Free [Second Chances 02]California Dreams by Morris Fenris Page A

the evidence, and was still holding it in my fingers when he caught up to me. To make matters worse, he made me call my parents and tell them what I had done and that they needed to come pick me up from school so I could serve my suspension.”
    “You got suspended for smoking?” Jane asked, thinking back to her own high schools days and how even the teachers had openly smoked around the students. Now, every school was a smoke-free, drug-free zone.
    “Yeah, and my punishment didn’t end there. I still had the packet of cigarettes in my pocket, which my mother found when we got home. She showed them to my dad who then proceeded to make me smoke every last one of them.
    “I don’t remember much about the cigarettes, but I remember puking my guts up time and again. To this day, the smell of cigarettes turns my stomach.”
    “I agree with you. I’ve never smoked before, and I never want to!” Jane told him, pleased that they had yet another thing in common.
    It was quiet for a moment, and then Jane asked, “Why the FBI? Why not the Army or the Air Force?”
    “Why not?” Samuel asked. “At the time I applied, they were giving aptitude and shooting tests. I aced both and the rest as they say is history.”
    Jane thought about how different their lives had been. She had married Kenneth and become a Marine widow before she had even acclimated to being a Marine wife. She wondered what dream she would have followed right after high school if she hadn’t gotten married. Where would she be now?
    “Penny for your thoughts,” Samuel offered, having watched her grow silent and pensive.
    Jane shrugged her shoulders with a grin, “Just wondering what I would have done with my life if I hadn’t married so young.”
    “Can I give you a piece of advice?” Samuel asked, reaching over and taking her hand to soften his next words. “Don’t go there. Nothing good actually comes from playing the ‘what if’ game. Stay in the present and play the ‘what now’ game and you’ll be a much happier person.”
    Jane felt tears threaten to spill from her eyes. His words to her held so much truth; truth she needed to hear. But more importantly, they came from someone who cared deeply for her and for whom she was developing strong feelings for as well.
    Nodding her head, she composed herself just as the observatory came into view. “It looks just like the pictures online.”
    Samuel grinned, “That’s a good thing, right?”
    “Definitely. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”
    Samuel hoped so.
    Several hours later as they drove back to San Diego, he knew so. Jane’s knowledge of the solar system had even astounded his friend, and that was hard to do. She had asked all the right technical questions about the Hale telescope, had been up-to-date on the latest discoveries, and had intelligently debated the planet status of Pluto.
    “Thank you,” Jane said, leaning over and kissing Samuel on the cheek.
    “Come here,” Samuel said, pulling her over to sit beside him.
    Jane willingly went, buckling the center seatbelt and leaning her head upon his shoulder, “I can’t believe how tired I am.” She yawned, trying to hide it behind her hand.
    Samuel tried not to laugh, but his shoulders shook a few times before he gained control. “Why don’t you close your eyes and take a small nap. I’ll wake you when we get closer to the city.”
    Jane yawned again; going to sleep uppermost on her mind. “That seems so unfair to you. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay awake and talk to you?”
    “I’m sure. Besides, tomorrow night’s a long night as well. Close your eyes and get some sleep.” When she didn’t respond, Samuel glanced and then smiled. Jane had closed her eyes, and was fast asleep upon his shoulder.

Chapter 15
    New Year’s Eve arrived and Samuel invited Grace and Daniella to join him and Jane to watch the fireworks. Grace hesitantly accepted, not wanting to be a third wheel, but Jane had insisted.
    Grace and