Jennifer Jordan Madame President

By Casey Lee

The rumor mill was running rampant and Jennifer Jordan certainly had to consider this proposition. President Jordan, Madame President...this did have some appeal to her. She despised politics. She felt politics were the main problem with the country and yet oddly enough, she was very intrigued by the notion.
Besides, history needed to be written. Jennifer Jordan was a self-made woman who, rumors had it and depending on the mood of the market, was one of the top five wealthiest people on the planet. She started out from an upper-middle-class family in Colorado. Her success was achieved at an early age when her company went public and her fortune grew. Now at the peak of her success, she was contemplating a major life change by running for President of the United States of America.
If there is any entity, business or organization on this earth that is too big to fail, it is the United States of America. Jennifer Jordan has a ten point plan that will bring the United States back from the brink of collapse and failure and return it to the great and power nation it once was. Her ten point plan is resonating with Americans and includes education, immigration, taxes, health care, military, welfare, budget and debt reduction, political reform, legal system overhaul and legalizing drugs. Her plan is to get the government out of the education system and change their role to funding and support. She is going to sunset income taxes and institute a national sales tax. She will make a systemic change in the way the welfare system works and change it from a hand out system to a hand up system. How will she accomplish her plan? She does this in the most non-political way imaginable and she wins over the country and media in the process.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Casey Lee
• Release date: Jun 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311367075

Book preview

Jennifer Jordan Madame President

Published by Casey Lee at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Casey Lee

Smashword Edition License Notes

Thank you for downloading this eBook. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book remains the property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

Forward

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Jennifer Jordan

Chapter 2 - Growing a Leader

Chapter 3 - Tragedy Strikes

Chapter 4 - The Final Straw

Chapter 5 - Dirty Politics

Chapter 6 - Dethroning Dirty Politicians

Chapter 7 - The Ten Point Plan

Chapter 8 - The Dog Fight Begins

Chapter 9 - Hot on the Campaign Trail

Chapter 10 - Election Day at Last

Chapter 11 - Secret Service

Chapter 12 - Madame President

Chapter 13 - First Gentleman?

Chapter 14 - Terrorism Rears Its Ugly Head

Chapter 15 - Why Presidents Don’t Sleep

Chapter 16 - The Trial

Chapter 17 - Enemy of the State

Chapter 18 - An American Fairytale

Chapter 19 - War Erupts

Chapter 20 - The President Goes to War

Chapter 21 - War Time Reunion

Chapter 22 - Tragedy Strikes Twice

Chapter 23 - Grieving a Lost Love

Chapter 24 - A Slap Back to Reality

Chapter 25 - Soviet Unrest

Chapter 26 - World War III

Chapter 27 - The Final Wrap Up

Chapter 28 - A Gut Wrenching Decision

Chapter 29 - The End of an Era

Chapter 30 - Addressing the Nation

Epilogue The Legacy

Dedication

A Note from the Author

~~~ Forward ~~~

The writing of this book began some twenty years ago, in the mid 1990’s. It is noteworthy that the ideas and concepts put forth in this book were applicable then and are still applicable today, .many years later. The disillusionment of the citizens of the United States with their politicians has been around for a long time. Hopefully sometime in the not too distant future, this will change. Until that time it is fun to consider... possibilities.

~~~ Prologue ~~~

The rumor mill was running rampant and Jennifer Jordan certainly had to consider this proposition.

President Jordan, Madame President...this did have some appeal to her.

She despised politics. She felt politics were the main problem with the country and yet oddly enough, she was very intrigued by the notion.

Besides, history needed to be written.

Jennifer Jordan was a self-made woman who, rumors had it and depending upon the mood of the market, was one of the top five wealthiest people on the planet. She started out from an upper-middle-class family in Colorado. Her success was achieved at an early age when her company went public and her fortune grew.

Now at the peak of her success, she was contemplating a major life change by running for President of the United States of America.

~~~ Chapter One Jennifer Jordan ~~~

Jennifer Jordan was born on October 12, 1968 in Englewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. She was the youngest child born to James and Rebecca Jordan. Jennifer had one sibling, Kate, who was four years her elder. They shared the same blue eyes and gift of athleticism. They excelled at their favorite sports and put that competitive nature into their future careers.

The Jordan’s lived in an upper middleclass neighborhood at a time when you still knew your neighbors. The sisters were close even though there were times when Kate did not want her pesky little sister tagging along.

From the time she learned to walk, Jennifer was a force to be reckoned with, much to the dismay of her parents. Free-willed and downright stubborn, there were many times earlier in her life that her parents asked themselves, What is to become of her?

If they could have seen a little farther into the future, it would have saved them much worry. They knew their little Jennifer danced to the beat of a different drummer; they just had to hope and pray that this drummer knew where he or she was going.

Jennifer struggled through kindergarten and first grade. She is such a likeable child but she doesn’t want to do what is required, her teachers would write in her report cards.

James and Rebecca found themselves in a quandary as they were constantly being called in for conferences with Jennifer’s teachers. This was a particular source of consternation to James; being a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, he was used to people towing the line and his little girl was a rebel. As an instructor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, he was accustomed to seeing people conform to his direction.

She seems to be a bright girl, but she doesn’t do her work, Jennifer’s first grade teacher, Mrs. Simon, told her parents towards the end of the year. I want to discuss the possibility of holding her back for another year. I think it would be best, as I feel that if she is advanced it will only get worse and I would hate to see that. As a person I like Jennifer very much; she is articulate and participates in classroom discussions, knows all the answers, but she just doesn’t do what is required of her. And I must say, this is very frustrating to me. I just don’t know what to do with her.

James and Rebecca had sat there in silence at the meeting, stunned that they were hearing this about their child. They never had any trouble with Kate. Her report cards were always topnotch and her teachers truly enjoyed teaching her. They asked the teacher if they could discuss this in private and she left the room.

James’ military side took over. No child of mine is going to be held back, he said adamantly. She needs to straighten up and we need to see to it that she does. We have been too lenient with her and now it is time for a change. She needs to be more like Kate. I swear, how two people can be so different when they came from the same gene pool is beyond me.

Dear, Rebecca said as a matter of fact, you are not the same as your brothers and sisters, and neither am I. By trying to make her like Kate you will be taking away her uniqueness, and I won’t let that happen. Furthermore, I am not one to let my pride stand in the way of making a good decision.

Rebecca loved James very much, but she had learned that living with a career military man had its challenges. Most of the time he did not show his military side, but when he did, Rebecca knew how to make it go away.

Well, he said after a few minutes, what do you want to do? I certainly don’t want make a bad decision but I really do not want to hold her back. I want her to be normal and normal kids don’t get held back.

James, just because she is different doesn’t mean she isn’t normal, she said soothingly. Her teachers have always said the same thing—she is very likeable, seems to be bright, but doesn’t want to do what is required—and I think we can work with that. She is still young enough to catch up, so either way I think she will be fine. If you think we should let her advance, I’m okay with that, but I am also okay with her being held back.

James found Mrs. Simon and brought her back. Together they talked with her for quite a while about the pros and cons of holding Jennifer back. The mutual conclusion was that Jennifer would be allowed to advance. Her parents made a commitment to insure she would be kept on top of her school work.

This decision may have been the most important one they ever made for Jennifer.

When the new school year rolled around, Jennifer’s second grade teacher, Miss McCormick, called a meeting with James and Rebecca the second week of classes. Dismayed that they had made the wrong choice to advance Jennifer, her parents expected the worst. When they arrived at Miss McCormick’s office, it did not go unnoticed that on her wall were numerous teaching achievement awards, including two statewide Teacher of the Year awards.

She greeted the Jordan’s pleasantly. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, thank you for coming in on such short notice. The reason I called you here today is to talk about Jennifer’s future. I have reviewed her record thoroughly and I am concerned that she will not succeed if we don’t do something right away.

Alarmed, James spoke up. You think we should have held her back and now we need to see about sending her back to first grade, right?

On the contrary, Miss McCormick said. I know what the problem is: she is bored. I sat Jennifer down and talked to her just one on one. It was the most unusual conversation I have ever had with a second grader. The things she talked about and the way she presented them, well, I knew right then that I was experiencing something very special. Jennifer is quite the orator and a very gifted child and I am not surprised that her other teachers did not pick up on it. At this age, most people think that children are being difficult, and in most cases that is true. The things we are teaching her do not challenge her enough to keep that intelligent mind working and no one has been able to give her the answers she is looking for. Just saying, ‘That’s the way it is or that’s the way we teach it’, answers like that are not good enough for Jennifer and so she loses interest. She is extraordinary, she stated, and what we need to do is to figure out how to deal with this.

For the second time in just a few months, James and Rebecca were stunned into silence. First thinking they had a learning-disabled child and now to find out just the opposite was whiplash. They discussed all the options, from special schooling to advancing her a grade or two to leaving her with Miss McCormick as her tutor. In the final analysis they determined that Jennifer should remain with Miss McCormick. She had offered to take Jennifer under her wing and work with her independently through the year. She also would continue working with Jennifer and her new teachers and keep the girl on track while she attended the school.

That was a turning point in young Jennifer’s life and she started to excel almost overnight. Miss McCormick had been right, and she kept Jennifer under her wing until she went into junior high

Her mom and dad would help Jennifer by challenging her and Kate at home. They did things like having them read part of the newspaper each day and frequently playing family games like Monopoly—one of Jennifer’s favorites—and Scrabble, Stratego, and other games that tested and challenged the girls’ minds and enhanced each of their natural academic abilities.

As the years at Franklin Elementary School went by, Jennifer grew into a caring, intelligent person. She lived with her family in a comfortable tri-level, four-bedroom home with plenty of room for the girls. She made many friends with students from all backgrounds, their parents, and the school staff. Unlike the majority of kids, Jennifer was never into the superior upperclassmen stuff. Each new grade brought more and more learning and she absorbed it all.

Miss McCormick mentored her and Jennifer returned the favor by being a student teacher in her classes. She loved Miss McCormick and the feeling was mutual. By the time Jennifer was ready for junior high she easily could have tested out of seventh and eighth grades, thanks to the help of Miss McCormick.

Jennifer would always remember Miss McCormick and years later would reward her mentor with the best gift of all.

Jennifer Jordan was introduced to the seamy side of life at an early age. During the summer before her eighth grade year she became friends with Monica and Billy Sonken. The Sonkens moved into Jennifer’s neighborhood late in July of 1980. Rebecca and Jennifer brought a welcome basket to the Sonkens, introductions were made and the friendship sprouted.

Jennifer would frequently walk by the Sonken’s house on her way to the community pool. On numerous occasions she would hear terrible shouting coming from the house. One Saturday, when Jennifer was eating dinner at the Sonkens and their father Leo came home, he seemed very unhappy. He made a motion for Jane, their mother, to follow him.

As the children sat at the dinner table, a commotion began in an upstairs room, a door slammed shut but the shouting was still loud enough. Monica and Billy stared at their plates moving their food about but not eating. Jennifer tried to make conversation but fell short and silent as the ruckus escalated. She finished her dinner as they sat there listening to the fight. Jane came back in to the dining room and told Jennifer that it was time for her to go home and she left noticing a red mark across Jane’s face.

Jennifer did not see the Sonken kids for two days but when she saw them at the pool on the third day her view of the world changed. She noticed Billy first; eye black and blue and a cut on his upper lip.

Billy, what happened to you did you get in a fight? Jennifer asked.

I wrecked my bike Billy replied.

Wow, dude that must have been a gnarly wreck, are you ok? She queried.

Yeah, I’m fine. He stated and walked away Jennifer.

Then Jennifer saw Monica in locker room and she began to wonder what had happened. As Monica was washing her hands Jennifer saw that Monica’s back was bruised, not just one or two but multiple and large. She had bruises on her legs and arms as well.

Monica, what happened to you, you’re all bruised and have some welts, what is going on?

Billy and I were horsin’ around and you know how it is, she said he can be such a brat.

Monica, I’m not stupid, this didn’t happen from you and Billy messing around, what is going on? Jennifer emphatically asked.

I told you what happened. Just leave me alone. Monica stated as she closed her locker and jogged away toward the pool. Monica and Billy avoided Jennifer for the rest of the day. That evening Jennifer’s parents noticed that their normally chatty daughter was abnormally quiet. After dinner Rebecca approached Jennifer and asked if something was wrong.

I don’t know mom, was her reply.

Obviously something is bothering you, what is it honey? Rebecca asked.

A feeling, but I have no proof, said Jennifer furrowing her eyebrows, I think dad should hear this too and she got up walking to the living room with her mom by her side.

James, Jennifer needs to talk to us, Rebecca said.

What’s up pumpkin? James asked.

Jennifer seemed to be lost in thought not really addressing her parents looking off into the distance and shaking her head, under her breath she murmured I have no proof.

Dear, what is wrong? Rebecca quizzed her again.

Ohhh, arrrggg, I have no proof but I think that Billy and Monica were beaten up by Mr. Sonken. I just don’t know what to do. Jennifer stated confused.

Jennifer then reported what she had witnessed on Saturday night, what she often overheard walking past the Sonken’s house and the implausible explanation she received from the Sonken children regarding their injuries.

After some contemplation by James he spoke, Well, this is not for you to handle. I will have a talk with Mr. and Mrs. Sonken and see what’s going on, you however need to let this be.

Jennifer agreed satisfied that her father, her hero, would clear up this matter. The Jordan’s asked the Sonkens over to dinner on the following Friday evening. The siblings had all gone to the movies and would be gone while the adults had dinner. As they began dessert and coffee, James took the opportunity to bring up the delicate subject his daughter had mentioned.

So you may be wondering why we asked you to dinner tonight and I don’t know any other way than to come right out and say what I have to ask you, James began. My wife and I have noticed that Monica and Billy often are battered and bruised when they come over to our house. We have never said anything to them but we are concerned for them and I want to know if you are punishing your children hard enough to leave these bruises because if not someone is. James said in a matter of fact tone.

As James stared at Leo, Rebecca watched Jane’s reaction. She saw a woman who was embarrassed and too scared to say anything. Her words said differently but her reaction spoke volumes. Leo’s defenses went up immediately and he stated rather forcefully, That is none of your business, how I discipline my kids is none of your concern, how dare you, sir how dare you! Come on Jane let’s go! Leo said vehemently as he stormed to the door and out of the house.

Jane looked sheepishly as if to say I’m sorry at Rebecca and as she turned to go, Rebecca noticed a flash of terror in Jane’s eyes as she left with her husband.

A couple of weeks passed and Jennifer was over playing with Monica and Billy on a Saturday morning. They were laughing, yelling and having a great time as kids do, Mrs. Sonken shouted at them to be quiet but they would soon become loud again. Soon, Mr. Sonken got involved, Billy and Monica ran and tried to get away but he caught Monica. Billy came back to help his sister and he was soon in the grasp of their enraged father. Mrs. Sonken begged her husband to settle down, don’t hit them. He raise his hand and swiped at her face landing a square shot on her cheek and knocking her back. Billy tried to stop his father and he too was soon welted from the smack of a hand across the face, Monica cowered. Mr. Sonken tried to grasp Jennifer but she was able to squirm out of his grasp and ran out the door up the street to her house, she burst through the door.

Dad, dad come quickly, you’ve got to help them she yelled through the house and found her parents on the back patio, Dad come quick hurry they need your help! She didn’t wait for him to reply she ran back to the Sonken’s house and both Jordan’s followed their daughter.

The scene was horrible. Mr. Sonken was beating Billy with his belt, Monica was balled up in a corner crying and Mrs. Sonken was trying to keep her husband from inflicting more harm to their son. James burst into the room and grabbed Leo’s arm, twisted it back and put him to the floor. Rebecca went to Jane and tried comforting her while Jennifer went to Billy’s aid then turned her attention to Monica.

James Jordan was furious, What on God’s green earth are you doing? he shouted at Leo Sonken.

You mind your business and get out of my home! Leo shouted back and the fight was on.

Leo was struggling with James but was no match for the athletic air force man. Leo took a swing at James, he ducked and then swung back knocking Leo to the floor and dazing the angry man. Leo tried to come at James again once he gained some sense back but Leo would not even lay a hand on James. As James landed a final blow that knocked Leo silly, James told Rebecca to call the police and she did.

The next few hours were busy. The Sonken kids and mother went for medical treatment while Leo was taken away to jail. The Jordan’s gave statements and went to the hospital to visit the Sonkens. It was a sobering and quiet visit, nobody knowing quite what to say. Conversations would take place at a later date. Hard conversations about abuse and mental health counseling.

This was not the issue it would grow to be and service strategies were not in place for domestic violence. Jane Sonken had to get very strong, very fast and made a choice to divorce her husband and move away with her children. That step may very well have saved their lives as about a year later, Mr. Sonken took his own life via shotgun.

In junior high Jennifer met Rachel Garrison, who would turn out to be her lifelong best friend. Rachel had been assigned the same locker as Jennifer and they took an instant liking to each other. The two were inseparable from that first week on and even though they each had other friends, they also knew who they could really count on when needed. The Garrisons lived about five miles northwest of the Jordan’s. Rachel had a brother, Robert, who was older than her. She also had a sister, Robin, who was younger. Jennifer and Rachel had four classes together: history, math, civics, and gym.

Almost every day, Jennifer and Rachel were at each other’s houses. Jennifer often helped Rachel with her homework, particularly math. Rachel didn’t care for math and neither of them really cared much for the teacher.

Rachel would frequently tell Jennifer, You have a way of explaining this stuff that makes me understand.

Their math teacher was one of those tenured ones who didn’t care, didn’t teach, and made any student who didn’t get it feel stupid. His name was Mr. Britton and his attitude made Jennifer furious. Jennifer helped anyone who asked and was responsible for more than her fair share of good test scores in Mr. Britton’s class. She was, however, sent on more than one occasion to Mrs. Cross, the Girls’ Dean, for being a smart alec, according to Britton.

Jennifer told it like it was to Mrs. Cross. That man should not be teaching. He doesn’t give a crap about his students. Ask anyone. It isn’t fair to the kids who don’t understand what he is teaching. He berates them and makes them feel stupid. What kind of a role model is he?

Mrs. Cross informed her all about tenure and what it meant to the teaching profession.

Well, that’s a bunch of shit! Jennifer spouted off.

Watch your mouth, young lady! Mrs. Cross retorted. We don’t allow that kind of talk here; you will be respectful.

Yes, ma’am. I am very sorry, but it just isn’t fair, Jennifer insisted. We deserve better teachers, like Mr. Robinson. He’s great. He cares about us and will help anybody who needs it, even when it’s not his subject or student. Why can’t we keep teachers like him and get rid of those like Britton?

Mr. Britton, to you, Mrs. Cross emphasized, and I told you that is the way it is. I will have a talk with him, but that is about all that can be done; he is tenured.

Well, you know what I think about it, and someday, I will find a way to change this policy, Jennifer promised.

She would be in and out of the Dean’s Office throughout her years at Emerson Junior High. Her parents would be called in every so often to talk about these issues. They could not fault their daughter’s observation about Mr. Britton and in general about tenure. They had a very fine line to tread as they guided her to be respectful but at the same time speak her mind.

Jennifer, not one to be told nothing could be done or that was the way it is, took her fight to the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. She wrote to the editor of each newspaper, explaining the situation, and asked them to expose this issue to their readers. The Rocky Mountain News followed through with an article on the potential issues with tenured teachers. Their findings suggested that tenured teachers were for the most part good teachers as they were secure in their jobs. They did find that about ten percent of tenured teachers were actually bad teachers that had no business teaching. The Denver Post did not do an article but wrote an editorial regarding tenure. Jennifer felt a little vindicated, but Britton was still in school, and not teaching his students. She just doubled her efforts to help those students who needed it.

Jennifer had a natural athletic ability which was enhanced by her love of playing. Although she was hyper competitive, she never let that stand in the way of her love of playing the game. This love of the game was the reason for her success. Her favorite sports were basketball and soccer. She played each with the intensity of a tiger on the hunt.

In early April of 1982, their ninth grade year, Rachel saw a completely different side of her friend fully emerge. She had seen glimpses of this side before, but it came out full force this time.

Jennifer and Rachel had gone into downtown Denver to hang out and do some shopping. Kate, now a senior, had dropped them off that mid-morning and would be back to get them around four p.m. As the two were shopping and walking around, it started to snow, first lightly, and then it picked up with fierce intensity. The wind driven snow made the temperature drop substantially in just a short period of time. As they were walking along against the driving snow that was now starting to pile up, Jennifer noticed a woman down one of the alleyways, huddled against the snow.

They kept walking for another block, when suddenly Jennifer turned around. Come on, was all she said.

She went down the alleyway, much to the concern of Rachel.

Jennifer went up to the woman who was freezing and obviously homeless, huddled in the snow. She had no coat, holey shoes, and she was shivering. As they approached her, they saw she could barely lift her head. Jennifer had read about homeless people and she had even seen them before, but never in this frigid situation. She knew that a lot of them preferred to remain homeless, and that many times they had some kind of addiction which had brought them to this dire point, and she knew not give them money. So, she sat down and talked to the woman.

She dug into her pocket and gave Rachel some money. Would you please go to the restaurant we passed and get a hot meal and some hot chocolate to go? she asked her.

Rachel was hesitant to leave her friend.

Sensing her unease, Jennifer told her, It’s okay. We’re just going to sit here and talk. I’ll be okay, please.

Jennifer asked the woman about why she was homeless, if she knew about the shelters, and if she’d like help finding one.

The woman told her she had lost her job and everything had snowballed from there, and so here she was—in the snowy alley, with no hope.

Jennifer listened intently, her heart reaching out to the woman’s plight while she still kept her logical overview.

By the time Rachel returned about fifteen minutes later, Jennifer had given the woman her coat, hat, and gloves. The two were just sitting there talking, the high school student and the homeless woman, like there was no difference in their status in life.

Rachel gave the woman the food she’d brought.

The woman ate it with such zeal that both girls wondered when she’d had her last meal.

Her name is Margie Bent, Jennifer told Rachel.

Margie nodded to Rachel, sipping the invitingly warm hot chocolate.

What kind of work did you do? Jennifer asked.

I used to be a bookkeeper. I lost my job and I wasn’t able to get another one because of the recession. Once the unemployment pay ran out, Margie said, I lost everything—my savings, my home and my life—and now I don’t know how to get it back. She lowered the cup and started to cry.

Jennifer stood up and offered a hand to Margie. Can you walk?

Margie nodded her head.

Then let’s go, said Jennifer.

Where are we going? Rachel asked.

Shopping, was Jennifer’s one word answer.

Rachel’s mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wide, but she knew that protesting to her friend would not matter. She had seen that determined look before on Jennifer’s face.

They braved the wintry blast and headed back deeper into the city. They went into The Denver, one of the more upscale stores in downtown Denver.

As they entered, one of the salespeople approached Margie.

You can’t be in here, she said.

Jennifer piped up. She is with me and I am here to shop. Do you have a problem with that? she questioned the sales person, arms crossed over her chest and a false look of patience on her face.

No, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she was with you, the salesperson replied

One thousand fifty dollars later, Jennifer had provided Margie with the appropriate work clothes, found six jobs she could apply for, and a small but clean one-room apartment that she rented for her. She asked the stunned landlord for a pen and piece of paper. She wrote something down and handed it to him.

This is my phone number and address. You have my word that if this apartment gets damaged, I will take care of it. That is a promise, Jennifer stated.

Seeing her tenacious look, the landlord believed her.

Jennifer turned to Margie and said, Now, the rest is up to you. First thing Monday morning you need to call for interviews. She turned to Rachel and asked her for any money she had. Here is all the money I have left. It isn’t much, but it should get you through until you find a job. We’ve got to get going now; my sister will be mad if she has to wait for us. Good luck, Margie. Give me a call and let me know how things are going, she said, giving her a big hug.

Margie started crying, which made Rachel tear up as she hugged her. Thank you so much. I won’t let you down, I promise. God bless you both. Here is your coat and stuff back.

You keep them to remember me by, Jennifer said, smiling kindly as Margie tried to shrug off the coat.

I’ll never forget you, Margie said.

And with that the girls left.

Once outside, the cold air crystallized in Rachel’s mind what Jennifer had actually done. She just kept talking all the way back to the corner where Kate was to pick them up. The events of the afternoon were unreal. Oh, my God, do you realize what you just did?

Yes, Jennifer replied.

Do you realize how much trouble you are going to be in?

Yes, she said.

You spent over one thousand dollars on a total stranger! Rachel shouted at her friend. Are you crazy or what? Your parents are going to kill you.

Nodding her head, Jennifer smiled. Probably, but doesn’t it make you feel great? We gave her a chance to turn her life around. It makes me feel alive and I believe she will turn herself around. I am not stupid; I know the stats, but I think she truly will do the right thing. Didn’t you see how she responded, even when you brought her that food?

Rachel nodded.

That in itself was great. Just because a person is so low they’d have to stand up to see a snake’s belly doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some compassion. You never know what circumstances brought them to that point, Jennifer said. What if circumstances beyond your control brought you to that point? We gave her a hand up, not just a handout like so many programs do.

I can’t imagine ever being like that, Rachel said.

That’s just it. I bet every one of those people in situations like Margie never dreamed they would be living like this. Then one day, Jennifer said, snapping her fingers, there you are. And how do you get back to where you were without a hand up? You and I are friends and we have family and friends we can rely on to take care of us. What about people who don’t? Maybe they just moved here or don’t have any family... you just don’t know. But it sure felt great! she said, still caught up in the thrill of genuinely helping.

Well, I hope so because your parents are going to kill you, Rachel said as they approached Kate’s car, a 1967 Mustang, waiting for them in the next parking lot.

I know. Jennifer sighed with a smile.

As Jennifer entered the car a moment later, Kate asked her where her coat was. Jennifer regaled her sister with the story of Margie, with a few narrations by Rachel from time to time.

Kate was shocked. Mom and Dad are going to kill you; you are going to be in so much trouble. Why would you do that? she asked her baby sister in disbelief.

Because it was the right thing to do, Jennifer plainly stated.

After they dropped Rachel at her house, the two sisters continued on their way home. Once there, they sat in silence as they pulled the Mustang into the garage and parked. Their parents’ El Dorado was inside; both parents were home. The confrontation was at hand and both girls knew it.

While the sisters were close, they had their differences. Jennifer was brunette-haired like her father, while Kate was sandy blonde like their mother. Kate liked to think about consequences more than Jennifer. Passion and a strong sense of righting things drove Jennifer.

Finally Kate spoke up. I know you meant well, but you need to be careful doing things like that. You may have met a nice stranger but not all people are nice. You could have been hurt. That was a cool thing to do, but, she said, smiling at her sister as they got out of the car, I still think Mom and Dad are going to kill you. Good luck.

Thanks, Jennifer said as she entered the house.

Jennifer