Jorden sat at her familiar desk while her eyes wandered over her students’ empty seats. She looked at the desks Nora and Cheryl had sat at during her first year of teaching. They had been in her fifth period math class. She couldn’t forget their bright faces when they learned they had won the stock market contest.

Old memories were continuing to flood Jorden’s thoughts when she heard voices off in the distance. The principal and his secretary were still working. She glanced at the wall clock. It was a little after two. She gathered the last few items from her closet and put them into a cardboard box. Then she walked down to the principal’s office to thank him for his support over the past two years.

“I’ll be looking for another teaching position in the Boston area. Can I use you as a reference?”

“Of course. Any time. I wish we weren’t losing you,” Mr. Rinehart replied.

“Thank you. I’ll miss your help, the kids, and the school.” What she couldn’t say was how lost she felt, but she couldn’t even explain the reason to herself. Driving away, she spotted a gas station with a payphone. She couldn’t resist pulling over. First she dialed Matt’s number. No answer. By now she expected nothing. Next, she called Madison.

“Hello?”

“Madison?”

“Yes, it’s me. Who else, besides Luke, do you think would be answering my phone?”

“Don’t give me a hard time. I tried to call you yesterday and you didn’t answer.”

“Luke and I were shopping. You sound stressed. Want to go for a Coke?” Jorden knew how well Madison could pick up on her state of mind.

“Love to. I’ll meet you at Shoney’s. We can have a Coke and fries for old time’s sake. I have to be back by four, but this will work for me. Thanks,” Jorden replied.

She spotted Madison as she entered the restaurant. The air conditioning brought instant relief from the humid, ninety degree weather.

“Over here,” Madison called with a wave. “What’s up? Why aren’t you with Alex? Did you have a fight?”

“No. Nothing so serious. Civilized disagreement is more like it. Plus, I needed some time and space. I got my car at last. Alex wasn’t keen on picking it up.”

“Slow down. I can see you’re upset. Take a deep breath. Hold it. Now exhale.” The commands coming from anyone else would have irritated Jorden, but Madison had a calming effect.

“Better.” The muscles in Jorden’s shoulders relaxed.

“Now, what’s this about your car?”

“First, Alex doesn’t think I need a car. He said I should sell it so we can drive up north together. He forgets we’re going to two different states before we’re married. Trenton, New Jersey is at least two hundred miles away from Albany, New York.”