A call to Cat on Tuesday is difficult.
“Hey,” Cat answers Naomi’s call.
Naomi waits for more. Nothing.
“Hey, sweetie. Everything okay at home? I do miss you, you know.”
Another uncomfortable silence. Naomi wonders what’s going on with her partner.
“Work’s going great,” Naomi lies. She hasn’t actually done much on her film project since Reeta’s invitation on Saturday. “Anything interesting going on in the ambulance world?” Cat works as a paramedic.
A pause. Then, “Yeah, Jana came back after her leave of absence. Glad to have her back on the team.”
Naomi can’t think of any appropriate reply to this. So, she says, “Well—good. It’s important to work with good people on your side.”
This statement makes Naomi jump to thoughts of seeing Reeta. She actually blushes, thankful that this isn’t a video chat.
Then Cat says, “Look, babe—I need to go. I absolutely have to get the lawn mowed before it gets any later in the day.”
Naomi feels a rush of relief mixed with guilt. She suddenly has a brief thought that talking to Cat is the last thing she wants to be doing.
What she says is, “Okay, sweetie. Kiss the kitties for me.”
For the first time in this conversation, Naomi can hear the usual smile behind Cat’s voice.
“Oh babe, they do miss you. They keep hanging out in your office, complaining.”
“Well, it’s only a few more weeks now. I’ll be back in Beckley before you know it.”
“Yeah, I know. Just take care of yourself and get your project done. Know I love you.”
Naomi is relieved to end on a positive note. “Of course. Same here.”
And then Cat is gone.
* * * *
On Wednesday, Naomi gets Kari to drop her at the bus stop to catch the bus to Tampere. Naomi has with her a bottle of wine as a “hostess gift,” a common practice back in West Virginia. Hopefully, Reeta will receive the offering in the spirit in which it’s meant…
Kari says nothing about Naomi’s destination as she pulls into a parking lot across the street from the bus stop. But she gives Naomi a knowing wink as she says good-bye. Apparently, Naomi is not alone in thinking she’s going on a date.
When Naomi gets off the bus after a seemingly endless bus ride, she finds herself in a city bus station. Reeta sent her directions earlier in the week, and Naomi is relieved to find that she only needs to walk a few blocks to Reeta’s place.
There’s a candy shop in the station—a common thing in Finland. Candy is quite important to the Finns, and comes in a multitude of varieties. Knowing that Reeta is a native Finn, Naomi decides to pick out something special in the shop to bring to Reeta. In the quiet shop, she picks out her own favorite: red, green, and black licorice. She first discovered this delicious mixture in the Helsinki airport. Hopefully, Reeta likes it, too.
It isn’t until she arrives at the address Reeta has given her that Naomi admits she absolutely is looking at this evening as a date. She stands on the front stoop and rings the bell for Reeta to let her in, taking a deep breath and trying to keep Cat out of her mind.
Chapter 6: Dinner Date
Reeta’s voice almost instantly comes through the tiny building speaker.
“Winter Fox. Is that you?”
Naomi smiles at the familiar nickname, feeling a rush of heat climb from her neck to her face. She pushes the button to speak again.
“Yes, Naomi here. Please open the front door—it’s getting a bit chilly out here.”
“Of course. Come up to second floor, apartment five.”
Naomi hears the door lock click and gives it a push. In the warm hallway, she takes off her gloves and hat, fluffing her hair out of its “hat hair” state.
Arriving at number five, Naomi gives herself last minute instructions.
It’s just a friendly dinner, nothing more. One spontaneous kiss doesn’t make a romance.
Just as she finishes this piece of self-advice, the door flings open widely, revealing the hostess in a swirling long skirt covered with embroidery and tiny mirrors, worn with a loose-fitting, ruffled peasant blouse. Naomi thinks Reeta looks like a dark, mysterious gypsy in a children’s story. For a moment, she just stares.
Reeta’s hug breaks the spell—a gentle friendly hug that still sends waves of heat through Naomi.
When Reeta lets go, she then turns toward the kitchen. “A glass of wine for you, my lovely guest?”
Naomi then remembers her gift for Reeta. “That would be perfect. In fact, I brought a bottle for you, as a gift—Chardonnay to go with the fish.” Again, Naomi feels the awkwardness of operating outside of her own familiar culture.
Reeta looks puzzled for half an instant, then recovers. “That is kind of you. May we keep it for later? I have Koskenkorva—Finnish vodka drink I want to share with you.”
Naomi nods silently while Reeta takes the wine into the kitchen, returning shortly with two thin glass flutes containing a clear liquid. Reeta sits on a comfy-looking blue sofa and motions for Naomi to join her.
“This drink is not as strong as—how do you say—a shot of real vodka, but much stronger that wine. Go slowly, Winter Fox.”
Naomi smiles and takes a sip of the drink. It tastes like vodka, only a bit sweeter and lighter.
Reeta smiles back at her guest, looking relaxed as she leans back into the cushions. Her attitude, along with the Kosenkorva, seems to spill over Naomi, calming her and loosening her tongue.
“Reeta, I must admit I’m curious about where you grew up. I probably won’t have time to go very far north this trip, but the area sounds fascinating.”
Mixed emotions seem to play across Reeta’s lovely face, as if telling about her home is a complicated venture. Naomi hopes she hasn’t opened a door that should remain closed.
For a bit, Reeta obliges her quest with interesting but unemotional tales of dog-sledding, Christmas traditions in Lapland, and experiencing the Northern Lights.
Though Naomi is enjoying watching Reeta’s mobile, expressive face and sparkling dark eyes, she can’t help but think that this travelogue speech is hiding something more important—and less positive.
It’s early days. You hardly know the woman. You can’t expect her to share personal stuff…
Then Naomi feels a warm hand on her arm. “I feel comfortable with you, for some reason, Winter Fox. Like we have shared some similar pain. Perhaps I am imagining. But I will tell you why I left Rovaniemi, and why I seldom go back there.”
Naomi waits quietly, feeling the tingle left behind by Reeta’s touch.
“After dinner. I feel the need to be well fed before opening that—what’s the expression? Yes, can of worms.” She laughs and motions her guest to a tiny table by the window, set neatly for two.
“Bring your drink to the table. Shall we save your wine for after the meal?”
Naomi goes to the elegant little dining table, bringing the remaining Kosenkorva. When she stands up from the sofa, Naomi feels a flush of heat from the strong Finnish drink, and just a touch of dizziness. Thank God I don’t have to drive home.
Reeta serves the plates from the kitchen, placing before Naomi a shallow bowl of creamy fish stew and a basket of crusty fresh bread. Both items give off delightful rich aromas.
“I hope you enjoy the stew. It is my grandmother’s recipe. My brother’s favorite as a child.”
Reeta waits for Naomi to begin eating. The stew is absolutely delicious, and Naomi eats in silence for several minutes. Then she realizes that Reeta has just mentioned a brother.
“You have a brother? Younger or older?”
A wave of sadness washes over Reeta’s face. “Beartu was my little brother. Five years younger. I adored him, Naomi. All the family did.”
Naomi realizes that Reeta is speaking in the past tense about this little brother Beartu. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said anything…
Reeta must have noticed Naomi’s concer
n, as she then says, “Don’t worry. He died many years ago. It is mostly pleasant to remember him now…”
Naomi decides then that she’ll wait for Reeta’s promised revelations about her home after the meal. She turns to the topic of her work—always a safe bet. As they devour the stew and the bread, Reeta listens with interest, seeming to relax a bit and cheer up.
Both women soon carry their empty bowls into the tiny kitchen, where they exchange their Kosenkorva for the Chardonnay Naomi brought. Carrying the bottle and two glasses, they move to the comfy sofa. This time, they sit a bit closer together, relaxing into the comfort of the moment.
Reeta turns to Naomi, again touching her arm, and then moving to hold her hand. Naomi sits quietly, waiting.
“I grew up in a strict, traditional Sami family. I loved my family, but I was…different. For one, I was always fascinated with technology and all things from the more modern world of parts to the south. I dreamed of going to Paris or London, of studying fashion, or finance, or really anything that would take me out of Lapland. I said these things aloud, which always set my father off on a rant. I was the bad child next to Beartu, whom everyone adored.”
Naomi feels like a response is expected, “Oh, I know about family tensions. But that’s a story for another time. Please, go on.”
“I know, for a long time, that I am more interested in women than men. It is true that this is not so strange these days, but in Sami culture, it is forbidden.”
Naomi was taken aback by this statement. Forbidden?
This time it is Naomi who reaches out to put a gentle hand on Reeta’s leg. “It can be really hard for parents to accept—a child being gay.”
“More than that, Winter Fox. We do not even have a word for those who feel this way. For a while, my family simply ignored me. I was tolerated in the home, but no one would speak.”
Naomi felt the pain emanating from her friend’s body. She can think of no appropriate response to this intimate sharing.
“Then Beartu had an accident. An accident at sea during a storm. All the crew were lost.”
“Lost?” Naomi echoed.
“No bodies were found. Beartu was gone.” At this, Reeta began to cry.
Naomi can’t help but reach out, taking the other woman in her arms and stroking the back of her sleek dark hair. Reeta seems to relax into the embrace, letting her pain seep out into Naomi’s comforting presence. Naomi is moved to kiss Reeta’s cheek, and Reeta doesn’t pull away. On the contrary, she pulls her head back and looks right into Naomi’s face. Soon, the inevitable kiss occurs.
One kiss leads to another, and the two women become lost in each other’s embrace. It seems to Naomi that Reeta melts into her body, and the kisses become deeper. Reeta makes a sound that, when Naomi thinks about it later, sounds a bit like a cat’s purr. Impossible as it may seem, Reeta’s teeth seem sharper than on the first tentative kiss.
But before Naomi can process this, the clock on the mantle chimes and they both look up.
“I guess…I have to go. I mean, to catch the last bus.”
Reeta shakes her sleek hair into place and wipes a hand across her face. “Yes, I know. I would invite you to stay, but…”
Naomi jumps on this, “No—of course—I need to get back.” And she gets up off the couch, looking for her purse and wrap.
Reeta stays seated. “One moment, Winter Fox. Let me say one thing, please.”
Naomi reluctantly sits.
“I like you, Naomi. I feel a connection. But remember, there are things you still don’t know about me.”
“Of course. Me, too. There’s still time. Maybe—a lunch this weekend?”
Reeta seems to relax a bit. “I would like that. Please email or text. Lunch sounds right.”
“Well, then. Thank you so much for the lovely stew. And the Korsenkorva.” She jams both hands in her jacket pockets nervously. The bag of licorice is still hidden there.
“I almost forgot. I bought this for you at the bus station.”
Reeta smiles and takes the plastic bag graciously, cradling it in her hand. Naomi has the odd impression that this woman is not used to receiving gifts.
Chapter 7: Pizza and Sauna
Naomi is acutely aware of the passing of her allotted time in Finland. If she were honest with herself, she knows that she’s more concerned about leaving the developing connection with Reeta than she is about getting home to Cat. She knows she has no intention of leaving Cat, but yet she also feels more and more drawn to the mysterious Reeta.
Just a few days after the dinner in Tampere, Naomi gets an email from Reeta suggesting a lunch meeting in Hameenkyro. Apparently, there’s a pizza place in the tiny town. Naomi feels a bit flattered that Reeta has gone to the trouble to find something she thinks Naomi will enjoy.
So, she emails Reeta that she’s indeed available on Saturday afternoon, and would meet her at Kotipizza in Hameenkyro.
* * * *
Saturday morning, Naomi finds herself going through her meager choices of clothing for the right outfit for a Finnish pizza break. After trying on and discarding almost every item of clothing she had brought to Arteles, she finally settles on black jeans, a deep blue sweater and her favorite silver pendant and earrings. Looking in the warped mirror on the back of the room door, Naomi is satisfied that she has the right combo of sophisticated and casual.
As she’s looking in the mirror, fussing with her hair and debating on a headband to tame her unruly curls, there’s a knock on the door.
Naomi opens it to find Lianna standing there, dressed for the rapidly cooling October weather.
“Hey, girl. Wanna go for a walk?
“Oh, not now—I have plans…”
“Plans? Like a date?”
Naomi pauses, then answers, “A date? What are you talking about?”
Lianna doesn’t look the slightest bit chastised. In fact, she comes in and sits on Naomi’s bed.
“Look, I do admit that I find her—Reeta—fascinating. But it’s just a friendship, nothing more. I’m meeting her for pizza. How romantic can that possibly be?”
Lianna laughs. “Well, when you look like that, I’m not sure…”
Naomi laughs, too. “Okay, you. I get the point. But I need to head out or I’ll be late. See you later?”
And with that, both women are out the door.
* * * *
When Naomi walks in the door of Kotipizza, she thinks that it looks like every pizza place in the universe. Well, except for the menu in Finnish and the weird combos of ingredients offered in the specialty pizzas. She’s so fascinated by the pizza menu behind the counter that she doesn’t even notice Reeta pushing open the glass doors.
As Naomi is contemplating the possibility of pizza involving tuna, blue cheese, and kebab meat, she feels a familiar hand on her shoulder.
“Winter Fox. My eyes are happy to see your beautiful face.”
Naomi turns to see the smooth, lovely face and flashing dark eyes of Reeta Hellgren.
“Hey. Glad to see you, too.” Naomi is purposely casual with her response.
“What looks good to you? On the menu, I mean.”
“Well, I’m not crazy about tuna. Particularly not on a pizza. And pineapple seems a bit weird, too…”
Reeta laughs in a way that captivates Naomi. She manages to come up with a reasonable response: “Okay, why don’t you decide. Just no tuna. Or eggs. Or fish.”
Reeta laughs again and squeezes Naomi’s shoulder.
“Well, I’m fond of meats, myself. Is there any item on the meatmaster that disturbs you, my lady?”
Naomi reacts to the intimate name with a pulsing of her blood and a flushing of her face. “Sure. I mean, no. It’s fine. I’m sure it’s delicious…”
Reeta smiles, renewing the pulse of Naomi’s blood.
“Go ahead and find a seat, Naomi. I will order for us.”
Naomi feels that she has no choice but to allow Reeta to take charge—and, in fact, she finds it attractive.
Naomi finds a table in a far corner next to a window overlooking the street.
Soon, Reeta joins her at the table. “Our pizza will arrive shortly.” And she places two plastic cups of water on the metal table.
Naomi is more focused on her companion than on the upcoming food.
“I keep thinking about what you shared with me the other night…about why you left your home. I want to tell you my own story…if you want to hear it.”
Reeta sits opposite Naomi and looks into her eyes. “Of course, my friend. I am honored that you want to share.”
Naomi takes a look around the restaurant, checking that no one is watching or listening. Then she says, “I grew up in a strictly religious family. Like you, I knew quite early that I am a lesbian—but didn’t even have a way to process this in my own mind. Much less explain it to my family. I kept it to myself and felt like some sort of freak.”
Naomi notices a look of sympathy on Reeta’s face. She reaches over the table to take Reeta’s hand.
“Anyway, I finally figured out some way to have an identity once I went to college. My family has never totally accepted it. It’s like a double life—my regular life in Beckley as a lesbian and my occasional identity as the weird single daughter when I visit home. It’s a bit schizophrenic, if you know what I mean…”
Reeta squeezes Naomi’s hand.
“My family is very religious. Not that I don’t have some sort of faith, but their version of righteousness means they assume I’m evil. I hate it—I seldom even talk to my family anymore…”
At that moment, the pizza arrives at their table. Naomi thinks that it smells delicious, like a combination of Italian food and a barbeque. Naomi and Reeta grin at each other in anticipation.
* * * *
The meatmaster pizza is devoured completely within the next forty-five minutes. Reeta then suggests that they take a walk before parting from each other. Naomi offers to pay for the lunch, but Reeta insists that she’s the host today.
Out on the street, the two women stroll down the road in a leisurely way.
“Winter Fox. I would love to see more of your home here in Finland. The grounds surrounding the center look intriguing—woodsy and quiet. Are you willing to show me more of your personal space?”
Naomi and Reeta Page 3