Read Online Rebecca's Choice by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online

hide things from me,” John said shaking his head. “I’ve got to start the chores.”
    “She did spend a lot of time at the coffin. Stood there with her aunt Leona.”
    “I can’t believe you,” John said over his shoulder, as he stepped out into the utility room. “Usually you have such good sense.”
    On the way to the barn, his mother’s words affected him more than he expected. John remembered that Rebecca did hide things from him. At least in the past she did.
    The memory came back to him from across that abyss, which was his hospital stay. He had gotten angry—very angry—just before the accident. For a moment his face flushed, his insides trembled, and the mindless terror ran through his head. He felt as if he had to run over to Rebecca’s place, reach out to hold on, and demand what was his, but he let go of the emotion.
    Something had happened to him at the hospital. Something in the terror of those first conscious hours had cured him of his secret nightmares. He could trust this girl. She was worthy of it. If not, then he was worthy of it. He would not doubt again because of groundless fears.
    An hour later he was back in the house, the chores done. His father was also back from his work at the harness shop. Miriam had the table set and supper ready. The speed with which his mother could prepare supper had always amazed him. It was just the way things were.
    “Supper,” Miriam announced.
    It was a call for both of them—to Isaac who sat in the living room, The Budget on his lap, and to him, the son who belonged here.
    His father groaned, got up, and took his seat at the kitchen table. He waited as John washed his hands in the utility sink. His hands dry, John took his chair and copied Isaac and Miriam as they bowed their heads in prayer.
    “John got a strange letter today,” his mother said, as she passed the soup bowl.
    “Mom,” John told her, “it’s nothing.”
    “Probably not,” Miriam agreed. “John thinks it’s someone playing a joke on him.”
    “That sounds interesting.” Isaac paused, the soup dipper in his hand.
    “That’s enough soup,” Miriam said to Isaac. “You know the doctor wants you to cut back.”
    “How am I supposed to stop eating with your good cooking?” Isaac tried a smile first, then a chuckle, his ample body vibrating with his voice.
    “No more jokes,” Miriam told him. “You know we’re both getting older. Your health is important to me.”
    “I suppose so,” Isaac allowed, looking longingly at the soup dipper in his hand, before he let it slide back into the bowl. “Starved by love, that’s what I say.”
    “It’s for your own good,” Miriam assured him. “We have to try. Doctors know what they are saying.”
    “So what was this letter?” Isaac asked. Obviously he wanted to change the subject but wasn’t quite able to help himself. “A man could die with this little soup in his bowl.”
    John chuckled. “Just a prank letter. That’s all.”
    “Tell him what it said,” Miriam replied.
    “I can’t quote it from heart,” John protested. “It was a joke.”
    “Show it to him, then,” Miriam insisted. “I want your father to see it.”
    John pulled the letter out of his pocket, now crumpled from his time at chores. Isaac opened the page and read silently.
    “I see,” Isaac said.
    “What do you think?” Miriam asked.
    “John’s probably right,” he said.
    John nodded his head and continued eating.
    “What if it’s true?” Miriam asked.
    “Would be pretty wild, I guess. She was with us at Emma’s funeral. I didn’t see anything unusual.” Isaac turned his attention back to his soup bowl.
    “She’s not hiding anything,” John said. His tone matched his words.
    “Good to see you trust her,” Isaac told him.
    “What if it’s true?” Miriam repeated the question.
    “Then I guess there would be trouble. Plenty of it. Don’t you think so, John?” Isaac paused, his spoon halfway to his mouth, his face turned in