I Want To Live

Chapter Twenty-five

    The weather was in the seventies. Balsamroot, lupines and other wildflowers bloomed on the mountainsides amongst wild grass and heather. Numerous songbirds had returned to the area. Butterflies started to emerge and take wing. Tulips and daffodils bloomed in the town square. Red geraniums and white petunias filled the window boxes. Clumps of white birch had leafed out, catkins dangling from their branches. Snow still lingered on the mountains. The annual Maifest celebration had marked the official start of the busy tourist season. By mid-June it was difficult to find a parking space within the town’s boundaries. Some festivity was ongoing every weekend, drawing huge crowds. Both Ron and Charles would be on duty to ensure that everyone had a good time. 

    This particular weekend was to honor the famous Bernese Mountain dogs, originating from the Swiss Alps. The day kick-offed with a parade down Main Street. Belgian horses pulled decorated wagons, city officials marched carrying Swiss Canon flags, high school bands performed, and several of the beautiful large-breed dogs strutted proudly beside their owners. Competing dance teams wearing lederhosen and dirndls performed in the cordoned off main street. The sidewalks were crowded. White canopies shaded artisans’ wares. Vendors offered enticing brats, hotdogs, wiener schnitzel, sauerkraut to the public. Polka music streamed from the gazebo. Beer drinking was confined to bars and restaurants.

     Rookie officer Morrison escorted two drunken revelers to a Red Cross tent where the staff offered coffee and cookies. He led them to cots with blankets where they could crash. Most people conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. 

     Ron waited by the ambulance to give emergency first aid for cuts and bruises on excited kids who tripped off curbs because they were distracted. One mother was frantic. Her daughter was missing. He scanned the crowd for a four year old blonde girl in a pink dress. There she was, sitting in the grass at the front of the gazebo enraptured with the polka music, her feet moving in time with the rhythm. The distraught woman hugged him with a thankful heart and ran to keep close watch on her child. 

    Katie packaged bakery goods, frantically trying to keep on top of breads, rolls, brownies, pudding cakes, cookies, and pies cooling on oven racks. She commented to Robin, the head baker, busy forming bread dough for the morrow, “Is it always this busy?”

    Robin laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet. The tourist season has just started.” Her hands never stopped moving while she talked. “You’re doing great, Katie. One of the best clerks I’ve ever had working for me. You’ll get used to the pace.”

    Katie groaned. Sweat dribbled down her spine. Armpits damp. The regulation white blouse clung to her. She felt strangled by the navy bow-tie around her neck. The rest of the store was adequately air conditioned. She was stuck working right beside the floor to ceiling ovens, which felt like dragons spewing hot flames. 

    She stood in front of the automatic bread slicing machine, stacking loaves and catching those pushed forward before they toppled to the floor. A delicate balancing act which had to be done with precision. The sliced loaves stood on end in neat rows along the countertop, ready to be packaged into plastic sleeves. So focused on her task, she didn’t see the tall, broad-shouldered man in State Park uniform until he cleared his throat.

    Ranger Michael Garrett smiled at her discomfort, dark eyes dancing with mischief. His chiseled face sporting a permanent five o’clock shadow. “I would like a dozen dinner rolls please, Katie.” 

    Her name clearly imprinted on her employee badge. Katie was altogether familiar with Ranger Mike’s flirting. He came in every morning asking for bakery goods from her directly. He is rather handsome. A tingling sensation always crept up her spine in his presence. She never showed his effect on her, treating him in a courteous professional manner. 

    She scanned the racks behind her. “Ranger Mike, I do believe we have fresh dinner rolls. They need to cool more however, before I can package them for you.” She smiled sweetly. “Why don’t you do some other shopping and come back in fifteen minutes?”

    “Be back in a little bit, love.” Grinning before making a fast getaway.

    Katie threw a dish towel at his backside laughing at his antics, just as the Store Manager walked by.

    “I hope you don’t treat all our customers like that,” cracked Sam Henderson with a chuckle. 

    “No, Sir. Sorry Sir.” Katie rushed to pick up the offending towel. She liked the six foot African American. He had been transferred to Mittenwald recently from the Seattle division. His coloring a creamy chocolate hue, he had kind dark eyes and wiry hair flecked with gray. Sam possessed definite charisma. He was sent to the store to boost morale. Though in his fifties, he managed to keep fit by running five miles every morning. His presence in the community disturbed some older residents of Bavarian heritage. 

    Ranger Mike returned to pick up his rolls. “I hope I didn’t get you in trouble with the manager.”

    “No. Sam’s a good man to work for. He’s aware of our repartee, although I have been cautioned to tone it down.” She punched out a sticker with the bar code and price. “Why do you delight so in getting my goat?” She handed him the packaged rolls.

    “Katie, darling. I’m smitten by your strawberry-blonde hair and freckles. Your flashing green eyes when you’re upset---”

    “Get out of here.” Katie turned her back on him to finish her work, chuckling at the man’s forwardness. He’s incorrigible. A coworker had warned that the ranger was a married man. She convinced herself that their repartee was only that.

    Katie felt like she’d been bucked from a horse and trampled by the end of her shift. She had worked a half hour overtime to finish packaging and shelving baked goods for customers. Bone weary she stamped her hourly card in the time clock. She walked home on complaining feet. The welcome relief that awaited once the shoes were shucked, foremost in her mind. Georgia was watching Adam since it was Saturday.

    She was surprised to open the front door to total silence. Hope nothing’s wrong? After setting her tote down she noticed Georgia and Adam sprawled on the couch fast asleep. Georgia snored her soft purr while Adam reflected the angelic image of slumbering infants. Katie smiled at the scene. Sat down to loosen and toss her shoes aside. Sighing at the immediate relief, she envisioned her toes thanking her. Then headed for the kitchen.

    The kettle whistled to signal the water was ready to brew a restorative cup of tea. A tray of chocolate chip cookies cooled on top of the stove. The aroma drew her. With a lack of self restraint she lifted four of them. Then sat at the table to savor her English Breakfast tea and snack in peace, feet elevated on a chair opposite. 

    Amy traipsed downstairs. Caught Katie stuffing freshly baked cookies in her mouth. “I thought I heard someone in here.” Hands on hips she pierced the culprit with an accusatory glare. 

    Guilt flashed across Katie’s face. “What? Aren’t these cookies for us?”

    “My Forest Service division is having a potluck tonight.” 

    “How was I to know that?” Katie whined. “You should have left a note saying, “Hands off”.

    The reproof and disappointment in front of her silenced any further defense. “I’m sorry--- How can I make it up to you?”

    Amy laughed. “You should see your face. I was messing with you.”

    Katie stood and raised her hands in a mock choking motion. 

    Georgia filled the doorway with Adam in her arms. “What’s going on in here? We could hear you two in the other room.” Adam reached for his mother.

    Katie hugged him close. “How’s my little boy? I hope he wasn’t any trouble, Georgia.”

    “He’s been his sweet self today. I believe a tooth popped through, so no more fussing.” Georgia swiped her hand across her forehead in feigned relief. 

    “We’ve been dragging our feet today,” said Amy. “Last night’s interrupted sleep did us in.” She patted Georgia’s arm. “Thank God you found that bottle of rum.”

    They giggled at the impromptu pain reliever used on Adam’s gums to quiet his crying jags during the night. 

    “I apologize for his disturbance. I know it’s not easy having a baby on the premises.”

    Georgia embraced both mother and baby. “Child, when are you going to get it? Adam is a valued addition to our family. He brings us joy we didn’t even know we lacked.”

    Katie pushed Adam in his stroller, Georgia and Amy walking alongside. The three had opted to buy food from street vendors for dinner that evening. The town center bustled with activity. Revelers danced on Main Street to polka music. Washington law dictated that all beer was to be consumed on restaurant property only to control drunken rowdiness. Many bystanders sat on camp chairs or horizontal stones placed among the landscaping around the gazebo. Bernese dogs stretched out comfortably with their owners, eyeing the merrymaking with interest. 

    Rookie Policeman Morrison circulated among the crowd, humming with the music. He patrolled the side streets past shops and hotels, looking for any signs of mischief. The officer assigned to stroll through outlying neighborhoods reported that all was quiet. Another officer covering the walking path that skirted the Wenatchee River also reported normal activity. Gunney thrived in his role of maintaining peace and harmony. This was the right job for him. It was where he belonged.

    Paramedic Harrison allowed curious youngsters to board the ambulance. He explained the interior instruments and machines designed to keep a patient alive on their run to a hospital. He let them listen to their own heart beats through the earpieces of his stethoscope. His medical unit was parked near the gazebo in plain sight of the attendees. He and his partner, Alice, took turns hanging by their rig. Distinctive uniforms identified them as medical personnel. Ron circulated among the crowd on Main Street primarily, a radio clipped to his collar. Ron felt he was where he belonged also. The job provided enough variety, his primary role being that of educating the public to keep them safe.   

    The roommates wended their way in front of the gazebo, claiming a spot on a vacant limestone slab near the food trucks and music. Adam’s feet kicked to the rhythm of the bass vibrations. Katie unbuckled and released him, holding his hands so he could dance unimpeded to the music. His face beamed with delight while Georgia and Amy clapped to egg him on. 

    “What does everyone want?” Georgia asked, gesturing towards the food trucks.”Amy, come with me to help carry.”

    “Do I look like a beast of burden to you?” Hands on thighs, she bent forward. “Hee Haw. Hee Haw.”  Stamping her feet like a mule.

    Adam shrieked in response, lifting his own feet, pulling against Katie’s hands, whooping at Amy’s antics.

    Georgia grabbed Amy’s arm. “Come here, you clown, before I muzzle you.” Chuckling, they trooped off to a food truck to place their orders.

    Katie sat on the bench-like stone, holding Adam while he sucked from his Playtex nurser.

     Gunney stood under a store awning, cleaning his sunglasses. He put them back on, continuing to scan the crowd for signs of potential trouble. Over by the landscape stones he thought he recognized a familiar face. Does that young mother look like Katie MacKenzie? Same strawberry blonde hair. Same small stature that might belong to a fifteen year old, cradling a baby on her lap. He blinked to clear his eyesight. Nope he wasn’t hallucinating. Darn, that is Katie. What’s she doing here?     

    He keyed his mike. “Paramedic Ron, where are you?” They were sharing the same frequency.

    Ron was startled to hear Gunny’s voice. “I’m in line by the food trucks. Thought I’d get some chow before heading back to the ambulance. What’s up?”

    “Take a look towards the gazebo and rock slabs. Who does that woman with the baby remind you of?”

    Ron stepped out of line to focus on the stones. “Holy s**t! Is that Katie MacKenzie?”

    “Thought I was seeing things. Thanks for the confirmation, partner. Let’s go.” He lengthened his stride to cover the distance fast without drawing attention from bystanders who might misinterpret his movements as danger.

    Ron was by his side in a flash, a big smile on his face. They slowed to an ambling walk to avoid scaring her. After all they were both in official uniforms. 

    Katie looked up from feeding Adam his bottle when their shadows announced their presence. “Oh my God. Gunny? Corporal? It can’t be?” Her hand flew to her mouth, disbelieving her eyes. “What are you doing here?” 

    “Katie MacKenzie. We’d like to ask you the same thing,” said Gunny, getting down on one knee so she didn’t have to strain her neck. “And who have we here? Hello little fella. You probably don’t remember us. We’re friends of your mother.”

    Ron sat cross-legged beside Gunny. “Can I hold him, Katie?” Stretching his arms toward Adam. “What a big boy you are. I helped bring you into the world.”

    Georgia and Amy ran to the group, food containers in hand, thinking something must be wrong for two uniformed men were hanging around Katie. “What’s happened?” yelled Georgia, panic in her voice. Amy stood by, worry etched on her face.

    Katie laughed at their consternation. “Relax guys. I want you to meet two very good friends of mine. Ron buzzed Adam’s ear, sending him into stitches, holding the baby on his lap. Gunny reached for the little fella. “It’s my turn. Stop hogging him to yourself.” Reluctantly, Ron handed Adam over to Gunny. Adam was used to strangers making a fuss over him. Being passed back and forth didn’t bother him at all. His experience with the world primarily friendly and safe.

    Georgia sat down, handing Katie’s food to her. “I have a feeling there’s a story here.”

    Amy sat on the other side of Katie, opening her own food container.

    Adam squirmed in Gunny’s grasp. His attention drawn to the food the women were starting to eat. “Mama. Mama.” Katie placed him in the stroller, opened a jar and offered spoonfuls of pureed banana, his mouth working like a hungry baby bird. 

    “Look at that guy eat,” Gunny exclaimed, standing up. “We’ll leave you ladies alone. Ron and I are on duty.”

    “I better get my own food and relieve my partner,” said Ron. “Katie, find me by the ambulance. Stop by before you leave. Drop off your address and phone number. Gunny and I are sharing an apartment in Claremont. Have to get together and catch up.” He sprinted to the nearest food truck.  

    Gunny’s mic crackled. “Victor here. An altercation in the Park.” Gunny replied, “Be right there.” Excusing himself. “Sorry. Duty calls.” He dashed to the river.