Bisbee.
This afternoon after we got home from our long trip, I ran over to church in Bisbee ‘cause I didn’t want to miss it. The preacher was praying and then he read from the first book of Kings, and I smiled as he talked about Elijah being on Mount Horeb and God passed through the wind. Then he read a psalm and then a passage from Matthew about Jesus walking on the water.
“I missed you last week and I’m glad to be back,” BrotherD said, looking around the room. “This week we hear first about Elijah seeking the voice of the Lord on a mountain top. A storm comes but the voice of the Lord is not there. An earth quake comes but the voice of the Lord is not there either. A great fire comes but the voice of the Lord is not in that either. Instead it comes in a tiny whispering sound. If you seek the Lord in a loud momentous event you will not find him or hear him. He will come in a soft quiet ways not with ringing of bells or screaming voices or loud bangs on the table. That maybe only you hear.
“As with Jesus walking on the water to the boat he calls to Peter and Peter comes to him but then grows fearful and sinks. When God calls to you do not grow fearful and sink have faith in the Lord. This can be hard I know. I have heard a few preachers talk about their faith in the Lord and I think some of them wanted to do a little walking too. And it shows the limits of my faith that I have never tried it. But God understands this because we are only human now. But someday in God’s kingdom we will have boundless unlimited faith in him. We only need to listen to the whispered voice in our hearts.”
We prayed the Apostle’s Creed and then prayed for the needs of the church and those who worked in the church. BrotherD prayed for those who had died and that they would receive grace and join their King in paradise. He prayed for all those who served in missions, and all those who were hurting and suffering in many years.
BrotherD then took the bread, gave thanks, and prayed, “Renew now with heavenly bread, by which faith is nourished, hope increased, and charity strengthened, we pray O’Lord, that we may learn to hunger for Christ, the true Bread and strive to live by every word which proceeds from your mouth through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“I hope you all will enjoy God’s favor this week and he will look upon you with grace and wish you well in your lives. May God be with you this week. May you have cheer and God’s bounty with you throughout the week until we meet again,” he said to us. “The mass is ended I hope you all will enjoy God’s favor this week and he will look upon you with grace and wish you well in your lives. May God be with you this week. May you have cheer and God’;s bounty with you throughout the week until we meet again. May the LORD bless you, and keep you; May the LORD make his face shine to upon you, and be gracious to you; May the LORD turn his countenance to you and grant you peace.”
After church, I walked over to Mr. Spank, the mayor of Bisbee, and said, “I has question. How come God isn’t in the storm or the big noises but... Jesus came during the storm to the disciples?”
“God moves in mysterious ways,” Miss Ruby said.
“Well… A question for BrotherD,” Mr. Spank said.
“Yes Mister Spank, that is a good idea,” Miss Ruby said.
“And is trespasses like when we went on Mr Cas’s property but he got mad even though he thought we were in his mines but we were rally just in the cave?” I asked.
“I am sure he can explain this a lot better than we can,” Miss Ruby smiled at me and I ran out of the church.
“Mr Pastor person I has question. Or two,” I said when I stood in front of him.
“Sure what are they?”
“You said God wasn’t in the storm or the earthquake right?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t God everywhere?”
“Yes he is… but we only hear him in our hearts.”
“But then… How come Jesus was in the storm? Isn’t Jesus God?”
“Yes he is. Well Jesus was in the storm because he wanted to get to other side of the sea of Galilee.”
“Yeah but… You said God wasn’t in the storm. And I thought Jesus came so the disciples wouldn’t be afraid?”
“Not the storm Elijah was in or Elijah didn’t hear him then. He came because he wanted to get across the sea of Galilee and was tired and didn’t want to walk the whole way.”
“But I thought Jesus came to show the disciples he could control the storm?”
“No Jesus came to earth to build the new covenant with God between God and humans.”
“No I mean on the water. From where you talked bout today.”
“Ok he came on the water to get across the sea but he didn’t want to walk the whole so he came to the boat so he could ride.”
“I don’t think so. I think he came so the disciples wouldn’t be afraid in the storm.”
“Yes Jesus was helping them build their faith but it was not with great acts of miracles.”
“Ok I has other question. What is trespassing? They said that was when me and Jimmy went on Mr Cas’ land.”
“Well that is one kind of trespassing.”
“There’s more than one??” I blinked.
“Trespassing is doing harm to others or their property.”
“Oh. But we didn’t touch his property. We weren’t even on it.. He thought we were. But we were in the caves, not the mines. And the caves are okay.”
“Well then he thought you trespassed, but maybe you didn’t really.”
“We didn’t! We was just in the caves! With the Apache tears. The native ladies were sad cause all the men was killed once.”
“Alright I am sure that will be ok.”
“I guess I should go. We got back from big trip up north.”
“Well, bless you child,” BrotherD patted my head.
“We didn’t get to go to church this morning so Miss Trin said I could come while she cleaned up stuff from the trip.”
“Where did you go on a trip to?”
“We went up to Canada to meet her family. Her brother got married!”
“That’s far away.”
“Uh huh.”
“Very cold there.”
“We were there five whole days. It was really warm. But she said at Christmas it gets cold and white.”
“You’re lucky no polar bears ate you. Did you stay in an igloo?”
“It not like that Mr pastor,” I frowned at him.
“Oh?”
“No it like here. Just more... grass.”
“Ahh alright.”
“There were LOTS of people there too!”
“Yes I am sure they bring in people to feed the polar bears in the winter.”
“I think I go play now,” I frowned and waved goodbye to him as I headed back to town.
Tombstone.
I headed over to the hotel and talked to Miss Paisley about my trip and how wonderful it was at the wedding. I told her that I went to the church in Bisbee but that the pastor was confusing. We talked about how the pastor used several different stories to make the same point, but it felt like he used them to make several different points. Miss Paisley said that when you said a phrase over and over again, it helped us learn things. I told her about learning Apache on the train and how I had learned a few words. I told her that Miss Trin’s ma had made me the dress I was wearing and some other ones.
Payton wandered over then and Miss Paisley said, “There is a new boy in town.”
“There is? What’s his name?” I asked.
“His name is Solomon.”
“Ohhh like in the Bible. Is he wise?”
“I did no talk to him much, but he seems sweet on a girl I have yet to meet. Haddie is her name,” Miss Paisley said.
“Oh I see. I don’t know Haddie,” I said.
“Have you met Haddie Payton?” Miss Paisley asked her.
“No not yet but I have heard her name,” Payton said. “Seems like folks fallin in love all over the place these days,” she shook her head.
“It happens,” Miss Paisley smiled.
“Not ta me it won’t,” Payton said defiantly.
“Of course young girls and boys don’t always get it. They say ‘cooties’,” Miss Paisley said.
Payton folded her arms across her chest and said, “Yes boys have cooties an I plan ta prove it.”
“Hey Payton our boat made yet?” I asked her.
“Not sure… Ain't heard about it,” Payton tilted her head.
“You two been working on a boat?” Miss Paisley asked.
“You know the one Mr Joe making us?” I grinned.
“No… Mr. Joe has…” Payton shook her head to Miss Paisley. “Think he is almost done though.. been awhile.”
“Oooooh I see. Well Captain Cootie back for duty!” I giggled and pretended to salute and Payton giggled.
“Look Payton!” I smiled and spun around. “Miss Trin’s mommy made this for me!”
“Yup… very nice dress, Natalie,” Payton nodded and smiled.
“And..” I showed her my feet. “I not wear shoes like you!”
“Bout time,” Payton giggled.
“I do prefer barefoot... My boots cramp my feet,” Miss Paisley agreed.
“Mine too!” Payton nodded. “I got shoes.. just hate wearin em.”
“I prefer to feel the ground under my feet,” Miss Paisley said.
“Uh huh!” I grinned.
“Yes… moccasins are good.. but.. just hate shoes,” Payton nodded.
“They would be nice,” Miss Paisley said. “Protection, but close to bare foot.”
I told them that Miss Trin was teaching me how to speak Apache and miss Paisley said she’d have to ask her about the book she had. I told her that Miss Trin told me what happened to her daddy and what almost happened to me and then Mr. Chris and Miss Zan came over. I was excited to see baby Leo and Mr. Chris introduced us.
Miss Aly came over then and we talked about me going to church and talking with BrotherD. When Dancing Cloud said she didn’t know the story about what happened to Miss Trin, I said, “So what happened was… Trin’s daddy was fighting in the Civil war cause they was Part Native and he was helping the Native people fight. But it was like a secret group of soldiers. They all had this medal that they wore though. Well what happened was he survived the war but he kinda got killed when they was home cause some of the people from the group was looking for the medal. Cos it was worth lots but her daddy didn’t wanna give it away. Cause it was special. So they killed her daddy and Miss Trin’s brother came to tell her about it when she lived in Colorado still as a lawyer. Well… When Miss Trin’s brother Mr Josh told her bout the news... He gave her the medal. Cos he said their daddy wanted her to have it, right? But then last year when she came to Tombstone… Someone from that group of soldiers found Miss Trin here. His name was Sunset. He almost killed Miss Trin cause he wanted medal. But... then…”
“Sunset?” Miss Zan asked then.
“Mr Sunset realized he couldn’t kill Miss Trin cause they was both sorta Native and cause Mr Sunset liked Miss Trin’s daddy. So he didn’t kill her but…”
“Oh dear… Sunset Moon?” Miss Paisley asked.
“Then some lady... who was married to this bad outlaw guy named Clint... She killed Sunset,” I nodded. “This all happened last year. She said was almost anniversary of it. Miss Trin still has medal!” I beamed. “It real pretty, she showed me.”
“Wow, that is quite a story,” Miss Zan said.
“Uh huh. And… This weekend Mr. Josh got married! There was over forty peoples there!”
“Wow! Quite a turnout, huh?” Mr. Chris grinned and walked over to Miss Zan.
“And the Apache words?” Dancing Cloud asked.
“Oh well when she got here she got book from someone here and started learning Apache better. She no tell me who she got the book from.”
“I know a little myself. I have a friend, also named Sunset... He has been teaching me,” Mr. Chris said.
“Dancing Cloud does not have things to do with Trin, she is law,” Dancing Cloud said.
“Why you no like law?” I asked her.
“Teaching you to barter?” Miss Zan asked Mr. Chris.
“Native never like law. Only law for Native is Native law,” Dancing Cloud said.
“Speak Apache, dear,” Mr. Chris chuckled.
“Please.. no more bartering…” Miss Paisley said. “Not with Sunset anyways.. You keep it up, you will wind up giving away MY first born. And I have no plans for children any time soon.”
“Are you... in the family way, Paisley??” Mr. Chris asked.
“Oh, goodnses no,” Miss Paisley said and Mr. Chris chuckled.” But you will wind up bartering my first born at the rate you are going.”
“Depends on what Sunset has to offer,” Mr. Chris grinned but Miss Paisley glared at him.
Mr. Jimmy and Miss Starling came over and I grinned when Miss Starling and Dancing Cloud started speaking in Apache. Mr. Jimmy started talking about a hanging in front of the Russ Hotel and I snuck behind Miss Zan, not wanting to hear about hangings. Miss Zan asked if I was okay and I told her I just didn’t like the topic they were talking about.
Miss Aly came over then and I hugged her tight and Miss Starling gave me some candy. I told her that Miss trin would be around later when she was done unpacking. I ran over to the clinic to get some candy and then Jimmy ran over excitedly.
We hugged tightly and greeted each other and then went over to our hideout at the library. When we were alone, I told him, “I had the bestest trip Jimmy."
“I am so glad Natalie...I was sooo lonely without you.”
“Awww. I sowwy. I wish you coulda come too. There was so many people there. Lots of kids to play with too. Mr Josh and Mrs. Leslie looked so pretty.”
“Oh well I spent time with Nora, Jeffery, and folks in town..its was ok.”
“Not Payton?”
“I didn see her much.”
“Oh. How SS Cootie boat?”
“I love your dress Natalie, you look so cute...you get it on your trip?”
“Tanks! I gots it from Miss Trin’s mom! She made it!”
“Great...she good dress maker.”
“Uh huh! We read lots on train about Apache. I learned words!”
“The SS Cootie finish I think...Mr Joe say he finish, jus need us try it.”
“Ooooh okay.”
“I met the weirdest man while you gone. I dunno if I tell ya, but he name Mr Wallace.”
“I think you did tell me!”
“He is so funny, he think we all back woods hillbillies I think. So is Miss Trin ok? She have a good time?”
“Uh huh she good. She kept talkin bout Mr. Wallace. Maybe you should get Mr Wallace to come to our house tonight and he can see Miss Trin.”
“I bet I could, he stay hotel overn Bisbee,” he chuckled.
“She said he and her kisseded!”
“Uh huh!”
“Cause I asked if they get married! And she said that she liked him but they just kisseded and didn’t know each other yet.”
“Oh my gosh! Kissing, ewwwwww! The definately got cooties, better watch out, Miss Trin give em to you,” he chuckled.
“I know!!”
“Den I hav decooterize ya.”
“How?” I giggled.
“I dunno, decooterizin powder I gess.”
“Maybe um…” I giggled. “Mr. Wallace’s tonicy stuff.”
“Oh no, you no wha I here dat stuff is? It lizar oil or sumtin!” he laughed hard.
“Really?!” I giggled more.
“Dat what Miss Paisley call it. It might make you grow tail or sumtin.”
“Huh. Miss Trin told me story on way to Canada. About what happen to her daddy.”
“Oh?!”
“Uh huh cause I asked why her daddy not be there.”
“Wha she say?”
I told him about Trin’s daddy and what happened with Mr. Sunset and the medal that she’d got from her daddy. I told Jimmy that I’d seen Miss Aly without her wedding ring on, but I didn’t know why. Jimmy agreed that something must be wrong cause she didn’t talk about Mr. Alex much anymore. I hugged Jimmy tightly and told him I missed him a lot and Jimmy said he didn’t have much time to play ‘cause Miss Joan would worry if he stayed out too long. Jimmy gave me a piece of candy and then I headed home.
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