Colorado.
I knocked on Chels and Jake’s door this morning, wondering if they were home to tell me what had been happening the last couple of days. No one answered and I saw a Native man running through town. I followed him towards the bridge going to Devil’s Ditch and walked over. I decided to be friendly, though I wasn’t sure why since the conversation with the Apache in Kingsley. I wasn’t too comfortable around Natives anymore.
“Dago te, white woman,” Igmu greeted me.
“Dago Te…” I said hesitantly. “Nice day out.”
“What you want… Chief make clear he not want you here.”
“I was going over to my saloon to work,” I half lied, knowing I had been more curious about his presence. “We’re still not on Apache land.”
“You follow Igmu from town. What want?” he spoke firmly, eyeing me.
I saw a colt coming over and pet it while I said, “I was coming over to the saloon in Devil’s Ditch. It’s where I work.”
Igmu said something to the colt and muttered, “Ok Igmu not keep you go about what ever it is you do.”
I nodded and walked over to the saloon. I sighed at the tone that Igmu talked to the horse with and wondered if they would ever accept that I wasn’t against them, though all logic said I should be.
***
This evening I walked into the saloon in town and greeted Roxanne. When she asked how I was doing I said, Just lookin for the next story. Been in a self-induced hibernation as of late to get some writing done.”
“Well not much going on around here. The Sheriff shot an indian earlier.”
“Oh? How come?”
“Something about them wanting a war and then expect to walk freely through town.”
“Sounds about right.”
“I guess it means there will be troubled times ahead.”
“‘Fraid the troubled times are already started. I run the newspaper across the street.”
“A journalist, very nice.”
“It can be. Other times it’s frustrating.”
“Well I always found a nice cup of tea helped me relax and let me write,” she smiled.
“Maybe that’s what I need,” I nodded. “So how long ya worked here?” I asked as she made me some tea. “Been a rough couple of days..” I sighed. “Doesn’t matter how long I lock myself in my room... I’ve got nothing done.”
“Been quite interesting for sure. A lot of things to get used to around these parts. What kind of stories do you write?”
“That’s for sure and I’ve been in the area for about seven months or so…” I nodded.
“Guess we just have to manage and chug along.”
“Guess we do what we gotta do.”
“Yes, seems to be the only way unfortunately. I’m living proof of that.”
“Ditto, though it seems to get me into more trouble than help.”
“Oh? Seems like being a writer is dangerous work.”
“It is at that. Especially depending on the nature of the story.”
“I see. Guess I picked the less dangerous job then.”
“Yeah you sure did. Though, I’ve done your job before and it don’t hurt to know where the guns are.”
“There is one right under the bar here, and a couple behind the curtains,” Roxy smiled. “Tho I am not one that likes to resort to violence. I’d prefer finding another solution.”
“I know... I’m like you. But I had to wear my gun again because of some things that are going on,” I nodded.
“You could always write some fictional stories.”
“I’m writing up my journals about my time in the west,” I nodded.
“I’m sure they will be a very interesting read when you are done. Stories about out west here seem very popular back east.”
“For sure. It’s therapeutic minimizing it all on paper too, you know?”
“I just write little things for fun”
“What about?”
“Oh mostly little thoughts, or poems. Short little sections of events that i have seen or been involved with.”
Twist came into the saloon and then Josh entered and exclaimed, “Sis!”
I turned and raised an eyebrow, “Josh, what’s wrong?”
“We need to talk. Something came up,” he said and nodded to the others.
“Sorry ladies, looks like I have to head out,” I stood then and looked at Roxy.
“Do take care. Was a pleasure meeting you Miss Twist,” Rox said.
“Pleasure talking to you, Rox,” I said to her and looked at Josh. “Let’s head across the road.”
Josh told me it was a private matter and we headed over to my apartment. When we were sitting on the couch, I looked over at him and asked, “Okay talk to me. Is it about mom?”
“Not just mom kiddo,” Josh shook his head and grabbed the papers from his pocket, unfolding them. “So mom gave me these documents before we left to come back here. Well lets just say it sparked my memory.”
“Spare the suspense, Bro. What is it?” I sighed.
“But sis, you know how I love to build suspense,” he handed the papers over. “So those papers are official documents, showing that we are part native.”
I blinked at the shock of what he just said. “We’re... what?!”
“Yeah, We are Apache, well partial Apache, This is going to change everything kiddo,” he nodded.
I swallowed hard, sitting back and staring at my brother in shock. “Josh... For eight months I’ve been in tension with the Natives... Trying to get them to trust me... Trying to provide them with a voice…”
“I know…” he nodded.
“All the hell they put me through because I was a lawman or because I was friends with such... All logic said I should have just let them go… But something kept pulling me back to them. Every man, except James, that I’ve dated has been part-Native. For some reason I keep trying to make things right between me and them. This was the reason... It’s in my blood.” I stared at him, my eyes wide. How far back...? How many generations back is the Apache I mean?”
He took the papers and read through them. “Looks like four Generations.”
I shook my head in awe, wondering what this would mean for my relations with the Natives, Especially Chief Nah. “You’re right Josh... This changes... everything…” I shook my head.
“We can’t tell anyone, At least not yet sis. We need to get your relationship with the natives back.”
“I know. Telling anyone here would get us shot... Oh gosh... Adder... He’ll…” I shook my head, knowing that we were best friends now, but if this got out…
“We will get through this turn in events sis…” Josh pulled me close.
I leaned my head against his shoulder and hugged him tightly. “I can’t wait to tell Tom though... He’s part Native... He’ll be thrilled…”
“Sis..... I know you trust Tom, But No one can know.”
I sighed and knew that it wasn’t just because Josh didn’t trust Tom. I leaned back on the couch, thinking how this made everything so clear, and so complicated at the same time.
No comments:
Post a Comment