Two days later, Hawke climbed out of his vehicle, eager to talk to Joe Whitehorse. His gaze swept to the gentle hill where the sweat lodge sat. This simple structure symbolized the Lakota’s beliefs and traditions. It symbolized life, itself.
His thoughts went to the day, nearly a year ago, when he received the lynx medicine. Inside the sweat lodge, the circle in the center had held heated rocks. The door opened to the east, giving thanks to the spirits each morning as the sun rose. The two fire pits, one on the inside and one on the outside, lined up perfectly to form a stone altar.
Joe had placed sage and other items on the altar for the ceremony. Above the altar hung the wooden medicine. The medicine wheel has two intersections, inside of the circle. The circle represents life, and the two decussates represents the two roads in life. The red road, which is the good road, and the black road, which is bad.
The red road is very hard to travel, whereas the black road is easy. Natives used this knowledge to choose the path they would take on their journey.
Joe’s door opened, and he stepped onto the porch. Hawke raised his hand in greeting approached him.
“Hey, Joe. How are you?”
Joe winked. “I guess okay. So, Hawke how can I help you today?”
Hawke wasted no time. “Joe, I wonder many things. In a dream, the number four comes to me. What could that mean?”
Joe sat on the porch steps. “Well, the number four symbolizes realities in life. No one form of life is greater than any other form. All living things share one commonality. It’s called the maka wiconi, or life on Earth. All living things are born and we all die. You have a young woman murdered for reasons you do not know yet. The four could represent them, or it could be there are four people involved, or it could mean there are more places to visit before you uncover the truth.”
This wise elder offered an explanation. One he would consider.
Joe regarded him for a minute and then continued, “My son, you must be like the moose. He is found in the north on the medicine wheel. Moose medicine symbolizes self-esteem. You must know when to be gentle, like the deer, or strong like the buffalo. You are entering a difficult time in your life. You have come to me, for I am an elder, and you expect answers. I have walked the good road and have seen many things. Therefore, I am the one to offer guidance to all my people. I hope to serve you well.”
Hawke nodded, showing gratitude and respect.
“So, my friend, my advice for you is to get to know the wisdom of keeping silent. For, when you have mastered that then you will take pride in your words and know when it is time to speak.”
“Joe, you know how to handle most situations. I feel lost. How do I solve this murder when nobody speaks my name?”
Joe faced the east. “My son, walk the red road. The number four has come to you for a reason. Time will reveal what that reason is. Do not question, just listen.”
Hawke walked over and stood beside of Joe, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Joe, we all serve a purpose. My destiny is to solve this death and get justice. This has been my path for a long time. One I will continue for many more winters, maybe as a police officer, maybe as a medicine man. Thank you for your guidance.”
Joe faced him again. “You have a purpose, greater than what you know. The number four could simply mean something else. Maybe it has nothing to do with this murder. Take time to examine yourself. The journey you want to walk may prove to be more than you realize.”
The elder turned and disappeared inside his home.
Hawke leaned against a wooden post of Joe’s porch. This medicine man forced him to think outside the perimeter. He focused his eyes in the direction of the Black Hills and felt a presence of his ancestors: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Red Cloud.
Time would reveal his destiny. He had more to do on this journey in life. Maybe he should walk his path in another set of moccasins. He would follow the path laid out for him, and soon his journey would lead him to his destiny.
The Black Hills brought back the time of Crazy Horse. He pushed away from the post and headed for his truck, focused on the time of his ancestors. The difficulties he faced were nothing compared to theirs. He would make a stand, now. He would be true to himself, would master the art of listening Joe Whitehorse spoke of.
Joe Whitehorse was a man of rectitude. The image of respect. He had been blessed by having Joe to guide him. Joe held the truth of being a traditional elder. He kept it simple. He respected Mother Earth and Father Sky. He protected and served his people. His connection to the animals. Many had told him the same about himself. He would become one with Mother Earth. The duty to become the medicine man. He would end his job as police officer and become the next medicine man for his people.
When the time was right, he would announce it to everybody. First, though, he would discuss it with Melina. Her opinion mattered a great deal. She would support him, for he knew this was what she wanted for him the most.
TJ Hawke, medicine man. He liked the ring to it. He would serve his people well.
As he eased back onto the paved road, the sunset drew his attention. A vision of the medicine wheel, hung down from the clouds. The sign he had been waiting for. He drew closer to solving Abby’s murder.
He spoke to the spirit, “Nagi tanka, Great Spirit, le mita pila, my thanks, to you for sending me the sign I seek. I will follow the red road, ohinyan, forever. I will become my people’s pejula wacasa, medicine man. Abby’s murderer is close. I will solve this case then I shall walk the red road as a medicine man.”
He stared at the heavens as he continued on his journey, his mind at peace. He must walk the red road.
His mind went to Three Paws, a gentle wolf dog. This dog gave him a sense of pride. Three Paws would be his guide, too. He had managed to survive the brutal attack that had left him with one lame leg. Three Paws came to him for a reason and now he believed it was a way for him to come full circle and become the medicine man for his people.