Mary inhaled deeply. “I figured that would happen. What did you do?”
“I told her the truth—that people around here don’t want to have anything to do with her lifestyle. Someone had to tell her. Sucks that it had to be me. She seemed perfectly nice, and she’s more than qualified. I could use her. But the reality is my patrons would flip a lid if they found out she lived with two men. Hell, many of their heads would spin simply because she isn’t full Native American. It’s the same for me as it is for you. If I hired her, I’d lose clients. My stomach roiled the entire time I spoke to her. I felt like such a hypocrite.”
“I’m sorry, Jaz. But you’re right. And I hate it.”
“Before Laurie Hamilton showed up at my preschool, two people had already called to warn me she would probably be coming. Word spread fast. What’s the matter with people?”
“I don’t know, but at the Church on the Hill, the members are blowing a gasket over Laurie’s mixed race. Since they realize that won’t stick, they’re easily willing to use the polygamist card as well. She’s doomed in both communities.”
“How can you stand to continue to go to that church? It’s totally over the top, Mary. It’s one thing to cave under society’s pressure to preserve our business. But how can you sit week after week in a pew next to those bigots?” Jazmine asked.
“I can’t. Not anymore. But I feel like I should fake for a while, anyway. They’re like a mob now. What if they plan to injure someone? It seems I’m stuck. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt over something like race or who they sleep with. That’s crazy.”
“I agree. My hands are tied. People would pull their kids out of my school if I didn’t turn Ms. Hamilton away. I heard parents grumbling this morning about quote ‘the half-breed who waltzed into town like she’s all Native American and runs the place.’”
“Jesus, the woman barely got here a week ago. Why is she so popular?” Mary asked.
“No idea, but they act like their entire way of life is threatened. I’m not sure if anyone is really concerned with her mixed race or lifestyle choice, or if it has more to do with her specific choice in men. One of the guys is a Native American who works as a deputy here on the rez. I can’t believe that will go over well at the sheriff’s office, but most of the deputies are from the western tribe—the Yobuka. It’s the most populated tribe of Natives on the reservation, and the sheriff’s office is located in the more populated area. Who knows?”
“Well, the other man—the Caucasian—is a member of the wealthiest family in Cambridge, the Masters. It’s frightening to think people from both sides of the lake are up in arms over this. I’m worried,” Mary added.
“Maybe there are more polygamist groups than we know about closer to the lake. Of all the murmuring I’ve heard, none of it has been from the Yobuka. They seem inordinately tolerant of the threesomes. I know they’ve had disagreements about race in the past, but I haven’t heard any of them pissing and moaning about polygamy. Perhaps it’s accepted among them.”
“Is there a shortage of women among the Yobuka?”
“Not that I know of.” Jazmine thought about that.
“You think maybe they’re trying to preserve not just the Native American way of life, but within their own tribe?”
“Could be. I’ll look into the idea of them lacking women. Seems ludicrous. I mean what woman would willingly marry two men just because there aren’t enough?”
Mary laughed. “Lots of them, probably. Not me, of course, but most women would jump at the idea of being taken care of by two men, right?”
Jazmine smiled. “True. Besides, that angle doesn’t jive because these three ménages we know about are not within the Yobuka. They’re all mixed combos of white and Native. So, that doesn’t explain anything.”
Mary sighed. “Shit. You’re right.”
Jazmine sighed. Surely this would all blow over eventually. Right? “You still okay with tonight?”
“Of course. Looking forward to it.”
Jazmine relaxed her shoulders. “’Kay, see you then.”
»»•««
It was late afternoon when Laurie entered Melinda’s shop in Sojourn, Dreamcatchers. The place was amazing, lifting her mood, which was quite a feat after the morning she’d had.
It was bright and inviting, filled with all sorts of Native American apparel, jewelry, and knickknacks.
Melinda stepped from behind the register as Laurie entered. “Hey.” She smiled hugely for about a second, and then her face fell. “Uh oh. I don’t like the look on your face.”