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“While the sun shines. No procrastination, no delays. Makes sense to me . . . and done!” Seconds later, Violet accepted his hand as she jumped to the floor. “Have you ever explained the catchphrase to your listeners?”
“No one’s asked me, but if they do, I’ll be happy to tell them,” he said. “There’s a more personal, underlying meaning for me, as well. Let’s check in with the committee, and then we can head out. If you have a few minutes, I can tell you more about it.”
“I’d like that.” Violet fell into step beside him as Hayden returned the ladder to the storage closet, and then they chatted a few minutes with several of the other volunteers.
“The catchphrase is also about forgiveness,” he told her as they walked outside together. When he led her to a nearby bench, they settled side by side.
“I was in a bad car accident in my senior year of high school. During my rebellious phase, when I stupidly thought I knew more than my family or even God. I’d been partying and drinking with my friends, and I started home after midnight. It was a classic case of taking a turn at a high rate of speed with a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit.” Sadness registered in his expression. “I ran off the road and wrapped my car around a tree.”
“I’m so sorry, Hayden.”
“The blessing was that I didn’t hurt anyone else, but my left leg was shredded.” When she visibly cringed, he collapsed against the bench. “Sorry to be so graphic, but the doctors said it was the same as being too close to an IED in combat. The surgeon wanted to amputate, but Mom begged them to exhaust every possible alternative. Thanks to her persistence, a ton of prayer warriors, grueling physical therapy—and ultimately the grace of God—I’ve still got my leg.” He placed a hand on his left thigh. “I limp occasionally, especially when it rains, and I’ll probably develop arthritis early in life.” He blew out a breath. “Small price to pay.”
When Hayden met her gaze, moisture glimmered in his eyes. “I’d been a national champion runner. Unfortunately, I believed the hype—the attention, trophies, scholarship offers. In the span of one night, I lost my running career and everything that came with it. Then I pushed my girlfriend away and drove my family nuts. To put it mildly, I was a total mess—mad at God, mad at myself, mad at the world.”
Violet instinctively reached for his hand. Hayden grabbed on and held tight.
“Grandpa Ray was dying of leukemia, and I didn’t go and tell him goodbye even after my dad demanded I visit him. I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. I’d been thinking about enlisting in the Army, but that dream was also gone.”
Violet’s heart hurt for him.
“To this day, not going to see Grandpa is my biggest regret. I disappointed everyone I loved.”
“From everything you’ve told me about your grandfather, he was a strong Christian. He would have forgiven you.”
“I know.” Hayden squeezed her hand. “The person I needed to forgive the most was . . . me. After my accident, I knew firsthand how fragile life can be. I wanted to remember Grandpa the way he was for most of my life—robust, healthy, almost larger than life. I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye. It wasn’t until he was gone that I woke up and realized how selfish I’d been. Because of my selfishness, I’d deprivedhimin his final days of the opportunity to say goodbye.”
They sat in silence for nearly a minute before he spoke again. “Sorry to lay all that on you Violet. I’m sure you know more about me now than you ever wanted to know.”
“When you care about someone, I’m not sure there’s ever too much to know.”
He lifted her hand, still in his. Turning it over, he pressed a kiss to her palm.
She swallowed, finding it difficult to form a coherent thought much less words. “I realize how difficult it must be for you to talk about that time in your life, Hayden. Thank you for trusting me enough to share it. Do the kids here at the school know about your accident?”
“They do. The guys on the team know, and I’m a regular speaker at youth events around the region. I tell them what happened, but I also share about meeting a pastor and his wife from a church near my college campus. Joe and Alisa ministered to me and led by example, and it was a turning point in my life. They modeled unconditional acceptance andagapelove. I consider everything that happened to be part of my journey. And, along the way, I was refined by the fire—molded and shaped by a merciful God.”
“That’s beautiful,” she said.
“If I can spare someone else pain by learning from my mistakes, then it’s all worth what happened.”
“Hayden! Violet!” One of the ladies from the decorating committee ran over to them, huffing and puffing. Leaning forward, she planted her palms on her thighs. “I’m sorry to . . . interrupt, but . . . I’m so . . . glad you’re . . . still here.”
“Whoa! Take a deep breath, Pam.” Hayden sat up on the bench, concern etched on his expressive face. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Just out of shape.” She straightened up. Wrapping her arm over her middle, she drew in a breath the blew it out slowly. “Actually, I wanted to . . . talk to you, Violet. One of the ladies had to back out of . . . chaperoning the girls tonight. Is there any way you could possibly help us out? We’d be forever grateful.”
“I’ll be happy to help. Whatever you need.”
“You are adoll!” Pam clapped her hands with a huge smile. “Thanks so much. Hayden can fill you in on everything, and I’ll be around tonight to give you more specific instructions.”
“What should I wear?” Violet ignored Hayden’s chuckle.
“A pretty dress will be fine. Or a nice top and slacks.”
“I’ll definitely change out of these clothes,” Violet assured her.
“Sweetie, you could make sackcloth look like a designer dress. I’m sure whatever you choose will be fine. Oh, and there’s no rule against chaperones taking a spin on the dance floor together,” she said before heading back into the school.
