What if You Knew Her

A/N: For any of you who are reading and may have been affected by what happened at Kent State in 1970, I am not trying to make light of the massacre in any way. That famous picture of the young woman kneeling over the dead student as well as the lyrics from Crosby Stills and Nash song, Ohio really move me, so I decided to incorporate this into my Vietnam War era story, to remember the event. As always, I researched.

"Diana, you should come protest with us, and sing. Your voice is as beautiful as Joan Baez and in choir you sound like Joan Sutherland"said Mary Ann a new friend from Students For a Democratic Society,one of the well known protest orgs that had been popping up on campuses across the country and a fellow member of a choir Diana was in.

"Really, thanks. The Joan Sutherland comment comes from a lot of people back home, with our traditional church music."

"Well speaking of traditional church music,it's May Day, so shall you serenade me with Bring Flowers of the Rarest?"

"Oh Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today… But it looks like you already have one flower, you flower child. I can protest today , but after that I'm spending all my time on exams and then there's my senior recital."

"You and your double major, you'll go crazy if you don't let yourself have some fun."

"Hey, don't say that, my grandma literally is crazy" Diana gave Mary Ann a death stare.

"Oh,I didn't mean.."

"Sorry I snapped. Let's go protest, because, War, what is it good for?"

"Absolutely nothing."

A little later, the protest wrapped up so students could return to class.

"So we still on for the 4th?" Asked the leader in a megaphone.

"All except miss Mary Poppins here." Mary Ann nudged Diana and winked.

"That's what Will thinks, I'm practically perfect in every way. How about we meet after the protest on the 4th and grab some coffee?"

"Sounds good, I'll call you later to finalize our plans. Happy studying."

"Happy protesting. I'll sing the Woodstock version of Feel Like I'm Fixing to Die Rag, during a study break for you all."

"You can swear?"

"Occasionally, yes. I prefer to curse in old English."

" You should write a book on Shakespeareian insults."

"Oh, don't go putting ideas in my head."

"Bye Diana."

"Bye, Mary Ann."

Later that night in her apartment building, Diana heard a knock on her door. She had been invited by acquaintances in the apartment below her to go downtown, they seemed angry and that made Diana wary because she believed in a peaceful protest. Later that night she heard sirens and prayed for the protestors.

The next morning Diana was shocked when she heard on the radio about rumors of radicals with plans of destruction. She couldn't believe it, they were bringing in the National Guard . "Mary, pray for us" she whispered. There was more violence that weekend and more prayers from Diana.

On the 4th, Diana walked out her Chaucer class elated. She loved the class and her professor's passion for her work. She was her academic advisor and she spent many office hours visiting her. On a whim, she decided to check on the protesters. Things had became ugly since the original planned protest and she was scared. She then saw a sight she would never forget.

The protesters were moving toward Taylor Hall and the parking lot of Prentice Hall, her old dorm and the National guard was coming after them. She quickly retreated into Taylor Hall, watching in fear. Some students went back to the Commons area, and soon the Guard had turned to the parking lot and began to shoot. Diana although inside, ducked out of instinct and began to chant 'pray for us" to whoever was listening in heaven until the shooting stopped.. A professor began to reason with students to leave, Diana ran outside and saw Mary Ann lying there, she began to run to her, quickly, dropping to her knees sobbing. She felt a faint pulse and held her friend's hand.

"Mary Ann, I'm here Mary Ann. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.. Please Mother Mary! Oh please stay with me,please,please." Diana began to hyperventilate. As soon as Mary Ann was being put on a stretcher,Diana was being consoled by an EMT.

"Miss, we need you to let go of her hand. You need to breathe, in,out, come on now, good."

Diana stood there unable to move until she saw her favorite professor, Dr. Williams. She guided her young student away from the crowd. Word soon came that everyone had an hour to vacate the campus.

"Do you live on or off campus?"

"Off, but I need to find out what happened to.."

"Let me take you to your apartment after I pack my things I need .You just saw your friend and many others get hurt. You don't seem well,white as a ghost, come stay with me for a while."

When Dr. Williams dropped off Diana, she couldn't help being motherly. Diana was a favorite student of hers. She had just made some tea when Veronica came to the door hugging Diana tight.

"Thank God you are alright, Diana. I was so worried that you were hurt or…" She couldn't bring herself to say the word that would mean Diana would have been gone forever.

"Mary Ann, Mary Ann we have to go to the hospital to see her. We were going to have coffee, we will have coffee,we must she can't be.."

"Oh, Diana. You knew someone who was hurt, what did you see?"

Dr. Williams stepped forward.

"I'm Diana's academic advisor,Dr. Williams. I made sure she got home and was safe. I may be an English professor, but I know trauma when I see it. I lived in England in WWII and experienced that trauma when a bomb hit my neighborhood. I know how it feels to see your friend lying there. If it weren't for me, I fear Diana may not be home."

"Thank you so much. Diana, have a seat. I'm sure the hospital is very busy right now. I want you to take deep breaths. You are having a panic attack. This is perfectly normal."

"My rosary, I need my rosary. Good God, my heart is pounding and my head."

"I'll get it. It's ok Diana. I'm sure Dr. Williams will stay with you."

"Have some tea, shall I read to you? The panic will subside."

"Please, read what we discussed in the lecture today."

Diana handed her the text from her messenger bag.

"Certainly, now no analyzing the text, Just enjoy the beauty of the words."

As her professor began to read the words she was at peace. Just then Veronica handed Diana the rosary and answered the phone.

"She's quite upset William, a friend of hers was badly injured. She needs to rest. I'm going to wait until the names of the injured and dead are released to the public,I'm not taking her to the favorite professor is reading Chaucer to her now. She brought her home and is very empathetic, such a blessing. Should I put her on for you."

"It's William, Diana." Diana grabbed the phone and began sob.

"Honey, are you ok?"

After hearing he was ok, Diana cried"Thank God,Thank God."

After sobbing into the phone a few minutes,Diana went to bed. Veronica was concerned and was so glad that she was getting a degree in Psychology. It really made her feel helpful.

"You take good care of Diana. I was talking to my colleagues and we've decided to hold classes off campus until campus is open again. If you have interest in trying to finish the semester, contact your professors at their home numbers. I hope they can still have commencement. Diana is anxiously awaiting responses from graduate programs, I think study will help her in her grief."

"Thanks for everything. What did she see?"

"I was behind her as she left the building. I think she saw her friend fall. She knelt beside her holding her hand,praying and pleading that her friend wouldn't die. Between you and me, I'm not sure she'll make it. Please suggest counseling ,if grief and trauma get too bad."

"I will, I know plenty of grad students doing their internships now in Kent."

"Good."

As she left Veronica thanked God everything was alright. With all the anger, she decided she would help organize a prayer vigil. After seeing that Diana sleeping peacefully, she began to pray for peace.