Had it not been for his personality and ability to see the brighter side of even the most depressing situation, Nathan would have been broken by the extra duty and “special” attention a few renegade upper classmen had heaped on him. Only after his rat year was at an end did Nathan discover that many of the upperclassmen actually went out of their way to find him in the hope of getting a good chuckle out of what he said. Thus a reputation had been created, one that Nathan strove to build upon during the balance of his cadetship.

That his time at VMI was coming to an end was a bittersweet experience to the young man. Unlike his former life, lived in the shadows of a father who always seemed to be larger than life, Nathan’s success at VMI had been his own. He had come here as just another face among many and managed to succeed. And though he appreciated the fact that it was his parents who were making this education and experience possible, he took great pride in the fact that his academic achievements, not to mention notoriety, were all his.

Above the cacophony of conversations and adoration that rose from the gathering of families, friends, and cadets, Nathan heard Jan’s voice. “Nathan, over here.” Looking about, he caught sight of a hand fluttering above the heads of the crowd. With a mixture of gentle shoves and taps, always followed by a polite “thank you,” Nathan made his way to where his mother, his younger brother, his roommate, and his roommate’s parents were gathered. As he joined the small cluster, Jan asked, “Have you seen the general?”

Jan seldom referred to Scott as “the general.” When she did so it was usually a sign that she was annoyed with him or found herself in the midst of a situation that she was anxious to get away from. In this case it was the latter. Though Nathan and Ronny Goldman had been fast friends, in and out of mischief for their entire four years together, Jan could not stand Arthur and Rita Goldman. Arthur Goldman, a prominent trial attorney from New York City, had political aspirations and an ego to match them. To Jan he always came across as too friendly, too quick to please whomever he was with. Having to spend too much of her professional time dealing with politicians, the last thing she wanted to do was associate with a congressional wannabe during her free time.

“So,” Arthur continued where he had left off when Jan had abruptly turned away from him to flag down Nathan, “then you don’t think the FBI has done enough as far as the latest bombing is concerned?”

Jan, angered that Arthur would even bring such a subject up on a day that was supposed to be one of celebration, was a bit sharper than usual with Arthur when she responded. “What I said, Art,” she replied, using a nickname she knew he despised, “was that either they’ve got nothing at all, or they’re holding their cards awfully close. Either way, we’re not getting anything new from anyone in the government, which is making a lot of folks nervous.”