His mom replies, “Jake, we have always been proud of you. Be safe on the road.” She reaches in her pocket and hands him a fifty-dollar bill.
He smiles as he takes it and puts it in his pocket. The lucky fifty. Ever since I have known the Starrs, they have this quirky tradition. They have been passing the lucky fifty around every time someone travels. The concept is when they travel, they have the lucky fifty in the event of an emergency. But nobody ever spends it. That fifty-dollar bill travels everywhere, and when the traveler returns, they bring it back. It’s really cool.
He kisses both his parents on the cheek and walks toward me. He takes my hands in his. “Jayden, I will miss you the most, but I promise I will write and call every chance I get.” He leans in close and whispers in my ear, “Wait for me, please. I promise you, I will come back, and we will have an amazing life together.”
He no longer has to plead with me about our relationship, so it confuses me at first why he said what he did. Then I realize he is going to be a couple thousand miles away, and he is worried I will find someone else. He watched me all through high school date guy after guy, never getting too close. What I know now that I didn’t know then is I was comparing them all to Jake. My relationships never lasted because none of those guys I dated were him. Now I have the real thing, and he is crazy if he thinks I am going to let him go that easily.
“I will always be here for you. I’m not going anywhere, Jake. I love you.”
He smiles and kisses me. Tears well in my eyes and trickle down my cheek. I’m happy for him—I really am—but hell, I’m gonna miss him.
“I’ll call you as soon as I arrive so you all know I got there safe.” He gives me one last hug and turns toward the car. Getting in, he says, “I love you all, and I will see you soon.” He closes the car door and revs the engine. We watch as he backs out of the driveway until he drives off and is out of sight.
“You are welcome to stay, Jayden,” Mr. Starr says.
“Thank you, I appreciate that, but Dad is waiting for me at home.”
“We understand, hon.” Mrs. Starr says as she turns toward her husband. “Steve, why don’t you give Jayden a ride home?”
Before Mr. Starr can answer, I say, “Oh, thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I would like to walk.” It’s only a few blocks, and it will give me time to get myself together. I don’t want Dad to see me upset. He doesn’t need that right now. It’s going to be hard without Jake, going months at a time before I see him again, but I know I will get through it.
One thing I have learned over the last several months is I am strong. I have endured loss and pain that I never thought I would have to until I was much older. I watched my mother suffer in pain and my father suffer in heartache, and I am still standing. Jake and I are stronger together, and I have no doubts about us and where our relationship will be four years from now. I already know, and it’s that knowledge that will get me through.
Chapter 5
1983 – 1987
The Air Force Academy
Jake
I arrive at the academy with plenty of time to spare before orientation. When I get to Vandenberg Hall and my assigned dorm room, it’s small and empty. I mean, it has furniture, but none of my roommate’s things are here. His name is Paul, and we spoke on the phone several times over the summer. I thought for sure he said he was planning on arriving yesterday. Maybe I have the wrong room. I look back at the door and double-check the number and hall on my paper. Yep, everything matches. I’m in the right place.
I shrug and look around the room. There are two beds, two desks, two lockers, two footlockers, and a bathroom. I take the bed closest to the window and throw my bag next to it. Lying on top of the unmade bed is an envelope. I look at the other bed and there is one there too. They have my and Paul’s names on them respectively. I open the envelope.
Welcome to the U.S. Air Force Academy and congratulations on your new assignment. You’ll shortly become part of the wonderful experience of preparing for a career as an Air Force leader. This mission requires not only your efforts but the efforts of our trainers, officers, and staff. Officers, enlisted Airmen, civilian employees, contractors, and family are all members of the Academy and are dedicated to help you succeed. You are now a part of the Academy, and you will serve as a role model to future cadets by setting an example through your performance, your appearance, your attitude, and your development. Be involved with your class. Your participation in activities outside your class studies is important to your personal growth. Your involvement can take many forms: intramural club and intercollegiate activities, attending lectures by invited guest speakers, and becoming a squadron participant or, even better, striving to be eligible to sponsor a cadet. While you are here, you can take advantage of our extensive recreational facilities, which are among the finest in the Air Force. We offer a wide range of seasonal programs to help make Colorado and its seasons enjoyable for our base community.
Well, they don’t expect much. I chuckle to myself. Of course they do, and I expected it. As I place the letter back into the envelope, the door opens and a guy walks in.
“Hey, you Jake?”
“Yeah, Paul?”
He nods.
“Good to finally put a face with a voice.”
He kinds of grunts and then I realize he’s carrying a large bag.
“I took the bed by the window, but I can move if you would rather be here.”
He plops the bag on the other bed. “Nope, this is perfect.” He grabs the envelope. “What’s this?”
“Your welcome letter.” I hold mine up. “I got one too.”
He opens the letter, and when he finishes reading it, he puts it back in the envelope. “No pressure, right?”
I laugh. “Nope.” I look around the room and realize we should put our stuff away. I start to unpack, and Paul does the same. “What time is our orientation lecture?” I ask as I stuff my notebooks and pens in the desk drawers.
