Changing Woman

by Thurlo, David

  Ella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He’d always been such a pushover. “Mom, we need you to get well. My daughter needs you,” Ella began, knowing she was in for an argument.

  Rose heard Ella out, then shook her head immediately. “No. That’s not acceptable. I can take care of myself and my granddaughter with one hand tied behind my back.”

  When both Clifford and Ella continued to hold their ground, Rose’s eyes grew wet with tears, accusing them of seeing her as xa’asti, ancient and beginning to disintegrate.

  Ella saw Clifford go pale. Any minute now, he’d surrender.

  “Will you go take care of my daughter?” Ella abruptly asked him. “She’s with my doctor friend in the cafeteria. It looks like I’m going to be here for a while.” Clifford’s relief was so evident she nearly laughed.

  “I’ll take her home with me,” he said. “She can play there. Visit all you want.”

  Ella watched as Clifford practically fled the room. Her brother could battle skinwalkers with iron courage but he was utterly lost in a debate with his own mother.

  Ella turned her attention back to Rose. “Okay, Mom, there’s no more need for tears. You upset my brother, but I’m not going to let it get to me so easily. Your age is not the factor here, and you know it,” she said in a brisk no-nonsense style. “You simply have an injury and you need time to heal. To do that, you can’t use your hand, so you’re going to need help around the house. I’ll find someone to come in during the day, and you’re just going to have to do your best to cooperate with her.”

  “How could you show me such disrespect? I raised you better than this!”

  “Quit trying to put me on the defensive so you can avoid the issue. It won’t work.”

  Rose sighed. “You’re a very stubborn daughter.”

  As Ella looked at Rose, she realized that her mother’s feelings hadn’t really been hurt at all. It had been an act to manipulate them into letting her have her own way. Ella bit the corner of her mouth to keep from laughing. “You can be such a stinker, Mom.”

  “I really don’t want a stranger in my house, daughter,” Rose said in a quiet but determined voice.

  “Then I’ll try to find a Navajo woman you know to come in and help you.”

  “You’d better find someone with a lot of energy if you expect her to take care of my granddaughter.”

  “I know,” Ella said, glad that her mother was becoming part of the solution now, and not the problem.

  “And someone who can cook a decent meal—that is, if I’m not going to be allowed to cook either.”

  “You’re not. So tell me, any idea who we can get?”

  “None at all,” Rose said firmly.

  Ella exhaled softly, realizing Rose was trying to set another trap. “I didn’t think so.”

  Time dragged on, and Rose tried Ella’s patience mercilessly. Ella came up with names of people both her mother and she knew, ones who might be willing to take on the job, and each time Rose vetoed her suggestions.

  And so it continued until it was finally time to take Rose home. As Ella went out to the lobby to sign the release papers, Carolyn came up to her.

  “I walked by a few times and heard you two arguing. Did you settle on a companion for Rose?”

  Ella shook her head. “We need someone by tomorrow, but she’s turned down everyone I suggested.”

  “I have an idea. Gloria Washburn is looking for work. She’s a practical nurse who’s going back to night school. Why don’t you give her a try?”

  “Can you contact Gloria for me? I’m going to have my hands full.”

  “Consider it done. If for some reason she can’t be there bright and early tomorrow, I’ll call you back tonight.”

  Ella finished signing the release forms, then went back to get her mother. Before long, they were on their way home in Ella’s Jeep.

  “Tomorrow a nurse Bijishii recommended will stay with you and my daughter, at least until I get home,” Ella said using Carolyn’s nickname. “Let’s see how she works out. And, Mom, try to be nice to her, okay?”

  “I know you have important work to do. We won’t bother you at the office,” Rose said simply.

  “Mom, its okay to bother me, just don’t make her crazy, okay? For your granddaughter’s sake keep things peaceful at home.”

  Rose smiled but said nothing, and Ella bit her Up to suppress a groan.

  When they finally arrived at the house, Rose had become subdued and it was clear to Ella that her mother was exhausted from today’s ordeal. She helped Rose change into her nightclothes and get into bed, then walked to the bedroom door. “Good night, Mom. I’ll be back soon. I’m just going to get my daughter.”

  “Drive carefully,” she muttered, but by the time Ella had her jacket on again and peeked into the bedroom, Rose was already asleep.

  Ella drove to her brother’s home and, as she pulled up, saw that only one vehicle was there. Loretta’s small sedan was gone. Ella went up to the house and knocked.

  Clifford opened the door and Dawn rushed up and threw her arms around Ella.

  “Shimasání better?”

  “Yes, but you’ll have to be very quiet when we get home. She’s already gone to bed. And I need you to be very, very good tomorrow. Your grandmother is sick and needs time to get well.”

  Dawn nodded somberly.

  Ella glanced around as Clifford motioned her inside, but it appeared that Clifford was the only one home. “Where’s your family?”

  “My wife took our son to her mother’s for a few days.”

  Dawn wriggled free and Ella set her down, allowing her to return to the toys she had scattered on the floor. “Is there trouble between you two again?” Ella asked, keeping her voice soft.

  “No, it’s not like that.” He waved her to a couch. “I’ll explain some other time. There’s something else I need to talk to you about now. Have a seat. Remember when you asked me to find out anything I could about the vandalism that’s been going on?” Seeing her nod, he continued. “Well, I’ve spoken to some of the Fierce Ones, and there’s speculation that the trouble is being caused by outsiders.”

  “What makes them think that?” Ella asked. The Fierce Ones was a group of traditionalists that often behaved as behind-the-scene vigilantes to control criminal behavior. They put pressure on those believed responsible, and on their families. Clifford had joined the group, hoping to temper their sometimes extreme measures.

  “Some are convinced that one of them would have heard something by now if it had been the work of anyone in our tribe.”

  Ella nodded. “Makes sense. If you hear anything more, let me know right away.”

  “I will.” Clifford nodded.

  Ella glanced over at Dawn, who seemed happy to be playing with her cousin’s toys. “And thanks for taking care of her for me.”

  “She’s no trouble. To be honest, right now, without my wife and son, the house feels empty.”

  She nodded and waited for him to say more. If Clifford wanted to talk she’d listen, but she wouldn’t push.

  At last he continued. “I’ve been looking into the possibility of moving closer to Gallup, near my wife’s family. She really misses them. The problem is that most of my patients are in the Shiprock area.”

  Clifford drew in a breath, then let it out slowly. “But that’s not the only thing that’s holding me back. The truth is I don’t want to live any closer to my mother-in-law and her family. I think they would undermine our marriage. They’ve never really approved of me and they’re constantly making little comments that stir up trouble. Yet, it’s done in such a way that if I respond to their words, I come across as the bad guy.”

  “In-laws can be a problem,” Ella said, silently acknowledging that she didn’t particularly like Loretta or her family, and didn’t blame her brother for wanting to keep his distance.

  Looking over at Dawn, Ella realized that her daughter had been listening a little too intently. Cautioning Clifford with a look, she he
lped Dawn put away the alphabet blocks she’d been playing with, and then helped her put on her coat.

  “Take care of yourself and, if you need anything, just let me know,” Ella said, picking Dawn up and moving to the door.

  Clifford gave the little girl a pat on the cheek. “Bring her back anytime.”

  As Ella drove home, she speculated on what would happen next on the Rez. Instinct and experience told her that things would continue to escalate, and that the police in her corner of the Navajo Nation would be in crisis before long.

  Glancing back in the rearview mirror at her daughter, she saw Dawn had already fallen asleep in her child seat. Ella felt the hard edge she used to keep the world at bay melting away as she gazed at her child. Just looking at Dawn made all her other worries fade into the background. The love she felt for Dawn simply put everything in a new light. “Sleep, little one,” she whispered. “I won’t let you or the tribe down.”

  When they reached home, Ella fixed a light supper for Dawn, who was half-asleep, and a quick sandwich for herself, though she wasn’t at all hungry tonight. Hearing Rose stirring in her bedroom, Ella knocked at her door. Her mother stood by the chest of drawers looking at a photo of Ella’s father.

  “Mom, are you okay?”

  Rose looked at her, and nodded. “It’s at times like this when I miss your father the most.”

  “Is your hand hurting? Should I go get your pills?”

  Rose shook her head. “It’s not that.” She lapsed into a thoughtful silence before speaking again. “It’s just that we depended on each other for so many years. I’ll never understand how I could fall in love with a Christian preacher, a man so different from myself. But I still miss our endless arguments over Christianity and the Navajo Way. You appreciate your traditions much more when you have to explain and justify them to someone else,” she said with a sad smile.

  Ella thought about that for a moment. “I think you’ve got something there, Mom. Our modernists and traditionalists may be constantly at each other’s throats but, deep down, they’re all Dineh and they know it. The Anglos have it a lot worse. Many of them have no ethnic identity. They wander in the world, tribeless, trying to connect to something—a church, a social club, a career, anything that will give them a sense of belonging. That’s much harder when they don’t really have any roots like we do here on the Rez.”

  Rose gave her a gentle smile. “That observation sure took its time reaching your heart. Maybe you are learning.”

  Ella laughed. “Yeah, Mom, I’m slow, but I eventually get things right.”

  As Ella helped her mother into the kitchen, they passed Dawn in the living room, and saw that she’d curled up on the couch and had fallen asleep.

  Rose stopped to watch her grandchild for a minute. “Put her to bed first, then you can help me out. She deserves her sleep. She was very brave today.”

  “She’ll be fine for a little bit longer,” Ella whispered as she gently placed a crocheted blanket over her child. “Let me fix you some soup first.”

  Ella helped her mother to a seat in the kitchen and then, while Rose ate some warmed-up mutton stew and tortillas, went back to the living room. Before she could pick up Dawn, a soft knock sounded at the door and she hurried to answer it.

  It was Justine, who slipped in quickly to get out of the cold. “Hey, cousin,” she whispered, seeing Dawn asleep on the sofa. “I thought I’d stop by after my shift and see if there was anything I could do to help out. How’s Rose?”

  “She’s in the kitchen. Why don’t you keep Mom company for a few minutes while I put Dawn to bed?” she asked.

  Dawn stirred groggily as Ella picked her up. For the first time in weeks Dawn went to bed without a protest. Ella kissed her daughter’s forehead, then made sure she was warm, with plenty of blankets. Closing the child gate but leaving the door open, Ella walked back to the kitchen.

  By the time Ella joined her mother, Justine and Rose were talking easily. Ella pulled up a chair and as she listened to their conversation realized that Rose and Justine now had something in common. Part of Justine’s finger had been lost, costing her a certain amount of dexterity. Rose was now facing a similar situation, and that had created a new understanding between them.

  “The pain was difficult at first, but the worst of it came later when I had to accept it and adapt,” Justine said.

  “What worries me most is the doctor’s unwillingness to say much about the extent of the damage.”

  Hearing another knock at the door, Rose’s face brightened considerably. It suddenly occurred to Ella that having a houseful of people was just what her outgoing mother needed most to keep her mind off her current troubles.

  Ella saw Abigail Yellowhair, the widow of State Senator Yellowhair, standing at the door with a large bouquet of roses. Knowing Abigail’s political aspirations, she wondered if this was her way of campaigning.

  “Come in,” Ella said. “It’s freezing outside now with the wind.”

  Taking Abigail’s coat, she gave the woman a smile. “My mother’s going to love these flowers. Why don’t you take them to her? She’s in the kitchen. I’ll go find a vase.”

  In the few moments it took for Ella to find the vase and take the flowers from her mother’s hands, Rose’s mood had already improved by leaps and bounds. She was the center of attention and loving every second of it.

  “We’re looking for a homemaker’s helper,” Ella said, fixing coffee for everyone. “Preferably someone who can stay here until I get home, which may be quite late some times. If any of you hear of someone who might be interested, let us know.”

  “We need a traditionalist,” Rose said flatly.

  Abigail considered it for a moment, then spoke. “Do you know the head of the Plant Watchers?”

  “Yes, she and I are good friends,” Rose said. Lena Clani and she had known each other most of their adult lives.

  “Her granddaughter is looking for work,” Abigail continued. “She’s young, around nineteen. I, unfortunately, didn’t have a job I could offer her but, if you give her a call, you might be able to work something out with her.”

  “That’s a great suggestion!” Ella said. “Thanks.” Rose stood up unsteadily. “I better take my dog outside one last time tonight before the wind gets any colder.”

  “I’ll take Two out, Mom,” Ella said, noticing the mutt sitting anxiously by the door.

  Rose shook her head. “I can still take a few steps without your help, daughter. Take care of our guests.” Rose grabbed her coat from the hook, wrapped it around her like a cloak, turned on the porch light, and went outside with Two.

  Ella kept an eye on her mother from the kitchen window. “She’s as stubborn as a mule,” Ella muttered. “I love her, but she’s going to make me crazy someday.”

  Abigail laughed. “That’s the way it is with families, dear. With one hand you want to hug them to you, and with the other you want to push them out the door.”

  Ella and Justine laughed. “Well, it does make life interesting,” Ella agreed, walking back to the kitchen table.

  Seeing the glow of headlights on the wall, Ella stepped into the living room and took a look out the front window. “I think that’s Wilson Joe’s car.”

  “He’s probably looking for me,” Justine said, glancing at her watch. “I didn’t mean to stay this long. He was going to meet me at home and then take me to a dance on campus tonight.”

  Ella smiled, glad that the two were dating. Wilson would always be her friend, but they would never be anything more. There just hadn’t been any spark between them, though Wilson, at one time, would have cheerfully argued the point.

  “Can you let him in?” Ella asked Justine. “I’m going to get Mom and bring her back inside the kitchen before she freezes to death waiting for the dog to do his business.”

  “Sure.”

  Ella reached for her coat and put it on as she walked through the kitchen. By the time she joined her mother outside, Wilson had come around t
o the back with Justine to join Rose and the dog.

  Rose, seemingly unaffected by the frigid temperatures that had the rest of them shivering, looked at Ella casually. “You shouldn’t be out here, daughter. It’s much too cold, and we still have a guest. Let’s go back inside.”

  After saying good-bye to Justine and Wilson, Ella silently followed her mother and Two inside. Sometimes it didn’t pay to argue.

  It was seven-thirty the following morning when Gloria Washburn arrived.

  When Rose saw Gloria in her nurse’s uniform, she gave the young woman a look of pure disdain. “I do not need a nurse,” she said, then motioned Ella into the kitchen for a private word. “I would rather have my friend’s granddaughter here,” Rose hissed.

  “I’ll talk to her as soon as I can, but for today, at least, you’ll have to accept the nurse’s help.” Ella grabbed a homemade tortilla from the refrigerator and smeared butter on it. Just as she took a bite, the phone rang.

  “It’s for you,” Rose said with disapproval, not moving from her chair. “Calls this early always are.”

  Ella picked up the receiver, hurriedly swallowing, and heard Big Ed on the other end. “I want you and the crime-scene team to head over to Frank Goldman’s place. Someone blew up the pump to his well last night. Since he’s a vet, he needs to have plenty of water available for the sick animals he’s tending.” He lowered his voice. “And my wife’s horse is over there right now, recovering from surgery, so I’m taking a real dim view of this latest act of vandalism. Catch ’em, Shorty. I’ve just about had it with this crap.”

  Ella could hear the barely controlled anger in the chief’s voice. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do to get some evidence against these perps. Shall I check on Claire’s mare while I’m there?”

  “Yeah, please. Claire’s really upset over this.”

  As Ella hung up, she saw the worried look Rose gave her. “It’s another instance of vandalism,” Ella told her. “No one’s hurt, but it’s tricky,” Ella added, then explained.

  “Are you leaving now? Maybe the nurse can fix you something more for breakfast than just a tortilla.” Rose glanced at Gloria.

  “I’d be happy to,” Gloria said. “It won’t take long.”