At Friday morning’s swim practice, the coach spent the first hour having the team doing wind sprints and then began organizing the team relays for the various events and ran several relay heats for the kids to get the timings of their starting dives down pat.
Today Roger had remembered to bring a snack with him; he was eating an energy bar as he entered his home room classroom about ten minutes late.
“Any announcements?” he whispered to Ayame.
“Just about the swim meet tonight,” she answered. “You really wanted to know if there was anything about the Program, right?” she grinned at him.
“How’d you guess?” he winked back at her.
Throughout the morning’s class changes, the twins saw that the mood of the students had become very relaxed and the few students participating in the Program were walking openly visible to people outside of their shielding groups; it was clear that many of the kids in those groups had become fast friends because many were holding hands, despite the rules about “public displays of affection.”
At lunch, the twins’ table was once again sought out by the Program kids having lunch that period.
“Hi, guys,” Cynthia said as a few naked kids arrived at their table. “I guess we’re the magnet for the naked ones. I’ll bet you can’t wait for this day to be over.”
“No shit,” Dennis said. “I’m finally a little more relaxed about the nudity, but, hell, a sudden noise and I’m still jumping out of my skin. I just hope nothing happens so I can get outta here in one piece today.”
“How are you feeling today, Sandra?” Roger asked.
“Yeah, that Valium is a wonder drug. I’m soooo spaced out. Mom says that she thinks the dose was too much but I don’t give a damn. The only problem is I can’t concentrate and have no idea what’s happening in my classes.”
Melanie looked concerned. “Sandra, that’s not good! Will you be able to stop taking that after today?”
“Oh, yeah. But Mom said she wants me to go for counseling for a little while longer. She’s afraid I might get PTSD over this week. You know, that post-something stress.”
Tony, one of the other boys who had been quiet the last few days, spoke.
“Yeah, traumatic. Definitely. This was traumatic for me. I was really shy; that’s why my folks thought the Program would be good for me. It wasn’t. I just hate this walking around naked. I still don’t see the point. I don’t need to jerk off in class. I’m glad I didn’t have to put on a show for anyone or let perverts play with my body, like that would teach me about sexuality? Seeing naked girls is nice but I’m embarrassed for them. I’m just so glad this shit is about over and I’ll never have to worry about it again. Melanie, I’ll bet you’re glad you stayed with it, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. I was so freaked on Wednesday! Thanks, everyone, for supporting me to get past these last two days. And I did make a few good friends too, people who I know care for me and about how I feel. That’s the only good thing I got from this experience.”
Ayame spoke then. “Cindy, tell them what you heard about that other school.”
“Oh, right. Last night my brother and Ayame were talking about not knowing anything about how the Program runs in other places. Our psych teacher said she’s heard stories about kids having bad experiences but when I tried to search on the web, there was nothing.”
“Yeah,” Dennis said, “I looked too. Someone on one site said that the feds shut down all those discussions, but I don’t see how they could do that.”
Cynthia went on, “I did find a girl on Facepage and had to prove who I was to her. Then I was able to find out a little about her school. They seem to have the Program running there without doing a lot of humiliating stuff but she said that other schools she’s heard about encourage big-time humiliation in the Program. I wish there were a way to know more so we know if our school is like any others.”
“I wonder if the teachers know any more,” mused Melanie.
“Yeah, like they would tell us anything,” Tony said in disgust.
“Well, some of them—one anyway—seemed to be open about not liking some Program stuff,” Roger said. “She said they have to follow the fed’s Program curriculum, so maybe if they don’t, they could get in trouble.”
“So I wonder what’ll happen to the kids who got picked this week who didn’t participate,” Melanie said. “There were supposed to be 24 kids. There are six here and I’ve seen seven more, maybe eight...”
Dennis put in, “There are eight others is all.”
“Okay, so fourteen. That means ten refused,” she continued.
Roger laughed. “Yeah, and two of them are sitting right here with you guys. I heard that two of the others are Marine family kids and their dads are getting transferred, so they withdrew from school now to move to their new homes. I wonder what the story is with the other six, somehow they found a way to refuse too,” he finished.
Soon the lunch period ended and the group wished each other good luck to the end of the school day.
“I doubt anyone plans to come to tonight’s swim meet,” Roger said. “I don’t think you’d want to have to be naked one minute longer than you need to, right?”
He got a hearty agreement from everyone.
After school the team members needed to check in with the swimming coach, so Roger stopped by the pool before he went home. Since this match was just a scrimmage between three schools, its results wouldn’t count in school standings, but the coach stressed that the team still needed to put out their best effort and swim as if the meet counted. He went over the final lineups and then sent the students home.
Later, the entire Denison family went to the swimming meet and a number of their parents’ friends attended too. Roger’s team did fairly well on the boys’ side, winning top places in most individual categories but they were weaker in the relays because of two early-start disqualifications. However, their strong individual performances helped in the overall point totals and they won the meet, but by only five points. The girls’ team also took their first place, but by a wider margin.
After the meet, Cynthia was talking to Roger about what she and Ayame had discovered about four of the “missing” Program students from that week.
“We were talking to some kids from Central Hills. They don’t have the Program there and I heard that a few kids, four of them, transferred there from our school. One girl works in their office and heard them talking about switching schools to avoid the Program.”
“Well, that’s interesting. I guess Central Hills will probably be starting the Program after the summer, so I wonder if they’ll have anywhere else to run away to then,” Roger said. “I’d hate to uproot myself to switch schools over something dumb like that. It’s been bad enough having to go to six schools while we were growing up whenever Dad got a new assignment.”
“Maybe they won’t have the Program there at all. I think that it’s a private school. Somewhere I heard that only public schools are covered by the Program’s Social Awareness law.”
“You’re right,” Roger said. “I heard that too. Well, to avoid doing the Program, looks like you need to be from a military family or have enough money to pay for school. What a great way to show equality for us kids, right? Some can get out easily and others not.”
It was Saturday morning and the Denisons were getting ready for the formation on the base where the twins would be recognized. Sgt Denison had already left early to prepare, and now the rest of the family was ready to leave.
Soon they arrived near the parade grounds and parked. An MP officer checked their IDs and told them to go to a tent set up near the entrance to the seating area.
“Ladies, sir, I was told that you’re the guests of the general. The officer in the tent there will show you where to go.”
They were taken to a balcony that was centered on and elevated above the seating area; it overlooked the field and had about thirty seats. It was surrounded by a low wooden railing.
“Mrs Denison, Miss and Mr Denison, you and your guest may sit here. General Markus will be here in about ten minutes,” the officer said. “The general will want Miss and Mr Denison to sit with him in those seats right there just before the review begins. The band will play the National Anthem, I’m sure that you know the proper way to salute with your right hand over your heart. Then the general will give a brief speech and the two of you will stand next to him as the troops pass. You salute the colors when they pass, hand over heart. Then each passing unit will present arms as they pass; the general will salute them but as civilians it’s perfectly appropriate to acknowledge that salute with an upraised hand-wave.”
Soon Markus appeared and greeted the Denisons.
“I’m honored to meet you folks,” he said. “Master Gunney Denison is one of the most respected men under my command and I know how proud of you two he’s been. You both bring very great honor to the entire Marine Corps family with your accomplishments and we’re so pleased we can honor and recognize you today.”
“Thank you, sir.” the twins chorused.
Soon the ceremony began with the command sergeant major calling the troop formations to attention. Then the National Anthem was played and the general spoke briefly about some of the Pendleton units’ recent accomplishments, the deployments, and reassigned units. Then he turned to the Denison twins, had them stand by his side, and spoke about their judo championships and gave a brief history of the Denison family’s Marine career and their work in community services. Then it was time for the troops to pass in review.
After the formation was over, General Markus sat in one of the seats and asked the twins to sit too.
“So I understand you two were the leaders in the school’s anti-Program movement,” he looked at them sharply.
“Yes, sir, we were, kind of,” Cynthia said. “It felt so wrong, so improper, against all of our values. We were supported in believing that by your order, too, sir. So thank you for backing us students in all the ways you’ve done.”
“Yes, all of my command staff felt that this was taking psycho-social theories way too far and threatened family morality and thus would interfere with Marine discipline. It looks like this feeling is shared by other commanders in all the armed services too and we assume that we’ll prevail against any civilian challenges. I want to thank you for the way you took the lead in starting the organizing of the students in the resistance.”
Roger spoke. “Actually, sir, it almost happened by itself. I think we were just the catalyst. Col Mosby had that meeting with the students and the resistance kind of took off from there; the kids from civilian families were our biggest supporters and picked up the tactics we had planned and just ran with them.”
“You don’t say! That’s interesting, and very reassuring too. Or maybe it was a way to simply oppose authority?” he asked with a grin.
“We noticed it was a kind of peer protection, sir,” Cynthia observed. “It appeared that the kids wanted to protect their peers from the kinds of coercion they thought were improper.”
While they were talking, Sgt Denison had come to the stands and over to the group. The general turned to him, rose, and they exchanged salutes.
“Master Gunney, again, you should be very proud of your children,” the general said.
“Thank you sir, I certainly am, and thank you for this honor you gave them today, too. I value your leadership of this command, sir.”
“It was my real pleasure to honor them, Sergeant, and you too. As far as my leadership, Master Gunney, a senior officer is only the leader of ideas. Marines like you are leaders of men, and the real backbone of the Corps. Never forget that, Sergeant,” and he saluted Denison. “Have a pleasant weekend, everyone; and thank you for an enlightening discussion, Roger and Cynthia.” He left.
“Well, that was an experience,” Cynthia remarked.
Her dad responded, “What, talking to the general?”
“Actually the entire thing. The ceremony, parade, getting saluted, and then the general. He’s kind of impressive, you know.”
“Yes, he’s a real leader type,” her dad said. “He sincerely cares for everyone in his command and it shows in how he runs the base. So I hear you kids are teaching at the dojo this afternoon?”
“Yes, sir,” Roger said. “Then we’re going to the fitness center pool to soak and relax.”
“Okay, see you guys at dinner, then, I’m done here now so Mom and I will take my car.”
Ayame wanted to watch their judo class so she stayed with the twins.
“That was amazing,” she said when they were alone. “I only saw that in movies before, with all those people marching together and all dressed up.”
“Yeah, we got to see that lots while growing up,” Cynthia said. “The Marines like to have parades, I think,” she joked.
After judo class, they returned home to change for the pool.
“Ayame, let’s have you wear one of my suits instead of that old-lady suit you wore. I think I have some suits that’ll fit you,” Cynthia said as they were getting ready.
“Oh, I couldn’t!” she cried. “People will see me...”
“No, honey, they won’t. It’s true these are bikinis, but they do cover up what’s important. You’d be surprised what they wear at the fitness center pool, too. Look, try this one on, it’s too small on me now but I think it should fit you.”
“Okay, let me see.” Ayame turned away, slipped it on, and then shyly turned back toward Cynthia.
“Oh, honey, you look wonderful in it! See, you can’t tell that you have anything to hide on your skin, right? I can’t see any lighter skin patches, no scars either. Let’s ask Roger what he thinks.”
“Ehh, wait. Let me look in the mirror first. Oh, I’m so nervous!”
“Don’t be; you look wonderful. You’re a real cutie! Okay to ask Roger now?”
“Okay, I guess.”
Roger came in when Cynthia called him and he looked at Ayame. His mouth dropped open.
“Oh! Wow! You look fantastic! I thought you didn’t wear that kind of suit.”
“It’s one of mine, little bro. You like?” Cynthia remarked.
“Oh yes! I do like. A lot. Ayame, it looks wonderful on you. Are you okay with that? If you’re too sensitive, I’ll understand—so will Cyn, right, big sis?”
“Sure, but Ayame, you have nothing to be ashamed of or to be sensitive about, you know. Tell you what. Take a coverup and wear it on the deck. If you’re uncomfortable at the pool, slip it off as you get in the water and no one will see you. Is that okay?”
Ayame agreed and they left for the pool. When the girls came out of the changing room at the pool, Ayame was wearing the coverup, and the trio found some chairs at poolside. Some teens they knew from school came over and the group chatted for a bit before they decided to get wet. Cynthia looked at Ayame, who screwed up her face, shrugged off the coverup, and quickly slipped into the water. Cynthia gave her a big grin and a “thumbs-up.”
She jumped into the pool next to her. “Honey, that was very brave. See, no one even looked at you, too. It’ll be fine.”
Roger hopped in on Ayame’s other side and hugged her. “You’re the prettiest girl here—um, well, Cindy is pretty too...”
“Okay, bub,” Cynthia growled. “I know when I’m not wanted...”
Ayame giggled. “You two just so funny! I don’t think ever met kids like you two. The brothers and sisters I knew always fought but you so nice to each other. Even when little. Made me wish I had brother too.”
“Yeah, Cyn, we do kinda think alike, right?” Roger said. “I know that I try to watch out for you and I know you do for me too. So we never felt any need to compete, right? I like it this way, Ayame. She’s always been someone I can trust. My best friend.”
“Roger’s right. We have this special bond, maybe because we’re twins, but it’s kinda deeper in a way. It could be how Dad taught us about how the Marines in his units take care of each other. Some of his men who we got to know are closer than brothers to each other and it’s awesome to see.”
A few girls had swum up and Cynthia took Ayame over to meet and talk to them while Roger swam off to visit a few guys he knew. Soon it was time to get back home and Cynthia was delighted to see Ayame climb out of the water and walk over to get her coverup without rushing to get to it and trying to put it on quickly.
“Ayame, you did really well today at the pool. Did it feel more comfortable this time?”
“Yes, saw that nobody seems to watching me. It makes me feel more confident, to think.”
Roger walked up, took Ayame’s hand, and kissed it. “You’re doin’ just great. See, there wasn’t anything to be shy about here, right? No one is teasing you about how you look.”
“I guess. Still feels little strange,” Ayame said, blushing.
After they changed to go home, Roger told the others what he had heard from the guys at the pool.
“It looks like our school in the first in this region to start the Program. Maybe because we’re the biggest and they wanted to start early, but you know that kids from the base go to five different high schools, right? The housing areas are in several school districts and a lot of Marine families live off base too. One of the guys told me he has a cousin in LA who goes to a Program school and says he hates it. He hasn’t had to do the Program yet and is trying to figure out how he can get out of it if he’s picked. I told him what we’re doing—you know, resisting—and he said he’ll tell his cousin.”
Later, after dinner, the three were watching TV in the den, their parents were visiting a neighbor.
“Cyn, I wonder why the three of us have these body issues. Ayame’s modesty is for a reason; she’s been tormented by others about her appearance so according to our psych lessons, her modesty probably came from her bad teasing experience and also her sensitivity about how her scars look. Right, Ayame?”
“Yes, that is so. And those body symptoms the teacher spoke, I get them. I even used to get nausea but now not. Maybe because no one teasing. But the other anxieties she said, I get those. Cindy, you never would go to onsen, right? Even when little?”
Cynthia responded, “Oh, you’re anxious now, Ayame. Do you hear how you’re talking? Like someone learning English.”
“Ehh! Yes, is so. Ehh, talking about this makes me nervous. I have to learn to get used to being more comfortable with myself, right?”
“Maybe what we did, going to the pool, will help. I think you need to go slow,” Cynthia went on. “Not try too fast; that could be too much to take. I don’t know about my own modesty. I think it’s genetic since Roger has it too, right, bro?”
“Yes. I’m sort of okay in the locker room but don’t strut around like some guys do. I keep to myself. I get done really quick,” he said. “But somehow I’m fine around Cyn. She and I’ve accidently seen each other naked lots; it doesn’t bother me if she sees me.”
“Nor me either. He has a really cute body, Ayame. Nice muscles,” Cynthia giggled.
Ayame blushed.
Cynthia continued, “I’m modest in the same way Roger said, too. In regular gym I avoid showering if I can and with my team I’ll shower real quick and dress fast; I’m just not comfortable being undressed. I think it must be more than just modesty. Mason was talking about those phobias; maybe that’s what all of us have, you know? I was reading ahead in one of our psych books and there’s a treatment for phobias I saw mentioned. There’s a kind of behavior treatment where the person is exposed to the uncomfortable situation a little at first and then more as the treatment goes on. Maybe that’s what all of us need.”
“Where did you read that?” Roger asked.
“Um, let me get that book...” She ran off and came back carrying a book. “...okay, let’s see. Here, Chapter 23. Starting there,” she pointed as Roger took the book and he and Ayame bent their heads over it.
Ayame put her finger on a section, “It’s called ‘cognitive behavioral therapy’ over here and that gradual getting used to the anxiety you mentioned is called ‘exposure therapy.’”
“Looks like the ‘exposure therapy’ is just one kind of cognitive therapy because there are some more listed here,” Roger said. “I hope we won’t have to remember all of those different ones, wow, there are all different kinds, looks like.”
“Let me read,” Ayame said and pulled the book away from Roger. “This is interesting.”
Roger chuckled. “She’s the scholar here. No wonder she got through high school so fast.”
Ayame read for a few minutes while the twins chatted. Then Ayame looked up.
“Yes, I see. Says these behavior therapies are good to dealing with the kind of anxieties we have and the treatments kind of make sense. Says the treatment desensitize the person to whatever causes of the anxiety and getting used to doing the uncomfortable thing sometimes takes time. Usually a few months.”
“Oh? Months? Wow, that’s better than I thought,” Cynthia said. “At least it’s not years.”
“Oh, think that’s cell phone ring,” Ayame said, and scrambled for her bag.
She answered and spoke for a minute. “Let me ask.... Cindy, my friend Michelle calls. Can we bring another girl tomorrow too? Michelle’s friend Devin wants to go to concert.”
“Sure,” Cynthia said. “We can fit another kid.”
“Thank you,” Ayame said, and told Michelle taking Devin was okay and confirmed their pick-up time.
“Say, let’s figure out what to pack for snacks and stuff. The flyer said they have food service but maybe we should bring something for the car too,” Cynthia said.
Later, Ayame and Roger shared some quiet time together just chatting and holding each other before they went to their separate rooms to sleep.
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