Page 36 of Two Weddings and a Shoot Out

“Sometimes I close my eyes and try to imagine the sights and sounds these heroes were experiencing live and in color. The smell of gunpowder in the air, the loud booms of mortar fire, andthe engine sounds of tanks coming forward. The blood, death, and dismemberment that no one could have been prepared for. I don’t want to ever sanitize what had to be traumatizing to them. There was blood. There was loss. Yet they continued. Every trek across a field could end in their death, but… they continued because of love of country, love of family, and a courage to do their duty.

“As we enjoy our food and drink this weekend and our Poker Run and auctions to raise money for the Kansas Soldiers Home, please take a moment and think about the ones who made this weekend possible. The ones who gave all so that others might be liberated.

“We commemorate their sacrifice, whether it was the ultimate forfeit of their life or the surrender of their innocence to the atrocities of war. May we always remember these brave souls who fought for others.”

Meg stood to the side as Winnie and Jesse talked about the gifts they had for families of those who served in WWII and any veterans that registered for the event.

Rascal’s arm slid around her waist, and he dropped a kiss on her head. She leaned against him and waited for the end of the ceremony. She turned toward where the high school band and the choir, comprised of high school students, Bluff Creek members, and Nelson cousins, stood.

As the first quiet drum roll echoed in the quiet park, the hairs on her arms stood up. Then the trumpets echoed, and she swallowed because of the stirring sound.

As the lyrics resonated in the park, she thought about all those who gave so much for her to be standing here today.

In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea.

With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.

As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.

While God is marching on.

The lyrics had her reaching for a tissue. As she wiped her eyes, Rascal wiped his face with his hand, sniffing loudly. Rascal had mentioned last night that he looked forward to honoring the sacrifice, but it always stirred up a lot of emotions.

As the choir finished, she gave Rascal a kiss. She wanted to say hi to some of the girls from Jesse’s mechanics class. Tamara, Renae, Stacey, Gabi, and Jody were standing together.

“You all sounded awesome. I didn’t know you all sang,” Meg said.

“Oh, we don’t, but they wanted a large amount of people, so a couple of us promised to act like we were singing for moral support,” Jody said.

“I was hoping I’d see you here, Stacey. I know you graduated, but I didn’t see an official announcement. Rascal and I wanted to get you something,” Meg said, reaching into her purse. She’d tried to contact Stacey’s foster parents for a while but hadn’t had any luck. She’d tucked the card in her purse just in case she could see Stacey this weekend.

“I didn’t have a party. I’ll be staying with them until I turn eighteen on August 1st. Then I’ll have to move out until I go to college in Emporia,” Stacey said.

“It sounds like that might concern you,” Meg questioned.

“I’m just not sure what I’ll do yet until then.”

“You’ll stay with Rascal and me. There is plenty of room. Or, if you don’t want to stay in our house, there are plenty of other places that we could put you up on the compound. I also know that sometimes they need part-time help in the daycare. If any of you ladies ever need anything, we’re happy to help. I know that almost all our businesses need part-time help this summer if any of you are wanting a job,” Meg said.

“That is really nice. I could just hug you,” Tamara said.

“Oh, you give the best hugs, Tamara, so of course,” Meg said, throwing her arms around Tamara, then hugging each of the girls.

“I might want a summer job. Who would I talk to?” Renae asked.

“Oh, me too,” Gabi said.

“You can call me or Regina after this weekend. We’ll put together a list of open positions and what each entails,” Meg said, hugging the girls one last time before walking back toward Rascal.

It was hard to believe it had been a year since everything had changed for her, but it truly had been the best year of her life. With all the kids joining Bluff Creek and how everyone took care of everyone else, she had plenty of grandkids.

Before she could get to Rascal, Phoebe, Blake, Benji, and Ezra ran up to her.

“Nana Meg, we have a dilemma,” Blake stated.

“Okay, shall we sit down over here and talk about it?” Meg suggested.

Phoebe, Blake, Benji, and Ezra nodded, and she had to wonder what the dilemma was. Once they’d all sat down, she kept quiet and waited.

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