Chapter One
As Jackie walked out the door of the restaurant, a rush of mid-afternoon hot August air greeted her, throwing wisps of soft brown hair over her face. The hot sun of the San Joaquin Valley enveloped her body. Her friend Ashley followed her out the door. When Jackie turned towards the parking lot, letting the wind blow her hair away from her eyes, she noticed a familiar looking man sitting by a window overlooking the small lake beside the restaurant. She could only see the back of his head, but the way it leaned slightly to one side reminded her of someone she once knew.
Ill catch up with you later, she said to Ashley.
All right, but dont be late, Ashley said. This is the last big get-together before summer endsand we all go away to school.
I wont, she replied.
Looking at the man, she observed him still gazing out the window and silently wondered what he was staring at. She cautiously walked up to him, being careful not to make any sound. Noticing her silence, she smiled at herself. She wasnt trying to sneak up on anyone.
With her next few steps, she made sure to clip her flip-flop heels along the ground. She stopped a few feet behind the man. He was wearing an olive and tan uniform.
Looking down, she saw a military duffle bag under the table.
I was wondering why you were trying to be so quiet until you dragged your feet, the man said. His voice was deep and, even in a quiet tone, held a melodious power as it floated through the air.
She recognized the voice at once.
Mr. Antczak!
The suns reflection off the lake was almost blinding. The man turned his face, and she saw his silhouette in the reflection.
Have a seat, he said.
She did.
How are you? she asked, genuinely interested. She was looking intently at him, but he never glanced in her direction. He kept gazing at the lake.
I cannot complain, he responded.
She glanced down at the duffle bag again, and then looked back towards him. His hair was short, and his body seemed leaner, more rigid than she remembered. He looked similar, but he wasnt exactly the same Mr. Antczak.
She recalled hearing of his being drafted into the Army the previous year.
So, she began, youre in the service now?
Yes. No. Not anymore. Discharged. I just got into town this morning.
We missed you at graduation, she said. You promised youd be there for us. She paused. Thomas said some nice things about you in his valedictorian speech.
He did? the man asked. She noticed an eyebrow rise. It was the first time his facial expression changed. Im sorry I missed that. Im sorry I missed seeing you walk, too. There are many things Im sorry I missed. The eyebrow dropped and the stoic expression returned to his face. He still hadnt turned to look at her.
Was it bad over there? she asked. It was a stupid question and she regretted asking it before she finished saying it. There was a silence before he answered.
Not if you know how to deal with it, he responded, sitting up straighter. She focused on his face, which stared out over the water, the suns light reflecting over it, giving it a luminescent glow. His face had a completely empty expression, quite the opposite of the way she remembered him. She thought maybe it was a bad idea to have come and talk to him.
Jackie? he asked.
Yes? She saw his body wasnt so rigid anymore. His shoulders leaned forward, then flexed back to their previous position. He still hadnt looked at her.
He took a deep breath. Was your senior year enjoyable? He still hadnt looked at her, but she heard a faint shift in his voicethe flat tone changed. Rather than give a generic Yes she took the time to reflect before answering. She looked at the lake, and together they stared into the near blinding light reflecting off the surface.
Yes, it was enjoyable. The three AP classes I took were hard, but I somehow managed to get through them. The swim season was good; we won more than half our meets, which was a step up for the team. She paused while a pensive look appeared on her face. Graduation was fun. Bitter-sweet. I know that phrase is a clich and you always tried to get me to stop using them, but its accurate. Ill miss many of the things in high school, but Im excited to start college next month. I looked for you at the ceremony, but you were still in the Middle East She turned away from the lake to face him. At the ceremony, I remembered a lot of the things you told me.
His head turned upwards and his eyes got a far-away gaze. He asked in a raspy, barely audible voice, What did I tell you?
I remember you said whoever says high school is the best four years of your life never went to college and you also told me her voice trailed off. You also told me that I had gifts that would change the world.
His eyes closed.
He whispered, You will change the world. For the first time he turned towards her. He opened his blue eyes and stared straight into her. She was initially frightened by the intensity of his gaze; he never looked at people with that kind of force before. Her brown eyes lowered, looking at the ground. You will change the world, he repeated. He paused, opened his mouth as if to speak, then didnt. At last he said, Jackie? He tried to continue, but his voice was frozen. He quickly looked away from her. His lips moved but no sound came out.
Her gaze focused on the ANTCZAK over his breast pocket.
What, Mr. Antczak?
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