His eyes showing his concern, Jared lifted his hand toward her but stopped. Instead he removed his handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to her. “It could be any number of things. I can run some tests and see what I find. Call the office Monday and set up an appointment.”
“That’s the problem. When I tried to get him to see his doctor in Shreveport, Mark refused. He disappeared the day I was going to take him to the doctor. Talk about a scare.” Kathleen raked her trembling fingers through her hair. “I even said something a few days ago about finding a new doctor in town and he stomped from the room, muttering he didn’t need one.”
“How does your son feel about the move to Crystal Springs? Could his recent change in behavior be because of it?”
She shook her head, brushing the cotton handkerchief across her cheeks, trying to remove all evidence of her lost composure. “We had a long talk before we moved and he told me he didn’t care one way or another. The last few months in Shreveport he didn’t do much with any of his friends.” She peered away, unsure of anything concerning her son of late. “I suppose it could be. I didn’t think he minded.”
“I understand from your sister your husband died not long ago?”
“Eighteen months.”
“His death was sudden, wasn’t it?”
“An accident at work. At first, I thought Mark’s unusual behavior might be because of his close relationship to his dad, but now I don’t know. I know teens can be moody and difficult, but I think this is more than that.”
“You might be right. If he won’t come in, I’m not sure what I can—” His eyes brightening, Jared snapped his fingers. “No, I have an idea. I’m the director of the youth group. Maybe if you can get him involved in the group, I can observe him indirectly. That might be a start.”
“I know his cousin is part of the youth group. I might be able to get him to attend a meeting. After that, I don’t know.” After wiping her face one last time, Kathleen balled the handkerchief in her fist, then stuffed it into her pants’ pocket to clean later.
“There’s a meeting Sunday evening. Maybe if he gets to know me, he’ll feel more comfortable with coming to see me.”
“As you can see, I don’t have many choices. I’m willing to try anything,” she murmured, for once feeling a ray of hope. Maybe that was the answer.
“I’ll walk you to the car. I’ll say something to Mark about the meeting Sunday evening.”
“He used to be very involved in the youth group in Shreveport until a few months ago. I hope you can convince him to come.”
“If not, I’ll think of something.” Jared fell into step next to her on the stone path leading to the parking lot.
“Frankly, where my son is concerned, I don’t know what to think anymore. Right after his father died he was so strong. He was a wonderful comfort to me.” Guilt wove its way through all the other feelings she was dealing with. Everywhere she’d gone in Shreveport, she’d been reminded of her deceased husband. All her friends had been John’s friends, as well. It had just gotten too painful for her to stay. She’d longed to be around her family; to renew the feeling of belonging she’d had when she’d lived in Crystal Springs as a child. Had she been wrong to leave Shreveport and her old life behind? To want some control back in her life? Had she driven her son to this behavior?
At the edge of the parking lot Kathleen glanced toward her silver Taurus, relieved to see Mark leaning against its hood with his arms crossed over his chest and his shoulders hunched. “For a while he talked to his school counselor, but even that stopped six months ago.”
“Let me see what I can do.”
She paused two rows away from her car and faced Jared. “My sister has a great deal of faith in your ability. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.”
He offered her a reassuring smile that brightened his blue eyes. “The reason I became a doctor was because I wanted to help others when they were in trouble. Mark is in trouble. If there is a medical reason, I want to find it and make things better for him. If there isn’t a physical reason for his behavior, I still may be able to help him. I have to try.”
There was a touch of desperation in his last sentence that caused Kathleen to wonder what had put it there. She wished she knew him well enough to ask. “Thank you for being here.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It was the right thing to do.”
Dressed in a long-sleeved blue chambray shirt and tan slacks, Jared presented a confidence that gave her hope his plan might actually work. Observing Mark interacting with others and his environment was a start. She would continue to encourage her son to go to the doctor for a checkup, but without his cooperation she doubted it would work. “Not everyone would care,” she murmured, realizing this man had chosen to get involved in her and her son’s life when a lot of people, having witnessed what happened on stage, would run the other way.
“But that’s not what Christ taught us.”
Kathleen started to reply when she heard, “Mom. Come on.”
Shrugging, she said, “I’d better go.”
Jared followed her the rest of the way and offered his hand to Mark while he introduced himself. Her son limply shook it, his fingers barely touching Jared’s.
“I’d love to see you at the youth group meeting this Sunday evening. You probably know some of the guys who attend. Your cousin is one of our leaders.”
Mark avoided eye contact with Jared. “I don’t know if I can make it,” Mark mumbled to his chest.
“We’re going to plan a fundraiser, then continue our volleyball tournament. I can always pick you up if you want or you can come with your cousin. What do you say, Mark?”
Kathleen marveled at the persuasive tone in Jared’s voice and hoped her son agreed.
“I’ll think about it,” Mark mumbled, this time lifting his head and looking Jared in the eye for a few seconds before dropping his gaze again.
“Good. Summer around here can get long and boring without some things to do.”
Mark yanked the door open. “Let’s go, Mom.”
Over the top of the car Kathleen mouthed, “Thank you,” then slid behind the steering wheel.
After pulling out of the parking lot, Kathleen stopped at the corner and studied her son’s slumped posture and sullen expression. “I can take you if you want Sunday evening.” Her son had refused to get his driver’s license three months ago when he’d turned sixteen.
With his gaze glued straight ahead, Mark tensed. “I said I’d think about it.”
Kathleen eased her foot onto the accelerator and maneuvered the car out into the flow of traffic. At least her son hadn’t flat-out refused. There was hope. In fact, because of Jared Matthews she felt more hope than she had in a long time. Maybe this move home was going to turn out for the better after all. She needed to believe in something again. After John’s death she had lost faith, her prayers had gone unanswered. Then the recent events concerning Mark had found her drifting even further away from God.
Parking in her driveway, she curled her fingers tightly around the steering wheel and watched her son’s quick escape into the house.