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“What is the problem?” Je
“Jen, you and I, we…have nothing in common, we don’t belong together.”
Je
He didn’t respond, not meeting her eyes.
Je
“You know the answer to that.”
“Ah, yes, poor Nitsokan, torn between two worlds, unable to help himself, hung up on a woman who’s wrong for him. Do you know that you’re a hypocrite, Lee? You harbor the same prejudices against me that you once thought I had against Indians. What makes you so sure you’re right about this? Have I ever asked you to do anything contrary to your background or your beliefs?”
He dropped his eyes. “Not yet,” he said softly. “But one day.”
Je
Lee stood abruptly, thrusting his hands through his hair. “You don’t understand.”
“You’re right,” Je
Lee turned on her, his eyes blazing the way they had when he’d spoken of his sister. “You have no idea what you’re talking about!” he said bitterly. He jabbed his thumb at his bare chest. “Look at me. Do you think because I went to college, talk like an accountant, wear these clothes, that I am like you? What did you expect, war paint and sign language? What you see is a survival suit, protective coloration. Don’t be fooled by it Underneath I am as red as Montana clay.”
His voice was hoarse, his features contorted. “I am Siksika, Nitsokan, Youngest Son.” His hands stabbed the air, the right rubbing the left, back and forth twice, making the sign for “Indian” he’d once showed her, followed by another she didn’t understand. “I am Indian, and I am not like you.”
Gone was the light tone of the early days, when he had joked about Chingachgook. This was no laughing matter now. He saw a threat to his basic identity in his strong feeling for Je
They stood facing each other, emotional, spent Je
“Fu
He flinched, as if she’d struck him. “That’s a cheap shot, Jen, unworthy of you. I don’t deserve it.”
Je
“You’ll have to forgive me,” she said. “I’m hurt and confused and somewhat lacking in tact this evening.”
Lee studied her face, his own unreadable. “I’m sorry I hurt you, paleface. I never meant to.”
“Just go, will you please go?”
She didn’t watch him go back to the bedroom for the rest of his things and didn’t turn when she heard him pause behind her.
“Jen, I—” he began.
“Leave. Now.”
He did so, and she waited for the sound of his motor to fade away outside before she gave way to the tears she’d held in check so carefully.
Goodbye, Nitsokan.
Chapter 8
Je
Dolores kept her posted on what was happening with daily telephone calls and startled her by concluding one conversation with the bulletin that Lee was also.
“What’s the matter with him?” Je
“He has the chicken pox.”
Je
Dolores’ voice came ti
Je
“Sure as sunrise. They think he caught it during that visit to the children’s hospital with you. You’ll probably be next.”
“No fear. I had it in second grade. Whatever I’ve got, that isn’t it How long will he be off the roster?”
“Two weeks or so. Roy says he’s mad as hell. Everybody else thinks it’s hilarious. So do you, I gather.”
“Fu
There was a pause. “What’s going on with you and Lee?”
“Nothing.” At the moment, that was true.
“Hmmm. A likely story. Well, I won’t keep you. Rest up and take care of yourself, I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye-bye.”
“Bye.” Je
She lay down on the bed and took another nap.
* * * *
Je
“Dawn Blacktree to see you,” Dolores said.
Je
“Send her in,” she told Dolores.
Dolores opened the door, eyeing Je
Dawn was looking very lovely, dressed in a deep rose pantsuit, her glorious hair falling straight to her waist from a center part. She seated herself gracefully in a conference chair and gazed serenely at Je
“Hello, Dawn. It’s nice to see you again. What can I do for you?”
“Lee asked me to come in to see you. Our local newspaper in Montana needs copies of some of his publicity releases. They’re preparing a Lee Youngson Day back home, a sort of a county fair, and the proceeds from the booths and exhibits will go to the Indian school Lee and I attended. This is a list of the publications and the dates.”
Je
“I’ll have duplicates prepared today and mail them to Lee’s house.”
“Thank you.” Dawn smoothed her tunic over her knees. “That is not the only reason I came, Ms. Gardiner.”
“Please call me Je
“All right, Je
Je
“Lee has been ill,” Dawn began.
“Yes, I heard that I hope he’s feeling better now.”
Dawn met Je