IMAGINATION'S PLACE
EXTENDED LEAVE
By; Gerald A. Polley
Major West had cohersed an extra day's leave. She had driven
all day and most of the night to get to church for confession.
She would be able to get a few hours sleep at a local hotel and
drive back to be on duty on time. She waited to be the last in
the confessional. When she sat down she began with the usual.
"Father, I have sinned. I keep secrets and it is really
troubling me."
A very pleasant voice answered, "Tell me, my daughter, what
these secrets are."
"I think you know about them," the major continued.
"You hear Pat's confessions all the time. She says you know
about them."
"Oh!" the priest sighed. "You're one of The Unit's
people?"
"No," the major answered, "I'm with the air force.
But we're aware of them too. It's driving me crazy, father! I
think people should be told about them. I think they do good
things. I don't think it's right to hide them. It's really,
really bothering me! How do you justify it? I mean, you know what
they're trying to do, save the world, save mankind. What's so
wrong in that?"
"I do not know how many times I've answered this question,
my daughter," the priest began. "There are some things
that man can believe. They can believe in angels, in beneficial
protectors, in Those that guide and protect them, but when that
belief becomes fact it's a whole different matter. When absolute
proof is presented that such beings actually exist, and are
influencing mankind's destiny, there are many that couldn't deal
with it. Man has to feel that he is in control of his own
destiny, that he is in charge. Even if he believes in God he has
to feel that he has choices. If that belief is taken away from
him, he might not be able to survive. Our Protectors are great,
They are beneficial. We have to have Them. But some would not be
able to continue if they knew positively, absolutely that They
really existed. As long as They are fables, as long as They are
legends, They are no real threat. They can be ignored. But if
They become real, They become a danger. They might not be able to
have their way, do what they want to do, Get away with what they
want to get away with. So man needs the doubt, the question in
order to survive. Do you understand what I am saying, my
child?"
"Yes," the major answered. "Sadly, I think I do,
father. You've answered a lot of questions for me. I can see the
point you're trying to make. Can you tell me how you met
Them?"
"I don't see why not," the father answered.
"People from The Unit had been telling me about Them for
some time. I had this child, something was within it. I was
trying to convince the church an exorcism was needed, but they
were hesitating. I prayed to God one day, if this winged thing
really existed to send him to me. That night when I went to tend
the child so her parents could rest he appeared. He told the
thing within her it had one of two choices; it could come out of
its own accord, or he'd take it out, he'd risk the girl dying to
free her. And he'd make it very unpleasant for the thing. It came
out, and he sealed the child so it couldn't get back in. When you
see these things you become a believer more than you ever were
before. There's been other incidences but I can't go into those.
But that's how I first met Them!"
"Whoa!" the major moaned. "Thank you, father! I
suppose I should perform some pennance for doubting God."
"No!" the priest answered, "Just do all in your
power to serve Him, and, Those that serve Him. God be with you,
my child!"
The major left, went to her motel and got some sleep. When she
got up and went to leave there was a man standing by her car.
"May I help you?" the major asked.
"Yes, ma'am!" the man answered. "I'm your driver.
Why don't you stretch out in the back seat, ma'am and I'll get
you home. I'm with The Unit. Next time, ma'am, let us know. We'll
arrange to have someone drive you so you can get some rest."
"There won't be a next time," the major answered.
"I got it off my chest. The priest didn't tell you, I'm
sure! How did you know?"
"Flap, flap!" the man answered.
"Oh!" the major giggled. "I should have known!
Let's get going!"
She did nap on the way back and talked to the driver about his
kids...all seven of them! In all it wasn't a bad leave, not a bad
leave at all! She wondered if she'd ever get to meet Them, but
then decided that she would prefer not to be involved in anything
that would make it necessary for her to meet them. That would
simply be a much better world!
THE END