Mitena felt something tugging at her foot and sat full upright reaching for her snake beating stick and found none. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and saw her mother sitting at the end of the bed. It had taken her a week to get used to the red hair and youthful appearance. Enid was already dressed for school.

“No snakes in the house kiddo. Time to wake up. First day of school.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You’ve been here a week and you already sound like a twenty-first century kid. Give it another week and you’ll never put your phone or tablet down.”

“They’ll think I’m weird. And they’ve been going for years.”

“Nonsense. First off, Everyone thinks they’re weird. Second, You wrote the assessment last Wednesday and it says you are ready for Grade six. Mitena, you’ll be fine. No one here knows your real history. It is a fresh start.”

“Why can’t you just shape change younger and come to school with me?”

“Because I have high school.”

“But you are old you don’t need to go to it.”

“Maria is going back today; I need to make sure she is safe.”

“Mother, I can’t even tell them who I am.”

Enid pushed her curly red hair behind her ears. And took Mitena’s hands with her own.

“You got this. It will be easy. Where did you come from? You came from Utah. Why did you move here? Because my mother lives here. What tribe are you? Cree. See? No lies, all the truth, just not the whole truth.”

“What year was I born?”

“Well let’s see we said your birthday was November 1st, so that would be 2016. You’re eleven years old. If they start talking about stuff you don’t know, just say they didn’t have it on your reservation. Simple as that. Again, the truth, but not the whole truth.”

“But I’m not Cree mom. I’m not anything recognized, my tribe is lost.”

“Well, I have here in my pack, one passport, one set of legal adoption papers, a birth certificate and an authentic status card provided by an angel on the orders of God. I would say that trumps any laws of man. He doesn’t lie so I’m assuming that the research I did indicating that some of the tribes in Canada migrated south was giving me correct answers. Which is why I understood your language at all. I’m more familiar with western Cree then I am with Navajo. Your language was closer to Cree then Navajo. See? Your tribe came from here, they just moved south. It is why there was a mix of beliefs.”

Enid cupped Mitena’s cheeks and kissed her forehead. Mitena shrugged and nodded.

“How do you know so many languages mother?”

“I picked them up over the years.”

“Is it because you’re an angel?”

Enid laughed.

“What?”

“Ezekiel told me angels can understand all languages.”

“I’m no angel. Trust me. Now its time to get ready for school.”

“Do you want help picking your outfit? What you wear on your first day makes a statement.”

Mitena shrugged.

“So, you want to go comfy, stylish, like mom, or wear that shirt you got from the Navajo Tribal police that you wouldn’t take off last week?”

“I don’t like pants they are too tight.”

“Skirt or dress it is. You need leggings though, the cold her can make where you grew up look downright tropical.”

“I don’t mind leggings, but the pants…jeans pinch.”

“I totally get that; How often do you see me wearing jeans?”

“Never. Can I wear that shirt?”

“Yes, you can.”

Enid ruffled her hair. Enid stood up and pulled out the aforementioned t-shirt, a skirt, underclothes and pair of dark leggings.

“Get dressed quick, brush your hair out and come down for breakfast. Your sister made pancakes and bacon.”

“Is that what smells so good?”

“Yes. She used to be a chef. Wanna know a secret?”

Mitena nodded. Enid leaned close and whispered.

“I purposely make my food bad, so she’ll cook.”

Mitena giggled. Enid put her finger to her lips.

“See you at breakfast.”

Enid hugged Mitena and left her to own devices to get ready. She joined the family for breakfast shortly afterwards. She was still shy around Maria, but Eyre and she had become fast friends. Eyre put some chocolate chip pancakes down for Mitena. Enid gasped.

“She gets chocolate chips?”

“I like her better.”

Eyre shrugged and winked at Mitena.

“I object to this favoritism!”

“You can object all you want; You want chocolate chip pancakes you can make them yourself.”

Eyre stuck her tongue at Enid who returned the gesture. Mitena giggled at the pair. Eyre put chocolate chip pancakes down for Maria as well.

“Her too?”

“I like her better too.”

“This is outrageous, I want a manager.”

“I am the manager and I say: No chocolate chips for you.”

Enid smiled at Eyre. In truth Enid hated chocolate chips in pancakes. She never thought they tasted right, and the texture variance bothered her. Mitena and Maria didn’t know that. After a quick breakfast Enid hopped off her stool and put her pack in her school bag and tugged her coat on before putting the back pack over her shoulder.

“Come on Mitena, I’ll drive you to school.”

Enid picked up Mitena’s already prepared school bag and offered it to her. Mitena pulled on her coat, gloves and hat.

“Why do I have to put on all of this, and you don’t?”

“Because I’m a spirit and you aren’t. Car’s already unlocked, go hop in.”

Enid looked at Maria.

“Coming sis?”

Maria shook her head.

“Eyre is giving me a ride today. I have some things to get ready before we leave.”

Enid shrugged and went to the car where Mitena was already waiting. Maria and Eyre watched her pull out of the driveway.

*****

Enid parked her car by Mitena’s public school. Mitena, even at eleven clutched onto her hand like her life depended on having it. The pair made their way into the school and to the office. If Enid understood how kids acted in the twenty-first century she probably would have sent Mitena in on her own, but she didn’t, and she wanted to make sure Mitena got to class. Enid spoke to the school secretary.

“Hi, this is Mitena Aurelius. She is new.”

Mitena gave a shy wave.

“Oh yes, we’ve are expecting you.”

The secretary looked up at Enid.

“Is she your sister?”

“Yes. Is everything ready to go? I’m losing feeling in my hand.”

The secretary smiled at Mitena.

“We’ll get her to class. Just have a seat over there Mitena.”

The secretary motioned to a chair. Mitena tugged Enid along still clutching onto her hand. Enid was forced to sit beside her to avoid prying Mitena’s fingers off her hand. Enid leaned down speaking in Mitena’s native language.

“You’re safe here. I wouldn’t leave you here if I didn’t think you were going to be okay, how many of these kids do you think hunted bears?”

Mitena smiled.

“Now may I have my hand back? I need to get to school.”

Mitena reluctantly let go of Enid’s hand. Enid wrapped her arm around Mitena’s shoulders and tugged her close kissing her forehead. Mitena looked up at Enid as her mother was about to stand up.

“Why am I here and not a Catholic School like you and Aunt Maria?”

“Because, I want you to form your own opinion on what you believe in. I have guided you with your tribe’s beliefs up until now, but from now on its up to you to decide if you believe in spirits, God, or nothing except human ingenuity. I’m here to answer any questions you have, but you don’t need to be religious to be a good person. Do you understand?”

Mitena nodded.

“I believe in God. He sent me home with you. He made it so I would understand the world you live in, and he made my body better.”

Enid smiled and ruffled her hair.

“This is a deep discussion, and not one to have when I’m already running late for school.”

Enid tapped Mitena’s nose.

“Eyre will pick you up after school since I have practice. Be good for your sister. Don’t forget we have dinner with my friend afterwards.”

“I will mother.”

Enid hugged her one last time and stood up and waved to her before heading to her own school.

*****

Mitena had insisted on dressing up for dinner. She was an insightful child and realized when Enid had said friend, she meant girlfriend. She smiled when she saw the platinum blonde-haired mother she knew better then the young red-haired one. Enid had gone out of her way to get dressed up as well. She looked at Mitena in the girl’s expensive black dress and quirked an eyebrow.

“And where did you get that dress?”

Mitena blushed.

“While you were at school last week Eyre took me shopping.”

“She did, did she? Tell me were there any clothes in your size left when you left the stores?”

Mitena adjusted her hair behind her ears like she’d seen her mother do so many times before.

“Not many, mother.”

“I should have known she’d spoil you. She’s always wanted a sister. Come on, I don’t want to be late. Allison and I have had a weird week.”

“Mother, do you like…”

The girl trailed off. Enid glanced down at Mitena.

“Going to finish that question?”

“Well, its not the same here as it was in the tribe, I know that. But why are with a woman?”

Enid nodded.

“She makes me a better person. We enjoy each other’s company in bed and not. Its not that I don’t like men. I’m just less picky about gender then most people.”

“Are you a lesbian?”

“Where did you learn that word?”

“The internet. I was trying to look up why women are with women.”

“Well, no, if we’re going by those definitions, I’m technically bi-sexual. If a man had asked me out first and made me feel the same way as Allison does, I would be seeing him instead.”

“Oh. Lots of men in the village were interested in you, even with you having me as a daughter.”

“Were they? I never noticed.”

“Yes, you did. You avoided them.”

“When did you get so smart?”

“I picked a good mother.”

Enid hugged Mitena close.

“The world is a different place. You can love who you want, do what you want to with whatever gender, or whomever you want, as long as no one gets hurt.”

Mitena nodded.

“Are you nervous about meeting her?”

“I am. Why do you hide your true face from her?”

“That is very complicated. But to boil it down, my real face is known to my enemy, so I need to limit who knows my true face and this one, belong to the same person.”

“But if you love her, you should trust her.”

“Its not that simple.”

Enid still had her arm around Mitena’s shoulders.

“I wish it was. I wish Sarah O’Connor could have had my face and name. It would be nice to get some credit for all that I do for the world. But that’s not why I do it.”

“So no one at your school knows you almost died last week?”

“Goodness no. I didn’t even tell Allison that. How did you know? I didn’t say anything.”

“Ezekiel told me to take care of you that the demon had almost killed you.”

“That angelic rat bastard.”

“You should be nicer to him mother. I think he cares about you a lot.”

“He doesn’t give a shit about me, he does what he does because God tells him to do it. He might as well be a puppet.”

“You need to open your heart, mother.”

“Because you asked I will try to be nicer to him.”

The pair got their coats on and went to Sarah’s silver SUV. Mitena wrinkled her nose.

“I don’t like this car at all, it smells funny and makes weird noises.”

“She has character. Don’t you girl. Just ignore my picky daughter.”

Enid patted the dashboard.

“It’s not a horse mom.”

“You be nice to my silver beauty. I learned when I was a fighter pilot if you’re nice to your vehicle it will always get you home safe. Even when logic says it shouldn’t.”

“You’re strange mother.”

“Never claimed any different.”

Enid heard a song she liked and turned up the radio. And started moving to the music and singing along while she drove towards the restaurant. Mitena looked over to her.

“Mother, why do you listen to old music all the time?”

“She’s from six hundred years in the past and my music is old?”

“I have been watching videos on the internet. I know this is from fifty years ago.”

“There is nothing wrong with that. Contrary to what the world says, older is not necessarily worse. Wait, I thought we said we’d limit your screen time.”

Mitena blinked and realized that was supposed to be secret.

“Your sister bought you a tablet and a phone didn’t she?”

Mitena blushed deeply and nodded. Enid sighed.

“Oh well, Pandora’s box is open now.”

“I’m sorry mother.”

“It is alright, it was a hopeless plan anyway. I mean I use a tablet at school more then I use a notebook or textbook. It’s the future, as resistant as I am to change.”

Enid parked on the side of the road, she undid her seat belt and looked at Mitena.

“The food here is super spicy. So, be careful with how much you eat once okay?”

“I know what the words mean, but I don’t understand mother.”

“Some of it will make your mouth feel like it is on fire.”

“Why would you choose to eat something like that?”

“Because its good, you just need to be careful how you eat it. Usually its part of a whole meal flavor. Look, just take small bites make sure its not too spicy for you and then eat more. Take your time.”

“Okay mother.”

Enid slipped her heels back on and got out of the car. She offered her hand to Mitena who took it and the pair started walking towards the Mexican restaurant that had been selected for the date. A man moved to blocked them on a deserted side street. He had a knife in his hand. He pointed at Enid’s pack.

“Just give me your purse and I’ll leave you be.”

Mitena clutched onto Enid’s hand tightly.

“Instead of looking at my chest look at my face and decide if you want to keep going. When you see my face, I want you to realize you’re making me late for a date and that is upsetting me.”

The man growled and lunged at Enid. It was already dark because it was Edmonton, in winter. She didn’t even release Mitena’s hand she just grabbed his wrist with her free hand and twisted until he dropped the knife and was on his knees in the snow. He looked up and saw her face and his eyes went wide. Enid’s eyes met his and she forced her will on his mind.

“Ya, you’re not too bright are you. Addiction sucks. Maybe use this as your rock bottom and seek help. Now stop trying to mug people and fuck off.”

She released his wrist and he ran off almost slipping and falling a few times. Enid reached down and picked up the knife with a cloth from her pack. She folded the cloth over it and slipped the package into her pack. Then smiled down at Mitena who grinned back at her.

“What kind of silly person tries to rob a superhero?”

Mitena giggled, then her face grew serious.

“Mother, he was like me. Why isn’t he with his tribe?”

“I could spend the next fifty years explaining that. The short answer is Canada and the United States, and the European’s before them do not have a great…history with the indigenous people that live here. For a while they let the church try and stamp out your culture, beliefs and languages. It is why when I showed up at your tribe I didn’t force my beliefs on you.”

“Is that why you tried so hard to not talk about your people’s history?”

Enid nodded.

“I’m sorry this is a conversation I wanted to have when you were older, it is probably one I should have had as soon as we got here. It is a complicated subject. There are a lot of social and political…its complicated. There is a lot of hostility and there is some racism, none of which I can completely shield you from as much as I want too. Just know I’m here for you, Eyre’s here for you, Maria is here for you, Violet is here for you and my dad as much as I have a bad relationship with him, will be there for you. You’re the apple of his eye. None of us will truly understand your experience but we’ll support you.”

Mitena nodded.

Enid opened the door for Mitena.

“After you Lady Mitena.”

Mitena giggled and walked inside. Enid pulled off her coat and took Mitena’s. She looked around and spotted Allison who looked pretty upset about something. Enid frowned. She pasted a smile on her face when they reached the concierge.

“I see my friend already, mind if we just go over?”

“Of course.”

Enid tugged Mitena along since the girl was already nervously clutching her hand. Enid pondered when she would grow out of that. She smiled wide when they reached the table. Allison’s upset face faded when she looked at Enid and Metina.

“Allison. This is my daughter Metina.”

Allison smiled at Metina.

“I’m so glad to meet you.”

“Metina, this is Allison, my best friend.”

Metina and Enid sat down.

“Wow you two are dressed like twins.”

“Mitena insisted we dress up.”

*****

Mitena was playing with Enid’s tablet by the end of dinner and Enid finally felt comfortable asking what had Allison so upset today.

“Allison, you seem like you had a rough day. Want to talk about it?”

Allison took a another drink of her beer and sighed.

“I was trying to hide that.”

“Kind of hard when I know you so well, spill.”

“I don’t want to drag down our night.”

“Well, you can secretly mope and pretend to be alright, or you can get it off your chest we can talk about it and then go from there?”

“I found out…my father has cancer. He’s been hiding it, but its stage four. He doesn’t have long.”

“Why aren’t you in Calgary then?”

“I…didn’t want to miss our date.”

“Oh Allison. I would have understood. Just because I’d tell them to roll my dad in a ditch if he died, doesn’t mean I expect you to think that.”

Allison’s eyes were moist.

“I just, couldn’t handle it, and I was trying for the promotion, I asked for time off to go see him and my boss told me that if my job wasn’t important enough to…wait until the funeral then perhaps I wasn’t right for the promotion.”

Enid’s eyes narrowed.

“Rude. You should quit, just right now, call up and say I quit.”

“I need the job.”

“No, you don’t. You should go see your dad. I’ll make sure you can make ends meet until you get another job.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask, I have more money than I know what to do with and it helps no one but me. Let me do something useful with it.”

Enid took Allison’s hands.

“Any employer that will treat you like that, isn’t worth working for. Stand up for yourself hon. And after dinner. Dirty Dancing and double chocolate ice cream.”

Allison sniffle-laughed and wiped away her tears.

“What?”

“You told me, there is no ill that Dirty Dancing and double chocolate ice cream cannot cure.”

Allison sniffled and smiled at Enid.

“You remembered that?”

“I remember everything you say Allison. Now pick up your cell phone, call your HR head, you leave a voice mail saying, if taking my earned vacation time to see my dying father will stop me from getting promoted, I’m not sure this is a company I want to work with. I guarantee you get a call back asking what it was about and you let it go to voice mail and you write an email detailing exactly what your supervisor said CC’ing him, and your firm’s partners. I would bet money, he gets in trouble, you get an apology and your time off, and then some. If not, you know its time for a new job.”

“I can’t take that risk.”

“If you make that call I’ll write you a check for a year’s salary, right now.”

Enid pulled out her checkbook and started writing she guessed seventy thousand. Then showed Allison the check.

“All yours babe, just make that call. If you keep your job, you got a nice Christmas bonus, if you don’t your next year is taken care of.”

Allison looked down at her phone.

“I can’t, it seems rude.”

Enid closed her eyes.

“You cannot be worried about polite; This is your livelihood and your father’s last weeks. Trust me, be bold. You don’t get anywhere in life without going after what you want. You think getting promoted in the Navy was easy for a pretty blonde girl from Kansas?”

Allison shook her head. And dialed a number she’d looked up on her phone. Enid slid the check across to her. Allison looked down at it like touching it might make it evaporate. Mineta was oblivious to the conversation she was too wrapped up with her air pods on watching videos.

*****

Mitena had fallen asleep mid-movie and was snuggled into a blanket in her dress on the couch. Allison noticed her snoring softly and smiled down at her.

“She’s adorable. Can you tell me again how…you went away for a weekend and ended up with a daughter?”

Enid scratched her head.

“Its complicated and involves angels and time travel to the old west for several years.”

“So it s a sci fi story?”

“More fantasy.”

Allison pulled Enid close and kissed her on the lips her tongue slipping into Enid’s mouth. Enid let Allison push her back against the armrest of the couch their chests pressed against each other.

“So was her father an Indian brave?”

“This wasn’t the Last of the Mohicans it was more Dances with Wolves.”

“Is she yours?”

“No, I can’t have kids, well…I might not be able to, her tribe…she was outcast because of something that happened. She had no one, so I took her in.”

Allison slid down the shoulder of Enid’s dress and kissed her warm skin.

“So, you spent years in the past and nothing? No partners?”

“No. I knew I was coming home to you eventually; I mean I’m immortal would have taken me like six hundred years on my own…”

Allison pushed her hand up under Enid’s dress sliding it up her thigh.

“That sounds romantic.”

“I’d be happy to get out of this dress in your room. You know away from my eleven-year-old daughter.”

Allison blushed and glanced back apparently having forgotten there was a child nearby. She stood up and tugged Enid with her. She pushed Enid onto the bed and reached under the dress and started tugging at Enid’s underwear she tossed them away then straddled Enid kissing her on the lips.

“I cannot wait to remind you why you waited.”