And we had a little over three weeks before classes started. Our senior year.

After dinner, Amy and I were meeting Larry and Kelly, and Mark and Maria for ice cream. And as we sat at a table outside the ice cream parlor, eating ice cream, I asked, “So, guys. What’s new?”

Maria said, “Same o’. Same o‘. Work and waiting for school to start.”

“Same here.”, Kelly said. “Except we decided to move the wedding up.”

“You what!?”, Amy said.

“And we’ve moved into an apartment together.”

“What!?”

“Yeah. We couldn’t wait.”

“When?”

“Fall quarter ends on December ninth. So the wedding will be December seventeenth.”

“You’re crazy!”

“Why?”

“That’s less than four months away!”

“We did yours in less time than that.”, Maria said.

“Yeah. And it was downright crazy.”

“True. But it’s a doable thing.”

“I guess.”, Amy said. Then she asked Kelly, “Kelly, when did you guys come up with this?”

“Right after you guys left for New Mexico. And we moved into the apartment last week.”, Kelly replied.

“We’re going to have to get busy.”

“Not really. Larry and I have been going over every weekend and working with my mother. This will be the first weekend we aren’t going over.

“My mother is handling almost everything at home. We were lucky, the church was available and so was the church hall for the reception. My brother, the priest, will be able to marry us. I looked at dresses here and found one that I absolutely fell in love with. My mother and maid of honor, Mary Beth, came over one day. I tried it on for them, and they loved it too. So, the dress is taken care of.

“Larry’s parents, Larry, and I have given my mother a list of people that we want to be invited, and my mother is also taking care of that. I guess she and one of her ladies groups are addressing them.”

“That’s good.”, Amy said.

“I’ve picked out the dresses for the bride’s maids. And now that you’re back we can do fittings on them.”

“Me?”

“Sure. I want you and Maria to be in the wedding.”

“Me!?”, Maria said.

“Yes, both of you. Mary Beth is my cousin, and we’re close, so she’s my maid of honor. You and Amy, and two other girls will be my bride’s maids.”

Then Larry said, “Tom, of course, I want you to be my best man, and Mark I’d like you to be a groomsman.”

“I’d be happy to.”, I said.

“Me too.”, Mark added.

“Good. Now that’s settled.”, Kelly said.

“I’m surprised that you didn’t ask Tammy to be a bride’s maid.”, Maria quipped.

“Maria! Don’t go there.”, I said.

“Why not.”, Kelly said with a grin. “I would have asked her if Larry hadn’t wanted Tom for his best man.”

I just frowned at Kelly. And she just grinned, then said, “And I guess the least I can do for Tammy is to invite her to the bachelorette party. And maybe she’d also like to go with us when we do the fittings for the bribe maid's dresses?”

I just shook my head.

Amy then said, “Tammy wanted to be a bride’s maid at Maria’s wedding.”

“I know.”, Maria said. “But Mark grabbed him first.”

To change the subject, I said, “Amy, do you think it will be too cold in New Mexico for them in December?”

Amy initially gave me a look of, what are you talking about? Then I think the light lit, as she said, “Probably.”

“What are you two talking about?”, Larry asked.

I asked Amy, “Should I tell them?”

“Might as well.”, Amy replied.

“No. I don’t think I will.”

“Tell us what?”, Kelly asked.

“Maybe you’d better tell them.”, Amy said.

“No, I don’t think I will.”, I said. “I think I’ll make them wait.”

“Would you please stop teasing us!”, Kelly said.

“Oh, all right. I guess.”, I said. “When Maria and Mark got married, we gave them a wedding present. We gave them four days and three nights at the resort in New Mexico where we go.

“And we’re planning on doing the same for you and Larry. All you would have to do is get there. But the temperatures in December could be a little too cold.”

“Wait!”, Kelly said. “Maria told us that they had saved up for that trip. And went there because of everything that you’ve told us about it.”

“We asked them to tell people that.”, I said. “We didn’t want anyone knowing that we gave it to them for a wedding present. And we ask the same of you and Larry.”

“You can’t do that. It’s too expensive.”

“We can and will.”, Amy said.

“How?”, Larry asked.

“Yes. How?”, Maria asked.

“Just believe that we can. And leave it at that.”, Amy replied.

“You aren’t going to tells us. Are you?”

“Not right now. Maybe sometime we will. But, Larry and Kelly, you just tell us when you want to go, and we’ll arrange it, but I’d wait until summer.”

Larry then said, “You two are too much.”

“We’re good friends. Aren’t we?”, I asked.

“Of course you are.”

“Then just accept it in the spirit that it’s given.”

Maria then said, “So, tell us about your trip.”

Amy looked at Kelly, and said, “We will, as soon as we hear about this apartment.”

Kelly said, “Larry and I just decided that it, like with the wedding, was time. So we found an apartment and moved in. What more is there to tell?”

“And your mother was thrilled with it. Wasn’t she?”

“No. But I just told her that I was twenty-one and would do what I want.”

“Sounds like you.”

Amy and I then gave them a quick overview of the trip, starting with buying the car, deciding to dye my hair black and me being Kai most of the time. We filled them in about the barbecues, our trips to Taos, the trip to the Grand Canyon and the Four Corners Area. They were shocked when we told them about our problem with the two guys in Taos. Then we told them about learning to shoot a rifle, the cabin in the mountains, the bear, the fire tower, the thunderstorm, and hiking in the mountains, The were interested in the rescue of the hiker. The fry bread got some comments about wanting to try it. They liked hearing about the dance competition, and the drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park.

We left out all the stuff about the scholarship and the problems with Chief Peshlakai, and of course the sacred place.

When we finished telling them our story and answering questions, Maria said, “They need to make a movie of your life. It would win an Oscar.”

If they only knew the half of it.

Then Larry said, “That frybread sounds good When are you going to make us some?”

“How about tomorrow.”, Amy said. “Why don’t you come over for dinner, and I, or we, will make fry bread tacos.”

When Amy and I were back home, we found my parents in the den. We told them about asking Kelly, Larry, Maria, and Mark over for a frybread taco party on Saturday evening. And we invited them to join us. My mom said that they’d love to, but they had plans. But would take a rain check.

We then told my parents that we were tired and were going to bed. And that’s just what we did.

Saturday morning, for home, we slept in. We were still on New Mexico time. After Amy and I had a late brunch, we went grocery shopping for tonight. We also dropped off all of the rolls of film that Amy had taken on the trip. All twenty rolls of thirty-six exposures each. I told you that she liked to take pictures and she had a nice 35mm camera to do it with.

Mom and dad left early in the afternoon and told us not to wait up as they’d be late. We told them to have fun. And as they were walking out the door, my dad said, “Go with us to church tomorrow, and we’ll take you out to lunch.”

“Sounds good.”, Amy replied.

After my parents left, Amy asked, “Am I going to have the pleasure of Kai’s company this evening?”

“We’re having a Southwestern meal aren’t we?”, I replied.

“Yes.”

“Well don’t you think a girl from the Southwest should cook it?”

Amy smiled and said, “Of course.”

“Is Ajie going to be here?”

“As you said, it’s a Southwestern meal. So, of course, she’ll be here.”

A little later I asked Amy to braid my hair. She did a single braid down my back with the butterfly barrette at the top, and a fancy leather wrap with feathers at the end. Then I slipped into the special panties so that I’d have a cute round butt and some hips. Then came a bra with the forms.

I chose one of the long skirts and a fancy blouse. I went light on the jewelry, a Concho belt, a pair of beaded earrings, and I wore the meteorite necklace that I seldom took off.

Amy didn’t want to wear the wig, so Ajie was going to be a blond. She also went with a long skirt but wore a plain white blouse. For jewelry, she also went with her new Concho belt, a pair of the silver feather earrings, and along with her meteorite necklace, she wore the bone Concho choker.

I went with the wrap moccasins, and Ajie wore a regular pair of moccasins.

When we finished changing Amy, or Ajie, looked at me, and said, “I’ve missed you these past few days.”

“I’ve missed you too.”, I replied.

She walked over to me, took me in her arms, and we shared a long, deep, sensuous kiss. And if we weren’t having friends over, I knew where this kiss would have led.

A short time before the crew was due to show up, Ajie and I started getting the stuff for the Southwestern frybread tacos ready. We weren’t going to start making the frybread until they were here. But, Amy made up the batter for the frybread, and I was in charge of the taco fixings.

And with me cooking it called for an apron. I could, and did, get messy.

I started cooking. First, it was the diced onions with two pounds of lean ground beef fried in olive oil. Once that was cooked, I put it aside and put together whole kernel sweet corn, diced tomatoes, brown rice, vegetable broth, chili powder, and cumin and brought that to a boil, then let it simmer for a few minutes. Once that was cooked, I added the meat, which I’d cooked earlier, and black beans.

Just as I had finished adding the beans, Larry, Kelly, Mark, and Maria, arrived. Amy let them in, and I heard Larry say, “What smells so good?”

“Kai is cooking up the taco fixings.”, Amy replied.

“Kai is here?”, I heard Kelly say.

“Yes. It’s a Navajo meal. So I needed Kai to help me.”

“I love your skirt and blouse.”, Maria said.

“Thanks. It’s another one of the outfits that I picked up in Santa Fe.”

I had my back to them when they walked into the kitchen, I turned, looked, and said, “Hi guys. Food’s almost ready. Hope you're hungry.”

Maria put her hands on her hips, and said, “I still want to know where Tom is hiding?”

“Maria, love.”, Ajie said. “Tom isn’t here right now.”

“Ajie.”, I said. “The fixings are almost ready. You might want to start on the frybread. I’ll keep the fixings warm until your ready.”

“Ajie?”, Kelly said. “Oh. That’s right. The Navajo gave you that name last year.”

“Yes.”, Ajie said. “I feel close to them, so I like the name Ajie.”

As Ajie started cooking the fry bread, Kelly and Maria were interested and watched her closely.

Ajie heated oil in a skillet. The oil was about one inch deep. She took a small piece of dough, flattened it out with her fingers, and carefully placed it into the oil. You could hear it sizzle. After a short time, she flipped it over. When she took the little piece out of the oil, she placed it on paper towel. Ajie said to Maria and Kelly, “Let it cool a bit. Then try it.”

I said, “Honey, why don’t you make enough small pieces so that everyone can try it.”

Ajie did that, and everyone loved it. She told everyone that this recipe was made with yogurt instead of oil to make it crisper. It helps keep it from becoming soggy when making tacos.

Ajie made a dozen frybreads about eight inches in diameter and kept them warm in the oven. When she finished, we put everything on the table, the stack of frybreads, the taco fixings, a bowl of shredded lettuce, a bowl of grated cheese mix, a bowl of diced tomatoes, and a bowl of sour cream.

Then we all sat and had a feast.

When we finished, Larry said, “That was the best taco that I’ve ever had.”

“I’ll second that.”, Mark said.

We talked some more about Kelly and Larry’s upcoming wedding. We found out that her parents were footing the bill for the bridal parties hotel rooms. And the whole wedding.

Then Kelly, looking at Ajie, and said, “I’ve been looking at the two almost identical necklaces that you and Kai are wearing. Where did you get them?”

“We found the stones while hiking and the silversmith that we know in Taos made necklaces out of them for us.”, Ajie said.

“What stone is it.”

“They’re meteorites.”, I said.

“Meteorites?”, Larry said. “Real meteorites?”

“Yes. Real meteorites.”

“How did you find ‘em?”

“When we were hiking in the mountains, we saw them on the ground. They looked different than any of the other rocks. I picked them up, and they were heavy for their size. We both liked them, so I put them in my pocket.”

“So.”, Maria said. “When are you two moving out there?”

“We almost didn’t come back this time.”, I replied.

“You must really love that place.”, Larry said.

“We do.”

“And I can see why.”, Maria said. “We were only there for four days, and we fell in love with it.”

“They don’t call it the ‘Land of Enchantment’ for nothing.”, Ajie said.

“I can see why. And I think it’s enchanted the two of you.”

“It helps.”, I said. “When you’re ancestors are from there.”

“And you feel the spirits.”, Ajie added

“You believe in the spirits too.”, Maria said. “Don’t you?”

“I have to. I’ve felt them.”

It was quiet for a minute, until Kelly said, “Who wants to go bowling?”

“What.”, Mark said. “And let you beat us again?”

“Sure. Why not. It’s fun.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m game.”, I said. “But not in these skirts. I have enough of a handicap.”

“So go change.”, Larry said. “We’ll wait for you.”

Ajie and I ran back to our room. I completely undressed and became Tom. Tom with dark hair in a guy’s ponytail, shorts, and a ribbon shirt. Ajie became Amy, a cute blouse, shorts, and a blond girl’s ponytail.

When we came back out to the kitchen, all the dishes were cleaned up. Amy asked, “Who cleaned up the kitchen?”

“Who else.”, Maria said. “You guys cooked. So we cleaned up. All the dishes are in the dishwasher.”

“You didn’t have to. But thanks.”

“Where did Kai and Ajie go?”

“Kai isn’t comfortable going out here.”, I said. “So it was back to Tom.”

“And when Kai isn’t here, Ajie doesn't like to be.”, Amy said.

We drove over to the bowling alley in separate cars since everyone was heading home from there.

Just before we started the second game, I got a bad feeling. I looked around and didn’t really see anything. There were a lot of people here tonight, and a group of four couples had just come in and taken two lanes just down from us. They appeared to be our age. College-aged.

Amy saw me looking around, and asked, “Honey, is something wrong?”

“I just got a bad feeling.”, I replied. “But I don't see anything that looks like it might be a problem.”

“Maybe it’s nothing. Or it’s someone that doesn’t like people like me.”

“Yeah.”

Things were going great until the middle of the second game. Amy had just bowled, and I was bowling. I threw my first ball and got a 7-10 split. As I turned around, I saw a guy leaning over the seats talking to Amy, and she didn’t look happy. This guy looked familiar. But, from where.

Then I heard Amy say, “He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be.”

I walked up to them, and asked, “What’s going on?”

“This guy doesn’t think I should be with you. That you aren’t good enough for me.”, Amy replied.

I looked at the guy. He was bigger than me. But then who isn’t. Then I asked him, “What’s your problem?”

“She’s too cute to be with someone like you.”

“Like me. What’s wrong with me.”

“You’re an Indian. Aren’t you?”

“So. What if I am?”

“She should be with a guy like me. And you should go back to your reservation.”

“So, you’re telling us that she should be with a loud mouth jerk like you?”

“Buddy. You’re looking for trouble.”

“I’m not your buddy. And I’m not looking for trouble. You are. I’m just standing up for my girl.”

“I should punch your lights out.”

“Oh. Big man, picking on the little guy.”

“You started this.”

“No. You did! You came over here and started harassing my wife.”

“Wife! Girl did you screw up big time. I was just trying to get her to see her mistake.”

I looked at Amy, and asked, “Did you make a mistake marrying me.”

“No.”, Amy replied. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

The guy glared at me, and said, “I should take you outside and beat you to a pulp.”

I grinned, and said, “Let's go.” And I started walking towards the door.

The guy then said, “Yeah. And your buddies will come along and gang up on me.”

I came back with, “Don’t you have some buddies here. Or don’t you have any friends.”

“Why you little … ” And he came at me. I stood my ground, and he stopped short as I took a defensive stance. I didn’t say another word but just looked at him. He’d hesitated.

Just then the manager of the bowling alley came over, and said, “What the hell is going on?”

Amy told the manager what had happened. He looked at who was involved. And then looking at the big guy, he said, “Robert Charles, I should have known it was you. You were told not to cause any more trouble, or you’d be banned from here.

“So, guess what, Robert. I’m banning you for life from here. And if you are still on the property in five minutes, I’m calling the cops.”

Robert glared at the manager, then at me. Then he looked at his friends, and said, “Come on guys. Let’s get out of this lousy place.”

His three friends looked at each other, one said, “Nah, I’m going to stay and bowl.” His second friend said, “Yeah. I’m going to stay and bowl too.” And so did the third guy.

Then Robert looked at the girl that must be his girlfriend, and said, “Come on Judy. Let's go.”

“No.”, Judy said. “I’ve had it with you. Just leave. And don’t call me again.”

Robert turned and stormed out of the bowling alley. And a minute later we heard tires sequel. I figured that it was Robert peeled his tires as he was leaving the parking lot. Then we heard a terrible crash.

Amy and I looked at each other. And with the bowling alley manager, we ran to the front door. We saw a car crumpled against one of the concrete light pole stanchions on the far side of the parking lot.

Without hesitation, Amy ran towards the crash. I yelled, “Amy wait.”

“No.”, she yelled back. “He may be hurt.”

So after telling the manager to call for help, I ran after Amy.

When I got to the car, Amy was leaning in through the shattered driver’s side window. Robert was leaning against the steering wheel. I couldn’t see what Amy was doing, but I figured that she was checking him out.

I placed my hand on her back and leaned it trying to get a better look. She turned her head and looked at me. Then she backed out of the window, and said, “He’s bad. He hit the steering wheel and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. And his legs are pinned under the dashboard.”

Just then the bowling alley manager ran up, and said, “The cops are on the way. How is he?”

“I hope the fire department and an ambulance are on the way too.”, Amy said.

“Yeah. They said that they’d send them too.”

“Good. Because he’s not doing good.”

“Is it Robert?”

“If you mean the guy that we had the problem with. Yes, it’s him.”

The police were there quickly, followed in a minute or so by the fire department. Amy talked with the guys from the fire department. Then we stood back and watched as the guys from the fire department carefully worked to get the guy out of the car.

Just before they removed him from the car, an ambulance showed up. As they placed him on the cot, one of the firemen motioned for Amy to come over, and they talked for a second, then Amy started checking on the guy on the cot.

I watched as Amy said something and a couple of the fire department guys started CPR. Amy checked the guy while they did CPR. They talked for a few seconds. Then they quickly loaded Robert in the back of the ambulance, and the ambulance left in a hurry. I had a sinking feeling.

Amy walked back over to me and said, “He wasn’t breathing and didn’t have a pulse that I could feel. We started CPR, but his chest was crushed, and CPR may not do any good. So I told them to get him to the E.R. quickly. He hit the steering wheel really hard, so probably has some serious internal injuries. I don’t think he’s going to make it..”

I hadn’t noticed, but there was a crowd of people from the bowling alley watching, including our four friends and the guy's friends.

One of the police officers walked over and asked if we’d witnessed the crash. Of course, we hadn’t, but we told him what had happened before. He took our names, address, and phone numbers. Then Amy and I walked towards the crowd and back into the bowling alley.

We walked to a table, and as Amy sat, I said, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to see if I can get you a glass of wine from the bar.”

When I came back out of the bar carrying a glass of wine, I saw Amy sitting at the table, holding the hands of the guy’s girlfriend, Judy, and talking quietly to her. Kelly and Maria were sitting with them, and I think the girlfriends of the guy's three friends were standing behind Judy listening.

As I walked up to the table, I heard the girl, Judy, ask Amy, “Is … Is … Is he going to die?”

“Honey.”, Amy said. “I don’t know. They were working on him on the way to the hospital. It will depend on what happens between here and the Emergency Room.”

I set the wine on the table and walked back to where Larry and Mark were standing. Larry put his hand on my shoulder, and asked, “How does she do this?”

“Do what?”, I asked.

“What she did out at the car. I’d be throwing up. And now sitting there talking to the girl.”

I smiled, and said, “She’s Amy. And she’s special.”

A minute later Amy and the girl stood up and hugged. Then I heard Amy say to the other girls, “Take her home and be sure that there is someone with her.”

The three girls and three guys left with Judy. I walked over and sat down with Amy. She looked at me, picked up the glass of wine, and took a big swig.

I asked her, “Are you okay?”

“I guess.”, Amy said. “This is the first time that I’ve seen this in the field. And it’s different. You’re closer to it.

“In the E.R., things are happening quickly, and you don’t have time to think about who the patient is. Out here, I had nothing to work with, only my hands, eyes, and ears.”

“In looking at the car.”, I said. “He was really moving when he hit the concrete.”

“That’s what the cops were saying. Could I have another glass of wine?”

“I’ll get it.”, Kelly said. “You want a bottle?”

“Might be good.”, I replied.

Kelly and Larry walked to the bar and were quickly back with a bottle of wine and more glasses. The five of us just sat there quietly with Amy.

Kelly finally asked, “Amy. Honey. Are you okay? That was very traumatic.”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”, Amy replied. “It’s never easy. Working in the E.R., you see death. Sometimes it’s older people, and sometimes it’s younger people. It’s always hard, but it’s the young people who are the hardest. What you have to realize is that you’ve done all you can for them.”

“Amy, you’re tough.”

“No. I’m not tough. I just have a great support system. Tommy is amazing. He feels my needs and acts without asking. My parents and Tommy’s parents are great. And then there’s you guys. You’re great too. It all helps.”

“And the way you talked to the girl. You were so calm and sure of yourself.”

“I’ve been in on a number of death notifications, and it’s all in how you talk to people. You have to be firm, but kind. The hardest thing for this girl was the realization that she’d just dumped him.”

“So he’s not going to make it?”, Maria asked.

“I don’t think so. The trauma of the crash was massive. I think he was dead when he hit the light pole.”

Then it hit me. The guy, Robert, I remembered where I knew him from, and I said, “Oh my God!”