by Stephen Levy
When Banks undressed from his tuxedo, he texted Roger that he would meet with him tomorrow at their ‘special place’ at about 8:00 pm.
Roger Rainwater, also known as the Shaman, ignored the text ring for a moment. He was at the place where he took a young Banks camping for his Indian pre-vision quest. He ignored it since he appeared to be in a deep conversation with another. He spoke in Tlingit and then waited for a response. The Monarch Raven stared at Roger, and then cawed. The raven spoke out loud in English, “I agree.”
Banks, Peyton and Stan glanced around the church during the sermon. The congregation was practically all men save for some older women and other women who were not impregnated. Peyton had many questions while in the company of his father and Banks. He was learning not to ask questions while Tricia and his mother were present. Peyton said, “They hate it when I talk!” Overheard by Peyton as the congregation began to depart were men complaining:
“They scare me.”
“My wife slapped me every time I tried to talk to her.”
“Sometimes my daughter gets up at night and stands at her window with arms raised.”
“She doesn’t cook anymore.”
“My daughter stopped feeding her pet bird. It died.”
“I can’t get to sleep at night. I’m afraid that she’ll attack me if I sleep.”
When Banks, Peyton and Stan arrived at the Powers’ house, they saw Tricia and Julie sitting in the backyard. They were both in a trance like position. Stan learned that his women were not to be disturbed. He told Banks that he was going to visit Dassi and Murray next door.
Peyton wanted to play cards and that was fine with Banks. Peyton told Banks that his mind’s eye was coming back but that his world looked different. He asked again if it were possible for Peyton to stop taking the eye drops and Banks told him that he would talk to his mother when he hand a chance.
As they played gin, Banks thought about the previous evening when all the chairs with guys sitting on them were swaying around as the women were shifting their positions in the gym. He didn’t question it so much as to just add it to his collection as unknown forces. Roger was one of the first to speak to Banks about unknown forces in the universe. Over his young adult life, Banks slowly began to accept strange occurrences such as the meteorites landing in his bucket. The contents of the bucket were the potion that improved his eyesight. Another strange occurrence was when the women ‘napped’ for twenty four hours and another was last night’s activities. It never occurred to Banks Blackhorse in any way that he might be responsible or contributed to the unusual behavior of the women in Juneau. If he could go deep into his subconscious he might be able to see that breaking a promise with the Spirit Above his Head might have been the catalyst for these happenings. But in his decision for a better life, there would be winners and losers. The losers were of course his tribe. He earnestly believed at this point that breaking his promise and providing Julie with eye drops was an acceptable ‘white lie.’
“Gin! You’re not paying attention, Banks,” scathed Peyton.
At the Abrams’ kitchen table, Dassi gave Stan a tuna sandwich. All seated, Stan quietly raised his questioning eyebrows. Murray answered by pointing a finger upward which Stan correctly assumed that Ann was in her room. Stan communicated by pointing a finger to his backyard. The trio now knew that whispering would be available. This was the procedure that most of the men of Juneau did. The men whispered when the women, were otherwise engaged.
Stan whispered, “There’s been no improvement. Just silence. Once in a while they issued edicts when something pertains to plans of delivery.”
Murray added, “I want to check out the women as their pregnancy advances.”
Stan shook his head while responding, “You’ll need their approvals.”
As their whispers continued, Ann was behind closed doors in her bedroom. She was typing at her computer at the speed of summer lightning. She was writing the Juneau blog and sending it out to the outside world ensuring that her readers would not be concerned with Juneau and the city’s current affairs. The blog was written on the state government website with the endorsements of state, county and local officials. She sent out emails using the addresses of local officials stating that all was fine and that Juneau didn’t need any outside help. She told the world how harmonious Juneau was and that men and women were elated with the present situations. She sent out hundreds of emails to relatives of Juneau inhabitants ensuring that all was well. Only Ann and a few of her collaborators had contact with the outside world. They controlled what information went out and what information went in.
When Ann had completed all communications to her satisfaction and deleted all communications that came in for the men, she arose from her chair. She walked to her window and was ready to ‘send’ to the women of Juneau. Ann was in a trance with arms outstretched as she began her all-points bulletin. That was why she was oblivious to the fact that The Monarch Raven was outside her window scrutinizing her. The raven was doing this for a specific reason that was part of its agreement with Roger Rainwater the previous evening.
Ann Abrams sent out information about the previous evenings’ successes at the Prom and instructions on what is be expected in the future. When she completed her ‘sending,’ she was inundated with questions from the women:
“He wouldn’t listen, how physical can I get?”
“Was their more pain to be expected from the pregnancy?”
“I’m in a wheel chair and I would like help during the delivery.”
“Can I kill my husband?”
Every woman knew the name of Ann Abrams. She was no longer invisible as she was for her entire life before last Thanksgiving. Ann’s intellectual abilities were highly respected. There was no more dumbing down.
Roger Rainwater parked his car at his ‘special place’ just before 8:00 pm. The sun and the wind were in harmony in the Juneau forest. The evergreen tree branches shimmered and glistened. Roger was a middle-aged single man and advisor to Chief Dan. Some refer to him as the tribe’s Shaman. He was also a tutor to students like Johnny who needed to take the next step in mathematical knowledge. Roger got his master’s degree in math and at a young age and went on to further his education by taking doctorate courses. To become a doctor of mathematics, he would have to defend his dissertation. He would have to come up with something new. He studied sprites and how they may have an effect on the rotation of the earth. But his studies were not conventional and he could not be citing ancient tribal beliefs. Many of his learnings came from his connection with the spirit world and therianthropy which includes the ability of the Monarch Raven to metamorphose into humans or other animals. Simply put, when and if Roger were to explain to the defending branch, who would accept/reject his dissertation that animals could shapeshift, it would lead to his ruination. The peer review would laugh him out. So he gave up hope of receiving a PhD in math. He further gave up hope in sharing his knowledge with society and instead helped individuals in his tribe and their friends. He did decide, like many mathematicians, that philosophy was his course of study. He was quite helpful to Chief Dan in tribal manners. He knew that the Chief would consult him on matters. The Chief consulted Roger on Banks. Roger in turn found out much about Banks while tutoring Johnny. Roger considered anything he learned about Banks was confidential. That included his relationship with the Chief. Roger would neither mediate nor arbitrate with them. However, there was one aspect of Banks’ growth that concerned him that the Chief was not privy to. The aspect that concerned Roger tonight was Banks’ feelings toward love in general and to love for Ann in specifics. Roger knew what was happening to the women and why. He also knew that it would last through the summer and there wasn’t much that he could do about it. He had seen his own sister Carol go through her pregnancy without uttering a word to him. In the past Carol had gone to her brother Roger about many things including her feelings about Marilyn. If Banks felt a lift from his spiraling downward depression r
egarding Ann, then perhaps the rest would fall in place and he would be able to face the bigger problem at hand. If Banks were able to get to climb to a less depressed level, then the pleas from the Chief might be granted. Yes, Roger worked in mystically mysterious maneuvers to get to the philosophical good without divulging confidences. He was true to others and true to himself.
Banks Blackhorse shined when he saw Roger. It was quite some time since they were in each other’s company. This distancing was mostly due to Banks. Banks knew that Roger could cut through the crap and see Banks for what he really was. Banks didn’t want to admit that he wanted to leave the tribe for a white lifestyle. So yes, Banks didn’t want to reveal the truth about himself to Roger. Yet in these troubled times, Banks wanted Roger’s company.
They hugged and shared some Tlingit greetings as they walked to their ‘special place.’ Roger warned, “Please do not be shocked about what I’m going to show you. Please listen with an open mind and don’t be scared. This truth you are about to confront will be solace for your inward dilemmas.
Banks shrugged his shoulders and simply said, “Okay.” They sat an unlit campfire area. In an instant, Ann Abrams instantly appeared directly in front of Banks. Banks gave out a gasp. Then he yelled, “Ann! Ann!”
Ann shined and smiled. Her voice soothed, “Banks, I am the essence of Ann Abrams. I am not Ann.” Banks shook his head.
Ann continued, “Please understand that Ann is not her true self during her time of pregnancy. When she returns to her true self, as the other women will, she will once again love you and be profoundly embarrassed for the wounds she inflicted. She must continue this ordeal for a couple more months. You have not lost Ann Abrams. This is temporary for all the women of Juneau. They will return the way you remembered them.
Banks asked, “How do you know this? Who…are you?”
Ann responded, “I told you Banks, I am the essence of Ann Abrams. Be patient. You will have much to do and Ann will be at your side. I must go now.”
As Banks was trying to take in her words, Ann Abrams metamorphosed into the Monarch Raven. It flew off with many successive caws.
Banks stared at Roger. Roger responded, “You needed to know this in order to feel better and be strong. Time to go, Banks.”
“That was a crow I was talking to?” asked Bank.
“That was a raven, the Monarch Raven as I refer to him. He is the only Chatham raven left in the world. He counsels me and in turn I counsel others.”
“But. But,” Banks interrupted.
“All in good time, Banks. All in good time,” said Roger.
August Powwow
During the next two months, Banks felt somewhat renewed and hopeful based on the meeting with the raven and Roger. He believed everything he was told and he continued to concentrate on Peyton and Stan. He did not reveal any of the details, but passed on to Stan and the Abrams that things would be much better once the women delivered. He told them that some members of his tribe believed that the women were under the spell of the fetus. His optimistic comments to Dassi and the men proved to be infectious since all they could ask for was hope.
As far as his encounter with the ‘essence’ of Ann, Banks simply took it in as he did during the night of the Prom and other unusual events in his life. He was certain that others would look at him oddly if he shared his recent experience. “To be white,” Banks thought, “was to be skeptical.”
Banks was aware that there was a raven atop of the Powers’ home. He never thought about it much, but now looked up to it. The raven would caw back in response. He wanted to find out more about the so-called extinct raven but the house’s internet access was not working. It wasn’t working anywhere. It wasn’t working for the men.
When school let out, Banks drove Peyton to visit Johnny. Peyton really wanted to visit the Chief but Banks always had an excuse for that. Banks told Johnny that Tricia would be back to normal once she delivered. As a true white man, Johnny was skeptical. Johnny simply told Banks that he didn’t want to see Tricia again. Besides, now that he graduated, he was going look for a job.
Banks was getting short on eye drops and he reluctantly decided to take Peyton with him on the journey. He didn’t tell Peyton that the main purpose of the trip was to retrieve eye drops from his apartment refrigerator but rather that Peyton would get to meet the Chief. He didn’t want any mentioning of eye drops to the Chief because that would open a bag of worms.
Banks contacted Roger by text. Text and phones were only working within the city. Banks knew that Marilyn wasn’t helping the Chief out as much as she did and that Roger was taking over some of her duties. Roger arranged the meeting.
Banks and Peyton drove to the Tlingit Compound. Peyton’s thoughts raced from the lows in his household to the highs of meeting the Chief.
“Banks, they’re acting so weird. They won’t talk. They just send their thoughts to each other without ever thinking of me. I cried last night.”
“I’m sorry, Peyton. You can always come over to my room to visit if you want. I don’t want you to think that this has anything to do with you. It’s happening everywhere…at the Compound as well.”
Banks parked the truck at the Compound. The tribe’s men were in one group and the pregnant Tlingits sat together in silence outside.
“Banks, is this where the Chief lives? What do I call him? Sitting Bull?”
“Just call him Dan; you know he’s my only relative, my uncle, Sport.”
Marilyn White Owl left Dan’s apartment. She ignored Banks and Peyton and joined the women.
Roger Rainfall greeted Banks, “The Chief is waiting. I just cooked a batch of fried bread for you and your little friend.”
Banks and Peyton ate fried bread as Roger cleaned up the kitchen. The Chief studied Peyton.
Peyton beamed, “I never tasted anything like this. It’s delicious. Chief Dan, I want to tell you a secret. Everyone says that I’m blind, but I see things. Yes, I really see things.”
Dan settled back in his chair. Banks listened as the Chief spoke, “Interesting, Peyton. My father’s name was Flies with Raven. He was blind and he believed that he could see what the raven sees.”
“Really? I also can see colors,” stated Peyton.
“You see colors with your third eye…the mind’s eye. Peyton you have the soul of an Indian. You see truth.”
Banks interjected, “What do you mean the truth?”
The Chief stared at Banks, “That we can become what we dream. That is the truth.”
As Banks shook his head in disbelief, Peyton sounded off, “Yes, a boy becomes what he dreams. Chief, I read your father’s book…Banks’ grandfather’s book. That’s how I know that.”
And the Chief moved closer to Peyton, “And your mother puts sticky eye drops in your eyes.”
“Wow, how did you know that, Chief Dan?”
“I didn’t until now. Roger, drive Peyton home. I want to speak to Banks alone.”
“Chief, may I have another piece of bread before I leave?”
Banks sensed the Chief’s withheld rage was about to explode. He didn’t want to be alone with his uncle. He became anxious as Peyton and Roger left the apartment:
The Chief roared, “Banks, do you understand what you’ve done?” Do you understand the consequences of your infidelity?”
Banks waved his hands if to block the verbal assault. The Chief continued, “It all fits. You made a bargain. A white man’s home for eye drops. It’s an affront to the Great Spirit.”
Banks rested his arms on the table and looked directly into Uncle’s eyes, “To hell with the Great Spirit!”
The Chief bent over and slapped Banks across the face.
“I didn’t raise you by myself for this kind of abuse. The new children of these lost souls will be the Great Spirit’s wrath against this town…because of what you did. Now since you started this, you and you alone must end it.”
Banks stood up, “That’s crap!” Banks stomped to the door.
Banks backpedaled and turned to his uncle, “What about my father? He and my mother died in an automobile accident. Right? Right?”
The Chief shook his head, “Banks, your parents were killed for breaking a pact with the Great Spirit.”
Banks’ anger turned to shock, “What?”
The Chief added, “You were born completely blind and your parents made a pact. Your father’s promise was to return to Juneau…to leave South Dakota…to leave the Sioux. He didn’t.”
Banks said as he shook, “Uncle, you’re driving me crazy with all this superstition.”
Banks walked to the staircase to his apartment as his Dan approached, “The bloodline…you and I…are all that remain. The Old Soul is here. The Old Soul wants satisfaction. It wants our bloodline…eradicated and thus cleansed forever.”
Banks ran up the stairs to his apartment. After removing the padlocks, he took vials of eye drops and replaced the padlocks. He ran downstairs to his truck.
Banks peeled out of the Compound. When the dust cleared, the Chief looked above at the shimmering indigo. He opened his father’s book. He knelt and chanted in Tlingit. Marilyn White Owl and other women bellowed an eerie sound while the Chief chanted as if to drown out the Chief’s chants. It became a contest of chanting noises versus the bellowings. Finally, the Chief chants were drowned out.