Tilly and the Crazy Eights
Page 22
Tilly had not intended to share more, not just yet, and not with Sarah so close to crossing over. But suddenly, this seemed like the right time. “There’s one more thing.” Tilly was totally unaware of how her face lit up. “We’re going to have a baby.”
“Ahhh,” escaped from a few of them in the circle. Chuck and Bea exchanged knowing smiles.
Poncho pushed his chair back, stood, and walked over to her. “Oh, Miss Tilly, that is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.” He pulled her in for a hug.
In his ear, Tilly whispered, “A gift from the Creator, Poncho.”
“Yes, Miss Tilly. A gift for sure.”
Rose leaned over and whispered to Lucy, “That explains things.”
“Explains what things?” Lucy looked confused.
“You know.” Rose drew a line around her waist with her hands. “The little pudge around her tummy.”
Lucy playfully slapped her friend’s hand. “Rose.”
Rose lifted her shoulders. “What? I’m just sayin’.”
Sarah groggily asked, “What?”
Annie moved closer to Sarah. “We thought you were asleep.”
Sarah’s eyes smiled, but it was too much effort to lift the sides of her mouth. Her eyes closed again.
“It’s Tilly. She’s got some news,” Annie whispered. She motioned for Tilly to come near.
Tilly took Sarah’s hand in hers and whispered, “I’m going to have a baby, Sarah.”
This time, Sarah’s smile was effortless.
***
The drumbeat was growing louder. Sarah could see the young woman now. She was dancing as she drew nearer. Every movement of her shawl beckoned Sarah to join her in the Spirit World.
After a few moments the young woman reached out to her and smiled. “Take my hand, Sarah. I’ve come to dance you home.”
Gratitude
THIS BOOK HAS been one of the most enjoyable and entertaining projects I have worked on yet. I could see these characters as if I was watching them from behind a lens. Some days they made me laugh and some days they made me cry, but all in all, I have fallen in love with each and every one of them. I feel like they are Ancestors with whom I’ve had the privilege to story tell.
I am grateful to the Lkwugen and WSÁNEĆ people for the gift of living on your unceded territories as I wrote this book. This land, the water and the stars we live below, are beautiful medicine for writing and raising a family. Kinânskomitin.
For my family. My wife Rhonda, who takes incredible care of me all the time, not just when I’m writing. Thank you for all your help with this story! You have been instrumental in helping me with this book. I loved all the conversations we had about the characters and their antics! For my children, Sadie and Jaxson, you are the most precious gifts I’ve ever been blessed with and your love is fuel for my writing.
We all need people in our lives who support us, encourage us and believe in us…even when we don’t believe in ourselves. My family are some of these people, as is the group of women known as my Soul Circle. Since 2013, our circle has met every two weeks. These women are touchstones for me and my time in their presence is always healing, motivating, and inspiring. Thank you Anne Marie Hgoya, Brooke Semple, Carmen Spagnola, Carolyne Taylor, and Robin Arnold.
My dear friend, Kelly Terbasket for being the greatest travel partner!!! I could not think of anyone more creative, fun, and easygoing to have come on the research trip with me. I will always remember our laughter, our adventures, and cherish the memories. Thank you for being mi socia for almost thirty years.
I am thankful to everyone who agreed to be early readers and provide feedback: Rhonda Peterson, Shirley Smith, Jocelyn Caldwell, Carolyne Taylor, Kelly Terbasket, Della Preston, Shannon Lundquist, and Margo D’Archangelo.
Much gratitude for the grant I received from First People’s Culture Council in 2015. This grant provided me with the financial means to do the research trip and travel the same route as Tilly and the Crazy Eights. This trip provided me with the foundation, photographs, experience, and inspiration to tell this story.
On July 12th, I put a couple of tweets up as part of #CanLitPit 2017. Second Story Press was one of the presses who liked the tweets and were interested in seeing the manuscript. I am grateful to Margie Wolfe for her interest in the story and to Second Story Press for publishing Tilly and the Crazy Eights. It is an honor to work with you!
Grateful to the editors who have helped with this over the journey of the book: Barbara Pulling, Ronda Kronyk, Kathryn Cole, and Richard Van Camp. Each of you came in at different times during my writing process and contributed in profound ways!
About
MONIQUE GRAY SMITH is Cree, Lakota, and Scottish and a proud mom of teenage twins. She is an accomplished consultant, writer, and international speaker. Her first novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience, won the 2014 Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. She is also the author of several books for children, including You Hold Me Up, My Heart Fills With Happiness, and Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation. Monique and her family are blessed to live on the traditional territory of the WSÁNEĆ people near Victoria, British Columbia.