Anatomy of a Field Operation

Part 2. Threads

by Oracle

Second story in the Anatomy of a Field Operation Series

Hands let go of me and I step back. I close my eyes ‘coz I can see better that way. And there they are. Glowing threads connecting each of us to the other. When we’re all standin’ close like this it’s kind of like a spider web in the moonlight. Strands running from each one of us to all of the others.

The colors and kinds of threads are different between us. I look at the one between Chris and me first, like always. It’s like a big, thick rope. All strong and lots of cords wrapped ‘round each other. I like the colors too. Blue and green. Especially the green. That’s kind of become my favorite color. Never figured out why I see it as blue and green, though maybe ‘coz that’s the way I think of us.

It’s hard to pull my inner sight away from the link between me and Chris but I need to look at the others too. It’s my responsibility. My cowboy trusts me to make sure everything’s right with all of us before we go out that door. I take my responsibilities serious. Besides, I’d rather be doin’ the wild thing with Larabee than listening to him rake me over the coals coz’ I missed somethin’. We promised each other when we let this thing between us become something more than just best friends that we’d never let it affect the team. Neither one of us could live with ourselves if we was so involved in each other that somethin’ happened to another one of the boys.

I’d like to think that Chris and I would have found each other even without the rest of the team…eventually. But I know that what we have wouldn’t be near as rich… as wonderful as it is with them.

I’d wandered a lot of my life. Lost my ma when I was little. Went from foster family to county home and back again. There was a few along the way that I still remember with some fondness. But I’d never felt I really belonged somewhere again till now. I’d forgot what it’s like to have family. To have someone who cares where you are, what you’re doin’ and how you’re feelin’. I ain’t kidding myself. What Chris and I have found is so much more coz’ of them. And even if I didn’t care about each of them on their own account, I’d keep us all safe for that.

I know this thing we all got is as fragile as the spider webs of connections I see between us. I know it needs feeding and carin’ for. We all have to take a hand in that. We all have to be responsible and keep each other close. But I can keep watch and alert Chris if there’s any trouble, if anything don’t look right. So he can take care of things in his way. Even if it means draggin’ someone into his office before we leave.

He’s done it before. I knew in my heart, even though I hated to “tell” on ‘em that it was best J.D. and Buck worked out that argument they’d had over Buck leaving his clothes all over their place before we went out. It was just a little thing, but it was eatin’ at both of them. They was both of ‘em too proud to say sorry. When you got Larabee glarin’ at you and saying, “Make it right or you don’t go,” that pride takes a back seat.

That job was a mess. And if Buck and J.D. hadn’t made it right. Well, Bucklin would of been kickin’ himself from here to Sunday next coz’ if he’d still been mad at the kid, he wouldn’t have seen when that scumbag was sneakin’ up on him. And more’n likely that winging J.D. took from it would of been a lot more serious.

There’s been other times too. Some more serious, but every time the boys has stepped up and worked it out. We all learned our lessons from Buck and J.D. I don’t feel bad about tellin’ no more and the boys listen when Chris tells ‘em to suck it up and straighten it out.

So, I look at each of ‘em and carefully trace out their connection to everyone else. I check for frays, broken strands, places where the cords seem dulled or shriveled.

It’s interesting how all the connections are different colors and shades. I’ve learned to read them pretty well now, to see how they grow and change and to see when they’re not doin’ well.

I check out Josiah’s sand colored strands next. He’s decided that our spiritual well-being is his particular job. So, he’s a good one to check on, ‘coz if he’s worrying about someone it shows up real quick. I can kind of get a feel for the whole team just by watchin’ him. I’m relieved. Josiah’s connections to all of us look good today. There’s always a chance he could miss somethin’ but that don’t usually happen. So, I can sort of figure that the rest are gonna be all right. But I know I got to check ‘em for myself, just to be sure.

J.D.’s next on m’ list. His are light colored, almost a white with just a little brown throwed in. Guess that’s ‘coz he’s the youngest of us. Maybe he hasn’t been around long enough to have a lot of color yet. His threads are all healthy though. He’s learned to keep ‘em that way. And being J.D. he ain’t afraid to just walk up and say what he thinks to any of us. Not anymore.

Buck’s purple threads are all glowin’ and happy too. I wonder again why they’re purple. Keep thinking about Ez sayin’ his “prose was purple.” Maybe that stuck in m’ head. I take a quick peek at the connections between him and Ezra ‘coz for a long time they were pretty thin. They’ve grown and changed over the time we all been together and now seems like Ez’s strongest connection is to Buck. Never would’ve figured that one.

The strands between Ezra and the rest of us were downright puny looking at first, like a breath of air would blow them away. They’re looking a lot healthier now. His are a kind of dark red color. Suppose he’d call it burgundy or some such fancy name, but I just think dark red. And yep, his are all in good shape too.

Just got Nathan left. His are sort of an orange color, like the orange hazard signs you see at the hospital. The way he watches over all of us, you wouldn’t think he’d ever have any problems, but at first he and Ezra kind of got on each other’s nerves. And Nathan, he gets so focused on how our bodies are doin’ sometimes he forgets about the souls. Everything’s in good shape today.

I pull my focus back and the web of strands between us sparkles and glows. The colors blend together and the different connections make it like a kaleidoscope I saw once at a carnival. Only mine and Chris’ is like some live thing between us. It almost takes my breath away. I wish sometimes the others could see just how special the bond between us is. But I reckon maybe they know that in their own ways.

One more good look at the strands between Chris and I. Just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Well, really, it’s ‘coz I just like soakin’ up the warm feel of that connection.

I open my eyes and find green eyes lookin’ at me intently. I know what he wants. I nod my head. Everything’s good. We’re ready. He nods too, that grim, determined look on his face and let’s go my arm. Look out scumbags. Here comes Team Seven. You’re goin’ down.

Continues in Part 3. Meditations