Free The Decision by Wanda E. Brunstetter

do,” said a middle-aged woman who’d introduced herself earlier as a schoolteacher from North Carolina.
    “What is it you would like to know?” Elaine asked as she cut the pie.
    “I heard that Amish children only attend school until the eighth grade. Is that true?”
    Elaine nodded. “After they graduate, the young men learn a trade, and in addition to learning how to run a household, the girls will often find jobs outside the home. Sometimes if a family member has their own business, a young girl or boy might help in the store.”
    Just then, Grandma walked into the room, and Millie flew in right behind her. “Where’s the pie? Where’s the pie?” the bird shrieked.
    This caused a round of laughter from some of the tourists and a few screams from others, while some of the people ducked their heads.
    Oh no, now what?
Elaine cringed. “Grandma, I thought you had covered her cage.”
    “Dear me!” Grandma exclaimed, red-faced and looking quite flustered. “I think I must have opened the cage door by mistake.” Grandma stood in the archway with her arm extended, which Millie usually landed on immediately, but not so this evening. The parakeet flew this way and that, while Elaine and a few others ran around the room chasing her. Elaine could not believe what was happening. Not only did she feel like a fool, trying to catch the crazy bird, but most of the people laughed, as though they were enjoying the show. Some were rude, however, and took pictures, even though they’d been told that it wasn’t permitted. Elaine couldn’t really blame them, though. How often did a person get photos of a desperate Amish lady chasing after a bird? This was entertainment the tourists hadn’t expected. Elaine hoped she wouldn’t end up on the front page of their local newspaper. She could read the headline now: “Parakeet Invades Amish Dinner.”

CHAPTER 8
    J onah tried to concentrate on the song they were singing, but he couldn’t help watching Elaine. She sat between her friends Leah and Priscilla on a backless wooden bench in Thomas Diener’s barn, where church was being held. Although she sang along with the others, Elaine’s heart didn’t seem to be in it this morning. Jonah could tell by the slump of her shoulders and her droopy eyes that she was struggling to stay awake. He glanced at the chairs that had been provided for some of the older women, and noticed that Elaine’s grandmother also looked tired.
    I wonder how things went with the dinner they hosted Friday night
, Jonah thought as he shifted on his bench, trying to find a more comfortable position. He’d planned to go over to the Schrocks’ on Saturday to check on Elaine and Edna, but he’d gotten busy in the buggy shop and let time slip away. By the time Jonah was done for the day and had taken a shower and eaten supper, it was almost nine o’clock—too late to be making a call on anyone, he’d decided. Hopefully after church let out, he would have a chance to speak with Elaine. He’d been concerned when he’d heard that Elaine and Edna would be hosting a dinner. Jonah didn’t understand why they were so determined to do it so soon after Lloyd’s death. Elaine and her grandma hadn’t had time to grieve properly. Hosting a big meal must have been a drain on the women, and if they weren’t careful, one or both of them would end up getting sick.

    During the noon meal after church was over, Elaine took a seat beside Leah. “I need to ask a favor of you,” she said, leaning close to her friend.
    “What is it?” Leah asked.
    “Things didn’t go well during our dinner for the tourists the other night, and in addition to forgetting several things, Grandma had another dizzy spell.”
    Leah’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”
    Elaine gave her friend a recap of the events, then said, “I was so glad when the evening finally came to an end.”
    “I think your grandma ought to see the doctor.”
    “So do I, and I