Tamed and Free

Chapter 4: Deacon

Deacon had just gotten home from closing the feed store. His uncle was in his chair with his aunt entertaining some guests. "Hey Deacon." His uncle, Antoine, said, "How was today?"

"Good." Deacon handed him the money. "Gatlin Shore came to pay off some of her loan. You know, if Mr. Lopez lets everyone do that, he wont make a penny. Especially with how big her loan still is."

"Ah, nephew. You see, she is different. She has had a hard life. Anyway, These are the Monkah family. This is Onacona and Cheyenne and their son Takoda."

The Monkah family looked traditional Native American. Although they wore jeans and shirts, their hair had feathers and their jewelry had beads. The son, Takoda wore his black hair long and he had an eagle feather in it. He was toned and tall as well.

"Hello." Deacon said as he sat down on the loveseat beside his aunt.

They shared their hellos. "Takoda would like to take you on the town one day. But tonight he is having a get together at home and would like to invite you to that." Onacona told him after both families were talking for an hour or so.

Takoda looked up through his eyebrows. He wasn't really paying attention, texting. "Uhh, What? I mean, sure. Yeah. I was about to head out anyway. Merida and Gatlin will be there soon. Wanna come with me or you want to take your own truck?" Takoda asked Deacon.

"Oh go on, Deacon. It will be fun." Antoine was laughing and agreeing. "Go out and meet people your own age before school starts."

His aunt, Lorna, continued, "You don't want to start your school days over here without any friends, do ya?"

"No Aunt Lorna." Deacon answered her. He turns to Takoda, "I guess I will take my own truck, And I will come home after."

"Bet. Just follow me." Takoda said while they made their way to the porch. Takoda's truck was an Ford F150 so old the white paint was peeling off. He jumped in and pulled away with Deacon behind him.

They made it to the reservation and Deacon saw Takoda pull beside a tipi and then pulled beside him.

"You know, this is a very big stereotype." Deacon said.

Takoda laughed, "Up more is our actual house. I just use this when I hang out with friends. I wanted to traditionally build it for myself when I was eleven, you know to get to my roots. And my dad told me how and I did. I could live in it but my house is more comfortable."

Deacon was embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--" He began.

"Oh bro, listen, no worries. I wasn't offended." Takoda finished, "Now help me get everything ready. The girls will be here soon."

"Girls?" Deacon didn't think of Takoda being the one that hooked up with random girls.

They were building a small fire outside the tipi. Making sure the outside was as comfortable as the inside as Takoda explained who the girls that were coming were. Inside was some couches and a stereo. Takoda threw some chips and smores makings on the ground by a cooler that they filled with ice.

"I mean, Gatlin and Merida are my best friends at school. They are my tribe away from my tribe." Takoda said as they finally started the fire.

Deacon sat down on one of the camping chairs by the fire, "I met a Gatlin today at work."

Just as Takoda was smiling, a white Cherokee blaring Gretchen Wilson pulled in followed by the same teal Wrangler Deacon saw this morning.

A dark skinned girl got out of the Cherokee and met Takoda half way with a tight hug. "I brought some cokes."

"That's great. I will get them. Go say hey to Deacon. He's the McAnisters' nephew. What did she bring?" Takoda pulled the cokes out.

"She brought meat things. Ham, weenies, you know?" The girl said, then she turned to Deacon, "Hey Deacon, I'm Merida. How are you?"

"Fine." Deacon got up and helped Merida to a seat. He then went to help Takoda with the drinks.

"If you got this I can go help Gatlin real quick. I don't know how Beau would react to a stranger." Takoda explained.

"No problem." Deacon took the drinks and put them in the cooler. He looked up to seeing a beautiful, familiar sight.