Page 110 of The Long Way Found

The theme, “Bloom Into Fitness,” was prominently displayed but not so much that it wore out its welcome, a point Luke acknowledged wouldn’t have taken much.

Luke moved through the room on instinct. Handshakes. Smiles. Thank you so much for coming, all sincere. His name was on everyone’s lips as he approached, and people turned toward him. Some he had known for most of his life, but some of the guests at this black-tie, top-dollar portion of the evening were from the big-donor side of things.

And, of course, the university/academic contingency, Hallicks, and some of the others.

Luke caught sight of Jack across the room and almost stopped. He might’ve gasped, but the buzz was so high that no one would have heard.

Jack stood—shoulders square, chin up, all masculine professional grace—with an elegant, silver-haired couple Luke didn’t recognize. Dressed in his tux, tall and imposing in the ballroom’s warm light, Jack’s crooked nose and scarred lip only anchored his presence.

Jack’s parents sat at the table behind him. They’d had plenty of experience at formal events, after all. The Colonel kept his rigid posture but seemed to stand back a little.

Everything felt so natural to Luke, and he was enjoying the pre-speech adrenaline that was surging through him.

“Luke,” Amir said, appearing at his elbow with a stack of programs. “They’re ready whenever you are.”

Luke nodded, took a breath, and followed him toward the small stage set up at the front of the room.

The lights dimmed. The hum softened. Faces turned.

Luke took the mic and let the room settle. A sudden rush of nerves swept his stomach and then vanished.

“Thank you, all of you. For showing up. For believing in The Ridge. For believing in kids who need somewhere to land and be nurtured, taught, and loved. For busy parents who need to take care of themselves. For our older citizens, who need companionship and safe, effective exercise.”

He spoke about the Ridge the way he always did—plainly, without selling it too hard. About physical movement and other healthy habits as destiny, and about community as life.

“Community is one of tonight’s themes,” he continued. “Thank you to all our local chefs, kitchens, and waitstaff who volunteered their goods and services for tonight’s ‘Taste of Calder Ridge’ menu. Wasn’t that special? Let’s give them a round of applause.”

As the clapping died down, Luke read each business name and encouraged attendees to support them. Hallicks stood beside him, nodding in support.

“I’m not a public speaker,” Luke began, his voice echoing off the glass. “I’m a guy who likes loud music and people who aren’t afraid to sweat. But Calder Ridge isn’t an ordinary gym. It’s the anchor for many people here, for our sense of community amid so much change, and for everyone’s health and longevity,” he said, searching for and meeting The Colonel’s gaze.

Donors leaned in as he spoke with real transparency, a word so many of them used flippantly but had never truly seen on display like this. Luke didn’t apologize for needing financial support; he invited them to share the burden of the dream.

Then he broached the central topic.

“You have all been so generous with your time, and, of course, excuse me for being indelicate, but—hey, it’s important—your checkbooks!” Those with the fattest bank accounts chuckled. “Now, the good news/bad news portion,” Luke continued. “Thanks to all you have given, we are close, so close, to reaching our goal for tonight.”

He paused, glanced briefly at his shiny black shoes, and went on. “But… we’re not there yet. We’re still a little short, and we don’t want just to maintain our programming; we want to expand it and solidify our long-term future, so we’re less at risk moving forward.”

A ripple moved through the room, the sound of a hundred people sharpening their attention.

“I want you to know we’re going to get there. Together.”

Applause rose, warm and genuine, and Luke stepped back, heart thudding but calm.

Hallicks didn’t waste the moment.

“The university recognizes the value of an anchor,” Hallicks said, his voice carrying the full weight of institutional authority. “And thanks to the tireless advocacy of our own Colonel Jack Garrison, we are announcing a major advancement tonight to support the community and advance the university’s educational opportunities. We are establishing a permanent endowment. A scholarship for the youth of this valley, and a structural grant to ensure Calder Ridge never has to worry about its foundation again.”

Luke heard the words in fragments.

Permanent endowment. Structural grant. Never have to worry.

He looked at Jack, standing off to the side of the stage with that particular stillness Luke had come to know, the one that meant he’d already run every variable, made his decision, and was now simply waiting for the world to catch up.

It all started to add up as Luke replayed a series of events. The canceled dates, the late nights, the stubborn ‘I’ll handle it’ statements. They each clicked together now, like pieces of a puzzle.

Jack had known. Jack had been the one making calls, rearranging schedules, and staying until midnight. Jack had done this.