* * *
Tee was sitting on the porch of the old farmhouse waiting for her daughter's arrival. The trail of dust kicking up in the distance signaled the approach of a fast moving vehicle. Shading her eyes from the bright sunlight, she watched as a black Jeep sped toward her small farm. When the car stopped in front of the gate, Tee stood and walked down the steps. Dakota climbed from the Jeep and hurried to embrace her mother.
"Hey, Mom. How's Gram?" she asked, anxiously.
"She seems to have stabilized some. I think the spirits are watching over her."
"I can believe that," Dakota agreed, mentally thanking her spiritual grandmother for keeping her promise. "Is she awake?"
"She was about an hour ago."
"Can I see her? We can visit afterwards."
"Later’s fine. She said she wouldn't sleep until you got here. Come on in. I'm sure she's chomping at the bit. The old coot will be climbing out of bed if we don't head her off."
"Mother! Be nice!"
Her mother gave her a cheeky grin and opened the screen door, motioning for Dakota to go ahead.
Pashna was sitting up in bed, working on a needlepoint picture of two wolves in the snow. An old quilt lay across her lap and a cheap pair of glasses rested precariously on her nose as she squinted at the images in front of her. Glancing up when her granddaughter entered the room, the wrinkles of concentration turned into lines of joy as Dakota closed in to give her a hug.
"Hey, Gram, how are you feeling?"
"I'm still here, child. The spirits watch over the wicked," Chuckling, she patted an area of the mattress next to her. "Sit! It's about time you came home!"
Seeing the weariness in her grandmother's eyes, Dakota decided it might be better to let her rest for awhile. Leaning over and kissing her cheek, she patted her hand affectionately.
"How about I come back in a few hours? I feel grungy from the flight and would like to take a shower and get a quick bite."
"Why of course. I'll just rest my eyes a bit until you come back."
"Thanks. Just yell when you wake up. I have so much to tell you."
"So I've heard. I can't wait to hear about that young woman of yours. Tee says she's a looker."
"That she is! She might be here in a few days and then you can judge for yourself."
"As long as she makes you happy, I don't care if she looks like an old dog, but it shore don't hurt none to be pleasing to the eye. Now run along. I ain’t going nowhere."
Giving her a gentle hug, Dakota left to look for her mother. Tee was sitting on the porch. A tray of sandwiches and ice tea sat on the small table between two rocking chairs.
"Food! You're a saint, mom."
Grabbing two halves, she plopped down in the chair and threw her left leg over its arm.
"Daks, that's no way for a lady to sit."
"Ahhmmm no laydy," Dakota replied, chewing a mouthful of food.
"You were when you left here! What kind of manners are you learning out there?"
Swallowing, Dakota stuck her tongue out.
"None! That's what's so great about being an adult."
"Well, I hope you don't act that way around Yemaya. I know she's better bred than that."
"Naw. I'm all prim and proper around her. I only act this way around you and everyone else."
Shaking her head, Tee laughed loudly.
"That's what I thought. No respect."
"Aw you know I love you."
Both women fell into a comfortable silence while Dakota finished her sandwich and grabbed another half. As the sun slowly settled beyond the horizon, the sky turned an orangish-red color before fading into darkness.
"I've forgotten what it's like to watch a sunset in these hills." Dakota spoke softly, not wanting to disturb the quietness of the night.
"We're lucky to live so close to the land. I sometimes feel our people have abandoned their old ways and their ancestors for today's modern conveniences. They miss out on the most important things in life, the simple things."
"I know. For awhile I was one of those people. It's easy to get sucked into materialism."
Tee watched her daughter's face for a few moments. There was something different about the young woman sitting next to her and the restless daughter who had left home several years ago. She had not only grown older, but she now seemed more comfortable with herself.
Yemaya
!
she thought.
"I have to admit I worry about you, but your grandma keeps telling me you need to spread your wings. Only then would you feel a closeness with the land."
"She's right. I know you love this place, mom. So do I, but... well, it's too small a world for me. There are things out there I never could have imagined. It's exciting and wild and wonderful, and I'm happy; really happy."
"I know, daughter. I don't think I've ever seen you so relaxed. I have a feeling Yemaya has a lot to do with it."
"She has everything to do with it. I can't even describe what it feels like to be near her or away from her."
Patting Dakota's knee, Tee nodded her understanding.
"You don't have to. I can imagine. So when is this wonder-woman coming for a visit. We didn't have much of a chance to chat in Charleston. I got the impression you were afraid I was going to say something that might embarrass you." Her mother teased,"You know I don't carry your baby pictures around with me."
"God, I hope not! I would never live that down and you can't go showing them to her here, either, now. Please?"
Noticing her daughters pitiful look, Tee reluctantly agreed, but conditionally.
"Okay, as long as she doesn't ask."
"Thanks. I’ll make sure she doesn’t. I’m hoping we can both spend some quality time here later this year. She may be down in a few days, though, if she can break loose from business. I guess I'd better go visit with Gram... ummm... mom... is she going to be okay?"
"I don't know. Yesterday, I would have sworn she had only a couple of days. Today, it's as if the spirits have restored some of her life force. Her heart sounds better and her blood pressure has dropped quite a bit. Maybe they heard my prayers."
"I'm sure of it! If anyone deserves their help, it's you and Gram. I don't know anyone who's been more dedicated to our people than you two or kept the old beliefs alive. I used to think they were just imaginary people like the mythology we learned in school, but..." Dakota let the sentence die.
Tee looked closely at Dakota.
"You
have
changed!"
The journalist shrugged, not sure what she wanted to say.
"Life does that."
"Daaakkkooootttaaa!" cried a voice from inside the house.
"I think I just heard Gram... later."
Jumping up, Dakota dashed inside and into her grandmother’s room, leaving her mother behind to wonder.
"Hey Gram, did you get some rest?"
"Sure did, child. Now, come on over hear and tell me what you've been doing. I want to hear all about this Illusionist of yours and don't leave out the juicy stuff."
"Gra... amm!" Dakota exclaimed, slapping her grandmother's knee lightly and blushing.
Chuckling at her granddaughter's embarrassment, Pashna decided to give her a break. Later she would wheedle more details about the mysterious woman with whom her granddaughter had fallen in love.
"Well, how about we save that for later. I don't think my heart could take that sort of excitement just yet. Start with the tamer stuff."
"There isn't anything tame about my life, especially since I met Yemaya. We've been together for almost a year and I've had more adventures in that time than my whole life."
Launching into the details of how she and Yemaya had met, and the events that followed, Dakota talked for almost three hours. Occasionally, Pashna would interrupt to ask a question or comment, but, mostly, she lay quietly in bed, contented to listen to the stories.
"Those are wonderful adventures. It sounds like the spirits were watching out for you."
"More than you'll ever know. Gram? I know you and mom have honored the spirits all your lives. Have you ever really seen or talked with any?"
"I don't need proof of their existence. I know they’re real. They give life to the plants and the animals. I feel them all around me in the winds and the waters and here..." thumping her chest with her closed hand, she smiled confidently,"inside of me."
"I know. I’ve felt the same things lately."
Dakota's words revealed more to Pashna than anything else she could have said. Nodding her head wisely, she looked into the green eyes so much like her own and saw there was truth in her words.
"You are blessed. The spirits have shown themselves to you as they have to me in times of need. I don’t speak of this often. Many of our people have forsaken our traditions and think me a crazy old woman. I’m happy for you."
"Me too. Now, it's time for you to rest. I'll bring you in one of mom's sandwiches and some juice. Tomorrow, if you behave, I'll tell you about my visit to the spirit world."
"I can't wait. It's good to see you, Daks. I've missed you." Pashna said, sliding further down onto the bed. Pulling one of the pillows from behind her grandmother's head, she placed it next to her. Then she leaned down and kissed the weathered cheek as she gently touched her other with her fingertips.
"You too. Now, I'll be right back with some food."
Dakota hesitated by the door and looked back at her grandmother.
"Gram?"
"What is it, child?" asked Pashna, looking up from her needlepoint.
"I love you."
"I love you, too. Now get out of here before we get all mushy, and put mustard on that sandwich. You know how I hate mayonnaise."
"I sure do. I'll be back in a jiff," Dakota said, laughing at the scrunched up face her grandmother made when she mentioned mayonnaise.
Y
EMAYA HAD JUST arrived back at the penthouse when the phone rang.
"Lysanne."
"Hey, sweetie! How are things?"
"Hey to you too," Yemaya laughed, thrilled at hearing Dakota's voice. "And things are going well. Sonny wants me to look at some investment property. It could prove valuable for some ideas I have been tossing around."
"I can’t wait to hear about it. Listen, Gram is doing better now. Mom says her heart and BP have improved considerably so there's no need for you to fly out. Instead of hanging around here until you’re done, I’m thinking of heading back in a few days. Maybe we can plan a trip back here when she's feeling a little better. Besides, I need to check out my apartment in Baltimore. Care to take a little detour and maybe an extension to our vacation?"
"That sounds like a plan? Just let me know when you need the jet and I can have Sharon fly down and pick you up." Yemaya offered.
"Cool! I should be able to leave the day after tomorrow if everything goes well. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve missed you."
"We have only been separated one day, but I miss you too. So what are you going to do tonight?"
"I’m not sure. Just hang out with mom and Grams. I might go into town and see what’s new? Visit a few friends."
"Well, now, I am gone just one day and already you are on the prowl, eh?"
"Like you really need to worry about that!" Dakota scoffed.
"Oh, I worry. Well, I guess I should work on a few ideas for the new show. You go play."
"Gee! Thanks. I feel like I've just been demoted to a child. Listen, let me know when you plan on arriving at BWI and I’ll pick you up at the airport."