ago. He decided it was wise not
to share that thought with her. He no longer wanted to be with her, but he did
not want to see her like this.
“Say, what yer need tae say Katie. Then, I’m going tae call
yer a taxi tae take yer home.”
“I don’t have a home anymore. We moved in with my parents,” she
stated.
“Well, I’m glad there was somewhere fer yer tae go. Yer will
get through this Katie, yer will find a new place tae
live.”
Katie laughed.
“You just really don’t get it, do you? I have no income. Not
much chance of getting another teaching job. I have nothing. I am a loser. I am
going to be living with my parents for the rest of my life,” she said, angrily.
She appeared to be desperately trying to hold back tears.
“Yer will be fine. Yer are strong. Is that what yer needed tae tell me?” he asked.
“No. I want us to get back together,” Katie pleaded.
Scott noticed she was still wearing her engagement ring.
“Katie, yer have nae idea how much I wanted tae spend the
rest of my life with yer. But, things have changed. And, yer know why.”
“I’m pregnant,” Katie announced. She looked down and put her
head in her hands.
Scott was shocked. He didn’t really believe her. He thought
it was just another way she was trying to manipulate him to get back together.
But, then again, it was possible. They did sleep together less than a month ago.
So what she said couldn’t be completely ignored.
“Katie, yer are a guid mother. I have seen what yer have
done fer yer girls. I know yer would nae ever drink if yer were pregnant. So,
please dinnae say things like this.”
“It’s true Scott. I just found out a few days ago. I don’t
know what to do,” she said, breaking down again.
“I dinnae know what tae say Katie. I just dinnae trust what
yer say tae me anymore. I’m sorry.”
“Come to the doctors with me if you don’t believe me. I need
you Scott. Do not leave me now, please.”
“We’ll talk aboot this tomorrow. Yer need tae sleep.”
“Can I stay here?”
Scott was torn. He didn’t really believe her. And he
definitely didn’t want to encourage her. But, if she was telling the truth, he
would want to be involved. Plus, he didn’t want her driving, or to put her in a
taxi. It was a journey of forty miles.
“I dinnae think it’s a guid idea. I will drive yer haem tae
yer parent’s house and yer can come back fer yer car tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll drive myself,” she snapped at
him.
“That’s up tae yer. But, as soon as yer start yer car, I’ll
call the police and tell them yer driving drunk.”
“You’re a bastard! Do you know that?”
“I’m nae going tae argue with yer, Katie. I’m driving yer
haem and that’s final.”
Scott took her hand and led her to his car.
It was cold outside and had started to snow. He didn’t
really want to be heading out on an eighty mile, round-trip after midnight. But,
he felt it was the right thing to do. He knew he’d never forgive himself if she
drove and got into an accident and hurt someone else or herself, especially, if
she really was pregnant. Scott helped her into the car. She stopped objecting
very quickly, she was tired. He got in the car, and had driven only a few
minutes when she fell asleep. When they arrived at her parent’s house, she was
still asleep. Scott tried to wake her gently, but she didn’t respond. He
doubted anyone would still be awake in the house, but he knocked on the front
door, anyway. After a few seconds, Katie’s mother came to the door. It was late
and she was wearing a dressing gown.
“ Scott, is Katie with you?” she
asked, frantically.
“Aye, she’s asleep in the car. She came tae my house drunk
and I would nae let her drive herself haem.”
“Oh thank goodness. I have been so worried. She went out
earlier and said she wouldn’t be gone long.”
They returned to Scott’s car and helped Katie out of the
passenger’s seat. She stirred, but still
Jon Krakauer, David Roberts, Alison Anderson, Valerian Albanov