CHAPTER 4



 

THE FLIGHT HOME took only a few hours. Yemaya had made arrangements for a Jeep rental to be delivered to Dakota so there was only a slight delay between departing the plane and leaving the airport. The journalist had to admit that money made things a lot easier. Feeling somewhat guilty about Yemaya continually paying for her expenses, she made a mental note to talk to her about how she could help share some of the costs. There would have to be some type of financial arrangements between them if they were going to be traveling so much. The journalist refused to live off her lover’s wealth.

Driving down the almost deserted highway toward her mom's house, she pulled out her cell phone and punched the number one, silently thanking the powers-that-be for speed dial. Listening to the familiar clicks, she scanned the mountain peaks, hoping she for good reception. Until two years ago, very few cellular phones worked in this part of the country. With the new towers in place, it helped some but still was lacking.

"Hello?"

Dakota shivered and she unconsciously squeezed her legs together at the tingling sensation building between her thighs.

"Hey," she replied, her voice slightly breathless.

"Hey to you too! Are you okay?"

"Yeah! You caught me by surprise is all."

"You were the one that called," Yemaya said, laughing softly. "So, how was the flight?"

"Bumpy but not bad. The rental Jeep is cool. I'm not sure black is the best color, though."

"It was the only one available with all the bells and whistles. I know how you like to play with gadgets," teased Yemaya.

"Not while I'm driving, but they're teasing me now. The satellite radio is nice."

"Well, I can drive when I get there and you can play with the radio and the GPS system."

"GPS? You have a global positioning system in this car?"

"Like I said, bells and whistles."

"That's so cool! How long will you be in New York?"

"Hopefully, no more than a week. I've contacted Andrei to arrange the funeral services for Dalnos. He'll be buried in our family cemetary until we can locate his mother's gravesite. Then we'll probably transfer her remains and lay them next to his."

"That's a nice thing to do although I'm not so sure he deserves it."

"He did not deserve his childhood. It does not excuse what he became or did to those girls but it may give him and his mother some peace. Other than that, Sonny and I need to finalize some details for the next tour and then I should be able to join you."

"So, you've decided not to retire, then?"

"Well, you and I still have to talk about that. I want you to be a part of the decision process. Until then, I might as well plan on at least one more show. It is the least I can do for my crew. I definitely need to make sure they are well compensated if I do retire and...  I need to be sure about us."

"You have doubts about us?" Dakota asked, surprised by the confession.

"Not about my feelings. I just want to make sure you are comfortable with our relationship."

"Listen, sweetie. If there's one thing you can bet your life on, it's that I'm comfortable. I love you and I intend on being in your life for a very long time, so get used to it."

Dakota could actually hear the sigh of relief on the other end and sensed the tension leaving her lover.

"Thank you," Yemaya said. "I needed that."

"Me too. How about we talk a little more about this later? I'm almost to mom's place."

"Sounds good. Say hello to Tee for me and Dakota? I miss you."

The sudden sound of silence when the line went dead surprised Dakota. Looking at the phone as if it had suddenly grown horns, she flipped it shut thinking they had been disconnected. Quickly, she realized Yemaya had probably felt awkward at disclosing so much of her feelings. She was still a very private person and occasionally regressed to her former self. The conversation had probably gotten too deep for her and she had decided to make a rapid retreat. Dakota knew it was her way of hiding her vulnerabilities.

*  *  *

Tee was sitting on the porch of the old farmhouse waiting for her daughter's arrival. The trail of dust kicking up in the distance signaled the approach of a fast moving vehicle. Shading her eyes from the bright sunlight, she watched as a black Jeep sped toward her small farm. When the car stopped in front of the gate, Tee stood and walked down the steps. Dakota climbed from the Jeep and hurried to embrace her mother.

"Hey, Mom. How's Gram?" she asked, anxiously.

"She seems to have stabilized some. I think the spirits are watching over her."

"I can believe that," Dakota agreed, mentally thanking her spiritual grandmother for keeping her promise. "Is she awake?"

"She was about an hour ago."

"Can I see her? We can visit afterwards."

"Later’s fine. She said she wouldn't sleep until you got here. Come on in. I'm sure she's chomping at the bit. The old coot will be climbing out of bed if we don't head her off."

"Mother! Be nice!"

Her mother gave her a cheeky grin and opened the screen door, motioning for Dakota to go ahead.

Pashna was sitting up in bed, working on a needlepoint picture of two wolves in the snow. An old quilt lay across her lap and a cheap pair of glasses rested precariously on her nose as she squinted at the images in front of her. Glancing up when her granddaughter entered the room, the wrinkles of concentration turned into lines of joy as Dakota closed in to give her a hug.

"Hey, Gram, how are you feeling?"

"I'm still here, child. The spirits watch over the wicked," Chuckling, she patted an area of the mattress next to her. "Sit! It's about time you came home!"

Seeing the weariness in her grandmother's eyes, Dakota decided it might be better to let her rest for awhile. Leaning over and kissing her cheek, she patted her hand affectionately.

"How about I come back in a few hours? I feel grungy from the flight and would like to take a shower and get a quick bite."

"Why of course. I'll just rest my eyes a bit until you come back."

"Thanks. Just yell when you wake up. I have so much to tell you."

"So I've heard. I can't wait to hear about that young woman of yours. Tee says she's a looker."

"That she is! She might be here in a few days and then you can judge for yourself."

"As long as she makes you happy, I don't care if she looks like an old dog, but it shore don't hurt none to be pleasing to the eye. Now run along. I ain’t going nowhere."

Giving her a gentle hug, Dakota left to look for her mother. Tee was sitting on the porch. A tray of sandwiches and ice tea sat on the small table between two rocking chairs.

"Food! You're a saint, mom."

Grabbing two halves, she plopped down in the chair and threw her left leg over its arm.

"Daks, that's no way for a lady to sit."

"Ahhmmm no laydy," Dakota replied, chewing a mouthful of food.

"You were when you left here! What kind of manners are you learning out there?"

Swallowing, Dakota stuck her tongue out.

"None! That's what's so great about being an adult."

"Well, I hope you don't act that way around Yemaya. I know she's better bred than that."

"Naw. I'm all prim and proper around her. I only act this way around you and everyone else."

Shaking her head, Tee laughed loudly.

"That's what I thought. No respect."

"Aw you know I love you."

Both women fell into a comfortable silence while Dakota finished her sandwich and grabbed another half. As the sun slowly settled beyond the horizon, the sky turned an orangish-red color before fading into darkness.

"I've forgotten what it's like to watch a sunset in these hills." Dakota spoke softly, not wanting to disturb the quietness of the night.

"We're lucky to live so close to the land. I sometimes feel our people have abandoned their old ways and their ancestors for today's modern conveniences. They miss out on the most important things in life, the simple things."

"I know. For awhile I was one of those people. It's easy to get sucked into materialism."

Tee watched her daughter's face for a few moments. There was something different about the young woman sitting next to her and the restless daughter who had left home several years ago. She had not only grown older, but she now seemed more comfortable with herself.

Yemaya! she thought.

"I have to admit I worry about you, but your grandma keeps telling me you need to spread your wings. Only then would you feel a closeness with the land."

"She's right. I know you love this place, mom. So do I, but... well, it's too small a world for me. There are things out there I never could have imagined. It's exciting and wild and wonderful, and I'm happy; really happy."

"I know, daughter. I don't think I've ever seen you so relaxed. I have a feeling Yemaya has a lot to do with it."

"She has everything to do with it. I can't even describe what it feels like to be near her or away from her."

Patting Dakota's knee, Tee nodded her understanding.

"You don't have to. I can imagine. So when is this wonder-woman coming for a visit. We didn't have much of a chance to chat in Charleston. I got the impression you were afraid I was going to say something that might embarrass you." Her mother teased,"You know I don't carry your baby pictures around with me."

"God, I hope not! I would never live that down and you can't go showing them to her here, either, now. Please?"

Noticing her daughters pitiful look, Tee reluctantly agreed, but conditionally.

"Okay, as long as she doesn't ask."

"Thanks. I’ll make sure she doesn’t. I’m hoping we can both spend some quality time here later this year. She may be down in a few days, though, if she can break loose from business. I guess I'd better go visit with Gram... ummm... mom... is she going to be okay?"

"I don't know. Yesterday, I would have sworn she had only a couple of days. Today, it's as if the spirits have restored some of her life force. Her heart sounds better and her blood pressure has dropped quite a bit. Maybe they heard my prayers."

"I'm sure of it! If anyone deserves their help, it's you and Gram. I don't know anyone who's been more dedicated to our people than you two or kept the old beliefs alive. I used to think they were just imaginary people like the mythology we learned in school, but..." Dakota let the sentence die.

Tee looked closely at Dakota.

"You have changed!"

The journalist shrugged, not sure what she wanted to say.

"Life does that."

"Daaakkkooootttaaa!" cried a voice from inside the house.

"I think I just heard Gram... later."

Jumping up, Dakota dashed inside and into her grandmother’s room, leaving her mother behind to wonder.

"Hey Gram, did you get some rest?"

"Sure did, child. Now, come on over hear and tell me what you've been doing. I want to hear all about this Illusionist of yours and don't leave out the juicy stuff."

"Gra... amm!" Dakota exclaimed, slapping her grandmother's knee lightly and blushing.

Chuckling at her granddaughter's embarrassment, Pashna decided to give her a break. Later she would wheedle more details about the mysterious woman with whom her granddaughter had fallen in love.

"Well, how about we save that for later. I don't think my heart could take that sort of excitement just yet. Start with the tamer stuff."

"There isn't anything tame about my life, especially since I met Yemaya. We've been together for almost a year and I've had more adventures in that time than my whole life."

Launching into the details of how she and Yemaya had met, and the events that followed, Dakota talked for almost three hours. Occasionally, Pashna would interrupt to ask a question or comment, but, mostly, she lay quietly in bed, contented to listen to the stories.

"Those are wonderful adventures. It sounds like the spirits were watching out for you."

"More than you'll ever know. Gram? I know you and mom have honored the spirits all your lives. Have you ever really seen or talked with any?"

"I don't need proof of their existence. I know they’re real. They give life to the plants and the animals. I feel them all around me in the winds and the waters and here..." thumping her chest with her closed hand, she smiled confidently,"inside of me."

"I know. I’ve felt the same things lately."

Dakota's words revealed more to Pashna than anything else she could have said. Nodding her head wisely, she looked into the green eyes so much like her own and saw there was truth in her words.

"You are blessed. The spirits have shown themselves to you as they have to me in times of need. I don’t speak of this often. Many of our people have forsaken our traditions and think me a crazy old woman. I’m happy for you."

"Me too. Now, it's time for you to rest. I'll bring you in one of mom's sandwiches and some juice. Tomorrow, if you behave, I'll tell you about my visit to the spirit world."

"I can't wait. It's good to see you, Daks. I've missed you." Pashna said, sliding further down onto the bed. Pulling one of the pillows from behind her grandmother's head, she placed it next to her. Then she leaned down and kissed the weathered cheek as she gently touched her other with her fingertips.

"You too. Now, I'll be right back with some food."

Dakota hesitated by the door and looked back at her grandmother.

"Gram?"

"What is it, child?" asked Pashna, looking up from her needlepoint.

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Now get out of here before we get all mushy, and put mustard on that sandwich. You know how I hate mayonnaise."

"I sure do. I'll be back in a jiff," Dakota said, laughing at the scrunched up face her grandmother made when she mentioned mayonnaise.