Changing Woman

by Thurlo, David

  “Hey, Harry. Why don’t you come by tonight? Mom would love to see you.”

  “Does the invitation include dinner? I’m starving,” he said with a grin.

  “Yeah, but I’ll have to do the cooking.”

  “Oh.”

  Ella laughed. “Try not to look as if you think that means a serving of ptomaine with a side dish of salmonella, will ya?”

  “It’s not that. I just remember that your idea of breakfast is a tortilla with butter. I’d like my meals more substantial. I’m a growing boy.”

  “Hey, now it’s a matter of pride. Ya gotta come.” Harry laughed. “Okay. Let’s see what you can whip up, lady.”

  As Harry followed her home in his truck, Ella tried to quiet her conscience. The truth was that she’d had an ulterior motive for inviting Harry over tonight. She’d been gone all day and she had no idea how Gloria and Rose had gotten along. If there had been trouble, Ella knew Rose would keep a lid on it until after Harry left, and she could face an argument with her mom a lot better on a full stomach.

  She arrived forty-five minutes later. Knowing Harry was not far behind her, Ella hurried from her car. She could at least warn her mother and postpone any major problems. As Ella opened the front door, Gloria met her. The young woman had the wary look of someone just coming out of combat.

  “Was it that bad?” Ella asked softly, already suspecting the answer.

  Gloria gave her a wan smile. “Your mother, I think, will be better off with someone else. I’m no traditionalist, Ella, and I forget things like not using proper names. I just wasn’t raised with the old ways.”

  With only those few words Gloria had given Ella an accurate picture of how the day had gone. “Do me a favor?” Seeing her nod, Ella looked at her watch. “It’s not too late. Call Jennifer Clani and ask if she can take your place tomorrow. I’ll pay her whatever she asks. If she agrees, you’re off the hook.”

  “I’ll get her to come if I have to pay her myself.” Grabbing her coat, Gloria whispered good-bye and slipped out the door.

  Rose came out of the kitchen, anger putting a spark in her eyes. “You’ve been gone since early morning, daughter. For a modernist, you’ve never heard of a telephone?”

  Suddenly a man’s heavy footsteps sounded on the porch and, hoping for the best, Ella opened the door. Rose’s expression changed in the blink of an eye.

  “You’re back, Deputy Marshal!” Rose said with a bright smile. “And you’ve come to visit. That’s wonderful!”

  “Your daughter promised to cook dinner for me. I’m used to danger, so I accepted,” Harry teased.

  Rose looked at her daughter, a bemused expression on her face. “What do you plan to fix?”

  “Hot dogs?” Ella joked. “I wouldn’t want our guest to think I’m too domestic.”

  “Don’t worry, Investigator. Your image as a tough cop will remain safe,” Harry said. “But I thought we had a deal. You were going to cook something more substantial. Caving in already?”

  “Well, okay. I suppose a deal’s a deal. Let me see what we have in the cupboard. I can heat up a can of beans with the best of them.”

  Rose groaned. “Don’t worry,” she said, giving Harry a despairing look. “She can cook—with someone looking over her shoulder. I’ll supervise, and, providing she can follow a recipe, we may live through this meal.”

  “Hey, you two, you’re giving me a serious inferiority complex,” Ella protested.

  Harry burst out laughing. “You don’t have an insecure bone in your body.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” she said with a grin. Little did he know. “Keep each other company for a minute, okay? I’m going to go check on my kid.”

  Rose glanced back at Ella. “Be careful not to wake her. She hasn’t been herself today.”

  “Is she sick?”

  “No, I think she was just worried.”

  Sensing her mother didn’t want to discuss it further, Ella let it drop for now. She went to Dawn’s bedroom and tiptoed in. Her sleeping daughter looked completely at peace. Grateful that the craziness of her world had never touched her child, she brushed a gentle kiss on Dawn’s forehead, then tiptoed back out of the room.

  When Ella entered the kitchen a moment later, she saw Rose had brought a package of chicken patties out of the refrigerator. “You can pan fry these, make mashed potatoes and gravy, and heat up a can of green beans. Those are things you can fix.”

  “I’ll give it a go.”

  A half hour later, they sat around the kitchen table eating chicken cutlets smothered in green chile with mashed potatoes on the side. They’d all decided to forgo the gravy, which had showed a remarkable resemblance to gray cottage cheese.

  Rose took a small bite of the chicken. “You had to put olives in the chile sauce, didn’t you? Sometimes I wonder about my daughter,” she added, glancing at Harry. “She’d put olives in everything if I didn’t complain. I’ve even seen her opening a jar of those giant black olives and snacking on them late at night as she plays on her computer.”

  “We all have our vices,” Ella admitted. “I love olives. Green or black. I’m not really choosy, except I hate those stuffed with pimentos.”

  “This isn’t half bad,” Harry said as he took another bite. He was already on his second helping of chicken and potatoes.

  “I slave away at the stove after a hard day at the stakeout, and that’s the best compliment you can come up with?”

  “Hey, I know you pretty well by now. If I gave you too much of a compliment, you’d think I was lying.”

  Ella laughed. “Well, you still could have tried a little harder.”

  After everyone finished, Ella began to gather the plates. Rose stood, wanting to help, but Ella shook her head. “You’re not getting near the dishes, Mom.”

  “I’m used to picking up after myself. I can help.” Harry stood and started gathering the silverware.

  “In that case, I’m going to watch the late news and weather, and leave you two alone,” Rose said, walking out of the kitchen.

  “Can you believe that she’s never let me buy her a dishwasher?” Ella said as Harry helped her clear the rest of the table.

  “It’s not her way. Rose has lived all her life without one, and probably to her it would just be a waste of money.”

  “Yeah,” Ella agreed. “Mom always says she won’t pay for what she can do herself.”

  Ella washed while Harry dried and, all in all, it was a good arrangement, because it kept them close but physically out of contact. Ella wasn’t sure if she was going crazy or not, but the awareness between them was definitely growing, and the weeks they’d been apart only made his presence more exciting to her. She wanted to touch him, to have him touch her. She’d lived all her life being separate, but that’s not the way she wanted things to be between Harry and her right now.

  “Ella,” he said, his voice low. “I’ve been thinking—” He never got a chance to continue. His cell phone rang and he answered it. Excusing himself, Harry stepped across the kitchen, listened for a moment, then said something in reply and ended the connection. “That was Blalock, Ella. I’ll help you finish here, but then I’ve got to go. One of the people who live in the general vicinity of the hogan called the PD after the explosion. He saw a green van that he didn’t recognize racing away from the area. Big Ed had an officer follow up on it, and about an hour later a San Juan County deputy found an abandoned vehicle matching that description over in Aztec. The engine was still warm. I need to go over and check it out. Sheriff Taylor will meet me there with his crimescene team. Why don’t you come with me?”

  She shook her head. “That’s out of my jurisdiction. Although I’ve worked with Sheriff Taylor before, I don’t think he’d like it if I horned in, so I better stay here.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Very.” Ella dried her hands, and walked him to the door. “What were you going to say before?” she asked, stepping outside onto the porch with him.

  Harry stopped, t
hen stared at the ground for a moment. “Just that I’ve missed . . . New Mexico. I’m trying to get assigned a bit closer to home.” Harry leaned over and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “You better go back inside before you catch pneumonia.”

  Ella stood there for a moment as he drove away. Too many thoughts and feelings suddenly crowded her mind. Hearing Rose moving around in the kitchen, she came back inside, scarcely aware of the cold.

  “He likes you, daughter,” Rose said.

  “Mom, were you watching?”

  “I may have noticed you two outside.”

  “Mom!” Ella pretended to be offended, then walked off. At least this was one way to avoid a lengthy discussion with her mother right now, one she definitely wasn’t prepared to have.

  It was nearly eleven when a car pulled up in the driveway. Rose, who had been watching as Ella finished straightening the kitchen, walked to the window and peered out. “It’s your child’s father. I hope he doesn’t think he’s going to see her now.”

  Ella slipped on her jacket and shook her head. “I’ll go out to meet him.”

  Kevin was waiting by his sedan holding a package as she opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. Someone else was driving, probably Jefferson Blueeyes. The two were like twins attached at the hip these days.

  At least Kevin had shown enough good sense and manners to respect Navajo customs and not come up to the door uninvited, particularly at this late hour. Ella waved at him to come inside. She’d initially planned on talking to him outside on the porch, but it was just too cold.

  “Where’s your mother?” Kevin asked, following her in. He was as good-looking as always, but he looked tired. His tie was loosened at his neck, and his eyes were bloodshot.

  “Probably in bed,” Ella said pointedly.

  “I know it’s terribly late,” he said, “but I brought a present for Dawn, and I thought you could give it to her when she wakes up tomorrow. I meant to be here hours ago, but things got crazy. It’s been a long week.”

  Ella took the brightly wrapped package from him. “What did you get her?”

  “It’s a new stuffed dinosaur. The one she’s been carrying around is faded and practically falling apart.”

  Ella fought the urge to roll her eyes. “The reason it’s in that condition is because she carries it around everywhere. It’s her pal. I’ll give her your new one, but don’t expect her to discard the old one for the new. She’s not like that.”

  Kevin didn’t pursue it. “I also came by to talk to you,” he said quietly, looking her up and down from head to foot. “I heard about the bomb at the abandoned hogan. Are you all right?”

  “Of course. Don’t I look okay?” she asked rhetorically.

  “I was worried, Ella. I sure wish you’d settle on a little less dangerous job, or else take a staff position.” He paused then added, “Why don’t you come work for me?”

  Ella stared at him in confusion. “As what?”

  “I’m sure the Tribal Council could find some use for your talents. Maybe conducting background checks on tribal employees, or serving as police consultant for the council. It could be a job you work eight to five, with weekends off.”

  “Kevin, let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you to find me a job, or create one for me. I’m happy where lam.”

  “You’ve had an inordinate amount of good luck, Ella. But things are different now, and someday your luck may run low. Our child needs you alive and healthy.”

  “She has me, on both counts. I’m here for her. And, just so you know, very few cops actually get killed in the line of duty.”

  “But a lot of them get shot at, or shot.”

  “More Navajos the in traffic accidents. You want me to get a horse?”

  He shook his head. “Try a mule. You’d have more in common.”

  “If you’re trying to sweet talk me into doing what you want, you’re not getting anywhere.”

  He met her gaze. “If I could sweet talk you, I would. But I’d have better luck persuading a brick wall to sing a song. When you’re convinced you’re doing the right thing, nothing ever sways you.”

  “Is that so bad?” Ella asked softly.

  Kevin thought about it. “In this case, it is, because you’re wrong this time, Ella. You really are. You owe your child more than this.”

  Ella tried to bite back her anger, but was only partially successful. “Now you’re crossing the line into the part of my life that’s none of your business. My daughter has the best I can give her. I’m in an important, satisfying job that pays the bills and often even lets us get a few extras. I provide for my family, Kevin. I’ve never asked you for a dime—which is a good thing, since months go by sometimes before you remember to send some money to contribute to your daughter’s expenses. But I don’t mind, I really don’t. Just don’t spout this stuff about the responsibilities of motherhood to me. I’m here for her on a daily basis, which is far more than anyone can say about you.”

  “I’m working for the tribe now, representing the People. I have serious responsibilities.”

  “And what am I doing? Serving fry bread at the Totah Cafe? You know more than most people what I do for the tribe, so I’m surprised you’d even dare to make a comparison. Leave, Kevin. It’s late and I’m in no mood for this.”

  Kevin stood his ground. “I have to tell you something else first. I’m going off to To’hajiilee on tribal business in the morning. I want to talk to everyone on the Rez about the gaming issue and get their feelings on the issue before I vote. That means I’ll be on the road a lot and I won’t be stopping by as often.”

  Ella shook her head. “You mean from ’hardly ever’ to ’almost never’?”

  “Tell Dawn, okay? Make her understand.”

  Rose came in then, wearing her robe and warm slippers. “Would you like some coffee?”

  The invitation surprised Kevin, but not as much as it did Ella.

  “I’m sorry, Rose. I can’t stay. I’ve got my assistant in the car waiting for me.”

  Rose nodded curtly. “Before you vote on the question of gambling, remember that nearly all of the traditionalists are opposed to it. For every good thing gaming will bring, it will take away something we value. We already have alcoholism to deal with, but the casinos will bring in a new addiction—the illness which comes when people think they can get rich overnight. There are many poor people here who will be tempted to spend what little they have on the slot machines. Then they’ll pawn everything they own to raise a few more dollars to gamble. After that, they’ll have nothing.”

  “With the money gaming will bring in, we can put programs in place to help those poor people,” Kevin argued. “There are familles who don’t even have a working woodstove, and it gets below zero a lot in the winter. The tribe needs to have a plan—and the funds—to help them. There’s also something else to consider. The casinos would create many new jobs for our people. The Dineh wouldn’t have to leave the reservation just to find work. I’d really like people to understand exactly what they stand to gain, so they can make an informed decision.”

  “I’m not saying that there aren’t advantages. I’m saying that the disadvantages, in the long run, will outweigh the benefits. The council has to consider both sides of that issue very carefully,” Rose countered.

  “We are. That’s why I’m going to visit many different communities. I want to see how they feel about things, and get an idea of what the People would like. The council works for all the tribe, not for themselves.”

  “When we’ve had referendums before, the People have always said no to gambling,” Rose reminded him.

  “Yes, but I want to see how people feel now, especially after such a hard year. Adversity often changes people’s minds. Then I’ll vote according to what I perceive is the will of the majority.”

  He checked his watch. “I’ve got to go now.” He glanced at Ella. “Take care of our daughter and tell her I came by.”

  “You don’t have
to worry about her,” Rose said. “I’ve always said that she needed a father figure who’d be around more, but my granddaughter has already become friends with her mother’s marshal friend. He was here again for dinner tonight.”

  Ella stared at her mother as she ambled away slowly. At that moment, she could have cheerfully throttled her.

  “Harry Ute’s been dropping by?” Kevin asked as soon as they were alone.

  “Yeah. One way or another we always seem to end up working together,” Ella said with a shrug.

  “But how often can that be? He’s not assigned to this area.”

  “Not yet, but he soon could be,” Ella answered. Kevin held her eyes. “And you plan on dating him?” “Look, Kevin, your aide is probably frozen by now. You better go.”

  “Answer me.”

  “It’s really none of your business; but, yes, I intend to see him when he’s around.”

  Kevin’s eyes narrowed, and he gave her a curt nod, then left.

  Ella instantly regretted having given Kevin any information about Harry. Kevin knew how to pull strings. Hopefully he wouldn’t be able to interfere with Harry’s intentions to relocate closer to home. From now on, she’d watch what she told Kevin.

  “Don’t worry, daughter. He can’t hurt your friend in any way,” Rose said, returning to the room and reading Ella’s expression. “He’d be risking his career if he tried to block a Navajo from getting reassigned to this area and anyone found out.”

  Ella exhaled softly. “Mom, you shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “I was only trying to motivate him to visit my granddaughter more often. She’s so happy when he comes,” Rose said.

  “He loves her in his own way, Mom, and no matter how aggravating things get between us, he’s my daughter’s father. Our relationship may not have worked out, but what came of it is beyond price,” she said gesturing toward Dawn’s room.

  Rose nodded thoughtfully. “But not all relationships lead to disillusionment, daughter. You should settle down and marry your marshal friend. You’d make each other happy because you understand one another so well.” She paused. “But maybe you need a little help.”