After a cumbersome pause, Laurel said, “We must keep praying. I have a feeling. I don't think he's gone.”
“What about Adam? Is he all right?”
Laurel's expression turned stoic. “We haven't heard anything.”
“I'm so sorry.” Mattie rested a hand on Laurel's arm. “I wish this war would end.”
“Me too.” Laurel patted Mattie's hand. “God is in control. Adam and Luke are in his care.”
Mattie looked at Celeste. “What about Robert?”
“I just got a letter from him. He's fighting in Africa, but there are rumors that his division is being sent to Italy soon. Maybe the war will be over before then,” she said, making an effort to sound cheerful. She looped her arm through Mattie's. “We better get you home.”
The three women climbed into Laurel's pickup and headed out of town. Mattie studied the heavy snow on the mountains and the white fields. “Looks like winter's early.”
“It's been cold, and as you can see, the snows have come.” Laurel gripped the steering wheel as they bounced over a mound.
“In October, anything can happen,” Celeste said. “It could warm up and we might have an Indian Summer.”
“It's been colder than usual in Seattle. 'Course, they get more rain than anything else.” Laurel watched the icy road slide beneath the front of the truck. “Have you had news about the war in the Aleutians?”
“Oh, yes. It's awful,” Celeste said. “The Japanese have occupied Kiska, Attu, and Unalaska. The government managed to evacuate a lot of people, but some were taken prisoner. It's frightening. We've been practicing drills just in case.”
“I prayed for you all the time you were on the ship,” Laurel said. “It doesn't seem safe to be traveling in the Pacific.”
“I was a little scared,” Mattie admitted, “but we took the Inside Passage and it's supposed to be safe.” She wiped fog from the window. “Why do there have to be wars anyway?”
“I don't know,” Laurel said. “We all wish it would be over.” She glanced at Mattie. “I believe Adam and Luke are alive.”
“How can you know?”
“I just feel it. If they were gone, I'd know. I have to believe.” Her eyes glistened. “William talks about his father all the time.” She smiled. “He's made him into a real war hero.”
Silence settled over the cab.
Celeste ended the quiet. “So, Mattie, are you going to stay for good?”
“I don't know. Maybe, I really do like Seattle.”
“What's it like?”
“Big and beautiful. The city sits right on a large bay called Puget Sound, and it's much warmer there though it does rain a lot. The city has lots of tall buildings, clubs where you can listen to bands and dance, and lots of movie houses. Outside the city the countryside is real pretty, with forests, lots of mountain ranges and a big mountain called Mount Rainier. It's beautiful, but nothing like McKinley.”
“Are the people different?” Celeste asked.
“Different, how?”
“Well, I know you wanted to live in a place where people treated you better.”
“Most of the people didn't seem to even notice that I was native. Some did, but it was better than here.” Looking at Laurel, she added, “You were right, though. I couldn't run away from my heritage.”
A crease furrowed Laurel's brow. “I'm sorry. I wish it had been better for you.”
“It wasn't bad there. I liked it, very much.”
Laurel offered a small smile. “Well, we're glad to have you back home.”
“Their loss, our gain.” Celeste smiled.
“Thanks.”
Laurel turned the pickup into Mattie's drive and stopped. The dilapidated cabin didn't look as bad as Mattie had remembered. It was tiny and run-down but appeared tidy and hospitable. The front door opened immediately, and her mother stepped out. Her grandmother followed, her hands folded over her chest. Their eyes filled with love and expectation, the two women hurried toward the truck, Atuska shuffling.
Mattie's spirits climbed. Opening the door, she said, “Thanks for picking me up. I'll see you.” She climbed out, grabbed her bags out of the back, and set them on the ground just in time to step into a much-needed embrace. “Oh, Mama,” Mattie hugged her mother tightly. “I missed you.”
Her grandmother rested a hand on her granddaughter's back, and Mattie turned to the old woman, enfolding her in her arms. Atuska's soft cheek rested against Mattie's. She could feel the wetness of her grandmother's tears. “It's so good to be home.”
Her grandmother took a step back and gazed at her. The old woman's eyes shimmered, nearly disappearing in the folds of her skin. “It is right that you are here. I am thanking God for bringing you back to us.”
“Me too,” Mattie said, realizing that the pain she'd carried with her all the way from Seattle had eased. She began to believe she had hope for happiness again.
Affia circled an arm around her daughter's waist and hugged her as they walked. “I knew you would come back.”
“Mama, I don't know for sure that I'm going to stay.”
“You'll stay,” her grandmother said, wearing a playful smile. Her eyes rounded into half moons. “I know my Mattie. She could not leave for good.”
“We'll see,” Mattie said, wondering if she was ready to completely surrender.
