After Janos made love to Karina, she grew sentimental, reminiscing about the happy times they’d shared before coming to America. She recalled her first impression of Janos when she saw him loading a wagon of lumber outside a sawmill in Bardejov.
“I had just arrived in town with my aunt, and you were the first person I saw. You were covered in sawdust, and all I could see were your bright green eyes and dimples. You were laughing and joking with another worker. I remember thinking that I had to get your attention.”
“Is that why you dropped your suitcase in the middle of the road?”
“That was an accident. I was so embarrassed. But you came over and helped me pick up my clothes.”
“I’d never seen eyes as blue as yours. Or hair so blonde and thick. I knew I’d never see a lovelier girl in all my life.” Janos chuckled as he took a sip of whiskey. “Still haven’t.”
Karina blushed and climbed on top of her husband.
Janos was surprised by his wife’s initiative, but he allowed her to take the lead as she kissed him hard on the mouth and rocked back and forth on his lap. He studied her pretty face and the way her long blonde hair fell across her shoulders. Her breasts were still perfect and round even after two children. Karina was simply stunning.
At that moment, Janos forgot about the years of his wife’s unpredictable mood swings and infinite sadness. Her bitterness and lack of affection. He no longer cared about any of it. All that mattered was that his beautiful Karina—the young girl who had cast a spell on him over a decade ago—was on top of him, sending chills up and down his spine, gazing at him seductively.
Suddenly overcome with emotion, Janos rolled his wife over and wrapped his arms around her. He whispered softly in her ear, “What is this power you have over me? I love you too much.”
Seventeen
KARINA
RIVERTON, JUNE 24, 1910
Karina watched from Henry’s front porch as a truck drove away with most of his clothing and household belongings. The transport company was taking the contents of his house to the train station to be loaded on a car and shipped to New York City. All that was left inside Henry’s home was his bedroom furniture and a few suitcases filled with enough clothing to get him through the first week at his new job.
Also neatly packed in a suitcase were Karina’s four new dresses along with hats and accessories Henry had allowed her to purchase from the department store. The few items she wanted to take with her from her former life would be easy to smuggle out of her house in a laundry bag before sunrise the following morning.
Karina had enjoyed a wonderful evening with her husband and children the night before, but it had left her confused. She’d convinced herself in the past week that leaving for New York with Henry was her best chance at happiness. She’d grown more comfortable with the idea of leaving her family and had persuaded herself that she could tolerate living with Henry. But with her departure less than twenty-four hours away, Karina found herself wavering. Was she making a huge mistake?
Her passionate night with Janos had left her wondering if anyone would ever touch her as tenderly or love her as completely as he had. She was certain Henry Archer never would. Her stomach twisted in knots. She wasn’t sure the trade she was about to make was a fair one. Would her new social status and lavish lifestyle compensate for a loveless relationship? Would she feel guilty for the rest of her life that she’d abandoned the only man she had ever loved—and her children? A week earlier, she had been closer to the answers.
Further complicating matters was the fact that Janos had given her an unexpected glimmer of hope the previous evening. He really was determined to build a new life for his family far away from Riverton. Karina knew the move wouldn’t solve all her family’s problems—certainly not their financial ones—but leaving the steel town was a step in the right direction. She and Janos might still struggle to make ends meet, especially since he would be taking a lower-paying job at a glass factory. But taking in boarders could offset the loss in income. Karina closed her eyes, trying to calculate monthly expenses in her head. As she added multiple sets of figures, her headache intensified. She rubbed at her temples, wishing she could quiet her restless mind.
Sighing, Karina got up from the porch and went into the house to get a cold drink. As she poured herself a glass of iced tea, she glanced at the suicide note lying on the counter. If she continued on her current path, she would need a way to explain her disappearance to her family. They would hate her for sure if they knew her selfish reasons for abandoning them. Staging her own suicide was a viable option, but it was not one she was fond of. She wondered what would happen if she simply disappeared. Would her family believe she was the victim of a horrible accident or crime—perhaps a drowning or kidnapping?
“How’d it go with the transport company?”
Karina jumped at the sound of Henry’s voice. She hadn’t heard him slip into the house in the midst of her deliberating. “You’re home early.”
“There wasn’t much left for me to do at the mill. I stopped by the bank to close my account. Had a few drinks at the saloon.” Henry hiccupped.
“All that’s left in the house are your suitcases and bedroom furniture. I made sandwiches for dinner,” Karina said, approaching the refrigerator.
Suddenly, Henry was behind her, pushing her up against the chilly appliance, shoving a hand up her skirt. He kissed her roughly as he tugged at her blouse.
“Henry! How much have you had to drink?” Karina tasted alcohol on his tongue and turned her head to avoid his punishing kiss.
“Not nearly enough!” he said, laughing. “Don’t you see, Karina? I’m finally done with Riverton. I wanna celebrate! I’ve got a pretty good stiffy we can use.” He forced a finger inside her and bit her on the neck.
“Ouch! Why are you being so rough? Is this what I have to look forward to?”
“I thought you wanted to go to New York. This is part of the deal. I pay for your lifestyle and clothes. You keep me satisfied.”
“You don’t have to be so crude.” Karina tried to wiggle her way out of Henry’s grip. “This is no way to treat your mistress.”
“I’ll treat you any way I see fit.”
Karina’s stomach turned. She had always known Henry was no gentleman, but she never expected him to be abusive. Leaving Riverton and being entirely dependent on him could leave her in a vulnerable position. Was she surrendering all her freedom? Or perhaps it was just the alcohol making him act like such an ass.
Sensing he needed a reminder of what he had to lose if he didn’t treat her well, she said, “We can go into the bedroom, Henry, but you will be gentle. Remember, I can leave at any time. I have limits.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. I’m a little excited, that’s all.”
Karina led Henry into the bedroom where she unbuttoned her blouse and removed her skirt. He stood motionless, gaping at her naked body as she took off her underclothes. “What’s the matter? There’s nothing here you haven’t seen before.”
“I’m just taking in the view. It sure is lovely.”
Henry practically tore off his shirt and pants and then swaggered toward Karina, his eyes twinkling. He yanked on her hair and pulled it out of the bun she had arranged neatly at the back of her head. He threw her on the bed and climbed on top of her.
Karina closed her eyes as Henry planted sloppy kisses all over her face and groped her breasts clumsily. When he entered her a little too roughly, she winced and prayed it would not take him long to finish. Unfortunately, the amount of whiskey he’d consumed would make that an unlikely prospect. She could practically smell the booze seeping out of his pores. She held her breath, attempting to fend off the pungent odors coming from her employer.
As Henry’s voracious lovemaking intensified, so did his grunting and groaning. The sounds were so vulgar, Karina had to cover her ears. She had never been more repulsed by another human being—until she felt something wet land on her cheek. She opened her eyes to
find a line of drool hanging from the corner of Henry’s mouth. Her irritation with his drunkenness was now bordering on outrage.
As she lay under the weight of Henry’s body, forcing herself not to flee, thoughts of Janos drifted into her head. Her husband was everything Henry Archer would never be—gentle, loving, attractive. Karina so often dismissed the connection she had with her husband, choosing to focus only on the fact that he was a steelworker. Had she been a fool? She looked up at Henry as a deafening moan escaped his lips and wondered how long she could endure his company.
“That was something, wasn’t it?” he asked, rolling off her. He hit the bed with a loud thud.
“Unforgettable,” she replied sarcastically. Karina hoped Henry’s heavy drinking was an isolated incident brought on by his excitement about leaving the mill. He usually showed more restraint. For good measure, she added, “You drank too much. Don’t make a habit of it.”
Henry snickered. “Since when do I take orders from you? You’re forgetting your place, woman,” he slurred.
Karina did not like Henry’s tone. She was wavering again, the path ahead becoming more unclear. Drunk or not, he was being too bold. She could not allow him to believe he was holding all the cards. “I know you’re drunk and feeling like you can conquer the world, but we are equal partners in this arrangement. Don’t act like I’m your inferior. I know how desperately you need me.”
Karina thought of Henry’s insatiable sexual appetite. She wondered if it would ever abate. It actually seemed to be growing as of late, probably because Henry had been forcing her to prove her value. Had she awakened a dangerous beast? “I will not tolerate drunkenness and repulsive lovemaking. That is the last time you will touch me in that state,” she announced.
Henry rolled over to face her, wearing an exaggerated frown. “That’s the last time I will touch you at all.”
“What are you talking about?” Karina sat up.
“Circumstances have changed. I’m not taking you to New York.”
“What do you mean?” Karina’s heart began to race. “We made plans.”
“Plans change, darling. I still don’t know how I’ll live without that body of yours, but my newfound fortune will be a consolation.”
“What fortune?” Karina’s anger rose so quickly she nearly choked on her words.
“I met a railroad heiress. She’s quite enamored with me.”
“What on Earth would an heiress want with you?” Karina sniggered. “You’re so painfully ordinary.”
“The situation’s complicated, for sure. Edith will never win a beauty contest. But she has more money than you or I could ever dream of. We had a pleasant evening last night, and I’ll be traveling to her family’s home in Rhode Island this summer. It seems I’ve got a better offer.”
“You selfish son of a bitch. You used me!” Karina threw a pillow at Henry. It was the closest thing within reach, but useless. She pounced on him, wanting to choke the life out of him. Unfortunately, he caught her in mid-air and grabbed her by the wrists. He shook her a few times before pinning her down on the bed.
“And you haven’t been using me?” he sneered. “You and I are exactly the same. Don’t pretend you wouldn’t ditch me for the next best thing in New York. With a body and face like yours, you’d eventually find someone with a fatter wallet than mine. I know how that pretty little head of yours works.”
Karina spat on Henry as she struggled beneath his grip. She kicked wildly, hoping to knee him between the legs. “You dirty bastard! You knew you weren’t taking me to New York and you lured me into your bed anyway. I hate you!” Karina continued to fight under the weight of Henry’s body, but her petite frame was no match for his. He outweighed her by at least seventy pounds.
“Sorry about that. But you know the effect you have on me,” Henry nodded animatedly.
Karina scowled at him. “Who’s going to satisfy you now if your heiress is so homely?”
“No need to worry about me. With my future wife’s money, I’ll have my pick of mistresses. You wouldn’t believe how many gorgeous women walk the streets of New York. I’ll miss you though. I have no doubt.” Henry leaned over to kiss her.
Still pinned, Karina dodged Henry’s kiss and bit his forearm until she drew blood. He yanked her up by her hair, slapped her across the face, and then threw her on the floor.
“Really? That’s how you wanna say goodbye? Get your clothes and get outta my house!” Henry shouted, pointing forcefully at the bedroom door. “And gimme back my house key!”
“You’re going to wish you’d never met me,” Karina snarled, a venomous rage flowing like poison through her veins. She gathered her clothes and made her way to the door. She turned around to take one last look at Henry Archer as she pulled the key out of her skirt pocket and threw it on the bed. “You’re going to regret this. Mark my words.”
“What are you going to do, Karina? You’re just a dirty immigrant whore.”
A few blocks down the street from Henry’s house, Karina sat on a bench in the town’s only park, gazing at her reflection in a compact mirror. The sting and hot flush of her cheek from Henry’s slap were subsiding, but she wondered if there would be a bruise. She combed out her disheveled hair and arranged it in a bun. She checked the mirror once again. She looked altogether normal, even pretty, except for the slight puffiness around her eyes from crying.
As she lingered on the park bench, watching an ominous cloud swallow the sun, she tried to quiet her fury and come to terms with Henry’s betrayal. He was leaving Riverton without her and trading her in for some ugly heiress. And though Karina hated to admit it, she knew her beauty was no match for a colossal railroad fortune.
As she mulled over her limited options, the irony of the situation struck her. Only moments before Henry had ditched her, she was wondering whether she could run away with him after all. She was having serious doubts and considering the possibility of staying with Janos and her family. So why was she now so enraged?
Karina groaned and stared down at her lap. She caught a glimpse of the apple in her open pocketbook and realized she was hungry. She picked it up and rubbed it on her skirt, revealing its perfect, shiny red skin. She then rolled it around in her hands and considered her predicament. She fought hard to concentrate, but images of Henry’s arrogant expression kept flashing before her eyes. His mocking words echoed in her ears.
Suddenly, Karina couldn’t breathe. She felt dizzy and hot and vaguely aware that her fingers were tingling. The pace of her thoughts quickened.
How dare he use me and toss me aside like a piece of garbage! I betrayed my husband for that man! I was going to leave my family for him!
She put a hand to her chest. Her heart was beating eerily fast. She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth, hoping the motion might calm her, quell her rising panic. Her efforts had little effect.
Karina cursed her former employer and the railroad heiress who had stolen her future. She hoped they would have a miserable life together. The image of Henry on the arm of an overweight woman with a face full of pimples and an overbearing, screeching mother-in-law trailing behind them gave Karina a fleeting moment of comfort.
A soft thud interrupted her swirling thoughts. Karina’s pristine apple had fallen to the ground. She picked it up and admired it for a second before angrily biting into it. The fruit was unusually sweet and tasted just as good as it looked. It was a welcome—albeit temporary—distraction from her troubles. Her search for a path forward would have to wait until after she finished her snack.
As Karina’s hunger quieted, so did her racing mind. And then, during an improbable moment of stillness, it finally appeared—an idea as flawless as the apple in front of her face. Satisfied and feeling strangely calm, Karina got up from her bench and walked down the hill. She knew how to deal with Henry Archer.
As Karina neared the Janosik boarding house, she cringed. Judging by the sounds coming from the front porch, the house was still populated
with unsavory characters. Though she shared a common ancestry and language with these people, Karina had never felt any kinship with them. The dirty, foul-mouthed drunks were degenerates, unworthy of her compassion. She shuddered as she thought of the many times one of them had shoved his tongue down her throat or grabbed her breasts or buttocks. On a few occasions, she’d even been pinned against the wall and groped between her legs. She dreaded setting foot in that dump again.
It was not long before sunset on a Friday night, and the porch was crowded with unattractive men sharing bottles of moonshine with young girls perched on their laps. One looked barely older than Sofie. Karina shook her head. She scanned the crowd to see if she knew anyone, but the only person she recognized was Pole’s father. He was shirtless and passed out in the corner of the porch. Karina groaned as she made her way up the crooked steps and into the house to find Mrs. Janosik.
Once inside, Karina was hit by a wall of acrid cigarette smoke and stale, sour air. It was stiflingly hot. There weren’t many people in the house—only a few men in the dining room emptying soup bowls filled with an unappetizing mixture of mystery meat, vegetables, and broth. Karina had often helped in the kitchen and grimly remembered the types of animal parts Mrs. Janosik had brought home from the butcher. She took just about anything as long as it was on sale. Pig feet and knuckles, chicken gizzards, tripe, and even beef tongue. Karina preferred the more expensive meats she had grown accustomed to preparing for Henry. As she made her way into the kitchen, she saw Mrs. Janosik leaning over the stove.
“I see some things never change,” Karina said in Slovak.
The old woman nearly jumped. “Karina! I didn’t think I’d ever see you here again. Are you looking for work?”
“No, no. I’m looking for someone. Does Pavol Tomicek live here?”
Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash Page 10