by P. J. Dean
“What is this about?”
“Your mother.”
“She likes you.”
“I suddenly feel … deficient.”
“My mother adores you.”
“As a friend for you, yes. But as a mate? I am not sure.”
“That is not true and you know it. You are one of her children, as I am one of Rozina’s. Please, they are waiting.”
“No.”
He turned her sideways, bracing her against the wall. He pressed his lips to hers, cherishing her mouth more than kissing it. “Please, Kindred,” he murmured.
“Lelaheo, you make me so angry sometimes!” She sighed. “But how can I refuse my husband?”
“Then do not,” he replied hoarsely, pulling her from the wall. He placed an arm around her waist and guided her down the corridor and into the parlor.
“Good morning, all!” Lelaheo bellowed.
“About time!” Joshua harrumphed. “Can we eat now?”
“Rozina has been holding breakfast because of you two,” Dr. Twain added, shaking his head. “Where have you been?”
“Yaas, Joshua, we kin eet,” Rozina said as she rose from her chair and made for the kitchen. “Fetch da odduhs.”
Joshua hurried past Lelaheo and Kindred, his stomach grumbling as loudly as he.
“Lelaheo, we must talk after breakfast.” Dr. Twain squeezed the young man’s shoulder, then exited, following Rozina to the kitchen.
“Mother!” exclaimed Lelaheo. He pushed all thoughts from his mind of being admonished for his “seduction” of Kindred. After greeting his mother, Lelaheo was on his knees, at her feet in a flash.
“Mother! You are well?”
Aliquipiso was a winning woman of less than two score in years. She was short in stature and long on opinion. She possessed the same features as her son, especially the inquiring, bottomless eyes. Clad in her best deerskin skirt, cotton blouse and beads, Aliquipiso bent forward in her chair, her curtain of jet hair swaying, and held her son’s face between her hands.
“My son. I am very good. So the day has come. You leave for a strange place yet again. How my heart broke when you left us ten years ago. At least you were near enough for visits. Now this other place …. Where is it?”
“See, Lelaheo, even your mother thinks it is too far away. So, I am not alone in my sentiment.” Kindred folded her arms across her chest, feeling confident in her supported opinion.
“Please!” He took his mother’s hand then turned to Kindred and took one of hers. “My last days here should be pleasant.”
“Ha! You are so like your father. Sweet-tongued charmer.” Aliquipiso chuckled and nudged him sharply with her moccasined foot.
“Where is Father?” Lelaheo asked, rubbing the side where she poked him.
“Hunting, fighting,” she replied, slight annoyance in her tone. “As usual. What else can a man do when he has such war finery and nowhere to parade it?” She exhaled deeply. “But the village needs all the meat and pelts it can store. He sends his love.”
“Stop feeding the world. Your charity should begin with your longhouse. Perhaps then, father could be home more.”
“That is not our way, Lelaheo, and you know it.” Her lovely smile turned into a frown. “Never forget it. So far you have made us very proud. Continue to do so. Do not
become so European that you forget who you are. Besides, the notion of having your father under foot all day is better left in that realm.” Aliquipiso eyed Kindred and noticed how taken her son was with the young negress and how he still clasped her hand. The match could not have made her happier. Unless of course she had been Oneida. “Kindred! My daughter! You have grown into a very beautiful woman. You love my Lelaheo! True? Make me a grandmother as soon as possible.”
“You know?” Kindred asked.
“Is there no one who does not?” Lelaheo sighed. “I wanted to make a formal announcement of our betrothal, but why bother?”
“Oh, do bother, child. My sisters’ sons are not aware. They will be overjoyed for you and Kindred. They love her as I do.” She extended a hand to the girl. “Come, daughter.”
Aliquipiso stood up. Kindred fell in beside Lelaheo.
“Do you hold my son dear?”
“Yes,” Kindred smiled and nodded. Aliquipiso smiled back.
“Lelaheo, do you hold Kindred dear?”
“Yes, Mother. Very much.”
“Good.” Aliquipiso stood on tiptoe and hugged them both. “I give you my blessing.”
“We do too!” yelled Joshua and Lelaheo’s kin from the doorway. “Yes, brother, it is about time you shared your blanket with that woman,” one remarked.
Joshua, on the other hand, deeply inhaled the aromas wafting in from the kitchen. “Now that all that is finished, please, may we eat?”
Chapter Eight
Kindred sprawled, stomach down, on the grass next to Aliquipiso. Lelaheo’s mother was watching a swift game of ga-lahs played by all the men except Dr. Twain, who was busy keeping score. Aliquipiso cheered as the young men chased and tossed the hard wooden ball amongst each other with the aid of a long stick with
a scoop-like shape at one end. The object of the game was to get the ball and attempt to land it in an opponent’s goal.
“What did I miss,” Kindred asked, offering the woman some of Rozina’s hard molasses treats.
“No score yet.” Aliquipiso patted her middle and winced at the same time. “Oh, no thank you. No more room. Rozina made enough food for my entire village.”
“That’s Gramma.” Kindred popped a cookie in her mouth. “Food solves everything.”
“If only it could, Kindred. If only it could.” She bowed her head. “Unrest all around us. I wish one of ’Zina’s huge meals could mend it. I’d help serve.”
“War. Skirmishes. It is all I have known since Father brought us here, but Aliquipiso, in a strange way, we here have become accustomed to it. Let me explain. I do hate it, but turmoil has been the backdrop of my life.”
“Turmoil? Turmoil is a dispute between two families who share a longhouse fire. But these long periods of war are pure chaos and endless, unnecessary death. My people are caught in the middle of this. No one will escape untouched.” Her eyes followed her son as he charged up and down the grass.
“So you see it too? I thought only Father imagined and saw.”
“No, he is not alone. You must listen. The Haudenosaunee have ruled this valley for centuries through warfare and shrewd thinking and always by seeking what would be good for the Confederacy. But when others came to the region ....”
“You mean Europeans?”
“Yes. The Dutch were concerned with padding their pockets and treated everyone, native and new, with disdain. The French, ah, the French. More concerned with an uninterrupted flow of pelts and a good time. And, yes, possession of the land. But these English are a different sort of animal. They are not done with us.”
“Father is English.”
“But completely different than his countrymen. Dr. Twain has done nothing but give since he has been here. He is not an Englishman anymore. These English are the most cunning kind of invader. Their king saw a paradise here, and instead of out and out seizing it, they are charming it away from us.”
“The Crown is very good at that.” A cry rang out from the group of young men.
“Oh, look, Lelaheo scored.” Kindred waved. He wagged his stick at them and smiled.
Aliquipiso picked through some blades of grass at her feet. “Yes, the Crown is very shrewd. They made a treaty with our chiefs through that upstart Irishman, William Johnson, and in it stated that we were ‘subjects and allies’ with Great Britain. Pshaw! Children is more like it!” Aliquipiso’s tone hardened. “The Crown knew since we had
occupied this land forever, we would stand with them against anyone to maintain it. Even ourselves. And we then allowed them to take more than they gave. We were, and are, unwelcome guests here. Ugh!” She twisted the grass blades between h
er fingers.
“Aliquipiso, I will miss Lelaheo terribly. He is my other half, but I must admit I am glad he has not and will not be caught up in this fray.”
“I, too.” She stood up and surveyed the land around her. “The time is coming for side choosing and I hope my people choose the right one.”
“But which one is the right side, Aliquipiso?”
She frowned and replied, “The one which spares us.”
****
Way after the evening meal and late on Lelaheo’s last night at Twainhaven, he crept, barefoot, down the hallway and slipped soundlessly into Kindred’s room. She was wide awake, waiting for him.
“Where have you been?” Kindred griped. “The evening ended long ago.”
“I had to stay until the last game of billiards and then wait until everyone was asleep, love.” He walked over and peered out the window and saw his cousins around their camp fire in the back courtyard. Aliquipiso was in the circle. She looked up at him, nodded and smiled. He nodded back. “Well, at least until Joshua, ’Zina and Douglas were.”
“Lelaheo, Gramma never sleeps. You know her favorite adage, ‘Eb’ry shet eye ent sleebe’.”
“So true, so very true.” He chuckled tenderly, shucking his clothes as he neared the bed.
“Did anyone see you? Everyone knowing is one thing, but actually witnessing you come to my room is another matter.” Kindred pulled aside the coverlet to accommodate him.
“As far as I know, only my mother.” He saw that she was nude. “No nightgown? I see you were sure I’d visit. But Kindred, half the pleasure is undressing you.” He pointed to the coverlet. “We will not need this. Gets in the way.” He draped it over the foot of the bed.
“What? Your mother! When?” Kindred bolted upright, crossing an arm over her bosom and another over her groin.
“Just now. I glanced out your window and she looked up from the camp fire. She is happy for us and looks upon this as natural.”
“Goodness!” Kindred grappled for the coverlet. “I feel as if she is watching.”
“Kindred, she understands. As Rozina does.” He drew the fabric from her hands. “No false modesty allowed! I have already seen, touched and tasted every inch of you. And if I recall accurately, you have done the same to me.” She returned her arms to their prior positions in spite of his lover’s outlook. “Kinny, please.” He crawled into bed, coaxing her. “I find all of you beautiful.”
“We don’t have much time left, Lelaheo. Hours really.” Kindred felt her throat tighten, suddenly overwhelmed by his impending departure. She relaxed and opened to him.
“So, let us not waste one moment.” He fathomed her anguish and sought to assuage it. He laced her arms around his neck as he bent his head to inhale the lavender scent between her breasts and to lightly tug with his teeth, the jutting nipples.
“I love you,” Kindred sighed, reaching out to stroke his hair.
“Kunolukhwa,” Lelaheo murmured softly against her quivering abdomen as his searing mouth trailed slow, wet kisses down her body.
****
“Kindred?” Lelaheo shook her gently. “Kindred?”
She groaned and opened her eyes.
“Be downstairs in an hour.” He stroked her bare shoulder.
“Not yet.” She pouted and reached for him.
Truly, he wanted to shed his garments and crawl back in beside her, but the day would not wait. He had to be up and about. “I must go get ready. An hour. Downstairs. We’ll break the fast then you can go with us as far as the river.” He gathered her in his arms, savoring her scent. “Kinny, I love you,” he said, leaving the bed.
Kindred rubbed her eyes. Her, she knew for sure, red, swollen eyes. She had cried in Lelaheo’s arms half the night. To soothe her, they had made love until daybreak. Sleep took them as the sun came up. She got up and washed off in the basin on the stand. She
picked out a dress. She held the blue cambric outfit in front of her as she peered in the mirror. She wanted to look her best for Lelaheo and give him a vision to remember. She noted her knotted hair, touched it and smiled faintly. Observing the time, she reached for her comb and searched through her head wraps.
Lelaheo pulled his trunks out onto the hall landing. Once inside his room, he rummaged through his wardrobe and found the bundle for which he had been searching and set it on the bed. After cleaning himself up, he undid the blanket’s leather ties and unfurled it. Before him lay a white lawn shirt, a deerskin breechclout, leggings and
moccasins, a collection of rattles, bracelets and necklaces of dried deers’ hooves and a skull cap adorned with feathers. The last item was a mostly dark purple and white wampum belt. These miniscule seashells strung on thread depicted the history of his people. The whole parcel, a going away gift from his mother, was a subtle reminder of his heritage if the fact should ever escape him. He donned the outfit, except for the cap, then combed his hair. He then sat down at the small desk in his room, took out a sheet of parchment and wrapped his most treasured possession in it. Noting the time, he tossed some last minute items into his valise, glanced around the room, then exited.
****
Breakfast was a morose affair. Though served in the dining room on the best dishes, featuring Rozina’s most delicious recipes, the crowded room, the food and the flare with which it had been prepared and presented failed to lighten anyone’s mood.
“Excellent as always, ’Zina,” said Dr. Twain, his voice floating above the clanging of forks and spoons.
“It is,” said Aliquipiso, pushing her empty plate away.
Lelaheo’s cousins, along with Joshua, slurped and burped their approval. In two heart beats, the room settled back into silence and sad looks.
“Oh, this is ridiculous.” Lelaheo said. Dour faces stared at him. Kindred’s reminded him of a deer he had surprised in the woods once. “I will write. I will return. In the meantime, if you need another mouth to feed, surely Mother can send more children from our village. Right, Mother? Right, ’Zina?”
“Of course, my son.”
“Any child is welcome here, Aliquipiso,” Dr. Twain assured.
“Yaas, enny chil’,” Rozina reinforced.
Dr. Twain hugged Lelaheo and slapped him on the back.
“We can never replace him, nor would we, but in the meantime, we can fill the void and do some good simultaneously. Lelaheo, even though you are not the son of my body, you’re the son of my heart. And I am very proud of you.” Doctor Twain pushed his chair back and stood up. “It is time.”
****
Lelaheo’s cousins toted his trunks outside to Dr. Twain’s rig.
“Dun’ you fuhgit us, chil’.” In the middle of the center hall, Rozina embraced Lelaheo so tightly it took his breath away.
“Not in the slightest, dear, dear ’Zina. I will return for your cooking alone.”
Rozina chose to say her goodbyes at Twainhaven after Dr. Twain insisted she not tax her health by making the trip down to the river. Joshua decided to say farewell at home also, he was staying behind to keep an eye on Rozina. He strode up to Leloheo. “I shall miss you, brother. You are loved here.” He and Lelaheo shook hands and embraced heartily.
“Take care of them, Joshua. Keep them safe.” Lelaheo snatched up his valise and went outside to the rig which held the rest of the house’s inhabitants and the baggage. After tossing his case in the back, he went around to the front. “Douglas, let me have the
reins one last time.” The doctor climbed down and took a seat in the back of the rig.
Lelaheo leapt up and took his seat next to Kindred.
“Kinny, remember. Only as far as the river.”
“I want to go to New York with you and Father.”
“We must say goodbye at the river. It will be easier.”
“Nothing will be easier.” She sighed and folded his hand in hers. “With you gone.”
The plan was to ride down to the river where the canoes had been left upon his family’s arrival. T
he Oneida Carry or De-O-Wain-Sta as the Haudenosaunee called it, allowed travelers to journey all the way from Canada to New York and vice versa, if they wanted. There was a short portage across nearly flat ground between the Mohawk River east of Fort Stanwix and Wood Creek to the west, but the fort had been guarding it since the early years of the French-Indian unrest. So this navigable route would be taken by his mother, his cousins and Dr. Twain to take Lelaheo and his belongings, by canoe, down river to Albany. There, Lelaheo would part company with his mother and cousins and continue on by coach with Dr. Twain to New York. This second leg of the trip would be a little easier on the doctor. Once there he would then board a ship for Europe alone. But for now, the little traveling party somehow reversed its somber mood. Laughter alternated with bilingual chatter. Kindred laughed out loud at a comment made by Aliquipiso.
Lelaheo’s head snapped in her direction. “There, that is the Kindred I know and want to store in my memory.”
“I see them,” shouted one of his cousins. The young man was standing in the back of the rig, pointing. “Our canoes.”
“Kindred, we are here,” Lelaheo pulled back on the reins and the horses halted jerkily, waking Dr. Twain.
“Oh my, don’t tell me I slept all the way!” He ran a hand though his silver shot hair.
“Only half ,” Aliquipiso noted.
“I am not going to cry. I am not going to cry,” Kindred chanted, wringing her hands. Tears flowed slowly down her cheeks. “Oh, damn! I am crying!”
Lelaheo jumped down and came around to assist Kindred. Dr Twain helped Aliquipiso out of the rig, while Lelaheo’s cousins unloaded the baggage and carried it down to the river.
“Lelaheo, your mother and I will go board the canoes. We will wait until you are ready to depart. Kindred, I shall see you in three weeks. Take care going home. Keep the pistol near and most importantly take care of Rozina.”
“I will, Father.”
“I shall see you soon, my daughter,” said Aliquipiso. “Expect me.”
Both Dr. Twain and Aliquipiso leaned in and hugged Kindred, then walked away.
Lelaheo pivoted to face Kindred. “This is goodbye for now.”