The Prodigal by Beverly Lewis

The Prodigal by Beverly Lewis

Author:Beverly Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2004-03-25T16:00:00+00:00


“God be with you, sister,” Leah whispered as she hugged Sadie good-bye. She was relieved to note her sister’s spirits had greatly improved.

Outside, though, Leah was unable to forget Dottie’s self-assured remarks about the butterfly hankie. No, I’m quite sure I’ve seen this before today, Dottie had said.

Impossible, thought Leah as she headed around the corner to Dr. Schwartz’s clinic.

There she began by sweeping and cleaning the floors, and then moved on to dusting the furniture in the waiting area.

After a time she stopped her work and went to see if Dr. Schwartz was in his office. Along with Dottie’s supposed memory of that same handkerchief, Leah had also been struck by Sadie’s renewed grief for her first baby, born in Aunt Lizzie’s former log house on the hill.

Till now Leah had rejected the notion of approaching Dr. Schwartz again on the subject, but today’s visit had made her certain it might help Sadie if she knew her baby was buried in the vacant lot below the Peacheys’ farmland. Why else would Dr. Schwartz tend the tiny grave?

Another recent storm had blown piles of snow against the north side of the clinic, and she could see the tops of drifts at eye level out the doctor’s lone office window as she waited in the doorway. “Mind if I come in?” she asked.

“You certainly may, Leah.” He pushed up his glasses and studied her for a moment. “How’s Abe feeling now? Back to school?”

“Not just yet, but Lydiann brings home plenty of schoolwork to keep him out of mischief.”

“And the dizzy spells, have they lessened some?”

“Not much just yet and it does worry me. He still has a bit of confusion when he gets to talkin’, too.”

The doctor’s eyes narrowed and he removed his glasses. “Bring him in and I’ll check him over for you. No charge.” He went on to ask about the follow-up tests made at the hospital. “Anything show up there?”

“Nothin’ alarming,” she told him. “But he doesn’t yet remember a stitch of what happened that day, and it clearly annoys him. His mind used to be ever so sharp.”

Dr. Schwartz assured her that the symptoms should diminish over time. “I know it’s difficult, but try to be patient and keep Abe as calm as you can.”

Leah had to laugh. “Well, he’s all boy, so that ain’t an easy task.” They exchanged small talk for a bit; then Leah decided to ask the thing plaguing her.

“I hesitate to bring this up, really,” she began. “It’s just that Sadie’s strugglin’ these days.” She quickly explained as best she could something of the Proving requirements and the burden they placed on her sister. When she revealed that Sadie had temporarily moved in with the Nolts, he admitted to having already heard this news from his wife, Lorraine and Dottie having become good friends over the years.

“I hate to ask, but I wondered if it might not help Sadie somehow to know … well, ever since I stumbled onto a little grave on your property, I’ve wondered if, by chance, you might’ve buried Sadie’s baby there.



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