Strasburg
Susie entered the kitchen to begin making supper preparations and glanced at the clock. According to the message they’d gotten from Victor that morning, he and Eleanor had left Sarasota and should arrive soon to pick up Victor’s dog and hopefully share some details about their trip.
“I’m sure they’ll be hungry and want to stay for supper,” she told her oldest daughter, who had recently gotten home from her waitressing job at a local restaurant. “They will probably be tired from the long journey too, and I doubt that Eleanor will want to go home and cook a meal.”
“You’re probably right,” Clara agreed. “And it will be a nice opportunity for us to sit and visit with them. I’d like to find out more details about their trip than just the few things Eleanor wrote about on the one postcard she sent.” Clara filled the glass she’d taken from the cupboard with water and took a drink. “I know Eleanor wrote the card because I recognized her neat-as-a-pin handwriting.”
“Your bruder is more into phoning than writing a letter, so it makes sense that Eleanor would be the one to drop us a line.” Susie smiled. “She does have nice penmanship. Your brother did well choosing Eleanor as his fraa, and I don’t mean because of her tidy writing or the way she describes things. Eleanor is a good cook and keeps their home and yard in excellent shape. She is also even tempered and kindhearted, and I am certain that she loves Victor with all of her heart.”
Clara finished her drink and set the glass on the counter near the sink. “Living in Indiana for a while and meeting his future wife was one of the best things that ever happened to Vic. Eleanor was a big support to him when Eddie died too, and even since then, trying to help him deal with his depression and unwarranted guilt.”
Susie moved across the room and placed her arm around Clara’s waist. “You and Kate have been supportive to me and your daed since your brother died. Even Stephen, in his own way, has given encouragement by helping us with many things around here, and always without complaint.” She teared up and sniffed to keep the tears from falling onto her cheeks. “I am sure the three of you miss Eddie too—the whole while offering your love and understanding to me and your daed. It’s meant a whole lot, and we haven’t told you thank you often enough.”
Clara smiled. “No thanks is needed, Mom.”
Just then, Kate came in the door, red-faced and panting.
“What’s wrong?” Susie asked. “Why are you out of breath?”
Kate set her lunch satchel on the counter and removed her jacket and the black headscarf that had been holding her bonnet in place. “Things were super busy at the fabric store today, and my feet hurt from standing at the cash register for long hours, so I’m exhausted. On top of that, it’s cold and windy out there, and when my driver dropped me off just now, that crazy hund of Vic’s came charging right at me with muddy paws and his irritating yap. The next thing I knew, Eddie’s dog came running out too.” Her forehead creased. “I thought both dogs were supposed to be kept in the pen when no one was with them.”
Susie looked out the kitchen window and grimaced when she saw Checkers and Freckles run past. There was no sign of Ethan or Stephan, so she was certain that those energetic dogs were on their own. “This is not good.” Susie pointed out the window. “The last thing we need is for those animals to run off or—worse—go out on the road and get hit by a car. Victor would be very upset if he returned home to something like that. He doesn’t need another tragedy to deal with, even if it happened to a dog and not a boy.”
“I’ll go see if I can chase them down.” Kate reached for her jacket. “I tried once, but I’ll give it another go.”
“I’d better help too.” Clara grabbed her jacket from the wall peg where she’d previously hung it.
“Let me know if you need my help,” Susie called to her daughters’ retreating forms as they headed out the back door. “I hope the girls manage to catch those mutts before Victor and Eleanor show up,” she mumbled.
From the back seat of their driver’s van, Vic clutched Eleanor’s warm hand and found it comforting. They would be at his folks’ house soon, and he hoped the reminder that Eddie wouldn’t be there would not cause him to feel stressed out. He and Eleanor had enjoyed themselves so much while in Florida, but now it was time to face reality again. As much as he may have wanted it, Vic knew they could not stay on a perpetual vacation. He had to get back to work to provide for their needs. He also had a dog waiting to be picked up and figured Checkers had probably missed him and Eleanor.
If I can keep from thinking about the loss of my little brother, I’ll be okay, Vic told himself. I just need to keep other things in my focus and knock any negative thoughts out.
When their driver pulled into his parents’ yard a few minutes later, Vic was surprised to see both of his sisters running and waving their hands as they chased after two dogs.
“What’s going on?” Eleanor asked, leaning over Vic and peering out the window. “I wonder if your sisters are running after Checkers and Freckles because they are playing some kind of a game. Or maybe the dogs were trying to leave the yard for some reason, and the girls are trying to stop them.”
Vic shook his head. “All I know is I’m gonna put a stop to it right now.” He opened the door and stepped out. “I’ll be back as soon as I capture my hund.”
Vic moved toward his sisters, but he’d only taken a few steps before Checkers spotted him and began yipping and running around Vic in circles. Vic got down on one knee and called the dog to him. With no further encouragement, Checkers gave a mighty leap and slurped his wet tongue across Vic’s face several times. Meanwhile, Freckles had stopped running and now stood close beside Clara with his tail wagging and tongue hanging out.
“Simmer down, boy. I know you missed me. I missed you too, but I don’t need my face washed.” Vic stroked his dog’s head and ears.
Checkers tipped his head back and let out a weird-sounding noise that sounded more like a howl than a bark. There was no doubt about it—the dog had surely missed him. Vic couldn’t help laughing at all the racket Checkers was making. With a greeting like this, who couldn’t help feeling happy to be home?
Once the dog finally settled down, Vic rose to his feet and greeted his sisters with a hug.
“Welcome back. It’s sure good to see you,” Kate said.
“Same here.” He gave her back a few pats. “Was my hund giving you and Clara a merry chase?”
“Jah,” Clara said before Kate could respond. “He and Freckles escaped from the dog pen, and I’m guessing Checkers may have sensed that you were on your way home. So he probably got all worked up, which no doubt was the reason Freckles started carrying on too.”
Vic tried to avoid looking at his little brother’s dog. Seeing Freckles was always a painful reminder that Eddie was gone.
Vic’s sisters gave Eleanor a hug after she’d exited the van. Then Clara stepped back and squinted as she stared at Vic and Eleanor. “Oh boy … I can sure tell that you two have seen a bit of sun. You both have such beautiful tans.”
“It looks good on you,” Kate chimed in. “Did you two have a good time in Sarasota?”
“Oh yes.” Eleanor’s lips curved into a broad smile. “Vic and I made the most of every single day, and the weather was nearly perfect the whole time we were there.”
“How often did you go to the beach?” This question came from Kate.
“Every chance we got.” Vic glanced toward the house. “Where are Mom, Dad, and Stephen? I’d like to say hello before we get back in the van and head for home.”
“Dad and Stephen are still in the shop, and Mom’s in the kitchen,” Clara said. “She’s hoping you and Eleanor will stay for supper.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, not tonight. It’s a tempting offer, but we can’t hold our driver up for that long. He has family waiting for him and needs to get home.” Vic slipped his arm around Eleanor’s waist. “Besides, we’re both tired and will probably go to bed early tonight.”
“I understand,” Clara said. “But you have to know that Mom will be disappointed.”
“We’ll come for a meal another time.”
“You will go say hello to everyone, won’t you?” Kate tugged the sleeve of Vic’s jacket.
“Jah, of course.” He turned to face Eleanor. “I’ll help my sisters put the dogs back in the pen, and then we can go into the house to see my mamm for a few minutes. After that, we’ll stop by the shop to say hi to my daed and bruder.”
Eleanor nodded. “I’ll let our driver know that we’ll be back in the van shortly.”
Paradise
When Vic entered the house behind Eleanor, a wave of exhaustion settled over him like a dark cloud about to dump rain. After two full weeks of doing whatever they wanted, it would be difficult to go back to work Monday morning. At least he had to do a few things around home tomorrow, and the next day would be their off-Sunday. Before leaving his folks’ home, Vic had promised that he and Eleanor would attend church in Dad and Mom’s district, then go to their home afterward to visit and stay for a light supper. Vic didn’t plan to remain there too late, however, since he had to be up early for work on Monday.
After setting their suitcases on the floor in the entryway, Vic turned to Eleanor and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you so much, and I’m ever so glad you’re my fraa.” He bent his head and kissed her upturned mouth.
When the kiss ended, still leaning against him, she murmured, “I love you too, and I am glad that you’re my mansleit.”
Vic’s stomach gave an unexpected noisy growl. “Sorry about that. A blaring belly rumble is not exactly romantic, is it?”
She giggled. “No, it’s not, but it does let me know that you need to be fed. I’ll head for the kitchen and see what I can fix for our supper.”
Vic shook his head. “You’re tired from traveling all day, and so am I. Think I should hitch Domino to the buggy and take us out to eat. How’s that sound?”
Eleanor suppressed a yawn with the palm of her hand. “The thought of going out to a restaurant makes me feel even more tired than I am. If you’d be okay with a simple sandwich, or maybe some of the homemade chicken soup I have in the freezer that can be thawed in a kettle on the stove, I’d be happy to stay right here for our evening meal.”
He nodded and gave her another meaningful kiss. Vic couldn’t seem to get enough of those lately. “Staying here is fine with me. That way I’ll have you all to myself.”
The following day after breakfast, Vic had gone out to the barn to clean the stalls and put Domino and Buttons out to pasture. It had been nice of their Amish neighbor, Omar Stoltzfus, to come over each day while they were away to tend to the horses, while his wife, Anna, got the mail and took care of feeding their cats. Vic would no doubt return the favor sometime when Omar and Anna went somewhere for more than a day.
Neighbors helping neighbors is the Christian way, Eleanor told herself as she returned from their neighbors’ home with a sack full of mail. She placed everything on the kitchen table and began sorting through all the envelopes and magazines—one pile for the bills that had come in—another for advertisements and junk mail, and a third pile for letters and cards from friends and family in Indiana. Curious to find out who all had written to them while they were gone, Eleanor began with that stack of letters. The first one she picked up was from Doretta.
Eager to see what her friend had to say, Eleanor tore the envelope open and read the letter silently.
Dear Eleanor,
I received the beautiful postcard you sent while you were in Sarasota. I loved looking at the gorgeous sunset on the front of the card. It reminded me of the time you and I went there with a few other friends during our rumschpringe days. Maybe William and I will take a trip there soon after we’re married.
Yes, you read that right—it’s not just my wishful thinking anymore. Last night when he brought me home from a young people’s singing, William asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes. We haven’t set a wedding date yet, but I will be sure to let you know as soon as we do. I would like you to be one of my witnesses at the wedding, just as I was at yours.
Oh, Eleanor, I can’t tell you how happy I am today. As you well know, I was beginning to think maybe William didn’t love me the way I did him and might never ask me to marry him.
William’s twin brother still has no steady girl. William says Warren is too particular and will probably never find the right woman.
That’s enough about me, now. I am sure you must be home from Florida by now, and I’m eager to hear all the details of your trip that you couldn’t squeeze into that little postcard you wrote.
Take care, and I hope to hear back from you soon.
Love,
Doretta
Eleanor put her friend’s letter back in the envelope. She would respond to it later today if there was time. Otherwise it would have to wait until early next week. Having been empty for two whole weeks, the house was dusty and needed a good cleaning. She also had to come up with something to fix for tonight’s supper. It would be a busy day, and although vacations were nice, Eleanor had to admit that it was rather nice to be home again.
She stood and pushed in her chair at the table. It was time to fix something for her and Vic to eat, so she moved the mail to the opposite end of the table. Eleanor was sure that by the time Vic came back into the house, she would have their simple meal ready, and then they could sit down to eat and go through the rest of the mail together after they’d finished eating.
She smiled and released a contented sigh. I think everything between me and Vic is going to be okay from now on. After our trip to Sarasota, he seems like a new man. I don’t believe I have to worry about him drinking beer or getting drunk anymore.
Eleanor closed her eyes and said a little prayer out loud. “Thank You, Lord, for everything that’s been accomplished during the past two weeks.”