Page 20 of Small Town CEO Grump

“Thank you,” I said, looking out at the field and willing away the tears that were trying to form in my eyes. I was so touched by her kindness and genuine sympathy.

“And so that was it?” she asked. “You never wanted to coach or be around it or anything?”

I shook my head. “No, not really. I mean, I don’t have children, so it’s not like I’ve been around little league or anything. And I am so busy with the agency that I wouldn’t be able to commit to a high school team. And also, it just hurts to talk about sometimes, you know?”

Jenna nodded. “That makes sense,” she said. “I mean, I can’t say that I know exactly how you feel, but I can imagine that it can be tough.”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. It’s just tough to relive those memories. I have worked through it and I am much better than I used to be, but every once in a while it just gets to me.”

“But you would still be willing to work with Tyler?” Jenna asked.

“Yes,” I said. “I would be happy to.”

“That wouldn’t be too difficult? I don’t want you to put yourself into a situation that you are going to regret.”

I shook my head. “No, the more I think about it the more I think it would be great. And it could possibly be what I need to help heal from everything. It will feel as if all of my experiences were not for nothing, as I will be able to use what I know to help someone else. And Tyler is such a great kid, I’d be more than happy to work with him.”

Jenna turned and looked at me, giving me a sweet smile. “I am so glad that you think he’s a great kid. Of course I am pretty fond of him myself. And I think you may be right that helping someone else will help you. But please be honest with me and let me know if it’s not good for you, okay?”

“I promise,” I said, touched by her concern. I thought back to how she had defended me at the office earlier that day, and I realized that she was a truly caring person, and protective as well.

“Are you this protective of everyone?” I asked.

“What?” she said, startled. “You think I’m protective?”

“Yes,” I responded, simply. “I know you’re protective. I see it in the way you are with Tyler, obviously, but also in the way you are with me. And even with how you handled those two people at the office today. You didn’t just stop them from talking. You gave them information that would help them in their lives. You were looking out for them as you were reprimanding them.”

“I have never really thought about it before, but you’re right,” she said. “I guess I am pretty protective.”

“Have you always been this way?”

I was curious to know where it came from. Physically she was not at all intimidating, but I could see that she was a force to be reckoned with.

She looked at me for a minute before answering, and I figured she was trying to decide if she could trust me. I felt relieved once she started speaking.

“No,” she said, quietly. “I haven’t always been this way. I mean, I guess I have always been kind and always looked out for people, but I never felt the urge to protect people like I do now. I used to be very naive and didn’t think there was much danger in the world, and so I didn’t think that there was much that I needed to protect people from. But that all changed, and so now I am the way that I am.”

“Can I ask what changed it? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to .”

“I don’t mind. I guess it changed the day that my now ex-husband walked out on me. It took me by such surprise. The night before I had told him that I was expecting Tyler, and the next day he up and left. He cleared out the bank accounts, packed everything up, and that was it.”

Jenna shrugged her shoulders as if trying to imply that it didn’t bother her, but I could see in her eyes that it was painful for her to think about.

“Oh, Jenna. I’m so sorry,” I said. “I had no idea.”

Jenna smiled. “You have nothing to apologize for. We’re just having a conversation.”

I shook my head, completely baffled by how her husband could have walked out on her like that. Everything that I had learned about her told me that she was an incredible woman, and I couldn't imagine not wanting to be married to her. I understood that some men had a difficult time accepting fatherhood, but I just didn’t understand how anyone would willingly walk away from her.

I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to tell her what I was really thinking, but I figured that it would have been too much and would have pushed way beyond the bounds of what was proper. Finally I decided to state the obvious.

“So that is what has made you so cautious and protective.”

“Yes,” she said. “It was a difficult time, but my parents live close and were very helpful, and I had some friends who really helped me out as well. Once Tyler came along, I knew that I had to be strong and figure everything out for him, and so I did,” she said, her eyes sparkling again and her expression joyful.

“He is lucky to have you as a mom,” I said.

‘I’m lucky to have him as a son,” she answered.

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