Leoti (20 page)

“It’s my problem. I’ll resolve it. You should return home with your family. They’ve been worried about you.”

“You’re wrong. You don’t have to resolve anything alone. I plan to do this whether you want me to or not. My family understands. Oh! I have good news too. You now have an attorney, his name is Tim Cullins. You don’t have to come in to court on Monday but if he needs you, be ready. He’s the best in the area. Consider it a gift, for all you’ve done for me.”

“I’d prefer another gift instead.”

“Me too.” She confessed.

“You aren’t alone?” he asked.

She glanced back to the door. Carlton should return any moment. He wasn’t the type of man to give up easy. In fact she was prepared for the argument and debate that would keep them up all night. Not that she wanted to abandon what they shared, but Josie could not be what he needed. And the same was true for him.

“The man. He stays the night with you?”

“His name is Carlton and yes he’s here. He will be here. But he’s not my fiancé, Elu. We have a relationship that I want to respect. Things to discuss and work out.”

“Then I should let you go.”

“Wait. Where is Po? What did you cook for dinner?”

“I’m here, Josie. I will be here. Deal with your family. Then return to me.”

He ended the call and her stomach clenched. Josie set the phone aside and closed her eyes. She shook her head sadly.

Chapter Ten

Morning arrived and Josie found herself alone. The room service remained uneaten on the cart parked near the door. She waited for Carlton to return and fell asleep in her clothes. It took a moment for her mind to connect with the new day. Slowly she turned her head and to her disappointment she saw his bed remained undisturbed.

Carlton hadn’t returned.

Maybe he’d gotten another room? Josie sat. Her luggage was all that remained, a cold feeling of regret and guilt centered in her chest. The phone rang and she answered it quickly. “Carlton?”

“It’s your mother. Can you get dressed and meet me downstairs for breakfast?”

“Not a good time. I have to find Carlton.”

“Be downstairs in ten minutes. I’m waiting.”

Her mother hung up.

“Dammit!” She had to hurry. A quick shower and brush of her teeth and she was pulling on a shirt, some jeans and slipping on her sneakers. Josie grabbed her cell phone and her room key. The lobby offered a continental buffet breakfast off to the right of the reception area. She saw many guests lined up to check out of their rooms. She scanned the faces for Carlton’s. He wasn’t among them. When she entered the dining room she quickly found her mother. She ate alone, reading a paper. Her mother’s regal appearance almost always made people guess her age to be ten years younger than the truth. She had on a silk olive green blouse with gold accessories and her hair was styled to a polished perfection. Even her makeup looked professionally applied. Libby was a very modest town as was this hotel. The other diners were in jeans and cotton shirts. A few of the women and men kept cutting their gaze toward Madeline. It was as if the Queen of England had stopped at McDonald’s for a cup of coffee. When Madeline glanced up at her she didn’t look pleased. Josie regretted her harsh tone with her. But she would not apologize. She would explain, and maybe this time Madeline would listen.

“Hi.”

“Have a seat.” Madeline said, her tone brisk and her stare hard with disapproval.

Josie did as her mother requested. A server in black slacks, white shirt and apron came over and offered her a cup of coffee. The fresh roasted aroma wafting up from the pot cleared her head. She nodded her thanks. Today would be a busy one. She’d have to dress and meet Tim to dig into Elu’s case. “I’m looking for Carlton. Have you seen him this morning?”

“He left late last night.” Her mother announced.

Stunned, Josie’s hand froze on the coffee cup. “He did? How do you know that?”

Madeline waited for the server to finish refreshing her cup of coffee. And when the man walked off she kept her tone low as to not be heard by any other tables. “He knocked on my door. Said he was joining his band to resume some tour overseas. He left you this.” Madeline went into her purse and removed an envelope. She passed it to Josie. “We will have to take a commercial flight out. There isn’t a direct flight with open seats out of Libby until Monday. Tiffani and I are going to drive to Billings and fly out tomorrow morning. It’s the earliest we can get back to Chicago.”

Josie barely heard her. She stared at the envelope with her heart lodged in her throat. Across the front it simply said her name. Every word that passed between her and Carlton echoed in her mind. She had no excuse for her abrasive manner. In fact she was beginning to think Carlton was right. Her head injury had changed her. With Elu she believed the changes in her were for the better, but now she had to wonder. She never intentionally hurt anyone she loved. Carlton deserved more. They both deserved closure. Now all that was left of three years of love between them was this letter.

“I take it you two are over?” Madeline asked.

“It’s personal. I don’t want to discuss him. I’ll read it later.”

“I see. Well I wanted to talk to you. It’s hard for me to leave you, baby, after everything you’ve been through. But you made it clear that you don’t need us.”

“Not true. I do need you, I just have so much going on right now I can’t take the extra pressure.”

Madeline raised a hand. “Don’t explain. Just answer me truthfully. Are you sure you want us to go for space or is there another reason?”

“Like what?”

“This man you’re involved with. He kept you from us, and now you break up with Carlton? Is there something else going on I should know?”

Josie shook her head sadly. “His name is Elu, and this has nothing to do with him.”

“It has everything to do with him. Two weeks ago you were my daughter. Now you sit here like a stranger. I feel it. Carlton felt it. Even Tiffani says she noticed it. We are your family, Josie. You’ve been through a terrible trauma. You need us.”

“I do need you. But not to dictate how I should feel about anything. Just to be my mother. I want you to go. I don’t know how soon I can join you back in Chicago. I just need space. Besides Elu is my friend and he’s in trouble. I can help him. Do you understand?”

“I think you’ve made it clear.” Madeline lowered her gaze and after a pause continued. “I want you to see a doctor. I’ve called Charles, our family physician, and he has made arrangements for you to see a colleague here. He works out of the hospital.” She put the number on the back of her business card and placed it on the table. “Promise me you will and I promise to give you space.”

“I’ll do it.” Josie smiled.

“Good.”

“Ma. Mom. I’m sorry. I’ve been through so much I handled things badly with everyone. Of course I want your support but this thing that’s happened to me, you’re right, it’s changed me. I need some time to work through it. Do you understand?”

Madeline shook her head. “You know, I don’t care if you and Carlton call it quits. I don’t care if you want to date that Indian, Native American, whatever he is. I never cared about your personal life, Josie, because I always thought you were too smart to be led astray by emotion. And over the years you have always focused on what was important. Look at you baby, already you’re diving into legal matters for him and taking charge. It’s who you are. Your calling.”

“Which is?” Josie asked.

“Your gift. You have a brilliant mind, future, many people respect you and you have earned that respect. It’s straight from God. Who are you to throw it away on romance?”

“So that’s it? As long as I can continue to be Josie Eastman the Nobel Prize winner you support me. If I want to be anything else then I’m a failure.”

“I’ve been a wife and mother, Josie, you aren’t missing anything.”

“Do you know how that makes me and Tiff feel every time you say how miserable your life was being our mother?”

“Of course she doesn’t.” Tiffani said behind her. Josie’s gaze swung left and locked on her sister. Tiffani looked as if she hadn’t slept. She wore a plain white shirt and jeans. Her face had a haggard sleep deprived look to it, complete with glassy red eyes. She sat in the empty chair and glared at Josie. “But that’s the point. Ma never had to care how we felt as long as her perfect daughter kept making her proud.”

“Oh Tiff, don’t start.” Josie said.

“Why not? I can’t be included in this conversation?” Tiffani shouted.

“Lower your voice.” Madeline said through clenched teeth.

With her face in her hands Josie began to moan.

“Carlton’s gone.” Tiffani announced. “Do you even care?”

Josie’s face lifted from her hands. “Of course I do.”

“It didn’t appear that way last night when he poured his heart out in my room.”

Josie frowned. “Again? What is with you and my boyfriend?”

“Ex-boyfriend!” Tiffani released a bitter laugh. “Please. He told me you broke up with him. Nothing happened with us. He is just as dedicated to Josie Eastman as dear mother here.”

“I don’t even want to know what that means.”

“Tiffani!” Madeline hissed. “Stop it! What’s the matter with you?”

“I’m done. Done!” Tiffani announced. “I’m done trying to be as good as Josie, Ma. And I’m done trying to be a support crutch for you!” she said to Josie. “You let a good man walk away. Hope you’re happy.” She rose from the table. She opened her mouth to say something more and didn’t. She turned and walked off.

Madeline shook her head sadly. She returned her attention to Josie. “We’re leaving. We all need some time to cool off. Go to the doctor and call me to let me know what he says. I think you’re making a big mistake by pushing everyone away baby,” Madeline gathered her purse and stood. She kissed Josie on the cheek and left.

Josie sat at the table alone. She lifted the envelope from her lap and peeled back the seal. A single sheet of notepaper with the hotel insignia was inside.

J-

I wanted to wake you. I knew if I did it would be impossible to say everything I need to say. And I find it even harder to put it on paper. I was a shitty boyfriend. Everything was on my terms. I understand why you needed a break and came here. I’m not sure if you know this or not but you brought out the best in me, babe. I think I’ll make it the title of my next song. I’ve never loved a woman so completely as I love you. And I do love you, Josie. I guess at the end of the day I’m a coward. I could stay here and fight for you, help you remember why we deserve a chance. Or I could just give you space and pray that you’ll come to me instead. I’m not giving up I’m just giving in. Letting you dictate things for us for a change. I happen to think what we had was something you can’t walk away from either.

It’s not about the man you met, or your being with him. Though that kills me. It’s about us. Where you want to go and where I need to go. I guess I finally understand it’s two different places. Time apart will give us some clarity. The band and I are going to do the Europe tour. Call me if you need me, or if you change your mind. Call me either way. I want you in my life.

Love-

C.

Josie wiped her tears and put the letter away. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore, but a small part of her felt free.

Saving Elu

“What did you find?” Josie asked, her voice hopeful.

“Here.” Tim Cullins accepted the map, aged with yellow stains, torn edges, and fading lettering from his assistant. “Thanks, Robin, for digging this jewel up for us.” He cut his eyes over to the blonde young woman who was continuing to shuffle files and papers out of her briefcase and onto the conference table. Both had agreed to come into his office on Sunday and meet to discuss Elu’s case.

“How old is this land treaty between the government and the Blackfoot Confederacy?”

“Over a hundred and sixty years old. But it was changed. This land here is what Elu Takotie once owned. It’s called Chicatee, and neither the government nor the tribes want anything to do with it.”

“I thought he lost his land because his father sold it?”

“He was able to buy every square inch of it back when his grandfather died. He didn’t tell you this?”

“No.” Josie felt a sour pang of disappointment. There was so much about Elu she didn’t know and vice versa. “All he said to me was that his father sold his land and he was ashamed.”

“Interesting.” Tim said. “Well he did inherit his current property from his wife. It stretches just to the line of the treaty so I think the tribes once owned it as well. It borders Mission Creek and is perfect for the facilities the government wants to put there. The seclusion, the mineral resources, and there are a few mines that once were opened during WWII just outside of Blackfoot Mountain.”

“What’s that? Rivers?”

“Yes the two rivers, the Kootenai and Yaak flow through east and west of this land.”

“So we have nothing. The government wants land that is on the outskirts of the Blackfoot treaty, and Elu lives here. If the tribal agreement doesn’t reach Elu’s land then it’s going to be a helluva fight to keep the government off it.”