A Boy Wakes Up to His Mother’s Sighs

The boy awoke to his mothers low moan and slipped to her bedside.

Mum, does it hurt? he asked.

Matthew, fetch me some water! she replied.

Im on it, he darted to the kitchen, returned a minute later with a brimming mug.

Here, mum, drink.

A sharp rap sounded at the door.

Son, open up! Must be Aunt Nelly.

The neighbour entered, balancing a large jug.

How are you, Emma? she cooed, patting the boys head. Youve a fever, so Ive brought you hot milk with butter.

Ive already taken my medicine.

You need a hospital, proper treatment, and a decent meal. Your fridge is empty.

Aunt Nelly, Ive spent every penny on the medicine, the girl sobbed, tears spilling over her cheeks. Nothing works.

You should be in a hospital.

And who will look after Matthew?

If you die, who will watch him? Youre not even thirty, you have no husband, no money, the neighbour stroked her scalp gently. All right, dont weep.

What should I do?

Ill call a doctor, she said, pulling out her phone.

The line connected, the information was gathered.

They said a doctor will be here today. Ill go. When they arrive, Matthew will follow me.

The neighbour stepped into the hallway, the boy trailed behind.

Aunt Nelly, will Mum die?

I dont know. We must pray to God for help, but your mother doesnt believe.

And Grandfather God will help? the boys eyes glimmered with fragile hope.

You should go to church, light a candle and ask. Ill go now.

***

Matthew returned to his mother, his thoughts drifting.

Matthew, you must be hungry, but theres nothing. Bring two glasses.

When he poured milk into them, she said, Drink!

He drank, yet wanted more. Mary sensed it instantly. She struggled to her feet, fetched her purse from the table.

Only fifty pounds. Go buy two pastries and eat on the way; Ill whip something up here. Hurry!

She saw him to the door, then clung to the wall and shuffled back to the kitchen. Inside the fridge lay cheap fish tins, a slab of margarine, and on the windowsill a few potatoes and an onion.

A soup is needed

Her head swam, and she slumped onto a stool, whispering, Whats happening to me? Im spent. Half my holiday is gone, my moneys gone. If I dont work, how will I get Matthew to school? He starts firstgrade in a month. No relatives, no one to help. And this illness I should have gone to the clinic already. If they take me, who will look after Matthew?

She rose feebly and began peeling potatoes.

***

Hunger gnawed at her, but the boys mind wandered elsewhere:

Will Mum stay in bed all day? Will she truly die? Aunt Nelly said I must ask Grandfather God for aid. He halted, turned toward the church.

***

Six months after returning from the war, Nick trudged on a cane, his body a map of scars. He no longer cared about the injuries, nor his faded good looksno one would marry him now. He was a civilian, pension enough for a modest life, a modest contract sum still in the bank, but what use was it alone?

Outside the church, beggars lingered. Nick handed each a tenpound note, then asked,

Pray for my fallen mates, Ralph and Stanley!

Inside, he bought candles, lit them, and recited the prayer the vicar had taught him:

Remember us, O Lord

As he crossed himself, his friends seemed to stand before him, vivid as if alive. When he finished, he lingered, recalling his hard road.

A thin, frail boy stood by a cheap candle, eyes wide, unsure. An elderly woman approached.

Let me help you, she said, lighting his candle and showing him how to cross himself. Tell the Lord why youre here.

Matthew stared at the icon, then whispered,

Help, Grandfather God! Mum is ill, I have no one else. Make her well. She has no money for medicine. Ill soon go to school, but I dont even have a satchel

Nick froze, watching the boys desperate plea. His own troubles faded; they seemed trivial now. He wanted to shout to the world, No one helped this kid buy his mother medicine, let alone a school bag!

The boy waited for a miracle.

Boy, come with me! Nick declared.

Where to? the terrified child asked, eyeing the stickhanded stranger.

Well find out what medicine Mum needs and go to the chemist.

Is that true?

The Almighty sent me your request.

The boys eyes brightened.

Lets go! Whats your name?

Matthew.

Im Uncle Nick.

***

From the flat, Mum and the neighbour shouted,

Aunt Nelly, shes written a prescription, says the medicines pricey. Where will I find the cash? Ive only five hundred pounds left.

The boy flung the door open, the voices fell silent. The neighbour peeked out, whispering to the stranger, Molly, look!

Molly stepped out, frozen in fear.

Mum, what medicine do you need? Uncle Nick and I will fetch it.

Who are you? Mary asked, startled.

Everything will be fine, Nick smiled, hand over the prescriptions!

But I only have five hundred pounds.

Well find the money, Nick placed a hand on the boys shoulder.

Mum, give us the scripts!

Mary handed them over, sensing something kind behind Nicks stern face.

The neighbour, recovering, muttered, You dont even know him.

Aunt Nelly, I think hes good-hearted!

Right, Molly, Im off!

***

Mary waited for her son, who had gone with the stranger, and almost forgot her own ailment. At last the door swung open, and her son burst in, face alight.

Mum, we bought the medicine and some treats for tea.

The man stood beside him, smiling now, his oncegrim visage softened.

Thank you! Mary bowed slightly. Please, come in.

He struggled to remove his boots, his nerves evident, and shuffled into the kitchen.

Take a seat, the lady said.

He sat, turning his head, unsure where to place his cane.

Ill set it for you, she offered, positioning it within reach. Sorry, theres little to offer you.

The medicines here, Mum, the boy announced, laying out the groceries.

Oh, thank you! Mary exclaimed, noticing most of the items were sweets, a bag of expensive tea leaves among them. Ill make the tea now.

She began steeping, feeling her illness ease, perhaps merely wanting to look presentable for the gentleman. He sensed her thoughts and asked,

Mary, arent you feeling a bit faint?

Nothing, Ill take my medicine now. Thank you!

They sipped fragrant tea with biscuits, glancing at the boy who animatedly chatted. Their eyes met now and then, the warmth of the moment holding them together. Eventually, the pleasant interlude faded.

Thank you, dear, Nick rose, grabbing his cane. I must be off. You need to rest.

Thank you so much! the lady replied, also rising. I dont know how to thank you.

He headed toward the hall, with Mum and her son following.

Uncle Nick, will you come again?

Of course! Once Mum is better, well all go buy a schoolbag for you.

***

Nick departed. Mary cleared the table, washed the dishes, and said,

Son, watch the telly while I rest.

She lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

***

Two weeks passed; the illness receded, the costly medicine having worked. Mary even returned to work, eager for the endofmonth rush, glad the pay would come. August was here, and she needed to ready her son for school.

That Saturday they rose as usual, ate breakfast.

Matthew, get ready! Were going to the shop. See what you need for school.

Did you get any money?

Not yet, but next Saturday theyll pay. I borrowed a thousand pounds; well pick up groceries on the way back.

Just then the intercom buzzed.

Whos there? the lady asked.

Mary, its Nick

She tried to speak, but the womans finger already pressed the dooropen button.

Mom, whos that? the boy called from his room.

Uncle Nick! she exclaimed, unable to hide her joy.

Yay!

He stepped in, still leaning on his cane, but his appearance had changed: fine trousers, a crisp shirt, a modern haircut.

Uncle Nick, Ive been waiting, the boy shouted, dashing forward.

I promised you, Nick replied, his eyes sparkling. Hello, Mary!

Hello, Nick!

The sudden use of first names surprised them both, but delighted them.

Are you ready? Lets go!

Where to? Mary, still dazed, asked.

Matthews school is soon.

Nick, I

I promised Matthew, and promises must be kept.

***

Mary always watched the price tags, never splurging, for she had no spare cash, no kin, no husband. Apart from a college boyfriend who vanished, she was alone. Now a man, eyes full of affection for her son, bought everything he needed without a second thought, only asking her opinion.

They piled into a taxi and headed home.

The man stopped her in the kitchen.

Mary, shall we all go for a walk and have lunch somewhere?

Mum, lets go! the boy shouted, running to her.

***

That night Mary lay awake, replaying the days images. His eyes, brimming with love, clashed with her thoughts.

He’s ugly and lame, reason declared.

Hes kind, decent, and looks at me with such care, the heart replied.

Hes fifteen years older.

So what? He treats my son like a father.

You could still find a handsome, fit peer.

No, Ive already had one. I need someone reliable and goodnatured.

But you never dreamed of this, reason argued.

Now I do!

Your preferences shift so fast?

I met him I love him!

Their wedding unfolded in the same church where Nick and Matthew had first met three months earlier. Nick and Mary stood before the altar; his cane was gone, and Matthew, eyes fixed on the saints image hed once spoken to, spoke from his heart:

Thank you, Grandfather God!