His lips moved, but he remained silent.
“He’s trying to speak!” Excitement filled Ruth’s voice. “Please, Eva, sit on the side of the bed.”
I felt uncomfortable as I neared this man I barely knew. He’d never liked me as far as I could tell. Or maybe he never noticed me. I perched on the corner of the bed, near his feet. His gaze followed me. Hoping for encouragement or direction, I looked to Ruth. “What should I do?”
“How about seeing if he’ll eat a couple of teaspoons of this?” She lifted a bowl of tomato soup and a spoon from a nearby table and handed them to me.
I stood and dipped the teaspoon into the soup for a small portion and then brought it to Amos’s lips as Ruth tucked a towel under his chin. Fortunately, I had experience feeding my nieces.
When Amos noticed the spoon, he parted his lips and allowed me to serve him a mouthful, and then another. Ruth was nearly beside herself with excitement. “You have a way with him, Eva,” she said, her voice giddy. “I couldn’t get Amos to take even a taste before you got here.”
Amos’s hand jiggled. Ruth swooped to his side. “Look, the doctor said he might start moving on his own.”
I wondered how she knew what Amos did or did not want. Mamm said she could always tell what my dat was thinking, but I had no clue as to what Jake thought about anything.
“You told me a therapist is coming tomorrow,” I said. “In the meantime, I don’t see how I can help Amos.”
“I know my husband better than anyone does. He wants to see you, and your being here helps him. I’m sure of it.”
My heart went out to her, but she was asking for the impossible.
Brandy descended the stairs wearing a smock over black tights. Ruth glanced at me. “She’s really a very sweet girl. And she’s been helping me out immensely. Doing the wash, helping me clean.” She smiled as Brandy entered the room. “But I still think she should return to her parents. They must be worried sick, no matter what they said before.”
Brandy’s expression soured. “They don’t love me, and they want me to put the baby up for adoption the moment it’s born.”
“Perhaps that’s a good idea if you can’t take care of it properly.” Ruth’s gray eyes were filled with compassion. “Mennonites in this area adopt. Occasionally, Amish do too.”
Brandy’s hands moved across her belly. “I could never have a stranger raise my baby.”
“But how will you support it?” I asked. “Where will you live?”
“Maybe I could stay here as long as Ruth lets me. I’m a hard worker.”
“But once you give birth, how can you do housekeeping, help with Amos, and take care of your baby all at the same time?”
“I’ll have to find a way.” Her long flaxen hair covered half her face like a veil.
Amos swallowed, drawing our attention to him.
“What is it, Amos?” Ruth sailed to his side.
I imagined Amos was frustrated, stuck in a lifeless body. Other than to pray for him, what could I do for this invalid?
Brandy disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a glass of water with a straw. She put the straw to his mouth, and he sucked.
“Thank you,” Ruth said to her.
“No problem.” Brandy turned to Jake. “Hey, can I use the car?”
“Sure.” He dug out the key.
“No, wait a minute.” I shot to my feet. “How will I get home?”
“Jake could use our buggy,” Ruth said.
“That would take too long.” I had to put an end to this craziness. “I should leave in five minutes.”
“So soon?” Ruth said. “You just got here.”
“But I have work early tomorrow.”
“Evie, is it all right if we take Brandy with us?” Jake stepped closer to Brandy, as if they were best buddies.
“Hey, whatever works,” Brandy said before I could answer.
“What’s open this time of night that you want to go there so badly?” Jake asked Brandy. “Please don’t say you’re going to start smoking again.”
“Smoking is bad for the baby,” Ruth said.
“No, I’ll be good. I have an outrageous craving for ice cream. Is that so terrible?”
“And how about homemade dill pickles?” The corners of Ruth’s mouth curved up.
“Now that you mention it, dill pickles sound fantabulous.” She combed her fingers through her sumptuous tresses.
Ruth grinned. “Bring the ice cream home, and the pickles will be waiting. I mustn’t act prideful, but I doubt you’ll taste better anywhere in the county.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Miller.”
“You know we go by first names around here. Call me Ruth, dear.” She slid her arm around the young woman’s shoulders.
I was struck by the fact Brandy fit into this household better than I did. As if I were shrinking. I paused at Amos’s bed out of courtesy and patted his hand. “Goodbye, Amos.” I still wasn’t sure he knew who I was.
“Goodbye, Eva,” he murmured, much to my astonishment. “Come back soon. Yah?”
“Of course she will,” Ruth said with enthusiasm. “In the meantime, you’ll get better. We’ll get you on your feet.”
Amos’s body seemed nearly lifeless, as if his brain had forgotten how to direct his limbs. From what Olivia told me and the article I’d read, I knew he might have to relearn how to walk—how to do everything.
TWENTY-SEVEN
When Jake opened the car’s door, Brandy leaped in and sat in the center of the bench seat. I guessed I’d been so distracted I hadn’t noticed the litter on the floor and the saccharine odor from an air-freshener dangling from the rearview mirror.
I scooted in next to Brandy and closed my door.
“I’m low on gas.” Jake slammed his door. “I think there’s a little twenty-four-hour store next to the gas station down on Route 30.”
“Oh, I can hardly wait.” Brandy wrapped her arms around her tummy. “Turn the heater up, Jakie, I’m freezing.”
“Then why didn’t you wear a jacket?”
His question inspired a giggle. “I was so excited about the ice cream
