I wake up in the morning, a pile of mud caked clothes in a heap on the floor beside me. Sore and tired I kick them under my bed for the time being. I'll need to sneak out and clean them at some point, but that's a problem I can deal with later. For now I need to get breakfast and prepare for church. Heading down the stairs I notice Ma in the kitchen, but Dad is no where to be seen. He was probably up late finishing this years wheat stock. This strikes me as odd though, as he is not usually one to sleep in. I suppose that's just another case of his age catching up to him.

"Good morning Ma"

I take a seat at the table trying not to wince. Certain at this point that I've cracked a rib at the least.

"Did Dad finish up with the wheat last night?"

"He did, take this up to him" She hands me a bowl of oatmeal and a tea.

"He is not feeling well"

I stand up much slower then I normally would, but Ma doesn't seem to notice.

I head up the stairs and can hear his laboured breathing from outside the door. Knocking I get no reply, so I just go in. Figuring he's fallen back asleep. And planning to just leave this on the side table for when he wakes up.

I open the door, and there he is. On the bed with pillows propping him up. Staring forward, eyes open. He looks pale, even his eyes look pale. Almost as if they had no colour at all.

"Good morning"

He doesn't reply.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Still nothing, just heavy breathing. I put the food on his bedside table and make to leave.

"Why did you go out last night?"

I turn to face him and still he just stares forward at the wall.

" I was in bed all night, you must have dreamt that"

He says nothing and I get out of there as quick as I can.

Returning to the kitchen, I now notice Ma seems to be trying to hold back tears.

"Dad won't be joining us for church then?"

I ask.

"I'm afraid not. He has never missed a sermon before. And he won't be happy about it, but I'm not going to give him the option."

"I don't know that he'd even know where he is. I've never seen him like this, Do you think he'll be alright?"

"Neither have I."

She hangs her head low, staring at the table.

"He's barely even speaking"

"Are you worried about him?"

She doesn't reply, just stares at the table for a while longer. Then suddenly springs up out of her chair, claps her hands together and says.

"We should get ready for church, don't want to be late" And rushes out of the room.

Reluctantly I head upstairs and shave. Just a few days prior I had dreams of being done with this uncomfortable, rash causing, neck bloodying ritual. Now, who knows. It's hard to imagine seeing Susanna back to her regular self by this time next week. I can hear Ma crying in the next room, obviously fearing the worst. It's hard not too. I wonder if she knows he's showing the same symptoms as Susanna. I decide I'm going to continue checking in on Susanna at night and try to gain some insight on the condition. Track improvements, how long the recovery phase takes, and what we may expect to see in Dad. though given the considerable difference in their sizes, the affects may not be the same. After finishing up, I head down to wait for Ma by the door.

"Good afternoon everyone"

Father Yoder stands at the head of the room. Everybody takes a seat, many of the benches empty. I'd guess that just over half the community is here.

"I will not be doing a regular sermon today. As you can see,and have no doubt heard. Many in our community have fallen ill. I do appreciate you all coming out today. But I am sure many of us have loved ones at home that need tending. So, I will keep this brief. As the Harvest is upon us once more, naturally there is much work to be done. Most unfortunate timing for this flu to be going around. As a result many have been unable to reap their crop. Which is why I am calling upon those of us fortunate enough, by God's grace to be in good health. It is up to us to pick up the slack, help your neighbours. Together we can ensure this years work will not go to waste. I will be spending the remainder of the day going door to door. Praying over the sick and compiling a list of what still needs to be done. Could the men who have already finished their harvesting, and a representative from each family that is unfinished and unable to continue working, please stay behind after so I may send help out immediately. I will now say a few short prayers before disbanding."

There has never been a sermon that short before. Not even close. they're rarely under three hours, let alone the fifteen or so minutes that was. These are shaping up to be very strange times. Father Yoder sent me off to the Fishers. Their Father has the flu and never did have a son, ending up with three daughters instead. I'm collecting corn. Luckily I was given the choice between that or cabbage. I thought the bending and digging wouldn't do me any favours. And the corn is easy, just pick it off the stock and toss it in a wheel barrel.

Mrs.Fisher said I could take a basket of corn home tonight for my efforts. I politely declined saying

"It's my godly duty" But she insisted. Two of their daughters are working with me. One is in the barn, once a barrel is full,I wheel it to the barn and take an empty barrel back with me, when I return again the first barrel is empty. Rebecca, a close friend of Susanna's is helping me pick the corn. Seeing them work the harvest is about as odd as the short sermon was. But desperate times.

"Did Yoder mention anything about the youth singing being cancelled? I was too distracted with everything going on to really pay attention." Rebecca asks me after we had worked in silence for about an hour.

"He didn't mention it, but I think it's going to be cancelled."

"Probably for the best. Mama doesn't want me going, thinks I'll catch Susanna's flu."

"Susanna's flu? Is she going to be there?"

I was doubtful, but given how close they are Rebecca would know if Susanna was planning to attend.

" No, no I just meant I call it Susanna's flu, because she was the first person to have it. Even if she was going tonight, I don't know why my Mama said I shouldn't go. I told her I think I'm immune. I visited her the day she got back, and I still haven't gotten sick."

We continued talking like this while we worked. Mostly Rebecca talked about her friends and how she hopes this is over by next week. Mrs.fisher made lunch for us. It was a nice gesture for her to make me a meal and invite me to their table. Though I opted to eat in the barn instead. The sound of Mr.Fisher's vomiting making it difficult to eat. I didn't say so out right. But there were no questions when I said I'd prefer to eat there. Rebecca joined me. Saying she wasn't too bothered by the sound, but more upset her Papa is sick. And worrying she may have brought Susanna's flu to him when she went to see her. I tell her my Father has it too, and about how he was breathing so heavy this morning, but seemed fine last night.

"My Papa was like that this morning too. The breathing stopped, and the Vomiting started." I begin thinking how my Father must be doing the same by now.

We went back to working, chatting a bit more here and there. At this point only talking about the one thing on anyone mind. While both being careful not to mention the fact that no one yet knows if this will pass, or only get worse. We agree that this disease, that we've all been calling a Flu but in reality none of us knows what it is. Must have been brought in from the outside world by Susanna when she came back. After a few hours of this it's starting to get dark. I find myself briefly thinking, Rebecca isn't so bad. It did not take us long to go from making small talk about people we know. Too being comfortable enough too openly discuss a sensitive topic. If Susanna dies, I could marry Rebecca. I'm immediately washed with anger and shame, for even momentarily thinking it.

"It's getting dark, I'll finish whats left tomorrow in the morning." Not even a goodbye I just put my head down and walk.

Returning home, I enter to find Father Yoder sitting at my dinner table. Ma at the stove, boiling potatoes. I realize I forgot the corn,it doesn't matter. Though I'd like to just go up to my room. It is expected of me to sit at the table and make conversation unless otherwise excused.

"Evening Ma, Father Yoder" I take a seat at the table, full on wincing at this point.

"Sore from a hard days work I see" Yoder asks, noticing my pain.

"Yes sir, we are nearly finished at the Fisher's, I will be returning in the morning to take care of the little bit left."

"Excellent, I was going to ask for your assistance in finishing up those cabbages tomorrow, seems Amos has quite the load on his hands. But seeing how sore you are that may not be necessary."

"Thank you Father." It's expected of me to volunteer my services regardless, but I will not. quickly following up with

"Will you be joining us for dinner." So as to not give him the opportunity to further push the issue.

"Yes, I was making my rounds, praying over your Father, when you Mother so graciously offered me to stay for dinner. I never could turn down her cooking."

I turn my head towards Ma as ask

"How is Dad?" but before she could answer Yoder cuts in.

"He has moved on to the vomiting stage." The way he says this with a smile troubles me. For a man of god, he has an awful lack of compassion.

"The vomiting stage?" I play dumb.

"Yes, I gather that to be the second phase, so to speak. First we have the heavy breathing, Second comes the vomiting. It appears there is a third phase, which is a lot like the second, yet different. Not many have gotten to that phase yet. So I have very little to go on."

"Different how? And how many have gotten to the third phase?" Ma shoots me a look, I'm being too forward with my questioning.

"Well, I do not want to spread rumours. but I can say there has been a very small number that have gotten to that phase. I suspect many more will be entering it over night. So we should learn a good deal more about it in the morning. For now, all I can say with certainty is that the vomit comes out slow, thick and sludgy. Imagine pouring molasses."

"What colour is it" I instantly regret asking.

"Levi! show some respect" Ma burst out.

"Asking questions like that, and to a man of God."

she turns to Yoder, obviously embarrassed

"Sorry Father"

"Oh no trouble at all Mrs.Lapp. Levi's questions do not bother me in the slightest. In fact its encouraged in times like these to ask questions, even the uncomfortable ones. No use being shy about reality. And I for one am glad to see a young man take such an interest in seeking information, even when faced with harsh truths. So please Levi, ask as many questions as you like. But first, let me ask you, why would you like to know the colour?"

"Well...I... You painted such a vivid image. you described it as sludgy. I just, I was picturing it as black, but surely that is not the case."

"No, no of course not. It's a normal colour, little green little brown. Just thicker."

I know he's lying. What I don't know is if it was only Susanna's that was silver.

"Yesterday, while delivering a basket to Susanna's house, I heard her screaming. Is that part of this phase as well?"

"There is no screaming that I know of. When did you hear this."

"It was early in the afternoon. I could hear Mr.Fisher doing the same thing today"

"A simple mistake, There is a terrible retching sound that accompanies it. I suspect Levi, that you let yourself get a little carried away when picturing it."

That was no retch. I can tell he's starting to get annoyed. Answering quickly and without his usual calm way of carrying himself.

"You know people are calling it Susanna's flu?

"Well I imagine so. with no proper name for it yet, and her being the first to have it."

"So it came from the outside world"

"I did not say that."

"You didn't say it, but do you think it?"

“Naturally, everyone here was in good health, Susanna came back with this flu, and it started spreading. So its a simple conclusion that yes, I believe that it did come from the outside world."

"Is there a cure?"

"Not that we have found yet."

"Have you checked to see if the outside world has a cure."

"We do not believe that is a necessary step yet."

"So what? are we suppose to just sit around and wait until we're all sick and dying?"

"Levi! Enough. Father Yoder is a guest in our home and you are being incredibly rude." Ma was trying to be patient but couldn't take it anymore.

"Take this and go eat with your Father." She hands me a plate.

"He will appreciate the company" I waste no time storming out of the room. Yoder calls after me.

"Levi, Could you please come see me after you finish helping the Fishers tomorrow. I would like to continue our conversation then."