Chapter 7

"It seems that I end up in the hospital with something major a lot. I get forced to think about things," he said.

"There are better ways to do that. Hopefully, you won't keep this up or your mother is going to be old before her time," she said.

"Nobody loves you like your mother. I never thought that I worried you. I feel much safer in Oklahoma than Baltimore," he said.

"I feel much safer when you are home with me in Pennsylvania," she said.

"Mom, I think I am going to law school next year. I hope the law school can prepare me for tribal law. That and securities law are what I am interested in," he said.

"Howie, those aren't remotely similar areas," she said.

After a minute or so, she asked, "What about Brooke?"

"I screwed up big time with her. She hasn't spoken to me this semester and I don't have the slightest idea if she ever will. And I wasn't the nicest to her. Besides mom, they are rich. I mean really rich. Her house is larger than the FIJI house, much larger. I don't see how I could support her and I am really afraid that we are too different," he said.

"Your father and I had very different backgrounds. I would rather be with your father here at the college, than live in a big mansion in Richmond with somebody else. You can't make that choice for Brooke. Is she the reason you went back to football?" she said.

"Yeah, and that the coach promised to set up law school for me. Dad really lucked out when you let him think he got you," he said.

"I love your dad. He was quite a catch. All the women he went to school with wanted him," she said.

"I have to think about Princess and Warrior. They are going to need more of my time," he said.

"You can't plan your children's lives. Love them, that is the best you can do for them. You could spend a little more time with them," she said.

"They will need a lot more time soon. And it's not fair to you for you to have to raise them," he said.

"I don't mind. You should be prepared though, Princess may encounter prejudice," she said.

"What do you mean?" she said.

"She is going to be mistaken for a Mexican. There are people who don't like Mexicans. I had a little problem at the kindergarten," she said.

"Her mother was a very beautiful lady. I imagine I will have more problems keeping the boys away," Howie said.

"Your drawing of her made her mother look very beautiful," she said.

"I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't sent me to Oklahoma. But it is a lot to ask a woman, like Brooke, to live out there," he said.

"What are you going to do if Princess wants to live with the Kiowa?" she asked.

"Probably the same thing you would do with me if I decided that's where I wanted to live permanently," he said.

"It is a lot different there for a woman," she said.

"Isn't it everywhere?" Howie asked.

"I know I wasn't what the Wallingfords had in mind for Brooke," he said.

"They would be damn lucky to get you," she said.

"Said loyally by his mother. Mom, where are you with your degree?"

"I have created a special major. Amy and Janet helped. It is a combination of art, history and anthropology. I am really excited about it," she said.

A nurse took blood and adjusted the drip on his medication.

Howie dozed off. He had the worst dream. In his dream he saw Princess and Brooke lying dead in the burned out village.

Richard came in about two hours after Howie dozed off. "Good news. You may be able to go home tomorrow."

Howie asked, "When will I be able to get out of bed?"

"The vascular surgeon will give you a schedule. If you could keep you incision dry, swimming would be the best exercise," Richard said. "Your white cell count is not up, so I don't think you have an infection. I think they got it."

When Howie got home, he moved into the studio. Janet came over for his art lessons and his father took his writing assignments to his instructors.

He called Brooke. "Hi, I am home but I have to stay in the studio for a week and stay off my leg. How are you doing?"

Brooke said, "I'm glad you're home. Maybe after you are able to get around, we can talk."

"I understand. If you want, we could talk on the phone sometime," he said.

"We will see. I have to go."

"Bye Brooke."

Howie wrote her a note. "Thank you for coming to see me. Let me know if there is anything I can do, or not do, that would help you. Howie"

Howie found he could draw sitting in a chair but he couldn't paint. He did a sketch of Dorothy and Mike, framed it and sent it to them. He marked it as a late wedding present. He did a composition sketch of he and Brooke at Black Eagle's burial site. Howie planned to paint the scene later.

Coach brought his letter jacket and the Lambert Trophy. Someone from the athletic department took their picture holding the trophy.

It was the week before finals before he was able to get out. Brooke hadn't called or answered his note. Howie called her.

"I am able to get out. Would you like to go somewhere and talk?" he asked.

"Why don't I pick you up? We could go to the Tea Room. About two-thirty?" she asked.

Howie said, "I will be ready."

When he saw her he knew it wasn't going to go well.

"Hi." He got in the car.

"I might as well say it. Penn has accepted me. I decided to transfer in January," she said.

"Penn is an excellent school and I am sure it'll be nice to be close to home," Howie said.

"I am going to take some finance classes at Wharton. Dad is really excited about that," she said.

"I will miss you," he said.

Brooke pulled in to the parking lot next to the Tea Room.

"I don't feel so hot. Do you mind dropping me at my house?" he asked.

"Sure."

Brooke drove him home and pulled in his drive.

"Howie, I'm sorry."

"Neither of us looks like we've had much fun lately. I hope Penn is more fun. I don't like to see you this way," he said.

Howie got out of her car.

"Howie, you never asked me to stay," she said.

"I wanted it too much," he said.

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Brooke said, "Even after everything, I don't want to go."

"Please stay." Howie said.

"Howie, you won't even be here next year," she said.

"I'll wait until we have graduated to go to law school," he said.

"I might stay another semester, but no other women," she said.

"I promise. There haven't been any this semester," he said.

He took her hand. "Would you like to come in?"

"Howie! You can't expect me to hop in bed with you," Brooke said.

"Brooke, I meant for coffee with me and mom."

He is telling the truth.

"Sorry. Coffee with your mother is fine," she said.

She got out.

Howie asked, "What about your parents? How are they going to feel about this?"

"Mom will understand. She won't like it, but she will understand," she said.

She watched him limp badly. "Your leg, is it getting better?"

"Eventually it should," he said.

They walked to backdoor and into the kitchen.

His mother said, "Brooke, a nice surprise."

Princess and Warrior came running in.

Brooke said, "Princess, you get prettier everyday."

Warrior ran to her and grabbed her legs.

She reached down and picked him up.

"How's my Warrior?" she asked.

He grabbed her around the neck

Brooke said something to him in Kiowa.

He kissed her cheek and she put him down.

Howie's mom said, "You go play. We may have to change Warrior's name."

Howie said, "It least it won't be to stupid."

His mother looked at him and said, "Go play with the kids."

"Yes mother," Howie said.

"He really missed you. How are you doing?" she asked.

"I almost transferred to Penn. One more try," Brooke said.

"Sometimes they are worth it. Not often, but sometimes," she said.

Brooke said, "You can say that again."

"Come by and talk if you get a chance. Or if you need a little help," his mom said.

"I will have to see how it goes," Brooke said.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" his mom asked.

"We are going to Aspen. Are you doing anything?" Brooke asked.

"Howie gave me cruise tickets for caring for Princess and Warrior. Of course, I would take care of them anyway, but a cruise is nice this time of year. It is like a second honeymoon," his mother said.

"Howie needs to get out more. Make him take you to Sunday dinner at FIJI or eat with us whenever you feel like it," she said.

Brooke said, "I might do that."

Howie came back into the kitchen.

Brooke said, "I need to study."

"Could we go to the studio for a sec?" he asked.

"Please Howie, let's take it slow," she said.

"Please, just a second," he said.

Brooke went reluctantly.

Howie went to a desk and returned to Brooke.

He opened his hand and showed the lavaliere.

Brooke hesitated, smiled and nodded.

Howie put the lavaliere around her neck and kissed her very tenderly. "May I call you tomorrow?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Instead, when you need a cookies and hot chocolate break, give me a call," Howie said.

"Stay here, I can go to the car by myself. You need to stay off that leg," Brook said.

At three the next afternoon, she called. Howie brought a Thermos of hot chocolate and warm chocolate chip cookies. "I have a box full if you want to share with the girls on your hall."

At three-thirty he left. "Lunch tomorrow?"

"That would be nice," she said. "Howie, do you have time to type a paper for me? I am behind."

She gave him a twelve-page paper.

"I will have it done by seven-thirty," he said.

"That would be great," Brooke said and kissed him.

Howie typed two versions and returned at seven-thirty with them and more hot chocolate and cookies.

She read through his edited paper. "This one is much better. But can I hand it in?"

"Tell your professor that your boyfriend typed the paper and edited it some. If she won't let you hand it in, give her the other one."

At lunch the next day, Brooke said, "Professor Stewart said it was all right to hand the edited one in. I really appreciate it. After lunch I would like to take a nap. Howie, is your mom in the studio?"

In the studio, they undressed quickly and went at it with few preliminaries. She said in a husky voice, "This is better than chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate. I missed you."

They napped naked against each other.

When he awoke, she was looking at him.

Howie said, "If this is a dream, don't wake me."

She had her hand around his cock. "We don't have long," she said and took him in her mouth. They were like newlyweds.

As they got dressed, "What are you doing over Christmas?" she asked.

"The kids and I are going to Oklahoma. I have an end of the year council business meeting," he said.

"I will be in Aspen. You could drive up," she said.

"I would love to, but I won't have time. And there won't be any other women," he said.

With the approval of the council, he used some of the money from his investment profits account for risky ventures and compensation. Howie bought twelve windmills for Dolph. He purchased a car dealership and a heavy machinery dealership in Amarillo both in the Kiowa name. He rebuilt Chief Stinson's village. He bought a receiver that was set to the Kiowa radio station for every house on their land. The day after he got there, Howie threw the switch that turned on Kiowa Radio AM and FM.

A very nervous chief engineer approached him. "Chief Tall Grass, I would like responsibility for Ruth. Chief Black Rock said I must speak to you."

Howie very solemnly said, "I will give the matter serious thought."

He did nothing of the sort. He went to Ruth. "It seems our chief radio engineer is interested in you. He asked Black Rock and me for responsibility for you. What do you say?"

Ruth smiled, "I have seen him. He looks good, but I haven't tried him out. Send him to me. I imagine he will do fine."

Howie knew she did better than fine. Howie found the man, "Go to her tonight. If she wants you, I will marry you sunup the next day after she tells me."

Then he looked at the man very coldly and said, "If you ever mistreat her, I will personally cut off your cock."

The radioman knew Tall Grass meant it; he had run in to a few of Tall Grass' type in the Army. At sunrise two days later, they were married. Ruth and the engineer had big smiles on their faces.

Howie spent most of the week with his LDS advisor revising their plans. The Department of Agriculture and Texas A & M agreed to do a study on how to best restore the land to the grasslands it once was. Just in case, Howie purchased breeding stock for a herd of buffalo from the government. They had a few small herds in the Dakotas.

Chief Black Rock was more secure. He demanded more of his villagers than the other chiefs, but he did well by them. Chief Black Rock took them on immensely popular fishing and hunting trips. He was replacing all the village houses with nicer ones. Under his plan, he was the last one to get a new house. All of the new houses were wired and plumbed. And his women had nothing but good things to say. It helped that Rachael delivered a healthy son.

Progress was very slow, but there was progress. His LDS advisor was very pleased with the progress.

Christmas Day, Howie called Brooke. "Merry Christmas," he said.

"Merry Christmas. I talked with my family and I will not be transferring this year," she said.

"That is the best present I got this year," he said.

"Howie, can we go to the Hunt Club New Year's Eve Party? You could stay with us. Please say yes, it is important to me," she said.

"Yes. Honey, remember I can't dance much yet, but I will do my best," Howie said.

"How is everyone?" she asked.

"Everyone is fine. Black Rock has a strong little boy. I married Ruth and the radio engineer. They are all smiles. Princess is having a ball. And Warrior is having a great time. They are both exhausted though. And I miss you."