When we found Mr. Yazzie at the gathering, he had two gorgeous necklaces for us that he’d made for our mothers from the two gold coins that we’d found in my Grandfather Nez’s toolbox. As usual, he was only going to charge us a minimal amount for his work. I tricked him into taking fifty dollars instead of the twenty that he wanted. Later he got even with me. He had two of his friends, who are Taos police officers, pretend to arrest me and take me back to his booth. I was released after we agreed that he’d take thirty dollars for his work.

At the gathering, we had a nice talk with Naainish and Quah Ah, the Taos Pueblo medicine woman, and learned why my male spirit was older than my female one. I also learned that Naainish doesn’t know everything about me. He didn’t know about the two new Eagle feathers that Ajie and I had.

Ajie, Jackie, Charlie, and I spent a very relaxing long weekend at the resort. Soaking in the thermal pools, relaxing in front of the fireplace, going for walks, reading, and just doing nothing. Did being at the resort help Charlie recover faster, or was it being with me, or … ?

Sunday on the way back to Albuquerque we had stopped by the Jemez Canyon Reservoir to see the Eagles, and we ran into Iz, who is the whole Santa Ana Pueblo’s Parks Department and a woman, Miss Rankin, who is a naturalist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They had stopped to see the Eagles, who never showed up while they were there. After we’d had a little talk, they went with us to the nest site, and the Eagles showed up much to Miss Rankin’s surprise.

This weekend I was also able to look over eight of the nine books that I was looking at to use for the new class in the spring. The ninth hadn’t come in yet, and I hoped that it would be better than the first eight.

Monday it was back to the grind. I taught my two classes and attended my graduate level class. And, after that, I stopped in at Dr. Joe’s office. I was going to tell him about the weekend and the gathering. But, I didn’t get to, he told me that the Dean wanted to see us at one tomorrow afternoon and that Dr. Fontheim and someone else from the Los Alamos National Laboratory would be there. We figured that they might have another research project for us.

Since neither of us had eaten lunch, Dr. Joe and I went over to the faculty dining room. As we ate, I told Dr. Joe about our weekend and the gathering, and when I told him what went on between Mr. Yazzie and me, he almost fell on the floor laughing.

After we’d finished lunch, Dr. Joe went back to his office, and I headed to the apartment. On the way to the apartment, I stopped by the bookstore.

As I walk into the bookstore, the manager saw me, picked up a package, and said, “Miss Nez, I have something for you. This came in this mornings mail.”

I walked over to her, took the package, and said, “Is this the ninth book?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I hope it’s better than the other eight.”

“Weren’t they any good?”

“No. Two were too technical for an introductory class, and the others were just poorly written.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Yes, it is. I was going to give the books that I didn’t pick for the class to the library, but some of the poorly written ones I don’t think that they’d want.”

“How about the more technical ones?”

“I think that they would like to have those.”

“Why not keep them for yourself?”

“Well, if they’re in the library, others can use them, I’ll know that they’re there if I want to use them, and if I move I won’t have to take them with me.”

“I like your thinking, Miss Nez. Is there anything else that I can do for you?”

“Yes, I’ve got to take all of these books to Dr. Oshie so he can look them over. So, could I have one of your big bags with handles?”

“Of course you can.”

The manager walked with me to the checkout area. She picked up one of the bags with handles and handed it to me. I thanked her and headed to the apartment.

When I walked in the door, Amy was there, working on some of her school work. She looked up at me and said, “I’m glad you’re home early. They called me into work the three to eleven shift.”

I looked at my watch, and said, “After teaching this morning. That’s not fair. You’d better get changed, and I’ll walk you over.”

“I’ll survive. So, what happened with you today?”

“Nothing much, except the Dean wants to have a meeting with Dr. Joe and me tomorrow.”

“Oh. About what?”

“We’re not sure. But, Dr. Fontheim and someone else from Los Alamos will be there. We figure that they may have another research project for us.”

“That would be good for you.”

“It will. Plus the last book came in today, so I have some reading to do tonight.”

“That’ll keep you busy while I’m gone.”

“That and reading the chapter for tomorrows class.”

I walked Amy to the hospital, and when I got back to the apartment, I opened the package that the book was in, sat down, and started going through it. I took a quick look through the whole book, and it began to impress me. Then I picked parts to read in detail, and I started to see that this might be the book. I looked at the publishing date, and it was published just two months ago. So, all the information in it should be current. When I finished, I said out loud, “This is a keeper.”

After I had all the books packed in the bag to take to Dr. Joe, I made myself a light dinner, and read the chapter for the classes I was teaching tomorrow. Then I quickly went over what I needed to for the graduate level class that I’m taking.

Just before eleven I walked over to the hospital and waited for Amy. Then we walked home. As she took a quick shower, I fixed her a light dinner. Then it was bedtime.

Tuesday started normally. Amy didn’t have any classes to teach, only a grad level class later that morning, so I let her sleep in. And I hauled my briefcase and the bag of books with me to the university. I’m glad that none of these were large volumes, but I should have driven.

After my ten o’clock grad-level class, I hauled the books to Dr. Joe’s office. As I walked in, Dr. Joe looked at me and said, “What’s that, your lunch?”

“No.”, I said. “It’s some heaving reading for you. It’s the nine books that I picked for the new class. I’ve picked the one that I want to use, and now it’s your turn.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I was able to go over most of them this past weekend. And the last one arrived yesterday, and I got a look at it last night.”

“Not going to tell me which one you picked. Are you?”

“Nope. I want to see if you pick the same one.”

“Kai. Let’s get some lunch before this meeting.”

So, Dr. Joe and I had a leisurely lunch in the faculty dining room. Then we headed back to his office to kill half an hour before the meeting.

Just before one, Dr. Joe and I walked into Dean Rutherford’s office. Sara, the Dean’s secretary, looked up at us, and said, “Hello, Dr. Oshie. Miss Kai. The others are in the Dean’s office. Go on back, they’re expecting you.”

We walked to the Dean’s office, Dr. Joe knocked on the door, and we heard a, “Come.”

As Dr. Joe opened the door for me, I felt something that I didn’t like. As we walked in the Dean was sitting with Dr. Fontheim and another man at a small table. There were two more chairs at the table for us. The three men looked at us, and the Dean said, “Hello, Miss Nez. Dr. Oshie. I know you both know Dr. Fontheim. This other gentleman is Mr. Bellamy, also from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.”

As I looked at Mr. Bellamy, I felt a chill go up my back. I’ve had bad feelings about things before, but nothing like this.

The Dean continued with, “Please sit and join us.”

As we sat, Mr. Bellamy said, “Miss Nez, I’ll get right to the point. I’m the head of security for the National Laboratory. And, we started doing a background check on you when we were thinking of hiring you. And, … ”

As Mr. Bellamy spoke, I looked first at the Dean, then at Dr. Fontheim, and then back at Mr. Bellamy.

Then I interrupted Mr. Bellamy with, “You did what!?”

“Miss Nez, may I finish?”

As I glared at Mr. Bellamy, I said, “No, sir! You may not! Who gave you permission to do this background check on me?”

“It’s something we routinely do for people we’re thinking of hiring.”

“And, you do this without their permission?”

“It’s just a routine thing.”

“Do you do this without their permission!?”

“Yes. It’s just done … “

“Sir, you have invaded my privacy.” I felt my eyes tear up.

“Miss Nez, there’s no need for you to get upset.”

“Sir, I’m not upset. I’m mad! Mad as hell. Mad that you invaded my privacy without my knowledge and you’ve probably invaded the privacy of others without their knowledge. That is just wrong!”

“Miss Nez.”, Mr. Bellamy said. “We just have some questions that we’d like answered.”

“I don’t give a damn what you’d like!” Then I looked at Dean Rutherford, and asked, “Dean, did you know about this?”

“No, Miss Nez.”, Dean Rutherford said. “I didn’t. And I agree with you. It’s wrong.”

I looked at Dr. Fontheim, and said, “Dr. Fontheim, I hope that you didn’t have anything to do with this. We did some good work for you, and now I’m treated like this.”

Dr. Fontheim just sat there and looked at me. I saw a sadness in his eyes and could feel sadness from him. Then I looked at Mr. Bellamy, and I was feeling confusion from him. I wondered if he’d ever been confronted like this before.

As I stood up, I said, “Mr. Bellamy, we’re finished here.

“Dr. Fontheim, if there was a chance that I’d come to work for you, it’s now gone.” Then I looked at Mr. Bellamy, and said, “And, you, Mr. Bellamy, you will be hearing from my lawyer.”

I saw Dr. Fontheim close his eyes, look down at the table, and shake his head. I turned and walked out of the office followed by Dr. Joe.

As we walked through the outer office, Sara looked up and didn’t say anything. I wonder if she’d heard any of the meeting. Dr. Joe followed me out of the office and out of the building. As we got outside, Dr. Joe asked, “Kai, are you all right?”

I stopped, looked at Dr. Joe, and said, “Hell no! I’m not all right. I trusted those people, and they go behind my back. I know that Dean Rutherford didn’t have anything to do with this, and I don’t think that Dr. Fontheim was happy with what was going on, but he couldn’t do or say anything.”

“Kai, I think you put Mr. Bellamy on the defensive. Which I don’t think he was used to having happen to him.”

“I did feel confusion from him.”

“Boy, am I glad that I’m not on your bad side.”

“Don’t worry, Dr. Joe. Right now I need all the friends I can get.”

“Kai, you have more friends then you know.”

“Thank you.”

We walked in silence back to Dr. Joe’s office, and as he closed the door, Dr. Joe asked, “Are you going to talk to a lawyer?”

“You bet that I am.”, I replied. “I’m going to talk to the lawyer that I had when I had my problem with the Board of Regents. But, right now, I need to sit here and calm down. Then go and talk to Amy.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“I could use a glass of wine right now.”

“Sorry, I don’t have any.”

“We have a couple of bottles at home.”

We both just sat there in silence for a few minutes. Then the silence was broken by the phone ringing. Dr. Joe answered it, “Hello." … "Oh, hello Dean." … “Yes, sir.” … "Yes, sir, she’s here with me.” … “I don’t know. I’ll ask her.”

Dr. Joe looked at me, and said, “It’s Dean Rutherford. He’d like to talk to you.”

“Are the others still there?”, I asked.

“Dean.”, Dr. Joe said into the phone. “Miss Nez would like to know if you’re alone?” … “I’ll tell her.”

“Kai.”, Dr. Joe said. “He’s alone.”

I reached out my hand, and Dr. Joe handed me the handset, and as I put it to my ear, I said, “Hello.”

I heard Dean Rutherford say, “Miss Nez, I’m so sorry. I didn't know that they were going to do that. And, I’m very upset with what they pulled, and I’ll be speaking to some people that I know in their administration.”

“Yes, sir. I know you didn’t know.”

“You did?”

“I saw it in your eyes, and I felt it from you.”

“I was going to put a stop to it, but you were on a roll, and I think you did a better job than I could have done. You get angry without yelling and screaming. It’s what you say, how you say it, the tone of your voice, and the look in your eyes. You command attention and respect.

“Mr. Bellamy left without a word. And, Dr. Fontheim left after he said how sorry he was.”

“I felt confusion from Mr. Bellamy.”, I said. “It was like he’d never been challenged like that before and didn’t know how to react to it and me.

“I felt sadness from Dr. Fontheim. And I felt sorry for him. I think that he was in a position that he was very uncomfortable with.”

“You felt that from them?”

“Yes, sir. I also felt you become mad at Mr. Bellamy.”

“You felt these things?”

“Yes, sir. I felt bad things when I walked into the room. There was something that I felt about Mr. Bellamy that sent a chill up my spine.”

“Miss Nez, is there anything that I can do for you?”

“Not right now, unless you can send a bottle of wine to Dr. Oshie's office. And, I’m going to speak to my lawyer and see what she has to say.”

“I’ve got to ask this. Are you still going to teach your classes?”

“Dean Rutherford, I don’t think that the university had anything to do with this. So, unless the university fires me, I will teach my classes. My students are important to me, and I won’t let them down. What I’m going to do after the end of the academic year, I don’t know. We’ll see how I feel then.”

“Thank you, Miss Nez. If I have my way, you’ll be here. And, please let me know if there is anything that I can do.”

“Thank you, sir, I will. So long.”

“Goodbye, Miss Nez.”

I handed the receiver back to Dr. Joe, and as he put it back on the cradle, he said, “At least you didn’t say goodbye.”

“I didn’t. But, the Dean did.”

We sat there a little longer, then I excused myself with a, “I’ve got to go and talk with Amy.”

“Okay, Kai.”. Dr. Joe said. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.”

I slowly walked to the apartment. The more I thought about what had happened, the madder I got. When I arrived at the apartment, the door was locked. I unlocked the door, walked in, and found a note from Amy on the table that said that she’d gone shopping.

I set my briefcase down, walked to the refrigerator, opened the door, and chose a bottle of wine. I set the bottle on the table and got two glasses from the cupboard. Then I uncorked the bottle to let it breathe a little. I then made a stop in the downstairs bathroom. While I was there I heard the front door open, and Amy say, “Kai, are you home?”

“Yes.”, I said. “I’ll be right there.”

When I walked out of the bathroom, Amy looked at me, and asked, “Okay. What’s wrong?”

“Why are you asking?”, I replied.

“It’s early afternoon, and there’s a bottle of wine on the table.”

I walked over to Amy, kissed her, hugged her, and said, “I’ll pour us each a glass of wine, then I’ll tell you.”

I walked over to the table, picked the bottle of wine and two glasses up, walked over to the couch, sat, poured us each a glass of wine, looked at Amy, and said, “Join me.”

Amy sat next to me, I handed her a glass of wine, and I went on to tell her what had happened. When I finished my story, Amy took a long sip of wine, and said, “I don’t understand some people. Where do they get off doing something like that?”

“I think I’m going to let Mary Harman find out.”

“Oh! Mrs. Harman. The lawyer.”

“Yes. I know at least Dr. Joe and the Dean are behind me. And, Dr. Fontheim from Los Alamos isn’t happy about it. But, I’ll bet that he can’t say or do much without fear of losing his job.”

“Do you really want to stay out here?”

“Right now I’m not sure. If it weren’t for this, I’d say yes. But, now, I’m not sure.”

“I think we should wait and see how this plays out.”

“I’m just worried about how this is going to affect the relationship between the university and Los Alamos.”

“Love.”, Amy said. “I’m worried more about how it’s going to affect you.”

“You mean us.”, I said.

“Yes, us.”

“Want to go out for dinner?”

“I’d love to.”

“La Placita Dining Rooms?”

“Good choice. And, I think that I know someone who wants a good Sangria.”

“It couldn’t hurt.”

“Want someone else to drive?”

“Why?”

“Let’s see. A bottle of wine, and one, maybe two, Sangrias. Do you think you should drive?”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t. Who did you have in mind?”

“Maybe ask Tom and Vickie to go with us.”, Amy replied. “Then Tom could drive.”

“Okay. It would be good to have some friendly company.”

“Vickie is probably still at the university. Try calling Tom at the house.”

I walked over to the phone picked up the receiver and called the Etsitty house. The phone rang about five times, and then I heard Chief Tom say, “Hello.”

“Hi, Chief Tom.”, I said. “It’s Kai.”

“Hi Kai. What’s up?”

“Would you and Vickie like to join us for dinner tonight?”

“Why not. Where?”

“La Placita.”

“Sounds good. I’ll check with Vickie to be sure that she doesn’t have something going on tonight. But, there’s nothing on the calendar. So, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Could I ask a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Could you pick us up?”

“Sure. Is the car broken?”

“No. But, I feel a need for a Sangria or two, and don’t want to drive.”

“Bad day?”

“You could say that. I’ll tell you about it over dinner.”

“Ah. … Don’t be mad at him. But I heard from Joe Oshie a little while ago.”

“So, you know what happened?”

“Yeah. He’s worried about you and wanted to talk. And, I feel bad for you.”

“Thanks.”

“But, after what Joe told me, maybe I should feel bad for the guy from Los Alamos.”

“Time will tell.”, I said. “You know it might be nice to have Dr. Joe and Mary join us.”

“That could be fun. What time do you want us to pick you up?”

“A quarter to six would be good.”

“Okay. See you at five forty-five.”

“Hágoóneeʼ, Naatʼáanii Tahoma. - (See you later, Chief Tom.)

I then called Dr. Joe at his office, and invited him and Mary, his wife, to join us for dinner, and he thought it would be fun. So, I told him to meet us at the La Placita Dining Rooms at six.

At about six that evening Amy, Vickie, Chief Tom and I were walking into the La Placita Dining Rooms. Dr. Joe and Mary were already there. They seated us in a quiet corner, and right off I ordered a Sangria, as did Amy and everyone else but Mary. After our drinks were served, we ordered, and as we waited for our meals, we talked about what had happened today.

I had to fill Vickie and Mary in on the details. When I finished, neither of them could believe what had happened. Vickie was worried that the Dean was aware ahead of time and didn’t warn us. I assured her that the Dean was taken by surprise just like Dr. Joe and I were.

Mary then said, “That is just wrong. No, it’s morally wrong.”

Chief Tom shook his head, and said, “Kai, getting up and walking out of that meeting was the best move you could have made. Now, what can we do for you?”

“Nothing right now, Chief Tom.”, I said. “Just be here if I need you.”

“Kai, you know we will.”

“What do you think they found?”, Vickie asked.

“I don’t know.”, I said. “Maybe they traced Kai back to Ohio State and then couldn’t find anything on a Kai Nez attending or graduating from Ohio State.”

“Where could they have gotten that information?”, Mary asked.

“It’s in my records here at the university. My students know. And, I haven’t kept it quiet.”

“Could it have been one of your students?”

“Honey.”, Dr. Joe said to Mary. “Knowing how her students feel about Kai I would seriously doubt that it was one of her students.”

“So, could they have gotten it from your records at the university?”, Mary asked.

“I guess.”, I replied.

“Those records aren’t supposed to be open to anyone without written permission.”, Vickie said.

“So, maybe someone overheard me.”

“I would doubt it. But I’m going to check on some things?”

“What?”, I asked.

“Oh, just some things.”

They brought our food. I ordered a second Sangria. And then asked, “Can we change the subject?”

“Of course, Kai.”, Dr. Joe said. “Why don’t you tell us about being arrested in Taos on Thursday?”

“Arrested!?”, Vickie said.

“Thanks, Dr. Joe.”, I said sarcastically. “I wasn’t arrested.” And I told everyone what Mr. Yazzie had done to me.

That brought smiles and laughs from everyone. Then Amy said, “Kai, I wish you would learn not to mess with Mr. Yazzie. He always pays you back.”

“It’s fun.”, I replied. “Besides I think that he thinks it fun too. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t do the things he does.”

“You two keep accelerating things. How far is this going to go?”

“I don’t know. I guess until we tire of it.”

“So.”, Chief Tom said. “Tell us about the gathering.”

I explained the reason behind the gathering so that Vickie understood that it was the way the Indians celebrated what the Anglo’s call Thanksgiving. They celebrate it by celebrating their heritage thru dance, food, and being with others of like beliefs.

Then I told them about watching all the dancers, seeing all the vendors with native made things, and the food. I told them about Dibe grabbing Amy and me, and having us participate in the grand entrance.

Vickie looked at Chief Tom, and said, “We’re going next year.”

“And, we’d have to explain to your parents why we’re not there for turkey and all the goodies.”, Chief Tom said.

“I don’t care. I want to go to this next year. Besides, we can always go to my parents on Friday for leftovers.”

“Okay by me.”

“Kai.”, Mary said. “You and Amy have so much fun with what you do with the native people.”

“I know.”, Amy replied. “I think it’s Kai’s strong female spirit that draws us that way. With me, it’s my love of the people out here.”

“And, maybe it’s the small part of you that’s Indian that likes being here and enjoying the native things.”, I said to Amy.

“That’s right.”, Vickie said. “You do have a little bit of Indian blood in you.”

“Very little.”, Amy replied. “My great-great-great-great-grandmother was a member of the Wampanoag Tribe. So, I’m a whole two percent Wampanoag.”

“And, maybe that little part of American Indian that’s in your spirit is strong. Maybe it’s made stronger by the spirits that are out here.”, I said.

“Maybe she has two spirits like you do Kai.”, Mary said.

“No, I’ve never felt two spirits in Amy or Ajie. Right now I feel eight spirits close to me.”

“But, there’s only six of us here.”, Dr. Joe said.

“Are there?”

“Well, that’s what I count.”

“Have you forgotten the child that your wife is carrying.”

“Oh. No, I haven’t. That’s seven.”

“What am I to my people?”

“You’re a Nádleeh. Oh! Yeah. A two spirit person.”

“That makes eight doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

We finished our meal and then enjoyed Mexican Fried Ice Cream for dessert.

As we were leaving the restaurant, we said good night to Dr. Joe and Mary. And Chief Tom and Vickie drove us back to the apartment. As we were saying goodnight to them, Vickie said, “Kai, please let us know what your lawyer says?”

“I will.”, I said. “And, you let me know if you find out anything.”

“I will.”

“And, Chief Tom.”, I said. “Thank you for driving.”

“No, problem Kai.”, Chief Tom said.

As Amy and I walked into the apartment, I collapsed on the couch. Amy looked down at me, and asked, “Kai. Honey, are you all right?”

“Yes.”, I replied. “Just mentally exhausted.”

“I know. It’s been a rough day. Let's go to bed, and I’ll try to take your mind off of everything.”

“Everything?”

As she started up the stairs, she looked at me, smiled the cute smile of hers, and said in a sexy way, “Well … maybe not everything. Not how to give a foot massage, or … maybe receive one.”