Hero Interview from Twice in a Lifetime

Interview with the hero from Twice in a Lifetime by Marta Perry:

1. Matthew Harper, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Not sure how interesting you’d find it, but I’m a newcomer here in Charleston. I brought my daughter, Lindsay, here to start a new life away from Boston. When my wife died, it seemed like my heart just died with her. Lindsay and I couldn’t stand wandering around a house that felt so empty, and when my law school roommate invited me to go into practice with him in Charleston, I jumped at the chance.

2. What do you do for fun?

Fun here on Sullivan’s Island outside Charleston is a lot different from what I was used to. The Bodine family has been introducing us to their brand of fun: playing in the surf, boating, exploring remote barrier islands, watching over the sea turtle nests, having picnics on the beach. I’m learning to enjoy it, and my Lindsay is turning into a real island girl, thanks to Miz Callie, my neighbor, and her granddaughter Georgia.

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

Talking to Lindsay about her mother. I know I should, but my grief is still so overpowering that I’m afraid I’ll scare her.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Losing my daughter. And yet the longer I hold back from expressing my feelings, it seems the farther away I push her.

5. What do you want out of life?

A fresh start with Lindsay, without a lot of painful reminders of the past; a chance to make a difference in the lives of my clients.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

My daughter, plain and simple. Maybe I didn’t spend enough time with her when her mother was alive—I guess I was too busy trying to be successful for them. Now I know better.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I never read much when I was a kid. If you’d grown up on the streets like I did, you’d understand. But now I’ve been reading with Lindsay, and I’m catching up on all the books I missed then. Right now we’re reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe together, and I’m enjoying it as much as she is.

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

I guess I’d like to be more open with people, but I don’t think I can. Life has taught me to guard my heart.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

No, but Lindsay has been talking about getting a puppy, so I guess we’ll have a pet in the family before too long.

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

I’m not one to wish for things that can’t be. I’ve got enough to handle in the present.