Snowed In: Naomi and Reeta
By Ginna Wilkerson
Published by JMS Books LLC
Visit jms-books.com for more information.
Copyright 2019 Ginna Wilkerson
ISBN 9781634868358
Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com
Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.
All rights reserved.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Published in the United States of America.
* * * *
For friends in Finland.
* * * *
Snowed In: Naomi and Reeta
By Ginna Wilkerson
Chapter 1: Arrival
Chapter 2: Local Pub Break
Chapter 3: Next Encounter
Chapter 4: Connection
Chapter 5: An Invitation
Chapter 6: Dinner Date
Chapter 7: Pizza and Sauna
Chapter 8: Rendezvous Plans
Chapter 9: Finnish Wilderness
Chapter 10: Secrets Revealed
Chapter 11: Going Home
Chapter 1: Arrival
Naomi Bowers steps out of the airbridge in the Helsinki airport, lugging her carryon while consulting the directions she printed out before leaving home in Beckley, West Virginia. There’s no one to meet her, but for introvert Naomi this is something of a plus. Her only real concern is to reclaim her baggage, and then find a taxi. An Airbnb apartment awaits her in the heart of Helsinki, which will hopefully include a hot bath and several glasses of wine.
Pulling her small bag behind her on its wheels, Naomi heads to the baggage claim, thankfully labeled in English as well as Finnish. She had tried to learn a bit of the native language, but not much had stuck. She can say yes and thank you—and that’s about it. Luckily, she has been told that pretty much everyone under forty in Finland speaks English.
The airport is full of lively passengers, younger than the average American crowd and less ethnically diverse. In spite of herself, Naomi begins to feel that she’s fitting in.
Standing at the luggage carousel, Naomi’s thoughts drift to her partner back in West Virginia. She and Cat met in college, both weirdo outcasts in the 1970s sorority culture. There were lots of times when they covered for each other on dates and at parties.
Cat has always been supportive of Naomi’s film-making projects, but this time seems a bit different for some reason. Maybe it’s just that the two women have been drifting apart in the last couple of years. But Naomi can’t shake the idea that this trip is a turning point. She makes a silent vow to call Cat as soon as she gets settled in.
Naomi glances around her at the baggage claim, noticing her fellow travelers. She shoves a stray strand of curly gray hair behind her ear, a bit self-conscious about her age. Not an unusual reaction for the shy and self-conscious artist. She makes a concerted effort to focus on the task at hand: successfully finding the Airbnb apartment and getting a good night’s sleep.
Her ultimate destination is a creative center to the north of Helsinki where Naomi will spend a month working on a film project documenting local spaces in rural Finland, and enjoying the company of fellow artists from all over the world. As always, the time away from West Virginia—and from Cat—feels like an oasis in the tension that has become her everyday life.
After claiming her luggage, which thankfully comes right out on the carousel, and going through customs, Naomi heads to find ground transportation. She follows the signs for the taxi stand as she still isn’t comfortable with Uber—especially in a foreign country.
Suddenly, a tempting smell wafts its way past her nose: hot dogs! Naomi is struggling with eating vegetarian, but a good hot dog is a weak spot. She promises herself she will treat herself to a hot dog before leaving Finland in five weeks.
* * * *
The Airbnb spot proves to be a comfortable haven for Naomi’s first few days in Finland. She had planned this as a sort of easing in to the communal environment of the residency, which is always an adjustment for her. She spends the time making notes for her project and laying in supplies. A call to Cat ends each evening.
Naomi finds the city friendly and easy to navigate—her host had left excellent maps to supplement online information. It’s October, and the days are short. The early sunset freaks her out at first—such a change from home. It takes some doing to locate the Alko store, Finland’s.state-sanctioned place to buy alcohol. Naomi knows she will feel stranded without a bit of vodka to ease the transition.
Exploring the city, Naomi is struck by the cleanliness of the streets. She finds a quiet, friendly pub with excellent fish soup, a Finnish treat. Naomi begins to relax into the culture of this metropolitan city with a laid-back atmosphere. The traffic is civilized, and the natives seem to accept the presence of visitors. An excellent beginning for a productive residency.
* * * *
Soon enough, the day comes for her to leave her city haven and join her colleagues at Arteles. It’s arranged that someone from the center will meet Naomi and other residents at the Central Railway Station. For introvert Naomi, this is always the worst part of a residency: the initial “meet and greet” a group of strangers with whom she’s expected to live for a month. Her stomach churns in anxiety.
The landmark railway station is easy to find, and not a bad walk, even with her luggage. As always, she had tried to pack light—one less hassle. She had shipped her camera equipment to the center ahead of time.
At the station, it doesn’t take long to spot a smiling, blonde young woman holding up a sign that reads “Arteles Residents.” Naomi breathes a sigh of relief—at least that’s one hurdle cleared.
She approaches the young woman, who seems to recognize Naomi right away. Of course, photos were included in the application materials. Naomi holds out a tentative hand to the woman, who shakes it firmly.
“I am Kreistvieg. Welcome. I think you must be Naomi?”
“Yes, that’s right. Pleased to meet you. This is awfully nice of you to fetch us from Helsinki. I admit I was a bit concerned about how to get to Hameenkyro from here…”
“No worries. We now wait for—she consulted the back of her placard—Lianna from New Jersey, and Marcel from Belgium.”
No sooner have these words been spoken but a tall, slender young man with wavy dark hair and a stylish goatee approaches from the direction of the incoming trains. He totes only two small bags—another light-packer.
“Bonjour—hello. You are perhaps watching for me? I am Marcel Bertrand. So glad to have the train ride behind me! You are?” And he holds his hand out to Kreistvieg.
She responds with a grin and shakes his hand. “Kreistvieg—from Arteles. Welcome to Helsinki.”
Naomi smiles at the young man—he seems pleasant enough—and he returns the smile. “I’m Naomi Bowers. From the US. West Virginia.�
�
Maybe it’s her own self-consciousness, but Naomi could swear that Marcel is suppressing a laugh. Well, she’s used to that. WV has a widespread reputation as hillbilly country that it usually takes her a week or so to dispel. She sighs in frustration.
* * * *
Lianna Rubio from New Jersey turns out to be a woman in her mid-forties with short-cropped blue hair and dangly earrings, dressed in a flowing cotton dress. Interesting. Naomi pegs her as a possible kindred spirit.
Kreistvieg leads the group to the waiting car, an ancient-looking Audi parked in the visitors’ lot. The three residents pile their luggage in the back and climb in for the trek to Hameenkyro. Naomi, sitting in the back with Lianna while Marcel and Kreistvieg chat away, feels like this might be off to a good start. No hassle with finding Kreistvieg, pleasant fellow-residents, and the promise of a single room in the center. She has vodka and wine with her from the time in Helsinki, and a stop at a food store is part of the current trip. Once she has a chance to call Cat and touch base, Naomi expects to feel quite comfortable. And the information was right—everyone does indeed speak English.
The drive north takes about forty-five minutes, during which time Naomi gets a better impression of the Finnish landscape. Trees are abundant but bare of leaves, looking ready to greet the winter snow. As they move further out of the city, buildings are fewer and more rustic. Naomi finds this pleasant and comforting. Glancing over at Lianna, her new colleague seems equally intrigued by the passing scenery.
When they pull up to the Arteles Center, Naomi sees two wooden buildings painted blue, nestled in a landscape of thin trees and shrubs. As they unload their baggage, Kreistvieg points out the communal sauna. Naomi cringes inwardly at the very idea of sitting in a cubicle with strangers, naked. No thanks!
She’s pleased, though, to find that her assigned room is half of a separate wing of the main building. She will share a kitchen and a bathroom with only one person—a woman from Australia who seems quiet and non-intrusive. Naomi relaxes just a bit, feeling that this project might go smoothly.
Chapter 2: Local Pub Break
Naomi soon settles in to making an outline for her film project with the help of Kreistvieg’s suggestions of locations to include. Her concept is taking a clearer shape now, and Naomi is getting excited about the project’s possibilities. Before the first week has passed, she has a list of twelve locations, all within driving distance in the old Audi, which is there for the residents’ use. The only spot missing, which seems pretty elusive in this part of Finland, is a local pub.
Naomi persuades Lianna to put on trousers and explore with her, and they walk all over the area around the center, and then take a drive into Hameenkyro. Still no pub.
“How can there be no pub? I don’t get that. I mean, I know they make drinking as difficult as possible, but surely some thirsty Finn opened a pub somewhere?”
Naomi laughs. “Lianna, that makes sense to me. But where the fuck is this one lone pub?”
Lianna shrugs her shoulders with a grin. “Okay, let’s go back and ask every single person at the center for a suggestion. Marcel’s been hiking all over the place, maybe he has an idea.”
* * * *
This night is the weekly communal dinner—the perfect time to pick everyone’s brain. Naomi plunges right in as soon as the entrée is served.
“Okay, folks. I’m stuck. I need one more location to fill in my project. A local pub. Lianna’s been hanging with me and we’ve tried every possible suggestion. Nothing. I need a pub.”
Kari, a Norwegian painter, laughs. “Naomi, I think we all need a pub at this point. Personally, I feel a bit isolated here, as beautiful as it is.”
Sandy, a quiet young writer from Boston, grins at Naomi. “If you find one, I’m in for the road trip.”
Marcel appears in the doorway, late for dinner but immaculately dressed. “What’s up, beautiful people?”
Kari answers, “Naomi needs a pub. For her project.”
“Ahh, of course. A film location. Well…I have one!”
Everyone around the table reacts noisily.
Marcel holds up a hand for quiet.
“Yes, lovely artists. There is indeed a pub about six kilometers from here, hidden in the woods just behind the Chinese thrift store. I go there yesterday.”
“OMG! You’re shittin’ me! I’ve been to that shop twice…”
Marcel sits and begins picking at the salad at his place. “Yes, well, you must be more observant, Naomi from West Virginia. Shall we go after dinner?”
This plan buzzes around the table like a lively bumblebee. Everyone is in, including Kreistvieg.
* * * *
The place is actually called “English Pub” which is a source of amusement for the entire group. The large darkened room is almost empty, except for two blonde boys who look as if they expect to be caught and thrown out at any moment. There’s also a single woman at the far corner booth, sipping a pint while burying her head in a book.
The Arteles group claims the largest table in the center of the space. Naomi notices the woman, who glances their way for a split second.
Beers are passed all around, with Kreistvieg choosing the local brew for everyone. After the first round, everyone is in high spirits and getting a bit noisy. Naomi is pleased to have located a pub for the filming, but is also getting tired of the raucous crowd and endless conversation.
On the pretext of examining the space, Naomi leaves the communal table and strolls around the parameter of the room, looking at pictures on the walls. Without even realizing it, she comes to the booth occupied by the studious dark-haired young woman.
The woman glances up as Naomi passes. Her eyes are the darkest brown Naomi has ever seen. Cat’s eyes are brown, but these eyes are like onyx stones with flecks of gold. Naomi forces herself to walk on past.
“Hey. Why don’t you sit?” Her voice seems to crackle through the air, striking Naomi in the pit of her throat.
She turns to see a smiling face with high cheekbones and smooth olive skin, and those piercing dark eyes. Even if she wanted to say no, Naomi feels compelled to sit opposite this intriguing unknown creature.
She sits in silence, unable to come up with something intelligent to say. Unusual for Naomi Bowers. Her mind races to find words.
“I love your hair—it suits your face.”
Naomi is taken aback, both at someone liking her grays and the boldness of the comment from a stranger.
“Thank you. I always wonder if I should color it…”
The woman instantly says, “Oh, no. Never. You are a beautiful silver fox in the winter.”
Now Naomi was totally struck dumb. Was this woman flirting with her?
“Yes, I am. How you say it? Flirting with you.”
Can she read my mind? Now what can I say!
“I’m Naomi. I’m here with the group over there.” And she gestures toward her noisy colleagues.
“They seem to be having fun, although I’m having trouble concentrating on my book. Especially since you sat down with me. I am Reeta Hellgren.” She reaches out to shake Naomi’s hand. Electric sparks seem to leap from the slender brown hand to Naomi’s palm.
“Are you from around here?”
Reeta looks sad for just an instant. “Well, now I am, I suppose. I grew up in Rovaniemi. Up north, as they say. I am Sami.”
Naomi isn’t exactly sure what this means, but correctly guesses that Reeta is a Laplander by heritage. She wonders if there is regional prejudice like in the US. Yet she can’t imagine this lovely woman as anything but happy and successful.
Before either of them can say anything more, Marcel calls out from across the room.
“Naomi Bowers from West Virginia! We leave soon!”
As fascinating as Reeta is, Naomi feels a rush of relief to be heading back to the privacy of her room. She needs time to process…
“Well, nice to meet you, Reeta.” That sounds so lame.
“And you, Naomi B
owers. I feel we will meet again.”
Naomi is already standing and edging away from Reeta’s booth.
“Maybe,” she tosses over her shoulder with a smile. “I hope so.”
Chapter 3: Next Encounter
During the following week, Naomi concentrates on work as her project begins to take shape. She manages to film in several locations, and the underlying narrative is starting to make sense. The last thing in Naomi’s mind is fun, let alone romance. The encounter with Reeta drifts to the back of her mind.
On Friday afternoon, Naomi is working on choosing background music when there’s a knock on her door. It’s Lianna.
“Hey, you. How about a break? Maybe a pint at the pub?”
Naomi looks up from her laptop.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m kinda stuck in here…”
“Okay, party pooper. Maybe this weekend…”
“Sure. No worries.”
And Lianna’s off, presumably on her own.
As the evening wears on, Naomi begins to regret not going out for a bit of relaxation. She goes out to the parking lot to get some fresh air, and is surprised to find that the Audi is parked in its usual spot. It seems like an omen of sorts.
She goes back into the main room of the center to sign out the car key. A couple of pints won’t hurt anything.
By the time she arrives at the English Pub, Naomi is feeling odd about going out on her own. What’s the fun of sitting alone and drinking beer?
Entering the pub, it looks much the same as it did the first time, except more crowded. Friday must be the time for locals to gather. Naomi looks around for Lianna, but she’s nowhere in sight. An empty booth in the far corner beckons.
Naomi goes up to the bar and orders a pint, taking it back to the empty booth. After a few sips, she starts to relax and turn over film ideas in her head, making notes in the notebook she always carries. Thus distracted, Naomi fails to see Reeta until the other woman slips into the seat opposite.
“Naomi from West Virginia. The Winter Fox.”
Naomi and Reeta Page 1
