Standing next to her father was the favorite of the family, the delicate rosebud, the pride—Asinka. She was as lovely as Darrius had said she was. Her long dark hair rested against her back in a loose knot. Within the mix of soft wave and endless dark layers were several kachina-shaped hairpieces, including one Justine recognized as Crow Mother. She was the one who epitomized a blend of tradition and the Western world. Though she wore jeans, her top was poncho-style in desert colors of rust, sand, turquoise and green. All the colors spiraled in unison, making a 3-D pattern. Around her neck was a double-strand necklace of coral and jet nuggets, draping down her neck and into the delicate V of her breast. Asinka was, by far, the most beautiful female Justine had ever seen. Her eyes were big and dark, her cheekbones were prominent, her lips full.
This was his family, and all were part of one another.
“Well, everyone, here she is.”
Justine saw the sheepish smile on Darrius’s face and was reminded of a teenager introducing his first girl to the folks; much like the smile her brother Justin had the night of his prom. Darrius’s words even sounded schoolboyish, but she loved them.
“What do you think of her?”
His mother stepped forward and held her hand out. “I am very pleased to meet you, Justine. My son speaks so well of you. We had to come and see for ourselves. Well, we did have ulterior motives. Darrius is quite the dancer, isn’t he?”
Almost speechless, Justine spoke up. “He really did fool me. I’d heard he was a wonderful dancer, but feared I would never see for myself.”
At that, Darrius brought her closer. “Dad, Justine.”
Drake Red Sky had penetrating eyes that looked at her as if sizing up what kind of a woman she really was. After the intense once-over he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big hug. She then relaxed. “I’m so glad to meet you, Mr. Red Sky.” If the parents were pleased, so was she.
“We were anxious to see Darrius carry out his plan to perform his Koshari dance. I’m so proud of both sons and how they dance.” He glanced sideways at Jemez. “If only we could get this one to follow suit.”
Donning a nonchalant expression, Jemez spoke up. “Come on, Dad, you know I won’t dance, but I am proud to meet the one woman who has made my brother dance again. You must be a heck of a woman. Pleased to meet you.”
Realizing she had hardly spoken, she stepped back, smiling. “This has been the best night of my life. I’ve wondered about all of you, and wanted to meet the family who produced the man who has taken my breath away.” She shook every hand, but when she came to Asinka, the girl stood motionless for seconds, silent. She spoke only after Darrius gave her the okay to. To Justine it seemed as though her brother had to give her permission, but sensed that wasn’t the case.
Darrius touched Justine’s shoulder. “My sister is very shy.”
“Darrius has been the love of her life since she was three,” her mother explained. “Now seeing him with another woman is rather—well, hard, for lack of a better word.”
“That’s not it, Mom.” Finally, her little wings spread, and Asinka took Justine’s hand. “I am pleased to meet you.” She brought out a covered item from inside her poncho. “I made this for you. It’s not as grand as what Darrius gave, but…I hope you like it.”
Justine graciously accepted it, touched by the unexpected kindness of the teenaged girl. “I…like it already. What is it?”
Asinka lifted the covering and handed her a small totem of a turtle—the Picasso marble totem lay flat in her hand. Her voice soft and clear, she said, “He’s a very special totem, and I think he represents you well.”
A confused Justine asked, “Represents me? What do you mean?”
“Don’t you like him?”
Justine ran her fingers over the glassy surface of the turtle. “I love it. Picasso marble is one of my favorite stones.”
“He’s more than marble. The turtle teaches us to be careful in new situations, to be patient while we await our goals.”
Darrius cut in to explain what his sister was trying to convey. “The turtle teaches us to take things slow, something both you and I aren’t very good at, right?”
“But I like what we have, Darrius.”
“So do I, but this totem says we should go slowly, for it gives us time to figure out if we need to protect ourselves or go forward. That’s for any situation, not just what we share, Justine. It applies to both of us—our endeavors, journeys, our trek through life.”
She moved closer to his ear, whispering, “Don’t you still love me like you said a few minutes ago?”
“Never question that, my love. I’m simply saying we should take it slower, work things out before we fall in heart first all the way.”
“I’m willing to try.” She took a closer look at the turtle and then asked, “Does it mean all that?”
“Afraid so.”
Asinka rejoined the conversation. “This is a strange land to you, Justine. You don’t know the area legends, the mystique. Yes, New Mexico is very beautiful, but there are ways of the land that must be followed. Think about where you go, what you discover. That’s what’s most important. The turtle will be your guide.”
Asinka looked at Darrius and smiled. “As for you, I have a gift for you as well. You conquered a giant dilemma, and we’re proud of you.” She watched her father and brothers exchange manly ribbing and punches. It was always a happy moment for her when she saw Darrius smile. Asinka had seen the despair caused by his failed relationships and his reluctance to do what he had loved so much—dancing.
Amidst the laughter, Darrius stepped over to his sister, who held out another covered item. “What do you have for me? The turtle is not exactly my totem.”
“Indeed it isn’t,” she said, handed him the object.
Darrius stared at a magnificently carved dragonfly. “Wow! This is great.”
“I thought it was appropriate because I know you, what you think, who and what you think about.” Her eyes cut quickly to Justine and then back to Darrius. “I think you will need this one day.”
Darrius and Justine examined the totem. “Did you carve this as well?”
“No. I cheated with yours and bought it at Elliot’s Trading Post.”
At last, the beautiful girl smiled and it lit up her face. Indeed, beauty ran in their family—for both men and women. But one thing was as clear as glass: She had to be part of Darrius’s life, hook or crook! Justine looked at her turtle totem again, and then placed Darrius’s next to it in her hand. “They’re a complete team, land, sea and air.”
“Yes, complete, like us.”
Feeling the family’s eyes on him as he stared into the face of his lover, he quickly moved back. “I’m in sticky paint, sweaty and standing next to a woman in wet clothing. I think it’s time to depart and look human again. You agree, Justine?”
“Wholeheartedly. It’s been very nice meeting you all and, I hope to see you again before I leave in a few days.”
