Frank and Earnest - Day 6

Blood splattered onto the tree the boy had been sitting under at the start of lunch. Blood splattered on the grass, on the table, and on the two ministers. The force of the bullet knocked Tommie’s body off the table and threw it to the ground. The officer who fired the shot remained motionless, but the other three rushed the table.

“Are you two okay?”

Neither minister answered. They both just sat there, trying to let their brains sort out what had just happened. The officer’s bullet had smashed into Tommie’s nose, exploding his head, and knocking him onto the ground.

The paramedics arrived, quickly checking on the health of the two preachers. They then turned to Tommie.

“No use checking his vitals. He’s dead. Call the Coroner.”

The Daily News carried the story the next day on page 1. It read:

TOWN SQUARE VIOLENCE ENDS IN BOYS DEATH

What started out as a beautiful, peaceful lunch time in Kerr Park quickly turned
ugly, when police were forced to shoot eleven year old Thomas Flannery of 1212
Oak St.

Witnesses report that local ministers Brother Reynolds and
Reverend Matthews were eating lunch in the town square when Mr. Flannery joined
them and began waving a pistol around.

Police responded to the 911
calls. When Mr. Flannery cocked his pistol hammer back, a yet to be
identified officer shot him.

The police are refusing to comment,
stating it is an ongoing investigation. Both Brother Reynolds nor Reverend
Matthews refused to comment.

Thomas Flannery, attended Mt.
Broadmere Elementary School where teachers said he was a shy, quiet boy.
Classmates said he stayed to himself and no one knew if he had any close friends
or not.

Mary Flannery, Thomas’ mother, died six months ago from a
fall in her backyard. There had been an investigation into her death, with
Whitmore Flannery, Thomas’ father, as the prime suspect, but there was not
enough evidence to pursue it, police records indicate.

On page 6 of the same paper, was a small article in the Faith section:

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH and CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ANNOUNCE COMBINED SERVICE FOR SUNDAY

First United Methodist and Calvary Baptist announced that for the first time,
they will have a combined service. The service will be held outdoors, on
the high school football field. Brother Reynolds and Reverend Matthews
will share the pulpit.

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