Not wanting to join the group, Jorden covered the distance to her bedroom in mere seconds. She closed the door and stood there a moment before she plopped down on the bed. Her room in no way compared to the spacious bedroom she had stayed in at Alex’s home last May. She remembered the large canopy bed and the pleasant sunroom off to the side. Alex’s mother, Margo Whelan, had sent her a note soon after her visit to Albany. Politely, Mrs. Whelan thanked Jorden for the porcelain flower vase she had given her.

Jorden had written to Mrs. Whelan several times since then but Alex’s mother was short on replies. Jorden would keep trying—she wouldn’t give up. Alex wrote often, almost daily. Five months had passed since he left for this war. She still debated whether to write Alex about Matt but again decided against it. Matt was a safe distraction. They had been up-front with each other right from the start. Soon enough, Matt would be off to Vietnam, and Jorden and Alex would be married.

Chapter 7: November 1969

Chapter 7

November 1969

Alex’s latest letter mentioned trying to get R&R (rest and recuperation) in Hawaii. Jorden pulled his letter from the top of the stack.

I heard back from my application for R&R. None in December. I don’t know the right people to pull those strings. I’m trying for January and if not then, maybe in February. I’m looking forward to it, but we can’t count on anything. We’ll have to wait and see. Hon, I want to be with you . . .

Jorden put the letter down and stared at the ceiling. She wanted the same, to be with Alex—he never left her thoughts especially since he left for Vietnam. She wanted to believe in the war … she had to, or how could she justify Alex being there?

Madison, her best friend, had encouraged her to get Alex to apply for R&R. She and her husband, Luke, took advantage of it in Hawaii last year. According to Madison, the five day break was like a piece of heaven, getting away from this hated war.

Lost in her thoughts, Jorden barely heard the burst of laughter from the living room and the knock on her door.

“Jorden. You have a call,” Darby called out.

“Thanks. I’m coming.” Jorden managed to step around a couple of guys sprawled on the floor—two others were on the couch. Someone started playing “Light My Fire” on the stereo.

“Why don’t you join us? There’s plenty of room on the couch.” A guy waved at Jorden, then patted the cushion. He had a beer in the other hand.

“Thanks,” Jorden said as she gestured toward the kitchen. “But I have a call.”

“What’s going on?” Madison exclaimed on the other end of the phone line.