The Selfless Act (5 page)

Hearing a car come up the driveway, Doris went to the living-room window and looked out. At first, she thought her driver had mixed up the time and arrived early. She did a double-take when she saw Joel’s truck pull up in front of the house and jerked her head when he got out of his vehicle with a scruffy-looking dog in his arms.

What is Joel doing here, and why does he have that hund with him?
Doris hobbled to the door and opened it.

“Hey, look what I’ve got for you!” He was all smiles as he held the dog close to Doris’s face.

She leaned her head back when it tried to lick her nose. “You bought this dog for me?” Doris couldn’t imagine what would possess her brother to do such a thing. She’d never mentioned wanting a dog—to Joel or anyone else, for that matter.

Still grinning, he nodded. “I got it at the animal shelter in Akron this morning. It looks so much like the dog you had when we were kids, I couldn’t resist buying it for you.” Joel stroked the terrier’s pointy little ears. “Thought maybe you could call it Bristleface Two.”

Doris leaned against the doorframe for support and warmth. “It was nice of you to think of me, Joel, but I can’t take care of a dog.”

“Oh, you mean, because of your leg?” He gestured to her cast.

“It’s not that. I’ll be going back to work as soon as I’m able, and no one will be here to keep an eye on the dog.” She sucked in her bottom lip. “Besides, I lost my desire to have a hund after Bristleface died.”

Joel pressed one hand to his temple. “So you won’t take the mutt?”

“No, sorry, I can’t.” She stepped back into the house.

“So what am I supposed to do with him?”

Doris shrugged. “You could keep him or see if someone else in the family would like a dog.”

He moved his hand to the back of his neck. “I don’t have time to run all over the place, trying to find a home for the critter. I have a job to do and need to head there now.”

“Well, you can’t leave him here. My driver will be coming this afternoon to take me to an appointment, and I’m meeting Anna for supper after that.”

Joel glanced at the dog and frowned. “It’s out of the way, but maybe I’ll stop by Arlene’s place and see if one of her kids would like the mutt.”

“That’s a good idea.” Her body lacked tension and stress as she patted the dog’s head. Doris had felt this way when she owned her own little terrier when she was a girl. The dog made her forget all the problems she’d had at school or with her siblings—at least for a little while. This dog might do the same, but she didn’t want the extra responsibility.

Wait a minute
, she thought.
I know who Joel should give the hund to.
“You know, Scott’s still out of school, recuperating from his surgery. I’ll bet he’d like a dog to play with.”

“You could be right, Sis. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it.” Joel turned to go. “Have a nice day. Oh, and tell Anna I said hello.”

Doris stood in the doorway, watching him get in his truck and drive away. As the wind picked up, she quickly shut the door. Even though the sun shone brightly, the air was bitter cold. She should have put a jacket or her shawl on before answering the door.

Farmerstown

Arlene stepped onto the porch and was about to shake some throw rugs when Joel’s truck pulled into the yard. Scott must have seen it, too, for he poked his head out the door. “Look, Mom, Uncle Joel’s here. Bet he came to see how I’m doin’.”

Arlene hoped it was true, but her brother had only shown up once to see Scott since his surgery, using the excuse that he’d been busy with work.
No one should ever be too busy for family,
she thought.

“Go back inside, Son. It’s icy cold out here. You can visit with your uncle when he comes inside.” She remained in place, holding the rugs.

Scott’s lower lip protruded, but he did as she asked. Watching Joel get out of his truck, Arlene was surprised to see that he was holding a dog.

Joel smiled when he stepped onto the porch. “How’s Scott doing?”

“Better, but not quite ready to return to school.”

“I’m glad he’s doin’ better. The kid’s probably happy he gets to stay home awhile.”

“He is, but he still has to do his schoolwork. Scott’s brother has been bringing it home for him.” She stared at the dog in Joel’s arms. The critter had a shiny black nose, reminding her of a wet olive. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friend, Joel?”

“Oh, well…I actually thought maybe Scott might like to have this little fellow.” Joel patted the terrier’s head. “That is, if it’s all right with you.”

Arlene bit the inside of her cheek, wondering if this was her brother’s attempt at doing another so-called selfless act. Giving the dog to her son might make Joel believe he had an easy chance at getting his portion of the will, but she wouldn’t vote for it and didn’t think her sisters or Aunt Verna would, either. On the other hand, Scott had been bored since he’d come home from the hospital, so having a dog to fuss over could be a good thing.

“Come inside, and we’ll see what Scott thinks.” She draped the rugs over the porch railing and opened the door.

As soon as they entered the house, Scott greeted them, smiling from ear to ear. “What have ya got, Uncle Joel? Is that your cute little hund?”

“It’s yours if you want it.” Joel handed the dog to Scott.

“Wow, ya mean it? I get to keep him for my very own?”

“Yep. Every boy needs a good dog.”

Scott held the terrier close and snickered when it licked his chin. “I think he likes me. What’s his name?”

“That’s up to you.” Joel stroked the dog’s head. “He reminds me of a dog your aunt Doris had when she was a girl, so if you can’t come up with something better, you could call him Bristleface Two.”

“Can I just name him ‘Bristleface,’ without the word ‘two’?”

“Don’t see why not.” Joel looked at Arlene. “Sorry I can’t stay, but I’m already late for work. I’ll come by some other time to see how Scott and his new dog are doing.” He paused and gave Scott’s shoulder a pat. “Take care of Bristleface, ya hear?”

Scott’s grin never left his face. “I will. You can be sure of it.”

As Arlene watched Joel get in his truck and drive off, she couldn’t help thinking her brother’s heart had softened a bit.

Berlin

As soon as Doris entered Boyd &Wurthmann Restaurant, she spotted Anna sitting at a table near the window. She headed that way and took a seat across from her.

“How’d your doctor’s appointment go?” Anna asked.

“I didn’t see the doctor today. Just had an X-ray of my leg taken. I’ll see the doctor in a few days to get the results. Then he’ll decide how soon the cast can come off.”

“I bet you’re anxious for that.”

“Jah.” Doris glanced down at her cast. “I’m tired of the cumbersome thing and will be glad when I’m able to go back to waitressing.”

“Have you thought about looking for something closer to home?” Anna tilted her body toward Doris. “Maybe they’re hiring here.”

Doris removed her shawl and placed it across her lap. “This would be a nice place to work, I suppose, but Der Dutchman is a bigger restaurant. More people seem to go there, which means more tips.”

“I see what you mean.” Anna gestured to her menu. “I already know what I want, but feel free to take your time deciding. Since school’s out for the day, I don’t have to rush.”

“Me neither. Brian will be working late this evening, and I told my driver I’d call for a ride home after I had supper with you.” Doris studied the menu, although she didn’t know why. She planned to have her favorite turkey club sandwich, with a cup of chicken noodle soup.

When their waitress came, they told her what they wanted. Anna ordered a cold plate, of cottage cheese, Jell-O, fruit, trail bologna, and swiss cheese. She also asked for a bowl of chili.

“How are things at school?” Doris asked, after taking a sip of water. “Have things settled down now that Christmas is over?”

“Jah. Everything’s pretty much back to normal. But with Valentine’s Day coming next month, the scholars will soon begin making cards to give each other. Of course when I bring heart-shaped cookies and fruit punch for a treat on Valentine’s Day, they’ll get pretty excited.”

Doris smiled, remembering how much she’d enjoyed making Valentine cards for her classmates, as well as family members and friends from their church district. Even many of the boys, including Joel, seemed to like exchanging Valentine’s Day greetings.

Thinking about her brother, Doris remembered to tell Anna that she’d seen Joel earlier today and he’d said to say hello.

“That was nice of him.” Anna cupped her chin in her hands. “I think I’m finally ready to let go of my feelings for Joel.”

Doris blinked a couple of times. “Really? How did that happen?”

Anna’s cheeks reddened. “Well, I’ve met someone.”

“Is it someone I know?” Doris leaned in closer.

“I don’t think so. He’s new to our area. His name is Melvin Mast. I met him a few weeks ago when he came to the school Christmas program with his folks.”

“I’m confused.” Doris glanced down, realizing she was fumbling with her napkin, so she unfolded it and placed it on her lap. “If he’s new to the area, why was he at the program?”

“His younger cousin attends my school.”

“Have you seen Melvin since then?”

Anna nodded. “He’s in our church district, so I’ve seen him at church a few times. He also dropped by the school the other day to pick up his cousin, and…” She paused to drink some water. “He asked if I’d like to go out to supper with him sometime.”

Doris laughed. “My goodness, this new fellow didn’t waste any time, did he?”

“Well, we’re both in our late twenties and not getting any younger.” Anna fiddled with her spoon. “I don’t know yet if Melvin’s the one, but I do think he’s good-looking, and he seems very kind.”

Doris reached across the table and touched her friend’s hand. “I wish you all the best.”

She felt relieved that Anna would no longer be pining for Joel. She’d done it far too long.

K
risti shivered against the cold as she entered the North Canton Skate Center with Darin and fifteen eager teens from their church youth group. It was the first Saturday of February, and after Darin had practically begged her to accompany him, she’d agreed to act as a chaperone. While Kristi wasn’t by any means a professional on roller skates, it was good exercise and a chance to do something fun for a change. Last week she’d worked several back-to-back shifts at the nursing home and needed a little downtime.

As the teens chatted with each other and their new youth leader, Kristi sat on a bench by herself to put on her skates. She hadn’t gone roller skating since she was a teenager and had forgotten how noisy it could be. Between the hum of voices, and the music blaring overhead, it was hard to think.

“Let’s get something to eat before we start skating.” Irv, a fifteen-year-old freckle-faced boy, pointed to the snack bar. “I need a few hot dogs to get me revved up.”

Darin bobbed his head. “I’m with you on that. Anyone else want to eat now?”

Several hands went up, and then he turned to Kristi. “How about you? Should I order us both a hot dog with fries?”

“No thanks. Think I’ll skate awhile, then see later on if they have anything healthier than hot dogs in the snack area.”

Darin finished lacing up his skates and pushed a chunk of hair out of his face. “Okay, whatever you want to do is fine with me.” He stood, did a few wobbly turns on his skates, and rolled off in the direction of the snack bar. Several of the teens followed, but a few went out on the rink.

Kristi watched the kids start skating. They seemed to get it right, without a problem. They made it look simple, in fact. Hopefully, it would be easy to skate out there, with the amount of bodies already filling up the ever-shrinking skating space.

There are a lot of people here tonight, she mused. We’ll be packed in tightly, like a tin of sardines wearing roller skates.

A bit unsteady at first, Kristi inched her way along, until she, too, was on the rink. She would take it slow and easy until she felt more confident, because the last thing she needed was to fall and make a fool of herself.