Chapter 1
Pine Ridge South Dakota, there was a family who was expecting. They both had good jobs, and a nice trailer home, life was good. The woman was home doing the dishes when she went into labor, her husband just came in and they went to the hospital. When they arrived, they put her in a room and she gave birth to a boy. They named him Jesse, but his Native Name is
“Takoda” (friend to everyone).
“He’s beautiful sweetheart, he’s the best thing that has ever happened to us,” said Grey Owl.
“Yes, he is,” said White Dove.
Then they took him home and they became a family. Then when he turned seven he noticed his parents acting differently than when he was little. He thought it was kind of strange. One morning he woke up and went to the kitchen and sat at the table, he noticed both parents weren’t in the kitchen, he didn’t smell coffee, the stove was not on, nothing was cooking, he didn’t hear any talking, just like yesterday, so he pushed his glasses up further on his nose and got up from the table and went to their bedroom. He opened the door and found them both passed out on the bed. He walked towards his mom and shook her, trying to wake her up, but she didn’t even move.
So, he walked out and opened the fridge, he grabbed an egg and went and got a plastic bowl, because he couldn’t quite reach the cabinet with the other plates and bowls, and he cracked the egg into the plastic bowl and he whisked the egg in the plastic tub, then he pulled a small iron skillet out and grabbed a step stool and put the skillet on the stove and turned it on low, then he poured his egg in the skillet and he started cooking it. When it was finished he grabbed a glove and put on the other side of the burner and turned the stove off. He put the egg back in the plastic container and a piece of bread and went to his room, he sat down at his little table and ate his egg and a piece of bread. Then he got up and dressed, he took his dishes back to the sink, he pulled the step stool in front of the sink and did his dishes and what else was left in the sink, and left them out to dry. Went back to his room, put his coat and his backpack on, he went to his parent’s room and kissed them both goodbye and told them he loves them, and he’ll see them when he gets home from school.
So, he grabbed the extra key hanging on the key rack and locked the door from behind him. Then he jumped off the step and ran towards the bus stop. So, he sat down on the bench to wait for the bus. As he was waiting more kids came over, including his three friends, plus one new friend named Lisa.
“Aho kola” (hello friend),” said Richard Grey Eyes.
“Aho” (hello),” smiled Jesse.
“How’s it going?” asked Alvina.
“Good, good, what about yourself?” asked Jesse.
“Same here, everything is good,” said Alvina.
“I heard your parents threw a big party last weekend at your house,” said Richard.
“Yea, there were a lot of people there, that could explain the yelling and shouting when it was all done,” said Jesse.
“Your parents were fighting again,” said Lisa.
“Yeah, but it got quiet around 1:30 am,” said Jesse.
“Really, how’d you know, what were you doing up at 1:30 in the morning?”
asked Alvina.
“Well I don’t sleep when I am home,” said Jesse.
“Why?” worried Lisa.
“Well, the truth,” said Jesse.
“Yes,” said Lisa.
“I’m afraid…” said Jesse.
“Afraid, you’re afraid?” asked William concerned.
“I’m afraid to go to sleep because I don’t know what will happen if I do,” said Jesse.
“Your parents haven’t beaten you, have they?” asked Alvina.
“No, they wouldn’t do that,” said Jesse.
“You never know bro, drunks will do anything, just be careful,” said Richard.
“I know,” said Jesse.
Then the bus starts pulling up. All the kids get on the bus and head to school. Back at the house, Jesse’s parents were just not getting up. They got dressed and started walking, stumbling, of course, they were still drunk. They walked to White Clay and went and bought more beer and sat on the curb and started drinking with the other people that were there. Then a patrol car pulled up to the general store and got out.
“Oh no it’s the cops, what are you doing here, are going to arrest us from drunken desertedness,” laughed Grey Owl.
“You no better Grey Owl,” said Walker.
“Aw come on Walker, were just having a little fun,” laughed Grey Owl.
“Why don’t you guys go home and take care of your son, that’s if you remember you have one, what happened to you both?” asked Walker walking towards them.
“Life bro, that’s what happened, we couldn’t face reality so we drink because there is nothing there, there’s nothing here,” angered Grey Owl.
“So you can’t face reality, you can’t wake up and notice how your living, there is more in South Dakota than anything, you can leave to know, go further up and get a job like you had a long time ago before they let you go, you could have applied at another job there, but you just gave up too easily, and so did you White Dove, your drinking yourself to death because of your sisters death do you even love your son, do you even know he is there half the time?” asked Walker.
“What son? We disown him, he has brought us the shame to our people,” angered Grey Owl.
“No, you brought shame to your people, go home,” said Walker walking away.
“Where are you going, come back and fight me like a man,” said Grey Owl.
“Go home, “said Walker going inside the store.
At the school, kids were playing outside until it was time for them all to go home.
“Hey Jesse, do you want to come over to my house, I’m having a sleepover?” asked Richard Grey Eyes.
“Sure, I just have to ask my parents when I get home,” said Jesse.
“Cool, I’ll see then, Alvina, Lisa and William are coming as well,” said Richard.
“Sweet, I’ll be there,” said Jesse.
“Good,” said Richard.
Then the bell rang, and everyone got in line and went inside. They all went to their classrooms and grabbed their stuff and ran out of the school to get on the busses. The bus drove them home and stopped at the bus stop and all the kids got off.
“I’ll see you tonight?” Richard.
“Yes,” said Jesse.
“Okay bye,” said Richard.
“Bye, “said Jesse walking home.
When he was walking home he saw a cop car driving upon him slowly, so he stopped and the cop car rolled down his window. It was Walker. His face lit up with excitement. He hasn’t seen him since he was born.
“Hey kiddo, how’s it going,” smiled Walker.
“Good, how are you, it’s been a long time,” said Jesse.
“Yes, too long, last time I saw you I was holding you,” smiled Walker.
“Yeah, I have a picture of you holding me, mom gave it to me,” said Jesse.
“So how are things at home?” asked Walker.
Then he paused and then said.
“Oh, things are fine,” smiled Jesse.
“You don’t have to lie to me sonny, I know,” said Walker.
“You do,” said Jesse.
“Yes, I do, if you need anything or help, here is my card it has my number if you can’t get a hold me, my uncle Red Cloud will answer the phone,” said Walker.
“Okay, thank you, but I’m doing fine, my parents need help I know now, they’re not the same anymore,” said Jesse.
“I know sonny, just remember you’re not alone kiddo,” said Walker.
“I know, goodbye,” said Jesse walking up to his house.
When he got home, again he was alone, his parents weren’t home. So again, he went into his room, sat at his little table and did his homework. Then he grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a note saying he was going to a sleepover and he’ll be back Saturday, and he stuck the note on their bed. And grabbed his bag of clothes and walked to Richard’s house.
