Alma Chapter 3 *Updated*

10th September 2380

Promptly at 7AM the next morning, my alarm went off. I leapt out of bed and bounded around my room as I dressed. I was actually excited to go to school again and see Kevin, as well as Lucia, Xenthe, Katrina, Maryann and Geoff.

Our two bedroom town house was different to the Sabre home. Their house was large, with polished wooden floors and country style furniture. Our town house had grey carpet or black tiles with modern, stainless steel furniture, since it came fully-furnished. The Sabre home was adorned with framed photos of family as well as antiques, whilst there were no family pictures or ornaments about our place yet.

All of this was noted, as I skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen, to have some breakfast.

Mama was sipping on a cup of coffee and she indicated with her hand that she had procured my box of cereal, bottle of milk and bowl. I sat down beside her on a cushion-top, stainless steel stool at the kitchen bench. I noted our black granite bench tops that were contrasted against our white cabinets then the black tiled floor.

“Our house is very stark, isn’t it?” I observed as I poured the cereal into the bowl. Mama gave me a curious look for mentioning this, so I continued. “The Sabre house is very similar to Grandmamma’s house. It’s homey with warm colours.”

Mama’s eyebrows rose as she said quietly, “isn’t that nice for the Sabre’s.”

I didn’t catch the tone in her voice, so I went on; “their garden is big and beautiful but we don’t have one. All we have is a small, paved courtyard.”

“Obviously the Sabre’s haven’t gone through a divorce and had to move to a new job.” Mama spoke crisply.

“Mrs. Sabre works, she’s a part time Professor. But Mr. Sabre stays home and cooks for the family.”

“So you said last night, Mali.”

I turned her way, “when I was born, did either you or Papa discuss who would stay home to look after me?”

“Your Grandmamma looked after you while your Papa and I worked.” Mama was starting to look annoyed.

This made me stop me talking and look downwards, as I picked up my spoon. I half-heartedly mixed the cereal around in the milk, as my appetite wavered.

“Um…” I changed the subject, “…how was your first day, yesterday?”

“When you start a new job there will always be the expected period of transition.” Mama said stiffly.

I think I just head the politically correct version of, ‘I don’t like it and I don’t want to talk about it.’

“You said you met some Lokoti who worked at the plant and they were nice?” I tried to remind her of something positive.

“Ouis.” Mama said simply. “They were kind and helpful.”

But that was all she said, indicating that she didn’t want to discuss it any further. I quieted as I focused my attention on my breakfast instead.

*****

Mama dropped me off at school again, on her way into work. Yesterday, I walked nervously up to the school’s front doors; today, I almost skipped up to them. But as soon as I entered the building, my heart sank as I realized I had no idea how to find Kevin, Lucia or Xenthe?

“Mali? Hey Mali! Over here!”

Just then I saw his tall stature come towards me, down the crowded corridor.

“Kevin!” I gushed in relief.

“C’mon.” He took hold of my hand – he took hold of my hand! – to lead me through the bustling hallway.

The next thing I knew, I was now standing with Kevin, Lucia and Xenthe in front of a set of lockers.

“This locker is yours.” He pointed. “We did a swop with Brian Green, so he’s got your locker and you’ve got his. Now, yours will be with ours.”

I looked on the dull grey, metallic, narrow cupboard like it was the best thing since sliced bread!

“Oh Kevin that’s so nice of you!” I gushed.

“Well, actually it was Xenthe.” His face flushed with modesty. “He talked Brian into swapping with you.”

I looked knowingly on my new, pale friend with his mysterious ways, as I could picture this happening.

“It was Kevin’s idea.” He shrugged. “I just arranged it for him.”

Next, I watched Lucia and Xenthe either take things out or put new things into their lockers, as they readied for their first class.

“Um, did you need to take anything out of your bag?” Kevin asked next.

I gave him a funny look, “take things out?”

“Yeah you know, for your next class and stuff.” He said.

“But wouldn’t I take that out inside the classroom, like my laptop?” I asked puzzled.

Xenthe chuckled to Lucia, “oh yeah, I can see that my excellent skills of negotiation has come to fruit.”

“She’ll probably never even use it.” She snickered back.

Back in Nara, my cousins used their lockers to either hide things from our parents or teachers, but I never did. My reasoning had been if I don’t need to take something into class or home then what was the point keeping it in a locker? I preferred to keep what I needed in my bag and on me at all times.

“That’s alright, Mali.” My pale friend smirked. “At least you’ve got something to stand in front of and pretend to look occupied.”

I watched Kevin take a couple of things out of his bag and place them inside of his locker which was on the other side of mine, before he slammed it shut and punched in his combination.

Just then the bell sounded loudly, signaling the start of class.

“Have you got Math?” Kevin guessed.

Quickly, I scrambled to take out of my bag my mobile phone/ PDA to check my electronic schedule. “Er, ouis…I mean yes.”

“This way.” Lucia was the first to turn and head through the moving crowd.

With her large size, she easily cleared the way for Xenthe who walked right behind her then Kevin walked with me.

*****

It was nice not having to worry about where to sit, as Lucia, Xenthe and Kevin made it known I was with them.

When we walked into our classroom, Kevin spoke gruffly to a boy who was about to sit in the seat next to his; “that’s Mali’s spot.”

The boy quickly moved away, not wanting to take on Kevin nor Lucia, with their greater size. Then he remained standing until I was seated, before he sat down. Lucia was sitting on the other side of him, with Xenthe on the other side of her.

I noticed that the rest of the students observed who I was sitting with, as a couple of them even whispered to each other.

Maybe they thought it was strange at how quickly I had latched onto Kevin’s, Lucia’s or Xenthe’s offer of friendship? But I didn’t care. These three, as well as Katrina, Maryann and Geoff, were nicer to me than anyone else had been.

Another reason why I felt like I fitted in with them, was because as everyone else wore the latest fashion; I didn’t look like the odd one out with my less expensive clothes. Especially since my new friends had their own fashion sense. Xenthe looked borderline Goth, which suited his sickly pallor, as Kevin and Lucia dressed in either denim or leather, hardy kind of clothing.

As the rest of our classmates all strove to look the same with their music-video fashion and immaculate hair; my physical appearance matched my new friends. Lucia had gorgeous, long, wavy, dark blonde hair but her height and strong appearance stood out first. Kevin’s dark, scruffy hair suited his rugged appearance. Xenthe was the only boy in school whose dark hair was shoulder length, which suited his black and white semi-formal clothes.

After Math, Kevin and I split up from Lucia and Xenthe as we headed into Geography and the other two went into History.

Again, Kevin ensured that we were sitting together although there were a couple of other Lokoti in our class that he could have gone to sit with. I thought that the other kids might be put off by his attention on me, but they weren’t. They even passed me a polite nod, as they turned on their laptops.

I turned on my computer and clicked on my Geography folder to prepare for the lesson, as did Kevin.

“Good morning class.” Mr. Curtis walked into the room whilst sipping on a cup of coffee. “I’m looking forward to seeing your reports that you prepared on your designated countries. You may email them for me to mark tonight.”

I had saved the report on India on my computer that Kevin and I had worked on together. I clicked on the document and selected the ‘send to’ option.

“Oh yeah, Mr. Curtis’ email address is this…” Kevin leaned over and clumsily typed it into my laptop.

He made several mistakes which he had to keep correcting. He mustn’t know his own strength, as he hit my keyboard so hard that certain letters kept coming out two or three times. Then he left my computer alone with the document sent, to return to sit properly in his seat.

“Now, today we’re going to focus on the Middle East.” Our teacher announced as he hit the controls on the side of the electronic board.

A picture of this region appeared as a map, on the screen for the class to look at. However at the same time, a pop-up message appeared on my computer screen from Kevin;

IF UR NOT DOING ANYTHING 2NITE WUD U LIKE 2 COME 2 DINNER @ MY PLACE?

My heart sped up as I read his words, but to avoid attracting any attention, I tried to play it cool. I didn’t look at Kevin, but I calmly typed back so it would just appear I was merely taking down class notes;

I’LL CHECK WITH MAMA 1st BUT SHUD BE OK.

As soon as this was sent, as casually as I could; I leaned over to take out my mobile phone inside the front pocket of my bag. Next, I placed my phone into my lap so it remained hidden under the desk.

“Krissy, can you please tell us the capital of Turkey?” Mr. Curtis pointed at the student beside me.

I froze as I worried over my teacher catching me doing something other than schoolwork.

“Yes Mr. Curtis.” She answered. “It’s Istanbul.”

“Nice try, Krissy.” Mr. Curtis returned his attention back towards the map on display on the electric board. “It is in actual fact, Ankara.”

As subtly as I could, I typed out the message to Mama;

CAN I PLS GO TO KEVIN’S 4 DINNER 2NITE?

Then Mr. Curtis changed the picture on the electric board to show an important but old looking building in Ankara, as he began to rattle on about Government.

My phone vibrated on my lap, with Kevin appearing to be the only one who noticed. He snuck a quick look at the phone which was sitting between my legs. Then as if to draw attention on himself instead, he gave a large stretch.

“Kevin.” Mr. Curtis next called on him.

“Ah yeah?” He almost jumped out of his seat.

“Can you please tell me the name of the predominant religion in Turkey?”

“Um, Muslim?” Kevin guessed.

“Well done Kevin!” Mr. Curtis beamed. “A gold star for you! Yes class, the population of Turkey has followed the Muslim faith for centuries.”

Our teacher began spouting off some historical facts about Turkey, in particular the different wars, when my eyes turned downcast to read the text message.

I’LL BE WORKING LATE AGAIN SO U MAY GO TO KEVIN’S FOR DINNER. SEND ME HIS ADDRESS & I’LL PICK YOU UP ON WAY HOME – Mama sent.

Oh, I didn’t know his address, all I knew was that he lived on Lokoti tribal lands inside of the National Park. I would have to reply at recess once I’ve asked. Kevin and I exchanged a look when I started to nod to show I could come, but we were interrupted.

“Kevin.” Our teacher called his name again.

“Ah yeah Mr. Curtis?” His head immediately snapped around in his direction.

“I’m curious...” He began.

“Er, you are?” Kevin responded nervously.

“Talking about religion and since the Lokoti tribal lands are just outside of town, maybe you could share some information with us?”

“OK…?” He looked on puzzled.

“Can you please tell us briefly about the Lokoti tribe’s religion?” Mr. Curtis requested.

“Er, our religion?” He gave a funny look. “Um, we don’t have a specific religion.”

“No?” Mr. Curtis waited.

“Um, no.” Kevin passed an awkward look to another girl in class who was Lokoti.

“Our belief structure is a lot more open to interpretation,” the girl spoke up.

“Really, how so?” Our teacher asked intrigued.

“Well, the Lokoti have never had wars over religion, like Turkey has. We have an idea of the afterlife but we accept that our beliefs are similar to many faiths.” The Lokoti girl continued.

“Go on, Cathy.” Mr. Curtis encouraged as he sat on the side of his desk.

“There are some members of our tribe who follow Christianity and we share many of the same views about the afterlife.” The girl called Cathy explained. “We both have sacred items or important talismans.”

“Can you give us some examples of this?” Our teacher asked, intrigued.

“Some of our Christian members wear crucifixes around their necks. Other Lokoti believe in Spirit Guides who are important animals or aspects of nature. We try to be mindful of the symbolism and messages that our Spirit Guides are imparting to us, as we protect the land which also holds spiritual significance.” She said matter-of-factly.

Mr. Curtis next queried, “then how does Christianity fit into this?”

Now Kevin answered for her, “Christians have similar ideas about birth and re-birth as the Lokoti. They believe that Jesus Christ was born and died and then he lived again. We both believe in the idea of the next life.”

“When you say ‘the next life’ do you mean the ‘afterlife’?” He asked.

“You could say that,” both Kevin and Cathy answered evasively.

Mr. Curtis sensed that was all the two representatives from the Lokoti tribe wanted to say on the matter.

“Thank you Kevin and Cathy for sharing that with us.” He stood up again to move along with his lesson. “Sean, can you please tell us about the climatic conditions in Turkey?”

Our class continued and I looked over at Kevin to see if he was feeling uncomfortable about being put on the spot like that? However when he gave me another one of his goofy grins, I saw that it was easily forgotten.

*****

The bell went, signaling the end of Geography and the start of recess.

“My Mama will let me come to dinner if she could please get your address to come and pick me up afterwards?” I asked him as we walked towards the cafeteria.

“Sure, my parents would want the address too.” He said understandingly. “But Mali, I don’t mind giving you a lift home again.”

“Thank you Kevin,” I smiled back, “but I think Mama would like to pick me up so she can get an idea of where I’ve been going. The Sabre’s first and now your house?”

“Oh yeah.” He agreed. “My address is 3 Hill Road, the Lokoti Community Centre, the Lokoti National Park.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise, “that’s your actual address?”

“Um yeah, it’s our residential and postal address.” He shrugged.

As I typed it up into my phone, I said in an impressed voice; “it must be nice having a National Park named after your people.”

He laughed embarrassed, “well um, my people have always lived on the land. Just before World War Three, Hodge Endeavor sponsored the World Heritage Listed lands in our name. It was kinda like an official ‘handing over’ to my tribe although it’s always been our home. Hodge Endeavor sponsoring it in our name just made it official for outsiders to realize it.”

My eyes widened even further impressed at how a multinational company like Hodge Endeavor would do this for his tribe.

Then he cleared his throat as he changed the subject, “my Mom will be home when you come over. She occasionally works at a child care centre in Alma but she isn’t this week. She can’t wait to meet you and neither can my Dad. He’ll come home from work later, he’s a Park Ranger.”

“Really?” I listened interestedly.

“You’ll also meet the rest of my family. Well, you already know Katrina but you’ll meet my youngest brother, Hugh.” He went on. “But you won’t meet my older sister Edwina, because she’s studying at the college in Fairbanks. She lives on campus and comes home one weekend a month.”

“Bon.” I smiled at his eagerness to introduce me to his family.

*****

At lunch when I checked my phone again, I saw Mama sent a text message that she received the address and she’ll pick me up at 9 PM from Kevin’s.

“Is that alright?” I checked as we sat in the cafeteria.

“Yeah!” He chuckled in amusement.

“Why wouldn’t that be OK?” Katrina asked, giggling too.

My head ducked shyly, so Xenthe said for me; “Mali comes from a well-brought up family where if she’s invited into somebody’s home, she wants to abide by their rules or curfew.”

I rushed out, “I hope it’s not the wrong time or anything, incase we’re in the middle of eating dinner when my Mama comes to take me home.”

“No fear, Mali.” Kevin passed me a boyish grin. “We eat dinner at seven o’clock on the dot.”

I smiled back before my eyes dropped to stare at the logo on the chip packet I was eating from, as I tried not to blush.

*****

The rest of the school day passed pleasantly enough. At the end of my last class which was Home Science with Lucia, we walked together to the front entrance where Kevin and Xenthe were waiting. Then all four of us strolled into the student car park where her hover-car was.

I felt awkward that Katrina was catching the hover-bus home with Geoff and Maryann, since I was going to be a guest in her home. I would be arriving at her house before she did.

Just like the day before, I hopped into the back seat with Kevin as Lucia drove and Xenthe sat in the front. But something slightly different happened today that didn’t happen yesterday…Kevin took hold of my hand.

I looked his way in surprise, which he returned with a soft smile. I felt like my heart opened up like a blooming flower, by his show of affection. Excitedly, I looked out the windows out at the passing trees as Lucia’s hover-car zoomed out of Alma and towards Lokoti tribal lands.

I started to remember the way, as she turned off the highway and onto a smaller road whilst we passed the sign that announced we were entering the Lokoti National Park.

The tree line broke into the welcoming sight of the small but tidy suburb of the Lokoti community centre. This made Lucia slow so we were only traveling 10 km/ h. Another sign we passed stated that this was the official speed limit and I could see why. Lokoti kids were everywhere, walking this way and that, after being dropped off by the schools’ hover-busses.

However unlike yesterday, this time when Lucia started to drive up the steep hill her house sat on top of, she stopped the hover-car halfway.

“Thanks for the lift.” Kevin said as he opened the car door and climbed out. “C’mon Mali.”

“What?” I wondered what was going on…?

“This is your stop.” Xenthe laughed at my confused expression.

“It is?” I asked. “Oh, well thank you for the lift, Lucia.”

“See ya Mali.” She sung back.

I opened my door and climbed out. As soon as I shut it again, her hover-car lifted up from the ground and glided onwards. I found Kevin standing at the beginning of a concrete driveway, waiting for me.

“Is this your house?” I remembered from yesterday how he said he lived on the same hill as Lucia.

“Yep.” He retook hold of my hand. “C’mon, let’s go inside.”

Just as he started to escort me up the driveway, we heard the sounds of wolf-whistling. We looked back to see Katrina walking up the steep road with another boy.

“That’s my little brother Hugh.” Kevin grinned in good humor at our audience.

“Bon.” I said as we politely waited for them to catch up.

“Kevin and Mali, sitting in a tree…” Hugh started to sing but he was cut off by his older sister whacking him on the arm. However Kevin’s little brother wouldn’t be put off. He goaded, “…K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes dating, then comes mating and then comes baby sitting in the carriage.”

“Shut up Hugh!” She punched him harder on the shoulder.

The twelve year old boy ran up the driveway ahead of us, laughing loudly as he raced inside the Wisetail’s house.

“Just ignore him, he’s always hyperactive after school.” Katrina rolled her eyes as she walked with us.

I laughed shyly as Kevin firmly held onto my hand and led me up the steps of his front veranda.

Did Hugh use the word ‘mating’ instead of ‘marriage,’ in the old schoolyard taunt? Maybe it’s a culture thing and people here in Alaska sing the song differently. The words I was used to were, ‘first comes love, then comes marriage and then comes baby sitting in a carriage’.

I found the Wisetail’s house looked very similar to the Sabre’s, as it was also constructed from wood and it too had a stone chimney. However it wasn’t as big as the Sabre’s. Katrina went in first and Kevin held the door open for me and walked in afterwards.

The Wisetail house also had an open-planned living room with a combined lounge and dining room, a separate kitchen and a staircase that led to the upper part of the house. Similar to the Sabre’s, their furniture looked country style and very lived-in.

At the timber dining table, a pretty, forty-something, half Native Alaskan woman; sat with a portable sewing machine, mending some men’s clothes.

“Hi Mom!” Hugh ran up to kiss her on the cheek before disappearing into the kitchen.

“Hi Mom!” Katrina planted a kiss on her other cheek and followed her brother. Next, I heard her chastise, “wash your hands first before you get stuck into that you little grub!”

“Hi Mom.” Kevin stood a little away, as he was holding onto my hand. “This is Mali Roanne.”

Mrs. Wisetail looked up from her work and immediately smiled warmly. “Hello Mali, it’s nice to meet you.”

I let go of his hand to walk up and shake hers. “Hallo Mrs. Wisetail, I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Ooh, an accent.” She looked impressed. “We don’t get a lot of international visitors let alone anyone from Mali in these parts. No wonder my son has taken an instant liking to you.”

I felt my face start to color up, but Kevin casually retook hold of my hand.

“My Mama was offered a job here at the new Hydro-Power Plant. She’s a Diagnostics Specialist. That’s why we moved here.” I told her.

“Mrs. Roanne will be coming by at nine o’clock to pick Mali up.” He added on.

“OK then.” She nodded. “I went to the supermarket this morning and bought a caramel mudcake from the bakery section. I’ll serve coffee and cake tonight when Mrs. Roanne arrives.”

“Cool.” He grinned at the sound of the yummy treat.

“Meanwhile Kevin, how about you take Mali into the kitchen and offer her some cookies and milk?” His mother suggested.

“OK.” He said agreeably and next, he led me by the hand into the other room.

When we walked into the kitchen, Hugh immediately caught sight of this and he started up again; “Kevin and Mali, sitting in a tree -”

“Shut up Hugh!” Katrina pinched his arm.

“Oow!” He instantly complained. “Mom! Katrina is pinching me!”

“And I’ll do worse than that, if you don’t mind your manners, Hugh.” She sung back.

He pouted at her words as Katrina now taunted; “ha ha! Now who’s the idiot?”

Kevin laughed good naturedly at the two, as he busied himself by pouring two glasses of milk before holding out the cookie tin, full of home-made biscuits.

“Mmm...!” I crunched on one. “This is nice!”

“They’re ANZAC biscuits. They’re an Australian and New Zealand recipe.” Katrina informed.

I looked impressed by the fact that I was eating something from another country.

“Aunt B who’s Lucia’s Mom, gave us the recipe.” Kevin advised. “Aunt B’s great, great grandmother was Australian.”

“Really?” I asked, interested.

“Lucia and her sisters are very multi-cultural.” Katrina declared. “They have Italian, Australian, English, Chinese and Lokoti inside of them.”

“Oh.” I pondered this as I recalled Mr. Sabre’s blonde hair and blue eyes. “Her mother looks half-Lokoti, but what about her father?”

Kevin advised, “Uncle Declan’s American-Italian. He moved to Alaska from Indianapolis when he was 3 years old and was raised in both the Lokoti and in the Italian Catholic tradition.”

“I see.” I remembered something else. “So that’s what you were talking about when you told Mr. Curtis how some Lokoti are also Christian.”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Lucia’s parents always celebrate Christmas and Easter. What religion are you Mali? That is, if you follow a faith.”

“Um,” I wondered how to put this, “the majority of my country is Muslim, so we celebrate many Muslim holidays. But my people in the region where Nara is, also have their own customs and celebrations too.”

“Cool.” Kevin nodded enthusiastically.

“Boring!” Hugh sung and next walked out of the kitchen. “Mom, I’m going to go and hang out at Seb’s.”

“OK then.” Mrs. Wisetail consented. “Just be home by six please, for your bath before dinner.”

Hugh was one year older than Sophia, so it didn’t surprise me that he mentioned the name ‘Seb’, the person she too hung out with yesterday.

*****

After we finished snacking on biscuits with our glasses of milk; Katrina, Kevin and I left the house to go somewhere else.

“This way.” Kevin led me by the hand, into the woods which surrounded his house.

“Where are we going?” I wondered why we weren’t using the road?

“To the river.” Katrina answered whilst she walked ahead of us.

“The river?” I echoed.

I followed the brother and sister down a dirt path through the trees, which was sloping downwards. We walked for about fifteen minutes through the woods, until we came to a large river. The water looked so clean and unpolluted, it was the most curious color of dark blue that I had ever seen.

Beside the river, I found some other familiar faces. Lucia was here, wading barefoot in the shallow part of the water, as Xenthe was sitting on a large rock, staring off into the distance. Even Maryann arrived, as she appeared from another dirt pathway.

“What is this, a convention?” Katrina joked, making us all laugh.

Kevin led me by the hand for us to sit beside Xenthe on the rock, as Katrina and Maryann sat on a log together.

“Besides playing soccer or hanging out here, what else do you guys do in your spare time?” I asked the group.

“I dunno.” Maryann shrugged.

“Different things.” Katrina shrugged as well.

“Visit friends, do movie nights, attend tribal meetings or functions, babysit younger siblings, go to the Cinemax in Alma or to the Café, browse in the shops…” Lucia spouted off.

“Yeah, different things.” Katrina summed up.

“You don’t smoke or drink or go to parties where this happens?” I asked.

“Nope,” everyone answered at once.

“Why? Do you do those things, Mali?” Xenthe turned my way.

I frowned, “twice I tried smoking, but I didn’t like it.”

“Can’t say that I blame you.” Lucia picked up a rock and threw it across the river in a special way, to make it skip across the surface.

She threw it so hard and at the perfect angle, that it skipped all the way across the water until it hit the river bank on the far side!

“My Grandpapa in Heaven – you ARE strong!” I laughed out my surprise.

Next, Kevin hopped up and came to stand by her side. He looked down for a couple of moments until he spotted a stone that he liked and picked it up.

When he threw his stone, it also skimmed across the flowing waters until it too hit the distant side. My eyes widened as I stared at his and Lucia’s impressive feat. I had thought that the river was so wide, not even a grown man could throw a rock that far!

Now Xenthe decided to have a go. He too stood up, picked up a stone and came to stand on the other side of Kevin. When he threw his rock, it skimmed to half way across the wide river… and then it sunk into the deep water. Lucia and Kevin laughed jovially at their friend and gave him a playful shove.

“Yeah well, I’m still faster than the pair of you put together.” Xenthe said sulkily.

So I decided to have a go and I stood up from my seat and looked around for a flat, circular stone. I found one and picked it up, before I came to stand in between Kevin and Xenthe.

“Go Mali!” Maryann cheered me on.

“Let’s see how our international competitor goes...” Katrina jokingly put on a sports commentator voice, “…OK ladies and gentlemen, our visitor representing the country of Mali is moving into position… Now she’s raising her arm and from the intense look on our sportswoman’s face, she’s judging the weight of her rock and the distance before her… Quiet in the stands please, she’s raising her arm… And that’s it, she’s thrown her rock!”

My stone didn’t even reach halfway, nor did it skip along the water like theirs did…it went up, it went down and it went ‘plop’, straight to the bottom.

Everybody cracked up laughing – including me – at my dismal first try.

“How did you make yours bounce like that?” I wondered.

“Mali, I don’t know what the rocks are like in your country? But here in Alaska, our rocks don’t bounce.” Xenthe said humorously, making Lucia laugh harder.

“But…” I frowned confused, “…I thought I saw yours did!”

“It’s called ‘skipping stones’, the rocks skim over the surface.” Kevin said helpfully as he picked up another. “You throw it under your arm and keep it low and if you throw it in a certain way? It skips over the water.”

He demonstrated by throwing his second rock and it skipped perfectly, across the river until it reached all the way on the other side.

“You guys are so strong!” I shook my head in disbelief.

For some reason this comment made everyone look uncomfortable, whilst Kevin, Lucia and Xenthe exchanged an awkward look. Even Katrina and Maryann exchanged worried glances.

“C’mon Kevin,” his sister stood up, “let’s teach Mali how to do this.”

Then we all took turns as I was taught how to make stones ‘skip’ with Kevin acting as my patient coach. I was hopeless at it! It took at least six goes until I could make a rock maybe skip a quarter of the way across the river…until it disappeared into the deep, dark blue.

*****

When it came time to head back; Xenthe followed the riverbank to walk towards the community centre to go to his house. Lucia walked up the same dirt path as Maryann; but Katrina, Kevin and I walked up another.

The trek up the steep hill in the crisp, cool air made me breathless, which made Kevin think that I was tired.

“Hop up.” He turned his back my way to give me another piggy-back ride.

“No, it’s alright.” I blushed when I caught Katrina’s smirk at his attentiveness. “I think it’s because your air is different that it makes me puff more.”

“How do you mean?” Katrina queried.

“The air in Mali is different; it’s warmer and thicker and sometimes more humid, depending on the season. But the air here Alaska, it’s cooler and feels a little thinner.”

“Oh.” Kevin looked like he felt bad about this fact. “Sorry.”

“Sorry?” His sister gave his apology a funny look.

“Well I hope you don’t move back to Mali because of it.” He said concerned.

“No.” I smiled softly at his reaction. “I don’t think we will.”

“Good.” His grin was immediate as he turned his back towards me again.
“So climb up and I’ll give you a ride.”

“You may as well.” Katrina smirked. “He’s not going to give in. Once when I hurt my ankle during a fight? I refused to hop on his back so he slung me over his shoulder and carried me instead.”

I looked his way in alarm at the very idea…he’s not about to sling me over his shoulder, is he?

“No!” Kevin caught my expression. “Not if you don’t want to…”

“C’mon you two!” She harrumphed. “You’re slower than an Alaskan winter!”

Then like a mountain goat, Katrina went into a sprint and ran off ahead, up the steep, dirt path.

She didn’t run as fast as Lucia, Xenthe and Kevin did yesterday, but she still made me feel left out. It bothered me because back in Nara, I was used to walking everywhere. I started up the path after her, forcing myself to walk quickly. But by the way Kevin kept pausing, this was still a slow pace for him. I was really starting to feel inferior, beside them.

“You’re all so fast and strong!” I cried out in frustration.

“Sorry.” He dug his hands deep into his jeans’ pockets. “We didn’t mean to.”

That made me pass him a sheepish look, “then I’m sorry for being so slow and weak.”

“Yeah but you’re also pretty and soft, so it’s fine with me.” He snuck a small smile in my direction.

Pretty and soft? I’ve never heard a boy use that combination before and I liked it. I beamed at his words, which he took as a sign of forgiveness. He merrily held my hand again as he deliberately walked extra slowly, up the hill.

*****

When we exited the woods and onto his lawn, I saw another hover-car parked on the driveway. It looked like it could be an ‘off road’ vehicle and it had a Federal Wildlife Services emblem on it.

“Dad’s home.” Kevin announced. “C’mon, I’ll introduce you.”

He led me by the hand, up his veranda steps and then he opened his front door and stood politely aside to let me enter first.

Inside the house, I found a Lokoti man who looked like he was in his twenties – younger than Mrs. Wisetail – was standing in the lounge area in a Park Ranger’s uniform. Kevin’s father had smooth, bronze skin and long black hair which was tied back in a pony tail. His dark brown eyes, which I recognized was the same shape as Kevin and Katrina’s, were kind and full of laughter. He stood still as his two youngest children, bombarded him with stories about their day.

However as soon as he noticed me walk in, he looked up in surprise. He regarded me closely, as I noticed his eyes widened like I was not only a stranger inside his house, but I was some kind of rarity he hadn’t seen before. It made me feel uncomfortable, as it reminded me of how Kevin, Lucia and Xenthe stared when they first saw me. It also reminded me of how Susanna and Mr. Sabre acted when they first met me too.

“Dad, this is Mali Roanne,” his son came to stand beside, “Mali this is my Dad.”

“Hallo Mr. Wisetail.” I greeted nervously.

His father observed how his son’s hand rested on my lower back and then his eyes met my own.

“Hello Mali.” He smiled kindly. “You have an interesting name.”

“I do?”

“It’s not every day I meet a person who was named after their country.” He said in good humor.

“Yeah, it would be like meeting somebody with the name ‘Alaska’ or ‘Canada’!” Hugh snorted which made Katrina whack him again.

“Alaska is a state you dumb-ass! NOT a country!” She corrected.

“Oow!” He nursed his sore arm. “Stop hitting me! You’ve been hitting me all day!”

“I haven’t seen you all day you little cry-baby!” Katrina next poked him in the side.

“Get off!” Hugh shoved her before he quickly ran away. But she wasn’t about to let him get away that easily, and she chased him upstairs.

“Kids, no running in the house!” Mrs. Wisetail called out as she came out of the kitchen.

Next, I watched Mrs. Wisetail walk over to her younger looking husband’s side. Mr. Wisetail was quick to put his arm about her and affectionately rub his nose against her cheek.

“How is my wonderful wife?” He asked the older looking woman.

“Tired.” She said simply. “I did the grocery shopping this morning and from the size of our ‘tribe’, that’s a LOT of food.” She joked, making her husband and son laugh.

“You should have waited and taken Kevin or I with you.” Mr. Wisetail gently scolded.

“Oh I know, but I was in Alma anyway, running errands.” She waved it off. “I dropped in at the child care centre and picked up my roster for next week. When I got home, I was visited by Jean asking if one of the kids would look after the plants in their greenhouse when her family goes on holiday. Then I was visited by Declan, who brought over the Anzac biscuits and he invited us to lunch this Saturday. Finally, I spent the rest of the afternoon mending yours and Kevin’s clothes.”
Declan, as in Lucia’s father, Mr. Sabre? He made the Anzac biscuits? Now why didn’t that surprise me…

Mrs. Wisetail looked up into her husband’s waiting eyes, “what did you do today, Mr. Park Ranger?”

“I rode around in the hover-car, admiring the scenery.” He joked, making his son and mother laugh.

When Mr. Wisetail bent his head – I could see Kevin got his tall, strong build from his father – to tenderly kiss Mrs. Wisetail; that was our cue to give the adults their private time.

He led me by the hand upstairs and down a hallway, into his bedroom. I remembered that he shared with his little brother and I found two single beds inside. Hugh was sitting on one, playing with an interactive electronic comic book.

“Can you please go and read that somewhere else?” Kevin politely kicked his little brother out.

“Get stuffed!” He retorted. “Just because you get a girlfriend, I’m not about to be evicted from my own room!”

“If you don’t leave now, I’ll tell Mom it was you who broke her antique photo frame.” Kevin said coolly.

Hugh’s reaction was quick; “alright I’m outta here.”

He bounced off the bed and carried his electronic comic book with him. Kevin shut the door behind and then he waved his hand towards his bed for me to sit down.

I started to feel nervous about being alone with Kevin in his bedroom, so I sat on the edge of the bed. I felt tense, as he casually came to sit beside, but in a more comfortable position with his back against the wall.

“Um, how many bedrooms does your house have?” I queried.

“Four.” He answered. “Mom and Dad are in the main bedroom, Edwina has Kurt’s old bedroom, Katrina has her own room and then Hugh and I share. When Kurt was alive, Edwina and Katrina had to share. But since his death and they fought so much, Edwina was moved.”

“I see.” I momentarily looked down at his quilt cover. “Um, how old was he when he died?”

“Kurt was fourteen.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise…so Kurt was murdered at the age of fourteen, the same night as Xenthe’s father and sister were killed?

“How – how – how did it happen?” My eyes met his once more.

“Um Mali, is it cool if I don’t say yet?” He asked uncomfortably. “Let’s just say it wasn’t natural causes and leave it as that.”

“Bien.” I looked downwards again as I inwardly kicked myself.

“You didn’t offend me or anything.” He quickly added on, as if he could guess my thoughts. “It’s just um, a long, private story.”

“I see.” I next stared at the floor. “And er, how old is Edwina?”

“Edwina is 18 years old. She’s just started a course at a College in Fairbanks where she lives during the week and is supposed to come home on weekends.” His voice turned chirpy, in relief to be talking about something else.

“What’s she studying?” I looked his way again.

“She’s studying Industrial Design.” He informed. “She’s the creative one in the family, her and Katrina that is. My parents joke it’s why they fight all the time; creative differences.”

That made us both laugh.

“Erm Kevin, can I ask you a question about your parents?”

“Sure Mali.” He shrugged.

“Are they both your biological parents?”

“Yeah!” Kevin laughed at my question.

“So your Dad isn’t your step father or anything?”

“No,” he chuckled, “are you asking because my Dad looks younger than my Mom?”

“Ouis.”

“They’re the same age, they’ve been married for twenty-one years. But Dad just looks younger, it’s a family trait.” He smilingly explained.

“Really?” I turned around so I was facing him.

“That’s gonna happen to me too you know.” Kevin grinned.

“It is?”

“Yup.” He playfully poked me in the side. “Eventually, I’ll look younger for longer than my wife when I get married.”

“Why?”

“It’s just genetics.” He shrugged. “Some men in my family can live extremely long lives.”

“Oh.” I pondered this. “Where I come from, women always live longer than the men.”

“That’s good for me then.”

“It is?”

“I get to keep you for longer.”

What was that? Then Kevin further surprised me when out of the blue, he pulled me into his arms! He sat on the bed like that, holding me.

At first I was afraid he was going to try something else, but he didn’t. We just sat there like that, with his arms about me and a soft smile painted on his face.

“Mali?”

“Ouis, er I mean yes?”

“What do you want to do when you finish school?”

I spoke as I relaxed back into his embrace, “I’m interested in becoming a Healer, like my Grandmamma. I might study Pharmacy and branch into Naturopathy. Then I would become my Grandmamma’s apprentice.”

“Just like our tribe’s Medicine Men.” Kevin nodded.

“Medicine Men?”

“We have two Medicine Men, they’re not Doctors but they’re gifted healers. They can heal almost anything. But if it’s something that they can’t help with, then they send their patients to the hospital.”

“Oh.” My eyebrows rose, impressed.

Just then we were interrupted when we heard the distant call; “Kevin?”

“Yeah, Mom?” He shouted back, almost deafening me.

“Can you please set the table?” She requested.

Kevin grumbled as he had to let go, “that’s Katrina’s job.”

Next, he offered me his hand which I took and in one easy move he pulled me to my feet. I followed him out of his room and down the stairs.

In the kitchen, we found Katrina was helping her mother prepare dinner. Mr. Wisetail sat on a couch in the lounge area beside Hugh, helping him with his homework. That was until Mr. Wisetail caught the time on the antique cuckoo clock on the wall over the fireplace and he said to his youngest;

“Time for your bath, Hugh.”

He scowled but he obeyed his father’s command. His father smilingly watched him leave upstairs. Then he sat back into the couch and turned on the Internet TV via remote to watch the World Wide News on low volume.

“Mmm.” Kevin’s mouth watered from the delicious smells of cooking, when he retrieved the table cloth. “What’s for dinner?”

“Beef Strogonoff.” Mrs. Wisetail answered.

“Yum!” His face lit up.

“Mom!” Katrina loudly put down the knife she was cutting up with. “This steak is tough and the knife is blunt!”

“Fine, you and Kevin can swap tasks then.” Mrs. Wisetail said tiredly.

In a single move, Katrina snatched the table cloth off Kevin as he took hold of the blade. Next, we watched him easily dice the large portions of steak quickly and proficiently.

“Show off.” She smirked at her older brother’s prowess as she set about her task.

As she turned to leave the kitchen to set the table in the dining area, he playfully kicked her on her way out.

“Would you like a hand?” I offered Katrina.

“No, it’s cool.” She smiled at my offer before she continued. “There’s not much to do.”

“So Mali,” Mrs. Wisetail struck up a conversation as I hovered in the kitchen doorway, “Kevin says that you’re good at soccer. Did you used to be on a team back in Nara?”

I looked his way in surprise, wondering just how much he had spoken about me? His cheeks turned pink as he deliberately kept his eyes downcast in mock concentration.

“Um, yes.” I answered. “I used to be on a team and we played in competitions.”

“Do you think you’ll try out for the school’s soccer team here?” She queried.

“Oh, I don’t know.” I felt myself blush. “I don’t know if I’m as good as the other players.”

“She is.” Kevin said confidently, pushing aside his completed task. “Anything else you want cut up, Mom?”

Mrs. Wisetail handed him a bag full of mushrooms to slice for her, as she continued to chat.

“What else do you enjoy, Mali?” She asked.

“I like to play the flute.” I tried to think of things to talk about.

“Really?” She brightened by this. “Edwina used to play the clarinet, but I think she deliberately left her instrument behind when she went off to college. That’s a shame, as she had a good ear for music. Are you in a band, Mali?”

“In Nara I was in the school band, but I’m not sure about here…” my face heated up, “…I may not be good enough.”

“Xenthe says she is and he’s in the same music class as her.” Kevin spoke up again.

“Well,” Mrs. Wisetail’s eyes widened impressed, “if Xenthe thinks so, he’s probably right. That boy is a magician on the piano. He’s been asked to give recitals at a couple of our tribal gatherings.”

“Xenthe is good.” I agreed. “But he may be kind about my skill though.”

Suddenly Kevin laughed out loud, “if Xenthe says you’re good, then you’re good. If he didn’t think so, he wouldn’t say it.”

Mrs. Wisetail giggled along with him, as Katrina came to stand beside me after the table was set.

“That was funny wasn’t it, when the music teacher was fishing for compliments as he tried to build himself up? In one word, Xenthe knocked the ground out from underneath him.” Their mother tittered.

“Yeah, he isn’t afraid of saying what he thinks.” Katrina joined in. “When Maryann wore a new top which he thought was a little too low cut? Xenthe asked her if she was going hunting. When she said no and why would he ask that? He said that he thought she was advertising it was hunting season.”

Then she, Kevin and Mrs. Wisetail guffawed at that, but I didn’t think it was that funny. Or maybe it was an inside circle kind of joke?

*****

Twenty minutes later, dinner was served and we all sat down at the table to eat. I sat beside Kevin as a freshly showered and pajama-ed Hugh and Katrina sat opposite to us. Mr. and Mrs. Wisetail sat at either ends of the table as the heads of the family.

Creamy beef stroganoff, sitting on a bed of steamed rice, wafted up our noses and taunted our senses. I liked rice dishes and I noticed by the helpings on Kevin’s and Mr. Wisetail’s plates, so must they. Their servings were piled so high, it could have fed two men a plate!

Soon everyone was merrily eating away, especially Kevin and Mr. Wisetail who attacked their food as if they were ravenous.

“Mmm… good beef stroganoff, Mom.” Kevin spoke in between mouthfuls.

“So Mali,” Mr. Wisetail paused in his eating long enough to speak, “Kevin said your parents are divorced?” I nodded as I finished my mouthful which gave him time to ask his next question. “And you moved here with your mother, who works at the new Power Plant?” I nodded again when he continued. “Where’s your father and what does he do?”

“Er, Papa moved back to France. I don’t know whereabouts exactly, as the divorce was finalized just over a month ago.” I tried to keep my voice casual. “He’s an aeronautical engineer, who helps design planes and shuttles.”

Hugh stared agape, “you don’t know where your Dad is?” When Katrina whacked him on the arm once more, making him cry out in pain! “Oow! What did I do now? Mom! Tell Katrina to stop hitting me!”

Startled, I saw murderous expressions on Kevin’s and Mr. Wisetail’s faces. Then I realized that they weren’t directed at Hugh; but because they were angered by my father’s unknown whereabouts which they saw as hideously neglectful. After a moment, Mr. Wisetail noticed that I had noticed, which made him clear his throat. Next, their faces smoothed into a deceptively calm appearance.

“Mali, tell me more about your family…” Mr. Wisetail went on, “…have you always lived in Nara?”

“On my maternal side, yes.” I answered.

“Mali’s grandmother is a Healer.” Kevin chimed in. “Like our Medicine Man.”

“Ah, I see.” He now looked like he understood something. “I expect then with her ability to heal people, she was probably gifted in spiritual areas as well.”

In surprise, I sharply looked back…how would he know this? My Grandmamma was occasionally called a ‘Witch Doctor’ by people who didn’t understand. She was known for not only accurately diagnosing people, but occasionally she was asked to treat a whole manner of things, such as sick animals or to clear houses of negative energies.

“Does your grandmother have ESP?” Hugh looked impressed. “Does that mean so do you? Because I heard Kevin tell Dad that you have an… OOW!”

Suddenly the table jolted as at the same time he cried out in pain!

“Mom! Kevin kicked me!” He whined. “My leg! He’s killed my leg!”

Next, we saw Hugh curl up into a ball on his chair, as he rubbed his injury.

“Kevin, mind your strength.” Mrs. Wisetail said quietly.

“Yes Mom.” He answered obediently as he glared at his little brother.

“I say we put arsenic in his food.” Katrina joined in. “That will shut Hugh up permanently.”

“And it would also kill your little brother.” Mr. Wisetail passed her an unhappy look.

“There are always casualties in war.” She shrugged.

For some reason that made Mrs. Wisetail’s face fall, which made Mr. Wisetail sit up straighter in his chair as he looked on in concern. We watched her struggle to regain her composure, but her watery eyes gave away her distress.

“Excuse me.” She suddenly stood up and left the table.

Our eyes followed her from the room as she hurried up the stairs and then we heard a door close. Now Mr. Wisetail stood up, as he shot off a warning look to Katrina.

“Excuse us Mali, but we’ll be right back.” Their father said gravely before he followed his wife upstairs, I guess to console her.

What just happened here? I thought this was a typical family dinner, with the typical sibling rivalry? Why is Mrs. Wisetail so upset? Did this somehow remind her of her eldest son’s death?

Now Katrina looked wrought with guilt and Hugh looked like he was gloating.

“Good one Katrina.” Their younger brother goaded. “Are you going to joke about Kevin dying one day too?”

She ignored him as she said upset to her older brother, “Kevin I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to.”

“Yeah, I know you didn’t.” He gave her a rueful look.

“Our older brother Kurt died.” Hugh proclaimed for my benefit.

“Ouis, I was told.” I said softly.

“What did you say?” He gave me a funny look.

“She said ‘yes’ in French.” Katrina rolled her eyes.

“Do you speak French?” He asked curiously.

“Well her Dad is French!” She reminded in an exasperated voice.

“How come you don’t know where your Dad is?” Hugh demanded.

“Do you want me to kick your other leg?” Kevin threatened.

His little brother’s eyes widened in fear of his older brother’s strength and he moved his other leg away.

“My father is French.” I educated. “It’s also a main language in my country.”

“Really, why?” Hugh wondered.

“Why does your country speak English?” I hit back.

“Because that’s what everybody speaks.” He shrugged.

“Not everybody.” I pointed out.

“We know a second language, we’re learning Lokoti.” He boasted. “That’s our REAL language, because we’re not English.”

Kevin and Katrina snickered at their little brother, which seemed to encourage him.

“Well, we’re not.” He looked to Kevin. “You look like you could be English, because you have the whitest skin out of all of us. It’s weird because you’re a Lokoti Wer…OOW!”

His older brother did kick his other leg! Hugh howled in pain, now nursing two sore legs.

Katrina said dryly, “he’s a slow learner, isn’t he?”

Kevin’s a Lokoti what? I looked his way in curiosity, wondering what Hugh was about to say? When he noticed this, he looked down at his plate whilst recommencing his eating.

“So, tell us about your grandmother.” Their sister requested, to move the conversation along again.

I felt awkward, as I sensed there were things in this family that they didn’t want to discuss with a stranger at their table. Ironically, it was how I felt about about my grandmother.

“Um, she’s a Healer.” I spoke in a rushed manner. “She grows her own ingredients for her herbal remedies. I used to help her in her garden.”

“Oh, you mean like a witch or something?” Hugh stared. “Does your grandmother have an aura too?”

An aura…?

“Hugh would you shut up?!” Katrina lost her patience. “What’s with you tonight? It’s like you’ve got verbal diarrhea!”

“Diarrhea! Diarrhea!” Hugh started to chant.

“Hugh, you’re excused from the table.” Kevin put down his fork.

He stopped chanting to glare back at his older brother, “you can’t make me leave the table!”

“Oh can’t I?” His brother raised his eyebrows.

“I mean, you’re not allowed to!” He back-pedaled.

“I am the oldest.” Kevin said calmly.

“No you’re not, Kurt was! Now Edwina is and she’s not here!” He refuted.

“Exactly! Edwina’s NOT here so Kevin’s the eldest.” Katrina sided with her older brother.

However their arguing was interrupted, when we heard a door upstairs open and two sets of footsteps. Mr. and Mrs. Wisetail reappeared as they returned downstairs and to their seats at the table.

Kevin turned to his solemn looking father and he said with a voice full of authority; “I’ve excused Hugh from the table.”

Mr. Wisetail looked from his older son to his youngest, as his eyes narrowed.

“But Mom!” Hugh objected. “Kevin can’t dismiss me from the table! Edwina’s older than him!”

“Hugh!” Mr. Wisetail’s voice sounded deep and rumbling with anger.

Without further ado, Hugh tearfully stormed away from the table and up to his room via the staircase.

“Are you OK, Mom?” Katrina looked worriedly on her mother’s red eyes.

“Yes thanks sweetheart,” Mrs. Wisetail said breezily before she looked my way, “I’m sure your family dinner’s are much more peaceful than this, eh Mali?”

My Mama’s and Papa’s arguments over meals or any other time, were still ringing in my ears. Then Grandmamma would yell over the pair of them for fighting in front of me, their child. The only moments of peace I had, were when my parents weren’t together.

“This is nice beef stroganoff, Mrs. Wisetail.” I changed the subject whilst digging at the food with my fork.

*****

After dinner, Kevin and Katrina cleared the table and stacked the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and again I wasn’t permitted to help.

When Kevin and I began our homework, Katrina joined us. We three sat at the table with our laptops open, individually working on our assignments. We worked in an amiable silence as we studied hard.

“Hugh, did you want to fetch your homework and work with your brother and sister?” Mrs. Wisetail prompted.

Their youngest whom was still sulking, said petulantly; “Dad’s already helped me with it.”

Instead, he sat on a lounge playing with his interactive electronic comic book.

Mrs. Wisetail passed her husband a knowing look, who returned it. Eventually, she left her anxious hovering to sit by her husband’s side on another couch. The two talked quietly, with Mr. Wisetail beginning to massage his wife’s tense shoulders.

A couple of times I glanced upwards, trying to inconspicuously watch the two. Kevin’s parents may look like a mismatched pair, thanks to Mr. Wisetail’s deceptively younger appearance. But by the way they acted, it truly did speak of years of marriage. Mrs. Wisetail obviously relied on her husband for emotional support and he was more than happy to provide it.

The married couple also cared greatly about their children and I could tell their conversation was about them. The parents watched the children work on their individual tasks, as they talked in soft voices. Kevin, Katrina and Hugh seemed to sense this, as they made furtive looks towards them. It was as if they could sense their parents’ ever-watchful gazes.

Our reverie was interrupted at a quarter to nine, when the doorbell chimed.

Mr. Wisetail jumped up first to answer it. He swung open the door and there stood my Mama. She looked tired and was wearing her work overalls, similar to him still in his Ranger’s uniform.

I stood up as he greeted warmly, “you must be Mrs. Roanne, Mali’s mother.”

Kevin and most of his family also came to stand, with Katrina kicking Hugh to make him do the same.

“Kita, please.” Mama shook his hand.

“We’re pleased to meet you, Kita.” Mrs. Wisetail came forward to shake her hand next. “I’m Wendy and this is my husband, Walt. Come in, please.”

As Mama came into the house, Mrs. Wisetail went into the kitchen to procure coffee and cake for everyone with Katrina – and a reluctant Hugh – following her to assist.

“Mrs. Roanne, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Kevin!” He said exuberantly, as he came forward to shake her hand lastly.

Mama’s eyes widened as she looked up and down at his tall stature, which she noted was the same as his father.

“Bonjour Mama, comment allez-vous?” I darted forward to place a kiss on her cheek.

“Tired.” She answered. “How was school?”

“Bien.” I shrugged.

“Kita, come and take a seat.” Mr. Wisetail guided her into the lounge area.

Mama sat down on one of their couches and immediately let out a sigh of relief.

“A long day?” The other adult asked sympathetically.

“Ouis.” She moaned.

“You work at the new Hydro-Electric Power Plant, right?” He remembered.

“Ouis – I mean yes.” She answered.

“How’s that going?” Mr. Wisetail enquired, as he, Kevin and I, sat down in the available chairs around her.

“Interestingly.” She put it diplomatically. “We should be coming online next month. But before we join the greater Alaskan grid, there’s still some bugs in the system which crashes the interconnection.”

“Really?” He listened with interest. “How about the backup power supply from the solar generators?”

“They’re just useful during your warmer months.” Mama smiled knowingly. “Those systems aren’t viable in your winter, with shorter daylight hours.”

“Guilty.” Mr. Wisetail chuckled in good humor.

“Mali says in Nara it’s a lot warmer than it is here in Alaska,” Kevin spoke up, “and she says even the air is different.”

I put in, “I become out of breath so easily here, the cold air seems thinner.”

“It’s also probably because you’re at a different altitude, living in the Alaska Range.” His father advised.

“Ouis, er I mean yes, the climate and the air is much different in Mali than here.” Mama agreed.

Now Mrs. Wisetail along with Katrina and Hugh, carried out slices of caramel mudcake, sitting on individual plates.

“Oh yum! Thanks Mom!” Kevin grinned.

He stood up to take his piece before returning to his seat beside me to eat.

“Thank you, Wendy.” Mama smiled as she took her piece. But before she began on her dessert, she gazed upon how closely Kevin and I were sitting together, eating ours.

As the adults in the room were sipping on cups of coffee with their cake, the children drank glasses of milk.

“Have you met the Sabre’s yet?” Mrs. Wisetail asked Mama.

“Er, no.” She passed me a funny look.

She was probably wondering why the Wisetail’s would be asking, when I had been discussing them that morning.

“Declan – that’s Lucia’s father – who goes to school with Mali,” Mrs. Wisetail brought her up to speed, “came by to invite us to lunch at their house on Saturday. He asked me to issue the invitation to you and Mali as well.”

“Oh?” Mama’s eyes widened in surprise. “Well er, I’ll check our schedules to see if we’re free.”

“Declan is a good cook.” Mr. Wisetail promised. “He’s part Italian, so pasta dishes are his specialty.”

“You should come along, Kita.” His wife urged. “Xenthe and his mother, Stella Creillaic will be there. I think you might know her from working at the Plant?”

Mama brightened by the sound of this, as it appeared that she did. “Stella works with me in the Engineering Department.”

“Mali and I as well as Looch, hang out with Xenthe.” Kevin said helpfully.

“Well then, perhaps Mali and I are able to come?” She glanced my way which I returned with an enthusiastic nod.

“Cool!” Kevin chuckled happily. Then to Mama’s further surprise, next he stood up and politely began to collect everybody’s plates for them.

*****

At 9.45 PM, Mama and I departed from the Wisetail’s house as the family followed us out onto the veranda to give their farewells.

Using the light from the front porch, Mama and I navigated our way down the driveway to her parked hover-car on side of the road. With one final wave, as Kevin waved the most, Mama and I climbed into the vehicle. She immediately engaged the engine as we pulled on our seat belts.

“What did you think of the Wisetail’s?” I asked her as the hover-car lifted up from the ground.

“They seem like nice people.” She said simply.

Just then the Internet Radio switched itself on, indicating she had listened to it as she drove here.

“Tonight’s lead story; Prague Police are baffled by the incident that’s claimed three lives. Earlier today, witnesses discovered the charred remains of three bodies on a station platform in the city’s subway. Evidence indicates that the bodies had been burned with a laser rifle, however the victims had been killed in unknown location. Forensics have released to the World Wide Media that before the bodies were burned, they had been drained of blood -”

Quickly, Mama turned off the radio and changed the subject; “are you tired?”

I yawned back, “a little.”

“As soon as we get home, go straight to bed.” She ordered. “Have you done your homework?”

“Ouis, we did it after dinner.” I said tiredly.

“Tres bien.” She patted my leg before she returned her attention to the road.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~