CRASH! The sound of the small china figurine hitting the wall echoed in the room. The silence that followed was even louder than the crash.
“Lee----” Johnny’s voice was soft. “Stop” He moved towards her.
“Stay away from me all of you. When were you going to tell me? As you drove off to the airport?”
“Baby girl.” Johnny moved towards her.
“Don’t call me that.” She moved backwards. “The man who calls me that respects me.” Her eyes were wide and blazing and stood out against her pale skin. “He would never lie to me, he loves me.” The hurt and sadness in her voice hurt him more than any blow could.
“Listen to me.” The voice she loved was strained and low. “You need to listen.” The sound came to her through the swirling fog that made breathing hard.
“John, Roy go, just leave us alone.” Jo’s voice was soft and gave Lee a feeling of security that had been snatched away from her minutes before. “Now”
Neither man said a word just left the apartment. However, the door opened again and Johnny came back in, going over to her. Squatting down before her. “I do respect you and love you. I may have not handled this right but I never lied to you. Believe me?” He had a hold of her left hand
Lee looked at him, knowing that their future hung on her answer. “Yes, I believe you.” He kissed her hand and got up giving her a sad smile. “Talk to you soon, ok?” She nodded and he left.
“Let’s go out on the balcony.” Jo said pushing the wheelchair outside. It was early evening, the air was warm, and the balcony plants gave off the soft scent of lavender.
“Why would Roy do this?”
“Think about it. He was the first to hear the horrible stories about his life in Lame Deer. He worries about him as much as you do, wants to protect him as much as you do. He loves his family with a passion that includes Johnny and you.” Her words conveying how much she loved Roy.
“I know, it’s just this is something between us.” Lee covered her mouth and nose with her hands, looking down. Jo thought she looked as if she was praying. “Why would he tell him it was ok to go there without me? Encourage him not to take me? Make plans never saying a word to me? Cut me out completely…”
“Lee, do you like Mike’s spaghetti sauce?” Lee nodded not trusting her voice, not understanding the reason for the question. “Remember Johnny telling you about the fight Roy and I had and then how he called me?” Lee nodded yes. Jo was sitting across from Lee at the small patio table. “At first Roy was mad because he called. So was I since it was a private matter between us not a topic of casual discussion.”
“He told me how bad he felt.”
“Do you know why he did it? Not because he wanted to add to the problem but because he wanted to help. Johnny didn’t want his family arguing. It was threatening his sense of belonging. The idea you could get hurt is even more threatening to him now. That is always in the back of his mind when you two talk of Lame Deer. I’m going to go in and make some coffee and hot chocolate. When they come back we’ll stay or go your choice.”
She went in leaving the miserable younger woman sitting there alone shivering not just from the cool air. She sat there going over the argument in her mind.
~E! ~
Johnny didn’t say a word just walked towards the rover, Roy following. Johnny got in and sat there, his head resting on the steering wheel. Roy sat waiting for Johnny to speak.
“Will she?” Johnny asked. “Will she listen? What if she doesn’t?” His voice was neutral. “What did I do before she was part of my life? I don’t even remember what it was like.” He sat up straight. “I know there were good times with you and Jo and the kids and the guys. There was something missing. She brought that something into my life.”
“You brought that same thing into hers,” Roy answered. “She isn’t so much angry as she is scared.” Johnny turned on the ignition without a word. Roy didn’t ask where they were going.
Neither said a word as Johnny moved in and out of the traffic. Johnny had checked his watch but still said nothing. Roy was starting to worry at the quietness of his friend. Roy noticed after looking at his watch that he drove a little faster. Making a left hand turn, Johnny let out a sigh. Johnny stopped the car and ran to the door of the shop. Looking at his watch, he banged on the door. For what seemed like an eternity to Johnny but was actually less than five minutes a dark face was at the door.
“Nana…I need…” Johnny stopped taking a deep breath continued, “Can you stay open for just one more customer?” The desperation was clear in his voice even through the locked door.
“Of course, Johnny.” She unlocked the door. The paleness of his face made his eyes seem even darker. “Of course, come in.” He went in with Roy again following without hesitation or question. “Something for your Lee?”
“Hopefully, she is still my Lee” Johnny said. “Before when I was stupid, you made a bouquet that helped tell her how sorry I was. Can you help again? So she will forgive me?”
Nana looked at the two men, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “That girl cannot breathe without your love; John…Your love is the oxygen her heart needs to exist.” The elegant Black lady from the Caribbean Islands smiled softly. “Now, trust her and your own heart.” Her smile seemed to reassure Johnny and his face relaxed.
Nana went into the back room Johnny and Roy looked around room. Roy picked out a bouquet for Jo. He and Jo had been here many times helping with the wedding and other occasions since then. Roy smiled as he remembered Jo telling him about Lee’s first encounter with Nana.
Nana came out of the back room. Johnny looked at the simple but perfect flowers in the elegant crystal bowl. He had expected roses or some other dramatic flowers. Nana’s voice was serene and did much to calm the agitated paramedic. “Red for true love, white for forgiveness, purple for fidelity. These will tell her the words in your heart.”
“It’s perfect.” His voice faded off as he saw the delicate china figurine. It was a perfect match for the one Lee had flung at his head. It was a Victorian lady holding a bouquet of flowers. They had found the first one at the Central Market in Papeete on their honeymoon. The seller had said it came from one of the old French plantations. He went to the counter, gently picking it up, taking it back to Nana. “She had one like this I got it for her on our honeymoon. Because of my stupidity, it got broke. Maybe the tulips and this will let her know how sorry I am.” They paid for their purchases and started to leave.
“Johnny, let her be angry so she can heal. So you both can heal and learn from this.” Nana said in a tranquil voice that matched her smile and eyes.
The drive back to the apartment was quiet but had none of the tense foreboding the trip to the florist.
~E! ~
Lee waited for Johnny and Roy to come back from wherever they had gone. The fear that he wouldn’t come back still gnawing at her heart.
Jo had stayed inside giving her time to calm down and think. Lee smiled, thankful for such an understanding friend. She went back inside, the chilly air making it uncomfortable to stay out any longer.
“Do you want some hot chocolate?” Jo asked as if nothing had happen.
“Yes please,” Lee looked at the empty place on the end table then at the floor. “Thank you.”
“It was beyond repair.” Jo answered the unspoken question.
“I can’t believe I did that. Jo, will Roy forgive me? Or have I messed up so bad it can’t be fixed either.”
“No, he understands more than anyone how Johnny can drive you to extreme reactions.” She laughed, “He has more than once been driven to that point. But like you, he loves him and forgives him.”
“He off handily said he’s taking the plaques to Lame Deer next week and I should plan to do something with you and Jenny. Then Roy said for me not to worry he was going too. How do I make him understand? I have to go.”
“Talk to him but listen to him. If you need us to stay we will or if want us to go we will do that.” Jo told her as she sat in the other room with a magazine she pretended to read.
“It would be better if you stayed and we all talked.” Lee said as she picked up the cup of hot chocolate. Did she really think that or was she afraid to be alone with him. That thought frightened her so badly her hands shook as she sat down the delicate bone china cup. “Where do you think they went?”
“With Johnny I have no idea for Roy’s sake I hope it isn’t a 10 mile walk in the mountains.” Jo said in a matter of fact voice. Her calm manner what Lee needed then?
“Jo, thank you for being here with me and for understanding and for being smart enough to send them away.”
“All part of being family with the whirlwind that is John Gage. Now, that whirlwind has paired with one that is just as formidable.”
Before more could be said, the doorbell rang. Lee let out a sigh of relief as she recognized the Morse code ME.
“They’re home.” She looked up at Jo and smiled. “Do I look ok?”
“You look fine. Soon as he sees that smile he’ll be telling you how beautiful you are.”
The door opened and the worried paramedic came into the room moving so he was standing in front of her.
“I’m glad your back. I missed you.” Lee said looking up briefly then down at her feet. He didn’t say a word just kissed her very lightly on the forehead then gave her a long hard kiss before sitting down next to her. He had a tight hold on her hand.
Roy and Jo stood off to the side and watched the two. He kissed Jo long and deeply then whispered in her ear. “Do you think they’d notice if we leave?”
“She has been in a panic since he left. She’s afraid you’re mad at her.” She was leaning against him, his arm around her. “You know you two really didn’t handle that conversation well.”
“Yeah I kind of got that feeling when the figurine just missed Johnny’s head.” Roy chuckled. “Lee, I wanted to apologize to you before we leave.”
“Can you stay awhile so we can talk? I think I owe you an apology.” She waited for them to sit down across from her and Johnny. “I’m sorry for screaming at you and for throwing the figurine. But, I still don’t think what you two did was right.” She looked at Roy. “I understand why you told him you would go with him. However, you have no say in the matter of me going. For you to sit in our living room and so calmly say, ‘You don’t need to go since I am hurt. Then you,” looking at Johnny, “You used the girls against me. I’m going to be the bad guy for disappointing them. You had no right to tell Jenny we would be taking a trip too and she could ask Stacy to go. That is not only unfair to me but to them. Jo and Kathy and I will be doing something with the girls so they won’t be disappointed.” She took a deep breath. Right now I can’t talk about the worst thing you said, I still have some pride left …not much but some.”
“It wasn’t done to hurt you; it was done to protect you.” He got up and went over to the table by the door. He took the flowers to her. “Maybe these will help you understand that.” She unwrapped the tulips and read the card. She recognized the writing and smiled at the wisdom before tucking the note in her pocket.
“Thank you.” The simple phrase said much when spoken in the soft tones. The look on her face said even more, sad but with a smile that was real from her heart.
“Baby girl.” He waited to see if she objected to the name. “You and our family are…The idea that any of you could get hurt because of me…any of you…” Looking over to Roy and Jo with a slight nod. “But especially if you get hurt because of me…” He was getting flustered and stopped trying to focus on his words and thoughts.
“I know, Boyo, I know. But you can’t let the fear and the what if’s rule us. That makes me more of a cripple than that wreck did.”
It was like a knife in his gut to hear her call herself a cripple in such an unemotional tone. “Lee…stops.” He found it strange that the screaming had been easier for him to hear than this flat lifeless tone,
“Lee, he doesn’t…” Roy started but the look Lee gave him quieted his protest.
“Roy, you can’t defend him or protect him from the truth this time. He married me knowing I was dependent on this chair for functional mobility as the doctors so kindly put it…I tried not to love him but that was pretty much impossible after that first date after that first meeting . We made our choices and now we have to live with them for right or wrong”
“We made the right choice, the only choice.” Johnny said. “You knew it wasn’t going to be easy for you to deal with my job and the other stuff. But you never backed away from it.”
Nana said let her be angry and let her heal. That was basically what Dr. Hightower had told him, what Roy had told him. Don’t be ashamed of your emotions, to face them and the consequences. The only thing he was ashamed of now was hurting her by not facing up to what he had been feeling.
“I think Lee and I are going to have to talk this out, guess that is what I should have done in the first place, talked to her.”
“Talked to me or talk at me? Boyo I love you with all my being but I will not be talked down to by you or anyone else.” Her temper was getting the best of her again. But she was so tired of this feeling of always being wrong.
“What they are saying, they are going to have a good old air clearing fight and want to do it in private.” Jo said with a laugh. “A bit of advice, Johnny, makes sure there isn’t anything she can reach to throw. You two have been walking on egg shells over this and you need to get over it. Both of you. Call us later to let us know you haven’t killed one another. “
After they left Johnny went out to the kitchen and got a cup of coffee for himself and a soda for Lee. “Ok, are we ready for this? He asked with a crooked grin as he moved the tulips to another table before sitting down so he was facing her.
Feelings. “She was trying to be a rational civilized adult. “It’s not funny. I want you to listen to me, to at least try to understand my feelings.”
“That’s a two way street, ya know. Have you tried to see my point of view?”
“What see a helpless cripple who has to be protected? You aren’t seeing anything pass that bloody wheelchair. You were the one person I trusted never to throw it back in my face!” She was clutching the small pillow so tightly her hands were numb.
“I do see you for you. I see the strong willed girl who fell and had bruises because she was going to walk to me on our wedding day. I see the woman who stood up to a mad man and clawed his face trying to protect me. I see someone who cringes at the needles when I get a shot or have blood drawn but never even notices when its her getting stuck.” He took a deep breath. “I remember the times I heard you crying softly because I had another nightmare. Did you ever stop to think its dreams about you getting hurt that terrify me? You think you are the only one that worries about someone they love getting hurt? And what about being practical? The last time I was in Lame Deer…” He stopped to take several deep breaths. He had gotten louder the longer he talked. “Let’s just say it’s not wheelchair friendly.”
“There! That proves my point…not wheelchair friendly.”
“It’s a fact of life, you are in that wheelchair and that limits you! It limits you it doesn’t define you. I know how hard you worked in therapy. Don’t forget I’ve been through pt a few times. OT and speech therapy…been there done that more than once.”
“I know that but you always knew you’d walk again. That you could still do the things you loved to do…But then you made the mistake of marrying me…”
“IT ISN”T A MISTAKE!” He yelled in disbelief. “I have never thought it was a mistake. If our being married is a mistake then I have nothing. Can’t you understand, I need to keep you safe? I have lost everyone who has ever loved me. Until Roy I didn’t want friends, didn’t want to care. You cared about someone they left you and you were alone again. Each lost hurt more than the last. The possibility of you getting hurt again because you loved me isn‘t worth the risk. Because I want you in that town with me. I want to show them they’re wrong, I am worth loving. But I can’t risk you in that place. It’s hard enough agreeing to Roy going there. Being my friend was dangerous. The few I did have…my friends …they got picked on too. They became targets…just like me. You being crippled is no different than me being a breed. That’s just a fact of life. Live with it, deal with it.”
Lee reacted without thinking…not at the word crippled but breed. Her hand raised poised to slap his face. His reflexes were quicker and he grabbed her wrist holding it tightly mid air.
“You don’t ever call yourself that filthy name again. Breed is what you do to animals…You’re a human, a good honorable, loving man. Damn all those stupid people who hurt you…Damn them to hell.” She slumped against his body crying. “Oh God, forgive me.” She pleaded with God and Johnny. “I’m sorry” She said over and over. He moved around until she was on his lap, still crying, her face pressed into his shoulder.
“It’s alright…shush now…” He sat as she rocked gently back and forth trying to calm herself down. His hand slid up and down her back in a soothing calming manner. But the movement was anything but calming to him. The range of emotions being played out in his mind and body was confusing to say the least.
“Love me?” She asked he voice soft and wishful yet compelling.
“Always, Baby girl.” He kissed the top of her head. “Even when we don’t agree, I love you with all my heart.”
“Even when you see the wheelchair and not me? That is what hurt most…You didn’t see me, didn’t love me enough to trust me.”
“NO…that’s not true…Love you too much to risk your getting hurt. That is my only reason for not wanting you to go. Time away from you isn’t something I’m look forward to.”
“Love me .” She said again. This time he realized what she was really saying.
He was almost asleep, lying there feeling her move slightly as if to find a way to get even closer to him. He reached over and gently began stroking her lower back and hip.
“You know you have two choices. Either I go with you and Roy to Lame Deer or I follow you on my own.” She whispered softly.
“I know,” He answered with a resolved sigh.
The next morning Lee woke up to him bringing her breakfast in bed. There was also a wrapped package on the tray.. Lee cried when she opened the china figurine. Except this time, it was tears of relief and joy. When she got dressed she made sure the long sleeves of the shirt covered the angry fingerprints making a black and blue bracelet around her arm just above the wrist.
~E!~
Dr. Steve Handly and Dr. Sean Carlton were having dinner with Fire Chief Colin Sullivan and his wife, Claire. Colin had gotten a phone call from Lee Gage asking him make hotel reservations for her and Johnny and their friend Roy as they were bringing the plaques and the symbolic checks to Lame Deer at the end of the week.
“Colin, you can’t be thinking of them staying at the hotel? How would she get about? There isn’t any elevator in that place…Fleas don’t need elevators.” Claire had heard the details of Steve’s visit to L.A. She was intrigued by the feisty young woman.
“There aren’t a lot of choices here about.” Colin said knowing what Clair was going to suggest.
“You and the boys will just have to clean up the house. It should do fine for the two of them… their friend can use Marc’s bedroom since he won’t be here.” (Their youngest was off to college. ) “That way if she needed help I would be nearby.” The little house was a small 1 bedroom house behind the Sullivan’s house. Claire’s parents had lived there when they were older and could no longer manage without help.
“When I talked to John he still wasn’t happy about her coming, so I think that really is the best idea.” Sean said.
“You tell the boys they can help cleaning it. Windows need washed, limens aired, just a general good cleaning.” She looked at Steve.
“Will she be needing anything special to make it better for her?”
“I’ll give you her number and you can call her. I think whatever you do to make John feel at ease she will be most grateful.” Steve said, knowing Claire had always had a soft spot in her heart for John Gage.
“Did Steve tell you about the madman who targeted John and was going to take he her as his bride?” Claire shook her head no. “Seems this guy had already hurt John and was ranting and raving. Told Lee if she didn’t walk to him he’d kill him. So she stands up, takes a few steps and as she is falling rakes her nails down his face. Gave the men who were there to rescue them time to do it.”
“The poor child, was she hurt?” Claire said feeling as if she was listening to a mystery show on the radio like they use to when she was younger.
“Some but nothing serious. They don’t see her as much as being disabeled as inconvenienced. So I think them staying here is the best solution.” Steve said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Being in a wheelchair didn’t stop her from being a fine cook.”
“That’s good to hear…Those aunts of his never went out of there way to see if that the poor child had anything to eat or not.”
~E! ~
The flight from L.A. To Billings was uneventful . It didn’t take long to gather the luggage and plaques after they picked up the rental. Lee had taken the plaques over to WBS. They had packaged them for shipment and sent them ahead for her. They stopped at a small drive thru and the guys got coffee while Lee got a soda after Johnny insisted she get something to drink.
Roy was driving as Johnny did the navigating. It just seemed natural to them. Lee was in the back seat reading.
“”So, do we have any idea what the plan for the day is?” Roy asked.
“Have an informal meeting with the doctors and with Colin after we get settled at the Sullivan’s house. Then tomorrow a more formal meetings with the town and reservation leaders. From what Steve said and what Claire said, Mitch Sherman and his bunch of friends more or less run the town, she doesn’t think much of him. Then the next day the ceremony its self where you present the plaque to the fire department in the afternoon. Then a dinner and the presentation to the clinic out at the reservation the next day. Then home the following morning.
“We should be there in about 20 minutes,” Johnny said. “You doing ok?” He turned to look at her. “I still don’t understand how you can read in a moving car.”
“Will you stop worrying about me? I am fine…I just concentrate on the page. You need to turn around and watch the road signs.”
“Yes ma’am.” He gave her a smile and a wink. The smile faded as he noticed her absent-mindedly rubbing her arm just above her left wrist. The bruises were gone but not the memory of seeing them for the first time. The conversation replayed in his head.
“My God, Lee I did that to you? Why didn’t you tell me I was pressing that hard?”
“I never felt it…I was so humiliated at what I almost did.”
~E! ~
Watching the road signs they soon found the house they were looking for on the outside of town. It was a well kept three story house in the Victorian style. Lee loved the gingerbread work on the wrap around porch.
“I want a house like this.” Lee said as they pulled up into the front yard. “It’s wonderful.”
“Hate to be a spoil sport, Baby girl, but I don’t think you are exactly stair friendly.” He was lifting her out of the van and held her long enough to kiss her.” He whispered into her ear, “But if that is what you want then that’s what we’ll build someday.”
“Steve told me they were like that. That there are times when no one else is in their world.” Colin Sullivan said as he walked over to Roy. “Welcome., Mr. De Soto.” He held out his hand. “He isn’t happy about all this is he?”
“It’s Roy, Chief Sullivan.” They shook hands. “Yeah, Junior, has some trepidation about this whole idea. He doesn’t like being the center of attention. He just thought he could come here, give you the checks and plaques and head back to L.A.”
“What about her?” Colin asked as he watched Johnny put her into the wheelchair and hand her purse and a small over night case.
“We’ll, for one thing she doesn’t like to be talked about but talked with. Secondly, not to be indelicate…” She looked towards the house.
“Of course, Claire’ll have my head for keeping you out here with questions.” He noticed she was shivering. “Springtime in Montana is a little different than springtime in California.” He extended his hand to Johnny, “Good to see you John, mighty well.”
“Good to see you too, Chief. I think you’ve talked to my wife a few times.”
“Yeah, we’re old friends now. Wasn’t sure she liked me very much the first time I talked with her.” Colin said with a grin. They were walking towards the smaller house. “You get settled in and come on over to the house when you’re ready.” He and Roy carried the suitcases into the little house. “Claire has lunch ready for you all whenever you are. Roy, you’ll be sleeping in our son’s room. He’s away at school.”
Lee looked around the room and smiled. It was a large uncluttered square much like the apartment. A table and chairs were over in one corner near a small kitchen area. A seating area was furnished with a comfortable old fashioned sofa and chairs with end tables, no coffee table. A wider than normal doorway lead into the bedroom.(There was a sliding door to close the bedroom off from the living area.) As they went into the bedroom they saw the bathroom doorway with a curtain across it rather than a door. They put Johnny and Lee’s suitcase and garment bags on the on the bed.
“Come on over whenever you’re ready. There is soda and juice I the fridge and a few other things if you need a snack. “John, it’s good to see you healthy and happy. I always wished we could have done more seemed like everything we tried to do just made it worst for you.” Colin, Roy and Johnny had walked over to the door leaving Lee in the bedroom.
Johnny went back into the bedroom; Lee was sitting over by the dresser using the mirror to fix her hair. She looked up at Johnny when he came in.
“You about ready?”
“Soon as I get my jacket. This is a lovely little house. Maybe when we build our house we should have a guest house, it could double as a pool house.” Johnny listened but did not say anything. He was hoping she would get over this urge to move soon.
Claire knew about the wheelchair of course, but seeing Johnny lift her into it so tenderly was a shock. The mental picture she had formed from her conversations as well as the stories Colin and Steve had told about their encounters with the couple was totally wrong from the couple she saw. Watching from the window she saw a laughing girl as he pushed her towards the big house, tipping the chair backwards so he could lean down and kissed her The balancing looked precarious but the girl took it for granted she was safe in his hands. Not a hard-nosed serious businesswoman but a joyful young woman deeply in love. John was taller but still too thin, He moved with a grace born of confidence not the awkward shyness she had always associated with the lonely boy.
“Welcome, come in from that wind,” Claire urged the laughing couple.
“Lunch is waiting.” She had opened the screen door but didn’t go outside.
“Now, that will get his attention,” Roy said from inside the warm comfortable room. Colin had brought him a cup of coffee as his sat in the front room. “We’ve been hearing his stomach growl for the last hour.”
“That’ll make Claire happy. She still cooks like all the kids were at home. The boys from the station know they can always find a meal here.”
Lee looked at the steps that lead up to the porch. Sensing the reason she had stopped laughing, Johnny bent down and whispered in her ear. “I can carry you up or it’ll be a bumpy ride.” Before she could answer there were 2 sets of strong hands lifting the chair as Johnny steadied the back. Colin had followed when Roy sat down his coffee cup and started out the door.
The five were soon seated around the large dining room table. The rich beef stew and tender biscuits with homemade berry jam had filled even Johnny up. Claire had been surprised when Johnny had chosen milk over coffee or soda with his meal but had enjoyed a cup with his slice of dried apple pie.
“Steve said they would be done at the clinic by 5. You are having supper with them at the café. Colin and I have another obligation tonight. Colin, do you want to take Johnny and Roy over to the station? Lee, you’re welcome to stay here or go back to the little house if you don’t want to go to the station,” Claire said as the men got up from the table.”
“Baby girl I think it would be a good idea if you stay here…I’ll help you transfer into that big ole rocker/recliner and you can stay out of the chair for awhile,” Johnny said quickly.
As much as Lee wanted to go with Johnny, they both knew he was right. Besides, she did not want to add to his stress. She could feel the nerves and tension every time they talked about her going into town. Maybe after he went and saw what the mood was like it would be easier for him.
“Ok but would you bring my book and tote over before you go? Or maybe I should go over to the…” She said embarrassed by admitting she might need help need help in the unfamiliar bathroom.
“Just bring her book over, it’ll be ok.” Claire said guessing what Lee was hesitant to say.
~E! ~
The men drove into Lame Deer talking about fire stations in general.
“Most of the men you knew are gone, me and Jake Wilson are the two old timers. Garrett’s son works here and some of the others have family or friends that work here. Will Tudor’s nephew Kevin works here. A good man, not like his dad and uncle.” Johnny didn’t answer just frowned.
“I use to go there after school so I could spend some time polishing the engine or just hanging out.” Johnny said. “Then I would have to run back to the reservation and hope I got my chores done before my uncle came home. My aunts were just as glad not to have me around.”
“Mind if I ask a personal question?” Colin had been curious since he had first talked to Lee about Johnny.
“Go ahead.” Johnny answered not sure what was going to be asked or if he would be able to answer it.
“Before you left here, you had some problems at school and with your speech. How did you get over that?”
“My Aunt Rosemary hired tutors to help me catch up in school. I went to speech therapy to overcome the stuttering.” Colin let it drop at that not asking about the black outs, figuring if it was anything serious he would never have passed the physical for the fire department.
They pulled up to the station and Johnny just sat there looking at it. Roy watched him closely. “Looks pretty much like I remember it…Remember how Carl Turner would set there and whittle? Made whistles for the kids who came by. Sometimes he’d send me over to the gas station to get him a root beer. Would buy me one for going after it. Seemed like you would always had peanut butter cookies. After I helped polish the engine you’d give me 3 or 4 and a glass of milk. Lee makes great peanut butter cookies….Still my favorite.”
“Anything she makes is your favorite, Junior. Told you that before.” Roy was hoping the friendly teasing would ease the tension he saw in Johnny’s eyes and mouth. “She even had you eating Brussels sprouts last time she had us all over to dinner.”
“Put enough bacon and garlic with something and its edible,” Johnny laughed. “She loves those smelly little cabbages. Besides she fixes things she doesn’t like because she knows I do.”
Colin introduced Johnny and Roy to the five men manning the station.
“So you made your dream come true, good for you boy.” Jake Wilson said as he shook hands with Johnny. “Knew that stubborn streak would do you some good.” He looked at Roy, “He still hard headed?” The shift captain asked with a wink.
“Yes sir, in more ways than one.” Roy said good naturally. Soon the men were talking equipment, machinery, fires and rescues. Comparisons were made and Roy was glad to see Johnny relax some more. The younger men began to enter into the conversation asking questions. Especially Skip Jenner who would be one of the station’s paramedics. “How do you deal with the times you can’t save someone?”
“I guess it’s like Dr. Brackett told me when I had doubts about my ability. I thought about quitting after I lost a patient and a doctor told me I wasn’t qualified to make decisions. Sometimes you ask yourself, is there anyone else here right now who could do my job better than me…If the answer is no then I better get moving and do what I’m trained to do…help the patient. When you lose someone its hard especially when it’s a child or an older person…but you need to remember the ones you do save. It might be a child or a young mother or a grandparent…or it might be a fellow firefighter or a policeman. It might be your best friend. ” He looked over at Johnny who was nodding in agreement. “All you can do is your best…what you were trained for. Remember and learn from the ones you lose but don’t let fear or guilt paralyze you.” To lighten the mood he turned to Johnny. “If you’re my partner you may even end up starting an IV on yourself.” This lead to more stories until Colin held up hand in a STOP gesture.
“Claire will have my head if I’m late getting home…We’re going over to my son’s for his father- in - law’s 70th birthday dinner. Our daughter-in-law has been cooking for a week getting ready for this. Claire too.”
“If mama ain’t happy no one in the house is happy,” Jake Wilson added. “My Tilly’s pa told me that on my wedding day. That’s good advice for you, Johnny. You to, Roy.”
“Yes sir.” Both of the younger men told him. “That’s very good advice.”
“The men should be here soon.” Claire came down the stairs. She had changed her clothes and fixed her hair. “Colin gave Roy a key to the house and you have one for the little house. I left the number where we’ll be on a pad by the phone. Jordon and Cindy are expecting their second child in a few weeks. I want to get over there and help her set up. Family dinners are always fun. The dinner is going to be at the church fellowship hall. Luckily the kids live very close to the church so getting the food over there won’t be hard.”
Lee listened as the older woman went about the business of packing the food she had been fixing all week. “Mitch Sherman and his crowd has everything planned for tomorrow evening. Are you and the boys going out to the reservation tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure...Johnny hasn’t said what he decided. I know that most of the memories he has from there aren’t ones he wants to share , so I just let him decide what and when he wants to tell me. I try to do that with his job too, especially when it’s a run that goes sour. You remind me of two very dear ladies at home. Maria who raised me and Emily who has helped me learn what I need to do to be a good fireman’s wife…I promised I would call Maria tonight to let her know we are fine.”
The door opened and the three laughing men came into the room. Colin gave Claire a quick kiss and went upstairs to change.
“Boyo, there are several boxes that need to go out to the car , why don’t you two you help Claire get them loaded.” Lee said after Johnny’s greeting. “Then we can go over to the little house and you can tell me about your day while I change for dinner. And I’ll show you what I learned today.”
Lee decided to wear a black turtleneck top with a lavender V-neck sweater over it. The dark purple wool slacks and soft black leather boots gave her just the right look. She had pulled her long hair back into a lose pony tail with a multi colored scarf tied into a lose bow. Her make up was perfect. Johnny sat on the large old fashion 4 poster bed and watched as she put the earrings that matched her locket in her ears. “You know, we’re going to be on display tonight. Are you going to be ok with this?”
“I’m going to be with you. So I’ll be fine.” Johnny looked very handsome in his tight black jeans and a green western cut shirt. A matching Levi jacket was laying on the bed next to him. Lee looked at him and smiled remembering what Claire had said earlier.
“The men around here should be thanking you or otherwise their women would be eying that fine young man with open lust. Don’t be getting jealous when some of those shameless women start flirting with him. I’m sure he has to deal with the men flirting with you.”
“It’s kind of you to say so but no…I’m not the kind men flirt with.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. That chair doesn’t hide the fact you’re a very pretty young woman. And that tomorrow night they will play up to you. You’re pretty, rich and influential, that makes you a target for Mitch Sherman. Don’t trust that man or his friends.”
Roy came in looking good in his jeans and dark blue sweater over a white shirt. Lee felt proud to be in the company of two such handsome men.
“Ok, are we ready for this?” Johnny asked. He was feeling better after spending the afternoon at the fire station. There didn’t seem to be any outright racial tension. A few sideway looks when he had mentioned running back to the reservation hoping to avoid some of the more vocal town boys had gotten some strange looks.
There wasn’t any parking close to the café so it was decided Johnny and Lee would go in and get a table while Roy found a parking place An
older couple was coming out as Johnny and Lee were starting up to the door. The man held the door open with a friendly smile. The restaurant was busy and Lee sighed when she realized all the tables were taken. There were several open booths along the back wall.
“Wait or sit in a booth?” Johnny asked bending down whispering in her ear. “It’s your choice.”
“The booth will be fine.” She said feeling like she was on display sitting there. He pushed her carefully to the back of the restaurant. He helped her stand and slide into the booth. He looked around for a place to put the folded chair. A busy waitress saw him looking around.
“Put it up next to the juke box. No one will bother it. Let me get this order delivered then I’ll be over to take your order.”
“Take your time. We’re still waiting on friends.” He gave her one of his quirky crooked smiles. He put the chair where she had told him went He didn’t notice the three men watching him or hear their mutterings. Lee looking at the list she had made hadn’t noticed the men either.
Johnny slid into the booth next to Lee. She looked up at him. “So is there anything we need to do before the dinner tomorrow night?” Looking at the list.
“No..I thought maybe in the morning we could go to the florist shop then to the graveyard. My mother loved flowers. I use to go out and pick wild flowers and take them to her.” The sadness in his voice tore at her heart. “I need to go out to the reservation. It’s something…its something I have to do.”
“It’s something WE need to do…You can tell me no but I really do want to go with you.”
“What are you two looking so serious about?” Roy asked as he slid into the seat across from the two.
“Just talking about going out to the reservation tomorrow.” Roy frowned at the two. “Here comes the doctors.” Steve set down next to Roy and Sean next to Johnny. The waitress, who had left menus, came back over when she saw the doctors.
The food and conversation was good. They had finished eating and were just talking. Johnny felt Lee’s hand on his leg and felt her grip.
“Ok, I think Leona Elizabeth has had as much of this seat as her back can
Take.”
“Leona Elizabeth, pretty name.” Sean laughing at the stories they had told was really enjoying seeing Johnny so happy and confident. He would have liked to ask Johnny some questions but this was a too public for the conversation he wanted.
“When he calls her that you know it’s serious.” Roy said. “Now, when she calls him John Roderick, it isn’t so easy to figure out.”
“If I was easy to figure out, wouldn’t that be boring?” Lee laughed at the private joke. Johnny excused himself and went to pay the bill and get her wheelchair. As he walked passed one of the tables a paper wad hit him in the shoulder. He ignored it.
“That is one uppity half breed. Think we need to teach him a lesson?” Frank Weston said as he watched Johnny talking to the cashier before getting the chair and starting back to the table.
Roy held the chair while Johnny lifted her into it. He frowned at how tense she back and hip felt. The muscles were jumping slightly.
“Lee, if you don’t have any medication with you I can come over to Colin’s with some muscle relaxers.” Steve said as a pained look passed over her face.
“I will be fining just a little stiff.” She answered to reassure Johnny. “But thank you for offering.” Roy left first to go bring the car around to the cafe. Even with his jacket, Roy could feel the cold wind. The nice sunny 55 degree day had turned into a 35 degree chilly evening. Johnny and Lee were waiting for Roy alone as the doctors had started walking to their cars.
The short pudgy man smiled as he watched the others get into place. “Let’s just see how fast you can move, Chief Running Scared.”
The sidewalk outside of the café was crowded. A group of laughing slightly drunk men headed towards Johnny and Lee. The couple was busy watching for Roy, not paying any attention to the men. One man bumped into Johnny, an elbow finding a rib with a sharp well-placed jab as Johnny started moving the chair off the curb.
“Watch where you’re going, ya stupid breed.” Johnny stiffened but didn’t say a word. This was the sort of thing that Johnny had worried about. Lee held her tongue not wanting to make things worse for Johnny. As he said that another man gave Johnny a push causing him to jerk the wheelchair before losing his grip on the handles. A combination of the shoving, Lee twisting to see if Johnny was ok, and gravity sent it moving forward then tipping on its side. Johnny couldn’t reach it because of three men blocking his way. One of the men in the group grabbed for the chair but wasn’t fast enough. Screaming as she fell, Lee put her arm up to try to protect her face. The impact took her breath away. She closed her eyes as the world was swinging.
“Lee, open your eyes, now.” Lee heard the fear in Johnny’s voice. She felt the icy cold bag on her cheek. “Please, Baby girl, I need to see your eyes” She opened her eyes slowly afraid the world was still spinning crazily. She felt something pinch her arm.
“You‘re hurt.” She asked, seeing the smear of blood on his face. She reached up to him. The pain was more of a burning ache, not sharp like she remembered from when she first fell
“No, they didn‘t hurt me…”
“Blood on your face,” It still hurt to take a deep breath.
“You had a bloody nose…Steve gave you a shot when you started having multiple muscle spasms. You’re at the clinic. The X-rays showed no broken bones but you have some bad bruises. I am sorry…I should have been able to stop you falling. Should have stopped you from coming here.” He gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye,
“No way Boyo…would have come after you…Can we go back to the little house? I want to sleep curled up next to you.”
“In a few minutes…Roy and Colin are talking to the sheriff…”
“Why?” She was still a little fuzzy on what had happened. “Why did they push you like that?”
“They were just showing off.” Lee knew there was more to it than that but she was too tired to argue right now. Besides she knew he was having a hard time accepting what had happen. “Go back to sleep.” He stayed with her, holding her hand, stroking her forehead much as she did for him when he was ill or upset.
They went back to the little house. Johnny settled her in the big four poster bed. He felt sick to his stomach at the bruise on her face and on her side. Roy had wanted to stay with them, sleeping on the couch. Lee had gotten upset saying Roy had to get some sleep as did Johnny. He had gone back to the main house and made two phone calls. One to Jo the other to Maria Alvarez. Lee had promised Maria to call her every night but between the shot and the pain pills was in no condition to talk to anyone.
Maria Alvarez was on the phone before Roy could get from the front room to the kitchen where Colin and Claire were waiting for him.
“So what did your wife have to say?” Claire had heard all about Johnny’s wonderful family…The Desoto’s.
“Livid. If it wasn’t for the kids she woud be here tomorrow.” Roy knew that Jo had become just as protective of Lee as she was of Johnny. “I think Maria was even more livid. Lee is her daughter in all but blood. If they had their way both of them would be on a plane right now to take them both home.”
“Wouldn’t you be the third one pushing for that?” Claire asked with a knowing look. “I get the feeling you would have been happier if they hadn’t got on the plane in the first place”
“Most of their family and friends were not happy but this trip is something Johnny needed. There was no way he was coming without her.”
“Yes, I heard all about that argument. She was worrying about him this afternoon.” Claire said. “I think she paid me a great compliment today. She said I reminded her of Emily Stanley and I would fit well into their group.”
“That is indeed a compliment.”
“Now, lights out in 10. I’ll be up at 6 but I would suggest you sleep as late as possible.”
Over in the little house, Johnny laid close to Lee listening to her even breathing. She was sleeping soundly and didn’t stir even as he softly pushed several strands of hair back from her face. The swollen discolored cheek breaking his heart. Soon her soft relaxing rhythmic breathing lulled him into sleep, one hand lightly resting across her body.
~E! ~
“Morning, Mijo, Little Sister.” The look on Lee’s face was priceless Roy thought as he watched her. Cisco saluted the very surprised couple with his coffee mug. “Heard you had some trouble with a few drunken cowboys. Ma wanted to come kick some backsides but dad convinced her to send me instead. He wanted to come too but Ma said if she couldn’t come neither could he.” He laughed but in reality, he had been more than ready to kick some butts. Even more so after seeing her bruised and swollen face. He watched the careful way she moved. Worst for him was the look in her eyes. “Nice Irish Mouse.”
“They weren’t that drunk, it wasn’t any accident. It was a well planned attack.” Lee said once she found her voice and could control it.
“How do you know that?” Johnny questioned. Roy and Cisco both noticed he didn’t question the fact, just how she knew it.
“Darlin’ Boyo, you grew up hanging around with firemen, wanting to be a fireman right?” He nodded not sure, where her logic was leading. “Well, think about it. I grew up hanging out with police and private detectives and various inappropriate types, wanting to be in law enforcement . I think I know the difference between a stage drunk and a real one.”
“You would have made one helluva cop.” Cisco said with pride.
“Junior?” Roy could see Johnny was struggling with something. “You may as well tell us now what’s bothering you?”
“Th…They use to do that to m-m-me every day.” Lee’s eye widen at the slight stutter. She hadn’t heard that for months except when he was seriously ill. “They c -- called me Chief Running Scared…Recognized some of them last night.” He was studying a spot on the spotless floor. The red tint of embarrassment covering the high cheekbones.
“Look, Mijo, you have more guts than most people I know. You were brave enough to marry that hellcat. What’s that saying …Running in when all others are running out? You were a lone scrawny kid. Your only option was to run. You don’t have to run now.”
Roy stood back smiling at the tone of Cisco’s words. Just the right mixture of anger, pride, humor and support that his little brother needed to hear. Roy wasn’t sure if anyone else heard Lee’s softly whispered “Never alone again.”
“John.” Hearing Roy using his given name Johnny looked up at his best friend. No words were spoken aloud but the others knew a very important conversation had taken place. Colin and Claire were impressed by the love and support they were seeing these 3 give Johnny They realized they had just seen what Steve Handly had described as a silent conversation past between the paramedics.
Claire offered to make all breakfast but Lee had refused. “We are going to have breakfast at the café then go about our plans for the day. Francisco, did you pack a decent set of clothing?”
“Yes ma’am…Ma taught me some manners in spite of myself…Been told I clean up right nice a time or two.”
“ That bushy mustache, a 3 day old beard and long hair must have given Claire a fright when you pounded on her door this morning.” Lee giggled.
“Not sure I would have let him in or told him where to find you if
Roy hadn’t been here to vouch for him,” Claire replied. Laughing at that they said their goodbyes.
Claire watched as they walked back over to the van. Turning to Colin, she looked concerned. “Do you think they’ll be safe?”
“Them yes, Lame Deer I’m not so sure about.” He told her what
Roy had told him about Cisco’s background. “Every one of those men would fight Beelzebub himself for that girl. And she for them.”
~E! ~
There breakfast rush was over and the lunch rush wouldn’t start for another hour. As they found a table, the five men at the counter glared at them. Paying them no mind the four ordered and soon were talking as if they didn’t have a care in the world. The guys had all ordered the steak and eggs special and Lee had biscuits and gravy, which Johnny was eating part of after finishing off his steak, eggs and hash browns. The older couple that had been in there the night before came in. They stopped at the table.
“We heard about your accident…Glad you weren’t hurt worst.” The man said kindly.
“Thank you but it wasn’t an accident. It was a bunch of over aged juvenile delinquents. A bunch of cowards and bullies hiding behind a group mentality. My husband and his partner and their crewmates show more courage in a day than that bunch of losers do in a life time.”
Lee spoke in a normal voice but she knew everyone at the counter could hear her. She didn’t care she was going to have her say. “I can almost feel sorry for their families. I am proud of all that Johnny and Roy do to make the world a better place. Can their families say that?”
“Young man, I remember seeing you and your parents, you were just a small child…I think they would be proud of you and your wife.” The man said before walking off. The men at the counter avoided looking directly at Cisco when he took the bill up to the register. But it was clear to him that they were sizing him up. He had on an old biker shirt, a denim jacket and jeans, biker boots and a everyday well worn cowboy hat. He had his hair pulled back and stuffed up under his hat. He smiled remembering the look Claire Sullivan had given him when he knocked on her door at 7o’clock that morning. While he was paying the bill Johnny, Lee and Roy walked over to the small florist shop to buy an arrangement to take to the grave yard.
At the cemetery they stopped at the small office so Johnny could find out where his mother was buried. Roy went in with him while Cisco and Lee waited in the car.
“Ok, tell me what’s going thru that devious mind of yours?” Cisco chuckled at the oh so innocent look Lee gave him.
“Three of the men at the counter in the café were in the group that shoved Johnny last night. Remember when I said I could never hate anyone as much as I hated Richard Palmer and Lewis Montoya?” Cisco nodded. “Well, I hate those men as much if not more…not just the ones last night but all the ones who hurt Johnny and are still trying to. The Boyo, he tells me not to hate them…that hate only grows more hate…but its hard when I see that hurt look in his eyes.” She stopped talking when she saw him and Roy coming back to the car.
It was a small well kept cemetery except for one section. Many of the graves had no markers and others had small ones that were weather worn and broken towards the back. As they drove down the into this section the paved road gave way to a dirt path. As Roy parked the van.
“I want you to stay in the van. That ground is too rough for you.”
“No.” Softly but firmly. “If you want me to stay because you want to be alone with your mom that’s fine and I respect you for that. But,
See me not this chair.” He didn’t say a word just kissed her lightly. Roy and Cisco stayed with the van as the two moved carefully over the rough ground. Lee sat quietly as Johnny knelt down and talked with his mother. The soft Cheyenne words sounded like a prayer to her. She said a prayer of her own waiting silently for him. He stood up and came over to her. The tears were visable on his cheeks. She reached up and brushed them away.
“I know without any doubt that she and your dad are so proud of you, my Boyo. ..Don’t ever let anyone tell you different. They are as proud of you and love you as much as I do if not more. I thank them every day for having such a wonderful loving son and for sharing him with me.” He didn’t say a word just kissed her softly.
“Roy, I need to talk with someone in the cemetery office. Would you go in and ask them to come out to the van?” She asked looking at Johnny.
They pulled up in front of the office and Johnny went in. A few minutes later, he came back out. The gentleman who came out with him looked puzzled but pleasant.
“Lee, this is Mr. Collier. He’s the manager.”
“Thanks for coming out to see me. This cool weather plus last night’s incident is starting to catch up with my achy bones. I would like to make arrangements for flowers to be put on Kate Gages’s grave once a month. Also I would like you to talk someone about repairing and maintaining that section of the cemetery as the rest of the sections are maintained. Our friends Claire and Colin Sullivan will periodically check on the progress of the repairs and to make sure that it is being maintained once the initial repairs are made. All bills for this are to be sent to our accountants…Also flowers should be placed on all the graves in that section on appropriate holidays. Our accountant works closely with my grandfather’s company and so they have a very good working knowledge of what is a fair price for the work and flowers.” She was in full professional mode playing the part with great style.
“I’m sure we can do that.” Mr. Collier said a little over whelmed by her.
She took a card from her purse and gave it to him after adding some information.” “Our lawyers and the accountants will answer you any questions you may have. We have another stop to make before going back to the Sullivan’s.” Like a queen dismissing a lowly servant she smiled and nodded, dismissing him completely.
As they drove away, Lee began giggling. “That poor man was not sure what to think.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Johnny said with a hitch in his voice.
“I did that because I wanted to do that…It was a disgrace the way that section was kept.”
~E! ~
“We are going to meet with Micha Little Bear and James Red Eagle after lunch. They want to talk to us about something.”
“Are you going to see your family?” They were in their bedroom in the little house. Cisco and Roy were up at the big house with Claire.
“I don’t think it really matters any more. My family is in Los Angeles.
The plaques are closure, validation I don’t know whatever you want to cal it.”
“I call it a loving act of respect and honor. Let’s go have our meeting then come back to get ready for the next act in this farce. Claire is convinced Mitch Sherman is going to try somehow to get control of the money.” She looked at herself in the mirror. “Do I look ok? Claire seemed to think I should use make up to cover the bruising but it hurts to touch it. Taking the makeup off would hurt even more.”
She had changed out of the casual slacks and sweater she had worn to the cemetery into a long dark green skirt with a softer green turtle neck sweater. Her hair was up in a French twist. Her only make up was a pale rose lipstick. Her locket was the only jewelry she wore besides her rings, since one of her earrings had been lost when she fell. Johnny had changed into a pair of black slacks with a deep red V neck sweater over a white shirt.
“You’re elegant and proper looking.” She giggled. “Even with a black eye you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you kind sir. May I say you are very handsome and charming? I am sure that the tribal elders will be impressed.”
Roy and Cisco were in the kitchen drinking coffee with Claire.
“These two look like an add for some fancy car in a fashion magazine.” Cisco teased. Every time he saw Lee’s face he got the urge to break something or someone into pieces.
“I guess since we’re just the hired help it doesn’t matter what we look like.” Roy joined in the teasing.
~E! ~
There was very little traffic on the road between the Sullivan’s home and the reservation. The mood in the van was playful.
“Ya know, we may just have to include Linda and Cami in the long week end us girls are having soon.”
“Not until after soccer season, I hope. Jen is turning into a good player. Her and Stacy and Cami work really well together.” Cisco said a huge grin on his face. “Seems like someone has taught them some sign language and they communicate well on the field.”
“That was Uncle Johnny not me.”
“Uncle Johnny says is a phrase I’m hearing a lot at my house…Stacy and Jen have adopted Cami into their cousin clan. And I heard a rumor that someone is getting a Lee doll for her birthday. First name yet to be decided.”
“We have company…coming up on the left …,” Roy said. “I’ve seen that pick up on off all day. It was outside the café and I saw it again when left the cemetery.”
A second pick up came at them from a lane blocking the road. Roy had no choice but to hit the brakes. Muttering to himself, Cisco pulled a pistol from under his jacket and turning handed it to Lee. “You stay in the van with her, Mijo. You listen to him. Roy, you be ready to drive off and if someone is in your way…run the S.O. B. Down.”
“Cisco…you can’t…” But knowing he could and would fight the five
men Lee still worried.
“There are only five of them. Don’t worry about me.” As he was talking he had taken the smaller gun from his ankle holster and slipped it in his pocket. He unbuckled the knife sheath he had on his hip. “You, don’t shoot unless I tell you…and if you do, remember your lessons.”
Roy was looking doubtful at this exchange. Johnny couldn’t help smiling even as worried as he was, remembering what Cisco had said in the hospital.
The two pickups stopped and two men got out and started walking towards Cisco. The other three stood back to watch the fun. Leaning against the front fender of the rented van Cisco spit on the ground. “Hope this is gonna be a quick conversation. My mijo has an appointment so we don’t have a lot of time to tend to trash right now.”
“Hey Frank, think we need to teach this over aged hippy a few manners… Maybe even give him a haircut. What did that mouthy bitch called us? Over aged juvenile delinquents?” Will Tudor said with a sneer.
“Yeah, Little Sister can be mouthy. Takes a lot of guts to attack a girl in a wheelchair and her husband. What it only took 10 or 12 of you to get your courage up…Really brave.” The easy Texas drawl and the look of contempt were making two of the five uneasy. They were cowards. The only reason they had been in the group last night was because they had been too afraid to say no to the others. They were exactly what Lee had called them ---cowards and bullies. If they went along with the others then the bullies tolerated them leaving them alone most of the time.
“I’m going out there.” Johnny said as he watched the men coming towards them.
“No, stay in here with me.”
“You’ll be fine, they won‘t hurt you again.” He kissed her then got out of the van. Roy also got out. They stood guard by the open van door. Will, Frank, and Yancey Black had been the ones who had started the Chief Running Scared garbage. Lee knew in her heart this is what he had to do for his own self respect and peace of mind. He had to do this to put an end to Chief Running Scared.
“Frank you ready to teach this guy a lesson?” Will Tudor challenge his friend? Since they were kids, Will had been goading Frank into doing his dirty work. “He doesn’t look so tough.”
Frank and Yancey moved closer to Cisco waiting for the tall lanky stranger to back away from them. Frank was taller than Cisco by about 2 inches and outweighed him by 30 pounds. Yancey was an even match as far as size. Both men charged at Cisco. With a spin neither man had seen coming Cisco planted a swift kick in Yancey’s rib cage. As he lost his balance, Yancey stumbled in front of Frank. This further enraged the bigger man who bellowed an obscenity as he regained his balance. On the sidelines, Tudor was screaming at Frank and the others to get them. Easily side stepping Yancey’s clumsy attempts to fight Cisco grew tired of playing with him and snapped his arm,. The paramedics cringed at the sound but did not move from the side of the van. With Yancey out of the way Cisco could concentrate on the bigger more skilled man. Cisco knew the bigger man had been hanging back letting Yancey take the brunt of the blows in an effort to tire Cisco out. Frank used brute strength more than actual fighting skill. He had good instincts but had grown complacent over the years. Thinking no one would ever really challenge him he had lost that some of the swiftness he needed. He landed a blow to the side of Cisco’s face and followed up with another to his mid section. The jabs were coming faster now, not aimed as they had been at the first. Both men had blood on their faces. Frank from a broken bleeding nose and Cisco from a split lip.
Will Tudor watched as Frank Weston struggled to maintain his balance as the stranger did a series of jumps and spins combined with hard blows to the head that had the big man going down on his knees. The men standing next to Tudor had slowly started backing away towards the pick up truck parked at an angle near the van intending to make a hasty retreat.
“Knife!” Johnny yelled. Will Tudor had pulled a hunting knife from the fancy beaded sheath he wore.
“DUCK,” Lee shouted as she fired the pistol she had been holding. With a thud and a hiss the tires on the nearest pick up went flat. Roy and Johnny had dropped to the ground at her command. Roy turned so he could see the hysterical girl with the gun. He let out the breath he had been holding shaking his head as he realized she wasn’t crying but laughing. He followed her gaze and began laughing too at the puddle forming at the feet of the nearest man.
Cisco turned at the warning from Johnny. As he turned, the Bowie knife was in his hand then in the air. The cry of the furious man as the Bowie met its target went from rage to pain
Johnny and Roy went into paramedic mode the best they could with limited supplies. Cisco had used the CB in Yancey’s truck to call the county sheriff. After looking at the men and at his watch.
“Mijo, you’re going to be late but I think the tribal leaders will understand. You three go on we’ll just wait for the sheriff.” Tudor was in the back of the pick up with a make shift bandage on his shoulder, Yancey was sitting next to him cradling his splinted arm. Frank was tied hands behind his back and at the ankles on the ground. Roy thought he had a concussion from the way his eyes reacted to the light. The other two were sitting in the cab of the disabled truck.
“Was thoughtful these guys had a cooler of beer in the back of that other truck…Think the sheriff might be interested in some other things I found back there.” Cisco had used some of the water from the melted ice to wash his face and grinned at the look on Lee’s face as he took a long swig of the beer. “Good shooting, Little sister.”
“Thanks…for everything.” Lee said. Now that it was over and everyone safe she was ready to fall apart but knew she couldn’t. She would wait until she was home in California and have a good old fashion melt down
~E! ~
Micha Little Bear was working on the speech he was giving when the plaque was presented to the doctors. While the main clinic was in Lame Deer there was a smaller on on the reservation its self. That is where the plaque honoring Kathleen Gage would be located. James Red Eagle came in and sat down after getting a cup of coffee.
“What did you find out?” Micha said. “Anything we should know?”
“There are two men with the Gages. The second one came in early this morning. Looks like a biker. Tom Medicine Bull said she was pretty vocal in the café this morning about bullies and cowards. I think Gage must have recognized some of them. Rumor is that our two local bully boys are both interested in them. Tudor’s crowd pulled one of their group attacks, her chair was tipped over but no serious injuries. Still not sure, what Sherman and his bunch are up to. Tudor use to make life miserable for Gage before he left here.”
“Did you talk to his aunts? I don’t want them causing a problem. We need that money. Steve Handly seemed to think they are interested in improving the health care for the women and children on the reservation.
“Be nice if we could get some money for scholarships to Dull Knife.” Micha said. “Colin seems to think that is a good possibility.” The two tribal leaders were in their early 40’s. They had taken over the tribal leadership roles within the last two years. Micha’s father had retired from public life following a stroke and James’ dad had decided he was ready to retire and concentrate on building good solid programs at Dull Knife. He had great hope for the future of the new small school and what it would do for his people. The two younger men had worked hard at trying to improve the relationship between town and reservation. They heard the door to the outer office open and went out to greet their visitors.
Seated at the long conference table, Johnny looked around the room at the pictures on the walls. He had never been in this room before. He had never been included in any of the ceremonies or tribal activities other than working on the ranch or where ever he had been told.
“You have been very kind and the money will do much to improve the health of our women and children.” James Red Eagle said after listening to what the doctor and the couple had discussed. The tribal leaders looked uneasy. What they were purposing would be so beneficial to the reservation and the town and they would hate for it not to happen.
“I hate to bring up unpleasant memories, but we need to talk about your family.” Micha Little Bear said. “They aren’t happy with your being here.”
“Yeah.” Johnny looked down at his hands. He turned the wedding band around as he thought out what he needed to say. “I didn’t come here to cause trouble for any one. I came to honor my mother and father. If the aunts and uncles can’t accept that…Since they never accepted me I don’t think I expected them to be happy about my coming back here.” Roy could see the sad lost boy he had befriend years ago showing in Johnny’s eyes. He wanted to make sure these men, all of Lame Deer saw the real John Gage this time.
“John is one of the most well liked and well respected men in the L.A. County Fire Department. He has a family back in California at Station 51, who admires and accepts him. I am proud to say he my partner, my best friend and my little brother. My wife sees him as her little brother and sometimes as our third child…My kids love their Uncle Johnny for all the fun things he does but even if they don’t put it into words they also love and respect him for his goodness. He sees the best in the people around him. He teaches them respect and honor and caring by his example. He was taught that men don’t show emotion that its weakness…I think Johnny is one of the bravest people I have ever been privileged to know. He has worked hard through terrible tragedies and illnesses but never gives up, never lost his faith in life’s goodness.”
“Thank you.” The soft heartfelt words spoke volumes. Lee wiped the tears from her eyes wincing a little as they stung a small cuts on her cheek. She had an idea of some of what was going on in Johnny’s mind and what those two words really conveyed.
“If we have time, I’d like to go to the trading post.” Lee said. Then we need to get back to Claire’s.” She wanted to change the mood and bring the smile back to Johnny’s eyes. “I won’t mention any names but someone promised me a new pair of earrings to replace the on one I lost . And, if memory serves me right he owes two little girls a present because he promised. And if he buys them something he needs to get something for the boys…which means he also needs to buy something for the parents…Then there are the people I want to buy presents for. By the way, Claire said she would ship home anything I couldn’t take on the plane.”
“Sounds like this is going to be expensive.” Roy smiled knowing Johnny had planned on getting her new earrings and some moccasin’s like she had seen on TV. Jo had tried to explain Lee’s obsession with shoes and boots to him several times.
James Red Eagle laughed at the look Johnny gave his friend. “Just because a guy is frugal doesn’t mean he doesn’t like giving presents.” His annoyed look spoiled by the twinkle in his eyes. “I admit, I use to be more conservative with my spending.”
~E!~
“You come back here but do not visit your family You show none of the respect due your elders, your family. You have money to waste on strangers yet you have none to help your family?“ The bitter harsh words startled Johnny and Lee. The older woman stared definently at the couple. “You let your own family live in need yet you make a big show of giving money to others. You are an ungrateful selfish man. You bring us nothing but embarrassment all your life. You have a duty to us, your family who had to take you in.”
The others in the trading post stopped and looked at the small group over by the jewelry counter. Johnny stood there his head bowed as he listened to the poisonous hate. Lee looked to Roy then to Johnny not knowing what to say or do. Johnny did not say a word in his own defense.
“You are so weak you cannot even wed a proper woman.”
“That is enough of your foul mouth.” Johnny said in an angry voice. “You will not speak of my wife in that manner.” The rage in his voice showed clearly on his face. Lee and Roy were shocked at the tone of his voice, the look on his face. “I have listened to you speak of my father and mother in such a voice. You speak of respect…respect is not given but earned. My only duty to you is to treat you politely like I would any stranger.”
“You dare to speak to me in that tone? You owe me …I …”
“He owes you nothing!” Lee had reached the point where she could not hold her tongue. “You never were family to him… In your pride and your stupid hate you allowed your husband to beat him almost to death. You allowed others to treat him as badly as you did. Was it jealousy because his mother was so beautiful? That you knew your husband wanted her not you? Jealous she had found a good kind man that loved her for her soul and gentle nature as much as for her outer beauty? Did you let your jealousy and hate steal your soul so that you could not see her son as a person but only as a target for your spite?”
The old woman took a step closer to Lee and raised her hand. Johnny was standing behind Lee and moved to stop her. Lee reached up and grabbed the hand and held it mid air. Lee knew it would be so easy to snap the wrist just as they had done to Johnny when he was a defenseless child. But she also knew that Johnny never wanted her to hate anyone because of him and would never want to be the cause of another’s pain because of him. Still holding the wrist tightly she continued talking. “The only thing I can feel for you is pity…you let the hate and anger stop you from knowing this intelligent, gentle man. He shows his courage every day in ways you are not capable of understanding. Do you think he and his friends stop to think of a person’s race or religion or status when they go into burning building? Or crawl around in a collapsed building? When they climb down cliffs or go into such dangerous situations you can’t even imagine? They don’t do it for glory and certainly not pay or social status…They do it because they care and want to help people. And I feel sad because you will never feel the joy that his smile can bring to you or the comfort of his gentle touch…” She let go of the wrist and turned to look at him. “Well, darlin’ Boyo, shall we finish our shopping?” The cold look of dismissal she gave the old woman spoke loudly as Johnny pushed her over to where the boots were. She may have looked calm on the outside but inside she was trembling. Thinking back when Johnny had grabbed her wrist and held it she was again horrified at the thought of his being abused by the old crow.
“Mr. DeSoto, I’m sorry you had to see that.” Red Eagle said as he and Roy followed slightly back from the two.
“I’ve seen the X-rays of the scars from the broken bones Johnny suffered at the hands of his aunts and uncles, one in particular . I think that as uncomfortable as it was, that might give him closure.”
“George? He was an ugly drunk…not the nicest person when he was sober…He is in the county home…the alcohol abuse caught up with him.. Yes, closure for John and something for others to think about.”
Twenty minutes later they left the trading post and made their way back to the office. Several people stopped them and told Johnny and Lee thank you for what they were doing for the clinic. Lee was anxious to go back to Claire’s to check on Cisco.
Cisco was waiting for them when they got back to Claire and Colin’s home. Johnny insisted that Lee get out of the wheelchair and she was soon settled in the big soft rocker with her legs up on the footstool. Claire had put a warm woolen blanket over her legs.
“The sheriff is going to come out and talk to you. He wants you to identify this.” He held out her lost earring. “One of the guys I turned over to him had bragged about having this. Then he changed his story insisting it was something he bought a few weeks ago.”
“I have the mate and they area one of a kind pair. Am I going to be in trouble for shooting at the truck?’
“Nope…talked to some of my buddies in Billings…seems that Tudor and his friends had caused some trouble up there too. I stopped in there before I came down here. Thought it might be a good idea.”
“Hope my eye doesn’t clash with my dress.” They were in the little house. Lee was lying on the bed resting after their shower. Johnny was standing by the window.
“You’re beautiful even with a colorful eye…Baby girl, are you sure you feel ok? This … dinner isn’t that important…Not for you to be I pain.”
“I’m fine, maybe a little tired but nothing to worry about. Besides, this is my chance to show off my fantastic husband. Johnny, this is as important to me as it is to you. I told you that…”
“What you said back in the trading post…”
“Was what was in my heart? I’ll admit I wanted to hurt her for hurting you, for all the horrible things. But you taught me that hurting someone who hurts you…that doesn’t lessen your hurt, only adds to it.”
“Come lay down for a few minutes… I …if I tell you something, promise not to laugh?” He laid down beside her and helped her get situated the way she wanted, her head on his shoulder, his arm around her. He knew when she said that something was bothering her and she needed to talk it out.
“I came here thinking I wasn’t going to like anyone other than the Sullivan’s and the doctors…And really didn’t expect to find anyone out on the reservation I would like…I’m sorry for being so narrowed minded.” She turned her head. “You were right there are good people here. I’m glad now you chose the way you did . I think our parents will be watching the ceremonies, so proud of you. Even more tha usual if that’s possible.”
He kissed her lightly on the forehead and whispered softly to her in Cheyenne to her until she was asleep. (They had enough extra time for her to sleep 15 minutes)
Johnny called and asked Clair if she could come help Lee with her hair. Lee was frustrated at not being able to raise her right arm high enough to fix it herself. Her frustration level was high and she was almost in tears. Johnny knew his being there was just making it worst for her.
“Some of my best memories are of helping my girls do their hair for special parties…You just tell me what you want…John, why don’t you take your clothes up to the house and let me and Lee finish here.”
Grumbling happily, John got his garment bag and headed towards the house. “Call me when it’s safe.” He kissed her and left with a sigh of relief and some guilty feelings. He was soon dressed in his western cut suit and dress boots. Waiting for Lee, he paced and worried while his friends just let him rant.
Lee explained how she wanted her hair and Claire happily began fixing it. Lee let her chatter away. She could tell Lee was upset about more than just her hair.
“Johnny hasn’t seen this yet…Do you think he’ll like it?” The long black dress was form fitting and had a high halter neck with a cream colored bolero jacket. Her hair was up like Johnny liked it with her butterfly hair pin . She had on the quahog jewelry Johnny had gotten her and black spiked heels.
“When you and Johnny came I thought you were a pretty young girl…Even with the black eyes and bruises you are a beautiful woman tonight. Johnny is going to be the proudest person there.”
“No, that will be me. He is gonna give me a hard time about the heels but this just didn’t look right with flats. I love pretty shoes.” She let out a deep sigh. “I had made up on the bruises but it had to be so thick it looked terrible….Well. I guess we should go over to your house and see if the Boyo and the guys are ready to go…Claire, wish you were going tonight.”
“Colin said it was my choice and I said no. He has to go…I don’t like being around that crowd. Never have. Come on, that man of yours is waiting. Poor laddie, he was a nervous wreck worrying about you.”
“Mijo, that’s a damn fine looking woman you got there.” Cisco said as the two women went into the house. “Damn fine.”
“John Roderick? Do I meet your approval?” Johnny nodded his eyes wide and a grin that said it all to her, more than words could have.
“Chet Kelly is never gonna believe this…A speechless John Gage.” Roy said. “It could get interesting tonight.”
“Yeah that girl is ready to explode.” Cisco muttered as they watched the van pull out of the driveway.
~E! ~
Soon as she saw him, Lee didn’t like or trust Mitch Sherman. He reminded her of too many sleezy types she knew in L.A. Men who used their charm and money to get what they wanted under the guise of being a civic leader. The men he had invited other than Colin were his buddies or people he thought he could use for his own benefit. He and his wife Deborah were both snobs and bigots. Not the in your face Archie Bunker types but the sly sneaky kind who had a hidden meaning behind the compliments. The men had taken their drinks and went out to the stable.
“That’s a very lovely dress, Mrs. Gage.” Deborah said with a condescending smile. “It looks very comfortable.”
“It is. The designer has a wonderful shop that sells vintage clothing as well as her own designs. We have become good friends since she did the dresses for our wedding. I actually got this for a charity fund raiser we ‘re going to next month but I love it and decided it would be fine for this also.”
“Does your job require your job require you to go to a lot of charity functions? Isn’t that hard on you? What do you do actually? Besides, being some sort of secretary for the WBSF? My husband was very impressed when he had that organization checked out.”
“I am a special project manager for the state of California working in conjunction with the fire department and Rampart Hospital. But I did recently take on more responsibility at WBSF.”
“It must be hard you HAVING to work two jobs and the strange hours your husband works…Don’t you worry about finding enough time together?”
“ I don’t have to work two jobs, I like my jobs but nothing is more important than being Johnny’s wife. My bosses at state agreed to my changing my hours so I wouldn’t quit. When Johnny is off shift, I don’t work. The WBSF work is done mostly at home in my own time.”
“That must keep you very busy.” Not grasping the fact that a secretary wouldn’t be able to make such demands. A woman in her mid 40’s came in laughing as she greeted everyone. “Katherine, where have you been? You’re late.”
“Out at the stables…I wanted to check on my mare. Was talking to the most gorgeous man …He seemed to know horses…But looking like he does he could be dumb as a box of rocks and I wouldn’t mind. Wonder if he is as good in bed as he looks? You could drown in those eyes of his…I’m assuming he is the guest of honor? Definitely not what I expected listening to Carl talk about the crazy half breed who would zone out and stare and rock. This may not be such a dull evening after all.”
Lee sat there feeling all the eyes on her as the woman talked. It was obvious the woman had been drinking. If she wanted to play games, Lee was an expert player. Looking at Katherine in the eye, Lee smiled. “Johnny is a very accomplished person in all aspects of his life. He was offered several scholarships but chose to follow his heart and dreams to become a fireman. He was one of the first paramedics in the field, actually saving lives. He’ s this wonderful fun loving adventurous person who lights up the world with his smile and his gentle heart. Too many people take his good nature as a sign of weakness… That is so wrong.” She rolled her eyes. “He has very strong values and a personal code of conduct. A gentleman in the truest sense of the word. And to answer your original question, better than you could ever imagine. He is a flirt, it comes natural, is part of his charm. He knows I am never threatened by it because I know his heart is mine. And all the attached body parts.”
Katherine stood there looking shocked. No one ever spoke to her like that, not even Deborah Sherman. They didn’t dare risk her vicious tongue
“Really I would think your being crippled would put a damper on that sort of thing .” The sarcasm dripping from her.
“No, not really. John Roderick is much more interested in what I can do than what I can’t…” She batted her eyes. “He thinks I’m fine just the way I am. We have a great fun finding out what I can do” Her tone of voice left no doubt what she thought of the older woman. “ I am sure he was very charming when you spoke out in the barn. That is just him, besides, he was raised to respect his elders even when they didn’t deserve it.”
The men came back from the stables and that line of conversation was dropped. Dinner was announced so Johnny pushed her towards the dining room. He had seen the shocked look on the faces of the women and the angry glare from the one he had been talking with in the stables. They let the others go ahead of them. Roy and Colin were directly in front of them. He bent down so he was talking softly in her ear.
“What was that about Baby girl? You looked like you were ready to pounce.”
“Just answering a question. So how were the stables?”
“He has some good horses. Lucky for him he has good men working for him. He doesn’t know anything but what they tell him.”
“Rich and stupid seem to be the theme here. Bullies with money and are even more dangerous since they impact more people with their stupidity. So what does Mitch Sherman want?” Sherman came over to them before he could answer.
“Lee, I’m sorry I haven’t had time to talk with you more…hopefully during dinner. I was wondering, if you wouldn’t be more comfortable sitting in a regular chair at dinner?” Mitch Sherman gave her a smile that almost made her gag. “Of course you will be sitting next to me…Carl Phelps will be on your other side.”
“A regular chair will do nicely. Thank you.” Johnny pushed Lee to the large dining table.
Lee felt all eyes on her as Johnny and Roy moved the wooden chairs and pushed her closer to the long table. Johnny winked at her as he folded the foot rests and slipped her shoes off. Pulling herself up she waited for Roy to pull the chair back as Johnny slipped the wooden chair into position. Once she was seated, he bent Dow and slipped the heels back on. He gave her a quick kiss as he stood up. “Brat.” He whispered in her ear. From the corner of her eye, she saw Katherine glaring at her. She smiled at her very politely.
“Thank you gentlemen.” Mitch sat down. Johnny was sitting across from Lee between Debrah and Katherine who was married to Carl Phelps. Roy and Colin were seated across next to each other. Mitch Sherman was the perfect host. Drawing everyone into the general conversation. Roy told several stories about rescues he and Johnny had been on. Lee answered the questions asked in a very general way. Katherine Phelps was leaning close to Johnny talking to him in a low voice.(Lee was sure it was Katherine’s version of sounding sexy.). She could see the dislike in his eyes. He hated the smell of liquor on anyone’s breath.
They finished the meal and Katherine latched on to Johnny’s arm as he stood up.
“Excuse me; I need to help Lee back into her chair.” He pulled back from Katherine’s grasp.
“It must be a burden to you having to tend to her like a helpless child.” Katherine said. “You’re very noble taking such good care of her, poor thing.”
“My wife is not a helpless child. The fact she can’t walk is just a very small part of our lives.” He easily lifted her into the wheelchair Roy had brought over from the corner, They went into the living room. Johnny moved her so she was sitting between Roy and Colin, then he stood behind her. Katherine came in and sat down next to her husband.
“John, Lee we appreciate what you are doing for the doctors and the fire department. However, we feel that it would be more beneficial to the town if we, the city council was able to decide where the money would go. Dr. Phelps, the president of our school board has several very good programs he would like to implement. We need a new town hall…A community center for the town. Of course, some of the money would go to the fire department and the doctors to improve the clinic here in town.”
Johnny looked at the men in the room. If Carl Phelps, Jr. was anything like his father he had a good idea what programs he would be implementing. White supremacy had been the older’s man stance. The clinic in town had been mentioned nothing for the reservation. “Mr. Sherman, I think you all know what my position is on this. The money is given for the fire department and the clinics. I don’t see any reason to change.”
“Just to clarify a point, there is no way to divert the funds to other projects. There is a clause that states any misuse of the funds will result in termination of the balance of the grant and all future grants. An audit schedule will be set up at the convenience of the foundation…The agreement you signed, Mr. Sherman and also by the town lawyer, I believe. As the designated representatives, Chief Sullivan and the good doctors can opt to have all bills sent directly to our foundation so it cuts down on the paper work. Which I believe you did, Colin?”
“Yes. That was the recommendation of the town’s lawyer.”
“The checks that John will be presenting are symbolic only. Our accountants and lawyers have found this the most practical and efficient way of handling things. And no supplier has ever refused to do business with our foundation in this manner.”
“Being a little presumptuous aren’t you? Calling it your foundation? What did you you have to agree to get the powers to be give us that money?” Carl Phelps asked angrily. He had already made plans and ordered materials for his new program. Mitch had promised him. Plans were drawn up for the new city buildings. “ The foundation trying to impress someone with their charity to the poor Indians? Someone want some good publicity for a change? Or a kick back?”
“WBSF doesn’t need to impress anyone ….Since I am the one who decides who gets the money available I guess if anything people , should impress me with what they want to do. Johnny, I’m ready to leave. I don’t think anyone here wants to hear my impressions of this town or its civic leaders. In fact, I don’t think I can give my impression and still be a lady. Oh, by the way, Katherine, I met your brother today…Please tell him I am very good shot and I hit exactly what I was aiming for…Just sorry Johnny didn’t have a camera handy to record for history one of his more heroic moments.” Roy and Colin got up and walked out behind their two friends. The men couldn’t believe the nerve of the two. They had never had anyone act like that before. They controlled the town’s schools, bank, newspaper, the city government.
“They can’t do that…We need that money…” Paul Warren said. “You’ve already spent $10,000 of it…buying land for the city that you owned.” He was the town’s largest real estate dealer and vice mayor.
“They can’t tie that money up like that can they? Eli Howard said. The town newspaper, which he owned, supported Mayor Sherman in everything he did. Besides being mayor, Sherman was president and largest share holder of the local bank. Actually the shares in the bank had came from Deborah’s family as had most of the land they owned in the county.
“Looks like they did. We under estimated them.” Mitch Sherman was angry but it was an icy anger not hot header like Carl Phelps. There would be a way to get the money they needed.
They didn’t say much in the van back to the house. Lee was so mad she couldn’t trust herself to not say something that would make the matters worst.
“Give us a few minutes to change clothes then we talk.” Lee said as they pulled into the driveway. “Can we do it down here?”
“Sure. “ Colin said. “Do, you want Claire also?”
“That’s up to her but I think it would be good if she would.”
Johnny helped her change clothes and brush out her hair. She was so tired and hurt both physically and emotionally. This had gotten so out of hand. Johnny had just wanted to do something nice for this horrible place. No, that wasn’t fair, it wasn’t the place that was horrible just some of the people. Lee’s mind was whirling with mixed emotions.
She was in the recliner and Johnny thought she was asleep when the others came in. She opened her eyes when she heard Cisco’s voice, “They made bail. The charges were about to be dropped to misdemeanors when the state boys popped in with their charges. Seems Tudor and his bully boys beat up a girl and her boy friend in Billings…her family has connections and they were screaming for blood. Tudor was screaming I attacked him and his friends for no reason. Yancey’s arm was snapped in two places, nothing vital hit in Tudor’s shoulder, Frank has a cracked rib and hurt pride. Jason Courtland and Fred Harper are the laughing stocks of the city, especially Harper.”
“So what is the good city council gonna do now?” Lee asked.
“There isn’t much they can do. “ Colin said but he sounded worried. “The whole town knows we got the money and what it is for. The ceremony is tomorrow at the station and the reception afterwards…You have it tied up so they can’t use it for their projects”
“We never meant for this to happen. It should have been a positive thing for the town. Guess it proves the old saying you can’t go home again.” Johnny sounded tired and discouraged. “Sorry I caused trouble and let you all down.”
“Nonsense. None of this is your fault. It’s the greedy intolerant idiots who think just because they have some money they are better than anyone else. Mitch Sherman married for money. Deborah’s father wasn’t a nice person and he taught his son -in -law well. The others are sheep.” Claire said. “What you are doing for this town is good. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Lee got hurt…Cisco and Roy left their families for us…I couldn’t protect Lee …caused you all so much trouble.”
“Seems to me I heard there were at least three guys holding you back from her …I’m trained in handling scum like that…You took excellent care of her.”
“Stop it…John …You have every right to be in this town and do what you want with your money. This town has let the bullies take over…The good people like Colin and the doctors can only do so much if the majority lets them. Micha and James are working hard to make it better out at the reservation…You are doing the right thing and I am so proud of you…sorry that I caused you so much trouble …not just here but at home. Forgive me?”
“Always even when I don’t see anything to forgive. Now, you are taking a pain pill and going to bed. Things will look better in the daylight.” The others left and he took her into the bedroom and got her settled.
“Harper’s sister, Katherine, came in and said she had been talking to you and asked if you were as good in bed as you looked.” Lee said as she was falling asleep as Johnny massaged her legs.
“You didn’t answer her did you?” Not sure if he should be shocked or flattered.
“Yep told her even better and your heart belonged to me… told that old cow you were raised to be nice to your elders…She was steaming.” Lee giggled. “Your heart and all attached body parts…mine all mine. Don’t want to be a burden but can’t not be with you…love ya …need ya..” She muttered as she fell asleep.
He finished massaging her legs then covered her up. Kissing her on the forehead he whispered t her, “Sweet dreams, love you and need you too.” He laid there a long time before falling asleep.
After breakfast with Claire and Colin Lee and Johnny went back to their place. Lee looked at the outfit she had planned to wear. A high waisted, navy blue skirt and a white long sleeved blouse with lace at the cuffs and throat. After last night’s dinner she wanted to be sure she presented the right image. She had the shawl Jeff had gotten her in case it was chilly. Johnny came into the bedroom. “Something wrong?
“No, just trying to remember…Did I call Katherine Phelps an old cow out loud?”
“Yes, when we were alone. Want me to call Claire to help you with your hair?” He was standing behind her, watching her face in the mirror.
“Would you braid it for me? Are you as ready as I am to go back to California?”
“Yeah except I’m not looking forward to facing Maria and Hector . They have to be disappointed I didn’t take better care of you.”
“Boyo, stop beating yourself up. It wasn’t your fault..we all knew there was a risk but we also know it was my choice to come here.” He was brushing her hair as they talked. “Besides, the bruises are better…they are now that dull yellow green instead of the red purple they were the other day. What else did I say last night?”
“Oh, just something about my attached body parts was all yours.” He laughed as she blushed. He finished the braiding. “Now, a ribbon or a scarf?”
“The purple and blue scarf…Chet said I looked like an old fashion school marm in this outfit when I wore it last…Prim and proper…”
He changed into his dress uniform. She had checked with Chief Houser who had agreed it did seem appropriate for him to wear the uniform when presenting the plaque to the Lame Deer Fire Department.
Roy was wearing a sports coat and dress slacks. Claire and Colin had already left as she was overseeing the reception.
“Well, Little Sister, do I pass inspection?”
“You go way pass just passing.” He had on a black suit and a wine red tie, dress boots. His hair was pulled back held in place by a silver Celtic knot. He had shaved except for his mustache.
“Told ya, Ma taught me right.” He was glad to see she was in a good mood. After yesterday and last night, he had been doubtful.
Lee wasn’t nervous once they started for the ceremony. She knew Johnny had went over the speech he had been working on since they had gotten a date set up. He did not like being the center of attention but was more comfortable with it now. Johnny smiled and made a mental note to thank Colin for the reserved parking space. He knew it was Colin’s regular space but a handwritten sign simply said Johnny and Lee.
There was a large crowd gathered. All the firemen, and their families, friends and just the curious. Cisco frowned when he saw Will Tudor with Harper and Courtland standing at the side of the crowd.
Colin, the Mayor and City Council standing in front of the raised door posed by the newest fire engine. The wives were in a group near the front. All looked over dressed and Katherine looked hung over. (Or so Lee thought.) Johnny pushed Lee over to Colin.
“Good morning gentlemen. I think you have all met Roy DeSoto, Johnny’s partner and best friend. This gentleman is one of my big brothers, Franciso Alvarez. Cisco, this is Mayor Sherman, Carl Phelps, Eli Howard and Paul Warren.”
“Yes, we heard about your adventure yesterday, Mr. Alvarez.” Carl Phelps said with a sneer. “You came off like a one man army.”
“Bullies are cowards, they don’t know how to handle anyone who stands up to them. Little Sister, she and my mijo, they stand up to the bullies in less physical ways.” The cold eyes never left the older man’s face and Phelps soon broke the gaze looking at his feet.
“Well, shall we start the ceremony?” Sherman said not liking the impression the Gages and their friends were making on the others.
“As you all know, John Gage applied for grants from the WBS Foundation in Los Angeles. These grants were to better the lives of the citizens of Lame Deer. He has put some restrictions on the grants but we will endeaver to make the most of the funds available.” The mayor said in a condescending voice
To say Lee was upset was like saying there was a few stars in the night sky. She looked a t Johnny who shrugged. He and Colin went over to the smug mayor. Johnny had the fake check and the plaque in his hands.
“When I was a child, my father and I would walk by the fire station and I told him I wanted to be the tiller man. He smiled and said it was good to have a goal in life. Then we moved to California and when he was home from his job we would go by that fire station. After he died, my mother and I came back to Lame Deer and the reservation. The firemen would let me come and visit. I was happy when they let me help polish the engine and do odds and ends around the fire house. After I left for California I still thought of this fire station with fond memories of some of the happiest days of my life. To honor my father, Roderick Gage, my wife and I would like to present the Lame Deer Fire Department a check and a this plaque. ‘Given to honor the memory of a good and caring man. Given to tell the world this man is not forgotten by his son who will love him always in appreciation for encouraging his son’s dream of being a fireman.’ The check is to help provide training and safety equipment for the firefighters of Lame Deer. By having the training and equipment needed these brave men can better protect the citizens of this town and the area they serve. To the new paramedics, remember what my friend and partner told you…You will be the best equipped and trained people to do a job that needs to be done in the moment. Trust your training and trust yourselves.” He handed the check and plaque to Colin.
“Claire and I have had the privilege to get to know Johnny and Lee these last few days. They have shared stories of some of the runs Johnny and Roy have been part of with us. Lee mostly as these two says they are just doing their jobs. I for one, am proud to say John Gage is a friend and I had some small influence in his becoming a firefighter/rescue man/paramedic. On behalf of our fire department and the citizens of Lame Deer, thank you.”
“Our pleasure and thank you for the kind words.” Johnny and Colin shook hands and then John shook hands with the mayor. The mayor didn’t look too happy. The speeches of Gage and Sullivan had lessened the negative impact of his speech.
As Johnny was shaking hands with others Lee was sitting off to the side watching, so very proud of him.
“Mr. Gage, I’d like some pictures of you with your wife and the Mayor and Chief Sullivan for the paper.” A reporter pushed his way up to Johnny. The pictures were quickly taken and Lee even managed to look like she wasn’t totally disgusted by Sherman and his earlier remarks. After several photos were taken the reporter started asking questions, fairly routine
“Mrs. Gage, is it true that you, personally, gave John Gage the money for these grants as payment for marrying you?”
“”No, there isn’t enough money in the world to buy John Roderick’s love…It’s given freely or not at all.” Cisco moved closer as did Roy when Johnny unlocked the brakes and moved the chair. The reporter started to follow.
“The interview is over. I would strongly suggest you go back to the rock you slithered out from under.” Cisco stood there blocking the way as the reported considered his options. Wisely, the reporter turned and walked away.
Lee was talking with Claire and some of the other firemen’s wives when Cisco joined them.
“Where are the guys?” He was not happy seeing her there with no protection.
“Don’t be so surly, I sent them off to talk with some of our boys.” Claire said. “Lee and I are fine…Go join the men folk.” Cisco nodded. Claire sounded like his mom.
“Yes, ma’am.” He left knowing she was in good hands.
Johnny, Roy and Colin were talking with some of the firemen Johnny and Roy hadn’t met before . No one mentioned the reporter. Johnny was only half listening.
“There are some things you don’t learn in the classes…It’s the emotional side of the job. Rule #1 is you don’t get emotionally involved with your patients but you’re human. Things will hit close to home, especially when its kids involved or a friend. You just work through it and when you have time deal with it. We know we can talk to our captain or each other. Some of the guys use sports or a creative hobby to deal with the stress. Just don’t take it home or to the bar. I guess that is the best advice I can give.” Roy said in answer to a question. “I’m senior paramedic but I trust Johnny and listen to his input. Develop a sense of trust if you haven’t already. Go over calls afterwards when you have time but don’t second guess yourselves. Learn to work with other paramedics, respect their style of doing things.” He looked over at Johnny. “Anything you want to add, Junior?”
“Nope, you covered it pretty well.”
“Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. After what happen…”
“Look, Lee and I know the truth so do the people who matter in our lives. “ Johnny said with a shrug. “The others you learn to ignore. If we had made a big fuss it would have just given the jerks more to talk about. Come on. Let’s go find Lee and Claire. I want some of that cake Claire made yesterday.”
“She has one at the house for you.” Colin laughed. “Didn’t think you would have much time to eat here.”
A group of boys in their early teens came over and began asking questions and Johnny’s natural way with kids was soon in full gear. He had them laughing at some stories and seriously thinking about other things he said.
Katherine and Deborah stood off to the side watching as the people that usually hover around them stood waiting to talk with Lee and Claire. ‘”She made that reporter look like a fool.” Deborah said. “Mitch should have listened to me when I told him it was a bad idea. Hopefully he can do some damage control tomorrow.”
~E! ~
Johnny woke up early and was out on the porch watching the sunrise. Lee had finally went to sleep after he gave her one of the pills the doctors had left after the fall. He wasn’t really surprised when Roy came over with two mugs of coffee.
“You do ok?” Roy asked as he settled on the old fashion porch swing.
“Yeah, think so. I just want this over and we back home. She was sick at her stomach after we got back here that made her madder. She was worried about me being embarrassed by that jackass of a reporter. Me…not her…” He took a long swig of the coffee.
“That bunch knew you would be more likely to react badly to them attacking her. Colin said that the newspaper owner is on the council. Most o the people in town owe money to the bank so they go along with what Mayor Sherman wants.”
“The lawyers have the money tied up so they can’t get their hands on it. But I think what is making them more angry is the fact we aren’t doing what they want. They want to buid a new city hall and a community center, which would be named after Sherman. Carl Phelps’dad was principal when I was in school. He was a mean bitter man. He hated the fact his school had to let kids from the reservation go there. Most of them dropped out or if they did do good in school ever got any recognition. If there was ever a problem between a white and an Indian it was always the Indian’s fault. Me, he hated more than the others because …”
“Because he was stupid. Like Lee said, it was their lost. I have seen you at your best and your worst. Your worst is better than most people’s best. I have seen you so weak you couldn’t hold a spoon but still struggle to do your best. I’ve seen you move heavy items by yourself that its taken three others to remove, when you were trying to save someone. You’re a good a noble person, an old soul Claire and others have called you. Just know whatever happen in the future, you’ll always be my best friend, my little brother. I’m proud of you, Junior, for too many reason to say.”
“I owe you my life for so many reasons…guess it’s good we don’t have to find the words…Our hearts know them even when we can’t say it.” They sat out watching the sky change colors. Johnny had left the door open so he could hear Lee when she woke up. Without her pull up bar it was a little harder for her to set up the first thing. Johnny had moved her chair s even if she did manage to sit on the side of the bed she couldn’t go anywhere. “Excuse me I think I’m being paged.”
Colin and Claire had left for church and were going to go out to the reservation after having lunch with their family. Lee insisted on fixing breakfast for the guys. It was just bacon and pancakes but it felt good to her to be useful.
“We have to be at the reservation by 2 and are meeting Micha and James at the Council office then going over to the clinic. I talked to Ben and he is going to get in touch with a friend he has in Billings to look over the building and see if it would make more sense to remoldel or just build a new one. That will be done separate from the grant…Then tomorrow morning we leave for home. I will have everything packed and ready to go tonight except what we’ll need for tomorrow…We should be on the road by 7 in the morning.” She looked at Roy and Cisco and shrugged. “You know, I think Johnny and I have the best brothers in the world. What you have done these last few days…Just thanks…which doesn’t seem enough.”
Lee watched as Johnny got dressed. He had been really quiet ever since Roy and Cisco had went back to get ready. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking but at the same time respected his privacy.
“There is going to be a lot of people there today who really didn’t think I would ever amount to much…Some who downright hated me for being half white or even for being alive.” Johnny said suddenly. “I use to wonder why God didn’t let me die and be with y folks. Maybe it’s so I maybe help others on the reservation find acceptance in what they do with their lives. It’s hard for some of the younger ones not having much of a chance for good jobs if they stay on the reservation yet feeling obligated to stay for the elders…Maybe this will show them they can do both…Have a life off the reservation but still be supportive.”
“You have a good point. Johnny what your aunt said about you owing them and my being a burden…She is a bitter old woman. I don’t think I can even really feel sorry for her. To me she is a nonperson; I can’t even find pity for her. That may seem cruel and uncaring but it’s the best I can do.”
“That’s more than she deserves for what she said to you. I never hated her for anything she said to me or did…feared her yes but not hate..Because my mom taught me hate was just as destructive to the hater…”
“She was as wise as she was beautiful I see that in you every day. Besides, we know she was partially right, I am not a proper woman. But I love you so much that hopefully that makes up for what I lack.”
“As far as I am concerned you are a perfect.”
“Thank you for thinking that way…Ok, I guess I should think about finishing getting dressed. Would it be disrespectful if I wore slacks? That air is chilly.”
“Your legs staying warm are more important than what you wear…”
She settled on the Navy blue pants suit and a deep teal colored sweater. She left her hair down with a floral scarf as a headband. She had her mother’s pearl earrings on and her locket. The earring that Cisco had gotten back from Yancey was damaged. Johnny wore the same suit he had worn to Sherman’s dinner, the other guys in slacks and sport coats.
Again, there was a large crowd gathered for the ceremony. Lee was more nervous than she wanted anyone to know. She wasn’t afraid by any means just worried about how the attitude of his mother’s family and people could hurt Johnny. Mayor Sherman nodded and smiled at her but seeing the cold disinterested look she gave him, stayed over with his friends. Sherman and his friends were not happy when a film crew from a Billing’s television station showed up. When they approached the TV crew, they were ignored.
“Mrs. Gage, my name is Peter Graves. We have a mutual friend, Cal Thomas. He wanted me toget some footage for his show. He said to tell you Uncle Jeff said hello.”
“Fine as long as you stay in the background and are quiet. This is very important to my husband and you will respect that.”
“Cal said you would be cooperative as long as we showed the proper respect. Do you have any comments you’d like to make?”
“Maybe after the ceremony. If you excuse me thye want me over with the group.” She began wheeling herself towards Johnny and the others when Cisco came over to her.
“Problems?” He growled.
“No, they aree friends iof Cal’s. Shall we go?”
“Pete, what would have happen if she’d told the big guy there was a problem?” The camera man asked watching the protec6tive way he was hovering over the wheelchair.
“We’d be out of here. That’s the Cisco Kid…the martial arts champ. Cal said he came here after a bunch of guys mobbed her and her husband and her chair got knocked over.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests. I am proud to be introducing our guest of honor today. John Gage is a respected member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He is one of an elite group of men who serve not only as fire fighters but rescue men and emergency medical personnel. They receive specialized training to assist the ill and injured when and where ever needed until they can be seen by a doctor at a hospital. It is partly due to this dedication to helping others he and his wife, Lee, have chosen to give Dr. Handly and Dr. Carlton a very generous grant for improvement of the reservation’s health care program. Some of the improvements will also benefit the town of Lame Deer. It is with pride, I introduce John.” Micha Little Bear stepped back as Johnny and the two doctors stepped forward.
“My parents met here in Lame Deer and my mother said it was love at first sight. They faced many challenges but that never dimmed the love they had for each other. After my father’s death we returned to Lame Deer because this was her home. She died when I was 12. I can still hear her voice in my head and heart. She loved the old traditions and the old stories. We would sit outside when the weather was good and watch the stars. She would tell me the old legends and stories about when she was a child. It is in the memory of Red Moon, also known as Kathleen Gage, that I humbly present this check and this plaque to the good doctors and the Cheyenne people. The plaque is a tribute to the love that my parents shared and a reminder that love doesn’t see the color, religion or nationality of people but what is in their hearts. This plaque is my way of saying that I am proud to be the son of Roderick Gage and Red Moon. I use to think love at first sight was just something my mom said to explain why she and my dad married so quickly. But then I met Lee and I knew exactly what my parents felt. This gift to you in my parents honor and memory is a gift from both of us to you and to them.” He gave the fake check and the plaque to Dr. Carlton and shook hands with everyone.
Lee sat there tears running down her face. She was so proud of him. Every time she thought she couldn’t be prouder, he gave her a reason to be prouder and more in love with him. In her heart she felt he had found that sense of peace and closure that had been missing. He called her over for pictures. Roy pushed her then went back to Cisco.
“Think today they saw the real John Gage. He showed them his pride, his strength and the power of a caring heart.” Roy said, a little misty eyed himself at Johnny’s speech.
“Gotta agree with you. Think she had to do some growing up with whole idea of coming here. She knew it was bad for him but she couldn’t really see it in her head. I know she felt it in her heart.”
The pictures were taken then they went to the community room for the dinner. The women of the tribe had been cooking for days. Everyone had enjoyed the meal and now most were talking and relaxing. Sherman and his crew had left as quickly as possible after the ceremony, not that anyone really missed them. Johnny had taken off his coat and tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves and looked much more relaxed. Lee smiled when she saw him with a group of children. Claire and Colin came over to her. Claire looked at her trying to judge her frame of mind.
“Is there anything you need? We‘ll is leaving in a few minutes, I think…”
“No, I’m fine thank you. Wasn’t he just wonderful with that speech? Wonder how many remember when he couldn’t say his own name sometimes without struggling ?”
“It may not be any of my business, but does he ever have a problem with drawing into himself like he had when he was younger? Watching him standing up there so confident. Was indeed a miracle from the boy we knew to the man we saw today.”
“Not for a long time. Thanks to Jo and Roy and his friends they found the answers they needed to get the help he needed.” She looked up as he came walking over to them. Claire caught the look of pain in her eyes, which was quickly gone.
“Hey, Baby girl, this is Ethan. His mother is my youngest cousin, Belinda. He just had his third week birthday.” He placed the smiling baby in her arms. His dad is one of the best rodeo riders around these parts.”
“Hi there wee one…You have a really pretty smile…and big dark eyes like your cousin Johnny…You are so precious.” She looked up at his parents who had followed Johnny over to her. “Congratulations.” They talked awhile longer then Johnny went off when someone called his name. Claire herself was soon called away. About ten minutes Lee looked around but didn’t see Johnny , Roy or Cisco. Deciding she didn’t have much choice in the matter started over towards the hallway marked Restrooms. Just as she started down the short hallway, Lee felt the hand on her shoulder and shuttered. It wasn’t a friendly touch. She stiffened as the pressure increased.
“My sister would not come here today so that you could humiliate her again in front of our friends and family…Her self respect was all she had left. You had no right to treat her like you did.” Lee turned as much as she was able to see Johnny’s other aunt, the middle sister. “You come in your fancy clothes and look down on us. My daughter tells me you bought many presents to take back to John’s white friends. But nothing for his family. The insults to his family are unforgivable.” The older woman moved so she was facing Lee.
“You aren’t his family, you threw him away. His family is in Los Angeles.” The quiet voice was contemptuous. “You have no right to claim anything from him or me. He owes you nothing because you never gave him anything. He paid for whatever crumbs you ever threw him with his pain and tears.” No one had noticed when Johnny’s aunt had came in or that she had followed Lee.
“You know nothing about what it was like. We had barely enough for our children then to be forced by our father to take in that crazy child…to take care of him and his foolish mother.” The woman reached out grabbing at the locket. Without thinking as she pulled on the delicate chain, Lee lashed out. Lee connected a hard blow to the woman’s midsection. Lee heard the gasping sound the woman made in shock and rage.
“JOHNNY!” Lee screamed as the woman staggered back and sunk to the floor, the locket in her hand.
Johnny, Roy and Cisco had gone outside with some of the men when one of them asked Cisco about his Bowie Knife. There was some practice targets behind the building.
“JOHN! LEE NEEDS YOU!” Steve Handly stood outside the building and yelled. No one for sure seemed to know where they had went. It was a close race to see who reached the door first. Steve had gone back into the building or he would have probably gotten run over.
Lee was hyperventilating as she sobbed. Sean was trying to get her to slow her breathing but it wasn’t working. His aunt was over to the side and looked like she was going to be sick. “OK, move her chair over closer to me,” John said as he sat down his back against the wall. “Roy, you and Cisco, lift her out and sat her down here. Easy, her back and hip are going to be tight.”
“Shush baby, its ok…I’ve got you.” He pulled her close to his chest, his arms crisscrossed over her chest. “I’ve got you, nothing is gonna hurt you now…Just relax.” He whispered in her ear gently rocking. He could feel her heart pounding, and he could only imagine what her pulse and bp was. “You need to stop crying and tell me what happen.”
“Mmm akk hherrr giiive it aback….” Lee said as she sobbed. “BBrrrk…” Micha and James had moved everyone to the front of the building to give Johnny and Lee as much privacy as possible then had came back to the wall.. Sean had left the group around Lee to check on the aunt. She was sitting off by herself glaring at her nephew. Her arm was across her stomach protectively.
“Stop crying and tell me who has what you want back.”
“Mmymyy ‘ket…Shhhe pulled it and broke it…Said I owed her…”
Looking disgusted Micha went over to the older woman and held out his hand after addressing her sharply. Shaking her head no, several times she then began a rapid angry monologue against the couple. Finally, Micha had enough and demanded the locket. Before giving it to him, she spot on it and laughed wickedly. He quickly wiped it off then returned it to Lee. She nodded thanks taking several deep breaths. Having the locket back seemed to calm her and she stopped crying.
“She grabbed my shoulder …I was scared…When she pulled on the locket, I hit her. I’m sorry I was scared and she took my locket…Don’t be mad at me…” She began crying seeing the angry faces around her and feeling Johnny tense up. “Didn’t want to hurt her…but was so scared. Couldn’t find you…She broke the chain and took my locket.”
“Shush, Baby girl…no one is mad at you. At my aunt for scaring you but mostly, I’m mad at myself. I thought you were with Claire or I wouldn’t have went outside. Soon as we get home we’ll get a new chain…It’s ok…Roy is gonna bring the van down here and we’ll go back to the house…It’s all over…you’ll be fine. Will you let Sean give you a shot before we go to the van?”
“No…need to tell…everyone…” She was getting upset again.
“Ok, after you tell everybody, you’ll get a shot for your back.” He looked at the men standing there. “Micha is my aunt hurt?”
“No, I think she just had the wind knocked out of her. That and the shock of having Lee stand up to her.”
“Ok, Roy, you and Cisco take her while I get up…Micha will you hold the chair steady please.”
“Yes…your aunt is complaining of pain in her side and stomach. After you leave I will have one of the doctors check her.”
Lee was in her chair and had regained her composure. Johnny was pushing her with Roy, Cisco on each side. The grim faced Cheyenne were waiting by the doorway.
“Lee would like to say something to you about what just happened.” Micha said sternly.
“Johnny wanted to do something good for his mother’s family, his people. He has never been ashamed to be part Cheyenne even when people here was ashamed of him. He has told me more than once Red Moon wanted his to be proud of his Cheyenne heritage and know it’s beauty. He did not bring money and the plaque to shame you or brag on his self. He brought these gifts out of love and respect. If you want to be angry at someone for what just happen then be angry at me. I am not proud of hitting another person, especialy one who is older. However, have no doubt in your mind I am proud of my husband. I will never apologize for defending him or for loving him.”
Tom Medicine Bull’s father stepped forward and looked at the visitors then turned to face his tribe “It is right that you speak of your love and pride in your fine husband. It saddens me that you who have come to help our people have been treated so rudely by his family.”
“Not his family, but his aunts. Others in his family have been friendly and welcoming, as the majority of the people I have met here. It is wrong to blame all for the actions of a few. I reacted in fear and anger. That woman had stolen something very precious from me, Johnny’s wedding gift to me.”
“It was your right to protect yourself and your locket.” Micha. “It was shameful for her to attack someone weaker.”
All were surprised at the chuckle that Cisco let out. “That one may look weak and helpless but you mess with her, Johnny or any of her family you’ve got a hell cat on your hands. Little Sister depends on her arms and upper body instead of her legs. That is where her body strength lies.”
“We hold no anger towards anyone here. I know it has not been an easy life for my aunts for many reasons. I need to get my wife home and let the doctors tend to her.” He lifted her easily and got her belted into the seat. A few private words with Micha and James and they left.
~E! ~
The flight from Montana to L. A. went smoothly with Lee sleeping most of it, thanks to a shot from Dr. Handly before they left for the airport. Roy was sitting with Cisco behind them.
“First class sure is nicer on the knees…Sure feels good getting home. The girls have a game Wednesday, you two gonna make it?”
“Yeah all four of us. Lee and Junior look forward to the games.”
“Family is their world.” Cisco said simply.
“And all is good in that world,” Lee said sleepily. “All is good.”
The End
Posted to Site 05/12/13
LINKS TO PART 1. 2. 3. |