Walk A Different Path 🤍 Jaa/First

Chapter 6 ~ a pleasant afternoon ~

"how did you know where our house was?" Maskwa asked them.

"I always have his location" Chit replied smiling at Paitoon who rolled his eyes.

"so you own the ski lodge up the hill then?" Maskwa's father asked Kiri.

"yes sir, it's not giving you any problems is it?" Kiri asked.

"no, none at all, in fact a few of the village girls have jobs up there, they say you look after your employees very well"

"I try to, I understand that your people sell handmade items to tourists who pass through your village?" Kiri said.

"yes, the tourists seem to enjoy looking in the workshops and it brings a little extra money in" Maskwa's father replied.

"it's just a thought but your people could offer other things like overnight stays in a traditional indigenous tepee's and it wouldn't have to be in your village, it could be a few miles away, it would be financially beneficial for you guys and would also be a fun and interesting excursion for our guests if they get bored with skiing" Kiri said.

"maybe I could bring it up at the next tribal meeting" Maskwa's father said.

His people had always thought that the owner of the ski lodge would be full of his own self importance but meeting him here, he seemed very down to earth.

 "now might not be the best time to say it but I don't know when I'll get another opportunity ... I could used someone like you on my team Maskwa" Chit addressed the fall man.

 "what is it that you do?" Masks asked him.

 " K J Security, we're an elite security team who sometimes work with the police "

 "why me?" Masala asked him.

 "I hear you're a hunter and a tracker, the girls up at the hotel like to talk and I already saw that you're a proficient horseman too, please give it some thought" Chit said handing him a business card.

 "thank you for the offer, I'll consider it" Maskwa smiled.

"please do and if you want to know more give me a call ... we had better get going guys, it will be dark soon" Chit said.

"I had so much fun Sam and it was great to visit with you and meet your handsome modelling partner" Paitoon smiled making Sam blush.

"it was great meeting you too Paitoon" Maskwa replied.

"thank you for your hospitality" Paitoon said to Mr and Mrs Maskawisiw.

"you're welcome son" Maskwa's father said and his mother smiled then Paitoon went in for a hug which surprised them all.

Maskwa and Sam donned their boots and coats to escort their guests back to the helicopter where a few of the village kids had been looking at it and wanting to have a ride in it.

"maybe another time" Kiri said and Kan smiled at the kids noticing they had been playing ball, it made him miss Champ and the guys.

"definitely next time and I'll have a game of footy with you" Kan smiled at the kids.

"your voice sounds funny" one of the kids said.

"haha I'm from the south of England dude, we all sound funny there" Kan laughed.

Sam and Maskwa said their goodbyes and everyone climbed back onto the helicopter then Maskwa made the village kids stand well back as the blades began to rotate lifting the chopper into the sky.

The kids were high on adrenaline considering that nothing exciting ever happened in the village but more so because they had the promise of a ride on the helicopter next time.

Maskwa told them they should be heading home and he and Sam followed his own advice as they walked back to his house.

"it's been a good day" Sam smiled.

"it has, your friend seems like a nice person" Maskwa said.

"he is, he's been through a lot but he's all good now" Sam replied.

When they arrived back at the house, Sam excused himself to go and bathe and Maskwa took the opportunity to talk to his parents in the kitchen.

"okâwîmâw, nipâpâ / mother, father ... I'm sorry I've been difficult to live with these past few months, please forgive me ..." Maskwa looked in his fathers eyes.

"it's ok son, we understand what you have been going through, we're just sorry that we couldn't be more supportive for you" Maskwa's father replied.

Maskwa looked down at his feet before taking a deep breath,

"Pipon visited me last night" Maskwa said knowing that his parents would understand, spirituality and dreams often went hand in hand in their culture.

"did he give you a message?" Maskwa's mother asked him as she reached over to take his hand.

"he asked me to stop drinking and told me that he didn't move up to the cabin because of me and to live for the living and not the dead, he made me promise to be a good son and to stop torturing myself"

"oh my son ..." Maska's mother said, tears shining in her eyes.

"he also told me to take care of Sam and that he liked him" Maskwa added.

"so are you ok now then?" Maskwa's father asked him.

"I will be father, I know it now" Maskwa smiled.

"did he say what happened to him?" 

"he said he didn't take care of himself and got sick and he also told me to stop searching for his body and that it was being well taken care of, you both believe me right?" Maskwa asked them.

"of course we do son, the village elder knew that it wasn't really Pipon who visited the village several months ago, he looked like him but it wasn't him dear" Maskwa's mother said.

"I know, I saw his spirit back then as well but he didn't speak to me, he just smiled and nodded" Maskwa replied.

"Pipon was a good boy, I hope you heed his words well son, the most you can do for him now is to live well and be happy" Maskwa's father said as he patted the back of his hand.

"I intend to father, now I will go and wash up and if you need help with dinner mother, I'll be down in half an hour" Maskwa smiled before standing up and heading off upstairs.

"well, what do you think about everything nîwa, wife" Maskwa's father said

"I knew when I went into his room for his laundry and saw the lupine, it's the wrong season for them" Maskwa's mother replied.

"well everything happens for a reason even Sam coming to stay with us, he's a fine young man and I think he could make Maskwa happy, do you see how his eyes light up whenever Sam is around" his father said.

"another good thing is that Sam is not shy like Pipon was, there will be no misunderstandings because Sam will speak his mind" his mother added.

"haha I can see my son and I will both be heading up to the cabin when you and Sam begin nagging us" he laughed

"so that's how it is going to be?" she swatted his arm before getting up to begin their evening meal

Maskwa's father went outside into the yard to make sure the chickens were ok and to collect any eggs they had laid and while he was outside he leaned against the fence and looked up towards the darkening sky ... 

"thank you Pipon for visiting Maskwa and healing our family, be happy wherever you are son" he said as he mopped his eyes which his shirt cuff, things were going to be ok, he could feel it.

***

~ if you enjoyed this please vote ~

~ find Chit and Paitoon's story in Hidden Within ~

~ find Kiri and Kan's story in Kirikan's War ~