“I love you. Believe me, I’m going to miss you more than you know,” Alex said as he leaned over and kissed Jorden—a long, lingering kiss, but still not enough to erase the knot in her stomach. She wanted more time with him . . . why didn’t he understand? The last few moments were the hardest.

“I have to go,” Jorden finally stated simply.

Alex waved to Jorden as she boarded the plane. Upset, she waved back, knowing this would be the last time she would see him before he left for this ugly war.

Chapter 43: January 1970

Chapter 43

January 1970

Heading toward the boarding gate for Atlanta, Jorden walked past a rowdy bar. The patrons were cheering for the Los Angeles Lakers. Elgin Baylor had just made a game-winning jump shot. The crowd went crazy, chanting his name over and over. It reminded her of the wild, surprise call from Alex last May.

***

Previous Year - Columbus, May 21, 1969

The phone rang shortly after Jorden had turned off Scott O’Brady’s evening program. She was glad Madison hadn’t been there to hear the latest troublesome news from Vietnam. Reaching for the phone, she could barely hear over blaring music and piercing voices. Ready to hang up, she decided it must be a crank call. But—wait—she thought she heard a familiar voice.

“Hello . . . Jorden . . . Are you there?” Alex shouted.

“Yes . . . I can’t hear you. Where are you?”

“I’m . . . in a bar outside of Albany . . . with Peter. We’re waiting for his girl to get off work. We stopped . . . for a burger . . . and a beer.”

“I almost hung up.” Jorden was annoyed he was at a bar rather than with her in Columbus.

“I’m . . . coming!”

“What? Speak louder, I can’t hear you.” Jorden wasn’t sure if she had heard him right.

“I’m coming to Columbus! I have to see you before I leave.”

“When?”

“I’m flying in Saturday. How about a date?”

“Gosh, I think I’m busy,” Jorden replied with a laugh.

“You’re what? Your voice is . . . breaking up.”

Jorden changed her tune—no more joking. “What time are you getting in? I can’t wait to see you!”

“Jorden are . . . you there? You’re breaking . . . up again. I’ll call you tomorrow. It’s so loud in here . . . I can’t hear my own voice. I . . . love you.” Then the line went dead.

Tears of joy slid down Jorden’s cheeks. She couldn’t believe it. Shaking, her hands flew up to her face.

“What’s wrong?”

Not realizing Madison had come in, Jorden jerked up. “Alex is coming!”

“When?”

“I don’t know. No—I mean, Saturday. I just don’t know what time. He’ll call back tomorrow.”

“At last he’s come to his senses.”

“I can’t believe it. I just knew I wouldn’t see him again.”

“Why don’t you know when he’s getting in?” Madison looked curious.