Jorden glanced at her watch, surprised to see it was after eleven. The cab driver hopped out, retrieved her two bags, and hauled them into her apartment entrance before she could stop him.

In the lighted area, Jorden noted he appeared to be in his late thirties. She watched him sweep his unruly hair back while his eyes followed her legs. She felt uneasy.

“Up?”

“I can get the bags from here,” Jorden replied.

“No problem.” He pointed to the stairs and lifted the luggage with ease.

Jorden didn’t know what to say.

“Here you go.” The cab driver placed the suitcases at the top of the second floor. He smelled of cigarettes as he moved closer to Jorden.

“I’m at the end of my shift. How about going out for coffee?”

Her palms began to sweat. She stepped back to increase the distance between them.

“It’s late. My roommates are expecting me.” They weren’t due until tomorrow, but he didn’t need to know they weren’t there.

“Oh.” He sounded put off as she watched him stare out the hall window.

At this moment, all Jorden wanted was Matt by her side. Her safety net.

“Well then, it will be five dollars and sixty cents,” he countered.

Jorden rummaged through her purse and came up with seven dollars. She decided the amount was more than enough.

A surly look came over him. He tromped down the stairs without uttering another word.

Jorden held her breath until she heard the main entrance door close. She sighed and watched him turn his taxi around and drive out. Usually Jorden cherished a quiet apartment—but not tonight. She entered the kitchen and reached for the wall phone. Without thinking she dialed Matt’s phone number. No answer. She missed him.

While at home, only once did she mention Matt’s name. She felt her family wouldn’t understand their relationship. Too complicated, especially with her plans to marry Alex next summer. Thinking of it, her father never seemed to like anyone of the opposite sex she brought home.

Both roommates returned on Sunday afternoon. Emma Lynn arrived first, around three o’clock.

“I’m back. I can’t wait to start teaching tomorrow. My first real job.” Emma Lynn was taking over a second grade class for a teacher who was in her second trimester of pregnancy. This time the government’s position was in Emma Lynn’s favor, but she knew the teacher she was replacing was terribly upset at being forced to take a leave of absence. Though sympathetic, Jorden knew Emma Lynn tried not to dwell on the other teacher’s misfortune.

“Hey, Jorden. Is Kyle back yet?”

“I don’t know. The apartment complex was quiet last night. I got in after eleven.”

“How was your holiday?” Emma Lynn asked, dragging her suitcases back to her bedroom.

“Good. How about yours?”