Free In the Midst of Tribulation by Mary Griggs Page A

world depended on our money for survival? We heard stories that most of Africa and South America have fallen into conflict."

"Of course, it doesn't help that Fort Knox is under Confederacy control." Carol spoke up for the first time since the conversation turned serious.

Cody burped, looked apologetic and interjected. "Yeah, who knew they'd be stupid enough to try and link their new currency to the gold standard."

"What do you know of monetary policy, cub?" Jay asked.

"Enough to know that William Jennings Bryant was right not to tie us to an impossible standard."

Martha interrupted, "In any event, we haven't even gotten to the human cost of the war."

"I never expected that Doctors with Borders would ever be needed in our country," Piper said in a low voice. "And then they had to withdraw when the Confederacy threatened to extend their targets outside of the country."

"Can they do that?"

"You bet. They've got more than just what the bases had." Martha looked disgusted. "They've got control of the ICBM's and you know that no-one wants to take on maniacs with nuclear weapons at their fingertips."

"We're a rogue country now. No-one wants anything to do with us."

"Frankly, I always wondered why we're not occupied."

"What do you mean?"

Jay shrugged. "Why haven't Confederacy troops appeared on the horizon? We've got no way to stop them, no outside allies, nothing at all to even slow them down."
"I heard that they accomplished what they wanted." Piper played with the salt and peppershaker. "They wanted to create a pure, Christian land. The bombings weren't to soften us up for their missionaries. They were to form a moat along each coast. A boundary for their complete and total isolation from the mud people and degenerates of the world."

"That does make a certain, perverted sense." Jay nodded as she drained her glass of wine.

"But why?" Eva was nearly in tears. "What did we do to them?"

"Our very being threatened them, honey." Martha opened her arms and allowed her niece to climb onto to her lap and into her embrace. "They wanted so badly to have right on their side and when we wouldn't accept that or their vengeful God, they decided that we shouldn't be allowed to live."

"But we wouldn't have done anything to them."

"That's the downside of tolerance, Eva. When your opponent isn't bound by the same sense of fairness and acceptance, you are at a decided disadvantage. For all their talk, they certainly didn't do what Jesus would have done."

"Why can't it be like it was?" Carol cried out. "Why did Cheryl and Mr. Matlan and all the others have to die?"

"I can't explain it because even I don't understand it. We just have to go on from here." Susan spoke soothingly to her daughter.

"Maybe we should find something else to talk about," Doris said. "It's too upsetting."

Susan looked around the table of clean plates and empty bowls. "That was a great meal. Sorry we ruined it with all the depressing talk."

"Yeah, thanks for what you're doing for us," Piper added.

"You're welcome. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. I have to say that I don't think open discussion is a bad thing." Jay rubbed her eyes. "When I was growing up, we used to come close to blows at meals. It might not have been the best thing for our digestion but I'm better for having been a part of it."

Piper nodded. "I agree. We've got a chance here to start our own traditions. I'd like for meal time to be a place to share anything."

"Well, I don't want my daughter in tears at every meal."

"Mom," whined Eva. "It's hardly likely that every meal will make me cry."

"I think that everyone is tired and emotional after the journey. Why don't we table the discussion until everyone has had a chance to regain some equilibrium?" asked Martha.

All around the table, heads nodded in agreement. Jay smiled. "Excellent. Now, why don't the kids take the first turn at dish washing?"

"I second that motion," Martha quickly said.

"And how about the adults follow me outside. I want