Chapter 24
Olof and Ester share dreams.

Olof went into the entrance to Ester’s building. He didn’t know how he would get to her rooms since the inside door was locked. He expected she would be coming home soon since it was late in the day. He walked around the entrance then decided to go outside and wait for her there. He looked up at her windows. The curtains weren’t drawn so he figured she wasn’t home yet. Then he thought, I can just go to her employer’s house. He started walking north on Sherman Avenue.

Ester carried her usual bundles of leftovers from the Petters’ kitchen as she walked down Colfax to Sherman Avenue. Her impatient thoughts waivered in and out of urgency, wishing to see Olof now instead of waiting until the end of the week as they had planned. Maybe I should go over to the Carlson’s to see if he was there tonight. She crossed the street when she got to the corner of Sherman and Colfax. She noticed there weren’t too many people or much traffic on Sherman Avenue in the late afternoon. She only saw one man approaching her in the distance. As he got closer she was surprised to see it was Olof. Both of them started to run towards each other when they realized who the other person was.

Olof caught her in his arms saying. “I’m so glad it is you.”

And he kissed her sweetly on the lips. She couldn’t hug him back since she had her arms full of bundles but she smiled and enjoyed the hug and kiss.

“Olof, why are you here?” she asked.

 

“I have so much to tell you. I couldn’t wait until the end of the week like we planned. Do you think we can go upstairs together?

“I think we should. I have much to tell you as well. Here take these bundles for me.”

They walked the block or so back to her building. She got her key out to open the inside door as they approached the outside entrance. They both were quiet since they didn’t want to draw attention to themselves or disturb the neighbors. They hoped it would look like he was just helping her carry her bundles upstairs.

When they got inside her rooms, Olof put the bundles down and Ester drew the curtains closed. They embraced and just held each other not saying anything just listening to each other breathe and feeling close.

Ester broke the silence. “Olof, you can stay for dinner and we can tell each other what has happened.”

He helped her put away the items he had carried upstairs. Ester set her table and put out some of the leftover food.

“Sit down, Olof. I’ll take care of setting up dinner. You just tell me what happened.”

“I quit William. There was an accident at the site which he caused. The other men got angry at him. They said he was too dangerous to work around and that he should get fired. William wasn’t even coherent he was so drunk. I took him home and went right over to the Carpenter’s Union to look for new work. Then I knew I had to see you to tell you what happened.” He gently grabbed her waist and pulled her toward him.

Ester kissed him on the cheek and said. “Now, wait I have to tell you about me.”

Olof let her go and she sat down on the chair opposite him and handed him some bread.

“The Petters’ gave me notice. They are going on a European Tour and closing their house down while they are gone. So we both have no work.”

She gave him some cold roast beef for his sandwich. She offered him some noodle casserole and some beets. They drank lemonade which she poured from a mason jar. They continued to chat while they enjoyed their meal.

“Looks like we both are in a fine state! Olof teased.

“I talked to Anya and she suggested I look for employment at a bakery. Of course, I have time since the Petters aren’t leaving for a few weeks yet and they are giving me my pay for a month after they leave. I also found a new Swedish bakery on Foster that is just opening so maybe they need a baker.”

“That’s good.” Olof said. “I have to check back with the Carpenter’s Union next week to see if they can offer me anything.”

“All this change is exhausting.” Ester sighed. “What do you think will happen with William?”

“Mr. Yungdahl will keep an eye on him and give him encouragement and support. He also told me he would let me know how things work out for William and if I can help at all. But he supported my decision to leave him for now.” He looked at Ester and smiled lovingly. “I want to be able to plan our future together.”

Ester was pleased to hear him talk about their future together. Her heart filled with joy even though she worried also. If Olof was talking about getting married, should she tell him about the child she left in Sweden?

They cleared the table together and he wrapped his arms around her as she put away the leftovers. She turned to face him in the embrace and they kissed. Their bodies melted together in their passions.

Suddenly, Ester pulled away and said, “You should go.”

Olof protested. “I want to stay. I want to be with you. I want to make love to you.” He pulled her closer.

Ester put her face on his chest. He held her in his warm embrace, kissing her head he said. “I want you to be my wife. I’m in love with you, Ester.”

They looked into each other’s eyes and their desires took over. Later in the sweet aftermath of passion, they laid entwined together. Olof told Ester of his dreams for their future. He wanted to buy land in Villa Park and build a home for her and their family. He said William had taught him so much about business that he knew he could succeed on his own. While Olof talked about their future, Ester thought about her past. How would he feel about her if he knew of her child?

 

She felt more and more uncomfortable and sat up out of Olof’s arms. She wrapped herself in her shawl.

Olof said, “Is something wrong?

Ester looked at him. He also sat up wanting to take her in his arms again. She walked over to the window. Olof got dressed and walked up behind her and whispered. “Tell me, are you worried about my proposal? Ester, what is wrong?”

Finally, Ester turned to him and said. “I do have something to tell you about my past. I had a child in Sweden. The man left before I knew I was pregnant. I had to give up the child. I had no way to support her so I came to America to escape the shame.”

Olof was stunned. It seemed as if her voice was coming from far away then he became aware again. His face scowled at her. He broke off from their embrace. He picked up his things and walked to the door. He didn’t even turn to face her.

He just said, “You should have told me before.” And he left.

Ester called after him. “Olof wait.”

But he was gone. She looked out the window to see if she could call him back but she saw no one on the street. He had just disappeared. The pain ravaged her. She cried and cried trying to understand how he could leave so suddenly without even talking to her or explaining his feelings.

 

 

Olof ran and ran down Sherman Avenue. He wanted to get away from Ester. He asked himself. Was he angry? Was he hurt? Was he shocked? He didn’t know. He couldn’t think. Yet all he could think was how could she not tell me this before? We have been through so much together. To keep something as important as a child from him, could he overlook this? Then he was angry again. He was jealous. He didn’t want anyone else to love her. She was his woman. He felt foolish. Had he been so naïve about this woman? He was worn out by the time he got back to his rooms. Too tired to think anymore, he slept like a rock. The next morning he went straight to the Union office. He needed to work.

The clerk said, “Johansson, you came back at just the right time. There has been talk of work out of state. If you are interested, I have the name and address of the contractor. The office is downtown in the loop. He wants to build a crew now so you should go see him today.” He started to write down the name and address for Olof.

“Yaj, give it to me now. That suits me fine. I’m ready for something new.” Olof took the paper that the clerk had printed out for him and left the office with no further information but the chance of a job out of town.

 

 

William stood outside Mr. Yungdahl’s door holding his baby son. He knocked on the door and called. “Yungdahl, are you up yet?” The baby fussed while they waited for Yungdahl to answer.

“Yaj, Yaj, I’m coming. What are you doing up so early Carlson?’

“I’ve come to talk to you about my plans, good friend. Say good morning to Mr. Yungdahl Bertie.” And he pointed the baby’s hand in a wave to Yungdahl.

“You seem in good cheer today. And young Bertie is doing well, I see.” He said letting the baby hold his finger.

“Come to my house, Yungdahl. I will make you breakfast and we can talk.”

Mr. Yungdahl got settled in the kitchen holding Bertie on his lap while William made the coffee and fried the bacon and eggs and made sure the limpa bread was on the table.

“I never knew you to cook.” Yungdahl said.

“You’d be surprised what I can do, Mr. Yungdahl.” He set the filled plates on the table and put Bertie in his tram so Yungdahl and he could eat.

“Now eat.”

The two men ate and drank their coffee.

Then William said, “I’m sorry. I have been so distraught and didn’t think of my son or my friends. I have driven Olof away and I have practically destroyed my business. Please forgive me, my friend. I need to know that I can have your trust again.”

“It’s true William, only Bertie kept me from wiping you out of my life. I am glad you have come to your senses and to see that you want to do what you can to make a life for your son. Elsa would want you to go on.”

“I have to say, Yungdahl. I didn’t know how to go on. All I could think was, “What would Elsa want me to do? And when I answered that question finally, I knew where to start. When the nurse comes I have to go to my old work site and see if I can smooth over relations with them. I know they won’t hire me again but I want them to see that I know what I did and want to make it right.”

Mr. Yungdahl got up from the table and put his hand on William’s shoulder. He said. “That’s all you can do. Come with me to church on Sunday so you can get comfort from our Lord. He will guide you. Many in the parish have asked me how you are doing. They want to see you recover. I’m sure they will also be there to give you support now that you see a way for yourself.”

“I will, Yungdahl. You’re a good friend.”

 

 

That morning William went to his old job site and talked to the men who had wanted him fired. When he was satisfied that he had straightened things out with them, he went to the Carpenter’s Union to see about getting some work.

The clerk recognized William. “Mr. Carlson, what can I do for you?” He asked.

William took a deep breath and said, “Well I need work. Is there anything I can do? I have to rebuild my reputation again to get my business back on it’s feet.”

“I know you didn’t lose your carpentry skills.” The clerk harassed William. “I do have a small job that just came in. It’s a new bakery to open on Foster Avenue. The owner needs some counters and display cases built. Here is the address. The owner’s name is Signe Carlson. She knows I will be sending a carpenter to her store today. Go around to the back. Hej, maybe she’s a long lost relative.” The clerk jested as he handed William the name and address.

“Probably not. There are many Carlson’s in Chicago.” William said. “Thank you. I will get right over there.”

He was about to leave when the clerk spoke to him again. “Did you know your worker, Olof Johansson was here looking for work, too? I sent him downtown to a contractor who is looking for men to join a crew to work out-of-town.”

“No, Olof left Chicago?” William was surprised. He couldn’t think why Olof would want to take a job out-of-town.

Later that morning, William’s encounter with Mrs. Carlson, the bakery owner, was successful. She was pleased with his suggestions for the counter and display case designs. He took the measurements and they agreed on a schedule for completion. She gave him a deposit to get the lumber for the project to get started. He would build them at his home and deliver and install them when they were finished. William was elated. He felt he was starting back on the right track.