Counting coup, p.40
Counting Coup, page 40
part #1 of The Benediction of Paul Series
Jacob sang as Paul wailed. He rose and walked, rocking the infant.
She darted out of the church to the restroom. The words “Come back” haunted her as she grabbed paper towels. Did he think she was about to abandon the child? She had heard of that happening—leaving children at churches. She would never abandon Paul.
She stopped in the atrium. The singing had stopped, and the font with holy water bubbled. The wind wailed. Sarah hurried back to the church and paused when she heard sniffling. It wasn’t Paul crying—it was the priest. She walked up and dangled the white handkerchief in front of him.
“Damn hormones,” he muttered, taking the cloth. He dabbed at his eyes.
The baby lay content in his blue blanket.
“Does he have a name?” Jacob asked, his voice cracking with emotion.
“Yes—it’s Paul.”
“Ah, Paul the Converter. Good name.”
He smiled at Paul and handed him back to Sarah. The church bells rang over the howling wind.
“They will come to pray now. You are welcome to stay. It can be quite soothing and healing. Things will get better. A child is a gift from our ancestors.”
“I supposed so. The past comes forward.” There was truth in that statement. She and Paul came from noble people. Maybe Paul would carry that goodness to future generations.
“The best of the past. To live is to feel some sense of what you have lost,” Jacob said.
Jacob sat next to Sarah as the monks came into the church to pray. Voices blended in melodic tones, chanting ancient prayers, and bringing chaos into balance. Her son was a blessing. That was enough.
Acknowledgments
This work of fiction is a product of my imagination, with support from research and reading. When I wrote Karl and Rebecca’s story, I wanted to be authentic. I wanted to address the issues of alcohol abuse and child abuse and neglect by individuals in both Indigenous and Catholic culture. My intent was to look honestly at the issues, but in doing so, I discovered that these are tough issues to deal with. It is very important that one educates themselves and then speaks out, destroys stereotypes, and supports constructive change.
I spent a lot of time listening to tribal members, their trials, hopes, fears, triumphs, and successes. I wish to thank them for their honesty and for allowing me the opportunity to listen and learn.
I was blessed to find Eddie Big Medicine and his wife Laurie. Eddie provided me with resources and insight into the Crow culture, which improved and polished this story. They reminded me that one cannot discuss these subjects in Native American culture without pointing out that these problems are a result of the severe and sustained destruction of an entire people’s culture by the invasive people and their government. I hope that I captured that idea in the story’s body. Still, it bears calling out again here. Sustained, multi-generational trauma to a culture and the individuals that make it up have a many-generational effect. The survivors and their children and grandchildren for generations to come suffer and struggle. I cannot thank Eddie and his wife enough for all the help and wisdom they have given me.
I went to a Benedictine college and majored in Psychology because at that time theology was not an option for women. I have always been interested in why people do what they do, believe what they believe, and what events influence them. During my time there, I studied and learned about the Rule of Saint Benedict and became an Oblate. In doing so, I learned how to apply the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict in my day-to-day living. I discovered that spirituality is connected in so many ways; the similarities intrigued me and the struggle to balance belief and culture inspired me to write about this topic. I was also fortunate to be welcomed into many Benedictine communities. From that I absorbed the rhythms of their lives and listened to their hopes and prayers and dreams. I wish to thank Benedictine Fathers Jude Anderson, Alfred Hulscher, Benedict Auer, and Gerard Garrigan for their patience and kindness in answering my many questions about how a monastery works and how one lives the life of a monk.
This story has taken years to write and would not have even come to this point if I hadn’t joined the Puget Sound Writers Guild, who listened tirelessly to my story. Their insight and critiques have proven invaluable. Thank you, present and past members.
Even writers need company sometimes. Over the years, there have been many small group gatherings, much like an office without a building or cubicles. Thanks to the Covid pandemic a small group of dedicated writers was formed online. We called ourselves the Reel Dames (because we started out watching movies virtually together). Thank you, ladies, for encouraging me to read, write and spin a tale. Without our weekly sessions, this work may not have been completed. I hope I have been an inspiration to you as well.
Writing takes hours and hours of time. Thank you to my family, who have allowed me that time and space while encouraging my writing. Special thanks to my husband, who has read and reread this story too many times to count.
Books do not make it to the shelf without publishers and editors. Thank you, Wayzgoose Publishing, particularly Maggie, my editor, who took a chance and has polished this tale with me.
Books do not impact lives unless they are read and talked about. You will note that if it wasn’t for my belief in families, this group of an unlikely family of monks raising a child could not have blossomed into the Benediction of Paul series. I have been so blessed to have found my first audience. Thank you to the many friends at NCCSD, NCSEA, and all organizations who help children. My husband attended many conferences, and I spent my time in the hotel writing my story. The dedicated folks in these organizations work diligently for children and families. They took an interest in my creative endeavors and their curiosity, enthusiasm and friendship kept me focused. I wouldn’t be here today writing if it wasn’t for you all.
About the Author
Patricia McClure lives in the wet, green Pacific Northwest. When not writing, she loves to research family history, dabble in art, and garden. She volunteers as an Oblate of St. Martin’s Abbey, is a retired counselor and boutique daycare owner, and is a parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent.
About this Series
Thank you for reading Book 4 of The Benediction of Paul. Here is the entire series:
Book 1: Winds of Life
Book 2: Less Thunder, More Lightning
Book 3: All for One Child
Book 4: Counting Coup: The Making of an Abbot (prequel to the series)
Patricia McClure, Counting Coup
