Lancaster
“I don’t think you need another one of those before we get back on the road, Tom.” Vic’s jaw clenched as his coworker downed a third can of beer. “You know I’m not comfortable with you driving after consuming alcohol, and if you get pulled over for some kind of infraction, and the officer discovers that you’ve been drinking …”
“I know how many cans of this stuff I can handle.” Tom glanced at Vic with a sneer. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you remind me of my wife when she used to carry on about me having a few cold ones.”
He gave Vic a dismissive wave. “You worry too much, and I’m sick of you getting in my face about this.” Tom lifted the can to his lips and took another swig. “There’s nothing wrong with a few beers now and then, especially after a stressful day at work like we had today—the boss expecting us to do more than we could handle.”
Vic couldn’t get over his coworker’s defensive attitude. And the more he drank, the more aggressive Tom became. Vic shook his head in disapproval. It’s too bad you’ve gotta have a crutch like this to wind down your day.
Vic had to admit that today had not gone well all the way around. He looked at the dried blood on his hand from a minor cut he’d received this morning. A few hours later, he’d caught his pant leg on a nail, which caused a tear he’d have to ask his dear wife to mend. There was no doubt about it—this had been a hectic and nerve-wracking Monday. Despite the issues he’d faced today, Vic didn’t need a beer in order to deal with it. He didn’t think his coworker needed one either. What the misguided fellow really needed was a few months’ counseling to help him deal with his troubled marriage.
I’m sure I’d be willing to see a counselor if my marriage was on the rocks, Vic told himself. I would do anything to keep my wife from leaving me if we were having marital problems. I bet Eleanor would be willing to go for counseling too.
Vic glanced at Tom again and noticed that he drove with one hand on the wheel and the other holding the beer, close to his lap. As far as Vic was concerned, that was not good driving. On top of that, Tom had the radio turned up so loud that Vic could hardly hear himself think. At a moment like this, Vic wished he had his own car and would be allowed to drive it and still be considered Amish. I really need to find some other way to and from work. Riding with Tom is hard on my nerves. If only there was another employee who lived close to me, I would have asked that guy to take me home instead of Tom today.
The tension in Vic’s shoulders made riding in the passenger seat less than relaxing, especially after their long day at work. Riding in Tom’s truck on the slick, snow- and ice-covered pavement didn’t help either. The roads had been that way yesterday too, while traveling by horse and buggy to and from church. Vic always took it easy on these roads, especially during bad weather, and thankfully his senses weren’t tainted by alcohol, meaning he could react quicker if a problem presented itself.
As the truck sped down the road, going faster than Vic liked, it fish-tailed a couple of times, due to the snow and ice. Tom’s one-handed steering combined with his drinking made things even worse. Vic couldn’t wait to get home and be with Eleanor for the rest of the evening, but at the rate they were going, it would be a miracle if they made it home in one piece.
Eleanor stood in front of the living room window, staring at the mounds of snow in their yard. They’d had a snowstorm two weeks ago, on Christmas Day, and even though it hadn’t snowed again, the cold temperatures had kept the ground covered with white. It was lovely to look at it, but the frigid air took some of the joy out of being outside. At least the fireplace gave her warmth as the burning wood crackled and snapped.
Eleanor swirled her mug, which was half full of coffee with a dab of cream. It added soothing comfort on this chilly day as she took slow sips. The children in their area seemed to enjoy the snow. Eleanor took pleasure in watching them, bundled up, as they frolicked in the snow on their way home from school.
She placed one hand against her flat stomach and closed her eyes. Lord, will Vic and I ever become parents? She hoped there was nothing wrong with either of them that would prevent her from becoming pregnant. It was a pleasing thought to picture a new baby in their home. The excitement of an infant would bring joy to her, as well as Vic, and what a difference having a child would make in their home.
Things for now were quiet and a tad boring. Eleanor still thought about going out into the community, looking for work. If only she could convince her husband of that idea. Since she’d tried before and hadn’t gotten anywhere, she figured there was no point in bringing up the topic again. Vic’s answer would most likely be that his income was enough, so there was no reason for her to consider getting a job.
Eleanor saw a familiar vehicle pull up to their mailbox out by the road. Normally the mail was delivered by noon, but she figured with the road conditions being what they were, it had probably taken the mailman longer to make all the stops on his route today.
Although the thought of bundling up and tromping through the snow to retrieve the mail held no appeal, the hope of receiving any correspondence from home was a driving force.
Moving away from the window, Eleanor finished her beverage, took the mug to the kitchen, and went to the hall closet to get her outer garments. When Eleanor stepped outside, she paused on the porch and watched as the wind picked up and snow drifted across the road. Is it wrong to wish for spring already?
Pulling the scarf around her neck a little tighter, she stepped off the porch and made her way carefully down the slippery driveway. Checkers bounded along beside her, yipping and snapping at snowflakes. She couldn’t help laughing at the dog’s antics. Although Eleanor still didn’t have a real fondness for the mutt, she was able to tolerate Checkers more than she had before.
I wish I had half as much energy as Vic’s playful dog. Just think of everything I could get done in a day.
They reached the mailbox, and while Checkers poked his nose into a pile of snow, she opened the box and withdrew the mail. It was too blustery to look through the contents, so she told Checkers to come and headed toward the house, eager to get in out of the cold.
Eleanor hastened her steps because the bite of winter had penetrated her outer garments. The wind blew the winter chill everywhere, it seemed, and she shielded her face with the sleeve of her jacket. All she could think about was getting back inside the welcoming warmth of her home. Meanwhile, Checkers ran around in circles, barking and snapping at the snow. Eleanor was tempted to let him play for a while as she retreated to the house, but if he darted out in the road and got hit by a passing vehicle, Vic would really be upset. The truth was, she would also be sad if the dog got hurt or, worse yet, killed.
The wind picked up, and Eleanor held tightly to the mail, wondering if she should take the dog back to his pen or let him come in the house for a while. She waited on the porch until Checkers settled down and then called him again. As if he knew what she had in mind, Checkers leaped onto the porch and sat near the door, looking up at her expectantly.
“Okay, you can come in, but you’d better be good. And there will be no running all over the house.” She opened the door and stepped inside, Checkers right at her heels. After she took care of her jacket, boots, and gloves, Checkers went with her into the kitchen.
Having put the mail on the table, Eleanor gave Checkers a bowl of water and poured herself another cup of coffee. When Checkers gave a grunt and flopped down on the throw rug in front of the sink, Eleanor smiled. It felt good to be back inside the cozy house, and she was glad there wasn’t anything else that had to be done outside for now. At least their horses were in the barn, out of the wind, and here lay Vic’s dog, all cozy and warm, despite the fact that Eleanor had said on numerous occasions that she didn’t want the mutt to come in the house.
Eleanor sat at the table, took a cautious sip of coffee, and sorted out the mail. She was pleased to discover a letter from Doretta and eagerly opened it to read:
Dear friend Eleanor,
I hope this letter finds you doing well and enjoying the quiet, peaceful days of winter.
My mamm and I have been busy making some new dresses, and of course, teaching school occupies much of my time. The students did well with their parts during the Christmas program last month, and the schoolhouse was filled to capacity with parents and other family members. A good time was had by all.
Lots of ice-skating has been going on in the area, and I’ve seen many children pulling each other on sleds. Do you remember how much fun you, Irma, and I used to have when we were young girls and it snowed? I miss those days sometimes, and occasionally I even wish I was a little girl again.
It’s too bad Irma’s family moved to Montana soon after we all graduated from the eighth grade. I never did understand why her stepfather wanted to move there, but I suppose he had his reasons. Irma never liked it there, but from a recent letter she wrote to me, it would seem that she’s been much happier for the past few years—ever since she married LaVern Miller and they moved to Ohio.
I’d better close now and help Mama with supper. Write back soon and let me know how things are going with you.
Love & blessings,
Doretta
Eleanor sat for a minute, reflecting on the things her friend had said. She’d lost touch with Irma a while ago, but it was nice that Doretta still heard from their old friend. Eleanor would respond to Doretta’s letter soon and ask for Irma’s address. It would be nice to send their childhood friend a note, or maybe one of the homemade cards Eleanor liked to make. In the meantime, there was more mail to go through, and she needed to make out a grocery list for tomorrow’s shopping trip. Following that, Eleanor would begin supper preparations.
It took a few minutes to sort through the bills. When Eleanor finished, she picked up The Connection magazine. She’d no more than turned to the first page when the screech of tires, followed by a deafening crash, brought Eleanor to her feet.
She rushed out of the kitchen and hurried to the living room window, which faced the road in front of their house. Eleanor gasped when she saw that the front of Tom’s pickup truck had collided with a tree near the edge of their property. Her heart pounded as she raced out into the cold without stopping to grab a jacket.
Dear Lord, Eleanor prayed as her shaky legs propelled her forward, please let Vic and Tom be okay.