Jesse looked at everyone still there. “Hey guys, we’re done with the meeting.”
“Jesse,” Beth began, and then looked around. “I think I can speak for all of us here.” She noticed nods of agreement. “Our nerves are really shot. As for myself, I’m not sure if I will be able to sleep for at least a week.” A tear streamed down her cheek. “It’s that bad.”
“I never thought I would be shot at,” Natalie, a teenage girl sitting next to Keira said. Her voice started to break, as she started to cry. “It’s just too much for us. One day we’re learning to drive, dating and … well, thinking about dating, getting mani-pedis, going to shoe sales, then a few days later we are up here getting shot at by some people in a helicopter for reasons I don’t even know. Now it looks like the town is being burned to the ground.” Natalie quickly pointed to the south, where the huge smoke column from the direction of the town was still prominent in the sky. “My friends from school are probably getting killed right now. I never thought I would …” Natalie stopped talking and put her face in her hands and cried. Keira put her hand on Natalie’s shoulder.
“Have you taken your feelings to the Lord in prayer?” Lawson asked.
“Yes, I just …” Natalie answered. “It’s just …” Natalie stopped trying to talk through her crying.
Beth cleared her throat and began, “Jesse, you guys chose us to be part of your group because we are all Christians and we could survive better together. And you, Mary and David chose well. We are all Christians and we believe the Bible. We know what it says is true. Some people just say that, but for all of us up here, it’s real. We really believe the Bible. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God. And yes, Lawson, we have prayed over this. But it’s still hard for us. Really hard.”
“I think what she is trying to say is,” Natalie tried to talk as she cried. “We know what is ahead, and we know where we are going. We’re just scared what will happen before then.”
“OK,” Jesse said. “I guess it is a little hard to get used to the shock. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes it is,” Beth answered. “I keep trying to stay positive. And you are right about trying to make jokes. Sometimes that helps.”
“I know, Beth,” Jesse answered and looked at the others. “It’s not easy. I think everyone up here has a little fear of what is in store for us. Getting attacked and all. You wouldn’t be human if you never felt afraid.”
“What about Wallace?”
“Alright, well –“
“I heard that Wallace laughed as he was getting shot at by the men in that helicopter.”
“OK, well, except for Wallace,” Jesse said as he smiled. Some people nearby smiled as they wiped away tears. “What I meant to say was, except for Wallace, you wouldn’t be human if you never felt afraid.”
“And we’re pretty sure that even Wallace is human,” Beth said as she sniffed and smiled, then looked at Keira.
“Look,” Jesse continued. “I don’t claim to have all the answers. But we all read and believe the Bible, don’t we? And these things, all of this, is predicted by the Bible. So we need to just stand firm and realize that God is in control. And, like the Bible says, all things work together for good for those who love God.”
“You said for us to stay strong,” Beth said. “That will take a while.”
“Sure, it will take some time to get used to the new world that we live in. But you need to stand firm. Remember what the Bible says about the devil prowling like a lion, looking for weak believers. Be strong.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Beth said. She cleared her throat and looked at Keira and Natalie.
“I guess I’m feeling a little better after talking about it,” Keira consoled herself.
Natalie sat up and looked at Jesse. “Same here. Maybe it helps to talk about it.” She looked at Keira.
Keira sniffed. “I admit it, Jesse, I would rather not be here. I think you know that.”
“That’s OK Keira,” Jesse answered. “I totally understand. I know exactly how you feel. We would all rather be back at our homes, pampered with soft beds, air conditioning and all of it. But it is what it is. The Last Days are upon us, and we need to do what it takes to survive. We don’t have any choice. Jesus said ‘the one who endures to the end will be saved.’ He was talking about us; our little group here. You too. And yes, Heaven is ahead for us, and not just for a year or two. Forever. Can you imagine that?” Jesse paused to let it sink in. “So stay strong.”
“OK, I’m feeling a little better,” Beth looked at Keira, Natalie and the others. “How are you guys feeling?” A few people wiped tears away, but the remainder of the group nodded in agreement.
The group sat quietly, sniffling and wiping tears. The mood improved somewhat.
“You know what I could use?” Beth asked Jesse, sounding more positive and trying to smile. “A Three Stooges movie. Or the Marx Brothers. Something silly that we can laugh at. Something funny.”
Justin, one of the so-called Happy Twins, spoke up. “I have a concert scheduled at the Eldorado Amphitheater in a few minutes. You are welcome to join us.” Justin held up and dangled the car keys. “That might be kind of silly. It might make you laugh.”
Tracy added, “Justin on the air drums, and I have been tuning up my air guitar. It should be a pretty good concert up there.”
Jesse smiled. “’Eldorado Amphitheater?’ Is that what you’re calling it now?”
Justin answered, “Yep, and people should bring their cigarette lighters, because they’re going to want an encore when we’re finished.”
Beth smiled. “I haven’t seen any of your shows yet, so this will be my first. They sound kind of funny. Who wants to join me?”
“OK, I’ll come,” Keira said, and looked at Natalie.
“Me too.” Several others nodded in agreement.
Melissa looked at Jesse and Mary. “Can I go too?”
Jesse looked at Beth. “Could you watch Melissa for us please?”
“OK.” Beth walked to Melissa. “Let’s go, Sweetie.”
“As the leader of this group,” Jesse said to the crowd as it began walking to the trail leading uphill and to the west, “I order you guys to have a good time up there. Work on your morale. That’s an order. Enjoy the show.”
****