The Secret Voice by Bob Nailor

Author:Bob Nailor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: singing, school days, religion and society, amish fiction, religion and belief, amish story, civil rights era fiction, amish christian fiction
Publisher: Bob Nailor

Chapter Eighteen ~ Consolidation

May 29, 1962

Tom and John set up the two tables and slid them together to make one long table for the five members of the board to sit behind and face the audience.

“You know who the nay votes were?” Tom asked. He casually dusted the top of the table with his hand, removing nothing in his action.

“We don’t have to discuss that.” John puttered with the table, placing the microphones in what he hoped were the perfect position to pick up their voices. “I think we can put the podium sort of in the center about ten feet from the table.”

Tom looked at the distance from the planned podium’s position to the first row of seats in the gymnasium. He grinned. “Going to make them stand out there all alone, are you?” He gazed again at the distance. “Ten feet from us and I’m guess-timating about fifteen to eighteen feet from the first row of seats.”

John shrugged his shoulders. “No reason to make them feel comfortable, Tom.” John paused. “Plus, I want to make sure we hear the person speaking if they lean away from the microphone.” He gazed at the setup. “You heard Ira the other night. The man has a burr up his butt every time we mention anything about consolidation.”

“I’m not sure about consolidation myself but what’s his problem?” Tom rolled the podium into place.

“He graduated from Ben Hart, his wife, too. All of his kids graduated from Ben Hart and his youngest daughter just entered freshman year. He is adamant his whole family must graduate from Benjamin Hartford School.”

“You’re expecting a big group tonight?”

“It is going to be a very big group.” Jim Tremussen topped the steps into the gymnasium. “I watched about twenty cars pull into the parking lot as I walked here. I slipped in the west door — so nobody saw me enter.” He grinned. “I’m guessing there is at least thirty or more cars out there.” Jim paused. “You know Liz. She’s been on the phone all day.”

John surveyed the area. “I figured Ira would also notify as many as possible and urge them to show up tonight.” He folded his arms before him and frowned. “Tell you what. Jim, you get three pitchers of water… no, make that five. Put two on each of these tables for a total of four, along with five glasses for the board members. Put one pitcher of water and some paper cups on the podium shelf for our speakers. Tom, you find some small notepads and some sort of skirt to put around the front of these tables.” John nodded approvingly. “I see no reason for them to know we’re tapping our feet or passing notes back and forth.” He laughed.

Tom and Jim grinned and tried to control their laughs.

John saluted. “I’m going to go bring in the enemy, so to speak.” He turned for the exit. “Everyone on their best behavior tonight.”

A voice echoed in the hallway. Peter Udall rounded the corner and took the gymnasium steps two at a time.

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