Chapter 3: Unexpected Turn

It was May of 1994 at a large university graduation. Names were being read aloud over the loud speaker as the graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. The speaker reads the names aloud, "Jonthan Gates," the crowd cheered, "Jill Joy Goldberg" more cheering, "Steven Haggins," crowd cheers, "Cody Jesse Hawkes" Cody's family cheers him on, his father Jesse, brother Matt and Sister-in-law Robin. "Harvard Joseph Heideman" crowd cheers "Susan Ingalls, and the names went on.

The key note speaker for the commencement stood in front of the audience. "These young graduates will be making their mark in society, they will be working as Nurses, Teachers, Law Enforcement Officers, Environmental Scientist, Lawyers, Financiers, Marketeers, etc. While some will begin working in their chosen careers immediately, others will continue with their education, getting their Masters and Doctoral degrees. To the graduates, I want you to take note, there are many important things you will do in your lifetime. Remember to prioritize your family first. I know, it is an odd thing for someone to say at a university graduation. But your family is your stabling force, your support system. No matter what goes on in your career, in the end, they are what really matters. To the class of 1994, we salute you." The graduates and crowd roared and cheered. The students throw their hats up in the air.

After graduation the Hawkes family was able to meet up with Cody. They all gave him a hug and took pictures to celebrate the moment.

"Son, I am so proud of you," Jesse hugged Cody. "I am so sorry that your mom could not make it."

"Thanks dad," Cody said. "I have learned to expect that from mom. I know she wants to be part of my life, but she does not seem to get there."

"Toad, I am so proud of you." Matt teased.

"That is Ace to you. Someday I will get that thru your head," Cody responded.

"Well, you will always be Ace to me," Robin went and gave Cody a hug. "I can't believe that you are not coming back to Tahoe, or you won't be a High Mountain Ranger,"

"Cody, I am so sorry there were no open positions for you," Matt said.

Cody has always wanted to be a High Mountain Ranger, so he could protect, serve, and rescue those who travel or live in the Sierra Mountains outside of South Lake Tahoe. Everything Cody had worked for and strived for brought him to this point, but fate had other ideas. Cody had done everything he needed to do, to become a ranger like his father and brother. But only one issue, there were no openings at the ranger station. Cody knew this could always be a possibility. So, for the last couple of years he had been researching what options he had, if he could not become a High Mountain Ranger.

"Matt it is okay. I knew it would be a slim chance the timing would work. Why I did the internship last summer at Glacier National Park. I am looking forward to continuing my education at the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy in Colorado," Cody said.

"Son, how long will it take?"

"It is supposed take about 20 weeks for the training and some additional certifications I am going to get," Cody said.

"Will you be able to return to Tahoe afterwards for a break?" Matt asked.

"Hopefully I will have time for a visit between school and when I start my first job but will have to see." Cody answered.

"Sounds like you have your future well planned. You know what you want, and you are going for it."

"Thanks Dad. Speaking of Tahoe, how is Jen doing? I tried to see her a couple times when I was home last, but we never connected. Has she graduated from high school yet?" Cody asked.

"Yes, she has finished her studies and passed her tests. She will be heading to college in the fall. It will be good for her to get out of Tahoe. She has gotten into a bad crowd, and it will be good for her to leave them behind. I just hope she does not get herself into trouble that will stop her from going. I am really worried about her," Robin said.

"Aaron does not know how to handle her anymore." Jesse said.

"What happened? She seemed like herself at your wedding, but that was two years ago." Cody said.

"Probably about a year ago, I started noticing some differences in her. I've tried talking to her, but she brushes me off and won't listen. I think if she gets a change in environment, she will get back to herself. I pray she goes, before she gets into more trouble." Robin said.

"I wish I was heading home for a bit to see if I could talk to her," Cody said.

"Son, some people will make something of themselves, and some will just stumble along. Things may not be working out the way you had hoped and dreamed, but you saw that coming. You are not waiting for something to just fall into your lap, but you are going in a slightly different path that will secure a future for yourself. At this point Jen is stumbling along. That girl will always have trouble following her wherever she goes. She does not make good choices, she is only living in the present and does not think about consequences those decisions will have on her future," Jesse said.

Cody looked at his dad. He could not believe he was passing judgement on an 18-year-old girl, who had seen her fair share of tragedy. Losing her parents at the age of twelve. Getting up rooted from her home in San Francisco, then moving to the mountains where she was isolated from people. She was taken away from her friends, school and basically her childhood. A few months after Jennifer moved in with her grandfather, there had been an earth quake where Aaron's original lodge was standing. While the quakes were happening, her grandfather said he would rather die, than leave his home. He did not believe an earth quake could destroy his home, but it did. He was willing to hand Jen off to people who were strangers to her, then be there for her. Aaron nearly died and Jen nearly lost the rest of her family. Maybe she would have been better off living with Jesse and Cody, but when Matt got hurt, what would have happened to her then? Cody could not imagine his dad taking care of her after that. His dad had changed, his focus became vengeance for his son and the rangers. Cody was nearly done with high school at the age of 17 and he had hard enough time of it. He should have tried harder with Jennifer. When they first met, she always wore a brave face, but as he got to know her better, she was more open with him. He knew their friendship met a lot to her and the time they spent together helped her to cope with her new life. He could see she was struggling at Matt's wedding, and now he was feeling like he did not do enough for her.

Matt decided things were getting too serious, so he changed the subject. "Dad, any thought of retiring from bounty hunting and heading back to Tahoe yourself?"

"Not yet son, things are going well. I wish I had the help of my son's, there so much more we could do together." Jesse said.

"Fat chance dad. There is no way I would ever leave Robin's side. She is my hope and my future," Matt said.

"Maybe when you make me a grandpa, I will think about it. But I have a few good years to go." Jesse said.

Robin and Matt looked at each other, "We are enjoying our time with just the two of us. Kids will come someday, but just not yet. We are hoping for whole brood of future High Mountain Rangers." Matt said.

After a brief visit together, the Hawkes family said their goodbyes as they went back to their perspective homes. Matt and Robin heading back to Tahoe, Jesse heading to San Francisco and Cody packing up his truck and heading out to Colorado for training.

Cody was sad to hear that Jennifer had fallen into a bad crowd and wished he had time to see her. She was like a little sister to him. When he saw her last at Matt and Robin's wedding, she had grown up so much. And he was having feelings he knew he should not have for her. They were in different stages in their life, and he did not know when or if he would ever see her again. He decided to write her a letter to encourage her in hopes it would help.