His Perfect Match

“I know.”

Liz moved on to digging around for shoes in the bottom of her closet.

“Do you think he’ll do it?”

“Yes,” she grumbled. “He’ll do it.”

She turned from the closet carrying two pairs of sensible flats in various shades of beige, and dropped them on top of everything else in the suitcase. She could tell by the way Dee was eyeing the case that her packing left something to be desired. But considering the stress she was working under she thought she was doing good just to get everything inside the suitcase.

Liz stood staring down at the hodge-podge of faded blouses and frayed jeans, trying desperately to ignore the feeling of fear building in her chest. “He’ll say yes because it’s the responsible thing to do.”

Dee’s eyes widened at the heavy sarcasm. She glanced back down at the open suitcase. “I know you’re going there for Marc, but I really wish you would spend some of your savings on a decent wardrobe. You haven’t seen Darius in almost ten years, you don’t want to show up looking like a ragamuffin.”

Liz braced her hands on her hips, and looked at the aunt whose advice she normally took as gospel. “Aunt Dee, I left him at the altar to run off with his brother. We haven’t exchanged a glance or single word since then. Despite all that I’m about to show up at his place of business and ask him for a kidney. Trust me, Aunt Dee, there is nothing pretty underwear can do for this situation.”

“It couldn’t hurt,” Dee grumbled.

Liz flashed her aunt a frown, realizing this was where Marc had picked up the annoying habit of mumbling under his breath. She began collecting her toiletries from the dresser.

“Besides, I need every dime for Marc’s medical care—nothing else matters.”

Dee walked over and laid her hands on Liz’s shoulders. “That’s not true. You matter.”

The loud engine of a school bus grew closer and Liz knew that any second her son would come bursting through the door like a tiny dynamo. Instead of answering Dee’s last remark she turned and headed to the front door to greet her son.

It was rare that she was able to greet him coming home from school, and watching his face light up as she opened the front door made it all the more special.

“Mom! What are you doing home so early?”

“I wanted to see you before I left. I’m going away for a week.”

“Oh.” His slender body, padded in winter gear, brushed past her and his heavy book bag was momentarily trapped between the doorjamb and Liz. With a wiggle and a push against his mother both boy and bag were soon hurrying down the hall to his bedroom. “Hi, Aunt Dee.” Marc threw up his hand in greeting as he passed Liz’s bedroom where Dee was quietly reorganizing the suitcase.

The older woman picked up a thin nightgown that had definitely seen better days and shook her head in resignation.

Liz, following him down the hall paused at her bedroom. “He doesn’t seem the slightest bit fazed by the fact that I’m going away.”

“Why would he be?” Dee asked, tossing aside a pair of frayed leather sandals she deemed beyond embarrassing.

“I’ve never spent a night away from him.” Liz fought the sharp shooting pain in her chest that reflected her own fear of separation anxiety. “You’d think he would be a little nervous.”

“Why? Because you are?” Dee shook her head. “Liz, all his life you’ve worked double time to make sure he felt safe and secure. And guess what? It worked. He knows you’re coming back and he knows I’m here while you’re gone. He’s not nervous because he knows his world is stable.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“I know I am. Now, go say goodbye before the cab gets here.”

Liz came to Marc’s bedroom and leaned against the door frame watching as he played video games. How to say goodbye? She was about to leave her son for the first time ever to fly around the world. She shook her head at the audaciousness of the task before her. But she would succeed. She had to. “I know you better not have any homework since you’re playing video games.” She folded her arms across her chest.

He shook his head, never taking his eyes from the television screen.

“None at all?”

The head shook again.

“Hmm…that’s strange because it’s Tuesday, and you always have a spelling test on Wednesday, so shouldn’t you be studying for your test?”

He glanced over his shoulder with a frown. “That’s not homework, Mom.”

“No?”

“Uh-uh, that’s just something the teacher tells you to do.”

Liz frowned at his convoluted logic. “I have no idea why you think that makes a difference, so turn off that TV and get started studying.”

With a heavy sigh he turned off the TV and turned to face his mom. “You gonna quiz me?”

“No, Aunt Dee will. My cab will be here soon.” She came into the room and sat down beside him on the bed. “Marc, you know I love you, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to know where I’m going?”

His young face became strangely sober. “I already know. Aunt Dee said you’re going to see if you can find a kidney for me.”

Liz’s eyes widened. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Dee sharing that with him, but it didn’t seem to trouble him.

“Something like that. I promise I’ll be back by Saturday.”

“Okay. Aunt Dee said we’re going to play hooky tomorrow and go to the zoo.”

“Sounds like fun, wish I could come along.”

“You can go with us next time.”

“Liz, your cab is here,” Dee called from the front of the small house.

“Be right there.” She leaned forward and hugged Marc close. “I’m going to miss you so much, but I’ll get back as soon as I can. I love you.”

“Love you too, Mommy.” He pecked her cheek and then, having done his duty, immediately began squirming to get free.

Liz slipped on her heavy winter coat and boots and, taking the small suitcase from her bedroom, headed for the living room where Dee was peeking out the window.

She placed a soft kiss on Dee’s shoulder. “Take care of my baby, Dee.”