Life after the Lottery Ch. 82

"I like it. And it sounds like something that would be here for years to come. Like this old house."

"How old is this house?"

"It has been here since the beginning...mid 1800's."

"As part of this project, I'll have the engineers look over your house and fix anything that needs to be done so it is here for 200 more years. If we do this...is there anyone's approval we need like we had to get for the helicopter pad?"

"Not really, but I will bring the three cabinet members in that I teach with and get their ideas. You needed approval for the helicopter pad because that is not on private land."

"That sounds great. We all want this so the old ways can be taught and preserved. We are not doing this to have a big house here. We want this used for that purpose. I'll make sure the design fits in, and it doesn't look out of place. Dawn will be excited to have a place she can teach and train."

"This will work. It will be a good thing," Great-grandfather said with a big smile.

After we talked for a bit more about educating our kids and Dawn bringing them, I had a better feeling for things. I made sure they could buy anything they needed to get started once the basement of the house was in place. I wrote a check for $100,000 and gave it to Great-grandfather.

"Son...what about the cost of building this?"

"Don't worry about it. Just make sure everyone is good with it, so we don't make anyone mad. Tell Running Bear about it, and I will have the engineers and others contact him when they need to be here to do work. He has a phone."

"Just make sure my Great-granddaughter is okay with all this."

"I think she will be very excited. Use that money for anything you need. I mean it. If you need more, just let us know. I'll call the car dealer and take care of another SUV and the pickup truck once I'm back home."

"How is everyone?" Great-grandmother asked when she came into the den.

"We had a good Thanksgiving with everyone there. Amy and Samantha struggled to finish school last week."

"Have you two been discussing the house plans?"

"Yes, we have. We made some changes that will be good," I said.

"Very good."

"Great-grandmother...tell me about Dawn needing to be here with the babies?"

"There are just things she needs to take care of when it is okay for the babies to travel."

"Her doctor said as soon as they are nursing strongly, they can fly. She said to let them nurse as we flew so their ears would clear. I'm just curious why Dawn says they need to be here that young?"

"Oh...there are a few ceremonies for babies. You'll want to be here too. Sylvia, you come also."

"We'll have to figure out how to get the car seats in the helicopter. We only have seven seats in it."

"Oh? Someone may have to sit on the floor!"

"I know she is planning on being here much more after the babies are born."

"I'm sure she is."

That was all I was going to get, and I knew it, so I let it drop. I would ask Enolia later.

Great-grandmother asked Sylvia to help her with lunch. Enolia went with them back to the kitchen.

"Let's go for a walk," Great-grandfather said.

We went outside and walked for a bit.

"What is troubling you, son?"

"Does it show!" I said and laughed.

"You know better."

"Great-grandfather...I have a feeling that Dawn is withholding something from me."

"I am sure she is."

"That is not like her. We always share everything."

"She is not sharing with you because she does not understand what is being communicated to her."

"Do you know what it is?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me?"

We walked a little quietly.

"Son...my Great-granddaughter is not understanding what she is being told."

"Why?"

"Sometimes there are things that happen...that do not happen often. If it is something that has not appeared for many generations, it is difficult for the current generation to understand."

"Is that what is happening?"

"Sometimes in our history...all things come together for a rare event. When a one time in a thousand years thing comes together...those that are unaware do not fully realize the meanings."

"Is that what is happening? Do you know what it is, Great-grandfather?"

"Ahyoka is still learning...though she thinks she knows much...she does not know everything. It is like her."

"Great-grandfather...you are beating around the bush." He laughed.

"A husband of one as strong as my Great-granddaughter must be prepared for what may come. He must be open to events that may come."

"You are still beating around the bush."

"Sometimes a bush must be beaten before everything falls out!" He said and laughed.

"Is there a reason she is not telling me something?"

"She is not sure what to tell you. She has always acted before the lesson was learned."

"You are not helping! If you know what it is...just tell me."

"Son...James...you and your family have grown in many ways. You have grown in love mostly, but you have grown in other ways that the Spirits can use you."

"How?"

"Many generations ago...before my time...a path was being prepared. This path was seen by only a few. As with all paths we see...they may not end as we first saw it. But there are paths that some are set upon that only the Ancients know what the end will be. My path was to educate and prepare those that would be on it to be able to understand it completely, and so they could accept what was to come."

"Are you telling me that Dawn and I are on a path that has been set up for generations?"

"Do you feel like that is what is happening?"

"Great-grandfather...I don't know. So much has changed over the last year or so. Many paths have appeared that none of us would have seen coming...maybe Dawn did."

"She has not seen the full path. She has seen many paths leading to a point she has been unable to see...or understand yet."

"Are all the smaller paths we have been on, like winning the money, bringing Amy and Samantha into our lives, and so many other small things that have happened...a part of this larger path?"

"They could be..."

"Great-grandfather! Yes or no!"

"Now you understand Ahyoka's problem. She sees many things happening but cannot make sense of it all. She fails to...understand what she sees."

"You are not going to tell me, are you?"

"My job has been to prepare for the beginning of the complete path. I know of the end before it expands. I know of the beginning as it expands. I have nearly done my job. Now it is for Ahyoka...and you and your family...soon to follow the smaller paths that are laid out."

"But there is always a chance that someone may not follow the path that is seen? Right?"

"Son...we always see many paths we may take or that others may take. We know that these paths can be strayed from and a new path started. Many paths we see may still unfold close to what was originally seen. Not all peoples' paths are so important that branches are such a bad thing. Branches are often opportunities. Some people and their paths are important, and they will not be allowed to stray in ways that the end changes. Their path is fixed. Their path is known. Their path is already seen."

"So there are people whose path may be important, and they may not stray from it?"

"Yes and no. For them...it is not the path that is important but the end. Their end has been known. Their path will always lead there."

"Do these people know this?"

"For most...not until a point along that path. For some...they will grow to understand their journey to an endpoint."

"Great-grandfather...are these people important for a reason?"

"When this comes about...an important outcome is known and determined by the paths. The Ancients knew of these generations ago."

"So these people will not vary on their path?"

"All paths are wide, yet narrow. Despite the width that allows someone to vary their path...it is still a path that will end in the same spot. Your question is...are there those whose path is set as narrow because the endpoint is known of great importance?"

"Yes. Are there those that have a path that is predestined?"

"Predestined could indicate a very hard fixed point...with very little time to stray. Sometimes, straying is to take of an opportunity. I think the word in your language you are looking for is Providence. The word in our language does not translate. A path that has a Providence will end there regardless of all the choices the person may make."

We walked quietly for a bit.

"Great-grandfather...is my family about to set out on a path of Providence? Something that will be many individual paths leading to a known end?"

"Your family has already been set upon this path. Generations ago, son."

"Why?"

"Son...as I said...every few thousand years, many paths are set to lead to a single point. And that single point may be seen to create many future paths that seem to not have a common point at the end. But the Ancient Spirits see far more than I do. Far more than Ahyoka is seeing now. But they have seen what is to come and what will come. When these events take place as foretold for generations...the Ancient Ones know what will be the final results."

"An event like this then is predetermined. And these events are important?"

"Predetermined...no. Predetermined means no flexibility...but that is close in your language. Predetermined would be a final point with no movement. In the universe...for many to have foreseen paths that all lead to a common point that included all the paths and knowledge of the many would require interventions and preparations from many generations of the Ancient. When this happens...it will result in change...or new direction."

"Big changes? Good changes?"

"Big...yes. Good? Usually."

"Great-grandfather, is my new family going to be the Providence for good fortune?"

"Son...that would be too much information for you to understand. Too much information can overwhelm, causing changes in the future."

"Let me try again. Will my family be part of a Providence for a change that is needed?"

"The Providence I was shown is years from now. There will be many that without knowing where their path leads...for now...will come to understand the Providence."

"Okay. Why hasn't Dawn told me of this?"

"My Great-granddaughter has not learned as much as she needs. This coming destination is beyond her understanding right now. For now...she has moved too far outside the tribe to see and understand. She thinks she knows the answer when she did not learn the lesson."

"What does she need to do then?"

"She will learn that. But...she must learn the past before she sees the future."

"So this will be something for all the tribe?"

"Yes."

"Is this what Dawn is struggling with in her sleep?"

"Yes."

"She has told me she is struggling...but it is nothing bad."

"It will take time for her to fully understand."

"Great-grandfather, will each of the children we have be a part of this?"

"All children of your Cherokee blood will be a part of this."

"So all the children we have with our blood will be a part of it?"

"All the children of your blood will be a part of it."

I was going to ask if that meant Linda and Rachel's children also...but I was sure I knew the answer.

"What do I need to do, Great-grandfather?"

"You need to be a good father to all your children and a good husband to all your wives...old as well as new. You need to guide and lead and provide the opportunites for all to grow. But the most important is that you accept what will come, and accept what Ahyoka will learn in the coming days."

"When will she figure it out?"

"In the coming days."

I know that didn't mean anything. It could be years.

"What do I need to do to make sure I do not cause a deviation in the many paths?"

"You cannot deviate the end points. You could make their path more difficult or easier."

"So this is foretold?"

"We do not have a word that translates to your language. Foretold or Providence is as close as it comes. Think of all that is to come as a journey for many to a place they will understand before they get there. In the simplest of an explanation...a course has been set generations ago that now begins. The universe now takes advantage of the preparations it has made for a thousand years. A thousand years of planning...that will now lead to a foretold event and end. An end that is to be a beginning."

"Then I will be prepared."

"No, you won't!" He said and laughed.

"Don't do that!" He laughed more.

"You will not be prepared, Tall Warrior! Trust me."

"I will trust you, Great-grandfather."

"Now...there is something I must ask of you."

"Anything."

"I have told you much. Much you do not understand yet. You must not tell Ahyoka of this knowledge until she sees it herself."

"Great-grandfather...we do not keep things from each other. She will know I know something."

"You must limit what you tell her of this information. She will not know that you know this. Soon..."

"You want to bet."

"She will not know. This is protected and entrusted to you only. You need to know before she does. You listen to the lesson before you ask the questions. Something she has to learn...soon."

"Will she see an empty spot then? When I have kept things from her in the past...she always said she felt an empty place in me. So I don't do it anymore."

"Do you know when she is keeping important things from you?"

"The only time I know she is keeping something from me is like it is now. Being with her at night, in our sleep, if she is receiving important information from the Spirits...I may see it in my dreams also. What is happening now is that I know she is blocking something from me in her sleep because she doesn't want me to know what it is."

"What she is keeping from you now is not important...as this is. The information you receive in your sleep goes through her first. It takes many years of training to interpret what the Spirits tell someone. I don't think you are ready for them to communicate directly with you...but I may be wrong. You see her interpretations. The information I give you...you do not know enough for her to see it yet."

"That makes sense."

"Good!" He said and laughed.

"You and Dawn have a weird sense of humor, Great-grandfather!"

He kept laughing.

"Son, you will begin to grow much in your understanding of the training your wife has been through all her life. Even she will begin to understand more. To her and you...it will seem as many things suddenly come together for understanding. When Cherokee learn...usually at a young age...but you are young in your learning...they have a sudden realization when things come together. At that time, it all makes sense, and their ability to understand opens."

"In psychology, that is called an "ah-hah" moment."

"If you say so."

"Is that why she needs to be here more once the babies can fly?"

"A baby's mind and Spirit grows much very early. They do not understand what is happening, but they must be present for the Spirits to begin communicating with them, even very early. It prepares their mind and Spirit. It opens their mind so the Spirits may instruct and comfort them very early in their lives. Much like the parents talking to them will lead to their understanding of language...even though they have no understanding of what the parents are saying at that time."

"Now that I understand. Will all my blood be willing to be present for that instruction?"

"If that is what they choose. But, they all will choose, but only you know that for now. The Spirit will be in them to help them with this choice. Tall Holly Tree will soon understand the importance."

"How will she know?"

"It will come to her...soon. Be prepared. Remember, she is of Cherokee Spirit and blood from before. Small Warrior Cat will understand through her wife's understanding."

"Good."

"But...you will need to encourage and instruct when needed."

"I will."

"We better head back. I am hungry!"

We walked back to his cabin in silence. When we stepped on the porch, he stopped me.

"Remember, this is only for you at this time. You do better. You listen to the lesson...then ask the questions!"

"That is all I know to do! But, I understand."

I wasn't even close to understanding all of this.

We could hear Sylvia laughing in the kitchen. Later, while we ate lunch, they were asking her about England as my mind wandered. They enjoyed talking to her about England, and she asked them more questions.

*****

We finished lunch by 12:30. Sylvia went with Great-grandmother to clean the dishes.

"Did you get your questions answered?" Enolia asked as we sat with Great-grandfather.

"Some."

"I will have to help Ahyoka with hers...but I will provide her the guidance. I have received the instructions she has missed."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

About 30 minutes later, I told them we needed to get going. Great-grandfather blessed us, and Enolia walked with Sylvia and me to the helicopter as I carried her bags.

"Do you have room for my bags in that thing?"

"Yes, Grandmother."

I stopped and unlocked the gate, and we went through it and locked it back.

"Oh, my! Dawn said it was painted very special."

"I had that done for her."

"It looks honorable, James. That looks just like her on the door! She is so pretty!"

"You'll like the video where we surprised her with it."

I opened up the back shell and slid her suitcases in as she walked around and looked at the paint job.

"Are you sure you are okay flying with me?" I asked.

"It's too late now! Let's get going!"

"You want to sit up front with me or in the back?"

"I want to sit up front so I can see everything! Is that okay with you, Sylvia?"

"Sure. I sat up front on the way here. You will enjoy the view!"

I helped her into the co-pilot's seat and got her strapped in, then closed the doors after Sylvia got in the back. I walked around and got in the pilot's seat.

"We are going to take a scenic route back. I am going to fly over a new route we may use when we fly with the babies because we need to stay lower. I hope you don't mind flying low?"

"It has never bothered me before..."

I rolled my eyes and helped Enolia put on the headphones.

"Are you ready!"

"Oh yes!"

I showed her and Sylvia which button to push to talk to me. I started the engines to wait until all the gauges came up. While I waited, I sent Dawn a text.

'We are about to take off. I also have a surprise for you.'

After I checked all the gauges, I radioed Asheville Airport.

"AVL...November-Three-Six-Nine-Charlie--helo."

"November-Three-Six-Nine...AVL."

"AVL, Three-Six-Nine, lifting off from the reservation. Heading will be 2-7-0 over Fontana Lake and down the river through the pass at 0-1 thousand. Final is South of BNA after fueling in Crossville."

"Roger Three-Six-Nine. ID at 0-1 thousand. Weather is clear for VFR."

"Roger AVL. Lifting off."

"Roger. Check-in with TYS when clear of mountains...AVL out."

I powered up, lifted us off, and began climbing as I headed West.

"Oh my!" Came from Enolia as she watched the ground fall away. "I have never seen the reservation from an airplane."

"I am heading West to the lake. We are going to take a new scenic route. We'll fly down the river through the pass, then fly just South of Knoxville and straight to the house after stopping to refuel."

"This is amazing!"

She looked out the windows as I climbed slowly. I flew West down the river to the lake, then low through the pass. It was fun and a lot of turns. Once we passed the lake, we went between the mountains. Enolia watched and talked. She thought it was great as I maneuvered between the mountains. I was staying close to one side so I could watch for small planes. It would be a great route only during daylight. I checked on Sylvia occasionally because she was talking to us.