I also told Dr. Joe that the ‘57 Chevy was coming this Friday. And it did. And, it came with a surprise, my dad had also shipped his ‘53 Corvette Roadster without telling me he was going to do that. It looks like mom and dad are going to sell the house.

Charlie, Jackie, and I had some fun with Amy. After she got off work at the ER, we picked her up in the ‘57 Chevy and didn’t tell her anything about the Corvette being here. After showing the ‘57 Chevy off at the drive-in, and going back to the apartment, Amy saw the Corvette and was shocked that my dad had sent it.

On Saturday, Amy and I took the Corvette to the Chevrolet dealership for a tuneup, then we showed it off to Dr. Joe and Dean Rutherford.

As Amy and I were eating breakfast on Sunday, I said, “You know we’ve never gone to the bank to retrieve the silver.”

“I know.”, Amy replied. “I thought that you wanted to leave it there.”

“Not really. But, maybe we should until we need it.”

“Like when the barbecues start.”

“Yeah.”, I said. “Maybe it would be safer that way.”

After we finished breakfast on Sunday, we were going to take the Corvette to the resort. So, we got together with Charlie and Jackie since they were going along. And, since Amy had a good ride in Vet yesterday, she volunteered to drive the ’67 Chevy with whoever, Charlie or Jackie, wasn’t riding in the Corvette with me.

Today was colder than Saturday was, so we put the top up on the Corvette, and Jackie was the first to ride with me. We switched at about the halfway point, Jackie went back to ride with Amy, and Charlie climbed into the Corvette with me.

As we got back on the highway, I opened up the Corvette a little, and we quickly pulled away from Amy and Jackie. Then as I slowed down, I said, “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“That was cool.”, Charlie said. “I know that the Vet doesn’t have a big engine in it, but just the feeling of sitting so low to the ground makes it feel like your flying. And I don’t think you were going as fast as you could.”

“I wasn’t. I only went as fast as I felt safe going.”

“Is this the boy in you coming out.”

I glanced at Charlie and said, “Maybe a little. The boy doing the speed. And, the girl doing it safely.”

“I think more than a little on the boy side. You were having fun. And I don’t know of any girl that would go that fast in driving a car.”

“Yeah, it was fun feeling the power. And, the way this thing handles is amazing.”

“It is a sports car.”

“And it handles like one.”

We slowed down enough to allow Amy and Jackie to catch up to us. Then it was only a short time later that we pulled into the resort and up to the house. Charlie and I got out of the Corvette, and Amy and Jackie got out of the ‘67 Chevy. Amy looked at me and said, “You pulled away from us like we were standing still.”

I grinned, and said, “I know. It was fun.”

“You can be so bad.”

The four of us walked into the house, and my aunt was in the kitchen. She looked at us and said, “Hi, kids.”

Almost in unison, the four of us said, “Hi, Aunt Ruth.”

Then I asked, “Where’s Uncle Paul?”

“At the hotel. He’ll be back for lunch. Did you bring the car?”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t five minutes later that Uncle Paul walked into the house and said, “I see you brought the car, Kai.”

“Sure.”, I replied. “Just like I said, I would.”

“Your dad has told me about that car, but seeing it is amazing.”

“I know. Finally being able to drive it is also amazing.”

“Do I get a ride?”

“Of course. But, only if the bridge is fixed.”

“Kai! It’s been fixed. Take me for a ride in the Corvette, and I’ll show you.”

“Uncle Paul, no way am I taking that car off a paved road.”

“I don’t blame you.”

I took Uncle Paul for a ride. We put the top down and took a quick run up US 285 and back. As I was turning around, Uncle Paul asked, “I couldn’t drive, could I?”

“Uncle Paul.”. I replied. “If it was my car, yes. But it isn’t.”

“I understand Kai. I just had to ask.”

“I know. The first time that I ever drove this car was last Friday.”

“It is your father’s baby.”

“I know. Maybe dad will let you drive it when they’re out here this summer. I’ll even put a good word in for you.”

When we were back at the house, Uncle Paul and I pulled the Corvette into the garage, and we put the top up. Then I got the special soft cloths out of the trunk, that my dad used to dust the car off after he drove it, and the cover for it. I tossed one soft cloth at my uncle, as I said, “Here, Uncle Paul, help me dust this thing.”

We carefully dusted it off, then we threw a cover over it. And, as I handed Uncle Paul the keys, I said, “Dad’s Vet is now under your care.”

“I’ll take good care of it, Kai.”, Uncle Paul said.

“I know you will. And, if the weather is nice when Amy and I are up here, I’ll probably take Vet out for a spin.”

“I’ll let you do that, as long as I can go along.”

“Let me do it?”

“It is under my care.”

“Okay. I’ll let you go along. If I bring the ‘57 Chevy up one weekend, could I park it in the garage?”

“Sure.”

“And, I may even let you drive it.”

“I would hope so.”

As we walked back into the house, Charlie asked, “Well, Uncle Paul, what do you think of that car?”

“That is one nice car.”, Uncle Paul said. “I just wish I could’ve driven it.”

“Me too.”

“When we bring the ‘57 Chevy up.”, I said. “You can both drive it.”

“You’ll love driving that, Uncle Paul.”, Charlie said. “I got to drive it a short way, and you could just feel the power under the hood. Plus being a convertible it just looks cool with the top down.”

We helped Aunt Ruth with lunch, which turned out to be a really nice taco salad. And, we chatted about the surprise that I had when the cars were delivered on Friday.

Then Uncle Paul dropped the bomb when he said, “Kai, I heard from your friend Armbruster the other day.”

“He’s no friend of mine!”, I replied. “What did he want?”

“He canceled his reservation for next year.”

“Oh really.”, I said. “Did he say why?”

“Something about losing a big client and having to cut back.”, Uncle Paul replied.

I looked at Ajie, and Ajie looked at me. Then, I said, “Uncle Paul, I have something to tell you.”

“What’s that, Kai.”

“I may have caused that.”

“Caused what?”

“Armbruster to lose that client.”

“How?”

I went on to tell everyone about what had happened with Armbruster’s people at the university. And, how they had tried to recruit me and others from the university, some successfully, some unsuccessfully. And how we learned that they had information on me that only the people at the Los Alamos National Laboratory would know.

Then I said, “I had a talk with one of my contacts at Los Alamos about Armbruster and his inside information on me. But, I never heard anything more about it.

“But, now I wonder if the big client that Armbruster lost was Los Alamos?”

Uncle Paul just looked at me for a minute, then said, “Kai, don’t worry about it. Knowing how secret and closed mouth Los Alamos can be, you probably won’t hear anything.

“It was fun having them here in the middle of winter, but if they do things like you say they did, then I don’t want them around.”

“Won’t the owners be upset?”

“I don’t think so. We’ve had others ask about that weekend, so the vacuum that the cancellation created should be filled as soon as the word gets out.”

“I never said anything to you or Aunt Ruth earlier because I was afraid to get you involved because of your relationship with the resort.”

“Thank you, Kai. But, we’re family. And, you don’t need to keep anything from us.”

“Thanks, Uncle Paul. I should have known that.”

Then I looked at Charlie and Jackie, and said, “I know I don’t have to say this. But, mum’s the word on this whole thing.”

“Don’t worry, Kai.”, Jackie said. “Mum’s the word.”

I looked at Charlie, he smiled and put his right index and thumb together, and moved them across his lips like he was zipping them shut.

We helped Aunt Ruth clean up the lunch dishes, then we headed back to Albuquerque. And, of course, we made a stop at the Jemez Canyon Reservoir. Why? The Eagles. It was close to the time that the egg or eggs should be hatching.

We pulled into the parking lot for the dam and the trailhead, and we were the only ones there. As we parked, Charlie said, “Kai, we had no idea that you were going through that mess with that Armbruster guy.”

As I turned and looked at him, I said. “Charlie, it was something that we were going to let Los Alamos handle, and it appears that they did. As did the university.”

“I never knew that companies recruited that way.”

“In most cases, companies recruit graduating seniors and don’t go after the faculty in the way that he did. Especially getting information from a third party as they did. At least I don’t think they do.

“But, I guess everything is fair in love and business.”

“Do you think it’s over?”

“I hope it is, but you never know. Now, let's talk about something else.”

“One last thing, Kai.”, Charlie said. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Of course we are.”, I replied.

“Then remember. We’re here for you. Maybe as only someone to talk to. But we’re here.”

“I know, Charlie. And, it may have done us some good to talk to you. And we should have.”

We got out of the car, walked the main trail to the side trail, took that, and went through the gate. Shortly we were at the nest site. We stood where we had the best view of the nest, and Amy was the first to say, “I saw something move.”

Then a minute or so later, one of the Eagles flew in carrying a fish and landed on the nest. Then one of the Eagles came over to the edge of the nest, looked at us, and squawked. Shortly the other Eagle joined him, and they just looked at us.

Amy said, “It just feels so good seeing them.”

“I know.”, I said. “It’s special.”

“Do you think that the eggs have hatched?”, Jackie asked.

“I don’t know. If they have it may have just happened. We figured that the Eagles laid the eggs sometime around the first of February. That means that they should be hatching right about now.”

“Maybe we need to come up once a week and check on them?”, Amy said.

“We might just have to do that.”

We hung around until the Eagle that was looking at us took off, circled a couple of time, and went towards the river. Then we walked back to the car, and there was what looked like a Santa Ana Pueblo Police car sitting there. As we walked up, the officer got out of his car. It wasn’t the one that we’d met a few weeks ago.

As he walked up to us, he asked, “Can I ask what you’re doing here?”

“Yes, sir.”, I replied. “We were just checking out the reservoir.”

“You do know that this is reservation property?”

“Yes, sir. We do.”

“And you are?”

“I’m Kai Nez. This is Ajie Nez. And this is Charlie and Jackie Hamilton.”

“Nez?”

“Yes, Kai Nez. Ajie Nez.”

He took out a small note tablet, looked at something, and asked, “Do you know Izusa Yupanqui?”

“Iz? Yes, we know him. He’s the whole parks department for the pueblo. Isn’t he?”

“That’s him. And, he’s told us that you’re okay to be here. And, even on restricted land.”

“Thank you.”

“I know it’s something special. But, no one is talking.”

“Maybe one day we will.”

“Knowing Iz, he won’t. Have a good day.”

“You too, officer.”

The officer got into his car and left. As we got back into our car, I said, “It looks like they’re keeping an eye on this place.”

“That’s good.”, Amy replied.

After I taught and attended my classes on Monday, I walked over to Dr. Joe’s office, and he wasn’t there. I let myself in and locked the door behind me. I found the metal briefcase that Los Alamos had given us when they gave us this project, set it on the work table, and opened it. Dr. Joe and I know each other's combination.

I opened the file cabinet, took everything that I’d need to build the breadboard circuit, and put it in the metal briefcase. I didn’t take any of the integrated circuits with me. I wouldn’t need those until I was ready to start testing the circuit.

I closed and locked the file cabinet, picked up my purse and the metal briefcase, leaving my briefcase in Dr. Joe’s office, I left Dr. Joe’s office, locking the door. And, walked a short way down the hall to one of the small laboratories. This laboratory should have everything that I’ll need to build up the breadboard, plus it’s always locked.

I spent a little time gathering the things that I’d need for the various storage places in the lab. Then I went to work putting the circuit together.

I’d been working for about an hour when I heard a key in the door. Only a few people have a key to this room. I looked up, and it was Dr. Joe and Dean Rutherford. The Dean, with a smile, asked, “Well, Miss Nez, did you drive that ‘57 to the university today?”

“No way, Dean.”, I replied.

“Careful of that car are we, Miss Nez?”

“You know it, Dean.”

“So, how is the project coming?”

“I just got started with the breadboard.”

“Can I see?”, the Dean asked.

With a smile, I replied, “Dean, do you have a security clearance?”

“Miss Nez!”

“Dean, you know the rules.”

“Yes, Miss Nez I have a security clearance.”

“I only have the sockets for the integrated circuit set in what I think should be the right place, and a few components in place so far.”

“It’s a beginning, Miss Nez.”

“Yes, sir. It’s only a beginning.

“And, I think that there’s something that I’d better tell you.”

“What now, Miss Nez?”, the Dean asked.

“I’ve heard that Armbruster’s company has lost a big client.”, I replied.

“How did you hear this?”

“We were up at the resort on Sunday, and my uncle told us that Armbruster canceled their weekend for next year. And, that he had told my uncle that he’d lost a big client and that they had to cut back.”

“And what has that to do with us?”

“Well. We figured that the big client might be Los Alamos.”

“Hmm. Interesting.”

I saw a little smile on Dr. Joe’s face. And, the Dean added, “I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Knowing Los Alamos probably not much.”, I said.

“Miss Nez, you’re not the only one that knows people.”

The Dean then left. I looked at Dr. Joe and asked, “Checking up on me?”

“No, he’s just curious.”, Dr. Joe replied.

“I guess he should be.”

“Yes, he should. The final responsibility for the project is on his shoulders.”

As I worked, I told Dr. Joe about our weekend, taking the Corvette to the Chevrolet dealer, and drawing a lot of attention. Then taking the Vet to the resort on Sunday, where we found out about Armbruster. And, I mentioned stopping to see the Eagles. And Dr. Joe said, “I’m going to have to go with you sometime.”

“You’re more than welcome.”, I said. “But I’ll have to blindfold you.”

“You’re kidding?”

With a serious tone, I said, “No.”

“You’re serious?”

“As a heart attack. Or, you can swear to the Great Spirit that you’ll never reveal where the Eagles are.”

“You are protective of them. Aren’t you?”

“Very. And, especially now since they probably have young.”

“Aren’t they nervous when you’re there?”

“No, it’s like they enjoy us visiting.”

“What is it with you and the Eagles?”

“Didn’t I tell you that story?”

“I don’t think so.”

“When Amy and I were young, we used to hike in a large park close to our houses, and we’d see the Eagles. We figured that they were a pair. And they became friends. They’d always showed up when we were at the lake. They even showed up when we were taking pictures by the lake during our wedding. … ” And, I went on to tell Dr. Joe our history with the Eagles.

When I finished, Dr. Joe just looked at me for a minute, then said, “That’s amazing. And, you feel that the pair out here is the same pair from Ohio?”

“We think it’s possible that they migrated out here, and so do some of the naturalist people.”, I replied. “When we were back home for Christmas, an Eagle showed up when we hiked to the lake, but it was a single immature Eagle. But, we’ll never know if the pair out here is the same pair we saw at home. Neither of the pair out here is banded.”

“I know how my people, the Ojibwa people, feel about the Bald Eagle, and I believe all native people feel the same way. And I can see why the Navajo people feel that you, and even Amy, are special.”

“I guess.”

“Kai, accept it.”

“In time, I will.”

“And, Kai, you may think I’m kidding with you when I call you Dr. Kai. But I’m not. I see in you a very wise person. Who is wise beyond their years. And, not only are you book smart, but you are also street smart.”

I looked at Dr. Joe for a minute, nodded my head, and said, “Dr. Joe, you just may be right.”

“Kai, I am right.”

Dr. Joe left me alone, and I worked another couple of hours, then called it a day. I took everything back to Dr. Joe’s office, locked it up, and then headed for the apartment. Amy was there, and I received a very warm welcome.

As we ate dinner, I asked Amy, “Want to go for an evening walk along the river?”

“That sounds good.”, Amy replied. “I need to relax a little bit.”

“Me too.”

“Rough day?”

“Not really, but it’ll feel good to just walk along the river.”

“I know.”

A short time later, we were pulling into the parking lot by the river trail. We noticed that there were a couple of other cars there. We got out of the car and started walking north. It was a slow walk. And a quiet walk to begin with.

We reached the first bench, yes the one where I’d met the guy that I was pretending to give secrets to from Los Alamos, and we walked over to it and sat. We sat there for a while, just watching the water flow by. There’s something about watching flowing water that is relaxing.

Finally, Amy said, “I’ve been giving the idea of my doctoral degree some serious thought.”

“And?”. I asked.

“After Saturday and listening to the comments of the medicine men and Vickie, I think that I’m really going to use the seminar as the basis for my thesis.”

“I think that’s wise. It was well received. And, probably hasn’t ever been done before.”

“I knew that you’d say something like that.”, Amy said.

“I just know how much work you put into that presentation. And you weren’t happy until it was perfect. And you won’t be happy until your thesis is perfect.”

“You’ll help me, won’t you?”

“Of course, in any way that I can. But, what about having your doctoral and not being able to work with patients or teaching.”

“I’ve talked with Vickie about that, and she said, that most do head away from that, but some don’t. It’s basically a preference. She told me that she misses working with patients.”

We sat there quietly a while longer, then I said, “Dr. Joe and I had a talk today too.”

“Oh?”

“I thought that I’d told him the story of the Eagles and us. But, I guess I hadn’t.”

“I thought you had too.”

“When I finished telling him, he said that he can see why our people feel that we’re special. And, he’s right. The Eagles have seen it in us and so have the people. I think you have seen it too, but I’ve had a problem seeing it in myself.”

“I know you have.”

“But now, I’m seeing it.”

“I’m glad.”

“And, you know how he’s always kidding me by calling me, Dr. Kai?”

“Yes.”

“He told me that he’s wasn’t kidding. He said that I’m a very wise person. Wise beyond my years. And, that I’m both street smart and book smart.”

Amy smiled at me and said, “Love, I’ve known that for a long time.”

I just looked at her and smiled.

Then she asked, “Are you going to finish your doctoral too?”

“Why not, then we can be Dr. and Dr. Young.”

“Don’t you mean Dr. and Dr. Nez.”

I smiled and said, “Yeah.”

We finally started walking back to the parking lot, and it was getting dark. As we were getting into the car, Amy said, “I could use a milkshake.”

“Sounds good to me. And, maybe even some french fries.”, I replied.

We drove over to our favorite drive-in and enjoyed our milkshakes and french fries.

The rest of the week was about as normal as it could be, classes and the project. Amy worked a couple of shifts in the ER. And, on Thursday Dr. Joe and I decided to take a break from the project on Friday. So, I called and made an appointment at the car dealer for the ‘57 at one on Friday afternoon.

The only somewhat interesting thing that happened during the rest of the week was on Friday afternoon when Amy and I were taking care of transferring the title of the ‘57 Chevy from Ohio to New Mexico, getting New Mexico plates for it, and taking it to the Chevy dealer for a tuneup because of the change in altitude.

Friday was a beautiful day for the middle of March, so we had the top down on the ‘57 Chevy when we pulled into the local Chevrolet dealership. We drove up to the service entrance, beeped the horn, and the overhead door opened. We pulled into the service area and were met by the service manager. He said, “I was waiting to see this car. And it’s very nice.”

“Thanks.”, I said. “I’ve tried hard to keep it that way.”

“So, we’re doing a tuneup.”

“Yes, we just brought it out here from Ohio, and we need to adjust it for the difference in altitude.”

The same man that had worked on the Corvette walked over and said, “I see you brought in your ‘57.”

“Yes.”

“You said that it was really nice. And it is.”

“Thanks. And, just like with the Corvette, it’s never seen snow.”

Looking at the service manager, the guy said, “Bill, she’s the one that brought in the ‘53 Corvette last Saturday.”

“I would have loved to have seen that car.”, Bill said.

“It will probably be out here for a while. So, you just might see it.”

“I hope I do.”

Just then, a man in a suit walked out of the dealership, and over to us. Bill looked at him and said, “Hello, Mr. Rodrigues.”

“Hello, Bill.”, Mr. Rodrigues said. “I just happened to look out the window and saw this ‘57 sitting here, so I just had to have a look.”

“Mr. Rodrigues, this is Miss. … I’m sorry, Miss, but I don’t know your name.”

“It’s Nez. Kai Nez.”, I said.

“Miss Nez, this is Mr. Rodrigues.”, Bill said. “He owns the dealership.”

“Miss Nez, it’s nice to meet you.”, Mr. Rodrigues said.

“And, it’s a pleasure to meet you too.”, I replied.

“Is this ‘57 yours?”

“Yes, sir. I bought it in my senior year in high school. And, just had it shipped out here.”

“Is it souped up like the one in the showroom?”

“No, sir. It’s stock, and I plan on keeping it that way.”

“She also had a ‘53 Corvette in here last Saturday.”, Bill said.

“A ‘53 Corvette! Is that yours too!?”, Mr. Rodrigues asked.

“No, it’s my fathers.”, I replied.

And, I went on to tell them the story of why the Corvette was out here.

Mr. Rodrigues then said, “Have you seen the ‘57 in the showroom?”

“Yes, sir. It’s all souped up and chromed. I take it that one is yours?”

“Yes, and it would be fun to take your ‘57 and my ‘57 to a car show and park them side by side.”

“A stock ‘57 and a souped-up ‘57 side by side. That would draw attention.”, I replied.

“Yes, it would. And, if the Corvette could also be there that would be fantastic.”

“I can’t guarantee the Vet. That would depend on my father.”

“We can ask him?”

“Is there a good car show out here?”

“There are small car shows all year long, even cruise-ins, but I’d suggest we go to the big one at the Fair Grounds in late summer.”

“You put the cars out in the hot sun for a car show?”

“No, most people who show cars out here put up a canopy. And we have one big enough for four cars.”

“Okay. Let me know, and we’ll try to be there.”

“Give me your number, and I’ll be happy to.”

I gave Mr. Rodrigues my name and number, and he gave me his business card. And, finally the ‘57 got its tuneup, and Amy and I were on our way. On our way to transfer the title from Ohio to New Mexico. And that took a little while. But when we left the Department of Motor Vehicles, we had a New Mexico title and New Mexico license plates for the ‘57.

As we were leaving the dealership, Amy said, “I sure wish it was warmer, I’d love to go for a walk in the woods.”

“We could try one of the trails that is lower down.”, I said. “Like the one we hiked when they closed our favorite trail because of the bear attack.”

“Hmm. Sure. But, there are no picnic tables on that trail.”

“Oh. I see where your mind is.”

Amy smiled at me and said, “Uh, huh.”

“I think we can take the blanket with us, just in case.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Sure.”