11
Maven shut off the ten o’clock news.
The TV stations had done a great job of catching the viewers’ attention with their touching story of the boy without a name and the drawing of the mystery lady. They’d even filmed them playing at the park on the swings.
There’d been no response to the first story. Maybe this time would be different.
She went into Moses’s room. The small light illuminated his sleeping face. With blond curls framing his features, he reminded her of angels from a long-ago illustrated children’s Bible she’d had.
Why would anyone abandon a child whom they obviously loved?
She fought the urge to touch his cheek or to pull the covers back up for him. He didn’t like to be touched when he was awake, so she doubted he’d respond well while he slept.
As she walked to her room, the phone rang. She jogged to pick it up before the next ring, not wanting to wake Moses. “Hello.”
“Did you see it?” It was so like Lizzie to start a conversation before saying hello.
“I did.” After discussing the piece, Maven casually said, “Oh, did I tell you that Paul asked me out the other night? But I said no.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t say yes. He’s very handsome and a Christian. What more could you want?”
“That’s just it. I don’t want anything or anybody. I don’t want to get involved with any man. I was married to the best husband ever. Why take a chance on a second man?”
“Don’t you get lonely?”
“I keep myself busy. And now with Moses, I certainly don’t have the time to date even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.”
“That is ridiculous. God didn’t mean for us to be alone.”
She could almost see Lizzie rolling her eyes.
“That may be true for some people, but I’m fine just the way it is. All I need are a few good friends and God has richly blessed me in that department.”
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little casual dating.”
“I have no interest in casual dating. And besides, it could hurt my friendship with Paul if we tried dating and it didn’t work out. I’d hate to have to move. I love my condo, and I value his friendship.”
“Again—ridiculous! Paul is one of the good guys. If it didn’t work out, he’d still be a good guy and still be your friend. You’re just looking for reasons not to go on a date with him.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to him to start up something I have no intention of finishing.”
“I know how much it hurt to lose your husband. The two of you were so in love, but you can’t be afraid of—”
“I’m not afraid.”
“You can’t put up barriers to other people. It’s understandable that you’re afraid to fall in love again. But if God’s been good enough to give you a second chance I think you ought to take it.”
This was not something Maven wanted to talk about. “It’s too soon. I just…I just can’t even think about such things.”
A sigh. “OK, I won’t push it.”
“Good. Well, I have to get to bed. Moses is an early riser. Let me know if something happens with the mystery lady.”
“Will do. Sleep tight!”
Maven sat on the edge of the bed reflecting on how much her life had changed in one short week. Between Moses’s needs and Paul asking for a date, it was a bit overwhelming. But it also felt good to take care of someone else. In spite of her exhaustion, she felt peace, and more joyful than she had in a long time—probably since her husband died.