"Y-Y-You did what?"
Ava wanted to jump!
No run!
Her heart was beating so fast with anxiety.
Alfred saw her drama, and thought his mom looked like a circus clown.
He giggled.
"Alfred, you had better wipe that smirk off your face, and tell me you're joking." Ava said with all seriousness. Her heart still racing.
"Mooooooom!" Alfred dragged, still laughing. "It's not like he's a ghost or something, weeeellll, he looked liked one, but he isn't a real ghost."
It was Ava's turn to giggle.
Alfred had turned her rant to a joke and it was clear he was enjoying her drama. Somewhere down her heart, she wanted to just pause time—long press this moment, like it was a scene from a movie, on a screen, and stare at Alfred. How he giggled. His laughter was soulful and very therapeutic. If anyone had told her eight years ago, that her three year old toddler would brave the odds of having a genetic heart disease, and enjoy moments of rest and laughter, like she's having now, she would have not believed it.
Alfred watched her, laughing at the same time. She truly acted like a circus clown.
She won't lie.
She loved it.
It's been years she prayed for simple things like this, and for years still, it looked like it would never come.
He'll be here soon.
Ava knew she needed to act fast. The last person she wanted to see was Marcus. Whatever he told Alfred that night, she needed to know, this minute.
"Alfred." She started, in a tone, she knew he loved,yet, she could not mask the confusion and fright building steadily around her face.
"Is there something you've been meaning to tell me for a long time?"
Alfred saw his mom was pensive. He saw the rapid pulse in her throat, and wondered why Mr Marcus made her heart skip.
"You look anxious Mom."
"Yes Alfred, cos you're bringing a total stranger to our home."
"If he were a stranger, you would have asked who he was, but you sounded like you already met him."
Ava was stunned.
His casual words struck her deep cos she hadn't expected he would crtique the suitiation so quickly.
More than once, she had been awed by his intelligence, that sometimes, she wished she was ready at the times when it came.
Alfred had done it again, and he met her unprepared—as always.
Ava stood, and walked close to a window, opposite him. The air still smelt so delicious, she wished they would just eat right away, dance again, and maybe see a movie together.
But there was a lot Alfred needed to know. His heart may be weak, but his mind hadn't lost its strength.
She had had time these three years to ask Alfred why he asked about Marcus, the night they left Dr Phyl's hospital, but she didn't want to, and tonight, it was time she faced her fears and asked questions...
You got this Ava. You got this.
"True!" Ava finally said.
"What Mom?"
"I met him the same day you did."
"And?"
"He had asked me to marry him." Ava wasn't so sure if those words came out right, and if her son's young mind could understand it, but when she saw the keen interest on the little lad's curious face, he knew he wanted a story.
"Alfrrreed?"
He giggled.
"Mom, if someone asked you a question, it's only polite you answer, so what did you say?"
Ava laughed again. She had lost count of the smiles, laughs, and giggles in just 3 hours. She loved her son's sense of humor. It was the best of him she had seen in years. It was her life. Her strength. A blessing, she didn't think she deserved.
Adjusting a wayward hair back to her bun, Ava released her breath slowly.
"I thought he was mad to ask someone he barely met, to marry him."
"Did you tell him he was mad?"
"In my mind, yes, but l did ask if he took anything illegal, when he stepped outside."
"By illegal, you mean..."
"Hard drugs!" Ava cut in, liking this conversation.
"Sooooo, taking stuff like that can make a person go nuts? Alfred sat up striaght, quizzing so interestingly at what his mom said.
"Yep!"
"What did he say?"
"I didn't wait to listen, cos that's when Stacy frantically ran in to tell me you were having seizures."
Ava paused her mind, and for a moment, she remembered something her father had said long ago: that she asked a lot of questions, the kind, he didn't have the patience to answer. How opposite she was from him. She loved the questions Alfred asked, and she had time to answer them, even if it took forever.
"Mom, how long would you have to know someone before you can get married to him?"
Ava wasn't sure where this was headed, and she was sure too, she wasn't prepared for it.
"Long enough to show he cares."
"I think Mr Marcus cares for you Mom!"
Ava was silent. She didn't want to speak hastily.
Alfred might be a boy, but he was a wise pre-teen. She would ask him why he thought so later, but now, she let her mind cast back to when she fell against Marcus Thompson's chest, and how he had helped her up even when he was in pains himself. Life may have taught her to resent men, beginning with her father, but she would never forget little act of kindness to her—especially from strangers.
Stacy was one.
She struggled to admit, but this Marcus Thompson, was another.
"Did he say that to you Alfred?" Ava saw the strain of emotion set on his face.
"No Mother. In fact, he never spoke about you. Our conversation was about me."
Ava waited. Curious for more.
"He first said he thought to take a walk outside the hospital, but decided to visit the wards and get to know Dr Phyl's patients, and I was the first person he thought to see. At first l thought he was an Egyptian Mythical Mommy, cos his face and chest were all covered. The only thing l could see were his eyes,nose and lips."
"He noticed l was scared, but when he asked, how l was holding up, l quickly relaxed. That was kindness mom."
Ava nodded.
Alfred continued.
"I said so long as my mom's heart lives in me, l would be fine. He then asked if l missed school. I told him, a lot. He said at one point, he did too, cos he fell sick, but he picked up much later because he was smart."
Alfred rose. He looked like he felt dizzy, but quickly gained his balance. He was thirsty, so he reached for water and two pieces of blueberry muffins set on the table. He was glad there was food and drink enough for everyone including Mr Marcus and he couldn't wait to host him, but he needed to finish this conversation with his mom, so his party can get started already.
"I know he cares about you Mom, cos he showed he cared about me."
Ava wanted to speak but the door bell rang. Her heart beat so fast and loud, she thought she might pass out.
"Mr Marcus is here Mommy." Alfred clapped excitedly like a lad who just found a missing treasure.
"I'll get the door Mom."
"No Alfred. I will."
Slowly, Ava walked to her door, praying her heart won't stop beating.
What happened to your courage Ava, she spoke to herself. It's only Marcus. You've faced him before, and you can face him again.
She opened the door, suddenly realizing she should have peeped through the security hole , first, cos the person she saw at the door, made her run back inside in deep fright.