“Like what?” Clay was already intrigued, and Cole was just getting started.
“They have a collection of shrunken human heads from a tribe in South America.”
“Did you touch one of them?” Reno asked, remembering that Cole used to have problems catching a bug to put out of the house for their mother.
“No, but I looked at them real close. They were pitifully ugly.” He paused for effect. “But what I saw a few weeks later made those shrunken heads look like kid’s toys. Rupert took me in the back to show me something they were going to throw away.”
“Throw away? I didn’t know they threw stuff away.”
“Sometimes, apparently. They made the decision to throw these things away because knowledge of their existence would challenge our view of the world as we know it.”
Reno and Clay both waited with bated breath. “Well, what was it?” Clay finally yelled.
“Giant skeletons.”
“Giant what?” Reno asked, a bit confused.
“Giant giants. Huge people. Some over twelve feet tall with bright red hair. They were found in caves in the Grand Canyon. Rupert said the Indians told stories about them and said they were cannibals.”
“Really? You saw these skeletons?” Reno was intrigued. He’d missed his brother so much.
“I did. I even touched one.” He held up one finger. “With this finger.”
“Whooo, you’re brave. What did the Smithsonian do with the giant skeletons?”
“Rupert said they would be put in the same place as the others. Deep in the Atlantic Ocean. They sent those skeletons of honest to God giants out on a barge in the ocean and pushed them overboard.”
“That has to be a crime.” Clay thought for a minute. “I would’ve like to see one of those red-headed rascals for myself. I could’ve told that story when I preach about David and Goliath.”
“What about you, Reno? What can you tell us?” Cole asked, anxious to hear from his brother.
“Well, mine isn’t that crazy, but it’s funny as hell. When I was with Journey, she took me to several stores that stay open twenty-four hours a day. They sell gas to horseless carriages and lots of drinks to thirsty people. They’re called convenience stores, because they’re located all up and down the roads making them – convenient. They also sell rubbers for sex. I bought a box that glowed in the dark.”
Clay and Cole roared with laughter. “Now, you’re just making shit up, Reno,” Cole said when he caught his breath.
“No, I’m completely serious.”
“Lord, I can see you now.” Clay laughed some more. “What was it like to use one that glowed in the dark?”
“I’m saving them for hard times.”
Reno’s joke sent them into gales of laughter again.
“That’s not all,” he continued with his story. “They also sell these little contraptions, sticks that a woman can pee on and it tells her whether or not she’s going to have a baby.”
“How does it tell her?” Clay asked with a straight face. “With a wee little voice?” He spoke in a faux high-pitched tone. “Congratulations! It’s a girl!”
“No, there’s this tiny little window and a plus sign will show up if there’s a baby and a minus sign if there’s not.” As the others continued to laugh, Reno sobered. “When Journey took the test, there was a plus sign.”
The other two men stopped laughing also. “That was a good story, Reno. Good story. I think you won.” Cole didn’t want his brother to be sad.
“Thanks.” Reno knew the only way he would truly win would be when he made it home to Journey. But even then, he’d be losing, because leaving his brother and good friends behind would be a mighty hard thing to do.
…In the early afternoon, the trio rode up to the village. To Reno, the sight of the many teepees and wigwams was awe-inspiring. Clay and Reno held up their hands, hoping the Indians would recognize them. Many of them spoke English, so he tried that instead of the few Cherokee words he could remember. “Peace. We come in peace,” Reno spoke in an even tone. “I was Ela’s friend. Does anyone remember me?”
One man came forward, watching the visitors closely.” What do you want Journeyman?”
“What did he say?” Clay whispered.
Reno was surprised at what they called him. “It’s a name the Indians gave me.” To the warrior, he bowed his head. “I request an audience with the Wise Woman’s son, Delshay.”
The warrior frowned at them, turned, and walked away.
“What does that mean?” Cole asked. “Is he coming back?”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” Reno was busy looking around, imagining how this village would look after the Cavalry and the vigilantes tore through it like a storm. As he surveyed the area, he noticed two women standing nearby, staring at them with curiosity. If he wasn’t mistaken, one of them looked like a young Ela. “Hello.”
The woman smiled big and Reno noticed he wasn’t the recipient of her friendliness. “I believe she’s taken with you, Cole,” he whispered to his brother before he spoke to the women once more. “I’m Reno, Ela’s friend.”
The one who resembled the wise woman stepped forward shyly. “Greetings, I am Cocheta. I would like to thank you for the kindnesses you showed my mother. She loved you.”
Reno felt his heart lurch in his chest. “I loved your mother very much. I was devastated when I learned of her death.”
“Reno.” Clay said his name to get his attention. “I think they’re ready for you.”
He tipped his hat to Cocheta and climbed off Traveler. When the others started to
