Hawk Moon

by Rob MacGregor

  He stopped in front of a doorway, the same one he and Myra had entered the night of her death. They walked into the building. The bare wood walls and beams looked skeletal in the light of midday.

  "She wanted to tell me something when we came here that night. Now I know it was about the drug and the factory. She'd found out, but was too frightened to say anything."

  "Why didn't she tell you?"

  "I didn't give her a chance."

  He moved over to the window and to his amazement saw the red fox he'd seen when he was here with Myra. His ears were poised, his brown eyes staring at him from the high grass. He pointed it out to Corey.

  "I saw him that night, too."

  "Even though she didn't have a chance to tell you, you still found out. She left you with a challenge, and you succeeded."

  It was not only a challenge, he thought, it became part of Hawk Moon, his initiation into the Hopi tribe. "I couldn't have figured it out without your help."

  She looked up at him and smiled. "You helped me, too. I came out of my shell. I think I can accept this place now." She laughed. "I'm accepting Aspen and you're leaving."

  "How did you know?"

  "I didn't. I just had a feeling that you're going to live with your dad."

  "You're right. I'm going to finish high school on the reservation. I'm starting after the holidays."

  She nodded. "I hope it works out for you."

  "Me too." He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small package. "This is for you. Call it an early Christmas present."

  Corey gazed at the package, which fit into her palm, then she carefully removed the wrappings. Inside was a small box. She opened it. "Oh, Will. It's beautiful."

  She held up the miniature kachina with a cylindrical mask that was red and blue and yellow with red button-like eyes and mouth. Feathers protruded from the top. A tiny shawl was draped over its shoulders and it wore a brown kilt.

  "It's Masau. He's a guardian and a trickster, too. Sort of like the fox."

  "Thanks, Will." She raised her head and smiled. He looked out the window again. The fox was gone.