A Lie By Omission

Chapter Four

“It hasn’t left either has it?” she asked but she didn’t need me to answer we might not have known we were twins but we definitely had all the connections. She just reached over and gave me the hug I needed making it where the tears flowed through.

“If he knew the truth, Posala, why wouldn’t he tell me? I mean you’re his sister and I’m pretty much his wife.” I whispered.

“Maybe he doesn’t remember.”

“He does I know he does. He told me when I was upset over Nosh’s words that he had hoped that I hadn’t realized the difference and now I understand it was more than just so I wouldn’t be upset with Nosh.” We were up and running again but back to the camp now.

“I think I need to talk to Ahote are you going to be okay?” Posala asked, “I can talk to him later if you need me to come with you while you hunt.”

“I’ll be fine I’m not even hunting.” I said and with that she turned back following me knowing that it was dangerous for me not to hunt when I was this upset. Everybody we passed backed up some to get away from me as I headed towards Chief Heammawihio’s tent where I knew Helushka would be.

“Hello Aponi.” Abedabun smiled at me but then she looked up from her sewing and tensed. “What’s going on, Posala?” she asked.

“We just found out the truth about our birth.” She whispered and I realized that it’d hurt her to come back home right now.

“Wait for me outside Posala I promise it won’t take long.” I told her gently.

“I’m fine.” She shook her head but put her hand on me knowing she was safe from my anger today. “Will you please try to calm down before you confront Helushka though? I mean to most people you two are married and that means he’s allowed to do anything.”

“He’s a vampire he can handle it.” I shrugged and just kept walking out the other side of the tipi since it was obvious he wasn’t inside from just walking in. He was right outside though and I felt some of the anger melt replaced by sadness and betrayal and as it melted more betrayal came through and I just ran away again not even waiting for Posala to catch up.

When I felt a hand on my shoulder though it wasn’t Posala’s and it wasn’t Helushka’s it was Shimasani’s. “You need to come home, Aponi.” She whispered taking me in her arms.

“Why wouldn’t anybody tell me?” I whispered, “Why did Nosh hide it? Why didn’t Helushka tell me or even just tell Posala? I get that you couldn’t tell me it wasn’t your place but…”

“You feel betrayed right now Sitsi…” she whispered sitting down and I realized she’d ran with me back to the camp, “…that’s completely okay but I suggest you forgive them before you sleep tonight and then purify yourself. A Medicine Woman is not allowed to hold a grudge for even half as long as everybody else because it will hurt their connection with God and they won’t have the visions. I promise they didn’t want to hurt you. Helushka kept the secret so that you could keep your vision of your perfect nosh. Ahote kept the secret because he’s regretted the decision since the second it was made.”

“So what you’re saying is I’m not allowed to feel betrayed?” I whispered.

“What I’m saying is when you leave this tipi listen to them and let them apologize for what they did.” I nodded and she pointed to the opening telling me to do it now. I walked out seeing Nosh first.

“I really am sorry for hurting both of you girls.” He whispered as I hugged him.

“I know and I’m sorry that I got upset.” I kissed his cheek and he tightened his hug before letting go.

“Don’t forget I came back in time to see Chief Heammawihio announce you and Helushka so it’s up to you two.” He whispered in my ear and I pulled away smiling.

“Really?”

“Yes.” He nodded, “The tribe will be waiting eagerly tomorrow to see whether I counted it or not and whether you two decided or not.”

“I love you Nosh.” I promised.

“Should I go ahead and put out the fire in our tipi?” he asked.

“Where would Helushka and I be if we decided that it counted?” I asked.

“He already knows.” I nodded but didn’t answer the first question but he left smiling so I figured he knew what my answer would be and I smiled a little when I saw the fire go out in front of our tipi.

“Aponi?” Helushka asked and I just moved into his arms.

“I know you were just trying to keep my image of Nosh happy. I just needed to be upset with somebody. I’m sorry I chose you.” I whispered and he lifted my face and kissed me. It was a long sweet kiss that made me move closer to him.

“I’ll forgive you if you’ll finish getting married to me today.” He promised. I nodded smiling and he picked me up kissing me as he walked to a secluded part of the camp and I saw the ceremony tent that they always set up for wedding days. The wedding was set up first into the chief announcing that the couple was married in the subtle way of calling the couple up to him together. Then they would spend the night in the tent if through the day they didn’t change their minds. After they woke up the next morning the whole day would be their actual wedding celebration with feasts and games and finally that night there’d be a dance led by the Medicine Woman to thank God for the love the couple shared.