Alex was silent.

“When?” Jorden glared at him.

“Next Sunday.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before now?” Jorden sat down onto the couch.

Alex looked sheepish. “I just found out the details.”

“You mean you knew about this and didn’t tell me.”

“Don’t push me, Jorden!” A sharp edge crept into Alex’s tone. “I’d hoped it would be here. I just got the news myself.” He sat down next to her and focused on her face. “You are beautiful. I never wanted to hurt you, believe me.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

Jorden kissed him back. Tears sprung up, ready to spill over.

“Please don’t be mad,” Alex pressed.

“I’m not mad. I’m upset. We don’t have any time left. At least now we’re together almost daily—even if it’s only a couple of hours.”

“I promise, we’ll be okay. We can get together for a few weekends, plus I have a month’s leave in May. I checked my training schedule, and it looks like I can get off at the end of March. It’ll take eight hours to drive over here, but it will be well worth it. Why don’t you drive up to see me for a weekend in April?” Alex held her tighter.

“You can drive it in eight hours; it’ll take me much longer. Besides, I have to clear it with my principal. What if he says no?”

“He won’t say no if you stretch the truth.”

“You’re awful. Listen to you corrupt me.”

“Better than not seeing you.”

After Alex left, Jorden poured time into school activities. She and Madison did more together. Jorden even called home more often. An earlier call to her mother about Alex came to mind. It was when she and Alex had decided to be married back in January. She was so excited she had to call home.

***

January 1969

“Hi. What’s up?” Mary Marshall recognized Jorden’s voice right off, as she always did.

“I have great news. Alex and I are going to be married.” Jorden didn’t hesitate or let her mother persuade her differently.

Silence.

“Mom. Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here. Isn’t this a quick decision?”

She could hear the alarm in her mother’s voice, which didn’t surprise Jorden.

“Do you know him well?” Her mother asked with concern.

“I know it seems sudden, but it’s not really. I’ve been seeing him since September. At least you met him in January.” Jorden sighed, trying to get her words out without wavering. Sometimes she wondered how she made the decision so quickly. But no, she made the right choice.

“When is this happening?”

“Not for another year, Alex wants to wait until he returns from Vietnam.” Jorden knew this answer would please her mother. She heard Mary heave a sigh of relief.