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Rekindled Hope

  Rekindled Hope A typically perfect day was dawning on the west coast as I prepared for work. I truly loved my job at Lindbergh Field in San Diego, and I was looking forward to the day ahead. 1985 had already been cruel to me. My beloved Aunt Sarah passed away on my 21st birthday, and just two weeks later, I received the tragic news of Grace’s death. To say I was shell-shocked would be an understatement. Grace had been like a sister to me. We were inseparable, and she was the one who had introduced me to my first love. Mike and I had been going strong for 18 months. Life felt full and beautiful—I truly felt blessed. The drive to work was pleasant, though uneventful. The morning crowd was heavy, and the day moved quickly. Around lunchtime, I noticed a man named Lee working intently on the wiring for our malfunctioning phone system. His phone suddenly rang. I heard him exclaim, “Litchfield Drive already?!” The name struck me—it was just a few blocks from my home. But I brush...

Angel of Mine

  April 19, 1985 That night was the epitome of the ’80s—capturing the vibe in every way. Little did I know that before dawn the next day, my life would be turned completely upside down. It had been a long week at the bank, and I was looking forward to a quiet evening: a quick dinner, a relaxing soak in the tub, and an early bedtime. But fate had other plans. Grace called around 6:30. Jack had a friend in town from up north, and she wanted me to join them for a night of dancing—a surprise celebration for my 21st birthday earlier that month. I was exhausted and definitely not interested. “Oh come on, please! It’ll be fun!” she insisted, with an excitement I’d never heard from her before. I’ve always had a hard time telling people no. Since she also worked at the bank, I figured she’d understand. Besides, my boyfriend Mike was definitely not into clubs or dancing, and even though he’d be working the graveyard shift at the airport, I knew he wouldn’t be okay with me going out...