Ties That Bind Read Online Free PDF Page A

marry when he finishes law school. The girl goes to some private all-girl college in Boston.”
    Ellie stretched out on the floor as she continued talking. “The reason Randolph was never on my list of eligible men is because his grandmother will probably pick out his future wife as well. And not to sound mean or anything, but I doubt you have a chance. Rumor has it she’s looking at Lena Weaver.”
    Jenna didn’t have to ask who Lena Weaver was. She was a stunning-looking girl; a senior on campus. Her grand-uncle, Robert C. Weaver, was rumored as being President Johnson’s top pick for secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a new cabinet position that been
added that year. If Johnson chose him for the position, it would make him the first black cabinet official in U.S. history.
    â€œSo if you’re interested in Randolph, you’re only wasting your time.”
    Jenna snapped her book closed, bothered by what Ellie had said and not wanting to hear anything about Randolph any longer. “I think I’ll go down to the Blackburn Center and finish reading,” she said quietly.
    Ellie stared up at her. “I hope you don’t think I’m being cruel by telling you this, Jenna, but I wouldn’t want you to be hurt by Randolph.”
    As Jenna grabbed her sweater and headed for the door, a part of her thought that she was already hurt, just a little. She had thought Randolph was different. Last night he’d acted like he was interested in her and all along he already had his future wife picked out for him. Her mother had been right. You had to be aware of smooth talking guys.
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    The next afternoon Jenna sat on the bench in the park near campus studying the designs of the buildings she saw, jotting down information about each for her Architectural History and Theory class. As she glanced at the Washington Monument that loomed in the distance, she thought the nation’s capital was such a beautiful city. You could scarcely look anywhere and not see some historical building or landmark. Where most cities had skyscraper buildings that jutted discordantly into the sky, what you got in DC was a scene that resembled a rural theme park, complete with grassy fields and large reflecting pools of water.
    After finishing what she was doing, Jenna packed everything into her tote bag and began walking back toward campus. She thanked her lucky stars Ellie hadn’t been there when she’d gone to her dorm room after class earlier. Ellie had been spending a lot of time with Tyrone since Saturday night. He had come around yesterday afternoon to take her to a movie, and from what Leigh had said, he had shown up again today to take Ellie to the library so they could study together. The thought of Ellie studying was almost comical.
    â€œIs he the one she’s selected for her husband?” Leigh had asked,
grinning when they had seen each other earlier that day. “Maybe she’ll get so wrapped up in him that she’ll stay out of our business.”
    Jenna doubted that, but she had kept her thoughts to herself since she knew how Leigh felt about Ellie.
    She had just reached the Aldridge Theater when she saw Randolph and Lena Weaver walking together on their way to class. Jenna’s grip tightened on her tote bag. At first she hadn’t wanted to believe Ellie’s allegations, but now she was seeing Randolph with Lena with her own eyes. She inhaled deeply, thankful they hadn’t seen her. Feeling the need to walk off her hurt and disappointment, Jenna headed in the opposite direction, not ready to go to her dorm yet.
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    It was late afternoon when Jenna opened the door to her room just in time to hear the phone ringing. The private telephone in their room was a luxury that she, Leigh and Ellie had agreed to chip in and pay for for the convenience of not having to use the public one down the hall. She quickly crossed the room and picked it up, thinking it was