Chapter 10
Mommy, why is daddy upset? I didn't have an answer to that. I hadn't noticed that he was upset, but the evidence was clear. I was beginning to understand that the baby could feel our emotions and whenever we were upset, then she was—which usually led to me running to pray at the porcelain altar. I made my excuses, as discreetly as I could manage, and then ran to the bathroom to empty my stomach and try to console the baby. I was in no shape to rejoin the conversation, and I desperately wanted to hear more about the dreams that the tribal Elders had been having. I don't know why, but I felt as though they concerned me, somehow.
~*~*~
As I came out onto the landing, I heard a hushed conversation between Clark and Chief Willowbrook--a conversation that apparently was not meant for my ears. Some might say it was my reporters' instincts that had me eavesdropping and others would say I am just insanely nosy. Either way, my curiosity was piqued. For the life of me, I could not understand what would cause one of the wisest men of the Kawatchee Nation to seek out Clarks' 'perspective' on the dreams.
"You haven't told her, have you?" the Chief asked , his tone stern and scolding.
"No, not yet." Clark admitted sheepishly. I wished I could see the expression on his face so that I might be able to put this conversation in a better context. But I had to stay put, if I moved any further down the stairs, I would be spotted.
"What are you waiting for? You must tell her. She deserves to know."
"I want to tell her. "
"So what is stopping you?"
"I want the timing to be right."
"Clark," Joseph paused, perhaps to phrase his words for impact. "Clark, I am glad that you are finally accepting your destiny. Now is not the time to turn away from your responsibility."
"I'm not turning away from it. It's just . . . I don't want to upset Lois—especially right now."
"She's carrying your child, isn't she?" How the hell did he know that?
"How did you know?"
"The child is telepathic. There is an aura surrounding Lois. My Aunt also had an aura of the same color."
I don't know why this information was a shock to me. I should have been able to make that connection earlier. Talking Water was my Great-Grandmother, and I knew she was a telepath—I think I always knew. I guess I never thought there was a possibility that one of my children might inherit her gifts. I didn't think I had enough Kawatchee blood for that to happen.
"All right Clark. I'll let you do it your way. But don't wait too long, or your baby will wind up telling her before you do." Crap! What had I missed?
"Yes, sir. I will tell her. Soon."
Tell me what? My head was spinning. What was this big secret that had Joseph so concerned? What destiny? I had to pull myself together and get down there.
"I think I will leave you now so that you and Lois can have your talk."
Or not.
"Professor Willowbrook, what about the visions?"
"There is another prophesy."
"Why does that not surprise me? Does it involve a Destroyer?"
"What makes you ask that?"
"Have you seen this symbol?" I heard a rustle as Clark handed Joseph a piece of paper. I couldn't see it from my perch on the landing. I heard Joseph inhale sharply when he unfolded the paper.
"Clark, where have you seen this?"
"Judging by the look on your face, this symbol is as bad as I feared."
"It is forbidden for my people to utter the name associated with this symbol."
"I was told it was the symbol for doom." So, Clark did know a thing or two about the cave symbols—he was just full of surprises.
"It's more than that Clark, it represents the one who will destroy Naman." I must have shrieked aloud, because right then both Clark and Joseph turned to look up at me.
"Lois, there you are. I was beginning to worry about you." Clark said. I expected that if he caught me he would call me on it and ask if I 'wouldn't be more comfortable seated in a chair, instead of crouching down and trying to hide behind the banister.' When I looked at his face, he seemed very sincere in his worry of me and the child inside me--the one that was busy reading every ones thoughts and emotions made me understand that the concern in his face was genuine and that he did not suspect that I had been shamelessly eavesdropping. Again.
I reclaimed my seat on the couch and Clark and Chief Willowbrook, who had risen at my entrance, reclaimed their own seats.
"Chief Willowbrook, I didn't mean to interrupt. I caught the tail end of your conversation. You were about to tell Clark about a Kawatchee prophesy." Joseph eyed me warily, as though he was on to me and knew that I had overheard quite a bit more of their conversation. Instead of outing me, he continued."
"Yes, Lois. It is true. There is another prophesy. It tells of how Naman will take a wife from the Kawatchee people."
"Wait, I know about this. There's a bracelet that is in our family that The One He Is Destined To Be With will wear. Kila used to wear that bracelet. What ever happened to it?"
"I gave it to Naman."
"You've SEEN him? You KNOW him?" I was incredulous. It was one thing to learn that Naman and Metropolosis' newest do-gooder were one and the same, but to find out that my Great Uncle knew him was almost surreal. "When can I meet him?" He stared at me for a moment. "Oh please Uncle, you have to let me meet him. I want to interview him."
"Interview him???" Clark asked, and he seemed shocked at my enthusiasm. I don't know why he would be surprised that I would want to interview him. I mean, it's what I do. The wheels in my head were spinning in all directions. I was already formulating the questions I wanted to ask him.
"Of course I want to interview him. I want the REAL story; Has he got a family? Where does he live? Why the red and blue combo? Why is he going around doing all these good deeds? Where does he come from? Has he got a girlfriend? What's his favorite ball team?"
"Gee, you don't wan't much at all, do you? Professor, I think Lois has had enough excitement for one day. She needs to get some rest now."
"Aw Clark, you really gonna shut me down—just like that?"
"Just for now. You'll get your interview. I promise. Right Chief?" Joseph nodded his head in agreement. " But not right now. I think the stress would be too much for you in your current condition. "
"Oh, all right. But, can we let Uncle Joseph tell the rest of his story before you send me off to my room." I know he wanted to roll his eyes at me, but he resisted and nodded to Joseph signaling that he should continue.
"The visions of the Elders were confounding us because we thought it was about Naman, but we kept seeing a child and we know that Naman is now a man. Coming here has helped me to understand. This vision isn't about Naman, but about his offspring."
"How has coming here helped you to realize that?" I wondered aloud. I still didn't see a connection.
"I think that once Professor Willowbrook realized we were expecting a child, it opened his mind to the possibility that these visions could involve Namans' children."
"Yes, Clark is right. I hadn't considered that the visions could involve the fulfillment of the other part of the prophesy until I learned that you two were expecting a child." My uncle said in response to Clark. I could tell they were speaking the truth, or the baby would have reacted. Still, their non-verbals were killing me.
The excitement of the afternoon began to take a toll on me and I let out a loud yawn.
"I'll take that as my cue to leave you now." I apologized, as I tried to stifle another yawn. Uncle Joseph stood to leave and Clark walked with him to the door. "Lois, as the time draws near to deliver your child, you should consider having one of the women from our village attend the birth."
"Ok." I said. At first, I wasn't sure that I meant it. But as I said it, it seemed somehow right that I should be among the Kawatchee when this baby arrived, since it seemed the baby already favored the Kawatchee heritage.
"That is a great idea." Clark told him. It struck me as being a slight bit odd that he would agree to this custom and not insist the baby be born in a hospital. It just shows how little I know Clark.