Little Flower

by Jeanie P Johnson

  “And they will, Gray Wolf...they will! All your ranting and raving is not going to change that. You may get killed, and it will be for nothing!”

  “It will be for something! I would be proud to die for my people!”

  “While leaving me behind?” Tears overflowed as she spoke.

  “We all have to die someday!”

  “But not before we live a full life,” she insisted.

  “Life is full when you are fighting for your culture to survive. If we lose our purpose, life will not be worth living!”

  “And if you leave and are killed, my life will not be worth living!”

  “I will not get killed. I will return and bring you back. Until then, I must be the warrior and brave my people expect me to be.”

  “Just like going on the hunt was more important than telling me you loved me?”

  Gray Wolf stiffened. She was right. Now he wasn’t sure what was more important to him… the woman he loved or the way of life he loved?

  “I will return,” is all he said. Then he grabbed Daisy to him and placed his mouth upon hers. The kiss was passionate, desperate, persuading, and a little hopeless. Abruptly, he was releasing her, almost throwing her off balance as he did so, and the next moment he was leaping up on Wind Rider’s back and galloping away.

  “No you won’t,” Daisy whimpered. “This isn’t fair!”

  Only Gray Wolf was already gone, her words evaporating into nothingness…the same way she felt her heart was doing.

  Rebeca watched from the window as Gray Wolf rode away, a pleased smile upon her face. I knew he wouldn’t last a month, she chuckled to herself. It was time Daisy forgot about her life with the Indians and focused on her life here in San Francisco. The thought of having Madison as a son-in-law pleased her. She was sure they were rid of the red heathen for good!

  Daisy rushed to her room and threw herself upon her bed, willing Gray Wolf to change his mind and turn back. He had come all this way, only to return to the Sioux Village. Her heart was torn between shutting the thought of him out of her head for good and embracing all the moments they had spent together. She didn’t know whether to give up hope or take him at his word and look forward to his return. The only thing she could think to do… which went against the Indian way… was to cry…and never stop!

  When Mazy tapped on the door, Daisy did not answer it. She kept the door locked tight. She would lock herself in, the same way Davy had locked her in the farmhouse. Life was unexpectedly leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She was losing her own purpose in life. On one hand, she wanted to jump on Starfire’s back and go after Gray Wolf, but something was holding her there. Something she wasn’t even sure of. Her parents lived here. She was an heiress. Maybe there was something more to life than hunting the buffalo and preparing for winter. Life had been enjoyable to her with the Sioux, until she had been given so many more choices after she arrived in San Francisco. If she went back to the Sioux, her life would be hard, helping the tribe to survive and following all those Sioux traditions and expectations. Their life seemed to be all about self-sacrifice in one way or another, in order to be in harmony with nature and the Great Spirit. Yet, it had its rewards. Being with Gray Wolf was one of them. Only, in the long run, it hadn’t fulfilled her in the same way her life here was starting to do.

  She wanted Gray wolf to share in that same kind of fulfillment, only she knew it was not what drove him. However, if his village was forced to live on a reservation, he would no longer be able to experience those things that drove him. Nonetheless, he just wouldn’t give up. He was stubborn like all his other red brothers, and was sure the Great Spirit would watch over him and miraculously change everything back to the way it was before the white man came to Indian country.

  There was another knock on the door, but this time, she heard Davy’s voice. “Daisy…is it true that Gray Wolf is gone? Mother said he went back to his people.”

  Daisy pulled herself up off the bed and opened the door. She knew her eyes were swollen from crying. Gray Wolf knew how much Davy admired him, and he hadn’t even told him goodbye.

  “I’m sorry, Davy,” she managed between her tears. “He said he would come back in a year and marry me then.”

  “Why did he leave? He said he was going to teach me a lot more things.” Davy’s face puckered, and Daisy could see the tears start to brim in his own eyes.

  “He missed his own people,” she murmured as she found herself putting her arms around her little brother and holding him to her. “I guess teaching you and being with me just wasn’t enough for him. He is supposed to be a warrior and help his people fight for their land. Apparently, that was more important than remaining here.”

  “When he comes back, is he going to stay?” Davy smothered his face against Daisy’s shoulder.

  “I don’t think so. He wants me to return with him to the Sioux village after we get married. After all, that is what you wanted me to do, wasn’t it?”

  “I’m sorry about the mean things I said to you,” he sniffed. “I didn’t really mean it. I like your pet wolf, and I like Gray Wolf. It must be exciting living in an Indian village.” He pulled himself out of her arms, his mood lightening.

  “It seemed normal to me,” Daisy admitted. “I got used to their way of life. I didn’t even know I had a little brother. I could barely remember what my life was like before I started living with the Indians. Now I see how different it was from the way you live and how Mother and Father wishes me to live. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Are you going to go back with him when he comes to get you?”

  Daisy shrugged. “I don’t even know if he really is coming back. He said he was, but he hates it here, and by the time he returns, I don’t even know if I will want to go back to the Sioux.”

  “Maybe you could just visit them for a time, and then come back here to live and bring Gray Wolf with you.”

  “I thought you didn’t want me living here,” Daisy mumbled.

  “I guess I am getting used to having a sister,” Davy half-smiled. “I just wish Gray Wolf wanted to be here too.”

  “I don’t think he will change his mind. Indians are very stubborn. Somewhat like you,” Daisy laughed.

  “Then could I come visit you at your village?”

  “I don’t think Mother would let you, but in a year, no telling how things will have changed. It is said that the government is sending their army out to take care of the Indian problem.

  “About eight-hundred renegades have left their reservation, joining other Indians that don’t live on reservations, and they are determined to find them and make the renegades return to the reservation. Madison was just reading about it in the newspaper not long ago and that is what has Gray Wolf worried. Now they want all the Indians to be on reservations, and that means the Sioux too.

  “So far, the Sioux have resisted. They are larger than any of the other tribes and they have the Cheyenne as their friends, as well as the Arapaho. They have always been stronger and fiercer than any other Indian warrior. It will be difficult to try and round them up and stick them on a reservation! ”

  “If you married Gray Wolf and they put him on a reservation, would you have to live with him there?”

  “I don’t think so. I am white and the reservations are only for those who have Indian blood in their veins. I am sure I could get permission to have Gray Wolf come live with me. Only Gray Wolf may feel loyal to his people and refuse to leave, even if he must live on a reservation too.”

  “You will just have to talk him into it,” Davy insisted. He paused and then rushed on. “Mazy said you refused to eat the food she brought up for you. Mother is worried. She said Gray Wolf had his chance to prove to you that he could be a worthy husband. She said he abandoned you. You need to be brave, Daisy. If Gray Wolf doesn’t come back, you still have us. Madison loves you. He would marry you if Gray Wolf changes his mind.”

  “Only I love Gray Wolf so much, I don’t think Madison could take
his place. It wouldn’t be fair to him, or me. However, I am sure Gray Wolf will return, if nothing keeps him from it. He promised he would come back.”

  “Come down to dinner. We all miss you and want you to join us. Madison and Loran are here. Mother thought you might like some company to distract you from thinking about Gray Wolf. Loran brought his sister, Lena, and we are all going to dance in the ballroom after dinner.

  “Mazy knows how to play the piano. Mother taught her when she first came to work for us. She was an orphan and Mother missed you so much, she took her in. When she got older, she became one of the servants.”

  “I didn’t know that. Mazy never said anything,” Daisy murmured.

  “Father said it wasn’t right, making Mazy feel like she was part of the family even if she was an orphan. He told Mother you probably would never be found and she would just have to accept it.

  “Mazy had come from a good family that hit hard times. Her father was killed in a riding accident. She and her mother ended up living on the streets for a time, but then her mother got sick and died. Mother took pity on her. She already knew how to play the piano a little, so to help her get over her parent’s death, Mother allowed her to play the piano and to eat meals with us.

  “ When she got older, Father said she had to earn her keep until she ended up getting married because it wasn’t his responsibility to support her. However, he does pay her more than the other servants.”

  “Then I see why Mother made her my personal maid,” Daisy shrugged. “She must have wanted us to get to know each other.”

  “Only it reminds Mazy of the life she would have led, had her father not died and they lost everything.”

  “Didn’t she have any relatives to take her in?”

  “No. They all came from overseas somewhere. They were immigrants, but they had a little money. Her father was a lawyer and started his practice here. At first, after her father died, her mother sold a lot of their belongings to support them, only that couldn’t last forever. Finally, the house was repossessed by the bank, so they had no place to live.”

  “Couldn’t you let them live in the farmhouse?” Daisy asked.

  “At the time, Mother knew nothing about their plight. They did not run in the same circles. It wasn’t until Mother found Mazy on the street that she learned of what had happened to her. She said it could be you without any parents, so she insisted Father let her take her in. Mazy’s parents were French, you know, but she has lost most of her French accent.”

  “I will think more kindly about Mazy from now on,” Daisy determined. “If she is from a good family, like you say, she shouldn’t have a problem finding a husband.”

  “She likes Madison, I can tell. He has always been nice to her, only after you showed up he started paying more attention to you. I think it hurt her feelings the same way it hurt my feelings,” Davy admitted.

  “I am sorry if I took Madison’s attention from her. I didn’t know. If he liked her, he shouldn’t have let me make a difference.”

  “I think he likes you better. After all, he suggested that you marry him and would have done it if Gray Wolf hadn’t shown up.”

  “I told him I could never love anyone the way I love Gray Wolf. I like Madison, but I certainly am not in love with him.”

  “It would make it more convenient to marry him because of the hotel. I think he was counting on that.”

  “Still, that should have nothing to do with it. It could be the reason he started liking me instead of Mazy. You are supposed to love people because of the way they make you feel when you are around them, not what you may gain if you married them.”

  “What if both were true?”

  “In this case, I don’t think it matters. Gray Wolf will return like he promised and then…” Daisy stopped. Would she be willing to leave everything behind and go back to the Sioux village? She really didn’t know. “Let’s go down to dinner,” she said, changing the subject. “I am sure the food is getting cold!”

  Rebeca smiled as her daughter and Davy came into the dining room. Her father and Madison, along with Loran, stood when she entered the room. Madison stepped forward and helped her be seated pulling out the chair and then pushing it back as she sat down.

  “Did Davy tell you of our plans?” Rebeca asked as she was seated.

  “You mean to have a family dance after dinner?” Daisy asked, glancing over at Lena, who was shyly looking in her lap.

  “Would you like that? This is Loran’s sister, Lena,” she motioned to the girl. “We asked her to come so there would be enough partners to go around. It will give you an opportunity to practice your dancing. Mazy has agreed to play the piano while we dance, and I am sure, it will make you feel better.

  “I know it has upset you that Gray Wolf took off like he did. I hope this has taught you a lesson about counting on wild people to follow through with promises. That is the very reason the government is having so much trouble with the Indians. They just won’t keep their word and remain in their own territory like they are supposed to.”

  “Gray Wolf has not broken his promise. He just does not wish to remain here while he waits for a year. He promised to come back and marry me, and I believe him.”

  “Oh,”…this said softly… “I see.” Rebeca’s features fell, but then she managed to muster a smile. “Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself while he is away. It is a true shame, because we planned so many events to entertain the two of you and get you better acquainted with our neighbors. Now you will have to take Madison as your partner until he returns. You won’t mind, will you, Madison?” She turned to him and gave him an inviting smile.

  “Of course, not,” Madison agreed. “You know I enjoy helping Daisy in any way I can.

  “I hope she permits me to accompany her some of the time,” Loran offered. “Madison can’t hog her to himself all the time while Gray Wolf is gone.”

  “You see, Daisy, you have no shortage of young men who will gladly assist you while Gray Wolf is away. If he was any kind of a gentleman, he would have stayed and remained at your side until you wed.”

  “I don’t think Sioux Indians know anything about gentlemanly behavior,” Daisy smiled. “And even if they did, Gray Wolf felt obligated to help his tribe hold on to their land before the Government gobbled it up.”

  “Good luck doing that,” Blake sighed. “The Indians don’t know when to call it quits. There is no way they can go up against the government. All of this land was part of the Louisiana Purchase, so it belongs to us now.”

  Daisy widened her eyes. “What is a Louisiana Purchase?”

  “The French Just bought all the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains from the Spanish in about 1800, and then a few years later, in 1803 they sold it to us. However, it took a long time before anyone was able to actually explore it to discover what we bought.”

  “How could the French or Spain claim land that belonged to the Natives, who lived here before anyone came?” Daisy asked.

  “When the explorers from Europe headed out to the Americas, after Columbus returned with news of a new country, Spain, England, and France all wanted a piece of it. Rather than war over all of it they all agreed to explore in certain areas since they didn’t even know how big it was…even though some wars ended up braking out between the French and the English, not to mention the Spanish, in the beginning.

  “The French chose the north, Spain decided on the south, and England took the middle. Therefore, Spain ended up with the land which they sold to the French, and then the States bought from them. There was a dispute about how much Spain actually owned, though, and during the Mexican War in the 1840’s Mexico gave up California, and other South West territories, and agreed on the Rio Grande being the boarder of Texas. Still, we paid the Spanish for the land that we claimed during that war.”

  “That still does not make it right. The Europeans just come and decide the land belongs to them because they found it? That is presumptuous of
them.”

  “Apparently, you do not know much about history. It has always been natural for one country to try to conquer other countries in order to gain power. It has happened since the beginning of time. The French and English went at it all the time. Even Scotland and Ireland along with the English had their power plays. The more land you owned the more power you possessed. That is why England colonized America in the first place. The natural resources here, added to their wealth. They also colonized many other countries as their power grew. We broke away from England, but instead of fighting a war over the land, once we became the United States, we merely purchased it from whoever owned it. Much of the Louisiana Purchase is still only territories of the United States, and even California is not a state yet. We also have been purchasing land from the Indians, but then they try to take it back.

  “It is true, the Indians were here, but greater powers always rules, just like you say, the Sioux are more powerful than the other tribes. The Sioux pushed many of the weaker tribes off their land in order to have better hunting grounds and places to grow their food. It is no different… only the Americans just do it on a larger scale since more and more people from overseas keep coming here.”

  “It still does not make it right,” Daisy grumbled.

  “Sorry, dear, but that is the way life is. Even your redskin friends have to admit it. I don’t see it changing any time soon.”

  “Enough talking history and politics,” Rebeca sighed, a disinterested expression causing her face to droop. “I don’t wish to talk or even think about Indians. It would please me fine if Gray Wolf never came back. If he does, and you still wish to marry him, we will have to accept that, but it doesn’t mean I will like it. I do know that Davy was taking a liking to him though. I appreciate the time Gray Wolf spent with Davy, showing interest in him.”

  As they talked, the dinner was served, and Daisy found herself feeling a little better. There was nothing she could do about Gray Wolf, so she might as well make the best of it, she decided. It was very kind of Madison and Loran to be willing to try and cheer her up.