Olof got back to William’s later in the day to check on Mr. Yungdahl and William. Olof knew he had his work cut out for him since talking with their customer who was not happy about the delays in his construction job. Yungdahl told him William would not eat. All he ask for was more Ackvavit. Olof told Mr. Yungdahl he was going to see Ester and would be back shortly to stay with William that night.
Just as Ester was walking into the courtyard of her building, she saw Olof coming down the street. He looked exhausted. They hugged, which shocked them both. Still they knew it was right. She took his arm and they walked into the courtyard seating area.
“How is William?” Ester asked.
“He is not doing well. Mr. Yungdahl is with him now but I have to get back to stay with William tonight. I wanted to see you first. How are you?”
“I am feeling less worried now since Anya and I talked to the pastor’s wife. She said the baby is doing well and the hospital found a wet nurse and oh!” Ester hesitated. “I hope you don’t mind that I talk to you about this.”
“No, no tell me everything.” Olof took Ester’s hand. “I have to tell William what is going on with his child. He has to make plans to care for the child and also keep his business going. His livelihood is mine as well. It is my future, too. I need to know how to help him.” Olof looked into her eyes.
“Yaj, there is a supplement powder that William can buy to help feed the baby until he is old enough to eat solid food. She also told us that William will have to pick up the baby tomorrow. Only he can take the child from the hospital. I know it will be hard for him.”
“William needs to get the baby home,” Olof said. “We can be there with him to hold him up until he’s back on his feet. I will talk with Mr. Yungdahl about getting the baby after the funeral.”
“I can go too. Mrs. Petters said I can have the day off. Anya can’t come until after her work. She can’t be at the funeral either,” Ester said. “Will there be visitors after the service?” She asked.
“Mr. Yungdahl said that many church members brought food to the house today. Someone from the church will stay at William’s house so Mr. Yungdahl can attend the funeral. We can discuss visitors coming after the funeral when we see Pastor Wendall at the church. He can make an announcement after the service.”
“Yaj, that’s right. We don’t know that William will be able to have visitors after the funeral.” Ester said.
“Mr. Yungdahl said that when the ladies came to the house to get Elsa’s clothes for her burial, William was sobbing and carrying on. He gave him some more Ackvavit to calm him down. With the baby home he will need to have time to adjust. I expect it will take him awhile to find his way, but he has us to help him.”
“How are you doing through all this, Olof?” Ester asked.
“I’m worried Ester. It makes me feel that I have to make sure my life is in order. That I have a plan for my future since life changes without warning.”
Ester touched his face tenderly as he spoke to her. They kissed. Each knowing then they had much to get through in the next few days and that they had to put their feelings aside for now. They stood up together holding hands to part.
Olof said. “Yungdahl will pick you up tomorrow morning at eight. Hopefully, William and I will be with him so we can go straight to the church.”
He walked her to the door of her apartment building and said, “See you tomorrow.” And he was off.
There wasn’t many people at the service. Ester didn’t know what she had expected. She admired Elsa so much and she had thought everyone else felt the same way. But people had their own lives, their work and family came first. She was happy to see Astrid and Lars had come. William looked worn out but he seemed to be holding up. She prayed for Elsa and William and their baby. It filled her empty heart. It gave her courage. She seemed to know her future would be good even without her dear friend Elsa.
Olof stood beside William. He looked at Ester when she was lost in her prayers. It made him feel strong to see her there. He knew then what his heart wanted for his future.
Sobs were heard when the organist stopped playing after the last hymn. As they got ready to move the casket out of the church to go to the cemetery, William was overcome. Pastor Wendall approached him and sat with him while all the others left the sanctuary with the casket.
Mr. Yungdahl stood outside by his automobile with Olof waiting for William. Astrid and Lars gave their condolences to Ester. When Lars went off to get their vehicle Ester spoke to Astrid.
“Thank you for coming, Astrid. Only you knew how much Elsa meant to me.”
“Ester, my dear, I told you before, Lars and I would be there for you.” Astrid said as she leaned in to hug Ester. She whispered to Ester, “Is that your young man? I saw him watching you in the service.”
Ester stood back looking at Astrid and just smiled thinking what letters she would get from her Mama now. Before Ester could say anything, Astrid changed the subject.
“How is your new place and your work?”
“Up until now all was well. I’m only thinking now of how I can help William and his new son.”
“What a tragedy. Oh there’s Lars.” Astrid waved to the approaching vehicle. “Please come to see us for dinner sometime and don’t hesitate to ask for help for you or William. Good-bye dear.” She said as she left to climb in the automobile.
After the burial, Mr. Yungdahl asked Olof to come back to the Carlson house with Ester. Olof would first drop off Mr. Yungdahl and William at the hospital to pick up the baby, then he would drop off Ester at the Carlson home. He would come back around later to pick up William and the baby and Mr. Yungdahl to take them home.
By the time they all got back to the house, Anya had arrived, too. Together she and Ester unwrapped some food to reheat for the group. William had named his son William A. Carlson, Jr. He called him Bertie since the A. stood for Albert after William’s father. The wet nurse had fed the baby that day already so the child was sleeping contently in his arms. The nursery had been prepared lovingly by Elsa herself. The nuns had given them enough feeding bottles and the feeding powder to start. Mr. Yungdahl was beaming as they all quietly put the baby down and went into the kitchen to eat.
William seemed peaceful. He offered everyone some beer and ate and drank heartily himself since he hadn’t eaten much in the last couple of days. The friends were quiet knowing that they all had a task ahead of them.
The next day William and Olof went back to work. The wet nurse came to feed Bertie and Mr. Yungdahl washed diapers. Several church members came over to bring food and see the baby. But as the weeks went on the visitors were fewer and fewer.
“William didn’t you hear the baby crying?” Mr. Yungdahl asked as he came up on the porch where William was sitting.
“Huh! Yaj?” William lifted himself up and a bottle clanged down the steps. “What?”
Yungdahl said again picking up the bottle. “Didn’t you hear the baby crying? I could hear him all the way over at my house.”
“Oh, Yaj, Yaj. Just fell asleep. I’ll get him. Thanks Yungdahl. You are a good friend. William went inside with Mr. Yungdahl following him. He picked up the baby.
“He’s a fine boy.” Yungdahl said. “You are a lucky man.”
“I can’t complain about the child. He is good. Just keeping up with my work and him is a big task. You have been so good to me and Bertie. I don’t know what we would have done without your help. Olof and Ester and Anya and all the church members have kept me going. I’m not as strong as you think. I should be stronger.”
“You have a difficult circumstance, William, but you’ve always been a hard worker and a strong man.”
“You know, Yungdahl, it was Elsa that made me strong. I always had her behind me and now I feel like I’m slipping away. I don’t know myself anymore.” William said.
“You’ve got to keep in mind how much that child meant to Elsa, William. Bertie is what should keep you going now. But be practical, man. You need to hire a nurse maid for the child. You can’t do this yourself. Yungdahl patted William on the back and said, “You’d better get some sleep now. I’ll be going.”
“Yaj, thanks Yungdahl, You’re a good friend. I will ask Ester or the Pastor’s wife if they can help me find someone.