by Janie DeVos
“That’s just it!” I enthusiastically said. “I never did anything! I just stood by for the most part, keeping my mouth shut and trying to keep peace in the family. Sometimes raising a little ruckus is called for, ya know.” I smiled. Then I placed my right hand against her left cheek. “I should have defended you when Papa was so critical about what you were doing—especially given the fact that you helped Mayoma save his life when he lost his arm. He should have—we should have—told you how fine a job you did and how important your work was to so many people, including your own family. I’m so sorry, Ivy. I’m truly sorry.”
“And I’m sorry I put you in such an awkward position when you found Moses and me…together.”
“It’s over and done with, Ivy. We both need to look to the future now.”
“And that’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, Eve! Moses and I are going to be married tonight after dinner, as part of the Green Corn Festival!”
I was so startled I couldn’t say anything for a moment. But as I looked at her, I saw the joy and excitement on my sister’s face, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Moses and Ivy truly and deeply loved each other. They loved each other to the point that they would forego their own families and homes to search for a new home to make their own family. What they had together was good and solid and right.
I pulled Ivy to me and held her hard. “You and Moses build that life you want, Ivy, and don’t you ever look back.” I kissed her cheek and tasted her tears. I knew that no matter how many miles might separate us because of people’s prejudices and fears, our bond could never be broken by anyone or anything—ever.
Chapter 36
An Ill Wind Blows
I finished dressing for dinner and walked over to the cooking area to find Ivy. She’d left before I was ready so that she could help with the last of the food preparations.
“Here,” Ivy said, handing me a very large bowl. “Pour that stew in that bowl and then carry it out to the main table. There’s a—”
Suddenly, the sound of thundering hooves made everyone stop their tasks as a group of people rode into the village in a cloud of dust kicked up by their horses.
“Who are they?” I asked in awe as a group of seven riders, all majestically outfitted in dyed leather, beads, and feathers, pulled their horses to a stop in the center of the settlement.
“I don’t know,” Ivy said, “but from the looks of ’em, I’d say they’re pretty important.”
As I walked away from the cooking area, all the villagers came pouring out of their chickees to greet the new arrivals, who reached down to them from their horses, clasping hands and arms. A distinguished-looking middle-aged man was obviously the leader, for his horse stood in front of the others, and the tone and strength of his voice left no doubt as to who was in charge. But it was the young woman behind him, the only female among the group, who demanded everyone’s attention.
The woman was strikingly beautiful and regal looking. She sat atop her solid-white horse ramrod straight, dressed in light peach-dyed suede. She wore strand after strand of beads, which hung down to the middle of her chest, and her tan legs were bare, though she wore a pair of beautifully beaded moccasins. Her hair had been styled into two long braids, and one hung down over each of her shoulders, showing off her long, slender neck. Her cheeks were prominent, and her nose was straight and perfectly proportioned to the rest of her face, which looked as though it had been sculpted by the finest craftsman. When she turned to look my way, I saw that her eyes were shaped like huge dark almonds, but then something got her attention, and her gaze immediately shifted to someone behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Max. He had walked up behind me, and the young woman’s eyes were now locked on him. She smiled broadly, but Max’s face showed no emotion though his eyes remained glued on her. There was no doubt about it: They knew each other, and from the way they looked at each other, it was obvious that they knew each other quite well.
Max’s Uncle Jay stood beside me. “Who is she?” I quietly asked.
“Naomi from the Wind Clan!” he answered excitedly. “She’s beautiful, no? She was Max’s wife, and she’s come for every Corn Festival, hoping he’ll be here.”
“His wife?” I whispered, confused. “When was she…were they…?” But before I could ask the hundred questions running through my mind, Jay hurried over to the guests to greet them. Stunned, I looked behind me to see if Max was still there, but I’d lost him in the crowd.
Chapter 37
A Festival of Forevers
I looked around for Ivy but couldn’t find her either. When I saw the widowed woman whose chickee we were staying in. I asked, “Becca, have you seen my sister?”
“No, miss, but no time to find girl now,” she insisted in her broken English. “We eat big food now, yes?” she asked, as though that would straighten it all out for me, and actually, it did. Ivy was very involved with the food. “Must come now,” Becca insisted. “Hurry! Chief no like slow foots,” she laughed, and I could see the many gaps where teeth had once been.
“Yes, okay,” I relented, letting her drag me by the hand over to a table.
“Here, sit,” Becca said, practically pushing me down onto a bench. I did as I was told, but once I was seated, I looked around for Ivy and spotted her spooning something out of a bowl onto the plate for one of the elders sitting at the main table. I needed to catch her eye, but she was focused on her task and moved down the table, filling bowl after bowl. Looking around, I saw that Uncle Jay was seated several people down from me on the other side of the table. Just then, he caught sight of Max and hailed him over. As Max walked toward Jay, he saw me and slowed for a second as if considering whether to come over, but he continued on toward Jay and sat down.
“Where you been, boy?” I could clearly hear Jay’s booming voice, especially since he sat facing me. “Three different woman tried to sit here,” he continued, “but I chased them all off and told them I was saving this place for you!”
I tried to hear Max’s response, but because he was facing away from me, I couldn’t make out any of what he said.
“What? And have the other two crazy jealous!” Jay responded. “No, no, Max. Tonight, you sit by me and save me from their wrath.” Suddenly, his face lit up with excitement. “Did you see Naomi’s here?”
Max said something in reply.
“She looks beautiful, no?” Jay beamed.
I saw Max nod but still couldn’t make out what he said over the din of noise around us. Apparently, though, whatever Max said was not what Jay was looking for and the older man suddenly sounded slightly exasperated. “When are you going to come together with Naomi, Max? You know it’s something she’s prayed to the Great One for over many, many moons. She looks for you at every Corn Festival, and now you’re finally here. It’s destiny! This is something that my soul feels certain both of your hearts truly need—and want!”
Though I couldn’t hear what Max said, I saw him cover his uncle’s hand with his own, then lean in closer to his ear, and say something. I watched Jay’s reaction to his words, and whatever Max said caused the older man’s eyes to light up and then well up. Apparently, Max’s response confirmed that Jay’s soul had been correct all along.
All through dinner, I tried to keep my eyes averted from both Max and Naomi, but every time Chief Red Sun stood up to say something—none of which I could understand—I looked in Naomi’s direction. Several times, I caught her looking at Max, and when I looked down the table at him, I saw that he was looking toward her. I caught him watching me once, but I quickly turned away.
The feast seemed to go on forever, especially since I didn’t have anyone to talk to. The woman sitting to my right spoke very little English, while the one to my left spoke none at all. Making matters worse, Ivy was sitting at a different table with Moses, though she was up and down much of the time, attending to the guests at the ch
ief’s table. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Chief Red Sun stood and made some announcement, which quickly caused everyone to rise and move the tables out of the way.
Now that we were free to move about, I started to go find Ivy, but then the thought occurred to me that if I tried to talk to her about Max right now, to ask her what she might know about him being married to Naomi, I’d be taking away from the joy of this very special night for her and Moses. She needed to give her attention to Moses, not to me, so I kept to myself, stood among the villagers, and watched the festival unfold.
The chief, as well as the elders and special guests, sat on the edge of the cleared circle, where the lighting of a pipe commenced. The chief inhaled the pungent smelling herbs or tobacco, I wasn’t sure which it was, and then he passed the pipe to his right and it continued from there. Soon, the deep, rhythmic beating of a half-dozen drums began to reverberate through the village. The central fire was built up as several men threw more wood onto it. As sparks and flames shot up to the darkened sky, elaborately dressed dancers appeared.
I watched, mesmerized, like the rest of the crowd, as they stomped and sang in perfect rhythm to the drums. There was an array of dances that changed along with the drums’ rhythm. I didn’t understand their meanings but guessed that one honored their bountiful harvest as ears of corn were used in the dance. It seemed as though the dancers, happy that their storage baskets were full for more seasons to come, used as much energy as they could muster while giving thanks to their Great Spirit.
During this dance I saw Max. He stood diagonally across the circle from me. I looked to see if I could find Naomi in the crowd, and sure enough, she was standing directly across from Max. I watched them, trying to gauge what they might be thinking, but their expressions gave nothing away.
Finally, the corn dance was over, and the chief walked out into the middle of the circle. He spoke in his native tongue, and the crowd murmured in response to something he said. Then he called for Moses and Ivy, and I saw them appear and move into the circle in front of the chief. Ivy looked around at the people, and I raised my hand so that she would know where I was and that I was supporting her. When she saw me, she smiled and mouthed the words I love you, and I mouthed the same words back to her.
She was dressed in the same way she had been when she’d left the chickee, but now a wreath of small, bright orange orchids encircled her head. Ivy turned toward Moses, and he took her hands. Then the chief asked them something in the Muskogean language. A man standing just behind the chief stepped forward and translated for them, and he did so loud enough that everyone could hear.
“Chief Kitisci Haasi asks whether it is the intention of this man to have this woman for his wife.” He looked at Moses.
“I intend that, yes,” Moses nervously responded to the chief; then he turned and smiled at Ivy.
The chief spoke again and the translator posed the same question to Ivy.
“Yes, that’s my intention.” Her voice was strong and sure.
The chief raised his hand and said something, and then the translator spoke. “Chief Kitisci Haasi has blessed this union and has asked that the Great Spirit bless it too, by giving this man and woman many strong children to care for them in their old age, and a good and bountiful life together.”
Regardless of whether it was the custom of the Seminole people or not, Moses leaned in and gently kissed Ivy on the lips, and that was it. The ceremony was over in a matter of minutes. It was beautiful, simple, and perfect, and I couldn’t help but compare it to the elaborate wedding David and I were planning on having. Suddenly, all the extravagance seemed so pretentious and unnecessary.
But, David’s family was from old money, and expected all the pomp and circumstance that went along with a high society wedding. Whether or not I agreed with it, I could understand it. Yet I was sure my sister’s wedding had been just as lovely as mine would be, if not more so, for it was a simple celebration and a moving declaration of their love for each other.
My sister and Moses left the circle and made their way through the crowd to parts unknown. I was hoping to see her after the ceremony, but this was a night meant for her and her new husband alone, and I would probably not see her again until the morning came. There’d be time enough to say a final farewell to each other then.
Just as I turned to leave so that I could go to the chickee to pack up and get some rest before the long trip ahead, the chief spoke loudly to get everyone’s attention. He said something in his language, and the crowd gave a small collective gasp. Then there was excited chatter among them. Curious, I stayed a moment longer to see what was about to take place.
The chief held up his hand as if to silence everyone. Once they were quiet, he beckoned to his right, and Max stepped into the circle to stand before the chief. He spoke to Max, and there was no need for a translator. Max nodded to the chief, and then he stepped up to the crowd. Reaching out, he took Naomi’s hand and gently brought her into the circle; then they stood before the chief. I could clearly see both of their profiles as they turned to face each other. Smiling, Max took both of her hands in his, and the young woman’s beautiful face lit up.
In a soft but husky voice, Max spoke to her. His words were obviously poignant for her eyes filled with tears as she listened. Then she spoke back to him in a voice that was just as emotion-filled. She rested her hand against the side of his face and smiled the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen until I saw the smile that Max gave her. I was witness to an immensely important and intimate moment between them. Every sound in the village ceased; everyone was as mesmerized by the scene as I was. Finally, Max tilted Naomi’s chin up and tenderly and softly kissed her lips. They stayed that way for a couple of seconds; then Naomi laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his midsection. He wrapped his arms around her as well, and when she raised her face to look up at him, he bestowed that glorious smile on her once again.
I couldn’t stay for another second. I pushed my way through the crowd, and as I did, a tremendous cheer erupted from the people. It was obvious that they greatly approved of what had just taken place.
In the chickee, I lay on the bed and cried. I stayed there long after the crying stopped, just staring at the thatched ceiling. It was going to take a long time to sort things out. My feelings confused me. Seeing Max with Naomi had made the Seminole people happy, so why had it upset me so? As I’d confessed to myself earlier, I had feelings for Max—there was no doubt about that. But I also realized that what I felt for Max—and what I thought he probably felt for me—was something that would never last. Max came from a whole other world, and the life that he lived was very different from the one David and I planned to build together.
This momentary detour that we had taken to protect Ivy had thrust us into a set of circumstances that was beyond unusual, and those circumstances had brought us together emotionally because we’d depended on each other so much. I respected him and would be forever grateful to him for nearly forfeiting his life to save my sister’s and Moses’s. But being grateful was a world away from loving someone, and I needed to keep reminding myself not to confuse the two. Once I got back to Silver Springs, I would get on a northbound steamboat to Jacksonville, and David, and would never look back.
A thought startled me: Who was going to Silver Springs with me? Would Naomi be with us, ready to start a new life with Max there? Or would he take me by himself and then return to the Everglades? Perhaps he would find someone else to take me back. Though I would prefer it, I knew that he and Ivy wouldn’t let me go by myself. It was dangerous country for a lone traveler, especially a lone female traveler. Even if I left in the middle of the night, Max or his replacement could easily catch up to me once it was daylight. No, the best thing to do was to get some much-needed sleep and be on my way in the morning with whoever was going with me. The sooner the morning came, the faster I could leave, even though that meant saying
good-bye to Ivy. That was going to happen though, no matter who I was riding with. I rubbed my hands over my wet eyes, took a deep breath, then pushed myself up from the bed, and began to pack. The journey home had just begun.
Chapter 38
The Road behind Us
We left at daybreak. When Max and I saddled up our horses, the village was quiet and there were only a few people awake to bid us good-bye. Ivy and Moses were with us. I hugged Moses first, telling him to take good care of Ivy and their family, and that I was proud of him. Then it was time to say a final good-bye to my sister. We held each other hard and told each other how much we loved each other; then, not wanting to prolong the inevitable, I quickly mounted Maggie, and Max and I rode out of the village. I only looked back once, blowing a kiss to my sister, and then I set my sights on the trail that lay ahead of us.
The weather was good, which allowed us to travel fast and hard. We stopped throughout the day but only long enough to rest, water the horses, stretch our legs, and eat something before we rode on. We said little to each other, but I preferred it that way. I was too involved with the endless thoughts in my head to try to communicate with Max. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts as well.
Finally, as the sun was getting lower on the horizon, Max said it was time to find shelter for the night. Fortunately, with the clear skies, a quickly erected lean-to was sufficient, and supper was easy enough to prepare because of the enormous amount of food that the generous Seminole people had sent along with us. Because there was no reason for us to travel as covertly as we had before, we were free to light a fire, and as soon as it was burning, I set on a pot of coffee.
We were tired and yawned as we ate fish and corn. We talked about superficial things, like how far north we would ride before coming to a certain lake or tiny settlement and how many miles we would travel each day if the weather held. Finally, after our conversation had run out, along with the last of our energy, we crawled into the lean-to. Max covered his face with his black hat and fell asleep almost immediately. I rolled onto my side, facing away from him, but sleep did not come as easily for me, even though I was exhausted.
