Chapter One

At Jimmy’s house, his mother asked him to go to the store to buy a couple of things, so he put his coat on and went out to the store. As he arrived he went to the back of the store and grabbed some things that his mother needed. He walked to the cashier and the storekeeper charged Jimmy, as Jimmy was getting the change out of his pocket, he heard the door open, but did not look to see who it was.

 

“Here’s your change back Jimmy, may I help you sir?” asked the storekeeper.

 

“Yeah, do as I say and nobody gets hurt?” said Daniel holding a gun.

 

            The cashier automatically but his hands up and Jimmy turned around.

 

“Now old man, give me all your money, put it in this bag,” demanded Daniel.

 

“Yes sir,” said the storekeeper.

 

            The storekeeper pretended to put the money in the bag; he grabbed his pistol, Jimmy backed up against the counter top and reached behind him for the pistol.

 

“Hey what are you doing?” asked Daniel.

 

“Getting my things,” said Jimmy.

 

“Show me your hands?” asked Daniel.

 

Jimmy quickly grabbed the gun and shot Daniel before Daniel could pull his trigger on his gun. Jimmy has never shot anybody before, he had fear in his eyes, and he turned and looked at the storekeeper.

 

“You saved us both, I thank you Jimmy,” said the storekeeper.

 

“But I’m no killer,” Jimmy giving the gun to the storekeeper.

 

“You saved us that’s all that matters,” said the storekeeper.

 

“When White Hawk comes home tomorrow, don’t tell him where I am going?” asked Jimmy.

 

“Where are you going, it’s almost dark outside?” asked the storekeeper.

 

“I’m going to stay with Jeremiah Johnson for a while,” said Jimmy.

 

            Then Jimmy ran out of the store and ran towards the mountains. Then the storekeeper called the reservation police and they came and asked questions. The storekeeper told the police that Jimmy was headed towards the mountains. Jeremiah Johnson was real good friends with White Hawk and his family. So the reservation police gathered all the information and went back to the station. When Jimmy arrived he knocked on Jeremiah’s door.

 

“Just a minute,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

He opened the door and there was Jimmy.

 

“Jimmy, it’s been a long time,” said Jeremiah.

 

“Yes, to long, I need a place to stay a while, I know it’s late?” asked Jimmy.

 

“Sure come on in, you can sleep in the extra bedroom,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“Thank you,” said Jimmy.

 

So Jimmy went into the bed room and went to sleep.

Chapter Two

 

Next morning everybody was waiting on the bus to get there with White Hawk. White Hawk’s family and friends and girlfriend Mary was waiting. One of the reservation police were there also, he was going to tell White Hawk what happened. Finally they saw the bus, they started shouting and clapping their hands. When the bus came to a stop White Hawk got off the bus and everybody was smiling and patting him on the back and welcoming him home.

 

“Sweet heart, were so glad your home, we’ve missed you, and look how you have grown up so much,” said Angel.

 

“Hey brother,” said Nuka.

 

“Nuka, you have grown a lot, come here,” White Hawk giving Nuka a hug.

 

“You have to brother,” said Nuka smiling.

 

“Brother it’s good to see you, I’m glad your home,” said Big Ben smiling.

 

“Hey little brother,” smiled Spotted Eagle.

 

“Spotted Eagle, what are you doing here?” asked White Hawk.

 

“I live here now,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“Come here son, I’m glad your home,” Running Water hugging White Hawk.

 

“Hey, where’s Jimmy, I thought he would be here?” asked White Hawk.

 

“That’s funny, he should have been here already, you’d think he would be the first one here,” said Big Ben.

 

“He’s probably around here somewhere,” said Running Water.

 

“White Hawk, I need to talk to you about Jimmy,” said the Native officer.

 

            So White Hawk and his family followed the Native officer.

 

“What has happened, is Jimmy okay?” asked Angel.

 

“Yes, we think he killed a man yesterday, the store was being robbed,” said the Native officer.

 

“I know Jimmy, he wouldn’t kill anybody, he doesn’t have the heart or guts to even kill someone,” said White Hawk.

 

“Where is he?” asked Running Water.

 

“He is staying with Jeremiah Johnson, you can come along, and help us,” said the Native officer.

 

“I’ll go,” said White Hawk.

Chapter Three

 Jimmy was helping Jeremiah Johnson chop up wood for the fire place, when Jimmy was chopping the wood he saw an Native on a black paint horse.

 

“Who is that?” asked Jimmy.

 

“That’s my son, Eagle Crow. That’s White Hawks cousin. I took him in when he was younger, his parents didn’t want anything to do with. White Hawk brought him to me, I heard White Hawk was sick,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“Yes he was, he is doing much better now, I hope, he’s coming home today,” said Jimmy.

 

“Good Eagle Crow, this is Jimmy, White Hawks friend,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“It’s nice to meet you, my name is Eagle Crow.”

 

“It’s nice to meet you, my name is Jimmy.”

 

“Hello,” said Eagle Crow.

 

“I didn’t know White Hawk had a cousin, he never mentioned or talked about him having a cousin, I grew up with him and his family,” said Jimmy.

 

“Yeah, he has another cousin over in Rapid,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“He doesn’t come up here anymore like he used to,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“Maybe he’ll come more often now that I know you,” said Jimmy.

 

            So Eagle Crow went to put his horse up and came back to help. When they were all done Eagle Crow looked down and saw police men.

 

“Dad,” said Eagle Crow.

 

“Jimmy go inside and stay there,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

            Jimmy ran inside the house, Jeremiah Johnson and Eagle Crow were standing there watching the police officers.

 

“What do you want?” asked Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“I am sorry Jeremiah, were here to take Jimmy,” said the Native officer.

 

“Look, he told me what happened, he didn’t mean to, it just happened, he was protecting himself and storekeeper, it was either them or the bad guy,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“I know, but he has to convince the judge,” said the Native officer.

 

“Jimmy,” whispered White Hawk.

 

“White Hawk how did you?” asked Jimmy.

 

“Went behind the house, come on, it’s my turn to help you now,” said White Hawk.

 

            So they both went outside.

 

“Jimmy,” said the Native officer.

 

            Jimmy went down to the Native officer.

 

“Cousin,” said Eagle Crow.

 

“Hey, you have grown up a lot also,” said White Hawk smiling.

 

“Yeah,” said Eagle Crow.

 

“Hello White Hawk how’s it,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“Good, it’s good to see you both,” said White Hawk.

 

“It’s good to see you as well, don’t be a stranger next time you visit,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“I won’t I’ll start coming back again,” said White Hawk.

 

“Good,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

          

  So the Native officers took Jimmy to the car and drove up to the court house and went inside and sat down.

 

“The court is now in session,” said the police officer.

 

“Do we have a witness?” asked the Judge.

 

“Yes we do, here is the witness,” said the Native officer.

 

“Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?” asked the officer.

 

“I do,” said the storekeeper.

 

“I run the store, Jimmy there was just a costumer, when the deceased came inside he pulled a gun, if it wasn’t for Jimmy either one of us would be sitting here today, and I can’t thank him enough,” said the storekeeper.

 

“So self-defense then?” asked the Judge.

 

“It looks that way, he has no criminal record, and we do have the weapon, but it was use in self-defense not murder,” said the DA.

 

“His record his clean and clearly we do not have a case here, so he is free to go,” said the Judge.

 

            Everybody smiled and patted Jimmy on the back and left the court house.

 

“Let’s get out of here,” said White Hawk.

 

“It’s really good to see you, I’m glad your back,” said Jimmy.

 

“Yes, it’s good to be home,” said White Hawk.

 

“Thank you my friend,” said Jimmy.

 

“For what?” asked White Hawk.

 

“For helping me,” said Jimmy.

 

“That’s what friends are for,” said White Hawk.

 

“Right, thank you,” said Jimmy.

 

“Your welcome,” said White Hawk.

 

            White Hawk took Jimmy home and they explained everything to Jimmy’s mother. Then White Hawk went home and went to bed.

 

Chapter Four

 

Next morning everyone at White Hawk’s house was up eating breakfast and talking.

 

“So what are you guys going to do today, since you do not go to school anymore?” asked Running Water.

 

“Well Big Ben is going to give me a job at the Lakota Sioux Shopping Center with him,” said Nuka.

 

“That’s great, I’m glad to hear that,” said Angel.

 

“Thanks mom,” said Nuka.

 

“What are you guys going to do?” asked Angel.

 

“Brother and I are going to the youth center to speak, were going to have  games, food, desserts, and the old ones are going to tell their stories,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“That’s awesome, maybe they will open their eyes and have the power and ability to change their world and the community,” said Running Water.

 

“Yeah, hope so, some of these kids are hard headed and think too much of the past,” said White Hawk.

 

“That’s true,” said Running Water.

 

“We best be  going,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“Okay, see you guys,” said White Hawk.

 

“Alright you two have fun and be careful,” said Angel.

 

“We will,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

            So they got in the car and drove to the youth center. They had cokes, food, and dessert at the center. They also started talking. They were talking about gangs, violence, and how to stay school. When the talking was over, the kids went back to playing games.

 

“Hey guys,” said Jimmy.

 

“Jimmy how’s it? “asked Spotted Eagle.

 

“Nothing much, just came by to see how everything is going,” said Jimmy.

 

“It’s good, everything went great, the kids learned a lot,” said White Hawk.

 

“That’s good,” said Jimmy.

 

“What are you doing?” asked White Hawk.

 

“Nothing why?” asked Jimmy.

 

“Well do you want to go to Jeremiah Johnson’s house,” said White Hawk.

 

“Sure lets go,” said Jimmy.

 

“Spotted Eagle?” asked White Hawk.

 

“Go ahead,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“Thanks, come one lets go,” smiled White Hawk.

 

            So they jumped in the car and drove to the mountains, they stopped on the side of the road and got out. They walked towards the mountain and started climbing. When they arrived they knocked on the door.

 

“Hello Jimmy, White Hawk, what brings you here?” asked Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“Nothing just to say hello and ask how you have been doing?” asked Jimmy.

 

“Things are good, Eagle Crow is out hunting, he should be here soon,” said Jeremiah Johnson.

 

“Cool,” said White Hawk.

 

            So they talked some more, then Eagle Crow came through the door with a rabbit.

 

“Hello White Hawk, Jimmy, it’s good to see you again,” said Eagle Crow.

 

“You also,” said White Hawk.

           

So they started talking about when they were little and how Jimmy killed a robber. Then it started to get dark, so they walked down the mountain and drove away in their car. He dropped Jimmy off and then he went home also.

Chapter Five

 

           

Next morning they woke up and ate breakfast and started a new day. Big Ben and Nuka were going to work as Spotted Eagle and White Hawk helped the community clean up on the reservation. They helped rebuild homes and helped put food and clothes in the homes and gave them an education.  Some Natives on the reservation didn’t want any of the items, which were given to them. After the years have come and gone, the reservation started to get better slowly, Jimmy kept going to see Jeremiah Johnson and Eagle Crow, and White Hawk also when he could.

           

White Hawk and Spotted Eagle were at the youth center, White Hawk was telling the children about the disorder he has and how he could see things that they could not.

 

“At first I thought the great spirits were giving me power or a vison. Then I started to get sicker and not even realizing how bad I was getting,” said Whit Hawk.

 

“Oh really, wow,” said one of the children.

 

“Can anyone get that disorder?” asked a boy.

 

“Yes, but it’s very rare though, if anyone in your family has the condition, then it could be passed down, my grandfather had it, now my father carries the gene, so remember if you start seeing things that you’re not familiar with, you better tell your parents right away, or tell a teacher when you’re at school, don’t wait until it gets worse,” said White Hawk.

 

            Then all the children got up and played video games.

 

“How’d it go?” asked Spotted Eagle.

 

“Good, they really paid attention and listened,” said White Hawk.

 

“That’s good brother, I’m glad, hopefully they learned about the disorder and how it affects family and friends,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“Yes, I think they learned a lot today and yesterday,” said White Hawk.

 

“Well it gives them something to do and to talk about, this place keeps them off the streets and out of gangs,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“We try, when they get older they’ll make their own choice whether to do good or wrong,” said White Hawk.

 

“True, very true,” Spotted Eagle.

            So the children left the youth center and everybody went home. When Spotted Eagle and White Hawk went home, they saw three men jumped somebody, so they quickly ran towards them.

 

“Hey get off him,” Spotted Eagle pushed all three guys and helped the guy up.

 

“Jimmy?” shocked Spotted Eagle.

 

“Thanks guys,” said Jimmy dusting himself off.

 

“Jimmy are you okay?” asked White Hawk.

 

“I’ll be alright,” said Jimmy.

 

“What happened? Who were they?” asked Spotted Eagle.

 

“I don’t know, just some guys looking for someone to jump I guess,” said Jimmy.

 

“Come on, we’ll take you home,” said Spotted Eagle.

 

“Thanks,” said Jimmy.

 

“Your welcome,” said White Hawk.

       

     So they walked home, now as the years have come and passed, they were getting older. Nuka was working with Big Ben at the store, Spotted Eagle is now fifty years old, Big Ben is Forty years old, and White Hawk just turned thirty years old and Nuka was 28 year old. As White Hawk was getting older, he kept getting worse, even on more meds. His brothers decided to put him in a mental hospital for good; they couldn’t afford to take care of him along with taking care of Running Water and Angel of their old age.

      

      Jimmy, Nuka, Big Ben, Spotted Eagle and Eagle Crow would visit White Hawk all the time at the hospital. One day their father passed away, their mother was a widow now, they took White Hawk out of the hospital to the funeral, he did not show any emotion, just a straight face, then they took him back and visited with him and left.

      

      Now it’s been three years since their father died, Angel, their mother fell ill and died in her bed at home, she was ninety eight and Running Water was one hundred years old when he died. So they took White Hawk out for his mother’s funeral again showed no emotion, just a straight face and then they took him back. Spotted Eagle was still working at the youth center, and Jimmy was taking White Hawk’s place. The reservation was doing great, then all of a sudden it started to get back to the way it used to be, people started drinking again, their children are going to bed hungry again.

           

At least Spotted Eagle and his brothers tried, but you can only do so much for people who do not wish to change.

Imprint

Text: Whitney Shaw
Images: Whitney Shaw
Editing: Whitney Shaw
Translation: Whitney Shaw
Publication Date: 10-22-2015

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
I wrote this when I was Age: 20 July 7, 2012. I was working at Stanton Nursing home.