Jorden shifted positions in the plane’s window seat. She glanced out to look at the ocean, only to find the view obstructed by clouds. She made a face somewhere between a frown and a smile when she remembered the trip from Lockton, Alabama to Columbus, Georgia.

***

Previous Year – January 3, 1969

Jorden tried to outdistance Alex, but his Mustang was too fast and powerful for her Volkswagen Bug. Two hours later, she approached the university’s city limits. Soon there would be a number of traffic lights. After the first one, there was a shortcut to Justin’s. If she timed the light right, Alex would have to stop. Luck was on her side. She slid through the yellow light while the Mustang screeched to a halt.

“Hooray!” Jorden continued a half mile, then turned onto a side street. She was in familiar territory with no sign of Alex behind her. Justin’s apartment was off to the right. Driving slowly, she noticed Justin’s car in the parking lot and lights on in his living room. She couldn’t forget Justin’s angry words the last time they spoke at her home in Trenton. He had given her an ultimatum. Either Jorden let him know she hadn’t broken their date, or he didn’t expect to see her again. Justin had vehemently hung up! Even today, a shiver ran down her back as she drove closer to his apartment. She never made that call. Surely, there was still time to explain and make him understand.

Jorden scraped the curb as she parked. Anxious, she stared at the familiar walkway to Justin’s apartment. Why couldn’t she move? Her arms and legs seemed paralyzed. Minutes passed, then a half hour as she remained in the same position. Tingling sensations ran up her calf. She felt the beginning of a spasm and knew it would soon develop into a painful cramp. Trying to stop it, she stamped her left foot, kicking her knee up and hitting the steering wheel. As she clenched the wheel, a figure crossed into her peripheral vision.

Jorden honed in on a young lady moving quickly up Justin’s walkway. She seemed familiar—of course, she had seen her at parties she and Justin had gone to. Jorden couldn’t stop looking at the classy young woman who was pulling back her hair with one hand and straightening her skirt from under her coat with the other. Then, she pressed the doorbell.

Spellbound, Jorden watched Justin open the door, greeting the woman with a hug and a light kiss. Jorden’s fingertips flew up to her own lips, feeling deceived. But, how could she condemn him? Look how she had acted. The young woman walked inside and Justin closed the door behind them. Jorden felt wounded! Tears slipped down her cheeks.