Naainish and I had a deep talk about when his time comes.

We had an early Christmas with my Aunt Ruth, Aunt Ginny, Uncle Paul, Uncle Gaagii, and Naainish. We'd given them some beautiful handwoven blankets. My aunts and uncles had given Ajie and me each a gorgeous shawl. Ajie’s had an Eagle embroidered on it, and mine had an Eagle and a Wolf embroidered it. And, Naainish explained to Ajie and me what the Eagles and Wolf meant to us. Then Naainish gave us a beautiful, framed, sand painting.

We were back in Albuquerque late in the afternoon on Tuesday. I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday, and we were flying home to Ohio on Thursday.

I talked with Dr. Joe, and he told me how the boy who stole the exam had done it. He’d had inside information. His girlfriend had worked in Dean Rutherford’s office.

On Wednesday the doctor’s appointment for my arm wasn’t until one in the afternoon, so Ajie and I spent the morning packing what we were taking to Ohio including the presents for our parents, for Amy's brother Billy, and our niece and nephew.

We were at the hospital’s medical office building at twelve-thirty, and it was a quarter after one when they called me back to an examination room. As the nurse handed me a hospital gown, she said, “Miss Nez, would you please remove your blouse and put on this gown. The opening goes to the back.”

At least she didn’t ask me to take off my bra. So, no panic attack.

After I'd changed, Amy and I sat and waited for the doctor. And waited. And waited. It was almost two o’clock when the doctor knocked and walked into the examination room. The doctor, Dr. Black, was accompanied by another doctor, a resident, by the name of Dr. Williamson. This is a teaching hospital, so I guess that this is to be expected.

As Dr. Black started examining my left shoulder, he said, “Miss Nez, I just read your chart, and it’s interesting. I guess that you were involved in that fight at the university the other day?”

“Yes.”, I replied.

“And, you injured your left arm?

“Yes.”

“How does it feel?”

“Not bad.”

“Can you move it.”

“Sure.”

“Show me.”

I moved my arm around, and when I stopped, the doctor said, “You can move it that well after only a week?”

“Yes. It stopped hurting late on Monday.”

“What have you been doing?”

“We spent a few days at a resort north of here that has therapeutic thermal springs.”

“That’s all, no exercises or anything like that.”

“No, sir. Just that and being near the spirits.”

“Spirits?”

“There are strong spirits in the area of the thermal springs.”

“You believe in these spirits?”

“Doctor I’m a member of the Navajo Nation. And, yes I believe in the spirits.”

“And they helped you recover from the dislocated shoulder?”

“Yes, along with soaking in the warm water.”

He just nodded his head. The resident looked at me like he wanted to say something, but was afraid to. So, I looked at the resident, Dr. Williamson, and asked, “Doctor, is there something that you want to ask?”

“I … I … I don’t know.”, Dr. Williamson said.

“Doctor.”, I said. “I’m an instructor here at the university, and I always tell my students that there is no stupid question.”

“It’s the spirit thing. I don’t understand it.”

“Don’t feel bad. I don’t completely understand it either. But, I do know that spirits exist, and they can help you if you believe in them. As I said, there are strong spirits around the thermal pools. It’s thought that the area of the thermal pools is a sacred place, and as I soaked in the pools, I could sense their presence.

“I think that the warmth of the pools combined with the help from the spirits helped me recover quicker than if I hadn’t of been there. We’ve seen it before.

“Working here you will treat a number of the native people from different tribes, the Navajo, the Mescalero Apache, the Zuni, the Puebloans, and others. And the better you understand their beliefs, the better you will be able to treat them.”

“Doctors.”, Amy said. “I’m a nurse here in the emergency room. And, I’ve helped the ER staff better understand the native people, and it’s helped us do a better job. And, it’s made the native people feel better about coming here.”

“An interesting approach, Miss … ”, Dr. Black said.

“Young. Amy Young.”

“Miss Young, are you also a native?”

“Kai is my cousin, and I’ve learned a lot by being around her and the people out here. It’s been an interesting and educational experience.”

“So, you feel that learning about the people that you are treating makes you a better provider?”, Dr. Black asked.

“Doctor, don’t you?”, Amy asked.

“I guess I do.”

“I’m not saying to learn everything about all the tribes in the area, but learn about the Native Americans in general.”

“You have some interesting ideas, young lady.”

Then looking at me Dr. Black said, “Miss Nez, I do have some exercises that I’d like you to do, and I can set you up with our physical therapy people.”

“We’re leaving town for the holidays tomorrow.”, I said. “And, Dr. Grant, who treated me in the ER, said that my cousin might be able to help me with the exercises while we’re gone.”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll have my nurse make some copies of the exercises that I’d like you to do. Then I’d like to see you again after the holidays.”

“Sounds good to me. Can I get rid of the sling.”

“I think we can. But, keep it handy, and if the shoulder starts to bother you start using it. And, I want you to promise me that you won’t overdo it. And, no more fighting.”

“I promise, doctor. And, I’ll also try to stay out of trouble.”

As we were walking back to the apartment, I said to Amy, “I noticed that you didn’t answer the doctor’s question about you being a native.”

Amy smiled, and said, “I thought that I’d leave that one open-ended.”

After we were back to the apartment, we fixed a light lunch. Then we finished packing our things for the trip.

At four-thirty we headed to Dr. Joe’s house, and as we pulled up, there was another car in the driveway. I recognized it right away, it was Chief Tom’s car, and Amy said, “Looks like we’re not the only ones here for dinner.”

“It doesn’t. Does it.”, I replied. “It looks like Vickie and Chief Tom are here too.”

We knocked on the front door, and Dr. Joe quickly answered it, with an “Amy. Kai. Come on in.”

Amy and I walked in, and after dropping our coats on a chair, we followed Dr. Joe to the den. Chief Tom saw us, and quipped, “And, in this corner is the Ohio Mauler and her sidekick Amy.”

“Chief Tom, you’re the only one here old enough to remember the Manassa Mauler.”, I said.

“No, I’m not. You remembered who the Manassa Mauler is.”

“Only because I’ve heard my dad talk about him. So, who told you about the thing at the university?”

“Who’s this Manassa Mauler?”, Dr. Joe asked.

“He’s Jack Dempsey.”, Chief Tom said. “He was a well known boxer back in the twenties.”

“Never heard of him.”

Then Chief Tom said, “Dr. Joe told us the whole story. But, the campus rumor mill is full of the story too.”

“He probably made it more gruesome than it was.”, I replied. “And, the rumor mill is probably all wrong.”

“Dr. Joe said the guy was big. And that you helped him find a door frame.”

“Yeah. Maybe twice my size. Built like a football player.”

“How did you tackle him?”, Vickie asked.

“It’s more like how I used his momentum against him and just guided him into the door frame.”

“And, I thought you dislocated your shoulder?”

“I did.”, I replied. “But, we just spent a few days at the resort, and those thermal pools made it feel better.”

“No spirits involved?”, Dr. Joe asked.

“Oh, they were probably involved a little bit. The doctors were surprised how well it’s healed.”

“It helps to have friends in high places.”, Chief Tom said.

I just smiled.

Mary and Dr. Joe put together a great dinner, and of course, there was more talk at the dinner table that included me telling everyone my side of the story of the incident at the university. Then Dr. Joe asked, “Kai, did you open the letter?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“I didn’t think we were going to talk about it until after the break?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll drop it.”

“Thank you.”

I saw Vickie look at me with a questioning look. So, I said, “Vickie, both Dr. Joe and Dean Rutherford feel that I should bypass a master’s degree and work on my doctoral. We weren’t going to talk about it until after the break.”

“I see. I won’t push.”, Vickie replied.

“Thank you.”

It was quiet for a few seconds, then I said, “You know. … It might be good to talk to you four about this.”

“I think you’re right, Kai.”, Amy said.

“Kai, let me ask you this.”, Vickie said. “Do you like the university atmosphere?”

“Yes, very much.”, I replied.

“What do you like about it?”

“The teaching, and interacting with students. Also, the research that Dr. Joe and I have done. I also like it out here because we’re close to our people.”

“Are you good at doing the research?

“I think I am.”

“No, thinking about it, Kai.”, Dr. Joe said. “You are. Your mind works quickly to solve problems.”

We talked for another ten minutes, and I think that everyone but me was sure that going for a doctorate was the right way for me to go.

Then Vickie looked at Amy, and said, “Amy.”

Amy replied with a, “Yes?”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“From what we’re hearing about you, you might want to consider doing the same thing that Kai is thinking about.”

“What!?”, Amy said. “Bypass my masters?”

“Yes, like Kai, you’re an exceptional teacher. Your students love you. And, your work in the ER has been noticed. The doctors and nurses there think the world of you. And, the ideas that you’ve had have helped streamline a number of procedures.”

Amy sat there for a few seconds, then asked, “So, I could bypass a master’s degree if I wanted to?”

“Yes.”, Vickie said. “With a few letters of recommendation from the right people.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and like Kai, you need to give this serious thought.”

Amy looked at me, and I just shrugged my shoulders. Then Amy said, “You’re no help.”

“Like you say, it’s your decision.”, I replied.

“No.”, Amy said. “Like with everything, it’s our decision.”

“Okay.”, I replied. “We have time. We’re going to be away for a week, so let's think and talk about both of them and maybe have a decision when we come back.”

“And, we have to think about a house too.”

“A house?”, Chief Tom said.

“Yeah.”, I replied. “It’s something that we’ve been talking about. We want out of the city. We want to be somewhere where we can see the stars and the mountains. We’d love to be up by the resort, but figure with everything that we have going on at the university that we’d need to be within an hour or so of the university.”

“And, when are you planning on making this big move?”

“Not until after spring quarter.”

“That’s good. Then you have plenty of time to decide on that.”

We had an early morning flight tomorrow morning, so we didn’t stay late at the Oshie’s house. We headed home and to bed.

At six o’clock on Thursday morning, we were on our way back to Ohio for Christmas. As we settled in for the flight, Amy, who had the window seat on this part of the flight, was looking out the window. I figured that she was thinking about the doctoral degree question, so I settled down and started reading the instructor’s guide for the book that we had chosen for the new course.

During the almost one hour layover in Dallas, Amy and I switched seats, so I had the window seat.

As you can probably figure out, we were dressed as we usually were when we travel. Long skirts, fancy blouses, and a little jewelry. Also, both of us were wearing our meteorite necklaces. We had both worn moccasins. And, during the flight, a woman had come up to us and asked if we were Indians, and of course, I said that we were Navajo. She then told us that she was part Iroquois, and loved the way we were dressed. Then we chatted for a little while.

On the flight from Dallas to Columbus, Amy was still quiet, so I finished the instructor’s guide, then I watched the ground go by and thought about the doctoral degree thing.

I still wasn’t sure if I wanted a doctoral degree or not.

About six hours after we’d left Albuquerque we were on final approach to Columbus. I looked at Amy, and said, “You’ve been quiet for the whole flight.”

“Sorry.”, Amy replied. “I’ve just been thinking about the doctoral degree thing.”

“I thought you were. Any decision?”

“Well, just between you and me, I’m leaning towards doing it. But, I want to talk to both sets of our parents first.”

I smiled, and said, “Great minds. That’s what I was planning on doing.”

“You haven’t made a decision have you?”

“No. I’m not sure that I want a doctoral or not. Masters, yes.”

“We’ll see.”

The airplane landed and taxied up to the gate. As we walked down the boarding stairs from the airplane to the tarmac, we saw both sets of our parents, Amy's brother Billy, and a girl hanging onto Billy’s arm. And, they were standing by the chain link fence. I whispered to Amy, “It looks like Billy has a girlfriend.”

“Yes, it does.”, Amy whispered back. “And, she’s cute and a redhead.”

As we walked through the gate in the fence, there were all kinds of hugs from our parents. My mother said, “You two girls look wonderful. The climate in New Mexico must be agreeing with you.”

“It is.”, I replied. Then I looked at Billy, and said, “Who’s your friend Billy?”

“Oh. Ah.”, Billy said, “This is Bridget MacDonald. Bridget, this is my sister Amy and her friend, ah . . . ”

As I reached out my hand, I said, “I’m Tammy Young. But, I use my Navajo name Kai Nez when we’re in New Mexico. And, I prefer just plain Kai.”

“Sorry.”, Billy said. “I just never know which name to use.”

Bridget smiled, and with an accent said, “That’s interesting. Why do you have two names?”

“Tammy Young is my given name. And, the Navajo people gave me the name, Kai Nez, when I was accepted as a member of the Navajo Nation. And, the people in New Mexico know me by Kai Nez. And, I like it.

“Bridget, what’s the accent that I hear?”

With an adorable smile, Bridget said, “Ay, I’m just a Scottish lassie.”

“Now, that’s interesting! But, Bridget sounds more like an Irish name.”

“It is. My mum is Scotch/Irish. And her grandma’s name was Bridget, so she gave it to me. At least it’s Gaelic. And, in Scotland, it’s Brighde. But, I use the Irish spelling and pronunciation.”

“It’s a pretty name.”

My father then said, “Kids, why don’t we get your bags, and go to the house. We can talk more there.”

And, that’s what we did. Amy and I rode with my mom and dad. And, as we were driving, Amy asked, “Kai, what did you feel about Bridget?”

“Nothing bad.”, I said. “I felt a strong connection between her and Billy.”

“Like what?”

“Like it’s maybe a special thing. She likes him, and I think that he likes her.”

“Kai.”, my mom asked, “Are you being a matchmaker?”

“I don’t think I need to be. I think they may have done that all by themselves.”

When we were at the house, everyone helped carry our things into the house. And, as usual, my parents had a Christmas tree up and decorated in the den, but far away from the fireplace, and there was a train set up under it. My dad is still a little kid.

After Amy and I had freshened up from our flight, the eight of us sat around the kitchen table. To start a conversation, I asked Bridget, “So, Bridget what are you doing over here?”

“Going to college on an exchange program. I’ll be over here for four years, and the girl that went to Scotland will be going to the University of Edinburgh for four years. I’ll just be going home during the summers.”

“I’m going back to Scotland with her this summer.”, Billy said.

With a sly smile, I said, “Oh. Going to meet the parents?”

“Kind of.”

“Bridget, are you a junior like Billy.”, Amy asked.

“Nae, I’m a sophomore.”, Bridget replied.

“What are you majoring in.”

“Psychology.”

“That’s interesting. We have two friends that are working on their masters in psychology here.”

“And, my mother has a friend that is an instructor in psychology.”, I added.

“Oh, who’s that?”. Bridget asked.

“Dr. Grunewald.”

“Ay, I have her this year. She’s given us an interesting assignment for the break. We’re reading an undergraduate’s paper about a boy who has, as she puts it, two spirits. A boys spirit and a girl’s spirit, and it’s not a split personality type of thing. Then we have to write a short paper on what we think of it.”

I looked at Amy, and she looked at me. And I saw looks from our parents and Billy. Then, Amy said, “That sounds interesting.”

“It is. And there’s something in the paper about the Native Americans and their beliefs in two spirit people.

“You haven’t met anyone in New Mexico that’s one of these two spirit people. Have you?”

“We have.”, I replied. “He’s a Navajo medicine man.”

“He must be interesting?”

“Yes, he’s very interesting.”

Then Bridget said, “I hear that you and Amy are working on your master's degrees and teaching.”

“Yes.”, I said. “Amy's also working in the emergency room at the hospital. And, I also have a research fellowship, which is a fancy name for a research assistant. And, dad, you’ll love this. The last research project that we worked on is going into all the Apollo space crafts.”

“You’re kidding me?”, my dad said. “What is it?”

“We don’t know what it is. We’ve never seen the completed unit or any of the other parts of the project.”

“Kai.”, Bridget asked. “What’s your major?”

“Electrical Engineering.”

“A girl with that degree?”

“Yes. Interesting isn’t it?”

“Ay, it is.”

“It does raise some eyebrows.”

I looked at Amy, and said, “Well, shall we.”

“No time like the present.”

“What are you two up to?”, my mother asked.

“There was something that we were going to talk to you about while we were home and I guess there’s no time like the present.”, Amy replied. “And, we wanted to do it before we made our final decision.”

“Sis.”, Billy asked. “Do you want us to leave?”

“No, Billy.”, Amy said. “You and Bridget can hear this.”

“Okay. What is it?”, my mother asked.

“We’ve had the upper levels of administration at both the College of Nursing and the School of Engineering propose to both of us that we bypass our master’s degrees and go on to our doctorates. And, we wanted to run it past you before we made a decision.”

Our parents just looked at us. Finally, Bridget broke the silence when she asked, “You can do that?”

My father said, “I know it can be done here under certain conditions.”

“The University of New Mexico is the same. We were both told that if we applied for the doctoral program that certain people would write letters of recommendation for us.”

“So, you do have the support from your faculty people?”

“Yes, we’ve both heard from the deans of our colleges, our faculty advisers, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Kai would get a letter from the University President. And, maybe some other people.”

My father sat back and looked at Amy and me. Our other three parents had questions for us, and we fielded them as best we could. Bill and Bridget sat there taking it all in.

Then my father said, “Kids, with what I know about you, and knowing that Amy graduated from here Summa Cum Laude and Kai with a Cum Laude. And, from what you’ve told us that you’ve done at the University of New Mexico, I would say go for it. You deserve it. Then if you decide later that you want it, do the masters.”

I noticed Bridget whisper something to Bill when my dad mentioned the honors that Amy and I had graduated with. And, Bill whispered something back to her. And, I heard a muffled, “Wow” out of Bridget.

My mother and both of Amy’s parents agreed with my father. I looked at Amy and said, “Well, that gives us more food for thought.”

“Yes.”, Amy said. “And, I think I’ve made up my mind.”

I looked at her, and said, “Well?”

“I think I’m going to go for my doctoral. And, you?”

“I can’t let you beat me, so I guess I’m going to have to go for mine too.”

We talked a little bit more about what was involved in earning our doctoral degrees.

Bridget asked, “So, you’re both graduate assistants?”

“Amy is a grad assistant, and I was a grad assistant.”, I replied. “But, I’m now a part-time instructor, so I’m a member of the faculty.”

“That must be nice.”, Bridget said. “To be a member of the faculty.”

“It has its good points. Like I can eat in the faculty dining room.”

That got a laugh from my father. Then he asked, “Speaking of food, what does everyone want to do for dinner?”

“We can eat here.”, my mother said. “With Kai and Amy here, plus Amy’s mom and Bridget, we should have no problem rustling something up.”

Looking at Amy and me, my mother said, “I have the fixings for something that I know that you love. If you don’t mind a Southwestern meal.”

“Mom.”, I said. “Anything that you cook will be great.”

“Mom, what are you planning?”, Amy asked.

My mom smiled, and said, “Oh. I was thinking of a nice Southwestern salad, frybread tacos, and possibly cinnamon crisps and fruit salad for dessert.”

“Mom, you had my full attention at the frybread tacos.”, I said.

Amy’s dad said, “I haven’t had a meal like that since we were in New Mexico.”

With a sheepish look, Bridget said, “I’m afraid that I won’t be much help. I burn water.”

“It’s never too late to learn, Bridget.”, my mother said. “And, you have four good cooks to help you.”

A little while later, as we were enjoying the cinnamon crisps and fruit salad, Bridget said, “Sorry,Mrs. Grant, but I think that was the best meal that I’ve had since I’ve been in America. And, I didn’t burn anything.”

“That’s okay, Bridget.”, Amy’s mother said. “I have to agree with you, that was a wonderful meal.”

“Bridget, you need to come out and visit us in New Mexico.”, Amy said. “And we can show you a different part of the country. And, you can meet some of the native people.”

“Maybe I will.”

It was late when Amy’s mom and dad, Billy, and Bridget left for home. After they had gone, Amy said, “Hmm. I know the dorms are closed for the break, so where is Bridget staying?”

“Your parents have extra rooms.”, my mother said. “So, maybe she’s staying with them.”

“Sounds familiar.”

With a smile, my mom said, “Yes, it does.”

Then I said, “I don’t know if I like Dr. Grunewald using Larry’s paper on me as a teaching tool.”

“Honey.”, my mother said. “Take it as a complement to both you and Larry.

“But, what if Bridget figures it out.”

“She is a smart girl, but there’s no good connection from the boy in Larry’s paper and you. Larry did a good job of hiding your identity.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I believe that I am.”

Then as I got up, I said, “Excuse me for a minute I’m going to the garage.”

“Checking to see if the ‘57 Chevy is still there.”, my dad quipped.

“It had better be.”

“It is.”

As I walked towards the door to the garage, I sensed Amy get up and follow me. I walked through the door and flipped on the lights. Amy walked up next to me, took my arm, and said, “Still thinking about taking it back to New Mexico?”

“Not thinking.”, I said. “I’m going to. But, I’m just not sure how I want to do it.”

We walked over to to the car. It looked as good as the last time that I saw it. I opened the drivers door, slid in behind the wheel, and said, “I can’t wait to drive her again.”

“I know.”, Amy said.

We walked back into the house, and my dad said, “It’s still there. Isn’t it?”

“Yes.”, I said. “And you’ve taken good care of her.”

Since Amy and I were still on New Mexico time after my parents went to bed, we cuddled up on the couch in front of the fireplace, and just sat and enjoyed each others company.

Finally, Amy asked, “How do you feel about Bridget?”

“She’s very nice and sincere.”, I replied. “I feel an attraction between her and Billy. And, you may have met your future sister-in-law.”

“You think?”

“Yes.”

“There did seem to be something between them.”

“You noticed that too.”

“Uh huh.”