BW

While Maria agreed the time for secrets was over, the time of caution wasn't. Todd had given her and John keys to his underground room. Now that everyone knew about it, she felt it wise to lock it up again after Tim and Alex had removed the vests and helmets. There was no point in leaving it open and chance one of the children getting into it. As the men took their box to the store, she returned to the doctors office to check on Bob and the girl.

She gently knocked at the door, and was rewarded by Kathy calling out, "Come on in, it's open.".

"How are our patients?"

Kathy's face took on a serious expression. "Bob is still out, and the wound isn't bleeding. If we keep it covered with antibacterial cream, and we can keep him from over doing it for awhile, I think he will be just fine. But I'm concerned about the girl."

"You still don't know her name?"

"She hasn't said a word. I know she can hear. I dropped a pan behind her, on purpose, and she jumped at the noise. I think she is traumatized by whatever those animals did to her."

"Think she'll recover?"

"It's hard to say. For some people, they do return to normal after awhile. Others never fully recover." Kathy smiled, "Enough of that, sit down and keep me company for awhile."

Bob was starting to come out of it. He wasn't sure he wanted to wake up. He was having such a wonderful dream. He was much younger, and sitting next to Nancy. She was stroking his hair, and told him the most wonderful thing he'd ever heard.

"Honey, I'm pregnant."

He couldn't wait to tell his co-workers in the next room. But wait a minute. He was at work when Nancy called him to give him the news. So, who was stroking his hair? Bob opened his eyes to see the girl sitting next to him, as she tried to silently show her concern for him. She glanced down and saw him looking at her. She smiled.

"Hello there. How are you doing?"

She shrugged.

"Still not speaking? What's your name?"

She looked upset now.

"Are you afraid those men might come back? They won't you know."

She still looked upset.

"It's alright sweetheart. Don't worry about it. You'll talk when you're good and ready. Don't let anyone push you into it."

A timid smile returned.

"Do you know where Kathy, the doctor, is at?"

She nodded, and started to get up.

"Wait a minute. I want to talk to her."

Bob swung around, and started to stand. He found out two things. Whatever Kathy had used, wasn't completely done with him yet. He also found that the girl was stronger than she looked. For a moment, she was the only thing that kept him on his feet. He saw the look of concern come back to her face.

"Don't worry honey. It's just whatever the doctor gave me." He smiled at her.

Together they made their way down the hall to the reception room. Kathy and Maria were sitting with their backs to the door, so they didn't see them until Bob spoke.

"Kathy, just what did you give me?"

"BOB! What are you doing up? Let me help you."

"Thanks, but I already have a helper."

Kathy noticed her for the first time. "Well, let her help you sit down before you fall down."

"Sounds reasonable. Want to help me, Darling?"

Maria had already gotten a chair ready, and with the girls help, sat down.

"O.K. Kathy, why did you do it? I told you to just put a bandage on me, and I'd be..."

"You'd be back here in a week or less with a major infection, most likely. I could actually see the shoulder blade, Bob. Sometimes you just have to understand you can't do it all."

"I already know that. For one thing, I can't dance."

"What?"

"It's true. I have absolutely no sense of rhythm."

"That's not what I mean, and you know it. You said it yourself. I'M the medical expert here. I expect you to follow my medical orders. If you don't, how am I supposed to do anything for you or anyone else?"

Bob looked thoughtful for a moment, and then told her, "You're right Kathy. O.K. I promise, I'll be good. Just what are the doctors orders?"

"Lots of rest to start with. You can talk about what needs to be done, but for the next few weeks, you let other people do what needs to be done. AND for the next few days, at least, you check in with me so I can see how you are doing."

"Rest and check ups. Yes Ma'am. I'll do just as you say. So how long was I out?"

"About three hours."

"Anything new and interesting happen during that time?"

"I think I'll let Alex and Tim tell you about that. They know what they are up to better than I do. But for now, I want you at least sitting down for the next forty-five minutes. You need time for get over the shot."

"Can I ask for someone to send for Alex?"

"That, you can do."

---

Director Ives chuckled as he thought about how Claire must be doing at that very moment. Ives knew that after the southern invasion forces had been virtually wiped out, as the Great Lakes poured down the Mississippi River valley, the hated Christians that Claire had let slip through his fingers rejoiced and praised the Nazarene for their deliverance. The master was very unhappy about that. And he had very unpleasant ways of dealing with those who failed him.

What Claire had failed to do with his heavy handed tactics, Ives had been doing with his subtle lies and deceits. He left the large churches alone for the most part. Most of them were so deceived that they posed no threat, and could be wiped out at a moments notice. It was the small churches and home prayer groups that Ives had concentrated on. They were the ones that knew what was happening. While Claire had reduced the numbers of that religion, in his failure, he had increased their faith. And that could not be tolerated.

Ives was getting a little concerned about the raids. The were making fewer of them all the time, and sometimes when they went in, there wasn't anyone there, even though they had seen people enter the building. But for now, it was going well.

---

Bob was true to his word, and never tried to go against Kathy's medical advice. Maria was happy about this, because it gave her a chance to know him better.

"Bob, what happened when we went down into the valley? I thought that with the dreams, and visitations you've been getting, God would have protected you."

"He did better than protect me. He blessed me. Twice."

"Bob, you got shot. How can you call that a blessing?"

"Do you remember the Battle of AI in Exodus?"

"Not really."

"This was just after Moses had dies, and Joshua was put in charge. The Children of Israel had just come off of their victory at Jericho, and were feeling pretty sure of themselves. Then they came apon the town of AI. The spies told Joshua that there was no need to send the entire army up to this place, They could be taken care of with just a small force. Joshua said O.K. and off they went. To be blunt, they got their butts kicked. So, they came back asking Joshua what happened. Joshua asked The Lord, and was basically told, "Why didn't you ask Me for help and protection? You sent these men off to do the job, and left Me out entirely. Now, go back and do the job the right way, WITH Me.' They repented of the sin of pride, and did as God told them to do. This time they won."

"That's all very interesting, but what does it have to do with you?"

"I was guilty of the same sin of pride. I admit, just like everyone else, I got pumped up when those guys showed up. But when we went down to meet them. I forgot to pray. I left God out of it, and was counting on us to handle it. That was my mistake. And so, I got blessed twice. First, I'm still breathing. Second, as the scriptures say, those whom God loves, he chastises. Yeah, I got hit, but it is going to serve as a reminder for a very long time, not to do ANYTHING without The Lord."


BW, Vietnam Vet