Chapter 10: A Son's Promise
Lu knocked on the bedroom door of the room that Marc was sharing with Simon, then opened the door and went in. She found the young boys each sitting on their bunk bed, reading comic books.
"Hi guys. Simon, would you mind if I talk to Marc for a minute?"
"Sure." Simon jumped down from the top bunk and hurried from the room. Lu sat down on the lower bunk beside her son.
"Can we talk for a minute?"
"Yeah, sure. What's up?"
"I was hoping you could tell me." Lu replied.
"Huh?"
"You've been awful quiet all evening. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really." Marc answered.
"Come on, Kiddo. This is your mom you're talking to. I know when something is bothering you. You can tell me." Marc was silent for a moment, then turned to face his mother.
"Mom, I want to go home and stay with dad."
"What? Did something happen today?" Lu asked.
"At first I thought being here would be fun. But these people ask to many questions." Marc said with a hint of irritation in his voice.
"Yeah, they do." Lu agreed. "But Marc, it's just their way of getting to know us. It can't be easy for them to invite two strangers into their home for two months."
"Yeah, I guess. But they made it sound like our life is all wrong and theirs is perfect, just because they have parents who are still married. They made it sound like you're not a good mother because you're always at the clinic."
"And what do you think?" Lu asked her son.
"You are a good mother. And I know you can't always be there because your patients depend on you. I know how hard you've worked to get where you are. But those kids made me feel about an inch tall, Mom. Like I'm nothing." Lu put her arms around her son and gave him a hug.
"Marc, I'm sorry. Maybe I made a mistake by agreeing to come here. I knew it wouldn't be easy spending two months with people we don't even know. I'm sorry things didn't go well for you today. But I made a commitment. I can't back out now."
"Could I go home and stay with dad? I know he'd let me stay with him."
"I know he would, Marc. But you're all the family I've got. I don't want us to be apart for two months." Lu answered.
"So I have to stay here?" Marc asked.
"I'll make a deal with you." Lu said. "Give this a month, and if you still feel this way, I'll call your dad and ask if you can stay with him. Can you do that?"
"Really? You'd let me go home?"
"Marc, I love you very much, and I want you to be happy. Would you do me a favor, though?"
"Yeah, sure. What?" Marc questioned.
"Please give it your best shot. Do your very best to get along with the Camden kids."
"I promise, Mom." Lu kissed him on the forehead.
"Thank you, Marc. I love you."
"I love you too, Mom." Lu gave him a quick pat on the back, then left the room.