His words struck a chord with me. So profound, yet simple. “I like that,” I said, nodding in approval.
“That’s an old Native American proverb.” “Well, after watching those birds die that way,
I just didn’t want to let something like that happen again. Not if I could help it, at least.”
“Sometimes a loss is the best thing that can happen. It teaches you what you should have done
next time.”
That one didn’t have quite the same feel. “Is that an old Native American proverb, too?”
“No,” he said with a wry smile. “Snoop Dogg.” His laughter, a deep, guttural sound like the roar of a small bear, was genuine and soulful. His sense of humor caught me by surprise, and he noticed my bemusement. “I couldn’t resist,” he said by way of explanation. “It’s just that most white people falsely believe that all Native Americans possess some mysterious ancient wisdom and knowledge of all things.”
“Don’t you?” I teased.
“Well, I happen to, but not all Native Americans do.” He laughed his bear laughter again.
I couldn’t believe this rugged, handsome man was actually talking to me, never mind flirting. I didn’t want to read too much into it. It seemed his nature to be friendly to everyone, and maybe he was just being nice because he wanted me to buy something, regardless of what I wanted to believe. He had, after all, indicated that business was slow. I looked around for just a moment and randomly picked up one of the dolls in front of me.
Clutching the small wood carving in my hand, I examined it more closely. The figure had a white mask with red ears, snout with teeth, and a horse painted on each cheek. It was wearing a ruff, kilt, sash, and red moccasins, and held a rattle in one hand and a stick in the other. There was a horsehead carved on the base. The attention to detail in the animal pelt on the back, cuffs, necklace, costume, mask, and clothing was so exacting and lifelike I
half expected it to move.
“How much is this one?” I asked. “I’d like to buy it.”
“Excellent choice. Is it for yourself or a gift for someone special this Christmas?”
“I don’t have anyone special,” I said much more abruptly than I expected.
“I didn’t mean to be intrusive,” he said. “I just asked in case you wanted it gift-wrapped. I can do that for you.”
“It’s for me. Thank you, though.”
He took the doll from me and carried it over to the nearby counter. There was already a small wooden box set on top. Removing the thin lid, Kenny gently placed the carving onto a bed of straw lining the inside of the box, which also appeared to be handmade. The Kachina fit perfectly inside. I watched the muscles of his forearms flex as he worked, sealing the lid by forcing miniscule staple prongs into the soft wood along the edges of the box with his thumbs before sliding the crated doll into a nondescript white tote bag. He looked up at me with a half-smile.
“Will there be anything else?” he asked.
I was so focused on watching him and what he was doing that I didn’t hear what he said at first. “What? Ah, no. I mean, I don’t think so.” I took out a credit card and my driver’s license, placing them on the counter. Kenny picked them up and looked at them briefly before extending his hand out, offering them back to me as he shook his head.
“Oh, you don’t take credit cards? I have cash.” “No charge,” he said. “This is my gift to you.”
“You don’t have to do that.” “I want to.”
“Thank you.”
After only ten minutes in his company, despite the sexual tension, I actually felt very comfortable with him. I couldn’t explain it, and I did not want to try. I found him to be not only attractive, but altogether fascinating. I desperately wanted to get to know him, and along with that I had to admit that I craved a physical relationship equally as much, perhaps the sex more than anything. While I had never been inclined to promiscuity, lately I had become overwhelmed by sexual thoughts, both awake and when asleep. I didn’t know why this was happening to me, but the desire I had to speak with Kenny on a deep, emotional level, to get into his head and probe his mind, was rivaled by sheer lust, to get into his pants and press my naked skin against his body. These sexual thoughts flooded my brain and made my head spin.
“I have to be honest with you, Shanna, I know we just met, and I don’t usually do this, but I would very much like to see you again. If that’s something you would like, as well.”