Page 99 of The Long Way Found

"Luke still doesn't know?" Jack asked. "About the donation?"

"Not unless Amir spilled the beans," Hallicks said. "We had to get a few of his numbers to contact the foundation and the board."

"Good. He's been working so hard on this. I hope it's what he needs."

"It's good for everyone," Hallicks said. "Promoting community health, youth fitness, education. Getting you further networked around the Western Slope. A win all around."

Jack had stopped by Hallicks' office after his team meeting that morning.

Cory, his graduate teaching assistant and wrestling trainer, raised his hand as the meeting wound down.

"Sir, the fundraiser's next weekend?! Wow. That means it's, like, almost summer!"

"Time flies."

"I'm ready for some Big ‘80s," Cory said. "We watched Xanadu over the weekend for costume and roller-boogie tips. Killer soundtrack. What was that band? Cosmic Life Orchestra?"

"Electric Light Orchestra," Jack corrected. "They were big back in the day. Before my time, even."

“Super-oldies, then,” Cory said with a smirk.

"And Olivia Newton-John was hot," someone added. "Hopelessly Devoted to You, right?"

"Wrong movie," Jack said. "If there's nothing else, we're done. I'm around all day if you need me."

Now with Hallicks, it looked like all the paperwork had been taken care of to surprise Luke with a substantial check at the event. Not to steal the spotlight, but to show the university's support. And maybe even to be seen by the whole town as praising Luke on his big night, in front of Jack's parents and everybody.

"The Ridge is an anchor in this town," Jack said.

"Exactly," Hallicks said. "And as community leaders, we don't let our anchors struggle."

Jack thought about Luke. The Ridge mattered: the town, the work, and the widening circle of people it drew into his orbit. It seemed everyone who lived here or visited eventually walked through its doors.

Luke was the burning sun at the center of it all.

No question.

Jack was back in his office, grading papers again, when he heard a knock on the door.

Martinez appeared in Jack's doorway, backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Sir? Got a minute?"

"Always. Come in."

Martinez sat, fidgeting with his backpack strap. "So... my comp professor loved the essay and said I should submit it to the online literary magazine."

"That's great news."

"Yeah." Martinez didn't look like it was great news. "She also... she asked if I'd talked to anyone. About the stuff in the essay. Like, professionally."

Jack waited.

"I haven't," Martinez said. "I mean, I know the VA has people. And the university has counseling services. But..." He trailed off.

"But it feels like admitting something."

"Yeah." Martinez looked relieved. "In the Army, you just... You don't. You lock it down and keep moving. I'm good most of the time. But writing that essay, talking about it... I don't know. Maybe she's right."