Perilous Assurance

  ******

  Her eyelids fluttered open, and she smiled at him as he leaned over and kissed her gently. She ran her fingers through his long hair and along his bearded jaw, and sighed with contentment.

  "I think it's night time again." He nuzzled her neck as she laughed softly and wrapped her arms around his warm shoulders. He pulled back and gazed at her, and she saw his eyes crinkle in amusement.

  "I think you're right." She turned her head to see the gold glow from the streetlights through the bedroom curtains. She peered at the clock on the nightstand. "It's after five." She felt his fingers on her jaw and she nestled up against his warm body, as he stroked her hair and neck, both reluctant to leave the cozy bed.

  A little later, they dressed and went downstairs.

  "I'll fix us something to eat." Mattie headed to the kitchen, turning back at the door to see Clay turning on the television set. "I'm so glad the power didn't go off."

  "So am I." Clay called back to her. "Do you mind if I turn on the six o'clock news?"

  "Of course not." Mattie peered into the fridge, looking for something quick to fix for them, when she heard him call her.

  "Mattie, come watch this." She hurried into the living room and sat next to him. "They said news on the Moratorium was up next."

  They sat through several commercials and then a younger anchorman she didn't recognize came back on, and began his introduction.

  "They said Cronkite was on assignment," Clay explained.

  "The Moratorium of November fifteenth, nineteen, sixty-nine, is set to become the largest protest in history, with groups from all over this country being bused into our nation's capital."

  The anchorman read from his paper, as he glanced at the camera from time to time.

  "We have learned that there will be three thousand police officers waiting for them, with Army troops that may number in upwards of nine thousand on stand-by. We understand that lawyers, anxious for litigation, will number in the hundreds, and they expect scores of clergy from all faiths to attend as well. As the number of casualties from this conflict in Vietnam have risen - forty-five thousand troops have died since the conflict began - so will the number of demonstrations increase, so say the organizers.

  President Nixon has made his views known, telling the press, and I quote: 'Now, I understand that there has been, and continues to be, opposition to the war in Vietnam on the campuses and also in the nation. As far as this kind of activity is concerned, we expect it; however under no circumstances will I be affected whatsoever by it'... end quote."

 

  "Mattie, forty-five thousand casualties...forty-five thousand." Clay shook his head. "How can that be?"

  "I can't comprehend that number..." She shook her head. "It's out of the realm of rational thought..." Her voice trailed off as Clay turned off the television, and returned to the sofa. She turned to him and took his hands in hers. "Clay, we have to show our support Saturday for ending the war, no matter how difficult it may be to get there, or how long we have to walk, or stand. You were right when you said that life is too short to remain silent. I'm anxious now to become a part of the movement."