“Only thanks to you.” Christy, as he’d just learned was her name, stepped back. “I’m going to work really hard and save every penny until I can get my own place. I’ll prove I’ve changed and then I’ll get my kids back.”
“You will. Look how far you’ve come in only three months.” Rachel’s gaze shifted out the window to the parking lot before returning. “Did you fill out your request for transportation?”
“I’m on my way now. I wanted to find you and tell the good news first.”
After Christy jogged off, Rachel looked at him. “She’s why I love this job. Her story isn’t mine to tell, but she is proof that God changes lives.”
“Her excitement is contagious. I don’t even know her, but I’m excited for her getting whatever job it is.” His hands hung to his side. He missed Rachel’s touch already but didn’t want to press his luck.
“She’ll be doing janitorial work in a nursing home.”
“Oh.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I realize it’s not glamourous, but she’s worked her tail off to turn her life around.”
“No, I didn’t mean offense.” He combed his hand through his hair and sighed, worried he’d given the wrong impression. “It took me by surprise and humbled me. By her strong reaction, I thought it would be something else. It made me realize I take my job for granted. I’m really happy for her.”
“Christy has unlimited potential.” Rachel’s lips twisted downward. “She came here broken, but God is piecing her back together in a new and marvelous way. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”
“With God, anything is possible.”
“Including saving Roxie’s leg?” She watched him through eyes filled with hope.
He took a step closer to her. “He could, but if he chooses not to, that doesn’t make him any less God.”
“I know.” She blew out a breath. “Can I be honest? I feel guilty.”
“Why?”
She indicated for them to walk again, and they went out a side door leading to a garden. “The people inside that building have problems far more severe. I know I should be grateful that Roxie’s cancer is my biggest trial right now, and I am, but I can’t stop my grief.”
“Their problems don’t negate what you’re feeling. Grief doesn’t care who has the worst pain or most dramatic story.” He lowered himself to a curved cement bench and motioned for her to sit. Once she did, he continued. “Their heartaches don’t make yours less.”
“My head knows that, but…” She trailed off, staring at the ground.
“But you’re overwhelmed, and everything seems worse than it actually is.”
Her chest rose and fell. She lifted her head and smirked. “That’s usually what happens, isn’t it?”
“You have every reason to be upset about Roxie. The C-word is scary, no matter what form it comes in.” He spread his fingers and covered her hand with his. “What all did Dr. Scott tell you about it?”
She relayed the information, and he was proud of her composure. He knew from experience it wasn’t easy to talk about, but Rachel handled it with grace, even through tears.
His stoicism, however, received a hit, and he focused on the calming greens of the garden. “That’s what Chance had.”
Rachel perked up. “It is?”
He nodded. “He lived four happy years after his surgery. When he did pass, it was natural causes unrelated to the cancer he’d had.”
“That’s encouraging.” She ran her free hand up and down her arm. “How did he adjust? All of the articles I’ve read agree with what Dr. Scott told me, but I’m still nervous.”
“Chance adapted well. He learned how to run again and loved to play. His stamina wasn’t the same, but his age and arthritis also played into that.”
“What about steps? Should I buy a ramp?”
“Wait and see.” He remembered the one stored in his garage. “Actually, you can have the one I bought for Chance. He didn’t like it and learned to get upstairs on his own.”
“I’ll pay you for it. I know they’re not cheap.”
