“Well, how did you manage to get yourself into such a scrape, you silly girl? Who needs you now with a child in tow? And how do you intend to raise it? Count me out; I’ve done my bit raising you, but I won’t take on your extra baggage. You’re not welcome here anymore, so pack your things and get out of my house!”
Kate listened to her aunt’s shouting with her head bowed. Her last hope that her aunt would let her stay, at least until she found a job, was crumbling before her eyes.
“If only Mum were still alive…” Kate never knew her father, and fifteen years ago, her mother was killed at a pedestrian crossing by a drunk driver. The social services were about to put her in an orphanage when a distant relative, a cousin of her mother’s, unexpectedly stepped forward to take her in. Luckily, her own home and a decent salary allowed her to formalize guardianship without any hassle.
Her aunt lived on the outskirts of a quiet southern town, lush and hot in the summer, rainy in the winter. Kate always had enough to eat, was dressed neatly, and was taught hard work—there was always plenty to do in a house with a yard and some animals. Maybe she lacked a mother’s warmth and affection, but who cared about that?
Kate was a good student. After finishing school, she entered a teacher’s college. The joyful student years flew by quickly, and soon carefree days ended as she graduated and returned to the town she considered home. But this time, she wasn’t happy to be back.
Once her aunt was done yelling, she calmed down a bit. “I’ve said my piece. Leave the yard and don’t let me see you again.”
“Aunt Susie, can’t I just…”
“I’ve said everything!”
Kate quietly picked up her suitcase and walked out into the street. She never imagined returning like this—humiliated, abandoned, and even pregnant, though it was early yet, and she had decided to confess to being pregnant. She couldn’t and wouldn’t hide it.
She needed to find a place to stay. Lost in her thoughts, Kate walked and walked, noticing nothing around her.
The southern summer was in full swing. Apples and pears ripened in gardens; apricots gleamed in the sunlight. Grape vines drooped with heavy clusters under countless pergolas and shelters, and deep purple plums hid beneath dark, sturdy leaves. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of jam, roasted meat, and freshly baked bread wafting from houses. She was thirsty. Kate approached a gate and called out to a woman standing by a kitchen.
“Ma’am, could I get something to drink?”
Pauline, a sturdy woman in her fifties, turned towards the voice.
“Come in, if you mean well.” She scooped water from a bucket into a cup and handed it to Kate, who sat wearily on a bench and drank eagerly.
“May I stay a bit? It’s very hot.”
“Rest, dear. Where are you from? I see you have a suitcase.”
“I finished college and want to find a teaching job. But I have nowhere to stay. Do you know someone renting a room?”
Pauline looked at her closely. Clean and tidy, but she seemed tired and burdened by her thoughts.
“You can stay here with me. I won’t charge much, but we have an agreement—pay on time. If you’re agreeable, I’ll show you the room.”
Pauline was thrilled to have a boarder. A little extra money would be helpful, and in their small town, far from the regional center, job opportunities were few. Her son lived far away and rarely visited, so she welcomed the company to share long winter evenings with.
Kate, still in disbelief at her sudden stroke of luck, followed Pauline. The room was small but cozy, overlooking the garden, with a table, two chairs, a bed, and an old wardrobe. It was all she needed. They quickly settled on the rent, and Kate changed clothes and headed to the education office.
And thus the days flew by. Work, home, work. Kate couldn’t tear off the calendar pages fast enough; time seemed to fly.
She became friends with Pauline, who turned out to be kind and responsive. Pauline too grew attached to the simple, modest girl. Kate helped with household tasks when she could, and in the evenings, they often enjoyed tea in the garden gazebo, as the cold of autumn arrived late in the south.
The pregnancy was going smoothly. Kate hadn’t experienced any morning sickness, and her face remained clear, though she had noticeably gained weight. She shared her uncomplicated story with Pauline, recognizing it as one of countless similar tales.
In her second year, Kate fell in love—not with just anyone, but with handsome Henry, the only son of wealthy parents who were professors at the same college. His parents didn’t want him going off to the big city. His path was set—study, postgraduate work, teaching, or research, naturally near them.
Intelligent, well-mannered, and approachable, Henry was always the life of any gathering and, of course, liked by many girls. Many would have been pleased to befriend him, but he was drawn to shy Kate. Perhaps it was her modest smile, gentle brown eyes, or her slender figure with slightly curly hair. Or perhaps he recognized a kindred spirit, or sensed the inner strength some resilient people possess. Hard to say. But for the rest of their college years, the young couple was inseparable. Kate’s future seemed rosy, with Henry by her side.
She remembered that day in vivid detail. That morning, she suddenly realized she couldn’t bear the sight of food, was repelled by certain smells, and had been relentlessly nauseous for days. The most telling sign—she was late. How could she have overlooked it? She bought a pregnancy test from the pharmacy, returned to her dorm, drank a glass of water, and waited. The result confirmed it—two lines. Staring at them, she struggled to believe her eyes. Final exams loomed ahead, and now this! And how would Henry react to the news? Children weren’t in their plans yet.
A sudden wave of tenderness for the little life growing inside flooded over her. “My little one…” Kate whispered, gently caressing her belly. Upon learning the news, Henry decided to introduce her to his parents that evening.
Recalling the meeting, her eyes filled with tears. She briefly recounted that Henry’s parents suggested she have an abortion and, after graduating, leave town—alone. Henry needed to focus on his career, and besides, they weren’t a good match.
Whatever conversation Henry had with them, she could only guess. The next day, he entered her room silently, placed an envelope with money on the table, and left without a word.
Kate never considered an abortion. She already loved the tiny being growing inside her. This was her child, and hers alone. But it would be tough, with no one to help. So, after some thought, she decided to accept the money Henry had left, knowing she would certainly need it.
Hearing Kate’s story, Pauline offered comfort. “Life is unpredictable. You’re not the first, nor the last. You did the right thing refusing the abortion; you saved an innocent life. Your baby will be your joy, and who knows, maybe things will work out for the best.”
But Kate couldn’t bear the thought that anything with Henry could be mended. She was completely turned off at the idea. The memory of how easily he abandoned her was too fresh. Time went on. Kate had stopped working now, waddling like a duck, and eagerly awaited the arrival of her child. It made little difference whether it was a boy or a girl, so long as the baby was healthy.
In late February, on a Saturday, her contractions began, and Pauline took her to the hospital. The delivery went smoothly, and Kate gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
“Eddie, my little Eddie,” she whispered, stroking his chubby cheek.
Kate became friendly with the other women in the ward. They told her that two days ago, the wife of the local border control chief had given birth to a girl here. However, it later turned out they weren’t even married and had lived together in a common-law marriage.
“You wouldn’t believe how he showered her with flowers! Brought chocolates and brandy for the nurses. He came by in his jeep every day. But things weren’t right between them. She kept saying she never wanted children and only got pregnant out of carelessness. Then she left the baby and ran away, leaving a note saying she wasn’t ready for kids. Can you imagine?”
“And what about the baby?”
“Well, they’re feeding her with a bottle, but the nurse said she really needs to be breastfed. But who would agree? We must feed our own.”
At feeding time, they brought in the little girl.
“Would anyone be willing to feed her? She’s so frail,” the nurse asked hopefully.
“Let me. Poor little thing,” Kate cautiously placed her sleeping son on the bed and took the girl in her arms.
“Oh, she’s so tiny! So fair! I’ll call her Mary.”
Compared to the sturdy Eddie, Mary was indeed very small. Kate brought her to her breast, and the baby began to nurse eagerly but soon let go of the nipple, dozing off.
“As I said, she’s weak,” commented the nurse.
And so Kate began feeding both of them.
A couple of days later, the nurse informed Kate that the girl’s father wanted to meet the woman feeding his daughter. This is how Kate met Captain James Collins, the border control chief, a solid young man of average height with a steely gaze from his clear blue eyes.
The events following this introduction were the topic of hospital staff and eventually the entire town, discussed for a long time because the outcome was worth remembering.
On the day of Kate’s discharge, everyone—doctors, nurses, aides—gathered at the hospital entrance, where a jeep was festooned with blue and pink balloons. A young officer with captain’s bars helped Kate into the vehicle, where Pauline was already seated, and she carefully took a small blue bundle, then a pink one.
Hooting the horn, the car drove off and soon disappeared around the bend.
That’s how life is; you never know the consequences of your actions. They’re often unpredictable because life, at times, offers surprises that are beyond imagination…
