Lavender and Espresso

"When I look back on it now . . . of course I think I failed Timothy Hodgkins. I always thought I was doing right by him . . . I should have seen it coming."

Greta Quincey is a professional student with a penchant for late nights and who's constantly trying to step out of the shadow of her younger, soon-to-be married sister. She's also the new counsellor at a not-so-new community center, and that's where she meets Timothy Hodgkins. He's old, cranky and reluctant to admit his own loneliness -- which leaves Greta itching to help him relax, and relieve his intense stress headaches.

She suggests that Timothy starts volunteering and it seems to be going well. He feels productive again, and even makes some new friends, but after a terrible accident changes the nature of Greta's professional relationship with Timothy, both of them are forced to face the gut wrenching truths behind the lives they lead; does Greta really have what it takes to succeed in her career and life goals? And how long can an aging widower maintain his independence?

NaNoWriMo 2013 attempt.