The Divided Family Read Online Free PDF

suitcase, which Brian was quick to take from her.
    “Are you surprised to see me?” Aunt Verna gave Arlene a hug.
    “I certainly am. Neither Doris nor I knew you were coming. Does Elsie know?”
    “Nope. When I heard about Doris’s accident, I decided she could probably use some help, so I talked it over with Lester, and he said I could come for as long as I’m needed.” She grinned. “I talked to him about joining me here for Christmas, and he agreed. He will be here on Christmas Eve. It’ll be nice to spend the holiday with our three special nieces.”
    Arlene gently squeezed her aunt’s hand. “Having you both here will be
wunderbaar,
and your help will certainly be appreciated.”

    As Joel drove through the town of Berlin, memories of the past flooded his mind. As a teenager, he and some of his buddies came here for pizza and to hang out together.
Those days were carefree,
he thought, turning onto the road that led to Doris’s house. While he’d never had enough money to satisfy his wants, Joel had been better off than he was right now. At least back then he wasn’t faced with a bunch of debts he couldn’t pay. Life seemed much simpler when he was still Amish.
    Joel slowed to turn onto Doris and Brian’s driveway. Their place was small compared to most of the Amish homes he’d been in, but they didn’t need much space since only the two of them lived there.
Too bad she lost her baby,
he thought.
I bet Brian would have happily added onto the house if they needed more room for a growing family.
    He pulled up next to the barn and turned off the ignition. Joel had driven his everyday car today, knowing better than to show his fancy Corvette to any of his family. He hoped his visit with Doris would go well and that he’d have the right words to say. Joel had never been good at communicating with Doris—at least not since they’d become adults. He always sensed her resentment of him for having left the Amish faith. It didn’t help that his former girlfriend, Anna Detweiler, was Doris’s best friend.
Doris probably hasn’t forgiven me for turning my back on Anna and our relationship.
    Determined to make the best of this visit, Joel grabbed the “Get Well” balloon he’d bought and got out of the car. He knocked on the door and was startled when he was greeted by Aunt Verna.
    “I’m surprised to see you here,” they said in unison.
    Joel’s cheeks heated. Apparently his aunt was aware that he didn’t come around very often. “I came to see how Doris is doing.”
    She tipped her head to one side. “What was that?”
    “I said, ‘I came to see how Doris is doing.’” Joel spoke a little louder this time. “Just didn’t expect you to be here.”
    She smiled and gave him a hug. “I got here a short time ago. Came to help out so your sisters could have a break. With Christmas coming soon, they’ll have lots to do at their own homes, so I’ll take care of things here.”
    “I’m sure your help will be appreciated.” Joel patted her back, continuing to speak loud enough for her to hear. “It’s good to see you.”
    “Come inside and say hello to Doris. You just missed Arlene. She went home a few minutes ago.” Aunt Verna led the way to the living room, where Joel found his sister on the couch, with Brian sitting on the end of it by her feet.
    Joel moved over to stand beside Doris and handed her the balloon. “This is for you. I heard about your accident and wanted to come by and see how you’re doing.”
    “Thank you. I’m getting along as well as can be expected.” Clinging to the balloon, she clasped her hands tightly together in her lap.
    “I’m sorry for your loss.”
    Doris gave a brief nod in response.
    “Please, take a seat.” Brian gestured to the recliner near the rocker, where Aunt Verna sat.
    Scraping a hand through his hair, Joel did as his brother-in-law suggested. He’d been right to visit, but he felt strangely out of place. Sometimes when he was around his