Two-Spirit

Chapter 6

"Tomorrow we have church therefore you won't be able to see the girl." Corie says as I'm soon to leave.

I frown. I didn't know we had church if church here is anything like the one back in England we will be there for at least eight hours, it was usually unpredictable. I dreaded it.

"It is fine I will meet her the next day." I start on my way but stop when I realize Corie is trailing me.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Accompanying you today I have no school, I want to know why you're so smitten over this girl."

I frown. "It's disrespectful to call her a girl when she's our senior."

"Forgive me." He mocks and I glare at him.

"You can't go today."

"Why is that?"

"Because I said. You can come next Saturday. I won't just show up with you by my side, I will let her know that you'll be with me." I also have to tell her that we can't meet tomorrow.

"If you wish." He walks away and I leave the house to go into the woods.

When I reach the creek I find Amadah already there leaning against a tree. I notice she isn't wearing a dress today. She has on a beige front that buttons up with designs of red, white, and black sewn into it and her trousers match it. Sat by her is a woven basket.

"Good Day." I smile at her

She smiles back. "Osiyo, I brung a basket for you to put everything in." I know Osiyo is a greeting in her language, she told me.

"Oh, lovely." I smile.

"Are you ready to go?" She asks.

"Yes."

She grabs the basket and starts walking farther into the woods, I follow her.

I take the time to tell her that we won't  be meeting tomorrow and the Corie will join me next weekend.

"Tomorrow I won't be able to meet you."

She looks at me with a frown. "Why not?"

"I have to attend church."

"Oh."

"Then next Saturday my brother wants to meet you again."

"That is fine I will convince my sister and cousin to join us that day. If it is alright with you."

"Yes it is alright."

We stop walking when we reach a gathering of vines with berries that look like grapes but the color of blueberries.

"We call this telvladi (Grape). They are delicious." She picks some off.

"They look a bit like blueberries."

"Blueberries?" She repeats as if giving the word a try. "I'm not sure what those are." She holds her hand out. "Try some, but spit the seeds out."

I frown but take one. That won't do I will have to bring her some then.

I put it in my mouth and chew. They are a bit sour and taste like grapes. I make sure to spit the seeds out.

"Do you like it?"

I hum.

She looks around before smiling and pointing at a tall tree. "That tree has berries we call kuwa (Mulberries)."

"How will you get them down?" I ask.

"By simply climbing of course."

"But that doesn't seem safe." I worry as I follow her to it.