A Hidden World

Shock

Lights go up, our screen dark, and a deafening noise of people talking ignites. Some are up and heading for exits. Others remain in their seats, talking to one another. Still others just sit staring. I turn to Gerry. "Are you all crazy? Even if I wanted to, I could not wear that many ribbons around my neck. Will awarding this many medals all at once cheapen these awards as a whole?"

He shrugs, "I guess we'll find out tomorrow. I hope it'll instill pride, respect, and a social conscience. Your medals are already mounted and on your living room floor. Where you'll display them, I have no idea. You're the representative of civilian sectors. At that ballroom, you'll present medals to a lot of deserving people. I'll see you there." He stands then leaves.

Jess and Clair are crying. Madge stands proudly holding them. Sharon is leaning forward apparently crying. Carol looks shell shocked with one hand on Sharon's back. Kathy's eyes are welled as she stands beside me, a huge smile on her face. Some younger ones are gone. There is no sign of Tiana, Katie, or Tarin.

We gather our neighbours and head for home. People in hallways part as we walk, like we are a ship cutting through water. Most look stunned as they move toward walls. An end elevator opens when we turn a corner. Queues of people stand waiting for elevators. A man waves us into that first one and waits outside as doors close.

As I am about to open my door, I notice it now reads 'Governor General's Residence: Tammy'. I walk in to find neatly piled rows of frames lining my floor along one living room wall.

I pull a white shirt from my closet. It has five full rows of gold and a centered few underneath. My top two rows and two on a third row are octagons, the remainder disks. Some have red or blue fringes on them. I put on my shirt and head for my living room.

Kathy's shirt has five full rows of gold. She smiles pointing at medal frames. "In only days, I wonder how big that pile will be next week."

Clair comes from our balcony with a row and a half on her shirt. "I see they piled yours up, too. Does that mean I don't have to wear them tonight? The weight would throw me off balance."

Kathy laughs. "No, fortunately anyone receiving five medals or more will get a small plaque. I'd be on my knees before they could get half of my awards around my neck. Not to mention double my weight."

Madge and Jess join us. Madge's uniform shirt has a row and part of a second row of gold. Jess has two gold disks on hers. Jess stares at my piled medal cases. "Are those all awards from today?"

I reply, "Jess, one of my proudest moments today is to see you wearing gold medals. You are a record breaker, our youngest medal winner ever. I need all of you close tonight. Please do not venture too far away from me."