PART VII

PART VII

1. Stavre Nakovski got up early in the morning. He got dressed quickly and went out to the yard. He thought for a little while and then took the road leading to the shore. He roamed around the water for about two hours. He returned back to the house. He was tired and sat on the stairs. Ksantina came over and stroked his hair.

“What are you thinking about, Mr. Stavre?” she asked. “You know your head will hurt if you think too much…” she added jokingly.

“We need to do something… some sort of work. Not just hard labour… What do you think we should be doing?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Here comes Dionis, perhaps he will know,” replied Ksantina.

Dionis Vlahos slowly climbed up the slope. His hair was wind-blown from the sea breeze. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“Good morning Ksantina,” he said.

“Good morning Dionis,” she replied.

“How are you, Sir?” said Stavre, got up, went down to the bottom of the stairs and stood in front of him.

“Something big must be in the plans I imagine…?” Dionis replied.

Stavre Nakovski extended his hand out and grabbed Dionis’s and helped him walk up the hill. They stopped at the top of the hill.

“I want to do something. I can’t sit idle. But what can I do?” asked Stavre.

“That’s easy Mr. Stavre. The seashore is loaded with reeds. There are also many tamarisk shrubs by the river. You can weave various items made of reeds and tamarisk,” replied Dionis.

Stavre Nakovski thought for a moment while looking at the blue Mediterranean Sea.

“Yes, but I don’t know how to weave or do anything with tamarisk and reeds,” he said.

“You will knit bushels, baskets and other such items and that will keep you busy and make you some money. The three of you in this family can work together doing this. Think about it,” replied Dionis.

“Who will teach us how to weave?” asked Stavre.

“Everything in due time, Mr. Stavre,” replied Dionis.

Stavre Nakovski laughed out loudly and the two men went down to the house. They went inside. Dionis sat on the bed. Stavre sat on one of the chairs. Ksantina offered them rakia.

“To weaving!” said Dionis.

“To weaving!” replied Stavre.

Dionis drank the entire glass of rakia in a single gulp. He then filled his glass again and drank the second glass in a single gulp.

“Tomorrow we gather the reeds and tamarisk. The following days will weave…” said Dionis.

“Agreed, Mr. Dionis! I will wait for you at dawn at the coast,” replied Stavre.

“Then I should go. I have some old friends coming over to visit me,” said Dionis and stood up.

Stavre Nakovski escorted him to the yard.

“I will wait for you, Mr. Dionis,” he said.

“See you tomorrow, Mr. Stavre!” replied Dionis.

“I think we have collected enough reeds. We can start weaving now. It’s an easy job,” said Dionis, grabbed a few reeds and began to intertwine them together.

Ksantina and Stavre watched him carefully and followed his skillful movements. Stavre took a few reeds and began to cross them over each other. Dionis laughed.

“You are a fast learner. But the reeds should be held in water for some time to soften them up, then it will be easier to curl them,” said Dionis.

“Let’s take them to the creek and put them in water,” said Ksantina.

“Okay,” agreed Dionis, grabbed a bundle and took them to the creek.

Stavre Nakovski took another bundle and followed him. Ksantina grabbed as much as she could carry and followed right behind. After they placed the reeds in the water Dionis pressed on them until they were submerged. He then placed large rocks on top of them to keep them under water.

“Now everything is as it should be. You can sleep in peace. In two days we will start weaving. Now let’s get back and have a few drinks of rakia,” said Dionis.

Stavre Nakovski smiled contentedly. He often secretly looked at Dionis’s tame face and admired the man. They returned to the house. Ksantina served them rakia.

“Tonight I will make sarailia (type of sweet meat). Please stay for dinner!” said Ksantina.

“Thank you! With pleasure, but some other time,” replied Dionis.

“Then I will save you a few pieces and give them to you when you come to weave,” said Ksantina.

Stavre Nakovski laughed loudly.

“Come tomorrow! Aliki will be here. It’s Sunday…” he said.

Dionis Vlahos finished his rakia and said:

“It’s time to go”. He then got up, smiled and left. Stavre walked him to the door.

“He is a wonderful man,” said Ksantina.

“Wonderful…” agreed Stavre, sighed contentedly and lay on the bed. He fell asleep.

3. Aliki Periklis was Ksantina’s older daughter. She was twelve years old. She was dressed in a new yellow, well-structured dress with a high, closed neckline. She came over to Stavre Nakovski and timidly extended her hand for a handshake. She then hugged Ksantina and began to weep. Ksantina stroked her long blonde hair. They all went inside the house. The table was set. Aliki washed her hands and sat at the table.

“Let’s have lunch. Today is Sunday, a holy day…” said Ksantina.

“I just want some sarailia. I am not hungry,” said Poliksena.

Everyone laughed. Ksantina took three pieces of sarailia, put them on a plate and set them on the table. She then crossed herself and sat down to eat. Poliksena ate the three pieces of sarailia, left the table and went into the other room. After she ate, Aliki also left the table and went into the other room.

Ksantina cleared the table and also went into the other room. Aliki and Poliksena were lying in bed asleep. Ksantina came out and found Stavre sleeping on the bed in the kitchen. She stepped out onto the terrace. Moments later she returned to the kitchen.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” asked Stavre.

Ksantina laughed quietly and sat on the bed beside him.

“Because they took my bed…” she replied and smiled.

Stavre Nakovski laughed loudly.

4. Ksantina Periklis lay in bed beside Stavre Nakovski. She secretly thanked Aliki for giving her the chance to be alone with Stavre. By taking her bed, Aliki simply forced the two to sleep together. Who was to know how two warm bodies, with needs, would react being in close proximity to one another.

They lay there and caressed each other. Even though it was the middle of the day no one got out of bed. The girls didn’t come to the kitchen, even at dinner time. Ksantina Periklis was awakened by the sound of the well bucket being dropped. She got out of bed and quickly got dressed. She went down to the yard and washed. She looked for Stavre and smiled. Stavre was coming back with a bundle of reeds in his hands.

“You are so impatient...” she said to him.

“No work no bread,” he replied jokingly and put the bundle down on the ground.

“How are we going to weave when the reed are wet? I do not believe anything will come out of all this,” she said.

“It’s better if you do believe. Have some faith. Anyone who doesn’t believe will go to hell,” said Stavre and laughed out loud.

II

1. The sun was setting. Stavre Nakovski went downstairs and headed down the road to the sea. He walked slowly. He was careful not to stumble on the many stones that covered the road. He passed the last houses in the village and took the coastal road. He often looked at

the sea. The setting sun was reflected on its surface. He knocked on the door of the small house and waited for a response. A moment later Dionis appeared at the door. Stavre smiled. Dionis smiled back and invited him inside. Stavre went in. They sat beside a small low table. Dionis lit a cigarette and then took out a half-empty bottle of rakia and put it on the table. He brought two glasses, filled them with rakia and then gave one to Stavre.

“I do not know what I would do without you,” said Dionis.

“You will live, like you always have, Mr. Dionis, what else would you be doing?” replied Stavre and smiled.

“Live, but not like this. The war wiped me out. Now I hide like a rare beast from the hunters who pursue me and want to put me in a cage. With you my time passes much easier. I am more content. If someone two years ago would have said listen, Dionis, don’t be a fool, throw away that rifle and sit quietly on your ass, I swear to you, I would have broken his head. Now I see how naive I was. Everything went to hell!” he said.

“Don’t despair, Mr. Dionis!” said Stavre.

“I can’t stand it… I am going crazy…” replied Dionis.

“Do you regret picking up a gun and going to the mountains?” asked Stavre.

“Only sometimes… only during moments of hopelessness... I went to war thinking that I could improve my life. I fought against Hitler and his servants in Greece. But instead of rejoicing, I fell into a bottomless pit. I see no sign that will warm my soul. It’s over for me. What is important now is whether I blame myself or not. But then, who cares about that? The entire Peloponnesus stood up and went to war against the Monarcho-Fascists. And what did that do for us? We took to the mountains because the villagers could not endure the torture and torment perpetrated against them by the fascists. They killed, burned and pillaged. The government supported and encouraged them. They were cutting heads on the island...” replied Dionis.

“Did you again pick up a gun and go to the mountains?” asked Stavre.

Dionis took a sip of rakia, carefully put his glass on the table and said:

“I have nothing more to lose. I lost two sons in 1944. The island was crowded with the English army. My sons fought at the front... They fought like lions but the English were better armed and more numerous. This is what some people, with whom I fought against the Nazis, told me when I returned. I had no tears in my eyes to cry for them. I came to Periklisis. My house was destroyed, bombed by British aircraft. My wife was also killed. What could I do? I settled in this small house that we used only when we went to work in the vineyard. I am alone in the world, Mr. Stavre, all alone and lonely. It would have been better if I had died in the war. That way I would not have to struggle and think of my terrible past... It is easier for you, much easier. Your time passes with Ksantina and the girls. You even earn some money weaving baskets and you don’t do that alone. Loneliness slowly kills you…” said Dionis.

“My life is far from Periklisis, Mr. Dionis. I have even worked in Athens. I was an artist. Many people came to see me my plays. It was nice. I miss that life. But it is difficult for me too. You are the only person in the village I can talk to about my past. I am afraid someone might report me to the police. They will sentence me to twenty years. I live in fear. Is that how life should be?” replied Stavre.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Stavre! The people of Periklisis will never surrender you to the authorities. Every house in this village has lost someone. Some died fighting against the Nazis. Many fell in the war against the Monarcho-Fascists. The people are firm but amiable. There is no need to avoid the people from this village. These people know how to respect, how to cry and how to rejoice. They have never succumbed to tyranny,” said Dionis.

“You inspire me with courage… Thank you…” replied Stavre.

“Just weave your bushels and baskets and don’t worry about anything! Periklisis is a fortress of democracy. Poverty keeps the villagers together. Their solidarity is well known...” said Dionis.

“I am still afraid, Mr. Dionis. I have been through a lot over the years and I am still afraid. It is hard for me to confide in anyone,” replied Stavre.

“Don’t be afraid, Mr. Stavre! Have some faith in people! Approach a man kindly and he will give you ten times of kindness in return,” said Dionis.

Stavre Nakovski smiled, finished his rakia, stood up and said:

“I have to go, Dionis. It’s getting late.

“As you please, young man. Come back again. Say hello to Ksantina and the girls. Bring them with you when you come back!” said Dionis. A tear appeared in his eye.

Stavre Nakovski waved his hand, opened the door and went outside.

“I will try to get closer to people, Dionis, but only if they are like you. If not then what would become of me… and my desire to live?” said Stavre as he walked away.

2. Stavre Nakovski followed the same path on his way back. Even though it was late, Ksantina and Aliki were still working in the yard, weaving baskets. Stavre sat down on the hard ground beside them.

“It’s time to stop working. It’s late. You will go cross-eyed…” said Stavre.

“When are we going to start the construction of the new house? A whole year has passed. You constantly talk about it with mom but have done nothing…” complained Aliki to Stavre with a trembling voice, while looking straight into his eyes.

“Why do you ask? We will begin with the building when we are ready,” replied Ksantina surprised.

“Because I detest living in this old house! I want to feel like a person. We have enough money to build a new house. Why don’t we build one?” complained Aliki.

“Okay, Aliki, we will build a new house. We will start next week. Is that okay with you?” asked Stavre.

Ksantina was surprised. Aliki jumped with joy.

“Now wash and go to sleep,” said Stavre.

“Are we really going to build a new house?” asked Ksantina surprised.

“Why not!? We have everything we need…” replied Stavre, got off the ground and reached out to Ksantina. “Let’s go to sleep now. It’s getting late,” he added.

Ksantina grabbed Stavre’s hand and pulled herself up from the ground. Stavre drew up some water from the well and helped her wash her hands. They went up the stairs and into the kitchen. Ksantina looked at the room with a nostalgic look and said:

“I will be sad abandoning this house.”

“There is no reason why. This house will serve as a workshop,” Stavre replied and went to bed.

“Aren’t you going to undress?” asked Ksantina.

“Tonight I will sleep in my clothes. Something more powerful than me is telling me to do that…” replied Stavre looking serious.

“Then I too will sleep with my clothes on,” said Ksantina and jumped into bed.

They both lay there quietly. Stavre started snoring. Ksantina turned her back on him and soon fell asleep.

III

1. Winter in Periklisis appeared suddenly and earlier than usual. The village was covered in snow. Poliksena loved the snow. Aliki looked very serious. Every day she marched around the new house. She admired the new and beautiful furniture. She had a separate room with a large mirror. She began to hide her knees from Ksantina and Stavre. She became more attentive to them. She started to get up later in the morning and went to bed earlier in the evening. Ksantina and Stavre were increasingly alone. Poliksena walked to school.

2. Ksantina was sitting on the bed knitting a sweater for Poliksena. Stavre Nakovski was fixing the stove. Poliksena came into the room, ran around Stavre several times and returned to her room. Stavre put the large cover back on the stove and sighed contentedly. He then washed his hands and went out onto the terrace. Ksantina came out and joined him. They both stood there leaning against the fence. They were silent. Ksantina looked through the window into Aliki’s room. Stavre also looked in the same direction. They then both looked at each other strangely. Aliki was standing naked in the dim light looking at herself in the mirror. Ksantina blushed. Stavre pretended he did not see her blush. The two looked at Aliki again. She was standing in front of the mirror caressing her lush breasts and body. They noticed that she liked the feeling. Aliki had bountiful breasts, smooth legs, soft skin, beautiful facial features and soft juicy lips. She smelled like a blooming acacia flower.

Ksantina and Stavre silently left the terrace and went down to the yard. They then headed for the hill behind the house. They went past the water hole where they soaked the reeds, passed the grove and climbed on top of the hill. Stavre Nakovski walked more sluggishly than usual. He was in deep thought. Aliki’s naked body brought back memories of Evangelia Gasparova and his twins. He could not remove the thoughts of them from his mind. He walked in the snow deep in thought. He grew more concerned.

Ksantina Periklis noticed his state of mind but did not say anything. She did, however, want to know what was troubling him. They had enough money. They could buy whatever they wanted. He could mess around in bed with her as much as he wanted... But, there was something else… what was missing? Ksantina followed him in silence. They came down from the top of the hill, passed the grove, through the yard and up the stairs. They went to their room. Ksantina got undressed, put on her nightgown and lay down in bed. Stavre sat down at the table and remained there in deep thought for a long time. He then went to bed next to Ksantina fully clothed. He got up early the next morning. He was still in deep thought. He went out to the yard and washed his face at the well. Around ten o’clock he put on new clothes and shoes and took out the bag Urania Papaioannou had given him before she died. He pulled out the little pouch and removed ten gold coins from it. He put them in his coat pocket. He then put the pouch back in the bag and placed the bag in the corner of the closet. Ksantina came over to see him. She looked at him curiously. Stavre shied away from her look.

“Are you going somewhere?” she asked in a gentle tone of voice.

“Yes. I will be away for several days. Forgive me but I must do this,” he replied.

“Okay, if that’s what you want. You have done a lot for me. I am not going to get in your way, even though I feel like I am going to lose you. In situations such as this I ordinarily would be fighting to keep you but I know you too well to stand in your way. So, go to where you have in mind to go,” she said.

Stavre Nakovski kissed her on the forehead and walked out of the door. He went down the stairs, across the yard and down the street. The snow was cold and crunched with every step he took with his heavy shoes.

Ksantina stood on the balcony and, with a sad look, watched him walk away further and further until his silhouette got lost in the horizon. Her eyes filled with tears. She went to her room, crashed on the bed, covered her head with a pillow and cried.

IV

1. There were many people at the train station in Athens. Stavre Nakovski stood on the platform and waited for the train to Solun to arrive. He was very nervous. His eyes looked dull and deficient. The train appeared on the platform and stopped noisily. Stavre climbed on the first car and got into a compartment. He sat on the seat next to the window and absentmindedly stared at the carob trees outside. The train began to move. Two elderly women, a young girl and a middle-aged man sat next to him in the compartment. Stavre kept to himself looking out the window. He managed to doze off and woke up before the train arrived in Solun. He got off the train and nervously walked along the platform. His eyes were full of fear and darting in every direction. With a quick pace he headed for Café “Macedonia”, hoping to find someone he knew. He stopped near the café, thought for a moment and went inside. He ordered rakia and sat on a bar stool at the counter. The girl standing behind the counter looked at him strangely and inquisitively. She filled his glass and pushed it towards him.

“Here is your rakia, sir,” she said in a gentle tone of voice.

Stavre Nakovski nodded slightly. He drank the rakia, paid the girl and walked out of the café. He walked slowly and in deep thought. He did not look at the people passing him by on the streets. He went inside the Sveta Katerina church and looked for the priest Iraklo. He looked everywhere but did not find him. He left the church even more concerned. He walked down two streets and turned onto Venizelos Street. He was headed for Odos Vardaris. He stepped up his pace. He passed by several uniformed men. His heart was beating fast. He passed by several houses and went inside Urania Papaioannou’s old house.

“It was a good thing I kept the key,” he thought to himself. He lay on the bed for a long time with his eyes wide open. He tried to sleep but couldn’t. He got up. “I will go to Yugoslavia… illegally…” he thought.

He put on his shoes and went out. He went towards Solun’s exit. A little later he was panting, climbing a mountain. He turned right before Kostaneria, then climbed over a few more hills. He smiled as he arrived at the Vlach cottages. He went inside. There were dry twigs in the fireplace. He lit a fire and warmed himself. He sat by the fire and fell asleep. He was very tired.

2. The next day he went towards the border. He arrived at Bel Kamen. He remembered the people who used to come over the border and bring guns. It seemed like it was a long time ago.

“How long was it? How many years have passed? Five or ten? Maybe more? I don’t remember... It was like a dream... No, it was not a dream. It certainly was no dream…” he thought to himself. He sat on the rocks and thought for a long time. He decided to return to the Vlach cottages. He was hungry. He boiled some water and made tea in the old cups. He drank it. His intestines began to gurgle.

“It’s best I turn back. I don’t know for sure exactly where Evangelia and the children are in Yugoslavia. Perhaps they are not in Yugoslavia at all. Perhaps they are in another country. It is best to ask the Yugoslav Embassy in Athens. I will have to ask in secret so that no one will know!” he thought to himself. He did not light a fire. He came out of the cottage and stepped in the snow. He climbed up the first hill and stopped. He looked down at the foot of the hill and there, before his eyes, was Kostaneria. He was afraid to go down to the village. He went down the hill and disappeared into the woods. He arrived in Solun in darkness. He again found himself in Urania Papaioannou’s old house. He collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.

3. He woke up early the next morning. He locked the door, above which dangled a red lantern, and walked rapidly to the train station. He did not wait long for a train. The massive steam engine deafened all the passengers waiting to go to Athens. He ran behind a post and climbed on board when the doors opened. He found an empty compartment. He was very tired. His eyes were fatigued, full of despair… and with some nostalgia. In Athens he raced to the

Yugoslav Embassy, filled out a form and gave it to one of the clerks. He came out of the embassy building in a better mood. He headed back for Periklisis.

He arrived home at night. Ksantina was sitting beside the stove waiting for the carrot soup to cook. Aliki ran out of the room to greet him. Stavre was exhausted from his travels and lay down on the bed. He soon fell asleep. Ksantina covered him with a blanket. She sat beside him on the bed thinking.

“I would give anything to know what is tormenting him,” she thought and leaned on his hip. She then got up and set the table for dinner.

Aliki and Poliksena ate the carrot soup and returned to their rooms. Ksantina did not feel like eating. She leaned on the table and fell asleep.

V

1. The days in Periklisis were passing very slowly. The people had no occasion to celebrate or enjoy happy moments. Stavre Nakovski began to distance himself from Ksantina and the girls. He often watched little Poliksena in secret, practicing writing letters on the wooden table. Poliksena in turn ignored him, which made him want Evangelia and his own children even more. He again went to Athens and twice after that to Solun. Again he went to Athens and wrote a letter to the Yugoslav government in Belgrade. His blood pressure began to rise and he became very nervous. He often woke up in drenching sweat and demanded from the mailman to give him the letter from Yugoslavia. After that he was not able to sleep at all. Every day he became angrier. There was no response to the letters he sent to Yugoslavia and that frustrated him. He began to spend the nights pacing back and forth in the yard. He often slept beside the burning stove in the old house. He stopped weaving. His hands were shaking from his nervousness. He sent a letter to the government in Skopje. He stopped shaving. His hair was always straggly. His clothes smelled of sweat. He never answered Ksantina’s pleas to

change his clothes. One day he climbed up the hill. He began to curse and swear loudly.

2. That very same day a letter from the Yugoslav government in Belgrade arrived. Aliki received the letter. She did not show it to Ksantina. She hid in her room and opened it. She read it twice carefully. She said nothing to Ksantina.

3. Stavre Nakovski came down from the hill. He went to the old house. Aliki went after him. She found him sitting on the bed. She handed him the letter and sat next to him. Stavre opened the letter. He swallowed nervously. He read the letter and bellowed like a wounded beast. He tore the letter to pieces. Aliki hugged him and placed his shaggy head on her wholesome breasts. Her heart was pounding. She kept him there to calm him down.

“We will write another letter. You are not the only one looking for his wife and children. There are people on the island who wrote hundreds of letters…” she said to him reassuringly.

Stavre Nakovski was left with a gaping mouth in his surprise. He slowly pulled his tangled hair from her chest and stared at her pearly blue eyes.

“Do you know? How?” he asked.

Aliki raised her head high.

“Tomorrow we will go to Athens. Don’t worry! The entire country suffers from your kind of pain,” she replied.

“My God, dear Lord!” said Stavre.

“We will tell my mother we are going to Athens to find new markets to sell our bushels and baskets,” she said.

Stavre Nakovski did not know what to say. He just closed his eyes and raised his head in gratitude.

“Until tomorrow,” she said, got up from the bed, caressed his hair and left the old house.

Stavre Nakovski lay in bed awake all night. He could not sleep at all. The next morning he greeted Aliki with bloodshot eyes.

“Shall we go, Mr. Stavre! Wash and get dressed in your best clothes! We will visit places where you need to be nicely dressed,” she said gently and helped him get out of bed. Stavre went outside and washed himself at the well. He then got dressed in his good suit. Aliki combed his hair and fixed it nicely. They left and arrived in Athens tired. They stayed in one of the five storey lodges which offered rooms for sleeping. It was late. The administration buildings were closed. They went out for a walk, had dinner at a nearby tavern and returned to the lodge.

Stavre Nakovski struggled to sleep for a long time. Finally he closed his eyes and sank into a deep sleep. About half an hour later he jumped. He seemed startled. Aliki also woke up. She looked at Stavre. Tears were running down his cheeks. He was sobbing very quietly but she could hear him. She got out of her bed and slid into his. She hugged him gently. She began to run her long, thin delicate fingers through his hair. Stavre Nakovski fell asleep. Aliki sighed contentedly and let him dream. Aliki never had a father and had no idea what fatherly love was, but she had a big and soft heart.

4. Aliki woke up early in the morning and quickly got dressed. She then woke Stavre.

“We have to go, Mr. Stavre. Please hurry up!” she said.

Stavre Nakovski got dressed and they went. They went inside the Red Cross building. A thin man with a thin whitish moustache, dressed in a brown city suit, clean white shirt and patterned tie, working behind one of the counters waved them over.

“We want to fill out one of the forms. We are looking for some of our relatives who disappeared during the Civil War,” said Aliki.

The man handed them one of the forms. Aliki took it to one of the tables reserved for that purpose and gave it to Stavre to fill out. She then handed it back to the man behind the counter.

“Now you can go home and wait for our report!” said the man.

Aliki took Stavre by the arm and quietly and inconspicuously led him out of the Red Cross reception room. They went to the railway station and by evening arrived in Periklisis. They were tired. They did not eat. They both went straight to their beds.

VI

1. Ksantina and Aliki loaded up their donkey drawn wagon with bushels and baskets and got on it. Ksantina took the reigns in her hand and whipped the donkeys. They continued along the road and stopped in front of Tomazos Karaianopoulos’s house. They were greeted by Tomazos and his son in their courtyard. Aliki cheerfully waved her hand and the boy climbed up onto the wagon. He sat beside her. He looked at his father happily and took the reigns from Ksantina.

“Goodbye, Daddy!” the boy said cheerfully.

“Have a good trip,” said Tomazos.

“We will be back soon,” said Ksantina. “Don’t worry, Tomazos.”

“I will look after Dimitri, Mr. Tomazos... Goodbye!” said Aliki and smiled.

Dimitri whipped the donkeys. Aliki turned around and waved her hand to Tomazos. The wagon turned the corner and soon left the village.

“It’s a nice day for traveling,” said Dimitri. “Maybe we can have a swim at Pilos,” he suggested.

Ksantina laughed out loudly and shook her head “no”.

“If you want to swim in Pilos, then we should go to Kalamata. It is a larger city and we can sell our bushels and baskets much faster. From there we can then go to Pilos and you can swim as much you want,” she added.

Dimitri smiled. Aliki nodded affirmatively. Then, suddenly, the front wheel of the wagon hit a pothole. The wagon tilted and they held on tight to avoid falling off. The wheel came out of the hole and the wagon continued on its way down the road. The three were silent. The sun appeared on the horizon. The wagon drawn by the two donkeys rumbled over the pothole-filled road. They pulled away from the coastal road and entered a thicket. Five hours later they arrived at Pilos. The place was a little bigger than Periklisis. They unloaded the bushels and baskets. A crowd gathered around them. Ksantina sold a few baskets. The people began to leave. It was getting dark. They went inside a boarding house. They huddled in a room with five beds. They were very tired. They got up very early the next morning. Ksantina washed herself and went outside. Dimitri went into Aliki’s bed.

“No, Dimitri, don’t, mother might come back!” she complained.

“Just a little bit, Aliki,” he pleaded.

“No!” she yelled and jumped out of bed.

Dimitri hit the bed with his fist. He then looked at her lush breasts and well-rounded rear. Aliki put on her dress and washed. Dimitri got out of bed and the two left and joined Ksantina.

“Let’s go to Kalamata! There aren’t too many customers here,” said Ksantina.

“If that’s what you want, mother,” replied Aliki. Dimitri looked at her sideways and smiled.

About noon the next day they arrived in Kalamata. The little town captivated them with its beauty. Ksantina admired the low, colourful houses. They went to the market located in the town centre. They set themselves up on one of the last stands and waited. The town’s people were buying everything except bushels and baskets. Ksantina began to feel desperate. Aliki and Dimitri kept looking at each more frequently. The market bell struck two o’clock. The vendors in the various stalls began to gather their goods. Finally, several people came over and purchased a total of twenty baskets. Ksantina was happy. After that no one came over. The people began to leave. In minutes the market was empty and Ksantina was the only one left there. She packed her bushels and baskets and the three went to a nearby lodge. Ksantina was very tired and fell asleep on one of the four beds in the room. Aliki and Dimitri went out to see the town. They walked down the narrow streets, came out of the city, took the seashore road and arrived at the sea. They sat on the rocks for a while and looked at the vastness of the blue water in silence. Aliki got undressed completely naked and jumped into the water. Dimitri was surprised and hesitated.

“Come on in, the water is lovely! It’s the same as in Periklisis,” yelled Aliki and dove underwater.

Dimitri took off his pants and shirt and prepared to jump.

“Take off your underwear!” she yelled.

Dimitri jumped in with his underwear on.

“Why didn’t you take off your underwear? It will be wet when we return to the lodge. It will take an eternity before it dries,” she said.

“I am shy about swimming naked,” he replied and swam in the blue water.

Aliki overtook him and jumped on his back. Dimitri sank underwater and was unable to get her off. She got off him but he kept sinking. She dove after him and pulled him up. He again sank underwater. Aliki went after him again but he swam fast and got out of the water. He was tired and lay down on the rocks.

Aliki kept swimming and having fun. Finally she came out of the water and lay down next to him.

“Why are you so sour? The water is great for swimming,” she said.

Dimitri did not reply. Aliki laughed, got closer to him and touched his naked body. He felt crawling chills all over. Aliki began to smooth his hair and slowly shifted to his body. Dimitri gently touched her body. His hands shook. Aliki kissed him. Dimitri twitched. Aliki raised his head from the rock and hugged him around the neck. She kissed him again. She then started to touch his body. Dimitri began to respond. With his right hand he began to remove his underwear. Aliki moved to the side. She was all excited.

“Don’t you dare get me pregnant?! We have to get married first,” she said.

“Then why do you tease me?” he asked.

“Because I like it, exactly because of that,” she replied while rubbing her chest and her nipples.

“When we go back I will discuss it with my dad. I can’t do this anymore, not like this…” he said.

Aliki laughed loudly and lay next to him.

“Take off your underwear and put it on a stone to dry otherwise we will be sitting here all night. I am sure my mother is waiting for us,” she said.

Dimitri took off his underwear and put it on a stone next to him. He then spread his arms and grabbed Aliki’s naked body. She pulled away, stood up and ran between the rocks.

“If you catch me, I am yours,” she yelled out cheerfully.

Dimitri ran after her, caught her and pushed her down in the sand. He kissed her. He began to smooth her body with his hand and

kissed her gently all over. Aliki responded to his advances. She began to blush and exhaled with satisfaction. She then felt the warmth penetrating her body. She opened her eyes wide open, first by the surprise and later by the sweetness. She was pleased and so was Dimitri. They got out of the sand and jumped into the water. They swam fast. They came out of the water and again found themselves on the sand. Late in the evening they returned to the lodge. Aliki entered the room first. She noticed Ksantina was sleeping. Aliki smiled. Dimitri came in. Without undressing Aliki went to bed on the bed beside window. They were both quiet. Aliki was in deep thought. Dimitri was thinking of her all night.

3. Ksanina got up early the next morning and quietly washed and dressed. She looked at Aliki and Dimitri with admiration and went out of the room. She quickly ran to the market and brought all her bushels and baskets with her. She set up on one of the stands and sat on a bushel. In time other vendors began to appear. An elderly man took the stand next to her. He was selling oranges. He came over to her.

“I will take twenty bushels and ten baskets, if you sell them to me for a good price,” he said inquiringly.

“Agreed!” replied Ksantina and smiled.

“In that case I will take thirty bushels,” said the man and stuck his hand out to shake and close the deal.

“How about you also take thirty baskets!” replied Ksantina but did not offer her hand.

The man thought about it for a moment and then said:

“Okay, we have a deal!”

Ksantina extended her hand and they shook on it. She was pleased. The man gave her the money and she left for the lodge. She walked inside the room smiling. Aliki and Dimitri were still sleeping.

“Wake up!” she yelled out loudly.

Dimitri jumped out of bed unexpectedly while Aliki looked at her mother lazily and said:

“What mother? What’s happening?”

“We are going home!” she replied.

“We can’t go! What about the bushels and baskets?” said Dimitri with a confused look on his face.

“I sold them… I sold all of them this morning. Get up and let us go!” she replied.

Aliki and Dimitri got out of their beds, washed in the small fountain in the hallway and waited downstairs. Ksantina paid for the lodging and joined them. They all walked over to their wagon in the yard behind the lodge. Dimitri harnessed the donkeys. They climbed aboard and took to the city street.

Ksantina was pleased. Aliki kept looking at Dimitri and smiling as if wanting him to kiss her. Dimitri was silently guiding the donkeys.

“When we get home we will have a party,” announced Ksantina and began to sing. Her voice echoed through the barren landscape.

“When will we get home, mother?” asked Aliki.

Ksantina stopped singing.

“Tomorrow at noon we will be home,” she replied.

VII

1. Stavre Nakovski was sitting in the old house and weaving baskets. He was in deep thought. His hands were shaking. His forehead was wet with sweat. He skillfully twisted the reeds one over another trying hard to calm the vibration of his hands. There was a knock at

the door. He got up off the floor and opened the door. It was Tomazos Karaianopoulos. He looked calm.

“Good day!” said Stavre. “How can I help you?”

“Old Dionis, your friend, died. Will you come to bury him?” asked Tomazos.

“Right away, give me a moment to change,” said Stavre and asked him to come in.

The two men walked upstairs, Stavre changed his clothes and they left. They walked down the stone-ridden street at a quick pace and arrived at Dionis’s hut. There were many people inside. Stavre was surprised. There was also a priest. Dionis’s body was placed in a coffin. After a brief ceremony they all left and headed for the village cemetery. Stavre and Tomazos followed behind the procession. They were looking at each other curiously. Tomazos was richer than Stavre. He had two stores.

“The children are in love, Mr. Stavro,” said Tomazos.

“They are old enough. Ksantina told me they are in love. Good luck to them,” replied Stavre.

“Do you think we should engage them now and have a wedding after the grape harvest?” asked Tomazos.

Stavre Nakovski extended his hand. Tomazos shook it.

“Agreed!” replied Stavre. “Aliki has everything she needs. We will also give her some money,” he added.

“Agreed, Mr. Stavro! And good luck to them!” replied Tоmazos.

The procession walked slowly. They arrived at the village cemetery. The four men carrying the coffin put it down beside the grave. The priest, standing near the coffin, read a few lines from an old black book and the four men lowered the coffin into the grave. Two gravediggers, villagers, covered the coffin with soil.

“Let’s go, Mr. Stavre! May he rest in peace! He told me a lot of things about you,” said Tomazos.

Stavre Nakovski became upset but said nothing. He continued to walk on the uneven rocky ground. Tomazos followed him. They silently arrived in the village.

Tomazos grabbed Stavre by the arm and said:

“Let’s have a drink at the local bar.”

Stavre Nakovski did not reply.

“You have been in this village a long time but I have never seen you in a bar…” Tomazos said but did not get a reaction from Stavre. He continued: “The old times are gone. The bad times are over. The junta is the government now but it’s not that bad. There are good sides to it. Our time is over. Life is now for the young. Let them decide for themselves. Let them fulfill their own desires…” said Tomazos and pulled him down the alley leading to the village pub.

They went inside and sat at one of the five tables. The bartender was a sluggish lazy man. He brought two glasses and filled them with rakia. Tomazos raised his glass and said:

“To the health of the children, Mr. Stavre!”

“To the future of our children,” Stavre toasted back with tears in his eyes and a blushing face. “Why didn’t the embassy or the Red Cross reply to my letters?” he thought to himself. “God knows where my children are? Maybe Evangelia is sitting somewhere talking to someone about the future of my children just like I am doing with Tomazos,” thought Stavre, took a sip of his rakia and put the glass back on the table.

“What are your plans for the future?” asked Tomazos.

Stavre Nakovski coughed slightly, looked into Tomazos’s eyes and said:

“I am waiting for my day when I die, Mr. Tomazos. I built a new house. The children are grown. All I have left now is to peacefully live the years that God gave on this earth…”

“I think I will build a new house. For Aliki and Dimitri. So that they can be happy,” said Tomazos.

“If you need money, tell me! I have money,” said Stavre.

“It is not necessary, Mr. Stavre. It will be my gift for their wedding,” Tomazos replied.

“Then allow me to get them the furniture…” said Stavre.

“If that’s your wish, then let it be!” replied Tomazos.

Stavre Nakovski finished drinking his rakia.

“Let’s go, Mr. Tomazos. I still have work to do…” said Stavre.

Tomazos drank the last of his rakia and stood up.

“Put it on my tab, Mr. Telios!” Tomazos said to the bartender.

“Take care, Mr. Tomazos! Plenty of time to pay…” replied the bartender.

Stavre left the village pub, said goodbye to Tomazos and returned home. He lay on the bed and fell asleep fully clothed.

2. The sound of rolling wagon wheels was heard in the yard. Stavre woke up and lazily stretched on the bed. He listened. He heard Ksantina’s cheerful voice.

“We sold everything,” she yelled.

“Mr. Dionis died. We buried him today,” yelled Stavre.

“Oh, the poor man,” replied Ksantina with a sad tone of voice.

“I just got back from the funeral. I was there with Tomazos,” he said.

Ksantina came into the room and sat on the bed beside him. She parted his hair with her fingers.

“May God forgive his sins! He was a good man…” she said.

Stavre put his arm around her and slowly brought her closer. He had a strong desire to turn her over. He put his hand on her chest and then lay on top of her.

“Take it easy, Stavre. I am pregnant, we will hurt the baby,” she said.