whipping in the wind, I
hope that we aren’t in for any further surprises. We can’t afford
it from either a personnel or psychological standpoint.
I join Drescoll and Allie’s dad who maintain
their silent vigil. I think to provide some consolation but I’m not
any good at that. Still, I want to tell that I’m sorry and that I
understand their pain. But what can you really say to anyone that
has lost a loved one? There really isn’t anything that can
alleviate the pain and sorrow.
I’m about to put my hand on Drescoll’s
shoulder and hear him whisper, “Why did you have to leave, Allie?
Why? I don’t want to be here without you…”
I back away. This is a time for him to
grieve. As I turn to leave, I hear him say, “I will really miss
you.” He leans down and kisses the casket.
He turns and we lock eyes. “I’m really
sorry. I know there isn’t anything I can possibly say that will
alleviate the pain and sorrow you’re feeling. I would love to tell
you that time will heal the grief and somehow make it better. The
truth is that time only makes it more bearable but, it does make it
bearable. I’m not going to say that I understand what you are going
through because I’m not you. But, just know that I’m here if you
need…for anything,” I tell him.
Through his tears, he nods and makes his way
toward Cabela’s. Allie’s dad runs his hand lovingly along the
casket and departs as well. Red Team, Lynn, and I are the only ones
left and we ease Allie into her final resting place.
* * * * * *
Drescoll walks across the hard-packed
ground. With his heart filled with the pain of grief, the chill of
the evening is lost on him. He and Allie had only known each other
a short time and were together for an even shorter one. That
doesn’t change how he feels…the depth of his affections. Once they
began talking, it just seemed natural and right for them to be
together. Each time they had a chance to be alone with each other,
life had more meaning and everything seemed so much brighter. He
didn’t want those moments to ever end and, should time decide to
have frozen then, he would consider himself fortunate.
Now, he is walking back to a place that
seems darker. He has never been one for relationships and didn’t
mind being by himself. Now he has never felt so alone. He knows
Jack’s words were meant to help, but his thoughts are running in a
confused jumble. In his heart, there is a small part remaining
where he doesn’t doubt Jack’s sincerity and care for the people.
It’s why he cautioned Jack in the first place not to place himself
in danger all of the time – the group needs him. But, he constantly
placed Allie in danger and this is the result. She took a bullet
meant for him and Drescoll isn’t sure he can ever get over
that.
He now understands Jack’s initial anger
toward him over Nic’s death but, at this moment, he doesn’t know if
he has the strength to forgive. Allie was his everything, his
world, his reason to continue in this miserable hell, and now she’s
gone – the light of his life snuffed out.
Show and Tell
Walking back into the building, with the
gray day fading to a darker shade signaling the coming of night, I
notice more than a few women are beginning to show signs of being
pregnant. Times of stress will bring people together. Seeing them,
I’m reminded of the night runner female we encountered earlier in
the day. The fact that she was pregnant brings a fear to the
forefront – the night runners can breed. If the women in our group
are any indication and the night runners are breeding in a similar
manner, with their greater numbers, they will exponentially grow in
relationship to us.
It’s been an emotionally-charged day and
it’s hard to believe, with all that happened, that it’s still the
same day. The day is ending on a sad note and, even though none of
us are wanting to, we still need to meet. There is so much to
discuss, and putting it off isn’t going to
hope that we aren’t in for any further surprises. We can’t afford
it from either a personnel or psychological standpoint.
I join Drescoll and Allie’s dad who maintain
their silent vigil. I think to provide some consolation but I’m not
any good at that. Still, I want to tell that I’m sorry and that I
understand their pain. But what can you really say to anyone that
has lost a loved one? There really isn’t anything that can
alleviate the pain and sorrow.
I’m about to put my hand on Drescoll’s
shoulder and hear him whisper, “Why did you have to leave, Allie?
Why? I don’t want to be here without you…”
I back away. This is a time for him to
grieve. As I turn to leave, I hear him say, “I will really miss
you.” He leans down and kisses the casket.
He turns and we lock eyes. “I’m really
sorry. I know there isn’t anything I can possibly say that will
alleviate the pain and sorrow you’re feeling. I would love to tell
you that time will heal the grief and somehow make it better. The
truth is that time only makes it more bearable but, it does make it
bearable. I’m not going to say that I understand what you are going
through because I’m not you. But, just know that I’m here if you
need…for anything,” I tell him.
Through his tears, he nods and makes his way
toward Cabela’s. Allie’s dad runs his hand lovingly along the
casket and departs as well. Red Team, Lynn, and I are the only ones
left and we ease Allie into her final resting place.
* * * * * *
Drescoll walks across the hard-packed
ground. With his heart filled with the pain of grief, the chill of
the evening is lost on him. He and Allie had only known each other
a short time and were together for an even shorter one. That
doesn’t change how he feels…the depth of his affections. Once they
began talking, it just seemed natural and right for them to be
together. Each time they had a chance to be alone with each other,
life had more meaning and everything seemed so much brighter. He
didn’t want those moments to ever end and, should time decide to
have frozen then, he would consider himself fortunate.
Now, he is walking back to a place that
seems darker. He has never been one for relationships and didn’t
mind being by himself. Now he has never felt so alone. He knows
Jack’s words were meant to help, but his thoughts are running in a
confused jumble. In his heart, there is a small part remaining
where he doesn’t doubt Jack’s sincerity and care for the people.
It’s why he cautioned Jack in the first place not to place himself
in danger all of the time – the group needs him. But, he constantly
placed Allie in danger and this is the result. She took a bullet
meant for him and Drescoll isn’t sure he can ever get over
that.
He now understands Jack’s initial anger
toward him over Nic’s death but, at this moment, he doesn’t know if
he has the strength to forgive. Allie was his everything, his
world, his reason to continue in this miserable hell, and now she’s
gone – the light of his life snuffed out.
Show and Tell
Walking back into the building, with the
gray day fading to a darker shade signaling the coming of night, I
notice more than a few women are beginning to show signs of being
pregnant. Times of stress will bring people together. Seeing them,
I’m reminded of the night runner female we encountered earlier in
the day. The fact that she was pregnant brings a fear to the
forefront – the night runners can breed. If the women in our group
are any indication and the night runners are breeding in a similar
manner, with their greater numbers, they will exponentially grow in
relationship to us.
It’s been an emotionally-charged day and
it’s hard to believe, with all that happened, that it’s still the
same day. The day is ending on a sad note and, even though none of
us are wanting to, we still need to meet. There is so much to
discuss, and putting it off isn’t going to
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