Dr. Whitmeyer had come back into our lives again. Dr. Grunewald had sent me a copy of Dr. Whitmeyer paper titled, ‘The Nádleeh. The two spirit people of the Navajo.’ He has promised to write this as part of his apology for what he had tried to do to Dr. Grunewald and Larry at the seminar. Everyone that has read it was happy with what Dr. Whitmeyer had written.

Then Kelly, Larry, Amy, and I had talked about how to get Maria and Mark out to the resort with us for one of the Friday barbecues.

Our package from the University of New Mexico had arrived. And Amy had told my mother, that “It’s kind of scary.”

“Scary?”, my mother asked Amy.

“Yeah. It’s a big step, moving halfway across the country to a strange area and a new university.”

“But it’s not a strange area to you. You’ve spent a lot of time in the area. So it’s friendly territory, plus you have friends and relatives out there. And there’s Tom. You’ll have each other.”

“That the biggest thing. We’ll be together. But it’s still a big step.”

“Yes, it is. One of many that make up life.”

“Mom, are we eating dinner here or in the dining room?”

“Probably out here.”, My mother replied. “Why?”

“I wanted to get started on this paperwork.”

“You can use the dining room table.”

“Thanks, mom.” Then as she grabbed the envelope, she said, “Come on lover, let's get this done.”

I followed her to the dining room.

We sat down next to each other, and she opened the envelope. She pulled everything out, and we looked at it. On top was a letter from Mrs. Etsitty. It said, welcome to the University of New Mexico and that they were pleased that she’d chosen them. Etcetera. Etcetera.
Etcetera.

Then we looked at the forms. First, there was the application for Amy’s scholarship, and most of that was filled in. There were also two applications to graduate school and a form for married student housing. A catalog of graduate level courses. And a list of classes offered for summer with two of those courses highlighted in yellow. There was also a folder that had a bunch of general stuff on the university, such as a campus map. And finally, a Special Delivery return envelope that already had stamps on it, and it was pre-addressed to Mrs. Etsitty at the College of Nursing.

After looking everything over, Amy said, “This shouldn’t take long. But you realize that this whole thing all hinges on my taking and passing the national registration test for registered nurses?”

“Why?”

“If I don’t pass the test, I can’t work as a nurse.”

“Knowing you. You’ll ace it.”

“I don’t know about that. But there are study guides that I’m going to get. And since I only have three classes spring quarter, I’m going to be doing a lot of studying in those books.”

“I’ll help you in any way that I can.”

“I know you will, sweetheart,”

As I filled out my application to graduate school and the housing application, Amy filled out her application to graduate school and finished filling out the application for the scholarship.

When I finished the housing application, I asked Amy, “I think I know the answer to this, But what did you put down for the option for your masters?”

She smiled, and said, “Clinical Nursing with an emphasis on the native people.”

I smiled back, and said, “I knew that.”

Then I sat back, and said, “Now to figure out the fees.”

“Mine is marked, scholarship. And the application fee was already filled in with a zero.”

“Oh. Then I guess it’s only my fees and the housing fees.”

“Didn’t I see the housing form also marked, scholarship?”

Looking at the housing application, I saw that it was also marked, scholarship. And the fee area was marked with a zero. So I said, “I guess it’s only my fees.”

So I made out a check to the University of New Mexico to cover my registration fees.

Earlier this week Amy had stopped at our school’s register's office and picked up the official transcripts of our grades. They wouldn’t have our winter or spring quarter grades on them yet. I attached my transcript to my application.

Then I watched as Amy, attached, along with her transcript, another four additional pages to her application. And, I asked, “What are those?”

“Some letters of recommendation.”

“From who?”

“Oh. The dean, the doctor supervising the E.R., my advisor, and Patty.”

“Can I read them?”

As she handed me her registration packet, she said, “I guess.”

First I looked at her transcript and noticed that every time that she’d been on the President’s Honor List that it was a permanent note on her transcript. Then I read the four letters of recommendation.

When I finished reading them, I looked at Amy, and said, “Really!”

“I guess.”, Amy said quietly.

“You must have impressed a few people.”

“Yeah.”

I handed everything back to Amy, she double checked everything, put it in the envelope, sealed it, and said, “Well, we need to go to the post office tomorrow.”

That night we were in bed early, and quickly asleep. And I had a weird dream.

Saturday morning when I awoke, the sunlight was coming through the window. I rolled over, and Amy wasn’t there. I jumped out of bed threw on my robe, and went looking for her.

I found her sitting with my mother in the kitchen, she looked at me and said, “Hi sleepyhead.”

“Uh. Hi. Are you okay?”, I asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“The way you were talking last night.”

“About what?”

“About not being sure about going to New Mexico.”

“Honey, you must have been dreaming. We did talk about me being a little nervous about this move. But, I have you, and that makes everything good.”

“The way you were talking, I guess in my dream, you were frightened about this move. And you said something about wanting to run away from home after your family moved to Minnesota.”

“Honey, I never tried to run away from home. And I am nervous about this move, but who wouldn’t be.”

“That dream was so vivid.”

“That’s okay. My dreams are always vivid.”

“Why don’t you get us some breakfast. Then we need to go to the post office.”

An hour later we were at the post office. As she handed the envelope to the clerk, Amy asked for proof of delivery. The clerk had Amy fill out a postcard form, once she finished, the clerk attached the postcard to the envelope and collected an additional fee. And we headed back home.

On the way home, Amy said, “Your mom said that she has a six place dish set and glasses that we can have. And some pots and pans.”

“That’s good.”, I said. “Remember we have to get all of this in the ‘61 Chevy with all of our clothes and other things. And I don’t want to overload the car.”

“Yeah. Maybe we’ll plan on buying most things out there. What are you going to do with the ‘57 Chevy.”

“I think we’ll leave it here until we see what we’re going to do in New Mexico.”

“Going to do?”

“After you finish your masters. Are we going to stay out there or come back here or what.”

“We have about two years to figure that out.”

“That’s what I figured.”

Then I said, “Should I dye my hair black now or after we get to New Mexico?”

“That’s your call, lover.”, Amy replied. “I can do it for you or Helen can.”

We were close to our drug store, so I pulled in, parked, and said, “Go get what you need.”

With a smile, Amy asked, “Permanent or temporary?”

“Permanent.”

“We’re going to have to watch your roots. Black hair with blond roots would look funny.”

“How often will we have to re-dye it?”

“Probably every four to six weeks. And you’ll have to remember to use a good conditioner on it.”

“I always do.”

Twenty minutes later we were back home. And as we walked into the house, Amy said, “I’m going to call Patty.”

“About what?”, I asked.

“Dr. Whitmeyer. I want to see if she found out when he’ll be at a meeting.”

“I almost forgot about him.”

Amy went into the den to call Patty, and I tagged along.

Amy dialed Patty’s number and waited. Then she said, “Hi Patty. It’s Amy." … “We’re doing great.” … “Yes, we’re still going to New Mexico. In fact, we just mailed the forms to the university.” … “I know. We’ll miss all of you guys too. Our apartment has two bedrooms, so you’ll have a free place to stay if you want to come back out.” … “It would be no problem.” … “What did you find out about Dr. Whitmeyer.” … “Oh, I see. This Friday. Hold on, let me ask Tom.”

“Honey.”, Amy said. “Patty says that Dr. Whitmeyer is going to be taking a leave of absence from his university this spring quarter and all summer. So he will be gone. And he’s planning on being at the meeting this coming Friday.”

“I guess we’ll be going to the meeting on Friday.”

Speaking into the phone, Amy said, “Patty, did you hear him?” … “So we’ll see you Friday.” … “Let me ask.”

Looking at me, Amy asked, “Is it going to be Tom or Tammy?”

“Neither. It’s going to be Kai.”

“Kai!?”

“I thought that Dr. Whitmeyer might like to meet her.”

“Patty, you heard that. Didn't you?” … “It surprises me a little bit too.” … “See you Friday.” … “Love you too. Bye.”

Amy hung up the phone, looked at me, and said, “Kai. I thought that she didn’t like to be around here?”

“She’ll be fine with it.”, I replied. “Besides she’s going to be around quite a bit for the next two years.”

Amy smiled, shook her head, and said, “I love you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re you and so unpredictable at times.”

“Who me?”

“Yes, you. So are you going with a blond or black haired Kai?”

“What do you think?”

“Black.”

That evening we met up with the crew for an evening of bowling and a stop at our favorite ice cream shop. After getting beaten by Kelly again, we headed to the ice cream place. And as we were enjoying the ice cream, Larry said, “Tom, that fruit salad with cinnamon crisps that your mom made was sure better than this.”

“It’s not hard to make.”, Amy said.

“You’re going to have to teach us before you go to New Mexico.”, Maria said.

“It’s supposed to rain tomorrow afternoon. If you’re not doing anything you can come over and we’ll show you how.”

“We’ll be there.”, Mark quickly said.

“Count us in too.”, Kelly added. “What can we bring?”

“Well.”, Amy said. “We have everything for the cinnamon crisps. So if you’d like to pick up the fruit that would be great. The farmers market would probably be the best place.”

I noticed, and I don’t know if Amy did, but when we talked about New Mexico, Maria appeared to be more at ease with it. I wonder if Kelly had talked with her?

That night in bed, I said, “I noticed that Maria was more at ease talking about New Mexico.”

“I know.”, Amy said. “When Kelly and I went to the restroom at the bowling alley, she told me that she had a long talk with Maria about us going and helped Maria see that it was something good for us and that they should be happy for us. And she had also planted a seed about coming out with them.”

“Good.”, I said. “I was worried about Maria.”

“Me too. Now, all we have to do is help that seed mature.”

“And knowing you, it will mature quickly.”

Sunday morning the weather was beautiful, and something called me to the backyard. As I walked out the door from the den into the backyard, I looked to the west, and you could see the rain clouds in the distance. The sun was shining here.

Then I walked directly to where Amy and I had planted the twig from the tree on the cliff. I looked at it, and it looked healthy.

I heard someone else walk out the back door, I looked, and it was Amy. She walked up to me, and said, “I wondered where you’d gotten to.”

“Something called me to come out here.”

We both just stood there for a minute looking at the little tree. Then I said, “I think we should take this back to New Mexico with us.”

“And plant it where the original tree was.”, Amy added.

“You felt that too?”

“Yes.”

I took Amy’s hand in mine, and we walked back to the house. As we walked up to the house, my mom was watching us through the window, and as we walked in, she asked, “Kids, is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine, mom.”, I said. “We were looking at the little tree.”

“We think we should take it with us to New Mexico.”, Amy added.

Mom smiled and said, “Back to its native land?”

“I guess you could say that.”

The crew showed up after lunch as did the rain. Amy, mom, and I showed them how to make the cinnamon crisps, and the fruit salad. Dad he just hovered waiting for us to put it on the table. All I can say is the this was a great batch of fruit salad.

Since it was still raining the crew went out on the porch to talk, and mom and dad went into the den. We chatted about the upcoming quarter and how it was our last as undergraduates. Amy, Larry, Maria, Mark, and I would be graduating. Kelly graduated last year. I knew that Amy, Larry, and I would go on to graduate school. Maria and Mark weren’t sure about graduate school and said that they might work for a while first.

At one point Kelly said, “Maria. Mark. What would it take to get you out to New Mexico so that we could share the fun that Amy and Tom tell us the barbecue is?”

“I don’t know.”, Maria said. “We don’t have the money now. Maybe next year.”

I sat there and looked at Maria. And I think she knew what I was thinking, because she finally said, “Tom, don’t go there. We won’t accept it.”

“But Maria, … ”, I started to say.

“Tom, no. Please don’t go there.”

I sighed, and said, “Okay. I give up.”

Amy gave me a strange look.

We hung out for another hour or so, and then the crew headed home. After they’d left, Amy looked at me and said, “Are you sick?”

“No.”, I replied. “Why?”

“I’ve never heard you give up so easily on something.”

“What have I given up on?”

“Maria and Mark come out to New Mexico.”

“Who’s given up?”

“You said you did.”

“I had my fingers crossed.”

Amy smiled, and said, “I should have known that you wouldn’t give up that easily.”

“I don’t know what to do yet. But I’ll think of something.”

One of the first crazy ideas that I came up with was to tell Mark and Maria that we wanted to take both cars to New Mexico. And ask them if they'd drive one, the ‘61 Chevy, out for us, and we’d pay for everything including their flight home.

At first Amy liked the idea, but eventually, we both agreed that it wasn’t a good idea. Besides I wanted to leave the ‘57 Chevy here. For now.

Sunday evening, when my mother talked to my Aunt Ruth, I also spoke to Aunt Ruth for a little while and told her about us coming out so that Amy could do her master's work. Aunt Ruth was excited.

I explained to Aunt Ruth that we’d like to spend a couple of days with them until we furnished the apartment in Albuquerque. She said that she would love that.

Then she told me that they had just replaced all the furniture in a couple of the units at the resort. Something that they did on a regular basis, and that they would shortly be auctioning off the old furniture, but hadn’t yet. And that they would be happy to save somethings for us. I told her that we couldn’t accept it, then she told me that they would have to sell it to us, but for pennies on the dollar. I described the apartment to my aunt, and she said that she’d set aside two beds, two dressers, two chest of drawers, a couch, and two overstuffed chairs for us. We would have to buy the mattresses and inner springs.

I then said, “Aunt Ruth, that’s too much. We can’t accept all of that.”

“Honey.”, my aunt said. “It’s just furniture. And it’s going to someone who can use it. And this furniture will be from the Cliffside Suites where you stayed that one time.”

“How would we get it to the apartment from the resort?”

“Your uncle would be happy to help, even though he doesn’t know it yet. We have a big truck that will easily handle all of that.”

I heard Uncle Paul in the background say, “What don’t I know?”

Then I said, “Aunt Ruth, you’ve just solved a number of our problems. Thank you very much.”

“Tommy, you and Amy are like our own children. We’ll help you in any way that we can.”

“Aunt Ruth, you are going to make me cry. I’ll let you know when we have everything set. But we should be out there on June 25. Try and keep it as quiet as you can, there are people that we want to surprise. Here’s mom. And thank you so much.”

I handed the phone to my mother. Then I looked at Amy, and she said, “Did I hear you right?”

“I don’t know. What did you hear?”

“That they’re giving us furniture for the apartment?”

“Yes. We’ll have to pay a little, but as Aunt Ruth put it, it will be pennies on the dollar.”

Amy just shook her head.

The rest of this week, the week between winter and spring quarters, was rainy. The only dry day was Friday. And Friday was the day of the support group meeting. So on Friday morning, Amy dyed my hair black.

When I looked in the mirror, I smiled. I liked seeing Kai again. Amy was watching, and said, “You look so good with black hair. You should have been born with it.”

“Would you have still found me attractive if I had?”, I asked.

“Honey, I would have loved you even if you were bald.”

I grabbed her, and said, “Mrs. Young, I love you.” Then I kissed her.

My mom saw me later, and said, “Going Southwestern on us already.”

“Kind of.”, I replied. “We’re going to the support group meeting tonight. And Dr. Whitmeyer is supposed to be there. And I thought that he’d like to meet Kai. Besides, I miss her.”

“Just be careful.”

“We will, mom.”