My grandfather chuckled behind me and said sternly. “Sit up grandson. Shoulders square and accept the honor they felt was right to bestow on you.
I discovered there was also a picnic planned for the event and I was constantly seeing new people and having them shake my hand. Every student I met was happy to see me. What surprised me the most was the fact that not only the freshmen class was happy I was ok but members of every class up to and including the senior class were also there with words of sorrow and encouragement. I had never expected to be this well known in my new High School but events had been played out in such a manner that I was. Fate, my grandfather would say, played some funny tricks on a person.
Chapter 7 - Live Love
That night I was sitting on the couch in the living room of Katie’s parent’s house doing homework with Katie sitting next to me. Dr. Grant was in the room with us. When Katie grabbed my free hand to hold all he did was sigh and raise his eyebrow. “So Jason, tell me do you have any specific plans for your future?”
I looked at him surprised and chewed on my pencil as I thought how to reply to him. “I had given some thought to Architecture but I don’t know if I will be able to afford the colleges that are good for it.”
Dr. Grant looked at me in surprise. “I would imagine if you keep up the work you have been doing so far you will end up with a full scholarship from any school in the country. That and the fact you are Native American.”
“What would my heritage have to do with college.” I asked.
Dr. Grant frowned and said. “Well as a minority there are grants and special funding available to you. Hasn’t your grandfather talked to you about this yet?”
“No sir, my grandfather has been teaching me more about my heritage than anything else. And lately I have been just struggling to catch up in school.” I put my pencil down and tried to move myself to my chair.
Katie saw this and jumped up. “You need something Jason?”
I frowned. “I was going to go get a drink of water.” I tried to shift myself again and she pushed me back down on the couch.
“I will get it for you. Wait right here.” She headed out of the living room toward the kitchen.
Dr. Grant cleared his throat to get my attention again. “She has changed you know. Since she met you.”
I looked at Dr. Grant in surprise. “How do you mean sir?”
He looked toward the kitchen to make sure she was still busy and would take a while. I heard her mother talking to her. “She had these misguided attitudes in junior high, that personally I was not to fond of, about, you know, social status and things of that nature.”
I nodded at him and said. “I know I experience the same thing in the catholic school I went to. Only I was on the receiving end of the social put down.” I looked back into the kitchen to make sure she was still there. “Sir, you have no objections about Katie and myself. You know being involved?”
“Jason I have known your grandfather for thirty years and we have been friends the whole time. No I do not object at all to the fact that Katie has affections toward you.” He looked back into the kitchen to make sure she was still busy. “Just make sure you keep your intensions toward her as honorable as I know your grandfather would want you to.”
I nodded to him and said. “Sir, if I disrespected your daughter in that manner my Grandfather would take me into the woods and beat me within an inch of my life.”
Dr. Grant grinned at me. “He would have to get in line young man.” He looked and saw his daughter coming. “Promise me you will make her happy.”
“Yes sir, I promise.” I replied.
“Your promise what Jason?” she asked as she handed me a glass of water.
“I promised your father I would do my best to get back on my feet and walking since you would be investing a lot of time helping me do so.” Dr. Grant looked at me and hid a grin behind his paper.
“You better Jason White because we are going to be dancing at the Junior Prom.” She said earnestly. She looked down at her paper and said, “There I finished my last problem in Geometry. Are you finished?”
I wrote down the last answer and placed my pencil on the table. “Yes. I am done too. Maybe we can do history tomorrow?” I asked.
She laughed at me and said. “Yup that’s what I was thinking too.” She turned to Dr. Grant and asked. “Daddy can I take Jason down to the corner for an ice cream?”
Dr. Grant reached in his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills. “Yes, but I insist on footing the bill.” He handed her the money and continued. “A celebration for your first day of freedom from the hospital. Don’t be too late, ok kids?” He added gently.
She jumped up and bent down to kiss her father on the top of the head. “Thanks Daddy, I love you.”
Dr. Grant got up and helped her lift me into the wheelchair. I thanked him and waved to her mother before we exited the house. “Thanks Katie. I needed some fresh air.”
“I know.” I heard her from behind me where she pushed the chair. ”Beside was haven’t had any time alone today.”
I stopped the wheelchair and reached around to drag her up front. “Sit down and I will take us to the corner in style.” She sat across my legs and I wheeled us down the sidewalk. I had a bit of difficulty getting around the curbs but I would not let her help me. I had a lot of time to work on my upper body strength the past few months and my chest and arms were filling out well. We reached the corner and she went into Homestead’s Dairy to get us some ice cream cones. When she came out we sat down close together at the tables they had outside and watched the sun set.
“Penny for your thoughts?” she asked me softly.
I sighed and said, “I just can’t get over the fact that you actually like me. You know when I first saw you. I mean when I first saw how beautiful you were I was sure that you would never want anything to do with me.”
“Jason.” she said sternly “I used to have some pretty strange ideas in Junior High but when I first saw you I decided I had been wrong.
“What where your first thoughts when you saw me?” I asked gently looking into her eyes.
“When I saw you standing outside the school. I was flabbergasted at your beauty. You stood there so boldly outlined in the sunlight. Your beautiful hair flowing in the wind. I saw strength in you and knew in that moment you were destined for something great.” She gazed back at me. “And then in homeroom how you acted was funny and I somehow knew I was the cause of your confusion. It was the way you looked at me. You could not keep your eyes off me.”
I laughed softly. “And your mother must has thought I was a babbling idiot. I knew what I was supposed to do but my mind went blank every time I looked at you or got close to you.” I looked at the sunset for a moment and then back at her. “What was it that your mother said to you when she bent over to whisper to you?”
“She said to me ’That poor boy is love struck if I have ever seen it before. Be a dear and help him find his locker or he may never find his way back to this room.’ ” She giggled at me as she said this.
I reached over and traced her jaw line. “She is right you know. I fell in love with you the first time I laid eyes on you. And when that animal struck you I wanted revenge for the pain he caused you.”
She put her hand on mine and shuddered at the unpleasant memory. Then she gazed softly in my eyes. “I think it was the same with me although I didn’t realize it until I heard you calling my name in your sleep. Be sure Jason, please be certain it is true because I love you with all my heart and I almost lost you once. I could not bear the thought of losing you now.”
I moved closer and looked deep in her eyes. I could lose my soul in those beautiful eyes. “I am certain Katie. I love you. You are my life and will always be my life.” My lips touched hers and this kiss was nothing like any of the other kisses we had before. It was so intense and filled with feeling. She threw her arms around me and kissed me deeper than ever before. I could feel the fire in her the burning
emotions that burst to the surface and engulfed both of us. Dimly I remembered the promise I made her father so I gently broke the kiss and sat back gasping for breath.
She sat back and pouted. “Jason I wasn’t finished kissing you yet.” She slapped my arm lightly.
“Yes you were because if we would have stayed there any longer your father would have shown up with his shotgun.” I grinned at her. Or, I thought to myself, I would not have been able to control the natural reaction I was trying to prevent from happening with her sitting there. I was relieved to know that although I still hadn’t recovered feeling in my legs at least something down there was still working properly.
She giggled and grinned back at me. “Well, yes there is that to think about. We better get you walking so you will be able to run when he comes carrying the shotgun.”
“So you think he will have grounds to chase me with one?” I asked teasing her.
“He will if I have anything to say about it.” She broke out laughing at the same time I did.
After a bit we both calmed down and watched the stars in the skies. She hugged my arm and looked up into my eyes and asked softly “What are you thinking about now?’
“I was thinking about a story my grandfather told me once.” I replied.
“Tell me it please.” She insisted gently.
“Ok because it pretty much sums up my feelings for you.”
Story of Sarejana
There was once a maiden of the Bear Clan who was fairer than the sky in her beauty. She had several suitors who were after her hand in marriage but she was unable to make a decision on her own. One day she decided to put the three suitors to a challenge.
“Bring a representation of your love to me and I will determine based on what you bring to me who shall dance the wedding dance with me.”
The first brave thought he was smart and he brought her all the gold and jewels he could find. He stood before the longhouse of her mother and said, “Sarejana, I bring you all the gold and jewels within reach of our village, this is how much I love you. Choose me for I truly deserve to dance the wedding dance for you.”
The second brave also thought that he was a clever man. He brought a twig to her and called her out of her mother's longhouse. “Sarejana, I bring you a twig which is a representation of all the forests of the land, this is how much I love you. Choose me for I am the one who should dance the wedding dance with you.”
Sarejana looked at the third brave who was standing there with tears streaming down his face.
“What do you bring to me to show how great your love is for me?”
The third brave fell to his knees crying. “My loving Sarejana, I have failed because what I see that describes the greatness of my love for you is not mine to bring you.”
Sarejana looked at the third brave and said. “What do you mean by this?”
The third brave stood up and waved his arm at the night skies. “The stars in the skies and the stars behind them represent a mere fraction of the love I have for you.”
Sarejana called to her mother and told her to prepare the wedding dance because the third brave was the choice she made.
I looked at Katie when I finished and said, “This pretty much sums up my feelings for you Katie.”
She looked back at me with tears in her eyes and said. “Truly?”
“Without reservation my love.” I said softly.
She threw herself in my arms and kissed me as deeply as before. “Oh Jason!”
Chapter 8 - Physical Therapy
The next day I woke up a bit disoriented. I looked around the room and could not place where I was. Then it hit me I was at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Grant and the girl of my dreams. I lay in bed soaking up the delight in the thought of where I was. I pushed myself to a sitting position and reached for my jeans and t-shirt. Dressing was not as easy as it used to be. I managed to get myself dressed and shifted to the wheelchair. I maneuvered my chair to the door and opened it. Standing outside with a smile on her face was Katie.”Morning Jason,” she cheerfully said, “I hope you slept well.”
“I actually slept like the dead.” I grinned at her and pulled her into my lap. “Do I rate a good morning kiss?”
She looked back down the hall and grinned back at me. “I think I can arrange something like that for you.” She sat down in my lap and leaned forward. I could smell her sweet breath and my heart started racing. As she kissed me, my heart skipped a beat and I felt that wonderful glow that always came when I was this close to her.”
When she didn’t break the kiss right away and the passion was building inside me. I murmured around her lips “Ummm, Father, Shotgun, I can’t run remember.”
“Darn!” She giggled and broke the kiss. “Dad is downstairs. He told me to call him when you needed to get down.” Jumping up off my lap she went to the head of the stairs and called down them, “Dad Jason is ready to come downstairs.”
“I will be right up.” I heard him call from below.
Dr. Grant was the only one in the house who could lift my dead weight so I had no choice but to wait for him. Luckily the downstairs bathroom was bigger than the one up here and my toiletry articles were all down there on a shelf that the doctor had cleared for me. I heard the sound of his footsteps coming upstairs.
He looked at me and then Katie and chuckled. “So you two managed to get in your first kiss of the day eh?
Katie slapped him playfully and giggled “Daddy! How did you know?”
“Well you two get this certain glow on your face when you have been smooching.” He grinned at her. Then he turned to me and asked. “Ready son?”
I nodded to him and said. “Yes thank you sir. I wish you didn’t have to do this like this. I would rather walk under my own power.”
He lifted me up and surprised me by saying. “I don’t mind it son but since you will be here pretty often in the next few years I have decided to get a lift installed for the stairs.”
As he carried me downstairs I said to him. “Sir you really don’t need to do that because I fully intend on walking again.”
“It's really no problem Jason and I will be happy for both you and Katie when you do start walking but I still want to do this for you.” Katie had been following behind with the chair and placed the chair down and opened it up.
Dr. Grant set me down in the chair. I looked at him gratefully. “Thank you sir. You have been really kind to me.”
“Nonsense son you have done Katie a wonder since the two of you got together. She actually has goals now and when she is not screaming at me to do something for her she is every bit of the daughter her mother and I love to have.” He ducked when Katie swung a broom at him that she had snatched from a hallway nook as he said that. “Of course it will be good for you to observe how to get out of her way when she throws one of her tantrums.” He laughed as Katie tried to hit him again and scooted in the direction of the kitchen.
Katie chased him into the kitchen and shortly after she returned to me with a bag in her hands. “Sam left this with me for you. You will need to take it with you today when we leave.” She placed the bag on the hook I had for carrying schoolbooks around and turned to walk back into the kitchen.
“What's in the bag Katie?” I asked as I followed her in.
She turned to me with a sparkle in her eye and said. “Swim trunks. We are going to the school for your swimming physical therapy. Mr. Moore said he would teach me how to do a proper muscle toning exercise and other things to stimulate your nerves. He is a very dear man, you know.”
“Well I hope I don’t sink to the bottom of the pool you would never be able to lift me with your skinny chicken arms.” I said and then I ducked as she swung the broom at me playfully.
“You’re learning quick son.” Dr. Grant chuckled from behind us. “Breakfast is ready if you want to finish your morning hygienic chores Jason.”
I nodded and went to the bathroom where my stuff was. After I completed everything I needed to do I returne
d to the kitchen and rolled to the spot at the table they had set up for me.
Katie handed me a serving plate with scrambled eggs in it and said. “Dig in Jason you will need your strength today.” I took the plate and put a portion onto my empty plate. “You will be the first to ride in the new car daddy got me Jason. I like it. Its blue.”
“What kind of car is it?” I asked as I snagged two pieces of toast and a couple of sausages.
“It’s an El Camino. Unfortunately daddy won't get me the Corvette I wanted. He says that’s something I can get before I go to college.” She tossed a pout in the direction of her father who chuckled and pretended to ignore her.
“Grandpa Sam was going to get me a vehicle for my birthday but then this happened.” I waved to my legs. “Now I am pretty much useless in driving any sort of vehicle.”
“Actually, Jason.” Dr. Grant interrupted me. “You will have a vehicle. The village is leasing a specially designed car for your use as long as you are not able to walk.”
“Why would they do that?” I asked flabbergasted.
“Well a lot of the members on the council are ashamed at what happened to you.” Dr. Grant said. ‘This is the nineteen seventies not the eighteen hundreds and we should not have any issues with racial differences. You did nothing more than to attempt to protect my daughter from an abusive person. From what I hear this Steve’s father is one of the biggest bigots in the area and that's where his son got his attitude from. You could have rightfully sued the village for what happened Jason and they are grateful your Grandfather did not pursue the issue.” He handed me the milk so I could pour myself a glass.
“That’s very nice of the council sir. Will the vehicle be ready when I get out of the hospital?” I bit the end off a sausage.
Katie spoke up and said. “We are supposed to go get the vehicle for you after your swimming therapy today Jason. Like I said the weekend is fully planned. You will probably be glad to get back to the hospital on Sunday night.”
Rise of the Death Walkers (The Circle of Heritage Saga) Page 5
