Mr. Jordan picked Annie and Laura up in his 1957 Chevrolet. Annie and Jimmy sat in front beside him, and Laura and Timmy sat in back.

"I'm glad you could come," Timmy said to Laura.

"I'm glad you asked me," she replied, still feeling somewhat guilty about Stephen.

"Kimmy's mad." Timmy chuckled. "She doesn't understand why Jimmy and I get to go somewhere and she has to stay home."

Laura laughed. "That's exactly how it is with Jakob."

The high school cafeteria was decorated with red and green streamers, and a giant decorated tree was in one corner of the lunchroom. The regular lights were dimmed, and strings of differently colored lights were hung from the ceiling. 'Good Lovin' by The Young Rascals was playing over the PA system.

"Wow!" Laura breathed.

"Would you like to dance?" asked Timmy.

Laura nodded. He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor, and they began to dance. Laura watched what the other girls were doing and tried to copy their movements.

"You're a pretty good dancer," Timmy said after awhile.

"Thanks. So are you," Laura replied.

They danced to several more fast songs, and then 'Cherish' by The Association began to play. Timmy pulled Laura close, and they began to slow dance. As she felt her body pressed against his, visions of Stephen filled her mind, and she was swept with guilt. If only he were here with me tonight, she thought to herself.

"Are you all right?" whispered Timmy.

"I'm all right," Laura replied. "I just feel bad for Stephen, so far away and not knowing if he'll ever see his family again."

"Is that your boyfriend?" asked Timmy.

"Yes," said Laura. "He's in Vietnam."

A long silence followed.

"I'd been thinking about asking you out for awhile, but somehow, I never could get up the nerve. I'm not like my brother." He nodded toward Jimmy, who was slow dancing with Annie. "Him and Annie have been together forever. This is the first date I've ever even been on."

"I'm sorry." Laura couldn't think of anything else to say.

The slow dance ended, and they decided to take a break and sit down at one of the tables.

"This is the first dance I've ever been to." Laura was trying to make Timmy feel better.

"When's your boyfriend coming home from Vietnam?"

"His tour of duty won't be up for about a year and a half."

Timmy let out a low whistle. "That's an awfully long time to be alone."

"I know," Laura replied. "But I love him."

Timmy just stared at the tabletop, saying nothing.

"I think you're really nice," Laura told him. "We could go out as just friends sometimes, if you want."

Timmy grinned. "I think I'd like that."


Elizabeth was taking the ham out of the oven when she was suddenly overcome by overwhelming sorrow and burst into tears.

Paul was there right away, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his chest.

"It just won't seem like Christmas without Max!" she wailed.

"I know." Paul's voice was low, soothing. "I miss him too, but he'll be there with us in spirit as we celebrate."

"Do you suppose he's warm enough, and getting enough to eat?"

Paul's memories of his experiences as a foot soldier returned to him in full force. "We can only hope he's being adequately provided for."

With Laura's help, Elizabeth set the table for Christmas dinner. Jakob heard the clatter of silverware and came running.

"Go get Amon," Elizabeth told him.

Amon was absorbed in playing with the new toys he'd received for Christmas. Jakob tapped him on the shoulder and then signed 'dinner time.' Both boys hurried to the table. Paul waited until they were seated before saying grace.

"Dear Lord, we thank you for this food and the many other blessings You have bestowed upon us. Please watch over our son in Vietnam, keep your hand of protection over him and send him back to us in due time. We ask this in Your name, amen."

"Amen," echoed his wife and children. Laura added a silent prayer for Stephen's safe return as she began to eat.

The friendly conversation at the dinner table soon eased Elizabeth's mind, but as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling that night, worries filled her head once again.

"Everything's going to be all right," Paul told her as he got into bed beside her and pulled her into his arms.

"You can't know that for sure." Her body, which was stiff as a board, gradually began to relax as she nestled her head into his shoulder.

"But I do know," he insisted. "Don't ask me how. I just do."

She sighed. "I wish I could be as sure of it as you are."

"You're his mother. It's only natural for you to worry." He chuckled softly as he kissed the top of her head. "But it doesn't shake my confidence."

She had to swallow a lump in her throat. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"And I don't know what I'd do without you, so we're even."