The Boy Awoke to His Mother’s Sighs

The boy wakes to his mothers groan. He leans over her bed.

Mum, does it hurt? he asks.

Matt, fetch me some water! she snaps.

Im on it, he darts to the kitchen.

A minute later he returns with a full mug.

Here, Mum, drink up.

A knock sounds at the door.

Son, answer it! It must be Aunt Nora.

The neighbour steps in, holding a large mug.

How are you, Lucy? she coos, patting the boys head. Youve got a fever. I brought you some hot milk with butter.

Ive already taken my medicine, Lucy says.

You need a hospital, the neighbour replies. Your diets poor and your fridge is empty.

Mrs. Nora, Ive spent all my money on medicine, the girl sobs, eyes brimming. Nothing works.

Get you into a hospital then.

And who will look after me, Matt? she asks.

What will you do if you die? Youre not even thirty, you have no husband, no money, Aunt Nora scratches the girls head. Dont cry, love.

What should I do?

Ill call a doctor, Aunt Nora says, pulling out her phone.

She dials, gathers the information, and says, Theyll send someone today. Ill go. When they arrive, Ill take Matt with me.

The neighbour steps into the hallway, and Matt follows.

Aunt Nora, will my mum die?

I dont know. You have to ask God for help, but your mum doesnt believe in Him.

Will God really help? Matts eyes shine with hope.

You need to go to church, light a candle and pray. Im going now.

***

Matt returns to his mother, looking thoughtful.

Matt, you probably want something to eat, but theres nothing left. Bring two glasses.

He brings them; she pours milk into each.

Drink!

She finishes, then feels hungry again. She barely manages to sit up, snatches her purse from the table and says, Ive got fifty pence. Go buy two rolls and eat on the way, Ill sort something else. She waves him to the door and, leaning against the wall, heads to the kitchen. The fridge holds cheap tinned fish, a slab of margarine, and on the windowsill a couple of potatoes and an onion.

Need to make soup

She feels dizzy, slumps onto a stool and thinks, Whats happening to me? Ive no energy. Half my holidays gone, Im out of cash. If I dont go back to work, how will I get Matt to school? He starts firstgrade next month. I have no relatives to help, and this illness I should have gone to the clinic ages ago. What will happen to Matt if Im taken away?

She forces herself up and starts peeling potatoes.

***

Hunger gnaws at her, but Matts mind drifts elsewhere:

Did Mum really stay in bed all day yesterday? Is she going to die? Aunt Nora said I should ask the Good Lord for help. He stops, turns toward the church, and heads that way.

***

Nick, a veteran, limps along with a cane, his body scarred from the war he returned from half a year ago. He no longer worries about the wounds; the facial scars no longer matterno one will marry him anyway. Hes now a civilian, drawing a modest pension and a couple of hundred pounds saved in the bank, but it feels pointless to hoard it.

Outside the church, a few beggars sit. Nick pulls out several tenpound notes, hands them out and says, Pray for my fallen mates, Ron and Steve.

He steps inside, buys candles, lights them, and recites the prayer the vicar taught him:

Remember us, O Lord.

As he prays, vivid images of his friends appear before his eyes. When he finishes, he stands, recalling how hard life has been.

A small, thin boy stands by a cheap candle, looking lost. An elderly woman approaches.

Let me help you, she says, lighting his candle and placing it.

Now cross yourself properly and tell the Lord why youre here, she instructs.

Matt watches the statue, then speaks, Help me, Lord! My mums ill. I have nobody else. Make her well. She cant afford medicine. Im about to go to school, but I dont even have a bag

Nick freezes, watching the boy. His own worries shrink in comparison. He wants to shout, Someone could have bought her medicine, and even a school bag! but the boy just waits for a miracle.

Boy, come with me, Nick says decisively.

Where to? the boy asks, eyes wide at the imposing man with a cane.

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

Are you serious?

The Lord sent me your request.

Really? the boys eyes light up.

Lets go, Nick smiles. Whats your name?

Matt.

Call me Uncle Nick.

***

From the flat, voices rise.

Aunt Nora, the doctor said the meds are expensive. How am I supposed to afford them? Ive only got five hundred pence left.

Matt throws open the door. The voices cease. The neighbour peeks out, trembling, and whispers, Matt, look!

Lucy steps out, frozen in fear.

Matt, what medicines does your mum need? Uncle Nick and I will go to the chemist and buy them, Nick says.

Who are you? Mary asks, surprised.

Itll be alright, Nick replies, placing a hand on the boys shoulder. Give us the prescriptions.

I only have five hundred pence, Mary admits.

Well find the money, Nick assures. Well sort it out together.

Mary hands over the prescriptions. Somehow, despite his stern face, Nick seems kind.

Aunt Nora, I think hes a good man! the neighbour exclaims.

Alright, Lucy, Im off! she says, hurrying away.

***

Mary waits for her son, who has gone with Nick, and forgets her own illness for a moment. Soon the front door bursts open; her son rushes in, his face bright.

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

Nick stands at the doorway, smiling, no longer looking frightening.

Thank you, Mary says, bowing slightly. Please, come in.

Nick struggles with his shoes, clearly nervous, and shuffles into the kitchen.

Sit down, Mary invites.

He seats himself, turning his head, unsure where to put his cane.

Here, Ill put it for you, she offers, placing the cane within reach. Sorry, I dont have much to offer you.

Matt places the groceries on the table.

Goodness, youre spoiling us! Mary exclaims, noting that half the food is sweets. She spots a packet of pricey tea and says, Ill brew some now.

She starts making tea, and for a moment she pretends the illness isnt there, perhaps just to look decent in front of the man. He asks gently, Mary, arent you feeling a bit pale?

Its nothing, Ill have my medicine now. Thank you, she replies.

They sip fragrant tea with biscuits, occasionally glancing at the boy who chatters animatedly. Their eyes meet now and then, and everyone seems content sharing the table. Yet all good things eventually end.

Thank you, really, Nick says, standing and grabbing his cane. I must be off. You all need to keep looking after yourselves.

Thank you!, Mary adds, also rising. I dont know how to thank you enough.

He heads toward the hallway, with Mary and the boy following.

Uncle Nick, will you come again?

Of course! Your mum will get better, and well all go shopping for your school bag.

***

Nick leaves. Mary clears the table, washes the dishes.

Son, watch TV while I rest a bit, she says, lying down and quickly falling asleep.

***

Two weeks pass. The illness recedes, the expensive medicine having worked. Mary even returns to work, the end of the month always a scramble, and shes glad theyll pay her for these days. August has begun, and she needs to get her son ready for school.

On Saturday they rise as usual, have breakfast.

Matt, get ready! Were going to the shop. Lets see what you need for school.

Did you get my allowance?

Not yet, but Ill get it by next Saturday. I borrowed a hundred pounds; well pick up some groceries on the way back.

Just as theyre about to leave, the intercom buzzes.

Whos that? Mary asks.

Its Nick the voice says, but before he can finish, Mary presses the doorrelease button.

Mom, whos there? Matt calls from his room.

Uncle Nick! Mary cant hide her delight.

Yay!

He steps in, still leaning on his cane, but his clothes are now sharpdesigner trousers, a crisp shirt, a fresh haircut.

Uncle Nick, Ive been waiting for you, Matt exclaims, rushing over.

I promised you, Nick says, eyes sparkling. Hello, Mary!

Hello, Nick! she replies, surprised by the sudden familiarity.

Are you ready? Lets go!

Where to? Mary, still a bit dazed, asks.

Matts school is coming up.

I but I have

I promised Matt, and I keep promises.

Mary always watches the price tags, because she has little money, no relatives, no husbandaside from a college boyfriend who vanished. Now a man stands beside her, admiring her son, buying everything he needs without worrying about cost, only asking her opinion.

They take a taxi home, laden with bags.

Mary, Nick says, lets go out for a walk and have lunch somewhere.

Mom, lets go! Matt shouts, tugging at his mothers sleeve.

***

That night Mary cant sleep. The day keeps replaying in her mindhis eyes full of love, her rational mind arguing, Hes ugly and lame, while her heart whispers, Hes kind, he looks at me with love. She thinks, Hes fifteen years older, and answers, So what? Hes like a father to my son. She wonders, Do I even need a handsome, fit partner? I already had one. I want someone reliable and caring.

She doubts, But I never wanted a man like this, yet she admits, Now I love him.

Their wedding takes place in the same church where Nick and Matt first met three months ago. Nick stands at the altar, his cane set aside, while Matt watches the statue of the saint he prayed to months before. From deep within, Matt whispers, Thank you, Lord.