The Warriors Spirit

I was blessed to be three quarters border hopper, as my friends called me. AKA 100% mute.  My mother was Irish and German; my father was Mexican and Pawnee Indian. My Irish grandfather came over on the boats with his parents and six siblings after world war-one. He was the second oldest. My grandfather lied to the army recruiter saying he was a twin to his older brother so he could join the army. He and his brother went to war during the Second World War. He met my Oma in Germany. They married and came back to the states. My Abuela worked hard to become a US citizen. While living in Dallas she went on a mission trip with her church and meet my grandfather in Oklahoma.  My grand parents always shared stories from their country. Traditions, folklore, and tall tells from their country always interested me. Little did I know that my heritage would one day come to bite me in the ass. Ironically three of my grandparents gave me the same animal nickname. My Abuela always called me her ’loca loba,’ crazy wolf and my Pawnee grandfather call me ‘skiri,’ Pawnee for wolf. But my Irish grandfather’s nickname would be the one that would change my future in ways I could never imagine. Irish children would be given a spirit/warrior animal between the ages of 3 and 4 years old. Something I always perceived as a special nickname.  Females were given feminine animals such as birds, rabbits or jaguars; whereas males were given more dominant animals such as bears, lions, and wolves.  I remember eagerly running to the dining room where my grandfather was. He was sitting at the table with the  ‘book.’ The ‘book,’ was what grandfather used to decipher what warrior animal each child was given.  “Well, I see your very excited about this and you haven’t been very patient, have you?” Grandfather said in a thick Irish accent and he tapped his index finger on my nose lightly. I shook my head up and down not saying anything. I’d been begged him for my animal as soon as I was aware that I would be given one. Grandfather opened the book and flipped a few pages. I stood on my tip toes trying to get a look. “Patients is not your specialty.” He said with a large smile. “January 25, winter.” Grandfather slid his fingers over the pages. “It rained the night you were born. I remember it was a heck of a storm, but it was a dry season.” Grandfather flipped a few pages and then slid his finger from one side of the book to the next. “Red hair, but no freckles and olive color skin.”  This time he flipped several pages. “Come closer baby.” I stepped closer smiling up at my grandfather “Sapphire eyes with... I never noticed that before, a dark emerald ring around your pupils. Multicolored, that’s going to be tricky.”  Grandfather flipped several more pages and the slid his fingers over the book. “Well, I did something wrong.” Grandfather noticed my facial expression. “Don’t worry, we’ll get it. I’m old, I must have flipped too many pages.” I watched as grandfather repeated the steps again. He repeated it twice and then flipped to the back of the book. “Well, I’ve checked it three times and it appears to be correct, you’re a Mac tire. A mac tire am to be exact.” I looked at him puzzled. “In your language, a wolf, a wolf of time to be exact. Polar opposite of tradition, very special. Just as opposite as you are.” I ran to the kitchen yelling for my Oma. “Oma, I got a wolf, a wolf of time. In a thick angry German accent my Oma yells “Herald McLower, stop playing with that child. You know she’s been waiting for this day.” “Mother, I have checked it three times. It is correct. The spirit has chosen HER.” I looked back and forth from the kitchen where my Oma stood with her hands on her hips with an angry look on her face, to my grandfather sitting at the dining room table. “There are to many similar physical characteristics to...” “Dear, I will check the book of gan teacht i gcrích and I will call my uncle in Ireland.” “Please don’t forsake this baby.” My Oma said with tears building in her eyes. “If it is correct,  she will be prepared. She’s already the strongest willed grandchild we have.” “Oma says I’s as stubborn as a mule. Papa, what was the other book, you said?” Grandfather looked at me with a smile, “It’s just a silly old book of old wives tales, no truth to it my child.” “But you called it something.” Grandfather  stood up from his chair, “It translates to unfulfilled prophecy.” I shook my head up and down acting like I knew exactly what he was talking about. I wrapped my arms around my Oma’s legs “Oma, don’t worry I will be stronger than the other 4.” “What did you say child?” My Oma reached down softly lifting my face to look up at her. “I’m strong Oma.” “No baby, did you say other 4?” “Yes, they told me I am strong.” “When did the other 4 tell you?” “In my dreams. They told me this time I had to finish, because I am the strongest.” My Oma leaned down and wrapped her arms around me. I could feel here glaring at my Grand father. Grand father walked to the kitchen and patted me on the head. “Go tell you cousins, I know they are waiting.” I ran as fast as I could through the house howling. I heard my Grandfather talking faintly behind me “I think we both now know it chose he.” I flung the back door open hard. “I’m a wolf, a wolf of time” My cousins said that my grandfather had made a mistake because females were not suppose to be given a dominant animal. But clearly when three grandparents call you the same thing it has to be correct. Through out the years it became a just a nickname, but had a profound love of wolves and noticed them everywhere I went. TEN YEARS LATER The warm summer morning breeze was perfect for the first day of school. All around me I could hear cars moving, stoping, small burst of music, laughter and small talk. I could smell the breeze, people’s breakfast, the many different colognes in the air; I could smell everything. Looking down at my schedule. I noticed right away something was wrong. My first day of freshman year and my schedule is already screwed up, they placed me in a junior history class, world geography. ”Just great, have to remember what hall that’s on.” I take deep breath and try to remember the tour they gave us at the end of last year. “History classes were near the sophomore lockers.” I whispered to my self.  I feel a large shove to my right shoulder as someone walks by. “Hey fish, stop talking to your self. The bell has rang and we’re moving. Fish have to go to the gym.”  I shake my head to get out of my head. I start walking quickly to the gym. I can smell the fresh sealant on the gym floor. I see a few familiar faces, but I choose not to talk, I just find a seat quickly. Someone always ask “How was your summer?” And I’d have to reply “Ya, know working full time, living alone, the normal summer stuff.” The sad thing was, I really hadn’t seen anyone all summer, even at the restaurant.  “Freshman, take a seat!” Principal Jacks yells. Mr.Jacks was tall and thick, not fat, but thick. He had the typical square nerd glasses and you could tell he had a ‘comb over.’ “I know y’all are excited and nervous, but we’ll get you to class as soon as we go over a few things. 1. There will be no schedule changes today. If you notice something is wrong or that the electives you chose are incorrect, there are blue schedule change forms outside of the councilor’s office. You’ll find your class room numbers next to the class subject. 2. You’ll meet back here everyday this week for 8th period. 3. When we leave here today, you will line up according to your first period class. A teacher will escort you to your hallway. All core classes are in the mornings and electives and technology are in the afternoon. 4. You will be required to wear a fish with your name on it. This tradition is as old as our town. You must wear it everyday, don’t get caught without it. If it is stolen by an upper class men, you loose and need to report it to your home room teacher. If you have it Friday, at 2;15 PM, you will receive 5 free homework passes. If you don’t, you will have to spell you name with your butt in front of the entire school at the 3PM assembly in the auditorium. Last but not least, welcome to high school.” I’m watching everyone stand up so I can fallow their lead. I look up to see a short teacher waiving her hand In the air. She was short with a pudgy, but cute face. Her hair was neatly in a bun and she had a friendly smile. She looks familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve seen her. “1st period history classes this way.” I hear her say in a small voice. I grab my books quickly and head her way. Their wasn’t much of a line, just a mess of freshman standing in her vicinity. “Well I hope we’re all here. I’m miss Pettit, please come get your fish when I call your name.” Miss Pettit stats calling names. She finally calls my name and I walk quickly to collect my construction paper fish, with blue yarn attached to make it a necklace. “I thought you were older than a freshman?” She has a  puzzled look on her face. “No ma’am, I’m 14 and a freshman.” I realize that I’ve seen her come into the cafe where I work. “Make sure you stay with me, the other grades will be leaving their morning meeting too. If you get lost, just go to the front office and someone will assist you.” We leave the gym and all down a long hallway with back to school and club meeting posters. I drift to the back of the group to follow. The guys are chatting and talking about sports and the girls are giggling and gossiping. I start to think about my one and only friend Sarah. Her family had moved at the beginning of summer. It sucks when the only person you trust in the world is now gone. Especially when you’re life drastically changes and you have absolutely no one to talk to. New school, no family, having to work full time to survive. Sarah new everything about me, how my mother started drinking heavily after my parents divorced and would leave for months at at time with whatever new boy toy she had at the time. My older sister Janet had pretty much abandoned me when got married and moved away with her husband who was in the military. I was in my own world remembering how much I was missing my best friend.  I’m in my own little world, when I hear the halls get louder. I look up quickly to see the halls fill wall to wall.  Our group turns right to a less filled hallway. “This is the history hall way and where all sophomore lockers are. Freshman lockers are in the mathematics hall way.” Miss Pettit points down the hall and towards the right. “Please locate you class number on you schedule and head to your class.”  I start to follow the other freshman when I remember I have a junior history class. I look down at my schedule to confirm the class and the room number. I turn and walk in the other direction. I look up and my face crashes right into a large strong muscular chest. I take a deep breath. He smells good, so good. I can’t move, no I don’t want to move. I can feel my checks getting hot. I look up slowly . “Oh, s**t!”  I just ran face first into Nick Macabee. “Such language Darin.”  I stand there and stare. How does Nick Macabee know my name. We go to the  same church, but a third of the town goes to that church. Six foot three Greek god, with jet black hair, dark eyes and beautifully tanned skin. Mister ‘goody two shoes,’ Nick Macabee was staring down at me. “Darin are you good?” His voice sounds sweet and sincere.  “Sorry, yes. Just a little lost. My schedule is wrong.” I fumble with my schedule and I drop everything from my  arms. “Oh s**t!!” I crouch down quickly to pick up my stuff. I watch Nick crouch down too. “Darian, such language. We may need to wash that mouth out.” I notice there is nothing else left on the floor so stand back up. Nick hands me my things and leans closer to me and whispers, “Have a good day potty mouth.” He walks past me.  I turn around quickly and look at class numbers above the doors. Nick is walking in the direction of my class. As he heads in the class room, I couldn’t help but watch him. I walked closely behind him just to be close to him, when I notice a necklace fell from around his neck. It was a leather band with a silver wolf charm. I followed him in the class room and sat in the desk right behind him.  I lightly tapped him on the shoulders. Nick turned around slowly flashing me the sexiest devilish smile I had ever seen. “You dropped this.” I whispered. “Keep it for now, I’ll get it later. We can trade.” I looked at him puzzled “Later, trade?” “I’ll call you about it.” Nick turned back around. I tapped him on the shoulder “Why do you have to call me about it? What do you have to trade me?” “To get your address?” He turned back around. “Why do you need my address?” He turned towards me rolling his eyes. “To get my necklace.” “Why my house? You can have it now.” Nick turned around slowly “I’ll get it when I pick you up.” I flipped my hands open up in a questioning manner.  “Pick me up for what?” ”Darian,” he whispers and then talks very slow “I’ll get it when I pick you up to take you to dinner at my house. Now write your phone number on a piece of paper and put my necklace around your neck so you don’t loose it. It will go well with those beautiful blue eyes of yours and I know you love wolves.” How does Nick Macabee know about my obsession for wolves? Puzzled, I sit back and tare a corner from a piece of paper. I write my number down quickly. I tap Nick on the shoulder and hand him my number. “Thanks potty mouth. I’ll call you after football practice. Be ready by 6pm.” Nick looks at me puzzled “I thought your eyes were blue a second ago.”