“What are you staring at?” Darby focused on the window. She squealed, “Look!” A tiny mouse raced across the ledge. Jorden barely saw it as it ducked into a crack in the wood. All eyes were riveted to the spot.

Darby got up. “Time to go!”

Jorden was right behind her. The two young women shivered outside of the restaurant while Nate and Matt paid the bill. Darby leaned into Jorden for warmth and a break from the wind. “What did you think of Matt?”

“He’s okay,” Jorden answered. Inwardly, she had to admit she found Matt witty and entertaining, but right now she didn’t feel like sharing this with Darby. Thoughts of Alex held her back.

“Only okay? Aren’t you finicky?” Darby teased.

“Hey girls,” Matt called out, “the restaurant’s manager assured us they have only one pet mouse, and his name is Harry. He accidentally got out of his cage tonight. No need to worry; Harry is under control now.”

“You’re right.” Nate slapped Matt’s shoulder. Both men laughed.

“You’re not fooling us,” Darby hooted. “Where there’s one, there are more. And, they’re all named Harry, and none of them are under control! My suggestion: the next time we do this, how about a different restaurant?”

“Fine with me,” Nate replied. He looked from Matt to Jorden. “Come on and be a good sport. This was fun; don’t you agree?”

“You bet!” Matt replied.

Jorden didn’t know what to say. She liked Matt, but right now she wasn’t thinking about another outing.

Matt seemed to sense her hesitation. “This was fun, but shall we let the future take care of itself.”

The tightness in Jorden’s chest eased. She liked his reply. She knew what her future held—Alex.

Chapter 2: October 1969

Chapter 2

October 1969

The sun was setting when Jorden noticed Nate approaching their apartment building. He and other young soldiers visited Darby and Emma Lynn most weeknights. Jorden had to admit life wasn’t dull in apartment 206. Tonight, though, she didn’t feel like joining the mini-gathering of constant chatter and music.

Jorden decided not to write Alex about the visiting soldiers. There was no reason to share; the gatherings didn’t really affect her. Instead she would often retreat to her bedroom to work on lesson plans, grade papers, and eventually write to Alex. Weeks earlier she had written to him she hadn’t gone out since he left—she was bewildered with his recent reply. She reached for his letter to reread his comment.