Letters of comfort, p.14
Letters of Comfort, page 14
“Of course, and I’ll pray for wisdom and the right words to put down on paper before I write the letter.”
“And I will be praying that Doretta will be open and accepting of whatever you say to her.”
“All right then. I’ll keep in touch. Bye for now, Amanda.”
“Goodbye, Eleanor, and thanks for being my daughter’s friend and caring about her needs.”
“It’s been a two-way street. Doretta prayed and counseled me when Vic and I were going through deep waters, and now it’s my turn to be there for her.”
“That’s what friendships are for, jah?”
“Most definitely.”
“I’d better let you go tend to your daughter now. Bye again, Eleanor.”
“Goodbye.”
After Eleanor hung up the phone, she left the phone shed and shooed the dog away from Rosetta. Of course, Checkers came right back with his trusty stick, so she took it from him and gave it a toss. Hoping he wouldn’t bother her again, Eleanor pushed the stroller on down the driveway. When she opened the mailbox flap and found a letter from Doretta, she couldn’t help but smile. First a phone call from Amanda and now a letter from Doretta. Talk about perfect timing.
Although she was eager to see what her friend had to say, Eleanor’s first obligation was to get her little one back inside. In spite of the sun shining brightly, a March wind had picked up, bringing a chill into the air. Spring may have officially sprung earlier this week, but it certainly did not feel like it. Even though Eleanor had bundled Rosetta up pretty well before bringing her outside, with the wind blowing even harder now, she didn’t want the baby to get cold.
She looked forward to some spring days when the bright sun would warm the rich earth and encourage shoots to grow. Soon there would be flowering bulbs adding lovely colors to the flowerbeds in Eleanor’s yard. The days would grow steadily longer, buds and blossoms would form on trees. And it wouldn’t be long before butterflies and bees returned to her garden. One of Eleanor’s favorite things about spring was the clean, damp smell after a good rain. There was just so much to look forward to, and Eleanor hoped that Doretta would appreciate it as much as she would.
As she set aside her thoughts of spring and pushed the stroller back up the driveway, Vic’s dog ran alongside them, barking frantically.
Eleanor looked down at the stick by her feet and frowned. “Not now, Checkers. I am not going to take the time to toss you that stick again. Besides, it’s too chilly right now to keep playing your silly chase-the-stick game. I want to get my daughter inside.”
Yip! Yip! Yip! Checkers paused between yips and nipped at the wheels on Rosetta’s stroller.
As irritation set in, Eleanor stopped walking and shouted at the dog. “You’d better knock it off, or I’ll put you in the dog run, and you can find something in there to nip and yip about for the rest of the day.”
As though he understood what she had said, Checkers settled down and headed for the house with his tail between his legs. At the same time, Rosetta let loose a pathetic wail. Eleanor figured she was the one to blame and had brought it on by raising her voice at the dog.
“It’s okay, little one.” She stopped walking and lifted Rosetta from the stroller. “Mama’s not angry at you. I’m just upset with the hund.” She patted the baby’s back until she quieted. “We’ll all feel better once we get inside where it’s warm and toasty and there is no wind or yapping dog.” If things went the way they normally did when Vic’s dog was in the house, he would probably find some place to flop down and take a nap.
Her daughter had been fed and was down for her nap, so Eleanor made a cup of tea and took a seat at the dining-room table to read Doretta’s letter, eager to know what she’d said.
Dear Eleanor,
I haven’t written for a while, and I figured it was time to fill you in on what’s been going on in my life. For the last two weeks, I’ve been working part-time for Warren at the nutrition center. I was glad when he offered me a position, because the new job is keeping me busy, which helps take my mind off things I’d rather not think about.
When I’m not working at his store, I stay occupied at home, helping Mama with chores, and I’ve also started a few sewing projects of my own. Basically, I have something to do that keeps me occupied almost all the time, and that’s helped with my depression.
Eleanor’s brows furrowed. After reading this first page of Doretta’s letter, she couldn’t help but be concerned. So, Doretta’s mother was right. My dear friend is pushing herself hard in order not to feel depressed. In my opinion, she needs to deal with her grief in a better way than working herself into a state of exhaustion. No wonder Amanda is worried about her daughter.
Eleanor read the second page of Doretta’s letter, which was mostly about the kind of things she did at the health food store, but there had been no mention of the satchel Eleanor had sent with the slips of paper inside. Eleanor wondered if Doretta had read the rest of them. And if so, had she done any of the things that had been suggested?
Eleanor got out a notepad and pen to write Doretta a letter. Think I’ll include a scripture verse along with a helpful food-for-thought saying. Maybe something like that will help Doretta realize that working all the time is not the answer to her problem. Getting into God’s Word would be much better than pushing herself too hard.
Grabill
Margaret stood inside her horse’s stall, brushing the mare while thinking about Warren and how she missed spending five days a week with him at the nutrition center. It still surprised her that he would hire Doretta to work for him two days a week. Did he do it because he feels sorry for her, or does he think she needs the money? Margaret asked herself as she continued to groom Honey. I hope Warren’s not planning to break up with me. He disapproves of my smartphone and doesn’t understand my interest in working with other people’s horses. We actually have very little in common. Sometimes I wonder why we began dating at all. She pressed a fist to her lips and heard the boards beneath her feet creak as she stepped to the right to avoid getting flicked by Honey’s tail. Even so, I like being with Warren. He’s good-looking, kind, hardworking, and he has an easygoing, pleasant personality. He’d not only make a good husband but a wonderful father as well. The truth is, even though there are times when I think we shouldn’t be a couple, I don’t want anyone else to have him.
Margaret reached up and gave her mare a few gentle pats. She was rewarded with a sweet-sounding whinny followed by a welcoming nuzzle against her cheek. I just wish Warren shared my enthusiasm about horses. I don’t think he understands my infatuation with them or the need I feel to help people with their troubled horses. If Warren would spend more time with me, maybe I’d feel a bit better.
Warren stepped out of his office, where he’d been paying some invoices, and walked to the front of the store to see how Doretta was doing. Somehow with Doretta there, he felt more determined to comfort and support her. Warren longed to give Doretta as much help as she needed, but he had to be careful in how he approached her. He wanted to suggest that she try out certain supplements that might help with her depression, and he wished he felt free to suggest that Doretta attend some social activities with friends. When she would talk candidly to Warren, it seemed evident to him that she needed more time to adjust to the things in her life that she’d had no control over.
“How are things going here?” Warren asked when he joined Doretta at the checkout counter.
“Fine. It was pretty busy awhile ago, but as you can see, there are no customers in the store right now.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” he responded. “We both probably need a break, so let’s have a cup of that new herbal tea I got in this morning and get off our feet for a bit.”
She gave a nod. “Sounds good to me.”
They headed over to the display of new teas. “What kind would you like to try?” he asked.
“The maple-ginger sounds good to me.” Doretta pointed to the box.
Warren opened the box and took it to his office. He figured Doretta would follow, but she held back. “You can come in,” he called, motioning with his free hand.
“I’d probably better wait out here in case a customer comes in.”
“Good point.” His cheeks warmed. “I still have plenty of hot water from the big Thermos I brought from home, so I’ll pour some into two cups, add the tea bags, and bring them out. We can sit at the small table up front where I have all the self-help books for customers to look at or purchase.”
“Okay.” She cast him a brief smile and returned to the front of the store.
A short time later, Doretta and Warren were seated at the table with warm cups of the fragrant tea. “This has such a good flavor.” She inhaled deeply and took a sip. “It tastes wunderbaar.”
“Jah, it’s the first time I’ve ordered this kind, and I thought it would be good to give it a try. That way, when a customer comes in and asks about it, I can tell them how it tastes.”
They sat quietly for a while, and then Warren brought up the topic of his and William’s birthday, which would be coming up on March 27. “It’s hard to believe I’ll be celebrating my birthday without my twin brother,” he said, dropping his gaze to the floor.
Doretta swallowed the tea in her mouth and nodded. “I’m sure it’ll be difficult for your parents too.”
“For sure.”
“It’s still difficult to accept the fact that he’s gone. I often find myself thinking of all the good times we had, and then I get choked up.”
“Same here.”
They reminisced about some things William had done or said, and Doretta took comfort in being able to talk to someone who understood how she felt and knew exactly what she was talking about when she mentioned some things about William.
“Say … uh … I was thinking …” Warren looked at Doretta. “I was wondering if you would like to come to my folks’ house for supper on the night of my birthday. I’d really like to have you join us.”
She pondered his question a few seconds before responding. “I would like to be included. Danki for inviting me to join you.”
“How about if I come by your place and pick you up around five o’clock that evening?”
“Won’t you be working at the store that day?”
He shook his head. “The twenty-seventh falls on a Monday, and the store’s closed that day.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot.” She finished her tea and set the cup down on the table. “If it’s not too much trouble, I would appreciate a ride to your home.”
“No trouble at all. I’m glad you agreed to join us for supper. Having you there will make it easier for me and my folks to get through the evening and hopefully it will for you too.”
Doretta hoped that would be the case. Being with William’s family on his and Warren’s birthday might be more difficult for both of them than he realized.
Chapter 17
Amanda stood watching out the open front door as Warren guided his horse and buggy out of their yard and onto the road. She still couldn’t believe Doretta had agreed to go with Warren this evening to celebrate his birthday. She’d shut herself off from any kind of social event for so long, it was a surprise to see her willingness to go. Amanda wondered if being with Warren and his parents as they celebrated his birthday would drag her further into depression. She felt sure there would be reminiscing about William, and probably some tears would be shed. Doretta had made some progress emotionally this past month, and Amanda didn’t want to see her daughter take any steps backward.
“What are you doin’ with the daer open? The young people have gone, and you’re letting in the chilly evening air. Would you please shut the door?” Elmer called from the living room, where he’d gone to read the recent issue of the Plain and Simple magazine.
She closed the door and stepped into the room where he sat in one of the recliners. “It’s not that cold outside this evening, Elmer, and I was enjoying the fresh air.”
He placed the magazine in his lap and looked at her over the top of his reading glasses. “You’re having trouble letting go, aren’t you?”
“Letting go of what?” Amanda gave her apron band a little tug.
“Who, not what. You’re umgerennt because Doretta is going to the Lengachers’ place to celebrate Warren’s gebottsdaag.”
“I am not upset about her going there for his birthday. I’m just concerned.”
“About what?”
“I believe they won’t be celebrating as much as mourning the loss of Warren’s brother.”
“That could be, and it might be just what they all need.”
“I don’t think so. And I don’t believe it’s a good idea for Doretta to be there with them for supper. It will only serve to remind her that William is gone, which could deepen her depression rather than lifting her out of it.”
“That may be what happens, all right, but it’s her choice, don’t you think? She’s not a little girl anymore, and no matter how much you try, there is no way you can protect Doretta from emotional pain, any more than you could have protected her from the accident that killed her boyfriend and caused injuries to her body.” Elmer spoke in a steady, lower-pitched voice as he asked Amanda another pointed question. “Doesn’t Doretta have the right to mourn in her own way the loss of the man she’d planned to marry?”
“Well, yes, but I’m also concerned because she is wearing herself out working at the nutrition center and taking on too much responsibility with things around here.”
“She probably is, but our daughter has the right to make her own decisions. If you continue to offer your advice all the time or suggest that what she’s doing is wrong, it will likely drive a wedge between the two of you, and I don’t believe you want that, Amanda.”
“No, I don’t. I only want what’s best for her, and—”
“Mama, is supper ready yet?” Karen called from the hallway. “I’m hungerich.”
“I’m hungry too.” Elmer set the magazine aside and rose from his chair. “Let’s go to the kitchen, and I’ll help you put the food on the table. Karen can set dishes and silverware out, and then we’ll let our sons know that it’s time to eat.”
Amanda couldn’t help smiling, and she wasn’t about to turn down an offer like that. I think it’s nice when my husband helps me out. Amanda figured that she and Elmer could pick up their conversation later, because Doretta’s situation was not a topic to be discussed with their other children at the table.
“Hallich gebottsdaag,” Doretta said as she and Warren headed down the road in his open buggy.”
“Thanks. It really doesn’t feel much like my birthday, though.”
Warren kept his eyes straight ahead, and Doretta saw his clean-shaven chin quiver a bit. This must have been a difficult day for him from the time he’d gotten out of bed this morning clear up until now. Doretta understood that, because it had been a difficult day for her too. She’d thought that being here with Warren might make her feel even sadder, but the opposite was true. She felt relaxed, and it seemed as though William was with them too—at least the memory of him.
Doretta shifted on the unyielding seat. Maybe I’m just imagining it because I wish William was with us right now. She glanced at Warren again. He kept his gaze straight ahead.
“Will Margaret be joining us tonight?” Doretta asked.
He shook his head. “She was supposed to be working with someone’s horse today and will probably be at it all evening. Besides, I doubt that she’d have enjoyed hearing the four of us reminisce about my brother.”
“Oh, I see.” Doretta thought it was a bit odd that Warren’s girlfriend wouldn’t want to be with him tonight, if for no other reason than to offer Warren the support he would need. But Doretta kept her thoughts to herself because what went on between Warren and Margaret was none of her business.
“Can I help you with something in here?” Betty’s husband asked when he entered the kitchen.
She smiled, appreciating his offer. “Danki, Raymond. The meal is almost ready, but if you don’t mind setting the dining-room table, it would be appreciated. You can use our good set of dishes and silverware from the hutch there in the dining room.”
He tilted his head. “Are you certain you want to use those? I’m sure Warren and Doretta would be fine with our everyday dishes on the table.”
“Maybe so, but today is a special occasion as we remember our sons’ birthdays.”
Raymond swiped a hand across his broad forehead. “Can we make it more of a celebration rather than just a remembrance?”
Betty gave a nod. “You’re right. It should be, but if William were here, I would feel more like celebrating.”
“Same with me, but the Lord chose to take one of our sons, and the one we have left deserves a nice birthday. Don’t ya think?”
“Jah.”
“Okay then, let’s put smiles on our faces and try to be joyful this evening if for no other reason than for Warren’s sake.” Raymond turned toward the dining room. “Guess I’d better get to it then.”
“Don’t forget to put a place setting by the chair where William used to sit,” she called after him.
He halted and turned back to face her, with eyebrows squished together. “He’s not coming back and will never sit in that chair again, Betty.”
“I know. It’s just that …” She blinked against invading tears that wanted to spill over. “Okay, just do as you like.”
Warren opened the door for Doretta, and when they entered his parents’ house, the tantalizing aroma of baked chicken filled his senses. Mom had obviously made his favorite meal. Of course, baked chicken had been William’s favorite too. It was a shame he wouldn’t be here to enjoy it.
Warren glanced upward. I need to accept and deal with the fact that my bruder isn’t with us anymore, and he will not be coming back. There were days with the busyness of work when Warren didn’t think about William. But other times something would happen or be said that stirred up a memory of his brother, and grief would set in again. Every day was different, and sometimes Warren’s emotions were up and down. Because today was their birthday, it had been difficult for Warren to keep his focus on anything—at least until he’d picked Doretta up to bring her here. Being with her was like healing balm to Warren, and he hoped she felt the same way.
