The Restoration (4 page)

Arthur

Elam Gingerich stepped onto the Hershbergers’ porch and knocked on the door. He was anxious to invite Priscilla out to supper.

“
Guder mariye
,” Iva said when she opened the door.

“Mornin’.” Elam smiled. “Is Priscilla at home?”

“Jah, but she’s still in bed.”

“Really? I figured she’d be up by now.”

“Normally she would, but she was at the hospital last night and didn’t get home till the wee hours.”

Elam felt immediate concern. “Why was Priscilla at the hospital?”

“She went there to see David Morgan.”

“I didn’t know he was in town. What was he doin’ at the hospital?”

“David was in an accident. Priscilla witnessed it when a deer darted in front of David’s motorcycle.”

Elam pursed his lips. “Sorry to hear about it. Is he gonna be okay?”

“His injuries are not life threatening, but he did break his leg and a couple of ribs. He also has a mild concussion.” Iva frowned, rubbing her forehead. “I broke my wrist when I was a girl, and it was quite painful. I can’t imagine how much pain David must be in.”

Elam nodded. “I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

“From what Priscilla said, David was on the way to his grandparents’ when the accident occurred.”

“It’s a shame. I’ll stop by their place soon to see how he’s doing.”

Iva opened the door wider. “You’re welcome to come in if you like. I’m sure Priscilla will be up soon. Maybe you’d like to have a cup of coffee while you’re waiting for her.”

He shook his head. “I’d better not. My
daed
’s store opens in an hour, and he expects me to work there today. Would ya tell Priscilla I dropped by? Oh, and unless I hear differently, I’ll come by around six to take her out to supper this evening.”

“I’ll give her the message.” Iva smiled. “It was nice seeing you, Elam. Tell your
mamm
I said hello.”

“I will.” Elam stepped down off the porch and sprinted to his buggy, leaving more boot prints in the freshly fallen snow. It had been two years since he’d last seen David.
I wonder why he waited so long to pay his grandparents a visit.

“Guder mariye,” Mom said when Priscilla entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.

“Good morning.” Priscilla glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced when she saw it was almost ten o’clock. “I didn’t realize it was so late. Why didn’t you wake me, Mom?”

“I figured after being out so late last night you’d be exhausted and need to catch up on your sleep.” Mom handed Priscilla a cup of coffee and motioned to the table. “Have a seat; I’ll fix you some scrambled eggs.”

Priscilla moved to the window, squinting as the sun glared off the new snow. “It’s so bright out there. Looks as if we got a couple more inches overnight.”

“The snow is sure pretty.” Mom turned on the gas burner to heat up the frying pan. “I must say, though, I was relieved when you finally got home last night.”

“David’s grandpa is a good driver and took his time on the road. I was careful with my horse and buggy when I brought it home, too.” Priscilla took a seat at the table. “Don’t trouble yourself, Mom. I’m not really
hungerich
this morning.”

“You may not be hungry, but you need to eat.” Mom went to the refrigerator and took out a carton of eggs. “I’ve never understood why you and your daed think you can start your day with only a cup of
kaffi.
”

Priscilla smiled. She did take after Dad in some ways. But Mom was right; she would have more energy if she ate a good breakfast.

“Elam was here awhile ago,” Mom said, cracking two eggs at the same time into a bowl.

“What’d he want?”

“He came by to see you. Wanted to know if you’d be free to go out to supper with him this evening.”

“Did you tell him about David?”

Mom nodded as she added a little milk to the bowl of eggs then mixed them with a wire whisk. “He seemed surprised to hear David was back in Arthur.”

Priscilla blew on her coffee and took a sip. “I’ll give Elam a call and let him know I can’t go to supper this evening.”

Mom tipped her head. “Why? Do you have other plans?”

“I need to check on David. I’m pretty sure Letty and Walt will be bringing him home sometime today.”

“Can’t you and Elam stop by there before or after you go out this evening?”

“I guess we could. David and Elam are friends, too, so he’s probably anxious to see how David is doing. When I finish eating breakfast, I’ll go out to the phone shack and give Elam a call.”

I
t’s turned into a beautiful Saturday evening,” Priscilla commented as she and Elam headed down the road in his buggy toward Yoder’s Kitchen.

Elam nodded. “With all the snow we got last night, I wasn’t sure how the roads would be. With the sun’s help and the roads being cleared, they’re pretty much dry now, making travel a lot safer.”

“For a Saturday evening, the traffic is light,” Priscilla noted.

“Jah. Guess most people decided to stay home tonight.”

As they pulled into the area where buggies were parked, Priscilla noticed the sun was getting ready to set. She wished they could stay outside and watch the show of colors, but Elam had said awhile ago that he was anxious to eat, so they headed inside as soon as he secured his horse.

“Have you heard how David’s doing?” Elam asked after he and Priscilla were seated inside the restaurant.

“I talked to his grandma this morning, and she said they’d be bringing him home today.”

“He must be doing pretty well if they’re letting him go home so soon.” Elam’s forehead wrinkled. “Guess he’s not really going home, though, since he lives in Chicago.”

Priscilla’s attention turned toward the window, taking in the beautiful sunset. The mix of reds, golds, and pinks was breathtaking.

Elam bumped her arm. “Did ya hear what I said about David?”

Priscilla’s face heated. “Sorry. I was watching the sunset. What did you say?”

“Said I guess he’s not really going home, since he lives in Chicago.”

“His grandparents’ place is home for David right now.” Priscilla studied the menu. She didn’t know why, though. Whenever she ate supper at Yoder’s she usually ended up having the dinner buffet, where she enjoyed moist and tasty roasted chicken and plenty of delicious homemade noodles. To accompany her meal, Priscilla ordered a glass of iced tea, while Elam asked their waitress for chocolate milk.

“I know David’s been away at college, but you’d think he would have visited his grandparents in all that time.” Elam’s brows furrowed. “Not very considerate, if you ask me.”

“I’m sure Letty and Walt have gone to Chicago to see David and his parents.”

“Maybe so. Should we pray before we go to the buffet?” Elam suggested.

“Jah.”

They bowed for silent prayer. When they were done, Priscilla and Elam joined several others in line for the buffet. “I see Elaine and Ben ahead of us.” Priscilla gestured in their direction. “Would you mind if I asked them to join us at our table?”

Elam hesitated but finally nodded. “If that’s what you want to do.”

Priscilla stepped out of line and tapped Elaine’s shoulder.

Elaine whirled around. “You startled me!”

“Sorry. I wanted to get your attention before you sat down.”

Elaine smiled. “Are you here with your family?”

“No, I came with Elam. I was wondering if you two would like to join us.”

Elaine looked at Ben. “Is it all right with you?”

Ben’s broad shoulders lifted in a brief shrug. “Sure, why not?”

“Our table is right over there.” Priscilla motioned to it.

“Okay. Ben and I will join you after we get our food and have told our waitress where we’re going.”

“Did Priscilla tell you she helped Elaine with her dinner last night?” Ben asked, taking a seat across from Elam.

“Nope.” Elam looked over at Priscilla. “How come you never mentioned it?”

“I haven’t had a chance.” Priscilla cut the meat off her drumstick. “Besides, we’ve been talking about other things so far tonight.”

“True—like David’s accident.” Elam waited for Priscilla’s response but then realized she must not have heard him. Her peculiar expression was hard to read, but ever since they’d arrived at Yoder’s, Priscilla’s attention seemed to be somewhere else. Like now, as she stared out the window again.
What’s she thinking about?

Elam glanced out the window, to be sure he wasn’t missing something.
The sun’s already set, so it couldn’t be the sky.

“Who’s David?” Ben asked, breaking into Elam’s thoughts.

“David Morgan. He’s English and used to visit here a lot when we were teenagers,” Priscilla explained. “Until last night when I witnessed David’s motorcycle accident, neither Elam nor I had seen David for two years.”

Elam noticed how Priscilla perked up when David’s name was mentioned.

“I remember David.” Elaine massaged her forehead. “Was he injured in the accident?”

Priscilla explained what had happened. Since Elam had already heard the story and didn’t want his food to get cold, he started eating. When Priscilla finished telling about the accident, Elam jumped into the conversation. “Maybe we oughta stop by the Morgans’ place when we’re done eating and see how David’s doing.”

Priscilla’s eyes brightened. “Good idea.”

As their meal progressed, Elam became irritated. So far, Priscilla had spent more time talking to Elaine than him. He’d hoped to have Priscilla all to himself tonight and had been trying to get in a word with her, but to no avail. Even though he liked the food here, Elam wished they’d gone someplace else to eat supper.

Maybe I shouldn’t have suggested we stop and see David on the way home, either.
Elam crumpled his napkin.
It’ll be one more opportunity for her to visit with someone other than me. Guess it’s too late to worry about that now. Said I’d go, so I’ll have to follow through. And it will be kind of nice to see David again.

“Are you all right?”

Elam turned to look at Priscilla. “Huh? I’m sorry. Were you talking to me?”

“No, I was asking Elaine.”

“I have a
koppweh
.” Elaine rubbed her forehead again. “I’ve had it most of the day, but it’s suddenly gotten worse.”

Ben looked at her with concern. “Should I take you home?”

“I apologize. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s evening, but that might be a good idea.”

“I have a better idea,” Priscilla interjected. “Why don’t you go over to Leah’s and see if she can give you a foot treatment? Reflexology has always helped whenever I have a headache.”

Elaine’s forehead wrinkled. “I hate to bother her at this time of night. She’s probably fixing supper for her family.”

“Maybe they’re done eating by now,” Ben put in. “We ought to drop by and see if she’s free to give you a treatment.”

“It’s worth a try.” Elaine pushed her chair aside and stood. “Danki for inviting us to join you.” She offered Priscilla a weak smile. “Sorry I wasn’t better company.”

Priscilla reached out and clasped her friend’s hand. “It’s okay. I hope you feel better soon.”

While Elam wasn’t glad Elaine had a headache, he was pleased he would finally have Priscilla to himself—at least until they got to the Morgans’ house.