It happened in Church - October 19, 1962
Chapter Forty Seven - Push into the Church
Sunday 04 Nov begins
Men Rally To The Gals
Jody woke and found that she had a surprise in store when she looked around. A respectful ten feet from the ’shelter sweeties’ line there was another line. The Eighth males had formed up obviously after dark and were paired back to back sleeping at parade rest. There was a line of folding chairs folded flat on the floor in the spaces. Somehow, the males detected their upset, came up with a plan, and actioned it. How could they have known? Was living for two weeks in close quarters with unrelated males without sex causing ‘brother - sister’ ‘identical twins’ mental telepathy? She walked to the ‘outside line’. The nearest male to her was Roy backed up with Sam. While she wanted to kiss him, she needed to chat first. She nudged him with her foot. He snapped to wakefulness and was looking for a target. Sheepishly, he looked up. She said “You might as well stand up. The view isn’t going to change.” She put her hand down to give him a boost. He rocked back and said “Sam, awake?” “Yup, I had to let Jody sneak up on you.”
Roy used Jody’s offered hand. He stretched and slung the rifle. He just waited. He always went very slowly so as not to spook her. She was skittish. “What’s this?” Jody said pointing to the chairs. Other Eighths were rising as well. “Seemed like there was some ‘misunderstanding’ about what conduct the men of the Eighth would accept. So we decided to make a statement! Some of the knuckle heads think that we’re going to die today and need to leave a little part of themselves to posterity. I think I may have mentioned that they hadn’t demonstrated they were worth saving. Seemed like a good idea to make point of what we’d consider acceptable behavior.” Jody looked deeply in this man’s eyes. She could see the character of his soul. “Thanks. Some of the younger ones were afraid.” “Sorry, that happened.” Jody gave him a hug and a peck. “We’ll have to see where your goodness leads us.” “It will only lead where you want it to and when you want it to. Jody, I’m here for the long haul.” What did Marie say ‘boys talk; men do’!
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Today’s Meter Reading
Brother Kevin was up early. He was on a mission. The Fire Team unlocked the door and one went out to watch for his signal. He went up a few stairs. Instant reading. About .3 whatevers. So, Brother Kevin quckstepped back down, signaled the door to be locked, and tugged on it as a test. Today!
“Adjutant!” “Yes, Brother Kevin” “Please run and inform the Office. My complements to all the Staff. If they would please meet me at the stairwell. Priority One Green. On the double.” “Yes, Brother Kevin” The adjutants didn’t run ever since the phone numbers were discovered, so he called it in and the Office dispatched runners.
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Staff Meeting Impromptu
The Staff assembled. Brother Kevin reported. “This is the second day in a row of identical readings. We can push to the Church according to our plan. Or we can wait and follow the schedule.” John said “Brother Kevin seems to have summed it up.” Marie chimed in “Seems obvious but waiting will make everyone nervous.” Roy added “Boss, I’m not happy with our ability to control some of the young Sixths and Fifths that have interesting notions of acceptable sexual behavior. If we go now, that’ll give them something else to focus on.” Brian chipped in “Going today gets us to Vermont a day quicker. We may be rushed, but what’s the expression ‘better a good plan executed today, rather than a perfect plan executed tomorrow’. John said “Other comments? Any one in favor of waiting? <pause> OK, when. I’d say before we feed them. If it’s what I’m expecting, then there will be some upchucking.” Brother Kevin “Now!” John “OK let’s get them up and formed. Just like last night.”
Marie went to John. “John, yesterday, we all agreed you’re leading the lifeboat fire team.” “The hell I am.” “You are the only one who’s gone thru a door under fire. Staff decided. Brother Kevin leads the real effort; you lead the Life Boat. Sorry but you’ve been NOCed.” The Classmates, anxious for resolution, were up and moving. John saw the wisdom and took his place. As usual, working back to front. “Life boat fire team ready” yelled John. “Life boat ready” yelled June. “Fire wall ready” yelled Marie. “OP G2″ ready yelled Jody. “Vestibule ready” yelled Roy. “Far door ready” yelled Sam. “Lurp ready” yelled Brother Kevin. “Miss Marie, Open the door, please. And may God have mercy on our souls.”
Marie ordered the board op in the office to unlock the door.
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Going Thru Doors
Brother Kevin heard the lock click. Hefted his rifle into forward ready. Nodded his head and the Tail End Charlie Isabella opened and held the door. ‘Here goes!’ he thought. Up the steps, his fire team strung out on the stairs. Brother Kevin pushed the door at the top of the stairs open. And was greeted by the all too familiar smell of decades ago. “Bodies” he said to the space behind him. That answered one question. This was no mistake.
That word rippled down the line. Many illusions were crushed. When John heard it, he was not surprised. But mildly thankful, he wasn’t a loon. There were universal teary eyes. Some sobbing. Not all from the girls or the lower grades. Miss Marie was bawling her eyes out. John sensed it and walked from his spot thru the office to her firewall. He gave her a full frontal hug. “Marie, now is not the time. Close that book. We’ll grieve when we really know something. The Classmates are depending up you.” Those were the exact right words. He could see ‘broken leg’ Marie emerge. God help the next Bravo Golf she found that needed legs broke. She was good stock. One always does one’s duty.
John walked among the Classmates. “We don’t know for sure anything other than no one in two weeks policed up the bodies. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s trouble today. This is not the time or place for this. We just don’t know anything for sure. Brace up. Your Classmates are depending upon each of us to do our jobs. Even if your job is just to survive and tell the story, it’s your job to do just that.”
After that, John felt better about being ‘left out’ of the action. Maybe his staff did right to NOC him over to this duty. He did seem to have a visible effect on the Classmates. His fire team had the look of grim determination. They might go down, but not cheaply. As John half knelt at the ready, he was thinking about Kabuki. Funny how one’s mind worked. He was writing his letter to the CO of the S2 they were trying to trick.
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Brother Kevin’s vestibule
Brother Kevin pushed open the door to the shelter. The smell wasn’t as bad as he remembered it. His first duty was to secure the landing. He locked the door to the street. He probably should have done that on Church Day. He’d put it on his checklist for the next time he was in an atomic war. He then went and locked the door into the Church. He passed the word down the stairwell ‘locked’. His fire team joined him on the landing. Clearly, they’d never seen decaying dead people before. He wished he could take the time to be sensitive. He slung his shot gun in the upside down manner he’d been taught a lifetime ago.
It is possible to accurately trigger a shot gun from upside down position if you’ve practiced. You never slung your weapon in a free fire zone; you never daydreamed either. That’s what got Brother Prefect killed. That slinging piece of advice from a DI had saved his butt on Iwo when an infiltrator surprised him in the can on Iwo. Amazing what you can do when sitting on the can. But that long ago DI had instilled in them that their enemy could pop up, drop in, or spring out when least expected. So, he was in that can, doing his business, anxious to get back to the safety of his hole. The Jap opened the door with his shooting hand. Brother Kevin triggered the shot gun without literally moving an inch. They were both surprised.
With the landing secure, he began to drag and stack cordwood. He’d rest between each drag, by rifling pockets. He threw the contents on the floor. Eight bodies. Wonder who tallied what. Not that it matters. Always nice to know what you’ll face when you have to justify your life on Judgment Day.
Housekeeping being done. Brother Kevin yelled down “bump me”.
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Sam bumps BK
Sam’s fire team came up to the landing. More green at the gills ‘cherries’. Sam too. Quite different from what you see on the Silver Screen. Everyone looks dashing and handsome; even in death. The reality was something different. Sam deployed his team. Kayla with her back to the street door ready to aim at the Church door as soon as Lurp jumped off. Taylor lying on the stairs to the shelter aiming at ceiling over the Church door. You only point it at what your ready to destroy. Good students. Too easy to have an accident. Just read the score during hunting season: Hunters - 500, Deers 5. Tough if you are one of the five.
Sam said quietly “landing ready.” Brother Kevin said “lurp ready”. Everyone was praying for an empty Church. Tail End of the Lurp, Linda this time, held the door as Brother Kevin went first. Sam said to Tayor “Pass along: ‘Lurp away’”. It took seconds for it to reach John. He was tense. This is where the fun would begin. If there was to be a shooting war, this is when it would start in his crystal ball.
Andrew edged up to John and said: “Is this a good time to tell you about an idea I just thought of?” John’s immediate reply “Sure” thinking ’sure ww3 is about to break out, but it’s a good distraction’. Andrew continued: “I was sad to hear the ‘bodies’ message cause that meant you were right. You never talked much about it, but if it was worst case, we’re alone in the world’s biggest graveyard. My Mom, Dad, and family are all dead. I was sad, but strangely relieved to have a fact we can hang our hats on. I was thinking how much pleasure my Mom and Dad got last spring when they bought a brand new Chevy. Glad they got that pleasure before … … I was thinking of that darn Chevy. My Dad paid cash for it. They scrimped and saved for it. They paid extra for one of the new automatic transmissions so my Mom could drive it. She had a bum left leg and couldn’t operate a clutch. Then it hit me ‘Automatic Transmission’! I don’t know if trucks have it; doubt it. But, couldn’t scout#2, rear#2, and the bus be specified as automatic. Even if the bus is stick, which I don’t think so. They’ve been automatic for a few years. That gives us, at least another car, or maybe another truck to take to Vermont. And, I know you want to take the 57 Ford, but couldn’t Scout#1, Scout#2, and Readr#2 be station wagons and we get the extra storage space? Just an idea.” John was thrilled with the idea. Just showed you have to be open. “Great idea, Andrew, a little more practical than my prayers for a magic carpet. We’ll have to take what we can get, but all things being equal your right. But, I’d love to spread the peanut butter one truck thinner. Keep thinking. And, I am sorry about all our families. I’ve been just putting those thoughts in a jar for when we get to Vermont. Maybe we’ll be surprised.” “Thanks, John, but you and I both know the truth.” “No we don’t KNOW it. We suspect it. No evidence yet. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s trouble today. Back to your troop. Help them keep their spirits up.” “Yes, Boss.”
At that time Lurp leapt into the Church. Brother Kevin sent Linda down the long side aisle, and Lisa across the alter rail. Dang those girls were fast. All he saw was pony tails. Isabella was left at the door looking for something to hurl a dart at. The 240 yards diagonal across the Church was out of her range. But with the ballerina move, maybe not. Besides, if you had told him on Iwo that one day he’d be clearing a big Church with three grammar school girls, two rifles that they had never fired, and one with a stone age version of David’s sling, he have thought you certifiable. But still, it was kinda of Marine Corps logical, you use what you have, period. Wishing didn’t win battles. And it prevented you from improvising. Like using cocoanuts and rocks on Iwo, dropped into holes to see if they were ‘occupied’. To save using valuable grenades on empty holes. Drop either a nut or rock into a hole, it ‘felt’ like a grenade and would draw fire. Then you could use one of those valuable grenades. As the L’s sprinted on their routes, he did a version of a tightrope walker diagonally across the pews. Up to the halfway mark, if a Bravo Golf popped behind him, then Isabella could nail him. It was some comfort. The girls were waiting for him, laughing at his gait, when he arrived at the opposite corner he went and locked the three big Church front doors. He coded to Isabella ‘next team’. She opened the door and said ‘bump me’. Sam passed ‘bump me’ down the line. In a minute, John knew the war was over for the moment. Not yet time to relax, but everyone could take a breath. They had all been holding theirs since Lurp jumped off.
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Roy bumps Sam to other side door
Roy brought Michael and Tyler up the stairs. Tyler took Taylor’s position. Michael took Kayla’s. Roy took Sam’s. They all had to get used to the smell and the view. Roy and team went thru the door to Isabella. The last movement was now on. Sam took his team across to the other vestibule. Isabella went around the back of the altar and looked in the Sacristy. Force of habit, Sam stopped to genuflect at the main aisle. That thinking could get someone killed. They went to their doorway and locked the door to the outside. The Church was secured. Isabella finished her circuit. Everyone gave thumbs up. Isabella opened the door and said “all secure”. That word sped thru the formations.
Brother Kevin policed up the bad guy bodies. Brother Prefect and Mother Superior would take a little more fortitude. And, he couldn’t even look at all the dead children. It wasn’t a thousand. But it was more than fifty. That made him sick.
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Jody and OP; Brian G2’s
At the ‘all secure’ signal, Jody, Brian, Sarah, and Zachary were up the stairs in a few heartbeats. Jody and the OPers headed for their window. Brian quickly began looking at the dead guy’s stuff. At the window, Sara did a Marie tuck, Jody did a deep knee bend, Zachary steadied the pyramid, and up Sara went on Jody’s shoulders. Jody said: “Remember Sarah. Slowly.” Sara undid the lever clip and the window went ajar. Ever so gently she pushed the window open a crack. Then a little more. Till finally she could see out. She whispered “Dead bodies, wrecked cars, and no people!” Jody told Zachary “Code Isabella ‘worst case’ now.” That word went along like wild fire.
Brother Kevin went and knelt by his former Boss. He said “Brother Prefect: You were right. You were so right. They had potential. We were standing in their way. They need challenges; like plants need sun, air, and water. These kids are wonderful. You’d have been pleased at how they performed. You never had a better infantry company. I’m sorry I couldn’t see what you saw. I’m sorry you weren’t here to see. I’m just a sorry excuse for your replacement. But, I will live up to your expectations.” With that, he took Brother Prefect’s rosary with the master key; he never let it go. He opened one of the side rooms in the Church lobby and dragged out a table. Zachary helped him set it up. Sarah stepped on to it and continued her observation. Brother Kevin walked over to the corned and picked up the house phone. He dialed 86001, and said “Benedict here. Miss Marie please. … … Miss Marie, Brother Kevin, pass the word ‘all secure; stand down’, and all Staff to the Church. And, bring about a hundred body bags.” Marie started to cry and said “We’ll be right there.” She went to the Stock Room door and told June “stand down”. By that time John was there and said “What’s wrong?” “Worst case is pretty bad. Brother Kevin said to bring body bags. About a hundred.” John wasn’t surprised. “At least, it’s not a thousand.” “Should we feed the troops?” John said: “Let’s wait in case any want to see the Church.” The Seventh’s and Eighths took over. June’s ’sheep herders’ - Kaitlyn, Morgan, Sten, & Timothy - went to get the body bags.
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Bag Bodies
John led them up the stairway. The smell was bad. Last time, he’s smelled anything this bad was at the slaughterhouse where his aunt and her neighbor took some lambs to make lamb chops. Actually the slaughterhouse smelled worse. He didn’t eat meat for about three months after that experience.
Marie was a trouper; he suggested that this might be a job best left to the men. Marie said “It can’t be worse than changing diapers.” She was wrong.
John was walking past the dead Bravo Golfs heading for the Church. She said “John!”. He turned quickly. “Something wrong?” “What about those?” “The Bravo Golfs?” “Yes, they were God’s children as well. Bad children, but His children.” “Marie!” “John!!” She stomped her foot and said: “We are better than that. Aren’t we?” He knew he wasn’t going to win this argument so they started bagging with the Bravo Golfs. Many decades later, he’d understand her reasoning. But as a true passive aggressive, he had two bodies placed in one bag.
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Staff meets in Church
The Staff gathered in the center of the Church. John led off with: “Bravo Zulu to all hands. I thinking before we police up the Church, we give any Classmate that wants it a chance to see the bodies. They may need to know we are not lying.” Marie said: “I agree but we should try to dissuade them. It will give them a chance to get out of the shelter. If they want, who are we to say they can’t.” John summed it up quickly: “We’re agreed offer, but discourage. Brother Kevin, would you please tell the Office to order everyone to stand down and everyone to the Dining Ares?” “Done!” Marie and John headed back to address the group.
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Stand down the life boat
June told everyone to ’stand down’ again and head for the Dining Room. She saw in their faces, that they were scared again. How could they be reassured?
She pulled John and Marie aside as people were getting organized. “Guys the crowd is really on edge. If you can reassure them or if you have a magic bullet, now is the time to use it. I know you can’t do a comedy act. But you have to do something different.”
John did his gull wing with Marie beside him. “My Classmates, we have achieved one of our milestones. We have control of the Church. It’s pretty horrific. About fifty of our fellow Classmates are dead upstairs and there’s seventy some odd here in the Shelter, that means that many more 800 are elsewhere. When I talked to you a long while ago, seems like ages, I said that we find ourselves here. We still don’t know if there was an evacuation. Your Staff and I made a plan. We’re still on that plan.”
Marie picked up: “It is terrible upstairs. I recommend that you say here and have breakfast while the Eighths clean it up. The Staff felt that, if you feel you must see it before it’s cleaned up to satisfy your own mind, you should have that opportunity. Now’s your chance. Any one who wants to see it should form up at the door. We’ll go up the stair way once around the Church and down the other stair way in to the stock room. Again, I recommend that you not go. No one will say anything to anyone who stays below or goes up.”
John went to the office and ordered all doors unlocked. Marie went to the stairwell to dissuade.
She might as well have not bothered. The Classmates, to a person, lined up to go up. Maybe everyone had grown up. One of the first on the line was a pair of Firsts - Miss Hailey holding hands with Master Steven. Marie said to them: “Are you sure?” Miss Hailey was quick to respond: “Oh yes, Miss Marie. Trust but verify; trust but verify. We’re not children anymore.” Master Steven added: “Where my shelter sister goes, so do I. We need to close off the old ideas, empty of heads of illusions, and make room for the new reality. ‘tea spills when the cup is full’ This will empty our cups.” She’d have to talk to John about the monsters he was creating.
It wasn’t pleasant. There was bravado; that was quickly turned to nausea. There were tears; not as many as you would have thought. There was realization; soon supplanted by motivation.
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Late Breakfast
After the ‘tour’, most ate something. There was sharing. The mood was somber. The conversations were of Vermont. There was even some spontaneous prayer.
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