The Boss

Chapter 19: It Was Worth It ... You Were Worth It

Adam

I woke up at noon and sighed ... I would be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alone in a hotel room of a foreign country. I could fly home but I doubt there would be a flight and besides even if he wasn't with me I felt close to Sauli here. This was his birthplace and I wanted to see it all, it was insanely beautiful. My phone started to ring and I quickly noticed that it was Katri.

Me: Katri?

Katri: Sauli thinks that you don't care about him. Why did you leave?

Me: He was so happy Katri, I haven't seen him that happy in a long time. I don't want to take that happiness from him.

Katri: You have to come see him ... he wants to see you Adam. Go to the train station and take Route 1256. When you get to the train station go down the main road about a mile and the house is on the right number 120. It has a giant Christmas tree in the window and icicle lights trimming the house. I'm here now so I have to go, I don't want anyone to hear. You'll come right?

Me: Yes.

I hung up and quick jumped in the shower. I put on my nicest outfit and wool coat and headed to the train station. I paid for a ticket and was told the ride was only about an hour. We were still about 10 miles from Hyvinkaa when the train slowed to a halt and they announced something in Finnish over the intercom as everyone groaned in anger. The young man sitting next to me could tell by the confusion on my face that I didn't understand and smiled at me.

Man: There is a huge tree on the track, they have to call for a crane but it will take 3-4 hours to even get here. So we're stuck here till then. The track might even be damaged ... they don't know.

It was already 1:30pm I didn't have the time to wait.

Me: Can you translate for me. Ask the attendant if I can get off the train. I don't have time to wait I have to get somewhere, someone I love is waiting for me. I’m surprising them … they don’t know I’m here.

The man got up and said something to the attendant. She thought for a moment and then looked at me and nodded the man patting my shoulder as I passed.

Man: Hyvaa Joulua ... Merry Christmas.

Me: Hyvaa Joulua ...

I tested out the sound and he smiled and nodded.

Me: Thank you ... kiitos.

Man: Ole Hyva ... you're welcome. Just follow the walkway next to the train tracks and you'll be fine.

I headed off the train and was making great time until it started to snow. I walked the last 5 miles with blinding bitter snow blowing against me. It took me 5 hours but I got to Hyvinkaa. I was so cold I was numb. I stepped into the train station for a few minute relief from the cold and looked into a mirror. My face was beat red, not the first impression I hoped to make. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 6:45pm so I started the last mile of my journey. Sure enough I couldn't miss Sauli's house, it was the prettiest one there. I could smell the fragrant aromas coming from the house and my stomach grumbled. As I got closer I could hear the joyful conversation coming from inside. Someone must've said something funny because everyone laughed, I could hear Sauli's laugh loud and clear. God it sounded so beautiful. I reached the window and saw his precious face and the faces of Katri and all his family. It seemed at least 20 people were crammed into a space made for 10 but they didn't seem to mind. They were happy to be with family, with people who loved them and understood them. I felt like an outsider, like Sauli must've felt all these months ... it wasn't a good feeling. I paused for a moment then knocked loudly on the door. Sauli was at the open end of the table so he walked over laughing and rambling on the whole way there. When he opened the door he was still looking at his family and for a moment I caught his smile close up. He turned to see who was at the door and upon seeing me he froze.