Page 68 of Citiali: Teach
“Carmen and Hannah are over there. Go, do whatever makes you happy, deer girl.”She pulls my shirt so I bend for her quick kiss.
When I straighten, Prez watches me. “It bothers her?”
“No, or not usually, but when I came in, I pushed harder and she had to let my hand go.”
He nods and lets my arm go. “You’re like a jump for me.”
I nod. “It’s not me, Prez. They’re here through me. I’m not throwing anything.”
“I want to tell you of the new plan.” I nod and sit at the table when he does. Cort turns from Brekan and Christian. “I asked for Citiali because he’s the only Brother I’ve met that doesn’t care if he pisses me off.”
Cort smiles. “I was going to bring it to him after this, so it saves me a trip. You know the shield means we can’t hurt him. Raid shot at him with laser and bullets just drop.”
Prez looks stricken. “He shot at him with fuckin’ bullets?”
Cort shrugs. “He said the laser didn’t get close.”
I look down so I don’t laugh but feel right away Prez is pissed. I reach and hold his arm with a firm grip. “He was testing the shield, I was in gear and the shield covered everyone with me.”
He gives me a look. “Who the fuck was with you?”
I shake my head. “Let it go, Prez. It doesn’t matter, it proved the shield works and it’s a non-issue. Close your eyes and breathe the ancestors in.”
He shocks me listening. I let his arm go when his body relaxes. As soon as his eyes are open, I throw out. “So, the plans?”
Cort laughs.
Prez nods, then smiles. “Yeah, thanks. So, Keesog is Christian’s help.”
He stops as if waiting for me to answer. I nod. It’s a good place for him and he won’t be so bored he’s creating trouble.
Ten minutes in and Christian speaks up, Aiyana shows at the table. Mucimi, Jeremy, Dakota and Zeke take over and write what needs to happen and who their help is. Each one of them have different and younger help for positions Prez takes note of. Cort doesn’t object when Zeke names Caelan but he’s surprised.
After almost an hour, Dakota slides his tablet to Prez. “This is what we and each territory need, Prez.”
I smile when Prez does. “You hijacked my meeting.”
Jeremy nods with a big smile. “Yeah. You’d ask.” He doesn’t say more.
Prez nods and gets a serious look to his eyes. “Do it whenever I need it.”
Christian sags in his chair. “We will. It beats you ordering us before you hear us.”
Aiyana and Dakota agree nodding. “I am told I am shielded and you cannot shoot my feet.”
I laugh. Aiyana is about as Badass as it gets.
Prez nods. “I like you throwing equal out. I have felt like I’m ordering you. I need you to explain better so I’m not ordering what you don’t agree with. We used to work together. There are too many times I’m not feeling that.”
Christian sits up. “You’re Prez. We follow orders all the time not agreeing.”
Prez puts his hand up and Christian stops talking.
I smile. “Keep going, Christian. He was making a point.”
Christian looks at me then Prez. “We’ve always just followed orders.”
Prez shakes his head. “I need a team, a council, that shares ideas with a passion that will change my mind when I’m not seeing what you do. I may still order whatever but I need why you object in English, not hidden behind Indian words I don’t always understand. Citiali is a messenger doesn’t tell me what the fuck Citiali’s purpose is. Zeke is a teacher? Of what? Why is it important? He’s Christian but not, Citiali has stories I don’t understand. Atohi can be interchanged, why? I went along with Justice and Zeke because they had more running through their heads than you do. Hemy understood but wasn’t clear. I need real and I need it all on the table, all the time. Explain so I get it.” His green eyes are flashing like jewels.
