Chief Peshlakai had pulled something that had made me very mad. He had told everyone at the competition about the Chief Todachine Scholarship and that Dee would be the recipient of the first one.

Was I mad? You had better believe I was mad. Very mad.

Right now Ajie and I were sitting around a table with Naainish, my grandmother, my Aunt Ruth, Dibe, her parents, and her grandmother.

Chief Peshlakai had also shown up, and I’d politely told him that his presence was not appreciated, and to leave. Once he had left, and after a few comments, I’d said, “Now, something happened today that made me very angry.”

“First, Mr. and Mrs. Byllilly, Ajie and I met Dibe for the first time last year, on our second trip out here, and were impressed by her. She wants to do something that isn’t easy and is even harder for a girl to do. She wants to become a doctor.

“We felt, and I sensed, that she would accomplish her desire. And do well doing it, as long as she is given a chance to do it. And I want her to have that chance.

“On this trip out here we had an even longer talk with her, and she really impressed us.”

“Excuse me, Kai.”, Mrs. Byllilly said.

“Yes?”

“Why are you interested in our daughter?”

“I’m interested in her because I feel that she can help her people. And she has to be given a chance to do that.”

“But why her?”

“I guess it was just luck. When I was asked to do the photo shoot for the resort, I said that I’d do it if they found someone that I could donate the money to. My aunt and uncle came up with Dibe. At that time I hadn’t met her, but with what my aunt and uncle told me about her, I told the resort to donate what they would have paid me to her scholarship fund.

“So, it was just luck that my aunt and uncle mentioned her.”

“And you said that you sensed that she would accomplish this. How did you sense it?”

“Dibe has never told you about me. Has she?”

“Only very little.”

I looked at Naainish, and said, “Naainish would you care to explain?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Byllilly.”, Naainish said. “Kai, like me, is a Nádleeh. A two spirit person. And she’s special.”

“Oh.", Mrs. Billilly said. "Was she the one that was in the paper last year.”

“Yes. And with certain people, your daughter being one, she can sense things about them. And Kai sensed that your daughter has the drive to accomplish what she wants to do.”

“I see.”, Mrs. Billilly said. “Kai, please go on with what you were telling us.”

I smiled, and said, “As I said, Dibe impressed us. And Ajie and I came up with the idea of starting a scholarship in honor of Chief Todachine, who we both loved. And if it came about, we wanted Dibe to be the first recipient of it.

“The whole problem with what Chief Peshlakai did was that the scholarship doesn’t exist yet. Ajie and I were going to set it up when we got back home.

“We wanted to keep it quiet as to where the money was coming from, and we also asked that the whole idea be kept quiet until it was in place. And with what happened today I was ready to drop the whole idea, and just give Dibe the money by putting it into her current scholarship.

“But I got to thinking. Thinking about why I was really setting up this scholarship in the first place.

“Why was I doing it? I was challenged by a particular high school girl when she asked me, ‘Are you going to help your people when you graduate?’

“At that time I didn’t have an answer for her. But now I have an answer for her. And this scholarship is my answer, and I was setting it up to help not just Dibe, but the all the Navajo people.

“If I were to go back on it now, I would have lost the challenge that she gave me. And I couldn’t do that. I’d not only fail Dibe but the Navajo Nation. My people. And myself.

“So, we are going on with the scholarship. But I will ask everyone here to please keep all of this quiet until it's in place.

“And by the way. That high school girl that challenged me was your daughter, Dibe.”

Mrs. Billilly asked, “How are you doing this? You’re so young. Are you rich or something?”

“Or something.”, I said. “You just have to believe that we can, and we will do it.”

“Believe in what Kai just said.”, Naainish added.

“Yes.”, my aunt said. “Believe what Kai said. She can do it.”

I looked at Dibe, and she was crying, but she was able to ask, “You’re doing this because of me?”

“Dibe, don’t cry. In a way, I am doing it because of you. I’m doing it because you challenged me to do something for my people. And because of that, I feel that you deserve to be the first to receive the scholarship.”

Shaking her head, Dibe said, “Kai, you are special.”

“No more than you are.”

“Kai.”, Mr. Byllilly said, “Why would the Chief do this?”

“I’m not sure Mr. Byllilly.”

“I may have an idea why he did it.”, Naainish said.

I looked at Naainish, and said, “Go on.”

“When Kai and Ajie were telling us about this idea, I think both Kai and I sensed that Chief Peshlakai was unhappy about something. Kai asked him what he was unhappy about, and he told Kai that, she wasn’t one of us, didn’t live here, or know us. And that she just felt sorry for us.

“Kai responded to him in a way that I’ve never heard before. It was to the point and very expressive. It was how she felt about our people and how she felt that she was a part of us.

“Chief Kinlicheeny, who was there, told Kai that he thought that she felt things for our people that he didn’t even think some of the people that live here feel.

“And I think that Chief Peshlakai was jealous of the idea and tried to take credit for it by announcing it here. He didn’t realize that Kai might be here. And what kind of reaction his announcement would bring.”

I looked at Dibe’s parents, and said, “We’re not from here. Ajie and I are from back east. And I didn’t even realize that I was even a Nádleeh until last year. I just knew that I was a part of the Nation and I felt close to the people. And that I wanted to do something for them.”

“Kai, honey.”, my grandmother said. “What can I do?”

“Grandma, I don’t know right now.”

“You do know that chief of a clan is an elected position?”

“Grandma, don’t go there. We’ll just work around him. We’ll keep him out of the loop. And watch him.”

“I won’t do anything if you don’t want me to. Just remember that the women of the clan are strong, and like you are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Grandma, don’t.”

“Yes, granddaughter.”

“Kai.”, Mrs. Byllilly said. “What you’re doing is wonderful. And I can understand you being upset by what Chief Peshlakai did. And you’re reaction could have been a lot worse. I’m glad you took us aside and explained everything to us. And we’ll respect your wishes of keeping everything we’ve heard here to ourselves. Won’t we Dibe?”

“Yes, mother.”, Dibe said.

“Mrs. Byllilly.”, I said. “I don’t worry about Dibe telling anyone, anything. She knows things about me that she didn’t even tell her grandmother.”

Looking at Dibe, I said, “And Dibe, if at some point you want to tell your parents about me. Feel free.”

I saw a smile from Debi’s grandmother. And a puzzled look from her mother.

I smiled at Debi’s grandmother, and said, “And it looks like Mrs. Tabaaha can keep secrets too.”

I looked at my watch, and said, “Look at the time. No wonder I’m hungry. Anyone else hungry? I’ll buy.”

“Kai.”, Mr. Byllilly said, “I’ll buy. You’ve done enough.”

“Are any of the vendors here still open?”

“They should be. Things will go on here until late.”

My grandmother and Debi’s grandmother held our seats for us, and I knew they talked. And the rest of us got the food. I elected for another frybread taco and Dibe joined me. Everyone else had something else.

As we ate, we talked about various things. I kept noticing that Mrs. Tabaaha had a little smile. Finally, I asked, “Mrs. Tabaaha, you’ve been quiet. What’s on your mind.”

“I was just thinking back to when I first met you.”, Mrs. Tabaaha said.

“Oh.”

“You sure looked different.”

“I did. Didn’t I.”

“I can’t get over how pretty you are now, Kai.”

“Thank you.”

With a puzzled look, Mrs. Byllilly said, “Mother. What do you mean she looked different the first time you met her?”

“I guess if Dibe could tell you, I could too.”, Mrs. Tabaaha said as she looked at me. And I smiled and nodded yes.

“Remember, daughter.”, Mrs. Tabaaha said. “That Kai is a Nádleeh. She has two spirits. One is that of a man, and the other is that of a woman.

“When I first met Kai, I met her male spirit. I met Tom. The man. A very handsome man. As handsome as Kai is pretty.”

“What are you saying, mom?”, Mrs. Billilly asked.

“Just that Kai is really Tom, a man.”

“No.”

“Yes, daughter.”

Everyone but, Mr. and Mrs. Billilly were smiling.

Then Naainish said, “Yes. Kai is a boy, a boy that has a powerful female spirit. And that female spirit is a Navajo girl. And when Tom is out here, he feels like he needs to be Kai. Most Nádleeh can’t look good as both a boy and a girl. Tom is an exception.

“When I first met Kai and Ajie I was surprised. I sensed two girls even though I knew one was a boy. I had to ask who was who. And the more I’ve learned about Kai, the more I saw how special she is. Not only as a Nádleeh but as a person in general.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Billilly sat there and looked at me. Then Mrs. Billilly said, “Kai, I just can’t picture you as a boy. You’re too pretty.”

“I am a boy.”, I said. “And Ajie is my wife and is also special. We grew up next door to each other, and she saw something in me before I did. Then when we came out here, she fell in love with the Navajo people and the area. And they’ve fallen in love with her.”

“She’s not a Navajo?”

“No. She's a blond, blue-eyed girl, just as I’m really a blond, blue-eyed boy. I’m one-fourth Navajo. But, Ajie and I feel close to the people and the culture.”

Mrs. Billilly finally smiled, and said, “Kai, this has been the most interesting day ever. What Dibe has done today with her dancing. Then learning about you and Ajie and what you’re trying to do for your people. The only downside was what the Chief did.”

I noticed that while Mrs. Billilly was speaking that her husband had a little smile and was nodding yes.

I felt that everything was good.

Then Mr. Billilly said, “I’d love to write an article about this, but I won’t until you, Kai, say that I can.”

With a little apprehension, I asked, “Mr. Billilly, who do you work for?”

“The Navajo Times.”

I sat back and looked at him. Then he said, “Kai, don’t worry. What you’re doing is important, and I understand the need to keep it quiet for now. You didn’t know that I was a reporter when we talked. And you were talking to us as Dibe’s parents, and I promise you that I will only release the information about the scholarship when you say I can. The rest of this is private. And even though I’d love to, I won’t do anything to impose on your privacy.”

I had a good feeling about Mr. Billilly. I smiled, just said, “Thank you, Mr. Billilly. That means a lot to me.”

As we were saying goodnight to the Billillys, it was with hugs and handshakes. Dibe as she hugged me, said, “Kai, I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing.”

“Dibe.”, I said. “Your thanks to me will be doing your best in college and giving back to your people.”

“I will do that.”

“And I know you will."

We all walked to the parking area together and said see you later to each other.

Then as we got into grandma’s car, I said, “Grandma, I sure hope your headlights work.”

“Granddaughter.”, grandma said. “Stop it. They’ll work.”

I started the car and turned on the headlights. They worked.

“See. I told you that they’d work.”, grandma quipped.

As we drove, Ajie said, “I got a knot in my stomach when Mr. Billilly said he worked for the Navajo Times.”

“So did I.”, I said. “But I was getting good feeling from him. And when he said he’d keep it private, I knew he was all right.”

“He could be someone good to have on your side if Chief Peshlakai does anything.”, grandma said.

“Let's just hope that the Chief doesn’t.”

“I don’t think he will knowing that we were there.”, my aunt said.

“We’ll see.”

Just before we got back to the resort, Ajie said, “The dah diniilghaazh! We forgot Uncle Paul’s frybread.”

“Don’t worry.”, Aunt Ruth said. “I’ll make some tomorrow. Anyway, it’s better when it's freshly made.”

“Can you teach me?”

“Sure Ajie. It’s easy.”

“Good. Then I can keep Kai happy when we get home.”

“Maybe I want to learn too.”, I said.

As we pulled into the resort, we noticed that the bonfire was blazing away. So Ajie and I decided to walk over there after we took everything inside. The door to the house was locked, so Aunt Ruth unlocked and opened the door. We took Ajie’s new blanket back to our room and also dropped our purses there.

The four of us, grandma, Aunt Ruth, Ajie, and I walked together to the bonfire.

As we got close, Ajie asked, “Honey, do you feel like you need to meditate?”

“No.”, I replied. “Do you?”

“No, as Naainish would say, nizhonigó íiná aadóó hozhónahasdlíí. (It is good, and all is harmony around us.) Do you know why I feel that way?”

“No. Why?”

“Because I’m with you.”

“Ayóó anííníshní.” (I love you.)

“Ayóó anííníshní aldó’.”

There was a group of guests there, plus the musicians and singer. Uncle Paul saw us, walked over, and asked, “Did you remember my frybread?”

Putting her hands on her hips, Aunt Ruth said, “Yiska, all you think about is your stomach. Not a glad to see you. Not a how was the competition. Or did you have a good time.”

“You forgot my frybread. Didn’t you?”

“Maybe we did. But I’ll make you some tomorrow morning.”

“You’re forgiven.”

“Oh, thanks. Wait until I tell you what went on.”

“Oh?”

“It wasn’t good. Let's take a walk.”

As my aunt and uncle walked off, grandma said goodnight and headed to the hotel. Ajie and I walked around, talked with a few people, and we then found Chief Kinlicheeny. We walked up to him, and I said, “Yá’át’ééh alní'íní, Naat'áanii Kinlicheeny.” (Good evening, Chief Kinlicheeny.)

“Yá’át’ééh alní'íní, Kai doo Ajie.”

“We missed you at the dance competition.”, I said.

“I had business in Tuba City this morning and just got back, so I couldn’t be there. Did you have a good time.”

“Yes and no.”

“Yes and no?”

“The competition was a lot of fun, and Dibe Billilly and her friends did very well.”

“What’s the no part?”

“Let's go somewhere a little private.”

"That bad?"

"It could have been."

The Chief, Ajie, and I walked away from the bonfire. When we were away from the guests, I started telling the Chief what had happened with Chief Peshlakai. As I told the story, I could tell that the Chief was not happy. And when I finished, the Chief asked, “Kai, what are you going to do?”

“Well, Chief.”, I said. “When Chief Peshlakai did that, I was ready to just forget about the whole scholarship thing. At first, as we were walking across the arena to talk to Dibe, I was ready just to give her the money. But then I thought, I couldn’t let one fool ruin the whole thing for everyone. So I decided to go on with the scholarship.”

“Thank you. I’ll take care of Chief Peshlakai.”

“No. I think that we’ll just work around him. And not let him know what’s going on until it happens.”

“Hmm. Might be best.”

“I think so.”

We walked back to the bonfire and just enjoyed it, the music, and the people. There was something about the bonfire tonight, Ajie and I were the last ones left as it burned down to embers. We stood there in silence and just held hands.

“I’m going to miss this.”, Ajie whispered.

“Me too. We still have tomorrow night.”

“I know.”

Ajie cuddled closer, and whispered, “I’m getting cold.”

I put my arm around her and pulled her close. Ajie whispered, “That’s much better.”

A short time later I took Ajie’s hand in mine, and we walked back to my aunt and uncle’s house. We found them in the living room. As we walked in, they looked at us, and my uncle said, “Your Aunt Ruth told me what happened and how you handled it. Kai, you do know your mind and aren’t afraid to say what’s on it. I’m happy that you’re still planning on going on with the scholarship.”

“I had to.”, I replied. “I couldn’t let him beat me.”

“He has no chance of doing that.”

“We're going to take showers and go to bed. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“Still leaving on Monday?”

“Afraid so. It’ll take us at least three days to drive home. And four or five if we go through the Rocky Mountain National Park.”

“We’ll sit down tomorrow with a map and figure out the best route for you.”

“Thanks, Uncle Paul. That’ll be great. See you in the morning for frybread lessons.”

Ajie and I walked back to our room, put all the jewelry, plus her new squash blossom necklace, in the safe. We undressed and spent almost an hour together in the shower after that sleep came quickly.