Character Coffee Chat with Lydia Myers

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 Lydia Myers from the Jorja Matthews mystery series.

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

Well, as you said, my name is Lydia Myers. You recently met my niece, Kat, when she took part in a coffee chat last month. I became her guardian two years ago after my brother, Kat’s father, died.  I live in Tenino in the home Kat grew up in and I currently work with Jorja at her store, Books ‘N Brew, which is also located here in town. I’m not sure how long I’ll be working at the store because I just agreed to take the job to help Jorja out. Kat was working for her and when she graduated high school and decided to go to college up north, Jorja needed help to fill Kat’s position when she left.

But you’ve known Jorja for quite some time, right? You also grew up in Tenino?

Yes, I grew up here and went to school with Jorja. She and I graduated high school together but didn’t hang out when we were in school. Then after graduation she left to go to college and I didn’t see her again until she moved back here last year. So, we’ve known each other for a long time, but we weren’t really friends in school and we certainly didn’t keep in touch after graduation.

Do you enjoy working with Jorja? Are you friends now or is it just an employee-employer relationship?

She and I are…civil with each other. She signs my paycheck but like I said, I’m helping her out so I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say she’s my boss. We’re working together to make her store run efficiently. She doesn’t always listen to me when I offer my advice, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t point out to her when I see something that could be improved on.

How about family? Are you married? Do you have children of your own?

No…I’m not married and Kat is my only family. I really haven’t had time for romance, honestly. I work and also take care of my brother’s home and his daughter so I don’t have time to focus on men right now.

Are there any prospects?  Anyone you have your eye on? There’s some buzz about a guy you knew in high school…Brad. Was he the one who got away?

Ha! More like I’m the one who got away from him. He had his chance with me, but he…well, he just didn’t realize what he had with me until it was gone. That’s all I have to say about that.

Okay, so you currently work at the bookstore but that job started when Kat left for college? What did you do before you began working at the store?

Well, I’ve had more than my fair share of jobs. I guess you can say I’m still trying to find the right fit. Before this job I worked for Sandra Bennett at her hair salon, I helped deliver flowers for Courtney Greene at her flower shop. I also worked at a funeral home. But my job had nothing to do with the actual funerals or running of the place. I fixed up the hair and makeup for the deceased before the funerals. I liked that job. I was able to work by myself and didn’t have to deal with other people.

Yes, I’m sure the deceased are a quiet bunch to work with.

You could say that.

Didn’t something happen with your job at the funeral home? Something Jorja helped you with?

Uh, yes, I was accused of something I didn’t do. Or, well, let me backtrack. I did take something that didn’t belong to me, and I got caught and charged with a crime, yes. But they also tried to pin a bunch of other stuff on me that I wasn’t responsible for. I had to hire an attorney and then, yes, Jorja had a hand in helping me out with my case. I’m sure it would have all resolved the same without her, but I’ll admit she helped move things along faster.

Jorja also helped Kat find out what really happened to her mother. Were you on board with that investigation when Jorja agreed to help Kat?

I’ll admit, I wasn’t. I truly believed Kat’s mother abandoned both her and my brother and I knew any contact with that woman years after the fact would just be upsetting for Kat. What excuse could a mother have for abandoning her daughter when she’s only five years old? My sister-in-law and I weren’t bosom buddies so I guess I didn’t know her well enough to understand what she was or wasn’t capable of. I had no idea Jorja would uncover what she did about Vera. Even then I can’t say I was completely happy with Jorja for helping Kat out. Kat will say it gave her answers, but I believe it just brought unnecessary pain and she had to deal with the loss of her mother all over again.

But it did offer Kat closure, which was important, don’t you think?

Sure, I suppose. I just didn’t like seeing Kat so upset when she learned the truth, that’s all.

You’re a caring aunt, and Kat’s lucky to have you.

I do my best. My brother didn’t expect to pass away at such a young age. But then both our parents are gone already, so I suppose it’s a hereditary thing. Hopefully I can manage to live a longer life, if only for Kat’s sake.

What do you think about Kat’s future plans to become a forensic investigator?

She’s a big girl and can make her own decisions, but whatever she decides to do, I know she’ll do her best. That’s the one trait she got from me…she’s not afraid to go after what she wants.

What are your plans for the future? Will you continue to reside in Tenino if Kat doesn’t return home after college?

At this point, I’ll continue working at the bookstore until it’s no longer a good fit for me or until Jorja no longer needs my help. I don’t have any plans to move, unless it’s to downsize into a smaller home. If Kat moves away due to whatever job she gets after college, I don’t imagine I can continue to keep up the place on my own. Other than that, I’m content with my life and the current status quo.

 And your current relationship status? Are you content with the status quo?

Well, some day I might meet Mr. Right, but until then, I don’t plan on wasting time worrying about when he might appear.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope Mr. Right might someday appear to sweep you off your feet.

It’s not likely any man will sweep me off my feet because I’m not easily impressed, but I suppose anything can happen.

Yes, anything can happen so we’ll just wait and see. And on that note, we’ll say goodbye to Lydia and end the coffee chat here. Lydia may come back another time, but it could be awhile so if you have a question specifically for her, please note it down in the comments and she’ll reply to best of her ability.

I hope you enjoyed this Character Coffee Chat and that you’ll check back next month for the next chat with another character from the Jorja Matthew mystery series!