Bobbette yelled from upstairs, “Jorden, a call for you.” She put the pan down and ran upstairs. They had two phones, one in an alcove between the living and dining rooms and the other in the upstairs hallway. The upstairs phone had more privacy. Breathlessly, Jorden answered.

Justin came on the line to wish her a happy holiday. Jorden’s shoulders slumped. She had hoped to hear Alex’s voice.

Sunday morning they all went to the Methodist church. Jorden couldn’t keep her mind on the sermon. She wondered why Alex hadn’t called. With little time left, she thought about getting a plane reservation. Early evening, the phone rang several times. “It’s for you, Jorden,” Bobbette called out.

Jorden answered warily. “Hi. It’s Alex.”

Jorden’s heart skipped a beat. At the same time, she thought about hanging up. But no—she still needed to know if she had a ride.

“I hope you had a good Christmas.”

“Yes.” She kept her answer short. He didn’t have a clue how upset he had made her.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to give a call before now. We had a house full of family, and it was hard to find time. I’d like to make it up to you. Let me take you to dinner after our drive back to Columbus, most likely Friday night.”

Jorden hesitated. She had been so upset with Alex she had told Justin she’d meet him Friday night at the university. She began to peel the nail polish off her fingernails. She should say no. What was wrong with her?

“Jorden, are you there? I have a small gift for you and wanted to give it to you after dinner. Am I persuasive enough to get you to spend Friday evening with me?”

“I can’t . . . it would be fun . . . but I . . .” Jorden faltered.

“I’ll take your answer as a yes, because it will be fun. I didn’t hear I can’t.”

“You’ve twisted my words. I didn’t say yes.”

“Sounded that way to me. Now you have to honor it. Besides, I really want to see you.”

Jorden gave in. “Okay.” She couldn’t believe her own ears because she was still upset with him. Quickly she changed the subject. “When are you picking me up?”

“Good question. My roommate, Tom, will be driving back with us. We’ll pick you up in Trenton on Thursday, the second of January. It should be somewhere between two and four that afternoon.”

“Fine. I’ll be ready.”

Jorden’s stomach churned. She knew it wasn’t fine. She had to call Justin and explain it to him. Oh, how she dreaded the call.