I Want To Live

Chapter Twenty-two

    It was four p.m. by the time Katie parked on the street in front of the house. Two cars in the driveway let her know someone was home. She breathed deeply, said a silent prayer, before opening the driver’s door. Then walked toward the front of her future residence. Wiped sweaty palms on her slacks before pressing the doorbell. You can do this. 

    A tanned woman of average height, chestnut hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a Forest Service uniform, opened the door. “Can I help you?”

    “Hi, I’m Katie MacKenzie, your new housemate.” 

    The woman, about her own age, appeared trim and fit. “Oh, yes. Mabel said she rented out the last room.” Suddenly realizing Katie was still standing there. “Come in, do come in. I’m Amy Vanderbilt.” She stepped aside. “Haven’t had a chance to change out of my .  .  .”

    “Forest Service uniform” they both stated in unison. “Recognize the tan and green outfit. My father is a National Park Ranger.”

    Amy snickered. “Georgia’s in the house somewhere.” She sniffed the air. A tantalizing barbecue smell wafted toward them. 

    A rotund black woman in a purple housekeeper’s uniform strolled down the hallway from the kitchen. “Did I hear the doorbell?” she boomed. “Amy, shut the door. You’re letting the flies in. They’ll contaminate the chicken frying in the pan.” Seeing Katie. “Well, well. What little bird have we got here?” Georgia wrapped a solid hand around Katie’s small wrist. “Tsk, tsk, child. You need fattenin’ up.”

    “If you’re the mean witch from Hansel and Gretel, you’re not putting me in your oven,” said Katie, pulling her arm free. 

    Georgia doubled over clutching her ribs, cackling ‘till tears came. 

    Katie stood tall, all five feet, hands on hips. Determined not to let the woman overpower her.

    “Honey, child. You’re a feisty whipper snapper.” Georgia glanced at Amy chuckling in the corner. “Is this?” Amy nodded. “Welcome to the crazy house.” 

    Katie squirmed, her face smothered in Georgia’s voluminous breasts. Imprisoned by hefty arms. Smell of garlic on her breath.

    Amy chortled. “Just relax. You’ll get used to it. Georgia’s our mother hen. Can’t help herself. Very protective of her brood---don’t let her sit on you!” The nimble girl turned and ran for the stairs, leaping two steps at a time.

    Georgia released Katie, raising a fist at Amy. “I know where your room is!” Smiling gamely at the barb. “Don’t stand there, Little Bit, get your stuff. The kitchen calls me.” She scurried down the hall.

    Katie rolled her eyes. She’d been called many names regarding her short height. This was the first time anyone called her Little Bit. She thought it fit. I think I’m going to like that woman. 

    Violet Page, a tall champagne blonde with a classic model’s features sat at the dinner table. She was the hospitality hostess at the faux Swiss-style Alpensee Inn. Cultured well-bred nuances of money oozed from her. Katie had met similar students while attending PSU and found it difficult  relating to them. A tomboy at heart, she preferred climbing trees rather then shopping at the Mall. Violet seemed genuine though, bantering easily with the others.

    Georgia served a sumptuous meal of barbecued chicken, fried potatoes with onions, green beans with bacon, a bowl of grits. “We take turns preparing dinner,” said Amy. “Vi leans toward gourmet, I’m typical all American, Georgia’s heavy on the cholesterol as you can see. It balances out in the end. What kind of food do you like, Katie?”

    “Well, I prefer pasta dishes and salads,” she said, waiting for their reaction.

    “It appears we’ll have well rounded meals then.” Vi gave it her approval. The others nodded.

    Everyone had changed into more casual clothes. Katie had unpacked and felt more at ease with her roommates. They were about the same age as she, except for Georgia who was thirty-five and head of housekeeping at the hospital. 

    “How do you handle daily chores of the house and yard?” asked Katie.

    “We all clean up after ourselves in the kitchen. Georgia and Vi vacuum and dust. I prefer being outside, so I take care of the lawn and flowers. You look like someone who leans toward outdoor chores. You could help me. Am I right?” asked Amy.

    “I’d be happy to help maintain the yard.”

    “What brings you to Mittenwald?” asked Georgia.

    “I was studying at UW. Ran out of money,” said Katie. “My grandparents live close. I’ve always liked this area. Hope to build up a reserve to complete my degree.”

    “Where will you be working?” asked Vi.

    “Safeway hired me for the bakery department. I start next Monday.” 

    The girls pushed back their chairs and started clearing the table. Everyone just naturally drifted to a job that needed doing. Katie washed the cast iron pan and other items in the sink that couldn’t be loaded into the dishwasher.  

    Amy invited Katie to go for a short walk after the kitchen was in order. The sunset burst into a luminous orange glow before sinking behind dark peaks. The main street of town was quiet. No more polka music broadcast over loudspeakers. The stores locked with security lights on inside. Only the restaurants were doing a boisterous business. Couples strolled the sidewalks, enjoying the balmy evening before retiring to their hotels.

    “Vi would be handling the desk at the Alpensee right now. She has the night off today,” said Amy. “Georgia has every weekend off. She starts her mornings at six. I don’t usually have to be at work until seven and have every other weekend off. What will your hours be?”

    “I’ll be working from six to two-thirty. My scheduled days will vary from week to week.” 

    They walked in companionable silence for four blocks. On the way back, Katie felt compelled to reveal the entirety of her situation.

    “I have to be honest with you, Amy---it’ll come out eventually.” Katie’s nerves tingled. Was she about to cut her own throat as her dad would say?

    “I’m listening,” said Amy, brimming with curiosity, slowing her pace.

    “I have a five month old baby boy .  .  .” She waited for reassurance to go on. “I want to bring him into the house. A child needs his mother.” She shifted her gaze to the sidewalk.

    “Holy Cow. You’re not kidding.” Amy saw tears glistening in Katie’s eyes and cupped her shoulders. “Wait ‘till the others hear about this.”

    “Shall I pack up and leave tomorrow?”

    “Heck, No. Mabel’s like the Gestapo. There’s nothing in the contract that mentions anything about a baby.” Amy whirled in excitement. “This is going to be fun. The girls will love it. To be able to pull one over on Mabel?” She pulled Katie’s arm. Quickened her pace almost to a jog. 

    Katie could feel her heart pounding. Was this going to work out after all?”

    Amy burst through the front door. Violet and Georgia were watching ”NCIS.” Their heads turned. “You’re not going to believe this, guys!”