8

 

Maven peeked out of her window. Paul’s car was in the driveway. He was probably getting ready for his big date for the night. Whom had he asked out? Not that she cared, but she was a little curious. She hoped he wasn’t mad at her for saying no—or hurt. Paul was a good friend. After her refusal, they hadn’t discussed it again. Instead, they’d gone shopping for Moses.

Lizzie had made no secret about liking him. Surely, he hadn’t asked her. If he had, Lizzie certainly would have told her. Well, she hoped it wasn’t her friend. She wasn’t sure why that made a difference, but it did. But, of course, he had a right to ask anyone he wished, even Lizzie. She didn’t want to ruin their friendship over a date. A date? She rolled her eyes at the ridiculous idea. It had been almost twenty years since she’d been out on a date with anyone except her husband.

Paul had been widowed for more than three years. He was probably lonely, and needed some female companionship.

She’d read an article saying that widowed men were more likely to marry again than widowed women. Probably had something to do with wanting someone to create a home for them.

And that was certainly true for her. She’d loved her husband very much and couldn’t imagine being involved with another man—ever. Sure, she’d love a little companionship, but nothing more. And what man in his right mind would settle for that? She picked up her cell and speed-dialed Paul.

“Hello.”

“Happy Birthday.” She sang even though her throat hurt from all the singing with Moses.

“Oh, thanks.” He sounded glum.

“If you’re not too busy, can you come over for a minute? I’d like you to meet Moses.”

“Moses?”

“You were right, I couldn’t keep thinking of him as ‘the boy.’ So, Moses, it is. You know because he was abandoned by his parents just like the other Moses.”

“And rescued by a queen, just like the other one.”

“I wouldn’t call myself a queen.”

“Well, I would.”

Her heart gave a pitter-patter. “Well, come on over and meet him.”

“Yes, ma’am.” There was a smile in his voice.

A few moments later, her doorbell rang.

“Come on in, Paul.” She called out as she walked out to greet him.

He wore a T-shirt and shorts. Apparently, he was going informal for his date—very informal.

“I thought you’d be in a suit and tie.”

“What for?”

She forced herself to sound more cheerful than she felt. “For your big date, of course.”

He shook his head. “There is no big date.” He shrugged. “I broke my promise to myself. There wasn’t really anyone else I wanted to ask but you.”

Her face warmed. Turning away, she hoped he hadn’t noticed she was blushing. “Well, come along.” She walked to the kitchen and pointed at the cake she’d baked. “Ta-da! Happy birthday to you!”

“You’ve got to be kidding! You had time to make me a cake? No way.”

“Oh, way.” She smiled, pleased that he seemed genuinely happy. “I wouldn’t let your birthday pass by without something special.” She held up an envelope. “This is for you, too.”

“You are too sweet. You are the queen of kindness.”

“I don’t know about all that.”

Moses peeked around the corner.

Maven smiled and motioned for him. “Hey, come here, Moses. I want you to meet a friend of mine. His name is Paul. Can you say Paul?”

Moses met her gaze.

Paul squatted down so he was eye level with Moses. “Hey, buddy. Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand.

Moses stared at Paul.

“That’s OK, you don’t have to shake hands with me. But it is good to meet you. So, what do you think of Maven? She’s a pretty nice lady, isn’t she?”

Moses didn’t respond.

“It’s Paul’s birthday, today. So, it’s birthday cake time!” She lifted up the chocolate-frosted cake so Moses could see it. “Want some?”

A definite smile.

Maven laughed. “Everybody loves cake.”

The three of them were sitting at the dining room table having cake and ice cream when the phone rang.

“Hi, Lizzie.”

“Hurry, turn on the TV. Moses is going to make the six o’clock news.” She hung up without saying good-bye.

Maven searched around her messy living room and found the remote underneath her chair.

Paul came into the room.

While Moses continued to eat his cake in the kitchen, they watched the news story. The reporter did a great job making it as heart-wrenching as possible.

Maven looked at Paul. “Hopefully, someone who knows him will see it.”