eyes. No words needed to be shared between them. The look was enough. If Elijah was going to the doctor and Rachel was supporting it, something was clearly wrong. “It’s just a cough, nee?”
With a simple shrug, Rachel stared straight ahead while washing the dishes. “I reckon,” she said. And with that, the conversation was over.
The first seating was over and the younger women began to hustle around the tables collecting silverware, cups, and plates that needed washing. The kitchen was a flurry of activity that, on first glance, would seem chaotic and disorganized, but on closer inspection, moved in a rhythmic flow. Clearly everyone knew what needed to be done and how to do it without asking for directives or getting in each other’s way.
Leah hurried over, baby Jacob on her hip. She huffed and jostled him as she approached the sink. “Lizzie,” she snapped. “I’m finished and can take over here if you’re willing to tend to baby Jacob.” She held the baby out as if passing a sack of potatoes.
She was surprised to see Lizzie shake her head. “You get one of the girls to tend to Jacob while you help. Those dochders of mine would be more than glad to help. They dote on your boppli and are more than capable, Leah.” Lizzie stared over her sister’s head, searching the room for her oldest daughter. When she caught Susan’s eye, she motioned for her daughter to come and pointed to the baby in Leah’s arms.
For a moment, Leah looked as though she would talk back and argue with Lizzie. What could a young girl know about tending a special needs baby? One with Downs Syndrome?, but with a stern glare cast in Leah’s direction, Lizzie dared her to speak back against her suggestion.
Rachel chuckled as Leah hurried off, looking for one of Lizzie’s daughters. For some reason, they were all too aware that Leah was reluctant to leave the boppli with anyone else. She cradled that child from sunrise to sunset, barely letting anyone hold him. It was as if she thought they would break the infant. But Lizzie had a way with Leah and, for that, Rachel was grateful.
“Need to see more of you, Lizzie,” Rachel said. “Gets tiresome dealing with this all by myself.”
Flapping her hand in the air, Lizzie dismissed her. “Never known you to be one to stand down to anyone, especially our younger sister,” she stated.
“Speaking of younger sisters,” Rachel started. “I’m surprised that Sylvia didn’t attend today. It’s rare to have everyone together but I thought they might show up.”
Before Lizzie could respond, Leah returned and quickly accessed the kitchen. The other women were busy helping and Leah took a loud breath, taking charge of her own kitchen at last. “You ladies go eat now,” she said with a forced smile. “Thank you for letting me tend the kinner but I can take over now,” she added, a little too loudly for Anna’s taste.
As the sister-in-law that lived with Miriam and Elias, Anna had always felt a little on the outside of the sisters. After all, they had grown up together, living on the very farm where Anna now raised her children. And the sisters were different. For the most part, they were confident and firm in their convictions, the only exception being Leah. Anna suspected that they were closer to each other than to Miriam. That suited Anna just fine, especially since she looked to Miriam as a second mother.
She felt relieved when Lovina approached her. Having shared the first seating with the other women, Lovina was now ready to assist so that these women could enjoy some food and conversation.
Lovina was a shy young woman who, Anna suspected, also felt as though she lived in the shadows of the other sisters. James was the second oldest son but had married later in life, taking on a younger bride who made his eyes sparkle. But no one had been able to get too close to Lovina. They lived further away from the other families and it was on a rare occasion that they traveled to visit. James’ dairy farm was too time consuming to permit many social visits.
“Such a treat to see you!” Anna said with genuine feeling toward her sister-in-law. She had always suspected that, if Lovina lived closer, they would have formed a stronger friendship.
“Danke,” Lovina said softly. Then, lifting her eyes, so brown and doe-like, she looked at Rachel and Lizzie. “How many I help?”
Ignoring Leah’s huff at being passed over in her own house for instruction, Lizzie pointed toward the sink. “Best be washing those plates. Second seating is just about ready. Leah, you could help, ja?”
Anna saw the look of panic in Lovina’s eyes. Lovina was too shy to stand up against Leah. That was a known fact. Leah would bulldoze her with directions and instructions, happy to finally have someone that was intimidated by her. “I’ll help Lovina,” Anna quickly volunteered. Then, with a smile at Leah, she added, “Besides, I’m sure Leah will want to direct the passing of the desserts, ja?”
Lovina and Anna washed the plates silently at first, creating a quick assembly line for scraping, washing, rinsing, and drying. It didn’t take long for the room to begin to clear out. The younger children were outside playing in the yard. Mothers with young babies were nursing in the sunshine while catching up on the latest news. The unmarried youth were seated now, enjoying their midday meal. And the men were standing along the periphery, talking amongst each other.
“Is it true?” Lovina asked quietly. “About Eleanor Haile and the horses?”
For a moment, Anna didn’t understand the question. Why would Lovina care about Eleanor Haile, she wondered. “You mean that she’s boarding them at the Miller farm behind Menno Yoder’s place?”
“Heard little Katie is going to be riding one of her ponies,” Lovina answered. “Does that mean Eleanor Haile will be around more often, then?”
“I reckon so,” Anna answered, choosing her words carefully. She was still puzzled as to why Lovina would know or care about Eleanor Haile. The expression on Lovina’s face was equally puzzling: she looked openly concerned. “Eleanor’s coming down this week, I’m told, and Katie will be going out to the farm to ride for the first time. If it goes well, Isaac said the pony could come back to our farm so that Katie can ride it more and take care of it.” She handed a dish to Lovina. “Time she learned more responsibility.”
As if on cue, Katie appeared beside her mamm and tugged gently on her dress. She stared up at her mamm with big eyes and waited patiently for Anna to dry her hands on her apron. “You have that plate for Melvin, ja?” Katie asked.
“Over there,” Anna said, pointing to the counter. The plate had been set aside and was covered with a plain towel. “I think I saw him slip outside. Might be in the barn with the other kinner.”
Katie nodded and reached for the plate. Hesita
ting, she turned back for a fork and knife. She noticed that Anna smiled at her, clearly impressed with Katie’s thoughtfulness. Ever since her daed had agreed to the pony, Katie had been trying…really trying…to hold up her end of the bargain, even before Eleanor had actually picked her up to go riding.
Only four days, she told herself. Four days until she could meet her new pony and spend time caring for its mane, hooves, and tail. She couldn’t wait to groom it, to hug it, to breathe in its earthy scent.
She found Melvin Yoder sitting on the back porch. It looked out over the fields toward his own daed’s farm. Her feet stopped moving as she watched him, wondering if that was the field where his mamm had died. A shiver crawled up her spine.Where his mamm died in front of him, she thought. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she forced back the tears. It made her so sad to think of Melvin Yoder without his mamm. No, she corrected herself.Anyone without a mamm made her sad.
“Melvin?” she said softly, not wishing to startle him. “My mamm sent me with some food. Reckon you’d be hungry, ja?”
He turned around, his face pale with dark circles under his eyes. It took him a moment to recognize her, especially since it had been well over a month since they had met at the funeral. But when she smiled at him, a soft smile that was full of understanding, he remembered her as Mary Ruth’s niece, the one who had been so kind to him at his mamm’s service.
Without a word, he took the plate and moved over so that Katie could sit next to him. He remained silent as he ate, slowly picking at his food with his fork. Katie watched him for a minute, torn between returning inside to help the women and staying here to keep Melvin company. When he glanced up at her, the sorrow so deep in his eyes, she decided against leaving him.
“Heard my aendi is helping out at your place,” she said to break the silence.
He nodded.
“That going well, then?”
He shrugged.
Katie sighed. She wasn’t certain of what to say to Melvin. The other children seemed to avoid him, as if he carried a disease. The dying mamm disease, she thought wistfully. She had noticed that at the funeral and she had noticed it today. Even his sisters clung to Mary Ruth and none of the other little girls approached them to play. With school being out for the summer, Melvin must sure be lonely, she realized.
“I’m getting a pony,” she blurted out. “It’s being boarded at your neighbor’s farm, the Millers.”
He frowned and looked at her. “That’s awful far for you, ain’t so?” he asked.
“My mamm’s friend is going to be bringing me there on Thursday. You want to come ride with me?” She wasn’t certain from where the question came, but as soon as it was out there, she was glad that she had asked it. Maybe a friend was what Melvin needed and she wasn’t afraid that his misfortune would rub off on her. No, she told herself. My mamm isn’t going to die, too!
“I…” He paused and looked down at his plate. He seemed to be contemplating the food, pushing at it with his fork once again. Then, with a deep breath, he looked up and met her eyes. “Ja, Katie Fisher, I would like that,” he said. “I reckon it’s time to move on a bit. Danke for asking me.”
This time, Katie smiled a wide smile. There was something about Melvin Yoder. She wasn’t certain if it was his dark eyes, so full of sorrow or the hint of life returning to them, but she was awful glad that her mamm had thought to ask her to bring him some food. Even more, she was glad she had decided to visit with him and she was looking forward to spending more time with him on Thursday.
Mary Ruth gathered up the Yoder dochders and looked around for Melvin. She saw him walking along the fence line in the field with little Katie tagging along beside him. Holding Emma Yoder’s small hand, Mary Ruth stood up and watched. Melvin and Katie were deep in discussion as they walked, looking far too grown up for their young ages, but for a second, Mary Ruth thought she saw Melvin smile at Katie and it warmed her heart. It had been too long in coming, that smile of his.
“Suzanna” Mary Ruth said firmly but with tenderness in her voice. “Mayhaps you could go pick up the plates that I brought? I left them in a basket by the back door. There’s a piece of blue thread tied to the handle so you’ll know it’s mine.”
Obediently, Suzanna scurried away, her younger sister Ruth Ann tagging along, as they went to hunt for the basket. Mary Ruth smiled down at Emma. “Guess we should be getting back home to your daed, ja?”
Emma stuck her thumb in her mouth and looked away.
When the two other girls returned, Suzanna handed the basket to Mary Ruth. “Your sister, Rachel, packed it with food for daed,” she said softly.
Mary Ruth smiled. “That was right kind of her, ja?” She took a deep breath and started walking down the driveway toward the Yoder’s farm. She glanced over her shoulder at Melvin and Katie, deciding it was best to let the two enjoy each other’s company, rather than drag Melvin home to the house of doom and gloom.
She was surprised to find Menno sitting on the front porch when they turned down the lane. He was dressed in his Sunday outfit and staring at his clasped hands. Hesitating, Mary Ruth watched him for a minute. She had never seen him looking so peaceful. He was still and silent. For a moment, she wondered if he was praying.
When Emma sneezed, Menno’s concentration was broken. He looked up and stared at the four of them. Bracing herself for another screaming match, Mary Ruth felt the tension in the back of her neck. Please God, she prayed. Not now. Not today.
So when he forced a weak smile and lifted a hand, a gesture of greeting, she frowned, wondering what was happening. He stood up and pressed the creases out of his pants. Then, straightening his hat on his head, he walked toward them.
“Mary Ruth,” he said, acknowledging her with that simple greeting accompanied with a nod of his head. Then, turning his attention to his daughters, he bent down and reached for Suzanna’s hand. “I was waiting for you to return from church,” he said. His voice had a softer tone than usual.
Mary Ruth took a few steps backward, watching the scene unfold and giving them some privacy. It surprised her to see Menno speak softly to his dochders, caressing their hands and arms as if to comfort them. She lifted her hand to rub her throat, holding back the emotion that rose within her. Could it be, she thought, that God had finally answered her prayers and helped Menno get over his grief?
After a few minutes talking to the girls, Menno stood up and turned to face Mary Ruth. “And Melvin?” he asked.
“Ja, vell…” She found herself stumbling over her own words, as he stared at her. The change in Menno Yoder was astonishing and she hadn’t been prepared for the transformation. “He’s back at Jonah and Leah’s, visiting with the other children.”
For a moment, she thought she saw something dark pass through his expression, but, just as quickly, it changed and he nodded his head. “Gut,” he said. “It is gut for him to be with some young friends.”
They stared at each other for just a moment, Mary Ruth assessing the new Menno and not quite sure what to make of him while Menno stared at her, wondering how to apologize for his past behavior. Neither spoke, uncomfortable in the shift in their relationship.
Wanting to return home, Mary Ruth made the first move. She lifted her hand, holding the basket out toward Menno. “My sister prepared you some food for the evening meal,” she said. “You were missed at worship service.”
“I tried,” he stated, gesturing toward his clothing. “But I’m not ready.”
“Bishop will be stopping here later, I reckon. I’ll ask him to bring Melvin,” she said, taking another step backward. “Best be returning. Leah will need my help cleaning, that’s for sure and certain.” She thought she saw a hint of a smile on his face but it disappeared just as quickly.
“Danke,” he said softly. “For bringing the girls back to me. I wasn’t certain how to get them.”
Mary Ruth frowned. “Someone would have bought them. I picked them up. Surely you knew I’d bring them back or arra
nge for a neighbor to do so.”
He shrugged, shifting the basket in his arms. He glanced at his three daughters and spared them a rare smile. “Got some catching up to do,” he said, reaching down with his free hand to hold Emma’s in his. Mary Ruth fought a stab of jealousy. Hadn’t Emma just been clinging to her own hand, not five minutes ago? Hadn’t Suzanna and Ruth Ann been stuck to her side for the past month? Now, she was forgotten and their daed was all stars and sparkles in their eyes.
The walk back to Leah’s took longer than she remembered as she battled the emotions that conflicted in her heart.
It was close to two o’clock and most of the church members had departed from Jonah and Leah’s farm, returning to their own farms for afternoon activities of leisure such as playing Scrabble or visiting with other family members. The rest of the Fisher family remained behind, helping Leah clean up from the gathering. The men sat outside on the porch, sipping at meadow tea and discussing farm related activities while the women reorganized the inside of Leah’s kitchen and gathering room. Outside, the children ran and played, their laughter ringing through the air like the chatter of happy sparrows.
Miriam sat at the table, holding baby Jacob. She cooed at him, laughing when he smiled back at her. Leah was helping at the sink but continually glanced over her shoulder as if to assure herself that Jacob was just fine and not missing her.
Passing by her sister, Lizzie nudged Leah with her elbow. “The boppli’s fine, Leah. Stop hovering so!”
Leah frowned and splashed some water at Lizzie, which caused Rachel and Anna to laugh. Lovina remained serious, feverishly drying the remaining dishes, her mind clearly elsewhere.
“What’s bothering you, Lovina?” Lizzie asked, never one to beat around the bush. “You’ve been quiet as a mouse for the greater part of the day!”