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quarter, bro,” he said quietly.
    Kevin handed it to him and Randy dropped in the last coin.
    “The rules?” Kevin asked.
    “It must be anonymous,” Izzy said, “just like Jesse would have wanted. Only the four of us…” She stopped to think briefly before continuing, “…and Professor McKee can know about what we’ve done.”
    They each smiled in agreement.
    “And we have until midnight on Christmas—” Randy said.
    “—in memory of Jesse’s favorite holiday,” Ava interrupted.
    “Perfect,” Izzy muttered.
    Again, they each agreed.
    “The kind act cannot cost money,” Ava added.
    “Our own money, you mean?” Kevin interrupted. “We should be allowed to get others to donate, right?”
    Ava nodded. They each followed suit.
    “Okay then,” Izzy said, “let’s go honor Jesse.”
    “…and win a whole dollar,” Randy joked.
    “…and maybe four lives worth living,” Ava concluded.

    The following day, the four friends met Professor McKee on the quad and let her in on their plan.
    With a proud smile, she nodded. “I honestly can’t think of a better way to honor the memory of a friend,” she said. “And if you ask me, Jesse’s still giving, isn’t he?”
    Each set of eyes filled with tears.

5
    Although the four friends expected to begin their inspired quests with a bang, the chaos of daily college life consumed them. Potluck dinners of English muffin pizzas and Ramen noodles were devoured while cramming for exams and running off to part-time jobs on campus to offset expenses. Even still, there were some good deeds performed.
    Ava started writing letters, recruiting people to prepare Christmas cards to soldiers overseas, while Randy opted to sit back and not rush into anything. Izzy began volunteering at the local elementary school, reading to children—where she learned about the high rate of illiteracy and the severe lack of books in the community.
    As the winds picked up, leaves of fire engine red and pumpkin orange lost their luster and floated to the ground, creating a temporary rainbow blanket—before decomposing and becoming one with the earth again. Kevin got a jump on winter by passing out hand warmers and socks to the homeless. Those who panhandled on the corner wearing gold jewelry, though, received nothing.
    As the weather grew colder and the four co-eds settled into their busy routines, the need to lend a helping hand in Jesse’s name became a priority.
    Oak and maple skeletons—stripped completely bare of their colorful clothing—lined the desolate street. It was just getting dark when Kevin turned up his collar against a sudden chill and took a seat beside one of his homeless friends.
    “Here you go, Gus,” Kevin said, handing the grinning man a clean pair of socks and a blanket.
    “Thank you,” Gus replied, his tone humble.
    “My pleasure,” Kevin said, “but I could also use your help.”
    “Name it,” Gus said.
    “I think I’ve finally met
the one
,” Kevin said, “but she’s confusing the hell out of me. Every time I think I know how to act, I’m wrong. Every time I think I’ve reacted correctly, I’m wrong. I mean…just the other night I noticed she had a tone that made her sound unsure of me. I wouldn’t ask if it didn’t mean so much to me.”
    “Ahhh,” Gus sighed and as he searched his memory, his tired eyes sparkled. “Women can be a rough trip, but there’s no better ride on earth.”
    Kevin matched the man’s sigh in agreement.
    Gus thought about it for an extended moment and shook his head. “Women are creatures of the heart, Kevin. They don’t want to be understood…just loved.” He grinned. “But what a wasted life, my boy, to never know their ways.”
    “I hear that,” Kevin whispered and searched his friend’s face. “Sounds like you’ve had some experience with this subject?”
    Gus’s eyes flickered again. “I didn’t always live on the streets, Kevin,” he said. “There was a time…”
    “Good for you,” Kevin