Chilhowee

Chapter Six

Beth and Judy returned to the church in the funeral car with Nathaniel and Kristen, and Bonnie followed in her car.

As they rode, Kristen spoke: "This should've been me and Nat, not Bruce and Allison." She wiped her eyes. Nat just shook his head.

"The ways of the Lord are mysterious," said Beth.

"Life cannot be predicted," commented Judy. "Perhaps it's better that way."

In the fellowship hall the women's group had set up tables decorated with spring flowers and a bountiful dinner --ham, chicken pie, a green bean casserole, four salads, hot rolls with butter, a chocolate cake, two pies (apple and chess), tea (both sweetened and unsweetened), and coffee.

"What a feast!" exclaimed Judy.

"This is what we like to do for families on the occasion of a funeral," Edie Phelps told her. She and Dick served as hosts for the gathering.

All, still shocked by the disaster, sympathized with the older Ledbetters. Kristen was tearful, but Nat had his eyes on the food. Beth, maintaining her composure, introduced Judy and Bonnie to all who hadn't met them. She thanked everyone for coming.

"We wish you still lived here," said Dick. "Your roots are here, y'know."

"Yes, but my work is in New York now. I'll be coming back. It doesn't take long to fly from New York to Knoxville."

"It may take you a while to settle your parents' affairs," he said.

"Yes, I'm beginning to realize that," Beth agreed.

Gradually the friends departed. Beth and Judy drove to the motel in Judy's car, which she had parked at the church. Dick took the Ledbetters back to Shadowlands to rest while Edie remained to clean up. Bonnie followed Beth and Judy.

Judy spoke. "Who was that woman in the slinky black dress at the service? She certainly seemed upset."

"I don't know her," Beth replied. "Perhaps Edie does."

"From what I overheard at the cemetery and when I went to the restroom at the church, there's a lot of talk going on," said Judy. "You may have a lot more to learn."

"By now I think I wouldn't be surprised."

Seated inside, Bonnie began: "Beth, I hate to add any more burdens to those you're already facing. But over at our church and at school I've heard some things about that proposed Chilhowee project your folks were involved in."

"What things?"

"Well, it's supposed to be a home for troubled boys, but from the comments I've heard, there may be a lot more to it than that."

"Oh?"

"I'm now on the board of governors at our church. When one of the project's directors asked us to contribute to the fund drive, he explained that the boys might receive some paramilitary training."

"Paramilitary training? For what?" Judy was curious.

"At first for discipline and as a way to build group cohesiveness. Then for survival."

"Survival?" Beth was puzzled.

"Yes. There're some people around here who're afraid Christians will be persecuted by the government. They see Apocalypse coming and want to be prepared."

"Are they serious? How can they believe such a thing?" Beth asked.

"I've never heard of Apocalypse," Judy said. "What is it?"

Bonnie explained the mindset of some of the people she worked with. "They think the world as we know it is coming to an end. That it's being overpopulated and will be taken over by blacks and Moslems. They think the United Nations will become the ruling power and replace our government. These folks consider our government corrupt. They see signs of danger in such things as growth in the use of computers, even automated teller machines."

"Such persons have vivid imaginations," Judy commented.

Beth could agree that the government was looking after the wealthy class. Still, she was appalled. She had not encountered such a persecution complex in New York. Her university teaching job did not expose her to such.

Bonnie explained further: "The fund-raisers for Chilhowee are playing not only on people's charity and interest in rescuing boys, but also on people's fears. Even little old ladies with hardly any income are contributing. Having such an institution as Chilhowee in this area they see somehow as a protection for themselves and their values. It would thus serve a double purpose."

"Whew! Chilhowee should be stopped! But how?" Beth wondered.

"Perhaps," said Bonnie, "the newspapers need to get into the fund-raising campaign and publicize what's back of it."

"I don't know how much more I can take," Beth moaned. "Now it looks as though the memorial to Ken was only a part of the scheme."

"It may be that the purpose got out of hand when those paramilitary guys and the right-wing fund-raisers got involved. They're called 'America Always.'"

"Obviously Daddy would have needed more money than he could have raised himself. Then operating costs would be an ongoing expense."

"There you're talking big bucks," Judy commented.

"It's about time for me to go now," said Bonnie. "And you need to get over to Shadowlands."

"Yes. Since we didn't receive guests at the funeral home, this is an opportunity for people to visit with Granddaddy and Grandmother. Many of their friends can't get out at night now. But you will keep in touch, won't you, Bonnie?"

"Sure. Let's get together when you come down again."

"Good. I'll call you. Goodbye."

In the attractive lounge at Shadowlands the staff had set up tables with two kinds of coffee and three different cakes. The potted plants and flowers which Nathaniel and Kristen had received served as decorations. The lounge was a good meeting place with chairs and sofas arranged in groups.

Nathaniel and Kristen sat in opposite sofas, the men tending to speak to Nathaniel and the women to Kristen.

"It sure is too bad your family're gone while you're still alive," said Stewart Hill to Nathaniel. "That's not the way things usually work out." His gnarled hands caressed the grip of his cane.

"No, I reckon not," replied Nathaniel.

"I'm glad Beth came home for the funeral," said Jill Page to Kristen. "She hasn't been here lately, has she?" Jill's gray hair was done up in a bun on top of her head. She was not a member of Bruce's church.

"No, but I'm sure glad to see her. You know she's all we have left now."

"Will she keep on living in New York, you suppose?" asked Letitia Bonn, her well-groomed nails noticeable as she held her coffee cup.

"I think so," Kriste