“No. We don’t even talk about it. Nothing has happened since January. I can’t fathom Alex’s logic on not using protection except he’s Catholic.” Jorden knew without birth control, she’d probably get pregnant—and right now this wasn’t an option for her. “He hasn’t pressured me, but I don’t know how long we’ll be able to hold out.”

“You should discuss it with him.”

“Alex won’t touch the subject. It’s his Catholic doctrines. I have to assume these beliefs are behind his silence.” Jorden respected his religion, but she didn’t have to agree with it.

“What are you going to do after you’re married?”

“I don’t know.” Jorden gazed out the window. “Contraception is a subject we can’t seem to agree on.”

Chapter 33: January 1970

Chapter 33

January 1970

Jorden squirmed in her seat as she strained to look through the clouds. She had at least three hours before her flight reached Los Angeles. A slight smile formed as she remembered her mother’s visit to Columbus last year.

***

Previous Year - March 28, 1969

Jorden made sure she got back from school before her mother arrived. Mary Marshall drove into the Julian Apartment complex late Friday afternoon. Jorden had given her explicit instructions, so she wouldn’t get lost. She figured it would take about two and half hours to drive from her sister’s home in Atlanta to Columbus.

Standing at the picture window, Jorden watched as her mother got out of her car. Mary was a couple inches shorter than Jorden with a trim figure. Strands of gray ran through her short, naturally chestnut-colored hair, giving her a sense of warmth. She vowed to follow Madison’s advice and treat her mother well.

Jorden hurried down the stairs to help her mother with her things, but first she gave her a huge hug. Minutes later she had her settled into Madison’s bedroom. Mary then spent the next thirty minutes filling Jorden in on the family’s latest news. “Now, tell me about Alex. This all seems so sudden.”

“I will, but let’s have dinner first.” Jorden decided to take her to Amore’s for old times’ sake. Antonio was in rare form, flirting with both of them. Mary couldn’t stop laughing. “Don’t tell your dad, but I’d like to take Antonio home with me.”

On the drive back to her apartment, Jorden relaxed. Her mother’s sense of humor was contagious and lightened the mood. At last, she was ready to answer her mother’s questions. She hit the highlights—how she met Alex, her trip to Columbus after Christmas, and a shortened version of his marriage proposal. Of course her mother had other questions, and Jorden did her best to answer them.