Chapter 261
.
Reverand Jenkins had always said that all were welcome in Gods' house. God loved traitors and collaborators. He loved thieves, whores, pimps, drug addicts and drug dealers. He loved the unborn children of rapists and the newborn children of terrorists. Despite being muslim, Eve found herself attending these christian services. They often involved singing hymns. Eve missed that, islam frowned upon religious music. On September 16th Eve noticed some sector guards also among the crowd. Everyone was welcome. Jenkins did however motion to the choir. After the service Eve heard some people talking about this. Rumor was they were suppossed to sing a hymn called "Jesus Christ" written about one hundred years ago by Woody Guthrie. But this song might be considered too revolutionary by some. Eve wondered if the sector guards were here to intimidate and/or inform on them. Or if they wanted to hear Jenkins talk about salvation. She wondered if these guards even knew that answer.
As the summer season was winding down Eve often saw Wilkins' grandchildren at his home, telling grandfather about school. What classes they liked and didn't like, some friends they had made. These children remembered the war, but seemed too small to fully comprehend it. The smallest of the children, a girl named Jessica, mostly knew that her mother was in Heaven, and that her grandfather was her new father. Wilkins also discussed things with other council members here. There were efforts by some charity groups for loyalists outside the sectors to adopt orphaned collective children. With so many collectivists forced into the sectors, there were fewer instances of collectivists adopting orphaned loyalist children. It was harder to get permission to leave the sectors for good. One had to prove they could provide for themselves legally, and have loyalist family members vouching for them. Adam and Claire had tried to speak for Eve, but they didn't count as family. There were some instances of people who were allowed to leave, but there were much higher numbers of new people forced into the sectors. Pope Peter II was planning to visit some secotrs in America, possibly the Brooklyn sector. Peter still hadn't recovered from North Korea, but was still holding on, still fulfilling his duties. One day in late September Wilkins asked to see Eve in private.
.
Wilkins: I know you've been stealing food and medicine.
Eve: I'm sorry. I was just hungry, I'm eating for two.
Wilkins: I believe you're also helping refugees from the mercy clinics.
Eve: No, I'm not.
Wilkins: It's okay. I don't need to know specifics. I'll help provide some extra neccesities.
Eve: Are you sure?
Wilkins: I'm a grandfather. Not to mention we're all within spitting distance of St Peter. So yeah, I'm in.
.
Eve was grateful to Wilkins for his help. She understood what he meant being so close to death. Noone here was entirely sure what standards God would use in determining who got into Heaven, although some claimed they knew. There were only 300 days until impact. Less than 100 until the first lottery drawing. Maybe some people in this sector would be selected, most would be dissapointed, not for the last time. Wilkins used his influence to get some more food and medicine. He also donated some old books, movies, videogames, figuring refugees could use some entertainment. Some of the videogames were from Wilkins' childhood, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, not the hardcore videogames floating around. The old games were popular, anything pre 2/4 seemed nostalgic. Wilkins ever asked Eve questions. Eve, in turn, never asked reverand Jenkins about other safe houses. They didn't need to know these things. It felt good to be helping people. Now, more than ever, it was important for people to help each other.