Anna Rodgers walked into the general store at shortly before nine A.M. as she had been told. When she entered, she saw four people. Two men and two women. The older man she knew was the head man around here. Bob was his name she remembered. She also recognized the doctor that had looked her over when she first arrived in the town. The second woman she didn't know, but she looked to be a girl really. The only face she knew that she thought might be friendly was that Lieutenant that had rescued her and the other women from the 'whore wagons' as she thought of them.

"Please come in and have a seat." Bob told her. "There is one more person coming, then we can begin."

"I don't know why we are even bothering with this." Anna said. "We all know why we're here. Just go ahead and toss me out, that's what you want to do, isn't it?"

"Miss Rodgers, before yesterday I'd never even heard your name. Now why don't we wait another minute or so for the last member of these proceedings to arrive?"

Just at that moment, Mrs. Molton came through the door. She had clearly taken time to put on make up, and in a time and place where women's clothing was on the more practical side, she found a dress for the occasion.

"Mrs. Molton. I'm glad you could make it." Bob said. "Since you are the one who has brought this charge against Miss Rodgers, for the sake of everyone here would you repeat it?"

"Certainly." She pointed at Anna. "This woman doesn't deserve to be in a town with decent people. She is a prostitute. She'll corrupt the moral fiber of everyone she comes in contact with. She should be banished. That's my vote. Banish her and any others like her you find."

Anna was about to speak, when Bob beat her to it.

"Mrs. Molton. You seem to be suffering from a misconception. You don't have a vote on this matter. You are the one who has brought the charge, and your own words show that you have tried and convicted her already, and are ready to execute the sentence. You are here, only as a witness to the truth, if any, of the charge you have brought. You are not here for any other reason. Do I make myself clear?"

"What do you mean I don't get a vote? You told us just yesterday that we had to make choices about how things are done around here. I certainly should get a vote about this."

"As I said, you are mistaken. Your job as an adviser to me, is to take responsibility for things within your group. That is not the same thing as making tough choices that affect the entire town. That is what The Lord put me here to do. Now please, calm down, and let us begin."

"Wait a minute. You mean that I can't have any say about this harlot?"

Bob dropped his head and sighed. Then he looked at her again, and spoke.

"Mrs. Molton. We are trying to determine IF any action should be taken, and if so, what that action should be. Right now you are trying to take over these proceedings, and run things your own way. I will not tolerate that kind of behavior. You shall not be allowed to usurp the authority that was placed in my hands. What is more, if you do try to run this show again, I will ask Lieutenant Busby to escort you from here, by force if necessary, and you will only be allowed to return if and when your testimony is called for. Do I make myself clearly understood?"

"I still want to have my say."

"You can want whatever you please, just be quiet and let us get this over with."

Bob turned back to Anna. "Do you know why you have been called here today?"

"I think so. You want to condemn me for my former profession, and get rid of me."

"That isn't quite accurate. I believe that in all arguments, side A says one thing, side B says another, and the truth is usually somewhere in between them. Would you please tell us about yourself?"

Anna thought for a moment. There was something about this man. "I'll tell you the truth. I thought about coming here and giving you a song and dance about the poor little girl who was abused and forced into that line of work. I could have made you believe it too. Making people believe things is part of what I used to do...."

"You see! She admits it. We don't need to hear any more, just get rid of her."

Bob shook his head, and then said more to himself than any of the others, "Some people just refuse to learn." he looked at Lieutenant Busby. "Would you escort Mrs. Molton outside, and have one of your men hold her there, unless and until we call for her? Then bring yourself back here."

"Yes Sir. Mrs. Molton, will you come with me?"

"You can't do that. I have a right to be here."

"You've forfeited that right by trying to disrupt these proceedings. Take her outside."

Busby grabbed Mrs. Molton by the arm and half dragged her out the door. She was stammering and sputtering all the way. A few moments later, he returned, and took his seat.

"I'm sorry for that outburst Miss Rodgers. please continue."

"Where was I? Oh yes, I could lie to you, but I won't. I had a good childhood. We were very upper middle class. Some people called it border line rich. The summer I turned fourteen, my brother was sent to a posh boarding school, Mom was always busy with some excuse or other, and Daddy was always working. It left me with a lot of time, and nothing to do. Then the boy next door, of course, introduced me to sex. His name was Gerald. I found out something that summer. I liked sex, a lot. I liked Gerald too. We swore we would be married one day, so why wait? The next year he moved away, and we never saw each other again.

When I started high school, just like the neighborhood, it was a border line rich school. That is when I found out something else. Many of those boys were willing to pay me for having sex with them. I didn't ask for it, they just did that and give me expensive presents. Turns out I liked that as well.

By the time I started college, I have a degree in business management by the way, the boys were willing to pay even more than in high school. Since I liked it, and the money, I thought, why not? Everyone got what they wanted, and everyone was happy. I didn't see any harm. I don't know when or how it happened, but one day I woke up with lots of money, things, and living the good life. And I was miserable.

Then one day I met a man. Curtis wasn't interested in having sex with me, but he was very interested in me. Well, my soul at any rate. I'd never met anyone like him. He was teaching me about Jesus, when everything started to happen. He had to go home, to take care of his parents. That was the last time I saw him. I didn't forget him, or what he was trying to show me about God. I kept studying on my own during the day, and working at night. Then came the day, I knew I just couldn't keep going on like that. One thing or the other had to go. I gave up my profession.

Then came the day when being a Christian became illegal. I still had many powerful and rich contacts. Some of them even offered to take care of me if I would just give up my faith. I couldn't do it. Next thing I knew, I was in a 'whore wagon' headed for Fort Carson. I'd lost everything, but it didn't matter. I had Jesus. Then there were gunshots, and the Lieutenant and his men came out of the bushes, and next thing I know, I'm here.

So, that's it. Now you know. Yes, I was a prostitute, but no more, and never again. Do what you must, I won't change my mind."

Bob cleared his throat. "Miss Rodgers, may I ask you to wait outside while we discuss what we've heard?"

"Alright." She left, head held high.

Bob looked at Barbara. "What do you think?"

"Mr. Bob, I don't even know why I'm here. What could I tell you?"

"Barbara, you are the only one here with any knowledge of that life. I know it wasn't your choice, or you fault, but I believe your insights would be helpful."

"I believe her."

"Why?"

"I wasn't really a believer when I was brought here. I knew about Christianity, but didn't really believe. I do now. I feel the way she does about some of the things she said. Like the last part. I'd never go back."

"Thank you. Kathy what do you say?"

"Did you notice how from the very beginning she referred to her profession in the past tense?"

Bob nodded.

"If she were still doing it, she would have probably slipped up somewhere. She didn't. I believe her."

"That's two. Lieutenant?"

"Sir, I was watching her eyes. She looked right at us. She didn't try to hide them. You know what The Bible says, the eyes are the windows to the soul, I believe her."

"Very well, that makes four. I believe her as well. Would you ask both ladies to come back in please?"

Mrs. Molton was the first one to return. She stormed in, and sat in a huff. Anna walked in behind her, and sat on the other side of the room.

"Miss Rodgers, I guess the only thing I can say is welcome to our community."

"You're joking! How can you welcome this...this harlot into our town? Have you gone mad?" Mrs. Molton stormed.

"Mrs. Molton. A harlot in Jericho saved the Hebrew spies sent by Joshua. A woman caught in the act of adultery was forgiven by Jesus. There are many other accounts in scripture where people that we might not think of as being of high moral fiber, were changed forever by our God. We believe that this is the case here. Miss Rodgers has shown every sign of being a sinner in repentance. We all agree, she should be given a chance. If you don't like that, I'm sorry. Sorry for you that is. Sorry for someone with such an unforgiving heart.

Miss Rodgers, We do welcome you. However you must realize that there are going to be some people that aren't to happy with that idea. I offer you three choices. First, you may stay with the group you are currently in. Second, you may try making your way in another group, knowing everyone there will know everything that has been said here today. Third, you may choose to leave this town, in which case we will do everything we can to help you find another place to live, and help you get there."

"Do I have to decide right now?"

"Of course not. It is a big decision. Take your time."

"Thank you. Thank you all, for having faith in me."

The door suddenly opened, and the Major came in.

"Bob I hate to disturb you, but there is something that needs your attention."

Anna looked at the Major. Her eyes grew wide.

"Gerald? Is that you?"

Fergusons' head snapped around, and he looked at her.

"Anna?"


BW, Vietnam Vet