Nicolai's Daughters by Stella Leventoyannis Harvey Read Free Book Online Page B

helped their mother arrange the table. The men talked about their crops and Nicolai listened. The static on the radio continued. He turned it off.
    â€œBut we need music, Nicolai,” Maria said.
    Their father came in the door. The talking stopped.
    Christina said, “Hello, Papa. How are you?”
    â€œWhat do you think? I’ve been working all day.” He threw his work gloves on the stool beside the door.
    â€œHave a shower,” their mother said. “We’re almost ready.”
    As he walked past, he flipped on the radio and glared at his family. “I want to listen to the news.”
    When they sat down, chairs scraped against one another, knees bumped and elbows touched. His father stood at the opposite end of the table, gripping the back of the chair with his hands. Christina passed along serving platters of lamb and beef. Once everyone had filled their plates, she removed those dishes and brought others: roasted zucchini, buttered rice and sautéed eggplant.
    â€œSit down,” his father said. “Solon and Zak have already started.”
    Christina and her mother put the last dishes on the table and sat down, one on either side of Nicolai like sentinels. His father took his seat at the head of the table. “Now we can eat.” He nodded at Solon and Zak.
    â€œHow is America?” Maria asked.
    â€œFine.” He balled his fists in his lap to stop himself from drumming his fingers.
    â€œYou came home to think about things, after Sara, God rest her soul.” Maria swallowed a mouthful of rice and patted her mouth with the napkin. “Yes?”
    â€œWe’re happy you’re back,” Christina said. She shifted her weight slightly as if kicking at something. “Don’t worry about talking about this now.”
    â€œWhat?” Maria asked.
    â€œHow are we supposed to explain your return to our friends and neighbours?” his father asked between mouthfuls of meat.
    A knife scratched against a plate and everyone turned towards Solon. He met their gaze, then looked back at his plate and put his knife down.
    â€œWhat is there to explain?” Nicolai asked.
    â€œThis is a shame for us,” his father said.
    Nicolai’s fork slipped out of his hand and fell on the floor.
    Christina jumped up. “I will get you another one.” Her chair knocked against his and he pushed back to let her get out.
    â€œYou go to America. You marry someone not of your own blood. You marry outside your church. You have a child.”
    â€œWe don’t have to discuss this now, Papa,” Christina said. She placed the fork to the left of Nicolai’s plate and squeezed around him and into her chair.
    â€œAt least we’ve never mentioned your marriage and the child to our neighbours,” his father said. He put a large piece of meat in his mouth. “You know I don’t like lamb. Why did you make it?”
    â€œNicky loves lamb, don’t you remember?” Christina said.
    â€œAnd I made your beef, too,” his mother said. “So we please everyone.”
    â€œYou didn’t tell anyone about my life in Canada?” Nicolai stared at his father.
    His mother pulled her chair back, Christina and Katarina stopped eating and Maria shrugged and picked at the zucchini on her plate. Solon’s and Zak’s eyes were fixed on their plates.
    â€œYour daughter is not of Greek blood. You didn’t marry in a church. The child is not legitimate.”
    â€œAnd you wonder why I didn’t bring her?” Nicolai said. He pushed his chair back.
    â€œ Ella ,” Nicolai’s mother said. “Nicky doesn’t have to worry about anything now. There is plenty of time ahead of him.” She patted Nicolai’s shoulder and smiled. “Eat now, Nicky. Don’t worry.”
    Nicolai picked up his fork and resumed eating, sneaking glances at his father. What made the man so angry? When Nicolai was a boy, his mother