Tuesday started as normally as any day does. I taught my two classes and attended my grad class. Then I went to Dr. Joe’s office and delivered the nine books for him to look at and see if he’d pick the same book that I did. He and I then had a meeting with Dean Rutherford and two people from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Meeting, my ass!! It appeared that the powers to be at Los Alamos started a background check on me without my permission, and the jerk, Mr. Bellamy, from Los Alamos had some questions for me, well that sent me over the edge. After telling the jerk off, I stormed out of the Dean’s office.

Dr. Joe and I went back to his office so that I could cool off. I ended up talking to Dean Rutherford on the phone. Later when I was back at the apartment, Amy and I chatted while we drank a bottle of wine. Then we went out to dinner, I needed a Sangria or two, with Chief Tom, Vickie, Dr. Joe, and his wife, Mary. Everyone agreed that what the people from Los Alamos did was wrong.

After I’d finished my classes on Wednesday morning, I was walking past the Dean’s office in the Engineering Building. And as I did the door opened, and Dean Rutherford and Dr. Joe walked out. The Dean saw me and said, “Oh, good. Miss Nez.”

“Is it good?”, I asked.

“Maybe. Dr. Oshie and I were going to grab some lunch. Would you like to join us and we can talk?”

“I guess.”

The three of us walked over to the Student Union and went upstairs to the faculty dining room. We found a table in the corner of the room, sat, and ordered our lunch.

As we waited, Dean Rutherford asked, “Miss Nez, have you talked to your lawyer yet?”

“No sir.”, I replied. “I was on the way to the apartment to call her when I ran into you.”

“I was telling Dr. Oshie that I spoke with Dr. Fontheim this morning.”

“Lucky you.”, I said sarcastically.

“Maybe lucky us.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, I had a conference call with some people in the administration at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The administration people told me that Dr. Fontheim had told them what happened and the attitude that Mr. Bellamy had towards you. No one there is yet aware of what he may have on you or thought he had on you. And, that he can be a little forceful in his investigations.”

With raised eyebrows, I said, “A little forceful!”

“They apologized to me about that.”

“Yeah, but not to me.”

“I know.”

“Then Dr. Fontheim called me, and he was very apologetic over what happened to you. And, realized that they had damaged the relationship between you and them.

“No kidding.”, I said.

“Would you be willing to have a lunch meeting with some other people from Los Alamos tomorrow?”, the Dean asked.

“I … I don’t know.”

“They would like to meet with you, and us, and apologize.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Miss Nez. They’ve spoken with Dr. Fontheim. And, he’s told them about you and how impressed he is with your work.”

“That so?”

“Yes, Miss Nez. And, so are others. That circuit that you and Dr. Oshie worked on for them was the best part of that whole unit. And, they were amazed when they heard that it was a woman that worked on it.”

“So, me being a woman is the only reason that they’re interested in me?”

“No, they’re impressed with your work. And, they’d also be impressed if you were a man.”

I sat back in my chair and just smiled at the Dean. Then I saw the light bulb go on. And, he whispered to Dr. Joe, “How do you handle her actually being a guy.”

“Dean, is she a guy?”, Dr. Joe whispered back. “I see her as a woman that is very good at electronics.

“I’m also after her all the time about earning her doctorate before her masters. I do that because I think it would be better for her if she did. I’ve learned so much about the Navajo people from her, and about two spirits, or Nádleeh, people. She’s not only special to her people, but to everyone who meets her and accepts who she is.”

The Dean sat back, looked at me, and said, “You’re right, Joe. I’ve accepted her for who she is, and she is special.”

I felt my face get warm.

The Dean continued with, “And, a talk with Chief Kinlicheeny helped me.”

My eyes got big, as I stammered, “Wh … Wh … What did he tell you?”

“Don’t worry, Miss Nez. He was very discreet and told me very little. It was more on how the Navajo people feel about the two spirit people, and you in particular.

“And, how he found out who you are. And, I’ll be very discreet with what I know.”

“Dean.”, I said. “I try to keep it quiet as to who I really am.”

“I understand and respect that, Miss Nez.”

“Thank you.”

“I’d really like you to go to the lunch meeting. They’re buying, and we get to pick where we go. Would you please go?”

“Oh. A little incitement to go. Is Dr. Oshie going?”

“Yes, I am, Kai.”, Dr. Joe said.

“Okay. Any thought on where we should go?”, I asked.

“Well, Dr. Höllmann hinted at the La Placita Dining Rooms.”, the Dean said.

“Dr. Höllmann. I think I met him when I met Dr. Fontheim. They were at the resort for a retreat. What’s he do at the Laboratory?”

“He’s Dr. Fontheim’s boss. He’s Head of Research.”

“Oh. Bringing the big guns.”

“So, should I tell them that lunch is on.”

I looked at Dr. Joe, then at the Dean, and said, “Yes. And, if they want to go to La Placita. That’s fine. I have class until eleven.”

Then I looked at Dr. Joe, and said, “And, Dr. Joe, don’t let me have more that one Sangria.”

“Good.”, the Dean said, “Let’s meet at my office right after your class. And, I’ll drive.”

That evening, I told Amy about the meeting that I had with the Dean and Dr. Joe. She thought that it was a good thing that the people from the Los Alamos National Laboratory wanted to meet. I figured that they didn’t want to hear from my lawyer. Amy told me, “Don’t go into the meeting with an attitude. Keep your mind open, and your mouth shut.”

“I’ll behave.”, I said.

“Please. This might mean a lot to the university and you.”

“I know. I promise that I’ll be on my best behavior. But what do I wear?”

“I would say show them who you are. I’d go with a fancy long skirt, a pretty blouse, wrap moccasins, and some, but not much, jewelry.”

As I was dressing Thursday morning, Amy braided my hair into a single braid, and then she put the butterfly beret above my left ear. I didn’t want to be too dressed up for my classes, so I wore a Concho belt with my velvet skirt and a fancy blouse. The only necklace that I was currently wearing was the meteorite necklace that Amy and I always wore, but I put the hair-pipe bone choker with silver pieces that my grandfather had made in my purse. I put on one bracelet and two rings. And put another bracelet, two rings, and a beaded headband in my purse.

As I walked across campus to teach my first class of the day, I received some interesting looks and smiles. I could tell that the students in both of my classes couldn’t believe how I was dressed, and as I had last time I told them that I had an important lunch meeting.

The professor in my grad level class, Professor Donaldson, when he saw me, asked, “Another meeting in Los Alamos, Miss Nez?”

“No, sir.”, I replied. “They’re coming here.”

“Coming up in the world. Are we, Miss Nez.”

“No, sir. It’s a lunch meeting, and there’s a restaurant up here that one of them likes.” And I thought, ‘Getting a bit nosy aren’t we.’

After I made it out of that class, I headed over to Dean Rutherford’s office. As I walked in the door, Sara and Jerry, the other secretary, looked up at me, and Sara said, “Kai! You look like a million dollars.”

“More like a dollar ninety-eight.”, I replied with a smile.

“No, more like a million. The Dean’s on the phone, and he shouldn't be long. I hope.”

“That’s okay, Dr. Oshie isn’t here yet.”

“Yes, I am.”, a voice said from behind me said.

I turned and looked at Dr. Joe, and said, “He’s on time for once.”

“Kai. I’m always on time.”

“Especially when it has to do with food.”

Dr. Joe just glared at me. I smiled at him. And, Sara and Jerry laughed.

I walked over to the office work table, set my purse on the table, and opened it. I pulled the bracelet and the two rings out of my purse and put them on. I then said, “Sara, can you help me with something?”

“Sure, Kai.”, Sara replied.

As I pulled the hair-bone choker out of my purse, I asked, “Could you tie this for me?”

Sara got up from her desk, as I held the choker to my neck. She walked over to me, I turned my back to her, and said, “If you could tie it in a bow that would be great.”

She pulled the ties and tied it. Then I asked, “Could you tie it a little tighter.”

“Sure.”, Sara said. She untied the choker, pulled it tighter, and retied it.

Then Sara asked, “How’s that?”

“Perfect.”, I replied. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Kai, where did you get all of this gorgeous silver jewelry?”

“My great-great-grandfather was a Navajo silversmith, and all of this is his work.”

“It’s just so pretty.”

“Thank you.”

Then I took the beaded headband out of my purse and put it on.

A minute or so later Dean Rutherford walked out of his office, stopped, looked at me, and said, “Miss Nez. All I can say is that you look very nice.”

“Thank you, sir. I thought I should dress up a little for this meeting.”, I replied.

“A little, Miss Nez. I would say you dressed up a lot.”

I saw a smile from Dr. Joe, as he said, “Dean, this is nothing, I’ve seen her really dressed up, and that is something to behold.”

I looked at Dr. Joe and shook my head.

The Dean didn’t say anything, except, “Shall we go.”

I grabbed my purse, and along with Dean Rutherford and Dr. Joe, we walked out of the Dean’s office and across the lobby of the engineering building. As we were walking out of the building my professor, Professor Donaldson was walking in, and he held the door for us. Dean Rutherford, said, “Thank you, Donaldson.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”, Professor Donaldson said.

I looked at Professor Donaldson, and said, “Professor, I guess I didn’t tell you that it was an important meeting.”

The Professor didn’t say a word.

As we walked away from the building, Dean Rutherford, asked, “Kai, what was that between you and Donaldson.”

“Oh, nothing.”, I replied.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. He’s the instructor in one of my graduate level classes. And, him seeing me with you and Dr. Oshie will probably end it.”

“It?”, Dr. Joe asked.”

“Every time that I’ve attended class and was dressed up a little, he’s always commented. And, today was no different.”

“Do you want me to say something to him?”, the Dean asked.

“No, sir. It’s not that important.”

“Just let me know if you want me to.”

“I will, sir.”

We walked to Dean Rutherford’s car. A very nice car. Dr. Joe opened the front passenger’s door for me, and I slid in in a very ladylike manner. Dr. Joe got in the back seat. And, of course, the Dean drove.

It took us longer to find a place to park than it did to drive over to La Placita Dining Rooms. As we walked in, there were three gentlemen in suits standing there. One was Dr. Fontheim. One of the others looked familiar. And, the third I don’t think I’d ever seen before.

Shortly I found out that the man the looked familiar was Dr. Höllmann. And, that he is head of research for the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The third man was Dr. Millman, and he was an assistant director of the Laboratory. Why is he here?

As I was introduced to Dr. Höllmann, I said, “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Dr. Höllmann.”

“Have we met before?”, Dr. Höllmann asked.

“Yes, sir. This past summer you were at a retreat at the resort north of here, and my uncle introduced us.”

“Oh yes. I remember you now. But, I thought that you worked there.”

“No, sir. I do that for fun in the summer. I’m at the university working on my master in electrical engineering.”

“Not only that.”, Dean Rutherford said. “She’s a part-time instructor and a research fellow.”

“A research fellow and she doesn’t have a doctoral?”

“We feel that she is already an outstanding researcher and wanted to reward her.”

“Dean.”, I said. “You’re embarrassing me.”

Dr. Millman looked at me, and asked, “Where did you receive your undergraduate degree, Miss Nez?”

“Ohio State.”, I replied “Cum Laude.”

“I see.”

“Something wrong, sir?”

“No, Ohio State is an excellent school.”

Just then they showed us to our table. And our waitress took our drink order. Yes, I wasn’t driving, so I went with a Sangria.

Later, after we’d placed our food order, Dr. Millman asked. “I take it by your dress, Miss Nez, that you are an Indian?”

“Yes, sir I am.”, I replied. “I’m a member of the Navajo Nation.”

“And, you took up electrical engineering?”

“Yes, sir. I was born and raised in Columbus, so Ohio State was almost a given. My dad is a physician and a medical researcher. My mother has a Masters in early childhood education. And, I’ve always been interesting in what makes things work, and I read and still read, all the magazines that cover such things. And, my minor was is in computers.”

“That is such a strange path for a girl.”

“I was always very curious. My parents allowed me and encouraged me to find out for myself how things work. I learned a lot by taking things apart and for the most part putting them back together.”

“You are also a very self-assured person.”, Dr. Millman said. "Aren't you?"

“Yes, sir. I am. I’m not afraid to state my thoughts or my feelings.”

“I’ve heard that.”

“Sir, why are you here?”, I asked. “You’re an administrator. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, young lady, I am an administrator. And you are also someone who comes right to the point. Aren't you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, Miss Nez, I’m here to offer you a formal apology from the Los Alamos National Laboratory for what happened the other day. We never knew that Mr. Bellamy would go after someone in that way.”

“Well, he did. And, I didn’t appreciate it.”

“I can understand that. Mr. Bellamy is no longer in that position.”

“That’s good to hear. But, what about the other people, like me, that he may have assaulted in that way?”

“We’re looking into that.”, Dr. Millman replied.

“He never got around to asking me anything. What was he going for.”

“He was concerned that your degree wasn’t valid.”

“And, why was that?”, I asked.

“As he told you we were doing some background work on you because we hoped to hire you. And, when he checked with Ohio State, they had no records of a Kai Nez ever going there. Let along graduating from there.”

I sat back, smiled, and said, “Did he ever think that I might have gone to Ohio State using my given name, Tammy Young?

“I was given the name Kai Nez by the Navajo people after I came out here. And I preferred to used it out here. I felt it was who I am more than Tammy Young was.

“And, if your Mr. Bellamy had even known about my given name, he would have had other problems. Due to a clerical error, they had me registered as Tommy Young instead of Tammy Young. And, even if he’d known that he would have had another problem, they had me listed as male.

“We tried for two years to get it corrected, but nothing happened. So, we gave up.

“When I graduated, I even filled out my graduation forms as Tommy Young, and my diploma says Tommy Young. When I graduated, my hair was in a ponytail, and I wore moccasins under my robe. And I walked across the stage when they called Tommy Young.”

“Young lady.”, Dr. Millman said. “You are an interesting person.”

Dean Rutherford, then said, “We had a problem with her transcript when she first came here, but we straightened everything out.”

“Miss Nez, will you accept our apology?”, Dr. Millman asked.

“Will you promise me that you will look into the others who Mr. Bellamy may have had contact with?”

“Yes, I will promise you that.”

“Then I’ll accept your apology.”

Just then they brought our food, so we tabled the serious talk. Later as we were enjoying a light dessert, but no Mexican Fried Ice Cream for lunch, Dr. Höllmann, the head of research for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, asked, “Miss Nez, I know that Dr. Fontheim told you that we’d be interested in you once you received your masters. I would like you to know that we are still interested in you.”

I was nice and didn't interrupt him, but when he finished, I smiled and said, “Dr. Höllmann, I appreciate the offer. But, as I told Dr. Fontheim, I’m not interested. I’ve decided that I like the university atmosphere, the teaching, and the research done there. Plus it will allow me to have more time to do more for and with my people.”

“Dr. Fontheim said that this is what you’d say. And, I understand it completely.”

“I’m glad you understand. And, I hope that this whole thing won’t hurt the relationship between the university and the Laboratory. I know that both Dr. Oshie and I would love to do more work for you.”

Dr. Höllmann looked at Dr. Fontheim, and said, “Dr. Fontheim, the floor is yours.”

Dr. Fontheim picked up his briefcase, opened it, and removed three identical binders. Then as he handed one to the Dean, one to Dr. Oshie, and one to me, he said, “The sheet paper clipped on top of each binder is a nondisclosure agreement, and we ask that you read and sign this before looking at the binder.”

I looked at the nondisclosure agreement and noticed that it was already filled out for me, all I had to do was sign it. Before I signed it, I read it carefully. Then I borrowed a pen from Dr. Joe and signed it.

Then after the three of us had signed and handed him the agreements, Dr. Fontheim said, “Take a look at this proposal. It’s a project that we would like you to do. It’s much more than the last one. We’ll need those binders back before we leave here. And, we ask you to not talk to anyone about this.

“Then if you accept this project, and after the paperwork is completed, you will receive the full documentation. Also if there is anything special that you need, contact me, and it will be delivered to you.”

The three of us sat back and read the proposal, while the three men from the Laboratory sipped coffee. I finished before either the Dean or Dr. Joe. As Dr. Joe closed his binder, I looked at him, and asked, “Well?”

“It’s very interesting.”, Dr. Joe said.

“It is.”, Dean Rutherford said as he closed his binder. “Would you two like to attempt this?”

“As long as I have Kai with me. Yes.”, Dr. Joe said.

“I think it’s doable.”, I said. “It’s more complicated than the last project. But, it’s doable.”

“I take it that’s a yes from both of you?”, Dean Rutherford asked.

At the same time, Dr. Joe and I said, “Yes.”

“That’s great.”, Dr. Fontheim said. “Dean Rutherford, we’ll work out the contract. And then they can get started.”

Then looking at Dr. Joe and me, Dr. Fontheim said, “I can tell you that the production units of the project that you worked on for us are now being fitted into all future Apollo capsules. There was some rework needed, but not to the module that you two did.”

I looked at Dr. Joe, and we smiled at each other.

As we were saying so long to the men from Los Alamos, Dr. Fontheim said, “I’m so glad that this worked out. I was worried that we’d lost you as part of the team.”

The Dean answered for us when he said, “We’re happy about this too.”

Then, Dr. Fontheim took me aside, and said, “Miss Nez, I just wanted to apologize to you personally. I was put in a bad position. I couldn’t say anything to defend you, and I felt terrible.”

“Dr. Fontheim.”, I said. “I saw the sadness in your eyes and felt the sadness in your spirit. And, I figured that you couldn’t say anything.”

“You tossed Mr. Bellamy a curve. I don’t think anyone has ever reacted to him the way you did. Usually, he talks and talks when you’re in a car with him, but on the way back to Los Alamos he didn’t say a word.”

“I could feel confusion from him.”

“You feel things like this.”

I didn’t want to go into detail, so I said, “It’s something to do with my Navajo heritage.”

“I see. Miss Nez, I am delighted that you and Dr. Oshie are back on the team.”

“Dr. Fontheim, I think I speak for Dr. Oshie and myself when I say that we’re happy to be back on the team.”

As the Dean, Dr. Joe, and I walked back to the car, the Dean asked, “Miss Nez, What did Dr. Fontheim want?”

“Just to personally apologize to me, and to welcome us back on the team.”, I replied.

“That’s good. That tells me that they mean it.”

As we drove back to the university, I asked, “What do you think that this new project is for?”

“Kai, your guess is as good as mine.”, Dr. Joe said. “And, where did you dig up that story about you at Ohio State. It sounded like it’s true.”

“Maybe it is true. No, it was off the top of my head. I figured the reason for the meeting with Mr. Bellamy would come up. So, I was ready for just about anything.”

“Quick thinking, Miss Nez.”, Dean Rutherford said.

Turning to look at Dr. Oshie, I smiled, and said, “Working with Dr. Oshie, I have to think quick.”

We went back to the university, and as I grabbed my briefcase out of the trunk of the car, I said to Dr. Joe, “Be sure to read over those books, so we can figure out which one we want. And, then I can get started on putting the new class together.”

“Give me a couple of days. Then, we can sit down and pick a book.”

“Good, then I can see if there’s a teachers guide for it and start working on a lesson plan.”

“You’ve really gotten into this new class.”, Dean Rutherford said. “Haven’t you, Miss Nez?”

“Yes, sir.”, I replied. “I can see a real need for it.”

“Keep me informed on your progress.”

I walked to the apartment, and as I got there, Jackie and Charlie were coming out of theirs. Jackie looked at me, and asked, “Why are you so dressed up?”

“I had a meeting.”, I replied.

“Who were you trying to impress?”

“No one.”

“Dressed like that, you were. Who?”

“Just some people from Los Alamos.”

“Los Alamos.”, Charlie said. “Los Alamos National Laboratory?”

“Yeah.”, I replied.

“Oh!”

“We’re going to be doing some research for them.”

“That’s cool.”

To change the subject, I said, “Charlie, you’re looking good. How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling great.”, Charlie replied. “I saw the doctor today, and he was amazed as to how quickly I’d healed. And, he cut me loose.”

“That’s great. We told you that the thermal springs had healing powers.”

“They do.”, Jackie said. “And, I think someone else helped too.”

“Who?”

“We all know who.”

“I don’t.”

“Come on, Kai. Who’s the one that feels the spirits.”

“Starting to believe in them, Jackie?”, I asked.

“Maybe a little.”

“And, Charlie are you going to start listening to Jackie when she tells you something?”

“I might.”

Jackie glared at him. And, I said, “I think you’d better.”

As we were saying so long, I said, “We need to get together soon.”

“This weekend?”, Jackie replied.

“Yes.”

I went into the apartment. Amy was sitting on the couch reading. She looked up from her reading, and asked, “How did the meeting go?”

“A lot better than the last one. And, it ended up with them offering us another research project.”

“That’s great. What is it?”

“Can’t tell.”

“What?”

“We all signed nondisclosure agreements.”

“Oh. Top secret.”

“Not quite. But, close.”

“Did you behave yourself?”

“Yes, I was very good. I was a lady the whole time. I think that I impressed the contingent from the National Laboratory.”

“Contingent?”, Amy asked.

“Yes, There were three, one was an assistant director of the Laboratory, and two researchers. And the assistant director offered me an apology.”

“Did you accept it?”

“Yes. Then Dr. Fontheim presented the new research project. It's something that looks very interesting.”

“And, you can’t talk about it.”

“No. But, I can tell you that the first project that we worked on is now being installed in the Apollo capsules.”

“That’s got to be thrilling to know something that you worked on will be going into space.”

“You know it. Wait until I tell dad.

“Oh, I just saw Charlie and Jackie. And, the doctor has released Charlie.”

“I know.”, Amy said. “They stopped by a little while ago and filled me in. I guess the doctor was happy with the way Charlie’s healing.”

“I guess the doctor was surprised on how quickly Charlie healed. I told them it was the healing properties of the thermal springs.”

Amy looked at me with a look of, yeah right, as she said, “I suppose that you had nothing to do with it.”

“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.”

With a raised eyebrow, Amy said, “Maybe you didn’t? Yeah right.”

I just shrugged my shoulders.

As we were getting ready for bed, Amy said, “Oh. There was something else that Jackie told me. Because of the extra money that they’ve made, they were able to save some of it. And, it was enough so that they’ll be able to fly home for Christmas.”

“That’s great. I take it that we’re going home too?

“Is there any doubt.”, Amy replied.

“Nope. If there was a place to keep it, I’d like to bring the ‘57 Chevy back with us.”

“Hmm. Charlie and Jackie don’t have anything in their garage.”

“That’s right. … But, I don’t know if I want to drive it out here in the winter.”

“It’s never been on the road in the winter. Has it?”

“Not since I bought it.”

“Maybe do it between winter and spring quarters?