Hero Interview from Final Exposure

» Posted on Sep 22, 2009 in Blog | Comments Off on Hero Interview from Final Exposure


This week I’m hosting Roxanne Rustand with Final Exposure and Lena Nelson Dooley with Wild West Christmas. If you want to enter the drawing for the book, please leave a
comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at
margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (Sept. 27th) evening.

Hero Interview from Final Exposure by Roxanne Rustand:

1. Jack Matthews, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

The most interesting thing? I guess it would also be the saddest. My only sister and her husband died a few months ago in a tragic car accident. Their little boy was with them, but thanks to his car seat, he was unhurt. Physically, that is. The emotional scars are with him, every single day. He falls apart at just the distant sound of a siren, or if he sees someone in a uniform.

Max lives with me, now. Who knew that being a substitute parent could be so scary, so absolutely rewarding? And who knew that it would change my life so completely? He’s the center of my universe, now. I just pray that he’ll be able to move past his terrible nightmares someday, so he can be just a normal, happy child again.

2. What do you do for fun?

Being a grown up is sometimes boring. Shave, put on a suit, go to work all day. Max changed all of that. He brought spontaneity and fun back into my life. It isn’t that we both aren’t still grieving. There isn’t a day that passes without the thought of that car accident hitting me like a sucker punch to the gut. But I still try to keep things normal for Max. We go to the beach and build sandcastles. We paint pictures and go to the zoo. Did you know that Sesame Street is still on?! Don’t tell anyone, but I still like Cookie Monster the best.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I had a trusted partner for years. We ran an investment firm together, each with our own clients, and when he embezzled funds and took off, I was stunned beyond belief. Trust and honor are everything to me. How could anyone steal from elderly clients like that? Since then, I’ve worked hard to build deeper trust with my own clients, and have tried hard to reassure them. But the thought of daring to trust another partner makes my blood run cold.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

It’s not like I dwell on it, or anything. But I guess I’ve always feared ending up like my dad–bitter, alone, so wrapped up in his long-held grudges that he has driven everyone away. The Lord’s prayer says we should forgive others, just as God forgives us. But Dad doesn’t see it that way.

5. What do you want out of life?

Boy, that sure changed as I got older. As a kid I wanted to be Top Gun–that fighter pilot on the silver screen. As a teen, I wanted to be a rock star–though honestly, I can’t sing a lick. During my college years, I imagined myself in law or medical school, just because it sounded cool. But by the time I hit thirty-three, my all-too shallow perspective changed. Life isn’t about fame or wild success or an exclusive address. What really matters is your faith, your friends, having someone to love with all your heart. How could anyone be richer than that?

6. What is the most important thing to you?

I guess I covered that above, but okay–I’ll take another stab at this. Faith first; family and friends a close second. I want to be surrounded by the people I love, and I just hope I deserve their love in return.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I used to read at least one book a week, usually two. Thrillers. Suspense. Some biographies now and then. Of course, that was pre-Max. Did you know that it’s possible to memorize a Seuss book in three reads–or that a five year old will catch you if you say a single word wrong?

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I guess I’d try to be more open to adventure, more willing to take fun, crazy chances now and then. My sister was a free spirit. She lived life to the fullest, and I used to tease her about that. Now, I just wish she was back so I could go on some of those adventures with her.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Do ant farms count? Guinea pigs, gerbils? A moth eaten cat with a missing ear? Our pet population is expanding at roughly the speed of light. But these pets make Max happy, and the chores are giving him a sense of responsibility. I hope!

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I would give almost anything to go back just six months. To hug my sister one more time. To tell her that I never meant it, all those times that I teased her. I wish I could tell her that I loved her. And that she didn’t need to worry, because her little boy will have the best life I can offer…and I’ll make sure to keep her memory alive.