Ester walked out of the sanctuary at the Swedish Lutheran Church that Sunday anticipating her walk with Olof when her friend Anya caught up with her on the way down the main steps.
“Did Elsa tell you her news?” Anya asked.
“What news?” Ester looked confused. She was distracted with thoughts of Olof.
“I don’t know if she wants everyone to know yet but she and William are expecting a child.”
“What? I saw her at Svea Club this week and she never said anything.” Ester said recalling her conversation with Elsa was about her problems. “That is such wonderful news for them.”
“Yaj, they have been trying a while. Can you go with me to the minister’s home for coffee?” Anya asked.
“Anya, yaj, I do want to talk with you. I want to know more about your boarding house. But today I am meeting someone after service. Can we meet after work on Monday?”
“Oh!” Anya smiled teasing Ester. “I was wondering why your hair was so fancy today. You don’t usually wear it up.” They both laughed.
Just then another woman came up to Anya. Handing her a pamphlet, she said, “There is a meeting of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union at the home of Mrs. Waugh McCulloch today. (*)”
Ester said, “I will wait for you at the Svea Club on Monday.” Leaving Anya to continue her conversation with the other woman she headed out the Church doors, waving goodbye to her friend.
Olof was standing on the corner looking nervous and happy at the same time. He’d walked from his small room on Ridge Avenue in Chicago and was thinking he should have taken the streetcar since he was feeling sweaty. He was wearing his straw boater and light weight plain brown suit. He felt uncomfortable but wanted to impress Ester. He saw Ester approach, her large brimmed hat bouncing in the warm breeze and her skirts swishing with her stride. He saw her smile and his smile came up to match it. He waved and walked to meet her. Taking her hand and standing close he greeted her.
“Ester you look well today. He noted that she was dressed in a dark blue skirt with a matching shirtwaist with a wide collar trimmed in white and almost covering her shoulders. Her small waist was belted tightly. He was tempted to put his arm around her waist.
“How are you? How was the service?”
Ester said, “I am well Olof.” And they started to walk down Sherman Avenue still holding hands. Ester continued to tell Olof about the service.
“Rev. Wendell talked about the Sermon on the Mount and how our Lord fed thousands with his gifts. He told us we should share our gifts.” Ester continued until Olof stopped when he asked.
“I don’t know where we are going, Ester. Where do you live?” They both laughed.
“I live with my Mama’s friend Astrid and her husband Lars. He is in the lumber trade. They live on Kensington Avenue not far from the Evanston lakefront. They were kind enough to let me stay with them until I got settled and found a place of my own.” It’s about a mile down Chicago Avenue then east on Church to Kensington Ave.”
Olof said, “I have an idea. Let’s get something to eat and a drink and go sit on the lakefront. Can you do that?”
“Oh, that would be fine. I think we can get something to eat along the lake. There are always cart vendors for the Sunday strollers.” Ester smiled.
They almost ran down the street holding hands and laughing. Ester had to hold her hat on with her bag flapping in the wind but she didn’t let go of his hand.
She thought to herself, “They were just so easy together.”
By the time they got to Evanston lakefront, Ester’s hat was off and her hair had fallen down her back. Olof pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his brow. They sat on a bench to recover from their hike. Then they saw a cart vendor down the block and both spoke at the same time.
“There is a vendor!”
Olof said, “You stay here and I will get us something.” And he took off.
While Ester waited she tried to fix her hair back up but decided to just leave it down and she tied it together in back with one of her hat ribbons. Olof returned quickly and suggested they go under one of the trees on the lawn to watch the strollers and the lake while they ate. He gave her the meat pies and drinks to hold. Then he took off his hat and jacket and placed the jacket down for Ester to sit on.
“These pies are delicious. I’ve never had them before.” Ester said. “They have potatoes and peas mixed with the meat and the pie crust is so flaky.”
“And the lemonade is a refreshing compliment to the filling pies.” Olof said. Ester nodded in agreement.
Their picnic lasted several hours. Their conversation covered everything. It seemed by the end that they had known each other for years. Olof told her all about his family in Krappa, Sweden, his five sisters and four brothers and their farm. He also told her about his carpenter training.
Ester did the same, telling him about Astrid and Lars. She talked about her job with the Petters. She also told him about her Mama and sister Carine and her brother August in Vislanda. She only left out one thing, locked away in her heart. That would be something for another time. She didn’t know if she had to ever tell anyone again. It reminded her of the letters she had yet to write.
“Olof, this has been such a nice afternoon, but I think I have to go. I will be expected for dinner.” She said.
Olof stood up and took her hand to help her get up. He picked up his jacket and shook it off while Ester brushed off her skirt and put her hat on again. They both noticed for the first time there were lots of people on the lakefront as they walked through the crowd toward the street.
Olof had his hand on her elbow guiding her to the street. Once they got to the sidewalk his hand dropped and they stopped walking.
Olof said, “I’m sorry to see this afternoon end. We should make plans to see each other again.”
Ester tried to think of something they could do together while Olof stared back at her. She didn’t know how they would meet again. She didn’t know the customs here. She thought, Could there be there community restrictions about young men and women courting?
Then Ester said, “Did William Carlson tell you his wife Elsa was having a baby?”
Olaf was surprised. “No, he never said. They must have just found out. How did you know?
“My friend Anya from Svea Club told me after church services. We take English classes with his wife, Elsa.”
“Oh, yaj.” Olof knew this already after prodding his friend William to find out about Ester from his wife. He continued, “Maybe we can call on William and Elsa sometime to wish them our congratulations. I will talk to William and he can tell Elsa to tell you when it is a good time to visit them.”
“Olof, What a good idea. I will see Elsa on Monday after work at Svea Club. Is that too soon? Ester asked.
“I don’t know. Carlson and I have a job Monday but I don’t know if he will be able to arrange things by then. Let’s plan on later in the week. It will happen.” He said.
Olof walked Ester the few blocks home and said goodbye. He just couldn’t bring himself to kiss her yet, but he knew he would soon.
Fall 1909
Dear August and Margit,
I was very sad to get your letter about Marie. It has taken me a long time to decide what to do with your desire to adopt Marie as your own. I cried and worried and I even asked for help from the Immigrants Assistance Organization of Evanston. Then I came to realize I was being selfish. I expected you and Mama and Carine to take care of everything as you always did for me. Forgive me my dear brother and sister, I love you and I know you will keep Marie well and happy. I will be grateful to be her Auntie who lives in America. Thank you for taking care of me again. I am writing to Mama and Carine, too. I will work hard to rebuild my life here in Chicago. Not the life I had expected, but still a good life, I hope. I have also enclosed the papers you sent me with my signature. Send me news of Marie. You are in my prayers.
My love to you both.
Your sister,
Ester
Ester also finished her letters to Mama and Carine so she could mail them all on Monday morning. She felt sad but knew in her heart this was the right decision. It gave her peace to know she had finally made a decision. As she laid in bed that night, she thought of all her new friends in America who had been so caring and helpful. Even Mrs. Petters, her employer, had encouraged her. She had given her suggestions about boarding houses on Sherman Avenue close to work. Ester wondered how she could repay them all. She thought about how she would visit home some day and be happy to see baby Marie growing up in a family. Then she remembered she would have to talk to Astrid to let her know her decision. It would be an uncomfortable discussion. A task for another day. She had done enough today.
After work on Monday, Ester headed to the post office on her way to the Svea Club in Chicago. She looked forward to seeing Elsa. She wanted to tell her about her afternoon with Olof and her letters to her family in Sweden.
“Ester, Ester,” Anya called to Ester as she got off the streetcar down the street from the Svea Club.
“Hej, Anya,” Ester greeted her friend. “Hur Mar du?”
“Can you come with me to the Temperance group meeting after church next Sunday?” Anya asked. “They are talking about ‘municipal suffrage’ for woman. It should prove to be the first step toward ‘national suffrage’ for women. Some woman who are in the same Industrial Unions as men can now vote alongside the men, so ‘municipal suffrage’ is the next natural step for women to pursue to further the cause.”
Ester shook her head as she listened to Anya talk on and on but she knew in her heart she was not ready to follow Anya toward any meetings about suffrage at this time.
“I can’t Anya, I have to look for a new place to live. You know I can’t stay with the Chalbergs much longer. Sunday is the only day I have to start my search, maybe another time.”
“Oh, Ester, why are you leaving the Chalbergs now? You will have a difficult time on your own as a single woman.” Anya said.
“It’s time for me to be on my own. America is my home now so I have to make my own way without ties to family friends. I feel like the Chalbergs should not be obliged to house me now that I am changing my life.”
“What have you changed?” Anya asked.
“I just mean my plans for my future has changed. I made some decisions. Now I have to be free to follow those decisions without judgement. I will always be grateful to them for their help but I need to be on my own,” Ester said as they reached the Svea Club entrance. “I will see you at church on Sunday, we can talk more then.”
Anya sighed. “You know best. We can talk more at church.”
Ester walked up the stairs to her class, hoping she would see Elsa in the hallway before she had to go into class. She stood outside the door but didn’t see her before the class began.
After class, Ester was disappointed that she did not get to talk with Elsa. This made her decide to go to Elsa’s home the next day after work, that way Ester would know why Elsa was not going to the Svea Club.