Chapter 1: Howie Returns to His Parents

After his nap, he talked with his children. He spoke Kiowa-Tanoan when he was alone with the children.

Howie said, "We do not speak Kiowa when your grandparents are around because it is impolite to them."

The little girl asked, "I did not think politeness was Kiowa."

Howie answered, "Respect for your parents and family is Kiowa."

She asked, "Why can't I call you Chief?"

"Your brother, Black Rock, is Chief now," he said.

"You are a chief too," she said.

"Black Rock is Chief of our village. I was but I am not the chief now," he said.

She said, "You are my Chief."

"And you are my beautiful princess," he said.

"Me?" his little boy asked.

"I do not know yet. I think you are my smart, brave warrior," Howie said.

The little boy smiled and nodded.

His mother knocked at the door and they switched to English.

She asked, "May I come in?"

Howie said, "Come in. Sit with us. We were just chatting."

The little boy said, "I am a smart, brave warrior."

His grandmother said, "Yes you are."

"Howie, speaking two languages may hurt their language development," she said.

"They will gain more than they are hurt," he said.

"We need to register the Princess for kindergarten. You do want them to go to public school don't you?" she asked.

He nodded. "And I have to register for the draft."

"Friday, Richard has appointments set for you at Hopkins. Please, I would like for you to go," she said.

"For you mother, I will go. Tomorrow I will go to Caledonia for a few days. I will be back in time for the doctors. I will speak to April," he said.

"Richard expects you Thursday evening. April may have other things to do," his mother said.

"April will stay with the children while I am gone," he said.

"Howie, you can't treat her like that," she said.

"Mother, that is the way it is," he said.

Sunup Monday morning, Howie packed the truck and drove to Caledonia. He followed a deer path to the center of his property. He had to stop twice to rest. Both his legs hurt. By nine he had cut a willow branch and marked the well locations on his property.

I can't break the stitches. It still hurts. A little pain is good. Little Doe and Little Flower aren't feeling pain now. I am going to take it easy, but I am going to do something or I will go crazy.

I am going to mediate like Black Eagle taught me.

Howie walked his property to feel the spirits in it.

This is such a pretty park and it is close to home. It will be a nice place for the kids to come to get away. Of course, they probably won't want to get away. With the park land next to mine, my fifteen acres seems much larger. It didn't cost much because it is so rugged. I like it rugged and I have the park on two sides. I better get some wood. It will be cold tonight.

Howie staked out the boundaries of his lodge. He decided to build his lodge into a bank. He decided that he should have most of the first floor underground. The bank he selected, sloped steeply and faced south. It was near where he believed there was a good source of water that was not too deep.

He explored the forest around his land. He cooked the surplus Army rations over a fire and slept in his sleeping bag in the truck. And every night and morning, he put medicine on his wounds and changed the dressings.

He left Caledonia Thursday before noon.

He ate with his children. Then he and Mildred rode to Richard and Bill's house in Baltimore.

Howie expected that he would be examined Friday.

When he got to Richard's, Richard said, "I have the residents ready to examine you and take x-rays tonight. Tonight is a light night at the hospital, so we should use the facilities now.

After the residents examined Howie, Richard and three surgical residents recommended that he have additional surgery to repair muscles in his shoulder, chest and both legs. They wanted to take out scar tissue and do some vein grafting. A problem was with working on the chest and the back at the same time. The deep wound in his thigh required the most repair.

Howie asked, "Can you do my back now?"

"We would prefer not to have anesthesia so close together," Richard said.

"Do a local on the shoulder," Howie suggested.

"It would be very painful," he said.

Howie said, "Try it. I have a high pain tolerance. You won't have to tie up an OR tonight."

Howie withstood the pain well and Richard was happy with the residents' work.

Howie said, "Thanks. You will forgive me if I don't shake hands right now."

Richard said, "Nice work doctors. We will see you in the morning."

Howie said, "If it would help you could skip the anesthesia tomorrow."

Richard said, "I think the pain would stress your system more than the anesthesia."

Howie said, "I could put myself in a trance."

Richard said, "I would violate our procedures. I couldn't ask the residents to do that."

Howie nodded. "What ever you think is best."

They talked about his paramedic training.

Richard said, "If you want, I can have you do a rotation or two here?"

Howie said, "Thanks, but I don't think I am going to do that again for a while. I am thinking about writing what Black Eagle taught me."

Richard said, "For a while you will need to be in bed. The blood supply was cut off to too much of you thigh. It will take a while for the incisions and grafting to heal."

I can't just sit around and do nothing. I can't just put Little Doe out of my mind, nor can I dwell on losing her.

Friday morning three teams worked on him. One team did mostly muscle work on his chest. It was his thighs that took the most time. He stayed on a surgical recovery ward until Monday noon.

While Howie was in the hospital, he spent most of his time started organizing his Kiowa lore in his mind. His mother came back and drove him home.

Mildred said, "Richard was really pleased with the results."

Howie said, "I will have to do something nice for him."

Mildred said, "He and Bill will never forget that you had the ceremony for them."

Howard carried Howie to his bed.

Howie found dealing with the pain as good mental exercise. He didn't take the pain medication.

Wednesday, Becky called, "Hi, it's Becky. Mom told me you were home. Penn State is having reading days, I wanted to call to see how you are doing?"

"I am doing fine. How are you?" Howie asked.

"Mom said you were in the hospital. Are you okay?" she asked.

"I had a little problem with scar tissue from a previous surgery. I am going to be better soon. What's happening with you?"

"Not much. I am going to Penn State and I pledged Delta Gamma sorority. I am enjoying it so far. Penn State is so big. I am an elementary ed major. What are you doing?"

"I am back. I plan to take some classes in writing and art. I think mom and I are going to take some classes together. It should be fun. Sometime I would like for you to fill me in on what I missed," Howie said.

"I'd like that."

"Bye"

Howie hung up. He called, "April."

April came.

"April, I meant to ask, How is your art going?"

"Slow, real slow."

"I would like to see some of your work, if you would like?" Howie asked.

"I will bring you some. It is not very good, but it is mine," she said.

"I would like to see it. Thanks for helping with the kids and the house," he said.

April was a little surprised. She nodded. "You're welcome Chief."

"Come here," he patted the bed next to him.

April went. She was prepared to do what he wanted. He probably wants me to take him in my mouth.

She sat beside him on the bed.