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“That’s horrible!”
“Yeah, it is, but it happened a lot. The school closed back in the 1930’s when a local tribal chief sued the state of Oklahoma and the federal government, demanding retribution and his tribe back. Eventually, the chief won and the school was closed. People claim to have seen ghosts in the area, which is why nobody has bought it. The county can’t even give it away. No one wants to mess with anything related to the Native American Indians in the area. Over the years, the local Kiowa reservation has sent out some kids once a year to keep the grounds relatively clean, but that’s it. Two years ago, the city council offered to sell the building and the surrounding seventy acres of land to the Kiowa tribe, but the local chief refused, saying he would not dishonor the Comanche Nation. And the Comanche Chief Longfeather refuses to buy it.”
“So, the place just sits here? Vacant?” I asked, looking at the magnificent building.
“Yep. There are thirteen large bedrooms, a large dining room, two offices, a sitting room, a library and an enormous kitchen. You name it, this place has it all. There is also a greenhouse out back where the girls gardened year-round. There’s a sunroom, an aviary and a ballroom as well. The place is massive.”
“I can see that, but why did you want to show me this place? I mean, I’m glad you did. This place is amazing, but I don’t understand.”
“Because I want you to buy it, Kali,” Vivi said frankly, facing me.
“What?”
“I want you to buy this place and the land and make it your home.”
“Vivi,” I whispered, looking back at the land and the enormous building.
It was too big.
What would I do with all that land?
The house alone needed extensive work done to it.
“Please, Kali. I know this is a big ask, but I know this place is yours. I feel it in my bones. With your money, you can turn this place into a beautiful home and honor those girls. They didn’t have a good life. They lost everything, were taken away from everything they knew and loved. For so long, I’ve dreamed of being able to do something with this place, but never had the money. The county is considering tearing it down and re-appropriating the land. I can’t let that happen. This place is rich with Native American history, Kali. It needs to be preserved, but the city won’t touch it because of the tribes.”
“What about the local tribes? They won’t want a white woman living on this land. It belongs to them.”
“I’ve already talked with Chief Longfeather. He said he would give you his blessing and even offered to bless the land before any work is done.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because my grandmother was a student here.”
“What?”
“My grandmother was one of the last remaining girls at this school. I’m one fourth Cherokee.”
“Oh, Vivi,” I gasped, hugging her to me.
“Please, Kali. I can’t allow the county to tear this place down. I just can’t.”
Nodding, I looked back at the school and sighed. “Well, it’s definitely big enough. That’s for sure and it is situated in a pretty meadow. I love all the trees and the seclusion of the area, so that’s a plus. The kids will undoubtedlyhave a lot of room to play. What about the building? Is there any way we can get in and take a peek?”
Vivi smiled and nodded.
Getting out of the truck, Vivi and I walked up to the large building, as she regaled me with everything she knew about the place, from the history to the girls that once lived here.
I could plainly see how massive this undertaking would be. This would be a major reconstruction job from top to bottom, inside and out. Bricks were crumbling, windows needed replacing and I was positive it would need a new roof, plumbing and electrical work done. The amount of work to even make this place livable would be enormous, but for Vivi, I was willing to keep an open mind.
Since I arrived at the Diamondback M.C., Vivi had been nothing but kind and sweet to me, welcoming me into her life and becoming a close, dear friend.
Not once had she ever made me feel unwanted.
Walking up onto the large front porch that spanned the entire front of the building, Vivi walked right up to the front double doors and opened them. Gasping, I walked into the main foyer, which was open and airy, that led to a massive double set of ornate stairs that broke off in two directions leading left and right. I’d never seen such a staircase before. A large chandelier hung above. The floors were hardwood and in desperate need ofasanding andrefinishing. Slowly moving further into the place, I turned, seeing all the beautiful woodwork and grandeur of what this place used to be. The amount of patience and talent that went into this place was astounding.
“Vivi, was this place built to be a school?”
“No. Originally, it was built as a home for one of the first oil barons who struck oil after the Oklahoma Land Rush.”
