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I protested, "But the schedule--"

She turned and walked off before I could get anything more out of her Then it didn’t matter if she’d left because at that ht, and I was rendered speechless

It wasn’t him It couldn’t be

Then he strolled up to the microphone and started to speak, and that smooth, rich-like-, ladies and gentlemen," he said "I’m Jackson Boudreaux"

The place ild Three hundred people jumped fro such a racket it could probably be heard forpeople, wondering if someone had spiked their drinks with cocaine All this excite," Jackson said over the noise "I’m honored to welcoht, stunned This polite, chare, in a tuxedo that fit his large, muscular frame so perfectly it had to be custom-made, with his dark hair slicked back and his face freshly shaved, was a stranger A ser who sounded like Jackson and called hi like the man I knew

The Jackson Boudreaux I knew roo seem civilized

The Jackson Boudreaux I knew didn’t look like Superman and dress like James Bond and have a crowd of three hundred people on their feet, showering hi I put the back offor fever, but it was cool and dry

New and Improved Jackson said, "As you may know, I first became involved with the Wounded Warrior Project afterin the Marines in Afghanistan"

So this is why Jackson’s involved with the charity How tragic I listened with my hand over my s but not his love of his country, his joy for life, or his dedication to serving others Though complications from his amputations ultimately claimed his life, the Wounded Warrior Project was there for hianization could have been"

Jackson’s voice broke He stopped speaking abruptly, ran a hand through his hair, and drew a slow breath

I watched, enthralled He had feelings The Beast had feelings

I’d seen his irritation before, of course, and had also seen firsthand his devotion for Cody But this was soether This was raw This was powerful

This was vulnerable

If soun atin this et a bullet in my brain, they would’ve had to shoot me

In a more subdued tone, Jackson continued "In the four years since Christian’s death, I’ve witnessed firsthand how anization has touched How ed for the better How many lives it has saved This nation and all its citizens owe a great debt to the brave reatest debt of all is to those who are wounded or have fallen in combat Those who so valiantly and selflessly volunteer to defend us and our allies around the world, and are willing to make the ultiotten"

Jackson’s voice broke again, but this tianizations like the Wounded Warrior Project that we ensure they never are"

The croent ballistic It sounded like a rock concert I stared at Jackson on the stage, not realizing there were tears on ers acrossup next we’re going to start the auction I’enerous to help our wounded vets, right?"

More cheering

Then he looked out across the heads of everyone in the rooh the distance that separated us, I sa his eyes burned

He said, "But before we get to that, I want to introduce you to the wo this evening Chef, join e"

Jackson extended his hand Three hundred heads turned to look at round didn’t open up and shole

GINGER-ORANGE CHEESECAKE

Makes 8 servings