The River by Beverly Lewis Read Free Book Online Page B

however, recognized the Blank boy immediately.
    “Lloyd, of all people,” Ruthie declared, shaking her head. “Will sent him ?”
    By the rancor in Ruthie’s voice and the change in her demeanor, Tilly assumed her sister still held a grudge from years past. “I told you it was a mistake to come here,” Tilly said, eyeing Ruthie, who was dabbing her blue eyes with a tissue.
    “We’re here now—we can’t just leave.”
    We could, if we dared, Tilly thought. “So now we’re headed to see Daed and Mamm . . . some escape plan, jah ?” Tilly’s remark had the desired effect on Ruth, who offered a small smile.
    “How do you think it will go?” Ruth asked.
    “Truthfully, my being with you will probably cause a ruckus.” Tilly gave a shrug. “Maybe I should just stay in the car and hold off on seeing them till tomorrow at the anniversary gathering.”
    Ruth shook her head. “Oh no, Tilly. That’ll just make things worse. I’m sure of it.”
    Tilly knew her sister was likely right. “So then I’ll paste on a smile and accompany you inside—get it over with.”
    Ruth turned and stared at her, eyebrows arched. “I’m sure they don’t hate you.”
    Whether they did or not wasn’t important anymore. “Daed and Mamm have every reason to be disappointed in me, I’m sure.” Tilly spotted the tall farmhouse where they’d grown up, a quarter of a mile ahead. “Look, there’s our childhood home.” She paused, taking in the view. She felt numb.
    “Do you have any happy memories at all?” Ruth asked softly.
    “A few.” Tilly glanced at her sister. “How about you?”
    “If you don’t mind my saying so . . . I have a-plenty, jah .” She looked at Tilly and suddenly smiled. Both of them did.
    “Well, you sounded just like you used to,” Tilly said, chuckling.
    “Wonder if we’ll be talking Deitsch again soon. Will it all come flying back?” Ruth asked, looking out the window as Tilly pulled into the long, lonely lane.
    “I’m sure it’ll slip into our conversations.” Tilly breathed a sigh. “Hey, there’s no sign of a welcoming committee here.”
    “Looks that way.”
    “And all for the better.”
    Ruth was the first to reach to open her door, and Tilly followed her out to lift the trunk. While she tried not to look about her too much, Tilly did notice the old tire swing in thebackyard, hanging from the stately oak by its well-worn rope. And the tall windmill out back, and the well pump, too. Some of the trappings of childhood.
    A strange sensation swelled up in her, and she felt panicked. She had to physically will herself not to run. My father has a feeble heart, she reminded herself as she trudged up the back steps.
    Will he get help from a doctor, or suffer and die too soon?

    Melvin happened to see a car with a Massachusetts license plate make the curve and creep past his house. There was no mistaking Tilly and Ruth—he’d caught Tilly’s grim expression from where he stood in the yard. She seemed to be gripping the steering wheel, her jaw set.
    He’d heard from Uncle Abner that only Ruth was staying at their parents’. So Tilly ’s with our aunt and uncle. Probably a schmaert idea when too much stress put their father at high risk for trouble. Melvin would hate to think of Tilly, especially, coming home only to trigger a massive stroke or something in their father. Melvin would never forgive himself for inviting her.
    Carrying his old rake, its handle smooth in his hand, Melvin ambled around the side of the house to the barn, second-guessing his resolve to bring the family together.
    Am I really such a Grautkopp ?

Chapter 8
    W hen Mamm came to the door, Tilly was taken aback by her appearance. After so many years, her mother looked as shapeless as a collapsed loaf of bread, though she brightened a bit when she spotted Ruth standing there, too. “ Ach , here you are. You girls must be tired from your trip,” Mamm said softly. It wasn’t the jovial greeting they’d