in knowing their son was with the Lord.
“Marty was as brave of a man as I’ve ever known. He died a hero,” Sam said. “You have every reason to be very proud of him. Your son brought great honor to your family and this town.”
Moisture glistened in Martin’s dark eyes. “Those are kind words, son. I don’t think Audrey will ever get over the loss. Our boy was everything to her. When he died, her dream of becoming a grandma died, too. She’d hoped and prayed for grandbabies to spoil someday.”
Sam hesitated, at a momentary loss for words. He hadn’t thought of that angle, but the possibility of never having grandbabies to spoil and love would be a huge loss to his own mother.
Lord, give me your words.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but we lost my younger sister, Rachel, in a car accident. Shortly before we moved to Rockbridge from San Antonio. My parents and I can understand your deep pain, Mr. Benson.” He made a mental note to mention this conversation to his father later.
Martin held his gaze as he slowly nodded. “I’d heard something about that. I’m sorry.”
Sam nodded. “Rachel was killed within a mile of our home, and the site where she died proved too much for my mom to see every day. Dad felt she needed a change of scenery to help her heal. Living in Rockbridge has been good for us in many ways.”
His throat clogged as Sam recalled Rachel’s pretty face. She’d been such a sweet, loving kid. The mental image of his little sister made Sam smile, a reminder of how God in His mercy also brought blessings and joy to replace the once overwhelming sadness. “I remember Marty as a guy who helped anyone who needed it. I saw him walking around town a lot with Harold Raines.”
Martin sat up straighter and visibly brightened. “They walked every day so Harold could get out of the house and exercise. His bad hip was always acting up and walking was good to help ease out the kinks. Marty made Harold laugh, and vice versa. They shared a love of old movies and could talk for hours over a chess game.”
Sam’s smile grew wider, thankful he could remind the other man of fond memories. “As I recall, Marty’s the person who introduced Harold to Betty.” He’d seen the lovebirds around town, holding hands and sharing food across a table at Perry’s Diner. Both in their late sixties, Harold and Betty had married the year before his return to Rockbridge.
Martin raised his chin. “You’re a good man like your father. When you first came back, I wasn’t at the parade. To make it worse, I haven’t said anything to you since. I should have taken the opportunity to thank you for your service to our country, Captain Lewis. That’s why I thought it might be awkward between us. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I didn’t support you. I’m glad you’re home safe, and I know your mama and dad are proud of you, but I couldn’t bring myself to stand and cheer. Don’t take it personal. Like it was for your mother going by the place where your sister died, I imagine. I didn’t know if I could take seeing you because it reminded me of. . .”—he hesitated—“well, it reminded me all over again of what—of the boy—I’d lost.”
What a humbling yet admirable admission. The pain in the older man’s eyes, the lines etched around his eyes and mouth, made Sam’s stomach clench. Coming to the bank was intimidating to a lot of people, especially in a town the size of Rockbridge where everyone seemed to know their neighbors’ business.
“I understand.” Sam cleared his throat. “Now, why don’t you tell me how I can help you?”
Sam sat back in his chair, prepared to listen. If financially feasible, he intended to help this man.
♥
“You’ll never guess who’s working at Rockbridge Savings & Loan.”
Sarah quirked a brow as she put Debbie’s chocolate shake on the counter. “I have no idea.” She held her breath, hoping she wouldn’t hear the name Kathy Parker, Sylvie
“Marty was as brave of a man as I’ve ever known. He died a hero,” Sam said. “You have every reason to be very proud of him. Your son brought great honor to your family and this town.”
Moisture glistened in Martin’s dark eyes. “Those are kind words, son. I don’t think Audrey will ever get over the loss. Our boy was everything to her. When he died, her dream of becoming a grandma died, too. She’d hoped and prayed for grandbabies to spoil someday.”
Sam hesitated, at a momentary loss for words. He hadn’t thought of that angle, but the possibility of never having grandbabies to spoil and love would be a huge loss to his own mother.
Lord, give me your words.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but we lost my younger sister, Rachel, in a car accident. Shortly before we moved to Rockbridge from San Antonio. My parents and I can understand your deep pain, Mr. Benson.” He made a mental note to mention this conversation to his father later.
Martin held his gaze as he slowly nodded. “I’d heard something about that. I’m sorry.”
Sam nodded. “Rachel was killed within a mile of our home, and the site where she died proved too much for my mom to see every day. Dad felt she needed a change of scenery to help her heal. Living in Rockbridge has been good for us in many ways.”
His throat clogged as Sam recalled Rachel’s pretty face. She’d been such a sweet, loving kid. The mental image of his little sister made Sam smile, a reminder of how God in His mercy also brought blessings and joy to replace the once overwhelming sadness. “I remember Marty as a guy who helped anyone who needed it. I saw him walking around town a lot with Harold Raines.”
Martin sat up straighter and visibly brightened. “They walked every day so Harold could get out of the house and exercise. His bad hip was always acting up and walking was good to help ease out the kinks. Marty made Harold laugh, and vice versa. They shared a love of old movies and could talk for hours over a chess game.”
Sam’s smile grew wider, thankful he could remind the other man of fond memories. “As I recall, Marty’s the person who introduced Harold to Betty.” He’d seen the lovebirds around town, holding hands and sharing food across a table at Perry’s Diner. Both in their late sixties, Harold and Betty had married the year before his return to Rockbridge.
Martin raised his chin. “You’re a good man like your father. When you first came back, I wasn’t at the parade. To make it worse, I haven’t said anything to you since. I should have taken the opportunity to thank you for your service to our country, Captain Lewis. That’s why I thought it might be awkward between us. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I didn’t support you. I’m glad you’re home safe, and I know your mama and dad are proud of you, but I couldn’t bring myself to stand and cheer. Don’t take it personal. Like it was for your mother going by the place where your sister died, I imagine. I didn’t know if I could take seeing you because it reminded me of. . .”—he hesitated—“well, it reminded me all over again of what—of the boy—I’d lost.”
What a humbling yet admirable admission. The pain in the older man’s eyes, the lines etched around his eyes and mouth, made Sam’s stomach clench. Coming to the bank was intimidating to a lot of people, especially in a town the size of Rockbridge where everyone seemed to know their neighbors’ business.
“I understand.” Sam cleared his throat. “Now, why don’t you tell me how I can help you?”
Sam sat back in his chair, prepared to listen. If financially feasible, he intended to help this man.
♥
“You’ll never guess who’s working at Rockbridge Savings & Loan.”
Sarah quirked a brow as she put Debbie’s chocolate shake on the counter. “I have no idea.” She held her breath, hoping she wouldn’t hear the name Kathy Parker, Sylvie
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