Chapter 12
An Unexpected Meeting
Virginia was so lost in the stress of the day's events that it was sometime before she became aware of her surroundings. She sat still on the steps of the church, defeated and crushed, unable to even try to think a way out of her and Wolf's dilemma. Presently she noticed the brown boots, sturdy boots well worn in. They were toe to toe with her own, but on the step below. She realised suddenly that she was sitting directly under the hand rail, most probably blocking the access for some older person. She made as if to sidle out of the way, muttering a quiet apology, when the figure spoke.
"Wait. It seems you have been placed in my path today" said a soft voice. Virginia finally looked up, ready to appologize once more. The speaker was a woman, dressed in unusual homemade style clothing, practical vest and tunic, long skirt of brown leather. The woman had long black hair almost down to her waist and it was braided in sections with pieces of bone and feather sticking out. Her face was neither young nor aged, sun browned skin but still smooth. She had immediately kind eyes and a knowing smile. Virginia sensed correctly that she was of Native American descent, this woman, having that placid and wise demeanour often noted in those peoples.
"I, I'm very sorry" stammered Virginia, staring but unable to help herself.
"Don't be, little one" replied the woman. "Very few meetings happen by accident, despite the size of this place" she continued, waving her arm in the general direction of the passing crowd.
"You need help" the lady said directly. Not a question, but a fact.
"Both of you" she added thoughtfully, not really looking at the girl huddled on the steps.
Some seconds passed with the woman studying Virginia, unobtrusively. Virginia sat as if waiting for some sort of judgement, yet felt not intimidated nor affronted. She felt drawn to the woman and Virginia had recently learned to trust her instincts. Not that she had the energy to get up right now anyway. She hadn't felt so mentally and emotionally alone since she was a small girl abandoned by her mother. Presently the woman sat down on the steps next to Virginia.
"May I have your hand, dear?" she asked. Virginia complied, realising belatedly that she still had her hospital arm-band on. Perhaps this woman thought her an escapee from an institution? She knew if she went to the police with her story they would likely think just that. The lady looked intently at Virginia's palm, then unexpectedly placed both her's and Virginia's hand low on Virginia's abdomen. The woman sighed loudly and Virginia saw that her eyes were twinkling with good will and even humour.
"An unusual child you have here" said the woman. You have no idea, thought Virginia dryly. She snatched her hand away quickly to cover her face as more tears came, uncontrollable. The strange lady held her tight against herself until the awful moment had passed. She sighed again.
"Hmm, if you come with me now, we might just be able to help you and the little one" she whispered in Virginia's ear.
Virginia searched the woman's face, finding herself nodding in agreement before her mind had even had a chance to think about it properly. Maybe she really was still drug affected, but she had latched onto that magical word of "help".
"Good! That's that settled then" said the woman briskly, rising to her feet and pulling the girl up with her. Together they went down the steps to street level and taking Virginia's hand the lady led her up the sidewalk and away from the decieving church. She mumbled quietly under her breath as they negoiated the crowds.
"Hmm, so, a search maybe, maybe not. Depends on Shaman. She will know what to do. A long way to go"
"Honey, what is your name?" she asked
"I am Virginia, and you?"
"You can call me Evelyn. But in the community where I live, most people just call me Mother"
"And your man, the one whom your heart calls out for so strongly, what is his name?" Evelyn continued.
"He is Wolf" Virginia replied without hesitation.
"That's a strange name, for sure" Evelyn winked at her.
"Oh, it suits him well. It certainly does" said Virginia, smiling for the first time that whole long day.