1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.
My name’s Kim and I work as a youth care worker at Hope Manor a faith-based detention facility for young offenders founded by my father. Recently there have been several drug-related crimes in Miller’s Bay that are being linked to our facility and giving us a bad reputation in the community. So bad that the province may rescind our funding. I’m determined not to let that happen. My father put his heart and soul into helping these kids. Seeing this facility go under would kill him faster than the cancer that’s sapping his strength.
2. I understand you have a new staff member, Ethan Reed. Tell us a bit about him/her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
Since the first time I saw him I was lying in a ditch and he was standing over me like an angel come to my rescue, I’d have to say the first impression was…really good. He was very concerned for my welfare, and unlike my brother, took an immediate interest in my desire to save Hope Manor. There wasn’t much not to like. Then I found out why he was really here! How could I love someone who would ruin everything my father had worked for?
3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
I’m very good at self-defense, and at subduing out-of-control youth. And I have a lot of compassion for them. I care about seeing them turn their lives around. These kids need to know that even if they repeatedly mess up, God will forgive them. I guess others would say believing in them is my greatest weakness.
4. What scares you?
What the detention center’s closure might do to my dad. I can’t fail him.
5. I guess he’s the most important person to you?
He’s my hero. I admire him a lot. As busy as he was running this place, he always made time for me; asked me about my day; read me stories. My favorite was Charlotte’s Web. It’s kind of a picture of what Dad did for these kids. And like Charlotte had done for Wilbur, Dad would try to help these kids to his dying breath.
6. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would never have given my heart to Nate in college. His betrayal—marrying my college roommate when we were supposed to be courting—really messed me up.
7. You’ve got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
Yes, it’s “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” From Isaiah 65:17b NIV A lot of the kids that come through our facility think that God could never forgive them for the bad things they’ve done. Or they turn their lives around for awhile, then mess up again, and think that’s it, there’s no way God would forgive them again. This scripture reminds us that when we are truly sorry and turn away from those things, God blots them out, never to be remembered again.
