Second Spirit -17 Final- by Melanie Brown

Second Spirit

By

Melanie Brown

Advisor: Lisa Charlene
Copyright © 2024

Part 17 - Final

I stared out the living room window into the backyard as I munched on a piece of toast. I was yet again nervous as hell. In fact, I was about to descend into another ring of hell, otherwise known as school. Not only that, but a special sub-division of this ring called middle-school. While I never really liked any part of school, middle school was the worst experience for me the last time I was twelve. In particular, the seventh grade.

 School had already begun for the semester so I’ll be starting late. That’s never fun, being the new kid coming into class after everyone else had already gotten established. Cliques have already formed, and nobody wants the new kid. I won’t know anybody there, and no one will know me.

 Well, that’s not completely true. I know my new brother John and I know Kajika. But neither one will be in my grade. John had already left for school on the bus.

 I do have to take my hat off to John though. Mom was going to have me wear a dress to school on my first day. John convinced her that I’d fit in better if I wore jeans instead. To me it still feels odd to wear a dress.

 Mom stepped into the living room. She picked up her purse and said, “Are you ready, Linda? And keep your hands off your ears!” One of the things we accomplished Sunday, the day before, was to get my ears pierced. I objected, but Mom insisted. I also had to pick up a new accessory: a purse. I’m not really keen on carrying a purse. That’s why God made pockets, right? A big chunk of the day was spent driving around the area to show me the sights.

 I sighed. “I guess I’m ready.”

 Mom chuckled. “Don’t sound so excited. I got you registered last week, but I thought I’d come along with you to the office when you get your schedule for the first time.”

 I smirked and said, as my dad, my original dad would say, “If you’re waiting on me you’re wasting time.”

 Mom shook her head. “Get your purse and let’s go.”

 I climbed up into the car. I had both my purse and book bag. I honestly was not looking forward to going back to school. Mom got into the car, started it up and off we drove towards the school.

 As we walked towards the office of the school, I couldn’t help notice I was being checked out by boys and sized up by girls. Terrific. And one girl in particular gave me a dirty look.

 An office worker greeted us. “Good morning, Ms. Nakai. She looked over at me and smiled. “And you must be Linda. Welcome to Tséhootsooi Middle School. Let me get your schedule.” She stepped over to a terminal and entered a few things. A moment later, a sheet of paper was ejected from a printer.

 I was handed the paper. “Here’s your schedule. You don’t have to bring any money. Lunch is paid for. Looks like you missed your first two classes. I think you’ll enjoy your experience here. Maria will show you around.” She pointed at a student standing nearby.

 I forced a smile and nodded.

 Mom smiled at me. “Looks like you’re all set, Linda. I’ll leave you to it. You’re also on the bus schedule so you can come home with John. Take care.” Mom smiled again and then walked away leaving me alone.

 I stood a moment watching Mom walk away. I’ve only known her a few days, but I had hoped she’d stay with me longer.  I’m always in the company of strangers.

 Maria walked up to me and smiled. “Linda, right?” she chirped. “Nice to meet you.”

 I took a deep breath. “Nice to meet you too.” I smiled weakly.

 Grinning, Maria said, “Well come on. Let me show you around. Let me see your schedule.” I handed her my schedule and she examined it for a moment.

 “Okay. Follow me.”

 I followed her as she showed me where to find my classes.

 It didn’t take long to complete the tour. The school wasn’t as large as one I attended back in Richardson. Maria checked the time on her phone. Smiling she said, “Let’s walk back to your third period class. The bell is about to ring.”  I just nodded.

 The halls started to fill with kids. We arrived near my next class and Maria was about to cut me loose when the girl that had given  me a dirty look earlier pointed at me and shouted. She was surrounded by about five other girls.

 “That’s her! The girl I heard about! She’s a whore!” A crowded started to form around me

 “Whore? Are you sure?”

 “Yeah! That’s her! She had sex with a dozen older men!”  When did that happen?

 A chubby boy shoved me. “Yeah. You’re that chick found where that college kid was killed. We don’t want you here.”

 The girl that started my hate-fest shouted, “No one knows where she came from. She’s just a whore.”

 Some girl behind me grabbed my hair. “Whore!”

 “I’m not a whore!” I started to cry.

 The chubby kid tripped me and I fell. Everyone around me laughed and shouted. I felt a hand tap my shoulder.

 “Linda. Take my hand.” I looked up and it was Kajika. I took his hand and he lifted me up.

 The chubby kid shouted, “Get lost. She needs to be taught a lesson. We don’t want her here.” He reached for me.

 Kajika stepped between me and the chubby kid. The girl who started yelling me, stood to one side, her eyes flashing.

 “Whore!”

 Kajika shouted, “Anyone who touches her will have to go through me first!” Honestly, Kajika isn’t someone to dally with.

 Crying, I grabbed his arm. “What’s happening? I’m scared.”

 He scowled at the girl. “Rebecca is a trouble-maker. She disgraces her ancestors.”

 “Don’t protect her!” shouted Rebecca. “We don’t care who your grandfather is!” Oh yeah. Mr. Rainwater. The tribal elder.

 “Listen to me!” shouted Kajika. “She was a captive. Just as I was. She saved my life. Who knows where I would have ended up.”

 A tight grip on my hand, Kajika said, “The police said to keep it quiet, but now you need to know. Linda and I were prisoners of human traffickers. We were going to be sold to rich foreigners. But Linda foiled them.”

 The chubby kid snarled, “Yeah, right.”

 Kajika said, “She shot a dude. That’s how we escaped.”  I didn’t hit him, but who am I to argue with street cred.

 Everyone’s eyes got wide and it was suddenly quiet. Two teachers ran up to the mob. “What’s going on here?”

 The chubby kid said, “We were just welcoming Linda to our school.” What a lying sack of shit.

 One of the teachers looked at me and asked, “Is that true?”

 I nodded. “Yes.” So I’m a believer in situational ethics.

 The teacher knew we were all lying. She said, “We’re all glad Linda has joined our school, but let’s keep it down, okay?”

 I saw John appear in the back of the crowd.

 The other teacher said, “Get back to class everyone.”

 I gave Kajika a hug and whispered, “Thank you.”

 He just smiled and ruffled my hair.

 Later that evening when Dad got home, after greeting me he said, “I heard you had an altercation at school today.”

 I shrugged. “It was a misunderstanding. Kajika helped straighten things out.”

 Dad nodded. “I like him. He’s going to be a fine man.”

                     *

 “I suppose you all are wondering why I called this meeting?” announced Dad as we were all gathered in the living room. It was Wednesday and thankfully there was no repeat of events on Monday.

 John said, “Yeah Dad. I need to get back to my game.”

 Mom frowned. “Your game can wait.”

 Dad smiled at me. He said, “This Saturday is a full moon. This would be the best time to celebrate.”

 I sat on the floor next to Mom. “Celebrate what, Dad?”

 He looked at me and smiled. “You. It’s time my daughter to receive your Navajo name and be welcomed into the tribe. We’ll have a big BBQ with family, friends and those who are important in your life.”

                    *

 “Do I have to wear all this?”

 Mom smiled. “Of course. The dress belonged to my mother and she handed it down to me. I was so worried that I wouldn’t have a daughter to pass it down to.” She continued to fuss with my hair.

 I was wearing something called a biil dress. It came to about mid-calf and was decorated with beads and feathers. I was also wearing new moccasin boots that I actually liked a lot. Mom was fixing my hair in a bun that she called a tsiiyéél wrapped with white sheep’s wool spun into yarn.

 Mom handed me a small jar with pinkish stuff inside. “Here. Put this on.”

 I opened the jar. “What is this stuff?”

 Mom gave me a quizzical look. “It’s lip gloss. That’s the only make-up I’m going to let you wear for a while.”

 “Lip gloss?” I looked at the jar as if it was radioactive. “Do I have to?”

 Mom frowned. “Just put it on. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

 “How? I’ve never worn lip glass before,” I held the jar as if it contained a deadly poison.

 Mom looked surprised. “Just put some on your finger then apply it to your lips.”

 I gingerly put my finger in the jar. “Old Navajo tradition, I guess?”

 Frowning, Mom said, “Don’t be a brat. Are you ready?”

 I sighed. “I guess so. How do I look?”

 Mom looked like she was about to tear up. “You’re beautiful, honey.”

 Mom was behind me as I entered the living room where many people were gathered. They were all smiling at me. Talk about being embarrassed!

 Besides Dad and John, Kajika stood next to John and had the biggest smile of anyone else. A man stood next to him who I assumed was his father. Seated next to them was Mr. Rainwater. Seated next to him was Carol. There was also an elderly man in traditional dress. My guess he was a Medicine Man. Was he going to change me back? I doubted it.

 There were a couple of other folks I didn’t really know. All these people, including community heavy-weights were here for me? I felt small and humbled.

 In the back yard, the BBQ/fire pit had a roaring fire going. A roaring fire and BBQ heralded a major change to my life. Am I facing another?

 Behind me, Mom whispered, “Greet your guests.”

 I clasped my hands in front of me. With a nervous smile, I said, “Thank you all for coming. I’m honored to have such prominent guests.”

 Mr. Rainwater stood. “We are honored to be here for you.” He nodded to the Medicine Man and said something in Navajo.

 The Medicine Man walked to me and held up his hands. He began to chant a prayer in Navajo. I had no idea what he was saying, but the expressions on everyone’s face told me this was a very solemn moment.

 Dad, visibly moved, stepped towards me. He took my hand and said something in Navajo. Then in English, he said, “As you are truly a gift to all of us from the Great Spirit, you will be named Vanya and welcomed into the tribe.” I felt the intensity of emotion from Dad. My eyes filled with tears as my heart filled with emotion. With everyone staring at me, this was intense.

 John grinned and said, “Let’s eat.”

                     *

 I stood by the fence with the crackling of the dying fire and stared into the deep blue moonlit night sky. What a roller coaster of emotions I felt tonight. It seemed forever ago when Sheila and I first blasted into Window Rock all set for a weekend of debauchery that instead began my  journey into a new spirit.

 Several guests had already left. It was late, after all. I don’t think anyone will go home hungry. It was quite a feast. But after everything, I felt a strong need to be alone. I felt somehow profoundly changed. I know who I am. I still have my memories, but I felt Jack slipping away. He had become a stranger in my own mind.

 I heard the crunch of grass behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to look. I knew who it was. “Hey, Linda,” said Kajika. “Or I guess I should say Vanya.” Carol told me that Linda is still my legal name. I could change it to Vanya if I wanted.

 He said, “Dad is ready to go. I wanted to congratulate you on your new status.” He took my hand. “You’re cold.”

 I looked up at him and smiled. “I’m fine. You know, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”

 He chuckled. “You were running away.”

 I smiled and placed my free hand on top of his that still held my hand. “So were you. We were both running to find home.”

 He gently rubbed my knuckles a moment and smiled at me. In a whispered voice, he said, “You’re beautiful.” He slowly bent his head down. A tingle flashed down my spine. Surely he’s not going to…

 I closed my eyes as his soft, warm lips softly pressed into mine. I’ve never had a kiss like this before. I put my arm around his neck and held him close. His face lit by the silver moon light, framed by the night sky made this a moment I never wanted to end.

 He pulled away. “I need to go. You truly are a beautiful gift. Talk to you soon.” I watched him and his dad leave the house.  I’ve been kissed by a boy and it was wonderful.

                     *

 Epilogue

 It was dark and quiet in the house when I peeked into John’s room. Mom and Dad were asleep, but as it was Saturday night, I knew John was still up playing World of Tanks on his computer. I whispered, “Hey John.” I waved to get his attention.

 He was wearing headphones so he didn’t hear me, but he did see my hand waving. He lifted one of the phones from his ear and frowned at me. “What do you need? It’s late. You should be in bed”

 I chuckled. “So should you. Hey. Can you do me a favor?”

 He went back to playing his game, but he asked, “What kind of favor? Can’t you see I’m playing?”

 “I want you to take me up to Window Rock park. I need to do something,” I whispered earnestly.

 Frowning at me again, he said, “Are you nuts? It’s really late. Everything’s dark.”

 He sighed. “Okay. I know you won’t stop asking. Let me die first.”

 I laughed. “That won’t take long.” Two minutes later, his tank was blasted.

 As he stood up, he said, “Better grab a jacket. It’s gotten cold out.”

 “I’ll be fine. I only need a minute,” I said as I hurried to the front door.

 John said, “This is crazy, but careful not to wake up Mom and Dad.”

 We stepped outside and John locked the front door. He then unlocked his old, junkie pick-up and we climbed inside. Trying not to make a lot of noise, we drove from the house.

 Everything looked eerie bathed in the silver light of the full moon. It was a short drive and uncharacteristically, John kept the stereo off. We left the windows up as it was a bit chilly out. Maybe I should have brought a jacket.

 John parked a short distance into the park. “I don’t think anyone’s supposed to be here at night.”

 I opened the truck’s door and slid to the ground. “I’ll only be a minute.” John nodded. I walked about fifteen or twenty feet further. John got out of his truck but he didn’t follow me.

 With the bright moon dominating the deep, dark blue sky, walking through the park was actually very easy. I could clearly see the rock with the window in it.

 I stopped and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath and put my hands in a prayerful position.

 I whispered, “Oh Great Spirit. I call you. I want to thank you for taking Jack’s spirit and leaving mine in his place.”

 “And who are you, my child?” I opened my eyes to see a giant snake curled up on the ground before me. I wasn’t frightened.

 I said, “I am Vanya.”

 “And…?”

 I said, “I am Navajo and I am proud.”

 The snake smiled as best as a snake could. The old medicine woman stood next to the snake and smiled as well. The snake said, “And so all is good.” Then they faded away.

 I stood in silence for several minutes in the chill moon light. I finally turned around walked back to where John was waiting and looking confused.

 Quietly, I said, “Let’s go home.”

The End