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Authors: Wanda E. Brunstetter
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opened the back hatch, and lifted out a suitcase, placing it on the ground.
Aunt Verna reached for the handle and began to tug the suitcase along the ground.
Elsie wrapped her woolen shawl around her shoulders and rushed outside. Walking carefully around the piles of snow still in the yard, she saw Aunt Verna let go of the handle, then she greeted her with a hug. “I’m surprised to see you so soon. When we spoke yesterday, you said you’d try to be here by the end of the week.”
The elderly woman tipped her head. “What was that?”
Speaking louder, Elsie repeated what she’d said.
Aunt Verna smiled and patted Elsie’s shoulder. “My driver has other plans for the end of the week. Since she was only available today and tomorrow, I decided I’d better come now. I would have called first, but I wasn’t sure when you would check your messages, so I decided to just come ahead.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. I’ll try calling Doris and Arlene, but I don’t know if I can reach them today.”
“That’s okay. I can stay till tomorrow evening. That’s when my driver will be back to pick me up.”
While Aunt Verna said goodbye to her driver, Elsie bent down and picked up her small suitcase.
No sense trying to pull this travel bag through piles of snow.
Out of consideration for her aunt, she would put her things in the downstairs bedroom, and she and John would sleep upstairs. That meant Glen and Blaine would have to share a room again, but it was only for one night, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Once inside, Elsie took her aunt’s coat and other outer garments and hung them up. “Have you had lunch yet?”
“Do I have a hunch about what?”
“No, I asked if you’ve had lunch yet. I’ve eaten already, but there’s some leftover
schplittaerbs supp
I can reheat if you want.”
Aunt Verna’s nose wrinkled. “I’ve never cared much for split-pea soup. Your daed always liked it, but not me.”
“Oh, I see. Can I fix you a sandwich then?”
“No, it’s okay. I developed a
koppweh
on the drive here and would really like to lie down awhile.” She rubbed her temples.
“I’m sorry you have a headache. I’ll put your things in mine and John’s room, and you can rest there on our bed.” Elsie made sure to speak slowly and loud enough for her aunt to hear.
“Are you sure? I can take one of the bedrooms upstairs.”
“The downstairs bedroom will be best. It’ll be easier if you don’t have to climb the stairs.”
“Okay, if you insist. Elsie, could you please bring me a cold washcloth for my forehead?” Aunt Verna questioned before starting down the hall in the direction of the bedroom.
“Sure, no problem. I’ll bring you a cup of chamomile tea and some aspirin, too,” Elsie called.
Apparently her aunt didn’t hear what she said, for she continued down the hall without a response.
I’ll take it to her anyway,
Elsie thought as she started for the kitchen
. Then I’ll go out to the phone shack and call Doris, Arlene, and Joel. Maybe we can all meet to talk about opening those envelopes before we sit down to a nice meal at the get-together this evening.
Akron
As Joel headed down the freeway, he glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled. He didn’t know why Elsie had invited him to join her family for supper this evening, but he’d gladly accepted the invitation. Besides enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal, he looked forward to spending time with her family.
He glanced at the satchel on the seat beside him, where he’d put his harmonica, then looked quickly back at the road. After they ate, he looked forward to playing a few tunes for the family.
Sure wish Arlene and her family could be there. I’ll bet Scott would enjoy playing his harmonica with me.
The boy reminded Joel of himself at that age—full of curiosity and eager to try new things.
Sure hope he doesn’t rebel like I did when he starts his running-around years. If he does, I’ll speak up and try to guide
Aunt Verna reached for the handle and began to tug the suitcase along the ground.
Elsie wrapped her woolen shawl around her shoulders and rushed outside. Walking carefully around the piles of snow still in the yard, she saw Aunt Verna let go of the handle, then she greeted her with a hug. “I’m surprised to see you so soon. When we spoke yesterday, you said you’d try to be here by the end of the week.”
The elderly woman tipped her head. “What was that?”
Speaking louder, Elsie repeated what she’d said.
Aunt Verna smiled and patted Elsie’s shoulder. “My driver has other plans for the end of the week. Since she was only available today and tomorrow, I decided I’d better come now. I would have called first, but I wasn’t sure when you would check your messages, so I decided to just come ahead.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. I’ll try calling Doris and Arlene, but I don’t know if I can reach them today.”
“That’s okay. I can stay till tomorrow evening. That’s when my driver will be back to pick me up.”
While Aunt Verna said goodbye to her driver, Elsie bent down and picked up her small suitcase.
No sense trying to pull this travel bag through piles of snow.
Out of consideration for her aunt, she would put her things in the downstairs bedroom, and she and John would sleep upstairs. That meant Glen and Blaine would have to share a room again, but it was only for one night, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Once inside, Elsie took her aunt’s coat and other outer garments and hung them up. “Have you had lunch yet?”
“Do I have a hunch about what?”
“No, I asked if you’ve had lunch yet. I’ve eaten already, but there’s some leftover
schplittaerbs supp
I can reheat if you want.”
Aunt Verna’s nose wrinkled. “I’ve never cared much for split-pea soup. Your daed always liked it, but not me.”
“Oh, I see. Can I fix you a sandwich then?”
“No, it’s okay. I developed a
koppweh
on the drive here and would really like to lie down awhile.” She rubbed her temples.
“I’m sorry you have a headache. I’ll put your things in mine and John’s room, and you can rest there on our bed.” Elsie made sure to speak slowly and loud enough for her aunt to hear.
“Are you sure? I can take one of the bedrooms upstairs.”
“The downstairs bedroom will be best. It’ll be easier if you don’t have to climb the stairs.”
“Okay, if you insist. Elsie, could you please bring me a cold washcloth for my forehead?” Aunt Verna questioned before starting down the hall in the direction of the bedroom.
“Sure, no problem. I’ll bring you a cup of chamomile tea and some aspirin, too,” Elsie called.
Apparently her aunt didn’t hear what she said, for she continued down the hall without a response.
I’ll take it to her anyway,
Elsie thought as she started for the kitchen
. Then I’ll go out to the phone shack and call Doris, Arlene, and Joel. Maybe we can all meet to talk about opening those envelopes before we sit down to a nice meal at the get-together this evening.
Akron
As Joel headed down the freeway, he glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled. He didn’t know why Elsie had invited him to join her family for supper this evening, but he’d gladly accepted the invitation. Besides enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal, he looked forward to spending time with her family.
He glanced at the satchel on the seat beside him, where he’d put his harmonica, then looked quickly back at the road. After they ate, he looked forward to playing a few tunes for the family.
Sure wish Arlene and her family could be there. I’ll bet Scott would enjoy playing his harmonica with me.
The boy reminded Joel of himself at that age—full of curiosity and eager to try new things.
Sure hope he doesn’t rebel like I did when he starts his running-around years. If he does, I’ll speak up and try to guide
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