A Life of Joy (31 page)

However, Katie needed someone to listen to her worries. Glancing down the hallway, she spotted a lamp burning in Samuel’s room. She believed that Samuel was capable of keeping a secret. He’d proven that time and again when Katie had asked his advice on how to handle a sticky situation with friends at school. As far as Katie knew, Samuel never once repeated her questions about boys. She believed she could trust him with this too.

She walked down the hallway and peeked in his doorway, finding her older brother propped up on his bed, reading the Bible. She tapped on the door frame, and he glanced up.

“Ya?”
he asked, closing his Bible and placing it on the nightstand. “Didn’t Raymond take out the trash?”

“I’m not here to ask about the trash.” She gestured toward the chair near his bed. “Do you have a minute?”

He looked suspicious. “This sounds serious.”

She pursed her lips. “Sort of.”

He motioned toward the chair. “Have a seat.”

She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her, and then sat on the chair across from his bed.

“
Was
iss letz?
” he asked. “
Bu
trouble?”

“
Bu
trouble?” she muttered. “What
buwe
?”

“What was that?” He raised an eyebrow with curiosity.

“Never mind,” she said, sitting up straighter in the chair. “Listen, I have something that’s bothering me, but I’m supposed to keep it a secret. You’re a very
gut
secret keeper, and I need someone to listen. Would you please listen in confidence?”

He grimaced. “I don’t know. This sounds awfully serious, and I don’t want to get in the middle of something that would potentially get me into trouble with
daed
.”

“Samuel, you won’t get in trouble.” She held her hands up for emphasis. “I promise. The only way we could get in trouble is if this leaks out before it’s supposed to.”

“We?” He shook his head. “Don’t put me in the middle of your schemes. I know how
maed
can be.”

Frustration built within her, and she glowered at him. “I thought I could trust you to help me, but I was wrong.” She stood. “Forget I even came in here.” She stomped toward the door and wrenched it open with as much force as she could muster.

“Wait,” he said with defeat in his voice. “Don’t get all angry and storm out of the room as if I just insulted you.”

She faced him, crossing her arms in front of her chest with defiance. “You did insult me. You said you didn’t want to get involved when I asked you for help.”

“Fine, fine,” he said, gesturing widely. “I’ll help. Close the door, sit down, and tell me what’s wrong.”

“Danki.”
She pulled the door closed with a soft click and then returned to the seat. “I’m very concerned about
Aenti
Rebecca.”

“I know she hasn’t been feeling well.”

“It’s more than that.” Katie leaned forward and lowered her volume. “She’s pregnant and having complications. Her blood pressure is very high, and she has swelling in her legs and feet. The doctor said that she has to rest as much as possible, and I need to do all I can to help her around the
haus
.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll pray that her pregnancy goes well and that she’s feeling better soon.”

“I can’t share this with anyone,” Katie continued. “But I think
Aenti
Rebecca is wrong to keep this from Lindsay. If Lindsay knew that she was having these problems, she would come home and help her. She would be very upset to find out that
Aenti
Rebecca needs her, but
Aenti
Rebecca didn’t want her to know.”

“That’s
Aenti
Rebecca’s choice,” Samuel said. “It’s her business.”

“I disagree,” Katie said with a shake of her head. “It’s more than that. Lindsay is like a
dochder
to her. If
Mamm
was sick and needed me, I would be devastated if she didn’t tell me. Besides, Lindsay already knows that
Aenti
Rebecca is pregnant. She needs to know that she’s having these problems.”

He shrugged. “You’re right, but it’s
Aenti
Rebecca’s choice.”

“But if something happened to
Aenti
Rebecca or the
boppli
and Lindsay wasn’t here to help,” Katie began, “Lindsay would be very upset.”

“We’re supposed to respect and honor our elders,” Samuel said. “I understand what you’re saying. But if you go against
Aenti
Rebecca, you’ll be in trouble with
Aenti
Rebecca and possibly
Mamm
and
Dat
. Do you want that? You could jeopardize your relationship with
Aenti
Rebecca.”

“You’re right,” Katie said. “I’m just worried about
Aenti
Rebecca, and I’m worried about what Lindsay will say when she finds out.”

“I think Lindsay will be home soon enough, and she can help
Aenti
Rebecca too.” He pushed back a lock of blond hair that fell over his forehead. “Maybe by the time Lindsay gets home, she’ll be doing just fine, and Lindsay won’t have to feel guilty for leaving.”

“I hope so,” Katie said, swatting the ties from her prayer covering back from her shoulders. “That would be a miracle.”

“Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

She grinned. “How about you and Lizzie Anne?” She thought she might’ve caught a glimpse of a blush, but his cheeks were their normal ivory almost instantly.

“What about Lizzie Anne?”

“You’re courting?” she asked.

“Not officially until after she’s baptized. We have fun just being together and talking. Nothing serious.” He looked nonchalant. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing, but I hope you don’t break her heart. She really likes you.”

“She does?” His smile was wide.

She shook her head. “You two are so
gegisch
.” Standing, she smiled. “
Danki
. I’ll let you get back to your devotions.
Gut nacht
.”

“Gut nacht,”
he repeated. “Don’t forget what I said about keeping the news to yourself.”

“I won’t,” she said, heading to the door. “And don’t forget that everything I told you was a secret that you have to keep to yourself. And more importantly, don’t forget what I said about treating Lizzie Anne right.”

“I heard you, Katie,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s late. Get on to bed. You need to take
gut
care of
Aenti
Rebecca tomorrow.”

“I will.” She slipped out the door and crossed the hallway to her room. Sitting at her small desk, she pulled out her stationery and a pen.

Pulling the letter she’d received from Lindsay from her pocket, she stared at the words and silently debated how to begin her reply. While she longed to tell Lindsay everything about Rebecca, she knew her brother was right. Sharing a secret that was supposed to be private would only result in hard feelings and possibly punishment. She still believed that Lindsay had a right to know about their aunt’s health struggles, but it wasn’t Katie’s place to tell Lindsay the news.

She poised the pen in her right hand and began to write.

Dear Lindsay
,

Wie geht’s! Thank you for your letter. I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well and that Trisha is healing
.

That’s wunderbaar that you saw some old friends and you’re attending services and Sunday school at your former church. Please tell me all about your volunteering experience at the nursing home. I would imagine that you’ll do a great job and take gut care of the people who need your help
.

Saturday night I went to a singing at the Esh farm, and I wish you’d been there. You’ll never believe what finally happened
—
Samuel gave Lizzie Anne a ride home! We all knew it was coming, and he finally did it. Lizzie Anne was grinning when she climbed into his courting buggy
.

She was hyper and even more talkative than usual at service yesterday too. I’m very happy for her, but I have to admit it’s going to be difficult being the fifth wheel with her and Samuel at youth gatherings. I may have to spend time with Nancy and her friends instead of feeling like I’m interfering between my brother and Lizzie Anne. I’m certain she and I will remain close friends, but it will be different. She’ll be the one with a boyfriend, while I’m the one who is all alone
.

When I was left without a ride Saturday night, Matthew was gracious enough to offer to take me home. Please don’t be upset or jealous
—
we spent the ride talking about you. In fact, we spent nearly all evening talking about you. It’s very apparent that he likes you, Lindsay. I’m certain he’s concerned that you won’t come back to Lancaster County. And when you do come back, I’m certain he’ll be anxious for you to join the church so that he can court you
.

A tap on the door frame drew Katie’s attention to her mother watching her.

“It’s getting late, Katie,” Sadie said with a frown. “What are you doing?”

“I’m writing a letter to Lindsay,” Katie said. “I’ll only be a few minutes longer.”

“Finish up,” Sadie said, pointing to the battery-operated clock on Katie’s dresser. “You have to be up early tomorrow so you can get a ride to Rebecca’s.”

“Yes,
Mamm
,” Katie said. “I’ll be finished very soon, and I’ll change and get into bed.”

Sadie nodded.
“Gut
nacht
. See you bright and early. Nancy is finishing up in the shower.”

“Gut nacht,”
Katie echoed. As soon as her mother disappeared from the doorway, she turned back to her letter. She stared at the page, again considering whether or not she should tell Lindsay about Rebecca.

With a heavy sigh, she continued writing.

I’m enjoying helping Aenti Rebecca with the kinner during the day. They all miss you, and Emma and Junior ask about you all the time. I tell them that you will be back soon and will give them plenty of hugs and kisses to make up for the time that you’ve been gone
.

My mamm just told me that it’s time to snuff out the lantern because it’s late. I pray that you are doing well. Keep in touch and write very soon
.

Love
,
Katie

18

H
umming one of her favorite hymns from the Amish services back in Lancaster, Lindsay walked through the halls of the Sandbridge Beach Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She smiled at the residents sitting in the corridor in their wheelchairs and waved to a nurse at the end of the hallway. Although it was only her second time volunteering at the home, she felt like she knew everyone as old friends.

The past two weeks had flown by at near lightning speed. She spent her days taking care of Trisha, cooking, cleaning, writing letters to friends and family back home, and walking and swimming at the beach. Whenever Trisha was working with her physical therapist or resting, Lindsay pored over the GED Study Guide, memorizing information and taking practice exams. She studied late into the night, sometimes even dreaming about the book and the tests.

When Lindsay spoke to Jessica a few days ago, Lindsay finally admitted that she was planning to take the test, and Jessica was thrilled. Lindsay immediately regretted telling her about the test because it would be painful to admit if she’d failed. However, she refused to let that worry haunt her. She pushed that thought from her mind and continued to study, putting her heart and soul into every page of the study guide.

On Sundays, she stopped studying long enough to go to
church and Sunday school, and she planned to attend church and Sunday school every week until she returned to Lancaster County. While she enjoyed going back to her childhood church, she missed the Amish way of worshiping. Being among the Amish had become her home and her security, much like the prayer covering she missed wearing.

During her journey down one of the main hallways in the nursing facility, Lindsay stopped and peeked into the room of Mrs. Warren, an elderly lady who’d asked Lindsay to read the Bible out loud to her last Saturday. The older woman was completely bedridden and also hard of hearing, but she’d smiled while Lindsay read from the book of John when they sat together previously.

The stark white walls in Mrs. Warren’s private room were dotted with family photos, showing smiling faces of people Lindsay assumed were adult children, grandchildren, and possibly even great-grandchildren. A few of the photos looked to be Mrs. Warren and the late Mr. Warren smiling together by different scenery, including standing in a studio, posing in front of a pretty brick house in front of a lake, and dressed in their Sunday best while holding hands. A shelf in the corner held a collection of plush teddy bears and cats.

From what Lindsay could surmise through the photos and the basket full of daisies on the windowsill, Mrs. Warren had a large, loving family and had enjoyed a full life before she came to the nursing home.

Lindsay tapped on the door frame, but Mrs. Warren didn’t break her trance from the television set, which blared a black and white movie on the classic movie channel. Lindsay stepped into the room and moved to the bed.

Mrs. Warren looked up at Lindsay and a smile broke out across her lips. “Hello. How are you, dear?” she asked, her voice loud and raspy.

“I’m doing well, Mrs. Warren,” Lindsay answered in an equally
booming voice in order to be heard over the television. “Would you like me to read to you today?”

Mrs. Warren nodded, her gray curls bobbing in response to the moment.

After turning off the television, Lindsay lifted the Bible from the small table and lowered herself into a plastic chair next to the bed. “Do you have any particular chapter you’d like to hear?”

“No,” Mrs. Warren said, closing her dark brown eyes. “Please just read.”

Lindsay flipped to the book of Romans and began reading. After several minutes, she heard a grumbling sound. Glancing up, she found Mrs. Warren snoring. She gingerly closed the Bible and placed it on the table behind her. She then stood and straightened the pink blanket around Mrs. Warren’s tiny body.