Second Spirit -7- by Melanie Brown

Second Spirit

By

Melanie Brown

Advisor: Lisa Charlene
Copyright © 2024

Part 7

Kajika laughed. “What do you think, Ms. Wright? When am I not in trouble?”

Kay Wright put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Expecting another hand-out, boy? Is she a runaway as well?” She pointed at me with a set of chopsticks.

He shrugged. “I guess so. First I saw of her, she was tied up next to me, caught by human traffickers. But I have money this time.”

“Boy, you’re such a little liar,” admonished Ms. Wright. Turning back to me, she asked, “Do you have a name, honey?” When I stood silent, she repeated the question in what I assumed was Navajo.

Kajika laid a twenty dollar bill on the counter. He said, “I don’t think she has a name. I’ve never seen her before. But I know she speaks English.” He picked up the bill and popped it few times. “Now how about some service? We’re both very hungry!” He said something in Navajo that made the woman chuckle.

Frankly, I wanted to hit the road, either by hitching a ride or taking the change on a bus ticket. But my stomach let out a huge growl that caused both the boy and the woman to laugh.

The woman leaned towards me. “Hon, I guess you are hungry.” She turned to Kajika with a frown as she snatched the bill from his hands. “Where did you steal this, boy?”

Looking offended, Kajika said, “You dishonor me, ma’am. She gave it to me.” He pointed at me.

I smiled and said, “That’s true. I gave it to him.” I’m not going to say after I took it from the unconscious form of dear old Carl. “Can we please get something to eat? We’re in a bit of a hurry, you see.” A police car zoomed past the store.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “It speaks. Okay honey, and you too boy, tell me what you want and go find a table to sit at.”

I quickly ordered some chicken fried rice and an eggroll. Kajika ordered General Tso’s chicken. We both got sodas. We quickly moved to a table. We were the only ones in the restaurant so we were able to get a table away from the entrance.

Waiting for our food to arrive, I said, “I don’t think this is a good hideout. We need to hitch a ride or something.”

Kajika nodded. “I’m starving, but yeah. We need to get out of town. Nobody knows you, but several people know me. It’s been two days since I’ve had something to eat.”

Kajika froze. His eyes darted towards the door. “Don’t move,” he said under his breath. I glanced towards the door and saw the woman cop from this morning walk in. Kajika hissed, “I told you not to move!”

Ms. Wright said brightly, “Good morning officer. What can I do for you?”

Officer Cruz walked up to the counter. “I’m looking for a runaway. Have you seen a little Native girl around twelve?”

Ms. Wright grunted and folded her arms. “Every day.”

Officer Cruz chuckled. “I guess that’s true. Here’s my card. If you see anything, please give me a call.”

Taking the car, Ms. Wright said, “Will do, officer. What did the girl do?”

Cruz sighed, “Another runaway. Really cute. She could wind up in a bad way. But we don’t even know who her parents are.”

Ms. Wright looked surprised. “No one’s called looking for her?”

“That’s the crazy part. If she was my kid, I’d be worried sick. We’d appreciate it if you kept an eye out.”

Ms. Wright saluted slightly. “Will do.”

Ms. Wright brought our food out to us. As she set the plates down, she said, “The girl is hot. I don’t want her found here.”

Kajika said, “As soon as we eat, we’re out of here.”

Ms. Wright folded her arms and said, “I really shouldn’t help you guys, but if you give me some of that of yours, I’ll go over to the clothing store and get you something new.”

The boy’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea.  Here.” He counted out three twenties. “I hope that’s enough.”

Ms. Wright nodded. “Should be. I’m a good guesser on sizes. I’ll be back in about fifteen minutes. Where are you guys headed, anyway?”

Kajika glanced over at me. “I don’t know about her, but ultimately, Colorado Springs. There’s a place there that helps runaways.”

Ms. Wright raised her eyebrows. “Better be careful. I’m sure the cops are watching that place.” She turned and left the restaurant.

                    *

“Are those assholes never going to leave?” Kajika was becoming increasingly impatient. We were parked close to the bus depot waiting for the police to leave. I was sitting in the backseat while Kajika rode shotgun.

Ms. Wright, whose car we were sitting in said, “Hey kid. I’m going to have to get back to the store. You don’t need me to hide.”

Kajika frowned. “I should go ahead and go. They’re after the chick, not me.” He put his hand on the car’s door handle.

I folded my arms. “If you can get someone to change me back, I’ll be more than happy to leave this God-forsaken town.”

Ms. Wright turned to look at me. “Change you back? Back to what?”

Kajika laughed. “She thinks some old medicine woman changed her into a girl.”

I blurted out, “This time yesterday, I was a man.”

Ms. Wright scratched her chin. “I wonder if she means the medicine woman who died last night. I’ve heard some bizarre stories about her.”

I leaned forward. “Until today, I didn’t believe in magic. But can someone change me back?”

Ms. Wright shrugged. “I don’t  believe in magic either though I admit I’ve seen some weird shit. But if that medicine woman truly changed you, then you’re SOL. Only she could change you back.”

I fell back against the seat back. “Man, this is all horseshit! Do I look like a girl to you or have I been tricked into believing it?”

Laughing sourly, Kajika said, “You think you’d been stolen if you weren’t a little girl?”

Ms. Wright suddenly sat up, alert. “Okay. The cops are leaving. I’m sure they told the bus depot folks to watch for a lone girl. They won’t be looking for a boy traveling with his sister. So hold hands and act like siblings.” She paused a moment while Kajika and I exchanged glances. “Sorry guys. This is where we part ways. If asked, I never saw you two.”

Kajika smiled weakly at the woman. “Thanks Kay for your help.”

Ms. Wright waved her hand. “Get down!”  A police car drove passed us. She looked around. “Okay you two. Go. And good luck.”

I looked at the woman and tried to smile. “Thanks for the new clothes. I like this t-shirt and shorts better than that hospital dress.”

She grinned back at me. “You’re welcome, honey.”

I slid out of the backseat and onto the pavement. Kajika reached out and took my hand. It felt weird having someone hold my hand. We stood motionless and watched Ms. Wright drive away.

“You ready?”

“No.” I didn’t want to go to Colorado Springs, but I didn’t want to get caught either.

Kajika grinned and tugged on my hand. We’re on our way.

End of Part 7