by Jay Heavner
Tom nodded his head in agreement. “Although I was only in Vietnam a short time, I saw things I never want to see again. Some things, I can’t get it out of my mind. Sometimes I’ll wake in a cold sweat with images of the men I saw die and some of them; I know I killed.” Tom let out a deep sigh and placed his head in his hands. Dark Cloud said nothing as he watched the young man’s behavior. Tom let out another sigh, put his hands down and raised his head. He looked at Dark Cloud and spoke, “War’s hell.”
Dark Cloud nodded his head knowingly and studied the young man in front of him. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“I’ve got a VW microbus that’s set up for a camper. I bought it from some hippies in San Francisco, guess I didn’t have to tell you that ‘cause of the psychedelic paint job. That’s the way it came.”
Dark Cloud said with a smile, “You do stand out here on the Big Rez.”
“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one. That damn bus got me in trouble down in Utah. A couple of park rangers thought I was a doper, not a guy who’d just got out of the military. I gotta get me a new paint job before it leads to more troubles.”
Dark Cloud nodded again. “I ‘d like you to stay at my home tonight. It’s not much, but it’s better than freezing in the van.”
“I really couldn’t do that. I hardly know you, and I wouldn’t want to impose on you.”.
“I insist. You shall stay at my house tonight, and we’ll have a fine supper. Sarah, my daughter, will have something delicious fixed, and then tomorrow at dawn, we’ll visit my son’s grave in the cemetery by the church.”
Tom said, “Well if you put it like that, I accept.”
“Good. Now let’s get to know each other a little better, but don’t tell me about the battle when my son died. Tell me about that tonight after supper.”
The two men talked, sharing stories of their lives for the next hour and found they had much in common. They both enjoyed the time together, but Tom kept quiet about his Indian blood. That could wait for later. He had his reasons.
Dark Cloud glanced at his watch. A look of surprise came to his face. “I can’t believe we’ve talked for over an hour. There’s something I want to show you, and then we’ll go to my house and have dinner.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan,” said Tom. “What do you want to show me?”
“Patience, young man. Patience. When you see it, you should understand.”
They got up, left the room, and Dark Cloud locked the door behind him. He said, “In the good old days, we didn’t need to do this. It’s a shame that you can’t even trust some members of your own tribe .”
Tom said nothing, and the two men exited the Charter House. The cold wind tore at the coats of the two men as they ran to the VW van and got in. Just what was it Dark Cloud wanted to show him? What could be so important?
Chapter 18
“Turn right at the road,” Dark Cloud said.
Tom turned on a road that wound up the red rock canyon. A gigantic red stone monolith guarded the canyon on the left side of the colorful valley. Dark Cloud noted Tom’s gaze at the cloven, split rock. “That’s Butt Rock you’re looking at. Some Indians say it’s a brave showing his backside to the white man.”
Tom laughed.
Dark Cloud continued, “I can see the resemblance, but I’ve always thought it looked more like a goat or sheep’s hoof. Whatever it is, it’s said to be the guardian of Lukachukai and this valley.”
Tom nodded. “Where are we going? The sign we just passed said the road’s closed from December to March, and it’s early December.”
“Got something I want to show you before the sun goes down.” Usually, this road’s closed during the winter because of snowfall, but this year’s been very dry, and we’ve had next to no snow. We’ll need the snow for water next year. The road’s the responsibility of the reservation, and the tribe closes it up for liability purposes. Don’t need nobody suing when they get stuck or run off the road. We don’t have much snow removal equipment here, and it would be an unending job trying to keep it open. We don’t have that kind of money. But as long as the snow don’t fall, people can use it at their own risk, of course.”
“Of course,” said Tom. “I understand.”
Dark Cloud laughed, “You needn’t worry about me leading you into trouble. Remember this; I plan on having supper with you at my house tonight. Sarah should have mutton stew, fry bread, and coffee waiting for us when we get back.”
“Thanks for the reassurance,” said Tom. “Lunch was snacks from the trading post, and the ole stomach is telling me it’s running on empty.”
“Thought I heard your belly growling.”
Tom nodded, and they continued up the beautiful canyon. Ponderosa pines growing on its slopes, replaced the junipers. They rounded a hairpin turn and then another almost as sharp, on the road now lightly covered with snow.
Dark Cloud looked over at Tom, “You do have good tires and know how to drive in snow, don’t you?”
He met Dark Cloud’s questioning eyes. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have bought this thing if it had may-pops on it. And yes, I’ve driven in lots of snow in West Virginia.”
“Good. You may need it soon. There’s an area ahead where it likes to drift. Glad to hear you got no may-pops. Half the cars on the Big Rez have those,” and he shook his head.
Tom saw the drift area, about a foot-and-a-half deep in places, but other vehicles had broken a path through it previously. Tom plowed into it, and the van’s wheels slipped in the snow, tried to fishtail, but Tom corrected and got through the drift area. “Good driving,” said Dark Cloud. “We’re almost there. Turn at that gate on the right.”
Tom did. Dark Cloud got out and opened the gate after using a key on the lock. He motioned Tom through. After he passed, Dark Cloud closed the gate, locked it, walked to the van, and got in. “Just a little further.”
Tom drove in a forest of tall ponderosa pines about a quarter of a mile.
“Stop here,” said Dark Cloud. He got out as did Tom. “Follow me.”
Dark Cloud led the way up a steep and winding path to the top of a cliff. “This is what I wanted to show you.” He pointed off to the east. Tom saw a massive rock formation that pierced the desert with two rock spines that reminded him of monstrous tombstones placed side-by-side touching each other.
“You may know this as Shiprock, but to my people, the Dine’, it’s known as Tsi’ Bit’ a’ i, the rock with wings. It’s sacred to us Navajo people. The old ones tell of how we were brought here from our home in the northlands to this new land.”
Tom said, “I can’t say I ever saw anything quite like it. We have a place in West Virginia where the rocks shoot straight up out of the mountain, called Seneca Rocks, but nothing quite like this.”
“The white man forced us off this land when they thought there was gold here, but there was none.”
Tom said, “Seems like wherever there’s gold, there’s also trouble. The Cherokee were forced off their land in the Appalachian Mountains for the same reason.”
Dark Cloud nodded his head. “They offered us land by the river they said was good for growing things, but we chose to come back to this place, Dine’tah, the Land of the People, the Navajo.” He paused for a long moment. “Now, sit here and think. It’s good for the soul.”
Tom sat down and looked out at the stark beauty in front of him. The desert seemed to call out for him to absorb all and become part of it.
They were silent for about five minutes before Dark Cloud spoke. “It was here I came after the war when my head was filled with sights of horrors no man should ever see. It was here the elders of the tribe performed the Enemy Way ceremony to cleanse me from all I’d experienced. And it was here I came to weep when my wife was killed by a drunk driver.”
Tom said nothing.
“I belong to this land, Dine’tah, the home of my ancestors.”
“This place is incredible,” said Tom. “I understand why your peopl
e would fight so long and hard for it.”
“That’s very true, and there’s something else I must tell you.”
“What?”
“Besides all of this, I must tell you that this rock is hard and cold, and my butt hurts. Come, the night will soon be here, and I have one more thing to show you.”
Tom said, “I was getting a little cold, too, but this place certainly can calm the spirit.”
Dark Cloud nodded. “We must go,” and he was off down the trail.
They made it back to the van much quicker. Tom drove to the gate, Dark Cloud opened it for them, and they were soon on the highway. Tom plowed through the drift, navigated the hairpin turns, and descending the red rock valley to Lukachukai. They passed only one truck going the other way. Dark Cloud spoke, “The road will turn slightly right soon, and I want you to take the trail on the left.”
“Okay.”
Tom found the trail, which was little more than two parallel ruts. It reminded him of the old road going up Knobley Mountain to the field on top in a cove back home on his father’s property. The way soon ended at a cliff. Tom pulled to the edge.
“This is it, my home, Lukachukai. It’s not much, but I could live nowhere else. This is where I belong.”
Tom looked down on the small town consisting mainly of old trailers and prefab houses. He saw a half-completed building that looked abandoned but said nothing.
“Over there,” said Dark Cloud, “is the trading post.” He pointed. “And over there is the Chapter House.” He paused, “And over there is the biggest eyesore in the whole place, but old man Chees’s shack would come in a close second. That unfinished building was to be a fire station complete with an ambulance. The government said if we got it half-built, they’d come up with the money to finish it and then equip it.” He stopped. “Seems like the Indian always trust the government. We do our part, and then they forget their promises. I wonder if we’ll ever learn. Probably not. And over there,” he pointed, “is the grave of my son, Christopher. We’ll go there to greet the dawn tomorrow.”
After a long minute, Dark Cloud spoke again, “It’s getting late, and Sarah will think I’ve gotten lost. Let’s go.”
“Whatever you say, Chief.”
Dark Cloud looked at Tom and said, “Please don’t call me that. A chief is a special person, and I am not he.”
“Sorry. I meant no harm. I was only trying to let you know I appreciate what you’ve done for me today.”
“I knew you meant no harm. I’ve been around some insensitive white people who’d do it to irritate me because I was an Indian. Tom, I felt you meant no harm, but I just wanted to tell you how an Indian feels about it. Let’s say no more about this. Let’s get down to my house. I think I can smell Sarah’s mutton stew from here, and I want you to meet her.”
Tom backed up the van and turned it around. The rutted road seemed rougher going down. They made it to the paved road and soon were in front of Dark Cloud’s humble home two doors over from the Chapter House. An old GMC truck was parked just outside the rustic wooden fence that had seen better days. They exited the truck and walked to the house. Dark Cloud opened the door, and the smell of stew filled their nostrils.
“Dad, is that you?” called a female voice from the kitchen in the back.
“Yeah, it’s me, and I have someone I want you to meet.”
A young woman looking to be about 18 years of age walked into the living room. She had dark hair with a hint of auburn and a smile that lit up the room. She stopped when she saw Tom, and the smile got even bigger. “Ya’at’eeh,” she said.
Standing in front of Tom was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, even wearing faded blue jeans, a flannel shirt, and an apron with flour on it. His heart skipped a beat. “Ya’at’eeh, hello to you, too.”
“Tom, this is my daughter, Sarah, and Sarah, this is my guest, Tom. He’ll be staying with us for supper and overnight.”
Tom wasn’t sure what the proper way to greet this young woman was, so he held out his hand. “Very pleased to meet you, Miss Sarah.” She stuck out her hand and with a firm grip, shook his. Was it his imagination, or did he feel a tingle of energy pass between them? Probably just static.
He looked at her, and her eyes widened slightly. Yes, she felt it, too. She let go and turned away. It seemed no one spoke for an eternity, but it was only for a few awkward seconds.
Dark Cloud cleared his throat and broke the silence. “Sarah, I was telling Tom what a great cook you are. Is everything about ready?”
“Yes, it is. The stew’s done, and the fry bread just came out of the pan. Dinner’s ready now.” She went into the kitchen and came out with a large dish containing the stew, and then returned with the fry bread on a large plate with a chip. The food smelled very good to hungry Tom. Dark Cloud filled bowls for all three.
Sarah took off the apron and hung it on a nail in the wall just outside of the kitchen. She sat down, and Dark Cloud took her hand to pray. He held out his hand to Tom. Tom wasn’t used to this and hesitated slightly before taking his hand. If Dark Cloud noted Tom’s reluctance, he said nothing. Dark Cloud began, “Lord, Creator of all things, we thank you for this food on our table. Bless this house and all in it. And Lord, bless our guest with strength and wisdom. You knew that he’d be here today. Help this young man to choose the right path for his life. Be the light that guides his footsteps through this often dark and stormy world. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Tom heard his lips say, “Amen,” as did Sarah’s.
He said, “Thank you for that beautiful prayer. Pardon me for saying so, but I was surprised to hear you pray to the white man’s god. Tell me how you mix your tribe’s beliefs with Christianity.”
“That’s a good question,” said Dark Cloud. You’re not the first to ask it. First off, there’s a hole in every man’s heart, white man, Navajo, or whatever, and can only be filled with Jesus. He came to save the whole world, all of us, be they the white man, the yellow man, the black man, or the red man. I just wish more of the white men who showed us these things would practice what they preach. It would be a far better world.”
Tom nodded his head as he pondered this.
Dark Cloud went on, “While there are differences, there are also many things that are the same. Christians believe in Adam and Eve. Navajo beliefs have a First Man and First Woman. Both believe the world was once destroyed by water covering it. There are other things also, but I’m hungry, so let’s eat before this gets cold.”
Sarah chimed in, “I was about to say the same. You two can discuss religion and any politics later.”
Both men smiled at the mild chastisement and began to eat. Tom found the mutton stew with hominy to be somewhat bland, and he added salt and pepper. The fry bread wasn’t something he’d want seconds of. He ate the piece he’d been given without comment. The coffee was bitter, but he drank it just the same.
After they had finished and cleaned off the table, Tom offered to help Sarah with the dishes. She accepted, and the two made small talk as one washed and the other dried. Tom explained how back home it was only him and his dad, and he was used to doing this task. He noticed how charming and attractive she was, and he also saw how Dark Cloud was watching the two of them from the corner of his eye, though his expression didn’t change. When they finished, they took a seat on the sofa across from Dark Cloud.
“So, how did you like your dinner, Tom?” asked Dark Cloud.
“It was a little different from what I’m used to.”
“Chris wrote in one of his letters while he was stateside that army food was filling and spicy. I bet you found the mutton stew somewhat bland.”
“Well, yes I did, but the salt and pepper helped. Guess fry bread is an acquired taste too.”
“It is. For us, it’s comfort food.” He paused. “I’m glad you came. Sarah, Tom was a soldier in Vietnam, and he and Chris were friends. He was with Chris when he died. I’ve asked him to come with us at dawn to
morrow to Chris’s grave and tell us about his time with him and how he died.”
Sarah looked a little surprised and said, “Thank you for coming. We’ve many questions, and your story will give us answers about our brother and son.”
Tom dropped his head. “I’m ashamed to say I almost didn’t come. I knew this would be very hard for you and for me, but I’m glad I came, too.”
No one spoke for a few moments. Dark Cloud broke the silence. “Tom, you and I talked down at the Charter House about ourselves, but Sarah knows little about you. How about you two get to know each other? I just remembered something I need to do at the Charter House. I’ll be back in a little while.” With that, he got up, grabbed a coat, and left the house. A cold blast came in as he exited.
The wind slammed the door shut, and the two young people were alone. Sarah said, “This is a little awkward.”
Tom shifted in his seat. “Yeah. It is.”
“So Tom, tell me about yourself.”
“Well, I don’t think there’s anything special about myself. I grew up in West Virginia, son of a farmer who had to drive a school bus to help make ends meet. I just graduated high school and went into the military where I met your brother.”
Sarah said, “A lot of young men here on the Rez do the same. They put in their time and then have GI benefits for life. Chris came from a long line of men who were warriors. When the Navajo Nation made peace with the US government, they pledged never to fight it again. Now they fight with distinction for it.”
“I was fortunate to have your brother watching my back.”
She said, “This may be hard to understand for you, but Navajo’s have an entirely different way of looking at family relationships. They’re matriarchal, while white society is patriarchal. Chris was my mother’s sister’s son.” Tom looked somewhat puzzled. She went on. “Let’s just say he was my first cousin. My mother was a party girl who drank a lot. About the only thing she did right was when she found out she was pregnant with me; she quit drinking. We have so many kids here born with fetal alcohol syndrome.”
