Working out in the maize field was back breaking, but none of the women complained. The daughters worked alongside their mothers, as they had done for years. The littlest girls spent time learning how to perform their future chores and were then allowed to run off and play with the old women.
The men had gone hunting to bring fresh food back to the village. Plenty of dried bison meat was brought back from the celebration, but would be a staple if no other food was found that day. The young men were sitting next to the river hoping to catch fresh trout for the spits over the fires.
Angie’s hands were beginning to blister, but she refused to say anything. At the end of the day, Angie walked down to the river and let the cold water wash away the dirt and blood from her blisters. Her friends were alongside her and talking about the new puppies that were just born the night before, wondering how the mother dog was able to walk so far being heavy laden with her unborn pups.
“I wish I could have a dog,” Angie said to no one in particular, “but Halona will not let me. She does not like dogs.”
“A dog would be good for her,” Kimana said, “She needs something to love.”
Suddenly, Kimana realized how the words must have hurt Angie. She quickly added, “I did not mean that she does not have you. She has you to love.”
“She does not love me,” Angie said sadly, “and I am afraid she never will.”
“It is good that we love you,” Chocheta said and the girls hugged each other in one large embrace.
These girls had become Angie’s family and she thanked God for them.