“I have to see what you’ve learned. Besides it’ll be fun. Now for the good part . . .” Jorden paused, getting their attention. “Prizes will be awarded to the top four students—meaning those who make the most money. There will be two winners from my classes and two winners from Mr. Stone’s classes.”

“How much? Will it be fake money?” Cheryl asked.

“We sure don’t want play money,” Jimmy blurted out.

Jorden stepped forward. Her eyes roamed from student to student. “The prizes will be paid in actual money. First place will receive $25, second $15, third $10, and fourth $5. The prizes will be paid from a specific fund provided by the Parent-Teacher Association.”

“Let’s win this!” Nora sent Cheryl an excited look. Nora started following the twenty-five companies from Miss Marshall’s list. Cheryl clipped out the New York Stock Exchange from the daily newspaper and kept track of the data for each company in a separate notebook. Nora then ran comparisons and chose the best three stocks which continued to increase in value. The two girls decided to enter the competition under their combined names.

After school, Nora spent each afternoon in Cheryl’s cozy kitchen, strategizing over their stocks. Cheryl’s mother often listened while cutting up vegetables for dinner. Nora could tell Mrs. Barker was as caught up with the planning as the girls were plotting their strategy to make money.

Chapter 31: January 1970

Chapter 31

January 1970

They reached cruising altitude. Jorden’s destination was Los Angeles—ultimately Columbus, Georgia. She pulled out the airline’s magazine from the seat pocket in front of her. Leafing through the pages, she noticed an article on the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” The title reminded her of the Twelfth Week party Alex had organized on Fort Benning Army Base. It was a celebration of the officer candidates’ success and their halfway passage through the training program. Those candidates who made it this far usually completed the course and became officers. The night came back with clarity.

***

Previous Year – Saturday, February 15, 1969

Jorden wore a stylish, ankle-length and sleeveless apricot-colored silk dress. The front bodice was trimmed with a lattice of tiny colorful flowers on a silver backing. For a finishing touch, she draped a matching shawl over her shoulders to keep the chill off the evening air. Her hair, pulled back in a Grecian style, topped off her elegant look.

Madison clapped as Jorden emerged into the living room. “You look tremendous. Alex doesn’t deserve you.”

“Thank you.” Jorden smiled and looked at the clock. It was six fifteen. “Alex should arrive by six thirty.”

For the first time, Alex came early. Madison opened the door. There he stood in his full dress uniform. “Well aren’t you handsome! I never would have recognized you.”

“Thank you,” Alex replied.