We went out to dinner with Dr. Joe and Mary and had a nice meal at a new restaurant, Paul’s Monterrey Inn. When we got home, we caught some guy, our neighbor, breaking into our apartment. Amy put him in his place, and we got to meet both the campus police and the Albuquerque city police.

The following day we stopped at Cousin Ahiga shop so that I could get something nice for the two secretaries. Two silver and turquoise rings. Then we wandered around campus finding the classrooms that we’d be teaching in. Finally, we stopped at the engineering college’s Dean’s office, gave the secretaries the rings, and took the copying back to the apartment. We had lunch and decided to go for a hike.

After lunch on Monday, we put on our hiking clothes and put all of our hiking gear into the car. We had decided to stop by the police department and pick up a copy of the report on the break-in before going hiking. We walked into the police department and asked for the detective that we’d talked to on the phone. The receptionist called back and told the detective that we were here. When she hung up, she said, “Please have a seat. Detective Roberts will be out in a minute.”

We sat, and a minute or two later the detective came out and said, “Hello again.”

As we stood, I said, “Hello, Detective Roberts.”

“I have a copy of the report for you. Do you have a few minutes?”

“Yes. We’re just going hiking up on the Crest.”

We followed the detective back to the detective bureau and his desk. There was a chair next to his desk, he grabbed a second chair from another desk, and we sat.

Then Detective Roberts said, “You sure put the hurts to that guy.”

“He put the hurts to us, too.”, I said. “We felt violated. He was in our apartment, our home. Why did he break into our place?”

“From what he told us, he wanted to prove that you two were lesbians. But we don’t believe him.”

“What! We’re not lesbians. We're cousins. But so what if we were?”

“His story was that he was going to try and get you thrown out of the apartments.”

I sat there, shook my head, and said, “Now he’s going to get thrown out of school and probably go to jail. That’s sad.”

Then Detective Roberts said, “He’s about the size of the two of you put together. How did you stop him?”

I looked at Amy, and she said, “I was standing by the front door. He came running down the steps, and Kai just missed him. He went to shove me out of his way, so I just used his momentum to stop him. I was going to put him on the ground, but the door jamb got in the way.”

“The officer in his report did say that he thought that you used some kind of martial arts.”

“Karate.”

Then the detective handed me the report, and said, “Here’s the report.”

“So what’s going to happen to him?”, I asked.

“As you said, they’ll probably kick him out of school, and he may go to jail. And that will depend on the prosecutor.”

“You know, I feel sorry for him.”

“How so?”

“He was going at this all wrong. Instead of talking with us about us in the apartment, he overreacted.”

“You want to do something.”, Amy said. “Don’t you, Kai?”

“Yes. But I’m not sure what.”

“You don’t think that he needs to be punished for what he did?”, Detective Roberts asked.

“You don’t think a broken arm and a concussion are enough of a punishment?”, I asked.

“I don’t know.”

“No one was hurt, but him.”

“What about next time.”

“Maybe, if it’s handled correctly there won’t be a next time.”

We said goodbye to the detective. We’d said goodbye because we hoped that we’d never have to see him again.

The drive up the Sandia Crest National Scenic Highway never ceases to amaze me. We’ve seen different things every time we’ve taken this drive. When we were at the top, the air smelled so clean, and the sky was so clear it was like you could see forever. We looked at the trail maps and picked one that we hadn’t been on before. It would take us for two and a half miles along the west slope until it intersected with the trail that ran along the crest that would bring us back to the parking area. After we’d gotten all of our gear, backpack, side arms, etc. arranged, we signed the trail log and started our hike. It was a beautiful and uneventful five-mile hike.

When we got back to the car and signed off the trail log, it was too early for dinner. So we headed back to the apartment to clean up and change. We both changed into long skirts, fancy blouses, and moccasins. I went with a pair of wrap moccasins, and Ajie went with a regular pair. We added a little jewelry, earrings, a bracelet or two, and Concho belts. We both had our ever-present meteorite necklaces on.

Just as we were ready to leave for dinner, there was a soft knock on the door. We walked to the door, and it was our neighbors, Charlie and Jackie. And there was another girl with them. I’ve seen her before, but where?

Jackie said, “Oh. You were going out. We’ll come back.”

“No.”, Ajie said. “We were going out to dinner. But it can wait. What’s up?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, come on in.”

The three of them walked in, and the girl looked around. Then I asked, “Who’s this?”

“Oh, sorry. This is Mary Ann. She’s Adam’s wife.”

I just looked at her, and the tears started. Then I said, “Mary Ann, don’t cry.”

“I’m … I’m so sorry for what Adam did.”, Mary Ann said.

“Honey. Let's sit and talk.” I was feeling something with Mary Ann, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

“Really?”

“Yes. You three sit on the couch, and I’ll get chairs for Ajie and me.”

“Oh, okay.”

Charlie, Jackie, and Mary Ann walked over and sat on the couch, and I got two of the kitchen chairs for Ajie and me. Jackie said, “Mary Ann doesn’t have any friends here. So she came to us. And we suggested that she talk to you.”

As I sat down, I asked, “How is Adam?”

“They … They’re going to release him from the hospital tomorrow.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“You’re … You’re not mad?”

“We were when we caught him in here. But there’s no reason to be now.”

“I don’t know why he did that. He’s never done anything like it before.”

“Does he have a problem with two girls living together like Ajie and I are.”

“I didn’t think so.”, Mary Ann sai. “The things Adam said the other day also surprised me.”

“Why would he say things like that?”, I asked.

“Maybe it’s his parents. They’re very strict. His father is a minister in a very strict church. And anything like that, to them, isn’t right.”

“Like two girls living together?”

“Yeah.”

“Look at the dorms and the sororities.”

“I know.”

“Aren’t you a member of that church?”

“No, and his parents aren’t pleased with us marrying as we did.”

“Like you did?”, I asked.

“We eloped.”

“I see.”

“Why am I finding it so easy to talk to you?”, Mary Ann asked.

“Everyone finds that talking to me is easy. It’s just who I am.”

“What’s going to happen to Adam?”

“Ajie and I stopped at the police department earlier today and spoke with the detective in charge of the case. And, … “

I glanced at Ajie, then said, “He could go to jail, and he will probably be kicked out of school.”

I was afraid this would happen, and it did. The tears started. But, I felt something. Something wasn’t right. Where these crocodile tears?

“You … You would help Adam after what he did?”, Mary Ann said.

“Mary Ann.”, I said. “Ajie and I aren’t vindictive people, as long as we feel that the person involved has learned a lesson. And we’re not being lied to.

“We feel that Adam with his broken arm and concussion may have been punished enough. And we’d like to talk to him and see how he feels about it.

“And if we feel that he is remorseful we might work with the university to keep him in school and the city to see about getting the charges dropped.”

“You would do that?”, Mary Ann asked.

“Yes, we would.”, Ajie said. “We feel that if he’s kicked out of school and put in jail that it could do more harm to him than good.”

“Mary Ann.”, I said. “You need to talk to Adam and tell him what we’ve discussed. See how he feels. And if he’s willing to sit down and talk with us.”

“I’ll do that.”, Mary Ann said. “He’s usually a very level-headed guy. Something must have set him off.”

“I would talk to him about that as soon as you can.”

“I’ll talk to him this evening when I go to the hospital. When could you talk to him?”

“The sooner, the better. Ajie and I teach in the mornings, plus we have classes that we’re taking. Then Ajie might be working at the hospital, and I’m working on a research project. So I guess an evening would be best.”

“Guys.”, Jackie said. “If you’d like to use our apartment as a nuteral spot. That would be fine.”

“That may be a good idea.”, Ajie said.

“What’s your last name?”, I asked.

“Wainwright.”

As they left, I hugged Mary Ann, and said, “We’ll see what happens when we talk with Adam. And hopefully, we can figure this out.”

As I was closing the door, I heard Jackie say, “Didn’t I tell you that they were nice?”

We headed to the garage to go out to dinner, and as we were getting into the car, Ajie said, “Somethings bothering you. Isn’t there?”

“Yes.”, I said. “Mary Ann is a good actor. But she lied to us.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I didn’t feel good about her when she walked into the apartment. And the more she talked, the more I felt bad things about her.”

“So you were leading her on?”

“Yes. I wanted to see how far she’d go and as far as I’m concerned, she buried herself. And when I hugged her I didn’t like what I was feeling.”

“So we’re not going to help Adam?”

“I don’t think so. But I’m going to talk to the detective again.”

Ajie and I drove over to Old Town for dinner at the La Placita Dining Rooms. We both had Sangria to drink and a great meal, and we talked about what had happened today and what was starting tomorrow. School.

I was teaching two classes, Electric Circuits, and Electronic Circuits and Systems. Ajie was teaching one, Nursing Fundamentals. On top of that, we were both taking two graduate level classes. I was also working with Dr. Joe on a research project, and Ajie was going to be working at the Emergency Room on an as needed basis. And I’ll bet that there will be a lot of need.

I think this quarter is going to be busy. We were both hoping that we could get away on weekends and go up to the resort, even if it was only for a day. Or at least go hiking.

Ajie was lucky, she was only teaching two section of Nursing Fundamentals, and they met three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And her one graduate level class met only on Mondays, and the other on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then there was her Emergency Room work.

Me on the other hand, I was teaching five days a week. I taught Electronic Circuits and Systems Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And Electric Circuits on Tuesday and Thursday. And the graduate level classes that I was taking were, like Ajie’s, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. On top of this, I was working with Dr. Joe on a research project. And then there was preparation for class. I’m glad I know the subjects that I’m teaching as well as I do, but I sure hope the books are here by the end of the week.

After we’d finished dinner and dessert of fried ice cream, we decided to walk around Old Town. I needed to get the alcohol out of my system from the Sangria before I drove home.

That night Amy and I helped take each other's minds off of tomorrow.

It was just before seven-thirty in the morning of Tuesday, September 19, the first day of classes for the Fall Quarter, and I was standing outside my classroom. I had walked Amy to the hospital before I came here. I was wearing one of my new skirts and blouses. I elected to wear nylons, so I had on a garter belt to hold them up. I haven’t worn nylons for a long time, and I’d forgotten how they felt. I also wore my new shoes with the short heel. The only jewelry that I wore was my meteorite necklace, a single silver and turquoises ring, and a pair of fancy stud earrings.

I opened the door to the classroom and walked in. And as I figured there was no one in the room yet, and I propped the door open. Then I walked down the center aisle to the front of the room and set my briefcase and purse on the desk. I looked around, and there was chalk and an eraser on the blackboard tray. I looked in the desk drawer and found a box of chalk and another eraser. I opened another drawer, it was empty, so I put my purse in it.

I then opened my briefcase. I took out the handouts that covered the first few chapters of the book. I also took out the quiz that I’d put together. Finally, I set the new book for the class on the desk. Then the briefcase went under the desk.

I walked to the back of the classroom, took the aisle seat by the door, and waited. Shortly the students started to trickle in and find seats. Then Dr. Joe walked in, he looked around, and then took the seat next to me. And said, “Been here long?”

“Since seven-thirty.”, I replied. “I wanted to check out the room.”

“Nervous?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be. You’ll do just fine.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I think I am.”

Over the next few minutes students trickled in and found seats. At five to eight, Dean Rutherford, the Dean of the School of Engineering, walked in. He saw Dr. Joe and me sitting there, and said, “I’m glad that you made it, Miss Nez.”

I smiled at him, and said, “I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Dean Rutherford.”

Just before the eight o’clock bell rang, I got up and walked over to close the door. Before I could get it closed, some guy pushed his way in, and almost knocked me over. He looked at me, and said, “Sorry sweetheart. I hope that I didn’t hurt you. But I overslept and almost didn’t make it.”

Luckily he hadn’t knocked me down. I looked at him, frowned, then I looked at Dr. Joe, and he was grinning. Dean Rutherford looked a little shocked.

The guy went and found a seat. I composed myself, walked to the front of the classroom, and to the blackboard. I picked up a piece of chalk and wrote in my finest feminine hand, ‘Electric Circuits - Miss Nez’ on the blackboard.

Then I turned around and looked at the class, and said, “Good morning, gentlemen. So that you’re sure that you’re in the right place, this is Electric Circuits. And I am Miss Nez, and I’ll be your instructor for the quarter.”

You could hear a murmur go through the class.

“Before we get started a couple of things.”

As I looked at him, I said, “To the gentleman that came in late and almost knocked me over as I was closing the door. First, I’m not your sweetheart. I’m your instructor for this course. Second, I’d suggest that you get up a little earlier so that you’re on time from now on.”

That got some snickers from the class. And the guy tried to slide under his desk.

There were a couple of guys sitting close to the front of the room, and they were whispering back and forth in Navajo. And what they were saying about me wasn’t very nice.

I looked at them, and in Navajo, I said, “Gentlemen. I have excellent hearing. And, if you have something to say, say it in English. I’m also a member of the Navajo Nation and speak the language very fluently. If you have a problem with me as your instructor, the Dean of the School of Engineering is sitting in the back of the room.”

Both of them spun around and looked to where Dean Rutherford and Dr. Joe were sitting.

Then I said to the class, “I’m sorry for the interruption, but a couple of the members of my tribe were saying some not very nice things about me. So, I just explained in a language that they might understand, that if they have a problem with me being their instructor that the Dean of the School of Engineering is sitting in the back of the room.”

That got everyone to turn and look to where the Dean was sitting.

“Now gentlemen.”, I said. “Yes, I am your instructor. The professor that was to teach this course left the university very suddenly. I’m a graduate assistant, and I’m responsible to the other gentleman sitting in the back of the room, Dr. Oshie.

“I graduated Cum Laude from the Ohio State University last spring with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with some computer courses thrown in for good measure. I elected to come out here to the land of my forefathers to pursue my masters.

“And now I hope to help you pursue your degree in Electrical Engineering.

“If you have problems in this class, please talk to me. I don’t have regular office hours, but if you call the School of Engineering Dean’s office the secretary there will know my schedule, and she’ll set up an appointment.

“You are no longer in high school. You are in college. You will not have assigned seats. And I will not take attendance. Though I will tell you this, by not attending class there is only one person that you’re hurting. And that’s yourself.

“I’m also a member of the there is no stupid questions clan. If you have a question, there are probably others that have the same question. So ask.

“That said, are they any questions so far?”

No one raised their hand or said anything. So I went on to explain the problem with the books without going into too much detail, other than to tell them that the new books should be here by the end of the week.

Then I said, “Sitting on my desk is something that I’ve put together to hold us over until the books arrive. So when I dismiss the class, please pick up one of these on your way out. And your first assignment is to read the handout.

“There will be a mid-term exam and a final. And the book will be the bases of what we’re are going to cover in this class, but the lectures will expand on that. And the information from the book and the lectures will be on the exam. More so the lectures. So I suggest that you take good notes.

“I will also from time to time be giving unannounced quizzes.”

There was a moan.

I smiled, and said, “Not to worry. These are to help me see where the weak spots in the class are, and I’ll adjust the lectures accordingly. I’m not here to fail you but help you pass the course with a good knowledge of the subject.”

As I picked up the short quiz that I’d written up, and started walking up the aisle, I said, “This is your first quiz. Take one and pass the rest on down the row.”

There was another moan.

I continued with, “It’s not that bad. It’s to give me an idea where the class stands on their knowledge of circuits. It’s only ten questions, and most of them can be answered with a short sentence. Be sure to put your name and section number on the paper. This is section zero-zero-one.

“When you’re finished. Bring your paper down and place it on my desk, take the handout, and then you’re dismissed. And I’ll see you on Thursday. And remember there may be a quiz on the reading assignment on Thursday.

“And, don’t forget to go to your lab.”

When I’d finished handing out the quizzes, I went and sat at the desk. It took about ten minutes for everyone to complete the little quiz and turn it in. The guy that had almost knocked me over, when he brought his quiz down, said, “Miss Nez. I'm really sorry for running into you.”

“That’s all right.”, I said. “You didn’t hurt me, and you did say that you were sorry. But remember, I’m not your sweetheart.”

The two Navajo guys didn’t say anything and didn’t even make eye contact.

There were still ten minutes of class time left by the time that the last student finished, that gave me twenty minutes to relax. I looked to where the Dean and Dr. Joe were sitting, and they had their heads together.

They finally got up and walked down to where I was sitting. Dean Rutherford, was the first to speak, as he said, “Miss Nez.”

“Yes, Dean Rutherford.”, I said.

“I was pleasantly surprised by what happened here today. I expected it to fail.”

“Yes, sir. I know you did.”

“You knew?”

“Sir, remember I can sense things about people. And I felt that you were expecting this to fail.”

“I … I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have prejudged you.”

I just smiled.

The Dean continued with, “You have a presence about you when you’re talking. It just draws people to listen to what you’re saying. It commands attention.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ve been told that.”

“It’s going to be interesting to hear a real lecture from you.”

“This next class and the two on Wednesday will be about the same as this one was. The real meat of the subject will start on Thursday.”

“Kai.”, Dr. Joe said. “I had a course like this some years ago, but where can I go to sign up for your course?”

“Huh?”, I said.

“Just sitting here. Listening to you present the course and yourself, had me wanting to take the course from you. You drew me in.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I wonder if it’s why they wanted you to take your grandmother’s position on the Navajo Nation Council.”

“Why?”

“If someone wasn’t sure of what to do on an issue I can see you swaying them to your point of view.”

“Hmm. You think?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Miss Nez.”, Dean Rutherford said. “Who asked you to become a member of the Navajo Nation Council?”

“Dean Rutherford, that’s not important.”

“Oh. I see.”

I hoped that I didn’t upset the Dean by not answering the question, but if I did. Oh well, it’s not any of his business.

Then Dr. Joe asked, “What did the two Navajo boys say that got you a little upset?”

“Oh. They didn’t upset me.”, I replied. “You don’t want to see me upset. They were just saying some not very nice things about me. And I just wanted them to know that I knew what they were saying and if they didn’t like me as their instructor that they could talk to the Dean about it.”

“Miss Nez, you are a very confident person.”, Dean Rutherford said.

I just smiled.

Just then the bell rang for class change, and we knew the next class would be here very soon. The Dean and Dr. Joe walked back to their seats, and I joined them. And we waited for the next class to fill the seats.

The second class went as good as the first, actually a little better. No one tried to knock me over, and I didn’t have a couple of guys saying nasty things about me in Navajo. And I guess I got it across to these guys that I, a girl, was going to be their instructor.

Right after the second class that I was teaching, I had the first meeting of one of the graduate level class that I was taking, so I couldn’t hang around and talk to the Dean and Dr. Joe.

After my graduate level class, I found the nearest pay phone and called the Albuquerque police department and asked for Detective Roberts. When he answered, I told him that we’d met with Adam Wainwright’s wife, Mary Ann, last night and we felt that she was not telling us the truth.

Then what Detective Roberts told me blew me away.