Allen paused. “That’s why I’m callin’. Wanted to let ya know what we’ve been discussing.”

Susie set the curry brush on the shelf nearby and took a seat on the stool they kept next to the phone.

“I’ve been talking with Mamm ’bout staying with us longer yet, but I want you to be in on it, too.”

Susie was surprised. “I appreciate that, but what’re ya thinking?”

“Well, Mamm seems to have more energy lately and less coughing. She thinks she’d like to see how she feels in a few more months before making the trip back.”

Months?! Susie thought. “Well . . . that’s certainly not what we were expectin’, but Mamma’s always known what she wants, so I’ll let that be.”

“Okay, then . . . if we’re in agreement.” Allen went on to ask if she could box up and mail Mamma’s clothing. “Also, she’d like to have her file of important papers from the blanket chest in her room, if you could grab that, too.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Sorry to put ya out, Susie.”

“No trouble,” she replied.

“All right, then. Denki.” He grew quiet.

“Call any time, Allen . . . and tell Mamma we love her.”

“Will do. Good-bye, Schweschder.”

“Bye,” Susie said, tears pricking her eyes. She hung up the phone, picked up the brush, and walked back to finish grooming the horse.

“Goodness, I wanted Mamma to get medical help, and she has,” Susie murmured. But if she stays with Allen and family even longer than a few months, where does that leave Britta and me? Can we manage here alone that long?

A wave of dissatisfaction swelled over her at the thought of not seeing Mamma again for who knew how long. Trying to quell her disappointment, Susie finished up with Atta-Girl, then put away the curry brush and trudged back to the house.

In the kitchen, she deliberately took a seat at the table in the spot where Mamma had sat for all the years of her married life.

Is this my kitchen now? she wondered, pushing her shoulders back as she looked around. Will Allen look after Mamma from now on? Though she disliked admitting it, a part of her felt somewhat relieved over that.

Staring out the window, she could see Britta walking across the yard with Lucy in her arms, heading for the gazebo. How will she take this news? Will she resent me being a stand-in mother?

Susie recalled Allen’s initial hesitancy on the phone. “It could be a very long fall without Mamma around,” she murmured and then gave a heavy sigh, longing for someone to talk to about this, to share her worries and even her dismay. Truth be told, since Allen had moved away, she’d come to think of Mamma as her responsibility.

Unexpectedly, Susie thought of Obie, missing their friendship terribly. And just when she’d hoped to have swept her memory clean of him.