I Want To Live

Chapter Seventeen

Community of Mittenwald

    Katie moved like a zombie during Adam’s first three months of life, adjusting to the demands of her newborn. Sleep deprivation. Shackled to his voracious appetite, having to breast feed him every three hours. Burping him afterwards to relieve gas, often vomiting on her shoulder, ruining her clothes. Messy, smelly poops. The urine stream in her face, when she forgot to cover his p***s during baths and diaper changes. The rawness of her nerves when he cried for attention. Her time wasn’t her own. Every moment seemed to revolve around his needs.  

    Then all angst evaporated at the touch of his soft, downy hair brushing her cheek when he nestled into the curve of her neck. His absolute contentment at her breast. His angelic countenance while sleeping. His thick sandy hair and captivating, expressive blue eyes. His ready smile at hearing her voice. In those moments she viewed her beautiful son in awe. Slowly, Katie realized she loved being a mother. 

    Living with her grandparents had its rewards. Meg was eager to babysit whenever Katie needed a break to grab a quick nap or get outside for uninterrupted exercise. Winter was a perfect season for reflection and healing. Katie would go cross country skiing on groomed trails past snow covered evergreens and frozen alpine lakes. High snowy peaks formed a protective shield around the tiny village of Stehekin. Being immersed in the energy of Nature was a balm to her spirit. The silence and cold invigorating air was conducive to pondering her future. I can’t stay with Grandma and Grandpa forever. I’ve got to support Adam and myself sometime.

    That May after breakfast one morning, she read the Claremont News perusing the “help wanted” ads. Adam lay on his back, cushioned by a quilt under an arched device with eye-catching, dangling objects. He batted at a set of bells, delighting in the noise he made, babbling and kicking his legs. He turned his head spying a stuffed bear nearby. Meg sipped her mug of coffee, keeping an eye on him. Suddenly Adam thrust his leg and arm, attempting to reach the bear. “Katie. I think Adam’s going to turn over on his own.”

    Katie put the paper down to watch her son. A couple more tries and then, he did it. He flopped onto his stomach. His hand snagged the bear, cooing with joy. Meg laughed. Katie dropped to the floor and knelt beside him. Pride filled her heart. “You are such a strong little boy. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Adam.” 

    The family was enjoying their first barbecue on the deck towards the end of the month. The evening was warm for a change. Only isolated patches of snow remained in the shade of trees and buildings. Bare branches were beginning to bud. Song birds had returned from their winter habitat. Rainbow Falls overflowed with winter meltwater. Wildflowers pushed through dead leaves.  

    Katie set her hamburger down. “Grandpa, would you drive me to Mittenwald tomorrow so I can fill out an application for any position at Safeway? They’re hiring.” 

    “I would be delighted to drive you to Mittenwald,” 

    “You’ll need an early start. The first ferry doesn’t get here ‘till ten,“ Meg said,  juggling Adam on her lap while eating.

    “You have a point. Maybe we can catch a flight on the seaplane. I’ll give Tim a call right now.” Harold departed into the lodge. He returned fifteen minutes later. “Tim says he can fly us to Chelan at seven-thirty. He has a couple who have booked a flight out at eight.”

    “Well, Adam. Looks like you and I are going to keep each other company tomorrow,” said Meg.

    Flying over Lake Chelan was always glorious. The mountains bordering the water had a lingering blanket of snow. Tiny rivulets of meltwater ran down sheer cliffs into the lake. Mountain goats leaped from crag to precipice with nimble legs. Katie looked out her window at the majestic scene below, understanding why her grandparents chose to live in such a remote place. The seaplane banked and lined up for the landing. Booked passengers stood on the dock waiting to board the Lady of the Lake.

     “Thank you, Tim,” Harold said, climbing down from the plane.

    Harold walked to his Subaru station wagon in the public parking lot. He pressed a button on the remote starter to bring the car to life. One beep and temporary flash of headlights and the doors unlocked. Katie leaned back in the passenger seat, nervous over the prospect of finding a job so she could live independently and create a life for herself and Adam. 

    Grandpa patted her leg reassuringly. “Buck up, girl. Every young person I know has qualms about their first real job. Being able to gain independence is a glorious feeling. I have great faith in you.”

    It took an hour to drive along the winding highway that skirted the Columbia River, passing orchards and fancy log homes clinging to the shoreline. Time to consider that she should be finishing her junior year of college, instead of saddled with an infant, looking for an entry level job for minimum wage. They turned onto Highway 2, the traffic noticeably heavier, cruising past apple trees already heavy with blossoms.

    Soon an intricately carved sign announced they were entering the Bavarian resort of Mittenwald, nestled in a valley beneath nine thousand foot peaks. Swiss Chalet shops on Main Street resembled those found in the European Alps. Visitors flocked there every week throughout the year. Some, traveling miles to experience the unique ambience. German polka music played through loudspeakers under sidewalk awnings. Salespeople wore lederhosen and dirndls. Restaurants offered German-American food. Local artists displayed their paintings and crafts under white canopies every weekend. The town was a popular haven for outdoor sports: hiking wilderness trails, rock climbing, white water rafting, mountaineering and backpacking. In the winter there was downhill and cross country skiing, sledding or snowshoeing.

    They found the Safeway grocery store off Main, housed in a glass-fronted alpine style building with frescos decorating the exterior. Harold parked the car, turned to his granddaughter. “You don’t need me to go in with you. I’ll just wait here in the car.”

    “Okay, Grandpa. Wish me luck.”

    Katie walked through the doors and approached the “Customer Service” desk. “Where do I go to fill out a job application?”

    A young girl about her age dressed in white blouse with navy bow-tie and slacks, the store uniform, answered. “Take the stairs to your left. Turn right at the top. Enter the first room. Pick up an application and fill it out at one of the desks. Sit in the waiting room opposite for your number to be called. Good luck.”

    Katie followed directions. Waited on a bench with many others of different ages and races. She wiggled her foot nervously. Stomach tied in knots. I haven’t got a chance.

    “Number eighteen.” A tall brunette, professional looking woman in navy blue skirt and jacket, wearing high heels, stood in the doorway. Seeing Katie rise. “Follow me, please.”

    She led her to a bare-walled interview room with a small desk and two wood chairs. “I’m Jane Small. How are you today?” She shook Katie’s hand firmly, waving her to sit in the chair opposite. “Your work experience has been waiting tables in a diner and a short stint at a college newspaper. You quit college the middle of your junior year.  .  .Why is that?”

     “I had to drop out to help take care of family. I was also running out of money.”

    “You don’t list a permanent address here---”

    “I’m living with my grandparents near Lake Chelan. If offered a position I’ll find a place in town.” I won’t get a position now. Katie leaned forward, getting ready to leave.

    “Sit down---Please.” Jane stared hard, tapping her long fingers on the desk. “I’m inclined to offer you a job. You look like an intelligent, capable young woman. You’ve had experience serving people who can be a pain in the ass at times.” Her grin matched Katie’s. She scanned a sheet of open positions before her. “Would you be interested in working in the Bakery Department? You would be packaging baked goods as they cool from the ovens, dealing with customers, answering their questions, showing them where to find items in the store.  .  .”

    “Yes. I can do that. I’m a quick study.”

    “Take this employee packet next door to our Personnel Resource office. Sheila will record your personal stats. Let her know your address once you’re settled, bank info, etc. There is a Food Service certification class being offered in Claremont next week. You should have everything taken care of, two weeks from today.” Jane stood, shaking Katie’s hand. “Don’t let me regret this.”

    “No, ma’am. I surely won’t.” Katie walked with a light-hearted step next door.

    An hour later she opened the passenger door and slid into the seat, a huge smile on her face. “I got the job, Grandpa.”

    “Kinda figured you did when you didn’t appear right away.” He high-fived her hand. “Congratulations. What do we have to do now?”

    “I need a place to live, Grandpa.” Katie scowled and shrugged. 

    “While you were in the store I bought the local newspaper, Been looking at places for rent. God, apartments are expensive here.” He glanced at Katie’s crestfallen face. “But I did find something interesting. There’s a house with four bedrooms not far from here. The monthly rent seems reasonable. Why don’t we give the number listed a call?”

    They parked in the driveway of a tan clapboard two-story home with brown shutters. Katie and Harold opened the doors to the car at the same time and walked up to the front of the house. Just as Katie’s hand was poised to ring the doorbell, a heavyset woman with short wispy hair leaning on a cane, opened the front door. “I’m Mabel Sommerset. I assume you’re the ones inquiring about a room?” she asked, with a gravelly smoker’s voice.

    “Yes, we are,”said Katie, extending her hand. “This is my Grandpa.”

    “Well. Come in. Don’t just stand there.” Mabel stepped back to allow them to enter the living room and shut the door loudly. “Take a seat, anywhere.” She motioned to the couch and a pair of overstuffed chairs around a central coffee table. 

    Katie liked the long old-fashioned windows which admitted much light. A brick fireplace occupied one wall. A small table with a puzzle in progress, sat in a corner. She sighed with relief at the absence of cigarette smell, taking a seat in one of the chairs. Harold took the other chair.

    Mabel sat down heavily, depressing one of the cushions on the couch. “I have one room left. You’ll be sharing with three other girls. No smoking allowed. No partying. No hanky-panky. You can have male visitors but no overnight stays. Rent is due on the first of the month. I expect you girls to keep the rooms clean. You’re also responsible for maintaining the grass and shrubs. Any questions?”

    “Not that I can think of,” said Harold. “Could we see the room?”

    “Up the stairs. On the right at the end of the hall.”

    Harold led the way up the stairs. When they reached the landing he whispered, “Reminds me 

of a sergeant I had in the Army.” 

    “Grandpa!” Katie opened the door of the designated room. It was furnished with a full size bed, night table, dresser, and desk plus a small closet. “Guess this is adequate.”

    They located a bathroom with two sinks, two private toilets and a shower stall.

    Downstairs, Mabel escorted them to the spacious kitchen in the rear. It contained a pine table with four chairs, a central butcher block island, stainless steel pots and pans suspended on hooks, two-door refrigerator, stove with oven and microwave, and counter space beneath a row of cabinets, with a Mr. Coffee maker. 

    Back in the living room Mabel asked, “Where will you be working?”

    “At Safeway down the street. I start in two weeks.”

    “The rent is three hundred a month. Since we’re near the end of May, I’ll need payment for June up front to hold the space for you.”

    “I’ll write a check to cover that,” said Grandpa. 

    “Fine. Let’s complete the rental agreement then.” Mabel set legal pages before Katie to sign.

    Back in the car Harold asked, “What are we going to do about Adam?”

    “I don’t know, Grandpa. I’ll figure that out after I meet my housemates and get settled in my job. I don’t want to saddle you both with a baby forever.”

    “Meg and I don’t mind having Adam. He’s so easygoing. Now that we have an address we’d better set up a bank account. Then there’s the question of a car.”

    “I can’t let you do that, Grandpa.” 

    “There’s a dealer car on the lot at the Subaru place in Claremont. Only 7,000 miles. We’ll float you a loan until you can pay us back. All right?”

    Tears glinted in her eyes as Katie nodded, unable to speak of their generosity.