Ester awoke with much anticipation. Just one more day until Sunday and her chance to see Olof again.
She and Elsa had planned a fish boil for their Sunday afternoon. Mr. Youngdahl, the Carlson’s neighbor, had agreed to bring the fish. They hoped for good weather to build a fire outside. Elsa would gather the red potatoes for the boil from her garden and Ester would bake the bread. Elsa said they could have William’s favorite beer, too. The woman planned on playing Bunco, a new dice game, after the meal. Ester had never played Bunco.
While she was dressing thoughts drifted in and out of her head. I hope that Olof and William will enjoy the feast. I can’t wait to learn the new game Elsa planned. I missed seeing Anya this week. I forgot I was supposed to meet her at the Drug Store after work on Monday. I hope that I will at least see her at church on Sunday to tell her that I am sorry I missed our meeting.
When Ester had finished dressing for her work day and just before she left the Chalberg’s to leave for work she reminded herself. I’ve got to talk to Astrid about my plans to move. It’s going to be a difficult conversation. Astrid will be against it. I hope I get a letter from Mama today to smooth things over with Astrid. Mama will tell her I am grateful for their help. I have paid them back for my passage and for my room and board. Now I would like to be on my own. I also do not want to have to introduce them to my friends especially Olof right now. There will be plenty of time later after I am settled in my new life.
The sun was usually up when she left the Chalberg’s but since the Summer was approaching Fall it came up later today. She hoped to be in her new place before winter. She went over her conversation with Astrid in her thoughts as she rode the streetcar to the Petters.
After I confirm a place to live, I will tell Astrid that I have to talk to her about something of importance. Then I will say, I am so grateful to you and Lars for your guidance and shelter in my transition to my new country. Here is a letter from Mama about my plans for the future. From what Mrs. Petters has told me I can say, I have found a place of my own. It is close to work and sponsored by my employer. I have an introduction letter from Mrs. Petters to the Sherman Avenue Apartments. Mr. Simon, the building manager, showed me an apartment he called a ‘bachelor’ apartment. It has one room which includes a stove for cooking, a sink with running water, and a tub on legs. The toilet is in a small room with its own door. At least I hope the toilet is my own and not down the hall. I can’t remember for sure what Mrs. Petters said about the toilet. Anyway, the building had a locked lobby entrance. It is on the third floor but it has lots of light. Mrs. Petters said, I might even be able to see the lake. It has a bed which folds up into the wall but no other furnishings. It will be very sparse until I can get more furnishings. Good, that sounds right. Now, I just had to have time to actually talk to Mr. Simon and see the place. Today, I will ask Mrs. Petters if the introduction letter is ready and if I can leave work early to go by the apartment building. (*)
Getting off the streetcar at Sherman Avenue and Colfax, she saw the Carlson truck riding past. She waved and waved but William didn’t see her. Smiling to herself, she thought, Olof and William are back from their job. I can’t wait until Sunday!
Mrs. Petters came into the kitchen while Ester was kneading the dough for bread.
“Ester, here is the letter of introduction for Mr. Simon.” She said giving Ester the envelope.
“Tack sa mycket, Mrs. Petters.” Ester asked. “Can I make two extra loaves of bread for myself today? My friends are having a fish boil on Sunday.”
“Of course, you may. How nice that you have such good friends in this country.” Mrs. Petters said.
“Would I be able to go early today to see the apartment?” Ester asked.
“Yes, that would be fine. Give Mr. Simon my regards and tell him I thank him for allowing this opportunity for you.”
“Yes, Mrs. I will leave after lunch then.” Ester put the letter in her coat pocket so she would have it handy went she arrived at the apartment building on Sherman Avenue. My first very own place in America. I feel so blessed.
Later that morning, Ester finished putting away the bread for the Petters dinner and wrapped up the loaves she had made for the fish boil. The sun was shining brightly as she walked down the street to Sherman Avenue. The building was just a short two blocks from her employer’s home. The sign posted over the building courtyard entrance said ‘Castle Towers’. (**) She was told to go to the manager’s office on the ground floor in building H. Ester laughed to herself as she thought about writing home to tell her Mama and Carine that she would be living in a castle. Not like her cottage at home. When Ester knocked on the door for building H she heard a voice call from behind the door. “Yes, coming.”
The door opened and a man in a stiff collar and brown suit came out and stood in front of her. “Hello, you must be Miss Nilsson. I am Fredrick Simon.” He extended his hand to her.
Ester was flustered and instead of shaking his hand she did a slight curtsey. Talking to Americans was always difficult. She was so use to being around Swedes that she didn’t think about English. She thought only about speaking it mostly when she went to English classes at Svea Club.
She tried her English with Mr. Simon, “Mrs. Petters vas tellin’ me apartment here, Yaj? I have letter.”
“Yes, Marianne told me that you were coming to see our ‘bachelor’ apartment. It’s on the third floor in building “J”. Follow me this way.” Simon said.
Ester looked puzzled, “Marianne? Oh, Yaj. Mrs. Petters.” She said as she followed Mr. Simon.
They walked to the next building and then walked up three flights of stairs. Mr. Simon opened the door for Ester to an empty room with big windows and a coal fireplace in the corner. Light flooded the room as Mrs. Peters had said. Mr. Simon showed her the folding bed, the sink and tub and finally the toilet closet.
“It is very simple but suitable for a single person.” Mr. Simon said. Ester didn’t really understand all that Mr. Simon said but she liked the room. It had high ceilings and wood molding with cornices on the door frame and a round stained glass windows on either side of the fireplace.
“Da price?” Ester asked hoping this was the correct English word.
Mr. Simon said, “Eight dollars a month.”
Ester took a deep breath when she heard the number but bravely said. “I can take now?”
“Yes, now is good.” Mr. Simon smiled.
Ester gave him eight dollars and he gave her the keys.
“Tack,” Ester answered then she remembered ‘Thank you’ was the English but it came out ‘Tanks’ with her accent.
But she laughed slightly and smiled at Mr. Simon. Mr. Simon nodded his head smiling himself. She said goodbye and floated down the stairs to go home thinking. I will have to talk to Astrid tonight.
Ester caught the Chicago Avenue streetcar to the Chalberg’s home on Greenleaf Avenue. It would probably be her last time to ride the streetcar to her first home in America. When she entered the house Astrid was just setting the table for supper.
“Astrid, can I help you with that?” Ester asked as she took off her coat, then hanging it on the clothes rack in the entry hall. She was glad to be speaking Swedish. English was still hard for her.
“Ester, thank you dear, Lars should be home in another half hour. How was your day?” Astrid answered.
Ester took the plates from Astrid and said, “Astrid, I have to talk to you about my future here.”
“Oh, dear.” Astrid answered, “That sounds serious. Come into the kitchen and we can talk while I check on the supper.”
Ester sat down at the cook’s table and waited until Astrid stopped fussing over the food before she started their conversation.
“Astrid, please sit down for a minute. This won’t take long.” Ester said.
“Alright, dear.” Astrid said sitting down. “There, I’m seated. Now tell me what has you so bothered.”
Ester looked into Astrid’s eyes and started talking. “I have decided to move to a place on my own.”
“What!” Astrid answered shocked.
“Now wait, let me finish. There is more to my decision.” Ester handed Astrid a letter she had taken from her skirt pocket. “This letter is from Mama for you. I am going to let Margit and August adopt my daughter, Marie. She will have a home and family but I will still be in her life as her Aunt. Carine is going to school now and she is happy at home in Sweden. I feel you and Lars have helped me so much and I thank you for that, but I am settled and ready to be on my own.”
Astrid took the letter from Ester but didn’t look at it before she spoke.
“Ester, you have made a difficult decision. Lars and I don’t expect you to leave us. You have a home here for as long as you want. It will be hard for you as a single woman to be on your own. Astrid said, “I am worried that you are moving too hastily.”
“Astrid, I have a place to live already. Mrs. Petters arranged for me to get a place in a building close to her home. It’s a courtyard building on Sherman Avenue called ‘Castle Towers’. She knows the owner and she gave me a letter of introduction. I have paid for the first month and already have the keys.”
“No, no, no. This is too fast.” Astrid sighed shaking her head.
“It is for the best.” Ester tried to stop her family friend’s fretting.
“When will you go?”
“On my next day off. Probably Saturday after work. I don’t have that much to move. Just my trunk and one suitcase. The ‘bachelor’ has a bed. I will furnish it more when I can. Please be happy for me, Astrid. My life in America is better now that I have made these decisions. My future is different now and I must make my own way.”
“Ester, you are a very determined person. Know that Lars and I will always be here if you need assistance. We are your friends, too.”
“Thank you, Astrid.”
“Come now, let’s have a nice dinner, “Astrid said getting up to stir the soup. “I will tell Lars about your move later. Then I will ask him to drive you to your new place so you won’t have to worry about arranging to move anything yourself. Tonight we will just enjoy each other’s company.”
While Astrid waited for Lars to come to bed that night she read the letter Ester had given her from her Mother, Ida. It was good to read news in her native language.
Vislanda, Sweden
My Dearest Friend Astrid,
I know when you read this letter Ester has told you she is going out on her own. You and Lars are such good friends to take her to America and keep her in your home. Ester has always been a willful daughter but she has a good heart. Her life has not been easy with my illness and her father’s passing. And then, of course, her unexpected pregnancy. But now she has come to a decision to allow her brother and his wife to raise the child. It is good for both my children. Ester will have her life in America and her daughter will have a family home with her brother. Ester has always made her own choices. I can only pray that this decision will be good for her future.
Thank you again for your kindness. I will be always in your debt.
Your grateful friend,
Ida
“Lars, come read this letter from Ida Nilsson,” Astrid called to her husband.
Lars lumbered to bed and took the letter from his wife mumbling to himself as he read.
“So Ester will leave us. Where is she going?” He said.
“She has a place in the Castle Towers on Sherman Avenue arranged by her employer.” Astrid answered taking the letter from Lars.
“Well that’s that. The girl has a mind of her own.”
“Lars can you drive her tomorrow to the Castle Towers. She only has her trunk and a suitcase.”
“Yaj, I have a meeting in the morning but I can take her after lunch. She has paid her board for the month. Should we reimburse the difference?” He asked.
“No, I will give her linens and other home necessities to start her out. That should make her small room more comfortable. We will see her at church so we can be sure she is doing alright. I don’t want Ida to worry.”
“You are a kind person, my wife now I must sleep.”
“Thank you, Lars. God Knatt min kara (good night my dear).”
Ester had packed all her belongings in her trunk and suitcase and was ready to go when she went downstairs to say goodbye to Astrid and Lars in the morning.
“God Morgon.” Astrid greeted Ester as she came down the stairs with her suitcase. “Lars said he can drive you to your new apartment after lunch today. He has an appointment this morning and he has already left for his office this morning. I have some linens and other household items you might need for your new place.”
“Astrid, you don’t have to give me anything. You have already given me so much.”
“It’s not a gift, Ester. These items are paid for by the remaining board you paid to us for this month.” Astrid smiled and hugged Ester as she would her own daughter. “I read your mother’s letter last night. I know you have made a difficult decision. I understand that you want to be on your own to determine if your decision is good for you. Lars and I only wish you the best. We will see you at church and hope you will visit us when you can.”
“I am most grateful to you and Lars and will keep you in my prayers.” Ester’s eyes filled with tears.
“Now come, we will have breakfast and pack your new items and get you ready for Lars to drive you to your new home.”