Brave Beginnings Read online

  She gasped at the insult. “How dare you call him a redskin! Why, I’ll have you know that he printed today’s edition of the Tribune!”

  “Did he?” He appeared mildly amused. “Good for him. He knows how to line up paper and run it through a machine.”

  Without thinking, she slapped him, and the papers she’d been carefully holding to her chest slipped to the ground.

  Ernest didn’t rub the red mark on his cheek. In fact, for a good five seconds, he exhibited no discernable reaction at all, and that unnerved her. Finally, he shrugged, took a step back, and pointed to the ground. “You should pick up those papers before they get too wet. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the only accomplishment your husband will ever have.”

  Just as she stepped forward to slap him again, she slipped and fell to her knees.

  “I’d help you up, but I don’t dare risk getting slapped again.”

  “I’m glad I didn’t marry you, Ernest. You’re small and petty and rude. You can take your money and fancy job and shove it.”

  “Why Julia, that kind of language is unbecoming for a lady. Being with a savage has certainly brought out your baser instincts.”

  Outraged, she struggled to her feet, but before she could march toward him, he’d already slipped into the bank.

  Julia’s entire body shook with rage as she watched Ernest scurry into the bank like the rat he was. She couldn’t believe she ever let him court her. All along she’d had that underlying sense of unease about him, and now she knew exactly why. The man was spiteful and thought much more of himself than he ought. She gritted her teeth and collected the damp folded newspapers off the ground. These were useless. She’d have to buy more copies.

  She bit back the hot sting of tears that filled her eyes. Who cared what Ernest thought? Chogan worked long and hard to get to this position. He started out delivering papers and running errands. In a matter of months, he was already learning the ropes of working a printing press. Who knew how far he could go in a year or more? So it didn’t matter what Ernest thought.

  He’s upset because I married Chogan instead of him. It’s jealousy talking and nothing more.

  She looked down at the papers and noted how nicely the columns were laid out. Chogan was meticulous with his work, and he took pride in everything he did. As well he should. He knows the value of patience and hard work. She brushed the tears from her eyes so Millicent wouldn’t know how much Ernest’s words bothered her. But what did Ernest know? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And she was right to reject his proposal. She was smart. She showed good judgment. Why, she bet if Chogan and Ernest were in the same room, Ernest would run off like a scared rabbit.

  She chuckled. Oh what a sight that’d be! And she could show Ernest just how savage she could be because she’d aim an arrow at his pompous behind. They could very well run the rat right out of town if they wanted.

  Her daydream only lasted for a minute when Millicent stepped out of the bank. Millicent took one look at the newspapers and sighed. “Oh dear. What happened?”

  The reminder of Ernest’s harsh words brought back some of the anger she wanted to suppress now that her cousin was right beside her. “I dropped them by accident.” No need to give the whole sordid story to Millicent. The poor girl wasn’t involved in any of this.

  “I’m sorry.” She sorted through some coins in her purse. “I took out enough for more copies. Let me buy them this time.”

  Julia took a good look at her cousin. “You don’t think it’s wrong for me to be excited about something as small as the way the newspaper was printed, do you?”

  “Of course not.” Millicent laughed and shook her head. “What gave you that silly notion?”

  “I just wondered, that’s all.”

  “Your husband has accomplished a lot more than I ever could. He grew up in a tribe, knowing nothing of our ways and knowing so little of our language. I remember how he talked when I first saw him and I heard the improvement at Thanksgiving. Why, he’s come a long way. Considering that he didn’t know anyone at the Tribune when he started and is ahead of Noah who started a month before him, it proves how far he’s come. In some ways, I envy you.”

  “Envy me?”

  “You have a man who was willing to leave everything he’d ever known to be with you. Oh, if only a man might love me like that!” She clapped her hands and sighed. “You have done remarkably well in the affairs of the heart.”

  Julia thought over her cousin’s words and realized she was right. “He did give up everything for me, didn’t he?”

  “You are a most blessed woman.”

  “I am. And I’m very proud of him and what he’s accomplished!”

  “Which is your right.”

  “You’re right, Millicent. It is my right. It’s good for a wife to applaud all of her husband’s accomplishments, even if others think they’re small.”

  Millicent smiled and directed Julia down the sidewalk. “There’s no use in trying to convince me. I’m in full agreement with you.”

  Feeling much better, she said, “Millicent, I must admit that you are turning out to be a most wonderful friend.”

  “Weren’t we friends to begin with?”

  “I suppose. We are cousins, after all. But…” She tried to find the right words to adequately convey what she meant.

  Millicent patted Julia on the arm and said, “You don’t have to say it. I know.”

  This time when Julia’s eyes filled with tears, it was from gratitude.

  ~~********~~

  Chapter 13

  As soon as Julia came home, she found her aunt sitting in the parlor, knitting a scarf. She wasted no time in hanging up her coat and setting her boots by the doorway.

  Erin glanced up from her red and blue yarn. “Did you get the papers?”

  “I did.” Julia set a new stack of newspapers on the table by her aunt.

  “You got that determined look in your eye. Might as well come out and say it.”

  Julia sat next to her on the couch and said, “I want to switch banks.”

  Erin chuckled. “Have you forgotten that you’re a married woman now? You don’t need me to make that happen.”

  “But what about your funds? Will you keep your money at the bank where Ernest works? He called Chogan a redskin!”

  “Ernest did what?”

  “He was awful. I can’t believe I ever had anything to do with him. I know he’s upset because I married Chogan instead of him, but he had no right to suggest that Chogan was stupid.”

  “Ernest did that?” Her aunt appeared shocked. “I’ve never known Ernest to be impolite.”

  “That’s because he never showed his true colors before today. I really don’t want to have anything to do with him, especially not with the money Chogan’s bringing into the household. If Chogan isn’t good enough for him, then Chogan’s money isn’t good enough for his bank.”

  “Alright, alright.” Erin rubbed her back. “You’ve obviously had a trying day. I will withdraw my money.”

  “Good.”

  “Julia, you are aware that things are going to be more difficult for Chogan because he’s Indian, aren’t you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She gave her a sympathetic smile. “You are unaware of things as they unfold around you, but I suppose love has that affect on a woman. My dear, most people have certain perceptions about Indians—what they are and what they aren’t. They look at Chogan and assume he’s not as smart as white people.”

  “That’s ridiculous!”

  “Ridiculous or not, it’s how things are.” She reached out and squeezed Julia’s hand. “What Ernest said today is probably what most people think. I hear talk. I’m sure Chogan’s aware of how things are.”

  “If he’s aware of it, then why does he put up with it?”

  Erin gave her a kind smile. “Suffice it to say, he loves you.”

  “But they don’t think he’s stupid at the Tribune. Why would they let him run the p
rinting press if they didn’t think he was smart?”

  “I didn’t say all people assumed the worst about Indians. I said most people. It looks like Anthony knew what he was doing when he took Chogan to the Tribune.”

  Julia put her face in her hands and thought over anything anyone might have said within her hearing that gave credence to what her aunt was saying. The only thing she recalled was her conversation with Millicent, but Millicent turned out to be very supportive. Other than that one time and Ernest’s words today, she couldn’t think of a time when she heard someone make a cutting remark about her husband. Was it possible that they did say it and she didn’t notice? Or maybe they made sure she was out of sight before they spoke?

  The sound of the front door opening caught Julia’s attention, and she looked up in time to see Chogan entering the house. He stomped his boots on the rug before taking them off. She watched him carefully, trying to determine if what the others said about him affected him or not. From all outward appearances, he seemed like he usually did, but that didn’t mean anything. People could hide their feelings.

  Erin patted her hand and placed her knitting supplies into her basket. “I’ll take this upstairs.”

  Julia stood so she could walk over to him. She waited for him to hang his coat and hat before she hugged him. He felt wonderfully solid, strong and secure. How she loved him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she settled her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Sometimes, when it was just the two of them, the rest of the world melted away. She wished it could always be this way.

  It wasn’t until Erin closed her bedroom door that Chogan spoke. “Is something wrong?”

  She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure. Are people being mean to you because you’re Indian?”

  “Mean?”

  “Is there anyone who isn’t treating you fairly?”

  He didn’t answer, and that worried her.

  She stepped back so she could look at him. “Chogan?”

  “We should talk,” he finally said and took her by the arm so they could sit in the parlor.

  This didn’t sound good, and she already felt the thread of resistance pulling her back. Had it been anyone else, she would have bolted for the steps, but she couldn’t run from someone she cared about so much. She sat beside him.

  Taking her hands in his, he asked, “What happened today?”

  She frowned. “I’d rather not talk about it. I asked you a question. Why don’t you answer it?”

  “I need to know what made you ask the question. Then I can explain things as they are.”

  “Oh, alright. I ran into Ernest, and he wanted to know why I married you instead of him. He was horrible, calling you a redskin and suggesting that you won’t do anything better than print newspapers.” Even the reminder of the encounter brought heat to her cheeks. “Then I came home, and Aunt Erin said that Ernest’s views aren’t much different from what most people think. I don’t recall hearing anyone saying crude things about you. Have you noticed anything?”

  “Your aunt is right,” he softly admitted. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted to be with you. I didn’t want you to feel guilty. It was my choice to be here. I know what white people think of me. But I have you, and that is what matters.”

  “How do they treat you at the paper?”

  “They are good to me.”

  “Really?” She shot him a worried look. “You aren’t just saying that to make me feel better?”

  He smiled. “No. I tell you the truth.”

  She relaxed. “That’s good. But when does it happen?”

  “On the street when I pass someone by who does not like having an Indian in town. I got used to the looks and comments.”

  “What comments?”

  “Things like I need to be watched—”

  “Watched? Why do you need to be watched?”

  “People fear I will steal something.”

  Her hands tightened around his. “That’s ridiculous. You wouldn’t steal something!”

  “Julia, calm down.”

  She struggled to relax her hold on him. “They think you’d steal something because you’re Indian?”

  “People have ideas about Indians. We cannot make them think something else. They must get there on their own. We live as peaceably as we can and hope for the best.”

  “Doesn’t it bother you?”

  He hesitated for a minute, and her eyebrows furrowed. “I got used to it,” he finally said. “It did bother me at first. But I like being with you. You have made it good.”

  “Is it getting any better?”

  “I do not notice it as much. Maybe. Or maybe I don’t notice it. I know they treat me good at work.”

  She sighed, unsure of whether that made her feel better or not. She hated knowing he had to put up with it at all. It wasn’t fair, and short of going up to everyone and telling them that what they assumed about him was wrong, there wasn’t anything she could do. Besides, he was right. She could tell everyone what he was really like, but if they had their minds made up, she’d be wasting her breath. She recalled how her aunt tried to convince her that Woape was a good wife for her brother, but until she came to that conclusion herself, no amount of late night talks with her aunt did any good.

  “Maybe being here is a mistake,” she softly said. “I had no idea it would be this way.”

  “Would you rather have married the white man?”

  “No! Of course not! That’s not what I meant. It just hurts to know that someone you love has to put up with this sort of thing, that’s all. Maybe I should have gone to live with you, at your tribe. Gary is there. He hasn’t said he faces the stigma you do.”

  “I have a good job. This is a good choice.” He placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him.

  She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. “Why does the world have to get in the way? I’d be happy if it was just you and me.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “We live with others, be it tribe or town. I have no complaints. I am happy. You can be happy too.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I do not regret marrying you. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I was not happy back in the tribe without you.”

  “I love you too,” she whispered.

  “I know. And that is enough.”

  Was it? As much as she wanted to believe it, she wondered. But maybe, just for today, it was true. And maybe, just for today, it was enough.

  ***

  Shortly after New Year’s Day, Chogan delivered his papers and reported to the Tribune. He promptly sat in front of the potbelly stove which was as much a part of his routine as his newfound need to drink coffee to help him wake up in the mornings. The progression of picking up the white man’s habits came gradually and, for the most part, went unnoticed. He no longer felt uncomfortable in their clothes, and he didn’t mind wearing a hat whenever he left the house. He even found a certain degree of enjoyment at work.

  One thing, however, failed to find any resolution in his new life, and that something was Noah. And this particular day was no exception.

  Noah entered the room and stood by the stove, intentionally leaving a wide gap between them. He had ceased to make an effort at small talk when it became clear to both of them that Mike had no intention of teaching Noah how to work the printing press.

  This was fine with Chogan. He didn’t care much for a youth who found too much pleasure in drinking alcohol late through the night and coming to work on a hangover—often late and having dropped the papers at the wrong residence as he rushed through his work. Such behavior would not have been tolerated in the tribe, and the best Noah could ever hope for was to bring water to the hunters when they searched for buffalo. But even then, he’d most likely slack off on the job.

  A good minute passed before their supervisor walked over to them. “Good. You’re here early.”

  Since his gaze was focused on Chogan, there was no
question on who he meant, so Chogan directed his full attention to him. “Yes, sir?”

  “Mike had a family emergency and we need an extra hand in the printing room. For the next three days, you’ll be at the printing press. I’ll find a temp to take over your route.” Their supervisor turned to Noah. “Get danishes instead of donuts this morning.” He turned back to Chogan. “Go on over to the printing room.”

  Chogan watched, partly shocked and partly overjoyed, as their supervisor retreated back to his office. He’d assisted many times at the press, but this was a move up.

  Noah didn’t say anything as he buttoned his coat, but he stepped forward and shot Chogan a scathing look.

  Chogan frowned and straightened, deciding to meet the silent challenge in Noah’s eyes.

  Noah’s eyes widened and he scurried out of Chogan’s way.

  There. Maybe that would stop Noah from harassing him. Chogan waited until Noah left the building before he went to the printing room. He didn’t dare turn his back on Noah. He doubted Noah would confront him, but one never knew what someone like Noah would do.

  Relaxing after what could have been a nasty confrontation, Chogan proceeded to the room, deciding he wouldn’t eat or drink anything Noah brought back.

  ***

  Julia let out a melancholy sigh as she finished making the sandwiches.

  Erin glanced up from the coffee she was pouring into the cups. “You might as well spill it. I can tell something’s bothering you, and whatever it is, you need to get it off your chest.”

  She shrugged as she placed the sandwiches on their respective plates. “It’s nothing.”

  “Nothing? You’ve been moping for the past week. Did someone say something bad about Chogan again?”

  “No.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Julia’s cheeks grew warm as she debated whether or not to talk to her aunt. She never kept anything from Erin before, and though this wasn’t a pressing issue, it did bother her. Setting three plates on the table, she said, “Everything is so easy for Gary.”