Jordan! Oh no! He couldn’t let his thoughts go there. Not today. Vowing to put her as far from his mind as possible, Cory pushed his face back into his briefcase and dug for more files.
* * * *
Jordan had risen early that morning to put herself together in a professional manner. She was used to working in an old pair of jeans and a comfortable t-shirt in case she had dirty jobs ahead of her. At the very best she wore khaki pants with a button down shirt. She liked to dress in a way that made the residents of the shelter immediately comfortable with her. She didn’t want to appear “above” them in any way. But today was different. She needed to dress her best to fight for a family, so she retrieved the black and white suit which she hadn’t seen since college, from the back of the closet. Other than needing wrinkles ironed out, the suit was in pretty good shape. As she slipped into the knee length skirt and pulled on the fitted jacket, she had to admit it felt good to look nice. She tied her hair up in a bun to keep herself cooler on the drive.
Traffic in Houston was slow and painful. She wanted to be at the courthouse first thing, but traffic did not allow her to keep her carefully planned timetable. She directed the blowers in her car right at her face, hoping she wouldn’t sweat off the carefully applied make-up.
An eternity later, she arrived at the large, almost majestic courthouse. Its stone columns rose above her as she stood in awe of the building’s beauty. Wiping her brow with the back of her hand, she ruffled through the papers she’d brought with her, praying she had everything. Satisfied that she had all she needed, she pushed through the glass doors and entered the courthouse in near reverence.
Jordan was surprised at the stillness of the hallway. She expected the city’s center of law to be busy but organized. Only one man was at the end of the hallway, and he was half buried in his briefcase. She began walking across the shiny marble floor, looking left then right for the correct office.
* * * *
Stretching, Cory still couldn’t believe he was going to be at Daniel Dell’s side in court that afternoon. Granted, he wouldn’t be doing any arguing or objecting, but he would get to watch Mr. Dell work his magic in close proximity. Cory’s stomach growled as he closed his briefcase. He decided to take a break and silence the lion in his belly before the proceedings began, or he may be asked to leave the courtroom.
Cory flipped the locks on his briefcase and ran his hands over the new red-brown leather. His parents had given him the case as a birthday gift before his last year of law school. He couldn’t wait until it was faded and well-used, but for now, he enjoyed the new leather smell and soft texture beneath his fingers.
Strolling toward the front exit, Cory stayed close to the left wall, trying to stay out of the way of the lawyers barreling down the center of the hall. He ran his finger along the mortar between bricks as lawyers and others who had business with the court rushed about. Watching their feet as they strode by, Cory wondered if he’d see the older pair of black shoes he noticed earlier.
* * * *
Jordan couldn’t believe how well everything had gone. It was just as Nancy had said--easily cleared up once she spoke to the right people. The Miller family would be thrilled. In one swoop, Jordan had been able to clear their debt which had built through stolen credit cards and bank account numbers. With that done, she was even able to reverse the foreclosure on their house. She would help the Millers secure new jobs, and soon they would be on their way to self-sufficiency. Jordan was too busy musing at how smoothly the whole trip had gone to notice that the hallway looked a lot more like she expected it would when she first arrived. Business suits with important destinations rushed up and down the corridor. Jordan was beaming as she swung the door out into the hallway, directly into the face of the man she had earlier noticed buried in his briefcase.
“Oh my goodness!” Jordan exclaimed, rushing to his side as he sprawled on the floor. He was covering his face with his hands, blood seeping between his fingers. Jordan feared she had broken his nose, and she threw herself to her knees beside him, digging a wad of tissues from her pocket. “I’m so sorry,” she lamented as he tilted his head back and accepted the tissues with one hand, still covering his face with the other. “Are you all right?” she asked dumbly, seeing that he clearly wasn’t.
“I’ll be fine, really,” he said in a nasal voice as his tanned forehead showed a perfect red circle where the door had hit shortly after it left his nose. Concentrating on his bloody fingers, Jordan’s eyes didn’t move above his forehead to notice the familiar mop of black curls.
“I feel just awful,” Jordan said half out loud, looking away as he wiped his nose and sniffed.
“I wasn’t watching where I was going. It’s no big deal,” he comforted.
Not feeling any better, Jordan swung her head back to him, his face finally clear of his hands, and met his steel grey eyes with her own. Realization struck them at the same time as they stared at each other.
“Jordan!” Cory exclaimed, reaching out for her arm to keep her in place since she looked like she was about to bolt.
“Jordan, is that really you?” he pursued.
She couldn’t believe Cory James was sitting before her. He looked older and more mature, but his hair still curled haphazardly, and his eyes still captured her soul.
Jordan nodded as they stood, and Cory didn’t release her arm. He wiped his hand on the tissue and shoved it into his pocket, gripping her elbow. Now firmly holding her at arms’ length, he still couldn’t believe his eyes. Before Cory could think about all the pain she had caused him, and remember the months of sheer isolation and torture he had gone through, he drew her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her.
Though uncertain at first, Jordan let her arms return his gesture as she turned her head and drove her nose into his curly locks, inhaling their familiar scent.
After what felt like too brief a moment, (though it appeared too long to onlookers), Cory pushed Jordan back to study her face. Years had gone by, and yet he still remembered every line, crease, and detail. He couldn’t believe it was really her. Grabbing her hand, he said, “Come on! We’re going to lunch!” He swooped down on his briefcase, not giving her a chance to say yes or no.
They walked a few blocks in the sweltering heat to a café where they were seated immediately. Cory had not lost his grip on her hand the whole way. He was grasping her so fervently that it was almost painful, but Jordan didn’t care in the least.
Their conversation was pleasant as they waited for their sandwiches. Cory entertained Jordan with stories of law school, and Jordan told Cory everything about her work at Heritage Homes. Neither brought up college or what had happened between them.
As Cory finished telling her about the afternoon case, Jordan realized her feelings, no matter how buried, had not wavered in the least. She still loved this man.
“Oh boy,” Cory said, glancing at his watch with a sheepish grin, “I gotta get back. Dell told me not to be late. He didn’t say what would happen to me if I was late, but I have a feeling it wouldn’t be pretty.”
Jordan nodded, dumbfounded by the surge of emotions which had suddenly flooded her. Cory paid their tab after insisting Jordan save her money to help more people at Heritage Homes. Entering the hot humid air again, he turned in front of her, taking both of her hands into his own. “Jordan,” he said, ignoring the sweat that rolled down the back of his neck, “I’ve really missed you. I’d almost forgotten how much fun we had together.”
Looking at him beneath her lashes, Jordan half smiled. “I just have to see you again,” Cory begged.
“Oh, Cory,” Jordan stalled, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Aw, come on, Darlin’,” he drawled as he had so many times in high school. “Why not give a guy a chance? What’s the harm in getting together and breakin’ bread every now and then?” Reverting to his normal tone, he pleaded, “Just like old friends…it doesn’t have to be anything more.”
Cory blinked
, waiting for her answer. “I guess that would be okay,” Jordan said slowly, wondering if she’d be able to keep her feelings in check if she saw him again. They exchanged business cards in the sweltering sun before Cory rushed down the sidewalk to the courthouse and Jordan made her way to her car.
Jordan guided her car through the Houston traffic, trying to focus on how happy the Millers would be about the news she was bringing to them, but her mind kept drifting to Cory. She couldn’t possibly see him again, she thought, as she trailed her finger across his business card in her lap. She allowed her mind to take her back to high school and run through their whole courtship, from when they first met until Cory left for college. She had arrived at Heritage Homes by then and was glad she had an excuse to stop remembering “the good old days.”
Two days later, Jordan informed Nancy that Mr. Miller had been hired as a mechanic at a nearby factory, and Mrs. Miller was going back to waitressing at a nice restaurant with hope of being trained as a manager in the near future. Their children would continue school, and the family would be back in their house within the week, well on their way to sound footing. Nancy beamed. She had known Jordan was up to these bigger tasks, and she looked forward to handing her more challenges in the future. She was just about to tell her about a new resident when the phone rang, and Jordan dove back toward her desk to answer it. Part of her job was to field all of Nancy’s calls, putting the important ones directly through and screening the pranks and telemarketers.
“Heritage Homes,” Jordan greeted kindly, although she was slightly out of breath.
“Jordan!” the voice on the line proclaimed, recognizing her immediately.
“Cory, hi,” she said slowly, glancing back at Nancy who had already busied herself with the mounting paperwork on her desk. “How’s your nose?” she asked, wincing as she remembered how hard she had plunged the door into his face.
“A little crooked maybe, but it gives me an edge,” Cory chuckled.
Jordan smiled, and they fell back into their easy banter from high school--small jokes, quick witted comebacks, and nothing personal. As they ended the conversation a few minutes later, Jordan agreed to meet him the following evening. Turning away from the phone as she replaced it on her desk, she caught a glimpse of Nancy. The director had a stem of her glasses in the corner of her mouth and one eyebrow arched steeply.
“And who is Cory, may I ask?” Nancy teased as she placed her glasses atop her head.
“Oh, no one,” Jordan lied, knowing Nancy could see right through her. “Just a prankster I had a little fun with.”
Nancy gave Jordan a look which she ignored, and they both went about their day.
Later that evening as Jordan allowed her thoughts to roam back to Cory, she dug through old boxes in her closet, searching for one particular shoe box. She found it after a frenzied twenty minute search and curiously opened the tattered lid. Inside was every letter Cory had sent to her during their college careers, in order and unopened. Jordan had not been able to bring herself to read them, but she was also unable to throw them away. Shaking the doubt from her head, she withdrew the first letter from the box and turned it over in her hand. It was the letter Cory had written in response to the news that she was breaking up with him. Afraid she would change her mind, Jordan abruptly ripped open the envelope and unfolded the single sheet.
My Darling Jordan,
You were right to say that I would not understand. I am confused beyond belief. You say you need to do the right thing, and that is what I am asking you to do. The right thing, Jordan, is for us to be together. Nothing has ever been more right. I know it, and you know it.
I won’t take up too much of your time trying to change your mind. I just wanted to let you know that it takes two people to have a relationship, and two people to end one. I refuse to accept your letter. You may not be mine anymore, but I will always be yours.
Love always, -C
Jordan choked back a sob when she got to the end of the letter and read Cory’s signature. It was just like all of the notes he put in her locker in high school. Having read just one of the letters, she was glad she had kept them, and even more glad she hadn’t read them when they had arrived. This first letter was heart breaking and poignant.
Jordan spent the rest of the evening reading the other letters. They were much like the simple notes she had received from Cory in high school. They were all different, and yet very similar. The letters didn’t dwell on her decision. Rather, they were light, funny, and entertaining. One near the middle of the pile gave her a particular chuckle.
Hey Darlin’,
It seems your guy, Cory, is quite a putz. Don’t ask me what possessed me to do exactly what my chemistry book said NOT to do. Morbid curiosity, I guess. What you get when you mix the wrong ingredients is an explosive orange beaker and very unhappy classmates. Let’s just say I don’t think anyone will volunteer to be my lab partner, and most of the other students will probably even request a different lab time. I thought they all looked very nice in orange, but they didn’t seem to see the humor in the situation.
Always yours, Cory
Jordan laid the letter aside with a smile on her face. She had forgotten that Cory knew just how to tickle her funny bone. He didn’t want to be a burden or beg her to take him back. He just wanted to be a part of her life, even if it was just through occasional letters. The letters continued, some sad with memories of his beloved deceased pet but most light-hearted and fun. Jordan hesitated over the last envelope, unsure if she wanted to know what the last correspondence held. Determined to finish what she started, she dove into the final letter.
My Darling Jordan,
I’m having a bad week. I can’t seem to get you out of my mind, and my roommate is convinced that you are sick of hearing from me. He says that since you don’t write back, you don’t want to hear from me. I told him he’s nuts, but he does have a point.
So, Jordan, I won’t bother you again with my incessant babbling. This does not mean that I am any less yours. That can never change. Do you remember what I told you in high school? Date whomever you want…but you’re going to marry me. I still believe that, so when you’re ready, consider being mine again.
Yours always, Cory
The last letter had been written over six years ago, Jordan realized as she clutched it to her chest. Was there any chance that Cory still felt that way? No way, she decided. No one would cling to a dream for that long with no response and no reward. Even if he did still hold on to what they once had, she simply couldn’t be his again. She had too many secrets. She was no longer the Jordan he once knew and loved. But she knew he was still the same Cory, and he would be hard to resist.
* * * *
Cory was so excited at the prospect of seeing Jordan again that his second day in court next to Daniel Dell almost paled in comparison. The first day had gone well. Cory had leaned back in his chair, tried to look important, and listened to the opening statements of each lawyer as he recited various facts and figures to himself. Dell hadn’t called upon Cory for help, but he had patted him on the back at the end of the afternoon, and that alone made all of the work worthwhile. Plus, that afternoon was just the beginning of a trial that would stretch for days.
It would have been easy for Cory to let his thoughts drift to Jordan as the testimony began, and the dry professionals on the stand rattled off boring material. Each time his mind began to wander to the pair of legs he had spied in the hall the day before, Cory pulled himself back to attention. After Cory reprimanded himself for the twentieth time and returned his attention to the stand, Dell leaned into him. “I need the data on that plant in Dallas,” he whispered so as not to give away his plan to the witness at hand.
Cory rattled off the details without a second of hesitation and watched as Dell turned back to the stand and expertly used the data to drive the legitimacy of the opposing witness into the wooden chair upon which he sat. Cory was amazed by how Dell had used the facts and figures to
entirely discredit the expert. Only a genius would have remembered the Dallas plant at all, much less have thought to bring it up at this particular point in the trial. Cory was glad he had been on hand to aid Dell, and at the end of the afternoon, he received another hearty pat on the back as well as a firm hand shake.
Cory rushed back to his apartment and tossed his briefcase in the closet. He had some files he wanted to study, but they would have to wait. Striding into his bathroom, he tried to tame his wild curls, only managing to agitate them more. Sighing, he sprayed on his signature cologne. At least he would smell good. He changed his white shirt and tie for a gray turtleneck that brought out the dark flecks in his eyes. He couldn’t remember being this nervous since the first time he laid eyes on Jordan. Cory was good under pressure, however. He was training to be a lawyer, and he could keep his tension under wraps in any situation. Giving his curls a few more flicks, Cory grabbed his wallet and scurried out the door.
Jordan had agreed to meet him in Houston, and she was waiting for him at the Texas Roadhouse Grill when he arrived. She looked adorable in her worn jeans and rumpled shirt. He was sure she’d worked hard all day in those clothes, and he couldn’t wait to hear every detail. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants and tried to conceal the slight tremor in his knees. Cory didn’t have to bend far to place a kiss on her cheek. She breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne as he tilted back. They both paused, frozen in place inches from each other. Sparks flew between their eyes as each searched the other’s face. Jordan couldn’t help but think of the similar moment that occurred on their first date, but Cory couldn’t concentrate on anything but the present. The silence became awkward only when the hostess interrupted to show them to their table. At that point an easy conversation began as Jordan went into the details of her day and Cory recounted his victory in court.
Someone Always Loved You Page 13