The Beginning by Beverly Lewis

Author:Beverly Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Fiction;Christian Fiction;FIC053000;FIC042000;FIC026000
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

23

Due to Mamma’s lingering poor health, Susie, Mamma, and Britta skipped going to Saturday market the next day. Susie looked in on her upstairs frequently and felt at a loss to know what to do. Observing how fitfully her mother was sleeping, she thought, Maybe I should just slip away to the stable and place a call to Allen and Sarah without Mamma knowing.

Tiptoeing out of the room, Susie decided she must alert her brother without delay. He needed to know how bad Mamma’s asthma had become.

A soft light trickled through the stable windows as Susie hurried to the wall phone beyond the horse stalls. Quickly, she dialed the number for her brother’s barn phone.

On the third ring, Sarah answered. “Oh, Susie! It’s wunnerbaar to hear your voice! I was about to call you and leave a message.”

“Hope everyone’s all right there.”

“Oh jah, we’re fine.” Sarah went on to say she’d been meaning to catch up on things back home. Then she asked, “How’s your Mamma? Haven’t heard a peep from her in a while.”

Susie was relieved she’d asked. “Honestly, she’s not doin’ so well, but she would say not to worry . . . that she has some gut days mixed in with the bad.”

“I’m sorry to hear she’s ailin’ again.”

“She drinks a fair amount of tea, but that only does so much, as ya know,” Susie said. “Mamma tries other natural remedies, too, especially that syrup she likes, but I think she needs a doctor.”

“Ach, such a challenge,” Sarah said. “I suppose she won’t agree to that?”

“Nee . . . not Mamma.” Sighing, Susie added, “Even going for a consultation might be helpful—if I could get her to agree.” She went on to ask if Allen might call and leave a voice message for Mamma specifically. “Just keep me out of it, okay?”

Sarah chuckled into the phone. “Your mother is one to do things her way, but I understand not wanting to spend the money to see a doctor. Our Maggie’s had to go quite a number of times lately, so I do know that.”

“Jah, but it could turn into an emergency . . . ’specially at night, and then what would we do?” Susie hoped she didn’t sound pushy, knowing that, like Mamma, Allen and Sarah usually preferred alternative healing methods. “She’s just so stubborn.”

“That determination might be why she’s made it through this long, what with your Dat gone and all,” said Sarah, then added, “But I’ll be sure to mention your concerns to Allen.”

“Thank you, Sarah.”

“How’s Britta?” Sarah asked.

“Oh, she’s a hard worker—enjoys helpin’ in the shop and sewing and cleaning house. She also likes helping Polly with the children, though I think she missed being able to attend school this year. She does see her friend Hazel and other girls their age through their small buddy group.”

“Britta’s real perty. It won’t be long before the fellas take notice, if they haven’t already.”

“That she is.”

“You and your Mamma have your work cut out for ya when she’s old enough to court,” Sarah replied, a smile in her voice.

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