I Can't Own You? (BOOK 1)

39 (NEW)

NAKAMO

A bee...is in my ear...I swipe my limp hand while half asleep, trying knocking it away. The buzzing doesn't fade; it stays at the same pace and volume. I swipe again, expecting to feel a tiny body hit at my palm. This doesn't happen.

Huh...strange. I let my wrist drop and hang over the mattress. The vibrating noise keeps on. This thing has some lungs! I open my eyes, taking in the surroundings. From within a cabin, a view of a rippling lake and a high sun stares greets me. I follow the source of the buzzing and find that my phone is the culprit. I'm getting a phone call.

I lean over the bed, feeling my bare body press against the mattress as I do so. My hair dangles over the bed as I grab my phone, reading the caller ID, Reba.

"Good morning, Reba." I answer softly.

"Good morning...I hope I didn't wake you."

I stare at the clock on a nightstand. 10 am. "I needed to get up; consequences of a circle dance battle have to be dealt with." I sit up in bed, carefully, as to not wake my fiancé, Waynoka. "Is anything wrong?"

"No, nothing serious, I need your help. I'm wondering if you could tow my car to a shop."

The lake ripples gently through a nearby window, bringing in the smell of nature; its saltiness stains my lungs. "Sure, when should I come over?"

"Whenever you're free...and thank you." Reba's voice glows from the other end. "Now, I gotta get back to making breakfast. Bye-bye for now, see you soon."

"Goodbye." I hang up.

As I get up from a soft, soundless bed, Waynoka turns over. "How long will you be gone?" She investigates skeptically.

"Not long, Reba's car needs a tow."

"Why can't she just call a shop?" Waynoka radiates a high annoyance.

I keep my calmness, using meditation, letting the sounds from outside soothe me. "It's a favor. I told you before; the Johnson's are family."

She turns away from me and lays back down. "No...I'm your family."

I watch the back of her head for a few seconds, calming my energy from becoming sour. My breathing stays steady. I grab a black tank and light camouflage pants, before heading to the shower.

As soapy, steam water cleanses my body, I continue to labor my breathing. In and out, in and out, give good vibes to receive good vibes. Control your rage...I hear my father's teach, if not, you will suffer the path of the colonizers.

When done showering, I dress and brush my teeth, leaving my long hair free to roam the air. I step outside to untouched lands that still hold such ancient roots. The large lake ripples, the trees sing, and the grass wavers as if in greeting. The wind says, "good morning," blowing enough to make my hair flow majestically. My eyes spy another cabin attached to a bay on the lake, just as mines is.

The sun bakes my face as I head towards the other house. My bare feet grace the grass, tickling a bit. I ascend the stairs of the dwelling and knock in a rhythmic way. Two. One. Two. One. One. I wait until my beats are recognized. A few seconds later, I hear jingling. My mother's beaded necklace full of metal dreamcatchers.

I hide on the side of the door, maliciously, as it opens. "HAA!" I yell and jump out, but this doesn't scare her.

"Good morning, son, come and get something to eat." She responds un-fazed.

"Your poker face is stronger."

A fierce woman with high cheekbones and pulled back hair, smirks at me. "Or, your feet are getting heavy."

"Ahh," I exclaim matter of factly, as I enter a toasty and simple house. The smell of fresh berries, nuts, maple syrup, sausage, and cooking bread hit my nose. I close my eyes and take in the addictive aroma. My mother was making Nasaump Cornmeal Porridge, something my fiancé couldn't get right. The pinkish colored porridge simmers in a big bowl on the table.

"Son." My father's friendly face greets me in a half-smile from the table.

"Good morning," I say as I take a seat, my mouth watering for the soon to be tasted flavors.

My father gives me a long, close look. "I feel you aren't just awake for breakfast."

My mother takes a pan of biscuits from the oven and places it on a metal rack, before bringing it to the table. "He better have come to eat...especially with the girl not knowing how to feed him properly."

"Well, you both aren't wrong." I reach for the bread before my hand can touch it; my mother slaps it.

"It's hot!"

"So, what's working your mind?" My father investigates.

I wait until my mother leaves to the kitchen before I take the biscuit, shuffling it a bit in my hands before biting into it. I predict my mother's hand on her hip as she returns to the table with eating bowls. "Nothing bad. I'm going to Reba's; she's having car troubles and asked if I could give her a tow."

"Hmm..." My father gives a curious growl in response. My mother slops porridge and sausages into our bowls. I chew while watching him ponder. "The car seemed fine; last I seen it." I shrug, not sure what to say. "I suppose engine problems are prone to appear out of nowhere." He concludes. "When are you going?"

"After breakfast," I reply with a full mouth of food.

"Don't be barbaric, how many times do I have to say swallow before speaking??"

I laugh, which causes my father to chuckle. "He's young, my Winta, rules are nothing but unfortunate words at that age."

She waves a hand in disagreement and goes back to the kitchen, holding her backside. "I'll get the coffee.." I stand instantly.

"Thank you." She says, meaning it completely, appearing overwhelmed. "Cooking is beginning to drain me."

"Perhaps we should hire a chef." My father pokes, receiving an amused smirk from my mother.

I pour three steaming cups of organic, cocoa coffee, which smell of pure, unsweetened chocolate. As I mix the beverage, I stare out an open window, listening to the singing nature...to water, and smiling at the sun, feeling its essence charge my soul.

After breakfast, I grab a pair of boots, climb into a silver Jeep, and start the smooth engine. A path ahead holds a trail of rocks, so as not to hurt the grass if any vehicles were to roam. I drive the car forward, following the trail.