“I—I don’t think so. Darby seemed final about the decision.”

Matt reached for Jorden’s hand and wound his fingers around her delicate ones. “Life is short.” He touched her cheek and pulled her close. Their lips met.

Chapter 18: December 1969

Chapter 18

December 1969

Jorden’s good mood was spurred by the coming holidays. When she returned from New Jersey, the trip to Hawaii would be on the horizon. She hadn’t told her parents about it; she would when she got to Trenton. They may not approve, but the decision rested on her shoulders.

The phone startled Jorden. “Matt here. Are we still on for tonight?”

“I am. How about a movie?”

“How about something a little more exciting?” Matt replied.

“Like what?” Jorden looked up, wondering what he was thinking.

“A night of dancing on base at Custer’s Rendezvous.”

“Great! I feel like dancing.” She tapped her fingers to the radio playing “Solitary Man.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up around seven thirty.”

The doorbell rang at seven fifteen. Jorden threw her robe over her slip. She looked out the peephole, and there was Matt.

“Hey. You’re early. I’m only half-dressed,” Jorden managed to reply.

“Are you going to make me wait out here?”

Jorden smiled at the first time she had kept him waiting. She turned the doorknob and peered out.

Matt could see her rose-colored robe. “Hey, nice outfit.”

She opened the door wider. He swept past her. By eight o’clock they were on their way.

“You mean they have a dance spot on base?” Jorden couldn’t believe it.

“Sure do. My roommate, Chip, told me about it. He said we should check it out.” Matt rounded the curve, and the lights lit up Custer’s Rendezvous. “There it is.”

They danced several sets to a live band. The final song to this set was “Holly Holy” a slow one. Matt held her close as he hummed the words and swayed to the rhythm of the music.

“I don’t want to, but we’d better go,” Jorden whispered. “I’m flying out of here early tomorrow.”

“You’re right. Let’s go.”

When Matt drove into the Julian Apartment complex, Jorden noticed most of the parking spots were empty. Few Christmas lights illuminated the windows since most of the tenants were on holiday leave.

“It’s eerie,” Jorden exclaimed.

“Come on. I’ll go in with you.” Before he got out of the car, Matt lifted a shopping bag out of the backseat.

“What time is it?”

“It’s a little after midnight. Not too late.” Matt walked her into her apartment. He turned toward the tree and plugged in the lights, adding to the aura of the night.

Before Jorden knew it, Matt had stepped into the kitchen. She heard an explosion followed by a crackling fizz.

“What’s going on?”