Character Coffee Chat with Bailey Maxwell

Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you love to hate. Character Coffee Chats offer a little extra time with some of the characters readers have enjoyed meeting or getting to know in the Jorja Matthew mystery series. For those who haven’t yet read the series, be warned some coffee chats might offer spoilers.

For those who have kept up with the series since the beginning, here’s your chance to spend extra time with each character, gain insight about recent events in the novels and learn more details about their backstory.

Now it’s time to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

Today’s coffee chat will be with Bailey Maxwell from the Jorja Matthews mystery series.

Let’s begin with Bailey introducing herself and how she knows Jorja Matthews.

Hello. Well, I have a son, Justin, and I currently work at Books ‘N Brew for Jorja. I usually work in the mornings until early afternoon so I can pick up my son at school. Justin’s in the third grade this year. I haven’t actually known Jorja for very long, not even a year yet. But she’s helped me through a lot and I enjoy working at the store with her and Taylor.

You haven’t actually lived in the area for very long either, isn’t that right?

No, I haven’t. I originally lived in Colorado, with my husband and my son. My son lives with me now, but I’m no longer married.

And didn’t you also write and publish a book recently?

I did…I was in an abusive relationship and the book helped me process and work though things. About why I moved here and also some things that happened after wards. Another reason I wrote it was to help other women who might be going through something like I did. All stories may be similar, but none are the same, and I realize that what works for one person to get through the trauma they’re experiencing won’t necessarily work for another. I just hope my book might give other victims hope that someday they’ll be able to make a change. At the very least, it can show them that they aren’t alone.

Do you want to share a little more about your situation?

It’s still difficult to talk about, which is probably one of the reasons why I wrote about it instead. It’s so much easier to write something down than to say the words out loud. I used to be married to Justin’s father and he was extremely abusive. We lived in a community where my husband was well known and there was no one I could trust to share what actually happened behind closed doors. He was abusive, physically and mentally. It got to the point that I knew I had to find a way to leave him, but I also had to think about my son. I couldn’t leave him behind, and it took some time to plan but I finally found a way to escape.

However, when I left, my husband was able to get the authorities to believe I had assaulted him and kidnapped our son, so I used another identity and ran until I got here. I decided to begin a new life here under my new identity and I could only pray I was safe from the madman I’d married. But eventually he found me and he committed another terrible act when he got here. He tried his best to make me pay for his sins, but I was lucky to have met Jorja. She helped me through all that and helped prove what type of person my husband really was.

And then you wrote your book to help get through what you experienced, but also to help others?

Yes. I’ll admit it wasn’t easy. There’s a lot I feel ashamed about, even though I know I shouldn’t have those feelings. He was the abuser and it’s not like I asked for that sort of treatment. There’s a saying I’ve had keep in mind, it’s him, not me. I’ve had to focus on the fact that what happened was because of what’s wrong with him, not because of anything he might try to blame on me. It took a lot for me to share my story because I didn’t want people to see me as a victim. I’m technically a victim when it comes to the crimes he committed against me, but I’d rather be known as a survivor. I’d rather be known as the protector of my son. Or as as a loving mother who did what she could to break the cycle of abuse, rather than take a chance on her son ending up like his father. I’d rather my son see me as strong and resilient. And worthy of showing him what a good life can be like. I’ll be honest that I don’t always see myself that way because I’m still working through some things. But I’m doing my best to get there and part of that involves not blaming myself.

Are you happy you landed in the small town of Tenino?

More than anything. I love my job and I appreciate that Jorja gave me a chance and let me work here once my life was straightened out. It’s also been a long time since I’ve had any friends, so it’s been nice being able to call Jorja and Taylor friends. I’ll admit I’m still hesitant to share my whole self with others. But they have made it easier to believe in friendships again. I also love this town. I enjoy the people who visit the store. The town as a whole is a great community. And I appreciate our police force, even if I did end up on the wrong side of the table when we first met.

My son is doing well in school, although he also has some things to work through himself. Most of that involves his concern that his father is going to come back someday to hurt me. That’s a difficult promise for me to keep…that his father won’t get out of prison anytime soon. I don’t have full control over that, and I won’t ever admit it to my son, but the idea scares me and keeps me up at nights too. I just hope the promises I’ve made to my son are never broken. But, yes, even though my son and I are still healing, I think that the people we’ve become friends with and our new lives here in Tenino will help us as we do our best to become whole again.

There’s been discussion with some of the others about Jorja’s work beyond the bookstore. Do you have any thoughts or concerns about the cases she takes on as a private investigator?

Well, unless you’re ever on the receiving end of criminal charges you’re not guilty of, it might be difficult to understand how important it is to have someone like Jorja in your corner. What Jorja has done for me, and for others like me, is to give us the benefit of the doubt. Even when all seems lost, and to give us a second chance after we’re able to prove our innocence. I don’t like to think about how my life would have played out if my husband had gotten his way. I would have lost my son and gone to prison. I’m sure if my husband had his way, I would never have seen my son again.

There here are plenty of cases Jorja takes on cases where the suspect is probably guilty as charged, but then there are cases like mine where there’s something more to prove and she helps dig that up. I owe her everything for where I am now. And for giving me the second chance I have to make a life here with my son. Of course, I know Jorja has also put herself at risk with some of the work she’s taken on. I’d be lying if I said I don’t worry about her sometimes. But she’s proven that she can take care of herself. And when she needs help, she has plenty of friends who are also always there for her. That’s another reason why I love living here…the loyalty between friends and this community is amazing and I feel lucky to be a part of it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I guess I’d just like to say again that I’m grateful for everyone who helped me and Justin with the opportunity for a second chance. My son will grow up knowing love and comfort rather than fear and intimidation. That’s something I’ll forever be thankful for as his mother.

That’s definitely something to be thankful for. Second chances are sometimes an opportunity to make our lives better and you certainly deserve it after what you’ve been through. And with that, it’s probably a good place to end our chat, but if you have a question specifically for Bailey, please note it down in the comments and she’ll reply to best of her ability.

I hope you enjoyed this Character Coffee Chat. Don’t forget to check back next month for the next chat with another character from the Jorja Matthew mystery series.