“Johansson.” Mr. Yungdahl called as he approached the back door to the Carlson’s.
“Yaj, I’m coming.” Olof answered. He opened the door for Yungdahl and asked, “Do you want some coffee?”
“How is William?”
“I think only the strong alcohol allowed him to sleep. I haven’t tried to rouse him yet this morning.” Olof poured Mr. Yungdahl some coffee.
“Not much he can do today,” Mr. Yungdahl said. “Better that he rest now. I went to the Pastor’s house to find out what I could do to help with the arrangements for…” He choked on his words but continued, “Elsa’s funeral.”
Yungdahl took a long deep breath before he said more.
“It is all arranged for tomorrow. The showing and service will be at the church at 9 in the morning, then a procession to Wunder’s cemetery for the burial is planned. The church’s caring group will bring over food today for William and for visitors after the funeral. Have you talked with Ester?”
“Not yet, I was waiting for William to wake up or for you to come before I went to see her. She has to work today. I hope to catch her when her work day is over. Her room is just a few blocks from the Carlson’s.” Olof said. “I also have to go over to our work site to inform the owner of what happened to William and Elsa. We were expected to finish that job within the week. I’m not sure William will be up to it.”
“What am I not up to, Johansson?” William said as he staggered into the kitchen rubbing his face, looking disheveled, and still not fully awake.
Mr. Yungdahl got up to help him to a chair.
Olof said, “Coffee?”
“Yaj.” William crumbled.
Both men waited for their friend to drink some coffee and talk to them. They didn’t know what to expect from him knowing his great loss.
“Oh, my head is aching.” William started. “What did I drink last night?”
“You had some strong Akvavit from my reserves,” Yungdahl said, “to help you sleep and help you calm down.”
William sat there drinking his coffee while his friends watch him and waited.
“I can’t go on.” He sobbed laying his head on the table.
His friends came to his aid each with a hand on his shoulders and more coffee in his cup. Finally they spoke to him.
“We are here for you, young man.” Yungdahl said.
“William, my friend, I will keep the work going while you take your time to find your way.” Olof said.
William looked up at them. “You are both so kind.”
“What about the child?” Yungdahl asked hoping William would acknowledge his son.
“Pastor Wendall is making arrangements to find help for your son.” Olof said.
“My son.” William said almost as a question.
Olof spoke again, “Ester will help as well.”
“We must bury Elsa first.” came out of William’s mouth, shocking his friends.
“Yaj, all is ready for her funeral. Pastor Wendell made the arrangements for tomorrow.” Yungdahl said.
William got up and left the room as if that was all that needed to be said. The two men looked at each other with the realization that it would be up to them to fill in the gaps in William’s absence.
“That’s it then.” Olof said. “I’m going to the work site. You will stay with William?” he asked Yungdahl.
“Yaj, poor man, I will be close by.” Yungdahl sighed.
Ester’s lost herself in her work catching up with preparations for the Petter’s dinner party. Baking always calmed her. While she kneaded the dough she thought about what she could do for William and his son. Maybe I should give up my job to help William. If I did that, how would I keep my room? It’s too hard a decision. My job gives me independence. I can’t give it up now, but perhaps talking to Anya will help me find a way to help William. I will go to the Svea Club for English class this afternoon. There I can talk to Anya. I need to talk to another female friend. I only want to honor Elsa’s memory.
Mrs. Petters’ questions about the place settings and the glassware made Ester focus on her tasks for today and leave her grief aside for now. When her day was coming to a close and she was gathering her things to leave, Mrs. Petters came into the kitchen.
“Ester, thank you for all the preparations you did today. You worked hard. I know you are grieving for your friend. Professor Petters and I want you to give this to Mr. Carlson with our condolences.” She handed Ester an envelope. “I know you will be at the funeral tomorrow. Don’t worry about coming back here after, just see to your friends.”
“Thank you so much for being so understanding, Mrs. I will see you next week then.”
At the Svea club Ester found Anya outside her class room. She hugged her which surprised Anya.
“Are you well?” Anya asked.
“Elsa died.” Ester cried.
Anya covered her mouth to silence her shriek. “Ahh! How?”
Ester told her all she knew of the birth complications and their stunning grief. “Tomorrow is the funeral. William has yet to bring the child home. Can you come with me to the Pastor’s house to talk with Mrs. Wendall about what she has been able to arrange for his baby?”
“The baby is alive?” Anya asked. “Should we go now?”
“Yaj, Then I can give Olof the news from Mrs. Wendall about the baby’s care to assure William he will have support. I want to meet Olof to see how he is doing. I also want to see how William is doing.
The woman left the Svea Club and walked arm in arm to the corner of Clark and Lawrence to catch the streetcar.
“Anya, I want to help William with the baby but I can’t see how I can. I can’t give up my job now. I just got my own life together. I’m not ready to take on his child. But Elsa was so good to me, I feel I owe her.”
Anya watched her friend in thoughtful silence before she answered. “Ester, you will be there to help William but you cannot think that you should give up your life to care for his child. William must carry on his life himself. Elsa will know that.
Ester hugged her friend just as the streetcar came. “I knew you would understand, Anya. Will you help me find out how I can help William?”
Anya hugged her back. “You know I will, my friend.” They walked to the Pastor’s residence next to the church. After talking with Mrs. Wendall for a brief time the friends parted. Anya had to get back to the boarding house so she wouldn’t miss her supper time. She told Ester she couldn’t be at the funeral tomorrow but she promised to come by after work to see what she could do to help.
Ester hoped to meet Olof at her building when she returned home. Mrs. Wendall had told them that the hospital had found a wet nurse who could come to William’s home every day. They also recommended a feeding powder which could supplement the wet nurse feedings until the child could eat solid foods. Mrs. Wendall also told them that the baby was doing well but that Mr. Carlson would have to come to the hospital himself to get the child tomorrow. He was the only one who could take the child from the hospital. Both women were so relieved. Ester felt some weight lifted from her heavy heart. At least Elsa’s child was healthy and now they were assured of help for his care.