“It’s all right, Karina. You’re with Janos now. You’re safe here with your family.” The nun patted her shoulder.
“Do you see why we came to you, Janos? Karina has endured some sort of trauma. Her mind is broken. She needs more help than the church can give her,” said the priest.
At the sight of Karina’s distress, Janos’s anger subsided, if only slightly. He wondered if her current state was the result of an unwanted attack. He suddenly pitied her, but knew she was to blame for her situation. If she hadn’t left him in the first place, she wouldn’t be in such a terrible mess.
“If she is suffering from some sort of breakdown, then she should be sent to an insane asylum. Isn’t that where she would get the best care?” Janos asked.
“I’m afraid not,” said Sister Agnes. “Do you not remember the reporting of Nellie Bly?”
“Who?” Janos tilted his head.
The nun shook her head reproachfully. “Nellie Bly exposed the deplorable conditions inside insane asylums in the late 1880s. She faked insanity in order to be committed to a mental institution in New York City. The world was shocked at her findings.”
Anna nodded instantly. “I remember reading about that. The patients were given dirty water and spoiled food. When they were disobedient, buckets of cold water were dumped over their heads.”
“Some were even beaten,” said Sister Agnes. “An insane asylum is no place to have a baby.”
“You’re talking about a report that was written almost thirty years ago,” Janos said. “Surely there have been improvements.”
“Janos, what Karina needs is to be surrounded by familiar faces. She needs the love and care of her family,” Father Figlar said gently. “That’s her best chance for recovery.”
Janos stared across the room at Karina, who appeared to be asleep against the nun’s shoulder. He could barely see her belly, still hidden beneath her long overcoat. Sadly, he felt little for her but contempt. He hardly recognized the beautiful woman who had once been his wife. But within that broken body, was an innocent life—a baby who should not be made to suffer the sins of its mother.
“Perhaps once the child arrives, you can find a proper facility to care for Karina long-term—assuming her mind does not recover,” the priest added.
“And the baby?” Anna asked.
Father Figlar fixed a sympathetic gaze on Janos. “That will be for you to decide.”
Janos swallowed hard. In all his imaginings of Karina’s fate, he had never envisioned her turning up on his doorstep in such a pathetic state. He had assumed she’d found a wealthy lover in some far-off city to care for her. She had always been obsessed with the lifestyles of the upper classes. With her humble beginnings, she would never have been able to achieve the status of society wife, but any man would have been proud to have her as a mistress. Karina’s beauty had been a prize to be coveted, regardless of one’s social class.
But not now. Not this woman. She was wrecked both physically and mentally. And Janos would have to pick up the pieces—if only for the sake of Sofie and Lukas’s baby brother or sister. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but he saw no other option. He sighed. “We’ll care for Karina until the baby is born.”
“And after that?” Anna looked at her brother askance.
“I don’t know.” Janos shook his head.
“You have time to make arrangements,” Father Figlar said. “The doctor who examined Karina thinks the baby is due sometime this winter. Though it is hard to tell, given that she is so gaunt. The child could come sooner.”
“The baby might not even survive, considering the condition of its mother,” Sister Agnes said.
“We’ll do our best to make sure the child has a chance,” Anna said. “Karina can stay in my room for the next few months. I will share a room with Sofie.”
Janos watched his sister and the nun help Karina to her feet and escort her up the stairs. If it had been any other woman—a stranger even—Janos would have sprung out of his chair and insisted that he carry the poor soul up to the bedroom. But it was Karina. The wounds that had taken so many years to heal were now ripped open and raw. He would have to keep his distance for the time being. He prayed the baby would arrive soon because he had no idea how they would all survive under the same roof.
Forty-Two
EDITH
SHADYSIDE, NOVEMBER 20, 1917
It was barely dawn when Edith’s deep slumber was interrupted by a wave of nausea. She opened her eyes and glanced out the window where the darkness of night had turned to a faint gray. Her mouth watered and her head ached. She put her hand on her stomach, sensing it was about to unleash its contents. What had she eaten?
She rushed out of bed and into the bathroom where she fell to her knees in front of the toilet. She lifted the seat and stared into the bowl, its unpleasant odor assaulting her. Edith waited nervously as her stomach churned and her body trembled. She dreaded the act of retching. It was the most disgusting of all bodily functions. Her head hovering above the toilet, her lower body began to heave. A cold sweat formed on her brow as she felt the remnants of the previous evening’s dinner travel up her throat and explode into the porcelain bowl. Exhausted, she laid down on the marble floor, grateful for the cool sensation against her head.
“Are you all right? Are you sick?” James was leaning over her, rubbing her back.
Edith could barely lift her head. “I’m terribly ill.”
“Do you think it was that strange fish we ate last night?” he asked with a hint of disgust. “I’m done with this rationing business. The cook will be serving only beef and chicken from now on.”
Edith shook her head. She had no idea what had brought on this illness, but she hadn’t felt this dreadful in years. Not since two summers ago when …
“James!” Edith raised her head and struggled to sit up. “Do you think I’m pregnant? Is it possible?”
James lowered himself to the floor with a groan. His heavy frame was quite an encumbrance to his mobility. He came to rest on his knees and reached for his wife’s clammy hand. “I thought you were done obsessing about babies.”
“I was, but … it’s been almost seven weeks since I provoked the flowers. This could be morning sickness.” Edith’s hand went to her belly. “I think I’m pregnant.” A rush of emotion overtook her, causing her lip to quiver.
“Slow down, darling. Let’s be cautious. I’ll call for the doctor as soon as I get you back to bed.”
Edith nodded enthusiastically as her husband tried to scoop her off the floor. Unfortunately, lifting his wife from a kneeling position proved too difficult a task. He winced as he struggled to return to his feet with his wife in his arms.
“Enough, James! Put me down. You’re going to injure yourself.”
“I’m trying to be a good husband.” He grunted.
“If I’m pregnant and confined to my room for the next several weeks, I’d prefer that one of us is in good health.” Edith chuckled. “Can you imagine both of us stuck in this bedroom all day together?”
“That actually sounds lovely. Although I could return to my own bedroom to convalesce if you’d like.” James smiled as he put his wife down on the marble floor and returned to his knees.
“You would miss me terribly.” Edith climbed unsteadily to her feet, using her husband’s hand for support. She wrapped her arms around him, wedging his head between her breasts. She kissed the top of his head and sighed. “I really do hope I’m carrying your baby. It would be a dream come true.”
James looked up at his wife, his blue eyes twinkling.
Edith watched her husband slowly return to his feet, rubbing his knees vigorously during the effort. “That floor is unbelievably hard. After the good doctor examines you, I may have him take a look at my bruising.”
As James led her back to bed, Edith felt an incredible lightness. Something stirred deep within her—whether it was indeed a baby or simply hope, she could not be sure. There was nothing in the world she long
ed for more than a child. She had often contemplated and lamented this great irony of her life. Her family’s wealth provided her with all that money could buy—exquisite jewelry, priceless works of art, grand mansions, and the means to travel anywhere in the world. She had a lavish lifestyle to be envied. But no matter how massive her family’s fortune, it could not buy her what her heart desired most—a baby of her own. And while she took great comfort and joy in the arms of her loving husband, Edith always felt that a piece of the puzzle was missing. What she needed to fulfill her life’s purpose and feel complete in her womanhood was something her body continually deprived her of. Until now. At least that was what she hoped as she laid down and rested her head on her pillow.
Forty-Three
POLE
BEAVER CREEK, NOVEMBER 23, 1917
It was a cold and gloomy day, far from what Pole had pictured all the times he’d imagined reuniting with Sofie. He tried hard not to let the weather dampen his spirits as he sat on a train wedged between a desolate hillside and a slow-moving river. He was still not certain he had made the right decision that morning when he’d bought a one-way ticket for himself and his sister to the glass town Sofie now called home. It had been almost a month since he’d seen Lukas, and he was still conflicted about the course of his future. Since their chance encounter, Pole had been excited, but nervous at the prospect of seeing Sofie again—so nervous that he’d hung around Riverton for weeks, killing time doing odd jobs.
Pole felt the bulge in his right front pocket again. He’d never had so much cash. After escaping from the mine, he and Mickey honored Hamish’s last wish and took the money hidden beneath the floorboards in his kitchen. Pole had felt guilty about accepting Hamish’s sons’ inheritance, but he was desperate to get out of Abbott’s Hollow. He and Mickey split the five hundred dollars they found and took a few weeks to get their affairs in order before leaving the hollow for good.
Mickey took his mother and two sisters, along with Gus, to Johnstown. He hoped he and his mule might find work on a local farm, while his mother and sisters planned to look for work in the city. Pole, on the other hand, had left the hollow without definite plans. He only knew he wanted to head back to Pittsburgh.
But seeing Lukas had changed everything.
As the train slowed and crossed over the river, Pole was grateful he had some security in his pocket. He was determined to start a new life with his sister and get a decent job, but it put his mind at ease to know he needn’t hurry. He could find Sofie, rekindle their friendship, and take some time to figure out if Beaver Creek was a place he and Lily could call home.
“Hey, Lily. Wake up.” Pole nudged his sister, who was sleeping against his shoulder. “We’re here.”
She sat up and swept unruly strands of red curls away from her face, tucking them behind her ears. “That was quick.” She peered out the window. “Looks a little nicer than Riverton. Not as much smoke.”
Pole stared out the window at the little town situated along the Allegheny River between two steep hillsides. The valley floor it occupied looked almost a mile wide, but it was crammed with so many homes and businesses that structures had been forced to spread up the slope at the far side of town. Pole studied the houses, wondering if any of them had ever slid down the hill during a heavy downpour. He couldn’t believe folks would settle on such an incline. And the steps! Who would want to climb all those stairs after a long day’s work?
“Yeah. These hills are probably pretty in the summer, but not at this time of year. I don’t like lookin’ at hillsides full of naked trees and rotting leaves.”
“I know it reminds you of the hollow, but at least there’s more to do here. Maybe there’s a nickelodeon. And some restaurants,” Lily said, sounding hopeful.
“We’ll check it out. But I’d like to get to Sofie’s house straightaway—before I lose my nerve.”
Lily put her hand on her brother’s knee. “I know it’s been a long time, but I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you.” She winked at him.
As the train screeched to a halt, Pole hoped he hadn’t made a huge mistake in coming to Beaver Creek. He prayed Sofie still had a special place in her heart for him and that she could forgive him for not returning to Riverton all those years ago. That broken promise had plagued him for years and torn him apart every time he’d thought of it. It haunted him.
Suddenly, an alarming thought popped into Pole’s head. What if Sofie had forgotten about his promise? What if she didn’t care anymore? Maybe she had moved on, and his suffering was for nothing.
Pole slapped his forehead. He was driving himself nuts. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. No matter what happened in the next few hours, at least the suspense would finally be over. The knots in his stomach would be gone. He would have the answers to the questions that had been tormenting him for so long.
Pole knocked on the smooth, moss green front door of 5 Dogwood Avenue, his sister at his side. He could not stop his hands from shaking. “Do I look nervous, Lily? ‘Cause I feel like my knees are goin’ to give out.”
Lily pinched him hard in his right side.
“Ouch! Why’d you do that?” he asked, rubbing the area just below his ribs.
“Now you have something else to focus on.” She giggled.
As Pole was massaging his side, the front door opened. He swallowed hard. Before him was a tall, blonde girl with eyes the color of a summer sky. Her hair was pulled away from her face, and her dimples were showing even though she wasn’t smiling. The youthful face Pole remembered had matured and become more angular. Sofie looked less like her mother now, bearing a closer resemblance to her father and aunt. But she was striking all the same. Pole’s knees buckled.
“Can I help you?”
“Sofie …” He tried to catch his breath. “You’re so grown up.” His head spinning, he planted his feet firmly on the porch, trying to remember what he wanted to say. As he focused on Sofie’s pretty blue eyes, the words suddenly formed on his lips. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come back.”
Through watery eyes, Pole saw recognition on his friend’s face.
Sofie’s hand went to her heart. “Pole!” she cried. She stumbled onto the front porch and fell into his arms. “I never thought I’d see you again.” She heaved deep sobs into his chest.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried. His entire body tingled as a wave of warmth washed over him. He had finally come to his long journey’s end. He’d fulfilled his promise and returned to Sofie. He was overjoyed. Pole glanced at his sister, who was staring at him uncomfortably. Apparently, she hadn’t been prepared for Sofie’s emotional response.
Finally, Sofie pulled away, wiping at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s fine, Sof.” Pole touched her shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re standin’ in front of me after all these years. You’re so tall.”
“So are you. And wide,” she said, smiling. “I didn’t recognize you. You’ve changed quite a bit.”
Pole combed his fingers through his hair. “The past seven years haven’t been kind to me. I’m sure I look worse for the wear.”
“No, no. That’s not what I meant. You’re just so …”
Pole raised an eyebrow as Sofie played nervously with her hands. Her cheeks were turning red. “So what?” he asked, smirking.
“Imposing.”
“Imposing? I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before.” He chuckled.
“I meant it in a good way. You’re a little intimidating, that’s all. But your eyes … you still have the same kind green eyes,” she said, her voice trailing off.
“John Stofanik? It can’t be!” Aunt Anna said, appearing in the doorway.
“No, Mrs. Toth. It’s Pole. Pole Stofanik.” He extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you after all these years. And this, here, is my little sister, Lily.”
“Oh my! How you’ve grown!” Aunt Anna tackled Pole with a forceful h
ug. “And this sweet thing,” she said, turning to Lily and stroking her hair. “You’ve got the prettiest fiery red curls I’ve ever seen.” Aunt Anna glared at Sofie. “Why haven’t you invited them in?”
“I’m still trying to get over the shock.”
“Come inside out of the cold. I’ll make some tea. Sofie, you and Pole can get reacquainted in the parlor. Maybe Lily would like to help me in the kitchen. I hid some cookies in one of the cupboards a few weeks ago, but I can’t remember which one.”
“I’d be happy to help, ma’am,” Lily said cheerfully.
As Aunt Anna led Lily down the hall, Pole took a seat in a worn armchair while Sofie sat across from him on a rose-colored sofa. The pastel hue matched the color of her cheeks. The knots in his stomach tightened. “You have a real nice house. Your brother told me your father owns a grocery store now.”
“You saw Lukas?”
“Yeah. That’s how I found you. I ran into him in Johnstown. His boarding school is there, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Sofie said, nodding.
“I’ve been livin’ in a mining village not far from Johnstown for the past seven years. I ran into your brother in a five-and-dime about a month ago. It was so odd. I’ve wondered for years what happened to you, and then all of a sudden, Lukas was there to point me in the right direction.”
“You wondered where I was?”
“Course I did. I promised you I’d come back. I tried to find you.” Pole leaned forward and reached for Sofie’s hand. When she looked at him uncomfortably, he pulled away. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doin’. The Sofie I have in my head is a young girl who was like family to me—a sister. I need to remind myself that you’re a grown woman now. You barely know me.”
Sofie’s face grew pale. She turned away, wiping at her eyes.
“Maybe I shouldna come. I’ve upset you.”
Sofie sighed heavily and turned back to Pole. “No. I’m happy to see you. It’s just … you’ve come at a difficult time.”
Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash Page 24