Megan Victory was at her desk when Steve arrived. She glanced up when he stepped into her office. Right away he noticed that her usual warm smile was missing.

“Trouble?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“What’s the problem?” he asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down. Something told him this wasn’t going to be a short conversation.

“You’re still working with Cassie Carter, right?”

“Right.”

“How’s she doing?”

His response was automatic and quick. “Great. She’s a good worker. I give her a task and she does it.” He liked a conscientious worker with a willing attitude. Maybe they’d started off on the wrong foot, but both their attitudes had evened out since their rocky start.

“Have you noticed anything different about her lately?”

He shrugged. “Not really.” Then he remembered Cassie had gone suspiciously compliant of late. It was out of character for her. True enough, she showed up on time, worked hard, but they’d barely exchanged a word all week. “Let me revise that. She’s been keeping to herself a lot. I mean, she’s friendly with the Youngs, but other than that, nothing. Why?”

“She was in the office on Wednesday.”

Her leaned slightly forward. Now that she mentioned it, Cassie hadn’t been her normal self all week. He’d been busy with other matters and hadn’t paid much attention. “What’s the problem?”

“Cassie’s feeling down and overwhelmed. She’s juggling a lot and concerned about leaving her daughter alone as much as she does.” Megan hesitated. “It seemed that there was a lot more bothering her than that, though. Do you know what the problem is?”

He shook his head and then frowned and asked the question that immediately came to mind. “Cassie’s not thinking of dropping out, is she?” It would shock him if she did. He’d overheard a conversation between Cassie and Shelly Young when Cassie had explained how excited and pleased she was to have been accepted into the program. She claimed this opportunity meant the world to her.

“We discussed her taking a break for the time being. We’ll keep her hours on file and when she feels she’d be able to return she can pick up where she left off.”

Steve hardly knew how to respond. Although he didn’t know Cassie well, she didn’t look like a quitter to him. He’d seen other candidates come and go. One woman dropped out after the first week because it was just too hard to juggle a job and also work on the project. When it came right down to it, Steve had been happy to see her go. Early on he had her pegged as a taker instead of a giver.

Even in the short while he’d worked with Cassie he knew she was a giver. She’d cut and styled Shelly’s hair, and just that simple act of kindness had made Shelly glow with new confidence. George had gotten a free haircut, too. And from what George told him, their children had as well. Cassie had done it after working at the salon on Saturday and then putting in five hours at the construction site. She must have been exhausted. By the time he got home, Steve knew he was bone weary, and he hadn’t worked near the hours Cassie had.

“You had your doubts about Cassie when you first met her.”

“I’ve had a change of heart since then,” he said quickly, still reeling with this news. It came to him that he’d be disappointed if Cassie left the project now. “Did she decide what she wants to do?” he asked, eager to know.

“No, she’s thinking on it.”

Steve mulled over this information. “Did she happen to mention why she’s depressed?” If so, maybe getting her some treatment would help.

“Not really. How much do you know about her background?” Megan asked.

“Very little.” Generally, he didn’t care to know unless it related to the applicant’s ability to work. The past wasn’t important to Steve. He preferred to look forward.

“She came out of an abusive marriage.”

A common enough story, he thought sadly.

“As we talked, Cassie gradually relaxed and I was able to get a bit more information out of her. From what she said, she’s been estranged from her family for the last thirteen years. Her ex made sure she had no contact with them.”

That seemed to be a common thread in a lot of the cases he’d heard about.

“Unfortunately, in that time period both of her parents died and she wasn’t able to get home for their funerals.”

Steve felt bad for Cassie. In addition to his wife, his own father had passed several years back and it’d been a rough loss for him and the rest of the family. It’s never easy to let go of loved ones, and he couldn’t imagine what it would be like without a proper good-bye.

“Her older sister recently reached out to her. Cassie was excited and pleased to hear from her sister.”

“That’s nice. Families need to stick together.” His own was spread all across the country. He kept in touch, but visits were sporadic.

Megan continued, “When she told me about the call, Cassie mentioned her sister had set aside several of her parents’ belongings for her and her daughter. All Cassie had to do was collect the furniture in Spokane. After being away from her family all those years, it meant the world to Cassie to have this opportunity.”

Steve still didn’t get it. “And?”

“And she took on an extra job. It was the only way she could think to earn the extra money she’d need to rent a truck and drive to Spokane.”

Steve knew all about that extra job. He’d seen her at CenturyLink Field himself.

“Apparently, someone at the match complained about her service,” Megan continued. “As a result, Cassie was asked not to return. She lost the only means she had of earning the extra money she needs.”

Steve briefly clenched his teeth. Britt. “But I thought you said these items were in storage.”

“They are, and her sister has paid for two months’ rental fee, which is almost up. Cassie is going to be forced to tell her sister that she can’t come collect her things—the last link she has with her parents.”

“That’s why she’s considering dropping out of the program?” Steve asked, not entirely connecting the dots.

“Oh, not really. I think it’s just an example of why she’s feeling so defeated and daunted by the process of trying to build a better life. And I do think she’s really concerned she’s been neglecting her daughter. She promised to sleep on it before she makes her decision.”

“Good.” All at once Steve found it impossible to sit still. He got up from the chair and started to pace the confines of the office.

“The reason I asked to speak to you, Steve, is because I need an assessment from you on Cassie. Did I misjudge her? Is she a good candidate for us?”

He didn’t need to think twice. “Cassie is exactly the type of person Habitat was meant to help. She’s diligent, honest, and has a strong work ethic. I’m really sorry to hear that she’s considering putting her commitment on hold.”

“I’m glad you have faith in her. I liked Cassie from the moment I met her. She’s got a great deal going for her, but she’s been through a lot. For someone who’s been repeatedly beaten down, their supply of hope tends to dwindle quickly.”

“Yes, it does.” He remembered Alicia and the change in her when she’d given up all hope. It wasn’t long after that that she died. He was so lost in thought, he almost didn’t hear Megan when she next spoke.

“Sorry?” he said, and forced himself to concentrate on Megan.

“I was just talking about the Hoedown.”

“Yes. What about it?”

“First of all, thank you again for sponsoring the event.”

“No problem.”

“It’s our biggest fund-raiser and we wouldn’t be able to hold it without your generous contribution.”

This was the third year he’d been the main sponsor. He contributed the funds in Alicia’s memory. She had only recently started to work with Habitat at their store when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was her second bout after surviving the first go-around. They’d been warned that anyone who survives stage-four ovarian cancer is at high risk for it to return. It had with Alicia—and with a vengeance. She’d died within six agonizing months.




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