23April 2023
Dear Diary,
I was roused this morning by the low groan of my wife, Mary. I shuffled over to her bedside and asked, Love, does it hurt?
She rasped, Matthew, fetch me some water!
On it, I replied, darting to the kitchen. A minute later I returned, cradling a full mug. Here you go, lovedrink up.
A sudden rap at the front door broke the quiet.
Son, open up! It must be Aunt Nora, called a voice from outside.
The neighbour, Mrs. Molly Hart, slipped in holding a steaming mug of hot milk with a knob of butter. How are you, Molly? she brushed Marys hair. Youve a fever. I brought you some warm milk.
Mary whispered, Ive already taken my medicine.
Nurse, you need a proper checkup and a decent diet. Your fridge is empty.
Tears welled in Marys eyes. Ive spent every penny on medsnothing works.
Off to hospital, then.
Who will look after Matthew if Im gone?
Aunt Nora stroked Marys scalp gently. Wholl watch him if you pass? Youre not even thirty yet, and you have no husband or savings. Dont weep, dear.
What should we do? Mary asked.
Ill call a doctor, Nora said, fumbling for her phone. After a few rings she learned that a doctor could be here by evening. Hell be on his way. Matthew will come with me.
Nora walked into the hall, and Matthew followed, his small hand clinging to her sleeve.
Grandma Nora, will Mum die? he whispered.
I dont know. We have to pray to God for help, but she doesnt believe.
Will God help? The hope in the boys eyes glittered.
You must go to church, light a candle, beg Him. Ill go with you.
***
Later, Matthew returned to his mother, thoughtful.
Matthew, youre probably hungry, but theres nothing left. Bring two glasses.
He obliged, and Mary poured milk into them. Drink.
He did, yet his stomach growled for more. Mary, understanding instantly, pulled herself up from the chair, fetched her purse and counted out fifty pence.
Buy two scones on the way, and Ill whip something up here. Hurry!
She escorted him to the door, leaned against the wall and trudged back to the kitchen. In the fridge lay cheap tinned fish, a slab of margarine; on the windowsill lay a few potatoes and an onion.
Need to make soup
Her head swam, and she sank onto a stool, whispering to herself, Whats happening to me? Ive no strength left. Half my holiday is over, the moneys gone. If I dont work, how will I send Matthew to school? He starts firstgrade next month. No relatives, no help. This illness I should have gone to the clinic ages ago. If they admit me now, who will look after Matthew?
She forced herself up and began peeling potatoes.
***
Hunger gnawed at her, but Matthews thoughts drifted elsewhere:
Mother lay in bed all day yesterday. Will she die? Aunt Nora said I should pray to God. He stopped, turned toward the church down the lane.
***
Half a year ago, I returned from the army, barely alive. I now walk with a cane, the scars across my body a map of battle, the ones on my face a reminder that no one will ever ask me to marry. My pension will keep me comfortable; the contract money saved in the bank will last another two years. Yet I feel useless.
By the church steps, beggars huddled. I pulled out a few tenpound notes, handed them out, and asked, Please pray for my fallen comrades, Roman and Stan.
Inside, I bought candles and lit them while reciting the prayer Father Thomas had taught me:
Remember us, O Lord our God
As I knelt, the faces of my friends seemed to stand before me, alive. When the prayer ended, I lingered, recalling the hard road behind me.
A thin, frail boy stood beside a cheap candle, eyes wide. An elderly woman approached him.
Come, let me help you, she said, lighting his candle and placing it on the altar. Now pray properly and tell the Lord why youre here.
Matthew stared at the crucifix, then whispered, Help, God! Mum is ill. I have no one else. Make her well. She has no money for medicine, and Im about to start school with no schoolbag.
I watched the boys plea and felt my own worries shrink to insignificance. I wanted to shout to the world, Is there truly no one to help this child buy medicine for his mother, let alone a schoolbag?
He waited, hopeful.
Boy, come with me! I said firmly.
Where to? he asked, frightened by the stranger with a walking stick.
Well find out which medicines Mum needs and go to the chemist.
Is that true?
My God has delivered your request to me.
Really? His eyes brightened.
Lets go! I smiled. Whats your name?
Matthew.
Call me Uncle Nick.
***
From the flat, Marys voice and Mollys muttered:
Aunt Nora, shes written off the meds as too expensive. Where will I find the money? Ive only five pounds left.
The boy flung the door open; the voices fell silent. Molly peered out, trembling, and whispered to the stranger, Molly, look!
Mary emerged, frozen in fear.
Mom, which medicines do you need? Nick and I will fetch them.
Who are you? Mary asked, bewildered.
Itll be fine, I replied, smiling. Hand over the prescriptions, please.
I only have five pounds.
Well find a way, I said, placing a hand on Matthews shoulder.
Mom, give us the scripts!
She handed them over, somehow sensing the kindness beneath my rough exterior.
Molly, what are you doing? she asked as Nick and Matthew left. You dont even know him.
I think hes a good man, I heard her mutter.
Right, Molly, Im off.
***
Mary sat waiting for her sons return, momentarily forgetting her illness. At last the door burst open; Matthew raced in, his face alight.
Mom, we bought the medicine and some treats for tea.
I stood beside him, smiling less like a stranger and more like a friend.
Thank you, Mary said, bowing her head slightly.
I struggled to pull off my shoes, clearly nervous, and made my way to the kitchen.
Please, take a seat, she urged.
I sat, turning my head uncertainly, trying to find a place for my cane.
Let me help you, she offered, moving a chair closer. Im afraid I have little to offer you.
Mom, Nick and I have everything, Matthew replied, laying out the groceries on the table.
Oh, youre spoiling us! Mary laughed, noting the bag of pricey looseleaf tea. Ill make us a proper brew.
She hurried to steep the tea, feeling a fleeting lift as if her sickness had momentarily fled. She whispered, Ill have my medicine soon, thanks to you.
We all sipped the fragrant tea, the three of us watching Matthew chatter away. Occasionally our gazes met, and a warm feeling settled over the table.
All good things, I know, must end.
Thank you, truly, Nick stood, gripping his cane. I must be going. You need to keep getting better.
Thank you! Mary rose as well, I dont know how to thank you enough.
He headed for the hallway, Matt and Mary following.
Will you come again, Uncle Nick? Mary called after him.
Of course! Once Mums well, well all go buy a schoolbag for you.
He left, and Mary cleared the table, washed the dishes, and said, Son, have a look at the telly; Ill rest a bit. She lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
***
Two weeks later her fever had broken; the costly medicine had worked. Mary was now back at work, though the end of the month always brought a rush, and she was called in from her holiday. She welcomed the extra pay. August was coming, and she needed to ready Matthew for school.
On Saturday they rose as usual, ate breakfast, and Mary said, Matthew, get ready; were heading to the shop. What do you need for school?
Did they give you the money? she asked.
Not yet, but theyll pay by next Saturday. Ive borrowed ten pounds; well pick up some groceries on the way back.
They were about to leave when the intercom chimed.
Whos there? Mary asked.
Its Nick, a voice answered.
She pressed the button and the door clicked open.
Mom, whos that? Matthew called from his room.
Uncle Nick! Mary beamed.
Yay!
Nick stepped in, leaning on his cane, now dressed in crisp trousers and a smart shirt, his hair neatly cut.
Uncle Nick, Ive been waiting for you, Matthew shouted, running to him.
I promised, didnt I? Nick said, eyes sparkling. Hello, Mary!
Hello, Nick! she replied, still a little stunned by the sudden familiarity.
Are you ready? Lets go!
Where to? Mary asked, still gathering herself.
To get Matthews school supplies, of course.
I promised Matthew, and promises are meant to be kept.
Mary had always hunted for the cheapest goods, because she had no extra cash, no relatives, no husband. The only man in her life had disappeared after college. Now a man stood before her, eyes full of affection for her son, buying everything without a second thought, only asking her opinion.
They piled into a taxi and headed home.
In the kitchen, Nick paused. Mary, shall we take a walk together later? Maybe grab a bite?
Mum, lets go! Matthew cried, dashing to her side.
***
That night Mary lay awake, replaying the days events. Images of Nicks caring eyes flickered behind her lids. Her mind argued with her heart:
Hes lopsided and uses a cane, reason muttered.
But hes kind, looking at my boy with love, the heart replied.
Hes fifteen years older than me.
So what? He treats my son like his own.
You could find a younger, handsome man.
No, Ive already had that. I need someone dependable, not just handsome.
You always said you didnt want a man like that.
Now I do!
The conflict settled; she realised she loved him.
The wedding took place in the same little church where Nick and Matthew had first met three months earlier. Nick stood at the altar, his cane set aside; Matthew gazed at the crucifix, the same one hed prayed before. From the depth of his soul Nick whispered,
Thank you, God.
Looking back, I understand that sometimes life throws us strangers with canes and kindness into our doorways, and all we need is the courage to let them in. **Lesson:** generosity and faith, however small, can bridge the biggest gapsand the people who arrive unannounced may be exactly who we need.
