It was ironic that when I got home that morning, it was just in time to run into Billy and Jacob. They had come to invite us to the Quileute Powwow being held the coming weekend. Bella begged off, claiming she had plans, but I agreed to go without hesitation.
Jacob was obviously bummed that Bella wasn't interested. But Billy seemed happy that I wanted to be there.
"We don't usually hold it this early, but the Tribe has been a bit restless this year. Emily being attacked is just the latest event that has the Tribe uneasy."
I hadn't thought much about Emily once she got out of the hospital, so I asked. "How is she by the way? The nurses were worried that she hadn't gone in to get her stitches removed yet."
Billy turned away just a bit when I brought that up, "She was visiting her family at the Makah reservation when it was time to get them removed, so she just had it done there. They were amazed at the number and tightness of the stitching. Having some trouble getting them all. But they said the scaring was minimal compared to what they expected or even thought possible."
It amused me that even after all the evidence that the Cullen's were not the normal Vampires, the Quileute still distrusted them so much.
"Is there anything specific I should wear or not wear?"
Billy shook his head, "So long as you don't show up in fake tribal wear, you will be fine. Many find the appropriation of our customs... Disrespectful."
Jacob was quick to speak up, "I thought that Thomas was related to the tribe by blood, just 1 generation removed. He could wear traditional clothing, if he wanted to."
I laughed, "Let's not push Elder Quil into an early grave by me trying to claim a birthright that isn't mine by the old laws. I would feel like an imposter trying to do that anyway. I will just wear a mix of blue and green. I understand that Blue represents sky, water, and protection. While Green represents earth, nature, harmony, healing, and endurance."
Billy nodded his head, "Those would be good colors, Thomas. Thanks for respecting and learning your heritage even though it is unfair to you."
That weekend, I drove straight to Billy's house, leaving my truck there. It was still early, but I knew that there was a good bit of last-minute setting up to do and wanted to help. Sam and Emily were there and never far from each other. I finally met Jared in his human form officially, and he seemed like a good guy. He and Sam were not sure who the next to face the change would be, but Paul Lahote or Jacob were the front-runners.
Everyone took turns disappearing to change into their traditional clothing, and I was amazed at the vibrant colors. It was easy to tell what clothing was passed down through time and what was made with newer colors and materials.
There were tourists everywhere, and for the most part, they were very respectful. It was funny hearing the children asking questions that were innocent from their lips but would have started a fight coming from an adult. I wandered the booths and sampled all the food available, just to taste the traditional foods, no other reason.
Just before noon, I found myself walking on the sidewalk alongside a traditionally dressed Quileute woman. It wasn't on purpose, just happened to be wandering in the same direction at the same pace.
It was a full block before I realized I knew her, I was walking with Leah. She seemed sad, along with a heaping bit of anger mixed in. Before breaking into her silence, I took note of her outfit. On her head, she sported a beaded bandana with running wolves depicted, and at the back, she had two feathers sticking straight up. I was later to learn they were Albatross feathers she had collected the day we met at the beach.
Around her neck hung a silver and turquoise necklace, the centerpiece being a howling wolf's head. Her dress was predominantly Yellow, the color depicting harvest, abundance, life, sun, and occasionally death. The hem of her sleeves and dress, also her moccasins, were white. Depicting peace, purity, spirituality, and new beginnings.
Finally, the sash around her waist was red. The color of life, war, love, strength, and courage. The last thing I noticed was that her long, silky black hair had been done up into two tight braids. She was truly beautiful. I wondered if I could sneak a picture to show it to Edythe.
She must have finally felt my eyes on her as she turned to look at me, her face full of anger.
"I am not some streetwalker that you can hire, so stop staring at me!"
I was reminded of our first meeting and smiled in reflex, "No, but you are a remarkably attractive woman I just happened to find myself walking next to. I fully believe that if I didn't notice your incredible outfit, then it would have been an insult to you and anyone who helped you make it."
"Fine, go insult her then. She is over there dancing with the large asshole in red and black." Leah pointed to Sam and Emily.
When she realized what she said and who she was talking to, her cheeks began to burn red. It was hard to tell if it was in anger or embarrassment. Finally, after a moment, she seemed to deflate and almost wither into herself.
"Haa. Why is it you? You always catch me at the worst times possible." She seemed to sway for a moment, so I reached out to steady her.
"I think you need to sit down before you fall down." I directed her to a bench nearby that was thankfully open. My grip on her shoulder was light yet firm, letting her know I wasn't merely suggesting as I moved her to sit.
As she started to sit, she shrugged my hand off. "So pushy. I was just fine. I only stumbled a little."
I gave her a steady look, "I can see under all the beauty, you look exhausted. When was the last time you got a good night's sleep?"
"It feels like months. I haven't been sleeping more than a couple of hours at a time lately. I am almost getting used to it."
"What's been keeping you up? Stress from school being over and not sure what you're doing next?"
"I don't know why I'm telling you this, but that's a bit of it, yes. I had everything all planned out. What school I was going to, what I wanted out of life. Everything. But now... It's all changed. How much of what I wanted was because of what he did? Am I a different person now that he isn't a part of my life? Would I be content still trying to be the person I wanted to be with him? Or would it all just come out hollow years later without him? Top all that off with a rage that washes over me like a 30-foot wave sometimes. Only to be replaced by an anger that feels like it is cooking me alive. Sometimes I feel like there is a caged animal inside trying to break free to rip and tear apart everything around me."
She was breathless by the time she finished talking. Almost panting, like the effort to finally talk, took everything from her. She even tilted a little, leaning against my shoulder. But when she realized what she was doing, she jerked away.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to lay that all on you."
I smiled and reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Then letting it go. "We all need to unburden once in a while, Leah. I am just glad you trusted me enough to share it with me."
Her face went a little tense, "I guess sometimes talking to someone whose opinion doesn't matter is a bit lethargic. I don't have to worry about disappointing you, so I can be a bit more honest than normal."
We sat quietly for a few moments, just watching the crowd, when a young boy, also in traditional garb, came running to the bench.
"Dad is looking for you, Leah. He sent both me and Mom out to find you." He looked questioningly at me.
The young boy looked to be about 13 or 14, it was hard to tell. The features he shared with Leah were obvious, so I knew that he was Leah's brother Seth. I remembered talking about him with Harry. Harry was trying to come up with ways to get Seth out of the house and off the video games so he could learn to enjoy nature. My recommendation had been to spend time on the games with him and then guilt him into spending time outside doing father-son stuff.
"Is this your new boyfriend? He looks like more fun than the last one."
Leah swatted the back of his head with her open hand. "Beat it, brat. Tell dad I'll be right there."
Leah watched her brother run off with a fond smile on her face. "Stupid brat. Well, I will see you around, Thomas. Thanks for listening. "She began to walk off, but stopped and turned back to me.
"You should change colognes to something less sweet, it would fit you better, I think. You would smell better with an earthy smell, woodsy, if you know what I mean."
I just smiled at her and discreetly put my phone back in my pocket. It was a good picture.