The Circle of Life

by girlmoustakis

This is the next Hopkins story. It deals with the dreams of three family members; Joe, Arthur and Ajay. Each achieves his real dream. Joe was to run, Ajay a play and Arthur learning about a new culture for his music. Taken from a book by James David Aublin, "The Circle of Life", he learns Indian Culture. Also has pictures. Reviews welcome.

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

BY

HENRIETTE PRUGER

PREFACE

I would like to thank James David Audlin, author of "The Circle of Life" for his knowledge and wisdom he showed on the American Indian and their culture. All the knowledge spoken by Eagle Hawk to Arthur is taken from the book.

HOWLING WOLF - ARIZONA

White Elk is driving on the main desert drag. It is a nice day so his top is down and his hair blows in the wind. He sees Noel's abandoned car in the side of the road. He sees Noel attempting to run far ahead. White Elk speeds up to catch up to him and honks his horn. Noel stops and turns to White Elk.

"Is something wrong? I saw your abandoned car."

"The car is fine. I just wanted to run."

"Why? And where?"

"Anywhere. I just wanted to run again."

"On your bum leg? What if you fell? No one could find you. Only reason I did I was going home. What are you, nuts?"

"You know I am. You saw me at the hospital. I just want my old body back. I'm twenty-five. I don't want to be disabled anymore."

"Get in the car. I'll drive you back to your car. You shouldn't be in the desert by yourself."

Noel does.

"Noel, you lost that leg six years ago. The doctors and therapists did the best they could. You're lucky to walk."

"I want my full life back, Elk."

"Where did you get that idea?"

"I've always had it. I was a runner. I would do marathons and not think twice. You're a runner. You know what I mean."

"I have two good legs. I can still run."

"Then help me. Run with me. Teach me how to do it."

"I'm not a therapist. I'm a carpenter. I make wooden furniture for a living. How could I help you?"

"Be there when I run. Help me get my speed back up. I really need to do this. We're brothers now. Remember?"

"Okay, Noel. I'll try. But do it my way. No running alone on the side of the road. You have to be supervised for your safety."

"When do we start?"

"When I get you back to your car and you go home. Tomorrow come and pick me at my workshop. I will find some places you can use to learn again."

White Elk starts the car and does a U-turn and drives him back.

….

It is the next day. Noel walks into White Elk's workshop. He is finishing the legs of a table. He removes his goggles and looks at Noel.

"You're early?"

"Tom let me go. Who's the table for?"

"The Raleigh Ranch. It's a wedding present. The daughter is getting married in two months. Dad wants a whole dining set. I'm making the pieces now. That's them on the wall."

"That's good money. It's a big ranch."

"I just have to put it together and stain it."

Noel walks over.

"You always do good work, Lieutenant."

"I like working with my hands. You ready to run?"

"I'm wearing my running shoes."

"Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up. I'll meet you by the car."

White Elk leaves. Noel feels the leg.

"That's good work. It's very smooth."

He walks out to his car.

….

The two are in a flat valley in the desert. It is only sand and very little stones. A small boulder is before them. White Elk has his hair in a ponytail.

"You see that boulder. It's about a quarter of a mile from the cactus. You run as fast as you can. I will time you with my phone,"

He pulls out his phone.

"Will you run too?"

"After you do. I'll need you to time me. Then we'll both race to it. I'll start the timer. Now!"

Noel starts to run. It takes a long time. He runs back even longer. White Elk gives him the phone. He gets into position and runs. It only takes about a minute. White Elk comes back.

"What was my time?" Noel asks.

"A good four minutes. And mine?"

"Fifty-seven seconds."

"And I was running slowly. You have a long way, my son. You still want to try. By the time you do twenty-six miles, you will be a grandfather."

"I still want to."

"Okay. Go back to the starting point. I'll time you again. Now!"

Noel runs. Again he is slow but he is very determined. After about a half hour, White Elk stops.

"That's enough for today. You need some water. It's in my bag."

Noel grabs two waters and throws one to White Elk. They both take sips.

"So what's our goal, Elk?"

"You see that plateau about a mile ahead? Thirteen times there and back is your marathon. Right now I want to see you do it once before my children make me a grandfather. Think you can do it?"

"I'll die trying."

"That's what I was afraid of. I'll stop you before you die. Let's go. The sun is going down."

They start walking to the car.

"How did you know that was two miles?"

"I measured it. That's where I learned. We ran before and I beat you."

"When?"

"Overseas. You remember the relay race you ran? Everyone bet on you. Sgt. Sanders was the only one who bet on me. Do you remember the guy who beat you?"

"No. He was a visitor."

"It was me with short hair. I just never introduced myself. I saw a lot of you at the base. I was interested on you for a mission. I wanted to watch you first before we spoke. I never got to. You were ambushed."

"Do you remember the truck that came to your aide? We killed as many Taliban as we could. I was with them."

"No, I passed out by then."

"After we got there and the others ran away, we went to the men. All we dragged up were dead bodies. We almost gave up on you. I was the one who saw you still breathing. I carried your almost lifeless body from the truck and held you until the ambulance came. I was I who put you on the stretcher and went with you to the hospital. I had your blood on my uniform. Only then you were Private Joe Hopkins."

"Why didn't you tell me? We've been friends for two years."

"I had to wait for the perfect time. This is it. I recognized you when I met you. You changed your name by then. So, I kept silent."

"I almost died that day."

"And you'll almost die running. This is a controlled area. I made sure of that."

White Elk and Noel get into the car.

"Let's get some liquid into us before we faint from the heat."

….

They are at the same range the next day. Noel is ready to run.

"What now, Lieutenant?"

"Ten seconds, Private. You did this run in four minutes. I want ten seconds less."

"At this rate I'll be 100 before I run a marathon. Why so long?"

"I don't want to hurt your leg. You need it to walk. When you can do it in one minute, both ways, you go on to the next point of the range, the last of the mile. Does that answer your question?"

"I have another question. What is your final goal with me?"

"A relay race, like on the base. The circumstance of the reservation is about five miles around. We will both run it. I know I'll win. That's not my goal. My goal is for YOU to finish. I will give you a fifteen minute start, and I will run as I normally do."

"Do you have a date for this race?"

"You will get the date when WE will both run the two miles and you finish."

"Sounds good. But only ten seconds today?"

"Tomorrow will be twenty. It has to be done gradually. Ready to run?"

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Great. Get into position and I'll get my timer ready.

….

SOARING BIRD - CHICAGO

Arthur is at his doctor's office. He has his shirt open and the doctor is checking his heartbeat. He puts the stethoscope down.

"Well, Arthur, aside from a hole in your head, the rest of you is fine."

"But? I know that look."

"It's the hole I'm worried about. Your silent tumor was very dangerous. The fact that it started worries me. You're not on the clear. I would like some protective therapy to prevent a new tumor."

"Chemo?"

"Not that drastic, radiation. All you need is to radiate the area of the cancer. You'll lose some hair. Just wear a baseball cap. But I will add, as the therapy progresses, due to where the cancer was, you will get fatigued. I know you have two careers, law and music. One will have to go, or spend less on both. You'll make that choice when you start to get tired."

"But I'm only twenty-seven. I'm too young."

"Cancer does not start at a certain age. I've seen children with it. For now you're cancer free. You will need bi-annual MRI's and frequent blood work. Don't worry, Arthur. We'll fix you up."

"Will I be cancer free after five years? That's what I always heard on TV."

"Let's take it one day at a time. It's time to tell Sherrie and your parents. They will want to know. Get dressed now."

"Any team?"

"What team?"

"For the baseball cap."

"That is your choice."

…..

Arthur goes to Jack's house to speak to all of them. They sit in the living room.

"I'd like Ajay to be here too. He's old enough."

Jack goes to the bottom of the stairs.

"Ajay, could you come down here please?"

He does and joins the four. Arthur begins to speak. After he finishes, Jack sighs.

"That hit hard. If you need help feel free to call us. You know where we live. It's Aunt's Mary all over again.

"No, Dad. I'll beat this."

"I know you will. Just take it easy when you start getting fatigued. Don't kill yourself."

"I won't. Any more questions?"

"I have one, Uncle Arthur. It has nothing to do with cancer. I want to do an extra credit project for school. Could I use the left over research you did on the holocaust? I would need background info on Auschwitz and the remaining testimonials you didn't use. Could I borrow them?"

"Sure. Just come over tonight. I'll give them to you today. I warn you it's not pleasant."

"I know."

Arthur gets up.

"Sherrie, get Ajay what he needs. Give him the book I bought there."

Ajay and Sherrie leave. Arthur turns to his parents.

"That kid is pretty smart for his age."

"He is. He's already doing college math, on his own. He loves it," Allison says.

"He's a regular genius, another Sheldon. I've been thinking. Isn't there an organization for geniuses with high I.Q's? I think I heard of one."

"I believe there is."

"Have him tested? He might fit in. Tell me the results."

Arthur leaves. Jack grabs his phone and starts to google.

….

Arthur comes into his office with his baseball cap. Liz sees him.

"What's with the cap?"

"I'm starting radiation for the brain tumor. The doctor said I would lose some hair. This is one way to stop it from showing."

"So, it really was cancer? You weren't joking."

"I wasn't kidding. He also said I would start to get fatigued as the therapy goes on. I need to slow down."

Arthur takes off his coat and turns on his computer.

"Any return calls?"

"A few. Two were from Andrew Hockenberry. He's found some new clients."

"Good. He's one of the bests in the industry. I wish I could have him."

"Why not?"

"I'm his lawyer. It would be a conflict of interests. So, I have the second best."

She gives him his messages.

"Can I see the surgery?"

"It's not much. It's only the size of a quarter. The hair will fall out when I start the therapy."

He takes off his cap.

"How much will you lose?"

"Don't know. I start this week. I'll be late for two days. They have to give me my days. On to work."

He leaves his hat off in the office and starts work by calling Andrew.

….

Ajay is in his room. He is reading Arthur's material. Jack knocks and enters.

"Hey, Uncle Jack."

"Hello, Ajay. You got a few minutes?"

"What you want?"

"Arthur mentioned there's a special organization for very smart people. He said you might fit in."

"You mean Mensa?"

"You know what it is. Would you like to be tested?"

"I took the twenty question test on line and I passed. I wanted to kill some time."

"You're a smart boy. How is your school project going?"

"It's fascinating reading. Arthur did good research."

"He didn't. Mr. Shoah did. He just copied what he found. Will it help you?"

"I'm already writing it in my head."

"What exactly are you writing?"

Ajay leans back and pulls out a play titled "Spoon River".

"What's "Spoon River"?"

"Oh yeah, that's right. You're English. You wouldn't know. It's a fake graveyard in southern Illinois, with tombstones. Someone took the names and dates and wrote a play about the people. That's what I'm doing. These people will speak from their graves. I needed the information so I knew what they would say."

Jack looks at the book.

"You're writing a play?"

"It's extra credit for my English class. I already have the chosen characters in my head."

"Sounds hard."

"I like challenges."

"Would you mind if we tested you for Mensa, for real. You're smarter than most children your age."

"I don't mind."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Good luck on the play. What will you call it?"

"Never Again."

"That's a good name. Never should six million people die for any reason. I'll leave you to your reading. Supper is almost ready."

Jack leaves and Ajay continues reading.

…..

Two weeks have passed. Arthur is at work. He feels tired and Liz notices.

"You okay, boss?"

"I feel a little tired."

"I can see why. You've worked full days since you began therapy. You work too hard as it is. Add your therapy and it will get you down. Go home and get some sleep. You need it."

"I've got too much to do."

"Let me do it. I didn't take law in school but I can follow instructions. Just put the info you need on posted notes and I will finish it. Tomorrow all you have to do is print it. All I need is the template number and what to put on it."

"My notes already say that."

"Good. Go home. I will take over for today. You look beat."

"I am. Thanks, Liz. You're my second mother."

He turns off his computer, puts on his baseball cap, and leaves the office. Liz grabs the paper work. He walks to an enclosed garage and a man takes his picture. Arthur does not see.

….

Two days later, James, Eric's former butler is standing in a grocery store waiting to check out when he sees the National Inquirer. There is a picture of Arthur and a headline reading "Arthur Hopkins is dying from brain cancer".

"Oh, dear. That is not good, not good at all."

He picks up the issue and adds it to his groceries.

….

Eric sits at his desk working when James enters.

"James, what are you doing here? Something wrong with Ginny?"

"No, sir. It's Mr. Arthur."

"Not another hate mail letter?"

"I saw this at the grocery store."

He gives him the newspaper. Eric throws his pen down.

"Damn reporters. How did they find out?"

"Hospital walls have ears."

"Nothing we can do now. Arthur has to come clean with the press before they put him six feet under. I'll call him. Thank you, James."

James leaves. Eric picks up his phone.

…

Sherrie comes home with the two boys. She is holding the Inquirer and puts it on the table. She can see Arthur's car from the back window. She goes upstairs with the boys and opens up the bedroom door. He is asleep.

"Boys, your daddy doesn't feel well. Go to your room and play very quietly. He needs his rest."

She leaves them alone. The boys look at each other and smile. They are up to something. They both take off their shoes; go into the bed, one boy on each side of Arthur. They hold him. Time passes. She is downstairs getting dinner ready. She gets concerned when she doesn't see or hear the boys. She goes back upstairs and opens up the bedroom door. The boys are asleep next to Arthur. She smiles. They are adorable. She leaves and returns with her phone and takes a few pictures and closes the door.

"That's one picture he will love. It's not in the newspapers."

She goes downstairs. Time passes and Arthur wakes up to see the boys sandwich him. He tries not to wake them as he rises, but they wake up.

"Hi, daddy," Larry says.

"Hey, boys. Taking a nap?"

"We wanted to keep you company but we fell asleep," Alex says.

"That's okay. I like seeing you with me. Let's go down to see your mom."

….

Sherrie is in the kitchen finishing dinner when the three enter.

"Look who I found in our bed?"

"I know."

She gives Arthur her phone and shows him the picture.

"I thought you would like to see this. I couldn't resist myself. They were so cute. They love their daddy."

"Their daddy loves them."

She gives him the newspaper.

"This is one picture you won't like. I saw it in the store."

He looks at it and puts it down on the kitchen table.

"I already know. Eric told me. He said I have to come clean with the press. I don't know who to tell."

"Don't ask me. I'm not the rock star."

He sits down at the table.

"Sherrie, there's something I want to see you through. Today proved one thing to me. I will need some time to recoup, but I don't want to waste it. I can't do the law all the time, but I can do the music. I could do research on my next album. I wouldn't have to leave Chicago."

"How?"

"I was thinking about doing a theme album on the American Indian. I could skype Eagle Hawk and he could help me. He's an elder. I can't go there but he can come to my computer. I want to know their heritage, culture, spirituality. I want it to be positive, not like Shoah. What do you think of my idea?"

"I think it would be a good project. You can study on your own time."

"I thought you would. I miss the man. I can see why Joe calls him his friend. I'll get the table set."

He picks up some plates and leaves the kitchen. Sherrie smiles. She has an idea.

"After I dump the babies, you might get your wish, dear husband."

…..

It's time for Sherrie's delivery. They are in the birthing room. The doctor sits by Sherrie's feet. Arthur is at her side holding her hand. She is getting ready to push.

"Okay, Sherrie. Next contraction you push. This is it."

"It's almost over, luv. We'll have our twins," Arthur says.

"I can't wait. I hate being pregnant. I feel a contraction."

She pushes hard as he still holds her hand.

"I see the top of a head. One more push."

She does and the doctor pulls out a baby. She gives it to a nurse.

"It's a girl. You have a daughter."

Arthur kisses Sherrie's hand.

"Helga is here. Thank you, luv."

"It's not over yet, daddy. She has one more to go. This one will be a surprise. Push down on the next contraction. You'll be finished soon."

She does.

"I see another head. Boy, this one has hair. One more push."

She does and the doctor pulls out the last baby. Sherrie falls back.

"It's a boy. Congratulations, dad. You have another son."

She gives the nurse another baby.

"Time to leave, dad. We girls have work to do. The nurse will get you when you can come back in."

Arthur leans over and kisses Sherrie.

"I'll see you in a few minutes."

He leaves and goes into the hall. Both sets of grandparents wait. They are anxious.

"Well, how is she?" Allison asks.

"She's tired, mom. The doctor is taking care of her."

"Tell us about the babies," Eric says.

"Helga came first. A few moments later her brother came. We'll be able to tell them apart. I have three sons. Just like the TV show."

Arthur is so happy he's crying. Allison hugs him.

"We're so happy for you."

Eric pulls out three cigars and gives one to Arthur.

"Anyone got a match?"

Jack takes his and pulls out a lighter.

"I think we better do this outside," Jack says.

Jack and Eric start to leave.

"You coming, daddy?" Eric asks.

"I want to see Sherrie first. I'll join you later."

Arthur turns to Allison. He is still crying. Jack and Eric leave.

"Life is so beautiful, mom. I can see Helga, right now, bringing those babies into the world. She must have been so proud."

"Yes, life is beautiful."

The nurse comes out.

"You can go in now. We'll get the babies ready."

Arthur, Virginia and Allison go in the birthing room. Sherrie sits up and looks a little more relieved. Virginia goes to her and hugs her. She is crying.

"Are you okay baby?"

"I will be soon. This time it wasn't so hard."

"Every delivery gets easier. It's how God made women."

Allison goes to Sherrie and kisses her cheek.

"Thank you, Sherrie. You've made us very happy," Allison says.

"Now I have to lose weight again. I'm ending my babies at four."

The nurses wheel two small cribs inside.

"You have company. Who gets which baby?"

"I'll take Helga," Arthur says, accepting the girl.

"That means mommy gets her brother."

Sherrie grabs her son. Both grandmothers look lovingly at both babies. Arthur can't take his eyes off Helga.

"Hello, Helga. I'm your daddy. Welcome to the world."

Arthur kisses her. She opens her eyes and looks at him. Allison looks at her.

"She has blue eyes, just like her mom."

Virginia turns to Arthur.

"He has brown, just like his dad. The grandpa's are wasting their time. Who need cigars when they can see these two angels," Virginia says.

"Any names for your son yet?" Allison asks.

"Sherrie and I thought Eric Jackson. That way both grandpas' can be happy."

"He looks like Eric. His chin is proud," Virginia says.

"Can I meet Eric now? Mom needs to meet Helga," Arthur says.

The parents swap babies.

"Hello, Eric. I'm your dad. My you look handsome," Arthur says.

Eric starts to grab his shirt. The grandmas laugh.

"I think he's hungry," Virginia says.

"So is Helga," Sherrie says.

"Well, mom, It's time to feed them," Allison says.

Sherrie opens up her robe and positions Helga. She has started MOM duty. The two women are still crying. Arthur holds Eric.

….

White Elk - Arizona

White Elk and Noel are at the running site. They are ready to practice. White Elk holds his phone.

"Okay, Noel, I want ten more seconds."

"What is with you and ten seconds?"

"We are taking it slow and safe. Get into position. "

Noel's phone rings and he picks it up.

"Hey, mom. What's up?... Boy and girl? How is Sherrie?...That's understandable. Tell Art congratulations…Bye."

He looks at White Elk.

"I am a double uncle. The twins are born, one of each. Helga came first. With a name like that, she'll hate her dad for life."

"Congratulations, Noel. Now get back into position."

Noel does. He starts to run as White Elk times him. This time he is much faster.

"How did I do, Lieutenant?"

"Much better. Two minutes. One minute a block. How does the leg feel?"

"It feels okay. I'm even walking better. Angie has noticed."

"You're stretching your leg muscles. At this rate, you will lose that limp."

"Are we getting close to that relay race?"

"Not yet. You still have to go the two miles in on peace."

"I'm going to win that race, without you giving me fifteen minutes. I will beat you, Lieutenant. And that's a promise. I'll make you glad you carried my body that day overseas. I will make you proud."

"Something tells me you will. Get into position. I want five more seconds. You do that run in under a minute and we'll try the full mile next time."

"Yes, chief."

He does and runs.

….

Arthur is sleeping. It is after a radiation. Sherrie is at home preparing bottles for milk for the babies. She hears his phone ring. She picks it up not to wake him.

"Hello…Oh, hello, Hawk. I'm glad you got my message. Call me back, not Arthur. I need to skype you."

She hangs up and grabs her computer. The phone rings and she starts her computer to skype.

"Hi, Hawk. I can't talk loud. I don't want Arthur to hear."

"What can I do for you?"

"I know you've been teaching Arthur about Indian culture. I want to ask you a favor."

"Name it."

"Can you teach him here? He could use the company. I would pay air fare for you and your wife. You could stay with us. We have a spare bedroom."

"You want us to come to Chicago?"

"Think of it as a working vacation. You don't need to spend a penny. Come here and help Arthur."

"For how long?"

"A week or so. You and Lettie could see Chicago, with us."

"Won't you be busy? You just had twins. You'll need mommy time. Could we spend time with the kids?"

"Of course. You ask Lettie and call me back. I will have James pick you up at the airport. He's my dad's former butler."

"I'll ask her. Thank you for the invitation. I'll call you later."

Eagle Hawk ends the call. Sherrie closes her computer and smiles.

"Arthur, will you be surprised."

…..

Eagle Hawk - Chicago

James is at the airport. He is holding a sign with the name Hawk on it. The doors open and the passengers come out. He raises the sign. Eagle Hawk and his wife Leticia, named Lettie enter. They see the sign and walk over.

"Are you James?"

"Yes, Madame. Sherrie sent me to get you."

"You don't have to be so formal with us. I'm Tom and this is my wife, Lettie. I'm called Eagle Hawk, or just Hawk."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hawk. Come with me to get your bags. The limo is waiting."

"Limo? She really is rich. Do they live in a mansion?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"No, I work at the mansion. They have their OWN home. Come with me. She wants you there before Mr. Arthur comes from work. It's to be a surprise."

….

Sherrie is at home. She sees the limo drive up, opens the door, and the three enter.

"They're here, Madame."

"Thank you, James. You can go now."

"May I see the babies? I haven't met them yet."

"Yes. They're in the nursery. You know where it is."

James walks by then. The Hawks drop their luggage. Eagle Hawk looks around.

"Very nice. I feel love here. It's a real home."

"We try. Come, I want to show you something. It's in the dining room."

They follow her.

"I want to show Arthur's gold and silver records. They're on the wall. These two are from his first and second albums. They're silver. This is from his fourth, Shoah. It's gold. He's very proud of that."

"What about his third album?" Lettie asks.

"We don't talk about that one," Sherrie says.

"Where is our room? I'll bring the bags up."

"Up the stairs. It's the last one by the bathroom. I hope you don't mind the babies."

"Nonsense. When will he be home?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"In a few hours."

"Do we have time to meet the new ones?" Lettie asks.

"Yes."

"Forget the bags, Tom. I want to see the babies," Lettie says.

"So do I. Introduce us, momma," Eagle Hawk says, smiling.

….

Sherrie is having tea with the Hawks.

"Arthur tells me you're a tea man."

"Yes, but I do love my whiskey, the older the better. I keep my tea for the meditation ceremonials and my insomnia."

"We are coke people. It's the caffeine we love."

"Coke is also good. Where should we be when he comes home?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"I'll have you come from upstairs. I better put these dishes in the sink. If he sees three cups, he'll get suspicious."

She takes the cup and puts them in the sink. Eagle Hawk sees a car drive up.

"I see a car, Sherrie."

"Is it a Lexus?"

"I think so."

"Then go upstairs. Sherrie starts to wash the cups. Arthur enters.

"I'm home."

She comes out of the kitchen and kisses him hello.

"What did I do to deserve that?"

"You'll see in a few minutes. You just stay there. You can come down now."

Eagle Hawk and Lettie come down the stairs. Arthur's face lights up and he smiles. He runs to hug Eagle Hawk.

"Hawk? What are you doing here?"

"He came to give your personal classes. No more skyping," Sherrie says.

Arthur hugs Lettie.

"Lettie, it's so good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Soaring Bird."

"We have a spare bedroom. I said they could stay here. I hope you don't mind."

"Mind? I'm happy you did."

Arthur takes off his coat and puts down his briefcase.

"Have you seen the twins?"

"Yes, and they're perfect angels."

"Can we get you something to drink?" Arthur says.

Sherrie hands Arthur a bottle of coke. He takes it.

"What about the Hawks?"

"We just had tea. It's healthier than coke. That stuff removes rust. Think of what it does to your insides."

"You have a point. Did you see the silver and gold albums on the wall?"

"Very impressive. I can't wait to see what you do with the American Indians."

"I will give it my best. I'll go up and see them myself."

The four go upstairs and enter the nursery. He walks up to each crib and looks at them with admiration. He strokes Helga as she sleeps.

"I could watch them forever. I am so happy. Hawk. I hope they don't keep you up tonight."

Eagle Hawk walks up to the beds.

"We won't mind. Lettie and I love children. Where are your boys?" Lettie asks.

"They're next door with Jack and Ally. They'll bring them home soon," Sherrie says.

"You are a rich man, Arthur. A man with children has the best wealth. Money could never pass over the eyes of a child," Eagle Hawk says.

"Spoken as a man with four grandchildren," Arthur says.

"Five. We just found out. Elk told us before we left. He's populating the whole Apache nation."

"Elk is a good man. What's he doing lately?" Arthur asks.

"Teaching your brother to run."

"From what?"

"Nothing , just to run. He's working with Noel."

"But Joe has a bad leg. How can he run?"

"His leg is getting better. The limp is disappearing. You should see him walk. It's almost normal. At this rate he won't be disabled anymore."

"You can fix his leg but you can never fix his mind. That will always be disabled," Arthur says.

The doorbell rings.

"The boys are here."

The four go downstairs. Sherrie opens the door. The Hopkins enter with the boys. They run to Arthur and hug him.

"Daddy!"

He hugs them.

"Hey, guys. How did you like your time with Grandpa and Grandma?"

"It was okay. But we missed you."

"Well, I'm here now. Boys, remember Mr. and Mrs. Hawk. They've come to visit for—how long are you staying?" Arthur asks.

"Long enough to play school with you?" Eagle Hawk says.

"Boys, go upstairs. Dinner will be ready soon," Sherrie says.

The boys go upstairs. Jack and Allison face the Hawks.

"Good to see you Hawk. I hope you and your wife had a good flight."

"We did. This is my wife, Leticia."

"Call me Lettie. Everyone does."

"This is my wife, Allison," Jack says.

"I'm called, Ally."

"We just came to bring the boys. Supper is waiting," Jack says.

"Thanks for watching them."

Jack and Allison leave and close the door.

"I'll get dinner ready. Take a seat at the table," Sherrie says.

….

It is that night. Eagle Hawk and Lettie are sleeping. They heard the babies restless. Lettie wakes up Eagle Hawk.

"What is it?" Eagle Hawk says.

"Tom, it's the twins. I can hear them. Let see what they want."

They both get up and go into the nursery. They can see the twins are uncomfortable. Eagle Hawk goes to one and touches its bottom. It is wet. Lettie does the same. That one is wet. She goes to a stack of new diapers and gives one to Eagle Hawk. The babies are changed but they still are restless and can't get to sleep.

"I think we should rock them," Eagle Hawk says.

They sit down and hold the twins.

….

Arthur and Sherrie are asleep. She wakes up and sees the clock. It reads 3:30. She shakes Arthur.

"Arthur? It's almost four. I don't hear the babies. Something is wrong. We have to check."

"Okay, let's go."

They both get out of bed and enter the nursery. Eagle Hawk and Lettie are rocking the babies to sleep. Arthur and Sherrie are surprised.

"Why are you up?" Arthur asks.

"We heard them. They were wet so we changed them and let you sleep. Everything is fine. You go back to bed," Eagle Hawk.

"Thank you, Sherrie."

They leave and the Hawks continues rocking.

…

The next morning. Sherrie comes into the kitchen. Lettie is making breakfast.

"Lettie, you didn't have to cook. That's my job. I didn't bring you here to work. It was just to teach."

"I like taking care of people. We owe you. You paid for the air fare and our lodging. It's the least we can do. How do you like your eggs?"

"Scrambled. Thank you for last night."

"Forget about it. Tom and I love babies. We wanted you to get some sleep. You won't when we're gone."

Eagle Hawk walks in.

"Morning, Hawk."

"Morning, Sherrie. Arthur still asleep?"

"He's getting ready for work. He'll be right down."

"He works hard that husband of yours. Two careers are not easy," Eagle Hawk says.

"He loves both."

"How long before the therapy is done?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"A few more weeks. He's lost a lot of hair. Thank God for baseball caps."

Arthur comes in with the cap on.

"Morning, Hawk."

"Morning, Bird."

"Thank you two for last night. It felt good to sleep. Why is Lettie making breakfast?" Arthur asks.

"Because I love to cook. What can I make you?" Lettie asks.

"Just toast and coffee. I don't have time to eat today."

"You should eat. You're having therapy. You need your strength. Let me see how the hair looks under the cap," Eagle Hawk says.

Arthur takes off the cap and Eagle Hawk sees it for behind.

"You've lost a lot of hair. You need to eat. Sit down. Lettie make him an omelet."

"Yes, Tom."

She gives Sherrie her plate and starts cooking. Arthur sits down. The boys come down. Lettie sees them and smiles.

"And what do you want to eat?"

They say "pancakes" in unison.

"Pancakes it is."

Lettie makes the omelet and gives it to Arthur.

"Now eat, young man," Lettie says.

"Yes, ma'am."

Arthur looks at Sherrie and smiles. Breakfast is finished. Arthur has left and the boys are watching cartoons on TV. Lettie is doing the dishes. Sherrie dries.

"Today and last night wasn't necessary. Tonight and tomorrow, WE take over. Where is Hawk?"

"He's in the yard mediating. He does it every morning. He wants to welcome the new day."

"Good. Us ladies can talk. Let's sit down."

They do. Both have cups of coffee.

"What are your plans for today? Arthur won't be home till late, if he doesn't get tired."

"That depends on your two boys. We like to babysit. I hear the zoo is free."

"Lincoln Park zoo is. Why don't all of us go together? I'll just pack up the babies. Is this your first time in Chicago?"

"Yes, I can't wait to see it."

"How long have you and Hawk been married?"

"About fifty years. We married early. We grew up together. I always saw him as my brother. And then, when we became teenagers, his body changed. He became a very strong and handsome man. It turned me on. He still does. He was such a handsome warrior in his youth. Other girls wanted him but he wanted me."

"He's a good man, Lettie."

"You don't have to tell me. We got married when he turned eighteen. He told me he wanted to join the army and asked if I would go with him. I said yes. So, we left the US and he served first in Europe. We lived on base. Bobby, our son, was born in Germany. I was an army wife and he was on army brat."

"Where else did you live?"

"England, France and Germany. We have traveled far. We stopped when he was transferred to the Middle East. It was too dangerous for families. I stayed behind in Germany and Tom went to Iraq for two tours."

"I worried about him every day. I wanted Bobby to always have a father."

"Somehow I can't see White Elk being called Bobby. He didn't think twice to kill Joel."

"Robert, as he prefers to be called, is a good soldier. He wanted to be like his father. At age eighteen he joined the army and was sent to the Middle East. He did many tours."

"When Tom was ready to retire, with good army benefits, we moved back to the reservation. Bobby would come to visit. On his first trip, he met and married his wife. He went back overseas leaving her pregnant. He did this many times. Each time he left her pregnant. Now he has finally retired and she's pregnant again."

"Elk is young. What does he do for a living?"

"He's a carpenter, and a damn good one. He's good at everything he does. Most people on the reservation work with their hands. Some things go to tourists. And some to neighbors. I took up blankets."

"I know. Arthur commissioned quite a few for Christmas presents. He wants to show one the cover of his new project. He calls it free advertising."

"And I appreciate it. I and my employees like the money."

"Do you miss western civilization?"

"No. I like the peace and quiet. I've seen Europe and it's beautiful. Tom and I even crossed Abbey Road. What a sight? Two American Indians crossing Abbey Road. I was on the Eifel Tower many times. Paris is beautiful. One trip, Tom and I went to Auschwitz, like you did. It was a sad place. Tom got on his knees and prayed for all the lost souls."

"No, I don't miss civilization. I've seen good and bad. I like my life as it is."

Eagle Hawk comes in.

"You two ladies finished talking? I waited. I didn't want to disturb you."

"Yes, Tom. We are finished. Are you finished meditating?"

"Yes, Lettie. I am. Let's got to this zoo. I want a Chicago hot dog."

…..

White Elk and Noel are the running range. Noel is in position. He runs as White Elk times him. He comes back.

"Very good, Noel. Less than two minutes. You're ready for the next part. Do you see that plateau? It's about a mile. I won't time you yet. I just want to see if you can make it. Go to the plateau and wait for me. I will pick you up. If you can't make it, stop and call for me. Under NO circumstances, do you run back? Understand."

"Yes."

"Something tells me not to trust you."

"You can trust me."

"Get into position. At my word, go."

Noel does.

"GO!"

He starts to Run. White Elk watches very carefully. It takes a while but he reaches the plateau. Then he turns around and starts to run back. White Elk is shocked.

"Noel? Stop. You stop right now!"

Noel doesn't listen and continues running.

"I mean it. Stop! Think of your leg. I knew. I shouldn't trust him."

Noel makes it back to White Elk and stops. He is breathing heavy.

"What the hell was that, Jackson? I gave you specific directions to stop not come back."

"I had to do it, Elk, for me."

"And what if you had hurt your leg? I'm the one taking care of you."

"My leg is fine."

"You're insane. No doctor can fix that. Next time listen to me and do as I say. Got that, Private?"

White Elk is angry.

"Yes, sir. I got it. Should I do it again and wait?"

"Yes, please. First get some water from my pack. You'll need it."

Noel walks away. White Elk shakes his head and looks up.

"Creator, why did I ever agree to this? I must be insane. The man is nuts."

…..

All the Hopkins and Hawks are at home. They are watching TV when Eagle Hawk's phone rings. He picks it up.

"Hello…Hi, Elk…I'll get my computer. Call me back."

"Lettie, get my computer. Elk wants to skype. He wants Arthur to hear too."

She does. Arthur and Sherrie sit next to Eagle Hawk. The phone rings and Eagle Hawk opens up his computer.

"We're all here, Elk. What's up?"

"Is Arthur there?"

Arthur waves back.

"Good. I have something to tell him. Arthur, your brother is nuts."

"You just found that out. You saw him at the psyche ward."

"He's suicidal!"

"Now son, calm down. What did Noel do?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"I don't know where to begin. You know I've been training him."

"How is it going?" Arthur asks.

"The man doesn't follow orders. What type of a soldier was he?"

"What did he disobey?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"I've been training him slowly. I don't want him to hurt his leg. But, no, he doesn't care."

"Calm down, Elk. That's Noel you're talking about. You know he's a bit off."

"Yesterday, we were at the range. I told him to run to the foot of the plateau and stop till I got him. It's a good mile run one way. He ran back. I yelled for him to stop and he wouldn't. He didn't care about his leg. He said he had to do it for him."

Arthur laughs.

"That's my Joe."

"Arthur, I want to take it slow. I don't want to hurt him."

"When have you noticed Joe taking anything slow? It's not for him."

"Am I wrong to be careful?"

"No, but Joe doesn't think twice about anything. It's just the way he is. He's lucky he has you to watch him. No one else would," Arthur says.

"What do I do with him? He won't listen to reason."

Arthur laughs.

"Just be his friend. He is fighting an inside war. Now it's with his leg. He'll calm down soon."

"And till then?"

"Let him do what he wants. He will know when to stop. Does that help you, Elk? Why are you so sentimental about him?"

"Remember the ambush in Afghanistan? I pulled his almost lifeless body from the truck. I held him till the ambulance came. And I went with him to the hospital. I had his blood on me. I saw you and your future wife there but didn't make myself known. That is why?"

"Why didn't you tell me? I was there."

"You didn't need me to make you more worried. I feel responsible for his life."

"I don't know what to say, Elk. Thank you taking care of him. I've never been able to. He never let me. He's not an easy brother to have."

"You feel better now, son?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"Not really. I still have to deal with Noel. But thanks for listening. How's Chicago, Dad?"

"Big. But so is Paris, London and Berlin. It's just another big city. We had our first Chicago Hot Dog. Tonight was Pizza. They're good here," Eagle Hawk says.

"Does mom like it?"

"She won't leave the babies. You know her. She and Sherrie are always bonding, just like women. That all, Elk?"

"Yeah, that's all. I'll see you when you come home. Bye, everyone."

Eagle Hawk closes his computer as Arthur laughs.

"Joe never gives up. That's why I love him," Arthur says.

….

Eagle Hawk and Lettie are at home. Arthur is resting and Sherrie is out shopping. They are babysitting. Lettie is doing some small sewing and Eagle Hawk is playing cards with the first twins. There is a knock on the door. Lettie gets up and looks out the window. It is Ajay. He holds a manuscript in his hand.

"Who is it?"

"It's Ajay. I'll let him in,"

She does and Ajay comes in.

"Hello, Ajay. What's up?" Eagle Hawk says.

"I came to see Uncle Arthur. Is he here?"

"Yes, but he's sleeping. He came home early and tired. Can we help you?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"I finished the manuscript. I wanted him to read it."

"Is it your "Spoon River"?"

"Yes."

"I'll give it to him when he wakes up. I promise."

Ajay gives it to Eagle Hawk.

"Care for a soda? There's always some in the fridge."

"No thanks. I'll go now. I'll wait for Uncle Arthur's call."

"Okay. See you later."

Ajay leaves. Eagle Hawk flips through the manuscript.

"It's long," Lettie says.

"Over three hundred pages."

"Let me read it, Tom. I'm curious," Lettie says.

"I don't think he'll mind."

Lettie puts down her sewing and begins reading. Eagle Hawk continues playing cards with the boys. After about an hour, he hears Lettie cry.

"Something wrong?"

"It's the play. It's so sad."

"The Holocaust is sad. You remember Auschwitz."

"It's the characters, Tom. They're so real. And his writing is so adult. These are not words of a thirteen year old child. You should read this."

Eagle Hawk turns to the boys.

"Boys, go upstairs and take a nap. Lettie and I want to see something way above your years."

The boys leave. Eagle Hawk sits by Lettie.

"Where should I start?"

She opens up a section and shows him.

"This is an example. Just look at his wording and phrases. They're the words of an adult."

He takes it and reads a few pages and puts it down.

"I can't believe he wrote it. I know he's very smart. And I know he's autistic. I'll let you finish. You give this to Arthur when he wakes up. I know he'll be interested."

"That boy seems very sad," Lettie says.

"He lost both his parents. That's why he's here. He probably put that into his writing. That's why it's so real. He never got a chance to say good-bye to his mother. The people here had the same experience. He's lucky to have this family."

"I wish I could cheer him up. He needs a mother."

"He has one, Ally."

"She's always teaching. He needs a mother to hold him."

"Are you volunteering, Lettie?"

"You know me and children."

"You're the original earth mother."

"May I, Tom?"

"You have to ask them. Ajay is theirs not ours."

"I'd like to keep reading. I need to study my new subject."

"Study away, my dear. I'll make us some tea."

….

Eagle Hawk and Noel are back on the track. Noel is in position.

"Tell me when to start, Elk."

"After I make one thing PERFECTLY clear. You WILL follow my orders. No change. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Elk."

"Go to the plateau and stop. Do NOT run back. You'll thank me later. GO!"

Noel runs to the plateau. He does stop.

"Now what?"

"Run back. I'll time you."

Noel does. He goes up to Elk.

"Six minutes. Too slow. Go back to the plateau. I'll time."

Noel does and stops.

"Still six minutes. I want five. Run back."

Noel does. He comes back holding his knees.

"Elk, you're killing me. I've done 4 miles. What are you trying to do?"

"One more time with make six miles. The reservation is five. I make to make sure you're ready for our race. Now get into position. When you get to the plateau, don't stop. Continue running."

Noel does.

GO!"

White Elk times him. Noel runs back in. He is tired.

"How long this time?"

"Twelve minutes. You take the phone and time me."

White Elk gets into position.

"GO!"

He runs at a much faster speed than Noel and comes in just under eight minutes.

"Eight minutes. I'm disappointed in you, Elk."

"I wasn't even trying. Time me again. This time it will be real."

White Elk gets into position.

"GO!"

White Elk runs the track and comes back in.

"Four minutes. You think that will scare me, Elk?"

"It better. Next Saturday will be the real race. I will whip your ass, Howling Wolf."

"We'll see, White Elk."

…..

It is the day of the race. The reservation is alive. The track is ready. People stand waiting for the event. Noel comes with Tom and Angie. He is dressed as a runner. White Elk comes with an Indian skirt. He is topless, wearing war-paint and his hair in braids. Noel sees him.

"Elk, give me a break. It's just a race. Not Custer's last stand."

White Elk points to his wife. She comes carrying a skirt for Noel and war paint.

"It's more than a race. Time to earn your name, Howling Wolf."

He gives him the skirt and make up.

"You want me to wear this?"

"Are you Apache or not?"

Noel takes it and changes. Angie turns to Tom and signs.

"What is going on?"

"I think it's the Indian wars all over again. I have no idea, Angie. I'm as lost as you are."

Noel comes back in traditional dress and war-paint on his face. White Elk gives a gun to Georgie.

"Noel and I will get into position. Count to ten and fire."

They get into position. Both concentrate on the road ahead. Georgie fires and they start running. White Elk does not give Noel any leave way. He is really running. The crowd cheers as each runner goes by. White Elk takes the lead but sometimes Noel gets close. White Elk runs faster. They turn at the halfway mark. The crowd gets louder. White Elk still wins. Noel never quite catches up. He is tired but determined to get close. White Elk crosses the finish line. He makes it in twenty minutes. Noel comes in next at thirty-five minutes. White Elk waits patiently crossing his arms. He walks up to Noel.

"Took you long enough, Howling Wolf."

"You still win, Elk. You said you would."

"Yes, I won. But so did you. You finished. Five and a half more runs will make you a marathon runner again. You've just begun, Noel."

"Yes, I have. Thank you, Elk. Next time I WILL beat your ass."

"Come, let's wash our faces. It's time for the barbeque."

"Elk, will you still keep training me?"

"If you wish. All you have to do is ask."

"I'm asking, my brother."

Noel puts his arm out.

"The answer is yes, my brother."

White Elk grabs his arm and smiles.

…..

Arthur is in this bedroom. He is reading the manuscript. Eagle Hawk enters.

"Ready for you lesson?"

"I just want to finish this. Have you read it, Hawk?"

"Yes, so has Lettie. Your nephew is very talented. This isn't the work of a child."

"Ajay is not a child. He's a man in a child's body. I could see this done on stage. Ajay wants to add music. He wants to write it."

"Looks like you have competition."

"I have to show this to mom. This needs to be produced. It's too good to ignore."

"I agree, but by who? You know of a theater company?"

"No, I wish I did. The boys got talent. I could only do separate stories. He combined them. He made these people interact. I wasn't able to. I tried but failed."

"I don't call Shoah a failure."

"Compared to this, yes. I wish I could help him promote it."

"I don't know Chicago. I can't tell you where to go. All I know is Nowhere. Don't you have connections?"

"Not in the theater world. I don't know actors, only musicians."

"What about Eric?"

"He doesn't know actors, only bodyguards."

"What will you tell Ajay? He wanted you to read it."

"I haven't decided. I don't want to build up his hopes if I don't know anyone. I'm not a Hollywood agent, just a contract lawyer."

"You have a Hollywood connection."

"I'm NOT showing this to my consultant. Too many hearts are broken in Hollywood. I don't want Ajay to be one of them. He's too good a kid to deserve it. I'll see what mom says. So, what's my lesson for today?"

…

Ajay is in his room. He is doing college math. There is a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Lettie comes in.

"Hi, Lettie."

"Hello, Ajay. I wanted to see you. I asked your guardian about you. We've been here a week and we've never seen you leave the room."

"I'm busy."

"What are you doing?"

"Calculus and Trig."

"Sounds hard."

"It's easy. Life is just numbers. You have to know how to manipulate them."

She sits on the bed.

"What about people?"

"It's not nice to use them? They have feelings."

"I read your play. It brought me to tears. It's very good. You really know how to show loss. We were you thinking about your mother?"

"And father, my real one. Not my step-dad. I never knew my real father. I just know what he looked like. His picture is downstairs over the fire-place."

"You miss your mom?"

"Very much. She put me in school because she was always busy with army business. She and General Marsh were very important people."

"You don't have to tell me. I was an army wife. Tom was 1st Sergeant. We always lived on base. I raised my boy in Germany. He actually speaks German. I knew many Generals. How did she die?"

"She was killed. She was trying to find out who killed her husband, the General. She got too close and they killed her. I never got to say good-bye. I was in school in Switzerland."

"It's very hard to say good-bye. A lot of my people did. The white man used to kill us for sport. The movies made the Indians the bad guys. It was the white man who was."

"If they didn't kill us, they took our land and put us into reservations. They were just open ghettos, like the one in Warsaw. My people have known loss. Only it happened here, not in Nazi Germany."

"Then why aren't you sad?" Ajay asks.

"We are sad but we try to feel happy too. Life is not all bad. There is always love. You just got to find it. Sometimes it's right under your nose. All you have to do is open your eyes, AND your heart."

She sees a picture on the bed.

"Is that your mother?"

Ajay gives her the picture.

"Yes, it's her."

"She was very pretty."

"I know."

"I've seen the pictures downstairs. You look like your dad. You have the same color eyes. He was a handsome man."

"I've been told that."

"Is this math your homework?"

"No, I'm in grade school. This is college math. I do it for fun."

She looks at his work.

"I don't call that fun. It looks like torture. What else do you do for fun?"

"I read. I write."

"That is not fun. That's school work. I see there's a hoop in the backyard. You know the Indians invented baseball and basketball. We just call it by a different name. Do you use it?"

"Not by myself. I have no one to play with. They're all older than me."

"Don't you have friends your own age?"

"No, kids don't like me. They think I'm weird. Some call me retarded. I'm not retarded."

"No one said you were. You're just too serious. Don't you ever want to do something crazy?"

"Like what?"

"First, we'll close all the books and put our coats on and get some ice cream. I see there's a parlor down the street. Let's go get the biggest banana split in the world. They advertise if you can finish it, it's free. It has ten scoops of ice cream. You pick the flavors. Let's do it."

"That's five scoops of ice cream each. I can't eat all that."

"I can. You get your coat. I'll wait for you downstairs. Don't keep me waiting."

Lettie leaves. Ajay grabs his coat.

…..

Allison is at home when the doorbell rings. It is Eagle Hawk.

"Hawk, come in."

"I won't stay long. I'm looking for Lettie. You wouldn't know where she is?"

"She and Ajay went out for ice cream. There's a parlor down the street. They should be back soon. They're attempting the world's biggest banana split. Its ten scoops of ice cream. If two or less can finish it, it's free."

"That sounds like Lettie."

"She wanted to cheer Ajay up. He's always so serious. She wants him to do something crazy. Your wife is a sweet lady."

"You don't have to tell me."

"How come you never had more children?"

"It was Lettie. She had painful cycles. She thought it would end after having Bobby. It didn't. She had a test where they put in a camera. It showed tumors in her uterus. She had it removed. The tumors were benign. That ended our children. That hasn't stopped her from being the earth mother of the reservation. She adopts every child. Plus, Elk is busy populating the whole Apache nation with his children. Lettie and I are never alone."

The door opens. Lettie and Ajay enter.

"Did you eat it all?" Allison asks.

"Yeah, I don't want to see ice cream ever again?" Ajay says.

He goes upstairs.

"He looks green," Allison says.

"He was fine for the first three scoops. The last two did him in."

"And you?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"I'm fine. I love ice cream. At least I got his mind off work. He looked like he was having fun."

"Now that I found Lettie, I can leave. Let's go dear."

Eagle Hawn and Lettie leave.

….

White Elk is in his workshop. He is finishing a table top. His wife comes in with a newspaper.

"Bob, I have something for you. I picked up a newspaper in Why while I was shopping. You'll find page three interesting."

He takes the paper and reads.

"It's a marathon in Phoenix in three months. You're a runner."

"I haven't run a marathon in years. I'm out of shape."

"You're training Noel. You said he ran them before."

"I'll ask him."

"I'll get dinner ready."

She leaves as he looks at her.

"That's a nice woman. You're a lucky man, Elk," he says, smiling.

…

Noel is working late tending bar. White Elk walks in and goes to the counter.

"What can I do you, Elk?"

"The wife gave me the newspaper today. Look at page three."

Noel does.

"There's a marathon in Phoenix in three months. I thought you'd be interested. You keep asking for one."

"Are you running?"

"I haven't done one in years. I'm out of shape. I would need more than three months to train."

"It's only ten bucks. Let's both do it."

Noel pulls out his wallet and pulls out a ten.

"Will you match me? We can run and train together."

"I don't know."

"Like you once told me. If you don't win, at least run as far as you can. Do it. We can be partners."

White Elk pulls out his wallet and pulls out a ten.

"Why not? I could use the exercise. I'll send our money tomorrow."

He takes Noels money and leaves. Noel goes back to work.

….

Allison is at home. Arthur has entered. She is making dinner.

"Hey, mom. Got a second?"

"For you, two. What's up?"

"Have you had a chance to read Ajay's paper?"

"Yes, it was quite good. If he were my student, I'd give him an A. I am a teacher."

"What else did you think about it?"

"He's a good writer, and a smart boy. What are you getting at?"

"How do think it would look performed on stage?"

"With good actors and a director I can see it happen. Is that what you're getting at?"

"It did cross my mind. Do you think Ajay would go for it?"

"Arthur, he's only thirteen. It's an extra-credit school project, nothing more."

"Why can't it be more?"

"He's only thirteen. Remember when you were? All you wanted to do was play hoops. Let the boy grow up before you play Hollywood director. Let him grow up."

"So, you wouldn't pursue it?"

"Not without HIS permission. He did write it. You have to stop living in the clouds. You were lucky to get THIS far. Don't blow up his wishes. I don't want to see that boy hurt. I'm his legal guardian. What would you do? Where would you start?"

"I don't know. Look at it again. You might agree with me."

"Alright, I will. But he's only thirteen. You were nineteen. There's a big difference. Remember that."

She walks away.

"There's no difference at all, mom."

Arthur says to himself. He walks away.

…

Arthur is in his bed. He hears a knock. The door opens and Eagle Hawk walks in carrying a book.

"Ready for your nest class?"

"Yes, teacher."

Arthur sits up. Eagle Hawk sits by him and gives him the book.

"I will be getting my data from this book. The book is titled "THE CIRCLE OF LIFE" by James David Audlin. There's a lot of information so I will try and make it simple. You can read the book on your own time. I got this for you in a Phoenix book store."

"Today we will discuss many topics. The first one is creation. We believe in a Creator. He made Mother Sun and Father Moon. It's the circle that's on the cover. Mother Sun is what we see during the day with no difficulty. Father Moon is what we can't see at night because of darkness. Father Moon also rules the moon and the stars. He also does planets but the early Indians didn't know about them. It's like the Van Gogh painting."

"I know the one you mean," Arthur says.

"Mother Sun and Father Moon are separate but they work together. They take care of the many nations on the earth. Some are insect nations, plant nations, and animal nations. All nations work together to create nature. It is best to flow with nature. For when you fight it, you destroy it. We do it now when we pollute our water and our air. One day both will be gone. And it will be our fault. The American Indian has always respected the earth. Some people don't. All they want to do is destroy.'

"Next I will tell you about Turtle Island. It's what we call North America. It is believed the world began on the back of a Turtle. If you look at North America from the moon, it's what it looks like. The turtle is a sacred animal to us. He represents stability but at his pace. We take life at a slower pace than you do. It is seen as patience but it's the way we look at life while we are in the robe. The robe is the physical body we have when we're alive. Life is worn like clothes. Death is to us is when we leave the robe and enter the spiritual world. That is what your friend Joe did when he passed. His soul was only transferred into a different world."

"Next I will try to explain Washte and Wakan. The author spends a whole chapter on it. I won't. Washte is only physical. It's what we do every day without thinking. It doesn't offer us any challenges. If this was our whole life, we would be very boring people. Waken is the challenges we encounter that teaches us. A good word to describe it is FRICTION. Friction is not bad. It gives us goals to aim for. It gives us variety. We should not be afraid of it."

"I'll give you an example you can understand. It is the friction a penis feels in the vagina. It not only is pleasurable but it helps create life. It gives us the urge to be reproductive, literally. There would be no people born without friction."

"I never thought of sex as friction. You're right, Hawk. That's what it feels like. So who is more important, the man or the woman?" Arthur asks.

"Both. It's like the circle of life with the sun and the moon. The man provides the seed, the woman the egg. The man has no time limit. The seed is always there. The woman has the time limit. She only gets one egg a month. If there is no egg, the seed will not have a function. So, in a way, the woman controls the creation of life. The man only helps"

"Helping is a lot of fun," Arthur says.

"That's why friction is good. You can stretch the idea further. Whenever we do a repetitive task, more has to be done to make it valuable. Without the growth, the animal nation is worthless."

"Getting back to sex, doesn't love have something to do with it?" Arthur asks.

"Not always. Only in normal situations. Unfortunately there is evil in this world. Sex is not always consensual. It is the friction that wins. Example: You have been married many years. You haven't spent all of it having sex. Your wife and you have been doing repetitive tasks, like walking, talking, eating, working etc. But at the end of the day, when everything is done and you can spend quality time together, friction kicks in. You lie with your wife and sometimes even create a life. You just made two."

"I'll let you read the chapter on Washte & Wakan in the book. He goes into more detail. Any question on today's lesson? I believe you'll like the author's approach in the book. Take the concept of truth. He describes how all major religions define it. Then he says how the American Indian does. Then he says what the differences are but what is similar in all of them. He gives you a full range on the concept. That's why I like the book. It doesn't preach, it teaches. Any questions?"

"Your lessons are very valuable, Hawk. I can see you're a wise man. I do have one question. You and Lettie love each other. Why did you stop at one child?"

"We had medical problems. Bobby was our only one. If there were no problems, we would have had a tribe of children. Instead, Bobby is making up for it with his children."

He rises.

"I hope I've given you something to think about. I'll let you sleep on what I said and get tomorrow's lesson ready."

"Thank you, Hawk. We could have done this with skype. But I really missed your company. I'm glad you came."

"I'm glad I came too. When I see Noel, I see a confused life. I don't see that with you. I see order. I wish your brother had some of it. I can't work miracles. I only hope Elk can. I smell food. I think the women have finished cooking dinner."

Eagle Hawk starts to leave.

"I'll be right down."

Eagle Hawk leaves. Arthur thumbs through the book. He smiles.

"This book looks complicated. I'd like to see Ajay finish this in one day. Course, knowing him, he probably could."

…..

Jack has just come into the house. He is holding the mail. Allison comes to him, holding the manuscript.

"Hello, luv. What's that in your hand?"

"The tie vote to an argument."

"What does that mean?"

"It's the manuscript Ajay did with the rest of Arthur's research. He wrote a play about the holocaust."

"Yes, I know. Is it any good?"

"It's very good. Ajay is a genius. That's the problem. Arthur has read it and he feels it should be put on. I say it shouldn't. No matter how good it is, Ajay is only thirteen. He's still a child. I would like your opinion on the work."

"Of course. You know I support your ward. He's a good boy."

"And a young one, too young to be used by adults, only because he has talent. I don't want him hurt."

"You're being maternal. There's nothing wrong with that. You're a mother. But if the piece is good, why not pursue it? Ajay could be a child prodigy. Mozart wrote his first symphony at age seven. There are children geniuses. Why rob Ajay of that because he's thirteen? I'll read it and give you my opinion. Won't Ajay mind?"

"I don't think so. He knows you love him."

"Yes, I love him. I'm very proud of him. Not because he is the son of first American friend, and brother, but because he is a sweet and gentle child. I can only hope he keep those qualities when he grows up. So many adults lose that. Adults became hard. I know I have. I see it with our own Joseph. Let me finish the mail and I'll start after dinner."

Jack walks away.

"Yes, dear. I see it with Joe too."

She goes into the kitchen.

…

Arthur is in his bedroom. He is getting dressed when Eagle Hawk enters.

"Ready for your next lesson? It's a beautiful day. Let's go to the park. We could use the fresh air."

"I agree. I'll meet you down there. Any place special?"

"Just one you like."

Eagle Hawk leaves.

…

Arthur and Eagle Hawk are sitting by the lake. The lake is all they see. The sun is out and the wind is blowing lightly. Families are playing behind them.

"You chose a nice place. There's a beautiful view."

"We have a pretty lake. Begin the lesson."

"Today's lesson will be in two parts. It will be human relationships. Ceremony is a very important part of life. It's the rituals we all must practice. It is the Washte we all practice. Wakan comes in when we add meaning to our ceremony. Eventually Wakan becomes Washte and our ceremony grows."

"In ceremony and in life we use the Law of Conservation of Essential Being. No entity, either object or event, ever ceases to exist but changes into a new form or meets with other forms. Nothing is ever entirely gone. Death is not ending. It goes on to another step."

"An example is time. Past, present and future exist together. Your present will become your past. It will also become your future. Ceremony brings them all together. Washte becomes Wakan. Everything we learn becomes sacred. We practice them until we leave the Robe. The robe is physical death. What we do in life becomes our clothes. Have I lost you?"

"A little."

"I'll slow down. This is how emotions work. There is no difference between genders and they how they appear. A man may cry while a woman may show courage. Don't be afraid to express your feelings. Do not let your feelings fester inside. No emotion is wrong in the proper context. Emotions are properly expressed, not repressed. Think of your brother. He repressed his for so long, it almost destroyed him."

"Emotions eliminate body waste. Noel couldn't stop sobbing when Joe died in his arms. And for that he will eventually get better. You didn't see him cry. Elk and I did. He is now growing as a person. His tears became like fertilizer. Emotions are Wakan. They must flow the way the wind does. Society sees them as bad. But they are very sacred. They should be treated with respect. Treat them like water flowing through a river. Think of the lake as a world of emotion. Doesn't the lake make you feel calm?"

"Yes. That's why I love it here."

"Emotions are best expressed by focusing and channeling them. That is the birth of artistic creativity. Emotions are pure energy. Don't you feel it when you write songs?"

"Very much. That is why I want to learn more about your ideas. I want to be more creative," Arthur says.

"Now I will deal with specific emotions. The first is chronic depression. Modern society bans it. It is to be avoided. It is better to let them flow through and past you. Don't ignore it. Talk about it. Chemical drugs only hide it. The WORD becomes very strong. People who do that often commit suicide."

"Joe did that. You seem to be using him as an example," Arthur says.

"He's a good example. He tried suicide many times, so I've been told."

"Four times that I know of. He finally left Chicago."

"That was his fifth time. He left his pain behind him. Only he didn't know it followed him."

"The next emotion is sorrow. It's the other side of love. It's an emptiness that reminds us we still love. We should not repress it but fill it with meaningful involvements. Sorrow is a friend and a teacher that reminds us of the importance of love."

"Love is eternal and indescribable. There are no words to define it. When someone we love drops his robe, the love continues. It just changes shape. Eventually we remember the good times. Yes, we remember how death came, but we also remember how their life was and how their company made us feel. We felt loved."

"Next emotion, depression. Western cultures want to make it go away. They want to forget it. We take pills, talk to shrinks, and do whatever we can to ignore it. We should do the opposite. We should listen to it and learn. It makes us a better person. Many creative artists were depressed. Look at Van Gogh. One my favorite paintings is "Starry Night." He saw the true color of Father Moon."

"The next emotion is fear. It's balanced by love. It helps us along the right road. It reminds us to take care and respect nature. It opens up our eyes and guides us. When we fight it, it becomes difficult and dangerous. We have to accept it and flow with it for it to help us. At first it is Washte but when we deal with it, it becomes Wakan. We accept it and we grow. It helps guide a path to wisdom."

"The next emotion is love and the most different emotion to explain. There are different types. We know love is one of the strongest emotions we have. It rules our lives. And yet we know very little about it. I will try my best to explain it."

"Building a loving relationship of any kind is like walking in the wilderness. You tread lightly at first. It scares you. You try to play it safe. You don't want to hurt the other person. But in reality, you don't want to hurt yourself. That's why it is very hard to first tell someone you love them for the first time. You don't know how they'll react. They might reject you. That's what happens with romantic love."

"People who love each other, love for what they are for each other. It is not what they CAN do for each other. Love is a miracle, knowing the unknowable and loving it. That is why holding your newborn for the first time is so strong. Lovers cherish more BEING with each other than DOING with each other. Isn't that how you feel with your children? Right now your new babies can't respond to you as an adult, but your respond as a parent."

"The next topic is sex. Everyone loves that but the Western culture does it ALL wrong. They seek the climax as the real goal. Sex is a ceremony with rituals that have to be followed. To quote a certain Arthur Hopkins, you don't poke and go. If that's your goal, it's not worth doing."

"Unless you use it as a prostitute for money, don't bother. Sex involves love, feelings, and sensuality. Every step must be appreciated. If not, both partners feel empty. There is no emotional pleasure. It's just an empty act."

"It's contained and controlled. The other person becomes a possession. Your partner is your exclusive right. The results are disastrous. Let love become a bond. Let it be a moving sea between the shores of your soul. Let it flow freely, like the wind or water. Otherwise, sex stops being sacred. Treat it with respect. It is a ceremony. Your lover becomes also a friend. Sex is an act of beauty. Only in Western culture it is taboo. Do you know the Indian language has no profanity? Only the western culture does. There is no such word as F-K. It is an act of love. The spirit of two bodies is joined."

"Really? You guys don't swear?"

"Only the ones that the western world has affected. We might call you a clumsy squirrel, but that's it. Even masturbation isn't frowned upon. It's a way of life. The body is full of senses. It's not wrong to explore them. Only the church says so."

"My people DON'T say we make love. But rather love makes us. We don't put importance on technique. It has to be a SHARED act. It's a part of life. And it can be reduced to one work, respect. That is the end of lesson one, part one."

"Part two is something I found today on Facebook, of all places. It is OUR ten commandments. Treat the Earth and all that dwell on it with respect. Remain close to the Great Spirit the Creator. Show respect for your fellow beings. Walk together for the benefit of humankind. Give assistance and kindness when needed. Do what you know to be right. Look after the well-being of mind and body. Dedicate a share of your effects to the greater good. Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions. Not everything on face book is worthless. End of lesson. Any questions?"

"That's a lot of information. How will I remember it?"

Eagle Hawk pulls out sheets of papers from his coat and gives it to Arthur.

"I wrote it down for you. Even I couldn't remember all that. Plus, it's on pages 203 to 287 in the book. When you read the book, you'll see why I like the author. Have you looked at it yet?"

"I saw how big it was. It will take a long time for me read. You want to do something else today?"

"Yeah, I'm hungry. It's Saturday. You're not working. You can buy me lunch. Pizza sounds good about now. Just don't make it a garbage one. I would like to taste my ingredients."

"It's a deal. I know just the place."

….

Arthur comes into the house. Sherrie is eating.

"Look what the cat dragged in. Where have you been?"

"Hawk was giving me a lesson. I took him to Belmont Harbor. We watched the lake as he spoke. It's beautiful today."

"Was the lesson worthwhile? Is he worth the money?"

"Yes, and James David Audlin."

"Who?"

Arthur picks up the book and gives it to her.

"He's been using this book."

"I have to make a confession. I didn't bring him for you. I brought him for me. He makes me feel good. I feel peaceful when I'm with him."

"So do I. Where is Lettie?"

"She took Ajay to the park. They're playing baseball. She's determined to wake him up to real life. He's starting to have fun. Ajay is not living in his books."

"We have to do something nice for them. They deserve it. Any ideas?" Arthur asks.

"I agree. They're a very loving couple. They deserve a night out, so do we? Maybe if we asked politely certain grandparents, who happen to live next door, would babysit for one night?" Sherrie says.

"We could ask. Any ideas?"

"How about a dinner cruise? They have them at Navy Pier. We haven't been on one for a while."

"Yeah, I like that. We'll get the one with dancing."

Eagle Hawk walks in carrying a big pizza box.

"I can see what you two had for lunch," Sherrie says.

"We got the large one so all of us can have some," Eagle Hawk says.

"Good. I didn't know what to make. I know the boys will love it."

Lettie and Ajay come into the house. He is carrying a bat and ball.

"Hey, Uncle Arthur."

"Hello, Ajay. I see you've been at the park," Arthur says.

"We were pitching balls. Auntie Lettie is good. Do you know the American Indians invented baseball and basketball?" Ajay says.

"For real, Lettie?" Arthur asks.

"We just call them my different names. The player still has to run four bases."

"Tomorrow night we're doing hoops," Ajay says.

"Lettie are you healthy enough for basketball. You're not young?" Arthur asks.

"I'm also not dead, Arthur. Neither are you. I bet Ajay and I can beat you. How about a match tomorrow?" Lettie asks.

"Not tomorrow, the day after. Sherrie and I want to take you two out. We just have to get a babysitter."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise. Just wear something nice," Arthur says.

"Okay. Let's go for a walk, Tom. We'll walk Ajay home first."

Arthur and Sherrie smile as she pulls out a credit card from her wallet.

…

Arthur, Sherrie, Eagle Hawk and Lettie are walking down Navy Pier.

"Where are you taking us?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"You'll see. We're almost there."

They approach a large dinner boat.

"We're here."

Sherrie pulls out a credit card and approaches the counter.

"Four for Hopkins please."

She pays and gets the tickets. The four walk up a ramp. She gives them the tickets. They enter the boat.

"It's a dining cruise on the lake," Sherrie says.

"After dinner there's a DJ. There will be dancing," Arthur says.

"Arthur, you two shouldn't have. It wasn't necessary," Lettie says.

"We wanted to. It's a pleasure having you. We just wanted to return the favor," Sherrie says.

"This cost you a lot of money," Eagle Hawk says.

"What is money if you can't make someone else happy? Consider this as Waktu," Arthur says.

"What's that?" Sherrie asks.

"Just read the book,"

The four take their reserved table seats. The waiter comes up.

"Hello, and welcome to the Star Liner. Can I get you something to drink?"

"A bottle of your rose, four glasses," Arthur says.

The waiter walks away.

"It's a four-hour cruise. We go out past the locks and almost to Michigan State. You'll see how beautiful Chicago is," Arthur says.

"That will be nice."

"You'll also feel the wind in your hair. That's my favorite part. I love fresh air," Arthur says.

"You don't have to tell me, Soaring Bird. It's good to be next to nature," Eagle Hawk says.

They feel the boat start to move away from the pier. The waiter comes with the bottle and four glasses. He opens the bottle and pours the drinks and leaves. Arthur picks up his glass.

"A toast to Waktu," Arthur says.

They toast and take a sip of wine.

"I hope I find out whatever Waktu is before the end of the night," Sherrie says.

Arthur and Eagle Hawk smile.

…

Allison is at the dining room table. She is grading papers. Jack comes in and puts the manuscript by her.

"Arthur is right," Jack says.

She looks up.

What did you say?"

"I said he's right. You wanted my opinion. Now you have it."

"Are you crazy? He's too young."

"He's also a genius. We both know it. He's not just a child. He's a child in a grown man's body. Admit it."

"Am I the only one who's realistic?"

Jack walks away. She shakes her head.

"Are all the men in this family crazy?"

…..

Arthur is at his work desk. He is working on a contract as Eagle Hawk enters.

"Hello, Hawk. I'm glad you came. I'm just finishing up. I gave my secretary the afternoon off so we could talk. Have a seat. Care for a soda?"

"Okay."

Eagle Hawk walks around.

"So, this is your financial prison?"

"On the contrary, I worked four years to get one of these. I'm a real lawyer. I do my beat thinking here."

Eagle Hawk sits down.

"I always see you as a performer, not a lawyer. That's why I'm here, to give you inspiration."

"And I'm glad you are. What is my lesson today?"

"It's in three parts, traditional ways, spiritual realities and the two-stage transformations. I will start with traditional ways. I will begin with the concept of knowledge. There are two kinds, information and recognition. The first is Washte, facts. The second is Wakan, the spirit. The first deals with personal property. Example: your computer. The second is recognized. It knows the person is you. Modern society is rational and initiative."

"The beginning of true knowledge is unpredictable, not a machine. I covered that before. Life symbolizes a sacred hoop. The embrace is a sign of love within the circle. We expose our hearts to let someone in. And then close our arms within the hoop. Then we separate and become different entities. Embrace is a sacred ceremony. It is not always sexuality. We own nothing. And yet we share everything. Never take more take more than you need. Leave some for the next person."

"Next is "spiritual realities". Humanity in the early times learned what was needed to survive from the elders. Spiders teach us the art of weaving. Birds show us how to make baskets. The wolf teaches us to hunt. The bear teaches us how to fish. The beaver teaches us how to build shelters. The otter and the beaver teach us how to swim. Whatever we take in a relationship we have to give something back. It is the balance of nature. Us Indians like tobacco. It's a form of prayer for us. We offer it as gifts."

"There are two kinds of exchange agreements, contractual and conventional. You're a lawyer. You know the first one. Contracts are secular. Covenants are sacred agreements. They are flexible by mutual agreement. They're based on giving not getting. Marriage is an example. So is friendship and love."

"There are two kinds of respect; ethical and sacred. One is person to person. And the other is to plants, animals, and nature. We respect your elders. They are our teachers. We don't argue with them but instead ask questions. It is a friendly exchange."

"The next concept is Silence. It's disappearing from this world. Everything has to make noise. We even pipe in noise in libraries. It is not a luxury but a necessity. It's not the absence of sound, but a fullness of it. Let's try and be silent for a minute. What do you hear?"

They are.

"I hear my watch ticking. I hear cars outside. It's windy today. Flags are flapping," Arthur says.

"Very good. I hear much more. I hear you breathing. I hear your leg tapping. You're drumming with your pencil. Your computer is humming."

"Silence is essential to the path of wisdom. It tells you what you already know. I know you're breathing. Therefore, you are alive. I know your computer is humming. You're wasting electricity. Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens. Silence is the balance of body, mind and spirit. It's also a good song my Simon and Garfunkel. It's the original language spoken by everything in creation. Sounds are meaning. Silence shows respect to others. It shows a willingness to learn humility and attentiveness."

"Next topic, is two-stage transformations. Let's take about adversity. It just happens. Like the phrase says "shit happens". You can't avoid it but at the same time you don't want to. You just have to choose which kind you want. It makes us stronger. The more we are protected when we're young, the harder it is to accept life when we grow up. Example: Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind". She had to grow up fast during the war."

"I saw the movie. I can even recite. It's one of my favorites."

"Is the girl who sat on the porch with the two boys the same woman at the end? Did she know how to kill? She had too. That whole film should be retitled "Adversity". Sometimes other people do it to us. Sometimes we do it to ourselves."

"Take pain for example. Nobody wants it. But we believe it has a message for us, and we should listen. Something in our life has to change. Pain is not bad. It can lead to great gifts. We just have to listen. You are a perfect example. You complained about your headaches to a doctor. They found cancer. Even though you are in therapy, you're cancer free. You will live a long life."

"I forgot, one more chapter. I'm following the book. Its Carrying Wakan objects. We have several sacred items. We do not share the concept of possession like you do. The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth. But we do have certain sacred items."

"The first is the Sacred Pipe. When it is smoked, all the tobacco must be used. It is smoked by a group of people in a circle. It is never inhaled but blown right out. You don't have to smoke if you don't want. All you have to do is raise it up and pass it on."

"Next are stones and feathers. They are used in healing. Feathers come from the sky people. Stones come from the earth people. They are beautiful and useful. They're used for decoration and tools."

"Maybe that's why Jews put little stones on tombstones. Ashes to Ashes. Dust to dust, "Arthur says.

"It could be. You may have taught ME something."

"Smoke is sacred. It connects heaven and earth. Some naturally rises to heaven. It represents the spirit being released by sacred fire. It's like death. Our bodies become earth but our spirits rise up to heaven. It is used when a person is smudged during a sacred ceremony. The smoke is moved by a feather. They work together."

"What is smudged?"

"It means to be purified. I will tell you more in the next lesson."

"Next is the drum and flute. Both give expression to our inner most nature and the nature of the world around us. The drum is the beating of our hearts and the rhythm of the days, moons and seasons. The flute evokes a breath and voice and the songs of the wind and river. It connects us to our past family members who have passed on."

"That concludes today's lesson. Any questions?"

"How am I going to use this information?

"That is your problem. I'm just teaching you our philosophy. The next lesson I want to be different. I want it to be hands on. Is there an American Indian Center in Chicago?"

"I think there's one in Ainsle. Why?"

"I'll google it. I have to make a call. I would also like to involve your parents, and Ajay. You'll have to find a babysitter for the children."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I want to do a special ceremony with all of you. I only hope the association has what I need."

"Should I ask them now?"

"First, let me see what I can do."

….

Ajay is in his room. He is doing college calculus again. There is a knock and Allison enters.

"You have a few minutes, Ajay?"

"Yes, Aunt Ally. What do you want?"

She sits on the bed.

"It's about your play. Everyone in the family has read it. Everyone, except me, says it should be put on stage. I feel you're too young. What is your opinion?"

"It was just a class assignment. I got it back with an A+."

"Your teacher was correct with that grade. You deserved it. Your treatment of "Spoon River" was excellent. Would you like to see it on stage?"

"Sure. But wouldn't the actors feel strange when the actors find out I'm only thirteen?"

"Yes, they would. I'm glad you agree with me. I'm only thinking of you."

"It's a bitch being only thirteen. If I were older there would be no problem."

"We'll see what can be done when you get a little older. I won't forget about it. You have my promise."

She stands and gives by the door.

"You doing more calculus?"

"Yeah. I had free time. I wanted to do some songs for the play. I'm still thinking about it."

"How will you do it?"

"I found Uncle Joe's guitar. I've been learning on the internet."

"I heard you practicing. It's nice to hear music again. Your uncles always practiced when they lived here. I'll leave you to your math."

She leaves. Ajay goes back to the book.

….

Arthur is at his work desk. Liz is in the room.

"Liz, could I ask your opinion on something? I gave my grandnephew the rest of my holocaust research for a school project. He wrote a play with the data. He got an A+ from his teacher. I have read it and it is good enough to put on stage."

"So what is your question?"

"I would like to send it to my Shoah consultant and see what he thinks of it. Problem is, Ajay is only thirteen. He's autistic and a real genius. He's been tested. Should I send it behind his back?"

"Who was your consultant?"

"Spielberg."

"The Stephen Spielberg?"

"Yeah. I really think Ajay's work could be used. It's very good. Everyone agrees."

"He's your family. You have to deal with him. Do you want to send it?"

"Very much. He deserves to be recognized. Would you send it if it were your family?"

"No, I wouldn't. I wouldn't want to build up his hopes. You have my opinion."

Arthur pulls it out from his desk drawer and gives it to Liz.

"Could you make me a copy please?"

"I shouldn't but I will. I know what you're going to do next."

She takes it.

"Ajay, I hope you won't be angry."

….

Arthur is in bed. He is reading the book Eagle Hawk gave him. Eagle Hawk comes in.

"Ah, I see you're reading."

"You're right about this guy. He's a good writer."

"How far did you get?"

"About one hundred pages. Seven hundred more to go. Is this my next lesson?

"Only the first half. The rest involves your family. I called the Indian Center. They can help me."

Eagle Hawk sits on the bed. Arthur puts a paper in the book, closes it, and sits up.

"Today I will talk about sacred ceremonies. I will start with the concept of prayer. Our prayers are not memorized. They come from the heart. They are very brief and quite simple. We pray every day. It doesn't matter what we say. It's a private conversation between us and the Creator. Oftentimes we pray when we hold the sacred pipe, just like your crucifix."

"Prayer is a sacred conversation with the Creator, the spirits and the medical beings. It's an opportunity to talk about what's going on, and to give thanks. It must be done in a way that respects the law of balances. If we want something, we have to offer something. I like to offer tobacco."

"Prayers are said in ceremonies. I like to use the Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremony. That is what I want to use with you family. It's time you see how I live."

"Ceremonies, if properly done, extend past the actual ceremony. They continue after they're done. There are two typed, sunwise and moonwise. It depends on the gender. I prefer sunwise. It is mostly male. I would make an exception with you. When two genders are together, we respect and honor that each gender has within itself the spirit of the other gender."

"This is how we prepare. In preparation, we smudge. This is done before the ceremony. It's the spreading of smoke over the whole body. This can be done with a feather or a stick. This is only done with clothes on. It purifies the body before you go in. This is done in silence."

"There is dancing. It is central to life. Some celebrate birth. Some celebrate mating. Some celebrate love. Some celebrate war or hunting. Some celebrate death. And some celebrate mourning."

"There are two typed of dance, social and solitary. Social dance deals with important occasions. Example: weddings, births, deaths. People dance around the beating of a drum. Solitary dances tell a story. Or they're a form of prayer. Others are just created to please audiences."

"Now I will start to explain the ceremony. The materials you need are the Sacred Pipe. It represents the whole universe in time and space. Stones represent life in the earth. Feathers represent birds. Blankets represent life."

"The door of the lodge faces East, the source of light and life. The entrance is small. You must crawl into it. When you crawl out, you come back into the spirit world. The lodge represents the body. Saplings are bones, blankets are skin. The glowing hot rocks are the heart and we are the spirit of life."

"The lodge door is opened four times. It lets in the water of birth, the fire of puberty, and the air our spiritual metamorphous, and the earth our journey into the existence beyond death. The rocks in the middle are heated till they're hot and water poured on them, creating steam. We start to sweat and remove our clothes so our pores will open."

"Wait a minute. No clothes. You mean naked?" Arthur asks.

"Yes, naked. How else do you expect to be fully cleansed?"

"Dad won't do it. He's VERY British. Mom can only see him naked."

"And you?"

"I don't know, Hawk. I was beat up when I was nineteen and almost killed. My upper torso still has the scars. Only Sherrie can see them. I don't know about naked. What you're describing is a sauna. Only then you were towels. Will there be towels?"

"I will provide towels. The ceremony will take place in a circle. The steam will rise. The sacred pipe will be passed around and each will say a prayer or nothing at all. All you need to do is raise the pipe to the heavens and pass it on. Does your family have health problems?"

"Dad just had heart surgery. Maybe he should sit this out. Sherrie just had babies. I have a touch of asthma from the beating. What do you think?"

"Your father can stay as long as he can. I will understand if he has to leave. You and Sherrie should have no problems."

"Just don't forget the towels," Arthur says.

"During the ceremony you will be able to embrace each other. It's a ceremony of love."

"Sweaty naked people embracing. Yuk!"

"I can see you'll be hard to convince. You'll see at the ceremony."

"Getting back to the naked part, I don't want to see my family naked."

"The only light is the lodge will be steaming rocks. It will be dark. Modesty will not be a problem."

"The ceremony begins with the lighting of the sacred fire. It is done with prayers and special herbs. The rocks are heated for a couple of hours until they are white hot. During that period, we tell stories. If we converse it is quiet and spiritual. We may have drumming and singing, or just silence. I enter the lodge first, alone and naked. I offer the traditional chants and begin incense."

"When I come out again, we gather naked around the sacred fire. Nakedness means birth, our equality in the eyes of God, and our willingness to respect each other as brothers and sisters. Removing our clothes symbolically represents the shedding of social conventions. We put aside our status and peer groups and strip to our essential universal humanness. What is said in the lodge stays in the lodge."

"After the ceremony is completed, you put on your clothes on and leave the lodge, totally dressed. I have prepared a written explanation to help you decide. I will go over it with you."

"The purification ceremony is commonly referred to as the sweat lodge, but this is a misnomer. When you come out of a purification lodge, you don't feel the same as when you come out of a sauna. The ceremony is a rebirthing process. There's something that happens in a spiritual sense that is powerful and uplifting."

"The Indian word for the purification ceremony is oenikika, which means the breath of life. It is a process of renewal through the integration of the spiritual and physical. Just think of this as a marriage ceremony that takes place within yourself. The ceremonial leader is the medicine man, that's me. I represent the spirits. I work within the invisible realm, in order for you to become aware of the healing process within yourself. We will be using the Lodge at the Indian center. The circular shape of the lodge is often described as being like a womb or a protective bubble."

"The nature of the purification ceremony differs from tribe to tribe. When you want to begin, you find a medicine man, and you offer a pouch of tobacco. Tobacco represents a person's Spirit. Offering tobacco is how you ask the medicine man to work on your behalf in the spiritual world. It's not like a payment of money; this is his obligation. So, you bring tobacco to the medicine man. You also come to him with your specific desire."

"Then the medicine man will give you specific amounts and colors of what we call tobacco ties. These are little pieces of cloth representing the six directions, white being north, yellow being south, red being east, black being west, above being blue, and the earth mother being green. The colors represent who he is working with in the nonphysical world, and the number of ties represent a specific amount of prayers that are requested by the spirits in order for them to come in and work with you. You prepare a pouch with tobacco, and you direct your prayers into each one before closing them with a tie. Your prayers carry the gift of your heart to the spirits so they know what you're looking for and they can see the sincerity of the heart. That's where they look because they know the truth is there."

"The beginning of the ceremony is a time of prayer and contemplation. The medicine man begins by setting up an altar. Usually, the alter has some type of antlers to hold his pipe. Then he sends up sacred herbs in the four directions. There are four sacred herbs in the Native culture. One is sage, which purifies a room of negative energies. Another is sweet grass. A medicine man told me, This is what brings in the heavy guys. Sweet grass brings in big, powerful beings from the other side to heal you. The third is cedar. Cedar is for purification. It sets up an atmosphere for the spirits to work. It's a sweetness they like and it's attractive to the energies of the invisible world. The fourth is tobacco, which has always been sacred to Native culture. It is used in ceremonies of smoking the pipe. It is used to bless the earth. Whenever we harvest herbs or cut barks off of trees, we always offer tobacco to the four directions and to the sky father and earth mother. And we plant tobacco as an honoring of that plant, tree, or substance that is giving its life, or part of its life, to help our life."

"Specific types of rocks, called grandfather rocks, are gathered and placed in a pile. Primarily lava stones from volcanos are used, because ordinary river rocks could explode. A fire is built, and the stones are heated. When the stones are white hot, they are brought into the lodge."

"We honor our relations as we enter the 'womb' and again as we leave. We crawl around until we form a circle around the center. The center of the center is where a little pit is dug for the grandfather rocks. These are brought in, one at a time, and the first four are placed in the north, south, east, and west directions. They they're sprinkled with a little sage and sweet grass and whatever the medicine man might be using. The medicine man offers prayers to each of the four directions, to honor his ancestors, and to honor those in the nonphysical as well as the physical worlds. This is a sacred time. It is a time of prayer, introspection, and healing."

"When the water hits the rock, it goes up in steam, fills the air, and unifies everyone within the 'womb.' Everything is united, as we say, all of my relations. At that moment we are connecting ourselves to the basic elements of life, and that brings out the greatest good in people. We are connecting to the movement that is all around us, that we are part of, and never separate from."

"As we sit in the circle, we each go around, one at a time, and we offer prayers of thanksgiving and praise for the Almighty, the great spirits, the great mystery, the sky father, and the earth mother. The medicine man sits by the entrance, and is the first to offer his prayers. Each person then takes a turn. Eventually you come to the end and the medicine man blends all the prayers. It's kind of like weaving a tapestry. It's a mystical, magical process, an altered state that goes beyond the physical form. It takes you into the reality of the nonphysical world, where the real healing takes place."

"There are specific songs that are sung for bringing in spirits, for talking to spirits, for constantly giving praise and gratitude, for constantly giving acknowledgment to the great mystery for all the gifts of life. This includes the pain and suffering as well as the good times, recognizing that all things flow from the one source, and all things return back to that one source. It's an acknowledgment. Very holy and sacred songs might be sung for an hour. It depends. It's all under the direction of the medicine man, although he might not speak a word. A lot of it is done telepathically, through the communication of energy waves."

"We go around to each individual, just like we did in the purification ceremony, and we give prayers and thanks and ask for specific healing. Now is the time to verbalize our requests. After everyone has given their prayers, the medicine man calls the spirits in. The medicine man is in the center. This isn't just the center of the lodge; it is the center of the universe. It represents the center of life. And that center exists within each of us. Honoring that center brings the nonphysical world into the physical one. So, the medicine man represents the spirit of the God source, and by so doing, he creates an energy that allows the nonphysical world to interact with the physical world."

"Working with spiritual energies is a sacred and powerful process when performed for the right reasons by an experienced person. Unfortunately, the purification lodge has become trendy in recent years, and the right atmosphere is not always present. Native Americans, therefore, warn people to take certain precautions before entering into a purification ceremony: First, if a person is charging money, people need to think about the type of energy this will attract and the effects it will have on the people in the lodge. This is a Gift from the spiritual world that cannot be compensated for by material gifts. Someone who charges for the purification ceremony is not working in the traditional way of the pipe. Second, one must look into the character of the person leading the rite. Look into a medicine man's background the way you would approach finding any new doctor. Find out the person's track record. Who are they? What are their experiences? And understand your responsibilities of going into the ceremonial process. Then the blessings received will be beyond your wildest imagination."

"This is how I will handle it. During the first stage you introduce yourself and end with your private prayer. I will do specific prayers to the Creator. At the conclusion of this stage, and the next two stages, the door is opened to let in air. More rocks are added and it gets hotter. The second round seeks out protection. The third round is more prayers. And the fourth represents the time between death and rebirth and purification."

"During each stage, there are traditional songs but we can improvise. At the fourth stage, water is passed on the rocks for the last burst of steam. There is a lot of embracing. In our case I will pass out towels so we can dry off. And we drink a lot of water. You will be dehydrated. Any questions?"

"Do we have to be naked?" Arthur asks.

"With that heat, yes. Don't worry if you pass out. Seasonal people pass out too. Do you still want to do it? I'll understand if the answer is no."

"I, myself, find it fascinating. I don't think Sherrie will mind. We like trying new things. My parents, that's a different story. Dad is very British. He doesn't do naked," Arthur says.

"For all of you I will pass out long and thin towels to cover your privates. You can still sweat through that. What about Ajay?"

"He's thirteen. Should he see naked people?" Arthur asks.

"Get permission from your parents first, before you ask him. He might agree. He seems mature enough. His manuscript proved that."

"What about the ladies? Their bottoms will be covered but they will be topless," Arthur says.

"I will give those towels for that. You would be surprised how many people lose the towels when their pores open up. It's a good feeling."

"Last question? What about you and Lettie? Will you be naked?"

"We have done this many times. It doesn't bother us. If it bothers you just look at our faces only."

"Has my brother done this?"

"Yes. He's the first to get naked. He has a hard time sitting on the earth because of his leg. One is not as limber as it should be. But he loves naked."

"What about White Elk?"

"Elk is very modern, but he does practice some old ceremonies and rituals. He's done a few. Naked doesn't bother him. He sweats very well. Does anyone have asthma problems?"

"I do occasionally. My ribs were broken when I was attacked. It hurt my lungs. I have some inside scarring. Sometimes I use an inhaler," Arthur says.

"Don't bring it in. The steam will destroy the medicine. Just try and take some deep breaths and the steam should help you breathe. If it gets bad you can leave. Any more questions?"

"Yeah, when do you want to do this?"

"I have to make a reservation at the Indian Center. You ask your family first and we'll decide. I haven't started making arrangements. Tell me when you ask."

"They are never going to believe this. I can just hear my dad. The first thing he'll do is yell "Oh, bloody hell!"

"Your dad is sweet. I like him. I'll wait for your answer."

…

Arthur is at Jack's house. The family has just finished dinner.

"Guys, could I speak to you for a few minutes? I have something I need to ask."

"Feel free, son," Jack says.

"Let's all sit in the living room. This will take a while. Get Ajay too."

"Why do you need me?" Ajay asks.

"You'll find out."

They all sit down.

"Hawk would like to show me an Indian ceremony. He's asked that you guys be there too. I better start from the beginning. The explanation will be rather long."

Arthur explains everything.

"Oh, bloody hell!" Jack cries.

"I knew you'd say that, Dad."

"I'm not going naked."

"He's giving us towels for the privates. You won't be naked."

"Son, I've gone along with everything you've done in your life. But this is too much. I'm not Apache. I'm British."

"What about you mom?" Arthur asks.

She thinks for a moment.

"I'd like to do it," Allison says.

"What did you say?" Jack asks.

"I'd like a good sweat. Think of it as going to a health club. As for the prayers, I'm willing to learn about other religions," Allison says.

"What about the naked part?" Jack asks.

"I have no problem with that. I've seen you naked. And I used to change Arthur's diapers. I know he has a penis. Sherrie is like me. My main concern is Ajay. How do you feel, Ajay?"

"I think it would be fun. Lettie tells me I have to have more fun. I don't mind naked," Ajay says.

"What about you, Sherrie?" Arthur asks.

"I agree with Ally. I would love a good sweat. I'm the one who brought Eagle Hawk. Remember?" Sherrie says.

Jack shakes his head.

"Have you all lost your minds? The idea is crazy," Jack says.

"Jack, lighten up. Try something new, for once. You can be very boring," Allison says.

"I'm wearing my knickers."

Arthur laughs.

"You are so predictable, Dad. Mon, will you allow Ajay to come? You are his real guardian?" Arthur asks.

"Oh, please, Aunt Ally. I want too," Ajay says.

"You don't mind being naked?"

"No, I don't mind. May I, please?"

Allison looks over at Jack. He throws his arms in the air.

"Go ahead, Ally. I know you want too," Jack says.

"Yes you may, Ajay. But use the towel," Allison says.

"Yes, ma'am."

"What about Hawk and Lettie?" Jack asks.

"They won't be using towels. They're used to it. Hawk told me if we cared to just look at their faces. So, are we all agreed?" Arthur asks.

"Let's see some hands. All of you saying AYE, raise your hands," Jack says.

All but Jack does.

"I guess majority rules, Dad. Bring your knickers," Arthur says.

"Oh, bloody hell," Jack says.

….

Hawk and Lettie enter the Indian center with Arthur, Sherrie, Jack and Allison. A man approaches them.

"Hello, my name is Running Fox. I will be your coordinator for tonight. Eagle Hawk has arranged for a special demonstration. You will be using our spiritually constructed lodge. The changing rooms are through those doors. I will give each of you a combination lock and a key. You can put your clothes and valuables in the lockers. A bath robe and several towels have been provided for your stay. Any questions?

"Yeah, why am I doing this?" Jack asks.

"You're doing it for me, Dad," Arthur says.

"And that's the only reason," Jack says.

"Say it one more time for me, Dad," Arthur says.

"Oh, bloody hell!"

They all go in to change and come back in bathrobes and carrying towels. The lodge door is opened. It is small and they have to duck to enter. They enter and everything is prepared.

"What do we do now?" Arthur asks.

"Take off your robes and sit in a circle around the sacred fire. Use your towels to cover yourself," Eagle Hawk says.

The five are very shy about removing their robes. Eagle Hawk and Lettie don't care. They do and sit with towels. The five quickly remove their robes and do use towels. Everyone is embarrassed, except Ajay. Eagle Hawk grabs the sacred pipe and fills it with tobacco. He starts the incense and the door is closed. The only light in the lodge is the fire.

"You all know why you are here. You are about to take part in the Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremony, sometimes known as purity and healing ceremony. Arthur has explained what is going to happen. Basically, you are here to sweat the impurities from your physical and spiritual body. The lodge will get very hot. This is why you are naked. What happens and is said in the lodge stays in the lodge. I have lit the sacred pipe. Each of you will be able to smoke it when you speak. If you do, do not inhale. Blow the smoke out. If you chose not to smoke, just speak, raise the pipe to the heavens, and pass it on to the next person."

"This lodge will get steamy. The door will be opened four times to let in air. The door will remain open for the second and third part. Each time more water will be added to make it hotter."

"I can't wait. I need a good steam," Allison says.

"And you will get it, Ally. I will begin with a ritual prayer. Afterward I will pass the pipe sunwise to Arthur. Each of you will introduce yourself, say why you're here and add a special prayer. Then you will raise the pipe and pass it to the next person. Any questions?"

They all say no. Eagle Hawk starts chanting in Indian while raising the pipe to heaven. All watch as he closes his eyes. Only Arthur knows what to expect. Eagle Hawk finishes and he gives the pipe to Arthur. All look at him. He takes a puff from the pipe and blows out the smoke.

"Ah, my name is Arthur and I have come here to learn more about American Indian culture and ritual. Eagle Hawk has been with us for over a week teaching me. I intend to use what I learn to put it into song. Though I don't know I'll describe this. I may leave it out."

"This is the time where we let our hearts out. I will try. I look around this lodge and see four people I know and love very much. They are my family. Somehow I don't think my in-laws would appreciate this."

He turns to Sherrie and takes her hand.

"This beautiful woman next to me is the love of my life. She has given me four children and I love her very much for it. She's my best friend. The woman next to her brought me into this world, my mother. She was the first face I saw when I was born. I can't remember. But her face has been guiding me all my life. I love you, mom. The man next to her is the reason I'm a half-Brit, my dad Jack. He came over from England, met my mom, and made me in the living room floor. I know my real birth date. It wasn't when I was born."

"He's been a good dad. He tries to teach me all he knows about parenting. I'm still learning from him. His way of saying love is "Oh, bloody hell." That's my pop. I wouldn't change him for the world. The young man next to him is grandnephew, Ajay. I've only known him for three years but I feel like he's my little brother. My real one is another story. I've grown to love him."

"Now it's time for my little prayer. Are we allowed to say AMEN at the end, Hawk?"

"You can say anything you want. Amen, Our Father or the Shema. It's your prayer," Eagle Hawk says.

"I pray that all the people here find love and happiness throughout the rest of their lives. I want them to feel the love they have given me. They are my life. Amen."

Arthur raises the pipe and gives it to Sherrie. She releases Arthur's hand.

"My name is Sherrie and I have come to get a good sweat. I don't know what to say. My heart does not know where to start. I am very glad to be a part of the family. They have accepted me with open arms. I'm glad I was rescued years ago by the young and sexy man to my right. It was an honor to give him four children. He's worth it. I love him very much and want to grow old with him. He's MY best friend."

"Here is my prayer. I will begin by saying the Shema and the Baruch."

She does it in Hebrew.

"I pray that I will always feel this love in this lodge forever. I have a wonderful husband. He's a great father. Jack, you did a good job in training him. And I have wonderful in-laws. They're wonderful grandparents. I wish them all peace and happiness. Amen."

She takes a puff from the pipe, blows out the smoke, raises it and passes it to Allison.

"My name is Allison. People call me Ally and I'm a teacher, a wife, a mother and grandmother. Pretty good for someone who's only forty-five. I haven't even hit menopause. At the age of eighteen I became pregnant by a man who was thirty-one. He was almost old enough to be my father. He never treated me as his daughter. I was always his wife, his equal. He gave me my dream of teaching."

"It wasn't easy for us. The age difference was obvious. But he's still here. And we're still married. He gave me three live children and I love them all, even my strange younger son, Joe. He may not be thirty-one and sexy anymore. And he's getting a big bald spot on top of his head. But I still think he's sexy. Patrick Stewart watch out. You have competition."

"And now it's time for my prayer. God, thank you for giving me all my family blessings. I couldn't ask for more. We don't have a lot of money but I feel I'm the richest girl in the world every time I look into my husband's eyes. Thank you, Amen."

She raises the pipe and gives it to Jack. It is starting to get very hot. Everyone but Jack has removed their towels. Four are totally naked. Jack has his underwear on.

"Oh, bloody hell. It's getting hot in here. If you'll excuse me?"

He rises, takes off his underwear and sits down. He has joined the group. Arthur is shocked but laughs.

"What happened to being British, Dad?"

"It's hot. Now let me speak. My name is Jack. I came across the pond in 1990. America let me in. I was lucky to find friends living across the hall. One was my best friend, Arthur Joseph Matthews. We were like brothers. I miss him. He's dead now. I married his niece, Allison. I had to marry her. We got pregnant on our first date. I did the right thing. After I did the wrong thing. But I'm not sorry."

"She's a good wife and a fantastic mother. I couldn't ask for more. I just wish her uncle Arthur were still alive to see us. Ajay, I wish you could have known him at the end of his life. You would have been so proud of him. He was a fine man. He wasn't at first. Neither was I. We were both assholes. Are we allowed to say that word here, Hawk?"

"You can say anything."

"Good. Then I'll be honest. It was an asshole that got Ally pregnant. It was a good man who married her and stayed with her, till now. And I hope until forever. She is MY best friend. And she's got great knockers."

Arthur laughs.

"Don't laugh, son. They were your baby bottle for a while. You've got your own baby bottle now."

Sherrie laughs.

"Not so bad yourself, Sherrie. You still got milk. Boobs are really big sweat glands. They just give milk. Back to my story. Ally is the strength of our family. She's the glue that holds us together. God gave me a gift with her. To echo the sentiment, she IS my best friend now."

"And now to my prayer. Everyone has said it already. There's not much more to say. Except, thank you God for giving us the reason to live for. You have given us the best people we could ever know. I and we can only hope we have lived up to your expectations. I know sometimes we failed. We're only human. You made us that way by giving us free will. Sometimes we really blow it."

They all say Amen.

"Thank you for forgiving us our mistakes and our trespasses. Amen."

Jack raises the pipe and gives it to Ajay.

"I'm too young to smoke, Uncle Jack," Ajay says.

"Just do what we did."

"My name is Arthur March. I'm the son of Arthur Matthews. I never met my dad, but I see his picture every day when I go past the fireplace. I see his smile and I feel he is still watching and protecting me."

"He is, Ajay. He sees you every day," Allison says, tapping his knee.

"I lost my mom three years ago. Some bad people killed her. That's how I ended up here. I'm glad they took me in. They're a good family and I've grown to love them very much, even my weird uncle Joe. I wish he could be here to see how we talk about him. He needs to defend himself."

"I came here because I wanted to learn more about American Indian people. After meeting Hawk and Lettie I wanted to learn more. I'm always studying. Some people call me a computer. I just love to learn. Maybe it's because I'm autistic. The kids at school think I'm strange. They call me Sheldon, like that guy on Big Bang. They say it as a nasty joke. I think of it as a compliment. I want to be smart. I want to do something with my life. This family will let me."

"I'm their legal ward until I'm eighteen, and then I'm free. I got news for them. When I'm eighteen, I'm staying. I want to go to school. I want to make them proud of me. I'm proud of them, even my Uncle Joe."

"It's time for my prayer. It's all been said. Thank you, God. Amen."

Ajay raises the pipe and gives it to Lettie.

"My name is Leticia, but I'm called Lettie. I'm married to Hawk and this is NOT my first ceremony. I am glad for the hospitality Arthur and Sherrie have given us. Tom and I love the children. Sherrie, your twins may disappear. Tom and I might kidnap them to Arizona. We love babies."

Everyone laughs.

"It's odd your hearing me call him Tom, but that's his name. He just goes by his Indian name. Tom is my soul mate. The Creator gave him to me. Creator may the winds and the rivers tell of your love. May it spread to everyone, everywhere, not just in here? Thank you for giving us our robe and letting us experience life. We will always cherish you. In the words of everyone here, Amen."

She gives the pipe back to Eagle Hawk. He puts down the pipe and picks up a pan flute.

"My name is Eagle Hawk, Lettie. Remember that. I was brought here to instruct Arthur. And that's what I'm doing. Instead of speaking, I'll be doing a lot of that later. I want to play my pan flute. You should all know this song. I know Arthur will. He probably knows it on guitar. Feel free to sing along."

Eagle Hawk starts to play "Let It Be." At first everyone listens. Arthur takes Sherrie's hand the others do the same. Arthur starts singing and the others join in, later. Eagle Hawk finishes.

"Arthur, you now know the real meaning of the ceremony. Do you understand it now?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"Yes, I do."

"There will be more songs, and more speeches. We will all speak our hearts and our minds, but especially our souls. Are you all prepared?"

They all say Yes, but Jack coughs.

"I can't stay Hawk. It's much too hot for me. It's too soon after my heart surgery. I don't want to risk it," Jack says.

"That's fine. You've done enough. Go out and cool off. Make sure you have something cold to drink."

Jack grabs his underwear and towel, puts on his robe and leaves.

"Lettie, it's time to open the door and let some air in."

….

Jack comes out of the changing room fully dressed. Running Fox has just set up the drinks and some snacks.

"Couldn't make it?" Running Fox asks.

Jack taps his chest.

"I just had heart surgery. I didn't want to risk it."

"Smart move. Care for some tea?"

"How did you I wanted tea?"

"You're British. That's all you drink."

"I also drink Guinness, but I'll take tea."

"I have herbal tea but I'll make you an Earl Grey, hot."

"Yes, Captain Pickard."

They both go to the table. Running Fox grabs a pack of tea and puts hot water in it and gives it to Jack.

"Where in England are you from?"

"London."

"Did you ever see the Beatles?"

"I wasn't even born then. By the time I was twenty they broke up. Wrong generation."

"Is that your son in there?"

"Yes. His name is Arthur. Perhaps you've heard of him. He did Shoah."

"Arthur Hopkins? Yes. I've heard it. That's him?"

"Yes, he's famous. So is my other son, Joe. Or is it Noel? He legally changed his name to Noel Jackson."

"And where is he?"

"Nowhere, Arizona."

"I know that place. I grew up in Nothing. My wife comes from Why. I went back a few years ago. I know everyone in Nowhere. What was your son's name again?"

"Noel Jackson."

"The bartender from Tom's?"

"You know him?"

"We went to Karaoke when we were there. There's nothing to do on a Saturday night in Why. He's good."

"He's damn good. Have you heard "Cold Steel"?

"And saw the video. Woo! That was a porn flick. I sure didn't think it was a gun until the end."

"Joe is army, infantry. He served in Afghanistan, until his patrol was ambushed. Six men went out. Five died and one almost didn't live. That was Joe. He almost had his leg amputated. He's lucky he can walk."

"Come to think of it, the bartender did limp. Small world. I even know Angie and Tom. Sad about the girl being a deaf mute. She's so beautiful."

"She's also the mother of Joe's/Noel's son, Danny. It's his wife."

"For real. He's got himself a real beauty. How does he talk to her?"

"He learned to sign. He's pretty good."

"To think I was with a country singer and I didn't know it."

"You got a rock star in the lodge. Small world."

Jack looks at the open door.

"Man, I can feel the heat from here. It must be an oven in there," Jack says.

"It will get worse. The have 2 ½ more sessions to go. Their pores are going to be VERY clean. You couldn't catch me doing that. I call that suicide."

"I wish I could have stayed. What I saw of the ceremony looked beautiful."

"I'm told it is. I just prefer air-conditioning. I'm modern. Care for more hot water?"

"No, I think I'll look around. This place looks very interesting. There are a lot of pictures on the wall."

"We cater to all tribes. There's a picture of me and the wife. We're standing by the Nowhere sign. Nowhere, Nothing and Why are popular tourist's stops. People stop to get their picture by the sign. You'll have to forgive me. I have to continue working on their table. They'll be awful thirsty when they come out."

Running fox gets up.

"What's your non-Indian name?"

"I hate my parents for this. They call me Elroy."

Jack laughs.

"Why are you laughing?"

"That's the middle name Noel chose. There are two of you."

Running Fox goes back to work. Jack stands and starts looking at the pictures.

…

Time passes and Jack returns to the table. Running Fox waits for the ceremony to end. Jack makes a cup of tea and sits down. He hears singing and chanting.

"They're still singing."

"Yes, they're singing, chanting, laughing and talking. It's a very hands on ceremony."

"How much longer?"

"They're in the last part. They will be very thirsty. Did you like your tour?"

"This place is very interesting. I saw your picture on the wall. I'm glad I didn't have to explain the city names to you. People think I'm crazy when I say it."

The door to the lodge opens and they start coming out. Their faces are pink and their hair is very wet. Arthur goes straight to the beverage table and drinks two glasses of water, one gulp each. Running Fox rises.

"How was it?" Jack asks.

"Hot."

"Did you learn anything?"

"Nothing I can use. But it was a good sweat."

"You'll find hair-dryers in the dressing room. Change and take your time. I have plenty of ice water with for you."

"I can really feel the air-conditioning. I better change before I get a draft."

Arthur goes inside. Ajay goes to get a drink.

"Ajay, come here," Jack says.

He does and Jack faces him.

"Did you like it?"

"Yes, Uncle Jack. I learned a lot. Hawk told us how his people were treated by the white man."

"Yes, I heard we really screwed them. The white man screwed everyone he met. Not only the Indians, but the Blacks and the American Japanese citizens in WWII. History is never the truth. It is the truth for only one party. The other party always suffers."

Allison overhears and goes to Ajay.

"Uncle Jack is right. I teach history. When I was growing up, black slavery was only one paragraph in the history of the American Civil war. It was so much more. It wasn't until Alex Haley wrote "Roots" did the real story come out. We screwed the African nation and made them slaves. We did it again with the Japanese in WWII. American citizens lived in concentration camps. There was even one north of Chicago. And that was only seventy years ago. The American Indian was just the beginning."

Arthur comes back dressed. His hair is still wet. He goes for more water and listens.

"Why were the white men cruel to anyone different?" Ajay asks.

"We believed we were God's chosen people and every else wasn't. The Indians were seen as savages. You know now they weren't. Hawk has told you the REAL truth. Just like Arthur did with Shoah. You read his research. Some much was left out there too."

Ajay looks at Arthur.

"Uncle Arthur? Could I ask a favor? When Hawk leaves, could I see your research. I'd like to do something with it."

"Why sure? I'm sure Hawk wouldn't mind. What did you have in mind, another story?" Arthur asks.

"I don't know. I just know I want the world to know."

Eagle Hawk comes over and puts his hand on Ajay's shoulder.

"I speak for all my people. I consider it an honor to tell our story. I read Shoah and it was wonderful. You are just the right person, along with Arthur to do it. You have my blessing."

"I'll go change now."

"Before you do, I need to ask you a question. Ajay, I read the manuscript too. I agree with Hawk and everyone else. I'd like to ask you a favor."

"Of course, Aunt Ally. Ask."

"Every year my high school, where I teach, does a school play. It's usually the popular one, West Side Story etc. I would like to offer your play, "Never Again" as an alternative choice. That would be me telling the real history of the Holocaust."

"Ally, you were against it. What happened to you?" Jack asks.

"I reread it and realized it can be performed on stage, just like it is now. It would only be one set, the outside Auschwitz gate. My students would be the actors."

"Mom, you teach in Englewood. Your students are black and Latino. They're not Jewish," Arthur says.

"They became British when we did "My Fair Lady". Your dad helped with their accents. It they became cockney, they can become Jewish. The only costumes will be camp pajamas. It would cut the play budget big time. The back drop of the gate and the tombstones are the only props."

She looks again at Ajay.

"Ajay, do I have your permission to suggest it to the school committee? I won't do it behind your back. Have I your permission? "Never Again" is your child. It won't be like New York Broadway. The play will run three nights. It's our annual fund raiser. I will see that you get paid royalties. The money will be used for you to spend any way you want. Will you let me do it?"

Ajay looks at Arthur. He nods the word "Yes".

"You have my permission, Aunt Ally. I trust you," Ajay says.

"Thank you. Go change now."

Ajay and Hawk leave. Sherrie and Lettie have already left. Arthur seems a little upset. Allison notices.

"What's wrong with you, son?" Allison asks.

"It's what you just did. I did it too. But I didn't ask permission. I did it behind his back," Arthur says.

"You what?" Allison asks, getting angry.

"I wanted a professional opinion. I sent it to my consultant on Shoah."

"Mr. E.T? Are you crazy? The play is not even copy written. You broke the law. Ajay must be told," Allison says.

"And I will tell him. I wanted to surprise him."

"He will be told tonight. For God's sake you're a lawyer. You write contracts. You're also a performer. You know the importance of copy write. What were you thinking?" Allison says.

"I was helped when I got started. I wanted to give him the same type of help."

"What you did was unexplainable? Even for you. Has Mr. E.T. called you back?"

"I just sent it last week. He's a busy man. I haven't heard from him yet."

"That's good. You tell Ajay tonight or I will whip your ass. I don't care if you're bigger than me. Remember what I did to the basketball?"

"Yes, mom, I remember. You grabbed my arm so hard you almost pulled my shoulder socket out. I was wrong and I will fix things tonight. I promise. I will put my lawyer mind ahead of my family feelings."

"You better," Allison say, glaring at him.

She leaves to change. Arthur looks at Jack.

"She's really pissed, son. You did a VERY bad thing."

"I hurt Ajay."

"I wasn't talking about Ajay. Your mother's rath is not something to fool with. Trust me. I'm married to her."

Jack gets some more hot water for his tea. Arthur hangs his head.

….

The family returns to Jacks house. Arthur turns to Sherrie and Hawk.

"You guys go first. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Ajay starts for the stairs.

"Ajay, could I see you for a few minutes before you go to bed. Mom, Dad, could you witness this?"

"Don't worry, Arthur. We will."

Jack makes a face and moves his finger across his neck in a slicing motion to Arthur.

"Ajay, let's talk in the living room."

Ajay and Arthur sit on the couch.

"I need to tell you something. I did something very wrong and quite illegal."

"But you're a lawyer."

"That's why I should have known better."

He looks up at a glaring Allison and gulps.

"I sent your manuscript to a friend of mine behind your back. Unlike my mother, I didn't ask for your permission. I wanted his professional opinion. He works in the industry. I broke your trust by doing it. I would like your forgiveness. I will understand if you can't. I broke the law to help you. Law is what makes any society stable. It stops chaos. I may have created chaos by doing what I did."

Ajay is silent and looks at him.

"Who did you send it to?"

"My consultant on Shoah."

"Mr. E.T.?"

"Yes, him. He hasn't contacted me yet. I only sent it last week and he's a busy man."

"I see. I trusted you with my work. I just did for school and you stole it."

"I didn't put my name on it. Your name is still there. I wanted to help you. You're my family. You know all those things we said at the lodge? I still believe them. Everything you and I said was true. I even gave you my research. "Never Again" is a wonderful play. I still feel it deserves recognition. You are a very special boy. Your mind is amazing. You are our Sheldon. I've never met a child like you. You're special."

"And you still betrayed my trust anyway."

"Yes, I did. I was wrong. I am foremost a contract lawyer. I went to school for it. I am a performer second. I know how performers are taken advantage of. The entertainment industry eats people alive. I was lucky it never happened to me. Please forgive me. I promise, in the future, to always have your best interests in mind. No one will destroy you, especially after what I just did. I have to become a lawyer again. It's my first duty to you as a writer."

Ajay stands up and quietly walks up the stairs to his room and doesn't answer. Jack shakes his head at Arthur.

"He's pissed. I don't blame him."

"I don't either. I did as you asked mom. I deserve how he treated me. Well, say something. I know you want to. I'm an adult. I can take it."

Allison looks at Jack. He puts his hands up.

"Don't look at me. He's your son. I had nothing to do with this. This is your party."

"I have only one thing to say to you. You had NO right to do this. His work deserves recognition. And if the school committee will do it, I want it done completely legal. I want a formal contract. Ajay will get financial benefits. Seeing he is a minor, and my legal ward, I will represent him. He will be there at OUR professional meeting. No more secrets," Allison says.

"Yes, ma'am."

"As soon as I get the committee opinion, the three of us will meet in your office to discuss the profits and copy right of "Never Again". This will not happen. Never again."

"Yes, ma'am."

Allison goes upstairs. Jack turns to Arthur.

"She's still pissed, son. She will be for a long time. I agree with her. You were wrong. Go home now. It's been a long day. I'll go talk to Ajay. I will not make excuses for you. Good-night, Arthur."

Arthur stands and leaves. Jack goes upstairs and knocks on Ajay's door and opens it. Ajay is in his pajamas and getting ready for bed.

"Got a minute, Ajay?"

"Sure, Uncle Jack."

Jack sits on the bed.

"I wanted to talk to you about what Arthur did. I will not make excuses for him. He was wrong and knows it. I just wanted to tell you where he's at and probably why he did it. A few weeks ago he was almost killed. That would scare anybody. Guns are VERY bad. If he didn't have a vest that night he would be buried and his children would have no father. To add to his problems, he found out he had the beginnings of cancer in his brain. He's only twenty-seven and a young man. Cancer doesn't care about age. He's also having radiation so it doesn't come back. This has been a very rough period for him."

"I know."

"He doesn't want to admit it but he's scared. He just wants to be macho about it. I was scared when I had my heart attack. I'm still scared. I almost lost my whole family. You guys are my life. Arthur's family is his."

"You didn't know your father's wife, Mary. She was beautiful. He loved her dearly. We all did. She was a good woman. You see a picture of a skeleton on the mantle. She wasn't always like that. She got cancer at thirty-six. It ate her up. It wasn't fair to her or us. Cancer destroys the person AND the family. She died at thirty-eight. We were at her death bed. Your dad kissed her good-bye and whispered something in her ear. We couldn't hear what it was. He said "I'll see you soon". And he did. Ten days later he was killed in Afghanistan. In two weeks we buried two people we loved. Just imagine how we felt when we found out about Arthur. We didn't want a repeat. Arthur didn't want a repeat."

"Maybe that's why he did it. In the back of his mind, he knew he was at death's door and he wanted to do something before he died too. I am not making excuses for him. I just want you to know another reason he probably did it. Have I made you feel better?"

"Will Arthur die soon?"

"No. The doctor's got it all. The radiation is to stop it from happening again. He has just a lot of his mind right now. And he wasn't thinking straight. He saw Aunt Mary die from it. He was about your age. We never took him to the hospital. But he was at the funeral and later at your father's. He was there when the casket came back. It had the American flag on it. His body was blown apart. What we buried were pieces. He was old enough to understand what happened to both of them."

"So I shouldn't be mad at him?"

"Yes, you should be. I just wanted you to know the circumstances around his wrong decision. We'll see what Mr. E.T. says. An opinion never hurts. We can trust him. And your Aunt Ally and lawyer Arthur will make sure you don't get used and hurt. Your Aunt Ally will sure of that."

Ajay looks at the door. He has just noticed Allison listening. Jack looks at the door. Her eyes are tearing. He turns back to Ajay.

"I love you, son. I love you as if I helped make you."

"I love you too, Uncle Jack."

"You think you could call me dad? I feel like your father. Your real dad would like it."

"Okay, Dad."

"Can you call me mom?" Allison asks.

"Yes, mom."

Jack rises.

"I've kept you long enough. It's late. Get some sleep. Good-night, son"

Ajay looks at Jack and Allison.

"Good-night, mom and dad."

Jack leaves and closes the door behind him. Allison smiles at him. Her eyes are still tearing. She puts her arms around his neck.

"I love you, Jack Hopkins. You are the best reformed asshole I have ever met."

"I love you too, Allison Grofton."

"Those were wonderful words you told Ajay. It was like what Archie said to you the night we got married and I listened in. I saw the same love in your eyes."

"I miss him very much."

"It's six hours difference between Chicago and England. Let's wait two hours and call him," Allison says.

"And what will we do for two hours?" Jack asks.

"This."

She kisses him and he smiles.

"I could see that."

He grabs her hand and they walk away.

…

It is the next few days. Allison is attending the school play committee meeting. It is all teachers. The principal stands before them.

"And now the last issue for tonight is the school play. It is upon us and we have to decide what we'll do. Unfortunately, our budget is not very high. It gets less every year. We can't do Broadway. But we need it as a fundraiser. Are there any suggestions?"

Allison raises her hand. The principal is surprised.

"Ally, that's a surprise. You never contribute to the play."

She rises and walks to the front to speak.

"I know I never have. But I have a suggestion. You all know about my son Arthur and Shoah. Arthur had a lot or research left over he didn't use. This is where you're going to think I'm crazy. My grandnephew and legal ward asked for the research. He wrote his own version of "Spoon River", but it was about the Holocaust. He did it for extra credit English assignment and got an A+. I've read it. It's called "Never Again". It blew me away. Those weren't the words and emotions of a thirteen year old."

People start to shake their heads NO.

"Ajay is autistic. He is a man inside a teenage body. He's also a genius. He's been tested by Mensa. We have a young Sheldon in our family. I would like to submit his work for consideration. I'm not a director but his stage directions are very economic. I think it would work."

"Tell us about it," the principal asks.

"It's like "Spoon River". The characters come out of their graves and start speaking to each other about their experiences with the Holocaust. All they're wearing are camp pajamas. There are no costume changes. The back drop is an image of the Auschwitz gate with the German lettering on it. How cheap can you get?"

"But the boy is thirteen?" the principal asks.

"And he has the mind and heart of a thirty-year old. He's not your typical child."

"What about the copy-right issue? Who will sign for him? He's not a legal adult."

"I will sign for him. I am his legal guardian. His father was my deceased uncle. I will have a lawyer draw up a contract. He's one of the best in Chicago. He handles many musical performers and their record producers. The man knows his business. He's also my son Arthur, the creator of his own Shoah. May I submit it for a suggestion?"

"Ally, the characters are WHITE Jews. Dead or not, our students are not Jewish. Could they pull it off?" the principal asks.

"They pulled off "My Fair Lady", thanks to my husband's vocal help. Eliza Doolittle was not black. This time there are no songs. We even don't need an orchestra. The whole play is in English and its speeches, just like "Spoon River". All we need is the back drop, tomb stones and concentration camp pajamas. How cheap can you get?"

"I think it may be a good suggestion. Have Mrs. Andrews read it and we'll see what she decides. Have you a copy?" the principal asks.

"It's in my brief case."

"Give it to her. If she agrees it's good enough to put on, you two will work together. But Mrs. Andrews is the director, not you."

"I understand. Thank you for hearing me out."

She goes back to her seat and opens up her briefcase to pull it out.

"That concludes our meeting. Thank you for coming," the principal says.

The crowd starts to disperse. Allison approaches Mrs. Andrews.

"There it is, Laura. I hope you will agree with me on its content."

"How does your grandnephew feel about this?"

"He was surprised I suggested it. He's very shy. But the play is excellent and well written. Thank you for considering it."

"I'll read it and tell you my decision by the end of the week. Thank you, Ally."

….

Arthur has had two more lessons from Hawk. He is starting to look over his notes and make suggestions for his songs. He is babysitting the new twins. They are on the couch right by him. Every few minutes he turns to one and tickles them.

"Hello, Eric. Are you hungry yet? Momma has some milk in the frig when you are."

He tickles the baby's belly.

"My, you're a handsome boy. You and your sister look like your mom. And you are going to drive girls crazy when you get older. You're already a hunk."

The doorbell rings. Arthur stands and opens the door. It is Ajay. Arthur is surprised.

"Ajay?"

"May I come in?"

"Sure. Don't mind me. I'm playing daddy till momma gets home. The Hawks are having a private lunch together. Come in."

Ajay does. He sees the twins. Arthur looks at them.

"Maybe it's my imagination but I think they're grown a little," Arthur says.

"I think they have."

"I think I know what it is you want."

"What are the notes for?"

"They're song ideas. Hawk has given me enough to work with so far. A few more lessons and he goes back home."

Ajay sits down.

"I've been thinking. After you left that night, Dad came up to my room and talked to me about you."

"Dad? What happened to Uncle Jack?"

"He wants me to call him Dad. But that's beside the point. He talked and I listened."

"What did he say?"

"He said he knows you're scared with the cancer thing. You just don't show it."

"That's true. I'm very scared. I'm too young for this."

"He said that's probably why you made this mistake. You wanted to help me before you died."

"I'm not dying. I'm cancer free. It's just preventive therapy. And that's not why I made the mistake. I let my feelings go before my mind. I was just stupid. It had nothing to do with me having cancer. I should have known better. Dad is imaging it."

"Bull shit!"

"Excuse me. It's that a way you should speak? Don't use profanity, young man."

"That is what happened. Yes, you were stupid. I'll give you that. But you're still scared. You're thinking about my real Dad's wife."

"Mary?" She did come to mind. She died too young. She and your dad both died too young. But that's life. We all lose our robe. That's the Indian concept for life. Our body is our robe. When it dies, it joins the spiritual world. I wasn't thinking about my robe."

"You see, someone helped me get started. I wanted to return the favor and help you. But I made the wrong decision. You have every reason to be angry with me."

"I'm still angry, just not as angry. I love you, Uncle Arthur. You're my big brother."

"And you're my little brother. My real one I sometimes wonder about. At least you have common sense. You know what he's doing right now. He is training to run a marathon. That's 26 ½ miles. The man can barely walk. Your uncle has lost it. He's gone bye-bye."

"Maybe running means something to him."

"I know why he's doing it. He wants his freedom back. His leg is robbing HIS robe. He used to love to run. He'd even do hurdles. Man has a lot of trophies. They're somewhere in the basement. We cleared his room to make room for you. All we left was his guitar and records. I hear you're learning."

"I'm learning on my own. I'm going to write music for "Never Again"."

"I'm sure the music will be just as good as the play. You're an excellent writer. Is that all you wanted to say to me?"

"Just one more thing. I want you to protect my copy rights if Mr. E.T. likes it. I don't want to be screwed."

"I will protect you. Your new mother will kill me if I don't. She's little but she can be very vicious. I'll show you what's left of a basketball she killed. She threw it against the wall and it blew up. Thank you for coming. I always like seeing you."

"How much longer is the therapy?"

"A few more weeks. Then my hair will grow back. And everything will be fine."

Ajay stands up. Arthur does too and hugs Ajay.

"I love you, kid. And I'm very proud of you."

Ajay walks out of the house. Arthur goes back to his notes.

…

Arthur is getting his mail when he sees a letter from his Shoah consultant. He opens it immediately. It contains two letters, one to him and the other to Ajay. He opens his and reads.

"Dear Arthur: Thank you for sending me "Never Again." I have read it. You were right. Your nephew is talented. You will be getting the manuscript back in a few days. I wanted to write you first. Please read Mr. Marsh's letter to him. I did not know his address. Again, it's nice hearing from you. Keep in touch. Stephen."

He leaves his house and goes next door. Jack lets him in.

"Dad, is Ajay home?"

"Yeah, he's buried in calculus again."

"Well, unbury him. I have a letter for him."

Jack yells up the stairs.

"Ajay, Arthur wants to see you."

Jack walks up to Arthur.

"Who wrote him?"

"You wouldn't believe me. Call mom on this."

Jack does as Ajay comes downstairs.

"What you need, Uncle Arthur?" Ajay asks.

"A letter came for you in the mail today. I was asked to read it to you."

He opens the letter and reads out loud.

"Dear Mr. Marsh: I have just finished your manuscript "Never Again". Your uncle was right to send it to me for a professional opinion. I found it very well done. The characters came alive. I could literally see them. You are a wonderful and very detailed oriented writer. I see a big future for you. Please keep on writing. Don't let my response stop you. You have a dream. Don't dream it. Do it."

"Put the manuscript in a safe place. You will want it later. Here is the BUT part. But, your age has stopped me from giving you anymore assistance. Hollywood eats people like you alive for breakfast. I've been there. I have seen people's dreams crushed too many times. Many good writers just give up. Do not give up."

"I was told by your uncle you are his mother's ward until you are eighteen. The day you turn eighteen, have Arthur contact me again and we will speak as adults. Don't forget to bring the manuscript with you. Thank you for letting me read it. The Holocaust has seen a movie, a record, but never a play. What you did was very inventive. I do not work in Broadway, but I know people who do. Don't forget me. I won't forget you. Yours, Stephen."

Arthur gives Ajay the letter.

"It's even official stationary. The kid on the bike is in front of the moon. What do you think, Ajay?" Arthur asks.

"He really wrote this. Now you know how I felt when I first met him in the Shoah library. All I could say was "Oh, shit!" I suggest you frame this letter and do as he says. I'll put the manuscript in my safe deposit box."

"May I see that letter?" Allison asks.

Ajay gives it to her.

"This is the most wonderful refusal I've ever heard. Frame it. But I want to make a copy first for the school committee. They will never believe it."

"Ajay, I have some news for you too. I was going to tell you over dinner. This is a good time. Yesterday, Mrs. Andrews come to me. She's the English teacher in charge of the school play. She didn't believe your were thirteen until she saw your picture. I don't know how to say this," Allison says.

"Just say it. I hate it when you do that, Ally," Jack says.

"This school has decided to put it on."

"What?" Arthur says.

"Ajay WILL see his play on stage. It's just three nights. The actors will be high school students. But they WILL do it."

Ajay's eyes open up wide. Arthur and Jack smile. Ajay is speechless. She gives him back the letter.

"You run upstairs and make a copy on your printer. I have the perfect picture frame for this. We'll put it on top of the fireplace mantle, right next to your father's picture."

Ajay runs upstairs. Allison is tearing.

"Ally, why do you always cry?" Jack says, smiling.

"I love that boy, Jack. That's why."

Jack looks at Arthur.

"Well, Arthur. It looks like Stephen saved your ass. Your mother has no right to hit it now. Next time, do it legally," Jack says.

"Yes, sir. So when is the play, mom?" Arthur asks.

"There's auditions this week. About two months rehearsals and they put it on a month before school ends."

"Ajay will not be livable for two months. What do you do?"

"Mrs. Andrews is the director. The art department builds the set. I guess it's up to me find the material for the pajamas. We'll have to find a seamstress. I'll hit a few dry cleaners. They always have them. I just need some pictures so I can match the material."

"I've got my book at home."

Ajay comes down with the letter and the copy. He gives it to Allison and hugs her. He then hugs Arthur. Allison is tearing harder. Jack looks at her.

"Oh, bloody hell!"

Jack walks away as Arthur hugs Ajay. Allison wipes a tear from her face.

"I think I see you all over again, Arthur. You had that same look when it happened to you eight years ago."

She walks away. Arthur looks down at Ajay.

"Your dream has just begun. Enjoy it. And do what Stephen says. Don't dream it. Do it."

He continues hugging Ajay. A tear runs down his cheek.

….

Arthur and Hawk are skyping home. They are talking to Noel and White Elk.

"Hey, Dad. How is school going?" White Elk asks.

"I have a very bright student. We even did the lodge ceremony at the Chicago Indian Center. It went wonderful," Eagle Hawk says.

"Everyone was naked?" White Elk asks.

"Yes, it was hard to convince Arthur's father. But he finally gave in. They learned a lot. How's the running going?"

"The marathon is in three months. We're both training. Noel is a bit slow but I told him he doesn't have to finish, just run. I may not finish. It's been years since I did one."

"I know you'll give it a good try. Anything new, Noel?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"No, just training. How about you, bro? What am I missing back home?"

Arthur looks at each other and smiles.

"Should we tell him," Eagle Hawk asks.

"Why not?" Arthur says.

"Tell me what?" Noel asks.

"We have our own William Shakespeare. He's written "Hamlet"," Arthur says.

"You lost me."

"Ajay asked me if he could borrow the rest of my Shoah research. He wanted to do an extra credit English assignment. I let him. He wrote the most amazing play about the Holocaust. We can't believe it came out a teenager. I sent a copy to my Shoah consultant. He agreed but refused because of Ajay's age. I expected that."

"So why are you smiling?" Noel asks.

"Mom let the school English teacher read it. This is the amazing part. His play "Never Again" will be this year's school play. It will run for three days. It's the school major fund raiser."

"Alright!" Noel cries.

"Ajay is in heaven. His feet aren't touching the ground. I wish you could be here to see it. It really is good. He has written his "Hamlet"."

"Unbelievable. You guys must be so proud," Noel says.

"That's an understatement."

"When is it?"

"About two months from now."

"That's the same time of the marathon. If I can make it, I'll be there. Running is more important to me now. Save me a seat," Noel says.

"Make it two. I like Chicago. I've been there," White Elk says.

"How's the therapy going?" Noel asks.

"I still have more to do. And then there's the brain scan and blood work. It's far from over. I'm getting more tired lately. And I have a big bald spot. Dad and I are twins. But, it will grow back."

"What did they do with Joel's body?" Noel asks.

"His family buried him. He's at Rosehill cemetery. I hope thorns grow on his grave," Arthur says.

"I still can't believe that happened to us. Joe didn't deserve to die that way. He was saving me."

"He died with dignity, Joe. Always remember that. WE put him in jail with the others. It's our fault. It was only his good nature he spoke for us, not against us. WE both killed him. He was a good friend. I loved him like a brother. Well, I have work to do. I'm working on the Indian songs now."

"Elk and I have to train. The sun's going down. It won't be so hot. When you get the dates of the play, call me. If I'm not running I just may surprise you and be there. Love you, bro."

"Same here. Nice seeing you again, Elk," Arthur says.

"Hurry home, Dad. The kids miss you," White Elk says.

"I've two more lessons and I'll be home. On another note, your mom and I read the play Ajay wrote. It is "Hamlet". Your trip here won't be wasted."

The connection is broken. Eagle Hawk looks at Arthur.

"On to the next lesson.

…

Arthur waits for Eagle Hawk in Jack's house. He is sitting in the living room. Jack and Eagle Hawk come from the basement. They are carrying a photo album. Jack disappears and Eagle Hawk sits next to Arthur. He keeps the photo album closed.

"Now could you tell me why you wanted to meet here? It's a beautiful day. We could be in the park."

"I chose here because you're familiar with it. Jack has given me a book I want you to see. This will be my last lesson. I want you to see one picture in this album. That's what the second party of this lesson will be. The first part of the lesson is one you had to wait for. I wanted you to see the positive side of our nature. Now, I will tell you the truth about the Trail of Tears. The biggest genocide in human history didn't happen in Nazi Germany, but on American soil. One hundred million Native American were slaughtered and lost their homeland."

Arthur is shocked with what Eagle Hawk just said.

"Be prepared to hear the largest unknown nightmare ever done to a group of people. The Trial of Tears orchestrated the ethnic cleansing of 100,000 Native American removals of their ancestral lands. Between 1830 and 1850, the U.S. government forced the Cherokee, the Choctaw, and other tribes off their ancestral lands with deadly force. Manifest destiny was the impetus behind the Trail of Tears."

"Throughout the 1830s, President Andrew Jackson ordered the forced removal of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their homelands east of the Mississippi River. This perilous journey to designated lands in the west, known as the Trail of Tears, was fraught with harsh winters, disease, and cruelty. "

"The name came to encompass the removal of all five tribes that occupied the southeastern United States. All tribes incurred thousands of deaths and all experienced the sorrow of being ousted from their ancestral homelands. Today, many historians view Jackson's actions as nothing short of ethnic cleansing."

"For generations, the lands east of the Mississippi River had been the homeland of five tribal nations: the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole in the south and the Choctaw and Chickasaw in the west. But by the 1790s, ever-increasing numbers of white settlers spread westwards into the area who wanted to use the land to farm for them."

"As white settlements formed into the American states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida, their borders crossed into Native American land. Natives, then, were viewed as a roadblock in the path of westward expansion. This "Indian Problem," it was believed, could be resolved through a policy of "civilization.""

""Civilization," as proposed by Thomas Jefferson, would eradicate the Native American's way of life and assimilate them into western culture. Jefferson believed that Native Americans were stunted by their savage customs so required missionaries to teach them how to be Anglo-American. If they could be converted to Christianity; learn to speak, read, and write English; as well as dress like whites, eat like whites, and most importantly convert to European notions of individual ownership and commerce then they could be saved."

"These five tribes decided it was best to accept, at least in part, this "civilization" program. Collectively they came to be known as the "Five Civilized Tribes." Though Jefferson saw the assimilation of Native Americans into white culture as inevitable, he did also consider relocating the Natives further west after the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, but he never did. It would be President Andrew Jackson, then, who forced the relocation of the Natives when he signed his Indian Removal Act into law on May 28, 1830. He was the mastermind behind the Trail of Tears. Jackson's motivation was to expand the influence and economic prosperity of the United States. In particular, he wanted to make way for cotton growth on a large scale. Native Americans, consequently, did not fit into this plan for the new southeastern United States. Instead, the Native Americans were transferred to new territory hundreds of miles away. "

"The Indian Removal Act authorized Jackson to negotiate relocation terms with the five tribes to the west of the Mississippi and onto an "Indian colonization zone." This zone was located in present-day Oklahoma, and Jackson promised the tribes parcels of land larger than their homelands. But, in reality, Jackson had no interest in making deals with the tribes. Instead, Jackson conducted the Removal program in a most brutal fashion. He applied pressure on the tribes by refusing to pay annuities to tribal chiefs. He allowed the southern states to destroy tribal governments, make tribal laws illegal, and deny Native Americans the right to vote or sue in court. "

"Thus weakened, it was then easier for Jackson to coerce the tribes into unjust Removal treaties, and one by one the tribes relented. The Choctaws were the first to go within the year. It was a brutal trip with many "bound in chains and marched double file" where they were forced to endure floods and sub-zero temperatures. About 4,000 Choctaws died of cholera, and hundreds more of malnutrition, exposure, and accidents due to both the corruption and ineptitude of the federal government. After the Choctaw had arrived in their designated zone, one Choctaw chief reported to an Alabama newspaper that the nightmarish trip was a "trail of tears and death."

"In 1832, the removal of the Seminoles from Florida began. But they did not go quietly — the Seminoles resisted. The Seminoles fought U.S. forces in two ultimately futile wars. Many Seminoles were killed in the conflict while others were tracked down by blood hounds and crowded onto ships bound for Indian Territory. Some managed to evade capture and remained in Florida. There were a number of different routes by land and water that were used during the Trail of Tears. Of the 15,000 Creek who marched to Oklahoma beginning in 1834, some 3,500 did not survive."

"Meanwhile, the Cherokee attempted to use the white man's systems against him. After Georgia sought to extend its itself into Cherokee land and pillage its gold deposits, John Ross, the Cherokee's first elected principal chief, decided to take the state to the Supreme court .Ross was part of a new generation of highly educated mixed-blood Cherokees, who had integrated "civilization" policies into their society more than any other tribe. They had modeled their own political and judicial system on the United States, and Ross had over three decades of expertise in federal law as the Cherokee's primary treaty negotiator in Washington D.C. Thus, it was his idea to take Georgia to the Supreme Court in 1831. John Ross, the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, took the state of Georgia to the U.S. Supreme Court."

"First, the Supreme Court ruled they had no jurisdiction over the Cherokees and dismissed the case, but a year later in a second landmark case, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that only the federal government could impose laws on Cherokee lands, not a state government like Georgia. Unfortunately, the Cherokees' success was brief. Jackson refused to back down. After failing to entice Ross with $3 million for the Cherokee relocation, Jackson offered $5 million to Ross' political rivals in the Treaty Party. Although most Cherokees did not want Removal, a handful of Cherokee elites signed the Treaty of New Echota in December 1835. Ross tried to overturn the treaty to no avail. By 1838, there was a new U.S. President in office and one who held the same views as Jackson. "

"New president Martin Van Buren ordered 16,000 Cherokees to be rounded up and put into holding camps. Any that tried to escape were shot, while others suffered from disease and sexual assault from guards. After a month Cherokees were sent on their Trail of Tears in groups of a thousand but so many died during the summer that removal was delayed until winter. It turned out to be a particularly harsh winter for a 1,200-mile trek and thousands more died from exposure, malnutrition, and disease."

"The Cherokees would not receive their promised $5 million from the government until nearly two decades later. At the beginning of the 1830s, nearly 125,000 Native Americans lived on the myriad acres across the five tribes. But just a decade later, very few Native Americans remained in the southeastern United States. By some estimates, up to 100,000 Native Americans were relocated and over 15,000 lost their lives on the Trail of Tears. In 1907, Oklahoma became a state and any Native American territory was officially gone for good.Bottom of Form

"

"That was terrible. American did that. I feel guilty and I wasn't even born," Arthur says.

"It happened in Canada also. For 87 years, between 1866-1953, Indians weren't allowed to land in British Columbia. For twenty-four years, between 1927-1951, Indians were not allowed to hire lawyers or pursue land claims. For 66 years, between 1885-1951, Indians were prohibited from (and imprisoned for) claims. For 52 years, between 1871-1923, Indians were prohibited from participating in the commercial fishery. Indians gained the right to vote in 1949. They gained the federal vote in 1960. British Columbia treaty process began twenty-five years ago in 1992. Six of the First Nations have reached the final stage of their treaty negotiation. We were mistreated in every country we lived in by the white man. It was their "Final Solution" for us. The Jews were not the first. We were."

Arthur is silent. He is numb.

"Why don't other people know about this?" Arthur asks.

"They don't want to know. Now, I will go to the second part of this lesson."

He opens the album and shows him a young picture of Joe Brennan.

"That's Joe when he was fifteen. The picture next to it is when the three of us played hoops in back. That real skinny kid is now Noel. Which picture do you want me to see?"

"Just Joe Brennan. This lesson is about him. It's about how you and he were."

"We were friends. He's dead now."

"He's not dead, Arthur. He is in nature. His spirit is in the wind. Death is not what you think it is."

"There are four season, starting with spring and ending in winter. This is what the robe is. In spring we are born and in winter we die. Do not be afraid of dying, only of dying before you complete the tasks the Creator has given you to do, and before you learn the lessons he expects you to learn."

"Your father has told me what happened to Joe when you started school. He talked about his exotic dancing, his coke habit, and his involvement with Joel and his band. He also said you tried to help but couldn't get through. It's on one night you saved your future wife instead. You did your best and that was why they tried to kill you later."

"Don't remind me."

"Joe went to jail and got AIDS. He chose to die as he did because he didn't want the AIDS to win. He fulfilled what the Creator wanted of him. He wanted him to save your brother."

"Joe was always like that. It was the drugs that changed him. Even then he couldn't hurt me. He tried to shoot Joe but the gun jammed," Arthur says.

"The Creator jammed it. He wanted Joe to live."

"You believe it was all ordained?"

"I believe the Creator wanted your brother to live, as he did. The Creator told Eric to give you the vest and your secretary to convince you to wear it the day Joel saw you again. Let's get back to winter."

"Winter is a reason of death. Streams freeze. Birds are gone. Flowers die. The snow covers the ground. Everything appears to die. But the next season is spring. Life begins all over again. The birds return. The flowers bloom. Life returns. This is what happens when we die and leave our robe, and then go into another existence. We transform into the spirit world. We bid adieu to our robe and go on with our own life, just as Joe's ashes became part of the desert wind. I found a poem on Face Book that covers this sentiment perfectly. I am giving you a copy but I will read it for you."

"My people grieve for ten days. It takes ten days to make the pilgrimage to the next world. Death is the ultimate shape shifting. There is no ending, only change. We start a new story."

"So where is Joe now?" Arthur asks.

"He's all around us. He has never left your side. Sometimes he sees you but you don't see him. Sometimes you do. Sometimes they come back to us in dreams or visions. It is not common to feel a deceased near you."

"We die a second death when the last person to remember us dies. That's what the Jews believe. That's why it was important that you do the Shoah album. Those people are not dead."

"We die one more time when no one remembers our name. Then we join the Creator."

"What about reincarnation? Remember who Joe became? He proved he's an old soul. He spoke French, and he didn't know any."

"I can't answer that. I don't know where that came from. That is why I don't regress people. I prefer my beliefs. It could exist but I have never remembered a past time."

"Death is a part of living. You are born. And as you age your body starts to die. At first you can fight it. But eventually, the robe goes. You enter the spirit world. This is why we still speak to our ancestors as if they are still here. We listen to their words of wisdom. They tell us through the sun, the wind, and the moon. Our ancestors have never left. They are always with us. As Joe is with you."

"I have taught you about nature, human relationships, the lodge ceremony, our philosophy of life and death. Your lessons are now concluded. I will end with another prayer I found on Face Book. What would modern Indians do without Face Book?"

"This is not our world, we are just visitors. We are from another dimension and plane where only souls and the source of souls can exist. We are here for a very short time and because we have been honored to visit here, we also have the responsibility to be respectful and grateful for all our surroundings and relations. Mother Earth was created to have overabundance so our species and all other life would not struggle to survive, but we as guests have overstepped our boundaries and we take more then we need. One of the most important spiritual laws is you must always give back for what you take, if you do not follow and adhere to this law then slowly there becomes an imbalance and this imbalance will cause us many problems. We must be thankful and grateful in our prayers that we are honored guests on Mother Earth, and to be blessed with the beauty and unconditional love from Mother Earth and the other spirits who share this reality with us. We are not the owners of this world nor are we more special than any other life, for the intelligence we have been blessed with is because we were appointed to be the stewards and caretakers for this reality and world. "

"Hawk, when I was mugged and almost died, my real Uncle Arthur, Ajay's dad, spoke to me in a dream. He told me to go back home. It wasn't my time. When Joe was shot in Afghanistan, Uncle Arthur spoke to him. Joe says he and Uncle Arthur lay on the desert sand and watched the stars together. And then HE sent Joe home. Uncle Arthur did the same with Dad during his heart surgery. But Dad won't tell us what he said. It looks like Uncle Arthur never left us. He's more than just a picture on a mantle. He still lives here," Arthur says.

"And Joe Brennan still lives in your house. Do you sleep in his old room?"

"Yes, we do. I never thought of it that way. He's haunting us, I guess."

"He's watching over ALL of you."

"Our deceased never leave us. We can only hope the relationship is friendly. Do you have enough information for your songs now?"

"More than enough. Thank you for coming, Hawk. You helped me a lot. I will definitely do a song about the "Trail of Tears."

"I'm glad I could teach you."

"I didn't mean the teaching. You've helped me see life in a different way. You're the reason I haven't freaked out with the cancer scare. You gave me emotional peace. I can see why Joe loves you so much."

"Noel misses your father. He doesn't say it but he does. He misses all of you. He misses all of this. Angie and Danny are the reason he doesn't feel alone. He's recreating what you already have."

They hear guitar music from upstairs.

"Who is playing?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"Ajay. He's teaching himself using the internet. He's writing music for "Never Again". Knowing him, he'll have no problem doing it."

They both stand. Arthur hugs Eagle Hawk.

"Thank you, for everything."

"You're very welcome. Let us go home. Lettie and I need to pack. I just have one more favor to ask of you. Can I have one more Chicago pizza before I leave?"

Arthur takes one more look at Joe's picture and closes the album. He turns to Eagle Hawk.

"One more pizza coming up?"

…..

A month has passed. The Hawks have gone home. Ajay is in his room. He is practicing guitar. Allison knocks and enters.

"Hi, mom."

"You got a minute, Ajay?"

"Anything for you. What's up?"

"Arthur and I are going to school. They're starting rehearsals for the play. It's Saturday. You want to come? You can practice later."

"I don't know. Your actors will think it's weird a kid wrote it."

"They'll find out soon enough. Some are not much older than you. Come on. Aren't you curious? I am."

"As long as Arthur comes along. I don't want to be alone."

"It was his idea."

…

Allison goes downstairs. Arthur stands. He is wearing his baseball cap.

"He's coming down now. He's a little scared. He's worried about his age."

"They don't have to know, do they?"

"Not yet. When's your last treatment?"

"Next week. Then I do the tests. I miss my hair, mom."

"It will grow back. It always does. Just don't lose the cap."

Ajay comes down.

"I'm ready."

….

They enter the school auditorium. A large back drop of the gate and rail tracks are on stage. About eight tombstones are on an empty stage floor.

"That's wrong, Mom. The ones that died never got graves," Arthur says.

"They have to do it for the production. You'll find out why soon."

Mrs. Laura Andrews enters and sees them. She goes to Allison.

"I'm glad you came. Is this Ajay?"

"Yes, Ajay, this is Laura, the English teacher. She's the director."

She puts her hand out.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Marsh."

"It's an honor to meet you, Mrs. Andrews."

They shake. She turns to Arthur.

"And who's this?"

"My son, Arthur. He did Shoah."

"It's quite an accomplishment. I'm honored."

They shake hands.

"We put the set up today. What do you think? You saw the real thing."

"It's good. It gives me the creeps. Very realistic. But the victims didn't have tombstones. Their bodies were never recognized, just thrown away."

"It was the only way to show they were ghosts. Have you a pajama, Ally?"

She pulls one out of her bag.

"This is the first one. It is as close as I could get to the color."

Mrs. Andrews looks at the hat.

"You can lose the hat. You're inside."

"No, he can't, Laura. He had radiation therapy. There's no hair underneath," Allison says.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know I thought the headlines in the Inquirer were false."

"Not this time. I told the press some time back."

"I must have missed it. You take some seats. The students will be here soon. I'll show them the costume."

She takes the pajamas and goes to the stage. They sit down.

"That's a very good set."

"Your picture book helped."

"What do you think, Ajay?" Arthur asks.

"It gives me the creeps too and I wasn't there. I'm getting chills," Ajay says.

"I did more than that. I got physically ill. I can only wonder what they felt."

The students start coming in. Arthur looks at them.

"You really think Black and Latino students can pull this off?" Arthur asks.

"I know they can. They've done it before."

"But never about something real and painful."

"Laura will show them how."

Laura faces the students.

"Welcome, fellow thespians, to your stage. Now the lines you have learned will make sense. Mrs. Hopkins has brought the first costume for you to see. Others will follow later."

She shows them the pajamas.

"Yuk! We have to wear those. They're ugly."

"They weren't made for beauty, just function. Pass it around."

They do.

"Actors, today I will explain how the play actually works. I plan to start the stage as dark. You will be lying on top of your graves. The only light will be the gate behind you. As each of you speak your lines you will raise. A light will be shown on you. When you speak to another character, until all have risen, the stage will be fully lit. The back drop of the gate will be dimmed but not totally lost until the end. At the end, you will go back to your graves and lie down. The gate will again be fully lit and a swastika put on top of it. Any questions?"

"A what?" Allison cries.

She goes up to Laura.

"I agree with the first part. But you will NOT use a swastika at the end. It's enough the audience knows why and how they died. The gate will be enough. Please, Laura, reconsider. Think of the material."

"That wasn't my idea. It was the principal."

"Then I'll have a talk with her tomorrow. You will NOT use it. Do I make myself clear? I promised not to question your directions. But I will NOT have that terrible sign at the end."

"We'll see what the principal feels. I was against it too. Don't be angry with me."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Now you do. May I continue?"

"Yes."

Allison goes back to her seat.

"As I was saying, you will all rise from your graves and speak your dialogue and you will die again."

A student raises his hand.

"Yes, Jason?"

"I know we wear the pajamas. Do we wear shoes in our grave?"

"I don't know. Maybe we should ask someone who went to Auschwitz. Arthur, could you help us please?"

Arthur walks to her.

"How would you answer that question? Everyone, this is Mrs. Hopkins son, Arthur. He did the Shoah album."

"For real? Did you really shake McCartney's hand?"

"Yes, I did. Why is that the only thing people remember? Anyone who died via gas or natural causes, shoes weren't important. Their bodies were thrown out with the trash. I would suggest slippers or black socks just in case there are splinters on the stage. Barefoot would be a bad idea."

"Did you write this?"

"No, I did not. Maybe just a little. Mr. Marsh come to me and asked for my extra research and HE wrote it."

"Who is this guy?"

"You'll meet him soon enough," Mrs. Andrews says.

"I'll sit down now. One more thing, your set is wrong. The Nazis took the tombstones off Jewish graves and created sidewalks in the camp. People were literally walking over people's graves. But the audience does not need to know. They need something to refer to. Other than that, the sets are perfect. Break a leg."

Arthur goes back to his chair. The rehearsal continues. Allison, Arthur and Ajay sit quietly and watch. One black male student starts to say his lines but flubs. He is frustrated.

"What is your problem, Jason?" Mrs. Andrews asks.

"It's the speech. There are too many twenty dollar words. I don't know how to say that. I don't know what they mean. Who wrote this, a genius? There's no way I can say this," Jason says.

"It's an important speech. You have to try."

"I am. I don't even know what I'm saying. I can't relate to this guy. Who was he?"

Allison stands up.

"May I help you, Laura?"

"Jason, your problem is not the words or what they mean. It's the feelings behind them. This man is not just a white Jew and you a black teen. He is a man in pain as he watches his friends and family separated and or killed. That is what you need to feel."

"That is what ALL of you has to feel. These are not just eight people. Each person is a combination of people. This is how the writer created them. Your character is one. Think of it that way."

"There's no secret that minority students have more difficult problems than whites. Put all that anger into your lines. These are people who see injustice being done on them and the only reason why is because they're different. Give Mrs. Andrews those feelings or the words WILL mean nothing to you."

"Mrs. H, how many people are in my character?" Jason asks.

"Only the writer can answer that, Allison says.

"Maybe it's time they meet the author, Ally," Mrs. Andrews says.

Allison looks back at Arthur. He shakes his head NO.

"Ally, it's the only way these students will understand," Mrs. Andrews says.

She turns back to Arthur and Ajay.

"Ajay, will you please come and stand by me."

Ajay does. Arthur shakes his head in disagreement.

"Actors, I would like you to meet Mr. Arthur Joseph Marsh."

"He's a kid," Jason says.

"How old are you, Jason?" Allison asks.

"Almost sixteen."

"You're still a kid. He is just two years younger. Ajay, tell him how many people make up his character," Allison says.

"Joshua Weiss age 32, Ann and Jacob Jarvis ages 19 and 20, Abraham Steinberg age fourteen. They all make up Joshua Weiss. I have more to say. May I?"

"Go ahead, son. The English language is in iambic pentameter. It has been since before the time of Shakespeare. Think about the beats with every long word. I will recite your speech using iambic pentameter."

"You'll need the script," Jason says.

"No, I won't."

Ajay recites it from memory perfectly. Jason looks at the script and is amazed.

"You did it perfectly."

"I know every word in that script. I am what the doctor call autistic. I have an excellent memory. The kids at school call me Sheldon, from Big Bang. My legal guardians call me Ajay."

"Ajay is my uncle's son. We are raising him."

"I know you can do it, Jason. I also know the speech is difficult. It was difficult to write. Just listen to your director's instructions," Ajay says.

"Can you help us?"

"It is not my job to overturn Mrs. Andrew's instructions. A writer, unless he is also a director, can overpass the judgment of a director. It is not what his position should be. May I sit down, now?"

"Go ahead. Did anything Ajay said help you, Jason?"

"I think so, Mrs. H."

She goes back and sits down.

"Well, now that we all have met the author, let's do what he says. You will all listen to MY instructions. Am I clear?"

The actors all agree.

"Jason, I want you to look at your speech again and work on the meters. After you've done that, start from the beginning."

He does and begins to speak. This time his words are much clearer and the sentences flow. He concludes. Mrs. Andrews is amazed.

"Very good, Jason. It was very clear."

"Thanks, but I still don't understand what I said."

"Use your dictionary. Let's continue from your speech."

The rehearsal goes on. Ajay stays silent and listens only. It concludes and the actors break up. Allison, Arthur and Ajay head for the door.

"Ally, wait!" Mrs. Andrews calls.

They do. Mrs. Andrews goes to her.

"Thanks for the help."

"We didn't mean to overstep our boundaries," Allison says.

"Turns out it helped. The students got a lot out of it, especially Jason."

"Jason may surprise you and be the best actor of them all. I can see he wants to really try."

"Mom, where's the boys bathroom?" Ajay asks.

"I know where it is. I'll go with you," Arthur says.

….

They enter the bathroom. It is empty. Both go into stalls. Jason and some boys enter.

"So that's Mr. Marsh. No wonder the script is so hard. He is a genius."

Arthur comes out to wash his hands. The boys look at him.

"You got a smart nephew there," Jason says.

"You don't have to tell me. We'll all very proud of him."

"You really a rock star?" Jason asks.

"I hate that phrase. I'm just a singer song-writer. I'm up there with James Taylor."

Ajay comes out and starts to wash his hands.

"Kid, you think you could help us with our speeches?" Jason asks.

"Your director should, not me. And don't call me kid. My name is Ajay. It's really Arthur but I have an uncle by the same name. A & J are the initials of my name."

"Okay, Ajay. We want you to know we'll try our best. Your lines are difficult."

"That's all I can ask for."

Another boy runs in.

"There an Ajay in here? Your mom wants you. She wants to leave."

Ajay leaves. The remaining boys surround Arthur. He starts to get scared.

"You think you can get him to help? You're his uncle," Jason asks.

"I don't think so. He told me he believes in you. Just do your best. I better go."

Arthur leaves. The boys turn to each other.

"Was it my imagination but was he scared of us?"

"Figures, when a group of blacks surround someone white they get scared. The world never changes," Jason says.

…..

Arthur walks up to Allison and Ajay.

"I'm ready to go, mom."

"What took so long?"

"The actors still want me to get Ajay to help them," Arthur says.

"Did they threaten you? You look scared?"

"No. They surrounded me and I started to panic. I don't know why. They were harmless. I hope they don't think it was them. You know I'm not racial."

"It wasn't them. You never got over Joel. I'll tell them at school."

"Thanks mom."

She puts her hand on the back of Arthur's neck.

"Arthur, don't be afraid to tell us you're still scared. You don't have to me macho with us. You're lucky you're not dead. You almost were. Let's go home."

….

Allison waits by Jason's locker. He sees her.

"Hey, Mrs. H."

"Hello, Jason. May I speak to you, alone?"

"Did I do something wrong? "

"Please come into my classroom."

They do.

"Please, sit down. I have something to explain to you."

He does and she sits across from him.

"It's about Arthur. He seemed spooked when he left the boys room."

"Tell me about it. We weren't going to attack him."

"He knew that."

"Then why was he scared?"

"A few months ago he went through a near-death experience. A young man became an enemy to him and my younger son, Joe."

"What did they do to him?"

"They put him in jail for a long time. When he got out he swore revenge?"

"Why was he in jail?"

"He and his fellow frat brothers tried to rape an unconscious girl at a frat party. Arthur saw it and saved her. He took her to her parents and they took her to the ER to have her blood tested for the date rape drug. But before that, Arthur called the police on them and they were arrested."

"I have always taught my sons to treat women with respect. Arthur did what he had to. In response, he was jumped, beat up and almost killed."

"What does that have to do with us? We didn't hit him."

"When the leader left jail, he decided to attack Arthur first. Art is a lawyer, with his own office. He parks his car in an enclosed lot across the street from his office."

"One night, as he got into his car, he felt a gun to his head. Joel had broken in. He ordered him to drive to a secluded location. There, he ordered him out of his car. Arthur started to run and fell on his stomach. That's when Joel shot him several times in the back. He didn't know Arthur was wearing a bullet-proof vest. His father-in-law gave him one when he found out Joel was out."

"Arthur played dead. It's what saved his life. He hasn't been the same since. He's very jumpy. That is why he got scared with you. It was not racial."

"Was this Joel black?"

"White as snow. But his gun, like most revolvers, was black."

"So, the bullets didn't go into him? It was close rage. They created bruises only on his back."

"Right after the attack, he was told he had cancer in his brain. That's why he wears a baseball cap. He's having preventive radiation therapy. He's as bald as Patrick Stewart under the cap."

"You combine those two experiences and you see why he's so touchy. I hope you will keep this to yourself. Arthur felt bad about what happened. He wants you to know the reason why."

"I won't tell a soul. What happened to the girl he saved?"

"He married her and they have four children, two sets of twin. Hell-of-a-way to meet your future husband? I prefer a blind date."

"Where's his office?"

"Google it. He's in the web. Look under contract lawyers."

"Thanks for telling me. What happened to the other guy?"

"He took Arthur's car and left it at the airport parking lot. He then took the next flight to get my younger son. They met and Joe wasn't wearing a vest. Some of Joe's friends found him alive just in time. One killed Joel. The sheriff came, saw what had happened and said it was justified homicide. There were no charges. Joel's gone no loss."

"I almost lost my two sons in less than three days. I am fortunate they are still alive."

"You have my word, Mrs. H. I'll just them it wasn't their fault and it wasn't racial."

"We have always taught our boys to see everyone as equal. I'm not saying we're completely not prejudice. We try very hard not to be. We are Catholic. And yet Arthur married a Jew. We didn't care about her religion."

"You're one cool lady, Mrs. H. I wish there were more of you."

"Thank you for listening."

"You're welcome. May I go now?"

"Yes, of course. We are all the same under our skin. Remember that."

"I will."

…..

Arthur returns to his office. He doesn't see anyone sitting in the chair behind the door.

"Arthur, you have a visitor," Liz says.

He turns and sees Jason, who stands.

"Jason, what are you doing here? Do you need a contract? I'm a contract lawyer also."

"No, I came to tell you your mother spoke to me and explained why you got scared with us. She told me you were carjacked and almost killed. That's why you freaked out with us."

"I'm sorry about that. I don't normally act that way around blacks. I'm a musician. I work a lot with them. Is that all you wanted?"

"Yeah. What type of contracts do you do?"

"Some personal but most corporate. Lately I've been doing them between performer and their recording companies. I've become very popular. It was hard to find one to take care of me. I went to school for four years for this, Northwestern."

"Is that where you were almost killed?"

"I was leaving a night course when I was jumped. I don't remember much more after that. All I remember was the pain. I still have scars on my upper torso where they repeatedly kicked me."

"So when the guy went after you again, you wore a vest."

"Liz made me. I had it for weeks and I never put it on till that day."

"It pays to listen to your secretary. I'll go now. I just wanted to explain," Jason says.

Arthur looks at his watch.

"Don't go yet, Liz. I'm going to take a coffee break at Starbucks. I'll be back. Can I get you one?" Arthur asks.

"Yes, you know what I like."

"Let's go, Jason. I could use mocha," Arthur says.

…..

They are sitting at Starbucks drinking coffee.

"How are the rehearsals going?"

"Hard. Your nephew has hard material. Are you sure he's only thirteen?"

"Sometimes he acts 103."

"Are all autistic people like that?"

"People think they're dumb and retarded. In truth, they're very smart. Ajay is no exception. I didn't know how smart until he asked me to read his play. He used words I didn't even know. And I have a 4.0 GPA. All I did was giving him my leftover Shoah research."

"I'm glad you're calmer now. I really thought it was us."

"It wasn't. It was a former nightmare. Thank God he's dead. I wasn't there when it happened. He did almost get my younger brother."

"How did it happen?"

"Joe lives in Arizona. It's a small hole-in-the-ground town called Nowhere. Nowhere is close to an Apache reservation. All his friends, besides his wife and father-in-law, are American Indians. Actually his wife is half Apache. He calls them his personal army. One of them, White Elk, made us his blood brother and their father, an elder named Eagle Hawk gave us Indian names. I am Soaring Bird. Joe is Howling Wolf."

"After my attack, I warned Joe that Joel was on his way. He got his army to protect him, but Joel still got to him. Joe was taking out the garbage and Joel came out with his gun and carjacked him. He told him to go to a deserted place. But Joe left clues."

"When he didn't come back in his army went to look for him. They found the garbage bags broke and open. They saw Joe tie the bags. They also knew where he would go. He goes to a private mountain plateau. Everyone knew that was his favorite place. That's where his army went."

"There was another member with them. A friend from Chicago came to visit. When the army got there, my friend Joe went on his own. The army had guns. Joe had nothing. He got there before the army did. He hid between the rocks and watched as my brother started a verbal fight with Joel, while he was holding the gun on him. Only my brother would do that. I saw the gun and ran. Joe wanted to discuss it. He ordered Joel to shoot him. He called Joel a coward, to his face."

"Well, anyway, when Joe from behind the rock saw my brother was going to die, he ran and pushed Joe to the ground. The gun went off and my friend Joe was killed. He gave his life for my brother. That's when White Elk killed Joel."

"Cops came. No charges were filed. Sheriff saw what happened. A week later, we cremated Joe and spread his ashes in the desert wind as the sun went down. It was a beautiful ceremony. Eagle Hawk said a prayer and played the flute. I did the Kaddish from Shoah. Joe did the ashes and Joe's soul entered the Indian spirit world."

"That night, after everyone left, Joe and I sat on a boulder and looked up at the night sky. There were no lights. We saw everything. And we also felt Joe looking down at us."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I got lost on you. I didn't mean too. I just remember that night. Well, say something."

"That man sacrificed his life for your brother."

"No, it wasn't a sacrifice. You see, he was very ill and really come to Arizona to have his ashes scattered. He just didn't expect it to happen so soon."

"What illness did he have?"

"AIDS. He wanted to die with dignity. He was one of the four boys who tried to kill me that night. He never hit me but he held me up as they did. They didn't make him do it. He was on drugs. He turned against them in court and spoke for our side. But he still had to do jail time, just a lot less. While in jail, he was married off to another inmate. It wasn't his choice. Joe was straight. The man had AIDS. When Joe got out he found out he had it, and came to say good-bye to both of us. He did die in dignity. My brother held him his arms after he died, and just cried. He wouldn't let anyone take the body. The blood on him was poisoned with the virus and Joe didn't care. He wouldn't let go of him. "

Jason just looks at Arthur.

"Man, that's a bad story."

"Every word is true. That was the end of our nightmare and why I was scared of you. You glad you came?"

"Yeah, I'm glad. I don't know what I'll tell my friends. I promised your mother I wouldn't tell anyone the reason. But, I'll think of something," Jason says.

Arthur looks at his watch.

"It's time to go back. The law never stops. Someone wants to buy a house and they need me."

…..

It is opening night. The whole family, minus the children, enters the school auditorium. They reach a row of marked seats. There are two more, Eric and Virginia. They sit down. Two more seats still need to be filled.

"There are two more seats. Maybe it's not only us," Allison says.

"We'll leave the aisle seats for them."

They sit down and start looking at the program. They turn to a page with Ajay's picture.

"They got my picture," Ajay says.

"Are you getting nervous?" Virginia asks.

"I'm terrified."

"Don't be. Remember Stephen's letter. He's always right," Arthur says.

"Were you scared when you started, Uncle Arthur?"

"It's quite normal. Our first night at Luther's, I was so scared my knees were knocking," Arthur says.

"Have you seen any rehearsals, Ally?" Eric asks.

"Just one. Our appearance was too disruptive. I left the director alone."

"I can't wait. Eric and I are the only ones who never read the play," Virginia says.

"Then you'll be pleasantly pleased."

"Look, there's Jason's picture," Allison says.

"I paid for all the actors and directors to have professional pictures taken," Arthur says.

"You got to know Jason pretty well," Allison says.

"He's a good kid. It's too bad he has financial problems. His mother is the only parent raising him and she lost her job. She can't find work. She's too old for the job market," Arthur says.

"How old is she?" Jack says.

"In early mid-fifties. She keeps getting age discrimination. Bad enough she's black. She has both types," Arthur says.

"What does she do? Maybe I can help? She could try BP," Jack says.

"I could help her. I do own the company," Eric says.

"That's if she's her tonight," Jack says.

"Jason is a minor. He can't come alone. She probably is here," Allison says.

"If she is, we'll talk to her when we go back stage after the play," Eric says.

Two men enter the auditorium and pass a film crew setting up. It's Noel and White Elk. Noel bends down to talk to Allison.

"Excuse me, ma'am? Are these seats taken?" Noel asks.

Allison turns and screams.

"Joe!"

"Hey, mom."

She hugs him.

"When did you get here? Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

They sit down.

"He called me. I wanted it to be a surprise. I told no one," Sherrie says.

"How long are you staying?" Arthur asks.

"Only a few days. Elk and I want to do the town. We leave next week. Our race is next Sunday. Everyone, this is Robert Hawk, my running mate. His Indian name is White Elk. Elk, you've met everyone except the author and the Guttenberg's, Arthur's in-laws. "

"It's nice to meet you, White Elk. What tribe are you?" Virginia says.

"Apache. There are three Apaches sitting here," White Elk says.

"Three?" Eric asks.

"Elk made us not ONLY his blood brothers last time we met but ALSO members of his tribe. They adopted us. My name is Soaring Bird and Joe is Howling Wolf. We did a blood pact," Arthur says.

"Knife and all," Noel adds.

"That makes you all MY family, minus the knife," White Elk says.

The light flashes twice.

"Two minute warning and the play starts."

"Joe, how about Luther's on Tuesday? We'll surprise him," Arthur says.

"I thought you'd never ask. I even brought my guitar."

"You could use mine. It used to be yours," Ajay says.

"Two guitars and two voices. Just like the old days. The Hopkins Brothers return," Arthur says.

"May I come too?" Ajay asks.

"I'm afraid not. You're too young. They serve alcohol," Allison says.

"Ajay is learning the guitar also. He's using the internet as a teacher. We can't wait to hear him," Jack says.

"They made me promise NOT to do "Down in the Valley"," Ajay says.

"Good move, Dad," Noel says.

The lights start to dim.

"It's time. Don't be scared. This is the beginning of your dream," Allison says, smiling and squeezing Ajay's hand.

…..

The play starts. All eyes are on the stage. A single light is on focusing on a back drop of the Auschwitz gat. Bodies are seen sleeping on the stage. The light goes on one as he rises.

"They're wearing black socks, Mom. They took my suggestion," Arthur says.

Jack shushes him. The boy stands up and starts reciting his lines. One by the one the actions rise from their graves and do the same. The stage is finally all lit until the play starts to conclude. One by one the actors go back to their graves and lay down. A sheer curtain comes down and a Star of David is put on it. The play ends. There isn't a dry eye in the place, men included. The lights go back and the sheer curtain goes back up. The audience rises and loudly claps. Allison turns to Ajay and wipes her tears.

"It was beautiful, son. Thank you for writing it," Allison says.

One by one the actors come out, take a bow and wait for the others. Last is Mrs. Andrews. When Jason comes out the crowd yells louder. He is the star of the show. They all take hands and bow together. The audience, not the family, starts to shout "Author, Author!" Ajay starts to get scared.

"What do they want me to do, Mom?" Ajay asks.

"They want you up there." Allison says.

"No, I'm too scared. I can't do it."

Jason runs off the stage and goes to their seats and raises his arm to Ajay.

"I need you, Ajay. WE need you up there. Don't be afraid. This is your night too," Jason says.

Ajay looks at Allison.

"GO!" Allison says, smiling.

Ajay goes to Jason and he brings him on stage. He disappears and returns with some flowers and gives them to Ajay.

"What do I do with these?" Ajay asks.

"I don't know. I was told to give them to you. Now take a bow," Jason says.

Jason takes his hand and everyone bows together. The audience continues clapping. The film crew disassembles and leaves. The curtains close. Ajay is in shock. The audience starts to leave. The family goes to the stage steps. Ajay stands holding the flowers. The actors go and hug him. Mrs. Andrews comes by. The actors move away.

"Ajay, thank you for giving us this play. It was an honor to do it," Mrs. Andrews says.

She hugs his also. The family arrives. Allison goes to Ajay, takes the flowers, gives them to Jack and hugs him also.

"Your father would be so proud," Allison says.

She lets him go. Arthur walks up to him and gives him his hand.

"Welcome to the entertainment world. May you last forever," Arthur says.

Ajay reaches for his hand but Arthur hugs him instead. Noel walks up to them and coughs to get Arthur's attention. Ajay sees him.

"Uncle Joe! You came!" Ajay says.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Arthur lets Noel hug him. Jason goes to Ajay. Noel let's go.

"We did it, Ajay. We did it!"

A woman walks up to Jason.

"Mom, this is Ajay. This is my mother, Louise."

She shakes his hand.

"It's nice to meet you. Jason talks a lot about you."

Jack and Eric look at each other and nod. Eric mouths "five minutes".

"And this is my friend, White Elk. We just came from Arizona."

"You're the dude that killed the bad guy?" Jason asks.

"I did what?" White Elk asks.

"That's what Arthur said."

"He means Joel, Elk," Arthur says.

"Oh that. That's not something to brag about. I took a human life. Something had to be done to save Noel," White Elk says.

"So, you're a real Indian?" Jason asks.

"Apache."

"You got great hair," Jason says.

"I take good care of it."

"Excuse me, Louise. My name is Eric Guttenberg and this is Jack Hopkins. We hear you've been having trouble finding work."

"They see my age and say no. I don't even have time to give them my resume," Louise says.

"Come with us. Maybe we can help?" Eric says.

Eric, Jack and Louise walk away.

"Who are they?" Jason asks.

"The English guy is our father, Jack. The football player is my father-in-law, Eric. He only owns half of Chicago. He'll find her work," Arthur says.

"I hope so. We're behind two months in rent."

"Let me take care of that. I do have two jobs. I'll get you back on your feet," Arthur says.

"Thank you, Mr. Hopkins."

"Where did that come from? I thought it was Arthur. Tonight I saw the future Denzel Washington. I don't know what your dreams are, but if it's acting, ten years from now I will see you on the Academy Awards."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Eric, Jack and Louise come back. Erik looks at his watch.

"Going somewhere, Eric?" Jack asks.

"We all are. I'm having a small cast party at my house. Louise, would you and Jason like to come?"

"I was just going to take Jason for pizza."

"You can do pizza, later. Tonight it's the mansion. Everyone is invited. Jason, you go tell the other actors and technical people. Mrs. Andrews, thank you for your wonderful direction. Go around and see how many cars we can get."

"Yes, Mr. Guttenberg. Thank you."

Jason and Mrs. Andrews leave.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Jack asks.

"I wanted it to be a surprise. Tonight is Ajay's night. I wanted him to remember it."

"That's sweet of you, Dad," Sherrie says.

"Don't spread it around. I still want people to be afraid of me."

"What are we having?" Allison asks.

"Just some small catering. I hope you like caviar."

"Caviar? Oye vey?" Arthur says.

….

The whole caravan of cars arrives at the mansion. James greets them at the door. He has a rack ready for all the coats. He takes them and hangs them up. The students and Mrs. Andrews enter the foyer. They can't believe their eyes.

"Oh my God!" Louise says.

"This is bigger than the whole neighborhood," Jason says.

"You said Arthur married money. I didn't think it was this much."

Noel and White Elk enter.

"Nice digs!" White Elk says.

"It was this money that helped Arthur get into the music world. Now he's doing it all on his own. My brother is worth big bucks."

The crowd stands and waits.

"Please follow me," James says.

They follow him into the dining room. A huge buffet is on the wall.

"Oh my GOD!"

"Is that all you can say, Mom?" Jason says.

"Please, get in line. Enjoy," Eric says.

"Oh, sir? Are there burgers and pizza in there?" Jason asks.

"They're at the end. I remembered everything," Eric answers.

"Jason, behave," Louise says.

The students and technical staff go first. The family waits.

"You have a beautiful home, Mr. Guttenberg," White Elk says.

"It's not mine anymore. I lost it with the divorce."

"I'm sorry."

"I visit occasionally. I think I've seen this place on TV. Wasn't there a double homicide in the area?" White Elk asks.

"It was next door. Ginny and I found the bodies. The Weinberg's were friends," Eric says.

"Oh yes, I remember. That was around then I was almost scalped."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Long story. It was a nightmare in Arizona also. Any more hate mail?"

"They finally stopped. The line has slowed down. Feel free."

The family goes in. Everything imaginable is on the buffet. Jack's eyes open.

"It looks wonderful," Jack says.

"Remember what the doctor said. Watch your diet. You want another surgery?" Allison says.

"Come on, Ally. Just once. I've been a good boy."

"Okay. Just once. But don't overdue it."

"Yes, ma'am."

Noel and Joe are after them.

"Ah, caviar. Just like on the reservation," White Elk says.

"Don't rub it in, Elk?"

"It's amazing what money will do."

"If you hate the poverty, why do you live there?"

"It's my people, Noel. Your people know. You make money with your music. Why do you still live in Nowhere?"

"I like the simplicity. I enjoy being a bartender."

"And I enjoy being a carpenter, with my own people. It just hurts me to see this while other people starve."

"Forgive me for asking."

White Elk takes his plate and sits next to Jason and Louise. Jason has a cheeseburger. He looks at White Elk's plate.

"What's that black stuff?" Jason asks.

"Caviar," White Elk answers.

"What's that?"

"Fish eggs."

"Yuk."

"It's not yuk. An ounce of these costs a month's rent. Care to try it?"

"I guess."

He dips some on some bread and gives it to him.

"What do you think?"

"I'll stick to my cheeseburger. You guys can eat the black stuff."

"What's it like on the reservation?" Louise asks.

"It's not like this. It's poverty. Some of us have jobs. I'm a carpenter. I like to work with my hands. After I left the army, I moved back home."

Noel joins them. He has a cheeseburger.

"White Elk is a 1st Lieutenant in the Army, pretty high rank," Noel says.

"The people who live on the reservation are poor. Some are alcoholics. Others take drugs. We have gangs. Our children don't eat like this. Mine don't because I get army benefits. But we never have caviar."

He looks at Noel's plate.

"All this and you get a cheeseburger? You could have that at home."

"I don't like being rich. I was raised on burger king," Noel says.

"And look what it did to your father's heart. You almost lost him. Or, do you want surgery too?" White Elk says.

"I decided to leave the rich food for the students. They deserve it. It was their play. Besides, I've seen you eat burgers at the diner," Noel says.

"You two sound like brothers," Louise says.

"We are blood brothers. His Indian name is Howling Wolf. He's an adopted Apache. So is Arthur. His name is Soaring Bird," White Elk says.

"What a diverse family. I can't believe you and Arthur are brothers. He's so urban and you're so rural," Louise says.

"I left Chicago behind me and kept driving until I found a place to hide. That's why I settled in Nowhere, Arizona."

"How big is Nowhere?" Louise asks.

"About as big as this house. If you drive through it, don't blink. You'll miss it," Noel answers.

"He's not kidding. You can walk all of downtown in five minutes. There is nothing there," White Elk says.

"Actually, "Nothing" is the next town over. And "Why" is after that. About 160 people live in "Why"," Noel says.

"Let me get this straight. There is nothing to do in "Nowhere" and "Nothing", and some things to do in "Why"?" Jason asks.

They both say "exactly" in unison.

"And after Why is my reservation," White Elk says.

"And all this is two hours east of Phoenix. And I wouldn't have it any other way," Noel says.

"Yet, you're a singer. You make albums. You did "Cold Steel", Louise says.

"Yes, I did. And I have another album coming out now."

"What's "Cold Steel"?" Jason asks.

"Remember the video I didn't want you to see but you saw anyway? It had the people having sex," Louise says.

"Yeah, I remember. But then she became a gun. And the gun was in some guy's hand. He walked away. That was you?"

Noel opens his hand to Jason's face.

"Recognize the lines behind the couple."

Noel opens and closes his hand.

"You sang that?"

"Every word."

"So, you and Arthur are both famous?"

"Guilty as charged."

"Can we take a selfie together? No one's going to believe this," Jason asks.

"Why don't you all get into the picture? I'll take it," White Elk says.

Eric watches as the crowd sits down to eat. He walks over to Ajay.

"Son, isn't it time for you to make your speech? Your audience waits," Eric asks.

"Eric is right, Ajay."

"What do I say?"

"I think you know. I trust you," Allison says.

Eric stands before the crowd and clicks a fork to his glass.

"Excuse me, everyone. There is someone here who wants to say something. I would like to introduce Mr. Arthur Joseph Marsh."

Eric steps aside as Ajay faces a quiet crowd. He looks around and takes a deep breath.

"Well, guys. Here goes nothing. "Never Again" first started as an extra credit English assignment. The teacher gave me an A+. I was satisfied with that. Somehow in the next week it grew till it finally grew into opening night."

"This whole two months have been a dream come true for me. The last thing I expected was to see it come to life. Thank you for doing that. Thank you, Mrs. Andrews for accepting my mother's submission. Thank you, my fellow thespians for bringing life to my characters. Thank you the stage hands, the art department and the audio visual department for doing the lights. We couldn't do it without any of you."

"We couldn't do it without you, Ajay," Mrs. Andrews says.

"I would also like to thank Uncle Eric for this great party. I've never seen so much food in my life. I tried the fish eggs. I don't like them."

"I'd also like to thank Aunt Allison and Uncle Jack for accepting me as their son. Both my parents are dead. I had nowhere to go when mom died. This family took me in with open arms. I gave them love, no strings attached."

Ajay starts to cry. Allison starts walking to him. White Elk looks at Noel as he watches. He starts to recognize the Noel has the same reactions as Ajay. They both become distant. He smiles.

"That's why he's that way," White Elk says, under his breath.

"Uncle Arthur let me use his extra notes for my assignment. He didn't think twice. I love them all, down to my niece, Anna. And she did nothing."

"It's not easy being autistic. People laugh at you because they call you slow and retarded. We are not retarded. We are just like you. Only it takes us longer to do things. I'm reminded of Sheldon on Big Bang. His character has taught the world that we TOO have feelings. Right now the feeling I have is love. I see it in your eyes. I saw it in your work tonight. It's a shame it can't go past three performances. You all deserve a hand."

Ajay is crying now. White Elk looks at Noel. He seems lost. He takes a deep breath as he starts tearing.

"Thank you all."

Allison goes to him and hugs him. The crowd rises and claps. She faces the crowd.

"Thank you from me and my family. This night has been a wonderful dream we don't want to wake up from."

Ajay turns to the crowd.

"Well enough of me. I don't know about you but I like the food here. Go back and enjoy it."

They do. Allison looks at Ajay. She wipes his tears. White Elk looks at Noel. He is crying.

"It's Joe all over again," White Elk says to himself.

"Enjoy tonight, son. I'll all for you."

Eric wipes a tear from his face. Virginia sees him.

"A tear? You mean you're human?"

"Don't tell anyone," Eric says, chocked up.

….

Arthur and Noel walk into Luther's and go to the ID checker. Arthur pulls out his business card and gives it to him.

"We'd like to see Luther. Tell him I'm here," Arthur says.

The ID checker leaves. Luther comes running in a few minutes. He is happy to see them.

"Arthur, you came back. So did you, Joe. You still in Arizona?"

"Haven't moved back yet?"

"Who's your friend?"

"Our blood brother, White Elk. He came with me. Bob, this is Luther. He's the man who gave us our first chance as performers eight years ago."

"Nice to meet you," White Elk says.

"Could you open up tonight like you did before?"

"You got it. I wish you could be here Saturday night."

"Why?"

"My entertainment had a death in the family, and they are all family. I have no entertainment. I've made calls but everyone is busy. I'm stuck."

Arthur looks at Noel and smiles. Noel nods yes. Arthur puts his arm around Luther's shoulders.

"Seems I know where some performers can be found."

"Where? I'm desperate."

"What are we, chopped liver?" Arthur says, with a Jewish accent.

"But Joe lives in Arizona."

"I'm going back next week. I'm staying for a few days."

"I can't afford to pay you. You're famous now."

"Why don't you pretend we're not and pay us what you used to? Just don't let the customers know," Arthur says.

"Really?"

Arthur puts his arm down.

"We would do it for free. All you have to do is ask. Just say you have a surprise performer. All we want would be drinks and food," Arthur says.

"You agree, Joe?" Luther asks.

"You still have sloppy Joe?" Noel asks.

"I'll be sure to make it."

"Then I guess you have entertainment. We'll be here at seven. Now how much entry fee is tonight for three?"

"It's free. I'll take you to your table."

Luther guides them to a small back table and leaves. White Elk looks around.

"So this is where it all began?" White Elk says.

"We were both underage, but he didn't care. By the time I became legal to drink I already had my first record and working on my second."

"So, I'm in a historical place," White Elk says.

"This is a part of our history. What song shall we do bro?" Noel asks.

"Let me think about it," Arthur says.

….

All the family, minus Ajay, arrives at Luther's. It is Saturday night. They take two tables. Arthur and Noel have brought their guitars and they disappear back stage. All the marquee says is "question mark". None of the people know who will come. They are buzzing with guesses. Luther goes on stage and sets up two stools.

"This will be a real treat, luv. Our two boys will be together again. It only took five years," Jack says.

"I wonder what they they'll do."

"Maybe their own material. It wouldn't surprise me if they did some oldies," Eric says.

"Arthur wouldn't tell me," Sherrie says.

A waitress come, takes drink orders and walks away.

"It's a shame Ajay couldn't come," Sherrie says.

"Luther could lose his license if he were caught here," Jack says.

Luther goes to the microphone.

"Hello and thank you for coming. I bet you are wondering who the guests are. It's time to tell you. Luther's is proud to present, since eight years ago, the original Hopkins Brothers, Arthur and Joseph Hopkins."

Arthur and Noel come out, guitars in hand. They take their stools. People recognize them and start bringing out their phones. Arthur goes to the microphone.

"Hello, my name is Arthur and this is my baby brother, Joe. And for one night we are back at Luther's. It's time for us to wake up."

They start to sing "Wake up, Little Suzie" by the Everly Brothers. They conclude the song.

"By now you know who we both are. Since we life we have gone our own ways. Sorry but you will not hear any original material. Tonight will be oldies. Feel free to sing along," Arthur says.

Halfway through the show Joe speaks.

"I don't live here anymore. I moved to Arizona. The Apache Indians who live at the nearest reservation are my best friends. One is in the audience. My brother and I were adopted by the tribe and given Indian names. I am Howling Wolf and Arthur is Soaring Bird. We have since become very militant over Indian rights. Us white folks really screwed them. Our next song was done by Paul Revere and the Raiders. These words apply even to today. It's time we apologized to them."

They start to play "Cherokee Nation". White Elk nods.

"Amen," White Elk say.

"Our next song is from the movie "Billy Jack". The film dwelt with the disrespect we gave the American Indians. If you knew the TRUE history of our abuse to them, you would understand the end of this song."

They play "One Tin Soldier". White Elk gives him the thumbs up. Two girls turn and see White Elk. They smile. The show goes on and the audience joins in. It's like the old days. Luther is in heaven. The boys conclude and leave the stage. The crowd cries "encore". Jack counts down from twenty.

"Why are you counting?" Allison asks.

"They always wait twenty seconds before they come back."

Arthur and Joe come back and grab a microphone each.

"Enough with politics. We are going to take you back to February 1964, New York City. Four boys from Liverpool came and turned the music world around. They were called The Beatles. These songs were sung that night. They start "All My Loving,"

"That's what they did in Afghanistan. I was there," White Elk says.

"Hopefully this time their patrol won't be ambushed," Jack says.

The next song they do is "I Want to Hold Your Hand". And end with "She Loves You". Joe runs and jumps on the stage from right to left and into the audience. They play the"yeas" four times and end the song. They bow and go back stage. The crowd goes wild. The lights on the stage go off. Arthur and Noel come back to the family table, guitar cases in hand.

"I felt like you were eighteen again," Jack says.

"That was the plan," Noel says.

"I remember you jumping on the stage back overseas," White Elk says.

"I'm getting better with that. The running is doing it."

"Your limp is disappearing," Jack says.

"That was my goal too, Dad. I want my leg back."

"It felt good to perform together again. I didn't mind going back. I wish Ajay could see us," Arthur says.

"He'll be on stage soon. He's not bad on the guitar, "Allison says.

"I'll make a point to hear him. Maybe he'll start his career here, like we did," Arthur says.

"Are you doing a second show?" Eric asks.

"No, not tonight. We've had enough of oldies. It's time we go back to the present," Noel says.

"Have you started the Indian songs yet?" White Elk asks.

"I have a few done. I did a slow one called "The Robe". I'd like you to hear it before you go," Arthur says.

"I'll do it tomorrow. Tonight I would like to have a few more drinks before we leave. I want to enjoy myself," White Elk says.

The fans start approaching the family table asking for autographs and pictures. Arthur makes a face at Jack.

"They're your people, Arthur. You have too." Jack says.

"Get your writing hand ready," Allison asks.

Arthur and Noel start being rock stars. The family relaxes with their drinks. They start writing autographs. The family sits there quietly as they watch. A few girls come up to White Elk.

"Hi."

"Hello, ladies," White Elk says.

"Are you really an Indian?"

"Apache. But Noel already told you that. Can I help you?"

"You have such beautiful hair. May I touch it?"

He looks at Noel who shrugs his shoulders and makes a face.

"Sure, why not?"

The two girls do.

"It's so thick," one girl says.

"He has no split ends," the other girl says.

Noel looks at White Elk who is very confused.

"How did you get rid of the split ends?" one girl asks.

"I trim it regularly."

"Could we have a selfie with you? We want to show our friends," the other girl asks.

"What about the performers? Don't you want an autograph or picture with them?" White Elk asks.

"We'll do that after. We wanted to talk to you first."

"Okay. We'll do the picture first. Is that okay, Noel?" White Elk asks.

"Fine with me. Looks like you're getting a fan club," Noel says.

They do the pictures. Some time passes and White Elk gets more attention. He is getting a collection of phone numbers. He puts them in his shirt pocket. Arthur and Noel are surprised. Two girls go up to White Elk. They appear to be Indians.

"Hello, ladies," White Elk says.

"A'ho," one girl says.

"What tribe are you?"

"I'm Cherokee and she's Navaho. You like folk music?"

"I like all types of music. I'm here with my friend, Noel."

Noel looks at them and waves.

"Hello."

"A'ho. What is your name?"

"I'm called White Elk. Can I help you?"

"We can help you."

"That's a change."

"A group of us are having a sweat lodge tomorrow night and we'd like to invite you and your friend."

She pulls out a paper and gives it to White Elk.

"That's the time, address, our names and phone numbers. We start at seven. Call us if you can come. We would love to have you. Have you ever been to one?"

"My father is an elder in our reservation. He runs them. Thank you for the invitation."

"Hope to see you."

They smile and walk away.

"That was nice of them," Noel says.

"I don't think they wanted me there for purity and healing. They looked at me like I was a cheeseburger and they were hungry. We were propositioned, brother. Have you forgotten what we don't wear?"

"Oh, I see what you mean. Let's disregard that invitation," Noel says.

"Why? Go for it," Arthur says.

"Excuse me?" Noel asks.

"You might have fun."

"Art, have you lost your mind? Those girls want an orgy. We were to be shared," Noel says.

"There's nothing wrong with that," Jack says.

"Dad?"

"I never told you but when I was in my twenties your Uncle Arthur and I shared a date. It was her idea, not ours. She couldn't make up her mind. She didn't complain. Neither did we. It was interesting."

"You think we should do it?" Noel asks.

"As long as it's consensual and you're all adults, why not?" Jack says.

"We're both married, Dad. Have you forgotten?"

"Your wives are both back home. They won't know," Arthur adds.

"What do you think, Mom?" Noel asks.

"Variety is nice. Your dad knows I have a big collection of Playgirl centerfolds. Sometimes I look at them," Allison says.

"I've seen her bro. I came home one day and Mom and Sherrie had them all on the bed," Arthur says.

"We were ranking them between one and ten. There's even an American Indian. He had great hair. But that's not what stood out. He was…ah…long and pleasingly plump," Sherrie adds, smiling with a look of glee in her eyes.

"Oh yes, I remember him. He was a definite ten," Allison adds.

"10 ½. Are all Indians like that, Elk?" Sherrie asks.

"Care to find out?" White Elk asks, winking at her.

"I can't. It's too soon after the twins. Arthur has to go to the bathroom to entertain."

"How do you know?" Arthur asks.

"I can hear you. It wakes me up."

"My wife is past the point of connections. The doctor has told us to stop. We have to wait until she delivers the baby. I know what Arthur is going through," White Elk says.

"So do I. It's better than using your hand. Your dad told me that masturbation is not condemned. He said your people live for sensuality. No part of the body is forbidden to touch for any reason. He also said life is pure ritual and ceremony. Sex is no exception. Every part of the sex act is considered important. It's more than just reaching climax. Those are his words, not mine. You're an Indian. Be one," Arthur says.

"Have all you flipped? Can't you see what is wrong here?" Noel asks.

"There's nothing wrong, Joe."

"I made Angie a promise to be loyal. So did you to your wives."

"I didn't make Angie a promise. I can do what I want," White Elk says.

"Are you actually thinking about it?" Noel asks.

"Arthur's right. Why not?" White Elk says.

"I can't believe all of you."

Jack starts laughing.

"What's so funny, Dad?" Noel asks.

"Can't you tell we're teasing you? Stop being so serious all the time. It was fun. We don't believe anything we're saying," Jack says.

"I like my centerfolds, Jack. That Indian is 10+. I wouldn't mind doing that again," Allison says.

"So, we're agreed. The answer is NO," Noel asks.

"I'm still considering it. Dad is right. I should be an Indian. I was born one. It's more fun than my hand. It's just till the baby is born."

"You know, Elk, the Eskimos do it. They're Indians. If a male friend spends the night, the husband gives him his wife. It's tradition. No one thinks twice about it. What's wrong with a wife giving away her husband?" Arthur asks.

"You're right. There is nothing wrong. It's really not a bad idea," White Elk says.

"Elk, what if they're serial killers? Remember Gacy?" Noel asks.

"I don't think they'll kill me. I can take care of myself. Too many witnesses."

"You can stop with the jokes, Elk. You made a fool out of me. Don't rub it in."

"I'm not joking," White Elk says, with a straight face.

Arthur and his parents start laughing.

"You should see your face, son. We really had you going," Jack says.

"You can be such a prude, Joe," Allison says.

"You of all people should understand. You're the switch-hitter, not us," Jack says.

"I also stay loyal to the side I switch too. I love Angie. She's the mother of my son. That calls for loyalty."

"Yes, it does. You're right. More fans are walking up. Get your hands ready," Jack says.

"What about you, Elk?" Noel asks.

"I'm still thinking about it," White Elk says.

He smiles at Noel.

…..

Noel and White Elk are in their hotel room. White Elk is in the bathroom. He has just taken a shower. He is wearing a towel and his hair is still wet. He is shaving. Noel walks in as he slaps some after shave on his face.

"After shave, that ain't you?" Noel says.

"I want to look and smell nice."

"Where are you going?"

"Out."

"Not the sweat lodge?"

"Why not?"

"You know it will end in an orgy."

"I know no such thing. It might be the real thing. Just because the girls were attractive doesn't mean they want sex."

"I saw them look at you. They looked hungry. Are you crazy? You don't know them."

"I'm an adult. I can take care of myself. I'm a killer. Remember?"

"You're not going with a gun, just your hands. You could be jumped."

"If I'm jumped just to be raped, I won't mind. Not if the others look like them. I just won't eat or drink anything. I can't be drugged that way."

"Elk, don't do it. I have a bad feeling about this. Something doesn't seem kosher."

"Those girls were not Jewish."

White Elk grabs the hair dryer and turns it on.

"I don't see why you're drying your hair. It will just get wet again. Elk, do me a favor? Give me the contact information, just in case."

"In case of what?"

"In case I have to tell the police where you went when you don't come home."

White Elk turns to Noel.

"They're not killers. But I'll still give you the information, just to make you shut up. Now, can I finish getting ready? I don't want to be late."

"Sorry."

Noel leaves. White Elk goes back to drying his hair. Time passes and White Elk is putting his coat on. Noel walks up to him.

"What will you do tonight?" White Elk asks.

"Watch some TV and go to bed."

"Sometimes you can be very boring."

"I really wish you would reconsider. It doesn't seem right to me. I'm not talking about morality. I mean safety."

"I will be perfectly safe. They won't chop me up. I will come home in one piece. Stop it, Daddy."

He kisses Noel's cheek and opens the door.

"Don't wait up for me."

….

White Elk is at the sweat ceremony. The medicine man has just thrown water on the sacred rocks to extinguish them. Everyone is sweating. There are a few older people, but they are mostly young women. The crowd gets up and starts to leave. White Elk gets up and starts to dry himself with a towel. He then puts on his robe. He doesn't see one girl close the lodge door and walk up to him. She is wearing a robe. She stands in front of him and pulls something from her pocket and puts it into his hand. It is a condom. He looks at it as she drops her robe. He is a little shocked but not surprised.

"Well?" she says and smiles.

"Ah…I don't know what to say. I really thought you were joking."

"I never joke."

She opens up his robe and brings her body close to his. She puts her arms around his neck. White Elk starts to breathe heavy. He's not sure what he should do. He wets his lips, raises his eyes, and exhales.

"Well?" she asks again.

She starts caressing his body under the robe. He closes his eyes as her hands go below the waist. He starts to enjoy it and smile.

"Oh, Daddy, you are so right."

"Who's Daddy?"

Her hands continue working. He starts to react.

"Oh, what the hell!"

He holds her and starts kissing her. She drops his robe and it falls. He doesn't notice a few cameras have started working around them. To be continued in another story.

…

White Elk is working on a table. The large part rests on a bench. It is not secured enough. White Elk grabs a saw and starts trimming it. The bench collapses and falls on his leg. He cries in pain. His wife runs in and pushes the wood off. He holds his leg in pain.

…

Noel is behind the bar when White Elk hobbles in crutches. Noel sees him and is shocked.

"What happened to your leg?"

"I was making a table and bench wasn't stable. It fell on my leg. The doctor told me not to put weight on it for a few weeks."

"The race is in one week."

"You'll have to run it for both of us. I'll cheer you on. Just remember the important part is not to win or even complete it. It's just important to run as far as you can."

"It won't be the same without you. It felt like Rocky going up the stairs."

"Sorry, Noel, maybe next year. I was starting to look forward to it. Next time I'll make sure my bench is stable. I always did before. This time I didn't. Even Lieutenants make mistakes."

"How long will it take to heal?"

"Doc said about three weeks. He gave me pills for pain. Dad wants to give me herbs.

"I'm taking the pills. It really hurts. I just came to tell you in person. Dad had to drive me."

"I'll make it a good run just for you."

"Thanks. I have to go. Dad is picking up some burgers for lunch. I'll see you later."

….

The week of the race has come. Noel is stretching his legs. He has them on the bar. Tom comes into the bar.

"Be careful not to pull anything. You'll be joining Elk in the sidelines."

"I'm just getting them limber."

"Are you ready?"

"Really as I'll ever be. Is Eagle Hawk here yet? He's my ride to Phoenix."

"His car just hit town. He came for me to get you."

"Good. You sure I can't convince you to watch?"

"Someone has to tend bar. Be careful. Don't over exert yourself. You need that bad leg to walk."

"I won't. See you tonight."

Noel leaves.

…

Noel is at the beginning of the race. He is wearing shorts and has a number on it. There are many people near him. Elk wobbles over.

"Don't break a leg," White Elk says.

White Elk gives him a thumbs up. Noel gets into line and gets into position. A whistle is blown and they all start running.

"Let's go to the halfway point. He'll at least make it that far."

White Elk starts going to Eagle Hawks' car. Noel keeps running. He's doing good. People on the sidelines give the runners water. He takes the water and keeps running. White Elk waits at the halfway point. They see Noel approach and run past them. Noel is not tired. White Elk is surprised.

"Where do we go now?" Eagle Hawk asks.

"Let's go another half. There is no way he'll go any further. The only way is if he's crazy," White Elk says.

"Son, you know he's crazy. He will try."

"That's what I'm afraid of. "

Noel keeps running. He is determined to finish. He gets water as he runs. They see him as he reaches the ¾ point. He is starting to tire. White Elk can see it.

"I think he's through. He looks flushed. I'm surprised he got this far," White Elk says.

Noel keeps running. Nothing will stop him. He starts to slow down. People have dropped off. The amount of runners have lessened greatly. White Elk goes a little further. Noel passes them and he doesn't stop. White Elk can't believe it. Noel stops for a moment and catches his breath. He can see the end in sight. His legs are getting weak. He looks ahead.

"I have to do this. Come on legs. We're almost there."

He starts to run again. White Elk and Eagle Hawk are at the finish line.

"I think I see him," Eagle Hawk say.

Noel keep running and drinking water. The end is in sight. He slows down from fatigue. Other runners are finishing before him. He is one of the last ones left.

"Come on, legs. Just a little more. You can make it," he tells himself.

He runs past Eagle Hawk and White Elk.

"You can do it, Noel. Just a little more," White Elk cries.

Noel sees the finish line. He has slowed down a lot. He stops, take a few breaths, and starts running down again. He sees White Elk giving him the thumbs up and keeps running. He finishes the race. He does the full marathon. He stops, holds his head down and rubs his knees. White Elk goes to him.

"You made it. I don't believe it. You're f-king crazy," White Elk says.

"But I did it. And it feels good."

He starts to fall and Eagle Hawk catches him.

"I think you should sit down, Noel. Your legs are going to hurt tomorrow," Eagle Hawk says.

"They already do. I think I see a bench. Just get me there," Noel says.

Eagle Hawk walks him to the bench and Noel sits down.

"Man that feels good."

White Elk sits next to him.

"Only you would do this. You are crazy," White Elk says.

"Crazy as a loon," Noel says.

"Tom will never believe this," Eagle Hawk says.

"I don't think I will either," Noel says.

Eagle Hawk walks over to the water table and gets Noel one. He drinks it.

"Now what do I do? I've done all I ever wanted to do. I need another goal," Noel says.

"You need your head checked. Let's get you home. A warm bath will relax your legs. You'll be lucky to walk tomorrow," White Elk says.

"I'll bring the car around," Eagle Hawk says and leaves.

Noel looks at an amazed White Elk.

"I needed to do this so bad. I couldn't stand one more day disabled. My mind may be shot but I finally got control of my body. The Taliban didn't win."

…

Noel is soaking in a hot tub. Tom comes in.

"Congratulations. You did it. I didn't think you could."

"I don't even remember the last few miles. I just kept going."

"That's what White Elk says. He thinks you're crazy and so do I."

"I can't wait to tell Angie," Noel says.

"She already knows I'm crazy. She's my wife."

Angie comes in. Noel sees her.

"Hello, dear," Noel says, smiling.

She signs.

"You are nuts."

"What else is new?"

She leaves, shaking her head.

…..

Arthur is at work when the phone rings.

"Hopkins…Of course… Arthur, there's a call for you. Pick up line one."

He does.

"Hopkins speaking. Oh hello, Stephen. How are you?... What can I do you?...You had the play taped… What did you think?...Let me get a pen. The Writer's Guide for the current year. I'll get it. Thanks for the tip. I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for calling. Keep in touch.?

Arthur hangs up and rises.

"Where are you going?" Liz asks.

"To the nearest book store. I'll be back."

…..

Ajay is in his room practicing when Arthur and Allison enter.

"Ajay, could we speak to you?" Arthur says.

"Am I in trouble?" Ajay asks.

"No, quite the opposite. Mr. E.T. called me at work today. He had to play taped."

"You're kidding?"

"Uncle Joe mentioned cameras that night. I thought nothing of it. To make it short, he loved and suggested we should have a talk. He suggested this book. It could help you."

He gives Ajay the book.

"The Writer's Guide?"

"It tells you everything about being published. There's even a section on theater. There are contests where you can win money. He suggested you do some of it."

"But he told me to wait in his letter."

"He said that because of your age. He also said to continue following your dream. This is your dream book. We can work on it together. Even Mom agrees."

"I knew about the book before," Allison says.

"You read the pages I have marked and we can do it any time. I also have another book to look at after. It's where Eagle Hawk got his lessons outline. It's call "The Circle of Life". See the cover. It shows Mother Sun and Father Moon. Both are separate but they work together. That is what is happening to our family now. You had the play put on and your Uncle Joe, not only ran a marathon, but completed it. Pretty good for a guy who walks with a bad limp. When we work on the Writers' Guide we will continue the circle even more. I see you're practicing guitar. Can you play me something you learned?" Arthur asks.

Ajay picks up his guitar and starts playing "Down in the Valley". Arthur glares at him. Ajay stops.

"Just kidding."

Ajay starts playing "Classical Gas". Arthur is amazed. Ajay finishes.

"When did you start learning?"

"A month ago."

"A month and you can play "Classical Gas"? Do you know how long it took me to learn that? You are amazing. I guess I have competition."

"Damn right you do", Ajay says, smiling.

….

Noel is at his favorite plateau. White Elk drives up and gets out of his car. He walks with a cane now. He climbs up the plateau.

"I know I'd find you here. Tom said you wanted to be alone."

"I just wanted to be near Joe again. He got his wish."

White Elk sits down.

"How's the leg?"

"It's healing. It should be fine in a couple weeks. How are your legs?"

"Sore. But I can walk better. My limp is now small. You did what the doctors couldn't."

"All I did was help you exercise. I think it was just the timing. Your knees had to heal first. What made you try and finish?"

"I had to. I was either me or a bad leg."

"You are nuts, Joe."

Noel looks at him.

"What did you call me?"

"I called you by your real name. You are not Noel. He's made up. Dad is right. You are really Joseph Hopkins. You never stopped. You ran away from him but he has caught up. He is the one who cried when Joe died in his arms."

"It was the trauma, Elk. That's all."

"No. I've been fighting my father's beliefs because I thought I was more modern. I'm not. I'm as traditional as he is. I know you are in deep pain. You try and hide it, but you can't. Joe Hopkins is finally all out. He's not hiding anymore behind Noel. You have it made. You have a beautiful wife, a healthy son and tons of friends, the whole Apache nation. Why are you still in pain? What more do you want?"

"You wouldn't believe me."

"Try me. We're brothers now. You can trust me."

"I haven't told anyone else this. You won't like it. The day I was ambushed I didn't want to survive. I wanted to die. I let my family believe I wanted to live. But it was a lie. I'm still suicidal. I just can't do it anymore. My family needs me. I would have gladly traded places with Joe. I DID want Joel to kill me. That is why I egged him on."

"You're right. I don't like it. What do you see in death that others don't?"

"I see peace. I'm tired of trying to survive."

"Have you told your doctor this?"

"And have them throw away the key? I know better. I want it all to end."

"Oh, that's rough. How do I stop that? I came here to have a brotherly chat not hear you want out. You're only twenty-five."

"And I don't want to turn twenty-six."

"You're not going to try anything, are you? Do you have to be locked up again? Think of Angie. She loves you."

"And I love her. I just don't love myself."

"Christ, Joe. This isn't natural."

"It was for Van Gogh. He died at thirty-three."

"By his own hand, so the story goes. Why does Joe Hopkins want to die? When did this start?"

"I was very young. I saw Arthur becoming more confident. Nothing scared him; not even being almost beaten to death. I felt like I was slowly shrinking to nothing. I wanted to disappear but my body wanted to keep going. My heart didn't. I went through the motions of living but I was only acting."

"Are you autistic, like Ajay?"

"I never thought I was. I had no trouble learning. I'm not a genius like Ajay. In fact, I'm not very smart."

"Maybe you should be tested? That could be your problem. What you're describing is autism. It's the need to disappear. The world around you is moving too fast. You're not suicidal. You want the world to slow down. You want the world to stop moving."

"When did you become a doctor?"

"When I saw the truth for the first time. I always thought you were a pain-in-the-ass, but I loved you anyway. There were times I really wanted to punch you. It was Dad who stopped me. He knew you were really ill. He just didn't come out and identify it. I have to admit you're a good actor. You have no problem with work and family. Your music is very good. But you've always seemed distant. I can see it now. You're just a lower level than Ajay. You should have been diagnosed when you were younger. You would be so different."

"You really believe that?"

"Yes, Joe Hopkins has always been unhappy because he didn't know he was autistic. He always felt different. Medicine has grown since you were born. I have 4 ½ children. You could be my son. Go have yourself tested. That could be your problem."

Noel stands up.

"I don't think so, Elk. I would know by now. You are way off. I am not like Ajay. I can function perfectly as an adult. I don't need help with motor skills."

"But your brain does. You fixed your body by running. But you didn't fix your brain. You are still that little boy who wants to hide, who wants to disappear into his own little world. Get tested. Come sit down again and give me your hands."

Noel does. White Elk grabs some sand from the ground and puts it in Noel's hand. He closes them and puts his on top.

"What are you doing, Elk?"

"Close your eyes, Joe."

Noel does. White Elk starts praying and chanting in Apache language. Noel opens his eyes. White Elk continues chanting and finally stops. He opens his eyes and takes his hands off Noel's.

"Now open your hands and let the sand blow away in the wind. That is your ill thoughts. They are now gone. It's time to start out fresh."

"What were you chanting?"

"I was asking the Creator to cleanse your mind and soul."

"Look, I admit I'm a pain-in-a-pass. I admit I'm suicidal. But I am NOT autistic. My parents would have seen it."

"Maybe they did but they never saw it before and didn't know. You definitely don't have the confidence of Arthur. My children are braver. They're normal. You never were. There are hospitals in Phoenix. I'll go with you. At least find out why you were different."

"Get tested as an adult? I already have a wife and son. I'm past childhood."

"No one's ever past childhood. And you, Joe Hopkins, are still in it. Let me help you find out. Let me be the father you really need now."

"You'll be proven wrong."

"I'm ready to accept it. Are you?"

"What do I tell Angie and Tom?"

"Nothing. You and I are going somewhere. That's all they need to know."

"And if you're right? Then what?"

"Then your doctors will be giving you the CORRECT treatment for your recent behavior. You could be misdiagnosed. You could be taking meds you don't need. I know you're on anxiety pills. Maybe you shouldn't be. Your condition could be physical not mental. I'm speaking as a parent and father."

"Okay. I'll go with you."

"Let me make calls so we don't waste any more time. I'd like to get the point now, not later. You've waited long enough."

"If you're right, will I get the peace I've always wanted?"

"Yes, I believe you will. Joe Hopkins will be healthy for the first time in his life. There will be no need for Noel Jackson, except for a stage name. You won't want to run away anymore."

"All your Dad wants to do is give me herbal tea."

"There's nothing wrong with that. Give me your arm."

Noel gives him his right arm. White Elk grabs it with his hand. So does Noel.

"We are blood, Howling Wolf. For once, trust me."

…

Jack and Allison are getting ready for bed. Jack is pensive and she notices.

"Something on your mind?" Allison asks.

"I've been thinking about us."

"As a couple?"

"As a family. We have been together many years. We've raised and are raising many children. We created our own legacy. Our children, adult and non-adult, have their own lives and some have families of their own. That makes us very wealthy."

"Eagle Hawk speaks of the Circle of Life. We've done that. We started at the beginning, with an adventure on the living room floor, and have created lives that will go on after we die. After we lose our robe, as Eagle Hawk says."

"He showed me an American Indian Face Book post. It said: In the circle we are all equal. When in the circle, no one is in front of you. No one is behind you. No one is above you. No one is below you. The sacred circle is designed to create unity. Eagle Hawk is a wise man. He's a tribe elder."

"We have created that unity. It's in this house. It's in Arthur's house and Joe's in Arizona. The two of us did that. Pretty good for a shag on the living room floor. We are the circle of life."

"Amen. Let's get some sleep, Aristotle. It's been a long day," Allison says.

….

Somewhere in the city of Chicago, a man prepares to download a video he is given into an adult site. To be continued.

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