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made the basketball team. Seemed like he was. But they had talked, and Jake had convinced Dave it was just the schedule, not anything going on in his heart.
    Keeping their hearts connected was the main thing for Dave. Meant more than anything else in his life. Certainly more than this job at the newspaper. Or his book project.
    Jake’s mother had died four years ago in a commuter plane crash.
    That’s what had brought Dave here to Florida from Atlanta. Dave’s mom had moved down from Chicago years ago; really to be closer to Jake, her only grandson. She and Dave’s ex-wife, Anne, had stayed close after he and Anne divorced. That happened back when Jake was seven. From then until four years ago, Anne had primary custody. Dave saw him at fixed times in the year, because he lived out of state.
    They hadn’t been all that close. Dave now believed this was totally his fault.
    Just like the divorce. He was an idiot. A selfish, ambitious fool. It took Anne’s tragic death for him to see it. Didn’t come in time to help their relationship but hopefully in time to give him and Jake a second chance.
    It seemed to be working.
    Dave sighed, tried to push these thoughts aside. He looked up John Lansing’s cell number and dialed. He expected to get his voice mail too. He already knew Lansing was an extremely busy man. And obviously, a multimillionaire.
    “Hello? Mr. Lansing?”
    “Hey, Dave. How are things? You’re in Florida, right?”
    He was surprised Lansing even remembered him. They’d only spoken briefly two other times. He must have kept Dave’s name and number on his caller ID. “Pretty nice, actually. November’s a great month here. I’m guessing it’s a little chilly there.”
    “Chilly and windy.”
    “I’ve never lived in Houston, but I did live in the Dallas–Fort Worth area a couple of years. Do you have a minute?”
    “A few,” he said. “This about the book you’re writing?”
    He remembered that too. “It is. I don’t know if you recall this, but I work for a newspaper here in north Florida. They’re sending me out your way to cover a basketball tournament our local high school is participating in. I was hoping I might get with you while I’m out there, see if I could interview you about your experiences in Vietnam. Particularly, what happened that led to you getting that Silver Star.”
    “Funny you should bring that up. Since the last time you called, I got an idea that won’t let me go. I called two of my best Nam buddies and talked it over with them. We get together every few years to reminisce. They liked the idea. Liked it a lot, in fact. So, yeah, I’d definitely like to talk with you.”
    “Were these men with you in that battle, the one where you got the medal?”
    “No. I got that during my first tour in ’67. I was stupid enough to sign up for a second. That’s when I met the friends I’m talking about.”
    Dave was having a hard time following him. What could these guys tell him about John Lansing’s Silver Star if they hadn’t even been there? “Do you want these men there for the interview?”
    “No, they live in different states.”
    “I guess I don’t follow what—”
    “No, I don’t suppose you do. But I’d rather explain all this when you’re here in person. You have my office number?”
    “I do.”
    “Well, you hang up and call my secretary, Ellen. I’ve already told her a little about this. You tell her when you’re coming and tell her I want to block off the better part of that day. Tell her to call me if she runs into any snags.”
    “Well, that . . . that’s great, Mr. Lansing. I really appreciate it.”
    “Guess you better start calling me John.”
    “So the interview’s all set.”
    “Interview? Well, sure. You can still interview me, I guess.”
    Still?
    “But the real reason I want to meet is not quite what you’re expecting.”
    “It’s not?”
    “Son, it’s like that old Godfather quote. I’m about to make you an offer you