Chapter 53
Kevin's first semester at University was difficult. It seemed to him that a number of people were dead set on not liking him, particularly, Professor Donohue. Kevin ended up finding out the man had attempted to have Kevin expelled, but he was, thankfully, overruled by Dr. McCarthy and instructors that had grown to admire Kevin. That much he was relieved about at least. Professor Donohue was proving to be a really hard nut to crack but his other professors, even if they'd not liked him initially, were impressed with his work ethic, his determination to prove he belonged there and his excellent grades. After a week of his first set of classes, he got a visit at long last from Lt. McCarthy. That was how he'd found out about Professor Donohue attempting to have Kevin expelled. Lt. McCarthy offered Kevin a different class so he wouldn't have to deal with Professor Donohue, but Kevin declined, saying he would deal with the hand he was given. When he returned to Professor Donohue's class following that discussion with Lt. McCarthy, Professor Donohue was a little surprised to see Kevin.
"I had thought you would be changing classes, Mr. Black," Professor Donohue said rather annoyed, so Kevin just smiled a cocky smile.
"I wouldn't give you the satisfaction, sir," he said and sat at his seat. He even managed to get a few laughs from some people.
In that particular class, he'd found himself a kindred spirit of sorts. He wasn't Native American, but he was a bit of an outsider. He was a man in his late twenties that, while he had a full and very long title, just went by the name Alfonse Heidelberg. Supposedly he was a distant cousin to the Arch Duke Ferdinand, but no one was sure. All that was certain was he'd come from a very wealthy family in Austria and he had come to America to study about six years prior. Unfortunately, after the war broke out, he wasn't able to go back home and he was stuck. He studied at Yale all that time studying politics, business and, now, law. Now that the war was finally over, his family's wealth had hit a rather considerable hitch. It was even planned his family would run to America and try to mend their wounded pride and wealth as it were. But what Kevin was most concerned with was the fact that this man spoke fluent German. When Kevin learned of the man, he took the opportunity to introduce himself formally when they happened upon one another in the quad.
"You're Alfonse Heidelberg, right?" Kevin asked when they met.
"Yes, and you're Kevin Black," Alfonse said. "What can I do for you?"
"To get to the point, I was in the market for a German tutor. I was hoping perhaps you would help me with that."
"A German tutor?" Alfonse scoffed a little. "I have my own work to do. I don't have the time to spare to teach an American German."
"I had a feeling you'd say that," Kevin sighed. "Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement. If there's anything I can offer that would make it worth your while, then I can see about arranging it."
"Frankly, I doubt there's anything you could afford to offer me," Alfonse said.
"I think we're getting off on the wrong foot," Kevin sighed. "Maybe if you gave me a quote or an idea of what you might be looking for, I can at least attempt to meet your demands. Or if it really is an issue of time, maybe I can try to free up some of your time."
"Free up some of my time how?"
"Well, we're taking some of the same classes obviously, so we are required to do the same research and study. I'm being told by the other professors that my work is good quality and interesting. Perhaps you may find it helpful to review my work and use it to spare you some time and research."
"So allow me to cheat off you," Alfonse said. "I'm a little offended you think I would need you to do that."
"I'm just trying to offer a solution that would allow teaching me German into your schedule."
"That would also require me being willing to barter my time. Frankly, I'm not."
"I assure you, you wouldn't be bartering much. I'm a fast learner."
"Are you now?" Alfonse said skeptically.
"I am," Kevin nodded. "I speak three languages as it is."
"I speak five," Alfonse said challengingly. "You're not really impressing me with how many languages you can speak."
"What languages do you speak besides English and German?"
"French, Italian and Russian."
"Are they all fluent?"
"Russian is the only exception. I speak enough Russian to get by."
"It's more Russian than most people here speak," Kevin tried to joke. He managed to get Alfonse to smile just a little.
"What languages do you speak?"
"French, English and Quileute."
"Parle français?"
"Oui. Couramment," Kevin answered. "Je suis plus intéressé à apprendre à parler allemande," (I'm more interested in learning to speak German). This time, Alfonse smiled a bit more.
"You're determined," he said.
"That I am," Kevin said. Alfonse walked past Kevin and snapped his fingers for Kevin to follow him. Kevin ignored the offensive gesture and followed.
"So why do you want to learn German so badly? You wouldn't push this much if you were just looking to learn for fun."
"I have a close friend that was adopted by a German family. I plan to go visit her in Germany some day and I want to know the language."
"So it's a woman," Alfonse smiled knowingly. "It's always some dame."
"I hope you can empathize."
"I suppose I can," Alfonse said. "Truth be told, I've always found the concept of love rather trivial. You non-aristocratic people see love as something beautiful. I see it as a business contract."
"I hear that's how it is with royal weddings. You said you were related to the Arch Duke Ferdinand?"
"Distantly," Alfonse nodded. "My mother was a cousin of his, though that hardly narrows the relation. Most of the royals are related one way or another whether it be cousins, brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, you name it. My father was just a Baronet. A wealthy Baronet all the same. Though I'm afraid the title doesn't hold much water anymore."
"I guess after what happened, it's little surprise."
"Indeed," Alfonse said. "You fought in the war did you not? And at the tender age of 15 no less."
"I joined the army when I was 13. I lied about my age and was fifteen by the time the war ended, I'd been named Sergeant and won my medal."
"Yes, very valiant. You certainly made me raise an eyebrow when you introduced yourself."
"Yes, I seem to have had that effect on most," Kevin sighed. "I suppose I expected it, but it's still rather difficult being so despised."
"Try being the Austrian," Alfonse said. "I've not had respect around here since the start of the Great War. And with Germany's loss, I fear my status as an Austrian has made my reputation all the more compromised."
"You seem to be doing well enough," Kevin said.
"Yes, because no one talks to me. In truth, you're one of the few people besides the professors that's spoken to me in quite a while."
"Oh dear," Kevin tried to joke. "Perhaps having you as a German tutor isn't such a good idea after all."
"Perhaps teaching a redskin German isn't such a good idea for me."
"Is that what they're calling me? That's a new one. I'm used to Squaw."
"You've been called that too," Alfonse said.
"Glad to see some things never change," Kevin smiled and chuckled a little sarcastically. "I guess it's not the first time I've had to convince a bunch of bigots I'm not so bad or I'm their equal."
"Seeing as you were able to get Dr. McCarthy to give you entrance into this school, I'd say you did just that."
"I saved his son's life," Kevin said. "I think the man gave me the spot upon his son's insistence and out of obligation."
"Whatever it took, it got you into University."
"I know. I'm not complaining," Kevin said.
"I must say, if you'd not told me, I would never guess you're only 15. I'd think you're at least 23."
"I do get that a lot," Kevin said. "So would you be so kind as to help me learn German? Learning German aside, I would love to have someone I can study with."
"A studying partner might be nice," Alfonse said. "Alright. I'll teach you German."
"Thank you, Alfonse. I promise you'll have me fluent by this time next year."
"You're so confident in my skills as an instructor?" Alfonse laughed.
"More so in my ability to learn a new language quickly."
Alfonse laughed and they walked to a café together near campus and started right away with learning German and studying together. Alfonse would become Kevin's first friend at University. Other friends would come painfully slowly. Back in Washington around that time, Charlene finally gave birth to hers and Seth's first child. It was a little girl that they promptly named Uileila Renesmee. Sara was so delighted that Seth had named his daughter after his mother. She promptly nabbed her little niece from Charlene after she'd recovered a little and spent most of the afternoon simply refusing to give her back. The little girl had black hair like Seth, but she was pale as her mother with little brown eyes. Leah made an attempt to hold her new niece, but she could barely hold her a moment before Sara took her back again.
The Cullens, as promised, moved back to Alaska shortly after Kevin was sent to University. They would, naturally, visit regularly for the holidays as had been the arrangement prior to the war. The Denalis were happy to have their cousins, for all intents and purposes, return. They were delighted for the company. Having Kevin away was rather strange for Embry. He and Kevin had been inseparable most of their lives. This was the first time he didn't have his best friend close by. He missed him quite a bit, but took comfort in the fact that Kevin would periodically turn into a wolf to say hello to everyone and let them know how he was doing. He was always about four hours ahead of them, but Kevin made a point to make it work as often as possible. He focused the bulk of his attention, when he wasn't a wolf, helping his mother look after all the kids. He continued his cruel torment of Aiya, tickling her feet and holding her up to fly. He'd even hold her upside down and gently sway her side to side, making her giggle. Although, even with all his siblings to look after, Embry found himself being horrendously bored. He'd gotten so used to having things to do and making money that no longer doing so had him restless.
"Where do you suppose I could find a job?" Embry asked Hailey after coming into the General Store rather suddenly one day.
"I recall offering you a job here and you said no," Hailey said.
"Because I don't want to work for you. I do still want to work, though."
"Beggars really shouldn't be choosers, Embry. Hasn't anyone ever told you that?"
"I guess that's true," Embry sighed. "What if I accepted a job here?"
"I already claimed dibs on this job," Jae said, who was sitting on the counter.
"I said when you got taller than me," Hailey said. "Last I checked, that's still not happened."
"Well, I meet that requirement. And hey, Jae, how about this: as soon as you're taller than Mr. Dauer, I'll find a different job. Maybe you can put a good word in for me."
"There isn't really much 'good word' to put in at this point if I'm being blunt."
"I can always work to give you good words to put in," Embry said. "Hell, I'll even work for next to nothing. I'm just tired of being stuck at home taking care of all my siblings."
"That would drive any rational man insane," Hailey agreed. "I expect you here Monday at 8 sharp. How much did you make when you were in the army?"
"About $15 a week," Embry said.
"Then that will be your pay to start. If you do your job well, I'll increase that wage," Hailey said. "And that's a generous wage."
"Thanks Mr. Dauer," Embry smiled.
"Uncle Hailey! I called this job first," Jae protested.
"You heard him, Jae," Hailey said. "The moment you're tall enough, the job's yours. And just because Embry's working for me doesn't mean you can't come and go as you please and sit on the counter."
"But he didn't even want to work here," Jae continued.
"That is true," Hailey said and looked at Embry. "I expect you to be reliable, Embry."
"I will be, Mr. Dauer."
"And don't pull any of the shit on me that I used to do to Mitch. I got away with it because I'm his nephew. You? You have no such advantage."
"So no leaving work in the middle of the day for hours and no bringing girls over when I'm supposed to be working?" Embry teased.
"Exactly," Hailey said as he chuckled. "That's not allowed."
"Dually noted, Mr. Dauer," Embry chuckled and finally left. "I'll see you Monday, sir."
"Eight o'clock," Hailey reminded him as he left. Jae crossed his arms and harrumphed. "Oh, relax, Jae. The job's as good as yours once you're older."
"You keep saying that," Jae said.
"And I mean it," Hailey said. "You just need to learn a little patience, kid."
"Fine," Jae sighed. Hailey chuckled a little and ruffled Jae's hair.
"So how's everyone doing?"
"Fine, I guess. Most of the time, we're all playing with my siblings. Aidie helps mom a lot, but she's more interested in being with her friends."
"Well, she's fifteen. What do you expect? Rae and Sharisa doing alright?"
"They're fine," Jae said.
"How're Nathan and Natalie doing?"
"They're alright," Jae answered.
"You and Natalie still getting along?"
"Yeah," Jae blushed a little. "Why wouldn't we be?"
"Just checking," Hailey smiled.
As promised, that following Monday, Embry started working for Hailey at the General Store. Jae remained a frequent visitor and frequently nagged Embry if he was ever working on the books, complaining he was 'doing it wrong'. He'd watched Hailey do it so many times he basically memorized the process. Embry always brushed Jae aside and just did his work. Kevin completed his first semester at University exceptionally well, even in Professor Donohue's class despite the man being hell bent on hating him. He'd not made many friends in that class besides Alfonse, but he could tell the others were beginning to slowly accept him, even if only a little. In that entire semester of living under Mrs. Croft and seeing her virtually every day, Kevin didn't get to see her husband once. One evening, Kevin and Mrs. Croft were sitting outside together drinking tea and watching Lillian play in the snow when Kevin brought the matter up.
"Mrs. Croft, I'm beginning to think your husband is a ghost. I've been here for months and I've not seen the man once. I don't think I've seen him on campus either."
"Believe me, were it not for the ring on my finger and the child that sprang from my belly, I'd think the man was a ghost too. He wasn't so busy when we were first married, but ever since he started becoming more involved with the church and more involved with school, I barely see him. Sometimes he even sleeps at the church rather than come home, but most of the time, he'll be home so late that he just plops into bed while I'm already asleep. I see him in the morning, but that's usually it."
"Sounds like he's a hard worker."
"He really is," Mrs. Croft smiled. "He promised that once he's earned his degree, he'll be able to have a full time job where he can come home at six like other husbands to a hot meal I slaved over."
"That'll be nice," Kevin agreed.
During the week all students were taking their final exams, they were also meeting with counselors that set them up with the classes they would be taking once school resumed following the holidays. Kevin would have another class in which Professor Donohue would be his instructor. The counselor, knowing the matter well, recommended Kevin keep out of Professor Donohue's way as much as possible and he should be fine. Alfonse, Kevin discovered, would be taking most of the same classes he would be, so they agreed they would continue as study partners and their German lessons. But the very last day of final exams, Kevin returned home, packed a few things in an easy to carry sack, and ran out of the city to the closest woods, shifted into a vampire, and started running for the west. It was still the early afternoon when he left and as he went, time seemed to go backwards as the time zones changed.
It was the wee hours of the morning when he finally arrived in Washington. Jacob, Embry Jr. and Sr. were still on patrol when he finally got home. He put his things down, turned into a wolf and let them know he was home. When Kevin made his presence known, Embry Jr. was the first to dash for Kevin and welcome him home by tackling him in their wolf forms and spending a few minutes play fighting. They continued until Embry Sr. and Jacob reached them and pulled them apart so they could welcome Kevin home too. Kevin remained in the woods with his father and both Embry Sr. and Jr. finishing out the night. It gave them all a chance to catch up on how things were going. Once the sun started to peak over the horizon, they all returned to the village and Kevin was welcomed home for the holidays. The Cullens and Denalis had arrived just a few days before hand and were eager to hear all about how school was going for Kevin.
"Why did you agree to take another one of his classes if this Professor Donohue dislikes you so much?" Kate asked when the topic of the man came up.
"It's the principle of the matter," Kevin said while they all sat together for breakfast, for those that were eating. "All my other professors at least respect me. But this guy is stubborn as a bull."
"He's not sabotaging your performance or your studies?" Edward asked seriously.
"No," Kevin said. "I think he knows better than to do that. Since all the other professors know how I work, they'd know if he was miss-grading me. I doubt anything much would come of it, but they'd know."
"I don't know if you should be testing your luck with this asshole," Jacob said.
"I'm not testing my luck, I'm proving a point. I don't care if that man likes me or not so long as I learn something productive from him and I have."
"I don't know why you're worried," Embry said. "You'll have that man eating out of the palm of your hand in no time. You always do."
"I don't know if he'll fall into that category of people," Kevin said.
"No, he will. Sgt. Stanley sure as shit didn't like you when he first met you. Neither did Lt. McCarthy or Lt. Casey. By the end of the war, all three of them adored you."
"It's because I proved better than they expected. Granted their expectations were low, but still. This guy may be the opposite. He expects me to prove I'm better than his other 'worthier' students."
"'Worthier' my ass," Jacob mumbled. Renesmee put her hand on Jacob's forearm to calm him down. "So how does he expect you to do that?" Jacob asked after a small sigh.
"I don't know, but I'll figure it out," Kevin answered.
"Well," Alice spoke up, "Professor Donohue aside, it certainly sounds like things are going well for you. I'm glad to know you're making friends."
"I'm trying to, but so far my only real success is with my neighbor, her daughter and Alfonse."
"What was his title?" Carlisle asked curiously. "You said he came from a royal family did you not?"
"More or less," Kevin said. "He's never told me his full title, but I know his father is a Baronet, or was a Baronet. They're moving to America permanently from what I've been told. Alfonse has actually been teaching me German."
"Austrian German I would imagine," Edward said.
"I didn't realize there was a difference," Kevin said nervously.
"Think of it the same as the difference between American English and British English. It's the same language, but certain words are different that create an accent. I'm sure Mr. Dauer would be happy to help you become familiar with standard Germany German, but if you went to Germany with an Austrian accent, they'd pick it out."
"Interesting," Kevin said. "I didn't realize that would be an issue."
"I doubt it would be," Edward said. "Just something you might want to consider."
"Well, hold on, let me hear you say something," Jae said. Kevin thought for a second and said the first thing that came to mind.
"Das ist ziemlich schirch," (That's quite ugly). Kevin had his answer by the weird look Jae gave him.
"Yeah, that's weird," Jae said.
"How would you say it?"
"Das ist ziemlich hässlich," Jae repeated.
"So exactly what I said, but a different way to say ugly?"
"It sounds like it," Jae said. "I'd be interested to see what Uncle Hailey would say if he heard you speaking in an Austrian accent. I wonder if he'd even recognize it," Jae said.
"Most likely not unless you mention that your tutor is Austrian," Edward said. "You two also study together, correct?"
"We do," Kevin said. "It's part of the tradeoff for teaching me German I guess you could say."
"All the same, at least you've made some friends," Carlisle said. "I'm sure you'll have many more before you know it."
"I doubt I'll have 'many'," Kevin sighed.
"You will," Embry Jr. reassured. "Just flash that charm and you'll have them eating out of the palm of your hand. It's worked every time so far. Why not now?"
"Sometimes I think you overestimate how charming I am," Kevin said with a chuckle.
The remainder of breakfast was spent talking about what was going on with the family. Aiya was growing like a weed and she adored her big brother Embry. Caevia could always count on Embry Jr. to calm Aiya down if she was of a mood. The twins were an interesting matter to contend with. When they were born, Caevia would always ensure they wore different colored ornaments of some nature whether it be a blanket, different clothes or so on to ensure she and everyone else could tell them apart. Sara had reassured Caevia years ago that she would learn to tell the twins apart with practice. By now, she knew the boys apart just by looking at them even if they were exact copies of one another. Bayaq was more mischievous than Taraq and was always poking his head into things he shouldn't and being troublesome while Taraq, albeit a little devil himself, was a little more controlled. However, the two boys were discovering that, while Caevia could easily tell them apart, Embry Sr. and Jr. and the siblings, with the exception of Kyle, simply couldn't. Of course, Kyle could not be counted. As far as the twins were concerned, Kyle was cheating. Taraq and Bayaq were always dressed a certain way every morning so everyone could tell them apart. The twins had gotten into the habit of pranking people by switching clothes. If anyone addressed the boys based on their attire, that person would be corrected and left terribly confused. They never played that prank on their mother, though. They learned the hard way not to. Caevia had been engrossed in a project and had addressed the twins incorrectly.
"I'm Bayaq," Bayaq had said to Caevia when she called him Taraq. "And you call yourself our mother," he'd continued to tease. Embry Sr. swatted both boys over the head for the offense. From that day forward, Embry Sr. would periodically pull the boys aside and swat them both over the head 'just in case'. That didn't stop them from playing the prank on others, though.
Kevin went with Embry to the General Store that day and was greeted kindly by Hailey and Leah before Leah left for the tribe. Kevin stayed with Embry the entire day of his shift. Kevin read the paper and when he was done with that, he and Embry talked while Embry worked.
"I thought I'd said when you're here, you work," Hailey said when Embry was getting distracted.
"You said none of the shenanigans that you got into with Leah. Kevin is a friend and we're not making out in the back," Embry teased. "And I am working. Kevin's just amusing me while I do it."
"Does that mean we aren't going to make out in the back?" Kevin asked pretending to be sad.
"Sorry to break your heart, Kevin," Embry played along.
"Enough," Hailey said with a sigh. "Just make sure you keep working. And Kevin, when I'm on my lunch break, I'll explain to you how to speak German properly."
"That sounds slightly like an insult, Mr. Dauer," Kevin chuckled.
"It's not an insult, it's a fact."
Kevin laughed and returned to the newspaper since, evidently, talking to Embry was 'distracting'. Just a few days later it was Christmas. It was hosted at Renesmee's and Jacob's house this year and as usual there was enough food to feed an army. Leah and Hailey went up to Port Angeles for the holidays. Kathy still wasn't fond of Leah, but she bit her tongue and accepted her presence if only to ensure her son would visit. Having Mitch there as a buffer always helped too. Hailey thought to argue, but Leah just told him to be happy with what they were getting and just drop it. They couldn't expect miracles. Besides, she was far more interested in spending time with Leslie anyway. For Uileila's first Christmas, the whole family showered her with more clothes than she would reasonably be able to wear. All the children were given clothes for Christmas as well as an individual miscellaneous gift suited to that child. Edward gave Kevin books on Greek and Roman philosophers. Since those were the people that a large portion of law would stem from for his classes, it was a nice gift. Kyle took some interest in them as well. Jae had made gifts for all his siblings as well the Jacob's kids. He gave each of them their presents, but had saved Natalie for last, simply being a little embarrassed. Caevia had helped him make a little stuffed owl toy for her using some cotton and left over fabric that Hailey had given him. The bird was all sorts of cute and colorful patterns with little buttons for the beak and eyes. Natalie adored it and gave Jae a big hug and thank you. He blushed the whole time. Natalie was a little embarrassed when Jae had opened his present from her and all she'd gotten him was black licorice candies. Jae hurried to assure her he loved it and ate every morsel.
Kevin stayed through to New Years, the party for which was hosted by the Cullens at their home. All the children played together while the adults talked and waited for the grandfather clock to start counting down to midnight. Since Hailey and Leah had returned, Hailey gave Jae his present to him: his very own clock tool set so he could fix his watch whenever he needed to. Of course, this was another 'business arrangement'. Closer to midnight, Natalie worked up the courage to pull Jae aside and give him another present. Since Jae had made her something, she wanted to make him something too. They went outside next to the swings the Cullens had and she handed over a little wrapped square shape.
"Mom helped me make it," Natalie said. "I just wanted to do something for you that was more thoughtful than candy."
"I liked the candy," Jae reassured.
"I know. Aunt Caevia got mad because you ate it all before dinner." Jae and Natalie giggled a little while Jae opened the paper. When the paper was gone, in his hand was a little blue bird. It was made with fabric just as the owl had been, but all the fabric was blue and the eye and beak buttons were much smaller. "Mommy said that's what a Jay Bird looks like."
"You get an owl, I get a jay?" Jae asked a little stunned and Natalie smiled and stared at her feet a moment.
"Do you like it?" Natalie asked.
"It's cute," Jae smiled back, blushing. "I like it." Natalie smiled and shy smile and gave Jae a hug. Jae barely managed to hug back before they returned inside overhearing that the countdown had started. Everyone raised their hot chocolate or eggnog as they counted down and when it was midnight, the grandfather clock started chiming and everyone cheered and drank their beverage. The children all had hot chocolate or virgin eggnog. In Natalie's and Nathan's case, they had rice milk with lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, maple syrup and some allspice so it was like they were having eggnog. When everyone started cheering, Natalie surprised Jae and kissed him on the cheek, but immediately pulled away.
"Happy New Year, Jae," she managed.
"Happy New Year, Natalie," Jae managed back, his cheeks burning red. And so started 1920.
Just days after New Year's was over, Kevin needed to return to Connecticut. He said goodbye to everyone and ran back the same way he'd ran to Washington with his original luggage and all additional gifts from the holidays. When he arrived home, it was the middle of the night and he went right into his house, got his things organized and finally shifted back, only then realizing he was extremely tired. He went outside to check his mail and was delighted to find a little box and letter from Amber. He took it inside and opened the little box first to see what was inside. When he opened it, he wasn't sure what he was looking at. It was a top looking toy with Hebrew characters on the side. Beneath it, there was a little booklet in German. He understood bits and pieces, but most of it was lost on him. He'd have to bring it to Alfonse for help reading the instructions. He assumed it was a game of some nature. Then Kevin opened the letter and started reading, all the text still in French. There was also yet another picture in the envelope of Amber. This time, it was a picture of her with a number of people in a large group of children that he didn't recognize. The letter started by telling him about the picture he held. It was a group of children from the Synagogue she and her family went to and it was a picture that had been taken the month before for a fundraiser the Synagogue had been holding. She wrote endlessly about the children she'd grown to be friends with, giving name after name as though he should already know who the children she spoke of were. It made him smile.
She talked about how the fundraiser had been to help raise money for people who were down on their luck. Germany was, unfortunately, in the midst of a crippling depression and jobs had been lost for a number of people. Kevin wasn't surprised all things considered. When he'd finally read the full details, or as much of the details of the Treaty of Versailles that was published, the terms against Germany were downright unfair, at least in his mind. It seemed, however, that the Dymeks were still doing alright. Amber told about how she and her mother made tiny candles to help raise money and also made baked treats. The children she was grouped with were all the children that had been offering treats and candles for a small price that would go towards the needy. He looked at the photo and located her in the crowd of children again. She looked so happy he realized. Her smile was easily brighter than any of the other children. Though that could easily be his bias. She was dressed more casually in a little jacket and Mary Janes and her hair was pulled back with a bow. Her hair was longer still he noticed. He returned to her letter at which point she discussed the toy she'd sent him. She called it a 'dreidel'. According to her letter, it was a toy children played with during Hanukkah where they bet candy in a big pot and each symbol had a different meaning. She was pleased to claim she was confident she would be a natural and hoped, one day, she and Kevin could play. Kevin made sure to note that.
She continued, talking about how much fun she'd had last year with the Dymeks for Hanukkah. Even though she didn't eat any of it, she spoke in detail about the spread her mother had made for family that had come to visit for the holiday. She explained Hanukkah lasted eight days and each day they would light a candle on the menorah with the Shamash until all the candles were lit. Her mother had hosted the little gathering the day after Hanukkah was over. Mrs. Dymek was planning to do the same thing this year. Or last year more appropriately given it was now January. She spoke of other activities, her private tutors and a few other matters, but ultimately said she missed him very much and hoped her liked the toy and picture she sent and that she looked forward to his reply. As soon as Kevin finished reading, he immediately went to his desk in his room and wrote his reply. He went in all the detail he possibly could, telling her about final exams, his professors, talking a little about his new friend, Alfonse. He talked about Christmas with his family and their New Year's celebration. He also wanted to present Amber with another gift. Yet he still had not given her a picture. It was not something he could correct just yet, but he made a note to himself that he would need to make sure to send her a few since she'd sent him two already.
The following day, not having sent the letter yet, Kevin went about town, asking Mrs. Croft and her daughter to join him, and looked for a gift to send Amber. She'd sent him a toy, so he wanted to send her one as well. He relied on Lillian to express any joy or excitement for toys in the shop and picked a little wooden barn animal toy set that Lillian had expressed a great deal of interest in. He bought one for Amber and surprised Lillian and Mrs. Croft by buying one for Lillian as well for all her help. He requested a nice big box for the toy and returned home for a moment to place his letter in the box with the toy and went to the Post Office with Mrs. Croft and her daughter to ensure the toy was packaged properly so it could safely be sent to Germany.
At home, the year progressed rather typically. Caevia discovered in summer, yet again, that she was pregnant which meant child 11 was on the way. Charlene was in awe of Caevia and simply didn't understand how the woman raised so many children and still had hair black as the night sky. Caevia smiled at Charlene and told her she has plenty of grays if one were to look hard enough. Kevin found out later when he had a chance to be on patrol with everyone and he asked Embry Sr. "are you two done yet?" Embry sr. just said they'd see. They all just sighed. Quil and Claire also found out they'd be having another child around that time. Charlene was rather relieved she didn't seem to catch the bug that year. She had her hands full with Uileila as it was.
"I can't be the only one who thinks it's ridiculous now," Hailey said when Embry told him about his mother.
"Mom wants more, so she's having more. I don't mind having another little brother or sister."
"I would think after a while, even people who love kids would get sick of it."
"Not mom," Embry said with a smile. "Although, I think they may make this the last one. Dad's gotten to a point where he's too tired to be so strict. Either that or they're just getting lazy. Shit, I remember when I was a kid, I couldn't get away with anything. Now? Peta and Gaeli and the twins? Those four can get away with murder. In fact, when Kevin and I were younger, if we went out in the middle of the night or we were out when it was dark, there was hell to pay. Now? Peta was out playing with Gaeli and they came back when it was dark. You know what mom and dad fucking said? They asked, 'you two in for the night?' and Peta said, 'No, we just wanted a candle to light the bonfire'! That's bullshit! I would've never gotten away with that."
"And yet you don't mind your mother having more?" Hailey said skeptically.
"Some people like kids, Hailey, and I happen to be one of them I'm sorry to say. And just because my youngest siblings don't know how good they've got it and how spoiled rotten they are doesn't mean I don't love them."
"Is your father planning to overthrow Jacob or something? Sounds like they're making an army at this point."
"No," Embry laughed a little. "That'd be one hell of a way to do it though. You know what, I even have military training, so the ground work is already set."
"Well, if you do plan to try to take over the tribe, I still expect you at work on time."
Embry laughed again, "I'll be sure to still come to work, Mr. Dauer."
Kyle and Kevin often kept in touch over letter and Kevin would send Kyle, Nathan and Natalie little trinkets from school here and there. The more it went on, Kyle started feeling rather jealous. He knew it wasn't a cake walk for Kevin, certainly not. But it was the fact that he'd been given the chance. He kept it to himself, though. Rather, he spent the bulk of his time with Renesmee and Sokajili learning the craft. Thankfully, the man had taught Renesmee everything he knew. Unfortunately, he was beginning to forget things and he was tired a lot. With the exception of Kyle and Renesmee, Sokajili preferred to be left alone these days. One of his particularly bad days, he couldn't remember how to blend an ointment for a scrapped knee a little boy came in with and when he left, Renesmee looked at Sokajili, worried.
"What's the matter, Sokajili?" she'd asked.
"Age," was all he said, but he smiled and brushed the whole thing off as if it were nothing. Later that night, Renesmee went to the room she shared with Jacob. He was getting ready to go on patrol.
"Jacob, can I talk to you?"
"Sure," he said. "What's wrong?" he asked when he realized Renesmee looked upset.
"I think…I think Sokajili's dying." Jacob stared at Renesmee a moment unsure what to say. He swore the man had been fine just months ago during a wedding that had been held. He was certainly fine when Charlene and Seth got married.
"Why do you say that?" Jacob finally asked.
"He's not himself," Renesmee answered. "He's tired a lot. And he's forgetting things. And he's getting skinny. Have you not noticed?"
"I haven't really seen him lately," Jacob admitted. "He's usually in the medical tent with you and Kyle."
"Exactly," Renesmee sighed.
"Is there anything you can do?" Jacob asked.
"I don't know," Renesmee said. "I don't think so. According to my estimation from what dad tells me, the man's nearing 70. It could be he's just…he's just getting old."
"So….what do you suggest?"
"I guess all we can do is just keep an eye on him, make sure he's not suffering and…I guess wait."
"The pack will find out, obviously. Should I tell them to keep it between us?"
"I'd recommend that," Renesmee said. "I don't want him or anyone else to start worrying or treating him differently. He'd be so irritated," Renesmee managed to smile a little.
"He would," Jacob smiled. "Perhaps I should tickle his feet and wake him one more time."
"Don't," Renesmee smiled. "He's dealt with your shenanigans enough in his long life. The man deserves a break." Renesmee got a little teary eyed and Jacob walked over and hugged her tight.
"Don't cry, Renesmee," Jacob whispered. "I'm sure we'll get plenty more years out of him." Renesmee didn't argue and just hugged Jacob back.
Eventually, Jacob had to leave and went on patrol. Kevin was out that night to visit and, when Jacob arrived, he asked that he be notified immediately if anything happened to Sokajili. They could send him a telegram to the post office and he'd make sure to visit regularly. Although Jacob tried to insist Kevin was over thinking it just a bit, he agreed he would tell Kevin the moment anything changed. The remainder of the pack was, of course, instructed to remain silent about the matter. The last thing Jacob wanted was to cause upset where there might be none. The following day after Kevin had returned home from school, he found another letter from Amber. He'd never been so happy to see a letter from her. She told Kevin about how the Dymeks, given her growth rate, were working to arrange for her to have a bat mitzvah the following year. She told about how diligent she was being and how she wished Kevin could come. She explained that her Bat Mitzvah would be in July. Amber had decided that July 4th would be her birthday because it was 2 weeks prior to Kevin finding her. That meant her Bat Mitzvah would he held that following Sunday. The Dymeks were already making party reservations and all sorts of plans.
Kevin smiled the whole time he read the letter and when he was done, he went to his desk and wrote his reply, making sure that he added a photo of himself with Handsome Dan that had been taken during a sporting event that had been held in February. He was sure to tell her details about that sporting event as well. With regards to his schooling, Kevin told Alfonse about Mr. Dauer and how he claimed his accent was wrong. Kevin explained the man was German and Alfonse scoffed and just said, 'figures', and that was that. They continued studying together and Alfonse continued to teach Kevin German, even going so far now as to tell him if there was ever a different way to say something so as to avoid that Austrian accent.
Professor Donohue was stubborn as ever. All his other professors seemed to find Kevin fascinating. For a number of them, he was the first Native American they had ever met and he was a very good student. Professor Donohue would not be moved, however. Kevin kept trying, though. Especially since he, evidently, was one of the instructors that offered a select few, high performing, students the opportunity to assist him on a case during a student's second year. Unfortunately, no matter how smart and how 'high performing' Kevin was, he knew he'd not have a chance at that spot unless Professor Donohue finally grew to like him. Or at least respect him.
Back at the tribe, Kyle continued to train with Renesmee and Sokajili. Even though Renesmee had not said anything to Kyle, he knew what was coming. He could tell. But he made sure not to make a big deal. Rather, he spent extra time with Sokajili and took care of him for the most part. He even spent the night in Sokajili's tent from time to time. When the summer of 1920 arrived, following his final exams and meeting with counselors to dictate what classes they would take, Kevin made a mad dash for Washington, getting home as fast as he possibly could. When he returned, it was the middle of the day, so he just returned to his human form and walked into the tribe to surprise everyone. Embry was the first one Kevin looked for, but realized when he didn't see him that he was almost certainly at the General Store by now. For the time being, he greeted everyone else, included his siblings and parents. But afterwards, he went straight to Sokajili, who had stayed in his tent. When he saw the man, Kevin knew mom had been right. Sokajili was getting thinner and he looked so tired. He didn't draw attention to it, though. Rather, Kevin just took a seat next to him and watched Sokajili grind herbs for a while. Eventually Kevin went back into town to go see Embry at the General Store. They had their happy reunion and Kevin remained at the store for the rest of Embry's shift talking and reading the paper.
"Do you think I should stay?" Kevin asked Embry while they were walking back to the tribe.
"Stay for what?"
"I mean stay here until Sokajili's feeling better or….you know."
"You mean stop going to school?"
"Maybe," Kevin said.
"Don't even think it," Embry said. "Look, Sokajili's not suffering. He's just…near the end of his life. He's lived a long time."
"I know, but what if he passes away while I'm gone?" Kevin said.
"Then you get your ass back home has fast as you can for the funeral and go back," Embry said. "Kevin, you worked hard for an opportunity like this. Don't squander it."
Kevin sighed, "I guess. I'm just worried about him."
"We all are, but staying and just staring at him isn't going to make him any better. Don't worry, the moment anything happens, we'll notify you. We promised we would. We'll send you a telegram, we'll try calling and failing that, we'll tell you at night. You'll just need to make sure that you faze every night."
"Okay," Kevin signed again. "I guess you're right."
"Try not to think about it so much, Kevin. We always knew the man wasn't going to live forever. It doesn't make it better, but we knew."
"I know," Kevin said.
Later in the day when they returned home, it was business as usual. Everyone had dinner together and Kevin went on patrol with Embry Jr. and Sr. and Jacob. Jacob insisted the same thing Embry did; that he needed to go back and to not dare throw away such a great opportunity especially since his staying would change nothing of Sokajili's condition. In the morning when the pack returned, they all changed and returned about their day. Kevin remained at home in bed, though. He stayed asleep until he heard movement in the room that woke him. Kyle had come in and was sitting on his bed reading, looking rather upset.
"Morning," Kevin mumbled.
"You mean afternoon," Kyle said somberly.
"What's wrong?" Kevin asked, sitting up in his much too small bed.
"He's getting worse," Kyle said. "He's getting cranky now. He forgot how to mix a healing ointment and he got so frustrated that mom had to calm him down while I mixed it."
"It's getting that bad?" Kevin asked.
"It looks like it," Kyle said and rubbed a tear away from his eye before it could fall. "I don't know how much time he has left."
Kevin sighed heavily and rubbed his face a moment. "Maybe I should stay after all."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean put off returning to school. Sokajili's sick and I don't feel good about leaving him."
"Kevin, you can't stay. Are you insane? If you don't go back, they might never let you return."
"I can talk to Lt. McCarthy and Sgt. Stanley. I can get them on my side if I need to. I can tell them there's extenuating circumstances that require me to stay home."
"Kevin, don't you dare," Kyle said. "The fact that they were able to get this spot for you in the first place was a miracle. There's no way they'd be able to do it a second time. Do you realize how lucky you are that they were able to convince such a big school to allow you to go?"
"Yes," Kevin said. "Luck seems to follow me like a tick on a bull's ass. I'm sure I could be lucky enough to convince-"
"You still shouldn't risk it," Kyle said, getting a little angrier. "If there's nothing mom or I can do, then there's certainly nothing you can do. You're not helping either Sokajili or yourself by staying behind and just watching."
"So what? I'm supposed to just go back to Connecticut and act like nothing's wrong?"
"No, you need to go back to Connecticut and keep doing well. You don't seem to get how proud dad is of you. How proud mom is, how proud the whole family is of you. Sokajili's no different. He was so happy when you were offered an opportunity to study at Yale. He might not have known much about Yale, but he knew that such an education for someone like you would normally be unheard of. Kevin, you've literally performed a miracle!"
"I saved two people's lives," Kevin said dismissively.
"And that's not nothing! Don't you dare act like it's not," Kyle vented and returned to his book, but Kevin wasn't done.
"Why are you getting so mad at me for wanting to stay home and be with my uncle?!"
"Because you're suggesting throwing away something I would kill for!" Kyle yelled. Kevin leaned back a little, surprised by the outburst. Kyle was equally surprised by it and just looked down at his book.
"So that's what this is about?" Kevin asked, but not really in a mean way.
"This is about you having the opportunity of a lifetime," Kyle said and stood from his bed, tossing his book behind him. "If you back out for any reason, even if it relates to Uncle Sokajili, you'll never get the opportunity again. They'll see you as unable to commit and they'll lose respect for you. I think you know that just as well as I do. Stay home for the summer as long as possible, but when school starts again, go back and focus on your studies. Dad promised he'd tell you if something happens." Kyle started walking out of the room. "I'm getting something to eat. Do you want anything?"
"I'm fine," Kevin said quietly and Kyle walked away to go to the kitchen.
Kyle and Kevin didn't speak again for the remainder of the day. Kevin left him alone, seeing that Kyle was rather upset with him. When he went on patrol with everyone that night, he heard the same thing he had before: go back and we'll tell you if something happens. For part of the summer, Kyle and Kevin didn't really speak much following the argument. In Kevin's mind, he though Kyle must still be upset with him. Kyle, on the other hand, felt silly for snapping at Kevin the way he did and was embarrassed to face him. In that time, Sokajili's condition did worsen. What had started as simple forgetfulness had progressed to irritability and frequent headaches. Renesmee examined Sokajili as discreetly as she could. He was at a point where if she told him she was examining him, he might yell at her.
"I think I know what's wrong," Renesmee said that night when she, Jacob and the children were at dinner. Kevin, Kyle, Nathan and Natalie were the only children at the table.
"With Sokajili?" Jacob asked and Renesmee nodded.
"I think it's Alzheimer's."
"What is that?" Jacob asked.
"It's a form of dementia," Kyle answered. "It usually happens in stages, but in Sokajili's case, he's just not eating like he used to. So compound dementia with him not eating and it's making things worse."
"Dementia?" Jacob asked.
"It just means that it's a degenerative disease," Kyle said. "In other words, his mind's starting to…I'm trying to think of a simple way to phrase it. It means his mind isn't what it used to be. Depending on how bad it gets, the sufferer can need constant care."
"He'd never tolerate that," Jacob mumbled.
"No, he wouldn't," Renesmee agreed. "And Kyle's right. He's not eating properly anymore. At the rate he's going, the man will starve to death before he dies of the side effects of Alzheimer's." Jacob sat in his chair and thought a moment, but eventually came to a conclusion in his mind.
"I'll tell dad in the morning," Jacob finally said. "He knows something's not right. At least I can tell him we know what's wrong. We'll keep this to ourselves, though. I don't want anyone bothering Sokajili when they're trying to be supportive."
Renesmee nodded, "The way he's been, he'd snap at them for it. I don't want anyone to remember him like that."
"Neither do I," Jacob said solemnly. "Am I allowed to ask how long you think he has?"
"The way he's eating?" Kyle said. "Two months at best." At that announcement, Kevin instantly lost his appetite and put down his spoon. Frankly, everyone lost their appetites.
The next morning when Jacob returned from patrol, as promised, he went to William's and Sara's tent and gently patted on their door to wake them. Once he was inside he explained, in Quileute, what Renesmee had told him to the best of his ability. The main point was Sokajili was losing his mind and wasn't eating anymore and, according to Kyle, the way he was eating, he wouldn't make it to the fall. While they'd both known there was something wrong, hearing such a confirmation made it weigh heavier on them both, especially William. Although he'd lived to a ripe old age himself, when their father had died, William hadn't taken it so well. Sokajili had been there to be the rock William needed and support he needed when he was officially anointed the new Chief. Sokajili had been with him the whole way. It seemed too painful a thought that he was losing his brother. Sara did what she could to comfort him, but there was little else she could do but hold William and gently rub his back in an attempt to sooth him while he cried. Jacob had left their tent by then, but he overheard his dad. When Jacob left their tent, he bumped into Kevin.
"How's grandma and grandpa?" he asked.
"They're coming to terms with it," Jacob said. "Your grandpa's really upset right now." Kevin took a deep breath and stared at the ground. "How long does it usually take for you to run from here to Connecticut?"
"I can manage about 30 hours," Kevin said.
"Okay," Jacob nodded. "Stay here as long as you can. If Sokajili's still alive when you leave, just faze every night and we'll keep you up to date on him."
"Alright," Kevin said.
Through the summer, people were beginning to notice that something was wrong with Sokajili. If anyone felt ill or were injured, they would go to his tent only to find him either asleep or barely there while Renesmee and/or Kyle took care of them. When it was September, leaving was hard for Kevin to do. Sokajili's condition had worsened yet again and now he wasn't eating at all. But he went back to Connecticut and fazed to a wolf the night he returned, just in case. Sokajili was still alive. Kevin returned to school the next day with the thoughts weighing heavy on him. He and Alfonse had several classes together once again. He said hello to him, but was brief.
"Did something happen over the summer?" Alfonse asked when they left their first class and were walking to their next one.
"My uncle's dying," Kevin said. "He's suffering dementia and he's stopped eating. My mother and brother suspect he won't make it to the fall."
"I'm sorry," Alfonse said sympathetically. "God willing, he's not suffering."
"I'm not so sure he isn't. I was contemplating not returning."
"To Yale?" Alfonse asked a little surprised. "Thank God you did return. I guarantee you, if you didn't return, they'd have never let you back."
"That's what everyone keeps telling me," Kevin sighed.
"As well they should," Alphonse said. "Dr. McCarthy, from what I hear, didn't want to allow you admission anyway. And if Professor Donohue had known you stayed home, he's make damned sure you didn't come back. Do your relatives have an immediate means of informing you if something happens?"
"There's a telegram they can use at the Post Office that's for public use."
"Good," Alfonse said. "If nothing else, you'll be informed."
Kevin nodded with no enthusiasm and the two continued on to their class. Kevin shifted that night and every night following that and every night, everyone let him know that Sokajili was still alive yet the man seemed to get skinnier every time they thought about him. While trying to be discreet about it, William spent as much time with Sokajili as possible. Sokajili would sometimes be irritable, but all the same, William wanted to spend time with him. He would frequently visit and bring Sokajili potato cakes that he would refuse to eat, insisting he wasn't hungry, just tired. William would leave the cakes in Sokajili's tent in the hopes that perhaps he would get hungry eventually, but he never would. As she helped care for Sokajili as well as care for the tribe, she realized she wasn't sure if there was any form of initiation process for her becoming the medicine man. She'd planned to ask Jacob about it, but she'd not had the chance.
"Kyle, give your mother and I a moment to talk," Sokajili said one morning when Kyle and Renesmee arrived. Kyle left nervously and Renesmee remained.
"Is everything alright?" Renesmee asked.
"I think you know as well as I do that I'm not for this world much longer. It won't be long now." Renesmee didn't say anything. She feared if she did she might cry. She already was as it turns out. "Don't cry, Renesmee. I'm an old man. It was bound to happen eventually."
"None of us want to see you go. Especially me. You've been so good to me. You trusted me when no one else would. You even saw potential in me and made me your apprentice."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Sokajili said. "Seeing as you are my apprentice and seeing as I doubt I'll make it to next year, I think it's about time I officially appointed you as the tribe's medicine man."
"What will you need me to do?" Renesmee forced.
"Give me a moment," he said before he searched his tent until he found a little mason jar left over from an apple butter she'd made. Inside were a collection of plants that were dried. "I'm sure you know this needs to be public. I need to mix this with water over a fire and you will need to drink it. I will say a few words and that will anoint you as the medicine man and I will step down. All my trinkets will be taken to your home. The medicine man must practice from home."
"Of course," Renesmee nodded. "When should we do this?"
"Now," he said rather bluntly and attempted to stand but inevitably needing Renesmee to help him.
"We don't have to do it now if you're not strong enough," Renesmee whimpered.
"I'm not getting any stronger…." Renesmee suddenly realized he'd forgotten her name, so she just pushed the thought into his mind. "Renesmee," he finally said.
Renesmee helped him outside and brought Sokajili near the shore where he told her to. Once he was sitting, Renesmee helped him start a fire and then he instructed her to tell Jacob that they needed to gather the people. Renesmee went to Jacob and told him what was going on. Jacob rubbed a tear from her cheek, gave her a kiss, and went to get William and Sara and tell them they needed to gather everyone. Some figured out right away what must be going on and started gathering. Any that didn't were informed and brought to the beach where they needed to be. William and Sara sat closest to the fire and Jacob and the children were seated right behind Renesmee as was custom when a perspective medicine man already had a family.
There was an awkward moment of silence while Sokajili boiled the water and crushed the herbs into it to essentially make tea. He took out what smelled like birch and lavender oil and put a single drop of both in the tea, causing it to be all the more aromatic. Sokajili started mumbling something that Renesmee could barely understand. She knew they must be chants, but he would often start over until he eventually got the chant just right. By then, the tea was completed and he poured its contents, plant matter and all, into a large wooden cup that appeared to have several carvings on it. He handed the tea to Renesmee.
"I give you this tea and anoint you as my successor. You shall care for these people, cure their ills, heal their wounds, and bring them happiness. Do you promise to perform your duties?"
"I promise," Renesmee whimpered.
"Then drink and consume. Allow the spirits to flow through you." Realizing he meant she needed to drink the water and ingest all the leaves and herbs, Renesmee took a deep breath not blowing on the drink. Superstition, she knew, dictated that blowing on it would be bad luck. It would mean she was blowing away the influence of the spirits. Once she'd taken her deep breath ensuring not to blow on the steam from the tea, she drank it all down, ignoring the burn from the hot water and consumed all the bits of plant in the drink. "Face the tribe and be recognized as their healer."
Renesmee placed the cup down and nodded before she turned around and stared at everyone. When she did, everyone bowed their heads and reached out their hands to her in a show of trust. As everyone did, Renesmee reached over and gently took Kyle's hand in hers. He looked up at her a little confused.
"I think you've always known you would be my apprentice," Renesmee managed to smile. Kyle nodded and held his head down once again.
Following the ceremony, Sokajili was helped back to his tent and he insisted Renesmee take all the necessities. She'd begged to allow her to at least wait until the following day, but he insisted. So Jacob and the children helped her get all the oils and herbs to their house. She realized she didn't have a room devoted to medicine the way the Cullen house did. So she spent the whole afternoon with Kyle rearranging the back room of the house where the couches and piano were so that it would be more suitable. They removed the couch and gave it to Leah and Hailey for their home so Renesmee could put a make shift bed in the corner of the room that would be more comfortable. Once everything was arranged accordingly, Renesmee went on the back porch of the house that faced the large hill and looked towards the village. Jacob came outside with her and handed her some hot tea. She'd not realized she was crying, but Jacob noticed and brushed it away.
"So it's official?" Renesmee finally asked.
"It's official," Jacob nodded. "Everyone is to turn to you from now on. You will perform moon ceremonies, weddings, funeral pyres, and when the time comes, you'll crown me."
"I do that?" Renesmee asked.
"Yeah," Jacob nodded. "When father passes away, you'll have to place the wolf's skin on my head and the white one of your head and anoint us as the new Chief and Chief's wife. This will be interesting since we've never had a medicine man have to be crowned as Chief's wife."
"I take it being chief and medicine man are to remain separate responsibilities?"
"Yes," Jacob nodded. "A man can only do so much. But you'll be crowning yourself as my wife."
"I thought we already did that."
"Well, yeah, we're married and everyone knows you're my wife, but it's just part of the ceremony. A chief is expected to have a wife."
"Have there been circumstances where a man becomes Chief and is unmarried?"
"It doesn't last long if there were," Jacob said. "A Chief is expected to create an heir. He can't do that without a wife. Usually, as far as I'm aware, if a chief dies and his son must take over and he's not married, he needs to marry within days or before he's crowned so as to ensure the line will continue."
"So Chiefs aren't allowed to be unmarried?"
"No, they're not," Jacob said. "A medicine man can be unmarried, but it's certainly not required."
"I'd rather crowning you wait a good long time," Renesmee sighed.
"Believe me, I do too. I'm ready to lead everyone. I basically do already. I just don't want to lose dad."
"I know." Renesmee placed a hand on Jacob's knee reassuringly and looked up at Jacob with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I know you won't be Chief for a very long time."
"I hope not," Jacob smiled back and kissed Renesmee's forehead.
Renesmee stayed close to the house from that point on in case something was needed. Jacob even helped her create a fire pit on the patio just outside so it was still close to the drawing room where she'd be keeping all the herbs and other medical supplies. She also kept any more modern medical equipment in the drawing room, particularly penicillin. As had been the case when she would go to Sokajili's tent, there was no shortage of children coming to her with skimmed knees, cuts and bruises. Once little boy came in with a broken arm. She'd made sure the boy's bone was realigned and splinted and wrapped it so he couldn't move it. He was instructed to come see her every other day until his arm was better. She would frequently check in on Sokajili, but most of the time he was sleeping when she came to his tent to check up on him.
Once fall came, Renesmee was on high alert. She would check on Sokajili constantly. Were it not for the fact that she could hear his heartbeat, she'd think the man was dead since he was always sleeping when she went to check on him. One evening, William went to visit his brother and caught him while he was awake. He insisted Sokajili join everyone for dinner that night. Sokajili protested but eventually agreed after William begged. Everyone was told they were not to make a big deal of Sokajili. He was too tired to deal with all that attention, so everyone was to act normally. All the same, William, Sara, Renesmee, Jacob and the children sat with Sokajili for all of dinner until he was tired and wanted to go back to his tent. Kyle took Sokajili back to his tent, pleased that they'd finally gotten the man to eat something, even if it was only one potato cake he nursed for the entirety of dinner.
Kyle remained with Sokajili that night and every night for the remainder of the week. In the time, Sokajili's forgetfulness got worse and the more he would forget things like people's names, but more annoyed he would get. Consequently, he just wouldn't want to be around anyone. He'd allow Renesmee, William and Kyle to visit him, but sometimes it would only be upon their insistence. The Cullens returned that week in accordance with their Thanksgiving visit and were filled in on Sokajili's condition. Carlisle suggested he could examine him and see if he could help, but William ultimately refused. When the Cullens finally saw Sokajili, Carlisle knew why. The man was knocking on death's door. There was nothing he could do. Renesmee told Carlisle about Sokajili's forgetfulness and irritability and mentioned his not eating and Carlisle agreed it was most likely Alzheimer's disease or some form of dementia. Carlisle did delight in the little set up Renesmee had made for herself and even promised, come Christmas, he would give her more supplies and they would help redesign the back room to be more accommodating. Edward suggested they add onto the house all together and create a basement space that was easy to access. Renesmee argued remodeling the back room and rearranging a few things would be the better option. So the first thing they did why the Cullens were there was help move the piano to the family room near the front of the house where all the pictures and the fireplace were. The piano faced the window that looked out onto the ocean and they rearranged the furniture so it would remain cozy, but everything fit. The bookshelves were moved to frame the fireplace. After all that, they fixed up the back room a little more and Carlisle assured once again that come Christmas, he would give Renesmee more medical equipment.
Kyle continued to spend most of his time with Sokajili keeping him company and making sure he was alright. He'd try time and again to make Sokajili eat, but he wouldn't do it. He claimed he had no appetite. The lack of eating was making his condition that much worse. Halfway through November, Kyle had spent the night like always. He woke up and turned to face Sokajili. He'd appeared asleep just as he'd left him the night before. But then he noticed something: he wasn't breathing. Panicking, Kyle went to Sokajili's side and put his ear to his chest: nothing. He was already cold and stiff, meaning he'd been dead for at least a few hours. Kyle gently pressed on Sokajili so he would be on his back and sat a moment. As if a last effort, Kyle opened his mind to listen for him: nothing. There were the thoughts of everyone in the village swamping his mind except the one he wanted to hear. Kyle realized he'd been sitting before Sokajili just staring at him for several minutes. He needed to let everyone know. Taking a deep breath and rubbing his eyes, he thought to tell Renesmee first. But when he stepped out, he realized he needed to tell his grandpa first. He went to his grandpa's tent and patted on the door and waited for William to answer.
"What's wrong?" William asked, but he already knew and seemed very upset for it.
"Uncle Sokajili's dead. He passed away in his sleep through the night." Kyle and William stared at one another a moment before William appeared ready to cry and just nodded.
"Tell your mother and father," he managed before going back into the tent to wake Sara and tell her. Kyle went back to his house just as Jacob and the others had returned from the woods and Jacob went into his and Renesmee's bedroom through the window as he always did. Kyle came into the house, went upstairs and knocked on his parents' door. A moment later, Jacob answered while Renesmee was rubbing her eyes to wake up.
"Is everything alright?" Jacob asked.
"Uncle passed away," Kyle whimpered. "When I woke up this morning, he wasn't breathing. He felt like he'd been dead a few hours." After having a similar exchange with his parents as he had with William, Jacob told Kyle to tell Natalie and Nathan and tell them while he got dressed and made his way to town to send a telegram to Kevin. He'd stayed on patrol part of the night, but he'd returned home hours previously.
Kyle told Nathan and Natalie after he woke them and the two of them were just as saddened by the loss. Jacob ran into town and went straight to the post office, but their doors were closed. There was a sign on the door that said they didn't open until 7. Apparently, he was too early. The question was how early was he? He noticed a clock through the window that claimed it was 6 in the morning. Since he needed to wait, he went to Leah and Hailey's house. The two of them were making breakfast for themselves when Jacob knocked on their door. The two appeared to say something to one another before Hailey left his chair at the table and walked over to the door.
"What are you doing here so early?" Hailey asked.
"Sokajili passed away this morning," Jacob said bluntly. Leah stopped what she was doing and went to the door.
"Uncle's dead?" Leah asked, and Jacob answered with a nod.
"He died in his sleep. Kyle found him this morning not breathing." Leah took a deep, shaky breath and nodded.
"When's the funeral pyre?" Leah asked.
"We don't know yet," Jacob said. "I came into town to send a telegram to Connecticut, but the post office isn't open."
"Let me get dressed," Hailey said, only being in pants and a shirt wide open. He went upstairs and got dressed before running out of the house.
"Where are you going?" Leah asked.
"I'll wake Dave," Hailey said and continued to run.
"Who's Dave?" Jacob asked.
"He's the guy that runs the post office," Leah said. "Do you know how to reach Kevin?"
"I know a few options," Jacob said. "If all else fails, I'll tell him tonight. He should be able to get here in two days. Once Kevin gets here, we'll have the funeral."
"Alright," Leah managed.
Moments later, Hailey returned with a very groggy Dave following and they all went to the post office. Once inside, Jacob sent a telegram to the Post Office Kevin had told him to as well as the school as Kevin has instructed.
"How long will it take for him to receive that message?" Jacob asked after both messages were sent.
"It'll take a few minutes for it to get through," Dave answered. "As far as when he gets it, that's anybody's guess."
"Alright," Jacob sighed. "Thanks for letting me in early."
"No trouble," Dave said. "My sincerest condolences to you and your family."
"Thank you."
In Connecticut, Kevin was in Donohue's class doing his best to focus. Everyone had told him the previous night that Uncle Sokajili was alright, so he kept his mind on class. Donohue was discussing the case that he had on his plate and that a select few second year students would be assisting him with. He'd not picked his students and wouldn't be for another month, so Kevin was still hoping that maybe he could still convince Professor Donohue that he deserved a spot. Only ten of all the students he taught would be picked. He was still excelling at the work Professor Donohue gave them and he was excelling in class. Yet the man still seemed determined to be unimpressed with him. Previously, Kevin hadn't minded so much. But given the current situation he faced, he was quickly losing his patience with Donohue. During the lecture, a man let himself into the class, effectively interrupting Professor Donohue.
"Excuse me, I'm in the middle of a lecture," Professor said.
"Apologies, Professor, but I have a message here for a Mr. Kevin Black." Immediately, Kevin got up from his seat and ran to the man and took the telegram message. SOKAJILI DIED STOP. When he saw that message, he returned to his portion of the desk, grabbed his things and started leaving.
"I've not dismissed you, Black," Professor Donohue said.
"There's been a death, I need to leave," Kevin said and ran out of the classroom. He'd deal with any ramifications later.
He went straight home, got some things together in a bag, and left the house and started running out of town. He ran normally at first, but once he was out of the city and out of site of people, he changed into a vampire and started running as fast as he possibly could. If he could help it, he'd make sure he was there within no less than thirty hours like he'd told Jacob he could. He cut through Canada and avoided any towns and staying in the woods. He was still running when it was getting dark. He was still about two hours ahead by that time. He stayed in his current form and kept running through the night. He was still only halfway through Canada by morning. By the time he finally made it to Washington, it was the middle of the night. He finally changed into a wolf when he reached the woods near home and everyone ran right to him to welcome him home and express their relief that he was there. Kevin returned home to drop off his things at the house. When he got to the room, Nathan was sound asleep, but Kyle wasn't.
"Welcome home," Kyle mumbled.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" Kevin whispered, not wanting to wake Nathan.
"No," Kyle said. "I haven't been sleeping well."
"I haven't really been sleeping well either," Kevin said. He went to Kyle's bed and sat on the edge. Kyle sat up in bed and brought his knees to his chest so Kevin could sit comfortably. Kyle was getting to be nearly Kevin's height. "At least he's not suffering anymore," Kevin finally said. Kyle only nodded. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here."
"You're here now," Kyle said. "That's what's important. How long will you stay?"
"As long as I can," Kevin said. "Now that I'm here, dad said they'd start preparations for the funeral, so that'll be by tomorrow. So I can start running back to Connecticut Saturday and be back by Sunday. I can stay an extra day, though. Maybe return on Monday or Tuesday."
"No," Kyle shook his head. "Get back as soon as you can. The less time you're away, the better."
"I suppose," Kevin said. "I'll be returning again in December at least."
"Exactly," Kyle said. "And I'm sorry about snapping at you."
"What?"
"Over the summer when I yelled at you," Kyle clarified. "I know why you were contemplating staying home and I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It's not my decision, it's yours. It's not my business to make decisions for you."
"No, don't feel bad," Kevin said. "You were right. My intentions were good, but I would have regretted it in the long run." Kevin looked at Kyle, who was moping a little. "How are you feeling?"
"I miss him," Kyle said.
"I miss him too," Kevin said.
"He initiated mom as the new Medicine Man days before he died. She told me that she wanted me to be her apprentice."
"Well, we always knew that would happen," Kevin managed to smile.
"It's just happening too soon," Kyle said.
"How so?" Kevin asked. Kyle just stared at him a moment and sighed.
"Never mind," Kyle said. "I'll be helping mom and continuing to learn the craft. We'll have a lot of babies coming in January and February."
"A bit of a baby boom?"
"A little," Kyle said. "You'll see it in the morning, but there are about ten women in the village that look about ready to pop. So mom and I will be busy."
"Better busy than bored," Kevin said. Then he patted Kyle's knee. "Why do you say it's too soon? You've been training under him and mom all your life. You could probably be the medicine man now."
"Not now," Kyle said. "I'm not ready yet."
"Well, you're not the Medicine Man yet, so no need to worry about it." After a moment of silence, Kevin stood from Kyle's bed. "Try to go to sleep. It'll help you feel better."
Kyle nodded and laid back down and Kevin went to his own bed and tried to fall asleep with his feet poking out over the edge of his bed. In the morning, they all got up and started preparing for the funeral. Jacob went to the Hou tribe the day before and Rachael and Rebecca arrived that morning with all their children. It was the first time all the cousins got to see each other in a really long time. Rachael had four children now while Rebecca still just had her four. Travis was about Nathan and Natalie's age but it was the first time they'd all met one another. Kyle also woke up with a massive headache and wasn't feeling really good, but he didn't say anything. They found out that Quicheat, Pautueh, Elsuitte, and Hataelee were all married with kids now. Jacob, the pack, William and Sara, and Renesmee had known about the marriages, but they'd sadly not been able to meet prior to this. Their wives, husband and children had stayed at the tribe, though. All the others, Vihota, Kae, Kehsawk and Travis were not married. Though, granted, Travis was only 13, same age as Natalie and Nathan. Rachael had described Travis's birth as being unexpected to say the least.
Despite the situation at hand, Sara did encourage all the cousins to get to know one another better. Since they were his age, Travis immediately gravitated towards the twins and triplets, but he quickly found their method of sibling interaction rather weird. Though he did instantly like Jae and Natalie, particularly Jae. All the older cousins closer to Kevin's and Kyle's age spent time with them, although Kyle contributed little in the way of conversation. He was getting a migraine and he simply had no desire to socialize. Eventually, he went back home to mix herbs that were meant for healing headaches. It helped, but not much.
To the family's relief, the Cullens arrived by that afternoon, Renesmee having sent them a telegram notifying them of Sokajili's death. They expressed their condolences while also praising Renesmee for becoming the new Medicine Man. The older cousins, hearing about Kevin and his ventures out of state, were fascinated that he was attending a school. Yet they could not help their jabs of condescension and teasing him that surely he would fall out of practice with proper tribal living in favor of pale faced virtues. Kevin remained courteous regarding the matter, but found he wasn't bonding with his cousins over the topic. He changed the topic of the Great War, a conversation Embry could contribute to as well, and the conversation became far more interested rather than condescending. Preparations continued through the day until it was finally nighttime. The Pyre was set up and Sokajili was placed on it. He'd taught her long ago when he passed away, she needed to place lavender around his body before he was set ablaze. He'd explained that the smell of lavender indicated he was a medicine man when he reached the afterlife. She'd asked if there was a way to differentiate chiefs and he'd explained that, for chiefs, they are to be burned with rosemary.
Kyle, migraine be damned, stood by Renesmee's side and helped her place lavender around Sokajili's body once he was on the large pile of wood. She rubbed some of the lavender oil on his neck and, before proceeding further, William stepped forward and put rosemary in Sokajili's hands. She noticed the man get teary eyed despite forcing to appear calm and stoic. Once all the fragrant flowers were arranged, Renesmee chanted a prayer that Sokajili had recited over and over for funerals over the years. It was always the same message:
"I release your spirit from your physical body. May your journey to the afterlife be safe and may you embrace your family long since lost." However, there was a part Sokajili had instructed that she needed to add. "I place upon you lavender so that they may know you and respect you as healer. May I serve our people with the kindness and healing touch you so bestowed upon them before me." Renesmee got a little teary eyed, as did Kyle and everyone else that had loved Sokajili, and Renesmee was handed fire on wood from William. She placed the fire beneath the wood and everyone in attendance, Hailey and Leah included of course, watched as the flames erupted and engulfed Sokajili's body.
It was, of course, required custom that everyone remained outside to look upon the pyre in respect for the loved one lost. Usually, it was only required of the medicine man and immediate family. But in the case of medicine men and chiefs, all residence were to remain for the entirety of the burning. Sara cried herself to sleep on William's shoulder, who also cried himself to sleep on Sara's head. Renesmee and Kyle remained behind the pyre where they'd placed the fire. Renesmee could often see the sad look on Jacob's and her other children's faces and she longed so much to go to them so they could all comfort one another. However, she needed to content herself with only being able to offer support to Kyle. She knew he wasn't taking Sokajili's death well at all. Hours passed of adding fire and waiting for Sokajili and the wood to return to dust. By morning, it was so and his ashes where left to be allowed to fly through the air when the wind blew, effectively taking Sokajili's soul to the afterlife.
Kyle's migraine continued on into the day and he didn't want to converse for the whole day. While he was taking a nap in his room, Kevin went up to their room to check on Kyle. He put his hand on Kyle's forehead and he was burning up. His first thought was to assume that perhaps he'd become a wolf soon, but then no one recalled migraines being a side effect of eventual shifting. Regardless, he decided he'd keep a close eye on Kyle until he had to leave the next day. The cousins and Rebecca and Rachael remained and planned to remain for a few days. If nothing else, for the sake of the cousins being able to spend more time together since they never got to see one another. Travis, the twins and triplets were bonding quite a bit in that time too. When Kevin came outside, he saw Embry and all his siblings were interacting with his cousins, but he wasn't really in the mood either. He was more worried about Kyle. Since Kevin was leaving the following day, he didn't go on patrol. He went straight to bed and noticed that Kyle was still in bed since the last time he'd seen him.
In the middle of the night, Kyle woke up with his migraine still raging and feeling overheated. He got out of bed, making no effort to be quiet, and went outside to the patio overlooking the ocean. He started rubbing his temples trying to alleviate his headache and stared onto the ocean. He glanced behind his shoulder and was able to see into the back room of the house that had been turned into the medical room and the site made him really sad. He returned his attention to the water and started taking deep breaths trying to calm down. Kevin woke up when he heard Kyle start moving and go downstairs. So he went downstairs to check on him. Kyle was sitting on the stairs looking out onto the ocean and seemed to not notice that Kevin was walking over.
"What are you doing up?" Kevin asked and sat down next to Kyle.
"I don't feel good," Kyle said, barely audible. Kevin also heard the slightest whimper in his voice. Kevin scooted a little closer to Kyle and rubbed his back.
"Have you tried shifting?" Kevin finally asked.
"I don't really want to," Kyle said bluntly.
"Why not?"
"Because I've dealt with enough shit recently," Kyle said, taking Kevin by surprise. He wasn't sure if he'd ever heard Kyle swear before.
"I guarantee you you're setting yourself up for more shit the longer you put this off," Kevin finally said. "Just take a deep breath and let it happen."
"I don't need to 'let anything' happen. I just need this migraine to go away."
"Maybe the fact you're refusing to shift is what's causing your migraine."
"That's never happened before," Kyle said flippantly.
"None of the wolves have ever been able to turn into vampires or birds before either. There's a first for everything, Kyle. Now stop bitching and get it over with," Kevin continued, getting aggressive. He knew that, for a number of wolves before them, it was rage that had inevitably caused the change. That seemed to be the only way to get it over with for Kyle.
"Stop telling me what to do!" Kyle yelled and stood from the stairs and walked closer to the shore.
"Jesus, Kyle, keep your voice down. Some people are trying to sleep."
"Well, if I can't sleep, then no one else should!" Kyle said. In all honesty, Kyle knew exactly what Kevin was doing. Yet he found a bubbling rage building that was causing all his good sense and any ounce of intelligence fly out the window.
"Will you listen to yourself, Kyle? You're acting like a brat."
"Oh, fuck you, Kevin! You run away, leave for months and years at a time, and I'm the brat?!" Kevin got closer to Kyle while he continued. Meanwhile, upstairs, Renesmee was awoken by the sound of Kyle yelling and got out of bed to go to the balcony and investigate. "You're the one that's a brat, Kevin, not me!" Kyle continued. "I've been anything but!"
"That's exactly what you're being now, Kyle: a brat," Kevin antagonized. Renesmee, on the balcony, stayed quiet and watched, realizing what Kevin must be doing. "You're not the only one that's sad about Sokajili's death. We all miss him. So don't act like you're the only one that's mourning."
"As though you're one to talk!" Kyle said pointedly. "You're the one that's been gone! You didn't have to watch Sokajili die! I did!"
"So now you're saying I should have stayed home?!" Kevin started yelling, getting legitimately angry now. "I'd suggested staying home and you bit my fucking head off! Now you're saying I should have stayed home?! Make up your mind! Regardless, you're getting mad at me because you're jealous!"
"Jealous? Of what?! That you ran away to Europe so you wouldn't be 'stuck' here?!"
"No, that it paid off and I'm getting an education you wish you could have! That's what's getting under your skin and that's what you're jealous of!"
"And why shouldn't I?! You're being rewarded for running away from home!"
"It's more than you've done, Kyle! I'm the one that had the balls to aspire for more! Apparently, all you're interested in is wallowing in self pity that you weren't as lucky!"
After that, Kyle couldn't take it anymore. The rage had bubbled up too much and his head was hurting more than ever. He actually grabbed his head from the pain and was groaning before he felt his whole body burst. There were suddenly so many voices in his head from his father, Embry Sr. and Jr. and Kevin, who shifted with Kyle. Renesmee continued to watch while Kyle started whining in a puppy voice and tugged at Renesmee's heart. Now that he'd changed, his head finally stopped hurting and the body heat suddenly felt completely normal, but he was still upset. But now, he was just crying. He felt so overwhelmed and he felt as though he was forced to admit to things he'd never wanted to. Even if what Kevin had said made him angry enough to shift, he couldn't deny how true those words were and, now that he couldn't keep his mind closed off, Kevin could hear how true to was. Yet Kevin instantly went to Kyle's side as he continued to whimper and lay on the ground. Kevin went down beside Kyle and rested his head atop Kyle's in a comforting manner, encouraging Kyle to continue crying. He clearly needed to.
Suddenly, all the voices except Kevin's left Kyle's head. They all realized that Kevin and Kyle just needed to be alone. This was really only something the two of them could sort out themselves. When they were really alone, save for Renesmee keeping a close eye, Kyle just apologized. He apologized for snapping at Kevin, he apologized for bringing out his jealousy onto him, he apologized for everything. Meanwhile, Kevin just listened and stayed by his side until Kyle finally fell asleep, not even bothering to change back or return inside. Kevin fell asleep too, just where they'd fell. And in the morning, for the first time in months, the two of them finally felt like they had moved on and everything finally felt alright, at least between the two of them.
