Jorden didn’t know how to react. She sensed his irritation. How could he be angry and not sympathetic? Leaning forward, she unsuccessfully tried to make eye contact. What was wrong with him? The only thing she could do was apologize. But why did she always have to say she was sorry? She paused before she looked at Alex again. “I really want to be with you, but I have to make this trip to be with my family. I hope you understand.”

“I do. I’m sorry about your uncle.” A muscle seemed to twitch in Alex’s neck as he spoke. “You don’t have a choice but to go to his funeral and be with your family.” His words were right, but they lacked any emotion or empathy. He stood up. “I have to go.”

“You just got here. We still have plenty of time.” Jorden had never seen this side of Alex. He had always been caring, thoughtful, and affectionate toward her. Who was this person? Her back stiffened while her lower lip quivered. “Please stay. It’s still early.”

“I have a lot to do.” Alex barely kissed her cheek as he stepped out the door.

Shocked by his actions, Jorden followed him into the hallway putting her hands on her hips. “My folks are going to drive me to Trenton. Are you going to still give me a ride back from New Jersey? I could get a flight back—maybe that’s a better idea.”

Alex never paused on the stairway. She could hear his words as he rushed down the stairs. “The ride is still on. I’ll call you from New York.” Seconds later, the main entrance door opened and closed. She watched his red Mustang pull out and flash around the bend.

“My uncle just died. Where is his compassion? Do I really want to see him again?” Jorden cried, hugging her chest. She looked around the stairway, hoping no one had heard her.

Chapter 24: January 1970

Chapter 24

January 1970

Jorden shivered in the plane’s seat. Alex’s icy reaction stirred up intense emotions. “Fasten your seatbelts, turbulence ahead.” The pilot’s voice vibrated over the intercom. The airplane shook. “We’re going to change our altitude to try and reach a smoother flight path. Bear with us.”

After a few minutes, the plane stabilized. Jorden turned her head toward the window with memories of her family and her uncle’s funeral during the Selma trip.

***

Previous Year – December 21, 1968

Jorden left for Lockton, Alabama at nine Saturday morning. As she drove across the border from Georgia into Alabama, she seethed over Alex’s insensitivity. He wasn’t worth it. Right before she arrived in Lockton, she vowed to put him as far from her thoughts as possible. It was almost eleven thirty when she coasted down Grandma Marshall’s driveway. Her parents and grandmother were out in the yard looking at the pecan trees.