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Jason burst into his father’s church expecting  to see the community celebrating the conjoined triplet’s birthday.  Everyone turned to look at his noisy entrance.  The crowd was silent and Reverend Cooper stood at the head of the room.

“Come on in, son,” the minister said.  “Don’t be embarrassed.  None of us thought we’d be holding a funeral for them today.”

He nodded at a reed coffin placed on the floor in front of him. “Abigail was the only one with a heart.  It beat for all three and then gave up under the load just today.”

“I’m sorry,” Jason whispered to the crowd as he took his place on a vacant mat.  For a moment he forgot Rachael as he stared at the three little girls lying in their small casket on the earthen floor.

Ann and Amanda, on Abigail’s right and left  were beauties with curly red hair and freckled faces.  They both had right and left legs while Abigail, who grew out of their hips, had none.  Ann had a right arm and Amanda a left.  Abigail occupied their center space, her whole right side conjoined with Ann’s left and her left side seamlessly became to Amanda’s right.  Abigail had no arms of her own.  She had no stomach nor windpipe. But she had the face of an angel.  Her curly hair was white-blond and her smooth skin was the color of pale dawn.

In life, Abigail, who could not speak,  looked about her, watching the world with intelligent interest. Now she lay on her back with her eyes closed.  Ann and Amanda were turned toward her with their arms clasped together protectively over the breast in which their communal heart lay.

His father’s voice stirred Jason from his reverie as the minister renewed his sermon.

“I had remarks prepared for today that are no longer appropriate so I will conclude with the first chapter in “The Book of The Disaster” in the assurance that we all take comfort in these words….”

Reverend Cooper opened his book and began to read, “In the beginning, all men were normal and all of the Earth was green.  But men were wicked in the sight of God.  So it came to pass that God sent the disaster that no man remembers.

“‘”I will give the freaks hard labor and little comfort but they will know freedom from fear and will be able to pass through the radiation as they will.
Their lives will be hard but short for I will gather them unto me where I shall judge them, just or unjust, and take the just to heaven where they shall dwell with me forever as normal men and women.”‘”

The minister closed the Book and looked out at his congregation letting a moment of silence add to the dignity of the reading.  Then he spoke.  “Let us never doubt that God found little Ann and Amanda and Abigail just and that they are now in his heaven, free of want and free of toil and as normal as any children in the Domed City.”

He then nodded to Tom Younce who pulled his legless body onto the only chair in the room and started singing an old familiar hymn,

“Oh, freaks, don’t be-ee discouraged,
Your boooodies are nothing but dust.
Soon God will ma-ake you nooormal
If you are worthy and just.

“Don’t ever complain of your lot here
For here you’re not lo-ong  to stay
Your real home is up there in Heaven
There you will be some fine day.”

Jason joined the chorus as the mourners stood to file out:

“Uuuuup there in Heaaaven
Uuuuup there in Heaaanen
I knoooow I’ll be there one daaaay.”

Outside the church everyone dispersed to go home.  Disposal of the body was considered a private family affair.  Reverend Cooper was soon alone with his son.

As they walked down the road towards their farm, Jason threw back his veil and began to question his father.

“It says in the ‘Book of the Disaster’ that we’re marked as freaks because we’re more wicked than normal people then it turns right around and says normal people are wicked too and God is going to judge us individually.

Every funeral you say, This freak is just.  He’s going straight to heaven and be normal.  So, are freaks really more wicked than normal people?”

“I guess they were in the beginning.  I don’t think so now.”

“Then if we aren’t so bad, why do we still have to stay away from normal people?”

“I don’t know son.  Because God never lifted his ban against our mixing, I guess.”

Silence fell between them as Jason considered how to bring up the topic foremost on his mind.  At last he spoke.

“I went to pay Rachael’s tuition today and Mizes Erma and Aimie said she was in the Domed City.”

Jason waited while his father carefully choose his words.  “Yes, they seem to feel that young freak ladies of normal appearance will benefit from a stay in the Domed City.  They have a sister who has a boarding school there.  Their older students sneak in and stay with her.”

Jason felt relieved,  “So she won’t stay long.  I saw Rodney Parks this morning down at the jail.  They caught him trying to pass and turned him over to Sheriff Henderson.  He’s worried that he might be hung, or shot.  Rachael’ll get out of there before anybody catches her, won’t she?”

“Luther’s just an unlucky guy.” The minister answered.  “Most people who get into the Domed City are never caught.  Especially those who are taught how to live among normal people.”

“Yeah, but Rachael’s coming right back out because she knows its wrong for us to go there.  I mean you look normal and you never tried to pass, because it’s wrong, right?”

“I think…” Reverend Cooper’s voice trailed off.  After a few seconds of silence he tried again.  “I think I’d like to see a kid of mine have a chance for once.  Rachael’s going to stay there and try to pass.”

Walkers were coming down the road toward the father and son, so Jason drew his veil down again.  He was glad to be able to retreat behind it.  He had a lot to think about – and a dangerous trip to plan.