But Mamma waved it off, like usual, and followed her down the stairs and to the table. As Mamma folded her hands for the silent prayer, Susie inwardly thanked God for the food and asked for renewed health for Mamma, and for wisdom, too.

When Mamma cleared her throat and raised her head after the prayer, Susie was unsure how to broach the subject again. But bring it up she must. If only Allen could hear Mamma’s wheezing, that would get the conversation about going to the doctor started again. She’s always listened to him.

“Well, I’m sure Allen would be glad to hear from you, if ya change your mind. You could just leave a message for him to call back later, if no one answers,” Susie added, hoping to convince her.

Mamma peered across the table at her. “You must really want this, ain’t so?”

While she would never say it, Susie was very frustrated with her mother for refusing medical help, bad off as she was. “Let’s just give Allen a call, okay?”

“My dear daughter,” Mamma said, lifting her head, “there’s a reason why the ministers urge us to use phones primarily for emergencies or to call for a driver.”

“Jah.” But this could turn into an emergency. Her mother’s illness worsened each week. “Still, I don’t think it would hurt to call Allen and check up on him and the family. We’ve done it occasionally before.”

Mamma’s head turned, eyes probing. “I daresay this isn’t so much about Allen. You’re worried ’bout me, ain’t?”

While that was true, Susie didn’t want to own up to the real reason for the call: While Mamma might not budge on seeing a doctor when Susie suggested it, Allen would insist.

“Why don’t I make some hot coffee for ya,” Susie suggested.

“If ya don’t mind, I’d like some herbal tea.” Mamma patted her chest. “Feels a bit tight just now.”

“Peppermint tea, like Ella Mae’s?”

“That or chamomile.”

Susie opened the cupboard and reached for the box of the chamomile. “This’ll relax ya.”

Mamma sighed and took a bite of her tuna salad, and Susie sat down to eat as she waited for the teakettle to whistle, keeping an eye on her mother.

“Goodness, Susie. You and my sisters have been treating me like I’m near breakable.” Mamma turned to sneeze into her hankie.

“Well, your allergies have gotten worse each spring. And the pneumonia was a real scare.” Susie paused. “All of us just want to take care of you.”

“Ach, don’t fret over me.” Mamma glanced out the window. “You know what the Good Book says ’bout that.”