I Want To Live

Chapter Twelve

    January was cold and rainy, more often than not. Wearing loose fitting, temporary clothes bought at Goodwill, Katie stood in front of the mirror. I look frumpy. Can’t wait to have a figure again. The baby kicked her ribs. Enough from you already!  Placing her hands on her basketball-sized abdomen, a small part of her feared the moment of actual birth. Intellectually she knew what to expect but the imminent pain, what was that like? She had quit her classes at UW since she would be leaving Seattle after the baby was born. 

    Katie rubbed an annoying back ache absentmindedly while she waited for the Salvation Army van to arrive. She continued to accompany Major Angela on her rounds and assisted with the serving of meals in the Community Center. Close contact with Angela, a substitute mother in Katie’s eyes, gave her comfort and strength to face the unknown.

    While visiting Gunny’s Camp that afternoon, she raised her face to feel the warmth of the sun on its rare appearance. Without warning a trickle of water ran down her legs. Terrified, she grabbed hold of Angela’s arm.  “Something’s wrong---I’m leaking---”

     Angela looked down at the puddle of clear fluid accumulating around Katie’s feet. “My Dear, I think your water just broke.” Smiling broadly, she clasped the girl’s hand to reassure her. 

    “No. It can’t be. It’s too soon.” Katie wailed, her voice rising in intensity. “I’m not ready!”

    “No woman is ever ready when the time comes,” Angela said. “I’m here. Lean on me.”

    Hearing her cries, those in camp peered out of their tents. Katie doubled over as a painful cramping wave enveloped her. A cry rang out, “Something’s wrong with Katie!” 

    Ron ran towards the commotion. Assessing the situation, he shouted, “Bring my kit! Katie’s having a baby!” 

    “Angela,” Ron said, “bring some blankets from your van. Some towels too if you have any.” Turning to Lt. Kim Walters, one of the female officers. “Can we use your tent? To give her some privacy?”

    “Of course. Of course.” She led Ron carrying Katie to her tent. Cast the flap aside so they could enter.

    Carl Atwood, a retired Army mechanic, asked Ron, “How can I help?”    

     “Call 911. Give directions.” Carl sprinted away.

    Gunny peered into the tent. Arched eyebrows looking to Ron for directions. “Sarge. Put some water on to boil.” Happy to be given a task, he sprinted to the Mess tent.

    Angela returned, arms loaded with blankets and towels.

    “All right, ladies, make a bed with the blankets on the ground.”

    Kim scooted her belongings out of the way. 

    When the makeshift mattress was ready, Ron lowered Katie onto it. “Angela, would you support Katie’s head and shoulders?”

    Kneeling, Angela moved into position. “I’ve got you, Katie. Just lean back.”

    Ron moved to Katie’s hips. “I’m going to remove your pants, Katie. Kim will cover you with a blanket. He pulled on sterile gloves from his kit bag. “Now. I want you to spread your legs wide.” Embarrassed, Katie cried out as another contraction surged. “Pant between the contractions, Katie. Try to relax.”

    Agitated, Katie cried. “You relax! Have you ever had a baby?” 

    “A sense of humor. That’s good.” Ron timed her contractions. Closer together. More intense. “When did you start to feel cramping?”

    “Since this morning.” Katie moaned at the onslaught of another contraction. Sweat beaded on her brow. “Aagh.” When it subsided. “Thought it was indigestion---” 

    “Did you have a backache too?”

    “How did you know? Aagh. Make it stop---”

    “Katie. You’ve been in labor all day. No wonder things are moving so fast.” Ron noticed a

bulge forming between her legs. The baby’s head became visible. “Push with the next

contraction, Katie. It won’t be much longer now.”

    Gasping from the pain, Katie howled. “I can’t do this any more. Knock me out!”

    “Push, Katie. Give it everything you’ve got!” Ron’s hands cradled the infant’s head as it emerged. Helped turn its shoulders for an easier exit. Two legs slipped out to Katie’s scream.

    “It’s tearing me apart!” Katie collapsed against Angela, exhausted. 

    “You have a healthy baby boy.” Ron clamped the cord and cut it free from the placenta. He wrapped the hollering infant in a clean towel and placed him on Katie’s chest. “I believe he’s not too happy to be here.” Her son quieted when he lay in contact with his mother.

    Katie’s tears of anguish changed to tears of joy. “Oh my God! Look at him.” 

    Ron, Kim and Angela wiped tears from their own eyes. 

    “What a blessing we have witnessed today,” cried Angela. “God’s name be praised.”

    The tent flaps were thrust aside. Two EMTs rushed in with a stretcher and medical kit. “We’ll take over now, Sir.” A lanky, redheaded, middle-aged man addressed Ron. His partner, shorter, in his twenties, solidly built, started to place a cuff around Katie’s arm, attempting to take her blood pressure.

    She wasn’t making it easy for him. Pulled her arm away. “Get away from me. Leave me alone.” She shrieked. “Don’t take my baby away!” Squirming on the blankets.

   “Has the placenta been expressed yet?” the older EMT deferred to Ron realizing their presence was agitating the girl. He motioned his inexperienced partner to desist. 

     “Sir, she trusts me.” Ron knelt near Katie. “You’re going to be transferred to a stretcher so you can be taken to the hospital. Checked out to make sure everything’s okay. I’ll ride with you---” He looked for confirmation to the head EMT who nodded his assent. Katie quieted. Too tired to resist. Clutching her infant close.

    “I’ll follow behind the ambulance, Katie,” said Angela. “Catch up with you at the hospital.”

    The EMTs loaded Katie and the baby into the emergency vehicle. Ron buckled himself into a seat beside her. Held her free hand during the ride. The young EMT got her vital signs. Recorded time of birth and pertinent patient information. Meanwhile, the driver switched the siren on. With warning lights flashing he sped to the nearest hospital.

     Carl stood next to Sarge. “Well, that was enough excitement for one day.”

    “You can say that again,” said Sarge. He motioned to two female GIs in fatigues. “Would you help Kim restore order to her tent.”

    “Yes, Sir,” they replied and hustled to Kim’s tent.

Major Angela Goodman placed a call before driving to the hospital.

    “Dr. Williams’ office.”

    “Patricia, this is Major Angela Goodman. I’m on my way to Fairview Hospital. Katie gave birth to a healthy baby boy this afternoon at a homeless Vets camp. A very capable Medical Corpsman assisted her. Mother and child are both fine. Just wanted to let you know.”

    Patricia gasped. “It’s too soon. Her due date isn’t ‘till the end of the month.” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. You caught me by surprise. How is the baby?”

    Sensing she was worried about the baby being premature, Angela said. “If he had another week to grow, he would have been a big bruiser. See you at the hospital.”

    Katie delivered the placenta. Was bathed and wore a fresh gown. She lay in the hospital bed sleeping. Her son dozed beside her in a bassinet. Ron catnapped in a chair by the window.

     Major Angela entered the room. Noticed the threesome sleeping and smiled. She touched Ron’s shoulder gently. “I’ll relieve you if you want a respite.”

    Ron stirred, rubbed sleepy eyes and yawned. “She didn’t want me to leave. Gutsy little gal.” He looked at Katie. Strawberry-blonde hair fanned on the pillow, framing her face. “Is there a man in the picture? A soldier on deployment perhaps?”

    “Sorry to say---No,” said Angela. “She was r***d. Won’t reveal any more details than that.” Anger over the injustice of the world flashed in her eyes. “Some men ought to be shot.”

     “s**t. Sorry to hear that,” said Ron. “No. Some men ought to be castrated, then shot.” He shook his head, baffled that society tolerated such behavior in men. “I just assumed. She seems to relate so easily to Vets.”

    “I believe she identifies with the mental anguish you guys deal with, unable to forget the atrocities you’ve witnessed and taken part in. Plus, the nightmares that continue to plague you.”

    Ron winced at her words. Major Angela was an astute individual. Few people were able to accept or understand the emotional instability of returning vets. They were not the same person. How could they be. Many turned to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to battle the demons. The memories were like a Cancer that eroded your soul. “I guess I’ve done all I can here.” He stood to leave.

    “I think you did a commendable job handling her labor and delivery,” said Angela, beaming a grateful smile. “You medics are highly trained.” 

    “Thank you, ma’am.” Ron shut the door quietly behind him.

     Shortly after he left, David and Patricia Williams burst through the door. Strained faces  showed their anxiety. Upon seeing Major Angela they tiptoed further into the room. Realizing that Katie was sleeping, they swung their attention to the bassinet in the corner. Angela nodded. They walked closer to glimpse the angelic face of their soon-to-be-adopted son. Pat reached for David’s hand. Together, they gazed at the baby in awe.

    Katie stirred. Rolled to her side. Smiled at Major Angela. Then noticed Pat and David standing by the bassinet. “Why don’t you pick him up and hold him?”

    Pat turned toward her with wondering eyes that seemed to say, Really? I can do that? The baby balled his fists and smiled. “I think he just passed some gas.” She chuckled. Tentatively she lifted the chubby bundle into her arms. Held him close. Rocking and cooing.

    The infant stared at her with wide blue eyes. “Katie. He’s beautiful.” Tears of joy welled.

    David hugged them both. Smiling expansively. Overcome with happiness.

    Katie gulped at seeing their elation. I’ve made the right decision. Misty eyed, she grasped Angela’s hand tightly, “He’s yours. You can stay and bond with him until he’s cleared to go home with you.” She made a strangled sound, averted her gaze and stifled mounting tears.

    David, sensing her turmoil, released his hold. “I’ll initiate the legal paperwork right away. Got to place a call to our lawyer.” He left the room.

    Pat sank into an easy chair near the bassinet cuddling the baby. 

    Angela stayed by Katie’s side, stroking her back to comfort her.

    A nervous male intern appeared. “I’m supposed to check the infant over so he can be discharged.” He approached Pat. “If you would put him in the bassinet, I can perform the task easier.” The baby squirmed and cried at being handled by an inexperienced person. Everyone in the room wished he would hurry up and leave so the infant could be calmed.

     “He looks perfectly healthy to me,” said the uneasy intern, rushing out of the room.

    Pat picked up her son. “It’s all right, Robbie. The big bad man is gone.” She rocked him to sleep. The infant was exhausted from the cursory physical exam.

    Katie sat up having regained her composure. “What did you call him?”

    “Robbie. Short for Robert Alan Williams,” Pat said. “In honor of both our fathers.”

    “I think the name suits him.” Katie approved. “Could I ask a favor, Pat?” 

    “Anything.”

    “Would you pack my belongings and deliver them here to my room? I should be discharged by tomorrow afternoon.”

    “I’ll do that. See you both tomorrow with our lawyer. We’ll sign the legal papers then.” Pat smiled, then walked over to Katie and hugged her. “We’re so grateful to you.”