Two Indian Braves
By:
Mikey
(Copyright 2007 by the author)
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent. Comments are appreciated at...
Prologue
I am Edward Sitting Bear, Luke's older brother.
This story is taken from Luke and Gerry's journals and appears in three parts:
the early years, high school and college, and after college--reunited and
committed. It is an intense story that is so full of heartbreak and sadness that
you may want to have a box of tissues handy. I do as I write it. Even so, I need
to tell you this -- for Luke and Gerry -- and for me -- and perhaps, for you.
You can enhance your understanding of the situation and the story if you read "A
Second Chance III, Chapter 10" as it appears on Tickiestories.us (
http://tickiestories.us ). My late
stepbrother, Luke Running Bear, and his partner, Gerry Shining Wolf, took in two
kids, Colt and Matt, when the boys were students at Crazy Horse School. Luke
taught History and Gerry taught Home Economics.
Please read as the characters Luke and Gerry are introduced in: " A Second
Chance III Chapter 10". The names have been changed as both gentlemen are now
dead. This story is to give you the background as they first meet and what
happened to them. But Please read Tickie's story "A Second Chance", and you can
understand why my late step-brother and his partner took to the kids while
teaching at Crazy Horse. Colt and Matt while they where at Crazy Horse, and
being taught by Luke Running Bear ( my step-brother ) -- History teacher, and
Gerry Shinning Wolf -- Home Economics. I need to introduce myself as I am Edward
Sitting Bear Luke's older brother.This story is going to be taken from Luke and
Gerry's Journals, and will be broken up into three parts: The early years, High
School and College, and the last part is Re-united and Committed. Please bear
with me as I read these journals I may need stock in Kleenex.
Chapter 1
It just seems like just yesterday when I
was asked to take Luke to Crazy Horse School, but I thought that he meant the
memorial. http://www.crazyhorse.org/ Luke was about to start 1st grade at The
Indian School as it was referred to than. With both of us being Sioux and since
dad had seen how much trouble I was given in the public school system, he had
decided it was best for Luke to attend The Crazy Horse School. At that time the
school was just from 1st to 8th grade but they where planning on building a Jr.
High along with a High School thanks to a donation made by some man named: Shaun
and Mary Lambert who owned an investment company in the Casper area.
Boy did I envy Luke, because every dorm room was like a motel room. Dad had
already filled out the admissions papers when we arrived at Crazy Horse. He was
assigned to The Little Crow Dorm, and his roommate was a year younger than Luke.
It was a young Sioux Indian boy named Gerry Shinning Wolf. Gerry was to attend a
day care service that they had as his dad is a Chief in the Sioux Tribe, and
needed Gerry watched after while he attended to Tribal Affairs.[ He belonged to
what's referred to as First Nation in Canada, which is made up of all the Indian
Tribes in both the USA and Canada]
I took Luke and Gerry to McDonald's for a treat, not knowing how good the food
is at Crazy Horse. It was the hardest when I had to say goodbye to Luke after we
got back to the school. He was going to be starting school in the morning and so
was I at Natrona County High School. I was going to be starting my senior year
as I played football and basketball. While driving home I kept thinking about
earning a scholarship either in academics or basketball so that I could attend
the University of Wyoming.
I knew that Luke was going to get a better education at Crazy Horse School, than
I did in the County School System. Right after I got home the phone was ringing
and it was John Two Feathers asking if I had any problems with Luke only coming
home for the holidays, and of course I knew that dad did not want him in the
house because he reminded him of mom ( Princess Running Waters aka known to
friends as Mary). Mom had been a true Sioux Indian Princess that loved both of
us dearly, and wanted us to learn the "true" American History. ( Sorry was
having a flash back). I told Mr. Two Feathers that Luke was allowed to call me
on the weekends, and since dad was seldom home ( a trucker) that I could only
have Luke with me on the holidays.
It was just about a month before the school called the High School to get in
contact with me as Luke was going to need his tonsils out, and wanted his big
brother NOW!!! I knew that dad had given Crazy Horse permission to take care of
any and all medical needs if they arrived. I told the school secretary that I
would head over as soon as classes got out since Dad was on the road again. That
seemed to be ok with them since its only a 20 min. drive between the high school
and Crazy Horse.
It was the cutest site to see Gerry sitting with Luke enjoying an ice cream that
had been provided. I really got upset when Luke cried," I want mommy", because
mom had passed away 2 years earlier from breast cancer. How do you explain to
such a loving brother that mom is in the Happy Hunting Grounds, but is watching
over him in spirit.
If I did not know better I swear that Luke and Gerry had eyes for each other
even at such a young age. You have to understand to survive in the Public
Schools I had to stay in the closet as its a double whammy being Indian and also
being gay. I just prayed that if a friendship did start that it last a lifetime.
He had his tonsils out that Friday and was back to his sweet self by the time I
came over to Crazy Horse on Sunday. Yeah you guessed it Gerry was there keeping
his roommate company. I knew very little about Gerry except that his dad was a
big Chief in the Sioux Nation. Just maybe he would be allowed to come home for
Thanksgiving if dad would allow it.
{ Authors Note: I know that this part is short, but writing
about my step-brother and his Life Partner from their journals has been kinda
hard on me. Depending upon how things are going at home I have no time table on
future chapters}
Feedback always
welcome:
Posted: 08/24/07