"You're seriously going with this dude again, Indie?" Someone asked her.
Blinking back at the mirror and seeing the source of the question, Amber smiled, "Why not?"
"I can think of ten good reasons why not. Indie, you're playing a dangerous game with this guy." Kitty said, strapping her heels on.
"He's not bad." She explained, "Ever since that day he's been quite the gentleman and we've just done small dates. It's enjoyable really."
"You guys hearing this? The best girl here dreaming of being the doting housewife." Kitty laughed as she went up to the stage.
Amber just shook her head, ignoring the crass woman.
"Don't think of her. Just do what you need." Honey said to her, "And here's a little extra for those kiddos out there."
Honey handed Amber a small roll of bills, "Oh Honey, I can't. What about your kids, they need it too? I'd feel like I'm taking food from their mouths."
"Nah don't worry. Billy got that spot he was working for." she said with a bright smile, "Guess what that means?"
Amber lit up, "Oh my god, you're getting out of here! Yes! Finally, girl, you need it."
"I know." Honey said giving Amber a tight hug, "He's already set up all the papers and such so now it's just the quick sit and wait until it all goes through. We haven't told the kids yet."
"They're going to be tickled."
"We're breaking it to them with the new house and a puppy."
"Now there's the American dream."
"Took us a while. Lot of digging out of our holes but we did it." Honey sighed, "Just that sentence there; 'we did it' sends a whole new feeling within me."
"I'm really proud of you sweetie. You really deserve this."
"So, do you. I'm hoping this guy that's been coming around is worth it for you."
Amber smiled as Alfred passed her thoughts, he was a charmer but there was more to him than most would know. It's the main reason she decided to give him a chance.
"You're deep in thought." Honey pointed out.
"Remember those dreams I told you about? The guy within them as well?" Amber asked.
Honey nodded, waiting for her to continue, "It's him."
"What? Are you serious?" Honey nearly fell out of her chair.
"It is I swear. Everything is the same about him. Mannerisms, style, voice, those eyes. It's him." Amber smiled.
For years, she dreamed of a great man that walked across the lands, watching how it formed and making sure everything went like it should of. She felt his despair at times and growing sadness as it changed faster and harder for him to comprehend yet felt his joy when he watched it hit new heights. She also felt his loves. From the women that were the mothers to him, to the sweet lovers that took his bed, she felt and dreamt it all.
"What has the healer said?" Honey asked.
"I haven't been back yet to the reservation. Need to before the ceremonies. I think Alfred would get a kick out of them."
"Oh, Master Bruce, would you like me to tie your shoes?" Kitty joked as she sat at her spot. "Come on what parent names their kid Alfred, sounds like he's ancient."
"Will you knock it off?" Amber's anger with the woman was coming to a boiling point.
"Watch yourself, don't want to anger management." Kitty warned.
Amber glowered at the woman, she hated the fact that she held everything above the women all because she was married to the owner.
"Karma Indie, karma." Honey stated as she gathered her stuff. "Sounds like a Harley pulled in."
The hum of the bike echoed the backroom, breaking Amber's anger and filling her with excitement. Grabbing her bag, she hugged Honey once more and dodged out the door to find a grinning Alfred waiting for her.
"Come one sweet stuff, got plans with you." he said patting the back of the bike.
She couldn't get on fast enough. The feel of the leather against her legs and the deep vibrations of the bike plus the lean muscular back of Alfred that she had the lovely habit of sinking into was enough to set any woman's blood on a sensual fire.
"Where to today Alfie?" she asked, watching the light blush creep on his cheeks.
"Never going to let that one go huh?" he said gliding the bike to the road.
"Not since I heard that French friend of yours call you that."
"Brie calls me that to get my goat."
"It works."
"How do you know?" he asked looking back at her.
Amber gently took her finger across Alfred's left cheek, "They're a nice shade of natural pink."
He shook his head as he got on the main drag and headed out on the open road. "And to answer your question I thought about Sully's Hill for a little walk."
"I'm game for that." she said to him.
The thought of the celebration coming up came to Amber's mind as they made their way to Devils Lake. She could feel the women within her as the bike hummed under her, almost telling her to talk to him, to speak what she knew but she thought against it. Unsure if it was really what she thought, of all she wanted to talk to Chenoa before that approach. Until then, she was going to sit back and enjoy the time with Alfred.
The rolling grasses next to them was soothing a gentle melody as they made their way up the pathway. Amber could've stood there all day really, just listening to nature's own music. Well, her mother taught her that much.
"Come on, we're almost at the top. I'll race you up there." he said taking off for the top of the lookout.
"Hey now, you had a head start." she said running after the sprinting man, "And how old are you, five?"
"Four, now hurry up or you're a rotten egg."
Amber laughed at his childish action, following him up the steps. Once at the top, she let the sight take her away. The vast untamed lands flowing before her very eyes. Wild animals roaming the area like they did for years before man.
"Oh wow." she sighed out enjoying the sights.
"Like it?"
"Duh." she giggled.
Alfred wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, "Pretty sight?"
"Most definitely." she sighed leaning against him, "Been a long time since I've been here."
"Oh, when was that?" Alfred asked.
"With my mom. She brought me up here when I was still small, explaining how our people traveled the lands and harvested from it. How we became the strong people that we are."
"Ah so you and mom come up here a lot huh?"
"Did when I was younger. After I turned thirteen it stopped." Amber sighed, remembering the days together.
"Why's that?"
"She passed away. Cancer of the bone."
She could feel Alfred's shock and realization donning on him, "Dude I'm sorry. Didn't try to bring up bad past."
Amber giggled, "Are you kidding? Those days with her were the best. Never a dull moment and always learning."
Alfred chuckled at her, "Seems like you had a good relationship with her. What about your dad?"
"Don't know him." she stated, "He walked out when I was just a baby. Didn't want the responsibility of being a dad. So, my mother raised me along with the people of the reservation. Think it's why I'm so strong with them."
"Ah gotcha."
The day slowly turned to evening before them as they talked about everything and anything. It was moments like these Amber treasured, the moments she loved with Chenoa and her mother.
"Better head back sweets; getting dark." he said taking her hand.
She nodded and followed him down the pathway again, watching as the nocturnal life came out to play as a thought popped into her head.
"Hey Alfie?"
Hey what-y?"
"Where are you staying?" She questioned.
"Minot Air Force Base, why?" he asked looking back at her.
"So, you're going to ride up to my place, almost two hours away just to drop me off and ride again for another hour and half, just to jump out of bed in the morning to do the trek again?"
"Is that a problem?"
"Well, yeah. What if you get in a wreck cause you're tired? I'd feel guilty, like it's because of me you crashed. I know it's kinda out of character of myself and you but would you stay at my place, just for the night so I know you're rested? It's something that been on my mind for a bit."
Alfred just stared at her for the moment, she was wondering if she asked too much. "I'm not saying I'll service you or anything I just-" she was silence with his finger to her mouth.
"I understand why you thought and asked it, just wasn't prepared to have you ask it." he replied. "And I know you won't 'service' me, which in reality I wish you wouldn't use that terminology with me. You are not a prostitute in my eyes, just one hell of a good friend."
That was something she wasn't expecting, shaking her head to rid the sudden shock of his words, she smiled at him. "Alright then. The couch is quite comfy and I have plenty of blankets, but if you'd prefer a bed, then mine is large enough for both of us."
"I'll take the couch, I'll be just fine." he said giving her hand a light squeeze.
Amber smiled and nodded at him, maybe this was a good start to something.
After the ride home and playing rock-paper-scissors to see who'd use the shower first as the other cooked, Amber made up the couch for Alfred as he readied for bed. It wasn't even five minutes as she showed him the spot in her small apartment that he was out cold in sleep. She just smiled at him, planting a small kiss to his forehead and going to bed herself. Her mother's necklace hanging in its usual spot gave her the better thought for sleep and comfort, as the heaviness of her lids finally took her to the deep slumber she waited for.
The beat of the fifes and drums filled the air as she stood there watching the men march by. All of this was for their independence, and the new leader was gladly marching them forth along with the young nation. She had seen this before, so many times.
"Ma'am?" said a young voice.
Sure enough, there stood the young, bright nation before her, "Now what did I tell you to call me?"
"Sorry mama." he smiled.
Once more she stood before a crowd, this one sadder, just like her mourning heart. She could feel his sadness as he stood next to her and the young boys beside her. His eyes still bandaged up from the president's death.
"I'm sorry mama, I failed you."
The open airstrip was promising as she climbed up on the plane, "Come on now flyboy. Whom else will teach ya, besides me?"
The nation smiled at her, "Only you, that's who." as he settled his cap on his head.
The smell of Indian sage filled her being, she knew what that meant. Turning around, Amber found herself face to face once more with the Mother Spirit. Her tanned skin hiding under the skins of the hunt, her dark hair flowing freely among the wind, her headband and feathers adorning her gave way to her strength that flourished behind her dark eyes.
The spirit smiled at her, "You take care of my boy, he needs you more than he knows and I know you are perfect for him."
Amber shot up. That was new, she never had the Mother Spirit speak directly towards her. She always watched her land of the Natives, never one that spoke right to her. Seems like she needed to get to Chenoa quicker than she planned.
Gentle cries caught her attention, there was no one else but her and... throwing the covers off, Amber made her way to Alfred. Sure enough, small tears escaped his closed eyes as gentle, quiet cries left his lips.
"Alfie, it's me. It's alright." Amber said, smoothing his hair.
"I'm sorry." he whimpered in his sleep. "I'm sorry I couldn't save them."
Couldn't save them, who was them? "Alfie, wake up. It's me, Amber. You're ok. Come on Alfie." she called out finally waking the blonde.
Wide eyed beamed up into her blues, he looked practically frightened and sad all at once, what in god's name was he dreaming about. Before she could utter a word, his arms wrapped around her middle in a vise grip.
"It's ok Alfie, it's ok. It was just a dream, it's all over. You're here with me and safe." she soothed his hair as she spoke gently to him.
She felt him tremble against her, "Alfie, what's wrong, you're shaking like a new fawn?"
"Just a bad dream." was all he muttered against her.
There was no way she was leaving him there, "You're fine now. Come on, get up and go to bed."
"No, no. I'm not intruding on your-"
"Will you be quiet and do as I say?" she said, picking up his blanket, "You're not intruding I swear. I'm inviting you in to sleep better not to-"
"Don't say service, we already went over that."
"Fine, then get to bed."
With a shaky sigh, he got up and went to her small room, laying down on the bed. Throwing the extra blanket over top of hers and tossing him his pillow, she crawled in next to him. Without notice, Alfred grabbed onto her, pulling her close as he nuzzled her chest. He was still shaking, whatever the nightmare was really did a number on him. Rubbing his head once more, Amber hummed the Lakota Lullaby her mother sang to her on dark nights like this to her. Soon after she began, his breathing became steady and his grip looser.
Amber smiled as she continued to hum the gentle lullaby as the feeling of Alfred next to her created a calming sensation to her mind and soul. As sleep slowly took her away, she thought of many more nights with Alfred like this.