-----Chapter One-----The band and crew was floating in and out of various hotel rooms. Zion came out of the bathroom wearing a robe and a towel was wrapped around her head. She smiled at the woman sitting on a chair watching television. It was raining lightly and noise could be heard faintly from other rooms.
"Are you sure that you don't want something to eat?" Zion asked removing the towel. She opened a packet of hot chocolate, emptied it into a cup, and added hot water from the coffee pot. She took it over to the bed, propped up pillows, sat and sipped. The other woman continued to watch television. Zion cleared her throat and when the woman looked at her, Zion motioned for her to join her on the bed.
"I'm not going to have sex with you," the woman said sitting on the bed. Zion smiled and didn't look disappointed. The woman sat back against the pillows. Zion sipped her hot chocolate seemingly content to have the woman near her. After the chocolate was finished, Zion leaned a little so that her head rested on the woman's shoulder.
"Why did you invite me to your room?".
"You are beautiful and I wanted to spend a little time with you. There's another robe if you want to relax."
"For the third time -- I'm not going to have sex with you."
"Are you going to stay the whole night?"
"You're weird. Is this how you seduce women?"
"I'm not trying to seduce you. Woman I'm too tired. Damn. If I had the energy -- I'd try -- but not tonight."
"You want to sleep with me but you don't want to have sex with me?"
"Why are you here if you don't want to have sex with me?" Zion's head was still on the woman's shoulder. Zion lifted the left hand of her companion and gently kissed the inside of her wrist.
They had meet only a few hours before. Zion's band and crew had stopped at a gas-food stop where the woman and her brother were having trouble with their truck. A tire was flat and so was the spare. After overhearing that they didn't seem to have enough money to get another, Zion told her assistant to give them some money for a new tire. The woman came up to Zion who was sitting at an outdoor table with several men. The woman thanked Zion and then accepted the lunch invitation. The woman seemed unimpressed that Zion was a 'rock star' but would not give her name because she didn't want to see it later in a tabloid. The woman was also on tour -- with a summer carnival. She sold authentic American Indian jewelry, blankets, pottery and other artworks. Most of the merchandise sold well and local merchants sometimes made orders directly from the craft shop where the native woman lived. Zion had given her three passes to her show if they happened to be near on their travels. A few hours later, the woman along with her brother and another male companion had been permitted back stage at Zion's concert. It was at an indoor concert, rather small and intimate, which Zion really liked. It was getting closer to the end of her world tour and she wanted to wind down. It had been hectic after the show but Zion had made arrangements for the three to join her at the hotel. The woman's brother and a male friend were with the crew partying -- but not too hard because the band had two more weeks on the road -- before the tour would be over. They unwinded by playing cards (and sometimes women) and slept during the long bus rides.
"I would like to see you when I'm not on the road. When do you get time off?" Zion asked. Her head was now on the woman's chest, and she seemed content to listen to the womans heartbeat.
"You have all those people screaming your name and reaching for you and you want to see me again? The one woman who will not have sex with you must seem like a challenge," the woman said as she messed with Zion's ear. It had been a while since she had wanted sex and it was difficult not to roll Zion over, kiss her and let things go from there. But she had taken a vow to stay celibate for a year and she had five months to go. Up until now -- except for not sharing intimacy -- it wasn't that bad going sexless. Traveling around gave her many opportunities to meet people and she had been asked out on several occasions -- but nobody had heated her blood -- until this woman who did it simply by looking in her eyes. Double damn!!
"I'm listening to your heartbeat so I know that I'm having an affect on you. We met -- we like each other -- and you are here. I would very much like to have sex with you -- but I don't have enough energy to do it properly. Before I became a 'rock star' it wasn't hard to get sex and I had to learn not to indulge with just anybody. I'm not a kid anymore. I no longer give myself to just any woman who shows interest. And if you're playing hard to get -- then play on -- and maybe we'll eventually make a physical connection. How am I going to find you later if you don't give me some information?" Zion finished by kissing the middle of the woman's chest. Just one kiss and she went back to listening to the heartbeat. The raven-haired woman then told her about being celibate.
"Wow, you must have been getting a lot if you needed to take a break. Now don't get mad. I don't see a ring on your finger. Sex is fun if you don't have hang-ups about it."
"I just want to get my head and body settled so that maybe I can settle down. I had a bad breakup three years ago and haven't been serious about anyone since that time. I want more than casual sex. Yes -- I'm attracted to you but ..."
"Maybe you're waiting for me," said Zion looking up.
"I'm not waiting for anybody," the woman said. She deeply inhaled --slowly exhaled -- shook her head and tenderly kissed Zion. It was a closed lips kiss that wasn't rushed. She left the bed and went into the bathroom. She washed her panties and hung the undergarment to dry over the tub. When she returned to the room wearing the robe, Zion lifted the top sheet but the woman, who had taken loose her pony-tail, laid on top of it. They fell asleep feeling the intimacy. The woman had never felt this comfortable with anyone -- even someone she had done more with than kiss. Zion also had not experienced this in a while.
The next morning, they awoke to Zion's road manager knocking on the door. The woman's brother was with him. After the women dressed, they had breakfast together. Zion gave the three guest a walk-thru of the bus she rode on. When they were outside again, and saying good-bye near the truck, Zion's manager was trying to rush her back on the bus so that they could leave. Earlier, Zion had given the woman a cell phone so that they could talk everyday. The manager took Zion by the arm and lead her toward the bus. Zion took one step up -- stopped -- moved the manager from her path and returned to the siblings. Their friend was already on the back of the truck.
"Come with me. I know it sounds weird -- but I have this feeling that I'll never see you again -- and I very much want to get to know you. Come with me -- please," Zion said breathlessly. Before the woman could reply, Zion not caring who was watching, gently kissed the woman. Then they were holding each other.
"My name is Sky. This is TwoSpears. I can't come with you. But we will talk and maybe we can meet after your tour ends."
"Come with me -- both of you -- and I'll pay you double what you'd make with the carnival. Don't look at me like that 'cause I'm not trying to buy you. I want you with me -- simple -- I want to ..."
"Zion -- Zion, I know -- I feel you too. But I can't -- we can't come with you. We have other people that depend on us. We'll have to get to know each other by phone until we can meet again. You'd better go -- that guy might have you carried on the bus," Sky said giving Zion a quick hug as the manager once again took Zion by the arm and pulled her toward the bus. This time he left no room for her to step down from the bus unless she knocked him over. As Zion walked toward the back of the bus, her band made a few breezy comments but the look on Zion's face shut them up.
"What were you thinking. You had that woman in your room all night. And you kissed her in front of everybody" the manager said. "You know ..."
"Who the heck do you think you are talking to Dennis? You are my road manager -- not my daddy. And even if you were my daddy you still don't get to say any of that crap to me. And don't you ever -- ever -- pull me away like that again. I talk to who I want to -- and it's none of your business."
"There are already rumors floating around about you. The tabloids are hinting at your sexuality. Any one of the roadie's could have taken pictures of you kissing in the parking lot. And what if someone sold the information that you had a woman in your room all night. You've never done that before. You have to be careful. This tour is almost over -- but then it'll be time to go back into the studio to make your next album. Your fans..."
"My fans like my music. I give them good music and I give them all I got when I'm on stage. That's what they pay for. That doesn't give them control over my private life. If they don't buy my records or come to my shows because of who I may have in my bed -- then they are not real fans. What I sing about is what I live and see. And it's not a whole lot different than what they go through. I'm not a saint -- I'm a woman and I will not stand for you -- the record company or anyone else telling me how to conduct my life."
--------Chapter 2---------
Zion and Sky talked to each other by phone when they got good reception. Zion could barely wait for the tour to be over. It was lonely being on the road -- even with thousands of fans 'calling her name and reaching for her'. She wanted to see Sky. She wanted to hold and inhale Sky. She could hardly believe it herself that one woman could have this affect on her. She had met a lot of women and it jarred her senses that one in particular could stir her so much. Just hearing the woman's voice over the phone made her anxious. She had asked herself what was so special about this one. Yes -- Sky was physically beautiful -- but she had met many beautiful women -- some she had even sexed. She had laid in this ones arms and slept. And it was enough. Well not enough -- but enough for now.
Zion ignored her road manager, did the shows and waited to talk to Sky. They had talked and talked and could feel each other over the miles separating them. Zion was happy. Sky had finally agreed on a day and place to meet. When that day came and went, Zion was heart broken. Sky did not show up.
After nearly a year on the road, Zion and her band and crew were tired. It had been a successful tour and they had made more money and Zion's album sales continued to increase. But Zion wasn't happy. She had written songs during the tour and had a collection of material from years of writing. So she had more than enough material for a new album. Each passing year, she became more and more popular. She was written up in celeb mags. The record company still wanted her to record songs written by studio songwriters. Zion wanted to record her own music. The record company felt that her songs were too heavy. It wasn't Pop enough. Even though the last album sold over three million copies and the tour was sucessful -- the record company still felt that if Zion changed her image --she could sell even more records. Zion let them glamour her up for videos but the music she would not let them tamper with at all. She ignored the critics who tried to describe her sound by comparing her to other artist. For the past five years, each album and tour had been increasingly successful. But it left her with very little time for a personal life.
-------Zion Makes the Big Time-----
During a televised concert to raise money for charity, various recording artist performed two songs. It was an indoor concert and the place was filled to capacity. When it came time for the group "Exception", to perform there was a problem -- the lead female singer didn't show up. It had been rumored that she might not appear because she and the band were not getting along. Their last album hit #1. The band was surprised when a blond female came on stage. They were told to start playing and the female began to sing. The crowd didn't seem to care that the lead singer had been replaced. The band wanted off the stage and did not want to do their second big hit. The guitar player started playing. He walked back to the piano player and motioned with his head for her to come forward. She had been hired as a stage musician to do fill-in between the main artists performances.
The twenty-six year old female piano player was a studio musician that the guitar player had a past with -- so he knew how good she was even if the record execs did not think she was star quality. The song he was playing was one that she had written and one that they had performed together many times while they roamed the country playing bars. He had blue-eyes and blond hair that he now wore shorter. They had met at a bar, played together, traveled together and became friends. Along the way they had formed a bond that lasted until the record company decided that the blond blue-eyed female backup singer would look better with the blond blue-eyed guitar player.
It didn't matter that Zion was the better performer. She didn't fit the image that the studio wanted the band to have -- her band -- that consisted of a sax player and drummer. They had met on the road, living and playing together until they fell apart when the studio wanted them but not her. She walked away disappointed but not angry because it was a business and the guys had a chance at success. She was a bit pissed when the blond never invited her to his parties. Before his monetary success, he breathed her, then suddenly he couldn't return a phone call. She never asked for anything -- except to see him. He claimed to never have the time. She knew it was partly the record company that didn't want him to be associated with her. He was now apart of the image machine and she didn't fit that image. As a studio musician she was never asked to sit in on recording sessions with Exception -- however, they did record one of her songs -- their second big hit was one of hers.
Wearing a black sweat suit, sneakers and a cap, she reluctantly went up to the center stage microphone. She only went because it was a charity event. The crowd couldn't tell if she was male or female because she also wore a loose-fitting top shirt. The TV director was not pleased -- and neither were the record execs who were mostly putting on this event to showcase their artist. The blond reached her a guitar and only said her name, Zion. Zion and the blond played off of each other -- and the crowd could feel the tension between them. At the end of the song, Zion was taking off the guitar when the blond started playing another tune and Zion rolled her eyes at him. The cameraman was told to keep rolling. The song was about somebody with blue eyes who had hurt someone who loved him. The looks that passed between Zion and the blond was electric. She looked him up and down, looked away and sang with pain and regret. The crowd was entralled.
The next song was a country one and when a sax sounded, Zion's head turned just slightly and she wasn't thrown when a small man slid across the stage playing a saxophone. When he stood, the top of his head barely reached her breast. As they played and Zion sang about a boy and girl, Zion standing behind the sax player, lifted her guitar with her right hand and moved her hips slightly. It wasn't very overt but it was hot -- and the crowd loved it. The crowd wanted more -- for they felt they were witnessing something special. The blond started playing and Zion stood with her eyes closed and then the drums joined in -- and without looking she knew who was drumming. Her ex-drummer who had been replaced, but kept as a backup drummer for Exception. She stepped to the mike and started to sing and the crowd was listening to the words and feeling the music. When Zion turned her back as if singing to the drummer -- the words meant so much more. Zion was singing about one day they would meet again. This time when the blond went near Zion -- she didn't walk off from him. These four musicians playing together was spectacular -- and the crowd showed their appreciation with applause and a few tried to climb the stage. Exception was to be the closing act, but the crowd didn't miss the female blonde at all.
After that electrifying performance there was a buzz and Zion was offered a record deal to capitalize on her momentary popularity. The charity event had raised a lot of money and people wanted to know who the singer was and if she had a record out. The video sales of the event was three times more than projected. It had been a very sucessful gimmick. Zion had been around the business long enough to know about contracts and royalties and bad deals. The songs that she had performed at the event made her some money -- got her recognized -- and started her amazing career.
The more she got written about -- the more people wanted to know about her personal life. She had no problem at all with who she was -- but the record company and her managers tried to keep her private life secret. But of course, there is no such thing as secret. There were rumors but Zion only cared about the music. And since she wasn't really attached to anyone, it was difficult for tabloids to come right out and name somebody or 'catch' her with somebody. It added to Zion's mystique -- her flirting with men and women when on stage. And there was chemistry between her and the band. Which eventually included a female on key-boards and a Black bass player that she knew from high school.
Even though Hudson (the blond) had basically presented Zion at the charity concert -- it was without question -- Zion's band. Everything connected with her had to have her sayso before being released. In the studio, she listened to everyone -- welcomed their input -- but if she didn't agree -- she got the last word. The band followed her lead without question and backed her well because they were more sucessful with her than without her. They were all good musicians but when playing with her, they were free to explore what was inside each of them without criticism.
Ralph, the drummer, had been kept as a studio player and back-up drummer on Exceptions tours. Samson, the sax player had traveled over a year with Zion and Hudson. Some gigs had lasted weeks at one place before Zion grew restless. When she wanted to leave they followed. They met Rachel, the female blond singer, at a club that had karaoke contest once a month. Rachel won, and was to be a back up singer for Zion's band. When Zion, Hudson, Samson and Ralph left town, Rachel went with them. They were together three months when they opened for a popular country band at a fair. Zion and her band performed well and they were offered a chance to record on a compilation album.
However, when the execs saw the two blondes together they decided to promote them. Zion was out. Samson played sax and was to be in the background. He was also blond and his sax went well with the softer music Hudson and Rachel were doing. He didn't want to leave Zion, but she told him to take the chance at something more. Hudson and Rachel had no qualms about moving forward without Zion. It didn't matter so much about Rachel, but Zion was hurt by Hudson's attitude toward her once he signed with the record company. Even if he had no sayso over who the musicians were on his records, the suits should not have been able to control who he hung out with socially.
Hudson had figured that his recording career was over when Rachel decided she was going solo. He was a terrific guitar player but not a lead singer. His voice complimented Rachel and Zion when he sang backup. But there were a lot of good guitar players. When she didn't show for their last official performance at the charity concert -- he seized the chance to try to make up with Zion. He knew he had treated her badly. But the record company wrote the checks and didn't want him associated with Zion who had talent but didn't fit the 'image' and truth be told -- they knew Zion could influence Hudson if they hung around together. Hudson knew it to, that's why he wouldn't even talk to her on the phone. If he could have made good money playing with Zion then he would have gladly been with her. Instead, he made money doing fluff teen music. And he also knew that Zion understood and wished for him the best even though he had treated her badly.
The chemistry between them was undeniable and if Zion had wanted him in her bed, he would have been her lover. They had shared a bed more than once but he was remembering when he and Zion had almost shared a woman. That was a close as he had come to actually having sex with her. Then he thought about when they were on stage -- and how sometimes it was like having sex with her with hundreds of people watching them. It was magical then. They could touch without physically touching. Zion was his best friend. He knew he would let nothing interfer with their friendship ever again. He also knew that Zion had finally fallen deep.
------Chapter 3: The Letter-----
"Hello Zion. It's good to see you. How are you doing?" asked a young woman from behind a desk when Zion entered the office. Zion and her ex-manager Dickson had not been in contact since her trial. She arrived at the office unexpected and found that Dickson was not there.
"Tell Dickson that I stopped by on my way out of town. I'm going to Virginia and I'm not going to do any shows. You take care Mindy", Zion said shaking the woman's hand. The secretary held Zion's hand longer than what was necessary.
" I'm so sorry about what happened to you Zion. I never believed what they accused you of. Will you come into Dickson's office? I have something to tell you and I don't want anyone to overhear me. Please don't tell anyone that I gave you this information. I -- I don't want to lose my job but I don't like what he did ---"
"What are you talking about Mindy? What did he do?" Zion looked puzzled. She wasn't sure that she really wanted to know. Her business relationship with Dickson was over. She never intended to record or publicly perform again -- so she didn't need a business manager. She had simply stopped by to say good-bye.
Since her release -- Zion had seen only her ex-band mates and a handful of close friends. She personally met with them to say thank you and good-bye. If they wanted to see her, they would have to go to Virginia. Very few people were allowed into her inner circle. Some female celebrities had distanced themselves from her when it became really known that she was a lesbian. Most in her circle were non-celebs. She had chosen her friends well -- for they didn't turn against her for being Gay or when she was accused of a crime and sent to prison. Right now Zion needed to distance herself from the life she no longer wanted to be a part of.
"About two years ago -- before you got into -- trouble -- an envelope came to the office with your name on it. Dickson put it in his safe. So many times I wanted to tell you -- but I ..."
"What kind of envelope? Who was it from?
"It was just a plane white letter envelope. When I sorted the mail I saw it. A couple of weeks later -- I saw it in his safe. You had been to the office several times after it had arrived. When I reminded Dickson that he had not given you your mail -- he told me that you had seen it and that he was keeping it for you. About four months ago, I saw that the envelope had never been opened. I started to write you about it -- but I told myself to mind my own business. It might be from a fan because the envelope had been handwritten. I was curious about what it is -- since he didn't treat it like it was a fan letter."
"Can you open the safe?"
"I have the combination to the safe -- but after I reminded him about the letter, he moved it to a locked box that's kept inside the safe. Please don't tell him that I told you about it. I want to keep this job."
"When is he due back in the office?"
"He's not expected back until after four this afternoon. He's going to know it was me that told you about the letter."
"I was leaving today, but I'll come back later. If he doesn't give it to me -- I'll mention that someone sent me a letter -- do you remember who it's from?"
"For the return address it simply had the word 'TwoSpears'."
A stone look came over Zion's normally pleasant features, that had changed a lot over the past seven months. Her eyes appeared to become darker and her jaw was tight. She told Mindy to not tell Dickson that she had been by. She was coming back later, and assured the woman that she wouldn't let on that she was the one who told her about the letter. Zion would say that someone told her that he had written her a letter addressed to the office. And that she had never replied. Zion would make this comment in Mindy's presence so that Dickson could not deny receiving it.
-----------Dickson------------
Zion arrived at the office at 3:30pm and waited. Dickson greeted her warmly when he came in an hour later. They talked about a few things including him trying to get Zion to record a new album and do some talk shows. She was a hot celeb that could do the talk circuit. Zion declined. She had refused to give any media interviews. When Zion asked about the letter, as she planned, he couldn't lie about it with Mindy standing right there. He apologized and claimed that he had forgotten about it. He opened the safe and took a box from it. Under several other envelopes, he withdrew the envelope from TwoSpears addressed to Zion. She opened it and read silently:
"Zion, Sky was injured in a auto wreck. That is why she did not meet you. I have broken my promise to her that I would not let you know what had happened. She is in serious condition but the doctors say she will recover. I called your cell number and also left a messages at your manager's office but you did not return my calls. Perhaps you don't really care for my sister. When she gets out of the hospital we will be going home. This is her home address if you care to visit or write to her.
Zion was angry, sad, scared and relieved all at the same time. The eyes she turned on Dickson made him take a step back.
"You had no right to keep this from me. I'm sure someone told you that Sky stayed overnight with me. And you know that I don't make public displays with women and certainly not while touring. And we had been planning on meeting later. So this One was extra special. No don't say anything. And back up some more or I just might slap the shit out of you. Sky was in a car wreck. You didn't give me the phone messages or this letter. Why does everyone want to interfer and screw around with my life? Gawd dammit!!! You know what I was going through because Sky didn't meet me. You were one of the few people that I trusted Dickson."
-----Chapter 4: Sky------
Zion went to South Dakota. So many things were running through her head, that she had a headache and no medication would ease it. She was angry, scared and grew more and more anxious the closer she got to her destination. Driving an airport rent-a-car she went to a hotel, received directions and now she was almost at her journeys end. And she hoped it would also be the beginning of a new start for her. The town consisted of houses, a few shops, and a school. When she stopped at a gas station for gas and hopefully assistance in locating who she was trying to find, she was perspiring from the heat generated by the blinding sun. She was drinking a soda by the outdoor ice box while her car was being serviced.
"Hey, don't do that" Zion said to two Indian teenage males when they purposely smashed a basket of eggs carried by a younger looking boy. Several people had started to gather because the older boys were pushing the younger boy back and forth between them. Zion had grabbed the arm of the younger boy and was trying to shield him. Other kids had also started to gather and someone recognized her. She took the boy into the gas station, bought him a soda and waited for the others to leave. They had not been permitted to enter the store. She learned that the boy sold his eggs to the restaurant down the street. She gave him some money, more than what he would have gotten for the eggs, and then heard a police siren. A police car pulled up outside the door and the small group parted to let the uniformed officer enter the station.
"I got a call of a disturbance here. Now I see why" the officer said because he recognized Zion. He wasn't really a fan, but he knew her music. As a matter of fact, it had been playing a lot lately on the radio. Zion explained about the eggs, and that someone had recognized her. She said she wanted to leave and would appreciate if he would clear a way to her vehicle. He went out and told the on-lookers to move to his left and stay there. He motioned for the rock star to come out and walked with her to the car. She had already paid for the gas. After he asked where she was heading, he knew exactly who she was looking for and offered to lead her there. Another three miles and he pulled off the main road, onto a dirt trail. After another mile, they entered what appeared to be a neighborhood with scattered mobile homes and a few houses. There was no pavement anywhere here. No electric poles either. They stopped at a mobile home that looked like it would tumble over if a breeze hit it.
"TwoSpears is probably in the fields with everyone else. Come on, we can leave the vehicles here. It's not far" the officer told Zion. She followed him and soon they were looking at a dismal corn crop. They saw several people working. The officer called to the nearest person, inquired where to find TwoSpears. The word was passed through the field and before too long, Zion saw TwoSpears coming towards her. His shirt was around his waist and a blue bandana was around his neck. His muscular torso was a deep brown tanned by the sun. He stopped for a drink of water from an orange water cooler. He didn't look pleased to see her. She walked over to him.
"I only got your letter three days ago. I ... How is she?" Zion asked nervously.
"Okay. But I don't think she wants to see you" TwoSpears told her. His eyes were locked on hers. She put a hand on his shoulder and said she wanted to see his sister. Only when she told him that she had not been told about him calling or about the letter until recently, did his eyes soften, but only a little. Her throat was dry so she asked could she have a drink of water. He only gave her half a cup explaining that water was in short supply. The officer asked if she needed him to stay to escort her back to town. She thanked him and said she could find her way back. As he walked away, her attention was once again focused on the brother of the woman she was seeking.
"TwoSpears, I've come a long way. Will you tell her what I've already told you and also tell her that I just want to see for myself that she's all right." As he was still thinking about it, he saw Zion's eyes shift from his and then light up. He knew that before too long, it would spread through the fields about the visitor and that his sister would know who it was from the description. He kept his eyes on the visitor when his sister stood beside him. It was close to lunch break which meant the workers would be coming for food and water soon. He moved toward the back of the old truck where the big orange water cooler was kept. He watched the two women who looked at each other in silence.
"Sky, I'm sorry that I'm just showing up, but I learned only three days ago about your accident. My business ... ex-business associates purposely did not let me know what happpened. I would have ..." Zion was explaining and suddenly Sky turned her head to her brother. He only shrugged his shoulders and began to pass out water. The workers got their cup of water and sat on the ground near the truck and began to open paper bags.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" Zion asked and received a head shake in reply. She took a deep breath and forced herself to stay at least two arms lengths away from the woman she had come so far to see. "If I had known, I would have come to you right then. I didn't..."
"If doesn't matter that you didn't know or that you didn't come then. I didn't want to see you. I didn't want you there. I don't really want you here now, but now that you are, it is impolite for me not to at least say hello to you."
"Sky, I didn't do what they accused me of. I was cleared, she finally..."
"I know. We do occasionally get the news out here."
"It's been almost three years since we last saw each other. Sky, will you have dinner with me tonight?"
"Why?"
"Why?" Zion said not understanding why Sky was being so standoffish. There was something missing in the dark eyes that stared into hers. She wanted to kiss the woman and shake her all at the same time. One or the other should get more of a reaction out of her. Zion couldn't take those almost blank eyes looking into hers, so she glanced toward TwoSpears and saw him talking to a boy in his teens. She ignored the people who ate and pretended not to be watching and listening to them.
"You'll be eating dinner tonight right. Please have dinner with me" Zion said. Even though she was giving the stone woman most of her attention, she was aware of her surroundings. The boy talking with TwoSpears looked hostile and she wondered why. "Am I embarrassing you by being here?"
"No. I'm glad that the girl told the truth and that you are well. As far as having dinner, we don't stop working in the field until seven and I will be too tired, too sweaty and dirty to even think about going out to dinner. And I have little to offer you and don't feel like preparing anything anyway."
"Umm, Sky, who is that boy that looks like he wants to throw rocks at my head?" Zion asked.
"That's my son, RainCloud" said the distant woman without turning her head to see who she was talking about. "He use to like your music until his uncle told him I spent a night in your room."
"Why would he even tell him that? Did you tell him that nothing happened?"
"Is that the way you remember it -- that nothing happened?"
"Well as I recall, we talked, watched tv and went to sleep. And um, oh yeah, I began to fall in love with you" Zion said and watched the dark eyes brighten for a second and then darken again. "Sky, please."
"I'm sorry Zion that you came all this way for nothing. I have nothing to ..."
"It wasn't for nothing. I wanted to see you. And now that I'm here, I want to hold you. We had a date remember, that you didn't keep. That was then this is now. Have dinner with me." Receiving no reply, she asked Sky if she was involved with someone else.
Sky didn't reply with words. She simply turned so that her back was too Zion. She moved the hair to her left to reveal a ghastly burn scar on the right side of her neck. The only sound was when Zion said her name softly. She turned to face the visitor again.
"It goes halfway down my back" Sky told her quietly with no emotion. She did see emotion in Zions eyes and body as the woman tried not to cry. When Zion again softly said her name and took a step toward her, Sky took a step back. It's not only my back", continued Sky. Pulling the neckline of her top downward, she watched a tear fall from Zion's right eye. Then she pulled the top upward to show that the right side of her torso had also been burned. Again when Zion took a step forward, she took a step back. "What remained of my right breast was removed. I also had a broken bone in my right arm, but that has healed. The rest will never fully heal."
"Are you in pain Zion?"
"Not pain exactly, but on occasion, I can feel my skin burning like its on fire again."
"Sky, baby, can I hold you right now?" Zion asked as the tears began to flow.
"That wouldn't be good for either of us. I only have a few minutes left on my break before I have to get back to work" Sky said turning and walking away. Barely loud enough to be heard, she said "Goodbye". (c)Salty2008
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