Tasha sat the entire time beside him holding his hand. She responded when spoken to but did not seem to volunteer information. Finally after about an hour the woman stood and moved to a pot that had been simmering on the stove while they visited. She filled bowls for everyone and brought them to where they were sitting. Gramps was served first then Seth. After that Tasha, then Granny were handed bowls. The woman took her bowl last. The soup was good but not as good as Seth was used to.
When the meal was completed pallets were placed on the floor and everyone went to sleep. To Seth’s surprise Tasha crawled into the pallet with him and snuggled down. She spooned against him and pulled his arm around her placing his hand on her breast. She moaned and seemed to drop off to sleep immediately. Seth, on the other hand, lay awake for a long time. He knew this was the last time he would hold Tasha in his arms and he was heartbroken.
The next morning Seth was awakened by clattering coming from the corner of the room set aside for a kitchen. The smell of coffee set his mouth watering. He was stiff and sore, aching in his bones from sleeping on the hard floor with only a thin pad between it and him. When he was handed his coffee Seth smiled up at the woman and thanked her. She only grunted and moved on.
Gramps came up beside Seth and invited him to go outside with him. They walked behind Seth’s truck and watered the dust. Gramps said, “Before you leave Seth it would give me great pleasure if you would visit the Shaman and Chief with me. I wish to tell them of your kindness and get their blessing on our arrangement.”
Seth couldn’t see what benefit that would be to him or, in truth, any reason for him to do so but he agreed. He truly liked the old man and he loved Tasha. By agreeing to the request he could at least delay his departure and perhaps spend more time with Tasha.
To his surprise when it was time for them to go all three women got into the truck with Seth and Gramps. Once again he followed directions until they arrived at a large building with a flag in the front yard. The sign proclaimed it was tribal headquarters. The building contained a small clinic, library, the tribal offices and a grade school.
Seth followed Gramps into the office section. Soon they were ushered into an office where a large heavy set man sat behind a desk. He was dressed in a suit that looked as if he had slept in it. Another man dressed in more traditional Indian garb sat in a chair to the side. Once again the conversation was held mostly in Navajo. This time many questions seemed to be directed not only at Gramps but to Tasha as well. A time or two she blushed before she answered. She seemed very respectful of both the heavy man who Seth had learned was the Chief and the other man who was the Shaman.
Finally the shaman stood and moved toward Seth and Tasha. He took some items from his bag and stood watching the young couple. The Chief turned his attention to Seth and said, “I have been told of how you helped our people when you found them in your home injured, hungry and without a way to continue their journey. You gave them shelter, medical care and food asking nothing in return. Long Hunter has told me how you and Tasha grew closer as you cared for them. He has told me since he had no way of repaying you for your kindness he gave Tasha to you and that you have bedded her. He has assured me you have been introduced to our ways. Many of us no longer follow the old ways. Some of us follow them more than do others.
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