Sisu's Winter War by Liisa Kovala

Author:Liisa Kovala
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Latitude 46 Publishing
Published: 2022-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

1940

The day was crisp, and the snow crunched under our boots as we delivered Matti and Päivi to the neighbour’s house a few blocks away before heading to the hospital. Aunt Eeva chatted along the way, huffing as she waddled along the sidewalk. My steps were long and sprightly, but even I could feel the cold air fill my lungs as I tried to keep my breath shallow. By the time we got to the building, I was sweating under my thick layers, but my fingers were frozen. Eveliina was unusually quiet, but I didn’t ask her what the trouble was. She’d tell me in time.

We paused to take it in. The white exterior of the hospital stood in strong contrast to the building we’d worked in at home. It was nine storeys high, and I counted seven levels of rounded balconies on the south-facing side. I’d never seen any architecture like it.

“It’s called Functionalist style,” Aunt Eeva said, disdain written on her face. “Much too modern for my taste. However, it’s only a few years old so everything is very new inside. Lovely view from those balconies and lots of light in the patients’ rooms.”

I opened the front doors, struck by the grandness of the space. We entered the bowels of the place, following Aunt Eeva through a series of corridors. Nurses in white uniforms hurried past and Lottas pushed patients in wheelchairs down the overflowing corridors. The nauseating smell of ether mixed with disinfectants and other odours was familiar. Several times I had to step away as carts pushed injured men on the way to or from surgery. I’d thought our hospital was busy, but here the number of patients from the front surprised me. I looked at every soldier’s face, searching for my father.

“It’s such a huge hospital,” Eveliina said, following Aunt Eeva’s assured footsteps as we passed several rooms with patients lying in hospital beds. Nurses checked on some, and Lottas on others. Some were making empty beds, ready for the next soldier to occupy them. Auntie gave us a complete tour. I was as overwhelmed as my sister.

After we navigated several hallways, we arrived at the administration office to find a desk crammed with paperwork and a tiny, wiry woman in round spectacles peering from behind it.

“Helena, these are my nieces, Meri and Eveliina Saari. They trained as nurses’ assistants and are transferring to the frontline. They’d like to help.” I shook Helena’s small hand. Her grip was strong.

“We can certainly use the extra hands,” she said.

I towered over her petite frame. She scrutinized me over her wire glasses. She must have been at least my father’s age, but it was difficult to say. A few white strands streaked her hair, but her face was youthful.

“We’re happy to do whatever we can,” I replied. “We’re here for a few days, at least.”

“Eeva told me about your previous experiences. It may not be what you are used to in your little hospital. We are a very busy place.

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