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Gloria wrung her hands and tried to sleep but she tossed and turned all night long. It was a very long night for them all.
Chapter Eight
Woodsmoke permeated the air. A flute played in the distance. The sky was very blue this morning. There was a lot of goings on in the camp. Lucy drank the coffee that Aiden fixed for her and she went to look outside. She stood at the door, watching the people, letting the calm settle over her. She pulled the blanket around her now as the temperature was extremely cold. She reflected on how the meeting with the chief went and the trial that Gloria would have to face today. It was a beautiful day, even with the snow so thick on the ground. The sun was shining, and it made the snow twinkle in the morning twilight.
But it would also be a hard day for one of the mothers. Lucy couldn't be certain how it would turn out, but her heart was heavy. In the back of her mind, she was almost certain she knew, but she wouldn't speak of it.
The Shaman came to talk to her. His face was a mixture of wisdom and understanding. He was thin, and middle aged. His face was somber now. They spoke for some time and when Lucy turned around, Gloria was right behind her.
"What did he say?" she asked.
"You may see Peggy now." Lucy told her.
"Thank God."
"Gloria," Lucy threw up her hand to stop her from turning away. "No matter what happens you must accept Peggy's wishes. The chief and the Shaman were only concerned about the child. A child that age is impressed with only one thing, the love they have for you."
"I will accept it. But, she's my child, and she'll chose to come home, I'm sure of it." Gloria raised her chin and shot them all a determined glance.
Her husband didn't look as confident, but he didn't say anything.
Lucy led the way and as everyone followed behind her, she raised a hand to stop them as they approached the teepee where Peggy was.
"I must speak to Red Feather first." She told them. "And I must tell you, Gloria, if Peggy chooses to stay, there is nothing you can do. Do you understand?"
Gloria raised her chin high, "Yes, but of course she won't."
"She is but a child, a young child. She cannot possibly think through this situation. She will go by feelings alone on this."
"I understand."
"Good."
Gloria waited with bated breath.
It was nearly an hour before Lucy came out again.
"Come, you may see your daughter now." Lucy told her.
As Lucy and Gloria went inside the men waited outside.
Peggy saw Gloria and called to her immediately, "Mama!" Her sweet voice echoed through the teepee. Her raven hair matched her mothers, she was short and so very cute, Lucy smiled at her. Her long dark hair was in a braid, and except for her pale skin, she looked almost like any other child in the village.
"Peggy dear!" Gloria went to the child and hugged her. She was wearing a little deerskin dress with leggings and she looked precious. Lucy worried about how this would turn out. Was Gloria prepared for what might happen, she doubted it. Could any mother be prepared? On one hand she admired Gloria for being there, on the other, she remembered how she felt, that first feeling of abandonment hit her in the stomach now. It was as if she were reliving those moments with Peggy. But their cases were different. Gloria had come for her daughter, and obviously loved her dearly. Her parents had not come. And she remembered now, that when they never came, how her love grew for the Indians.
Peggy went to the Indian woman sitting quietly on the floor of the teepee, watching. Peggy crawled up in her lap and sat down, then smiled at Gloria. She wrapped her little hands around Red Feather's neck and hugged her back but released her quickly to give her the chance to decide for herself where she wanted to belong.
"This is Red Feather" Lucy announced. "she has cared for your daughter all this time."
Gloria hardly gave the woman a glance.
Holding her head up high as she watched her daughter crawl all over the woman and kiss her on the cheek. The action shocked Gloria, something inside her seem to chill, instantly. It was like turning off a lantern inside her.
Gloria was stunned. How could her daughter go to this woman so easily? Hurt and anger stirred within Gloria.
"Peggy darling, don't you want to go home with Mommy?"
Peggy grabbed the Indian woman and hugged her tighter, then stared at her from the distance.
