Page 35 of Citiali: Teach
I laugh. “I think Badass. Cherokee are known for the separate lead positions. Fighters hunted but weren’t farmers or fishermen.”
His smile relaxes me. “More and more I see how and where Badass fit in with the Indian way of life. I’d say Mason belief too but they were later. FBI, PD and military like the Brotherhood surrounding them but Indian and Badass see further than that.” He’s a smart Brother.
“Yeah, Boss. Hemy gave us Badass growing up. My grandfather and uncle taught us Indian and Badass as lessons but they weren’t separated as one or the other. I didn’t realize it until I read the Bible. We were always just Badass Indians.” I smile. “I guess we still are.”
He laughs. “I think Crow did the same with us without promoting the Indian parts. Justice put it together for me but I’m still learning. Caelan needs me to keep learning. The world is getting fuckin’ crazier and crazier.”
It is so I don’t point out the part Badass plays in some of that crazy. “We all do, Boss. Every one of us knows we have a purpose that is meant to touch others but we’re just the tools. Our Leaders don’t make it unless they feel the trust, honor and respect they learn from Badass. It’s how they know where to use their tools.”
He laughs again. “You don’t say much but when you talk it matters. I really do like you, Citiali. Thanks for showing. I’ll call Hemy later. You don’t have to stay.”He points to the gate.
“She’d be great on a team but doesn’t want it right now. You don’t either.”
“No, Boss. I was used on Ops for a couple of years now. I like training again. Thanks for dinner.”
He laughs as Dyani walks right under my outstretched arm. “You made it and even brought the wine. I don’t have to dog you to claim your girl either.” His eyes are back to sharp.
“No, Boss. After years in a cell, we’re giving Dyani time to settle into a new life. She agrees it’s with me but needs real life experience in Badass.” I hope he doesn’t show at Teach, Ari will banish me.
She laughs. “I’m getting that fast. I think Seren scheduled this week to convince me but it is all new to me and very different than how I grew up. Even the kids have phones and vehicles. This is not even close to how I lived.”
I’m surprised to see Cort nod. “Seren laid it out for me. I push the Brothers without thinking of the ol’ lady. I’m thinking of ol’ ladies now. Take what you need but don’t drag it out. The Brothers revert to fourteen when they find their girls.”
I smile and turn my girl. “Thanks, Boss. My head is clear and path is written. Tell Hemy I’ll see him at the reservation. Night, Boss”
My first step gets stopped. “John F Kennedy said, ‘We have faith in our future only when we have faith in ourselves.’ I see faith in Badass every day in so many Brothers, Citiali. In you, I feel it. Justice, Teller, Zeke, a handful from all over carry that. With you and now Dyani, I feel it like a beacon. Training is a good place for you. Thanks for cooking dinner.”
I throw him chin and get the hell out of there before we’re dragged into conversation with the Brothers moving back to the table.
At the VIP adobe, Dyani laughs. “He’s like Seren. I see why they’re together.”
I nod. “Raid said she’s powered by google but he’s never seen her use google.”
“Google the search engine?”
“Yeah, they have answers or sayings for everything. I’d hate to be in a debate with either. I know Badass and Indian.”
She plops on the couch so I sit by her. “You know how to cook, all kinds of languages, have been more places than I’ve ever dreamed of and spout information about them as if you’re a book.”
I smile putting my arm over her shoulder and pull her closer. “I worked a lot of DC jobs. It was home. How has your day been?”
“It’s been perfect. I finished the test this morning and Freedom said she’s signing off. I think it means I passed all the training. The range was easy today with Stella but she just said she’d get with Freedom. Then you came up and made it better. I like our time but today felt different. You’re still here and showed me you know how to cook. Did you know Cort really cooks too?”
I laugh, glad I fit in with her happy day. “Who doesn’t?”
“I don’t know. Do Ari and Nova cook?”
I shrug. “If they want to eat, they do. I grew up with my grandfather, uncle and brother, we all cook, sew and chop wood.”
“My dad never cooked, he was an Elder.”
The reservation was like that, according to Ginny. “I’ve heard about a tribe where the women served men but grew up different. That tribe is gone now. It didn’t last for them. Our people always had powerful women throughout the ages but somewhere, something broke in them.”
She looks at the trees from the window in front of us. “My mom wasn’t happy. This is different but in a good way. I wouldn’t want to live like my mom did. I’m glad you didn’t live in a tribe like that.”
“You’re meeting Ginny tomorrow. Her mom and grandmother lived in tribes like that. Hemy got her into Liberty young so she never did. Don’t mention her mom. Last year the tribe tried to have her killed so they could get the land. Hemy owns it and is her dad. Her mom was helping the elders.”
Her head whips so she can see me. “You’re serious?”
