NO JOY WITHOUT A PRICE…
“How on earth did you manage to get yourself into this, you foolish girl? Who’s going to want you now with a child? How do you plan to raise it? Don’t even think about coming to me for help, I’ve done my part raising you, I don’t need an extra mouth to feed! Pack up your things and don’t let me see a trace of you in my house!”
Katie listened to the yelling without lifting her head. Her last hope that her aunt would let her stay, at least until she found a job, was gone in an instant.
“If only mom were alive…”
Katie never knew her father, and her mother had been killed by a drunk driver about fifteen years ago. Just before she would have been taken to an orphanage, a distant relative—a second cousin of her mother—came forward unexpectedly and took her in. With her own house and a decent salary, she managed to make it official without much trouble.
Her aunt lived on the outskirts of a southern border town, green in summer and rainy in winter. Katie was always well-fed, neatly dressed, and taught to work. Living in a house with a yard and a few animals, there was always enough work to go around. Perhaps she lacked maternal warmth and affection, but who cared about that?
Katie was a good student. After finishing school, she went on to a teacher’s college. Those lively student years flew by, and soon carefree days were over, final exams passed, and she returned to the town she considered home. But this time, she didn’t feel the joy she once had.
After her aunt’s outburst, she calmed down a bit: “Leave, so I won’t have to see your face.”
“Auntie, could I at least…”
“I said enough!”
Without a word, Katie picked up her suitcase and stepped outside. She never imagined returning here like this—humiliated, abandoned, and pregnant, though only a few months along. But Katie had decided to be honest about it; she didn’t want, nor could she hide it.
She needed to find somewhere to stay. Katie walked and walked, lost in thought, noticing nothing around her.
The southern summer was in full swing. Apples, pears, and apricots were ripening in the gardens. Heavy grapes hung from pergolas, and plums hid beneath green leaves. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of jam, roasted meat, and freshly baked pies. She was so thirsty. Approaching a gate, she called out to a woman near an outdoor kitchen.
“Miss, could you spare some water?”
Pauline, a strong woman in her fifties, turned to the voice. “Come in if you mean well.”
She scooped a mug of water from a bucket and handed it to Katie, who sat wearily on a bench and drank eagerly.
“Can I rest here for a bit? It’s so hot.”
“Sure, dear. Where are you from? I see you’ve got a suitcase.”
“I just finished college. I’m looking to work at a school, but I have nowhere to stay. Do you know anyone renting a room?”
Pauline looked her over. Clean, tidy, but tired and burdened by unspoken worries.
“You can stay with me. It’ll be company, and I won’t charge much. But you have to pay on time. If you agree, I’ll show you the room.”
Pauline was pleased to have a lodger. An extra bit of money and some company for the long winters when her son, who lived far away, rarely visited.
Still not believing her luck, Katie followed her. The room was small but cozy, with a window overlooking the garden—a table, two chairs, a bed, and an old wardrobe. Satisfied, they quickly agreed on rent, and Katie, after changing, headed to the local education office.
And so the days passed. Work, home, work. Katie barely had time to tear the pages off her calendar as time flew by.
She became friends with Pauline, who turned out to be kind and understanding. In turn, she grew fond of Katie, who was simple and modest. As time allowed, Katie helped around the house, and in the evenings, they would frequently enjoy tea in the gazebo in the garden, for cold autumns came late in the south.
Katie’s pregnancy was easy. There was no morning sickness, and though she was noticeably heavier, her face remained clear. She shared her simple story with Pauline—a tale not uncommon in life.
In her second year at college, Katie fell in love—not just with anyone, but with Alex, a handsome, well-off young man, son of professors at the same university. His parents had planned his future: studies, eventual teaching or a scientific career, all within reach, alongside them.
Smart, polite, easygoing, Alex charmed everyone, and many girls were ready to fall for him. But he noticed the shy, reserved Katie. Perhaps it was her gentle smile, the warmth of her brown eyes, or her delicate figure with slightly wavy hair. Or maybe he sensed a kindred spirit in her. It’s hard to say.
Their remaining college days were spent almost inseparably. Katie envisioned a bright future with Alex.
On the morning she realized she couldn’t stand certain smells anymore, that she felt sick for days, and most of all, that she’d missed her period—how could she forget and ignore that? Katie bought a pregnancy test, went to her dorm room, drank a glass of water, and waited. Two stripes. She stared, disbelieving. Yes, two stripes. Exams were around the corner, and now this! How would Alex take the news? Kids weren’t in their immediate plans.
Overwhelmed by a sudden tenderness towards the tiny life inside her, Katie whispered, “Little one,” and gently caressed her belly.
When Alex found out, he planned to introduce Katie to his parents that very evening.
Recalling that meeting brought tears to Katie’s eyes. Briefly, she shared that Alex’s parents suggested she have an abortion and leave town after her exams—alone. Alex had a career to build, and they weren’t meant for one another. Alex left a cash envelope on her desk and walked out speechless.
Katie never contemplated an abortion, for she already loved the small being inside her. It was her child, and hers alone. After some deliberation, she decided to take the money Alex left, fully aware she’d need it more than ever.
Hearing Katie’s story, Pauline comforted her in a womanly way, “These things happen. It’s not the worst in life. You’re brave for keeping the child and saving an innocent soul. The little one is blameless and will be your joy. Things might even turn out better for you.”
But Katie couldn’t bear the thought of reconciliation with Alex; the mere idea repulsed her. She couldn’t forgive the humiliation. The memory of his indifference, without even trying to explain, was still too fresh.
Time passed. Katie stopped working, waddling like a duck as she eagerly anticipated her baby’s arrival. Was it a boy or a girl? The ultrasound technician couldn’t tell, but it didn’t matter to Katie, as long as the baby was healthy.
Late February, on a Saturday, her labor began. With Pauline by her side, Katie was taken to the hospital. The delivery was smooth, and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
“George, my Georgie,” she whispered, stroking his chubby cheek.
Katie quickly made friends with the other women in the maternity ward. They told her about another recent birth—a girl born to the wife of a high-ranking local official. However, the wife didn’t want children and had left the baby, leaving a note of refusal.
“And the child?”
“Being bottle-fed, but the nurses say she’d do better being breastfed. But who would? Everyone’s got their own to feed.”
At feeding time, the nurse brought the little girl to the ward.
“Would anyone feed her? She’s so weak,” the nurse looked hopefully at the new mothers.
“Let me try,” Katie said, gently placing her sleeping boy on the bed before taking the tiny girl in her arms. “Such a sweet little thing! I’ll call her Emily.”
Emily was so small compared to sturdy little George. Katie nursed her carefully, Emily eagerly taking what she could before falling asleep.
“See? I told you she’s weak,” said the nurse.
And so, Katie began nursing both babies.
A couple of days later, a nurse informed Katie that Emily’s father wanted to meet her—the woman feeding his daughter. This marked the beginning of Katie’s acquaintance with Captain David Andrews, a young, steady-eyed man with a firm handshake and a humble bearing.
The unfolding events at the maternity ward were the talk of the small town for some time, and the aftermath of this encounter would be spoken of for even longer, for its outcome was worth remembering.
On the day Katie and her babies were discharged, everyone gathered on the porch: doctors, nurses, and staff. A decorated car with blue and pink ribbons stood ready. The young military man, wearing a captain’s shoulder straps, helped Katie into the car, where Pauline was already seated, handing her first a baby swaddled in blue, then one in pink.
The car honked farewell as it drove off, disappearing around the bend.
Life’s surprises can be beyond imagination and unpredictable. Sometimes, it presents turns we could never foresee…
