As well as you deserve

Settling it at the coffee shop with Grace, Lydia wore a smile, proving that she really did like getting out of the house for a while. It wasn't often she got out, other than to go to church. Justin did most of her shopping and though she did have lady friends come visiting, actually getting out of the house was nice. 

Engaging in conversation, Lydia hadn't expected Grace to open up like she did, but she didn't mind in the least, and listened quietly while sipping her hot coffee. Every once in a while, she'd give the younger woman a compassionate look, or reach over to pat her hand. It was such a sad story, but it did explain why Grace was so passionate about her work to help other people. It helped explain perhaps why she was so determined to help Jared - another victim of being hit with a vehicle. 

Wiping her own little tear away, she smiles. "Don't be sorry. I understand more about you now. Your heart is so big." 

Reaching into her purse, Lydia retrieves a little handkerchief to hand to Grace. "I have to carry these," she explains before retrieving a second one for herself. "I cry at everything." She chuckles. "My husband used to say that he could not even watch a movie with me because I would cry at every sad moment. Or even the happy ones." She dabs her eyes. "Mama told me once that a woman's tears are her greatest weapon against any man. I guess I have... what you call... a whole arsenal." She laughs again and shakes her head before reaching over to pat Grace's hand again. 

"I am very sorry for the loss of your brother. I can see that it was hard on you. I know what it feels like to lose someone you love. But I can also see that God has healed your heart and made it even bigger to help other people. And that is very admirable. You are a strong woman and I am glad that you are here, helping Jared." 

Retreating, she takes another sip of her coffee. Perhaps Grace's story of the past brought up Lydia's own thoughts of years gone by. "There was a time when I remember Jared as a happy child. But so quickly he grew up. He took things too seriously, and I think a part of him was always jealous of his brother. You see, Justin was warmer. Softer. He made friends easily with just being himself. But Jared..." Lydia shakes her head slowly. "He always thought he needed to prove something, or pay to get what he wanted. So he would show off to make friends. Or he would buy them ice cream so they would like him. And when he would do those things, Justin would be left out. That made Jared satisfied, but it put a... a... a rift between them. A divider? Yes."

She blows on her coffee before taking another sip. "We tried to help them get along and love each other, but somehow they were too different, with two completely different hearts. And when their father died... it seemed... how you say... the last straw. Jared blamed Justin for what happened. They were so young. To see them fight and learn to hate each other... it was very difficult." She shrugs. "And it never stopped. But now... now is the first time I have seen Jared sorry for what he has done. He had such a bad life." 

Her frown indicates her displeasure. "He did not think I knew about his cheating for money or about all the women. But I knew. When he came here, he tried to turn Justin and me against each other. Thankfully, we worked it out. But after all of this. The accident. It is the first time I see the heart I saw in my son when he was just a small boy. He is good. I know he is. It is just... buried." 

Studying Grace's eyes, she nods slowly. "I believe you are the right person to be here. I believe that when your brother died, God planted a seed in your heart to help others. And I believe He knew that you would be here today, helping my Jared."

Jeff smiles a little as he hears the difference in Katie's voice as she talks about Hunter. "I think he's a good guy too," he agrees. "I can tell he has some things he needs to work through, and... I hope he can get right with God again." 

He did hope that - for Hunter's sake and Katie's too. He knew that his daughter's faith was much stronger now than it had been at one time, and he would not wish for Hunter's lack of faith to affect hers. She needed to be closer to God now more than ever - not further away. Despite that though, Jeff really did like Hunter. There was something about him that spoke of a good heart, no matter the trouble he'd been in. That heart just needed to take over his actions. 

"I'm glad he makes you happy." He glances over at Katie again, just watching her for several moments. She looked like her mother today. How proud Crystal would be. So many days he just wished to talk to her again... to tell her all about their daughter and all the accomplishments in her life. About how proud he was of her. About how beautiful a woman she'd become, inside and out. Oh to cure the ache in his heart. 

As Hawk heads under a tree, Jeff ducks to avoid the low-hanging branch, bringing his concentration back to riding again. "He seems to really care about you too." Were she and Jason really done for good? Jeff did wonder. Though it seemed so, he wondered if it was really that easy to separate two people that had shared so much. "And I hope he treats you as well as you deserve," he concludes.