Another Chance by Janet Cooper

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    "My people mourn for twelve days, starting on the day of the person's death ; during that time, the spirit of the departed journeys to its new home in the stars."
    Earlier, she had heard Silver Wolf say that to Little Turtle . Without Benjamin present, she voiced her opinion. "What a beautiful thought."
    Silver Wolf glanced at he r curiously, his eyebrows rose as if waiting.
    She looked up at a sky that had cleared . When had this happened? Had the ceremony help lift the sorrow and thereby the heavens? She chided her superstitious thoughts, but did not divert her focus. So many constellations, more than she ever seen before, some she had seen only in drawings or at a planetarium stared back at her. "The idea that thy family members are visible, perhaps looking down on thee, sharing thy problems, caring about thy life gives one a sense of peace. I could accept that."
    "What would your father say about that?"
    Sarah blushed. "Well…"
    He eyed her .
    She did not want him to think her father prejudiced against the Lenape's beliefs . "We believe in heaven. Why can't heaven be the sky?"
    He examined her expression and disbelief showed in his face . "You really think he might agree?"
    She shook her head . "Probably not."
    Silver Wolf nodded his agreement .
    As they walked up the steps and into the house, Sarah remarked, "What a beautiful home." When she had arrived earlier, she had noticed the large two-story structure. The stone had appeared to have a hint of blue. She remembered that many Colonial homes had been constructed of this strong, local material.
    Since Silver Wolf had his arms filled, Sarah pushed down on the wrought iron knob and shoved the heavy, oak door open. She followed him into the long hall that traversed the length of the house. Hand-blocked wallpaper covered both sides. Who would have guessed Indians lived like this?   Then, she remembered tales of the opulent homes build by the Cherokees in Georgia and North Carolina and embarrassment replaced her previous thoughts.
    A middle-aged woman dressed in a bright red wrap around skirt greeted them . "Bowl-Woman, this is Sarah Stone."
    "Good to meet you," Sarah said.
    The chubby Lenape smiled and nodded . "Your room ready."
    "Thank thee ."
    Bowl-Woman held out her arms for the child . When she cuddled him to her breast, she murmured a few words in a soft, lilting language. Sarah watched the woman carry the boy up the steps.
    "If you will follow me, I will show you to your room," Silver Wolf said .
    "May I see the house before I sleep?" Sarah asked. Although she considered her request presumptuous, her inquisitive mind plus the fact that she would be leaving early tomorrow pressed her to ask. A quiet voice added that stealing a few more minutes with a fascinating man might have had a little influence on her forwardness.
    "My home?"
    She nodded.
    He shrugged . "Certainly. If you will pardon me for a minute, I must speak to Bowl-Woman.”
    "Of course ."
    "Go into the parlor . I will meet you there."  He gestured to the room on the right side of the hall.
    Sarah walked in. Beautiful paper with scenes of trees and animals decorated the walls. Chippendale furniture flanked the walls accenting the red Aubusson carpet. On a small pie crust table, a tin-ware tea service stood as if waiting for a hostess to come, sit, and begin to pour. In the corner fireplace, wood was laid on the grate ready for a match, opps, a flame. The ends of the fireplace, jutting into the room, were crescent shaped permitting the warmth to extend to a larger portion of the parlor. Above the mantel, a door-less wooden cabinet stood recessed into the wall. Small pieces of saltware decorated the shelves.
    The grace and quality of the furnishings amazed her . How can Silver Wolf hate whites, yet embrace such unquestionably European splendor? Does he separate what belonged to his grandmother from whom she was? No pictures graced the walls. Six over nine windows remained bare of decoration. The room had