Free Clattering Sparrows by Marilyn Land

say! Wow! I think my heart actually stopped beating when I first saw him.
    “He’s in the Navy Air Corps, and he’s already earned his wings. He’s on two weeks leave which he is spending in New York with his sister and her family, and then he’s headed back to Pensacola, Florida, for his permanent assignment. His visit has also greatly lifted his mother’s spirits who hasn’t been doing well at all.
    “It’s been great seeing Tony, especially seeing him so excited about life again.
    When his father died and his mother had the stroke, he was devastated. The last time I saw him just before graduation, he was in pretty bad shape and feeling quite sorry for himself. It was a time in his life that the world should have been opening doors for him but instead they had been slammed shut. One evening as he sat watching television, he saw a segment on the news about Navy pilots training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. In an instant he made his decision. Not wanting to be talked out of it, he sold his car to get some cash, and he just took off without saying good bye to any of us.
    “We’ve talked for hours about why he didn’t write or let any of us know how he was doing, and although he’s not proud of his actions, he said he really needed his space to think about his options for the future—our future. He knows how my parents feel about him, and when he left, he simply felt he had nothing to offer. He asked for and received his diploma before enlisting, and said he intended to write once he straightened things out. Meeting up with Jenny and me in New York was just fate. Remember when An Lei said my future would bring many surprises?
    “Anyway, it’s been so great seeing him. We’ve spent every possible moment together since dinner with Jenny. Sara, I’m in love with Tony, and I think I always have been starting way back when we were five. But I guess that isn’t news to you. What is news is that Tony loves me too.”
    I listened quietly as Judy chattered on and on about Tony. Deep down I was really happy for my friend. She was right. The strong attraction between them had been there since they were kids. They were truly soul mates long before love entered into the picture.
    At last I said, “If I were writing an article about your meeting up with Tony, my mind would conjure up words like incredible, unbelievable, remarkable, and maybe even amazing, but my heartfelt words are simply that I think it’s wonderful, and you know I am honestly happy for you. Learning that Tony is okay and back on track is great news. You’ve always been a couple in my eyes, and I hope the future holds great things for both of you.”
    Changing the subject, I asked, “When am I going to see you? Are you coming home for Thanksgiving?”
    “Well, no I’m not. I called my parents and told them that I had two tough exams coming up. and that I would really rather stay here in New York and study over the weekend, instead of spending two days traveling down and back for dinner. I think they were a little upset, but they said they understood. I’m going to Tony’s sister’s house Thanksgiving Day for dinner. He leaves for Pensacola the following Tuesday, so we want to spend as much time together as possible.”
    “That’s ironic. I thought you’d be coming home, and I would see you since we’re not making our usual trip to New York this year. My mother’s family is coming here, and Mom has been working on her dinner plans for weeks. She’s done a great job getting the house together, and it looks a lot different than when you were here. Most of the boxes are gone, and the ones that are still unpacked have been relegated to the basement. Hopefully, we can get together at Christmas. You will be home then, won’t you?”
    “Absolutely, my parents would disown me if I try to back out on that one. Well, I’ve really got to run. I do have two big exams coming up but they’re both scheduled before Thanksgiving. Talk to you