~ The Summer Of Changes ~ Part 71

The awkwardness is over

Great part Heli (:

It's okay Dimitra, better late than never.
I really hope I wouldn't need to be in that kind of situation ever... :S I would probably run away and fast...


I'll try to post a new part during this weekend.
And thanks Mar! (:

There you go

32

The school was almost over and I was planning my summer already. I was trying to get some kind of deal with Vili about the places we would go. I would have wanted to visit every amusement park there were and Vili on the other hand would have liked to visit every festivals. It was the end of the non-planned way then…

I was just back from my last self defence class and I was ready to take a shower when the doorbell rang.
- Eve, here’s a quest for you! mom shouted from downstairs.
- Who? I yelled back.
- Pete is here! she shouted after a while.
I sighed. What he now wanted from me?
- Pete can wait a moment! I yelled back.
- Actually I can’t! Pete’s voice joined into our choir.
I marched angrily down to the hall where Pete and mom were.
- It would have been better if you haven’t come at all if you’re that busy, I said.
- And why are you so annoyed now? Pete demanded.
- Nothing, I answered quickly. – Well? Are you going to tell me or not?
- I just wanted to ask if you’re interested in working at the summer theatre again, Pete said.
- Of course Eveliina is coming, mom said right away.
- Mom, I shouted angrily. – I’m deciding it, not you. When the shows would start then? I asked.
- At the end of the summer, some time around July and August, Pete answered.
- Sorry, I can’t come. Probably I’m not at the city then, I said.
- How come you’re not at the city? mom interrupted. – Where do you think you’re going?
I ignored my mom. I could talk with her later when Pete wasn’t listening.
- And you can’t change your doings at all? Pete still asked.
- No, I can’t. I’m sorry, I threw up my hands.

Soon after this Pete left because he was still busy. Then I ran quickly away to the shower so that mom wouldn’t start demanding my doings more closely. But she was waiting for me in my room after I had finished my shower.
- And where were you going to go in the summer? she asked angrily. – And when were you going to tell me about it?
- Well, I was planning with Vili that we would make some kind of bike trip around Southern Finland, at least couple of weeks, I explained our plan.
- Where would you even sleep? Or what would you eat there? There’s nothing wise in that idea! mom was protesting loudly like I had thought she would do.
- It’s summer so we can manage with a tent and a sleeping back and with trangia we can make food for us. And we have rain coats and so on if it’s raining! And we have still a month time to think about the details.
- But I still don’t like the idea, mom was complaining.
- You don’t even need to like it, when you aren’t going there! I said.

Mom knew very well that she couldn’t prevent me from leaving. And sleeping in the tent with Vili wasn’t a problem anymore because we had already done that. I just hoped Vili would have got over with his crush on me totally. I didn’t want any jealousy episodes or any approaches from him. I just had to trust on him that he knew what he was doing when he promised to leave there with me.

Her mom is so annoying...I feel sorry for Eve

I was picturing Eve strangling her mum What a pain in the ass .__.

Great part Heli (:

Hahah!
Thanks.

I start to dislike her... she's such a kid... always grumping and taking what she wants withouth even thinking or listening to others... she's egoistic >.>

I know... :S

33

I was waiting for the first work day at the senior house little nervously. The unknown old were always little suspicious. I didn’t know the best way to please them. I got along with my own grandparents because I knew them and their weird habits. But these seniors were a totally different thing. I decided to survive with my sarcastic humour because I needed the little money I would get from this job.

The first work day came and we got to know our “own” seniors right away. My senior was a granny called Tyyne. She was 75 years old and she needed walking sticks inside the house. That meant that if I wanted to go out with her I needed a wheel chair. When I knocked on Tyyne’s door I heard an angry come in –order.
- And who are you supposed to be? she asked when I entered in.
- I’m Eve, a summer worker, I answered. – I guess they’ve told you about this.
- Maybe they mentioned something about you… Tyyne mumbled obviously meaning the nurses.
Her flat contained a little living room - kitchen combination, a bedroom and own bathroom. This was one of the biggest apartments here which meant Tyyne had money when she could pay this big flat.
- So, what kind of work you’re able to do? Tyyne asked when she had observed me from my head until my toes.
- I can’t do any magic tricks but I can do all kind of household work and do the groceries, I answered and stepped carefully closer.
- Hmm… I guess that’s enough. I’ll do a list for you so that you can go to the nearest grocery store first, she said and walked with tiny steps to her little kitchen corner and opened some cupboards and fridge.
This woman was taking all out of her free labour power.
- You could bring this kind of cakes so I can make some coffee after you’ve done the groceries, Tyyne showed an opened cake packet.
- Are you totally sure? I guess I could bring some just baked cinnamon buns, I said.
- But what’s wrong with these cakes? Tyyne’s voice got a little louder.
I knew that I could make her angry with the next comment I would say. But I was used to say the truth, without thinking how it could affect.
- Those cakes are so small that I could eat two together. So little amount of sweet gives only a bad mood to the eater, I said.
Tyyne was looking at me with her sharp eyes. I thought for a while if I had crossed the boarder with my review but soon her face showed me some kind of smile.
- I guess you aren’t thinking much calories? she grinned.
- No, I’m not, I answered honestly. – So, what we are going to do with the cinnamon buns?
- Alright. Bring some if they’re fresh. But you should bring some of these cakes, she said strictly. – And cookies too.
I got a list and a bag for the groceries. In addition I got the money and a strict order to bring all the extra money and the receipt back. I guess this auntie was a strict lady but I think I could handle her.

I did the groceries and when I was putting the groceries into the cupboards Tyyne was glancing at the receipt and the money I had given her back.
- Well, at least you’re not a thief, she said then and stowed the money. – Come to drink the coffee and eat those cinnamon buns you wanted. I want to know everything about you, Tyyne told.
I had to drink many small cups of coffee and tell all kinds of things about my life. But Tyyne herself didn’t talk much about her life and I didn’t want to push her to tell if she didn’t want. I was happy with the situation, Tyyne wasn’t that difficult case to handle.

Great part

Funny woman =P

I liked the part (:

Hahah xD Thanks girls! (:
I just realized I should perhaps find a photo for Tyyne too...

Yeah maybe...

Sounds cool!

34

The other day when I was in a nurses’ coffee lounge keeping my break a nurse started to talk with me.
- Who of our seniors is in your responsibility? she asked and sat down opposite me.
- Tyyne, I answered.
- Really? she asked surprised. – How have you got along with her?
- Fine… I haven’t had any problems, I answered little confused because of her reaction.
- Usually Tyyne is our example if we’re talking about a difficult old person. So obviously you’re getting on with her well? the nurse asked in the end.
Yeah, obviously I got along with her. I already noticed the first day that Tyyne could be an angry person if she wanted and she could do nurses’ work really difficult. I was only a summer worker here so I was able to say what I thought even straight away sometimes. I realized that actually Tyyne didn’t mind my opinions at all even though she didn’t always do like I recommended. And I didn’t even wonder her angry mood sometimes. Nurses’ neutral and some days even extra lively question “And how are we doing here today?” would make anyone feel angry. And Tyyne hated that they took so much care of her. Even if she walked slowly I let her to walk on her own inside the building. I saw how sometimes nurses were arguing if Tyyne should go to the dining room by wheelchair or not. The nurses should treat the old as individuals, not as a weak-willed mass. I was sure I would mention about this when I would quit working here.

As a result Tyyne and I became friends. Tyyne told me little by little that she was an old maid whose only relatives were the late sister’s three children and their children. On the top of that they were all living aboard so they visited seldom here. When Tyyne’s sister had died many years ago she had been obliged to sell their home where they had been living together. With the money Tyyne got the sale she had bought her little apartment at the senior house because she didn’t want to live alone.

At the same time when I learned more about Tyyne, I was planning the biking trip with Vili. We ended up a compromise. We would visit one amusement park because I wanted and one festival because Vili wanted. Otherwise the original plan “let’s go where our noses points” would be used.

The day came when I quit working at the senior house. I sensed that Tyyne was sorry that I wouldn’t be there anymore every day. We had become good friends already.
- Listen, Tyyne. What do you think if I give you my phone number? You could ring me every time you want someone to talk with or something else to do, I suggested her when we were drinking together our farewell coffee in her apartment.
- But I can’t disturb your life that way, Tyyne was arguing.
- It isn’t interference if you phone and ask.
- And what all the nurses will think about it? Tyyne continued.
- They can’t stop if a friend comes and helps, right? I said.
- I guess I can’t do anything else, Tyyne gave up finally. – But don’t even think that I would call you every day!
- I’m not expecting anything like that. And I could even make some surprise visits here. Oh, and I want win Veikko in that card game he taught me to play! I laughed.
- I’m pretty sure that you won’t beat Veikko in the game, remember this now I’m saying it, Tyyne told.
- Don’t say anything yet. And I have to remind you that I’m leaving the day after tomorrow to the biking trip with Vili. I’ll post you a card somewhere there, I grinned.
- Have fun there! Tyyne winked her eye before I left.
- Of course. Though not quite the way you might think… I laughed and hugged Tyyne as a goodbye.

We left already in the morning around seven, I guess. We wanted to get as far as we could during the first day. Both had saddle bags and backpacks where we had a lot of clothes, food and everything necessary like first-aid kit. The sun was shining through slim clouds and the grass was still wet because of the dew. It would be a beautiful day. So it was the most perfect day to start the trip.

Great part

Tyyne is a nice lady (:

I liked it ^^

*waits for some action*

Hahah You'll get some within the next part

Thanks girls! ^__^

35

I turned to my home yard with my bike and braked hard while the grit flew in the air. I was at home. The garden was empty and quiet. I took the saddle bag from my bike’s carrier and took the bike into the garage. The front door was locked so obviously all were somewhere. At least I could unpack my stuff in peace. I had just got most of my things in right places and the first set of my clothes was rounding in the washing machine when I heard sounds from downstairs. Someone had come home. I walked down the stairs and stopped in the middle of my way to stare at the view I had in front of my eyes. Elina with a man. I made the stairs to creak so that they would hear I was coming.
- Oh, hi Eve. I was just thinking that you had perhaps come home, Elina smiled when she turned around.
- Yes, I came a little while ago…
- And this is Olli, my boyfriend. Olli, this is my little sister Eve, Elina introduced us.
- Nice to meet you, I smiled to Olli with my fake smile.
Since when Elina had a boyfriend? How I hadn’t known anything about this?
- Mom and dad are doing the groceries, we all are eating here together, Elina informed me.
- So that’s the reason why dad wanted me to be here until today, I realized.
- Yes, mom wanted the whole family to be here today, Elina explained.
I nodded like I had understood it. So, everything was connected to mom again.

I left Elina and Olli together to continue what I had disturbed and went to take a shower. We had been busy to manage to get here on time. And that was only because of that I could attend to a family dinner. The reason couldn’t be any more important. I would have wanted to stay little longer in some cities and we had to skip even some places we would have liked to see.

Timo appeared to home finally when mom was making a gourmet dinner. It felt like Timo was the only one who really was glad that I was back at home. Mom didn’t ask anything about my trip not that I would have even told anything to her. Dad was asking something about it but I saw that he was more interested about discussing with Olli. And Elina didn’t notice anyone else than Olli. The whole situation was annoying me a little, it was a miracle that anyone else didn’t notice anything weird. I heard that Elina had been dating Olli almost all summer. And mom had known about it before I had left to my trip. She didn’t even bother to tell me about it. I doubted it was because she didn’t like the biking trip idea at all but when I didn’t care about her opinion, mom hadn’t noticed my leaving at all. And on the contrary I hadn’t been in touch with mom during my trip. On the other hand Elina could’ve told about her relationship herself but I had to admit that I had been too busy lately to keep contact with her. What had happened to our family?

I went to sleep early that evening. I hadn’t slept in proper bed for three weeks so my own bed started to feel really great idea. The next day I went to see Tyyne and told her that I had come back home. I complained her about mom’s behaviour even I knew I was partly responsible of it. Even though mom, as an adult, should’ve understood that she was acting childishly.
But this was only a start…

I'm curious about what will happen next

oooh.. a boy-friend
Same curiosity here (:

Great part Heli ^^

Wait... no parts describing the trip??? Why? T_T I was looking forward to it >.<

It was a cute part!

Sorrryyyy Dimitra! :S
I didn't have any ideas for the trip and I needed this kind of "gap" in the story for the future happenings. I think you'll understand it then.

I'm trying to post this more often now... I want to get rid of this before the autumn!

Aaaand, thanks for your comments girls! ^__^

ahahaha XD If it serves for the rest of the story then I'm ok with it... I thought you would use it to expend Vili's relationship with her though

Anyway... if I'm gonna understand later then I'm waiting for it

Well, I thought first about that but then I got better ideas...

36

There were still a couple weeks till the school would start again. I decided to do the spring cleaning in my room and throw all the unnecessary stuff away now that I had time for it. I thought I could take some of my clothes to Elina’s former room because there was more space in its wardrobes. Instead of that I stopped to stare at the room in silence after opening the door. What the heck had happened? The room was wallpapered with new design, a new curtains and a cover for the bed, a bookshelf and a chest of drawers. The old desk and the chair were there still. My clothes were still lying on my floor.

I waited for that dad and mom came home before I began to ask about the room’s new look.
- What has happened to Elina’s former room? I asked.
Dad lowered newspapers on his lap and looked at me for a moment. Then he turned his eyes to mom and after that again to me.
- Aila, haven’t you told about it to Eve?
- Told about what? I was hurrying.
- We’ll have an exchange student here for the next school year, mom informed me peacefully.
- We’re having WHAT?! I yelled loudly. – And when you thought to tell me about this? Or would I have noticed one day that we’ll have a new person in our house?! I continued ranting.
- I forgot to tell you about it, mom answered. – Her name is Susanne and she comes from Los Angeles. Susanne is one year older than you and she’ll come to the same college as you.
- I guessed this! Eve gives advice, Eve tells everything and she can always ask Eve about anything. I have everything else to do than take care of an adult girl! I continued. – So, you didn’t even think that you would have talked about this with the other members of this family. Did you even ask dad about this? Or Timo, or me? You can’t decide this big thing alone! She should feel that she’s welcome here but it isn’t possible if nobody had even wanted her here! How she can be here if we can’t discuss these things inside the family. I don’t even want to know what you have had to lie in order to be a host family, I shook my head and rushed to upstairs.
Soon I ran back wearing my jogging clothes and slammed the front door loudly shut. I hoped one of those creepy glass items would drop from the wall.

- I told you Aila that you should’ve told it earlier, Pekka said after his daughter had shaken the walls.
- She’ll calm down, Aila said.
- Obviously you don’t still know your daughter. Eve can make Susanne’s life a hell here if she wants. And you know that very well. Now if Eve is in a good mood she can act politely towards Susanne and they won’t ever be friends like you would like it to be. You should think a little how you’re treating your daughter.

I ran straight away to a sawdust track which was near to our house. I was running as fast as I could, I wanted to drown my anger into running.
- Eve…Wait… I heard someone shouting and at the same time I realized somebody was running next to me.
- What’s up? I asked Vili and slowed my speed.
- I just thought to take out my annoyance. I guess you’re doing the same? Vili answered.
- Yes. Mom is annoying me once again. This time she just decided to take an exchange student without even asking me about it. And she said she had forgotten to tell me, I snorted.
- Wow. That’s much worse than what has happened to me. I heard that Tanja will come to work at our college, Vili told his news.
- And her profession is…? I asked.
- She’ll work as a faculty adviser there but I guess she’s some kind of psychologist… Vili explained.
- Should I make an appointment with her right away and complain how shitty my life is nowadays, I thought.
- I’m not really fond of the idea. I’m sure she’ll walk along the corridors and watch if I’m attending the classes and asks teachers what I’m doing during the classes, Vili complained.
- I wish the exchange student would be nice for real, I sighed. – I can’t stand if she is a giggling and annoying blonde who doesn’t understand anything and wants only to talk about clothes, boys, make ups and all kind of girlish stuff… I’ll hang myself if I have to stand that all winter!

There we two annoyed young people were drowning our anger into jogging there.