“You might be right.”, I replied. “I could work on that garage door opener if I had the tools I needed.”

“Why not walk me to class, then run over to the hardware and get what you need?”

“I could do that. But I’ll miss having lunch with you.”

“I know, and I’ll miss you too. But I think someone needs to be home if they show up early.”

“That’s a good idea.”

After we’d finished breakfast, I walked Amy to her first class, then went back to the apartment, and drove to the hardware store. I won’t go into details as to what I bought or how I got it home, especially the step ladder.

I took everything into the garage and looked at the instructions again. Luckily the garage had open beams. So I went to work, and it didn’t take that long to hang the opener and attach it to the door. Getting it adjusted was another story, but I did. I’d worked through lunch to do it.

I got everything cleaned up. And I wanted to take a shower but didn’t want to be in the shower if Kelly and Larry called. So I washed up as best as I could.

At about a quarter to three Amy walked in the door, and as she put her books on the kitchen table, the phone rang.

Amy answered it, by saying “Hello.” … “Oh hi, Larry.” … “Sure honey, we can pick you up there. It’s only ten minutes from here.” … “Okay, we’ll see you there in ten. Bye.”

I looked at Amy and said, “Well?”

“Kelly and Larry are at the car rental place at the airport and would like us to pick them up.”, Amy replied.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

We walked out to the garage and got in the car, Amy looked at me and said, “Aren’t you going to open the garage door?”

As I said, “Sure." I reached up to the sun visor and pressed the button on the remote.

As the garage door went up, Amy said, “You got it installed?”

“Yep. It went easier than I thought it would.”

After I’d pulled out of the garage, I pushed the button on the remote and watched in the rearview mirror as the door closed.

Amy looked at me and said, “Tommy the tinkerer is back in his world.”

“No tinkering here.”, I said. “I just followed the instructions. But remind me to tell the housing office that I did it so that they can inspect it.”

Ten minutes later we were pulling up in front of the car rental place at the airport. Kelly and Larry and their suitcases were waiting for us. I got out of the car, popped open the trunk, and Larry and I put the suitcases in the trunk. Larry shook my hand, and I looked at Kelly, and she looked very sad.

I whispered to Larry, “What’s wrong?”

“We’ll tell you at the apartment.”, he whispered back.

Larry and Kelly got in the back seat, and I jumped back into driver’s seat. I looked at Amy, and she looked at me with a look of what’s going on? I just shrugged my shoulders.

We headed to the apartment. I backed the car into the garage, and the four of us walked into the house.

I could sense a lot of trouble in Kelly. Something was really bothering her.

Kelly and Larry walked into the house ahead of us, which gave Amy a chance to whisper, “Something is wrong?”

“Yes. Very wrong.”, I whispered back.

As we walked into the kitchen, Amy asked, “Kelly. Honey, what’s wrong?”

Kelly turned around, the tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she hugged Amy. Amy hugged her back.

I looked at Larry, and mouthed, “What’s wrong?”

He mouthed back, “Connor.”

I got a cold chill. Something’s happened to Connor. Connor is Kelly’s younger brother. He’s in the Marines and a helicopter pilot.

Amy carefully guided Kelly over to the couch and sat with her. Larry sat down next to her and put his arm around Kelly. There was a lot of concern in Larry’s eyes for Kelly.

I stood there and could feel the pain in Kelly like it was my pain. I also felt Kai’s spirit. It was strong. She wanted to be here. Quietly I said, “Amy, I’m going upstairs, and I’ll be right back.”

I think Amy knew what I was going to do. She looked at me and just nodded yes.

I went upstairs to our room and quickly changed into Kai's clothes. Panties, bra, forms, long skirt, fancy blouse, a pair of earrings, and moccasins. I took my hair out of the guy's ponytail that it was in, and brushed it into a straight look. Something told me to wear the new braided leather headband with the Eagle feathers.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and I saw Kai. Usually, I would smile when I see her, but not now. One of my best friends was in trouble and needed help. Could I do it, or would I need help?

I took a deep breath and slowly walked back downstairs. Amy saw me, and she nodded yes.

I walked over to the couch, knelt on the floor in front of the sofa, looked up at Kelly, and took her hands in mine. She looked at me, and I could see the pain in her eyes, I could feel her pain in my heart. Her look was that of someone looking for help.

I just held her hands. And she slowly calmed down.

Finally, I softly said, “Kelly, tell me what’s happened?”

“Connor.”, she whispered.

“What about Connor?”

“He … He … He was deployed to Vietnam.”

“And?”

“His … His helicopter was shot down.”

I got a big knot in my stomach and tears in my eyes. I looked at Larry, and he nodded yes. I needed to stay strong for Kelly.

“Honey, tell me everything.”

“Connor … Connor was flying a mission with five other helicopters. And his was shot down. The other helicopters took care of whoever shot him down. One of the other helicopters landed to see if there were any survivors.”

The tears started again. And I said, “Kelly. Honey, look at me.”

She looked at me, and the tears kept on.

Then I said, “Honey, it will help if we talk about this.”

“I know.”, Kelly whispered. “When they checked, they found that the crash was survivable. And they didn’t find anyone there. No causalities. No survivors. The other helicopter couldn’t stay on the ground too long. There were bad guys in the area. So they had to leave before they could search.

“It was another day before they could put anyone on the ground to search. They found no evidence of the bad guys taking any prisoners. And there was no trace of anyone from the helicopter.

“This all happened over two weeks ago.

“They’ve … They’ve declared them MIA, Missing in action.”

I took a deep breath, and asked, “How did you find out?”

“My mom got a hold of us. And I needed a friendly face. So we came back early.”

I looked at Amy, and she looked at me. Then Amy said, “You need to meditate don’t you?”

“Yes. I wish we were closer to the resort.”

“What good will meditating do?”, Larry asked.

“I won’t know until I do it.”, I replied.

I turned, looked at the Tree of Life rug hanging on the wall. The rug that my aunt had given me. This rug that was supposed to be special. I looked at Amy, and she said, “The rug?”

“Yes.”, I replied. “And we need to go to that small park that we were at last Sunday.”

“Why?”, Kelly asked.

“I’m not sure. Maybe some answers. Trust me.”, I replied.

I saw Kelly look at Amy, and Amy said, “Kelly, trust her.”

“Okay.”, Kelly replied.

I got up, took the Tree of Life rug off the wall. Grabbed the car keys, looked at the other three, and said, “Come with me.”

We drove to the little park and walked around. Finally, I stopped and laid the rug on the ground. Instead of sitting, I knelt. I knelt there touching my meteorite necklace for a minute. I looked up at the stars and saw a shooting star. Then I looked at Kelly, offered her my hand, and said, “Join me.”

Kelly looked at Larry and then at Amy. I saw Amy nod yes.

Kelly took my hand and knelt facing me. Then I took her other hand in my free hand and looked into her eyes. Then I closed my eyes and heard someone chanting. It was me.

When I stopped chanting, I opened my eyes. Kelly was looking at me.

“Kelly.”, I said. “When we get back to the apartment, call home.”

“Why?”, she asked.

“There’s some news. I don’t know what kind of news, but there is news.”

“Are … Are you sure?”

“Yes, honey. I’m sure.”

I stood up, helped Kelly stand, picked up the rug, and we walked back to the car. I knew that there were other people in the park and they had watched us. I didn’t care.

Before we got in the car, I took Larry aside, and whispered, “Be with her. I don’t know if the news is good or bad.”

Larry looked at me and nodded yes.

We drove back to the apartment, pulled the car in, and went into the kitchen. I said, “Kelly if you want to keep the call private you are welcome to use the phone in our bedroom.”

“I can?”, Kelly asked.

“Yes, honey.”, Amy said.

Kelly took Larry’s hand and led him upstairs to our room. Amy looked at me, and asked, “That was an interesting chant you were doing.”

“I know. But I have no idea what I was chanting.”

“Just like at the sacred place in the mountains and the bonfire.”

“Yes. I know this one was different than the other one.”

“It was. And honey you put Naainish to shame tonight.”

“I did?”

“It might be your softer voice. But it sounded so good. Why did you tell Kelly to call home?”

“There’s news.”

“What kind of news?”

“I don’t know.”

“So it could be good or bad?”

“Yes.”

We then heard Kelly scream, “Oh my God!”

A few minutes later, Kelly and Larry came back down. Kelly walked up to me, and asked, “How … How did you know?”

“Know what?”, I asked.

“That they’ve found Connor and the whole crew and they’re safe.”

“That is great! But I didn’t know that. I just knew that there was news.”

“But my dad had just hung up from the call from the military when we called. You couldn’t have known.”

“Kelly, I see things, I feel things, I know things that I have no way of knowing, yet I know.”

“You scare me sometimes. But I love you.”

Kelly wrapped her arms around me and gave me a big hug. Finally, she let me go, and I asked,
“So how did they find them?”

“Dad didn’t have any details yet.”, Kelly replied. “And may not until Connor comes home.”

“At least they’re safe.”

Kelly sat, actually it was more of a flop, on the couch, and said, “Talk about stress. The past couple of days have been terrible.”

“I bet they were.”, Amy said. “But now it’s over.”

“In a way. But I’ll still worry about Connor until he gets home.”

“I understand, honey.”

“Anyone hungry?”, I asked.

“Kai.”, Amy said. “You’re getting as bad as Uncle Paul, thinking with your stomach.”

I frowned at her and said, “Look at the time.”

“Oh. It is late. Let’s go out.”

“Everyone up for Mexican?”

“Kai.”, Larry said. “You know what I need? A good all American hamburger,
fries, and a milkshake.”

I looked at Amy and winked. Then said, “We’ve found a few good drive-ins out here. Want us to pick one?”

“Sure. If you like it, it’s got to be good.”

“Okay. I’ll run and change.”

“Why? You look good like you are.”

“Amy tell them while I change.”

I ran upstairs and changed into Tom’s clothes. I put my hair back into a guy’s ponytail. Slipped into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and left the moccasins on.

When I was back downstairs, Kelly was coming out of the downstairs bathroom. She looked better, more relaxed. She grinned at me, and said, “I hear Kai has an admirer.”

“He may like Kai, but Kai doesn’t like guys.”, I replied.

“Could be fun.”

Remembering my date with him, I looked at Larry, and said, “Fun maybe, but like Tammy, Kai still doesn’t like guys.”

I think I saw Larry blush.

We got in the car and headed to our favorite drive-in. As we pulled in, Larry said, “This place is busy.”

“It always is. The food here is great. By the way, they have ginger ale milkshakes.”

“Really!”, Kelly said.

“Yes. And we think that they’re better than the ones we had with you in Muncie.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“Believe it.”, Amy said.

We parked, and I turned on the headlights, the carhop that ran to us wasn’t the guy that we knew. We placed our orders, which included four ginger ale milkshakes. After the carhop had walked away, Kelly said, “Was that Kai’s boyfriend?”

I turned, looked at Kelly, and said, “No.”

“So you do have a boyfriend?”

“No, I don’t.”

“You just told us that that guy wasn’t your boyfriend. So someone else is. Who?”

“You’re twisting my words.”

“I’m just having some fun.”

“Releasing all your pent-up emotions?”

“Sort of. Sorry.”

“It’s all right, Kelly. You’ve had a rough couple of days.”

A few minutes later a carhop brought out our food. I handed the food out, and we started eating. The first comment was from Larry, “This is a great hamburger.”

“I know.”, I replied. “Try the milkshake.”

“I just did.”, Kelly said. “And I’ve got to agree with you they are better than the ones back home in Muncie.”

“Told you.”

We heard Larry take a long sip of his milkshake, and then say, “You’re right. These are great.”

As we finished eating, I asked, “Is there anything that you’d like to do?”

“Just to be with you guys.”, Kelly said. “There’s just something about being with you two that just seems to help me relax.”

“I’ve been told that.”

“Is there someplace we could go just to sit and relax?”

“We’re still exploring and learning the town. But maybe Old Town.”

“Isn’t that where we ate when we first got here?”

“Yes. There’s a nice plaza, where we could sit, and people watch.”

“Isn’t there a Catholic Church close?”

“Yes, right off the plaza.”

“Do you think we could stop there? I’d like to light a candle for Connor.”

“Of course.”

After we paid the carhop for our meal, we headed to Old Town and found a place to park not far from the plaza. We walked across the plaza to the San Felipe de Neri Church and went in. There were a couple of people inside. I guess one of the priests was hearing confessions.

We sat together, then Kelly and Larry knelt. I guess they were praying. After a minute, they got up and walked to where there were candles in a large holder, some were burning, and some weren’t. They each took an unlit candle, lit it from another candle, and placed it back in its place. They crossed themselves, stood there together holding hands for a minute, crossed themselves again, then walked back to where Amy and I were sitting.

Kelly then said, “Let’s sit in the Plaza for a little while. Then go back to your place.”

We did sit in the plaza for about fifteen minutes. Then Larry said, “How about giving us a tour around your new campus?”

“Sure.”, I said. “A driving tour or a walking one?”

“Lets drive.”, Kelly said. “I’m tired.”

We drove them around campus pointing out various things, like the hospital, the stadium, some of the academic buildings, and the library. Larry was interested in the use of Southwestern architecture in the buildings.

When we got back to the apartment, it was still early, so we sat and talked. But Kelly was soon asleep with her head on Larry’s shoulder. Amy whispered, “Why don’t you put her to bed and come back down for a little while.”

“She didn’t get a nap today.”, Larry said.

He took her up to their room and came back down. And we talked some more before we all went to bed.

Friday morning Amy and I were up before Kelly and Larry. And we quietly sat downstairs listening to the radio. When the drug store opened, I walked over and picked up the two papers.

When I got back to the apartment, Larry was up, but Kelly was still sleeping. Larry told us that the pregnancy was tiring Kelly out quickly if she didn’t get a nap.

I had noticed an interesting article in the Navajo Times about The Big Medicine People Clan taking the office of chief away from Peshlakai and what they were doing to fill it. So I read it, and there was talk about holding another election or putting the real winner of the last election into office.

I let Amy read the article, and she asked, “What do you think would be fair?”

“To put the real winner in.”

“I agree.”

“Excuse me. I need to make a phone call.”

I picked up the kitchen phone and dialed my grandmother's number. No answer. So I called my aunt and uncles house. The phone rang, and my aunt answered. And I said, “Good morning, Aunt Ruth. It’s Kai. Is grandma there?”

“Yes, she is honey. Just a minute.”, Aunt Ruth replied.

A minute later grandma picked up the phone, and said, “Good morning, Kai.”

“Good morning, grandma.”, I replied.

“What has you calling this early?”

“I just read the article in the Navajo Times about The Big Medicine People Clan trying to replace Peshlakai.”

“Yes. And there’s a big debate about it.”

“How do you feel about it?”

“I think the real winner should be chief.”

“So do I and so does Ajie.”

“So far those that want another election are winning the argument.”

“Can you do something to swing the opinion.”

“I can try. But I feel that you could do it better than I can.”

“Me! I’m only an honorary member of the clan.”

“For now.”

“Grandma, what do you mean?”

“Honey, everyone knows who you are and what you’ve done. And those that have met you love you. There is talk about making you a full member of the clan.”

“Grandma!”

“Honey, before he passed Chief Todachine wanted to make you a full member of the clan. But he passed before he could do it. A few others have been working on making it happen.”

“Is one of them you, grandma?”

“Could be. What are you and Ajie doing next Sunday afternoon?”

“Nothing that I know of. Why?”

“The clan is holding a meeting to decide this whole issue with the chief, and it might be interesting if you were there.”

“Where?”

“It’s in Window Rock at the Council Chambers at one.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“Okay, grandma. We’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay, Kai. Your uncle is looking forward to you being there.”

“Oh great.”

“Kai, it’s not that bad.”

“That’s easy for you to say, grandma. See you tonight.”

“So long, Kai. Say hi to Ajie.”

“I will. Bye, grandma.”

As I hung up the phone, I noticed that Kelly had joined us. I looked at Amy, she looked at me, and asked, “Care to tell me?”

I took a deep breath, and said, “Grandma thinks there is a movement to make me a full member of the clan. And that I may be able to swing the vote to give the chief's position to the rightful winner of the election.”

“Oh.”

“And she wants us to attend a meeting of the clan this Sunday in Window Rock.”

“Kai.”, Kelly said. “Having heard you talk and assert yourself, no one stands a chance against you.”

“If you say so. How did you sleep?”

“I had the best sleep that I’ve had in days.”

“I’m glad. So, what are we doing for breakfast.”