CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Wednesday—October 5, 2016 

            Chad Wade smiled in satisfaction as he looked out upon the vast spirited crowd who had gathered together to fill the streets of uptown.  The chubby businessman was perched atop a wide speaker’s platform—waiting for his turn to talk, he along with a collection of other local dignitaries.  In a too tight space in front of the stage, a high school marching band was gallantly giving its all—but with the students all crushed together too closely, feet continued to tangle and musical notes clash.

            At what was once the site of the Patriot Center, the city’s new Life Park was today opening to the public.  The damaged building was razed rather than renovated.  It was replaced by walking paths, botanical gardens, fountains—and the thematic centerpiece, the bronze art sculpture  Angel & Unborn Child:  It was a gloriously large messenger angel who between uplifted hands was embracing a thirty-eight inch long fetus—complete with a lengthy umbilical cord, roped wildly around the celestial’s torso.

The city’s Human Experience Place was also on the grounds, having recently opened to much acclaim.  Inside the building was a celebration of humanity—multimedia exhibits honoring each stage of human development—from embryo to oldster.  Included in the museum’s display cases were relevant artifacts from the conference center, including a selection of bomb-blemished furniture and fixtures.

            Through the marketing savvy of a chamber of commerce committee created by Mister Wade, Charlotte was now a destination for a certain class of the devoted:  The city was proudly promoted as the birthplace of The Unborn Rights Movement. Tourism was up, thanks to those wanting to touch their toes on the honored acre.

            Chad Wade pushed his unwieldy blueberry glasses to the very top of his nose.  As he continued to enjoy the day, he raised his eyes above the crowd and marveled at the high-rise bank buildings comprising central uptown:  It was thrilling, all of this prosperity! 

Moments from now, he would go over and embrace the podium and take his turn speaking.  And, before he yielded, his plan was to lead everyone in a sing-a-long of The Battle Hymn of the Republic:  “…truth is marching on...”

            He was aware that his critics would fault him for his melodramatics, but Chad Wade couldn’t care less.  These were his genuine emotions at this heightened moment.  So then—so what.