“Are you sure it’s not inconvenient?” Eloise asked.

“Not at all,” Matt intervened, “she can keep us straight with the directions.”

“See, Mama? It’s okay.”

“It’s settled, Nora’s coming with us.” Matt waved for Eloise and Lisa to follow him.

Jorden looked back at Nora as Matt started driving. “You know, my roommate teaches at your high school. Maybe you’ve seen her, Darby Simms?”

“I can’t believe it. Cheryl and I have Miss Simms for third period English. She’s cool! I wish I could say the same for my math teacher. He’s a dud! You ought to teach high school math. You’d like it.”

“I bet I would,” Jorden agreed.

Matt drove while Jorden bombarded Nora with questions. He kept one eye on the road and the other on the rear-view mirror looking for Lisa’s car. A large sign for Buena Vista Apartments loomed before them. He put his arm out and motioned for Lisa to turn right. This was the first of four apartment complexes he had chosen.

By five, Eloise had decided on the first one. The others were too small, too run down, or too expensive. Eloise met Matt back at Buena Vista for one more look.

Lisa agreed with Eloise. “I think you’re right. Buena Vista fits you the best. It’s close to the base, and Nora can catch the school bus.” Jorden agreed with Lisa’s assessment. There were two fair-sized bedrooms and a living room with a tiny dining area. The kitchen was small but compact and overall it was well kept up.

“For the price, you can’t beat it,” Lisa declared.

“You’re right. I can afford sixty-five dollars a month, even though it will be a squeeze. My savings will help. Thank goodness Sam didn’t have access to my bank accounts back then.”

Jorden listened to everything Eloise said about Sam. She could only imagine how bad it must have been.

Eloise looked at her daughter and asked, “What do you think?”

“Take it, Mama. It’s the best. I just hope Sam doesn’t find us.”

“We have a restraining order, for what it is worth. If we have to, we’ll call the police.” Eloise hugged her daughter. “We’ll make it work. I promise.”

“Amen!” Lisa replied.

Eloise touched Matt’s hand. “Thank you so much for all your help.”

Matt squeezed her fingers. “Any time.”

Eloise smiled at Jorden and said, “I’m so glad I got to meet you, Miss Marshall.”

“Same here, but please call me Jorden.” Then, Jorden turned and caught Nora’s attention. “You and Cheryl remember to stop by and see me. I’m in the same classroom.”

“We will. I can’t wait to tell Cheryl about today. She won’t believe it.”