A Dinner to Remember

"So, Malik," began Francis in between helpings of chicken, "I hear you're a real good student. And you're so bright that you're in a few clubs for the gifted at school. I'm sure you're probably going to go on to even greater things in the future. Much more than me with my simple skills as a laborer. Why, you can be a great scientist who will discover the cures for many diseases and save countless lives for centuries to come. Or you'll be able to unlock some of the lost secrets of the planet and use them to better the lives of your mother and everyone else who lives here. I see it in your eyes my boy, you will become a great man."

"Thank you for your kind words sir. I don't yet know what I want to do. But I do know that I want to help other people. My one babysitter is also my doctor, and her husband is a well known biologist. They've both helped not only me and Mamma, but a lot of other people too. I decided that in order to make Mamma happy, I'm going to do something with myself that will give others a future. I want to make it so that no other family has to go through what Mamma and I go through. I'm only one person, but I know that I can at least make a dent in the pail as Mamma always says. When you were a kid, what did you want to do with your life?" the boy asked. He hoped that learning more about their guest would show if he was the right one.

Francis stated, "Well, as a boy I had a passion for the sea. I wanted to become a sailor instead of working the docks. But then I learned that it would entail being away from home for months on end on some trips. So I canned that idea and decided to work on the docks. I could be close to the sea, yet not have to leave the place I called home. After that, I trained every day so I could become strong enough to lift the cargo off of the ship and bring it to its rightful owner. Some of the stuff can be pretty heavy; especially fish."

Malik looked at him with interest. "My friend Alex has a father who's a sailor. He's home now, but he often goes away for months on end. But when he comes back, he always does something special for his son. Last time, they went to the bank of the river and caught some fish. Then they roasted them over a fire and ate them. Alex told me that it was real fun. I wish I could go fishing with someone in the future."

"Well maybe I could take you when there's a lull in my work," Francis replied, "After all, it's not the fault of either you or your mother that you're in this situation. So you two deserve a break for once. How about we go next Saturday? That way, your mother doesn't have to find someone to look after you for her."

"That would be lovely. It would be nice for you two to get to know one another. And I don't have to call around the neighborhood frantically. Our usual babysitters are going to see a play that afternoon; it was the only time they could get tickets. Usually when that happens I leave him with one of his friends. But it would be a fun afternoon for him. He could use a little male bonding like his friends and their fathers," Maria said. She smiled a little at Francis, who smiled as well. It seemed like she'd finally found the right man.

. . .

All too soon the meal ended. But the two promised to meet in the saloon later on when Malik went to sleep. She could lock the door and he would be perfectly safe. So with a kiss goodbye, Francis left the room to check up on some things at his home so Maria could spend some time alone with her son. The woman felt as if her heart was ready to jump out of her chest. A man who both respected her feelings for her child and was incredibly chivalrous. All that was left now was to see how her son felt about the man and she was all set. So she turned to her son and asked him, "Well, what do you think? Did you like him too?"

Malik nodded in response. "He was real nice to me at dinner. He's treated the two of us a whole lot better than my real father ever did. If you like him, Mamma, then I'd say you should follow your heart; just like what they say in the fairy tale books. We could be a great family together. Then I'll have both a Mamma and a Papa, and won't have to worry about my poor Mamma working hard just to be able to feed us. You can relax and have a good time for once. The best people deserve the best treatment. You're the best person I know Mamma, so it's only natural that you deserve to have someone who'll love you back."

Maria smiled. She knew her son would answer like this. He could be the perfect gentlemen at times. One of these days she knew he'd make a special girl very happy. It looked like it would be just like the relationship she was about to get into. Malik would never have to suffer as she did; he would find the one for him without a problem. She would do anything to assure him a better future than the one she had.

. . .

It was nearly a year later that Francis proposed to Maria while on a date. Of course, she accepted. Their relationship had developed into a full blown romance a short way into it. And the fact that he and Malik had hit it off helped to fuel her desires a little. She knew that her son would be perfectly happy with him.

Although the wedding was sort of spur of the moment, it was actually a well planned out one. Jess, having been through it with her own, helped out whenever she could. Elliot aided with the moving of Maria's stuff into Francis's house; he was quite strong for someone who sat at a desk delving into the mysteries of life every day. So it was on the exact one year anniversary of their meeting that the two held their wedding. Due to the fact that she didn't have many close friends, Maria only invited Jess, Elliot, her sister Jenine, and a few of her co-workers. Francis had his whole family as well as others who worked on the docks with him.

So it was on this day that Malik, now eight, finally gained a father. He felt happy to know that his mother wouldn't have to suffer as much as she did. Now, she could take a shorter work week. Her hours were cut to only four days of five hours each; eight to one. She had Saturday off as well as Friday. That led to her having more energy and more time to spend with her son. And she needed it, what with now having to make time to spend with a husband. But she could still do things with him while Malik was in school; there was a full two and a half hours between her getting home and the boy getting out of his club meetings, as well as all day Friday. It appeared as if a perfect future had finally come to the young family.

However, the future isn't always as sunny as one would like. Storm clouds often rolled in when you least expect it. Life was about to take another dramatic turn for Maria and her son. But this time, she had even fewer options than she did before. For the problem was so severe that she couldn't tell anyone else.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Well, we've gotten through the mushy lovey dovey stuff. Now comes the interesting parts. It's going to get real dramatic from here on out. Lots of problems in store for everyone. Yup, I think I've been practicing this a lot with side projects so I got the hang of it before writing.