Judgment Day (57 page)

"You can't force me to marry her," Daniel said.

"Her name is Melody," Mark said. "Call her by her name."

"Fine," Daniel said. "You can't make me marry Melody, or Clovia, or Sharon, or Nancy, or Lily, or any of the other girls I've been with."

Gasps filled the church, then angry shouts and crying mothers and daughters. Daniel's shotgun blast of names hurt the girls and their families. Melody was staring at him now, incredulous. He studiously ignored her. Pleased with the pain he had dished out, Daniel smiled.

"You want the rest of the names?" Daniel asked.

"No," Mark said. "This is about you and Melody."

"I don't even think it's my baby," Daniel said.

Mr. Crane jumped to his feet, the man behind him restraining him, his wife holding his arm, begging him to be calm. Christy saw Tobias smile at that, then say something to Daniel she couldn't hear.

"You don't deny you engaged in premarital sex with her?" Mark asked.

"It was sex, but it wasn't premarital. I never intended to marry her."

Now Melody sobbed, publicly humiliated by the boy she loved. Glancing at Melody, Daniel's face fell. Then Tobias leaned toward Daniel, whispering again. Noticing this time, Mark turned to him.

"If you've got something to say, Mr. Stoop, then say it to everyone."

"I told Daniel that he has nothing to be ashamed about. Sex is a part of nature. Animals aren't embarrassed by their instincts and the human animal shouldn't be either."

Roland was against a wall, pen poised over his notepad, scribbling notes. Then Sylvia Swanson spoke from a pew.

"Tobias is right, you know. We all have sexual urges and teenagers feel it strongest of all. Since you can't stop them from having sex, you need to educate them. You need to teach your children to practice sex in a safe manner. Passing out condoms in school is a good way to reduce the risk of pregnancy."

"Shut up," someone shouted from the back, others joining in.

"We'll be polite to our visitors, or I'll close the meeting," Mark said firmly. Then to Sylvia he said, "Passing out condoms never reduced the pregnancy rate anywhere it was tried," he said. "If we did that we would condone behavior that is immoral." Then before she could respond he said, "Let's stay focused on the problem at hand. Melody is pregnant, Daniel is the father."

"You don't know that," Daniel said.

"You are, Daniel," Melody said. "You're the only one I was ever with."

Looking unsure of himself, Daniel turned to her to respond, but Mark silenced him with a point of his finger.

"The Cranes have asked that Daniel marry Melody. I see no other option," Mark said, looking at the other judges. Micah, Ira, and the others nodded agreement.

"There is another option," Daniel said. "Melody could have an abortion."

Angry shouts filled the hall and again Mark let his people vent. When they were calmer, he asked for silence.

"We won't punish the baby for your sin," he said to Daniel. Looking sad now, he turned back to the Cranes. "I'm having second thoughts about this,"

he said. "Do you think Daniel would be a good father and husband?"

Both Cranes shook their heads, and now Melody looked afraid. She loved Daniel, and hoped that if he was forced to marry her he would be a good husband and a loving father. But Christy knew that if Daniel was trapped in a marriage he resented, he would grow abusive, punishing his wife and children for his own mistakes. What the Cranes wanted could ultimately be the death of their daughter.

"Mark, may I speak?" Christy asked. "For Melody's sake, and her baby's, you can't force Daniel to marry her. A marriage needs to be based on love. A shotgun wedding is a poor foundation for the supportive, loving environment a child needs to be raised in."

"But he does love me," Melody protested. "He told me he did."

"Even if that is true," Christy said, "he will resent you and the baby for taking away his freedom."

"You can't make me marry her," Daniel said.

"If we decide that's the best course, then you will marry her," Mark said sternly, eyes locked on Daniel.

"I'll marry her," a voice called from the back of the church.

Those in front turned to see a teenage boy standing three rows from the back. Christy recognized him as Robert Evans. He didn't have Daniel's good looks, his face ordinary, his skin sprinkled with pimples. He was shorter than Daniel by an inch, and thinner. Christy knew he was polite and mature for his age. He was one of a handful of boys that were apprentice pilots, learning to fly the Fellowship spacecraft. Melody was half standing; looking at Robert, her tear-streaked face showed uncertainty.

"Do you mean what you said, Robert?" Mark asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Could you raise the baby as your own and not resent it?"

"Yes, sir, I could."

"Can you accept the fact you weren't the first man in Melody's life?"

"I love her, sir. It doesn't make any difference to me."

"She doesn't want you!" Daniel shouted. "You don't deserve her."

Now Melody looked to Daniel, hopeful that he would fight for her.

"Will you marry her, Daniel?" Mark asked.

Daniel hesitated until Tobias whispered to him.

"No, I'm not ready to get married."

"Then sit down and shut up," Mark said.

Daniel hesitated, so Mark nodded to a man behind Daniel who grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him into his seat. The church rang with applause.

"Mr. and Mrs. Evans, could you accept Melody as your daughter-in-law, and love her even knowing her past?"

Robert's parents looked into each other's eyes, then turned to Mark and both said yes.

"Could you love Melody's baby as your own, even knowing the circumstances of its conception?"

"Yes," they replied immediately.

"I always wanted grandchildren, I just didn't expect it this soon,"

Mrs. Evans said.

Nervous laughter spread through the church, people around the Evanses hugged them and whispered encouraging words.

Turning to the Cranes, Mark said, "Daniel would make a poor match for Melody, and a poor father. Are your hearts clear to accept Robert Evans as your son-in-law?" Mrs. Crane began to cry, but she nodded yes, Mr. Crane adding, "Yes, and God bless you, Robert."

Others shouted "Amen," and again Mark waited for the congregation to express their gratitude to the Evans family. Now Mark looked at Melody, who was watching Daniel, who still refused to make eye contact with her.

"Melody, Daniel won't marry you, and I'm not sure we'd permit it now even if he changed his mind. You know Robert, you know he's a good person.

Many of us thought you and he would end up together someday anyway."

Others in the hall shouted out agreement.

"Robert says he loves you and I believe he'd treat you and your baby right. But it's up to you, Melody. Will you marry Robert so your baby will have a father?"

The church was silent again, the only sound the patter of rain on the roof. All waited for her answer, but it came hard for Melody. Melody stared at the floor, then closed her eyes as if in prayer. Finally, she raised her head and glanced at Daniel, hoping for any sign that he wanted her. Daniel avoided Melody's eyes.

"I'll marry Rob," Melody said softly.

Loud, long applause followed, those gathered feeling that the Lord had led them to a satisfactory resolution of a problem. The Cranes and the Evanses were congratulated on the pending marriage of their daughter and son and they all looked pleased. Robert beamed too, engaged to the prettiest girl on the planet and a hero to the community. But Christy noticed that Melody wasn't celebrating. Her parents were congratulated, but most people ignored her, not sure of what to say. The pregnant teenager kept her head down, glancing furtively at Daniel. When the commotion finally waned, Mark took control again.

"We're not finished yet," Mark said. "Congregation, if this marriage is to work, then we need to put the sin that brought us here behind us. God has forgiven Melody for her sin and we must do the same. We must agree not to gossip about Melody and Robert, or about their child. We must agree to treat them as equals in everything we say and do. If there is anyone here who cannot agree to this, speak now or nevermore."

Mark waited a full minute before continuing.

"Robert Evans and Melody Crane will be married this Saturday. I apologize to the other couples who will be bumped back a week."

Again those gathered applauded. As the din died, Christy heard

Melody's mother say, "We'll have to start on the dress right away." Melody nodded, solemn.

"We have one last matter before us," Mark said, quieting the crowd.

"Daniel, you have refused to become part of this community. You've repeatedly violated our standards and the biblical principles on which they were founded. We've run out of punishments, I'm afraid. We can't let you continue to prey on our daughters, and we can't let you continue to poison our community."

"Banish him," someone shouted. Others agreed, and Christy knew that would be the outcome unless she could convince them there was another option. She waved at Mark to get the floor and then stood.

"You have another choice. Daniel can return to Earth," Christy said.

"Perhaps in time he could come back to you."

More murmuring behind her, all negative.

"Banishment isn't permanent," Mark explained. "We would check on him. Perhaps with time alone, time with his thoughts and with God, he could come back to the community. If he goes to Earth he'll be immersed in the secular culture that did this to him."

"I never want to come back," Daniel said. "I hate this place, I hate not being able to drive or see a movie. I want to watch TV, buy Slurpees, drink a Coke once in a while. I'd kill for a Big Mac."

"You'd never see your family again," Mark said.

"I'll never forgive my father for molesting me. If I never see him again it's all the same to me."

"And your mother and sister?" Mark asked.

Pausing a few seconds, he said, "I want to go to Earth."

"Floyd and Evelyn, it's your decision, not Daniel's."

The Remples whispered together for a time, then Mark said, "Would you like to take a day or two?"

"No," Floyd said. "Daniel will never be happy here. If he's ever going to find happiness it's back on Earth. Christy, will you try to find him a good home?"

Christy nodded, the Remples nodded, and Daniel beamed.

"It's decided then," Mark said. "Daniel Remple, you are to return to Earth."

Only Daniel applauded, others expressing condolences to Floyd and Evelyn. Faith was tearful, but Daniel ignored her and his family, shaking hands with Tobias. Others of the fact-finders came forward, talking with Daniel. Charlie Peng tried reassuring the Remples, telling them that he too would look in on him. They accepted the offer graciously but acted as if Daniel had died that night.

Melody's wedding was identical to all the others Christy had attended, except there was a forced quality to the happiness. Melody was beautiful in her dress, choosing to wear yellow flowers in her braided hair and carry a large bouquet of yellow and white. Robert wore a yellow flower in his lapel.

Even the cake was decorated with yellow accents. Upon instruction, Robert lifted the veil and gave Melody a quick peck as if he had never kissed a girl before. Christy suspected it would be an awkward honeymoon. Melody smiled at everyone in the receiving line, accepting kisses on the cheeks and warm handshakes. Unlike her parents' smiles, Melody's was forced, hiding her sadness. She loved Daniel but had married another man—married for life on planet America.

Daniel watched the wedding from a distance, eyes on Melody the whole time. Everyone knew he was there but ignored him, counting the days until he left their community. He came closer when it came time for the couple to leave for their honeymoon. Melody was smiling as she stood in the door of the shuttle to throw her bouquet, but as she threw it she made eye contact with Daniel. As soon as their eyes met her smile faded. Her new husband saw her looking at Daniel and quickly pulled Melody inside. That was the last time she would see Daniel and Christy could see the pain on her face.

Departure for the fact-finders was moved up when the new Fellowship Ark-class ship,
Prophet
, arrived.
Crucifixion had
been expected and not
Prophet
. The change in ships was not explained.

The next week Mark and the others claimed they were busy shuttling down settlers, however none came to New Jerusalem. Christy never saw any of the new arrivals and no new supplies were landed. Christy didn't mind, she enjoyed her privacy in the dormitory and the unlimited access to the bathroom.

Melody and Robert did not return after the honeymoon week, having flown instead to stay with relatives on a farm. They would stay away until Daniel was gone. When the day of departure came, only Christy was sorry to go. Roland had notebooks and recordings full of material for articles or a book. Tobias had his recordings of stumps, plowed meadows, trash dumps, slaughtered native animals, and smoke from chimneys. Each of the others carried their common experiences filtered through their worldview. Meaghan was filled with righteous rage at the subjugation of women she witnessed on the new world. Congresswoman Swanson and Senator Peng saw a world in need of government, secular control that would bring educational standards to their schools and choice to their curriculum. Charlie Peng at least could accept the right of the Fellowship to raise their children in their beliefs, but even he agreed with Swanson that the children needed to be exposed to other belief systems, other views of religion, history, and science, so they could make informed choices. Archie Cox had learned the least, since he was to discover the secrets of their antigravity drive. The voyage home was his last chance. Nervous about the claustrophobic quarters of the return flight, nevertheless Simon was the most anxious to leave. His fear of everything new meant that planet America was slowly killing him and he needed to get home just to survive.

Christy left reluctantly, thinking ahead to living on planet America with Mark and to their week in Honeymoon Valley. It would be next spring, she knew—spring on America. She found she regretted missing the harvest. The corn was high, the wheat green in the fields. Apples would need picking, corn shucking, and there would be beans to pickle. Canning had already started with early crops, but by fall anyone who wasn't harvesting would can. Christy wanted closure, she wanted to bring in the crops she helped to plant. She couldn't help this year, but she would be back for the next harvest, and the next, and every one after that. That was, if the world didn't find another way to come between her and Mark.