64. I met your neighbor

- I met your other neighbor today. Very nice girl. Have you met her?, Bertta says.

 – Hmm? 

– Your nextdoor neighbor. Ilari stares her granmother with suspicion.- Maire had some house associations business I helped with and we went to talk to her. She was so kind to ask us in and serve us coffee. That was very enlightening visit! 

– You did what? 

– Did you know you have quite a lot in common? She has lived with her grandparents too? 

– Fuck no, gran. No You didn't. Ilari pinches bridge of his nose.

– Ilari. Watch your mouth! 

– What did you say to her? If you scared her away-- Ilari looses his words and looks troubled, even vulnerable. 

– Oh dear, Bertta says in comforting tone. – It's her? Ilari nods with tight lips. – Darling, I can see why. She was pretty, polite and knows her way in kitchen. But I’m worried you'll get hurt. 

– Hurt? 

– Maire told me she have had lot men visiting her. 

- And what does she know, Ilari sounds annoyed. – She should mind her own business. Many men? Me and her ex. Venla had a breakup little later than I had. Like we are living in 1800-century, huh? Don’t you try to judge her!

- I didn't. 

- Yes you did! Now he sounds angry. - And Iiro is trying to complicate things. 

- Yes, I do remember that Iiro suggested to go to play at the neighbour’s. Or did he mean some other kind of playing? !I’m not so old that I don’t understand! 

– Fuck this, Ilari huffs and stands up.

-Ilari! 

- I'm going to check on her. Don't wait me back anytime soon!

- Guess whom I met at supermarket! I think I have playdate! Iiro exclaims as he comes in. 

- You mean that girl next door? Bertta wants to know. - What is the deal with her? Bertta asks from Iiro since Ilari doesn't give her any leads. 

- Huh? 

– She doesn't work, looked totally fine to me but… 

- Oh, Venla. She nearly died in that car accident that killed her parents and got out of wheelchair some years ago. Whereas I'm ok now, she still has lots of pains. Poor thing. We have been talking a lot of hospital times, Iiro says and opens a beer. - I'm starting to think cancer was easier thing to go through than that. Damn, so many operations. 

He looks around. 

- Where's Ilari? 

- He got angry with me and went to her. 

– Oh, Iiro frowns.– Shit. Bertta sighs. 

- Iiro, please. Language. 

– So I missed my turn again, Iiro looks displeased. 

- Ok. Out with it young man. What is this thing you two are having with that girl? 

- A race, Iiro shrugs and swigs his beer. – what, did you think they are dating? 

– They’re not? Bertta's eyebrows go up. 

– At least not yet. I asked that from Venla and she was just confused. So I haven't lost the game yet. Yeah. Something happened between them for sure, but I haven't been beaten yet. Ilari is too slow to move.

– Explain yourself. What is this race? Bertta puts hands to her hips. 

- What's to explain? We both are chasing the same girl. Been at it for months now, Iiro opens the TV. – Don’t worry. It won’t change anything between us. 

-Oh dear…