The clouds blanked the moon and prevented its soft light from filtering through the bare branches of the trees and reaching the place where I sat. The soft breeze that was blowing seemed to be laughing at me – sharing a secret with the clouds and the trees at my expense. I pulled the blanket tighter around my body and tried to ignore the words in my head…
“Bet you didn’t stick up for us with that Kiowa brother of yours…Which side are you on anyway… Better pick one…
They wouldn’t go away. They burrowed their way deep inside me and sought out friends…
“used and scorned… alone… taught a half-breed to hold down a job… no-good…”
I’ve been searching for a place to belong for my whole life. I’d thought I’d finally found it here. Sometimes I hated the fact that I existed; I hated the world with its ugliness, hatred, and darkness. That’s when the moon broke through the blanket of clouds and covered the world with its soft, gentle light.
As I marveled at the difference the moonlight made, Teaspoon came from the bunk
house. He told me that all was forgotten and forgiven. That’s when I knew
that I had to leave. I couldn’t be like the clouds and keep the light
and goodness the others had to offer the world blocked from the people in town.
I had to leave and give them the chance to shine and make the world a better
– friendlier- place just as the moon had done.
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