The Rescued by Marta Perry

ready to leave.”
    He walked away steadily, trying not to let his face show his feelings. All that remained was to say all the good-byes and do the cleanup. Then this long day would be over. After a good night’s sleep, tomorrow would be better.
    As always, that job was easier to say than to do. People lingered, chatting, while the young ones chased each other around the yard. Only when the sun had nearly reached the ridge did folks start getting ready to leave in earnest. No one wanted to be driving a buggy home after dark if they could help it.
    And then there was all the cleaning up to do. Despite the fact that folks helped, it took an eternity, it seemed, until the last dish had been put away.
    Finally the family was alone in the house. While Judith put the boys to bed, Isaac finished up in the kitchen, feeling as if he’d been trampled by a runaway horse.
    Judith returned quietly, and she gave him what he thought was an apprehensive glance. “Everyone’s settled for the night. I just hope Levi isn’t up with a bellyache after all he ate.”
    â€œHe’ll be fine.” Isaac tried to sound normal. “I think I’ll get to bed soon, too. We’ll be up extra early to get the cows milked before it’s time to leave for worship tomorrow.”
    She nodded, her gaze still on his face. “Are you . . . are you all right?”
    Isaac’s jaw clenched. Like Onkel Simon, Judith meant well. They just didn’t understand that he was handling the painful memories the only way he could.
    â€œFine,” he snapped, and then was sorry when he saw the hurt in her eyes. “I’m going up,” he added, trying to soften his tone, but it seemed to him that the hurt look followed him all the way upstairs.
    Later, lying next to Judith in the double bed, he had to try deliberately to relax his muscles so that he could sleep. The windows were open to let in the night breeze, and the monotonous chirping of the crickets was soothing—almost as soothing as Judith’s warm body lying next to him.
    He turned his head silently to look at her. She lay on her side, as she always did, and a thick braid crossed her shoulder to shield the delicate curve of her breast. Her hand was partially curved in sleep, and her breathing was slow and even. Listening to it, he slid into sleep.
    The next thing he knew, Judith was shaking him, calling his name. He jerked out of the dream, feeling the sweat on his face chill in the night air. He unclenched his fists, half fearing what Judith had seen and heard.
    The nightmare was familiar even though he hadn’t had it in years—of struggling through the smoke and flames, the floor hot under his bare feet, following the sound of the baby crying almost by instinct. He twisted against Judith’s restrainingarms, shaking his head from side to side, sure he smelled the smoke again. The house—
    â€œIsaac, it was a nightmare. Nothing but a nightmare. It’s over now. You’re safe. We’re all safe.” Judith’s hands clutched him as if she’d pull him bodily away from the dream.
    â€œJa,” he muttered. He drove his fingers through his hair. “Ja. Not real. Not now.”
    â€œNo, of course not now.” She ran her hands along his arms. “It was over long ago.”
    Her words seemed to jangle in his ears, and he shook his head. “No. No. It’s not over. Not for me.”
    â€œIsaac, don’t.” She sounded on the verge of tears. “What happened was terrible, but you must accept it.”
    â€œI went for Joseph. He was crying, so I went for him.” The words felt as if they were ripped from his heart.
    â€œYou saved your little brother. He’s alive because of you.”
    She didn’t understand. How could she?
    â€œIf I’d gone for Daad first, maybe we could have gotten everyone out.”
    He felt Judith stiffen as she absorbed the words.