The ticking of the drum stopped. It was very silent, like the silence of death, Tory thought, the stillness of tombs. Only the wind moved, ruffling the old officials’ white hair, and the colorful regimental parade flags, some heavy with more than two centuries’ battle ribbons. Maxie was one tiny, unwavering figure in that sea of colors.
“Lieutenant Colonel Maxine Lee Bodley, United States Army Nurse Corps,” said Representative Daley, “on behalf of the Congress of the United States--and in place of the President, who is unable to speak to us today because of his wounds--I am privileged to offer you our sincere thanks. You represent not only yourself today, but all the nurses of all wars, all the women in our armed forces, all the daughters of America. I am proud to be able”--he opened the wooden box, assisted by Mrs. Bradley--”to present you today”--he draped the blue ribbon tight around her neck, with a medal that hung just under her bow tie--”with the Congressional Medal of Honor for remarkable valor in the face of enemy fire, and for service to your fellow soldiers and to your country above and beyond the call of duty.” He read from a slip of paper: “With snipers killing fellow nurses around you, and your safe retreat advised, with casualties piling up, you did single-handedly establish and keep operating an emergency triage facility between several burned out city vehicles. While battle raged back and forth for many hours within yards of your position, while ordnance continually passed within inches of your person, you kept treating the wounded, thus saving many lives. When the last remaining medical officer was shot dead, you directed emergency surgeries. When bandages ran out, you used parts of uniforms. In the end, you were able to orient loyal armored, transportation, and infantry units that not only secured your position, but in fact led to a decisive maneuver in outflanking and isolating the disloyal forces who soon after surrendered. The Nation is grateful.” He shook Maxie’s hand and stepped back.
The M.C. raised his saber and bellowed. “Present--Arms!” The Joint Chiefs of Staff--and everyone else present in uniform--turned to salute the medal itself--and by default the woman wearing it--while the Army’s Old Guard fife and drum corps played The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Tory, at attention and saluting, noticed Maxie and Devereaux were the only two persons on the field who remained dry-eyed. How did they do that? Maxie seemed earnest and graceful, as if it were all a very Bodley thing. Devereaux just looked stubborn and patriotic--all that was missing was the cigar. Then Tory noticed he had a fresh one sticking from his side pocket, ready to go as soon as all this was over.
Then it was mercifully all over, and people were dispersing. Maxie and Tom came over, and Tory’s and David’s families mingled. Maxie had her arm around Tom’s waist, and today nobody seemed to care about decorum. Tory felt David’s hand reach for hers, and her fingers wriggling with his in a loving squeeze, and she almost, almost felt like letting go, like trusting him, loving him, which she wanted so badly to do.
“Let’s flee this place,” Maxie said. “I implore you. If I see another medal--”
Tory breathed a big gust of relief. “Yes, let’s get out of here. You always know such fun places to go around town, Maxie, and maybe this time we can go without a big scene, what do you think?”
“I hope I don’t have to spend the rest of my life saluting everybody,” Maxie said.
Tory said: “Knowing you, it’ll work out somehow.”
Tom said: “Y’all, Maxie was talking about these wild discos and watering holes.” As Tom spoke, Tory noticed for the first time a bit of a countrified drawl, very soft-spoken.
“We’re gonna party tonight,” Maxie said pressing a white-gloved hand against Tom’s chest, briefly putting her cheek against his shoulder. Her face had a happy glow.
“And I’m gonna teach you how to fly,” Tom said. He put his arm around Maxie.
Tory thought if you hurt her, I’ll teach you how to fly. But he had gentle eyes; like David, and a sweet smile. And he did carry on a very nice, if rather shy, conversation about his father’s ranch, and how he’d studied forestry but always wanted to be a pilot.
While he spoke, Tory noticed Maxie darting off and getting in a big conversation with David’s mother and sisters. Maxie shook their hands and nodded, and they put their heads together in an exchange of information. Soon they were all nodding. Probably trying to establish that they are Bodleys eight places removed on the Warington side, Tory thought, squeezing arms discreetly with David. They watched as Maxie fell silent at last, drinking in Tom Dash’s wonderful sweet prattling.
ALLISON: National election results are in-- Clifford Bradley has been reelected President of the United States on a new party ticket. The Vice President is Meredith Cardoza. Bradley and Cardoza’s American Moderate Party, the largest new moderate-center party, took the executive and legislative branches by landslides. Over 90% of the eligible population voted, as a result of the extensive voter registration and education drives conducted by mainstream news and nonideological voter societies after the collapse and disappearance of OCP and MCP, the demise of CON2, and the reaffirmation of the 1787 Constitution. Fringe parties, including Democrats and the Republicans, took less than 5% of the vote.
# # #
Worlds of John T . Cullen
Brief selection from many titles. Visit author website http://www.johntcullen.com/.
Nonfiction: (visit author website for details)
Dead Move: Kate Morgan & the Haunting Mystery of Coronado (2d Ed, Nonfiction)
A Walk in Ancient Rome (Revised 2nd Edition) Due in 2011
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Robinson Crusoe 1,000,000 AD (Science Fiction)
Lethal Journey (Historical Thriller based on Dead Move above)
Doom Spore (Science Horror)
Articles, short stories, and books--a large selection of gripping, quality titles for your enjoyment and information.
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The Generals of October Page 33