Clara's Wish, page 5
“I’m afraid so. Relax, we’ll be out of here in no time.” He had no idea, but the pink glow on her skin told him to play it down for her sake. He’d been stuck in an elevator crammed with other people in Philly for over an hour. He was just glad it was only him and Lizzy in this tin box. But he didn’t look forward to the conversation. She was mad at him for something that was out of his control, as usual.
“Easy for you to say, living in the city with all these machines to depend on.” She crossed her arms over her chest and kept her eyes on the glowing light with the number nine.
“Horses can break down just as easy. Or have you forgotten the time we were up to our ankles in mud to keep it out of a mud hole?” He grinned, remembering she’d had to hold up her dress to stay out of the sludge and ended up falling backward into the sloppy mess.
“I’m still mad at you for laughing when I couldn’t get up.”
“You weren’t mad then. As a matter of fact, you laughed right along with me.” Remembering those days, back when they got along, made his heart beat one extra time. He couldn’t remember how often he’d thought about their time together and realized how much he missed it. And then Lizzy blossomed, and every guy around wanted her attention. Things had changed when he left on Rumspringa and didn’t come back. But he missed it back here, although no one would ever know that.
She leaned against the metal door and took her time to respond. “I haven’t let myself remember those things. Once you left, things changed.”
What does she mean by that?
The elevator shook and low voices were audible above them. They both looked up, and Zack hollered to them.
“You all right in there?” A man’s voice boomed in reply.
“Yeah, how long is this gonna take?” Zack covered Lizzy’s ears so he could yell loudly enough for them to hear, and she actually let him. He brushed his hand against her cheek, feeling the softness.
“Don’t know right yet.” Shuffling noises above them ended the conversation, so he leaned against the door next to Lizzy.
“Looks like we might be here for a while.” Whether she wanted to be or not, she was stuck with him. Funny thing was, though, he wasn’t dreading it like he thought he would and realized the reason was because she was quieter than usual.
She tapped her hand on her side and her face was as pale as fresh milk. Now they could hear voices that seemed to come from above the door, perhaps on the next floor up. “How long does it take to fix one of these?” she asked.
“Are you in a hurry?” The sarcasm came through without thought. He’d always had a zinger to shoot right back at her. Zack wasn’t a kid anymore, and neither was she. He realized from the tear slipping down her cheek that he’d have to make an effort not to talk off the cuff. To his surprise, she didn’t have anything to say back to him.
He reached out and touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”
She shrugged his hand away. “I don’t like this machine, and I want to see Clara.”
He felt like a jerk. It wasn’t like him to pick on someone, but he and Lizzy had a history together, one they’d obviously grown out of. He wasn’t sure where to go from there and suspected she wasn’t either.
She stared over at him. “Is this her floor above us?”
“Yeah, why?” He could see her thinking a mile a minute.
“Then why aren’t we talking to them?”
He turned and placed his hands on her shoulders. “It may take a while. They’re locating the malfunction in the motors and switches.”
She frowned. “How do you know all that?”
“I used to work on them.” He shrugged. She didn’t need to know he was making it up to console her. “They’re not going to let this box move until they know what’s wrong, but most of the time it’s nothing major, so don’t worry.”
She let out a breath, but then she gave him another look and raised her eyebrows. “Box?”
“Do you hear that?” He tilted his head, and she nodded. “Once they connect the wiring that cools the panels and electric motors, we’ll be out of here.”
“Where did you learn this?” She shook her head slightly.
“From working in the city.”
“With elevators?” She looked up and around, taking in the information.
“I read the blueprints to decide what equipment and material is needed for installation or repair.”
“So you’re the boss?”
“Sort of. It doesn’t work that way. I have a lot of jobs.”
“Did you have to go to school to learn how to do these things?” She kept her eyes steady on his, seemingly more interested in his work than he’d expected.
“I had some courses of training for that kind of work.” He hoped it would distract her until the elevator started working again. If she knew everything he did, she’d get dizzy just hearing about it. The longer he could keep her mind off the broken machine, the better. He’d never seen her so scared.
“Can this thing fall?” The color of her fair skin seemed to soften. Maybe the distraction of talking actually helped.
“It’s rare. Compared to the old units, there is a secondary wire that takes over if they need to use it, which hardly ever happens.”
Her eyes widened when the elevator made a noise like metal hitting metal. “Did something happen?”
“The noises are the techs, nothing to worry about.” He didn’t think about this being a problem, but he should have. He knew she was scared of heights, especially on an elevator, something she rarely used.
“I didn’t ask what you did in the city.”
“That’s not surprising.” People here probably couldn’t understand the urge to make a life after leaving the community, or that one could actually making a living out there.
A jolt made Lizzy grab her chest and move closer to him. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” She looked him in the eyes. “Did I tell you I’m afraid of heights?”
He groaned, thinking his choice of topics wasn’t a good one. As he watched Lizzy brace herself for another jolt, he decided he liked her better when she was a little scared. Her dependence on him alone was enough to make him want to forget the other side of her, so full of sharp comments and brittle looks. But he knew better than to think that as soon as they got out of here, she would give him the time of day.
Lizzy shut her eyes and then opened them. “What’s holding us up?”
“Cables, thick and very strong. Thankfully, that’s not the problem. You shouldn’t worry, really. It’s a malfunction that is being taken care of.”
“Seems like we’ve been here for a long time.” Still pale as a ghost, she leaned against the steel panel behind her as if for stability. “Do you make money there?”
He frowned at her question, common in the outside world but uncommon to the Amish, who would speak well of an employer paying well for an Amish man doing a day’s work in the field. “I’m not complaining.”
“But that’s not where you got the money for the hospital bill.” She asked like she already knew the answer, and he wished she would stop questioning him. So he just shook his head, mentally kicking himself for telling her as much as he had. There was no other way to get her to pay the bill, though, and that he didn’t regret.
“Are you going to tell me why that was ‘blood money,’ as you called it?” The elevator hiccupped, and she took in a heavy breath. He appreciated the diversion.
He took her hand and squeezed. She was claustrophobic and afraid of heights? “You’re all right. They’re just making some adjustments.”
Her face was so white, he started to worry she might pass out. “Take some deep breaths.” He drew air in through his mouth and let it out. She followed his lead, and they were soon in sync.
“In and out,” he encouraged her. Finally some color started to show on her cheeks.
“What floor are we on?” she asked, but didn’t open her eyes. “I don’t remember.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’ll be out of here and in Clara’s room soon.” He watched her chest lift and lower quickly.
“Maybe they’ll release her, and we can take her home.”
“That would be nice. Did the doctor tell you that?”
The lights flashed. Whoosh. Cool air filled the elevator. Lizzy let out a long sigh. Zack did too.
Chapter Nine
THE ELEVATOR WHINED. The sound seemed unnaturally loud after the time they’d spent in that “box,” as Zack put it. Lizzy wondered how he’d learned so much about machines he’d never seen before. Regardless, she was touched by the gentle way he’d explained everything to her.
When the doors opened, she let out a long breath.
“Are you all right?”
“Jah, danke.” But she wasn’t all right. Being stuck in that machine took away her courage and her pride. He seemed genuinely concerned, which made her think that maybe she should let down her guard a little.
But not too much.
They walked in silence to the third door on the right, where Clara lay in bed with the doctor standing by her side. “I’m so glad you’re here, both of you.” She hugged them and said a little something to Zack. He pulled away and shook his head.
“How is she?” Zack asked before Lizzy had a chance to.
“The gastroenterologist’s endoscope found a tumor on her stomach. It could be benign.” Dr. Kauffman spoke without lifting his eyes from the chart he held. His eyes shifted back and forth, reading.
Lizzy’s patience began to wane. She opened her mouth, but Zack quickly held up a finger. She pressed her lips tightly together with irritation and looked over to Zack. He shrugged it away.
“I’ve scheduled a biopsy.” He glanced at Zack, skipped over Lizzy, and then to Clara. She knew the hospital rules, but she had spent more time with Clara over the last few years than Zack had, and Zack didn’t need to give her that look when he knew she wanted to be a part of the decisions.
Clara gave the doctor a pale smile. “I feel fine, Doctor.” She nodded as if urging him to let her leave, but he didn’t seem the kind of doctor to be persuaded. This doctor worked with many of the Amish due to his history with them and knew they shared the cost of medical bills. His kind effort would be appreciated, but with Zack paying the bill, questions would be asked.
“If that’s what she needs, then that’s what we’ll do.” The words came out before Lizzy could stop them. “That is, if your folks agree.”
“They’ve agreed with whatever I suggest.” The doctor studied Lizzy for a moment. “You are not related to Clara, correct?”
Lizzy didn’t like the way he said it, as if putting her in her place. “Nee, but in our community, we’re one body, so in that case, we’re sisters.”
“Yes, I’m fully aware of the Amish ways.”
Her eyes didn’t leave his; she needed him to know how involved she was in Clara’s well-being. Lizzy knew she might seem overzealous about their friendship, but there was just something about Clara that gave her strength and security. She understood Lizzy with all of her flaws and loved her just the same—unlike Zack, who was staring her down. She must have said something he didn’t agree with, but she didn’t care. She was feeling emotional and didn’t want him to keep her from doing what she thought was best for Clara.
Lizzy swallowed hard and lifted her head as she watched the doctor leave the room. She felt the need to keep herself intact in front of Zack. She didn’t deal well with appearing helpless. When her eyes met his, he tipped one side of his lips and took steps closer to Clara.
Lizzy sat down in a stiff hospital chair and pulled out a book. “Would you like me to read to you, Clara?”
Zack leaned against the wall by Clara and crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t move as she read. Clara closed her eyes, appearing to sleep, but each time Lizzy stopped reading, Zack would ask if she was awake. Lizzy could feel his eyes on her as she spoke, and when she glanced up at them, he turned away.
After she finished, she laid the book on the small table next to the bed.
Zack kissed Clara on the cheek. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back later.”
“My mysterious brother,” Clara replied. “How did you know our family was coming?”
“I know Daed’s ways.” He kissed her forehead and headed for the door, where he hesitated and turned back to them.
“You’re right about the family.” Clara pulled the sheet up to her shoulders and shivered. “Daed is always on a schedule, even picking the best day to start harvesting. And he’s always right.”
Lizzy’s stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. “Jah, I’ve heard as much. He’s like the weathermen the English watch on television.”
Zack cleared his throat and addressed Lizzy. “Do you have a ride back?”
“Nee, but I’m all right.”
“I’m gonna grab something to eat in the cafeteria if you change your mind.” He waved and walked away.
“Why don’t you go on with Zack? I need a couple winks before the family comes by.” Her complexion was somewhat better than the night they’d brought her there, and she was eating a bit of bland food.
Her suggestion surprised Lizzy, making her wonder if there was something more to Zack’s offer. She should be home, tending to her household duties, but she didn’t want to leave until Clara’s family got there. “I wish I could take you home with us. Did they say when you would be discharged?”
“It can’t be very long. I feel much better.” Clara raised a hand, and they embraced. “Go on now, and let me get my beauty sleep.” She grinned and carefully eased down onto the pillow behind her.
“All right, I know when I’m not wanted.” Lizzy enjoyed the banter between them, as if nothing had ever happened. But the discomfort was still there. She could see Clara wince when she tried to do too much.
Lizzy’s boots squeaked as she passed by the hospital rooms where patients with IV drips and bandages lay in beds similar to Clara’s. The smell of rubbing alcohol wafting through the air made her appreciate the better smells of home. She said a quiet prayer as she walked into the elevator.
Reading the signs, she followed the arrows to the cafeteria. Zack was reading a paper, with two coffee cups and Danishes on the table. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and she walked over to him and sat down. “You were expecting me?”
“Yeah, I could hear your stomach growl.” He handed her the sugar and a container with cream.
She felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
“Don’t be so surprised.”
“Well, I am.”
“Why?” He blew on his coffee and waited for her answer as she took a bite of Danish.
“Because you usually seem annoyed with me.” She had a much longer list, but since he was feeling generous today, she thought she should let it wait.
He grunted. “Interesting . . . I thought it was the other way around.”
Lizzy shrugged and took a sip of her coffee, trying not to appear fazed by this conversation but feeling quite the opposite. She was almost enjoying his company, but she knew better than to think it would last and guarded herself accordingly.
He nodded. “It would make Clara happy if we got along.”
“Is that why you’re doing all of this?” She looked at the spread on the small table and waited to hear his answer.
“Clara is our first priority.”
She squelched a surge of envy. He had a perfectly good reason to say that, so where did that feeling come from? “Jah, she is.”
Zack looked over her head, wiped his hands, and stood. “My cue to leave.” He nodded. She turned to see what he was referring to. His bruder, Jonas, looked up at the same time she did and then saw Zack. It all took only a couple of seconds, and then Jonas walked away, hand in hand with a young Amish girl.
“Aren’t you going to talk to them?” Lizzy couldn’t stand the look on Zack’s face as his bruder turned away. She wanted them to communicate somehow. Just a simple “hallo” would be better than nothing. And who was the girl he was with? Lizzy didn’t recognize her. It was all she could do not to intervene.
