Ester decided to stop by the Petters on her way to see Astrid. She wanted to return some pans and dishes she had used to carry food home when she cleaned out the kitchen. She thought she would tell Mrs. Petters that she had gotten word from Mrs. Carlson that the bakery was ready to open and Ester should come for counter training. The bakery owner had said William Carlson had been very flattering about her abilities and that it was good to have such a strong recommendation from someone Mrs. Carlson knew besides her reference letter from Mrs. Petters. Ester walked up to the front door and rang the bell.
The housekeeper answered the door.
“Oh, Miss Nilsson. What are you doing here? The Petters are gone.”
“I am so sorry I missed them. I didn’t think they were leaving until tomorrow. Why are you here then?”
“Professor Petters decided that I should stay on to keep the house up while they were gone. I’m only here one day a week, though. Of course, they didn’t need a cook when they are not here but a house does need upkeep even without it’s owners in residence. I didn’t think you would be back since they let you go. What do you want?”
“That does make sense. Who would I cook for and they did give me a month pay. No matter, I have another job. I just wanted to return these dishes and pans. Here take these and I wish you well.”
Ester just turned and left not looking back to see the housekeeper’s reaction. She thought to herself.
It makes sense that the Petters would have to let their cook go. I will send Mrs. Petters a note later on to let her know what happened with my new job. I have to go see Astrid now, anyway. Mama had written that Astrid was ill but she didn’t mention what her ailment was. I hope it’s not serious. Besides I wanted to tell Astrid about my new job.
Ester took her time walking to the Chalbergs. She did some window shopping on her way. She especially enjoyed looking at the baby carriages. She missed her baby Marie, now her niece. She daydreamed about the new life that might be coming. Her heart ached. She daydreamed that Olof had returned and they were shopping for baby carriages together.
Then she made a decision. Even if he doesn’t return I will keep my promise to this child. But she still hoped.
Ester knocked at the Chalbergs door and to Ester’s surprise, Astrid answered the door.
“Astrid, you are well?” she said startled.
“Ester what a surprise! Come in, tell me how you are.” Astrid lead Ester into the morning parlor.
“Mama wrote that you were ill. I was worried.”
“Oh, nothing too serious. I must have eaten something that disagreed with me and it took longer than expected to clear up. The foible of old age. It takes longer to recover from these things. I must have been feeling sorry for myself when I wrote to your Mama.”
“Well, I’m glad you are better.”
“Would you like some coffee? How are things going for you now? You must still be mourning your dear friend.”
While Astrid got the coffee and pastries, Ester thought about where to begin. She hadn’t written anything to Mama about her job or Olof and she knew if she told Astrid anything she had better write to her Mama before Astrid did. She decided to fill Astrid in on the basics of events since she saw her last at Elsa’s funeral.
“It has been hard on me since losing Elsa. She was very dear to me and then other things happened to cause disruptions in my life.”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand. Astrid said.
“Well, The Petters gave me notice. They decided to go on an extended European tour so they didn’t need a cook. I had to find a new job.”
“Oh so where are you working now?”
“I am just starting at a new bakery on Foster Avenue. I thought I could be one of the bakers, but the owner wants me to learn the counter. She says it would be a help to have another Swedish speaking person in the bakery and I could practice more English as well.”
“Sounds like a fine solution. What happened with your young man?” Astrid smiled.
“Olof had to take a job out-of-town. He needed the work since his former employer, William, had adjustments to make with his having a new child to raise and dealing with his grief over the loss of his wife.”
“I am truly sorry for William. It can’t have been easy for him.”
“Actually, William helped me get the job at the bakery. He had a small job building counters and display cases for the new owner. Oh dear, I should watch the time. I am to go to the bakery today for training.”
“It’s been wonderful seeing you, Ester. Give my love to your Mama and tell her I will write soon. We should plan a dinner with both you and Olof as soon as we can.”
Ester though. Not too soon since I don’t know if I will see Olof again. But that’s a story for another time.
The women said their good-byes and Ester walked over to the bakery.
As soon as the week was over. Olof got on the next train back to Chicago. Miller kept his promise and gave Olof his pay and a good reference. They had completed the furniture suites ahead of schedule so the foreman had no complaints, although he didn’t want Olof to go. He even told Olof to think about coming back, but Olof had other things on his mind and they all happened back in Chicago.
Olof arrived late in the evening at Union Station downtown Chicago. He still had to get out to Clark and Lawrence Avenues, his old neighborhood. He didn’t even know if he could get his room back that night. Then he got an idea that he could go to Mr. Yungdahl’s for the night. It would be a longer trek to Evanston but he was sure he could stay there for the night and get his room situation straightened out the next day. All the city transportation was closing down for the night but he got the last local train heading north. He figured he could walk the rest of the way. He didn’t have much to carry and he seemed to have a burst of energy now that he was home.
Strange, he thought, to see Chicago as home but it was now. And it would be his family home from now on.
“Yaj, Yaj, I’m coming.” Yundahl shouted to whoever was banging at his front door. “What’s all the fuss?”
He opened the door. “Olof! You’re back! Come in young man. Where have you been?” Yungdahl spoke all at once without giving Olof a chance to answer. He pulled Olof into the kitchen and practically pushed him down on a chair and then Yungdahl sat down himself to catch his breath.
“I had a job in Rockford.” Olof started and everything poured out of him. About Ester and why he left and how he felt and why he was back and needed a place to sleep.
Yungdahl yawned and said staring blurry-eyed at Olof. “This is too much to talk about tonight. We will continue in the morning. Come on you can sleep in the spare bedroom.”
Olof didn’t argue. He just followed Yungdahl to the bedroom and passed out, clothes and all, as soon as he hit the pillow.
The bright sunlight streaming in the window woke Olof the next morning. He looked around to remind himself where he was and then jumped up to find morning relief and Mr. Yungdahl. Yungdahl was up, as expected, in the kitchen making coffee. He turned to see Olof and looked shocked but remembered the events of the previous night and said.
“Yaj, Yaj, Olof, Olof!”
Yungdahl approached him and patted him on the back guiding him to sit down.
Olof willingly complied and once he was comfortable said, “How are William and Bertie doing?”
Yundahl poured the coffee and set out cream and sugar and rye crisp and ham for breakfast. He sat down and started his story.
“You will be surprised and happy to hear William has improved since you’ve been gone. He stopped drinking so much and went to the Carpenter’s Union to find work. He was lucky to get a referral for a job that had just come in that day. Then he got the job. He built counters and display cases for a new bakery on Foster Avenue. It wasn’t a big job but it got him back on his feet so he had the confidence to try to rebuild his business and the bakery owner referred him to another store owner in the neighborhood for more work. Isn’t that good?”
Olof asked while Yungdahl eat some ham on rye crisp. “Yaj, Yaj, I am glad for him. How is the boy?”
“Healthy as ever and growing big. William got a new nursemaid to care for him while he is on a job. They both seem to be comfortable with her. And I have other news too.”
“Wait, Wait. Tell me about Ester.”
“Ester has a new job, too. It’s at the same bakery where William worked.”
“Oh, she got the job then. Good. She said she was going to apply when she told me the Petters had given her notice. Is Ester angry with me?” Olof asked.
“Listen, Olof. I can’t know what is between you two but I believe you both need to straighten it out for your own good. That’s all I’m saying on the subject.” Yungdahl gave Olof a light punch on his arm as he got up to clear away the breakfast.
“Now Mr. Johansson, what are your plans?” Yungdahl growled like an old bear.
Olof explained his plans without much detail. He wanted to keep his feelings about Ester to himself for now. He thought Yungdahl could give him some information about the address and hours for the bakery but Yungdahl didn’t know much more than what he had already said, just the location on Foster Avenue. Olof asked if he could stay with Yungdahl for a few days until he restored himself here in Chicago. They agreed to the arrangements. Olof cleaned up and refreshed his clothing before he took off to find Ester.