Chapter 13
“What?” Jeff stared at his wife. He scooted closer and clasped both of her hands in his.
Sue gathered her racing thoughts, her eyebrows furrowed. “The pieces fit. His injuries the night he was brought here by CPS, his reaction to being around the Smith family, particularly Noah, his cutting, the passing out when I mentioned Noah was going to mentor him.”
“You’re right! Now that I think about it, every time Jason was going to cross Noah’s path, he claimed he was sick or found some other way to avoid it.”
Sue pinched her forehead. “I’m not sure what kind of involvement he had, but something is going on. Do you think it involves his dad?”
There was a knock at the French doors, and both Sue and Jeff glanced up. Jason peered at them through the window. His hands were stuffed into his jean’s pockets, and his shoulders were hunched.
Jeff hurried to open the door. “Hey Jason. What’s up?”
He lifted his head and swung his bangs to the side. Wet trails of tears were visible on his cheeks, eyes red and swollen. “Can I talk to you guys?”
Max hopped down from his dog cushion on the couch and padded over to sniff Jason, who put out his hand and patted him.
Jeff gestured to the easy chair across from the couch where he and Sue sat. As Jason sat down, Sue folded her fingers under her chin and leaned forward.
Jeff placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “What do you want to talk about?”
Jason scanned their faces, which were filled with concern. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to summon up courage. He chewed off a hangnail and blew out a pent-up breath.
He closed his eyes to avoid seeing the pain he was about to inflict. “I... I was the hit-and-run driver who hit Mr. Smith. It was an accident.”
Sue gasped and held Jeff’s hand tighter. They didn’t speak.
Jason’s hands trembled, and his shoulders shook as he cried.
“I didn’t mean to do it—I promise. It was foggy.
My girlfriend had texted me and said she wanted to break up.
” He hung his head and let his bangs fall in front of his face.
“I was wrong to text and drive... It was my fault I hit Mr. Smith.”
Sue let out a small cry and held up her hand as if to stop the flow of words.
Jeff whispered, “Let him talk.”
The horror of the accident spun out as Jason continued, eyes open, staring directly at these people who had treated him better than anyone in his life.
“I didn’t know what to do. There was a loud thump, and someone screamed.
I was scared, so I just gunned it.” He swiped the tears from his face on his sleeve.
“I’m so sorry. I just can’t go on with the lies anymore. It’s killing me!”
He covered his face with his hands and sobbed.
After a few minutes, he brushed the sleeve of his shirt over his eyes and sat back in the chair, broken and empty. The Hendricks exchanged glances and nodded at each other. Jointly, they stood and walked over to him.
They each put a hand on his shoulder, and Sue prayed out loud. “Lord Jesus, thank You for giving this young man the courage to confess the truth. We pray for Your forgiveness of his actions and ask that You would comfort and heal him. Guide us in the next steps. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”
She bent down in front of him. “God forgives you, and so do we.”
“But I don’t know if I can forgive myself,” Jason rasped. “I don’t know much about God, but He must hate me. My dad used to tell me to go to hell all the time. And now I’m sure I will.”
Jeff placed a hand on Jason’s back. “Son, what you did was wrong. But now you’re doing what’s right—and that matters.”
Mrs. Hendricks leaned closer. “I have a question. Is that okay?” At Jason’s nod, she continued in a soft but clear voice. “Was anyone else involved in the accident?”
“What do you mean?” Jason stammered.
She pursed her lips before speaking. “Was anyone else in the car that night with you?”
Jason hesitated, recalling the incident the following morning, getting rid of the evidence. His dad would literally kill him if he confessed. He had no doubt. “No. Just me.”
She sent Mr. Hendricks a glance that looked like she didn’t believe him.
He walked back over to the couch, sat down, and motioned for her to join him.
Jason wiped his face and looked at them. “So... what do we do now?”
Felix burst into the room and sent Max into a barking frenzy. “What Cha doing?”
Mrs. Hendricks cleared her throat. “We’re having a family meeting with Jason.”
Felix whined, “I want to be in the family meeting.”
“How about you take Max to the backyard for some exercise?” Jeff suggested.
Felix crossed his arms and pouted. “I’m part of the family too.”
“Of course you are. But this meeting is just about Jason,” Jeff spoke in a kind but firm tone. “I’d like you to take Max outside now, and we’ll speak to you later. Okay, son?”
Hearing the serious tone in his dad’s voice, Felix complied, “Okay, Dad.” He patted his leg and called out to the dog.
They ran out of the room and slammed the back door.
Jeff shifted to face Jason. A solemn expression formed on his face as he clenched his jaw. “I think you understand; our next step has to be to notify the authorities.”
Jason swallowed and hung his head as Jeff pulled out his cell phone.
Ashley’s cell phone rang, and Sue Hendricks’s name popped up on the caller ID. “Hey Sue. I’ve been hoping to hear from you soon. How’s everything?” Her lips arched down as she heard the grave tone in Sue’s voice.
“Jeff and I were wondering if we could come and speak with you and Noah while the kids are at school today. Are you available?”
Ashley covered the phone speaker with her palm and turned to Noah. “The Hendricks want to come over and talk with us. It sounds serious,” she said in a rushed whisper. “Is that okay with you? Are you up to it?”
“Yeah, babe, of course. What do they want to talk about?”
Ashley shrugged as she removed her hand from the phone. “Hey Sue. Can you give us about an hour? We’re almost finished with physical therapy, and then we’ll grab a quick lunch. How about 1:00?”
“Great. We’ll see you then,” Sue replied.
She turned back to Noah with a troubled expression in her eyes. “I wonder what’s up. I’ve never heard Sue speak like that before. She’s always so upbeat.”
Noah shrugged, grabbed the sides of the walker, and pulled himself up slowly while letting out a soft grunt. It was excruciating, but he was gaining a little more strength every day.
Ashley sat next to Noah, stunned as Sue and Jeff relayed the events of the week and finished with the announcement of Jason’s confession. They both fell into silence as they processed the news. Ashley covered her face with her hands and tried to hold back the tears.
Noah moved closer to her on the couch and encircled her shoulder with his arm. She stiffened for a few moments, then she broke down, shoulders heaving.
“Why?” Ashley raged. “Why didn’t he stop? Why didn’t he call for help?” Her body shook with fury. “He just left Noah on the ground like—like roadkill. I don’t think I can ever get over that or forgive him.”
Noah’s hand pressed firmly on her back as she poured out her anger. “He almost died! Twice! Why should a man as good as Noah need to go through that? I don’t understand.”
A few minutes later, Sue spoke. “This is a lot to take in. Jeff and I have spent a lot of time in prayer, trying to understand why this happened and how Jason ended up on our doorstep. I have no brilliant insights.” Sue glanced at Jeff, who gave her an encouraging nod.
“But God’s word in Isaiah 55:8–9 tells us that ‘His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His thoughts higher than ours.’”
Ashley raised up her tear-streaked face, still sniffling with a ragged breath. Sue fished in her purse and pulled out a fresh tissue and handed it to Ashley.
After a few minutes, she spoke in a rough voice. “I’m familiar with that verse, but I’m so confused and angry that Noah had to suffer...and our family and friends. Think of what Emma and Katie have been going through—they almost lost their dad!”
Noah tilted her face up and cupped her chin with one hand. “Ashley. I’m furious too. You could have been a widow and the girls without a father.” He looked into her eyes with a fierce expression.
“Every day, we fight this battle of recovery together. And with the grace of God, we’re gonna get past this.” His look softened. “We can’t let anger get a stronghold. It’ll poison us.”
Ashley drew in a shuddering breath. “I know, but...I can’t imagine life without you.”
Her husband stroked her hair and pulled her close to his chest. “We have to forgive...and move forward, learn the lesson right in front of us. It’s all about forgiveness and loving our brothers and sisters, even when we’re at our most unlovable.”
“You’re a better person than I am.” Ashley folded her hands in her lap, fingers clenched. “I need some time.”
Sue cleared her throat. “We’re so sorry to be the bearer of such news. It’s difficult for us, but we wanted to speak to you as soon as we could.”
Noah turned to face Sue and Jeff while he rubbed Ashley’s back in small circles. “Where is Jason? At school?
Jeff replied in a sad tone. “I had to notify the authorities. You understand. We’re mandatory reporters like you.
The police came and arrested him two days ago.
He’s incarcerated at the juvenile detention.
Sue and I visited him yesterday while Felix was at school.
He’s pretty shook up and feels terrible.
He’s not eating or sleeping. It’s like he’s taken 10 steps back since the day he was brought to our doorstep. ”
Noah’s eyebrows shot up. “The police notified me that they had arrested someone. I never suspected it would be Jason.” He pondered his words. “I was told they found the car that hit me burned out in the woods? Did Jason do that?”
“Apparently it was his dad, Hank Peterson’s idea.
Hank has quite a rap sheet. He’s been in jail for assaulting an officer since Jason was taken into CPS custody.
Jason has been in and out of foster care throughout his short life.
He’s had a miserable life, which that excuse for a father.
Hank has been in and out of jail for some serious crimes and has a history of anger issues and child abuse, and neglect.
He was still on parole, which this incident and has been charged with aiding and abetting a crime. ”
Sue interjected. “Jason told me his dad abused his mom so badly that she ended up in the hospital and lost the baby she was carrying. She ran away when she was strong enough to leave.”
She took a deep breath. “She left Jason a note saying she was sorry she had to leave. Jason called her to see if he could live with her, but she was too afraid of Hank coming after her and broke off contact.”
“Oh, my,” Noah slapped a hand on his thigh. “That kid had no chance.”
“We think the cutting started around then.” Sue added.
Ashley winced. Noah gave her shoulder a squeeze. He stretched his legs one at a time and let out a soft groan. “I’ve got to move around, folks. Can’t sit here any longer. I start cramping up.”
Ashley jumped up off the couch. “I’ll grab your walker.”
“Thanks, babe.”
She positioned it in front of him and wrapped the standing band around his waist. She pulled the front of the band and counted to three as Noah grabbed the walker handles as he slowly hoisted himself to his feet.
“Sue and I will get out of the way and leave you to your exercise. Again, so sorry to be the barriers of this news, but now that Jason has confessed, hopefully the healing process can begin.” Opening the front door, he smiled at the couple.
“You’re doing fantastic, Noah. Probably because you’ve got the best nurse around. ”
Noah's arm encircled Ashley’s waist. “Agreed. The best.” He paused for a moment in thought and then called out, “Hey Jeff, before you leave, I have a question.”
“What’s that?”
Noah’s chin softened, and his dimples appeared. “Do you think I could visit Jason? We talked about my being a mentor to him. I’d still like to do that if possible.”
Sue shook her head. “Noah. That’s such a kind and generous offer after everything we told you today. But since he’s been arrested, CPS has custody. You would have to go through them. She shook her head, eyes lowered. “I’m not sure they would allow that with the charges he faces.”