Unlikely Sweethearts (An Amish Christmas Story)

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  Holly recalled what the passage from Proverbs said, and her cheeks immediately warmed at the thought of Randy reading it in the context of their relationship.

  She bit her fingernail, contemplating whether or not she should interrupt. A hand on her shoulder told her that Mom was standing behind her.

  Mom leaned close and whispered, “Are you eavesdropping again?”

  She turned around and faced her mother, stepping further into the kitchen. “Mom, Dad just mentioned Proverbs five,” she whispered.

  Mom smiled. “Well, it is part of the Bible.”

  “I know, Mom. But really?”

  Mom captured her attention by resting her hand on Holly’s forearm. “Are you planning on telling him soon?”

  Holly looked away. “I don’t know.”

  “Sooner is better than later. Randy seems like he might be in it for the long haul.”

  “I know. I just…he doesn’t take disappointment well.”

  “Then I suggest you pray about it. But you should tell him.” Mom held her gaze. “Soon.”

  ~

  “Would you like a tour of our home?” Holly offered.

  “Sure.” Randy smiled. “Hey, where are all your siblings? How come I never see them in church?”

  “Oh. Well, we’ve only been going to that church for about four years. They still attend our former church. Our aunt and cousins go there as well, and they invited them over today.” Holly led the way up a carpeted staircase.

  “So, you have aunts and uncles in the area?”

  “Yes. You?” They stopped at the top of the stairs.

  “No. My grandparents and aunts and uncles all live in either Arkansas or Oklahoma. With the exception of my Amish grandparents, of course.”

  “So, for Christmas and Thanksgiving it’s just you guys?”

  “It had been up until a couple of years ago when my Amish grandparents started joining us. I pretty much always kept my distance from them, though.” He looked down a hallway. “How many bedrooms are up here?”

  “Six. We all have our own rooms now. My parents’ bedroom is downstairs.” She moved to a door. “This is my brother Jason’s bedroom. I can’t guarantee that any of these are going to be clean.” She grimaced.

  “It doesn’t bother me. I’ve made some pretty big messes in the past.”

  “Why do I believe you?” She giggled.

  She opened the door, which revealed a decently organized room. After that, she walked across the hall to her other brother’s room. Then she continued, until she came to the last one. “I chose this as mine because I thought it would be the quietest.”

  “Is it?” He peered into her abode. The feminine pillows and curtains indicated it was certainly a girl’s bedroom.

  She stepped inside and Randy followed. “As quiet as can be with seven people living in one house.”

  “Have you told them about us?” He felt his brow quirk.

  “Yeah, they know.” She gestured toward her desk chair. “You may have a seat. We just need to keep the door open. Mom and Dad’s rules.”

  He studied her bed. “Is your bed slanted?”

  “Oh. Uh, yeah. It’s a wedge. That’s how I sleep.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “I…I guess maybe now might be a good time to tell you.” Her gaze drifted to the floor.

  “Tell me what?”

  “The secret I mentioned?”

  “Ah, the husband.”

  She smiled, shook her head, then walked to her desk and opened the top drawer. She pulled out what looked to be a few papers that had been stapled together, and held them in her hands. “I have something called cardiomegaly.”

  He blinked and shook his head. “What is that?”

  “It’s also known as an enlarged heart. Basically, my heart muscles don’t work properly.” She handed him the information, then sat on the corner of her bed. “Sleeping flat could…create problems.”

  Randy attempted to process her words. He stared down at the papers she’d given him, but they seemed to blur. “What does that mean? I mean…is it…it sounds serious.” He stared at her. He needed answers.

  “It’s all in the papers.” When she gestured to them, he realized her hands were shaking. Why were her hands shaking?

  He forced himself to focus on the papers and began reading silently, An enlarged heart is not a disease, but might be a sign of heart disease. An enlarged heart cannot pump blood properly and could cause complications that lead to sudden stroke or congestive heart failure. He skimmed the next few lines. Life expectancy depends on cause. Doctors don’t always know the cause. Even with treatment, patient has a downhill battle. Severe heart disease patients can die within a few years.

  Randy stopped reading, dropping the papers onto her desk as though they’d scalded him. If only that were the case. If only that were the worst of his predicament. His chest clenched tightly, like he was the one with heart failure.

  The ticktock of the purple clock on her nightstand seemed to grow louder with each second that passed. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

  He stared at Holly until he could no longer see her. “So…” his voice trembled and he hated it. “What you’re saying is…what you’re saying is…there’s a very good chance you could die soon?” He shoved away his tears.

  “I don’t know, Randy.” Moisture gathered in her eyes as well. “Yes. I guess it’s possible.”

  “But I thought we were…” He frowned. “What are we even doing here?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He shot up from the chair. “What’s the point of our relationship if it’s going to just end like that?” He hadn’t meant to raise his voice, but under the circumstances...

  Tears trickled down her cheeks. “What are you saying, Randy?”

  “How could you let me go on and on about getting married, about believing we had a future and…” He shook his head, doing his best to repress his grief but failing miserably. Disappointment, disillusionment, and despair strangled him all at once, and he was desperate to escape.

  Randy moved to the bedroom door.

  Holly stood from the bed. “Are you leaving?”

  “I don’t know. Yes. I guess I just need time to process all this.” He rushed from her bedroom. He hurried down the stairs. He sprinted out the door to his car. He turned over the ignition and sped out of her driveway. And he did all of it without a second thought. Because if he stopped to think, he’d have to face reality.

  His precious Holly…was dying.

  TWENTY

  Two hours later, Randy found himself pulling into his grandparents’ driveway. He’d spent the last hour pouring his aching heart out to Mom and Dad. He was certain he’d cried more in the last two hours than he had in his entire life—including when he was a baby. Mom had even agreed on that point.

  Randy didn’t know why his father had suggested he come here, but Dad had said to trust him. And so he did.

  He cut the engine, then walked up to the house. This was the first time he’d ever been here at the farm alone.

  His grandmother opened the door at his knock. “Kumm in.” She looked beyond him, but must’ve realized he was flying solo today. Like he very well might be for the rest of his life. The thought caused his heart to squeeze tightly. Tears threatened, although he doubted he had many more to spare.

  His grandfather beckoned Randy to join him in the living room. It must’ve been ninety degrees in the house. He glanced to where the large black and silver stove sat, several feet from him, and realized he better divest himself of his outer clothing lest he experience a heat stroke.

  “You come all alone today?” His grandfather set his newspaper to the side and focused on Randy.

  “Yeah.”

  “Where’s your aldi, your girlfriend?”

  He inhaled deeply, then expelled the air. “Holly and I are sorta taking a break right now, I guess you can say.”

  “I see.”

  He squeezed his eyes closed. “She dropp
ed a bombshell on me, and I’m having a difficult time processing it. Dad suggested I come talk to you. I’m not even sure why.”

  “I see. A bombshell, you say?” His brow furrowed, and Randy realized he needed to explain.

  His grandmother brought him cookies and a cup of steaming coffee. How could anyone drink hot coffee in this inferno? He thanked his grandmother, nonetheless.

  “She’s…” he swallowed hard. It was difficult to even say the words. “Holly has a heart condition. She…uh…she could die suddenly…at any time. I just don’t know how I’m going to deal with that when it actually happens.”

  “I see.” His grandfather nodded. “We must place our lives and the lives of our loved ones in Der Herr’s hands.”

  “Der Herr?”

  “The Lord,” his grandpa clarified. “He is the one who determines when it is we will leave this earth. None of us know when that day will be. You could even die before your aldi. Today even.”

  “You’re right, of course. But the chances of Holly dying sooner are much greater than mine.”

  His grandfather reached for a Bible that sat with several other books on a small table. “Listen to what Gott says here.” He opened the Bible, then handed the large tome to Randy. “Read the first part.” He pointed to a verse.

  Randy looked down at the words. “Be still, and know that I am God.”

  “That’s it. That is the sum of what we must do, as His kinner, his children. We must be still. We must trust that He is Gott and we are not.” His grandfather pointed upward. “He knows best.”

  “That’s hard to do.”

  “When your grossmudder and I lost Katie and Kendal, we were devastated. They were your aunt and uncle.” Randy noted the tenderness in his grandfather’s voice as he continued. “Your vatter was the only one of our kinner to survive the accident. And then when he chose to leave the g’may, our church family, it was as if we had lost all three of our kinner.”

  Randy frowned. “Why didn’t you have more? I thought Amish people had large families.”

  “Nee. Your grossmudder was injured in the accident, and we couldn’t have any more.” He sat stalwart, as though the stance absorbed his pain somehow. “We’d hoped for at least a dozen. But when it was all said and done, we were left with none.”

  He couldn’t imagine. He took a bite of the delicious chocolate chip cookie.

  “Sohn, don’t worry about what might happen in the future. You have today. You have now. Enjoy each day Der Herr gives you with your aldi. And if Gott is willing, perhaps she will one day become your fraa.”

  He arched a brow. “Fraa?”

  His grandfather chuckled. “Wife.”

  Randy closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “That would be a dream. But Holly might not even have that long.”

  “Have you read the story of Hezekiah in the Bible?”

  “Hezekiah?” His brow lowered. “No, I don’t think so. Is it in the book of Hezekiah?”

  His grandfather chuckled for some reason.

  “What?” Randy almost smiled.

  “There is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible.”

  “Oh. There isn’t?”

  “No. But you can find his story in 2 Chronicles. I mention him because he prayed to God to let him live longer, and God granted him fifteen more years. Have you prayed for your aldi?”

  “Yes, I have.” That he could say with confidence.

  “When you pray, you must have faith that Gott will answer.”

  Randy nodded. “I try to.”

  “Is there no cure for this heart condition? No treatment?”

  “I don’t know, actually. I didn’t read all the papers Holly gave me. I was so upset, I just left.”

  Holly had attempted to call him several times, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer his phone.

  “She looked healthy when she was here. Vibrant, even,” his grandfather remarked.

  “I know. She has a very good disposition for someone who’s dying.” He thought on his grandfather’s words. “You know, I think I’ll do some research on the internet when I get home.”

  “Can you stay for supper?” his grandmother chimed in. “It’s just about ready.”

  “That would be great, Grandma. Thank you.” Randy smiled for the first time since learning of Holly’s condition.

  His grandmother affectionately returned his smile when he said “Grandma” in reference to her—for the first time ever.

  They each took their seats at the table, then bowed their heads. Randy had learned about the silent prayer from Wesley, so he’d known what to expect.

  He enjoyed a meal of buttered noodles, homemade bread with fresh butter and jam, and sliced meat. It wasn’t fancy by any means, but it was delicious nonetheless and hit the spot.

  When he left an hour later, it seemed like a bit of the heaviness had lifted from his shoulders. He’d embraced both of his grandparents and thanked them. And he graciously accepted an invitation for him and Holly to join them for what they’d called Second Christmas.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Holly had been in a melancholy mood since Randy stormed out of the house yesterday. She knew he would need time to process the news, but she never dreamed he’d fall apart. She’d been praying nonstop since he left. In truth, she worried about him. If she’d read the expression on his face and interpreted his brusque actions correctly, he’d been completely devastated by her revelation.

  She wondered how he was coping. How long would it be before he came around again? Would he come around again? Just thinking of the possibility that he might not return grieved her. What if he decided it was too much to deal with? What if he avoided her altogether and went away to college like he’d originally planned? What if he never came back?

  He hadn’t even answered her calls. That alone had been a pretty good indication of his intentions.

  She sighed heavily, but forbade the tears that threatened. Never had she cared so deeply for a man.

  “Holly? Honey, are you planning to eat breakfast?” Mom called from the stairs.

  Both her mother and father had been worried about her after Randy had left so abruptly. She’d assured them that she’d be okay, but she wasn’t being truthful. The truth was that her heart ached like it never had before. And she wasn’t sure that sort of thing didn’t have an effect on her condition. She wasn’t supposed to get worked up, but the situation made that scenario impossible for Holly.

  “I’m coming, Mom,” she called back.

  She knew one thing. If Randy didn’t return, this would be the most miserable Christmas ever.

  ~

  An hour after Holly had finished breakfast, she heard a noise outside the door. “Mom, I think someone might be here.” She dried the last few dishes and stuck them in the cupboard.

  “It’s for you, Holly.” Mom glanced at Holly briefly and lifted a reassuring smile, then left the room.

  She frowned when she heard jostling in the doorway. Her eyes widened when Randy bumbled through the door, several grocery bags hanging from each arm. “Randy? What is this?”

  “I was up all night researching your condition. Holly, it’s not only treatable, but it’s curable!” He set the bags on the table, then pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry for leaving the way I did yesterday. Forgive me?”

  She nodded, her chin suddenly wobbly. He hadn’t left her.

  “None of that. We’re done crying, okay?” He glanced behind her, probably to make sure Mom wasn’t there, then cradled her face in his hands and kissed her on the mouth. He leaned back and stared into her eyes intently. “I love you. So much.”

  Her heart melted at his words. She wished he’d hold her in his arms forever.

  But he released her, focused on the task at hand, and began emptying the grocery bags.

  “What is all this, Randy?”

  “This is your prescription for wellness. I also ordered some stuff online.” He pulled out the contents one by one. “Grapes are wonderful for heart health
. I tasted them at the store to make sure they weren’t sour. I don’t think the worker at Kroger appreciated it very much, but oh well. I wasn’t going to bring you sour grapes.”

  She giggled. Always breaking the rules.

  He continued, holding up two bottles. “Grape juice. Orange juice. Vitamin C is excellent for a healthy heart.” He held up a couple of tea boxes. “This is Echinacea tea. It’s a great immune system booster, I learned. As is Elderberry. I also bought you some heart syrup that you can take on a daily basis.”

  “Randy, this is too much.”

  “Nope. You are not even going to argue with me. I refuse to let you die. Not on my watch. So help me God, I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you alive and healthy.” He held up a finger. “Oh, and I’ll need those chocolate kisses back. They’re not good for you. The real thing is much better anyhow.” He winked mischievously.

  Tears surfaced in her eyes. No man had ever loved her like this.

  “I want to take care of you, Holly. I’ll do whatever it takes.” He pulled out some papers. “Here, I want you to read this. It’s a story about a young guy who was born with a heart condition. He was in the hospital and going to have surgery, but after another young man died on the operating table, he ran out of the hospital. I won’t tell you the whole story, but he ended up curing his heart condition—something the doctors had told him was incurable.”

  “Dr. Schulze?”

  His jaw slacked. “You know about him?”

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  His enthusiasm deflated. “So, you already knew all this?”

  Her smile widened. “Yes. I pretty much eat a mostly vegetarian diet.” She reached into the cupboard, and handed Randy a container.

  He read the label. “Dr. Schulze’s Superfood.”

  She nodded. “I try to take it every day.”

  “And exercise? I read that it’s important to keep your heart pumping the way it should, but not to overdo it.”

  “I walk on the treadmill every day.”

  He shook his head, then pulled her close again. “So, what you’re telling me is, I was worried for nothing?”

  “No, not for nothing.” Her smile evaporated. “I still do have cardiomegaly. But I’m doing what I can to fight it.”