Sullivan had gone from awful to beyond awful. Finally, one day it happened.He told her to be quiet when she was sitting quietly at her desk. She'd loo...ed up at him, her eyes burning with contempt and hate. He'd ordered her to the office, and when she refused, tried to drag her to the door. He'd pushed her and she'd staggered. Without thinking, she applied some of that certitude her father had recommended: she punched him in his ample stomach.Two days later her stepfather knocked on her bedroom. When I did it was much the same.Occasionally these two would join the commuter 5pm bus I took home, it was less packed but still busy. If I had a chance I would try to get close to them in the hope of seeing or hearing some more.I also noticed that occasionally the younger guy would stay on the bus after I had left it and not get off at his normal stop.One night I took the later bus home, this was fairly empty but as I went upstairs I saw both of them sat down. I walked pass them and sat behind. I know Black Eagle and his spirit are important to you."They drove down to Black Eagle's village and Brooke was introduced to Chief Stinson and Louise. Louise got their baby.Louise handed him to Brooke. Howie nodded and he and Stinson clasped hands.Howie said something in Kiowa. Brooke said, "I didn't understand." We are the equivalent of his godparents," Howie said.Stinson said, "I think your medicine is very strong again."Howie said, "I hope so Chief. Brooke, you have to give the child. The rain, having out stayed its welcome, moved off to the east. The air was scrubbed clean and smelled green. Grass, trees, and flowers had soaked up the rain and now they soaked up the bright clear sunlight and melded them into greens and yellows, oranges and purples. It had been the worst possible day to be sitting in a doctor’s office, especially to discuss the odds of one’s survival. Greg had worn the lost and totally exhausted look of most of her patients. They weren’t technically her.