Holiday Triage

      Marvin Gaye’s “Your Precious Love” flowed across the dance floor and Rye dancing with Dianne held her close to him. 
Suddenly, she leaned away. “Let’s get out of here...I need to.”

She led him out of the hall, through a doorway, up a stairwell, and into her room on the second floor.

In the dark, she brought him to her bed and pulled him down to her.

Wrapped around each other, he asked. “Are you OK?”

“Oh…times I don’t know if I can keep going!”

“A living hell for you being on the receiving end of all this…”

"Oh, yes!" Tears streamed down her cheeks and onto him. 
“Unbearable…oh…who lives…and God…and who will die.” 
He felt her shaking. “How I wish it were different for you, Di.”

“I put them behind curtains." 
"Some are awake and call out for help. I try, but I just can’t shut off their voices."
"Others never do wake up."
"I have to choose who is next, who to save." She turned into him, kissing him violently. 
"Oh, Rye, I remember them all. Just hold me!” 

He wrapped around her. “We’re here now...the rest we’ll leave behind your door.”

She whispered, “Oh, yes. Please stay.”