Eva and the Irishman

by Janne E Toivonen

  “Victor, is there something you secretly wish for? If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, starting to ponder the question, “other than taking you into the bushes somewhere?” He smiled and nudged her with his leg.

  “I know that is not all you think of,” she said, with a mock scolding tone. “There’s got to be something.” She waited for him to answer taking a bite of a pastry.

  “Well, for a while now, I’ve thought what it might be like to live in America. So many letters come to people whose family members have gone. I read newspaper articles of the many opportunities for work. I think sometimes it would be better there than here.”

  “You won’t believe this,” she said excitedly, “I think about America, too! My cousin from Helsinki has gone. He has a job as a butler in a mansion in Chicago. I told you about him. Every time we hear something from his mother, I dream of what it would be like. Although it would be very difficult to leave our families, so I don’t know if I could truly do it.”

  “Isn’t that odd that neither one of us has ever talked about America together?” Victor said. “Maybe it’s time we should.”

  “But what about the farm? Aren’t you supposed to take over from your father? I love our idea of building our house at the lake. With all our new plans, going to America doesn’t seem so exciting anymore.”

  “There’s always Hannes. From the way he and Aili are acting towards each other, perhaps they will marry and run the farm. He’s a good worker and Father can always count on him as much as he can count on me.”

  “It could affect everyone we know, Victor, if we should ever go. It’s a nice dream. However—”

  Just then, Hannes and Aili ran up to them out of breath.

  “Victor, they are taking sign-ups for the racing events,” Hannes announced. “Are you going to be running?”

  “Of course, I am,” Victor said as he stood. “With Eva cheering me on, how can I lose a single race?”

  Eva rolled her eyes as Victor extolled his virtues. He saw her reaction and grinned, proud of how he elicited such a response. Hannes and Aili took off, one following the other with their usual glee.

  “While you go sign up, I will check on my mother and father,” Eva said. She stood up.

  Victor bent to kiss her, but just in the nick of time, he saw Pastor Salmi glaring at them from across the field. He stopped himself. “Don’t look now, but the Pastor is watching us. He looks evil.”

  “Fine,” she said. “Let’s just go.”

  They didn’t even hold hands as they walked to the big mountain ash where their parents were sitting contentedly in the shade, chatting and having coffee and wine.

  “Victor,” his mother said, “why the furrowed brow?”

  “Pastor Salmi has eye-balled me a few times this morning, and I’m not pleased about it.”

  “Both you and your mother must not let him bother you,” his father said. “We are here for a good time, and I will speak to him if this goes any further.”

  It wouldn’t have been the first time Victor’s father and Pastor Salmi had their differences. The family rarely went to church. Not only was the church a three-hour wagon ride one-way, but there were philosophical differences between his father and the Pastor. His father didn’t like the intrusion Salmi and the church were making into private lives. It was none of the church’s business how he raised his children, what he thought philosophically, and how many times a year he attended services.

  “Just be civil and ignore the rest, Victor.” He paused, raised his glass of last year’s mountain ash berry wine, and took a drink. “Now, everybody, go have fun.”

  “I’m off to sign up,” Victor said to Eva.

  While the rest of the family headed away from the shade and toward the races, Eva decided to stay for the time being. Happy with the day so far, she poured a glass of mehu, and gazed around the field to see all the people. Standing just inside the edge of the woods, a person caught her eye. She looked with intent. It was Eino. She lost her breath in shock, and she gasped trying to gain it back. Putting her glass down on the bench, she looked around for Mamma Mattson and spotted her walking away with her parents. She looked back at Eino. He gazed at her for many moments, then turned, and walked further into the woods. His eyes had been so beckoning, so compelling, she found herself following him. Nothing, short of Victor physically pulling her away, was going to stop her from following Eino. Just before she entered the birch stand, she looked back at her family. No one seemed to have noticed her, so she walked in a way. About a hundred feet in she found him waiting for her, leaning against a birch, his blue eyes mesmerizing. She walked right up to him.

  “Eino, I’m—”

  “Sorry you slapped me? Sorry you broke my heart?”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Yes.”

  “Well, I don’t forgive you. You are making a big mistake—”

  “Enough Eino! You are jealous, and you need to accept that I’m with Victor,” she said angrily, her tears flowing.

  “I don’t need to accept anything. You are a foolish girl.”

  “And you are a foolish boy. Don’t ever talk to me again. This serves only to strengthen my feelings for choosing the right … the honorable brother. Goodbye Eino.” She was hurt that he didn’t accept her apology. She turned and started to walk out of the birch stand. She heard steps coming from behind. Eino grabbed her arm and spun her around, pulling her to him. He kissed her, more passionately than he ever had, pulling her body into his with his hands. She found herself roused by his aggressiveness. She could feel he wanted her … to take her. And her body wanted him in kind. She wanted to feel his hands ripping her clothes off, putting his mouth on her breasts… It took all her strength not to give in. The kiss ended. Tears filled her eyes.

  “I’ll hate him forever for stealing you from me. The honorable brother …” he said with distain. He let her go, and with an icy stare, he turned, and walked further into the woods away from her.

  Left standing alone, she sobbed. She knew she had to get back to everyone. When she couldn’t see Eino through the trees anymore she too, left. Rage at her confusing encounter with Eino built inside her. With her fingers, she furiously wiped the tears from her cheeks and eyes, and forced herself to stop crying as she headed back to the festival.

  ~~~

  When the city clock struck eleven, Eva was back and ready to watch the races. As she studied her parents and the Mattsons, no one seemed the wiser that she had seen Eino. Because it would break Mamma Mattson’s heart, she would not tell her she saw him. She would not tell anyone, especially Victor. Her reaction to Eino’s kiss had shocked her. She had come so close. What if I had given myself to him right then and there? She spotted Victor. At that moment, she decided today would be the day of days, that she would let Victor have her. Her anger at Eino’s appearance and then the stunning kiss, made her feel reckless and wanton … but it had to be with the honorable brother.

  ~~~

  It was time to start the races. Victor waited with the runners near the starting line. Hannes was there with him. Two younger age groups ran their races to an enthusiastic crowd.

  “I am next to run,” Hannes announced to Victor, “and I intend to win.”

  “Hannes, you are looking more and more like an athlete. Do you think Aili notices?”

  “I hope so. I want to give her the winner’s wreath as a present.” He left to line up.

  The flag went down to signal the race. Hannes, red-faced, gritted his teeth with determination and flew like the wind. Victor proudly cheered his little brother on. He came in first place, and was bestowed a head-wreath made of freshly picked, woven vines.

  ~~~

  As Hannes stood tall and described the race to his proud family watching near the start line, Aili ran up and snatched the wreath from Hannes’s head. She ran into the crowd with it, as though expecting Hannes to run after her. He didn’t however. He looked at Victo
r and Eva who had joined them.

  “She’ll be back. You just stay right here,” Victor said with understanding and kindness.

  Sure enough, a minute passed and Aili came back, with a slightly damaged wreath in her hand.

  Eva and Victor watched as the young couple managed Aili’s thoughtless treatment of Hannes.

  “Hannes, I’m sorry I took your wreath,” Aili said. “It meant a lot to you.” Her voice softened and she got closer to him. “Here, you can have it back.” She held out the nearly unraveled headpiece and realized how damaged it was. “You know, I cheered the loudest for you. It must have made you win. Do you think?”

  Victor and Eva looked at each other, both showing empathy on their faces for their siblings.

  Aili began to wind the wreath back together as best she could. Eva could see Hannes watch Aili’s fingers work. It seemed to touch him somewhere deep inside him. He took a deep breath and looked into Aili’s eyes.

  She smiled. “I said I cheered for you,” she said again.

  “You did?” He started to perk up at that good news.

  Aili tried to hand the mended wreath to him.

  “I want you to have it,” he said. He gently pushed the wreath back toward her. “It was to be yours all along.”

  Aili smiled and put the mended wreath on her head, unaware that it made her look like a young bride. “Of course, I’ll have it,” she said. “I’ll keep it on my bedpost. Thank you, Hannes. Let’s go get some mehu; I’m thirsty.”

  They ran off, Hannes in the lead, and Aili happily following.

  “Victor, that was the sweetest thing I ever saw,” Eva said.

  “I have a feeling they will end up with each other. Just like you and me.”

  ~~~

  As Eva and her family waited for the final race, Liisa, who had been with a circle of boys and girls she had known from school, church, and town joined Mamma, Pappa, and Eva at the sidelines of the track.

  “Liisa,” her mother said, “I was wondering when you would come to say ‘hello’ to your family. Are you enjoying yourself, my dear?”

  Liisa was out of breath and wide-eyed. “Yes, Mamma," she said with rosy-cheeked exuberance. “I have been talking to Yuri Popov, the Russian boy. He speaks Finnish. I think he likes me.”

  “No wonder you are so excited,” Mamma said.

  “Which one is he?” Eva asked.

  “Yuri is right next to Victor at the starting line. If he can’t beat Victor, I hope he comes in second.”

  “He’s handsome. He’s a little taller than Victor.” Eva smiled at Liisa, who seemed to be head over heels for this tall, lean, dark-haired young man with Slavic facial features.

  Liisa sighed. “He looks like a handsome Russian warrior.”

  Liisa and Eva’s observation of Yuri was interrupted by the cheering crowd as the race began. It took no time at all for the young men to run the fifty yards to the finish line.

  “Yuri won! Can you believe that?” Liisa was beside herself, jumping up and down with excitement. “Victor came in second, I’m sorry, Eva.”

  “That’s quite all right. Victor can manage with coming down a few pegs once in a while.”

  ~~~

  Once the races were over and dinnertime approached, Pastor Salmi stood on the center stage to announce the charity picnic basket auction. He asked that all participating single girls or ladies come to the stage area and line up according to age, starting with the youngest. There were a few girls Aili’s age. She was the first one up. Of course, Hannes Mattson was the only bidder. One markka bought Aili Maki’s lunch basket. When it was Liisa’s turn, the handsome Russian outbid the Pastor’s son to win her lunch.

  And then it was Olga Koskinen’s turn. Eva’s eyes were drawn to the stage. She is so pretty, Eva thought. She watched from the middle of the crowd. Indeed, Olga is somebody Victor might have chosen, if he hadn't chosen me.

  Eva admired Olga, with her Rauma traditional costume. The eldest daughter of a ship owner’s family, she had a beautiful singing voice to go along with her striking physical features. She was tall and lean, and moved with grace and confidence. Eva felt a tinge of jealousy looking at the crowd of men watching Olga; they seemed to be looking at her more intently than before.

  The Pastor asked who would start the bidding for Miss Olga’s basket. A booming, bass voice shouted from the middle of the crowd.

  “That is my Olga,” Vilho said. “Well, she doesn’t know it yet, and I won’t force her.” Then he addressed her directly. “But, I would very much like to have you for dinner.” The crowd burst into laughter. Vilho turned bright pink from his neck to the tips of his ears. “I don’t mean it that way, Miss Olga. I would very much like it if you would join me for a picnic.”

  Eva grinned at Vilho’s antics. That’s why the men are acting differently. Vilho wants her. The men must already somehow sense that. This reminded Eva of Victor, and she felt her body rouse in contemplation of what they had planned as their private picnic later. In the meantime, Olga and Vilho continued their banter.

  “Yes, Vilho,” Olga said, “I would like that, but can you out-bid?” She glanced at Pastor Salmi.

  “What’s your bid, young man?” Pastor Salmi said.

  “I have ten markkas.” Looking around, Vilho seemed confident and hopeful that no one would want to try to stop him from being with Olga. The crowd showed their support for their favorite smithy and cheered.

  The Pastor asked the crowd one more time, “Are there any more bids for Miss Koskinen’s basket?”

  Someone in the crowd yelled, “Just let him give you the ten markkas, Pastor.” A huge laughter rose, and Pastor Salmi acquiesced with a forced smile. He pronounced Vilho the winner. Eva smiled at the joy in the city blacksmith.

  Vilho walked up to Olga and respectfully offered his arm to escort her off the stage. This made Olga smile. Eva saw Olga searching the crowd, as if she were trying to find someone. Eva looked back, but didn’t know who Olga would be looking for.

  The crowd was happily pleased and showed it with their applause.

  ~~~

  Victor was not pleased. He’d watched the whole event from the back of the crowd, where Eva would not see him. He didn’t want her to see how jealous he was of a good man showering affection over a woman Victor still considered his, despite his breaking off the relationship. He didn’t want Eva to see his black thoughts, his eyes boring invidiously into Vilho Hautala for stepping in. He didn’t want Eva to suspect anything. He had no idea how he would let Olga Koskinen go, other than marrying Eva as soon as possible.

  Victor managed to erase any trace of a give-away expression by the time he joined Eva, taking deep breaths as he made his way to her. He scooped the startled Eva into his arms.

  “I’m surprised Salmi didn’t have a seizure, right then and there,” Victor said in forced amusement, “with everyone cheering for love.”

  Eva melted into his arms.

  “Olga is so beautiful,” Eva said. “I think you would’ve chosen her if you hadn’t chosen me.”

  Victor’s heart leapt into his throat, but he quickly swallowed it down. “Yes, she is pretty and she’s a friend. But I never looked at her as a marriage partner. She’s a city girl.” He changed the subject, “Isn’t it time for a picnic, my chosen one?”

  As they left the stage area, Victor could hear some of the crowd making comments as to Pastor Salmi’s disposition.

  “Salmi is steaming about things,” said one man.

  “We like to have fun. It’s none of his damn business,” said another.

  “He needs to go directly to hell,” said a third.

  ~~~

  Eva had packed for their private picnic, and she retrieved the bag and basket from the buckboard. She carried her quilt hidden in a canvas bag, and Victor carried the dinner basket. They walked away from the grounds, planning to be alone on this beautiful, warm summer day.

  “I know of a nice place we can go,” Victor announced as they walked inla
nd.

  He had taken Olga there many times, and he knew no one would bother them in the secluded, wooded spot. It took just a couple of minutes to get there while Victor and Eva gave each other sweet side-glances and warm smiles. “This is good here, don’t you think?” Victor said when they arrived.

  Eva spread the quilt in a patch of shade.

  “You seem nervous,” he said, studying her.

  “We’re so far away from home. I’m not as comfortable here.”

  “We can wait if you like, for home,” he said, but he was hoping upon hope that Eva would let him have her in the small grove.

  “I don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “You will never disappoint me, you are too sweet for that,” he said in a subtly charming way.

  “I think I will be fine.” She gave him a demure smile.

  He put the basket next to the quilt and lay down on his back, hands behind his head. “Come here. It’s pretty looking at the sky.” He patted the quilt next to him.

  She smiled and lay next to him. She took a deep breath and let it out through her nose.

  Victor was nearly busting out of his trousers waiting to make love to Eva. He wanted her wildly, especially now that he was not to have Olga anymore.

  The concealed spot shone in the sun, covering them with the flickering, dappled shade of the birch leaves above.

  “You’ve been here before,” Eva said.

  “A long time ago,” he said nonchalantly, summarily dismissing the fact. He rolled onto his side toward her, propped on his elbow, head on his hand.

  “What’s for dinner?” he asked. “I’m starving.” He reached across her breasts for the basket, purposefully grazing them with his arm. She took a breath and turned her head to him. Victor stopped his reach for the basket.

  “Hmmm?” Victor looked at her, with a lusty gaze.

  In a sudden move, Eva climbed on top of Victor pulling her skirt up.

  “What’s this, Eva?” he asked smiling.