The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston Read Free Book Online Page A

with chores tonight?”
    “I thought I would give you a break since you looked tired.” Mike lowered himself onto the corner of John’s bed, which creaked under his weight. “How was school today?”
    John shrugged as he ran his small fingers over the metal truck.
    “Do you like school?” Mike prodded.
    John shrugged again and continued to avert his eyes from Mike’s by studying the toy, which had been Mike’s favorite when he was John’s age.
    “Johnny?” Mike asked, touching his brother’s arm. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
    John shook his head without looking up.
    Mike gently placed his finger under John’s chin and tilted his face so their eyes met. “John, your teacher wrote in your journal to tell me about your behavior. Why haven’t you been participating in class like you’re supposed to?”
    John’s lower lip quivered, and his eyes glistened with tears. “I don’t want to go to school.”
    Mike’s insides twisted with grief. “Why don’t you want to go to school? Don’t you like being with the other kinner ?”
    John sniffed as a tear trickled down his pink cheek. “I need to be home with Dat and you.”
    “No, no.” Mike brushed the tear away with the tip of his finger. Seeing his little brother cry was nearly his undoing. He took a deep breath and pressed on, hoping his voice didn’t quaver with his emotion. “You need to be in school with the other kinner . Janie and Marie take care of Dat during the day while I work and you’re in school.” He sighed as more tears escaped his little brother’s sad blue eyes. “Are you misbehaving in school because you’re worried about Dat ?”
    John shrugged while staring at the tractor. A teardrop traced his cheek and then dripped onto the worn metal toy.
    “John,” Mike said, his voice thick with emotion. “You don’t need to worry about Dat while you’re at school. You only need to follow the rules and do what your teachers tell you to do. You have to participate in class and be nice to the other kinner . Marie, Janie, and I will make sure Dat goes to the doctors and gets what he needs.”
    “What if he dies like Mamm did?” John’s voice was so soft that Mike nearly missed the question.
    The lump in Mike’s throat choked back his words. Instead of speaking, he pulled John into his arms and held him close.
    “It’s all right,” Mike finally whispered. “We’ll be fine. I need you to do your best in school and follow the rules. I’ll take care of us, all right?”
    John nodded and sniffed.
    “It’s almost bedtime. Go brush your teeth.”
    John hopped up from the bed and rushed down the hallway toward the bathroom. Mike’s fingers sought the cool metal tractor while he waited for John to return. He reflected on Janie’s advice as he spun the tractor’s tires. Janie was right when she suggested he write a note to Rachel, but he was too mentally and physically exhausted right now. He just wanted to say good night to his brother, take care of his father, and go to sleep. He would write a longer response to Rachel tomorrow if he felt more mentally capable to form a coherent thought.
    After tucking John into bed, Mike made his way down the stairs to the family room, where he found Dat snoring in his recliner. Mike couldn’t bring himself to move Dat when he looked so comfortable and peaceful.
    Instead, Mike sank onto the end of the sofa as John’s worried words about losing their father echoed through his mind. He couldn’t stand to see John cry, and he longed to take away his little brother’s worries and fears. He didn’t know how to erase John’s fears when they were the same ones that haunted him.
    A yawn overtook him, and he slowly stretched his long body out on the sofa and positioned the pillow he’d left there the night before under his head. He had to do his best to keep John calm. He had to be the strength John needed and deserved. And he had to learn how to be a good father.
    Another yawn gripped