by Barry Slater
“Now, let's take our single celled organism to its next step. Now we have a multicellular organism with teeth, hair, eyes and ears and all the biological systems that provide energy to the organism.
“A very complicated organism made from things that we cannot see which were programmed by something we cannot smell, feel, hear or see. You and I could not have done that. You and I cannot create chromosomes from nothing without prior knowledge of how to create them and program them without already possessing the necessary codes.
“If we cannot create life with all our intelligence then how can nature, which possesses no intelligence, create life? Only a god could create something from nothing. Only God possesses the codes of life. Nature cannot create something from nothing.
“Who taught birds how to build nests, spiders how to spin webs, or fish to swim? Who taught man to clothe himself? Who taught all life how to reproduce themselves? If survival of the fittest is the basis of evolution then how do genes know how to adapt? That in itself suggest intelligence. Since genes do not have a mind of their own to think with then they must be guided by some intelligent force.”
“And there's one more thing to consider,” Father Bryan continued. “If we evolved from nature and death and dying is just a part of our natural environment, why does it distress us so? The answer is we are not a part of this world. We are fish out of water. Death is not natural to us because we are not meant for this world and death is not a part of the world in which we were meant to exist. This is a spiritual journey through a physical world.”
“Then why do we die, Father Bryan?” Captain Jack questioned. “The church would have us believe and the bible says that God will destroy all sinners but didn't Christ die for our sins? Christ gave man a chance to turn from sin yet we are all sinners. What are we guilty of if God has forgiven us? If we are cursed to die for our sins then why do plants and animals die? What did they do to deserve death?”
“Death is a continuation of our lives by other means,” Doc Martin proposed.
“And look at the way we have to die,” Captain Jack continued. “Why do we have to die from old age or diseases? Couldn't God just snap His fingers and end our lives? Why create man from dust? Couldn't God have snapped his fingers for that? Why create us to start with? Is He an egotist that needed someone to admire His work? If we are all sinners then what does that make God for creating us, a saint? I don't think so. God had to clear himself for creating us so he had to forgive us by way of a human sacrifice.”
“I think of God to be a loving god,” Father Bryan dictated. “A father always seems to love a rebel child more than the one who adheres to the Word.”
“Then maybe I am blessed,” Captain Jack said. “Because I question everything He does.”
“But the rebel must be broken and return to the flock,” Father Bryan continued. “I see God to be so loving as to forgive even Satan. Seeing this, Satan will realize the mistake of sin and repent. He will be the greatest of all the returned sheep.
“And God said 'Let there be a light switch.' God turned the switch on and there was light. God was pleased with the light the switch had created.
“For thousands of years humans scratched in the dirt pounding the minerals they found into the shapes of gods, all the time not seeing the switch God had placed before them; the switch that revealed Him to men. The switch was artificial and it revealed that this is an artificial world. It was created therefore it is artificial. It did not occur on its own. Anything created is artificial. Anything that did not occur on its own is not natural. Therefore we can say that since God created everything then life and existence are artificial. It cannot sustain itself. It cannot create itself. Something cannot create from nothing. Nothing can be created from nothing.
“Mass can come from energy. Einstein showed that. But where did the energy come from? How was it created? Maybe it has always been here. Then that energy is what we call God. Only a god could create something from nothing.”
“So you're saying that everything is artificial,” Captain Jack said. “Nothing is natural?”
“Humans did not come from apes. Apes did not evolve from fish that walked on dry land. Fish did not evolve from germs in a puddle of mud and germs did not appear from a puddle of mud that contained just the right kind of chemicals that came from nowhere. That is the mindset we must have to understand the nature, pardon the pun, of things.”
“If God created paradise, why did He kick us out?” Captain Jack asked.
“If man had created this system, why didn't he create a paradise? Man did create this system and greed is the reason that this is not a paradise. From man's point of view, you have to pay to be in paradise and because most men are born into poverty only those who have managed to accumulate wealth can afford it. No one gets in free. The Garden of Eden was the closest thing to nature that God ever created.
“Heaven is the only natural world we will ever know because it and God were not created. It has always been here.”
“You put up a good argument Father,” Captain Jack said. “But why create anything to start with? Why life? Why are we here?”
“If you had the power to create billions of souls that would love you and worship you, wouldn't you do it Captain Jack?” Father Bryan replied.
“You believe in a loving god,” Captain Jack responded. “I have to believe that a god that would make life a living hell on earth does not exist.”
“God himself said he is the beginning and the end,” Father Bryan said. “God created life and now He is ending it. The Big Bang was not the beginning. God was the beginning and He will be the end.”
“No wonder we were a society filled with anxiety,” Captain Jack said. “We were being told over and over by everybody that the end was near.”
“And they were right,” Father Bryan said. “People were wearing dark shades of clothing and picking dark tones for their possessions. They had lost the light that reveals the color of life. They had removed God from their lives. They removed Christ from schools, from government and even from Christmas. We cannot be a part of that. 'And those that endure to the end shall be blessed.'”
“I want God to tell me that,” Captain Jack argued. “I want God to get right in my face and tell me who He is. Immorality is widespread because people are tired of religion. There is a war raging inside us because we can’t find the answers to the questions about the things we have been taught to believe. The church says abortion has taken many lives, well I say it has saved lives from this world that the church itself preaches against. You preach against the things that signal the end of this world yet you pray for the end of time.”
“A preacher is giving his opinion about the Word,” Father Bryan responded. “It’s up to you to decide what you believe.”
“Let’s see you move that mountain,” Captain Jack pressed.
“That’s not what the scripture meant,” Father Bryan pushed back.
“The words are pretty clear to me,” Captain Jack said. “Jesus Christ said if your faith is even the size of a mustard seed you will be able to move mountains. Now let’s see you move that mountain, preacher.”
Captain Jack pointed to the distant mountains behind Dwayne’s house.
“You can’t take it literally,” Father Bryan said.
“Like when scientist says we evolved from apes,” Captain Jack said. “You just use your imagination to fill in the blanks? How do you know right from wrong by eating a fruit? Why did it take God six days to create everything? And after creation stopped, how did species go extinct and new ones appear? Did they create themselves? What rule prevents other gods from existing? Why only one god? If there is one god then why not two or three? What about people worshipping other gods, can so many people be wrong? I can’t say that they are.”
“I believe in everything,” Doc Martin said as he held up a bottle of scotch. “UFOs, flying sausages, God, gods, demons, wizards. I believe anything is possible. Perhaps it’s all true.”
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br /> “We need to become independent of God,” Captain Jack reasoned. “It is our weakness that we need gods. If we need God to be good then what good are we? Some say they got a raw deal. Some say it could have been worse. I wouldn’t have let it happen to start with. I see that a glass is half empty and ask why it can’t be filled. God gives us a glass that is only half filled and somehow we are supposed to be satisfied with that.”
“Alright Jack,” Doc Martin said challenged. “If you were God, would kind of world would you create?”
“It would be a beautiful thing,” Captain Jack answered, “if all people—all races came together and became one race.”
“No,” Doc Martin countered. “What would be beautiful would be to love each other as we are. It’s not what’s in the glass Jack, it’s the environment in which the glass exists. We are the environment in which the glass exists. We have to adjust to what’s inside the glass.”
“I get you Doc,” Captain Jack said.
“Let’s start over then,” Doc Martin said. “What kind of world would we create?”
“I dream of a world of pure love,” Captain Jack said as he starred at the snow-capped mountains. “Different people all loving each other. You could go to any country, any city or any street and not be looked down upon or hated. Good luck with that, right Doc?”
“That’s exactly right Jack,” Doc Martin said. “It’ll never happen. Maybe it’s best this way, for man to be annihilated. Maybe it's best for the earth if civilization collapses as soon as possible. And I say that with children, not knowing what has happened to them or if they are even still alive.”
With those words, the group became quiet. After a few moments of silence Dwayne looked at Kim then at Father Bryan.
“Father,” Dwayne said.
“Yes?”
“Do you think God has a companion?”
#
“I’m going to have to set Snowflake free,” Dwayne said. “There's no food left for her.”
It had been two weeks since their last food and fuel run to Round Hill.
“I'd like to come with you,” Kim said.
“Sure.”
Slowly, Dwayne and Kim made their way to Snowflake's habitat. Kim caressed Snowflake's soft fur as Dwayne gently put her collar around her neck.
“She's such a wonderful animal,” Kim remarked. “Pure white, and those beautiful green eyes.”
Dwayne clipped Snowflake's leash onto her collar then led her out of her paddock.
“Do you think she'll be OK?” Dwayne asked as he and Kim walked Snowflake into the forest.
“I think so,” Kim answered. “All cats are natural born predators, even domesticated cats. I let my cat, Spinner, go free.”
“Spinner?” Dwayne said. “Why did you name your cat Spinner?”
“Because he liked to chase his tail,” Kim said. “He wasn't full grown yet. He was still a bit of a kitten inside but I'm sure he's doing fine.”
The forest opened up to a moss-covered meadow.
“This looks like as good a place as any I guess,” Dwayne said then looked around. “She can hunt game here. There's a stream nearby for her water until she decides to move on.”
“She'll be like a mountain lion,” Kim said.
Dwayne looked into Snowflake's exotic eyes and was reminded of Jean.
“You have to let her go,” Kim said. “It's OK.”
Dwayne removed Snowflake's collar and watched as she explored her new environment.
Kim watched Snowflake for a moment then looked back at Dwayne. “She reminds you of Jean. She was a strong woman, wasn't she?”
“Yeah,” Dwayne said. “The virus took her so quickly, practically overnight.”
“I'm here for you,” Kim said. She gently placed her hand on Dwayne's shoulder.
“Thank you,” Dwayne said as he turned to Kim. “I'm here for you too. It's really nice to have you here.”
Kim drew herself near to Dwayne then took his hand. She brought his left hand up and looked at his wedding ring then looked into his eyes.
“You have to let her go,” Kim said solemnly.
#
After everyone had settled in for the night, Dwayne tapped on the master bedroom door with the back of his fingers.
“Kim?” Dwayne whispered.
“Dwayne!” Kim said quietly as she rushed to the door.
“May I come in?”
“Of course,” Kim said softly. “You can always come in. This is your house, you know.”
“I know,” Dwayne said. “I just want you to know that I have the utmost respect for you, after everything you've been through and all.”
“I have the same respect for you,” Kim said. “I have always admired you. By the way, I thought what you said to Father Bryan about God having a companion was very sweet. It made my heart flutter.”
Dwayne fidgeted.
“I did get that right didn't I,” Kim said. “You were talking about you and me, right? I mean, I hope so.”
“Yes,” Dwayne said shyly. “And you were right about Jean.” Dwayne held up his ring finger. “I have to let her go.”
Dwayne took his wedding band off and laid it on the dresser.
“Perhaps we can both start new lives,” Dwayne said. “Maybe we can start those new lives together.”
Kim looked into Dwayne's eyes. “I would like that.”
After an awkward moment, Dwayne leaned down and kissed Kim's lips.
Kim smiled and responded with a kiss, realizing that the two were like teenagers kissing for the first time.
Not wanting to lose the moment, Kim took Dwayne's hand and led him to the bed.
Taking his jacket off, Kim caressed Dwayne's broad shoulders. She unbuttoned his shirt and worked it down his lean, muscular arms.
Dwayne picked Kim up and cradled her in his arms then laid her on the bed.
Kim's heart pounded. A wave of ecstasy pulsed through her veins. Her skin tingled with Dwayne's every touch.
Wanting the feeling to last, Kim held on to her emotions. Kim and Dwayne slowly, gently explored each other’s bodies.
The two made love. Kim, suffering from, or blessed with, extended female arousal syndrome, came in an intense orgasm that lasted several minutes while trying not to make any sound that the others might hear.
Afterwards, Kim laid her head on Dwayne's chest. Dwayne caressed her sweat soaked hair.
Exhausted, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
The Motley Crew
“Father Bryan,” Dwayne said. It was late December and a light snow was falling. Dwayne and Kim had been enjoying their closeness. Their sneak-away time together cemented their physical relationship. At every opportunity the two would go to the storage building and make-out like young lovers or go out to the meadow for romantic interludes.
“Yes,” Father Bryan replied.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
“How may I help you?”
“Would you marry Kim and me?”
“Have you asked her yet?” Father Bryan inquired. The request had come as a surprise. Dwayne and Kim had done a good job keeping their romance a secret. In his stoic nature, Father Bryan had not noticed the eye contact the lovers had been making for the past two weeks.
“No,” Dwayne answered.
Father Bryan smiled. “Then get to it.”
“I plan to ask her tonight,” Dwayne said. “I would like to give a concerto afterward to make the announcement.”
“You two are not Catholic my son,” Father Bryan said with his dry sense of humor. “You must convert or I will be forced to behead you.”
“Perhaps you could make an exception Father.”
“It would be an honor and a pleasure,” Father Bryan said. “What if she says no to your proposal?”
Dwayne smiled. “Then there won't be a concerto.”
#
The evening started with a meal consisting of the best of their stash: Canned roast beef over rice, canned cor
n and green beans.
“A meal fit for a king,” Captain Jack said.
“As it should be,” Doc Martin responded. “We deserve it. We've had the most surreal Halloween imaginable.”
“I've played to some tough audiences before,” Dwayne reflected. “But nothing like the zombinees.”
“We had a lot to be thankful for at Thanksgiving also,” Captain Jack said.
“I hope we see at least one more Christmas,” Father Bryan serenely said.
“So,” Captain Jack said. “What is tonight's special occasion?”
“You'll see,” Dwayne said.
After the evening meal, Dwayne invited everyone into the living room. He lit the wood in the fireplace, then the two candles on the mantle.
“Doc,” Dwayne motioned toward the piano. “Would you accompany me in some music?”
“Certainly my boy,” Doc Martin said then took a seat at the piano.
Dwayne, wearing his tuxedo, drew his bow across the Stradivarius. Doc Martin stroked the keys of the piano and together they made music.
The first song was a violin and piano duet Dwayne had written himself. Dwayne called out to the piano with his violin.
Da Da Da Da.
Doc Martin replied with the piano.
Da Da Da Da.
The lyrics Dwayne had written for the song were meant for a soft, feminine voice but the two instruments more than made up for the lack of a human voice.
An Italian love song was next followed by a violin solo played by Dwayne. When he finished, Doc Martin began a soft waltz.
Dwayne asked Kim to dance. They took to the floor and the waltz livened up as Doc Martin played.
Everyone smiled as the two lovers twirled around the room like flowers. When Doc Martin finished playing Dwayne knelt before Kim and produced a ring from his vest pocket. Kim blushed then put her hand over her mouth.
“Kimberly George Washington Abraham Lincoln Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson Garcia Rodriguez Juan Pacifico Ramirez Tiberius Caesar Maximus Young,” Dwayne said as he made up middle names for Kim.