Chapter 12

 

 

“Do you think Nathan will want the top bunk?”

“Why don’t you guys share? Every time you change the sheets, you switch. Would that work?”

“Yeah, I guess. I just want him to be happy living with us. I took the top bunk because I was here first. I never really offered the top bunk to him.”

“I think it’s great that you’d like to share. I’m sure Nathan will appreciate your offer.”

“Is he going to be like my brother? I always wanted a brother.”

“We’ll see. I don’t know how long my guardianship will last or just what the limitations are. We have some things to find out.”

 

* * *

 

The smoke and the occasional tongue of fire dancing above what was left of the camper’s blackened shell could be seen from two miles away. Torched. Probably by the uncle, Ben thought. But why would he risk pissing off J.C.? Hadn’t J.C. threatened Nathan that he wouldn’t have a home if his grandmother died? It had sounded like he was moving in. Family dynamics—always tough to figure out.

“There. There’s Nathan.” Zac lowered the truck’s window and leaned out to wave.

Nathan was standing next to Chief Billie, holding a large paper bag. Ben pulled up to one side, making sure he wasn’t downwind of the burning camper, and turned the truck off.

“Thanks, Dr. Pecos, I really appreciate the ride. And, thanks, too, for letting me stay with Zac.”

“We’re glad to have you with us. Can we help you put anything in the truck?”

“I wasn’t supposed to, but I took a saddle blanket that my grandmother made for Apache. I think she’d want him to have it.” Nathan patted the paper bag. “I don’t think she’d come back for it, do you?”

“I think you’re safe. It was a gift for your horse. I’ve always thought our dead honored animals. I’m certain she’d like Apache to have it. Now, I’d like to talk to Chief Billie here, if you boys could give us a few minutes.”

“Sure.” Nathan slung the paper straps on the bag over his shoulder and followed Zac to the truck.

“I dreamed of having a brother growing up. Did you have a sibling?” Ben turned to the chief.

“About five too many.” The chief laughed, “All girls.”

“Is it safe to just leave the trailer smoldering out here?”

“I’ve got a deputy coming out to babysit the fire. Probably would be okay but I won’t take chances.”

“I didn’t think property was destroyed unless the owner actually died in the house.”

“Well, mostly true but if a case can be made for the dead coming back, that is, if evil spirits are suspected of not wanting to leave their home, then whatever is attracting them must be destroyed and the area cleared so that no enticing remnant is left. This area will be planted in the spring. You won’t recognize it next year. But, neither will the evil spirits.”

Ben nodded. As always, so much to learn. Chief Billie motioned for Ben to follow him to the Bronco. Funny, before Ben got into the SUV, he looked around. He couldn’t shake an oppressive, almost suffocating feeling. He’d never reacted negatively to a discussion of evil spirits before, but once the conversation had centered on the return of the dead, he’d felt he was being watched—and not in a good way. Out of nowhere a breeze ruffled his hair and tickled the skin under the collar of his shirt. It sent a shiver across his shoulders. He quickly opened the Bronco’s door and stepped inside.

“I had some papers prepared giving you the guardianship of Nathan. Dr. Henry agrees with what we’re doing here and has witnessed the agreement. I’ve told Trini that you would be returning the papers in the morning. Then we’ll get them off to the tribal council. I don’t see any difficulty. Being a Pueblo man will make this easy. I just need to know you understand what this entails.”

“It’s beginning to sound permanent.”

“And if it turned out that way?”

“I’m going to say yes, but also point out that I need to talk to my wife.”

“Understood.”

“It just seems …”

“Sudden?”

“Yes.”

The chief leaned against the steering wheel. “I’d do anything to make sure that Nathan does not end up living with J.C.”

“But the uncle? Shouldn’t he have a say?”

“There are things you don’t need to know. Things that would put you in danger if you knew. Trust me on this. Nathan needs a chance at life—education, sports, siblings … a male model who is successful. Look on it as a sponsorship with maybe a few strings attached. I’ve seen too many bright young men rot on the reservation—drugs, domestic violence, high rate of high school dropouts, little or no job opportunities. I don’t want Nathan set up to fail.”

“I understand.”

“I don’t know your family situation. I believe Zac is a son by a woman other than your wife?”

“Yes.”

“If Zac goes back to his home or school in the Pacific Northwest, and I could find the scholarship monies to support him, would it be possible for Nathan to attend a boarding school that would put him close to Zac?”

“That would be possible.”

“Thank you for your trust. Someday when all this is past, I’ll be able to share more—just not right now. Here’s the application to become Nathan’s guardian. Call me if you have questions and leave it with Trini. You’re a good man, Dr. Pecos.”