Breaking New Grounds

by Amy DeMeritt

  I give both of them a kiss, then hop off of the bed to start pulling my regalia out of the suitcase. I have been working on this dance with Aura since we signed the deal with Hayley to construct the cultural center, so about a year. The regalia has taken nearly as long to design and have made by a master in the craft here on the reservation. This is my most elaborate and personal regalia and when I received it in the mail just before Christmas, I actually cried. It’s beautiful.

  It’s a tunic style long sleeve creamy beige suede shirt with pants with gorgeous beadwork down the sides of the pant legs and shirt sleeves. There are outside bands of blue to match mine and Aura’s eyes, then a white field with black paw prints down the full length. I’m wearing matching suede moccasins that the pants tuck into and they reach just below my knees and are lined with white fur that is visible along the side and top seams. To top off my wolf regalia, I put on my suede ankle cuffs with bells, and a white faux wolf fur cape that is secured to my shirt at the neckline, my shoulders, and my sides so it won’t fall off or get twisted while I’m dancing.

  Aura’s regalia is a collar and ankle cuffs with bells and the same beadwork that’s on mine.

  After we’re dressed, Awenasa braids my hair in a single long braid to lay over my back, then paints my face pure white from just below my eyes to the underside of my chin. White symbolizes the spirit of the wolf and is a color of peace. This dance represents the peace I feel with my strong connection to my totem – the wolf. Then she paints a black line to border the white, right under my eyes. Black represents life and can also represent a storm on the horizon. With the line being right under my eyes, it represents the battles of life that I face like a wolf. There is great meaning in the simple design and when I look at myself in the mirror, my body swells with pride.

  “You look magnificent, my love.”

  “I have never felt like this before. I really need to dance now.”

  With a loving smile and pride glittering in her eyes, Awenasa takes my hand and leads me and Aura to the front of the house so I can make my entrance from the side of the lawn.

  “I’ll take Aura to her position. See you soon, puppy.”

  She gives my hand a squeeze, then walks to the backyard with Aura. I look up at the sky and inhale deeply, breathing in the crisp mountain air and the scent of burning wood and food cooking on the grills. The sound of our family and friends quiets down, the stereo is turned off, then the sound of drums starts beating in my ears, filling my veins with the spirits of the animals whose sacrifices were reverently stretched into instruments to beat out the sound of the heart of our earth mother.

  I walk to the edge of the backyard with the bells on my ankles jingling with each step I take. Our family and friends’ part to create a pathway leading to the dance ring around the bonfire. When I spot Aura through the flames on the opposite side of the ring, I kneel down with my head bowed, and I know she is doing the same. I tilt my head back, and in unison, we release a deep howl that reverberates off of the trees around us and sends a palpable shiver through the leaves and our audience.

  The drums, flutes, and rattles pick up tempo, then Aura and I sprint up our clear paths and start running around the fire in the same direction, giving chase after each other and keeping an even distance between ourselves. The musicians suddenly stop and we stop as well, kneeling with our heads bowed. A singular flute picks up with a sweet melody that feels like an ethereal whisper on the back of my neck. Aura walks around the fire in the opposite direction we had been running to come face to face with me and places a paw on my shoulder. I lift my head to meet her eyes and we hold the gaze for several moments. I stand up and Aura turns to lead me around the fire.

  While I follow her, the instruments pick up, joining the singular flute in a breathtaking and moving song of renewal and of finding one’s self. While I walk, I don’t just walk, I glide, I lightly stomp my feet, I twist, and I leap like a wolf. While Aura steadily leads me around the fire, I am finding myself. I am learning what it means to be a wolf. I am being moved by the music and my totem.

  After we make a full ring around the fire, Aura turns to face me and we begin to dance together. Now that I have learned my true nature, I begin dance with it, I embrace it, I become one with the spirit of the wolf. Between our dancing, we release deep wolf howls and playful growls and we embrace a few times.

  The dance finishes with me kneeling in front of Aura, our foreheads pressed together, and I have one hand on the side of her jaw and one hand holding one of her paws.

  Moved by the connection we have and the beauty of the dance, I tell her, in Cherokee, “You are my soulmate, not my pet. I respect you and love you like the great leader you are. Thank you for dancing with me.”

  I kiss her between the eyes, and she noses my forehead then licks it once, making me smile really big. The grin on her face is incredible and brings tears to my eyes. I wrap my arms around her and she barks once as she wraps a leg around my shoulder and starts wagging her tail. I wish I knew how much of what I say that she understands. I know she can follow commands, and she seems to understand what I’m saying a lot of the time, but I wish I knew for sure.

  “That was a very moving dance, young wolf.”

  I look up into the proud eyes of Sparrow and quickly stand up to face her, our chief, and the other priest and priestess who helped with the ground-breaking ceremony today – Tom Milligan and Mother Crow. Aura sits on her hindlegs next to me, sitting tall and showing them the respect that they deserve.

  “Thank you.”

  Our chief steps forward and looks around the feast at all of my family and friends, at least two-hundred in attendance. Then, with a smile, she says loudly enough for all to hear, “Kayla Johann, daughter of Lena and Kent Johann, you embody the spirit of the wolf better than any with the same totem that I have ever met. You are a superb human with a heart that loves unconditionally and a spirit that fights fiercely to protect what you love and the meek and mild. You give one-hundred-percent of yourself, even when you’re wounded. We have watched you seek the knowledge and wisdom of our people, learning our histories and customs and applying them to your life. We have watched you throw yourself into a tumultuous river and into fires to save lives. We have watched you show mercy and teach forgiveness of the least worthy of either. We have watched you grow up into the wonderful woman you are now. You bring the Cherokee Nation great honor and we are proud to have you in our tribe, Kayla Johann. Continue on this path you have started down, the path of strengthening the bond between the tribes. Be an ambassador of our nation and help our people go into the future with our roots and blossoms feeding from the rich soil of our past. Today, you symbolically broke the ground with a shovel for the construction of the cultural center. But most importantly, you proved to us that you are ready to help lead us into the future. Continue to be who you are. Live your life. But also answer the call that is in your spirit to do more. Consider this your invitation to be an ambassador for the council and for the Cherokee Nation.”

  “I’m…” I wipe my eyes dry and clear my throat. “I’m honored by your words and the invitation. I accept, of course. I’m kind of speechless. I have so much respect for all of you and this is just… Thank you. I will do my best to be worthy of your faith in me.”

  “We know you will.” Our chief motions to the musicians, and says, “Let the feast continue,” then after giving me a wink and a smile, she walks away and the musicians start playing and people start talking amongst themselves.

  Sparrow pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek. “I know this challenge we have given you is not an easy one and it is a big responsibility. If you ever have questions or need guidance, know that I am here for you. You have great instincts. Follow them.”

  She traces the scar over her eye with two fingers as she gives me a meaningful look. The scar is from a bonfire that got out of control because of a windstorm during a family gathering when I was thirteen. Sparrow had caught on fire and while others were run
ning away from the out of control blaze, I ran right into it with a blanket to tackle Sparrow to smoother the fire. We have been like family ever since. She officiated at my wedding when Awenasa and I married Shannon, Madison, and Sam. Then officiated at our wedding to Jaime and Symone. She also officiated at Janell’s funeral. She has officiated at nearly every major event in our lives.

  I’m so overwhelmed that I’m literally speechless. I pull Sparrow into my arms and she runs her hands over my back and head.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jaime turns to face me and lays her head back on her pillow with a cute smile. “Having fun?”

  I laugh a little and gently squeeze her bare ass. “Yes. I like your butt.”

  We’re lying in bed, procrastinating getting up, and I’ve been slowly gliding my hand over her butt, thighs, and back but mostly her butt.

  “I like your butt too. You should turn over so I can have my turn to play with yours.”

  “But I’m enjoying this, a lot.”

  Jaime releases a cute giggle and gets up to lay on top of me. She gives me a kiss and brushes her hand over my cheek.

  “What are we doing today?”

  “Mother Crow asked us to come tour the high school at some point before we go home. They need some upgrades and want us to see what needs to be done before they accept a donation.”

  Sam runs her hand over my head before wrapping her arm around Jaime as she snuggles in close to us. “We should do that today. We shouldn’t make her wait for very long after that amorous speech the chief gave about you at the feast yesterday. We should…”

  The sound of the babies talking and crying on the baby monitor cuts through Sam. All of us quickly get up and throw on some clothes. Awenasa and I are first to get dressed, so we slip out of the door to get to our babies in the living room.

  My mom and Sequoia are standing above the babies’ packable cribs with Eerin and Montana in their arms and talking to Malana and Helaku, who are standing up in their cribs grinning.

  “Sorry, did they wake you?”

  My mom smiles at Awenasa and shakes her head. “No, we were already awake. I’m going to miss waking up to these angels when we all go home in a couple of days.”

  “We’re going to miss you too, Mom.”

  I wrap my arms around her and kiss her cheek.

  “Sequoia and I want to take the babies out today.”

  “You want to take my babies?” I reach down and pick up Helaku since Awenasa is picking up Malana, and I nuzzle in his neck, making him giggle. “Did you hear that, Son? Your grandmothers want to take you out today. Are you going to be a good boy for them?”

  “Kiss.”

  I give him a kiss on his puckered lips and he laughs and lays his head on my shoulder. I kiss his head and rub his back.

  “I love you, Son. What are you going to do with our babies today?”

  “We’re going to Dalia’s to pick out fabrics for her to make the babies new regalia.”

  I smile really big and rub Eerin’s torso, who is cradled in my mom’s arms. “That’s good. Eerin needs some regalia. Let me see how much cash I have in the bedroom.”

  “This is our treat, Mighty Wolf. We want to spoil our grandbabies. Now, let us.”

  “Ok. When do you want to take them out?”

  “After breakfast. What are your plans for the day?”

  “Mother Crow wants us to tour the high school, so we’re going to try to do that today.”

  “Sounds like a wonderful plan, ambassador.” Sequoia winks at me with a proud smile and offers Montana to me. “I’m going to finish breakfast and get it on the table.”

  “Thank you.”

  My mom starts to follow her, and while she kisses Eerin’s smiling lips, she says, “I’m going to make a bottle for this precious angel.”

  Our wives finally join us and they’re all dressed in pajama shorts and tee shirts. Shannon takes Montana from me, giving her a flurry of kisses and making her squeal.

  Madison puts her hands out to take Helaku from me, saying, “Here, let me take him. Your phone is buzzing with new text messages.”

  Jess: Good morning. I hope I’m not waking you up. There’s something I want to talk to all of you about before we leave tomorrow. Do you have some time today? Maybe an hour or two?

  Me: No, you didn’t wake me up. You can come over now if you’d like. We’ll probably be going out at some point, but we don’t have definite plans at the moment.

  Jess: Ok, we’ll be over soon. Thank you!

  “Jess and Allie will be here soon. Jess has something she wants to talk to all of us about, but she didn’t say what.”

  While bouncing Helaku on her lap, Madison says, “Sounds intriguing.”

  I close out of her text thread and open up the other new message, which makes me smile really big. It’s Sorina and she included a picture of herself sitting in the bucket of a backhoe. She’s dressed in a pair of jeans, work boots, and a white tee shirt, and her hair is braided to hang over her left shoulder.

  Sorina: Look at the Lakota/Sioux treasure we found on your Cherokee reservation!

  Me: Wow, that’s a stunning artifact! Looks priceless.

  Sorina: I agree. What do you think we should do with it?

  Me: Well, I imagine she was a deity of a great nation, so you should definitely treat her with equal reverence and respect.

  Sorina: Yeah? How do you recommend I accomplish this?

  Me: First, you need to take her out of that filthy backhoe – but be gentle with her. Then, you need to set her somewhere beautiful and safe.

  Sorina: How is this?

  I laugh a little and my cheeks ache with the huge smile on my face. She sent me another picture of herself sitting against a tall pine tree with a bunch of wild tiger lilies growing around the base. She has one of them tucked behind her ear. She’s wearing a huge white smile and her soft caramel eyes are glittering with the early morning sun shining in them. She looks really beautiful.

  Me: Uh, yeah, that’s a million times better! She’s gorgeous! She looks good on our reservation. Do you think the Lakota/Sioux would be ok with it if we keep her for a while?

  Sorina: I think they might be, for a small favor.

  Me: Anything.

  Sorina: Anything at all?

  Me: Well, within reasonable parameters that don’t cause me to go against who I am.

  Sorina: I believe I can convince my people to allow you to keep this stunning treasure for a while longer, if you pay her a visit today – preferably soon and with an offering of some good tea and breakfast.

  I laugh and look up at my wives, all of whom are watching me with curious smiles. I blush beet red and rub the back of my neck.

  “Uh, it’s Sorina. She asked if I can bring her tea and breakfast on the worksite.”

  “That’s all she said?”

  Madison is giving me a knowing amused smile. I release a small nervous laugh and shake my head. I hand her my phone and all of them move in close together to read it. All of them laugh a little and shake their heads in amusement.

  “You can go make your special delivery.”

  I accept my phone back from Madison and look around at all of our wives, asking, “Is that ok with all of you?”

  Each of them agrees that I can go, so I send Sorina a text letting her know I’ll be there soon. Then I text Jess to let her know I’ll be back in a little while.

  I ask my mom to pack me enough tea and breakfast for me, Hayley, and Sorina, then I take a quick shower and get dressed for the day. Before leaving, I give my wives and babies hugs and kisses.

  When I arrive on the worksite, the construction crew is working on digging up the earth where the building will be. Sorina comes jogging over to me and leaps into my arms. I laugh as her momentum causes us to spin around a couple times. As we come to a stop and find our balance, she kisses my lips for a moment before pulling back a few inches to look in my eyes with a brilliant smile.

  “What offering did you bring
the deity?”

  “Tea, corn muffins, elk sausage, cheddar and spinach omelets, and fruit salad.”

  “Wow, that’s a nice offering. Would you like me to show you to the deity’s temporary temple?”

  “I would, but first, I need to drop off a similar package to my architect.”

  Sorina releases a cute giggle and kisses my lips again. I grab a bag from the SUV, then Sorina tugs me along at a quick pace to meet Hayley across the worksite. Sorina only gives me enough time to give the containers to Hayley and tell her what they are before she’s yanking me away. Hayley laughs and calls out, “Thanks,” as I stumble after Sorina.

  “How long do I get to keep you?”

  We sit down against the tree with our sides pressed together and our legs outstretched next to each other’s.

  “Only for about an hour. Jess and Allie are on their way to Sequoia’s right now. Jess has something she wants to talk to us about. Then we need to go tour the high school so we can give a donation for some repairs and upgrades they need to make.”

  “Sounds like a busy day for the new Cherokee ambassador.” I laugh a little as I blush. She gives me a smiling kiss on my lips and bumps her shoulder against mine. “I’m really happy for you. I know you’ve been struggling with feeling like you’ve lost the support of your tribe since you added Jaime and Symone to your family. Yesterday was major. My grandmother was in tears after your chief gave that speech. She’s so proud of you and can’t wait for you to come to Standing Rock.” She takes a bite of the omelet and moans. “I’m going to miss these amazing meals when all of you go home.”

  “No, you won’t. Our families are going to keep taking good care of you both.”

  Sorina smiles around a bite of cubed melon before she leans in and kisses my lips. I smile and lick the sweet honeydew juice off of my lips.

  “If you could be doing absolutely anything in the world right now, what would you do?”