WITHOUT MISFORTUNE…
“What were you thinking, you foolish girl! Who’s going to want you with a child now? How do you plan to raise it? Don’t expect any help from me, that’s for sure. I raised you, and now your baggage too? Pack up and get out of my house!”
Kate listened to her aunt’s shouts, keeping her head down. Her last hope of being allowed to stay, at least until she found a job, crumbled right before her eyes.
“If only Mum were alive…”
Kate never knew her father, and her mother had been hit by a drunk driver at the crossing about fifteen years ago. Authorities were about to send Kate to an orphanage when out of nowhere a distant relative appeared, her mother’s cousin. With her own house and decent salary, she managed to secure guardianship without any hiccups.
Her aunt lived on the outskirts of a small southern border town, lush and hot in the summer and rainy in the winter. Kate was always well-fed, neatly dressed, and accustomed to work. There was plenty to do around the house that had a little yard and some small livestock. She might have missed the warmth of a mother’s love, but who cared?
Kate was a good student. After finishing school, she went to a teacher training college. Those cheerful student years flew by quickly, and now, having passed her finals, she returned to what had become her hometown. However, this time, coming back wasn’t something she was looking forward to.
Finally, after yelling for a while, her aunt calmed down a bit:
“Just get out of my sight.”
“Aunt Tanya, could I at least …”
“No more!”
In silence, Kate took her suitcase and stepped into the street. She never thought she’d return like this – humiliated and abandoned, and carrying a child, albeit early on in her pregnancy, but she needed to confess that she was expecting. She couldn’t hide it.
She needed to find somewhere to stay. Lost in thought, Kate walked on, oblivious to her surroundings. Summer was in full swing, and in the gardens, apples and pears were ripening; apricots gleamed golden. Grapevines, heavy with bunches, hung from pergolas and trellises, while plums hid beneath dark, supple leaves. The sweet aroma of jams, roasting meat, and freshly baked bread wafted from the yards. Parched, Kate stopped at a gate and called to a woman at a summer kitchen:
“Ma’am, could you spare a drink for me?”
Polly, a strong woman in her fifties, turned to the voice.
“Come on in, if you mean no harm.”
She dipped a mug in a bucket of water and handed it to Kate, who sat wearily on a bench, gulping it down gratefully.
“Mind if I sit a bit? It’s so hot.”
“Sit, dear. Where are you from anyway? I see you have a suitcase.”
“I just graduated college, looking to work at a school. But I have no place to stay. Do you know where I could find a room for rent?”
Polly observed the girl closely. Neat and tidy, but tired and burdened by unkind thoughts.
“You can stay with me, it’ll be merrier with two. I won’t charge much, but you must pay on time. If you’re interested, I’ll show you the room.”
The woman was pleased to have found a lodger, as an extra penny never hurt, especially in their small town, far from the regional center, where extra income opportunities were scarce. Her son lived far away and visited rarely, so having company for those long winter evenings was welcome. For Kate, who could scarcely believe her luck, it was a fortunate break.
Following Polly, she was shown a small but cozy room with a window facing the garden, a table, two chairs, a bed, and an old wardrobe. It was perfect. They quickly agreed on the rent, and Kate changed before heading to the education department.
The days flew by in a blur of work, home, work. Kate hardly noticed the calendar pages turning as time sped on. She bonded with Polly, who turned out to be kind and caring. Kate, in turn, often helped her around the house, and they spent many evenings enjoying tea together in the garden gazebo, relishing the mild southern autumn.
Pregnancy treated Kate kindly. No morning sickness, her complexion stayed clear, though she was visibly rounder. She shared her straightforward story with Polly, as countless others could tell a similar tale.
In her second year, Kate fell in love—not just with anyone, but with handsome Tom, the only son of well-off parents who taught at the same university. They hadn’t wanted him going off to the capital; his path was set: school, graduate studies, teaching, or research, all naturally close to home. Smart, polite, and charming, Tom was always the life of the party, and many girls adored him. Yet, it was the quiet Kate who caught his eye. Maybe it was her shy smile, her soft hazel eyes, or her slender figure with slightly curly hair? Perhaps he sensed a kindred spirit, someone with an inner strength that stood resilient against life’s trials. Hard to say, but they were inseparable through the remainder of their studies. Kate envisioned a bright future with Tom by her side.
She remembered the morning it all clicked. Realizing she couldn’t tolerate food smells, that certain scents were nauseating, and she’d been feeling unwell for days. And the missed period! How could she forget that? After buying a pregnancy test at the pharmacy, she returned to her dorm, drank a glass of water, and waited. Positive. Two blue lines stared back at her, undeniable proof. With finals looming, what would Tom say? Children weren’t in the plan.
A surge of tenderness for the tiny being within her overtook Kate. “Little one…” she whispered, gently stroking her belly.
Tom, upon learning the news, decided to introduce Kate to his parents that same evening.
Recalling that meeting brought tears to Kate’s eyes. She briefly recounted how they suggested an abortion and told her to move away after graduation, stating Tom needed to focus on his career and she wasn’t suitable for him.
What conversation Tom had with them, Kate could only guess. But the following day, he entered her room silently, left an envelope of money on the table, and departed without a word.
An abortion was never an option for Kate. She already loved the tiny creature inside her. It was her child, solely hers. After a brief deliberation, she decided to take the money Tom left, recognizing she would definitely need it.
Hearing Kate’s story, Polly expressed sympathy:
“Life throws curveballs sometimes. You’re brave for keeping the child and not ending an innocent life. The baby will bring you comfort, and who knows, perhaps things will turn for the better.”
Kate was adamant about never reconciling with Tom. She couldn’t forgive the insult and vividly remembered how easily he abandoned her without even trying to discuss it.
Time passed, and Kate’s body slowly became heavier with child. Anticipation grew for her baby’s arrival, with the gender still a mystery. Late February brought the first contractions, and Polly rushed her to the hospital. Labor went smoothly, and Kate delivered a strong, healthy boy.
“George, my little George,” she murmured, gently caressing his chubby cheek.
Kate befriended other women in the ward. They told her about the major’s wife who had given birth to a girl just days before, though it later turned out they weren’t legally married.
“You won’t believe it, she’s been showered with flowers! The nurses were given brandy and chocolates. He visited daily, yet she didn’t want kids and only got pregnant by mistake. She left him a note saying she wasn’t ready to be a mother and then vanished. Can you imagine?”
“And what happened to the baby?”
“Well, they’re bottle-feeding her, but the nurse said it would be best if someone breastfed her. But who would agree to that? Everyone has their own children to feed.”
When feeding time came, the baby girl was brought in.
“Anyone willing to nurse her? She’s quite weak,” the nurse asked hopefully, looking at the young mothers.
“Give her to me, the poor thing,” Kate said softly, laying her dozing son on the bed and taking the little one into her arms.
“Oh, she’s so pale and tiny! I’ll call her Mia.”
Compared to sturdy George, the girl seemed incredibly fragile. Once at her breast, the baby latched on eagerly, but soon dozed off again.
“As I said, she’s very weak,” the nurse commented.
And so, Kate began nursing them both.
Two days later, a nurse came in to announce that the girl’s father wanted to meet the woman feeding his daughter. That’s how Kate got to know Captain Jonathan Smith, the leader of the border patrol team—a young man with a firm gaze and striking blue eyes.
The events that followed were talked about by the hospital staff, and soon, the entire town. The conclusion of this chapter was unforgettable. On the day of Kate’s discharge, everyone gathered on the hospital steps: doctors, nurses, aides. Outside waited a jeep decorated with pink and blue balloons. A young officer helped Kate into the vehicle where Polly was already seated, handing her first a blue then a pink bundle.
With a honk of goodbye, the vehicle drove off, disappearing around the corner.
You never know the consequences of your actions. They can be unpredictable because life often throws surprises you could never imagine…
