“I want you to teach the children,” Megan said.
Her answer surprised Trimble so much that he was quiet for a time. “Teach them what?”
“About the Rapture and the Tribulation,” Megan replied. “I want you to tell them about the rise of the Antichrist and about the seven years—of course, it’s a few days less than that now—that will pass before Jesus returns to gather those who have reconciled their belief in Him. They need to know what’s going to happen, how they’re supposed to survive, and what they’re supposed to do to serve God.”
Trimble heaved a great sigh. “Do you know what would happen if I were to announce publicly that the Rapture had occurred?”
“Yes, I do. People would have some of the answers they need to make plans for the future. And they’d have a motive to discover the rest of those answers.”
“Really? You think that’s what would happen?”
“Yes.”
Leaning forward again, Trimble placed his elbows on the desk and fitted his hands together in front of him. He spoke in a low voice. “Mrs. Gander, the Rapture has occurred.”
Despite the chaplain’s compliance, Megan was wary. The man’s eyes were hard as flint.
“The Rapture has occurred,” Trimble repeated. “Your son was taken from you by God. He’s up in heaven now. And you’re not.”
Before she knew it, Megan was crying. The man was right. Tears ran down her face. Her lips quivered and her jaw shook. She tried to control the pain that coiled inside her. She felt all alone now, shorn of the Presence that had so recently seemed to fill her. She had been left behind. God had found her wanting.
“Don’t you feel better knowing that, Mrs. Gander?” Trimble asked in a voice that made a travesty of any real sympathy on his part.
Megan didn’t know what to say.
“Come on now, Mrs. Gander. As you told me, that’s a simple yes-or-no question. Don’t you feel better knowing that God took your son away from you and lifted him on high to heaven? That you failed Him somehow and got stranded here to face the Tribulation?
No, Megan admitted to herself. It was all she could do to keep from screaming that answer. The emotions she’d had bottled up inside threatened to break loose.
“What’s wrong, Mrs. Gander?” Trimble asked. He was relentless in his attack. “Isn’t that what you wanted to hear? Isn’t that what you want me to tell all those children who have lost parents and younger siblings? Isn’t that what you’re asking me to tell other parents like yourself, parents who have suffered losses? Isn’t that going to make everything all better for them?”
Megan closed her eyes to the man’s cruel face. She wished she could block out his words as well as the sight of him.
“You want to know what will happen if I start telling people that?” Trimble asked. “Aside from the fact that I’ll be relieved of my command pending a psychological evaluation?”
Megan wrapped her arms around herself and felt hopeless.
“People,” Trimble stated in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, “will turn away from God in droves. Whatever chance I or any other man of God would have had of instructing them in the salvation of their souls would be exhausted. Quite possibly forever.”
Trembling, her hand to her mouth because she was afraid she was going to throw up, Megan forced her eyes open to meet the chaplain’s harsh gaze. Tears blurred her vision.
“One of the first things those people are going to feel,” Trimble said, “is betrayal. ‘Why did God leave me behind?’ they’ll want to know. ‘Wasn’t I good enough for God?’ Or, ‘Why did God have to take my child?’ or ‘my spouse, or my parents, or my friend?’”
Megan grew scared and the pain in her heart threatened to consume her. She hadn’t expected Chaplain Trimble to attack her with the truth, to pound her using the exact words she’d hoped he would say.
“Your son is gone, Mrs. Gander. If the Rapture truly has happened, you have no chance of seeing him again. Not as the child you knew. He will be changed in the eyes of the Lord. He will be in his new body. He will no longer truly be your son.” Trimble was quiet for a moment. “That’s what you’re asking me to tell those kids you’re so worried about.” He paused. “I won’t do that.”
Megan struggled for control. She didn’t know how everything could have skidded so far out of her control. She didn’t know how she could lose everything. Or even why she was picked to lose it all. She hadn’t been a bad person. She didn’t deserve to still be here.
“I don’t mean to sound rude or callous, Mrs. Gander,” Trimble said, picking up his pencil and turning his attention to the legal pad on his desk. “It’s just that I’m a very busy man. I made time to see you this morning because I thought I could help you. Obviously your problems are beyond my ability to deal with. I suggest you seek emotional help to learn to cope with everything you’re going through.” He paused. “The mistakes you made in the Fletcher and Hollister cases are indicative of how far you’ve let your grasp of your abilities become eroded.” He flicked his eyes up to meet hers. “I just want you to know that I’m going to recommend that you be temporarily relieved of your job assignment. Until you get yourself together. I really feel you need some time to work on your own problems. I hope one day you’ll thank me for that.” He glanced down again at his desk, making notations on the legal pad. “Please find your own way out.”
Dismissed, not knowing what else to do, Megan stood on legs that trembled so badly she knew they weren’t going to hold her. Finally, without a word, she turned and walked away from the big desk.
She paused at the door and took a deep breath in an effort to
