Sun Dance lasted twenty-eight days from start to finish, with the actual dance being four days. Chaska hadn’t done any of the preparation.
“You made a four-year commitment, and you need to complete it.”
It was the first time Old Man had spoken so bluntly to him about this.
“I’d have finished my commitment if you hadn’t stepped down. I don’t want to be part of a ceremony run by a hypocrite.”
“Whether your father is a hypocrite is on him. Whether you finish the commitment you made toWakan Tankais on you.”
Chaska fought back his temper. He would never speak harshly to his grandfather—not now, not ever. “I hear what you say. I will think on it.”
“That’s all a grandfather can ask.” Old Man turned around. “Let’s go back inside. It’s hot out here.”
“Grandpa, you live near the Badlands. How can you think this is hot?”
Old Man just chuckled.
Naomi sat on the porch, watching while Doug loaded up his vehicle. A few days ago, she’d never heard of him. Now it was hard to watch him leave.
The front door opened and Grandpa Belcourt stepped outside.
He sat beside her. “The hummingbirds are busy today.”
“Even though they’re small, they have to eat a lot to keep up their energy.”
“How do you make those pictures? It looks like the birds are frozen in place.”
“It’s all about the settings on the camera. They need to be fast enough to catch the light for just that split second when the wings are open.”
He nodded as if this made sense to him. “I am glad I was able to meet you.”
“I’m glad I got to meet you, too.”
“My grandson cares for you. I am happy for him because you have a good heart, and I am happy for you because Chaska is a good man, a true warrior. I saw how he protected you last night. If he had to, he would sacrifice flesh and blood for you.”
“I love him.” Why was it easier to tell Chaska’s grandfather this truth than it was to tell Chaska himself?
Grandpa Belcourt nodded. “I know my grandson. He loves you, too.”
Naomi closed her eyes, hoped this was true. She had no right to ask him to wait for her. They’d made no commitment to each other.
“Soon, you’ll be out on the land, the land of your people. Some might find the idea of going to a new place and meeting new people to be scary.”
Naomi didn’t think she could fool Grandpa Belcourt. “Iamscared. I don’t know what to expect. My life is changing in so many good ways, but it is all so sudden.”
He reached over, put a weathered, wrinkled hand on hers. “You lived through much difficulty, even as a newborn baby, and you survived. That is the story of the Lakota people, too. I do not think the difficulty that lies ahead of you will be more than a woman of your strength can handle. When times get tough, remember that medicine wheel you wear. It has already gotten you through many dark days. Remember always that you are the great-granddaughter of Maggie Otter Tail.”
Naomi’s eyes filled with tears, her fingers finding the medicine wheel. “I’d never thought about that. I’m her great-granddaughter.”
“That’s right. That old woman didn’t take crap from anyone.”
Naomi laughed, understanding why Chaska and Winona loved this old man so much. “Pilamayaye,tunkasila.”Thank you, Grandfather.
She had looked that up online and spent five minutes memorizing it so that she could thank Grandpa Belcourt. He’d been the one to recognize the medicine wheel and track down her father, after all.
He chuckled, patted her hand. “That is good.Waste.”
Doug jogged up the front steps. “We’re all loaded up. You ready to go?”