The years pass, as years are wont to do. The chores never end, and neither does Britta’s need to escape the confines of the homestead. She still spends her evenings in the gypsy camp, where her music is appreciated and she can pretend there is more to life than weeding vegetables.
There might be one other reason she’s been there so often lately. His name is Keiski Rysava, a young handsome man with a silver tongue.
Your music is poetry speaking directly to my soul Britta, you are too good for toiling on a farm, you should be a princess traveling the world by my side, he whispers in her ear.
The words enflame Britta’s heart and in a moment of reckless passion she embraces her gypsy prince.
To travel the world by your side would make me the happiest woman in the world. We could see cities and ancient wonders. Nothing would keep us chained to the earth my love.
They spend a blissful summer in each other’s arms before the gypsies leave for their winter home in more southern climes.
Maybe too blissful? Because 9 months later Zdena arrive.
My precious little girl, I can’t wait till your father comes back, he will take us with him and together we will travel the world!
But when spring arrives the gypsies never come!
Britta is enraged. Was all those sweet words only lies? What will her parents say now? They already complain about her having a child out of wedlock, and now the father have gone missing. She can feel her heart break piece by piece.
To dull her sorrow she takes up drinking, she puts away her guitar and takes up mixology instead. But it’s only a temporary fix, every morning her heartache returns with renewed force.
Her late nights also make her sleep most of the day. No time for chores or work around the homestead. No time to take care of her sweet little girl. It’s an untenable situation; she can’t go on this way.
Arne and Bodil don’t know what to do. All their hopes and dreams of Britta making a better life for herself seem bound to fail. She won’t work, she won’t take care of her daughter, and all she seems to want to do is mix drinks and try them out herself.
We can’t let her do this to herself Arne, she’s hurting both herself and out granddaughter!
But what are we to do Bodil? She won’t even come downstairs!
You have to talk to her, father to daughter. She has to get a job to support herself and Zdena, she can’t expect us to pay her way, the harvest is rather poor this year and her sister has found work at the library, why shouldn't Britta be able to find some work too?
I will try my best darling, but how will I make her see reason?
That evening a tense Bodil watched Ulla teach Zdena how to walk. She tried to look relaxed and smile when Ulla throws her worried glances.
Maybe I should talk to her first, mother? I haven’t really been here for her since I’ve been working so much. She is my twin and we used to talk all the time…
Ulla, don’t take on any responsibility for your sisters actions. You are both adults and she has to realize that she is a mother now and that means she needs to act like one, starting with thinking more about her daughter than herself.
In the study words get heated. There is arguing, accusations, shouting and then…SLAP!
They both become quite because they know this crosses a line they can never uncross. This is something that can’t ever be undone.
Arne stays in the background feeling awkward. He doesn’t want Britta to go, he still loves her, but his pride won’t allow him to ask her to stay. Bodil hugs her granddaughter close; will she ever see her sweet little Zdena again? And her daughter, will she even write to tell her they are doing well? They have grown so far apart this past year, if only there was some way to turn back time…
You have to write and tell me how you are doing sister dear. If you need anything just let me know, Ulla tells Britta as she hugs her close.
Britta doesn’t say anything but she squeezes her sister as hard as she can. She’s feeling so ashamed right now, she can’t even bare to look at her father. How could she ever face him and her mother again, she just wants to run far, far away from all this shame, guilt and pain. Maybe if they start over, just her and Zdena, life will get better…
