Disclaimer -- This story does not intend ANY disrespect to any particular Indigenous persons or any particular First Nations Group. Certain portions of the story, as well as certain conversations within the story are based on personal experience, or on the experience of family members and friends who are also Native persons. Also, please note, any errors in Native History, Spirituality, Language and/or Wisdom are errors made by the author.
It was several days before I learned that his Grandmother had made the frybread and sent it with his brother when his motorcycle was delivered that first morning. It was several more days before I realized that slowly (and very cautiously) Curtis was moving in. There was a corner of a dresser drawer that now held socks and briefs, a couple of hangers at one side of the closet that held combinations of jeans and shirts. The bathrobe abandoned by my ex now hung on a hook of its own next to mine. A small prong from a cast off antler hung on the wall next to the dresser holding necklaces and chokers and a little grass basket on the nightstand held rings, earrings and other things. I hadn't noticed, that first night, that he was always wearing turquoise in some form and was particularly fond of small feather shaped earrings for his left ear.
I still had trouble believing that he was here. More, that he wanted to be here, and with me. He didn't try to tell me I was beautiful because he knew I wouldn't believe him, but he called me his Moon and that made me feel shiveringly desirable. Despite all the stories I'd heard about 'Indian time' being meaningless, if he knew I was expecting him he was either home, or found a way to contact me. I was reduced nearly to tears when I got to work one day to find a coffee mug filled with wild flowers on my desk. When I thanked him later he told me that he saw them growing on the side of the road and they made him think of me. I told myself not to fall in love, that it was too soon and he was too young, but moments like that made my heart forget.
He seldom wore clothes at home and as I grew more accustomed to his presence I found myself wearing fewer clothes. At that point I think I finally began to acknowledge and trust just how attracted he was to me. I had a knee length, gray cardigan sweater that I would wear with wool socks on the coldest days. The first time he had seen me in it, open down the front and with nothing underneath, I watched his cock rise in mere seconds, without either of us touching it.
"Nice!" He gave me that half smile. "Very white...but nice!"
He crooked his finger, pulling me down in front of the fireplace, wrapping his lips around a taut nipple and spreading me wide so that he could slide straight into me. I always seemed to be wet and receptive and even at times like this when we were fucking, hard and fast and without foreplay, I always climaxed, frequently several times. It was wonderful. Other times on lazy, snowy days we would stay in bed and spend the day in long hours of leisurely play and explorative foreplay leading to long, slow copulation in any one of a dozen positions. He liked being inside me deep, with my knees up to my chest or over his shoulders, but he also liked coming in from behind me, my upper leg over his hips so that he could stroke and rub my clit while we fucked.
And we talked for hours in between, long into the night by the light of the fire and wrapped up warm in the bedding. He had initially expressed worry for not having 'protected' me by wearing a condom our first time together but admitted he'd been so excited he'd forgotten. I explained that I couldn't get pregnant, I'd had my tubes tied years ago. And after I'd found out about my ex cheating, I'd had a full battery of tests run by my physician to make sure that I hadn't been left with any surprises. I knew that I was disease free but... Curtis looked thoughtful but didn't say any more and we changed the subject. Several days later, however, I found a folded paper next to the coffee machine in the morning. It seems Curtis had gone to the public clinic and had some tests performed, leaving his negative results for me to find. It wasn't a Valentine in any traditional sense, but it was probably more thoughtfully given. I refolded the paper and tucked it into a drawer, thinking about the ways Curtis was striving to establish trust between us -- and feeling a growing confidence and freedom in our relationship.
In fact the only issue between us, if you could even call it that, was his desire to take me to meet his mother, grandmother and 'the aunties' (some of whom, I had discovered, were not even actually related to him by blood, but were deemed 'aunties' by tribal kinship ties). He was eager, while I was reluctant and, if I admitted the truth, fearful to have such a meeting. His mother and I were close enough in age that I was quite hesitant to find out what her honest reaction to our relationship might be. I was curious, granted, but definitely fearful too, that any negativity on her part might lead to an ultimate estrangement between Curtis and I. And if I was entirely truthful, at least with myself, I wasn't prepared for that...not now...not yet.
The 'electrical charge' we experienced was still present but had changed. The intensity of the connection had, if anything, grown, the more we were together and the more time we spent in close physical contact. But, for me at least, as I had come to expect and anticipate that lightning surge of apparently electrical power, it had become less startling...less painful or frightening and more of a welcome heat, an added intensity to our touches, our body connection and coming together. It added a very pleasant buzz, like ramping up the vibration level on a sex toy. I suspect, from his actions, reactions and responses, that it was as pleasurable for him as for me.
One Saturday morning when neither of us had plans I woke to find he and Shadow already up. Wrapping my robe around me against the morning chill I wandered into the kitchen to find Curtis and the cat both crouched down and staring intently out the sliding glass door from the kitchen to the back patio. Pouring myself a cup of coffee I wandered over to see what had captured their attention. A pair of jack rabbits were in the back yard mating. The buck would mount the doe, thrust rapidly for a few short seconds then fall on his side panting until he regained his breath and strength and could start over. The doe, meanwhile, was chewing some long grasses nearby without pause. Grinning to myself I nudged Curtis with my knee.
"Kind of gives a whole new meaning to the term 'fucking like rabbits' doesn't it?"
He whooped with laughter startling Shadow into instant flight, a loud knock on the front door giving her wings and causing her instant disappearance into the bedroom. I started for the door but Curtis held up a hand and went to answer it himself. I shook my head in bemusement, wondering if he sometimes forgot he was naked. I heard him open the door and a loud male laugh.
"Geezus Dude! Put some clothes on!"
"Call first dude!" Curtis scolded in response, and then I heard the sound of 'man hugs' -- the hearty slapping sound of forearms gripping, chests thumping together and backs being pounded.
"Hey Maggie!" Curtis called, "Come meet my brother, Martin!"
I walked in to find a slightly taller and older, but equally lean and attractive man with his arm around Curtis's shoulder, holding out a paper plate covered with foil. Curtis grabbed the plate, uncovering the freshly made fry bread, folding one and starting to eat. Martin reached a hand forward to shake mine, his eyes widening slightly and darting to Curtis who nodded.
"Hi Maggie. Nice ta meecha!" He said in a rush.
"Nice meeting you too Martin," I said, ignoring the power surge I'd felt when we shook. Obviously it wasn't unique to Curtis and I. "Do all you Standing Horse men have hair to die for?"
He guffawed. "Aww no. Luther's in the Army, he has to keep his short, and anyway, the women would likely kill for your curls."
"Hmmm. So do I have to worry about scalping as a real possibility then?"
Martin punched Curtis in the ribs, laughing as he did so.
"I like her!"
"Yeah? Well me too and I saw her first!"
"I'm bigger!"
"Good grief!" I interrupted. "Martin would you like some coffee?"
"Naw, thanks. Can't stay. I gotta work today but Nali wanted to send YOU some fry bread if the javelina don't eat it all first."
"I'll get my share, thank you. And be sure and thank your Grandmother for me. She makes the best fry bread I've ever had."
"It's the lard." He said, winking. Turning to Curtis he added, "You asked about the hot springs and Nali said good idea." Waving and adding another, "Nice ta meecha Maggie!" he turned and headed out. Curtis handed me the plate with the remaining fry bread and gave me a slightly greasy but tasty kiss before closing and locking the door.
As I headed back into the kitchen for more coffee and the apricot-jalapeno jelly that I liked, Curtis called to me.
"After you eat, dress warm. We goin' for a ride today."
