I Want To Live

Chapter Twenty-one

    Katie drove her newly purchased Subaru Outback to Chelan, trailing Grandpa’s vehicle. They had stayed two nights in Claremont, the “Apple Capital of Washington” according to its welcome sign. She had clothes for work, comfortable black shoes, an account at the American Bank, and a place to stay with a year’s lease. Her head ached, events were moving too fast. Her foremost concern, What do I do about Adam?

    The drive along Highway 97A north was slow. Speed reduced to thirty-five miles an houronce they approached Entiat. A yellow highway sign displayed the silhouette of a mountain sheep with curved horns. This was a popular corridor the mammals used to gain access to the Columbia River. The harsh snowy winters in the mountains to her left drove the herd down to lower elevations where grazing was more accessible. Katie scanned the roadsides carefully. There might be a few lingering sheep who hadn’t departed for higher ground yet. Hitting one of those animals could do serious damage to your car.

    The pink blossoms of the orchards looked like cotton candy had descended on the pruned trunks lined in precise rows, bringing to mind soldiers at parade rest. The road followed the bends of the river that flowed swiftly on her right with the added meltwater from the peaks. The roadway curved left and banked at the rock strewn cliffs marching down to the river’s edge. An engineered tunnel cut through nature’s obstruction, allowing access to the high country on the other side. Driving through, Katie noticed two coyotes tearing into the carcass of a deer on the shoulder. She could hear her ranger father, Learn from Nature. The weak and sick animals provide food for the strong. That way the gene pool remains healthy. She hated that. He was so pragmatic. 

    Her thoughts flipped to the familiar exhilaration she always experienced when the majestic view of Lake Chelan presented itself. The road descended steeply to halt at a T intersection. Turning right, she drove beside the clear blue water and pulled into the long-term parking lot of the Ferry building. Katie joined Harold on the dock.

    “Thank you for everything, Grandpa. I’ll make you proud of me,” she said, leaning her strawberry-blonde head against his chest.

    He laid a loving hand on her burnished hair. “We’re already proud of you, Katie. Never forget that.”

    They boarded the Lady of the Lake with the other passengers.

    Meg held Adam’s squirming body while they watched the Ferry dock. Crewmen tied the boat securely with thick ropes before allowing passengers to disembark. Her muscles strained to prevent his tumbling, he was so excited.

     “Mama!”, he squealed, kicking his feet. 

    Katie ran to him with open arms, relieving Grandma of the wiggling child. “How is my little boy?” she cooed, kissing his face all over while he laughed in glee. “I missed you, Adam.”

    Harold embraced his wife.

    “How did it go?” she asked. 

    “We managed to accomplish more than I thought we would.” He buzzed her ear and whispered, “I missed you.”

    “Stop it, you devil.” Swatting his arm in jest. “I was so busy taking care of our little one to even give a thought to you.” She graced him with a lopsided smile and winked. They walked to the golf cart, arms around each other.

    Katie observed them, sighing, Hope I can have a marriage like theirs someday. “Gosh, Adam, what have you been eating? You’re almost too heavy for me to carry you anymore.” 

A feeling of complete peace settled over Katie on the ride to the Lodge. Stehekin possessed a calming energy. My grandparents are so blessed to be living here year round. 

    Dinner was not a quiet affair. Adam sat in a highchair, kicking his legs. Meg managed to spoon pureed steamed carrots and chicken into his mouth despite his swiveling head. He sucked from a Playtex nursing bottle between spoonfuls. Milk swiped from his chin and splotches of food decorated the terry cloth towel tied around his neck. Having finished eating, he swept the empty bowl and spoon off the tray with a chubby hand before anyone could stop him. Katie gasped in dismay at his behavior.

    “Now you know why his chair is on a strip of oilcloth,” said Meg laughing. “There’s a washcloth near the sink to clean him up.” She directed the comment to Katie who stared blankly.

    “He’s your child, mother.” She resumed eating and smiled at Harold.

    Katie groaned, walked over to the sink then cleaned Adam with the wet cloth. Not an easy task for he twisted from her grasp, laughing at the game. She went to pick him up. His body caught on the tray. She had forgotten to release it forward. Adam howled. He didn’t like the way she tried to remove him. “Oh, for pity’s sake. You aren’t hurt that bad.” His cries unnerved her. Adam sensed the negative energy from his mother, stretching his arms out to Meg.

    Frustrated. Exasperated. Defeated. Katie rushed from the room crying herself.

    Shaking her head in sympathy for both of them, Meg got up and released Adam from the highchair. Rocking him in her arms to calm the boy. Harold was about to go after Katie. Meg stopped him with a stern “no” movement of her head. “Leave Katie alone for a while. She’ll get over it.”

    Katie paced in her room after her crying jag. She felt sorry for herself. Her own child didn’t feel comfortable with her. The episode was a foretaste of their future relationship if there were prolonged absences. She didn’t blame Adam. He needed time to feel comfortable with her again. She stood before the window looking out across the lake. I’ll have to meet my roommates and tell them of my situation quickly. I also need to take that Food Service class. Two weeks tops to settle things. Grandma and Grandpa are good sports but they shouldn’t have to raise my baby.

    She traipsed downstairs, finding Meg in the kitchen washing pots and pans. “I’m sorry, Grandma. I shouldn’t have run off like that.” 

    Meg turned to face her, arms outstretched, soap bubbles clinging to her fingers. Katie allowed herself to be embraced, tears welling. She shuddered against her grandmother. 

    When composed and calm she backed away. “Grandma, I start work in two weeks. There’s a class I have to take and I need to talk to the other women in the house. Let them know about Adam.” She paused. “Pray for me, Grandma. That things will work out. That I’ll be able to raise Adam on my own.” Katie paced the kitchen. “Can you manage during that time?” Meg nodded. “I’ll leave with my things in the morning then, so I can get settled in the house.”

    Harold sat on the floor, playing with Adam. He cast a questioning look to Meg after Katie dashed upstairs to pack. Meg sat beside him, draping her arm across his shoulders. “I don’t envy her.” 

    Adam raised his butt, tucked his legs under, then hiked his chest over his arms. He moved one hand forward, then the opposite knee. The other knee moved to join its mate. He inched closer to the toy he wanted. Grabbed it, pleased with himself. Unable to maintain his balance he rolled onto his side and mouthed the stuffed giraffe. 

    “Katie!” they shouted. “Adam just tried to crawl.”

    She heard their exclamation and bounded down the steps. “You clever boy, you.”

    “Walking comes next. Then the trouble begins.” Meg laughed.