The chore of painting her and Sharon's tepee took only until mid-afternoon to complete, and, together as a whole, the women set up the lodge, now adorned with freshly painted designs of blue circles and yellow, green and red triangles. It was beautiful. And, Amelia couldn't remember a time when she had ever felt the same thrill of accomplishment.
But, the surprises of this day were not yet over. No sooner had the lodge been set up, than all of her new sisters returned, their arms laden with gifts of buffalo-horn bowls, as well as blankets and backrests for comfort within the lodge.
And, then they all combined their efforts to hang a tepee liner, about five feet tall, around the inner circumference of the lodge. When it was all finished, even a buffalo robe had found its way into Amelia's new lodge, although the one who had gifted it to her remained anonymous.
Amelia cried. She had never known such kindness, and from a people who, in the white man's world, were considered "savage."
But, they were not savages. These people were intelligent in ways beyond Amelia's complete understanding. And, they were now kin to her.
She couldn't help herself; she cried.
****
In the week following,Itsiiy Aakíí,Sweet Woman,had become Amelia's steady partner in acclimating her into the ways of camp life and what was expected of her as a Pikuni woman. Sweet Woman had confided the meaning behind her name to Amelia: it was because of her love of the trader's sweet candies that had caused the endearment to become the name people called her.
Indeed, the following days had become so pleasant, it was with some awe when Amelia came to realize how greatly she looked forward to the women's work in the camp as well as to the companionship of Sweet Woman. True, their labor was sometimes difficult, but each occasion became a time of companionship filled with laughter and a good amount of giggling. This was particularly so because Sweet Woman—a beautiful young woman—often made colorful remarks about the young men who paraded themselves in front of her.
It was only a few days past a week when Sweet Woman jumped up from their work and signed, "Okí,come on."
Amelia, still seated, signed in reply, "Where are we going?"
"You will see," signed Sweet Woman, and then she giggled. "Okí!"
"Yes, I will," signed Amelia. "But, let me put away what I've accomplished on this buckskin dress before I follow you. Then I will accompany you. What do you think of the painting I've done on the dress so far? I'm not certain I like it."
"Oh, it is beautiful, very beautiful. I think the colors of sky and sun, as well as the designs of eagles and hawks you have chosen is pretty. And, I understand it is sometimes hard to set down your handiwork, especially when the dress will be so beautiful, once finished. But, we will be able to do more work on it tomorrow."
"Yes, you are right. We should take a break." Amelia reached up to wipe the perspiration from her forehead. Indeed, the day was very hot. Unaware that she might have spread blue paint over her face, she looked up at Sweet Woman, only to hear her friend's laughter.
"Sister, what is so funny?" asked Amelia.
Sweet Woman pointed at her, then said with gestures, "You look much like a warrior who is painting his face to go to war."
Amelia laughed. "Oh, I see. I have paint all over my face, don't I?"
Sweet Woman nodded, even as she placed her hand over her mouth to cover the giggles.
"Well, my dear friend and sister, I suppose this might call for us to take a stroll to the women's section of the river where we might wash up?"
Sweet Woman nodded.
Funny, how the time had gone by so quickly. As Amelia came up to her feet, she again asked in sign, "Where are we going? I hope we are not to be around other people because I fear I might need more than a bath. And, I fear the paint might not come off so easily."
"There is a root we women use to remove the paint. Come, let us go to the river now. Do you realize it is now evening? With the sun still so high in the sky, it is easy to forget that we women must also prepare the evening meal."
"True," said Amelia, then signed the word.
"But, tonight is special."
"Is it?"
"Áa,tonight I plan to introduce you to my family, as well as to show you how we women serve meals. The men always eat before the women in our camp, and it is we girls who serve them. It is sometimes fun, for the men love to laugh and tell jokes when we are with them."
Amelia froze. She had not heard anything past the word "family." She asked, "Your family?"
"Áa." Sweet Woman spoke the Blackfoot word, then switched to sign as she continued, "My mother, my father, some of my cousins, my auntie and uncle and even my brother are to be in my mother's lodge tonight for the meal."
"Oh," was all Amelia found she could say. This past week she had seen almost nothing of Gray Falcon, and she was more than a little stunned to learn she was to be confronted tonight not only by him, but by his family, also.
