CHAPTER 1
One month later ...
Leah had her first birthday. Julia gave her daughter a birthday party, and her family attended. Leah got many nice surprises, and Julia made her birthday cake. It had a buttercream filling with chocolate icing and Winnie the Pooh characters. Leah loved Winnie the Pooh.
Julia wished her husband could have been there to share this day. This was the first of many birthdays he would miss. Julia did the best she could, as she had to be both mother and father to Leah.
She held on to her own faith in God and her determination to pull herself together. Finding happiness the best she could while taking care of Leah, she managed to keep hope alive. Julia and Leah had grown with a loving and supportive family surrounding them during this difficult time. At times, she felt her family members were almost too protective.
Julia's family knew she was strong. She was angry inside, and yet she was mostly sad, grieving and mourning for her husband. Her heart was broken. She was a wounded dove. The day after his passing, she had to decide on burial arrangements for him. Danny was from a Christian family. She knew his family did not want cremation, and Danny had not wished it before his death.
Three days after he passed, he had a closed-casket funeral due to his facial injuries. Many people were at the funeral, mainly family and friends from childhood and school. It was a day full of sadness for Julia's and Danny's families. Everyone was in shock at the taking of a young and energetic life, so full of hope and possibility.
It wasn't until later that Julia realized the extent of her husband's injuries. Julia learned the facts through Amelia after the funeral. She was glad that Danny was with his maker, rather than paralyzed or comatose for the rest of his life.
Julia's mother had kept Leah for a week afterward. Leah often stayed with Julia's parents. Julia rested at her parents' house during that time, mainly sleeping. The doctor said this was not unusual after a tragic event or loss. Her mother wouldn't let even family members bother her. She needed the rest, and her mother didn't want her to be disturbed.
Julia was raised in a Christian household. Although her grandparents still believed in Native American traditions, her parents had raised her to believe in one triune God. She went to church often before the birth of her child. She needed to go back again, both she and Leah. Danny had gone on occasion with her but not as regularly as she had.
During that last week in July, a man came into the state-patrol station to register for a new tag. He looked to be around Richard's age. He had been in Oklahoma a month, and his thirty days' grace period was over. He introduced himself as Dave. He said he'd moved from Delaware last month and needed a new tag. Richard said the Department of Transportation handled new tags but gave him the registration form to fill out and take to them.
Richard noticed he wore a T-shirt with a golden eagle and a white wolf on it. Curious, he asked him about it.
He said, "I just like nature, and this is my favorite shirt."
"My wife is part Cherokee. Those have significance in her culture," Richard said.
"Oh, really? I heard Oklahoma is Cherokee territory. I've always been fascinated by Native American history and rituals."
"Well, you are in the right place," Richard said. "This part of the county is rich with Native American culture."
"I will enjoy that," the man said.
"Why did you move here?" Richard asked.
"I'm looking for work. They are offering construction jobs at a higher wage than home," the man replied.
"Where's home?" asked Richard. "Wilmington, Delaware," the man said.
"That's a long way from here. Seems like you like fishing, too," said Richard.
"Yes. How did you know?" the man asked.
"I see a fishing pole in the back of your pickup truck," Richard said.
"Yeah, I love to fish and hunt," the man said.
"I haven't been fishing since my last child was born," Richard said.
"Really? When was that?" asked the man.
"Over a year ago," replied Richard.
"I have an extra fishing pole. You ought to come along with me sometime and go fishing at the stream," the man said.
"The best stream is up in the mountains," answered Richard. "I've heard that too. Bass is good this time of year," the man said.
"That would be awesome, but I don't have any fishing equipment," Richard said.
"I do, and an extra tent too. Just let me know if you want to go sometime," the man said.
Richard couldn't resist a good offer and gave the man his cell number. He said he had a wife and three children. The man told him to bring them along.
During that week, the man called to say the fish were really biting. Richard asked Amelia to go along with him. She was reluctant at first but finally gave in. That first weekend in August, they met him in the mountains. The water was still cold in the stream but a lot warmer than what it would be in the fall. He introduced himself as Dave to Amelia. She noticed he wasn't wearing a wedding band. She just had to know if he was married or involved. Amelia asked her husband to ask him if he was married or had a girlfriend.
On that Friday evening, Richard and his family met Dave near the camping area. The first thing Dave did was set up the two tents. He had a little heater that they could use for warmth if they needed it. Each tent had sleeping bags and extra blankets. The children had a soft quilt to sleep on with extra cushioning. The tents were insulated for warmth, even in the summer months.
The scenery was spectacular, with the stream not far from the camping area. Richard had built a fire with small logs and kindling. They would use the grill to cook dinner tonight. Amelia had brought hot dogs to roast on the grill and baked beans for dinner. She had also brought potato chips, coleslaw, and brownies for dessert. That's all her two older children ate — hot dogs and hamburgers. Amelia looked at the uncooked wieners in disgust. She knew she would have to get her children to start eating healthily early in life.
During dinner, the children were more interested in playing than in eating. They picked at their food and laughed when the other did something silly. Todd picked up his hot dog and made silly gestures with his face while Evelyn laughed with him. She picked up her hot dog and imitated an animal. The baby, Rose, drank her bottle in her mother's lap.
After dinner, Amelia cleaned up the dinner dishes while the men and children explored the area. Richard carried Rose, while Evelyn and Todd followed the men. Nearby, the stream was a beautiful setting for fishing in the morning. Amelia soon joined them at the stream and enjoyed the view. Beautiful and breathtaking, the mountaintops glimmered in the background as the sun was setting. A mist began to settle, and dusk was fast approaching. The children wanted to play on the rocks, but it was too dangerous. The currents were fast, and the stream was deep, although it looked shallow.
Amelia asked Dave if he was married or involved in a relationship. He said that he wasn't. Richard cleared his throat in embarrassment, as he knew his wife was being a matchmaker for Julia.
After a brisk walk around the stream, the group headed back to the camping area. The fire had died down from dinnertime. Only pieces of burned logs and twigs remained. The men gathered some paper and put it in the...
