Grabill
“What are you doing?” Doretta’s mother called from the dining room.
“I’m reading the note Eleanor included in her Christmas card.” Doretta left the kitchen to join her.
Mama looked up from her seat at the table and smiled. “Oh good. You’re here. I thought we were going to play a few board games.” She gestured to the game of Rook on the table. “Your daed went out for some wood for the fireplace, and as soon as he comes inside he’ll join us. Your older brothers are at their girlfriends’ homes this evening, but I think Karen and Jeremy would like to join us for a while before it’s their bedtime.”
“Oh, okay, but first I want to share Eleanor’s good news.” Doretta handed her mother the note she’d found inside her friend’s Christmas card.
Mama’s face broke into a wide smile as she read the note. “How nice it is that Eleanor and Vic are expecting their first baby. I’m sure they must be very excited.”
“I know for sure that Eleanor is, because she’s the one who wrote the note.” Doretta wasn’t about to tell her mother about the extra little sticky note Eleanor had included, asking for prayer. She’d stated in just a few words that Vic was not thrilled about the pregnancy and had said he would not make a good father.
Such a shame, Doretta thought. This should be a happy time for both Vic and Eleanor. I’m sure Vic’s attitude about Eleanor’s pregnancy has to do with the grief and guilt he has struggled with since his little brother died. I need to write another letter to Eleanor soon and let her know that I’ll be praying for both her and Vic.
Paradise
“Would you like another open-faced sandwich?” Eleanor asked Vic as they sat quietly at the kitchen table.
He shook his head. He hadn’t said more than a few words to her since they’d begun their Christmas Eve meal, and those only in answer to Eleanor’s questions.
She took a bite of her sandwich and followed it with a drink of hot apple cider. Eleanor was relieved that the nausea she’d felt nearly every morning didn’t last all day. At least she could enjoy two meals a day without stomach upset. Right now, however, Eleanor’s belly felt like it was tied in knots. When Vic became moody or gave her the silent treatment, it stressed her out, which was not good for her or the precious baby growing inside of her womb.
Eleanor thought of the comforting words from John 14:27, a verse of scripture she’d read the other day during her morning devotions: Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Eleanor had to admit that she was fearful—afraid of Vic’s sudden personality change since she’d revealed the results of her pregnancy test. Why couldn’t he just be happy that they would become parents in about eight months? How was it possible for Vic to be convinced that because his brother had drowned while under their care, he would not be a good father?
Eleanor glanced at Vic as he sat staring at his empty plate. The way he sagged into his chair, with his shoulders curled forward, revealed the depression that had set in once again. If only there was some way to reach him. How could Vic have changed so much since their wonderful trip to Sarasota? When they’d returned home, Eleanor had been certain that things would continue to be better for them. No more drinking, no more unhealthy silence, but instead of the joyful, loving spirit he’d had during their vacation, Vic had changed. His depression seemed to be spiraling downward, with more of his previous problems creeping back in.
Prior to coming home, Vic’s attitude had been so pleasant that Eleanor had begun to dream of starting a family. The way things had been between Eleanor and Vic while they were in Florida had reminded her of the good times right after they married, when they’d talked about and looked forward to raising children someday. Vic’s gloomy attitude was so bad now that Eleanor was afraid to talk about the upcoming birth of their baby. She wanted to choose names for a boy and a girl—something that she and Vic would agree upon. But no, the last time she’d brought up the topic of her pregnancy, Vic had said he didn’t want to talk about it and abruptly left the room. Eleanor wondered if she might have to revisit the Zooks and tell them more of what was happening with Vic. She surely couldn’t go through this alone. It wasn’t a healthy situation for her, Vic, or their unborn child.
Eleanor had left a message on her parents’ voice mail this morning, wishing them a Merry Christmas and revealing the news of her pregnancy. Of course, she hadn’t said anything about her husband’s reaction to the idea of becoming a father. It would be nice to unburden herself with what was so upsetting in her life right now. She longed to have her mother say she would be praying for them and if Eleanor needed anything to let her know. Unfortunately, if Eleanor told her mother what was going on with Vic, Mom would likely see it as an opportunity to put the blame on him. Why give her one more thing to criticize him about? It wasn’t fair. Vic’s sorrowful attitude had stolen some of Eleanor’s enthusiasm about becoming a mother, and that was the last thing she’d ever wanted. Her pregnancy and the eventual birth of their baby should be joyous, and no matter how Vic acted, Eleanor did not want anything to put a damper on her happiness about becoming a mother.
Tomorrow, when they went to Vic’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner, they needed to tell his mom and dad that sometime around the middle of August, they would become grandparents for the first time. Eleanor felt certain that Susie, Ethan, and Vic’s siblings would be happy to hear the good news. Shouldn’t that be a normal response from anyone, especially from the father of the baby, who supposedly loved his wife dearly? The question was, would Vic be able to hide his disappointment about Eleanor’s pregnancy from his family?
Grabill
“I have some gut nei-ichkeede to share with all of you,” Lydia said after everyone took seats at the dinner table and their prayers had been said.
“I’m always up for some good news,” her husband responded. “Please don’t keep us in suspense. What’s your good news?”
“I went out to the phone shed this afternoon and discovered a message from Eleanor.”
“What’d my granddaughter have to say?” Lydia’s elderly father questioned.
“Eleanor said that she and Vic will become parents sometime around the middle of August.” Lydia couldn’t keep the smile from her lips, because this exciting news meant that she and Al would become grandparents again. Although it was nice to have Gabe’s, Sam’s, and Larry’s children all living nearby, Lydia felt bad because she wouldn’t get to see her new grandbaby as often as she’d like. But, she told herself, there’s nothing I can do about the distance between us. With Vic’s job in Pennsylvania, it’s doubtful that he and Eleanor will ever move back to Indiana.
Al reached over and touched Lydia’s arm. “What’s wrong? That smile you had on your face a few minutes ago has suddenly turned to a frown. Aren’t you happy about having another grandchild to fuss over and buy things for?”
“Of course. I was just thinking about how nice it would be if Eleanor and Vic lived closer so we could see them and the baby as often as we like.”
Gabe spoke up. “We would enjoy seeing them more frequently too. It will be harder for our kinner to get know their little cousin when they won’t get to see him or her all the time.”
“I’m sure Vic and Eleanor will bring their child here for visits,” Larry said.
Sam nodded. “And we can all take turns going to Pennsylvania to see them too.”
Lydia released a sigh. Since their daughter had gotten married and moved away, they’d only seen her on a few occasions. Between Vic’s work schedule and the cost of hiring a driver, it wasn’t likely she and Al would get to spend much time with their youngest grandchild. But Lydia was resigned to the fact that there was nothing she could do about it. Hopefully, Al would be able to take some time off from overseeing his bulk food store often enough to make trips to Pennsylvania. Otherwise, it would be a shame if Eleanor and Vic’s baby grew up not knowing his or her maternal grandparents very well.
Strasburg
While Susie sat at the dining room table with her family on Christmas Day, she kept eyeing Victor. He hadn’t eaten much or said more than a few words since they’d all begun eating twenty minutes ago. Could my son and his wife have had some sort of disagreement before coming over here today? Susie wondered. If so, I wish they had worked things out. Victor’s melancholy mood does not set a good example for Stephen, Kate, or Clara. And no doubt his somber attitude is unsettling for Eleanor. Vic seemed so happy and upbeat when they returned from Florida. I wonder what occurred between then and now to bring about this negative side of him.
“Did you and your fraa have a pleasant Christmas Eve?” Susie directed her question to Victor, making sure she looked right at him while speaking.
He gave a noncommittal shrug and mumbled, “It was okay.”
“What’d you have for supper?” Kate questioned.
“Open-faced sandwiches, like the ones my mamm likes to fix on Christmas Eve,” Eleanor responded when Vic ignored his sister’s question.
“Those sound interesting. Maybe you could show me how to make them sometime,” Katie said.
“I’d be happy to.” Eleanor gave a sidelong glance at her husband. Susie was pretty good at reading people’s body language, and she had a feeling that her daughter-in-law may have been trying to tell Victor something.
“This is another outstanding meal,” Ethan interjected, reaching over and giving Susie’s arm a pat.
She smiled and said, “Danki. There are plenty more mashed potatoes and ham in the kitchen, so if the bowls here on the table become empty, I’ll bring more food out.”
“Hey Vic, how come you’re not eating much today?” The question came from Stephen.
“I’m getting enough. Just choosing not to make a sau out of myself.” Victor pointed at Stephen’s plate, piled high with ham, potatoes, creamed corn, pickles, olives, and one oversized roll.
Stephen frowned. “I’m not a pig, and you’re a grouch. You have been ever since you sat down at this table.”
Susie figured she’d better put a stop to this conversation before it got out of control with her sons trying to one-up each other. But before she had the chance to form a sentence, Ethan spoke.
“Let’s not spoil the day by pointing fingers,” he said, looking first at Stephen and then Victor. “I am sure we can all find something positive to talk about on this special day when we celebrate the birth of Christ.”
“Vic and I have something positive to share,” Eleanor said. “It’s something that will affect each one of you in some way.”
“That makes me real curious.” Clara’s eyes brightened as she nudged her brother’s arm. “Please tell us about it.”
Victor nodded with his head toward Eleanor. “Since she brought it up, I’ll let her do the telling.”
All heads turned in Eleanor’s direction. A crimson flush quickly spread across her cheeks as she drew in a deep breath. “Well, uh … Vic and I have some happy news—we’re expecting a baby.”
Susie let out a squeal of delight, and everyone began talking and asking questions at the same time.
“That is great news. Congratulations!” Ethan looked at Susie and grinned. “Just think now, we’re soon going to become grandparents, and it won’t be long before the little one will be calling us Grossdaadi and Grossmudder.”
“Or maybe, for short, our grandbaby will simply refer to us as Daadi and Mammi.”
“Clara and I will both be aendi, and I can hardly wait to hold my niece or nephew.” Kate pointed at Stephen. “And you, young bruder, will become an onkel.”
Stephen’s ears turned red as a ripe tomato. “I’m too young to be anybody’s uncle, and I can’t imagine being called Uncle Stephen.”
“You’ll get used to the idea,” Susie said. “We all will, and it’ll be so much fun having a little one around.” Joyful tears sprang to her eyes. Although Victor and Eleanor’s baby could not take the place of Eddie, it would be ever so nice to have a new member of the family to dote over and shower with love.
She glanced over at Victor, confused by his lack of enthusiasm over this wonderful news. Surely he must be happy about becoming a father. Or was he? Susie couldn’t miss the wrinkles that had formed on her son’s forehead, or the way Victor stared at his half-eaten plate of food with a look of disinterest. Was it possible that he did not share in his wife’s excitement? Was that why he’d been acting so sullen today?
But why would Victor be unhappy about becoming a parent? Susie asked herself. She couldn’t come right out and ask, but it was hard to watch her son acting like this. He didn’t seem the least bit excited about becoming a father. There was trouble in paradise, and it appeared to be centered on Victor. Eleanor seemed pleased with the positive comments she’d received from his family over the wonderful news.
Susie looked at her sweet daughter-in-law and pursed her lips. It isn’t right or fair for Eleanor to have to deal with Victor behaving in this manner. If I could, I’d ask her to come and stay with us throughout the rest of her pregnancy, and let my son come begging for Eleanor to return home. He needs to wake up. That’s all there is to it. If her son was not pleased about the prospect of becoming a father, then he needed a good, strong lecture, which Susie would have given right now if the whole family hadn’t been here. If Victor’s attitude kept up, however, she wouldn’t hesitate to talk to him, or maybe Eleanor, about it.