When the hoped-for call and voice mail for Mamma came that evening, Susie was mighty thankful. The only problem was that Mamma said after listening to it that she suspected Susie of putting her brother up to it.

Susie reassured Mamma how deeply she cared about her. “I did what you would’ve done if you were in my shoes,” she said as they sat together in the front room near the coal stove. “Ain’t so?”

Mamma didn’t react to that. Instead, she said, “Allen invited me for a visit come June.”

Surprised, Susie asked, “Did he say anything else?” A trip hadn’t exactly been what she’d had in mind.

“Not much. He sounded worried on the message he left—said he hoped I’d try some healthy remedies he knows about while I’m there.”

No talk of a doctor. Why not? Susie realized that nothing had been accomplished.

Mamma continued. “Allen did mention that a change of scenery might be gut for me.”

Susie nodded, her mind churning.

“He also said the visit could be an experiment to see how I do there.”

This news bothered Susie. Didn’t Allen think she was taking good care of Mamma? Have I opened a can of worms?

For a while, Mamma simply sat and looked out the window. “For some time now, I’ve been wishing I could visit them . . . see my grandchildren again.” She sighed. “Seems ever so long since they left, and it’s too hard for all of them to come back here to visit. ’Specially with their farm.”

During less stressful times, Susie herself had wondered what Allen and Sarah’s life was like in Missouri. “Are ya thinkin’ of going, then?”

“I’ll pray ’bout it. Might talk it over with Ella Mae, too.”

“Maybe Polly and Henry can help ya decide,” Susie suggested, wondering how many weeks Allen was thinking.

“Oh, Polly would just want me to get a doctor’s prescription for one of those drugstore inhalers she’s been talking ’bout.” Mamma grimaced.

“What if it helped?”

Mamma was already waving her hand in protest. “If the Good Lord wanted us to use such things, He would’ve made it clear.”

“Well, you use folk medicine. . . .”

“Far better,” Mamma retorted.

Susie didn’t want to continue arguing, so she held her tongue. I’ll just keep praying, she thought, still disappointed that Allen’s voice mail hadn’t encouraged Mamma to seek medical help.

It wasn’t till two days later that Susie finally replied to Obie’s letter, explaining that it would be her last, since he was now dating someone seriously. I’m happy for you, Obie.

She signed off, then went out and placed the letter in the mailbox, trying not to let the emotion overtake her.