Читать книгу As the Eagle Flies - J. D. Oliver - Страница 7

Chapter Two

I came around and lined myself up, the wheels were down and locked. There was a fence that I would have to clear at the start of the runway. I came in low and as soon as I was just by the fence; I set her down with full flaps and brakes locked. The wheels were throwing sod every which way.

The man had chased the last of the stock out of our way. I got her stopped just before I ran into the fence at the end of the runway, or I guess I could say pasture. I sure put some grooves the full length of it. I suppose I would have to pay for that.

I turned around and tapped Jake on the shoulder, “We’ve landed, you’re safe now.” He looked up, his face pale as a ghost. He looked around and didn’t say a word. For a man who could ride a two thousand pound bull, he sure let a little emergency landing spook him.

As we were getting out, the man who shooed the stock away was walking toward us. He was an older Mexican fellow, with a big smile. “That was a good landing Senor, the Gods must of have been with you. Welcome to the Ranchos de Chama. My name is Miguel.” He said, holding his hand out to shake.

I took his hand and pumped it, “Thank you for clearing the runway, I’m Clay, this is my brother Jake and this is my father, Karl Bronson. You sure saved our lives.”

“You’re welcome Senor. Do you want me to get the tractor and put your plane in the hanger?” He said pointing to a large hanger setting on the East side of the runway. I hadn’t even noticed it.

“Yeah, I guess, sure. That right motor has some problems, do you know of a good aircraft mechanic?” I said.

“I used to work on the Patron’s airplane, perhaps you would like me to look at it?” he said with a smile.

I looked at him, closer. He had a twinkle in his eye. Now I knew better than to judge people by first sight; this was a case in point. He was more than met the eye. “Yes, of course I would,” I said.

He went to get the tractor, it was equipped with an aircraft hitch. He pulled it over and backed it in the hanger. He said, “Perhaps you would like to get your overnight bags, I will take you to the main house and introduce you to the Senora. She will be glad to have you stay with them.”

“Are you sure, we could just bunk here in the hanger?” Dad said.

“That would hurt her feelings, you must come to the main house,” he said.

“Okay, sure, we’ll come, we’re sorry for suggesting otherwise.” Dad said. We retrieved our bags. Jake still hadn’t said a word. There was an old 47 Chevy pickup parked beside the hanger, Dad and Miguel got in the cab, Jake and I, jumped in the back. Jake mumbled, “I guess we’re going to miss that Rodeo in Santa Fe.”

“I do believe you’re right. But I guess we need the rest anyway.” I said. The main house was a mile up a tree lined lane. This sure was a fancy place. I could see Dad and Miguel laughing and talking in the cab. They seemed to hit it off pretty good.

The main house was a classic Mexican Villa, in the Santa Fe style. We pulled up and as we were getting out, the main door opened; a women stood there smiling. Miguel said, “This is my wife, Ester. She’s the Home Manager for the Senora. I run the Ranchos.” Turning to his wife, he said, “Ester is the Senora ready to receive visitors?”

“Of course, she heard their plane land; she is expecting them. Come in please, Juan will take your bags to your rooms.” A young boy appeared and took our bags and hurried off down a cool hallway. The walls in the house must have been three foot thick.

She showed us into a parlor where a woman was bending over a fancy antique crib. She stood up and turned to face us. She was in her middle forties or so, she said, “Welcome to our home. My name is Felicia Cortez,” she held her hand out, Dad took it and bowed low over it. I couldn’t believe it; I had never seen him do something like that. He kissed the back of her hand, she did a little curtsy. What was more, he had taken his hat off at the first sight of her. Jake and I grabbed our hats off and mumbled a greeting of some kind.

Dad said, “My name is Karl Bronson, these are my son’s Clay and Jake. She turned to us and smiled. She was beautiful, not that Jake and I were interested, but Dad sure was.

She said, “My Hacienda is yours as long as you need it, I heard your plane coming from a long ways off and knew you would land here. We’ve already had our noon repast; can I have the cook bring a snack before supper?”

“Uh, no we’re alright, perhaps just something to drink?” Dad said. She clapped her hands, a young girl scurried in. “Juanita, some ice tea please?” The girl turned and scooted off. Miguel and Ester had disappeared. Felicia showed us to some overstuffed cowhide leather chairs. She settled into her chair like a queen setting down. Which I guess she was; queen of this place anyway.

The girl came back with a pitcher of ice tea and glasses along with some scones or something. She poured our glasses full. When she passed the bread, both Jake and I took a handful. Dad didn’t.

There came a whimper from the crib. Felicia said, “Oh, my Grand Daughter is waking up. She wants fed.” Felicia looked directly at me. She said, “Clay, if you would be so kind, please take the baby to my Daughter-in-law, she will nurse her. It’s down the hallway the second door on the left, just knock lightly and go right in.”

I was stunned, too stunned to protest. I went over and picked up a four or five months old baby girl, she had dark brown hair, she gurgled at me and smiled. It was strange; I picked her up, just like I had been doing it from her birth. Dad and Jake were staring at me, that’s okay, I was staring at myself.

I knocked, turning the knob, I went in. There was a young women sleeping in a big old style bed. She had blond hair. I went over and stood beside her, I cleared my throat. “Uh, Miss, your Mother sent me in with the baby, she’s awake.”

She opened her eyes; they were blue, she looked at me, her eyes focusing. Suddenly she was wide awake. She sat up, “What time is it?”

“Uh, I believe its somewhere around three in the afternoon.” I said, as she sat up in bed. She had on a light night gown, open at the throat. “Shit, she let me sleep too long again. Alita was colicky all night; I guess I was just tired out. Here, give her to me.” She said as she opened her night gown. It fell off of her shoulders, exposing both breasts! She didn’t even blink. Alita locked on to her left breast, sucking mightily. “My name is Faith, what’s yours?

“It’s Clay, look I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be in here, but your Mother sent me in. I guess I was just too surprised to protest. Besides, when I picked the Baby up, it, it just seemed like she was mine, weird huh?”

“My Mother-in-law, not my Mother. Her son, my husband was killed along with her husband in a plane crash about a year ago.” She was looking at me with a small smile on her face; as her eyes twinkled at my discomfort.

She glanced down at the baby and then her other breast. “Nice huh?” she said, indicating her right breast. “They sure are bigger with all of this milk.”

“Uh, yes, I should be embarrassed and you know what? I am. But anyway; may I set down beside you?”

“Yes, sure. I’m not this way with everybody. But it seems like, I don’t know, I have been expecting you. I know I’ve seen you in my dreams.”

I sat down, she reached over and took my hand. It fit naturally into mine. I leaned over as she raised her lips to mine. The baby burped. We both laughed. “I guess I had better get up, here take her, she needs changed, there is a changing table over there. I’m going to take a shower.” Faith got up, I took the baby. She dropped her gown and walked toward the bathroom. My eyes followed her all the way till she pulled the shower curtain.

I didn’t have any trouble changing Alita; although I had never changed a baby before in my life. The shower turned off, Faith stepped out, grabbing a towel she smiled at me. I stood there with Alita in my arms, still staring. She got dressed in a peasant skirt and blouse, she didn’t bother putting on underwear.

“Come on, let’s join the others. Felicia’s daughter should be home anytime. She took some stock to town; a few old cows. Her name is Alona, she’s sixteen. A regular pistol.” Faith grabbed my hand, I followed along.

As we came in, Jake and Dad turned to look, they both stood up. I said, “Dad this is Faith and Alita, the baby’s name is Alita.” Then I introduced them to her. I was still holding the baby. Jake was looking back and forth between Faith and me. Dad had politely greeted Faith, then turned his attention back to Felicia.

Faith said, “Is Alona back yet?”

“No, not yet, I’m sorry I hadn’t told them about Alona; she is my daughter, she took some stock to market, we’re expecting her anytime. Jake, perhaps you could meet her at the barn and tell her we have company?”

It was Jake’s turn to be stunned. He nodded numbly, and left. Faith come up and took my elbow, “Would you like to see the barn? We can go along.”

“Sure, I think maybe Alita would like the fresh air.” Now how would I know if the baby would like fresh air?

Faith said, as we closed the massive front door, “I think Felicia and your Father would like some time alone. Did you see how her eyes sparkled? I think she likes your Dad.”

“Wow! I don’t understand what’s happening. But I like it.” I said. We heard Miguel’s old pickup coming down the lane. He stopped beside us. “I had some time, so I checked the right engine on your plane; I can find nothing wrong with it, Senor.”

“Huh? Not even some oil on the engine from a leak? There was smoke coming out from under the cowl.”

“No Senor, I even started it up; the oil pressure was normal. I could find nothing wrong. But yes, when you were landing I seen the smoke you speak of, but now it is fine.”

Faith looked up at me, “You silly boy, of course there was nothing wrong with your plane. You were meant to come here. We were expecting you.”

“You mean that just happened so we would land here?” I said. She nodded, while taking my hand and putting my arm around her waist.

As we stood by the corral, we could hear a truck coming down the lane from the highway. It was a brand new diesel 5 ton stake truck. It came roaring in and slid to a stop. A young dark haired girl in jeans and western shirt jumped out. She quickly glanced at Faith and me, then turned her gaze to Jake. They stood there staring at each other.

“Alona, this is Jake, the one you’re staring at. And this is his brother Clay, he’s mine. The father to them both is in the house with your mother. It’s like the Eagle told us; you remember, in our dreams?”

Alona drew some circles in the dust with her boot toe. She was looking at Jake through lowered eyes. A small smile was growing bigger, showing her pearly white teeth. She said, in a voice just above a whisper, “Jake, would you like to see my Barrel Horse?”

“Yeah, sure I would, do you Rodeo?”

“Yes, of course. I know you do too. Did you win last night?” Jake had his composure back. I seen his chest puff out some, he said, “Sure did, I guess you could call it that anyway, I took second place money on a pretty bad bull. Anytime I stick for eight seconds; I call that winning.”

“I call that winning too.” She said, as she motioned for Jake to follow her. She wouldn’t have had to do that, because he sure would of followed on his own. Course he was a couple of steps back so he could appreciate the view.

Faith gave me a wink, as we watched them walk off toward the barn. “I think they like each other, don’t you?” Faith said, then added, “Would you like to see our swimming hole? It’s just a short way. Alita likes to crawl in the grass, there’s a lot of shade there.”

“Sure, I reckon.” I said, as I adjusted Alita’s position in my right arm, as I still had my left arm around Faith. The swimming hole was a natural slow backwater off of the river. The grass grew right down to its edge.

Faith sat down cross legged with her peasant skirt flared out around her. She said, “Just put her down beside me.” I did so. Alita immediately started to crawl toward a Dandelion plant. She picked it and started to put it in her mouth, I grabbed it and said, “Hey not in your mouth; let’s put it in your hair.” I put it above her ear, she gurgled at me. Then I picked her up and went to set beside Faith. Faith took her and put her in her lap. Alita leaned back between her breasts and started to doze off.

It was pleasant sitting there in the shade and listening to the water and the birds and the bees. Faith cocked her head at me and said, “Well, what do you want to know about me?”

“I reckon just about everything. You seem to know more about me, than I do you.” I said, as I took her hand in mine, and looked at the well manicured nails. Then I said, “I’ve never seen a ranch girl with nails like yours?”

“There’s nothing to say that a ranch girl can’t keep herself up, just because she lives on a ranch, is there?”

“No, of course not. But I get the impression that you haven’t always lived on a ranch, have you?”

“No, I haven’t, you’re right. I grew up in the Napa Valley in California. I had a Basketball scholarship to Arizona State. That’s where I met Theodore, he was an Agriculture Major there. We got married right after graduation.”

“Basketball? You don’t look like a basketball player.” I said.

“What does a basketball player look like?” Faith said, pinching my hand a little bit.

“Well you know, sort of butch, I guess?” She pinched me a little harder.

“Do you think I look Butch?” She said.

“No, not the least little bit, you’re beautiful. But on second thought, from what I seen in your room, you have muscles in all the right places.” She smiled.

“Yes, and I bet you do too. Would you like to go swimming? Alita is asleep.”

“Well, yeah, I guess. But we don’t have any suits; we’d have to go back to the house to get them.” I said.

“We don’t need suits, nobody can see us.” Faith said as she laid Alita in the grass. Then she stood up and said, “Come on, stand up, I’ll help you with your clothes.” I did as instructed. Ever since we got here I was doing what I was told. I guess I was still in shock. She unbuttoned my shirt and pushed it back off of my shoulders. Her fingers made a trail down toward my belt buckle, before I knew it, I was stepping out of my jeans. She started to pull my shorts down, I stopped her.

“Not till you’re, you know, take yours off.” I said. She smiled and dropped her skirt, like I said she didn’t put any underwear on. Then she slowly took her blouse off. I stood there transfixed. Then she reached out and pushed my shorts down a ways, then used her right foot to push them down all of the way. She had a big smile on her face.

I said, “Hold on a second. Do you know what you’re doing? I’m sort of old fashioned. I’m not saying that I’ve never had sex before, but somehow, between you and me, I want something more. What about you?”

“Of course silly, we’re going to get married. I told you I’ve had dreams about you. And I don’t mean in just a general way. I know every bit of your body. For instance, I haven’t seen your backside, have I? No…what would you say if I told you that you have a heart shaped birthmark on your right hip? Now think about me, you may not think you have ever seen my body before, but think hard, close your eyes and tell me where I have a mole, you couldn’t of seen it before in the bedroom, because it’s hidden.”

I closed my eyes. Her body came into my mind. On her inner thigh, up close to her groin was a mole, it couldn’t be seen, where it was at. She was right I had seen her in my dreams, in a very intimate way. I thought they were just sex dreams; I didn’t know they were about anybody in particular. I opened my eyes, she was standing close up to me. “See, I told you.” Then she took my hand and we got in the water…..

We lay beside each other, drying in the soft breeze. Alita was still sleeping. Faith’s breasts were swelling with milk, one of them was dripping a little bit, I wiped it away. Faith sighed, “I suppose I had better wake Alita up, I feel like an old milk cow that needs milked.” Alita latched on with enthusiasm. I sort of envied her.

“I guess we had better be getting back, I should help set the table. Ester does all of the cooking, they think I don’t know how.” I held Alita while Faith got dressed, then Faith took her and I started to get dressed. Faith watched my every move.

We walked back hand-in-hand. Alita was gurgling and cooing and pointing to all of the animals. “Faith,” I said, “you know this is not going to happen again till we get married?”

We stopped walking, Faith looked up at me and said, “Yes,” in a soft voice, “I know, it’s just that I couldn’t help myself. Even before Theodore died, I had dreams about you once in awhile. I didn’t know what they meant, then. I thought they were just sex dreams, like you know everybody has.”

“I know, I have been having the same dreams and I thought that was just what they were, dreams. But now we know that they were more than that, color me old fashioned, but I believe that sex and marriage go hand-in-hand.” I said, as I leaned over and kissed her.

We continued walking, with Alita on my right hip and Faith pressed tightly up against me on my left side. I can remember my mother carrying Jake on her hip; just like I had Alita. It may not be manly to carry a baby that way, but it sure was easier.

When we got back to the house, Jake and Alona were just coming from the barn. They weren’t holding hands, but they might just of well had been. They were walking side by side, joking and laughing. Alona’s eyes sparkled, they couldn’t take their eyes off of each other.

When they seen us approaching, they stopped in their tracks, and stared. I couldn’t blame them, you really couldn’t tell where Faith left off and I began; as close together as we were. Plus I guess with the baby thrown in the mix, we were quite a sight to them.

Alona said, “Faith, Uh, what’s going on, you just met him?”

“Not really, we’ve known each other for quite awhile; you remember, our dreams. Anyway, we’re getting married.” Faith said.

“What about Teddy, he’s only been dead for not even a year; don’t you think that it’s a little fast?”

Jake spoke up, “Uh, Alona, I know my brother; he usually doesn’t do things on the spur of the moment. If they are going to get married, knowing him, I’m sure it’s forever.”

“Well, I guess so, it’s just that it took me by surprise.” She turned to look at Jake, their eyes met, she forgot all about us.

As the four and half of us went into the hall setting room, we seen Dad and Felicia setting there, sipping Margarita’s. Felicia turned to us and said, “Would you like a drink, I can ring for one?”

I said, “Just some Ice Tea for me and the Mrs. The kids there might like some soda pop.”

Felicia, looked at Faith, “Ah, I thought so. Karl and I have just been discussing your up coming marriage. Would you like to make it a double wedding?”

I thought my announcement would take them by surprise, but they had turned the tables on us. All four of us stood there dumbstruck. Alona said, when she found her voice, “you mean you two are getting married also?”

“Yes, we weren’t in as big of a hurry as Clay and Faith, but since they are getting married, we might as well do the same. No use to have two big weddings; when one will do.” Dad said. Then he took Felicia’s hand and kissed it. Her eyes were just as happy as my new wife’s were.

Felicia looked at Alona and Jake, “I’m sorry, but you two will just have to wait, you’re way to young to get married.”

“Huh, Uh,” Jake stammered, “we hadn’t even thought about getting married, have we Alona?”

“Well…no, not yet. But I do like you Jake. But marriage at this time, no, I guess not.” She took Jake’s hand, “We can wait, can’t we Jake?”

“Yes, of course, we both are too young, you sixteen and me only seventeen.”

Dad said, “Damn right you will wait. Even though your hormones are in high gear right now. Oh I know Clay and Faith aren’t a very good example. But hey, they’re a lot older than the two of you. They have waited their turn. The same goes for Felicia and me, we’re almost three times your age, so I guess we have the right.”

Felicia said, “That’s right Karl, I can remember my Grandfather saying, ‘just because I have a little snow on the roof, that’s no sign the furnace has gone out’.”

Alona said, “Really Mom, that’s gauche, I’ve never heard you talk that way, for heavens sake act your age.” Felicia, stuck her tongue out at her daughter, Faith giggled and took Alita from me and handed her to Felicia, “Here Felicia, hold your Granddaughter; Clay and I have to set the table for dinner.” Then she took my hand and hustled me out of the room.

As soon as we got out of the room, she plastered herself against me and kissed me. She pulled away and looked into my eyes. I guess I broke the spell when I said, “Uh, Honey, you just left two wet spots on my shirt, don’t you have a nursing bra to absorb some of that?”

“Oh you, of course I do.” Then she kicked me lightly in the shins. Of course it didn’t hurt, she was still barefoot. I pulled her back against me and kissed her, for a long time…I didn’t care if my whole shirt got wet.

“We broke and she said, “I don’t know why I’m making so much milk, I have enough milk for three babies. I guess I should donate some; is there some place that can be done?”

“I don’t know, maybe you could ask your doctor, he might know?” I said.

“Yeah, I guess I will call her tomorrow. I’ll have to use the breast pump again tonight, I think I have a lot of bottles in the refrigerator. No use to waste it, I guess.”

How did I go from a care free bachelor to a husband and father, in a matter of hours? It wasn’t as if I didn’t like it, because I did. But it sure was mighty fast.

“The dishes are in the cupboard, over there. You set the table, I’m going to call my Doctor, she said I could call her anytime.” Then she went to the phone in the hall. Set the table? I had never sat a table before in my entire life. “Hey, how many places do I set?” I called after her.

“Eight,” she called back, “Miguel and Ester eats with us.” I went to the cupboard, all of the time trying to remember how my Mother used to set the table. I had just finished when Faith came back. “She said we could come in tonight, she would meet us in her office. She said there was a shot she could give me; to cut the flow down a little bit. Will you drive me in?”

“Of course, blow in my ear and I’ll follow you anywhere.” I said.

“Oh, I’ll do more than that, after we’re married.” Then I got another kiss…

After supper, Faith fed Alita, then left her in the care of Alona and Grandma. We went out to the five car garage. In one of the spots was a restored 50 Ford Pickup. It was cherry apple green in color. Faith said, “This was Teddy’s pride and joy, it looks stock, doesn’t it? But it’s not, there’s a fairly new Mustang V-6 under the hood; he said it was supercharged. I haven’t driven it, in fact I’ve never even rode in it. He had just finished it the week before he was killed in that plane crash. Do you want to take it?”

“Yes, of course. I would love to, I’ve always been a little bit of car nut myself.” I said, as I slid behind the wheel. Of course that was after I helped Faith in the passenger side. It did have seat belts and after market airbags.

The transmission was a dragsters dream, it was one of the sidebar shifts, it wasn’t just a three speed though, it was a five speed. It took me a few seconds to get the hang of it. The motor just sat there and growled. Oh yeah, there was one other thing that wasn’t stock; a built in child restraint seat. I guess he was thinking ahead.

I felt a little funny, it was like stepping into another man’s shoes. I guess I shouldn’t worry, Faith sure wasn’t. We couldn’t set side by side; cause of the child seat in the middle. I guess that was okay, we were buckled in anyway.

I idled out of the garage and down the lane. When I hit the county road, which was paved. I goosed it, it fish tailed from side to side before I could get off of it. “Whew, this is one hot rod,” I said, Faith said,

“Isn’t it though. Oh, you were talking about the truck, yes it is too.” She said with a smile. I looked at her, “Patience, my love, patience.” I said with a leer.

We pulled up in front of the clinic. I went around and opened the door for Faith. I reached in to help her out, she grabbed me and pulled me down and kissed me. Of course I put up a fight, NOT!

She was leaking again, that cut our kiss short. “Damn, that sure puts a damper on my ardor,” she said.

“Yeah, mine too. But I guess that’s good, at least till we get married. I sure hope that shot the Doc is going to give you works.” I said.

The Doctor was waiting for us. She was a young Navajo girl. Turned out this was her first practice. She looked at me, “Sioux?” She said.

“Uh, no, Northern Cheyenne. Close, but no cigar.” I said.

“I hope you don’t smoke!” She said.

“Uh, that was a joke, of course I don’t smoke.”

“Good. Because second hand smoke is bad for babies, well really for anyone.” She said.

I was starting to think she didn’t have a sense of humor, that was till I caught the twinkle in her eye. “Oh, you were just pulling my leg.” I said.

“Well Duh, I was starting to think you didn’t have a sense of humor. Come on in, we’ll give you a quick once over Faith, then we’ll see about that shot.”

I followed her in. The Doc glanced at me, then said to Faith, “Where did you pick him up?”

“He fell out of the sky, he’s mine and I’m keeping him.” Faith said.

“Well, I sure don’t want him, he’s all yours.” Doc said. “Although he is sort of cute.”

“Hey, I’m right here. Are you both blind?”

“Stifle it Edith, if you want to stay in here while I check your wife over.” Doc said.

“Hey, you called her my wife, how did you know we’re getting married?” I said.

“Well, what else would you be doing with Faith, she’s not a floozy, you know?”

“Yes, Doc, I do know that. And I’m not either. Do you know anyone who can marry us?” I said.

“Yeah, me. I’m the Clerk and Recorder and the Justice of the Peace for the Chama area. As such I’m licensed by the state.”

I looked at Faith, “Is that right, can she do that?”

“Yes, not only that, but being a doctor she can give us our blood tests.” Faith said.

“What’s your name Doc? I asked.

It’s Pretty Otter, Gail Pretty Otter. So how did you come to fall out of the sky?”

“Well, we didn’t really fall out, the starboard engine on my Cessna was giving a little trouble; we had to make an emergency landing.” I said.

“You said ‘we’, who else was with you?” Gail asked.

“My Dad and Brother. My Dad’s name is Karl and my brother’s name is Jake. Our last name is Bronson. Oh, by the way, as far as the wedding goes; Dad and Felicia are getting married also.”

“What? Felicia Cortez is getting married? I can’t believe it, really?” Gail said.

“What’s wrong with her getting married?” I asked.

“Nothing really, it’s just that with the Spanish Land Grant; you do know that her place has been in her family for three hundred years? I see that you didn’t, but anyway when she got married the first time she didn’t even take her husbands name, she kept her maiden name of Cortez. And speaking of the land grant; Faith, would you tell Felicia that there has been some lawyers poking around? They wanted to see her title, I told them to piss off.”

“Well you can rest assured that Dad isn’t interested in her property, that is outside of the intimate kind. My Mother died two years ago. We still own our ranch in the Big Horn Basin. We don’t need more land.” I said.

“I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, I didn’t think your Dad was. It’s just that I can see trouble on the horizon; is your Dad sure he wants to get involved?”

“Sure, why not? We’re fighters, always have been. We especially like to take the underdog’s side.” I said.

“Alright, let’s forget about that. Since you guys are getting married, I guess I had better give you both a quick once over. When is the last time you had a physical Clay?”

“When I was mustered out of the Navy. I guess it’s been about two years.”

“Okay, but I think I’d better check a few things; we’ll draw some blood and a urine sample and I suppose we had better check your prostate.”

“Why my prostate, what for?”

“Well I think Faith would like to know that you’re in good operating condition, plus also I had better check you for testicular cancer.” Gail said, then added, “do you want separate examining rooms, or are you both comfortable right here?”

“Oh, I want to stay in the same room,” Faith said, with a diabolical giggle.

“Alright, Clay there’s a specimen cup in the bathroom, over there. You give me some urine, I’ll give Faith her shot and take a blood sample from her. Just leave the bottle on the sink when you come out.”

I went in and did what she asked. Then I came out and sat beside Faith on the exam table. Gail pulled a couple of vials of blood out of me. Then said, “Okay, stand up and drop your drawers.”

“Are you sure we have to do this?” I said, as Faith reached over and unbuckled my belt. “Yes, I’m sure,” Gail said. As she snapped some latex gloves on, she too had a diabolical grin on her face.

“Turn your head and cough,” She said, I did so. “Well there’s no hernia’s anyway, stand still so I can feel for lumps.”

Faith said, “Can I do that, I should know what to look for, shouldn’t I?”

“Sure,” Gail said, “just feel all around, you can tell if there’s something amiss.”

“I don’t feel anything.” Faith said.

“Good, turn around Clay and bend over, here’s a tissue, sometimes you might leak a little bit.” I think she really took delight in my discomfort. I know my face must have been bright red.

“No, that’s fine too. You can just throw that tissue in the garbage. You can get dressed now.”

“Do you do that to everyman that gets married?” I asked.

“No, of course not. Faith just wanted to see if you were a good sport or not; you are. But really, a man should get checked every year for prostate cancer, it didn’t hurt you any did it?” Gail said.

“No, it was just embarrassing is all. But come to think of it, I would a lot rather have a woman doctor do that than a man. I always felt uncomfortable when a man doctor did that. With you it wasn’t so bad.”

“That’s just because my fingers are smaller.” She said, then added, “would you two like to get a cup of coffee?”

I looked at Faith, she nodded. “Sure,” I said, “do you know of a place?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I’m a local around here, you know. There’s not too many choice’s in a little town like Abiquiu; my cousin has a small Café. He needs the business anyway, you two being a couple of money bags, you can leave a big tip.”

“Oh, we can, can we? But yes, I usually do anyway, especially if the waitress is cute.” Faith kicked me. “But not anymore, even if their ugly, I’ll leave a big tip.” Faith kissed me.

“Alright, I’ll take my car, you two can meet me there, Faith knows where it’s at.”

It was a little bigger than Gail had led me to believe. Gail was already inside, she was setting at a corner booth. She waved us over. There were perhaps ten people already there, Natives with a long history in New Mexico, mostly Navajo and Mexican, a couple of whites. Or what could be called whites, now all of the races were so intermixed, it was hard to tell, look at me.

We were sipping our coffee, when Gail said, “You know, Faith’s condition made me think of something my mother told me. You’ve heard of the ‘Long Walk’, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, I have, I don’t know about Faith, how about it Faith have you?”

“Perhaps, something about the Indian wars, wasn’t it?” Faith said.

“But what does that have to do with Faith being a milk factory?” I asked.

“That was what I was coming to, it’s a little bit yucky, but not really. You see it was a matter of survival. The year was 1864. The Army had completed the burning of all of our crops and orchards; we had no way to sustain ourselves. In short we lost. Kit Carson was the officer in charge, he told us he would make sure we were treated fairly. They were going to relocate us from our homes, it started at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. They made us walk, men, women and children from our homes to Bosque Redondo in Eastern New Mexico.

Anyway, they didn’t provide them with enough food; over three thousand perished on that walk. My Great Grandfather was just a small baby. My Great, Great Grandmother had the same condition as Faith, she made lots of milk. So what they did was to give her the food, in turn she fed both the baby and my Great, Great Grandfather on her milk. I told you it was little bit yucky, but when you think about, it wasn’t that bad, they all survived anyhow.”

“I don’t see anything yucky about that,” Faith said, “but I guess, some people probably would, but not me.”

“As long as were telling survival stories,” I said. “My Great Grandmother survived the Sand Creek Massacre. That was on Dec. 28, 1864. On Sand Creek, Chief Black Kettle was camped there with Cheyenne and Arapaho families. Chivington and 700 so-called Colorado Militia. That was when he said, ‘Kill them all, big and small, nits make lice.’ Out of 123 dead, a hundred of them were women and children.”

We three sat there for awhile, not saying anything. I finally spoke up, “Of course those two depredations were only two things that happened. There were many more. In the whole world things like that are going on everyday: Still! It has never stopped. But Hell, there’s not much we can do about it. I guess the only thing we can do; is for us not to be a party to any of it.”

Gail took a deep breath and said, “So, when do the four of you want to get married? I can have the paper work ready tomorrow.”

“That’s fine with us,” Faith said, “but I had better call you in the morning, after we talk to Felicia and Karl.” On that note, we all said our goodbyes. Faith and I got back in the Pickup. It snapped to life, with a throaty growl. “So how fast does this thing go? I asked Faith.

“I don’t’ know this is the first time I’ve every rode in it. But Teddy did say that he could bury the needle, whatever that means.” She said.

I looked down at the speedometer, it read up to 140. I don’t think I would like to go that fast, but it was nice to know it could. When we got back to the Hacienda, Alita was awake and hungry. The four of them were playing cards, Texas Hold Em. Alona was winning. I looked at Jake, for once he wasn’t a sore loser.

Dad and Felicia were playing by remote control I think, because they couldn’t take their eyes off of each other. Which made me glad, Dad deserved some happiness again.

Faith had taken Alita into the bedroom to feed her. The poker game broke up. Alona went off to bed, Jake went to his own room. I guess I was supposed to sleep with Faith, my bag was in there anyway. And I think Dad’s was in Felicia’s room.

The three of us were having a short nightcap. I told Felicia about what Gail had said; that some lawyers were poking around the records.

She said, “Yes, I know. They have been trying to overturn my Spanish Land Grant. They haven’t made any progress though. But still I’m worried, you know how some of these crooked lawyers are; if they can’t find a loophole they will try to make one.”

“You know, there is one thing about loop holes; they sure resemble a hang man’s noose,” Dad said. “That old saying, ‘give a man enough rope and he’s libel to hang himself’; it sure could prove true in this case.”

“Oh yeah, one more thing, Gail says that she can marry us, she wants to know if tomorrow is fast enough?” I said.

Dad put his arm around Felicia, she smiled up at him, she said, “No, it’s not fast enough, but I guess it will have to do. That is if your Dad doesn’t mind living in sin for one night?”

“I sure don’t mind, as long as we tie the knot first thing tomorrow, does that go for you too, son?”

“I reckon I don’t have much choice, if I don’t go in there; she will just come out and drag me in, but that suits me to a tee.”