A Dougie Project

Jon asked his ex-wife, "Stevie, do you know the senator's son well?" "As a matter of fact, I do." Wondering why she had considered it important to keep it from him before, Stevie told the whole story of her four-month mentoring with Wes Bellardi. She was proud of herself for holding together emotionally through it all, even when relating her concern for Wes'  life. "So you have a Dougie project too," Jon summarized softly when she was through.

"Why am I doing it, Jon?" It was a question she had asked herself repeatedly since Wes had come into her life. "Why is either of us doing it? Me with Wes, you with Ben. Do we have some driving inner need to get this part right so we can move on in life? Have we taken on these two young men as a subconscious act of penance? Is God giving us a second chance to show that He forgives us for Dougie's overdose?"

Jon shook his head slowly. "I don't know. I've considered all those answers. Maybe Dougie had nothing at all to do with it. Maybe it's just a big coincidence. Ben and Wes both needed somebody, and we happened to be available. We each did what we felt was right, and something good has come of it."