****************************************************************************
  *                          "NEW TO TEACHING LOVE"                          *
  *                                (part 15)                                 *
  *                              by Vince Water               August 9, 2005 *
  ****************************************************************************
  |  Copyright 2005-2006 by Vince Water                       Corrected 5/06 |
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Jesse has just polished off three drumsticks and a portion of creamed
  corn. He sips water from his glass. I'm glad that my lover has his appetite
  back. When Falling back inside himself, Jes forgets about the needs of the
  flesh. He's Pulled energy out of me to make up for that but I'm left feeling
  exhausted after these two days and it explains why I fainted earlier. Now
  that our Connection is back, he's back to normal. Jake has seen this
  remarkable change in his cousin and so has Winna. She's watched her son
  eating like a hungry beast, him smiling at her conversation with Fr. McMillan
  and Jake, and his eyes focused on them instead of being cast off to the side
  in autistic avoidance. I nodded at the woman's unspoken question upon me when
  our eyes met. She knows now. Jesse and I are alright.

     I'm trying not to look too often at Jesse but I can't help myself. He
  meets my gaze with love shining in his eyes every time. That joyful glow of
  being back Together hasn't faded. That truly was a miracle at the fountain.

     :You've forgiven yourself, Short Hair.:

     I'm nodding. My thoughts become guarded when I think about the price. This
  Monday, I won't be accepting Mr. Benton's plea bargain but fight him. He'll
  be going after my ass in court wielding Ron's diary like a weapon that'll
  cut deep in me, Jesse, his mother, Running Water and the whole tribe! I'm
  not without a weapon of my own. When next we meet, I'm gonna Glean Mr. Benton
  for all the cheating he's done as a prosecutor. Even if it means blackmailing
  him so he'll back off from my case, I will. He has to face the consequences
  of his own sins.

     Jesse gives me a questioning glance. I'd broken Contact just now when
  hiding my thoughts from him. A deep yawn fills my mouth.

     :Gloomy thoughts, love?:

     :Yeah.: He knows I'm doing that when my thoughts are guarded. I cast aside
  my legal woes to concentrate on where I am now. A smile returns to my lips.
  Wow. Jesse has a really cute younger cousin. And he's gay! I'd allowed him
  to See how much we love each other as a couple in that joyous moment when
  Jes and I reConnected. I wanted Jake to know. For a brief moment, he'd let
  his guard down where I'd Felt his surprise, envy mixed with awe and then fear.
  His great fear about something before his shields snapped back up. Ever since
  we've returned to the dining room, Jake hasn't looked at me. I'm doing so now.
  The boy feels my eyes on him but he ignores me. I listen to the conversation.

     "... very good grades and he's well liked by his teachers," the Father
  says with pride. "Jake has been very helpful with fixing up the computers
  donated to our school. He's a wonder with them."

     Jake shrugs his shoulders like that's no big deal but he's drinking in
  the praise. "I take the best parts from those computers to end up with a
  working one. Companies purchase what's newest on the market. We get computers
  only a few years old that's still got some life in them."

     I enter their discussion. "That's a real skill, Jake. I'm not knowledgeable
  with computer hardware. My expertise is on the software side where I've coded
  educational programs that are being sold in stores." Jake glances at me for a
  moment. His eyes had lit up but he looks away while I'm Sensing that fear
  from him again. Why is he scared of me? Before, he detested my relationship
  with his cousin thinking I'd been taking advantage of Jesse due to his
  autism. He knows that's not so after Jes told him that we're lovers and
  returned to being 'normal'.

     :Jake isn't scared of you, love, but what he's trying to hide from us.:

     :Do you know what it is?:

     :No. When I get the chance to touch him again, I'll Peek in and find out.:

     :Hey! That's not right, Jes. Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn scolded me for
  Gleaning things from people, especially family. He's said that grandfather
  will be giving us a talk about the morality of using our Father's gifts.:
  That gives my lover something to think about. I'm covering my mouth to hide
  a yawn. I sure am tired! Hearing Winna speak my name draws my attention back
  to the spoken conversation around the table.

     "... an MS-Word class at the community college I attended," says Winna.
  "He's a very good teacher."

     "Is that how Mike met your son?" asks Jake.

     I'm cringing inside. The way he said that isn't lost on Fr. McMillan who
  gives Jesse and me another look. Winna quickly speaks up.

     "Mike is considered a good friend of my People. He defended my son from
  two corrupt police officers when they attacked Jesse outside his trailer and
  invaded my home in search of a sacred bundle belonging to our tribe. That
  matter has ended up in court."

     I'm relieved that she didn't say that I am the one being charged. Jake has
  been scolded by his aunt in a round about way (so typically Indian of her)
  that's diverted the Father's attention from Jake's comment about us. He looks
  at Winna hoping that she'll say more about that incident with them police
  officers but she doesn't, rubbing her forehead as if from fatigue.

     "It's been a long day. We've driven all night to get here and I'm tired."

     "Me too, mom. Thank you for the meal, Father McMillan."

     "You're welcome, Jesse." He rises from his chair which gets Jake jumping
  to his feet. "I'm excusing you from classes and your duty assignments for the
  rest of this week so that you can visit with your family."

     "Thank you, Father." Jake looks at his aunt uneasily.

     I see something in the boy's face. The way he looks at Winna gives me the
  impression that he's of mixed minds about her visit. He's mad that family
  hasn't come to see him before this. No one knew! Now that she's here, will
  Jake be able to mourn over his mother's death?

     "You can come visit again tomorrow at ten," says Fr. McMillan.

     "Thank you. We will." Winna offers to hug Jake before she leaves and he
  reluctantly accepts but he's quick with it.

     I give Jesse a worried glance. :We're like strangers to him. Out of the
  blue, your mother arrives saying that she's Jake's aunt but I don't think
  it's sunk in yet.:

     :I know, love. That's what our visit is for so we can get to know each
  other better. He'll warm up to us.:

     I hope so. Jake needs to know he has family who care for him, even love
  him in spite of the separation of years. Winna can bring him back into the
  fold. Jes, too. I'm not expecting Jake to warm up to me as easily after we
  started off on a bad foot. His first impression about our relationship was
  typical. That I'm 'taking advantage' of Jesse due to his autism that makes
  my lover appear much younger than he really is. On top of all that, the boy
  fears me. He's scared that I'll Look at him and know all his dirty secrets.
  I won't do that. I can't! He can Glean people too and block when others with
  Power try it on him. I wonder if Jes could even Peek into his cousin. Jake
  may be able to block that too.

     I'm holding the back of my chair for support when a wave of fatigue comes
  over me. Man! I haven't recovered from that long drive last night and Jesse
  Pulling on my strength today.

     "Are you up to driving back to our motel?" asks Winna.

     She's at my side with concern showing on his face. "Yeah. It's not that
  far to Mission." Jake escorts us through the building in silence. I'm trying
  to stifle yawns. When the cold air hits my face, that helps keep me awake.
  Jesse shakes hands with his cousin. Winna peers at her nephew who becomes
  shy, dropping his eyes and muttering "goodbye" to us. We head for my pickup
  truck in the lot.


     I've driven through the city of Rosebud. No one has said a word since
  leaving the school though Winna often looks in my direction, opening her
  mouth but she doesn't say anything. I'm feeling exhausted. We can talk about
  our impressions of Jake in the morning.

     Winna sighs. "He knows... doesn't he, Mike?"

     She's caught me in a yawn but I give her a sad nod.

     "My cousin is very perceptive, mom. It wasn't Mike's fault that he's
  figured us out."

     "How did he react?" asks Winna.

     "I think he's okay with it. Maybe a bit startled at first, and angry at
  Mike because he thought..."

     "Are the two of you alright now?"

     "Yes, mom. Our special bond returned to us in the garden."

     I'm glad that Jes doesn't say more about what happened. We know that Jake
  is gay and that he shares my gift of Gleaning people. He Saw us as lovers.
  Winna becomes silent as if deep in thought. Twilight has fallen so all my
  concentration is needed to keep this truck on the road. My eyes are playing
  tricks on me. I'm seeing transparent worm wiggles that I try blinking away.
  Another yawn fills my mouth.

     I turn right onto Rt. 18 that'll get us to Mission in about twenty
  minutes. I'm going straight to bed. No shower, no watching T.V. and sadly,
  I'm not even up to cuddling with Jesse. Too damn tired.

     :That's alright, love. You need sleep so I'll just hold you in my arms.:

     I sure do after today's events. A smile comes to my lips. I've replaced
  Brown Bear in Jesse's bed that he used to cling to at night. Now, that
  stuffed animal watches us from his honored position between our pillows. He's
  probably feeling lonely without us being at home.

     :You're much nicer to hug,: Says Jesse. :The front of Brown Bear was
  getting kind of worn.:

     :Were you often rubbing yourself against him?: Jesse won't Answer me.
  :Well. You can 'wear me out' until my stitching fails and I grow old and ugly
  in the years ahead.:

     :Oh, love! I'll be holding you until the end of our days.:

     I hope that'll be for many years to come. Owopspec lost his lover when
  the boy was nearly eighteen. They barely had three years to be together. I
  want Jesse and me to grow old together.

     "What did you think of Jake?" asks Jesse of his mother.

     "He's so... big for a boy his age."

     "Even taller than me," I add. Very muscular too with a great looking ass.
  I've kept those latter comments to myself.

     "He is my sister's son," assures Winna. "Jake looks like you, Jes-ee-ah.
  His face, I mean. There are recognizable Blackfoot features in spite of being
  half Mexican..." The woman's voice trails off.

     I don't need to Glean Winna (won't do that to her anymore) to know that
  she's thinking about Jake's father. Where is he now? Why did Judy leave their
  little son with the Rosebud school instead of with her husband's family? How
  was she murdered?! I hear Jesse gasp.

     :My Aunt Judy was murdered?: Asks Jesse.

     :You didn't know?: No. He didn't. :I found out myself today from that lady
  doctor attending me this afternoon. She said that the news hit Jake hard.:

     :He told us that her death was five years ago but he'd only learned of it
  recently. Nothing about her being murdered! Do you know how?:

     :No. What else did Jake tell you when I was in the doctor's office?:

     :Not much,: Answers Jesse. :Mom tried asking him about her sister but
  Jake said that he didn't want to talk about it right now.:

     "What are your impressions of Jake?" asks Winna.

     She's asking if Jes and I have Looked into the boy with our special gifts.

     "He's hiding himself," answers Jesse. "Not even his grief shows."

     "I've noticed that too." Winna sighs. "That's why we came down to see Jake
  so he can be with family to mourn over his mother's death. I can't reach him.
  He doesn't want to talk about it."

     I hear Winna's concern mixed with frustration. "It was only our first day
  with Jake. That was a shock for him, his aunt's sudden appearance after all
  these years so he needs to get used to the idea of having family. I think
  he'll be more open to you tomorrow, Winna."

     "I hope so."

     I'm Sensing from Jes that he hopes his mom will reveal what she was told
  by Fr. McMillan when they had that long talk together, both in his office and
  after dinner last night when we were in the garden. Maybe she knows how her
  sister was murdered, who did it, and why it's taken so long for Jake to learn
  about it. How much does the boy know?

     Winna is telling us her plans for tomorrow. We're to get up at 8:30, eat
  breakfast and then head to Jake's school so he can show us around. I'm trying
  to keep awake but that's becoming hard. The headlights from an oncoming car
  nearly blinds me. It passes by in a whoosh of wind that sweeps me Away.

     Them wiggly worms in my eyes dig into my skull and down into my body. I've
  long since left my grave in my Flight to the Above. Jesse is with me. Our
  Flight to that joyous Place leaves behind pain, all our care and doubts. We
  Join with all the Others who've walked for a time in flesh...

     "Mike!" shouts Jesse. :Pull over to the side of the road!:

     I snap awake. Jes helps me turn the steering wheel to the right from where
  my truck had drifted into the other lane. I'm easing on the gas. The engine
  stalls on the shoulder when I fail to stift in neutral.

     "Are you alright, Mike?"

     Winna is really concerned. She should be; I almost drove us off the road.
  "Sorry about that. I'm so sleepy!" Yawns are springing from my mouth like
  there's no tomorrow. I hear a door opening. Jes pulls me over to the right
  along the seat, setting my weary head on his shoulder. Winna closes the
  driver's side door and starts the engine. I'm held safe in my lover's arms.
  Sleep takes me.

     I toss and turn over a bed that seems too soft. Is my rifle close at hand?
  I'm not gonna make that same mistake again since it had nearly cost us our
  lives! Part of me wonders about my thinking. Chris never held a rifle and I
  sure haven't. He'd been gifted that White blade Owopspec took off a dead
  blue-coat. He'd never wielded it in his hand against another. Eli Kie did.
  I'm feeling a cold line drawn across my throat after that evil man raped me.
  'Owopspec!' I Cry out.

     :I'm here, love!:

     My eyes snap open to find Jesse crouching over me. He's naked, water
  dripping from his long hair onto my face. I'm rushing to hug him.

     :It's alright. You just had a bad dream,: assures Jesse.

     I'm clinging to my lover. When the terror fades, I pull Jes on top of me
  in bed. My hands rub over his moist back to assure me that this is real. His
  soft butt sure is. I'm fondling it, getting a swift hard on.

     :Later, love!: scolds Jesse. :You need to get up and take a shower.:

     :What time is it?:

     :Eight. In the morning!:

     "Oh." A sly grin comes to my lips. :That gives us half an hour to...:

     :Mom will be pounding on our door in fifteen minutes!:

     Yeah. She'd woke us up early yesterday morning from being anxious to see
  Jake. :Do we have enough time for a kiss?:

     :For you, love. Always!:

     I'm given a really long kiss with Jesse cradling my face in his hands.
  My naughty hand has lifted to his back. :I can hardly wait until we go on our
  honeymoon. We can get up when we want or just stay in bed all day! A phone
  call to order food...:

     :No room service out in the plains, love.:

     Oh, yeah. I've asked Jesse if we could spend our honeymoon like Chris and
  Owopspec had done to get away from their tribe. Just the two of them on a
  horse wandering in the wilderness. No destination. It was a good way to get
  to know each other better admits all their love making. I'd want that for Jes
  and me.

     :We will, love. I promise. For now, can you please get your ass out of bed
  and take a shower?: He pinches his nose.

     I'm laughing. Jesse helps me to my feet and I'm relieved that my head
  doesn't feel faint. It sure was yesterday. I can't even remember getting into
  bed so he Tells me what happened last night. Winna drove us the rest of the
  way to our motel. They carried me into the room where I've slept like a log
  until this morning.


     My shower has revitalized me. I'm ready to face anything today! I sure
  hope that Jake will open up to Winna and give her some of the answers she's
  been waiting for ever since her sister ran away. The boy needs to grieve.
  He'd cried some with Jesse and his mom yesterday. Then he hid behind a mask
  where no one could reach his pain. Jake became that typical 'cool teen' you
  expect of someone his age with lots of charm thrown in. Charming towards
  everyone except me, that is.

     :It could be worse, love. Jake might of chased after your ass with me
  having to pull him off you.:

     Peeking on my thoughts again! That's my fault for not guarding them from
  Jesse. I respond to what he's Said. :Maybe he doesn't like white guys.:

     :Maybe. But with you being so cute and all, why wouldn't he?:

     I enter the bedroom. Jes is already dressed and he gives me a once over.
  :How do I look?:

     :Good enough to eat!:

     I'm attacked by this Indian. He mouths over my hairy chest, sucking on
  both my nipples and goes downwards. My navel is stuck into by his tongue.
  That tickles! I palm Jesse's cute little ears when he kisses lower on me...

     A few loud knocks on our door. Jes hears them but he continues mouthing
  over my balls.

     :Told you. Mom wants to make sure that we got up on time.:

     :And to prevent any 'delays'.: Jesse kisses my cock before looking up at
  me with a sly grin. I'm lifting him into my arms. His eyes close when I press
  my mouth over his in a sweet kiss.

     More knocking, louder this time. We ignore his mother until our morning
  kiss is enjoyed to our satisfaction. Then Jes scurries over to the door. I'm
  rushing to put on clothes that he's set over the bed for me.

     "Mom! We're up already. Mike's dressing so we'll be out in a few minutes."
  The door is closed. I'm giving Jes a wicked grin and when it seems like he's
  gonna attack me again, I hold out my hand to him in warning. :Later, love.:
  Those were his own words I'm throwing back at him. He sticks out his tongue.


     We're finishing breakfast at that restaurant across the street. Winna had
  been apprehensive at first to come back here after what happened to her son
  yesterday. We weren't Connected then. Well. At least not to where I'm able to
  filter our all that noise for Jesse like I am now. His autism isn't as
  pronounced so he can be normal. His mother gave me a grateful look when we
  ordered our food. Jes had kidded our waitress about ordering more nuts to top
  his pancakes as if the squirrels would get mad by his greediness. My lover is
  back to being that young man I've fallen in love with from that shy kid I'd
  first spied on in my class. His mother is happy about that too.

     "It's going to be a good day, mom."

     Jesse's right. During our walk across the street, I saw that clear blue
  sky and how warm the morning sun felt on my neck. The promise of a nice
  summer day. Winna sighs with relief, getting me to realize what Jes really
  meant. He's assured his mother that it's going to be a good visit with Jake.

     "My nephew will be showing us around his school this morning," says Winna.

     I'm curious to see a Jesuit school for Native kids in this day and age.
  Missionaries had taken Indian children from their parents and put them in a
  kind of military school for 'reeducation'. They had to wear White clothes,
  warned (under threat of punishment) only to speak English, given White names
  and had their hair cut short. Hmm. Jake wore his hair long. At least to his
  shoulders so there's been some lax in Jesuit policies in that regard. The
  school's brochure said that its buildings had been burned down to the ground
  in 1969. It didn't say by whom though I suspect it could have been by the
  Indians who were angered by the way their children had been treated by the
  missionaries of old. I'm thinking that's so because the brochure mentioned a
  pledge made by the Jesuits to the Lakota Sioux that they'll respect Native
  beliefs from now on.

     I notice Winna's eyes glaring at me like she's angry or something. "What?"

     "Jake may only suspect that you're with my son. The Headmaster, too. I
  would appreciate it if you don't say or do anything that'll confirm it."

     I'm nodding in reply to her wishes. Hey. Why didn't she also ask Jesse to
  be more careful? He's the one who blurted out to Jake that we're lovers!

     "Mom. It's not Mike's fault. Like I've told you, Jake is very perceptive."

     The way my lover emphasized that last word draws his mother's attention.

     "You mean like how Short Hair can See what a person is inside?"

     Winna always uses my Indian name when mentioning my Power. Jesse nods in
  reply. I'll explain to her what I suspect. "I don't think Jake can Glean as
  strongly as I can but he does have that ability."

     "What have you Seen in my nephew?" asks Winna.

     I'm shaking my head. "He's blocking me. I've Felt him trying to See me too
  but I don't let him. Jesse scolded him for being impolite. It seems that
  Jake didn't consciously realize that he's been doing that to people. I'm not
  doing that to family anymore." I said that to assure Winna.

     "Could Jake do that to me?"

     I Sense the woman's fear. "Yes... But like I've said, his ability to Glean
  didn't Feel that strong. Maybe Jake only gets an impression of who someone is
  as a person; their likes and dislikes and if their heart is good. Not details
  of what they've done like I can." I'm peering at Jesse. "We've been given
  Power by that spirit Passed into us from the sacred bundle. Jake was born
  with that natural ability just as Jes-ee-ah was to read a person's thoughts
  and know how they're feeling."

     Winna turns to her son. "Have you picked up anything from Jake when you've
  touched him?"

     Jesse shakes his head back and forth. "That wouldn't be polite." He lifts
  his glass of orange juice and quickly drinks it down.

     "Are you holding something back from me, Jes-ee-ah?"

     My lover becomes uncomfortable. Winna used her stern 'motherly' tone on
  him and that gets me angry. "We're not gonna use our Powers on Jake. Okay?
  He's family, isn't he? I've been scolded by both Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn
  and grandfather for Gleaning family! Let's try to get to know the boy by
  talking with him and build up his trust. He'll Sense if we try to cheat."

     Winna releases a sigh. "Very well. I hope that Jake will open up to me
  today. He did for that brief moment when I'd held him."

     I remember that. After Jake had ran from Fr. McMillan's office after
  learning that Winna was his aunt, Jesse pulled his hands from the post and
  Spoke to him mind to mind. Well, maybe not in words but in feelings that
  helped calm Jake. He was crying. Winna held the boy close to comfort him.
  Yet ever since then, he's been hiding behind a mask. I know that his
  smiles and charm are only for show to keep others from seeing his pain.

     "We have three days to get to know him, mom."

     The woman shakes her head. "So little time to get everything done."

     That was an odd remark. I'm not gonna Glean what she meant but I suspect
  what that is. Will Jake want to live with us in Havre?

     The waitress sets our check near my plate. Before I can look it over,
  Winna insists on paying. Sure. I'll make up for that by paying for our next
  meal. We get up from our booth. Winna strides ahead to the register where
  another man is paying his bill. He's Native. The two exchange glances. He
  says something that gets Winna smiling. Before we reach them, I'm nudged in
  the ribs by Jes. Huh?

     :Let's go to the restroom,: urges Jesse.

     :I don't need to...:

     :Yes you do!: My cock tingles when I suspect what my lover has in mind.
  Winna notices us heading away. She shyly turns to that man beside her.

     :Boy. You are pretty wool headed for a guy who can Glean people and all.:

     :What do you mean by that? Hey. I've promised not to do that to your mom
  anymore!: We've reached the men's room and go in. Jes stands before a urinal
  and I reluctantly unzip my fly. He hasn't Answered me.

     :You can still use your eyes, silly. Didn't you notice the way that man
  looked at my mom? And she, him?:

     My eyes widen in surprise. :She's a married woman!: Then it hits me, how
  lonely it must have been for Winna them years after her husband ran away. We
  linger before the urinals. I've been holding my cock for a while but can't
  bring myself to pissing. Not that I needed to go in the first place.

     :So that's what it looks like asleep.:

     I shake my cock teasingly at Jes. :Give it a moment, then your ass better
  run for them there hills!:

     :I'd rather dig in my feet and take it.:

     We both end up laughing. I'm looking around but there's no one in the
  restroom but us. All the stall doors are open. We zipper up, take our time
  washing our hands with smirks on our faces and only then go find his mother.
  She's not in the restaurant anymore. We race outside.

     "We're going to be late," says Winna.

     I'm looking at my watch. Hmm. Don't think so. Jesse is looking around
  for someone.

     "You let him get away, mom?"

     Winna blushes. It's a noticeable coloring to her face that's amazing since
  Indian complexions are already pretty dark. She strides across the street. We
  run to catch up, get into my truck and I'm turning onto the street.

     "It's alright, mom. You deserve to be with someone."

     "Jes-ee-ah!"

     Winna glances at me in embarrassment for what her son has said. "I thought
  he was good looking." I'd only caught a glimpse of that man's face and sure
  didn't have a clue that anything was going on between Jesse's mom and him.

     "I'm still married," whispers Winna.

     Jesse releases a sharp hiss. "Your husband hasn't honored his vow to you.
  We don't know where's he ended up or who he is with."

     "I honor my vows," defends Winna.

     Jesse thinks about that for a moment. "It wasn't your fault that he ran
  away. From both of us! I don't want you punishing yourself anymore."

     Winna gives her son a startled look. She's no longer seeing Jesse as the
  little boy he was. :Let's not say anything more to her about it.:

     :I know, love. We've given her enough to think about and I hope that
  she'll break out of playing 'mom' and realize that she's also a woman.:

     The rest of our drive is in silence. We've passed through sleepy Rosebud
  and enter the school's tree lined entrance. Winna is growing anxious. Jesse
  holds her hand, exchanging glances with her and he smiles in an assuring way.
  I'm parking in the lot near the administrative building.


     "Mr. Yager?"

     Rosemary has come out to the entrance hall to meet us. "Yes?"

     "Your attorney has called. Here's his number where you can reach him."

     I'm muttering my thanks to her while feeling that heavy weight returning
  to my shoulders coming from my legal woes. "Where can I find a phone?" I'm
  hoping it's not in her office since I don't want anyone overhearing my
  conversation with Mr. Talbert.

     "There are pay phones over there." Rosemary points down the hall. She
  turns to Winna. "I'll have Jake brought here."

     "Thank you."

     I'm giving Winna and Jes a mournful look. My troubles have found me. They
  wait in the entrance hall while I go find a phone. Rosemary has returned to
  her office and closes the door. There are two pay phones on the wall. I ain't
  got any change on me but before I use that as an excuse not to call, it
  occurs to me to call my attorney 'collect'. I'm dialing the operator.


     "Mike! I'm glad that you've called," says Mr. Talbert.

     "You found me." I'm dreading what he has to say. "What is it?"

     "I was concerned after you left my office Tuesday."

     "I'm really sorry about that."

     "Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn has told me that you've driven Winna and her
  son down to South Dakota to meet with her nephew in Rosebud."

     "His name is Jake."

     "Mike. You should have informed me so I could have stopped you. By leaving
  Hill County without permission, you've violated your bail agreement and are
  subject to arrest."

     "I didn't know that! Are the police looking for me?"

     "No. They don't know that you're in South Dakota. You must appear in court
  this Monday at 10 A.M."

     "I'll be there."

     Mr. Talbert pauses a moment before speaking again. "What is in Ron's diary
  that's upset you? Does it hurt your case? I can't think how since Mr. Earlman
  died before you could have met him."

     My thoughts are racing. I don't want to tell him and come up with an
  excuse not to. "I'm not going to say anything about it on the phone." That
  reminds me about something else. "Did you leave a message on Winna's
  answering machine for me?"

     "Yes. I simply asked you to give me a call."

     "Mr. Benton has Winna's phone tapped. He's heard everything that we've
  been saying to each other!"

     "I don't believe that, Mike. It requires a court order to tap a phone."

     "He has obtained that order for Winna's phone. Believe me." I'd Gleaned
  that from Mr. Benton at the Discovery meeting. I was a suspect in Lt. Scott
  Danielson's murder and that's why the judge granted it.

     "Even if that's true, they'd have to stop listening to a conversation
  between an attorney and his client. It's the law."

     "That wouldn't have stopped Mr. Benton. He's a no good cheating prosecutor!
  I know he is even if you don't believe me."

     "Actually, I do Mike." Mr. Talbert lets that sink in before explaining the
  reason for his call. "Mr. James came to my office yesterday to offer us his
  services as an attorney. He's very experienced in criminal law."

     Where have I heard that man's name before? "Who is he?"

     "The former D.A. of Hill County."

     "Really? Why would he want to help me?"

     "He lost the last election, Mike."

     Ahh. That man has an axe to grind!

     "I need your written permission before he can defend you."

     "I'm not gonna be back in Havre until Monday morning."

     "I realize that, Mike. He's a very good attorney and he's offered his
  services pro bono."

     Wow. He really does hate the current D.A. to defend me for free! "If you
  think he should represent me, I'll go for it."

     "That's my advice to you. Even though Mr. James isn't officially your
  attorney yet, I've allowed him to review the Discovery given us by Mr. Benton
  along with what I collected from the Havre Police station. Nothing about our
  defense strategy as yet."

     "Okay."

     "Mike. He's found a discrepancy in the search warrant."

     I'm trying to think what he means. "That search warrant to arrest me?"

     "Yes. After your 'assault' on Lt. Danielson, the judge issued a warrant to
  search your trailer and Mrs. Winnapah's home for any evidence in connection
  to that crime along with finding you. Only those two addresses were listed in
  the warrant given me by the Havre Police upon my request."

     "The police also searched Shaman He-who-runs-up-mountains' home! They
  didn't find me." That's because I'd ran out the back with grandfather to hide
  in the woods.

     "I know. Mrs. Winnapah has signed a statement that her uncle's house was
  searched over her protest, the supposed warrant shoved in her face but not
  given her as required by law." Mr. Talbert can't contain his excitement.
  "Mike! At Tuesday's Discovery meeting, Mr. Benton presented me with a copy of
  that search warrant that now lists Shaman He-who-runs-up-mountains' home. He
  didn't know that I'd obtained a copy myself directly from the Havre Police
  station shortly after you surrendered to them."

     "So what does that mean?"

     "Someone added He-who-runs-up-mountains' address to the judge's search
  order which compounds the illegality to those officers' search of his home."

     "You mean like a cover up?"

     "Yes. Someone is going to get into a lot of trouble because of that."

     "If it's Mr. Benton..." I'm getting real excited now.

     "I doubt the prosecutor would dirty his own hands, Mike."

     "Don't be so sure. He wanted to protect the district attorney's office
  from the heat given them by the Blackfoot Nation. He-who-climbs-up-mountains
  and Winna had given the D.A. statements protesting those policemen's search
  and the People made two protests outside the Havre Police station. Their
  shaman's home had been violated!"

     "In his position as former D.A., Mr. James has contacts at the court who
  can check on the warrant's discrepancy. Quietly. We can only hope that it'll
  lead back to Mr. Benton or at the very least, the Havre Police department.
  That would go far in proving that your civil rights were violated."

     I'm smiling. Mr. Benton has cheated before as prosecutor but now there's
  a real chance that he'll get caught. In my dream, he'd fallen from the Ewok's
  high platform where he was hoping I'd jump off in my despair.

     "Mike. I need you to call Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn and ask him to make
  a copy of Ron's diary for us to review."

     "No. I won't do that."

     "But why? Mr. Benton already knows what Ron has written so Mr. James and I
  will need to know how prosecution plans to use it against you."

     The Elder hasn't given it to my attorney so I'm not going to ask him to.
  Mr. Talbert wants to know why. I sure ain't gonna tell him that Ron had
  written about him having sex with Jesse! "It contains tribal secrets."

     "Concerning that Power Bundle you and Jesse found in your trailer?"

     "No." Mr. Talbert is fishing.

     "Has Ron written something in his diary that the People shouldn't know?"

     He's getting warmer. I've got to put a stop to this. "I'm not going to ask
  Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn to give you a copy. He obviously doesn't want to.
  We can't help that prosecution has the diary if it's even the real thing."

     "Mr. Benton has given me a chain of custody that proves it's a true copy
  with English translation of that little black book you'd taken from your
  trailer park manager. Did you review their copy to see if it matches yours?"

     "No." I'd torn it up but I'm not gonna admit that to my attorney.

     "Did Ron Earlman identify himself as the author of that diary?"

     "You mean like writing his name in it? No."

     "Were associates of his named?" asks Mr. Talbert.

     "Yes..." I'm angry at myself for being tricked into admitting that. "Look.
  You're gonna have to trust me that Ron's diary contains tribal secrets that
  the Elder and myself will not divulge to the People."

     "Even if that means a big sacrifice on your part, Mike?"

     "What do you mean?"

     "Are you going to accept Mr. Benton's plea bargain on Monday?"

     "No!" I was strongly considering it to protect Jesse. That's part of the
  reason why I'd lost myself that resulted in our Connection being broken. As
  Short Hair, I'm gonna fight.

     "Mr. Benton thinks that he's got you by the balls and I need to know why.
  From the start, you've not been forthcoming with me about this case, withheld
  information and your explosion of anger directed at Mr. Benton and his
  associate on Tuesday makes you an undesirable client." Mr. Talbert sighs. "I
  understand some of what you've been going through, Mike. Mr. James won't. He
  will need Ron's diary if he's to defend you properly. You need to trust us."

     "I do trust you, Mr. Talbert and I really appreciate what you've done for
  me so far. I'm acting to protect my tribe! Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn won't
  give you Ron's diary so that has to tell you something. It's not just me
  trying to be difficult."

     "Very well," says Mr. Talbert. "This Monday, the judge will rule on those
  three motions put forward. If she grants your civil rights violation hearing,
  that'll delay your criminal trial. Mr. James and I will need that diary then."

     "We'll cross that road when we come to it." The phone feels sweaty against
  my ear. "Is there anything else?" I ask with a whine in my voice.

     "No. If something comes up, I'll reach you at this school. Be sure that
  you make Monday's court session, Mike."

     "I will." Mr. Talbert's frustrated sigh is heard when he hangs up without
  even saying goodbye. He sure is angry with me. I'm hanging up the phone then
  make a quick stop in the men's restroom.

     Back in the entrance hall, Jake is pointing something out on the wall.
  Winna and Jes are standing at his side listening to him describe it. The boy
  isn't wearing school clothes; my eyes fall from the short-sleeved shirt he's
  wearing to his rear end sticking out nicely through his tight jeans. Wow.
  He's really hot looking. At my approach, Jake looks at me. I'm stopped in my
  tracks by his enchanting smile. My eyes fall to his crotch and check him out.
  An obvious male bulge. I wonder how well hung he is? The boy notices what I'm
  staring at, throws me a knowing smirk before turning back to his aunt and
  cousin. I'm left feeling uneasy by his seductive manner. Maybe Jesse was
  right. This kid might want to jump me.

     "The State of South Dakota awarded my school for their outstanding service
  to Native Americans," Jake explains. "The Rosebud Indian Mission School was
  reestablished in 1973 after fire had destroyed most of the buildings a few
  years earlier."

     "The Church survived that arson," I add. Jake's eyes flash at me in alarm.
  He thinks I've Gleaned him. "I read that in your school's brochure." Jake
  relaxes after hearing my explanation.

     "The Jesuits say that God protected His place of worship."

     I wonder if 'Red Power' advocates of the 1960's had torched the buildings
  out of anger but spared the Church in fear that He might strike them down in
  revenge. We're led to a huge painting. It depicts a Spanish soldier in armor
  atop an impressive warhorse.

     "This is our Patron Saint," Jake explains. "St. Ignatius Loyola turned
  from being a soldier of war to a man of the Robes who worked for peace. He
  founded the Society of Jesus."

     After looking at the painting, Jake leads us down a long hall. There are
  class photos along the wall that Jesse asks him about.

     "Those are of the boys and their teachers."

     Jake continues walking but Winna and Jes pause before the B&W photograph.
  A plaque gives the date - 1954 along with names of the students, teachers and
  the priests. There were forty three boys attending this school then. Most are
  obviously Native American. Their hair is cut short and they wear uniforms. We
  peer at each photo in succession that in 1964 begin to be in color. There are
  no class photographs for the years 1969 through 1972. That would be because
  of the fire. I'm doing some quick math in my head and stand before the class
  of 1992 to find Jake. Yup. His name is listed on the plaque below.

     "Where are you in this photograph?" asks Jesse.

     Jake smiles. "Try to find me."

     Winna, Jes and I are studying all the young faces of boys who were around
  five in that year. Of the sixty kids who attended school, three are about
  that age.

     "Here's a really cute kid," says Jesse while pointing out a face. He
  smiles knowingly at his cousin.

     "You're right. That was me." Embarrassment shows on Jake's face.

     :Good guess,: I Tell Jesse. :You only had a one in three chance to point
  him out.:

     :Not really. Those other two boys are obviously not Blackfoot and besides,
  I simply looked for a face that looks like me at age five.:

     "You did look like my son at that age," remarks Winna.

     :See what I mean, love?:

     I'm giving my lover a grin. Jake stares at a black robed priest standing
  with the kids. The plaque reads: Father Jerry, Headmaster. He's lost in
  thought for a moment and almost, I catch what this man meant to the boy. A
  sense of deep fondness. Was Fr. Jerry like a second father to Jake?

     We're hurriedly led past the other photographs and stop before the one
  taken last year. We've glanced at those he's skipped. The student body had
  grown in number from eighteen in 1973 to over eighty boys in 2002. I notice
  that the military styled uniforms boys wore changed. In the eighties, white
  shirts and blue dress pants replaced stiff uniforms and many of the boys
  wore longer hair. At least down to their shoulders.

     Jesse quickly points out Jake in the class photo. Even I recognize him
  since he looked pretty much the same way he does now. Winna points out a name
  on the plaque: Jake Marques.

     "Do you remember your father?"

     Jake shakes his head. "Mom brought me to the U.S. when I was very little.
  He never found us."

     "Do you know why?" asks Winna.

     The boy shrugs his shoulders. "He was in Mexico City. We were in L.A."

     "Those two cities are closer than where your extended family lives in
  Montana. Why did your mother never return to Mexico for a visit so you could
  see your father?"

     "Dunno." Jake turns away from the photograph.

     Winna doesn't give up asking about it. "Why did Judy leave you at this
  school when she could have brought you up to be with family in Havre? My
  husband and I would have taken you in! Jes-ee-ah and you could have grown up
  as brothers and I would have had my sister back."

     Jake stops in his tracks. He turns to look at Jesse and for an instant,
  I see the longing on his face for what could have been. Winna is obviously
  saddened that her sister didn't come to live with her.

     "Jake?"

     Winna called out to the boy when he continues down the hall without
  answering her. We run to catch up. The doctor's office is passed.

     "It wasn't your fault," assures Winna. "You were only five at the time and
  I didn't know that my sister had a son. Otherwise, I'd have come to see you!
  I want you to know that my home is always open to you. You have cousins,
  uncles, aunts and grandfathers in your family who'd want to see you. You're
  not alone anymore."

     "I'm not alone here," Jake retorts. "This school has been my family these
  eleven years and I have lots of brothers."

     "Not blood family," Winna whispers. "You are part of the Blackfoot who'd
  welcome the return of a lost son."

     Jake peers at Jesse. I Sense the boy's longing to know of his proud
  Indian heritage and be with his cousin. As much as I'm tempted to try
  Gleaning Jake, I won't. He'd Feel it and become fearful that I'd learn all
  his secrets. Then there'd be no chance to gain his trust.

     "I'll show you the classrooms now." Jake opens the door for his aunt while
  averting his gaze from her.

     Winna goes outside followed by Jesse and myself. Jake smiles, a charming
  look on his face which masks who he really is and what he's feeling inside.
  I'm giving the boy a sad look. He grins back at me without batting an eye.

     Jesse is holding his mother's hand. Through him, I Feel his mother's
  anguish when Jake blew her off by not even saying he'd like to visit with
  family in Montana. That part about opening her house to him was revealing.

     We're walking down a cobbled path between the buildings. Jake has run
  ahead to lead us left at a crossway where green grass, shrubs and flowers
  grace the landscape. The sun feels warm on the back of my neck. This is
  turning out to be a good day but not in keeping with Jesse's assurance to
  his mother at the breakfast table. Jake isn't opening up to us.

     A large stucco building looms before us. It's one storied and very long.
  Jake pulls on the right sided door and holds it open for us. Very gentlemanly
  of him. He smiles, flicking his head gently to toss the brown hair that's
  fallen down his upper chest back behind him.

     Past a long row of lockers on both sides of the hall, we come upon closed
  doors to classrooms. Jake peeks into a room to his right. Winna remains
  standing in the middle of the hall with Jesse holding her hand. I'm curious
  so I join Jake looking in at the students attending class. There are about
  ten desks filled with boys ranging in ages from eight to their late teens.
  All wear dark blue dress pants and white shirts. Native Americans every one.
  The features to their cute brown faces prove that they're Sioux. I wonder if
  Jake is the only Blackfoot at this school? A half breed at that. Was his
  father Spanish Mexican or a Native? We're probably never gonna know because
  Jake hasn't been forthcoming about his parents.

     Jake returns to his aunt who casts a questioning look at him. "Religion is
  being taught in that class," he explains. "Not my best subject."

     "Have they thrust Christianity upon you?" asks Winna in a stern voice.

     "No. We're taught about many religious faiths: Judaism, Islam, Hindu and
  Buddhism for instance. I can't keep all the names of Prophets, Holy Books and
  terms straight in my head."

     "What about Native beliefs?"

     "Yes. Since most of the students are Lakota Sioux, we're taught about
  their religion but it's only practiced by their grandparents these days. Not
  that many of these boys knew their grandparents. A lot of Sioux are Catholic.
  Some of the people in Rosebud come to worship at our Church on Sunday."

     "Were you taught Blackfoot beliefs?" Winna asks.

     Jake shakes his head. "I don't know anything about your religion or if you
  even believe in God."

     Winna gasps. I'm glaring at Jake for that rude comment and inform him,
  "I'm Lutheran Christian myself. From Jesse and speaking with his grandfather,
  I've learned that they worship the same God we do though perhaps calling Him
  by a different name. Winna holds prayer at her dinner table. We thank our
  Father for His many blessings and to help guide our steps."

     "What about Jesus Christ?" asks Jake meekly.

     "Grandfather attended Easter Service with me last month. He told me that
  Christ was a great Teacher sent by our Father."

     "But the Blackfoot don't consider him the Son of God and our Lord."

     He's right about that. Jake catches the glare coming from his aunt and
  meets it with defiance.

     "You are Blackfoot, Jake. We are a proud People that you shouldn't dismiss
  out of hand or scorn."

     "I don't. Yet I am the result of those who raised and cared for me. I was
  abandoned by my parents."

     Winna doesn't know how to answer that. What the boy said is true; this
  school has raised him since the age of five so it's no wonder that his
  religion is Catholic and he hasn't a clue about Blackfoot beliefs. Jake
  crosses the hall to peek into another classroom. I give Winna a sympathetic
  look before joining him.

     There are only six boys in this class, all in their early teens. I'm
  surprised that the teacher isn't a Jesuit. A woman at that. She's wearing a
  pair of jeans and what looks like a t-shirt. No way! "What class is this?"
  I'm whispering to Jake at my side.

     "General sciences. Mr. Braxton has come done with the flu so Ms. Klein is
  filling in for him."

     "Her clothes," I remark.

     "It's supposed to be her day off. She's the school's social worker who
  usually dresses up more professionally." Jake goes deep in thought for a
  moment. "She interviewed my mother when I was admitted."

     I give Ms. Klein a second look. So. She'd met Jake's mother and it occurs
  to me that Winna and her should have a talk. There may be something she
  remembers about Judy that might explain why she left her son with this school
  and never returned to take him back.

     I'm distracted from my thoughts when a boy 'kicks' a paper football from
  his hands that strikes a crucifix on the wall. That gets a fellow student
  laughing. Ms. Klein must have eyes on the back of her head because she calls
  out the offender by name. The boy's mischievous grin vanishes from his lips.
  He comes to the front of class while dragging his feet. Jake is shaking his
  head back and forth.

     The boy, I believe (can't hear his voice) makes an apology. He then turns
  to the blackboard to raise his hands in reverence to four letters written on
  its uppermost right side: 'AMDG'. I'm turning to Jake for an explanation.

     "Ad Majorum Dei Gloria," he whispers. "It's Latin for: 'To the Greater
  Glory of God' which the Jesuits have pledged themselves."

     "Oh." The boy keeps both his hands raised while facing this 'motto' in
  punishment. Ms. Klein continues teaching class. When we turn away from the
  door, Winna and Jesse are found close behind us. They'd been looking over
  our shoulders into the classroom.

     "The library is this way," says Jake.

     We follow him down the hall where portraits of Saints are hung. I even
  find one of Pope John II. Turning left, Jake leads us past more classroom
  doors before he gently opens a wooden door bearing the sign: 'QUIET Inside!'
  Jake doesn't have to warn us to remain silent. There's no one in the library
  now. We pass several tables and almost make it to another door when a black
  robed man scurries from around the counter to meet us. His tense expression
  eases when he sees that it's Jake with his family instead of an errant
  student who shouldn't be here during classes without permission. That's what
  I've Gleaned from him.

     "Hello Brother Kenneth."

     The man only nods in reply. He smiles at Winna, a bigger smile for Jesse
  when staring at him for a long moment, and when he peers at me, his eyes dart
  back to my lover. Then he looks away in shame. I'm getting the impression
  that he suspects we're a couple and the only way he could know that if he's
  gay, too.

     "I'd like to introduce you to my Aunt Winnapah and her son, Jes-ee-ah."
  Remembering the third person, Jake quickly adds: "And this is Mike. Brother
  Kenneth is in charge of the library."

     I was about to offer the Brother my hand but he's tucked both his behind
  himself. He nods again silently. Hmm. Something wrong with his voice?

     Jake opens a door that bears the sign: 'Computer Lab.' He holds it open
  while Winna and Jesse pass through. I'm looking back over my shoulder for
  Brother Kenneth but he's disappeared from sight. I dare to voice my question
  about him to Jake. "Why didn't he say anything to us?"

     "He's under a vow of silence for three more months."

     "Really?" I thought that was only practiced at the Monasteries and in days
  of Old. "Is he the Librarian?"

     "Yes. Brother Kenneth will speak only if he must to perform his duties but
  usually he'll just write a note."

     "Is his silence in penance for something he's done?" Jake shrugs his
  shoulders in reply and gestures for me to enter the computer lab. I don't
  think he knows himself. Hmm. I wonder what Br. Kenneth is being punished for?
  Was his hand caught in the school's 'cookie' jar? By that, I mean, was he
  doing something inappropriate with a boy? I'd seen the way his hungry eyes
  lingered on Jesse. From what I'd briefly Gleaned from the man, he is gay but
  fears that about himself. You have to admit that a school full of cute Indian
  boys is sure a temptation. Well. A man who likes 'em young that is.

     :Who are you to judge?: scolds Jesse.

     :I'm not! But I could Glean him some more and find out what he's done to
  suffer that penance.:

     :No. Don't, love. Elder Quiet-before-the-dawn was right when he scolded
  you for Gleaning people. That's like invading their privacy as you're often
  accusing me of doing when I Peek on your thoughts.:

     I'm releasing a sharp breath through my nose. :You're right.: Perhaps the
  Brother is voluntarily keeping silent in 'punishment' for simply being gay.

     :Mike. You should stop Reading everyone you meet and give them a chance to
  reveal who they are as a person without you beating them to the punch by
  Gleaning them.:

     :Okay. I'll try.: Jake closes the door behind him. We're in a room filled
  with computer stations set over long tables. There's a student working on one
  of the computers in the corner. He gives us a worried look when Jake strides
  over to check up on him.

     "I have a pass," the boy assures Jake. He holds it out for him to see.

     "Alright, Peter. Do you need any help with the computer?"

     "Not right now, thanks."

     I've been looking Peter over. He's around eleven, a short plump kid who
  wears glasses. Sort of like an ugly duckling at that age. Maybe when he hits
  puberty, he'll shoot up in height and lose that fat tummy.

     "Hey... What's this?" asks Jake. He's clicked the browser back.

     "Not me!" Peter protests. "I didn't go to that website."

     I stride over to see what's going on. On Peter's screen is a porn site
  filled with naked women pics. Jake clicks the browser back a few times that
  shows full sized images that someone (this kid, likely) had displayed from
  the thumb nails. He mutters "Nice..." under his breath. Hah! Jake said that
  for our benefit since I know that he'd prefer looking at naked men. The
  'Clear History' button is clicked from the Internet Explorer's Tool dialog
  box so Peter can't get back to those sex sites without typing the web address
  back in or from a web search.

     I look over at Winna and Jes. They've been waiting near the door but as
  I'm about to join them, Peter asks a computer question.

     "I've been doing a web search for white African and white Asian elephants
  but Google only comes up with one or the other. Too many results for me to
  look through."

     "Have you placed quotes around those three words?" asks Jake.

     "Sure. But I'm still given separate results. What I need is information
  that compares the African and Asian white elephant side by side so I can know
  what their physical, cultural and religious significant differences are.
  Stuff like that."

     Jake shrugs his shoulders so I offer the boy a suggestion. "Put a question
  mark between 'white' and 'elephants'. That's a 'wild card' character the
  computer will fill in with other possible matches such as African and Asian.
  Maybe then you'll find one website that compares them like you want." Peter
  tries my suggestion.

     "Hey. It worked!" Peter clicks on a promising link from the list.

     Jake glares at me. "You're an expert in hardware. My forte is software so
  I'm bound to know a few tricks in that regard." We return to Winna and Jes.
  The boy puts on a smile for their benefit though I feel him raging inside for
  besting him in front of a fellow student.

     "This is our computer lab," says Jake with pride. "We have twenty stations
  running Windows XP, MS-Office and they all have Internet connection."

     "Dial-up?" I ask.

     Jake smiles. "DSL high speed Internet. That really cranks them up for web
  surfing. I've networked these computers myself." He pauses to let that sink
  in before announcing, "I'm the lab supervisor. Sure beats having to serve
  duty in the kitchen where I can put my brain to work here instead."

     I'm given a toothy grin by Jake. He thinks he's put one over me but I'm
  actually glad for him. I'd rather pluck on the keyboard than wash dishes too.
  After passing a row of computer stations (all are different brands but I can
  tell that they're a few years old), Jake sits down at a cubical. He opens a
  laptop that draws my interest. It appears to be newer than the one I own.

     "This is my Gateway M250 with a 2.6 gig processor, 256 meg memory and a
  nine gig hard drive. I'm networked with the other computers so I can look in
  at any station to see what students are working on."

     Yeah. Like seeing if someone like Peter is viewing naked girlie pics. Did
  Jake say that this laptop is his own? I ask him.

     "It sure is." He fingers a Kensington anti-theft cable securing his laptop
  to the desk. "Cost me nearly two grand so I don't want it walking off."

     Hmm. Are students given such a generous allowance at this school? What
  Jake has purchased blows away all the other computers in this room and not
  just because it's a laptop. His computer has speed, memory and hard drive
  capacity that'd be the envy of all the other students.

     "I need a moment," asks Jake.

     He pulls a clipboard marked 'Incident Report' from the wall of his cubical
  and jots down an entry. 'Station 20 needs block of porn sites. Peter again.'
  Set beside Jake's laptop are a stack of unopened software. As if reading my
  thoughts, he explains what they are.

     "Our school is given donations from software companies, mostly educational
  stuff though we're also given games. The Father doesn't allow that in the lab
  since computers are only to be used for homework assignments."

     "Have you received anything from the Learning Tree Company?"

     "Nope. I haven't heard of them before."

     That surprises me. "They're well known for their educational titles. Their
  latest releases to schools are the 'Read and Say' and 'Write and Say' series
  where I've coded the speech recognition modules."

     "Students here use MS-Word to type out their homework assignments and
  print them after doing research on the Internet so we don't need fancy
  educational software. Schools that crowd twenty or thirty students to a
  classroom might use your computer programs to make up for their overworked
  teachers. Our classes are rarely filled with more than ten students. That
  way, a teacher can give students personalized help if they need it."

     Jake has a good point there but he's blowing me off by not recognizing
  that I'm really good with computers too. He gets up from his cubical.

     "Let me show you something."

     After unlocking a door, Jake takes us into a small room. It's filled with
  newer computers along the wall with monitors stacked over them. In the far
  corner is a work bench. Tools are laid out neatly that reminds me of Jesse's
  habit of being meticulous with things.

     "These are recent donations that I've just completed setting up. I'll
  replace our older computers in the lab with these ten."

     "You've installed the software already?" I ask. I'm setting Jake up.

     "Sure have. They're loaded with Windows XP, MS-Word, Norton anti-virus and
  firewall, ISP connection browsers and are ready to be networked."

     "With licensed software for each computer?" Jake's eyes flash at me and it
  is as I've suspected. "You've installed them from one set of CD's. Pirated?"

     "No. We've purchased software for them."

     "But not licensed individually for each computer." Jake shrugs his
  shoulders as if pretending that he doesn't know what I mean. "These ten
  computers that you've set up, for instance. Do you have ten sets of Windows,
  MS-Office and Norton installation CD's?"

     "Do you know how much that would cost?" defends Jake. "Windows XP alone
  is nearly two hundred dollars! To purchase ten sets for these computers, my
  school would have to shell out $2,000. Our money is better spent elsewhere."

     "But you're cheating the people who code software out of their Royalties
  by doing that."

     "Microsoft is a big company," says Jake. "Their programmers are on salary
  so it's not like I'm cheating them out of extra money. Bill Gates won't miss
  the few copies we're making at our school."

     "But it's not just your school, Jake. Thousands across the U.S. aren't
  making the legal purchases for their computer labs. That loss in revenue adds
  up fast."

     "I hear you," says Jake. "Are you going to rat on us to Billy Gates?"

     I'm laughing, shaking my head in dismay. "I don't work at Microsoft. They
  do offer site licensing for non-profit organizations like a Catholic school.
  Your lab of twenty computers, for instance, would only cost $50 each instead
  of the full retail price."

     "That's still a thousand bucks. We don't have it. Our school depends on
  donations of money, supplies and equipment to keep it running. There's little
  money coming in from the Diocese who are going broke."

     "I understand. I just wanted to point this out to you because there are
  guys like me who depend on their Royalty earnings to live on. I won't be
  returning to my salary job at the Learning Tree."

     Winna sighs. "Can we go outside where I can get some fresh air?"

     "Sure. I've shown you what I wanted here."

     Jake locks the storage room. He gives me the eye before leading Winna and
  Jes out of his computer lab, through the library and into the hall. I didn't
  mean to belittle his efforts for helping his school with fixing up their
  computer donations. Just wanted him to realize that there are people behind
  each software title who've worked hard to get it to market. They're denied a
  payoff if it's pirated or installed on multiple computers.

     I'm startled by a loud bell ringing. After a moment a silence, classroom
  doors burst open and boys stream out to the hall. Jesse stands closer to his
  mother to let them get past. My eyes take in all the cute brown faces, fast
  moving bodies and their nice rear ends. This isn't lost on Jake who glares at
  me like I'm a child molester or something. I step closer to my lover's side.

     "Hey... Jake!"

     A few boys approach us with their eyes on Winna and Jes. They're too shy
  to look at me directly.

     "Is this your family who's come to visit?" asks the eldest boy.

     Jake is nodding at his friends. "This is my Aunt Winnapah and her son,
  Jesse. He's Mike."

     Three sets of eyes dare to peer up at me so I offer them a smile.

     "These are my brothers," Jake introduces. "Paul, Greg and Two Tails."

     "Glad to meet you," says Two Tails. He's the eldest boy so it was his duty
  to speak up for the others.

     "My aunt needs some fresh air so we can't linger," explains Jake.

     I've sensed Jake's fear that one of his friends might ask us something
  awkward or embarrass him by revealing a few things about him. The boys run
  off to their next class. We make our way through the crowd.

     A boy whom I recognize from clearing our dinner table last night stands
  before Jake. They exchange grins.

     "Hi, Charlie."

     "Are you going to introduce me to your family?" the boy asks.

     "Sure." Jake does so and he notices how his friend looks at his cousin,
  the white guy, and then back to his cousin again. "Mike drove them down from
  Montana since my aunt's truck couldn't make the trip," he quickly explains.

     I'm Sensing that Charlie has figured Jes and me out. Before I could stop
  myself, I Glean that this boy has a similar love for Jake but it's not sexual
  anymore. A quick image fills my head. Two naked bodies are huddling close
  under a blanket in spoon fashion. To my astonishment, it's Charlie who is
  fucking Jake though he's too young to squirt from his dick yet.

     :Don't Look further, love!: Sends Jesse. :Allow these boys their privacy.:

     I stop Gleaning Charlie. My eyes return to the Now and see this boy as he
  appears standing before me at fourteen. He's a really thin kid. Not too tall
  either for his age. Short black hair. His facial features aren't Sioux or
  any Native People that I'm familiar with. I think he's a half breed; the
  non-Indian parent wasn't White but some other race. Asian?

     :Don't you dare ask Jake anything about them!: begs Jesse.

     :I wasn't gonna. At last not in front of your mother.:

     :He's not had sex with his roommate or any other boy for three years now.
  If anyone is going to ask Jake about that, it should be me. If ever.:

     :Okay.: I'm struck by something Jes has Said. :How do you know that Jake
  has stopped fooling around with the boys?: My lover doesn't Answer me. When I
  try catching his eyes, Jesse looks down at his feet.

     "Are you showing them around?" asks Charlie.

     "Yeah. They've seen the administrative building and we've peeked into some
  of the classrooms."

     "Will you be showing them our dorm?" Charlie holds out his science project
  of a hand made motor. "Could you bring this back to our room for me, please?"

     "Can't. I'm going to show them the Church next before we go to lunch."

     "Oh. Thanks, anyway."

     "Did you get a good grade for it?" asks Jake. He'd seen his friend's
  disappointment for not relieving him of his project. It'll have to be stuffed
  in his locker where it might break.

     "No. Mr. Braxton didn't make it to class today. Ms. Klein asked that we
  bring our projects back on Monday since he should be well by then."

     "Alright. I'll take it to your room." Jake is handed the motor from his
  friend.

     "Thanks! I wouldn't want it to break before my teacher has seen it."

     Winna, Jesse and I look at the motor in Jake's hands. I remember crafting
  one myself in science class. Like Charlie's, mine consisted of a long metal
  bracket that's been bent into shape with a horizontal spindle of tightly
  wound wire separated by layers of insulating tape to prevent a short out.
  "You'll probably get an 'A' for it," I offer Charlie in praise.

     "I hope so!" Charlie looks at a clock on the wall with concern. "It was
  nice meeting you, Mrs. Winnapah, Jesse, Mike. I've gotta run off to class
  now. Okay?"

     "Sure," answers Jake. He watches his friend take off down the hall.

     We leave the building. Another structure is seen in the distance that's
  two storied but shorter than the classroom building. I assume that's the dorm.
  Jake leads in front with his hands carefully holding Charlie's motor. Winna
  follows behind with Jesse holding her right hand. I'm in the rear. The sun
  has risen in the sky to the eleven o'clock position. A quick glance at my
  watch proves that my guess was right on. It's 11:14.

     "You can sit here, aunt."

     Winna stops dead in her tracks, surprised by Jake's request. She looks at
  the bench set off the cobbled path amongst the flowers and shrubs. "I was
  hoping to see your room."

     "Another time," answers Jake. "I'm going to run and drop this off for
  Charlie. The Father is expecting us for lunch. That's barely enough time to
  show you the Church before then."

     Winna is obviously disappointed. Me too, since I'd like to see Jake's room
  that could have provided us with clues about his hidden self.

     "I can run with you," asks Jesse. He slaps over his long legs.

     Jake glances at his aunt who's sitting down heavily over the bench. She's
  obviously upset. At him? No. The woman is disappointed about something and
  it's not from being denied a peek at his room. "Alright, cousin."

     :Stay with mom,: Asks Jesse.

     I'm setting myself down beside Winna in reply. :Show me what you see.:

     :I will, love. Jake and me are going to have a little talk.:

     :Can I Listen in?:

     :No. But you already have an idea what it's going to be about, love. Trust
  me in this. Okay?:

     I'm silently nodding at him. Winna and I watch the two run off down the
  cobbled path and enter the dormitory. The woman releases an anxious sigh.

     "Mike?"

     I turn to Winna with fear squeezing my heart. She's gonna be scolding me
  about something. I'm remembering exchanging jabs with Jake in the computer
  lab so she's probably gonna say something about that.

     "I hope Jes-ee-ah can reach him." Winna casts her eyes towards the dorm.

     Relief fills me. She's not gonna be talking about my bad behavior directed
  at Jake after all. "If anyone can, it's your son. They've connected already."

     "Really?" gasps Winna.

     I'm only nodding in reply.

     "How do you... What do you know, Mike?"

     Winna knows that I'm always Connected to Jesse so there's no need for her
  to ask 'how'. The 'what do I know' is too revealing about Jake so I'm trying
  to come up with something to satisfy her. A bumble bee buzzes us. After
  ducking out of its way, it lands on a yellow rose. I'm keeping my eye out for
  more bees. The sun warms my hair and I feel its heat on my arms. This is
  proving to be a fine summer day. Now if Jake would only open up to us...

     "We've come all this way to see him. It's almost as if Jake doesn't want
  to see me or even acknowledge that his mother is dead."

     I'm holding Winna's left arm. "He is hurting inside for her but the boy
  won't let it show. Not yet. Father McMillan didn't inform Jake that we'd be
  coming to see him until he was sure that you were Judy's sister. That's
  proved a shock to him. Having family and all. Give the boy a little more
  time, Winna. He'll open up to you."

     We exchange glances. Winna opens her mouth as if to tell me something but
  she doesn't, turning to look towards the dorm for Jake and her son. I think
  I know what she wanted to confide in me from Gleaning her a few days ago. I'm
  not gonna say anything now that I already know about her intentions for Jake.
  If it's to work, he must be willing to leave everything behind that he's ever
  known. His school, his friends, and that comfortable place that he's come to
  in his life these past eleven years.

     "I want to ask a favor of you, Mike."

     "Sure. Anything."

     Winna releases a harsh breath and speaks while looking down at her knees.
  "I know that the boy has been... difficult for you at times."

     Oh-oh. She is gonna be scolding me about my verbal sparring with Jake!

     "It isn't that Jake doesn't like you," says Winna. "He just doesn't
  understand where you're coming from and why you're... with my son."

     "He knows that both Jes and I are gay."

     Winna looks around uneasily for a moment. She takes a deep breath before
  speaking again. "A lot of people think that what you are is only sexual. Jake
  doesn't understand that what you share with my son is a love of heart that
  any couple has for each other. Also, Jes-ee-ah wasn't himself when they'd
  first met. I'm glad that the two of you have... come back Together so my son
  can be normal. A lot of people in my tribe have seen how you've helped him.
  They don't know about your special bond. I hope they never do but think it
  comes from your love of spirit, love of heart... even if they discover that
  it's more than a friendship between the two of you. I accept that you are
  with my son, Mike. It wasn't what I'd hoped for him. There will be no
  grandchildren for me to cherish."

     I'm fighting against the tears filling my eyes.

     "What's important is that you two love each other as any couple would.
  I've seen my son achieve manhood." Winna laughs. "He really surprises me at
  times by the things he says! Outside the restaurant, for instance."

     I'm thinking about what she means. Oh, yeah. Jes had asked his mother why
  she let that man she'd met by the register get away. And then in the truck,
  he'd told her that she shouldn't punish herself anymore for her husband
  running off. That she deserved to find someone for herself. "Jes surprises me
  too at times."

     "I hope that he can talk some sense into his cousin," whispers Winna.

     I'm Reaching out for Jesse. The image of a poster fills my head that
  depicts a strong warrior atop his fiery stallion. He's practically naked from
  behind with only a breechclout covering him. I can see his butt. Muscles
  bulge in his chest and right arm when he wields a long spear in his hand.
  This Indian looks very erotic. I'd love to get jumped by him in the plains by
  surrendering myself to his passionate needs.

     :I thought you'd like Jake's poster,: Sends Jesse.

     :He's got it hung on his bedroom wall?: That's more daring than I would
  have been in his place.

     :Yes. And there's another poster with 'muscle' but you wouldn't care for
  it. I'm enjoying my view of this naked white guy.:

     :Totally naked? Show me!: Jesse does and he was right. This strongly
  muscled man is in a kneeling pose that shows off the build to his body. You
  can see his butt. Because it's a side view, his cock is hidden from view by
  being tucked down between his thighs but I see a hint of groin hair.

     :I'd let him 'rape' me anytime!: teases Jesse.

     That b&w poster would certainly appeal to guys like Jesse and Jake. I
  wonder what else the boy has pinned to his bedroom wall and Ask my lover.

     :There's a copper plaque with words,: Answers Jesse.

     Through my lover's eyes, I See that it's the Lord's Prayer. Set above it
  are several certificates of Outstanding Achievement in sports and for being
  on the Honor Roll. In 2002, Jake won a wrestling match held in Pierre. Hmm.
  Jake likes to wrestle with the boys both in clothes and without, it seems.

     :Here's a poster that would appeal to you, love!:

     My eyes pop open when Jes Shows me a color poster depicting another nude.
  Not a white guy but a Native American who's weight lifting. It's a side view
  of this young man where you can see his shapely ass and even his cock! His
  short black hair has spilled onto his face.

     :Oh-oh. Jake notices what I'm looking at!: Sends Jesse. :He's trying to
  explain it away so Listen in...:

     "They inspire my body building," says Jake. "This poster, for instance."
  He points to the young Native guy who's weight lifting. "I'm working towards
  developing my body like he has. Nearly every day, I pump iron in the gym to
  build up my upper body strength. Look at his chest and arm muscles! That's
  what I want for myself."

     Jesse gives his cousin a good look. He already sees good development to
  Jake's chest and the bulging to his arm muscles showing through his shirt.
  "I'd say that you've already achieved that goal. You're very strong."

     "I sure am," says Jake with pride. "All the girls in town want to get it
  on with me!"

     Hah! That may be so but Jes and I know this boy doesn't want to get it on
  with them.

     :Should I make that comment about wanting that white guy in his poster
  getting it on with me?:

     :NO!: I mind shout.

     :Just kidding, love. Sorry.:

     The reason for making Contact with Jesse returns to me. :Your mother is
  feeling really down about Jake. She's hoping that you can talk some sense
  into the boy.:

     :I'm going to try.: A long pause before Jesse renews Contact. :There's a
  photograph of Aunt Judy with her son on the night stand. Jake looks so happy
  in it.:

     :That's a good place to start,: I suggest. :Ask Jake what he remembers
  when that picture was taken. Being happy with his mom and all.:

     :I'm going to.: Another long pause before Jesse Speaks again. :Please
  stay with my mom. Tell her that I'm talking with Jake so it may be a while
  before we return.:

     :She's hoping that you can reach the boy. I assured her that if anyone
  can, it's you.:

     :Such confidence in me, love. I'll try not to disappoint but this kid is a
  hard nut to crack.:

     :Little splinterings are better than one big smack. Otherwise, your 'nut'
  will crumble to pieces and Jake will be no good to anyone.:

     :I need to break Contact now. He's telling me about that photograph and
  I'll Tell you later. Okay, love?:

     I Send my lover a kiss. Winna's face returns before my eyes and she gives
  me a strange look. Oh. I'm thinking she'd heard my lips smacking at her. My
  face begins to burn.

     "Is Jes-ee-ah having a talk with his cousin?"

     "Yeah. He's had to break Contact with me just now because Jake is telling
  him about a photograph he has on his night stand that's of him at age five
  with his mother. Ah. That kiss you'd seen me blow wasn't for you, Winna."

     The woman smiles. "I'd already figured that out on my own, Mike."

     We both end up laughing. Then Winna's expression turns serious and she
  grips my hand hard.

     "I want to thank you for driving us down here. Maybe you're right. We have
  to be patient with Jake until he gets to know us better. Then he'll open up
  and pour out his grief. That's what I'm here for." Winna wipes her eyes dry.
  "I only want what's best for my nephew so that's why..."

     "I'll support any decision that you make regarding Jake." Winna gasps
  before managing to close her mouth.

     "I appreciate your trust in me, Mike."

     That leaves me feeling a little guilty. I know what she's planning for
  Jake and she likely suspects that I know from Gleaning her. I haven't done so
  for a few days. I'm not gonna from now on. It's wrong to invade someone's
  privacy such as family so I'll only use my Power in certain instances like
  that time her mortgage company gave her husband half of the money from their
  house without her signature. Mr. Flanders had made an 'arrangement' with him
  to do this. I Gleaned what that was and forced the man to forgo them closing
  costs by using what I knew about it against him.

     Winna looks around. She comments on the beautiful flowers which is her
  attempt to get her mind off Jake. I'll play along. Our conversation leads to
  her own garden where I ask if she'll be tending to her roses. Weeds grow
  there now. Jes had commented to me that his mom hasn't been in the backyard
  since her husband ran away. The woman hangs her head in shame. Man! That was
  stupid of me to remind her of him just now. "I'm sorry, Winna."

     "That's alright. I haven't been tending my garden like I should of. My
  roses were beautiful. So full of life but when love ran away..."

     I'm giving Winna a tight hug. She's not crying but I Sense the terrible
  unhappiness that she's suffered after her husband left her and her son. She
  has been punishing herself like Jes said. Such pain in this woman's life!
  Now that there's a chance for some unexpected joy in finding a nephew she
  never knew she had, her sister's son! but it's turning to dust. Damn Jake!
  Why can't the boy think beyond his own pain and fear?

     Some school boys pass us. Winna becomes self conscious and gently pulls
  from my arms but she gives me an appreciative nod. I smile back. We sit
  together for a long while in silence.


     :We're returning, love!:

     I straighten up over the bench. Winna notices my alertness. :Was it a good
  talk with Jake?: Instead of Answering me in words, Jes Sends me a mind burst.
  Through expressing his own regret for not knowing Aunt Judy, he's got Jake
  thinking about Aunt Winna in the same way. That he has a chance to know her
  along with the rest of his Blackfoot family in Montana. Jes also told Jake
  how much his mother is hurting over her sister. Not knowing where she'd run
  off to them years ago and then learning of her death that came as a terrible
  shock. Winna is comforted to know that her sister is survived by a son. She
  wants to get to know Jake better and share grief over their loss together.

     In turn, Jake expressed to my lover his curiosity for family he's never
  known. Some of his questions were answered about the Blackfoot People. I'm
  relieved that the boy seems to be opening up. That's more easily done between
  cousins so I hope Jake won't clam up in front of his aunt.

     Winna rises from the bench when she catches sight of the two. I'm quick to
  join her at her side. Hope shines on the woman's face. :Do you think Jake
  will talk to your mom now?:

     :I don't know, love. He listened to my words. Not much talking on his part
  though so I'm hoping he will with my mom. Can you ask her to be patient with
  her nephew? Not press him too hard?:

     :I will.: I'm turning to Winna. "Your son has had a good talk with Jake."

     "Did he tell him anything about my sister?" asks Winna.

     I'm shaking my head. "He mostly just listened to Jesse. He Asks that you
  be patient with Jake and don't press him to talk just yet." Disappointment is
  seen on this woman's face. "He'll come around to you. Really he will! Let's
  give him some time to do so on his own instead of pressing him. Alright?"

     Winna slowly nods. "There's so little time left."

     There she goes again about running out of time. We still have three full
  days to visit with Jake before leaving on Sunday. What's the hurry? Jesse
  and Jake run up to us. Well. My lover did with his cousin lagging behind.
  Winna peers longingly at her nephew who meets her gaze for a long moment.

     "What time is it?" asks Jake.

     I'm looking at my watch. "Almost Noon."

     "We'll have to skip that tour of the Church for now," explains Jake. "The
  Father is waiting for us to lunch with him. Are you hungry? I am!"

     Before we can answer him, Jake starts heading towards the refectory. Jes
  calls out to him to wait. The boy stops in his tracks. Winna comes along side
  of Jake where they hold hands much to my pleasant surprise. Jesse was already
  holding his mother's hand. I lead up the rear. It warms my heart to see the
  woman being escorted by her two 'boys'.


     "Did you enjoy the tour of our school?" asks Fr. McMillan.

     "Yes," answers Winna. "It was most impressive. I'm very proud that Jake is
  the supervisor of your computer lab. He is very knowledgeable with them."

     Everyone is looking over at Jake who's beaming from his aunt's praise.

     "I am too," the Father comments. A dark expression comes over his face
  for something that he's not very proud to have learned about his promising
  student. He puts a grin back on his face so the others won't notice.

     We've just finished lunch. Jesse especially enjoyed the ham melt and he
  finished his before the rest of us. He's nibbling the remaining corn from his
  cob. Fr. McMillan looks over at him.

     "Did you get enough to eat, Jesse?"

     "Yes, Father. Thank you for having us for lunch."

     "It's my pleasure!" Fr. McMillan peers at Winnapah for a moment then his
  eyes go to Jake. "Would you like to see our gardens? The flowers are in full
  bloom and though the sun isn't in the right position yet, there's a fountain
  that's the pride of our school. It's dazzling."

     "Yes. I'd like that."

     "Jake. Why don't you go show your aunt?"

     "Now?"

     Fr. McMillan nods.

     "Yes, Sir." Jake opens the glass door and leads Winna outside.

     Jesse warned me to stay in my chair but I was planning to anyway. Having
  Jake show Winna the gardens will give them a chance to be alone. Two boys
  enter our dining room to clear away the dishes. The Father thanks them while
  remaining in his chair. He gazes at Jes and me with his intent for a private
  chat. Oh-oh. I'll have to be on guard against what he may ask and not blurt
  out anything that'll embarrass Winna.

     "Do you two have any questions about our school?" asks Fr. McMillan.

     I'm glancing at Jesse who's keeping his mouth shut. It's up to me then.
  "Not right now, Father. I was impressed by your school. Nothing like what
  I've heard about Catholic missions for Native children."

     The Father sighs uneasily. "That sad chapter of history has been closed
  I'm glad to say. It has always been our goal to provide an education for the
  needy while offering children spiritual guidance. If you don't mind me asking,
  what religious faith do you follow, Mike?"

     "I'm Lutheran Christian." When he looks at Jesse, I'm speaking up for him.
  "The Blackfoot also worship our Father though in their own way. Jake asked if
  they recognized Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Lord. They do honor
  Him as a great Teacher sent by our Father."

     "That Christ is to all people," says Fr. McMillan. "I know that Jake is
  very curious about his Blackfoot People, Jesse. We've nurtured his soul with
  our Lord's Teachings that appear to be similar to your own spiritual path."

     Jesse nods in agreement. "I want to tell Jake about his People, Father.
  You've been taking good care of him these eleven years. Now that my mother
  has found him, I hope Jake will want to see more of his family and return to
  his People."

     "I hope so too." Fr. McMillan smiles knowingly at Jesse. His plan to help
  Jake may come about as he's hoped.

     "You aren't from Montana, are you Mike? It's your accent." The Father
  smiles knowingly.

     "No. I'm from Indiana." When the Father implores me with his eyes to
  explain further, I do so with care. "I was on an extended vacation from my
  job when I met... ah, got myself entangled in a struggle between evil and
  good. Two corrupt police officers tried stealing a Power Bundle belonging to
  the Blackfoot People but I stopped them."

     "Winnapah was starting to tell me about that last night. You were very
  brave to defend her son."

     "I had to, Father! There is Evil in this world like we've been warned
  about but I didn't really believe until I saw it in Eli Kie's eyes! I'm not
  talking about the evil men do themselves but how Satan works through them."

     Fr. McMillan nods. "You've gone through fire as few of us are tested, my
  son. It has strengthened your faith."

     "Yes, Father." To my surprise, Jesse speaks up.

     "Mike has a good heart. He's helped my People and is a becoming a better
  human being because of it."

     "I am glad to hear that your friend is following the path of Light."

     I'm startled by Fr. McMillan's wording. That's exactly what grandfather
  has told me!

     "And Mike has really helped me. I was lost before we met but now, I'll be
  able to follow in my grandfather's footsteps as shaman of our tribe."

     My eyes pop open to hear Jesse say that!

     "Your Calling is the same as mine."

     "Yes, Father. I want to bring the lost sheep of my People back into the
  Light as my grandfather has."

     "Jake needs your help."

     "I know, Father. It's my hope that I'll be given the chance to reach his
  heart and fill it with understanding of self that will bring him joy."

     :Jesse! Does Fr. McMillan know what you're trying to tell him?:

     :Yes, love. We're both speaking the same language. He knows about Jake.:

     I'm feeling the Father's knowing gaze on Jesse and myself. He's not
  giving us bad eyes. I Feel hope in him of all things. This man accepts that
  we're a gay couple?

     :He does, love. Can't you see that in the Father's face? He hopes that
  we'll help Jake find himself. It's more than the boy not accepting that he's
  gay but a darker blight on his spirit.:

     I'm straightening up in my chair and stare at Fr. McMillan. Power builds
  in me when...

     :Remember your promise, Short Hair!:

     I stop myself from Gleaning the man about what he knows about Jake.
  :You're right, Jes. He's already revealed much to us through his words.:

     :And Fr. McMillan is comforted by our words in his ear. Let the matter
  rest for the moment.:

     That seems to be the Father's intent as well. He makes small talk while we
  wait for Winna and Jake's return from the garden. I'm peeking at my watch
  from time to time and as the minutes pass, hope rises in me that Jake is
  opening up to his aunt.

     Nearly half an hour passes when Fr. McMillan receives a note from his
  Brother about a matter requiring his attention. He excuses himself from the
  table. Jesse and I have been anxiously looking out the glass door for his
  mother and Jake. They return hand in hand. Both their faces reveal that
  they've been crying and I'm relieved to see that. They needed an emotional
  release over the loss of a sister and a mother.

     "Mom?" Jesse asks in a small voice. "Are you alright?"

     "I am now." Winna turns to Jake who to my dismay has put his charming mask
  back on. The boy acts like nothing had happened in the garden.

     :He doesn't want to appear weak in front of us,: explains Jesse.

     :Sure. I can understand that.:

     "Where is Father McMillan?" asks Winna.

     "He's returned to his office to attend a matter," I explain. "We should
  go see him."

     "Why? Is something wrong?" asks Jake. Fear had crept into his voice.

     I'm shrugging my shoulders. "Not that I know of. The Father asked that we
  meet back at his office. Maybe he wants to give us a tour of his Church
  personally." I'm not thinking so but I wanted to alleviate the boy's fear.
  We head for the administrative building.


     Rosemary isn't here. The Father is looking through some papers on her desk
  when we walk in. Winna and him exchange quick glances. Jesse stands on the
  other side of his mother (away from me) while Jake is lingering behind. He's
  still not sure why we've come here.

     "I'm sorry for leaving the table like that," says Fr. McMillan. "A matter
  was brought to my attention but I can't seem to find anything without
  Rosemary's help."

     The Father gives us an embarrassing grin. He looks at Winna.

     "Did you have a good tour of our school?"

     Jake quickly answers that. "I still have to show them our Church."

     To my surprise, Winna goes to sit in one of the chairs with a weary sigh.

     "Can we do that another time?" she asks. "I am a bit tired right now."

     "Why not explore the reservation for a few hours?" asks Fr. McMillan.

     I'm startled by his request. Winna nods in agreement and it's then when I
  realize that they had hatched a plan between them last night after dinner to
  get another chance to talk alone.

     "At my age, it's difficult keeping up with the three of you," Winna
  explains. "Go ahead. Have some fun while I rest up here."

     "Sure, mom." Jesse turns to his cousin with a bright grin. "Mike has his
  truck to drive us around in. Do you know of any good sites to see, Jake?"

     "Not really."

     "Oh, come on cousin! I'd think you'd jump at the chance to get away from
  here."

     Jake is thinking about it. He peers at Fr. McMillan, Winna, and then at
  the two of us. I'm grinning from ear to ear. "Let's go!" Jesse is pulling on
  his cousin's arm who slowly relents to everyone's wishes to get the hell out
  of here.

     The three of us scurry out to the parking lot. When Jake catches sight of
  my truck, he stops before it with surprise on his face.

     "You came down in that?"

     "Yup. It may look the worse for wear on the outside, but it's engine still
  has the heart of a war pony." We get in. Jesse sits between us and I realize
  how much Jake does look like him. They both have dark brown arms, long hair
  and that typical Blackfoot face though Jake's nose isn't as big. His body is
  more filled out than my lover's. Muscles bulge in his arms and chest. I tear
  my eyes from them and start the engine. "Okay. Where can we go?"

     Jake ponders for a moment. "Head out the main entrance and turn right."

     "And then?"

     "He wants it to be a surprise!" says Jesse.

     "Not really. I don't know where we can go."

     Jake is such a spoil sport. My lover is very enthusiastic about our outing
  but the boy would rather stay in school. "We'll follow the road as see where
  it takes us then."

     "You'll end up getting us lost," whines Jake.

     "Don't be so glum, cousin! Mike drove us hundreds of miles through three
  states to visit with you and he didn't get us lost."

     "It's the small excursions that can get you into trouble," warns Jake.
  "Do you have a full tank of gas?"

     I'm looking. "My fuel indicator reads three quarters full. We've got water
  bottles behind the seat, just in case. Our stomachs are full. Hearts bright.
  Let's go see where the road leads us this night!"

     "The Father wants us to return in a few hours."

     Does he? I don't remember him asking us that.

     "And we will unless Mike gets us lost, his truck runs out of gas or we get
  so bored with you that we kick you out the door so you can walk back."

     "Okay, okay! I get the message." Jake straightens up in his seat.

     After making that right turn, the paved road winds around some low hills
  covered with grass. Their stalks are high and golden. The sun is shining. I
  share in my lover's joy to be out and about. Hopefully, that'll rub off on
  Jake who could use the diversion after talking with Winna in the garden.
  We'll have to wait until tonight to learn how much her nephew has opened up.
  It's our turn now.

     :We're out for some fun,: Asks Jesse. :No pestering my cousin. Okay?:

     :Sure.: I'm exchanging glances with my lover. Jake turns from us to look
  out his window. There's a dirt road to our right. I startle everyone when
  turning my steering wheel sharply to catch it.

     "Where are we going?" asks Jake.

     "Since you couldn't come up with a destination, I'm letting my truck
  decide. It wants to go this a way." The dirt road goes on straight between
  the hills. It's a whole lot of nothing yet I welcome the rugged surroundings
  that reminds me of the outings Owopspec and Chris enjoyed. They were often
  getting away from their tribe to explore the land, and each other.

     :We'll soon get our chance,: Says Jesse.

     :Yeah. A nice honeymoon in the plains after we marry in a few Saturdays.:
  I turn to my lover who catches my quick kiss on his lips. Jake saw. Before I
  can read the expression on his face, he turns to look out his window again.
  Jes smiles shyly at me. I'm forced to keep my eyes on the road so no more
  stolen kisses between us. We'll have plenty of time for that tonight.

     I'm stepping on the gas for the thrill of it. A cloud of dust is seen in
  my rearview mirror as I tear up this old road. Jesse is a bit concerned by
  my perhaps foolhardy driving but Jake is obviously thrilled. He's got his
  right hand stuck out the window and I smile when he lets out a loud whoop.

     "Can you get this crate going any faster?" asks Jake.

     I try not being offended by the boy's remark about my first pickup truck.
  It may be old, but it's still got some life in it. I'm putting the pedal to
  the metal. We're starting to zigzag over the road. Dust is coming in through
  Jake's window so he hurriedly rolls it up.

     :Showing off, love?:

     I can't turn to Jes as much as I'd like since my eyes are needed on the
  road ahead of me. I'm Feeling his concern though mixed with the joy of
  making his cousin happy by my reckless driving. I have to admit that I'm
  enjoying this thrill myself as if I were a teen again.

     A fork comes up in the road. I turn left at the last moment, sending us
  flying into the grass before I'm correcting for my turn. The wheels rumble.
  My heart is pounding when we bounce in our seats. I let up on the gas. Relief
  fills us when the truck returns to the road. Jesse was plain scared. Jake
  laughed, gesturing for me to pick up speed again. Instead, I relax my right
  foot until the truck slows to a stop.

     "What's wrong?" asks Jake. "Did you lose a tire?"

     "No..."

     "Oh. Too scary for yah?"

     "Mike needs this truck in one piece if he's to get back to Havre," says
  Jesse. "When you get your own wheels, you can do what you want."

     "Chicken!" Jake ignored his cousin's comment. "Don't be scared, Jesse. At
  least Mike knows how to have some fun. Don't you?" The word 'chicken' is
  mouthed and he flaps his arms at his sides.

     I'm turning to the boy with a sly grin. "Do you think you can drive better
  than me?"

     "Maybe. Though I've never been behind the wheel before. I'll be taking
  Driver's Ed. in the Fall."

     I see in Jake's eyes that he's figured out what I'm about to suggest to
  him. "Okay. Let's see you get this 'crate' going faster than me. Maybe so
  fast that it'll take off like an eagle into the sky." The boy is already
  opening his door. I get out but not without a scolding from my lover.

     :He's going to break all our necks!: warns Jesse.

     :You do worry too much, Jes, but have you forgotten? This truck is a stick
  shift. Jake will be lucky to get my 'crate' up to thirty if he doesn't stall
  the engine first. Then the laugh will be on him.:

     :It's a long walk back to the school,: Says Jesse.

     I slough off my lover's concern and pass a smiling Jake in front of my
  truck. We get in. "Seatbelt, Jake." I'm smiling to myself when the boy
  realizes that he's gotta shift this old crate of mine. "I've got it in
  neutral. Step on the clutch... there, then move the stick forward."

     "Sure. I knew that," says Jake but his voice betrayed his anxiety.

     Jake stick shifts. He steps on the gas and... stalls the engine.

     "Let me try that again."

     Another 'repeat performance' is rendered to the ho-hum audience. I'm
  preventing myself from laughing at him. Jake manages to get us moving
  forward on the third try. I hear the engine roaring and say, "Let off on the
  gas with your right foot, step on the clutch then move the stick back to
  second gear." He manages it. Dust is raised up behind us. I tell him how to
  shift into third and he does though with a brief roaring of the engine when
  he forgot to let up on the gas. The speedometer reads thirty. Wow. I didn't
  think the boy would have managed it.

     Jake hits the horn. "Yeah! Get out of the way or get runned over. We're
  coming through!"

     Who does he mean? There's no one around in these bad lands. Jesse
  snuggles closer to me so I wrap my left arm protectively around him.

     :This was a good idea of yours, love. If we survive in one piece.:

     :We will. Jake's got the hang of it.: I'm looking at my speedometer. He's
  got my truck up to just over forty. Dust billows up behind us and rain like
  splattering is heard against the undercarriage. I let out a loud whoop!

     "Wow! This is better than sex!" Jake shouts. He lays on the horn in a
  rhythmic beat like he's fucking the road. Beep... beep... Beep, Beep, BEEP!
  A low grunt comes from his mouth. "That was gooooood! How about you two?"

     My truck slows to a stop. Jake turns to us when we didn't answer him and
  he sees my arm around his cousin. That bright thrill in his eyes fades. I'm
  thinking about letting my love go but the hell with what this kid thinks.

     "Now it's your turn, cousin."

     "Me?" gasps Jesse. "I don't know how to drive!"

     "Sure you can!" I revert to mind speaking with my lover. :We can't allow
  your young 'cous say that you're a chicken, now can we?:

     :Okay...: Jesse says out loud, "I'll show the both of you!"

     Jake gets out of the driver's seat and comes around to my side. Jes and I
  are sliding over to the left. I'm not needing to remind Jake about his
  seatbelt this time. He makes a point of securing himself as if fearing his
  cousin's bad driving. :Jes. Pull what you need from me to drive this truck.
  We'll show this youngin' something.:

     Jesse stick shifts into first. A perfect performance. When the engine
  roars in warning for second, he makes the gear change and steps on the gas.
  Third gear. Jake's eyes are widening in surprise. He looks back at the dust
  being raised on the road. The speedometer reads thirty five, forty... fifty!
  We're flying down the road.

     "Hey... You've driven Mike's truck before," complains Jake.

     Jesse is shaking his head with a grin. "Nope. This is my first time
  behind the wheel of anything!"

     I see that we're coming up to an intersection. Jesse expertly slows the
  truck, down shifting and stops at the sign. My lover looks in both directions
  then makes a U-turn in the intersection (a paved road) to return the way we
  came. He gets my truck back up to fifty. Jake yelps out in excitement as we
  tear up this old road. It's good to see the boy so happy. A brief respite he
  needs from mourning over his mother's death.

     Jesse comes to a stop near that forking in the road. "You'll learn how to
  drive a stick shift in time, cousin." He sticks his tongue out at Jake.

     "Like you obviously have," the boy answers. "That was cheating! You said
  that you've not driven before."

     "Haven't. I swear!"

     I'm nodding in support to my lover. Jesse gets out and I'm sliding over
  to the driver's seat. Jake also gets out of the truck to allow Jes to sit at
  my side. I turn left at the fork to explore down this part of the dirt road.
  I'm keeping my speed down to just under thirty.

     "Alright. Are you going to tell me how you managed that, Jesse?"

     My lover giggles. He taps the right side of my head to explain it.

     "You mean... it was your Connection thing with Mike that let you drive as
  well as he did?"

     "Yes. That's how Mike can speak Siksika because he's getting that from me.
  We Share more than our thoughts and feelings, Jake. I can Pull memories from
  him of how he knows to drive so now... I can."

     "Wow." The boy thinks for a moment. "Can I do the same thing? I've got
  Power too like you've told me and all."

     I answer that question. "You can't. Your special ability gifted from our
  Father allows you to Glean people. Jes and I have been Connected from a
  spirit Passed..."

     "Mike!"

     I shut my lips tight. :Sorry, my love. I forgot myself for a moment.:

     :Maybe we should tell Jake. He's family, after all.:

     :Okay. You tell him.: Jes and I exchange glances.

     "Are you two Talking to each other?" asks Jake.

     We're both nodding.

     "Jake? I need to hear you swear a solemn oath that you're not going to
  tell anyone, and I mean not ANYONE about my Connection to Mike, our Powers
  or what I'm about to confide in you now." Jesse flares his eyes at Jake.

     "Okay." The boy sits up straight in his seat. "I swear on our Holy Father
  never to reveal to any other what you're about to tell me. No one will know
  that you two share a... special bond and have Power."

     "I hear your vow and know not any others that you have broken," says
  Jesse in ritual stance. "Jake. If people were to know what Mike and I can
  do, the Government would come for us and put us in a laboratory to know how
  we do it. You too, since you have Power as well."

     Jake breathes in deeply and releases it. "You can trust me in this. I
  won't tell anyone. Ah. Does anyone else know about it?"

     "My mother does. So does my uncle, Running Water. Grandfather knows of
  course because he's shaman of our tribe and it was by his hand that the Power
  Bundle's spirit was Passed into Short Hair and I."

     "A Power Bundle. Is that like a sacred Indian relic or something?"

     Jesse nods his head. "It was crafted by my grandfather's grandfather.
  From his sacrifice, our Father borne it with a spirit. This Power Bundle was
  kept in his arms for many long years where his body lay hidden in a mountain
  cave. It awaited discovery by those the spirit was intended to Pass into. Us.
  Yet an evil Trickster stole it first. His name is Eli Kie. An adopted White
  man of my tribe stole it back from him and hid it under the floor boards in
  his bedroom. Before Ron could return it to my People, he was murdered."

     "Murdered?" gasps Jake. "Do you know by who?"

     Jesse sadly nods. "Months passed and a certain white guy who had come up
  from Indiana to vacation in my town rented that man's trailer. Ron's spirit
  was guarding over the Power Bundle that lay hidden in his bedroom."

     I jump into my lover's account of what happened. "I was that white guy!
  Ron's ghost haunted his trailer and he gave me scary dreams of who murdered
  him. Jesse's grandfather knew that the Power Bundle was dying so he tasked
  us to find it quick. From the clues Ron gave me, we figured it out. The
  carpet in my bedroom was rolled away. Ron's ghost moved my chest of drawers
  for us so we could find his hiding place."

     "Really?" asks Jake.

     I stare at the boy. "Really. Seeing that made my hair stand up on end!"

     "You actually saw a ghost?" asks Jake.

     "Yeah. The room had turned cold and I more Felt Ron's Presence than saw
  him. Jesse lifted out the Power Bundle from its hiding place. Then he Sent
  Ron's spirit to his award in the Above. It made my ears pop." Jake is hanging
  on my every word. He'd been skeptical at first of our 'ghost story' but he's
  believing what we're saying. He should. It really happened.

     "I went outside the trailer ahead of Mike," continues Jesse. "Eli Kie was
  waiting for me and he attacked. We struggled for the Power Bundle in my arms
  but I didn't let go."

     "My lover was a real sport. Even when that man punched him in the eye,
  Jesse didn't let it go. I'd heard his yell and ran out to help but Eli Kie
  pointed his gun at me. He was gonna shoot us both and take the Power Bundle."

     "Why did he want it?" asks Jake. "Is it worth a lot of money?"

     "Eli Kie is the servant of a Dark Master. He wanted to use the bundle for
  an evil purpose." I don't mention to Jake that if he had gotten his hands on
  it, he could have brought about the end to the world. Shaman Charms A Bird is
  hot on that Trickster's trail where they're gonna have a show down in the
  sacred wood in California soon.

     "How did you get away with the bundle? Obviously, he didn't shoot either
  of you."

     "My neighbor came to our rescue. He pointed his rifle at the man's head.
  That gave me the opportunity to pull my lover from Eli Kie's dirty hands. We
  ran back to his mother's house only a block away."

     Jesse continues the account. "Mike Felt that there was someone in my
  house so I ran towards the street. He flattened himself by the side of my
  front door and when Officer Danielson came out with his gun pointed at me,
  Mike sprung. My lover saved me from getting shot!"

     "A police officer was going to kill you?" asks Jake. "Why?"

     "He was working with Eli Kie to steal our tribe's Power Bundle. They're
  both corrupt policemen."

     I jump in to explain that. "Danielson was working for a collector of Native
  American artifacts. You're right, Jake. They can be worth a lot of money. We
  think he wanted to get his hands on our Power Bundle to sell it while Eli Kie
  wanted it for an evil purpose. They were working together but for different
  goals unbeknownst to each other."

     "Did you... kill that police officer?"

     "No, Jake. Defending my lover from him did put Danielson in the hospital
  and he was murdered there."

     "By who?"

     "Eli Kie. He also murdered Ron Earlman who'd stolen back the Power Bundle
  from him but we can't prove that."

     Jesse finishes the story. "We'd escaped those two corrupt policemen with
  the Power Bundle dying in my arms. Mom drove us to my grandfather who is the
  shaman of our tribe. He performed a rite that Passed the Power Bundle's
  spirit into both of us. We're Connected in thought and spirit though already,
  our hearts were one. That spirit dwelling inside us grants us Power to serve
  the People. And we will!"

     "I didn't know such things really happened," whispers Jake with awe in his
  voice. "At least not today." A thought strikes him. "If you two are Connected
  as closely as you say, what happens when one of you... ah, dies?"

     "The other will follow so we may be Joined in the Above," answers Jesse.

     Jake gasps. He drops his eyes down to his knees. "Maybe that's fitting
  since, I wouldn't want to remain alive if my... lover went on to Heaven."

     Jes and I are nodding in agreement. We raise our clasped hands unto Him,
  our heavenly Father in the hope of being given the chance at a longer second
  life to be together. Owopspec was denied that when Chris was murdered.

     Jake turns to look out his window. We've given him a lot to think about
  and maybe, he'll return the favor by trusting us with his own secrets. I put
  my truck in gear and continue driving down the dirt road.


  AUTHOR'S NOTE:
  The newly introduced character of Jake is not my creation. My good friend
  Luke who's been editing my stories these past two years presented me with an
  outline for Jake. Together, we improved and built upon the original outline
  to where I understood this character enough to write his introduction. He
  will become an addition to Winna's household. Yup. Three gay boys under that
  woman's roof. The 'Jake Outline' contains details about his early boyhood
  when living with his mother in Los Angeles, admission to the Jesuit school
  and his exploits there with the other boys until... Well. READ the outline
  for yourself but be warned that it contains information not yet released in
  the NtTL series, if ever! I've posted the five text parts that comprise
  Jake's Outline (my correspondence with Luke) with the Nifty Archive, within
  the folder: JAKE.

  Those inspirational 'muscle' posters hanging on Jake's bedroom wall that Mike
  Sees through Jesse's eyes actually exist. I've got that Indian warrior poster
  hanging on my wall! If you'd like to see them for yourself, find them in the
  PHOTOS section on my Yahoo! Group within the folder: Posters on Jake's Wall.
  www.groups.yahoo.com/group/NtTLStoriesAndSketches

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