Leoti Read online

  “Hi.”

  “Have a seat.” Madeline said, her tone brisk and her stare hard with disapproval.

  Josie did as her mother requested. A server in black slacks, white shirt and apron came over and offered her a cup of coffee. The fresh roasted aroma wafting up from the pot cleared her head. She nodded her thanks. Today would be a busy one. She’d have to dress and meet Tim to dig into Elu’s case. “I’m looking for Carlton. Have you seen him this morning?”

  “He left late last night.” Her mother announced.

  Stunned, Josie’s hand froze on the coffee cup. “He did? How do you know that?”

  Madeline waited for the server to finish refreshing her cup of coffee. And when the man walked off she kept her tone low as to not be heard by any other tables. “He knocked on my door. Said he was joining his band to resume some tour overseas. He left you this.” Madeline went into her purse and removed an envelope. She passed it to Josie. “We will have to take a commercial flight out. There isn’t a direct flight with open seats out of Libby until Monday. Tiffani and I are going to drive to Billings and fly out tomorrow morning. It’s the earliest we can get back to Chicago.”

  Josie barely heard her. She stared at the envelope with her heart lodged in her throat. Across the front it simply said her name. Every word that passed between her and Carlton echoed in her mind. She had no excuse for her abrasive manner. In fact she was beginning to think Carlton was right. Her head injury had changed her. With Elu she believed the changes in her were for the better, but now she had to wonder. She never intentionally hurt anyone she loved. Carlton deserved more. They both deserved closure. Now all that was left of three years of love between them was this letter.

  “I take it you two are over?” Madeline asked.

  “It’s personal. I don’t want to discuss him. I’ll read it later.”

  “I see. Well I wanted to talk to you. It’s hard for me to leave you, baby, after everything you’ve been through. But you made it clear that you don’t need us.”

  “Not true. I do need you, I just have so much going on right now I can’t take the extra pressure.”

  Madeline raised a hand. “Don’t explain. Just answer me truthfully. Are you sure you want us to go for space or is there another reason?”

  “Like what?”

  “This man you’re involved with. He kept you from us, and now you break up with Carlton? Is there something else going on I should know?”

  Josie shook her head sadly. “His name is Elu, and this has nothing to do with him.”

  “It has everything to do with him. Two weeks ago you were my daughter. Now you sit here like a stranger. I feel it. Carlton felt it. Even Tiffani says she noticed it. We are your family, Josie. You’ve been through a terrible trauma. You need us.”

  “I do need you. But not to dictate how I should feel about anything. Just to be my mother. I want you to go. I don’t know how soon I can join you back in Chicago. I just need space. Besides Elu is my friend and he’s in trouble. I can help him. Do you understand?”

  “I think you’ve made it clear.” Madeline lowered her gaze and after a pause continued. “I want you to see a doctor. I’ve called Charles, our family physician, and he has made arrangements for you to see a colleague here. He works out of the hospital.” She put the number on the back of her business card and placed it on the table. “Promise me you will and I promise to give you space.”

  “I’ll do it.” Josie smiled.

  “Good.”

  “Ma. Mom. I’m sorry. I’ve been through so much I handled things badly with everyone. Of course I want your support but this thing that’s happened to me, you’re right, it’s changed me. I need some time to work through it. Do you understand?”

  Madeline shook her head. “You know, I don’t care if you and Carlton call it quits. I don’t care if you want to date that Indian, Native American, whatever he is. I never cared about your personal life, Josie, because I always thought you were too smart to be led astray by emotion. And over the years you have always focused on what was important. Look at you baby, already you’re diving into legal matters for him and taking charge. It’s who you are. Your calling.”

  “Which is?” Josie asked.

  “Your gift. You have a brilliant mind, future, many people respect you and you have earned that respect. It’s straight from God. Who are you to throw it away on romance?”

  “So that’s it? As long as I can continue to be Josie Eastman the Nobel Prize winner you support me. If I want to be anything else then I’m a failure.”

  “I’ve been a wife and mother, Josie, you aren’t missing anything.”

  “Do you know how that makes me and Tiff feel every time you say how miserable your life was being our mother?”

  “Of course she doesn’t.” Tiffani said behind her. Josie’s gaze swung left and locked on her sister. Tiffani looked as if she hadn’t slept. She wore a plain white shirt and jeans. Her face had a haggard sleep deprived look to it, complete with glassy red eyes. She sat in the empty chair and glared at Josie. “But that’s the point. Ma never had to care how we felt as long as her perfect daughter kept making her proud.”

  “Oh Tiff, don’t start.” Josie said.

  “Why not? I can’t be included in this conversation?” Tiffani shouted.

  “Lower your voice.” Madeline said through clenched teeth.

  With her face in her hands Josie began to moan.

  “Carlton’s gone.” Tiffani announced. “Do you even care?”

  Josie’s face lifted from her hands. “Of course I do.”

  “It didn’t appear that way last night when he poured his heart out in my room.”

  Josie frowned. “Again? What is with you and my boyfriend?”

  “Ex-boyfriend!” Tiffani released a bitter laugh. “Please. He told me you broke up with him. Nothing happened with us. He is just as dedicated to Josie Eastman as dear mother here.”

  “I don’t even want to know what that means.”

  “Tiffani!” Madeline hissed. “Stop it! What’s the matter with you?”

  “I’m done. Done!” Tiffani announced. “I’m done trying to be as good as Josie, Ma. And I’m done trying to be a support crutch for you!” she said to Josie. “You let a good man walk away. Hope you’re happy.” She rose from the table. She opened her mouth to say something more and didn’t. She turned and walked off.

  Madeline shook her head sadly. She returned her attention to Josie. “We’re leaving. We all need some time to cool off. Go to the doctor and call me to let me know what he says. I think you’re making a big mistake by pushing everyone away baby,” Madeline gathered her purse and stood. She kissed Josie on the cheek and left.

  Josie sat at the table alone. She lifted the envelope from her lap and peeled back the seal. A single sheet of notepaper with the hotel insignia was inside.

  J-

  I wanted to wake you. I knew if I did it would be impossible to say everything I need to say. And I find it even harder to put it on paper. I was a shitty boyfriend. Everything was on my terms. I understand why you needed a break and came here. I’m not sure if you know this or not but you brought out the best in me, babe. I think I’ll make it the title of my next song. I’ve never loved a woman so completely as I love you. And I do love you, Josie. I guess at the end of the day I’m a coward. I could stay here and fight for you, help you remember why we deserve a chance. Or I could just give you space and pray that you’ll come to me instead. I’m not giving up I’m just giving in. Letting you dictate things for us for a change. I happen to think what we had was something you can’t walk away from either.

  It’s not about the man you met, or your being with him. Though that kills me. It’s about us. Where you want to go and where I need to go. I guess I finally understand it’s two different places. Time apart will give us some clarity. The band and I are going to do the Europe tour. Call me if you need me, or if you change your mind. Call me either way. I want you in my life.

&n
bsp; Love-

  C.

  Josie wiped her tears and put the letter away. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore, but a small part of her felt free.

  Saving Elu

  “What did you find?” Josie asked, her voice hopeful.

  “Here.” Tim Cullins accepted the map, aged with yellow stains, torn edges, and fading lettering from his assistant. “Thanks, Robin, for digging this jewel up for us.” He cut his eyes over to the blonde young woman who was continuing to shuffle files and papers out of her briefcase and onto the conference table. Both had agreed to come into his office on Sunday and meet to discuss Elu’s case.

  “How old is this land treaty between the government and the Blackfoot Confederacy?”

  “Over a hundred and sixty years old. But it was changed. This land here is what Elu Takotie once owned. It’s called Chicatee, and neither the government nor the tribes want anything to do with it.”

  “I thought he lost his land because his father sold it?”

  “He was able to buy every square inch of it back when his grandfather died. He didn’t tell you this?”

  “No.” Josie felt a sour pang of disappointment. There was so much about Elu she didn’t know and vice versa. “All he said to me was that his father sold his land and he was ashamed.”

  “Interesting.” Tim said. “Well he did inherit his current property from his wife. It stretches just to the line of the treaty so I think the tribes once owned it as well. It borders Mission Creek and is perfect for the facilities the government wants to put there. The seclusion, the mineral resources, and there are a few mines that once were opened during WWII just outside of Blackfoot Mountain.”

  “What’s that? Rivers?”

  “Yes the two rivers, the Kootenai and Yaak flow through east and west of this land.”

  “So we have nothing. The government wants land that is on the outskirts of the Blackfoot treaty, and Elu lives here. If the tribal agreement doesn’t reach Elu’s land then it’s going to be a helluva fight to keep the government off it.”

  “True. I think there is history all over this area that we need to know more about.” The young assistant with a pair of tortoise-shell square frames riding the point of her nose said. “The interesting thing is the Chicatee were in this region before they arrived and then disappeared only a short decade after. I believe they occupied the land that Elu owns. It’s over 300 acres.”

  Tim nodded in agreement. “We can’t prove any of this. Nothing documented explains where these people were or what happened to them. But during that time the Native tribes’ history wasn’t treated with much respect and the census records are incomplete. I will tell you this, the government is already pushing back on my request for the condemnation hearing.”

  “Did you find a judge who can hear the case on Monday?” Josie asked.

  “We have a stay. We can see Judge Angler on Monday.”

  “Thank God. What else can we do?”

  “Turns out they either overlooked a detail, or assumed your client wouldn’t bother to do his homework. The injunction doesn’t cover his entire land. So they have to re-file to seize all of it.”

  “The treaty made mention of sacred land. Maybe we should explore that?” The assistant perked up.

  “Holy Land?” Josie’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful!”

  “Whoa! Everyone slow down. I’ll say it again. We have no proof. We go down that road and it’s false, Elu Takotie could lose everything,” Tim warned.

  “Or it could be everything! The missing tribe of Chicatee, and the land proximity that has to be tied to a history worth exploring.”

  “We are talking years of excavation to uncover the truth of these people. You know how it works. If the government wants this land they could pressure the courts not to grant the appeal on an unproven theory,” Tim reasoned. He erred on the side of caution and Josie understood why. This was a long shot. A one and a million shot, but it was the only shot they had.

  She picked up the map and held it before her; arms stretched a yard wide to view the entire thing. “This isn’t the original map. Is it? The tribal council may have agreed to modify it but I’m sure they have the original copy for historical record.”

  Tim nodded as Josie put it together. “Could they purposefully be keeping silent on this?” Josie asked.

  “How else can you explain them not making a big noise over this? Why is Elu in this fight alone? It’s not my specialty, Josie, not this. I’ll have to call in help from our offices.”

  “Call in whomever you choose, I’ll pay,” she dismissed.

  “No.” he stopped her with a touch to her shoulder. His eyes cut over to the blond. “Give us a minute. She nodded and walked out. Then he moved in close, his voice lowered. “You can’t get involved. The media attention could work against him. We have a small window of opportunity here. If the government, who is still pissed at losing the case in the Sea Islands to you, finds out they’ll shut us down before we start. Plus your sister works for Crescent.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you? From this point on you are out of it. Do you hear me?” Tim started collecting his documents.

  “I have just one more suggestion,” she said. “Go public. After the emergency hearing tomorrow, you go public with Elu’s story and the Blackfoot community has to respond. Someone in those tribes should know about this land, what importance it has.”

  She walked over and hugged him.

  “Tim, if I was a free woman.”

  “And I was a straight man.”

  She smiled. “I’d give you one big wet sloppy kiss!”

  He kissed her cheek, “How’s that instead?”

  “Perfect,” she beamed.

  He winked and walked out.

  Doctor’s Office

  The hospital wasn’t far from Tim’s office. Josie decided against a cab and walked. She enjoyed the stroll under the sun with the light breeze blowing through the trees. When she arrived she immediately had to undergo a battery of tests. She now waited in the exam room alone. All of it appeared sterile and impersonal. Without Elu or her family, Josie suffered a cold sense of loneliness and secretly regretted keeping them at bay. The door opened and a tall handsome man with silver grey hair and a thick mustache entered.

  “Ms. Eastman? I’m Doctor Mathews.”

  “Hi doctor,” Josie said.

  “How are you feeling? I know today has been exhausting for you. Sorry we kept you so long.”

  “I’m okay. Ready to get this over with. Do you have my test results?”

  The doctor showed her the folder. He sat on the small stool to the left of her. He crossed his long legs. She waited in silence as he leafed through pages of lab results. “First I have some questions. How long was the amnesia?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “And during it did you suffer any other symptoms like nausea, impaired vision, headaches?”

  “No. Well, I had a headache but the pain went away. My vision cleared after a day. Then I slowly improved with no vomiting or physical issues.”

  The doctor frowned. “Interesting.”

  “What is it?” Josie asked.

  The doctor’s gaze lifted over the rim of his glasses. “Typically a head injury doesn’t cause the complete memory loss you suffered. Even if you are disoriented it never lasts longer than an hour or so.”

  “Are you saying I made it up?” Josie flinched.

  “No. No. I believe you suffered dissociative amnesia. It’s a form of shock or trauma. Think of it like a witness of a violent crime or personal tragedy, the brain can’t cope with what it’s seen or experienced and it shuts down. Wipes out personal memories until you can psychologically recover. I’m curious, right before the accident what was your state of mind?”

  The question confounded her. She’d left her life to gain perspective. She spent a day in her cabin and the night fantasizing about a man she saw take a swim in the lake. There was no trauma, unless you call going over the side of a cli
ff trauma. “I was fine, I was vacationing and trying to relax. I just wanted to escape the pressure in my life.”

  “I know who you are.” The doctor smiled. “A few of the nurses have your book. They want your autograph. It’s a lot of pressure for a young woman to manage. Stress can manifest itself in strange ways. The human condition of amnesia isn’t a perfect science.”

  “So it’s over. I’m okay.”

  “I think you need to step away from whatever is driving you right now and take a few days to completely recover. Time alone, reading a book or resting, would do you some good. Dial back on the stress and follow-up with your physician. But yes, you’re fine.”

  She smiled. “Thank you doctor. Thank you very much.”

  The Next Morning

  After a night of tossing and turning she was ready. The waiting was the worst of it. She spent the rest of her Sunday buried in law books studying everything she could. She blocked out Carlton’s pain, and Elu’s impatience, and focused on what she could change. Her mother and sister hadn’t called since they left. There was so much regret between them all now. She wasn’t sure how it would change for the better.

  And then it was time to go to court. She paced in the little hall in the Courthouse; unable to do anything to contribute, she waited and waited. Part of her wanted to reach out to Elu. Call him and tell her of their theories, share her fears. But the doctor’s sage advice weighed heavy on her. Carlton said she was acting differently because something may be physically changed or wrong with her. The doctor could not explain her amnesia. She never considered the fact that Carlton and her family could be right. Was she losing her mind? Were Elu and all the feelings she had for him real?