He was barely sixteen when he brought her home the girl, already visibly pregnant, a year older than him.
Emily attended the same vocational college as Jake, though in a different year. For several days he watched the unfamiliar girl huddle in the corner, crying softly to herself. He couldnt miss the rounding of her belly, the same clothes repeated for weeks, or the hollow, hopeless look in her eyes.
Nearly everyone seemed to know her story The grandson of a prominent businessman in Birmingham had been seeing her until he vanished without warning, claiming urgent matters in Manchester. His parents wanted nothing to do with her and said so outright.
Her own family, acting as if trapped in another era and terrified of the disgrace, threw her out of the house and retreated to their cottage in the country. Some offered Emily sympathy, while others mocked her behind her back.
She brought this on herself. She should have used her head!
Jake could no longer stand by and watch. After thinking it through, he walked over.
It wont be easy, so stop crying. I think you should move in with me; we could even get married. But Ill say it straightI dont know how to lie and I wont pretend everythings perfect. Ill just be there for you, and I promise well get through this.
Emily wiped her tears and looked at the boy. What was there to say An ordinary lad with no polish. She had pictured a very different sort of husband! Yet with no real choice in her situation, Emily went with him.
His parents were stunned; his mother begged Jake to come to his senses, but he held firm.
Mom, dont overreactwell manage somehow. Ive got two scholarships, the regular one and the needs-based one. Ill pick up extra work; well be fine!
But you wanted to go to university!
So what? People get by. Dads worked his whole life in the factory, and you in the shop. Folks without degrees live just fine. Mom, this isnt the end of the world!
Emily moved into Jakes room. He gave her his bed and took the uncomfortable fold-out sofa instead. For several days she stayed very quiet. Like a shadow, she followed him hand in hand to college and back, until at last she exploded.
Ive had enough! Why do your parents give me those looks? They dont like me! And why wont you spend time with me? Youre always buried in books or disappearing somewhere?!
Jake was taken aback.
Dont you think thats to be expected? They may not like you, but they took you in and they dont harass you. Dirty looks? Your own family doesnt even want to see you. Where are the parents of your childs father? I study because I dont want to get kicked out after the first year, and the scholarship helps. Disappear? Because I work extra shifts and Im not in the mood to watch weepy shows with you.
Emily burst into tears.
Why talk to me like that?
What do you mean? I told you I cant lie. Anyway, when are we going to the registry office?
I cant go like thisbuy me a nice dress with a high waist so the bump doesnt show.
What are you talking about? Well bring the pregnancy note; a dress isnt needed. I still have to save for the pram and cot
His mother reached for some calming drops but slowly came to terms with things, glancing more often at baby clothes. After all, nothing terrible was happening Let them live, let them marry, and she and his father would help however they could. It was just that this girl seemed ungrateful, always dissatisfiedwith Jake, with them, with the cramped flat. Maybe once she gave birth she would change.
Yet Emily had no plans to change. When Jake came home filthy and exhausted from the car wash, carrying in a scrawny cat, she flew into a rage.
You idiot! What do we need this ragged cat for? Get rid of her! Throw her out of the flat!
Jake only smiled.
No, shes pregnant too. Shes staying, so dont even start. Just be quiet and warm up my dinner.
Really?! Emily nearly shrieked. Choose! Her or me! That creature is looking at me sideways too!
Why? Jake stared at her in disbelief. This is my home and I dont have to choose. Shes my cat, and if she bothers you, you can leave. Even my mother never set conditions like that. Maybe its time you stopped looking down on everyone?
Emily grew hysterical, crying and burning with jealousy toward the thin, neglected cat. Where had Jake even noticed a belly on her? But the belly appearedthe cat really was pregnant.
Jake was worn out, yet whenever pity threatened to rise, he pushed the thoughts away. They would manage somehow. Emily would have the baby and settle down, and the cat would provide some distraction first. Fluffy kittens would lift everyones spirits.
But everything turned out differently His grandfather, the well-known entrepreneur from Birmingham, returned from a long business trip and learned the truth. He tracked down his grandson, gave him a harsh talking-to, and declared he would cut him off from the money if the great-grandchild was raised in some other family. The boy dreaded losing that kind of support.
Emily left with him that same day, without even saying goodbye to Jake. Luckily she had her documents with hershe had been heading to the doctor after class. She dismissed her belongings with a wave; they would buy her new ones! And she would never return to that rundown vocational college!
Jake was crushed How could she? She hadnt said goodbye, phoned, or uttered a word. He threw out all her things and sat alone in the dark for a long time, hugging his cat.
The cat understood everything. She quietly curled against him, sensing he needed her. She offered sympathy, purring softly and comforting him.
Jake handled her labor himself, keeping his anxious mother and bewildered father away from the cat. He sat beside her, speaking gently and calming her. He watched to ensure everything went smoothly and kept his phone ready to call the vet if needed.
It all went well; the cat delivered four tiny kittens. Jake changed the bedding, brought fresh water and food. He checked once more that everything was in order, and then, exhausted, he closed his eyes, feeling the smallest kitten nestle into his palm. He thought that sometimes animals showed more gratitude than people.He was barely sixteen when he brought her home the girl, already visibly pregnant, a year older than him.
Emily attended the same vocational college as Jake, though in a different year. For several days he watched the unfamiliar girl huddle in the corner, crying softly to herself. He couldnt miss the rounding of her belly, the same clothes repeated for weeks, or the hollow, hopeless look in her eyes.
Nearly everyone seemed to know her story The grandson of a prominent businessman in Birmingham had been seeing her until he vanished without warning, claiming urgent matters in Manchester. His parents wanted nothing to do with her and said so outright.
Her own family, acting as if trapped in another era and terrified of the disgrace, threw her out of the house and retreated to their cottage in the country. Some offered Emily sympathy, while others mocked her behind her back.
She brought this on herself. She should have used her head!
Jake could no longer stand by and watch. After thinking it through, he walked over.
It wont be easy, so stop crying. I think you should move in with me; we could even get married. But Ill say it straightI dont know how to lie and I wont pretend everythings perfect. Ill just be there for you, and I promise well get through this.
Emily wiped her tears and looked at the boy. What was there to say An ordinary lad with no polish. She had pictured a very different sort of husband! Yet with no real choice in her situation, Emily went with him.
His parents were stunned; his mother begged Jake to come to his senses, but he held firm.
Mom, dont overreactwell manage somehow. Ive got two scholarships, the regular one and the needs-based one. Ill pick up extra work; well be fine!
But you wanted to go to university!
So what? People get by. Dads worked his whole life in the factory, and you in the shop. Folks without degrees live just fine. Mom, this isnt the end of the world!
Emily moved into Jakes room. He gave her his bed and took the uncomfortable fold-out sofa instead. For several days she stayed very quiet. Like a shadow, she followed him hand in hand to college and back, until at last she exploded.
Ive had enough! Why do your parents give me those looks? They dont like me! And why wont you spend time with me? Youre always buried in books or disappearing somewhere?!
Jake was taken aback.
Dont you think thats to be expected? They may not like you, but they took you in and they dont harass you. Dirty looks? Your own family doesnt even want to see you. Where are the parents of your childs father? I study because I dont want to get kicked out after the first year, and the scholarship helps. Disappear? Because I work extra shifts and Im not in the mood to watch weepy shows with you.
Emily burst into tears.
Why talk to me like that?
What do you mean? I told you I cant lie. Anyway, when are we going to the registry office?
I cant go like thisbuy me a nice dress with a high waist so the bump doesnt show.
What are you talking about? Well bring the pregnancy note; a dress isnt needed. I still have to save for the pram and cot
His mother reached for some calming drops but slowly came to terms with things, glancing more often at baby clothes. After all, nothing terrible was happening Let them live, let them marry, and she and his father would help however they could. It was just that this girl seemed ungrateful, always dissatisfiedwith Jake, with them, with the cramped flat. Maybe once she gave birth she would change.
Yet Emily had no plans to change. When Jake came home filthy and exhausted from the car wash, carrying in a scrawny cat, she flew into a rage.
You idiot! What do we need this ragged cat for? Get rid of her! Throw her out of the flat!
Jake only smiled.
No, shes pregnant too. Shes staying, so dont even start. Just be quiet and warm up my dinner.
Really?! Emily nearly shrieked. Choose! Her or me! That creature is looking at me sideways too!
Why? Jake stared at her in disbelief. This is my home and I dont have to choose. Shes my cat, and if she bothers you, you can leave. Even my mother never set conditions like that. Maybe its time you stopped looking down on everyone?
Emily grew hysterical, crying and burning with jealousy toward the thin, neglected cat. Where had Jake even noticed a belly on her? But the belly appearedthe cat really was pregnant.
Jake was worn out, yet whenever pity threatened to rise, he pushed the thoughts away. They would manage somehow. Emily would have the baby and settle down, and the cat would provide some distraction first. Fluffy kittens would lift everyones spirits.
But everything turned out differently His grandfather, the well-known entrepreneur from Birmingham, returned from a long business trip and learned the truth. He tracked down his grandson, gave him a harsh talking-to, and declared he would cut him off from the money if the great-grandchild was raised in some other family. The boy dreaded losing that kind of support.
Emily left with him that same day, without even saying goodbye to Jake. Luckily she had her documents with hershe had been heading to the doctor after class. She dismissed her belongings with a wave; they would buy her new ones! And she would never return to that rundown vocational college!
Jake was crushed How could she? She hadnt said goodbye, phoned, or uttered a word. He threw out all her things and sat alone in the dark for a long time, hugging his cat.
The cat understood everything. She quietly curled against him, sensing he needed her. She offered sympathy, purring softly and comforting him.
Jake handled her labor himself, keeping his anxious mother and bewildered father away from the cat. He sat beside her, speaking gently and calming her. He watched to ensure everything went smoothly and kept his phone ready to call the vet if needed.
It all went well; the cat delivered four tiny kittens. Jake changed the bedding, brought fresh water and food. He checked once more that everything was in order, and then, exhausted, he closed his eyes, feeling the smallest kitten nestle into his palm. He thought that sometimes animals showed more gratitude than people.
