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St. George, Part 7...The Final Chapter
Here is the final chapter of this little story. The other chapters, 1-6 are on my blog beginning 16 November 2011. It was fun to write and hopefully, fun to read as well. Thanks for checking it out.
Blanch
exited the stage and Natalie stepped to the microphone.
“Thank
you for having us here,” she said, her smile brightening the park as the sun
slowly set in the west. “You are such a beautiful audience. In fact, my father
was commenting as we drove up just how attractive everyone is.” Clarence hit
his high hat cymbal and a low mummer could be heard from the crowd.
“We
hope you enjoy our gift to you.” Natalie stepped back and the song begun.
“It’s
Not Their Fault” lyrics
There
are times when mistakes are made,
And
judgments of others descend
But
we’re hear today to tell you all,
Our
mistakes we all must tend
In
life we can’t always understand,
Why
some do the things they do,
Their
actions are there for all to see
But
judge not; it could happen to you
As
the chorus began all the children rushed the stage and started singing. The
performance was awe-inspiring. Some women in the audience let out a gasp.
Please
don’t blame the children—it’s not their fault,
They
wouldn’t do this in their youth…
When
you see the children, take a look inside yourself,
God’s
the only one who knows the truth.
The
Fredricksens and other children continued their song. As they sang two men in
hunting attire climbed out of a newly arrived truck. The men walked into the
crowd as they watched their children sing. Their eyes never left the stage. A
confused look crossed the hunter’s faces. The men made their way to where
MarLinda and MarLisa watched the families perform.
“Dan!”
MarLinda yelled as she hugged her unwashed husband. Dan hugged her back but the
look of bewilderment never left his face. "You made it!" Rodger joined MarLisa and the couple
turned their attention to the song.
“MarLinda?”
Dan asked his wife as she watched the performance.
“Yes,
dear?” MarLinda responded, her eyes still glued to the stage.
“Hun…why
are our children dressed as polygamists?”
MarLinda
froze and looked straight ahead. The song continued and a look of horror
crossed MarLinda’s face as she realized why Blanch acted so odd when introduced
to the Fredericksens, and why she thought the family hailed from Colorado City,
not Salt Lake City.
When
she could move MarLinda looked around at her neighbors and friends. The
audience still watched the talented family sing, but she could almost read
their minds—especially the women as they looked upon Clarence and wondered if
he could really be the father to all those kids. The song continued.
So
give all the kids you see a break
The
sin is not theirs to bear
God
works in mysterious ways
If
you love the kids, you’ll care
Please
don’t blame the children—it’s not their fault,
They
wouldn’t do this in their youth…
When
you see the children, take a look inside yourself,
God’s
the only one who knows the truth.
The
song ended and the audience respectfully applauded the obvious talent reflected
on stage. All MarLinda could do was try and disappear in the center of the
crowd. She lowered her head and whispered so no one to hear, “Oh, dear Lord…”
Natalie
returned to the microphone and again showed the people, the park, and the
beautiful red rock mountains her blinding smile. “Thank you, thank you all,”
Natalie said through that smile. “Your kindness reassures our fundamental
belief in mankind.”
The End
*Scene from "The Three Amigos" used w/o permission
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