Page 24 of Citiali: Teach
Reservation
Lying flat out on my back I watch the sky and revel in my new acceptance. I smile and fix that, newcompleteacceptance. I need to work to show it’s deserved and appreciated.
Anahu deserves his family back. I filled out the form with his information and a short video of the desert I saw from him. His aunt is young in his memory and the name he called her isn’t Indian. Saki isn’t from these tribes and was said with vowels that don’t match Cree or Navajo dialect.
As soon as I feel him, I turn to my side.
“Sakari is in the Bravo tribe. She works at the breads store in Honor.” Mucimi is a wealth of knowledge.
“Thank you. I’ll take him over tomorrow after work.” I throw energy to him.
“You’re on them tomorrow. Get them settled. He doesn’t want to leave Dyani and Miguel yet. Miguel’s name is Nitis. He’s from Texas and was a US Marshal, then a bounty hunter when he joined Badass. He saw UK joining so he went there. In the UK Club, he heard of the CIA holding Indians and jumped in. No one has heard from him since. His paperwork in the UK expired.” US Marshal to bounty hunter is interesting because Hemy has a full Club of bounty hunters waiting to be picked up by the eastern Clubs.
I sit up fast. “CIA held him?” I see it and wave my hand. “What were they doing with them?” I’m not really sure I want to know.
“He’s smart, they tested him but I don’t know why. I sent it to Christian but he’s been busy. Nitis got beat at the prison. CIA didn’t hurt them but it was like another prison. Dyani…”
Teller shows with a hand over his mouth. “Chenoa will meet you tomorrow at the Bravo Club. She’s an elder of the tribe.” Both Teller and Mucimi are gone.
A deep breath has me blowing it out with a laugh. Dyani is mine. I knew but didn’t expect confirmation. I flop back and look at the sky. The ancestors are happy tonight too.
Chapter Four
Bravo Club - Indian Compound
Chenoa meets us at the chopper and gives tribal information as we walk. “They use English names unless in ceremony, the chief is Shield. He’s at the bread store today but will be back before you leave. Sakari’s name is Sweet here. She’s been crying all morning. Sleeping Bear is your guide and Little Wolf turned eight and took charge of the welcoming crew, he can give you the low-down on tribal life. I need to get to the Lab. Alder had the Bits working all night. We have four that need vaccines and they’re bringing them over to me.”
“Thank you, Chenoa. What shot were we given?” Dyani asks.
“Alder’s vitamin booster. It’s just a blast of vitamins. Your tests all came out safe, I mean normal. The Bits stamp them with a safe emoji.”
I smile at that. “Thanks, Chenoa. The Bits ate at Guardian today so we haven’t seen them.”
“Gregor was one going through the results for us. The computer does it but they recheck everything. Your group needs vitamins but Alder will send it over. I need to go.”
I touch her arm. “Thanks.”
Her head rears back. “Calm that, Brother. You’re like a zap from Teller.”
I pull my hand away quick. “Thanks.”
She runs laughing while Sleeping Bear smiles watching her. “She’s an amazing woman. If we could get her to stop for ten minutes, I could ask her all the questions my wife asks me to.”
“Have your wife make an appointment at the clinic.”
The man is jolly, reminding me of a thinner Santa. “I’m going to tell her that. She gives me these notes with questionsevery time I tell her Chenoa will be here. I tried to work the store today, but the women revolted. Chief Shield is better in the kitchen, they said.”
I laugh seeing him sitting in what looks like breadcrumbs with a barrel beside him. He shrugs. “Thanks for being our guide, Sleeping Bear.”
We get welcomed by the little kids and Little Wolf leads us to the kitchen where two women are waiting. already in tears. I stand back with Sleeping Bear and Mary while the women maul a crying Anahu.
Hearing sister, I look at Sleeping Bear. “Sister?” The woman looks at least fifteen years older than the boy.
He backs us out of the kitchen. “She’s one of the rescued slaves that live on the ABSZ. She doesn’t come here often but wanted to see her brother. Some women came back changed. Tiani is one of them. She was taken on a trip to the northern tribe when she was young. They’re twins.”
Mary says what I think. “She’s the same age as Anahu. I’m glad they’re all dead, what they did to the women is sick.”
Sleeping Bear agrees.
