“Who was the man you were with the other day? Mama says it’s none of my business, but are you really going to marry him? What about Matt?”

“My, a lot of questions,” Jorden replied as she left the phone booth. “Matt is a good friend. Alex, the man I was with on Sunday—I plan to marry.”

“Oh.” Nora seemed to hesitate. “Promise you won’t tell my Mama I asked you.”

“I promise.” Jorden realized how wise she was for her age.

“Thanks. I’d better go.” Nora hopped on her bike and waved as she peddled away.

***

The lasagna dinner went well. Alex didn’t say a word about their dispute regarding her car. It was as if they never had a disagreement. He helped Jorden clean up the dishes before they had ice cream sundaes.

“A great dinner. You get an A+.”

“Thank you.” Jorden sat back and tried to relax, but her nerves were frazzled. She couldn’t sit still.

“I have an idea. Let’s put the Mustang’s top down and go for a ride. It’s a clear night and still warm outside,” Alex suggested.

“Great idea.” The thought of getting out in the open air gradually eased Jorden’s anxiety.

Millions of stars glittered above them as Alex drove. Jorden threw her head back and let the wind blow her hair every which way. She looked up at the sky. “It’s beautiful. I wish this moment could go on and on.” She squeezed Alex’s arm.

“These moments will go on and on.” He placed his hand on Jorden’s knee as she sat close to him.

If only she could divide herself in half. Half for Alex and half for Matt—not unequally divided as they were now. But that could never happen.

Chapter 62: June 1970

Chapter 62

June 1970

Early Thursday afternoon after they had lunch, Jorden contemplated driving to her school. She wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Absent-mindedly, she reached for her purse.

“Going somewhere?” Alex asked.

“To my school.” This time, Alex didn’t argue. “Want to come?” Jorden wanted to get the rest of her things and look at her classroom one last time.

“No. I’ll let you have your time to reminiscence. I think I’ll drive around the base—see if Fort Benning has changed much in the last year.” Alex pulled out his car keys. “See you about four. Will that work?”

“Fine.” Before Alex could get out the door, Jorden gave him a kiss. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Alex replied, kissing her back.

Jorden’s shoulders relaxed. The tightness in her stomach eased as she watched him drive away. A half hour later, she pulled into her junior high’s parking lot and checked her watch. The drive had taken ten minutes more from the Buena Vista Complex.