Love, Lust, and Desert Dust

Secrets To Hide

I wake up to June leaning over my bed. She's the head of staff and the woman that basically raised me.

"Get up."

"Did I sleep through my alarm again?"

I sit up and stretch my arms. June catches me mid-yawn with a slap to the back of the head.

"I turned off your alarm. Do you not remember what today is?"

I realize that today is the day I am supposed to take over as chief.

"I told you that I don't wanna attend. They need to pick a new chief."

"Your grandfather has been dead for 5 years. The tribe elders have been holding your place for long enough. It's time, you take responsibility for your birthright."

I stand up in a huff and raise my voice.

"My MOM should've honored that responsibility! Instead, she married a terrible man outside of the tribe just for his money. My father left because he didn't want a kid. He could've just married her and become chief."

"None of that matters. Right now, you need to honor your tribe. But, once you become chief, the change will start. I can help you through it. The only way you can get through it safely, though, is if you accept it."

"Why do I have to go through the change?"

I put on a shirt with jerky movements and then stare at June with a look that says, "turn around" because I need to change my bottom half.

"Oh, I changed your diapers, but I'll turn around anyway. The reason you need to go through it is because your grandpa and every chief before him, did. There are some among the tribe that have changed and they have no one to lead properly. The others will follow suit."

"Whatever. But how does no one know our secret when my last name is kind of obvious? Well, my true last name."

"That's why we use Begay as your last name. Redmoon IS obvious."

"Our tribe name is slightly obvious, too. The name is literally, Mai-coh. Also, you stole my fake last name and the tribe name from the Navajos."

"We didn't steal it. Five hundred years ago, our tribe broke off from the Navajo tribe. The chief of the Navajo tribe banished anyone who harnessed the spirit and called them and their friends, witches. Come on, boy, you've heard this story before."

"I don't remember."

"Well, we are not witches, but we are believed to be evil because of what we turn into. Now, let's go. You have a big day."

I nod and follow her out of my room after making sure I don't forget my shoes, phone, and keys.

I slide on my converse as we head down the hall to the stairs.

"Wait!"

"Ugh, what now?!"

June begins walking down the stairs, shaking her head.

"What did you tell Rose about why I'm not going to school today?"

"She didn't ask."

"Oh." I swear, June can hear the disappointment in my voice.

She pats me on the shoulder when we get out to the car and the whole ride is silent. My nerves go crazy when we get to the reservation. It's out in the only wooded area on this side of town. There's about 500 acres of pure woods with houses tucked inside. In the center of all the houses is a clearing that is where we all gather. It's like an oasis for us. There is a crap ton of desert here, so it just feels magical.

The children in the tribe swarm my car. I guess they don't see many newer cars around very often. I get out of the car and The women gasp. I guess I'm attractive. The tribe elders walk up to me.

The one who is chief for the day, speaks.

"Dakota Redmoon. It has been a very long time since you've been on this sacred land. It is nice to see that you've chosen to take on the title and responsibility of chief."

"Yes, it has been a long time. I was 8 the last time I was here. Everything still looks so magical. After careful consideration and a lot of convincing, I am ready to take my birthright."

"Your grandfather would be so proud."

"I hope so. Will his spirit be joining us tonight?"

"We will summon all of the past chiefs during the ceremony. Your ancestors, female and male, will be here. Is your mother coming?"

I scan the crowd and then address all of them.

"My fellow tribe members, Aanya Redmoon wishes to be divided from the tribe. She is no longer considering herself a part of this family! Now, I can not divide myself from her as I am still not 18, but she has agreed to separate amicably as soon as my birthday comes. So, her true name shall not be mentioned from this moment on."

"When did she contact you?" The elder asks me.

"I spoke to her a week ago and we briefly discussed my future within the tribe. I have been torn since that discussion, but Elder June has persuaded me to follow my heart and in my heart, I want to be your chief."

"Are you willing to leave her and her money behind?"

"I will be leaving her money behind, but she will be signing a legal contract giving me control of all of the businesses here. Thus, the money earned at MY businesses will also be yours."

"Now that we have settled the issue of his mother, shall we prepare for the feast and the ceremony?"

June ushers me to the house of the chief. I guess this is my home on the reservation. I look around and see many pictures of my ancestors and pictures of the whole tribe from every year. The house is big. It's not as big as the house that my mother owns, but it's comfortable and I like it. The house holds a lot of history.

I spot a few pictures of my mom.

"Remind me to take down those pictures later." I look to June and she looks distraught.

"Do you not care for your mother at all? Yes, she has decided to separate from the tribe, but she showed you love once."

"That woman has chosen other people and things over her own flesh and blood too many times. She doesn't deserve my love or the love of my people anymore."

"Just don't throw them away. Please place them in a box and store them or send them to her. Those are her memories."

"As you wish."

June looks at me with love and I know she is truly my mom. She has always been like a surrogate mom to me.

"You will make a wonderful chief."

She hugs me and leaves. I see that all of the other elders had left too. I am left alone with my thoughts. I roam my new home and I find the room that used to Aanya's. I notice that is essentially untouched. I close the door quickly and make a mental note to have it cleaned out and use it as a guest room.

My phone starts ringing and the sound startles me.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Mom."

"Hello, Aanya, what do you want and why is your number different?"

"I'm using the phone in my hotel room."

"What do you want?" I spit out.

"I just want you to know that I decided to separate for myself, not because I hate you. Also, did you tell the elders?"

"I announced it to the entire tribe. I have faxed the contract to your assistant. Please sign it promptly as my birthday is in two weeks."

"Did you hear what I said first?"

"I heard you. I am not your son once the ceremony has been conducted and the contract is signed. You may not hate me, but I don't love you. You are not my mother and you never have been. You may have given birth to me, but you did not raise me. You left that to June. You chose everyone and everything else over me. You even married that monster and took his daughter with you when he died. At least, you were home when he was alive. Please sign the paperwork and fax it back as soon as possible or you'll hear from my lawyer."

"Dakota--"

I hang up before she gets the chance to argue with me. I sit on the giant bed that is supposed to be mine and I look around my new room.

"I seriously need to renovate this house. Sure, I'll keep the pieces of history, but it seriously needs updated."

I swipe my finger on the bedside table. A thick layer of dust comes up on my finger.

"And, cleaned."

I spot the closet standing wide open and I look inside. There is a traditional headdress on the shelf. I take it out and place it on my head. I sneeze from all the dust.

"Woah, dude. You're looking really chief-like." I hear a familiar voice.

"I haven't heard that voice in almost 10 years. How is that I still know who it is?"

I turn around and my cousin wraps me in a tight hug. My aunt comes in to see me, too. She joins in on the hug.

"Justin! Auntie May! I missed you guys, so much!"

I hear a small voice and look down to see a shy little girl.

"Who are you, cutie?"

I squat down at her level.

"That's right, you've never met Lilly."

"Lilly? Are you my newest cousin? I think I may have seen baby pictures of you."

"I had her 5 years ago. June requested pictures, so if the pictures you saw were of a little baby with dimples, it was probably her."

My aunt rubs Lilly's back and Lilly retreats into her leg.

"It's okay, we can get to know each other as slowly as you want. I'm gonna be moving here soon."

*ring* *ring*

"Oh, someone's calling me. Let me see who it is."

I check my phone and I see that Rosetta is calling me.

"I have to take this."

"Go ahead. We'll be in the living room."

"Okay."

*click* "Hello, Rosetta."

"Hi. Why aren't you at school?"

"Um, I had a family thing going on today. Why?"

"Well, I got told by Lucas and Logan that you're sick. You weren't sick last night. *sigh* I guess I was a little worried."

"I'm fine."

"Why are so short with me?"

I pinch the bridge of my nose.

*sigh* "You made a frustrating and ignorant comment last night, so forgive me if I'm not feeling too nice right now."

"You sound like you're lying."

"I'm not!"

"Jeez!"

"I'm just trying to have a fun day and I'm a little stressed because the whole distant family will be together tonight. Sorry for snapping. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, bye. I have something to do tonight, so don't text me after 4."

"That's fine. I'm busy anyways. I'll see you late tonight."

I hang up and join my family in the living room. I feel so loved in the 2 hours I spend with my family. But, I am becoming chief at 4 that evening.