Black Eagle Dream

Black Eagle Dream

May 25th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 11

In 1964, Sonny Ray’s mom found a pair of panties on the floor of the backseat of his dad’s 1960 chevy impala.

The next thing he knew, him, his mom, and two brothers and his baby sister were getting off a plane in Kona, on the big island of Hawaii.

Sonny Ray recalled the wind being warm and light, as they sat in the bed of their uncle Hugh’s pickup.

It was a long lazy ride to Parker Ranch as they traveled upland to Waimea.

The distinctive pace of Hawaii was felt immediately upon his arrival. For Sonny Ray, this was the best day of his life.

It was a day like no other as far as he was concerned.

Before moving into the ranch house next door, Sonny Ray and Whisper had slept in the room of his grandparents house, the same room where their mother had been born.

So because his dad couldn’t keep his dick in his pants,

that is how it came to be

that little Sonny Ray was introduced

to his aboriginal homeland at the age of four.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 24th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 12

Whisper and his father had been at odds for many years. Whisper had cried at the hospital when his father died, but for the most part Whisper hated his father.

Most of it stemmed from his dad’s inadequacies as a man. As Billy was a very weak and insecure man, his behavior often lended itself to varied inconsistencies. As a man who remained lost in a sea of alcohol; to Whisper it was like being in a row boat with a gorilla, and only one oar.
As such, discipline was generally dispensed when Billy was intoxicated.

His father would often tell Whisper that he was the bad penny that always turned up.

As a kid he had no idea what that meant.

However, Whisper understood what his father meant when he told him he was stupid, and was never going to amount to anything.

Over the years Whisper began to believe that, and acted accordingly. But he suffered for that belief as he devolved into an emotionally crippled boy; trapped in a man’s body.

Like all of Billy’s children, he too was the poster child for low self esteem.
It was a few years prior to Sonny Ray moving up to Las Vegas, that Whisper had begun his downward spiral.

It was on a Christmas Day, when Sonny Ray received a frantic call from Whisper’s sobbing girlfriend, Gabriella. She had begged Sonny Ray for help. It was a cold rainy overcast day in Tucson. His brother had a pistol to his temple, and was contemplating ending the year in dramatic fashion. Whisper had been up all night, drinking beer, whiskey, and snorting cocaine.

‘A lovely combination this fine Christmas morning,’ Sonny Ray thought as he drove to his brother’s apartment alone. Nikko had protested, but he went anyway. After a short fifteen minute drive; he turned into Whisper’s apartment complex.
Sonny Ray parked, and walked to his brothers apartment. After knocking, Gabriella opened the door and let him in. She was understandably upset. Sonny Ray instructed Gabriella to take his niece into the bedroom. Sonny Ray walked with Gabriella to the bedroom door. She was upset and didn’t want to go in the bedroom.

Sonny Ray whispered to her to take off the screen from the bedroom window, and if she heard any commotion she was to put her daughter out of the window and then climb out and run for help.

Gabriella was fearful for Sonny Ray, but after urging her several times she finally closed the bedroom door and waited. Sonny Ray turned his attention toward his younger brother, who sat on the couch in a drunken stupor.

Without a word he picked up the .357 magnum, and unloaded it. Putting the shells in his pocket he placed the pistol on the coffee table, and sat down next to Whisper. On that table were half filled syringes of blood. Small puddles of fresh blood covered the table; strewn about were cigarette butts, empty beer cans, and a half eaten carne asada burrito.

Whisper had been drawing blood from his arms. He had a nice sized welt on his forehead from smashing beer cans. There was a bottle of Jack, and remnants of cocaine on a small vanity mirror.
Beer cans were strewn on the floor around the coffee table. Dried blood streaked down the inside of his forearms.

He had large purple welts on his inner arms where he had been sticking himself. Sonny Ray had sat there for some time without speaking. His quiet demeanor had arrested Whisper’s attention.

Whisper occasionally looked up at his brother through glossy, and bloodshot eyes. “What; in the hell are you doing?” Sonny Ray finally asked.

“I don’t want to deal with this shit anymore Sonny.”

Sonny Ray was respected by his younger brother, and often times he would listen. But as they had gotten older, that respect had waned, and new borders were set. Undeterred, Sonny Ray offered to take his brother to get some help. They ended up talking for several hours.

Sonny Ray cleaned up the blood, and gathered up all the trash. After returning from dumping the trash, he encouraged Gabriella and the baby to come out of the bedroom. They retreated to a large chair. Gabriella was terrified, and sat quietly as Sonny Ray interacted with his brother a couple of more hours.

Whisper began to slowly sober up. He later apologized to his family, and promised to get help. After leaving Sonny Ray headed down the rainy slick roads of Tucson. Sonny Ray knew Whisper wasn’t ready to make a change in his life.

That was years ago, and Whisper was still doing Whisper. Of course he rode solo these days. Gabriella, and their daughter Johnnie D disappeared shortly after the attempted suicide on Christmas day.

Whisper never saw his family again.

Sonny Ray looked up as Walter slowed, turning into the parking lot of the small funeral home. The two brothers sat with a sense of dread as they waited for their two siblings. Walter was a little pissed at Whisper for not being as helpful as he could have.

Sonny Ray couldn’t be bothered with that aspect of his younger brother. That was who his brother was. You could count on not counting on him. But hell, at least he was consistent.

The four siblings finally met up to face death together. Walter held the door as the foursome filed in quietly. After speaking to the funeral director they were lead to a small room to view their father one last time. Billy lay in an inexpensive coffin, per his request. The four approached their father in painful reverence. After only a few minutes or so, the commentary began.
“Man, I cannot believe we forgot dad’s dentures,” Walter said, as he stood next to his father’s casket. They all nodded, staring at their father’s down turned mouth like they were judges in an undertaker competition.

“Well, it’s not like he needs them; Whisper offered, getting his penny’s worth in.

The other three siblings all turned and looked at their coked out brother. Michelle just stared at her dad saying nothing. Whisper on the other hand was a little more touchy-feely, as he began to place his hand on his father’s chest, and finally his face.

“Dad feels hard as rock,” Whisper said in childlike wonder.
“Uh, that’s because he’s dead bro,” Sonny Ray said, unable to resist.
“I know that smart ass, it just feels weird Sonny Ray, okay?” Sonny Ray checked himself, not wanting to wind up the volatile Whisper. “Sorry bro, you walked into that one,” Sonny Ray said, with the hint of a repressed smile. “Whatever asshole,” Whisper said.

“Okay you two, enough already,” Walter interjected. Sonny Ray smiled but said nothing. Their old man would have laughed at Sonny Ray. Billy after all was where they had gotten their sense of humor.

Michelle suddenly broke down, and sort of cried. “You okay Michelle?” Walter asked. She nodded in the affirmative and said, “I don’t like the way they did dad’s hair.”
They all finally turned their attention to their father and his hair. After a moment they all began to nod in unison.
“Yeah, your right Dad always combed to the side not straight back,” Walter offered. They all fell quiet; looking into their dead father’s face.

His unmoving face resembled a map, a map that once lead into their lives; and now that map, that face, was leading them out, to who knows where.

They were on their own now, really on their own.

They lingered for a time, and said their goodbyes.

Tomorrow, they would lay their father to rest.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 23rd, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 13

“No, I don’t usted habla espanol shitass,” Whisper growled. “Now get somewhere.” The man stood glaring back at Whisper, as he stood next to his bicycle near where Whisper had parked his camaro.
“Hablas ingles?” “No,no,no,no,” the man replied quickly. “If I had a check for a million dollars with your fucking name on it, I’m thinking your english would be pretty good right about now my friend.”

Whisper had a wicked hangover, and was in no mood for the little dude who he had seen in the neighborhood for the last couple of years. Whisper could barely talk, his throat hoarse. He knew he needed to quit all of it, partying every night, whoring, the drugs. Whisper was relentless in his attempts of daily destruction.

Alcohol was his drug of choice, but cocaine was his baby.

Whisper just wanted to get something to eat, and then get his ass home, and get out of this hot Arizona heat. The man mockingly held two bags of oranges in the direction of Whisper. “Dude, I done told you, I don’t want your sour ass oranges, entiendes?” Whisper waved his arms, encouraging the man to leave.

The man placed his bags of oranges in his side baskets, and rode away on his rickety bike. When he found himself at a safe enough distance he yelled over his shoulder,

“Your momma likes my oranges you fucking gringo,” the man yelled.

Whisper had to smile. He watched the man ride away as he opened the door of his camaro. Not too long ago, Whisper would have run that guy down, and stomped a mud hole in his ass.

“Getting mellow in your old age, did that little prick call me a gringo?”

Whisper muttered to himself. He had spent the evening partying with two of his stripper girlfriends.

He was a bouncer, and entrepreneur of all things illegal.

Whisper had dubbed himself a broker for the broken.

Whisper was a damn drug dealer.

He had branched out into gun sales as of late, cash only, no background checks. Whisper would often tell Sonny Ray that he was diversifying his portfolio. He had been a professional painter at one time. Residential Houses, lots of commercial buildings.

A severe back injury off the job prevented him from painting. It involved a homeless woman and a shopping cart. Dealing drugs wasn’t as physically taxing, and Whisper enjoyed the rush and risk of it all. Not to mention he enjoyed the residuals of his craft.

He had a butt load of cash, jewelry, clothes, and more ass than he knew what to do with.

Walter was his oldest brother. Whisper and Walter really didn’t get along, never had. Even as kids they argued constantly. However, despite their personal differences; they knew that growing up in Arizona presented its own unique challenges. The one constant that was common for all of them was that they were often mistaken for being Mexican. They regularly heard that comment and or question as to their origin, but more so when they were teenagers. Sonny Ray always got the bonus.

Sonny Ray and Whisper both had curly wavy hair, but Sonny Ray was about four shades darker than everyone in his family, and easily a foot taller than them as well.

The neighborhood kids would often tell on their parents by revealing what they would say in private. Their neighbor Irene revealed that her dad once told her, “We like Walter, and Whisper, but that Sonny Ray is as dark as nigger.”

Whisper had waited for the heavy traffic to clear, and pulled out onto Speedway Blvd. He headed west, bound for Barrio Hollywood. Whisper had a craving for some of Pat’s spicy chili dogs, and some curly fries with lots of ketchup, and a large sun tea.

Although he had tried hard to curtail his temper Whisper had a propensity for violence. He had used drugs and alcohol daily for years. Cocaine, and alcohol seemed to be his catalyst; which would often propel him into acts of physical force, for one reason or another.
In the 70’s, bonfire parties in the desert on Friday night was the thing most teenagers did, especially during football season. Whisper was no exception. One Friday night after the Santa Rita football game, Whisper was on the east side of Houghton road partying with his friends from high school. In the 70’s the desert in Arizona was vast, and wide open.

Whisper left the desert party about 3am. He headed back in town to get something to eat. He sat in traffic, a few cars back from the red light. A couple of dancers he had recently met at the strip club pulled up alongside him and sat next to him in their convertible, talking back and forth.
Of course being inebriated, Whisper hadn’t been paying attention to his spacing, and he ended up tapping the bumper of the car directly in front of him.

This big guy, who was with a woman, presumably his girlfriend, jumped out of his car. He began yelling and cursing at Whisper as he approached his vehicle. Whisper, as was mentioned earlier, was half in the bag.

However, his only thought was to get to Jack in the crack before he perished from hunger. At this time of the morning all he had on his mind was two greasy tacos and a large Coke. Whisper smirked at the guy with muscles, and quietly told him to get back in his car before he said something he was going to regret. Mr. muscles persisted,
and made the grievous error of wagging his finger in the face of the now silent Whisper.

The big man had misinterpreted his quiet demeanor.

Whisper slowly opened his car door, his eyes fixed intensely on his antagonist, as he exited his vehicle. After locking eyes with Whisper for the first time it left the big man unsettled. He decided that retreating back to his vehicle was in his best interests. Although Whisper was only six foot, and two hundred and fifteen pounds; it was his menacing eyes that kept people from getting overly familiar. Whisper now approached the obnoxious muscle head.

In so many words Whisper informed him that he had let his alligator mouth overload his hummingbird ass.

Faster than you could say: whisperwillbeatyourass.com

Whisper shot an arm to the guy’s crotch, grabbed the man’s shoulder with his free arm, and slammed him down hard on the hot Arizona asphalt.

Without a word Whisper turned back to his car, as the concussed man lay quietly on the pavement. All Whisper wanted to do now was to get the hell out of there before the cops showed up. He reached for his car handle when he felt a sharp pain across his lower back. He turned to face his attacker, and lo and behold, it was a woman perhaps five foot four.

Whisper had no misconceptions about what a woman was capable of.

She was defending her man. Whisper was cool with that. Nevertheless, the fact remained she should have not put hands on Whisper. She had smacked him good with that short piece of chain.

Truth was, it hurt like hell.

Whisper advanced on the woman. He side stepped her as she swung the chain overhead. He crotch shot her as well, and delivered her unceremoniously hard on her back.
She lay still, chain in hand. She was unconscious, lying on the road not too far from her semi-conscious, and moaning boyfriend.

Now he really had to get the hell out of there.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 21st, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 14

Sonny Ray crossed the lobby, and finding the elevator he headed up to his suite. He opened the door slowly, waving quietly with his eyes at his wife as she lay on the bed in her robe. Nikko had wrapped her hair in a towel, and had made a cotton ice cream cone with it. She had been reading a book, enjoying some down time as little Raye lay napping. Sonny Ray and his family did not come to Tucson often, but when they did he always liked to splurge on a nice room for his wife.

They decided to stay in the the Catalina Mountains at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Sonny Ray walked over to the bed, and gently kissed his daughter on the cheek. Raye stirred slightly which caused Nikko to frown. He came around the bed and sat down next to his wife.

She sat up slowly, and Sonny Ray kissed her gently on the mouth. She responded, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Ummm,” Nikko purred. “Hi stranger, what’s your name?” Nikko asked in a mock sexy voice. “Well that depends,” Sonny Ray said with his little boy smile. “Oh, and what would that depend on exactly?” Nikko asked, more than mildly interested. “Come here and I’ll show you.”
Nikko’s robe slowly slipped open, revealing her firm and supple breasts. Her coffee complexion was smooth and as soft as silk. Sonny Ray placed his hand at the small of Nikko’s back, and pulled her close. He kissed her gently at first, then firmer as she unbuttoned his shirt. He groaned within himself.

It had been over a week since they had been together.

Nikko saw her daughter move ever so slightly. Sonny Ray froze. Nikko nodded in the direction of the luxurious bathroom. As Sonny Ray stood up Nikko wrapped her legs around his waist. “Should I grab a pillow or blanket?” Sonny Ray whispered.

“You plan on taking a nap?” Nikko asked smiling.

“Not exactly,” Sonny Ray said, taking off his shirt.

“We can use this,” Nikko said as she unwrapped the towel on her head. “That’ll work,” Sonny Ray whispered . Nikko closed the door quietly, listening intently in the event little Raye would awaken. After only a few minutes there was a little girl knock at the bathroom door.
“Mommy?” Little Raye called out. “Ow, daminit, shit, hell.” Sonny Ray whispered. He had banged his head on the side of the bathtub.

“Mommy is coming, I have to, uh, mommy coming right now baby,” Nikko said.

“Well that makes one of us,” Sonny Ray whispered, rubbing his forehead.

“Sorry,” Nikko offered as she stifled herself from laughing. She rose quickly, tying her robe and closed the door behind her.

The following morning Sonny Ray was up early. He quietly made his way to the bathroom, to shave and shower while his family rest a little longer. Sonny Ray stood in front of the sink in his towel. He stared into the mirror for a long time. He knew this day would eventually come, but he remained stunned that it actually was here.

People die everyday.

He began to wonder if something was wrong with him. He recalled that he had not cried or shown much emotion when Walter had called with the bad news. As a matter of fact he didn’t cry very much at the hospital when his father died. He hadn’t shed a tear at the funeral home either. Today however, was the day his old man would go to rest, and be reclaimed by the earth.

His father, a Veteran of the Vietnam War, had requested a military funeral.

Sonny Ray finished brushing his teeth. He looked up again into the foggy mirror. Sonny Ray was already regretting not visiting his father. His dad had just called him about a month ago, asking him when he was going to come down and visit him.

His dad knew he didn’t have much time. He knew it.

Time.

Time was not to be trifled with.

Death always has the vacancy sign on.

He glanced at the mirror once more. Suddenly Sonny Ray was two years old again.

It was his dad who had rescued him when his mom had burned all the skin off his feet.

It was his dad that saved the family when Walter almost burned the house down in Japan.

His dad had patched him up more times than Sonny Ray could remember.
He knew his father. At times his dad would explode in a rage, screaming, cursing, slapping, intimidating.
Then there were times when his dad was a hero, a savior, a protector, a patcher upper. Regardless; he was always there, and now he was gone.
His dad, the old man, his father, his pops had gone, he had gone, and like the story goes; people never get to say all the things that needed saying.

Sonny Ray was overwhelmed. He felt weak and vulnerable.

The tears were almost a surprise to Sonny Ray. Noiseless at first, then a small cry escaped his lips, and then another. For the first time in a long time he wailed in grief, for his father, for himself;

as the universal sting of death had rent his soul in two.

Nikko was awakened by his cries, a wailing she had never experienced before. Sonny Ray had tried to muffle his anguish by crying into a towel.
Nikko quietly slipped in the bathroom door, and held onto her husband.
She held onto a man, who had never cried this way in all the time that they had been together.

Today was really the day that he would say goodbye.

The knowledge of that fact stabbed Sonny Ray to the heart.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 20th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 15

Walter had arranged a tour bus to accommodate the small funeral party from Tucson to Sierra Vista. Walter’s best friend Bobby had volunteered his bus, and agreed to drive the group. They all met up at Tucson Mall on the northwest side of the city.
As friends and family loaded up on the bus, Walter paced around like a funeral director.

A white hearse prepared to carry the lifeless body of Billy Willetto away, as all the memories of collective minds, prepared to follow. After an uneventful ride, they arrived at Fort Huachuca in about an hour. The funeral director spoke to the soldiers at the front gate of the Army post.

After the director had waved the funeral party forward, Bobby pulled up and parked behind the hearse. Walter stepped off the bus, and briefly spoke to the funeral director. Walter returned to the bus and let everyone know what was going on. “We are going to wait for a few stragglers, then we will proceed to the post cemetery.” Walter was obviously tense, but he remained composed. With the delay, the funeral party began filing out quietly. Most spoke in small groups.

It was a beautiful day.

Sonny Ray and his family stepped down, and decided to take a short walk. As they walked, Raye saw something large circling in the sky. Her parents were deep in conversation, and had not heard their daughter speak,

as she peered keenly into the blue skies of Sierra Vista.

Eventually the few late arrivals found their way. As they arrived to the cemetery, the Air Force honor guard were posted up, waiting. On command they marched sharply to the rear of the hearse. They opened the back door of the hearse, and waited for further instructions. They had on their dress blues, and white dress gloves. They lifted up the casket, and prepared to carry it to the gravesite.

It was then that two of the airman stumbled, and damn near dropped the casket on the ground.

The small group of mourners gasped as one. They all turned to one another trying to figure out what almost happened. Sonny Ray began to smile. He knew exactly what happened. Billy was only five foot two, and the casket reflected that. The men and women carrying the casket underestimated the weight of the person inside. Even though it was a tense moment, Sonny Ray smiled to himself.

His dad would have laughed his ass off.

Walter read his eulogy, and the people cried. The small funeral party huddled together, awash in emotion. The honor guard was positioned in among the headstones awaiting further instructions. “Ready, aim, fire!” The airmen repeatedly fired their weapons, giving the obligatory twenty one gun salute.

Sonny Ray counted every shot, making sure the old man got what he had worked for.

“Well dad there you go, you got your twenty gun salute as promised,” Sonny Ray said softly. Growing up Billy would periodically remind his children of his desire for a military funeral, complete with his twenty one gun salute.

Over the years it sometimes sounded like an old man whistling in the dark.

But today Sonny Ray understood. It was beautifully sad.

After some time the funeral party slowly began to trickle back to the tour bus. Sonny Ray lingered until he was finally the last one standing in front of his father’s casket. “Well Dad there you go. You got your twenty gun salute just like you wanted.

I’m sorry I didn’t come see you. I will always regret that,” his voice a little husky now.

“I just wanted to thank you for being my dad, and looking after me all these years.” Sonny Ray lowered his head, and cried sorrowfully, as his tears fell upon his father’s casket.

“Thanks dad, I love you, I gotta go. Rest easy old man. I’ll never forget you.”

He lightly tapped the casket and left his father where he lay.

Then it was over.

Walter, who had held himself together for the last couple of weeks could release now. He sobbed on his brother’s chest. Sonny Ray whispered something in his ear. Walter looked up, and nodded. As they walked slowly toward the shuttle bus something in the sky caught Sonny Ray’s attention.

A large black predator of some sort was circling unusually low over the cemetery. Sonny Ray had never seen a black bird like that. Perhaps it was just the sun reflecting off its wings. ‘Probably wondering what all the commotion is down here,’ Sonny Ray thought to himself.

In large sweeping turns the black eagle made its inspection complete; as it broke off after four perfect circular rotations over Billy’s casket.

The Black Eagle Dream left the area, like the days of a man’s life;

a shadow to be seen only for a little while by others.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 19th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 16

The sun was setting in Sierra Vista, Arizona. A warm breeze blew through the aged oak trees of the Fort Huachuca cemetery.

The large but fluid black eagle swept over marble town, flying just above the rows of the white headstones.

It landed on a new headstone, and began to rip apart the juvenescent squirrel that had been feeding on the ground.

The indiscretion of the young squirrel was his undoing, that and the youngster had slept through the class his father had once taught the family; about the dangers that lurked from above.

It had no such concerns now.

A sudden gust of wind came up from the trees, which alerted the eagle,
and temporarily interrupted it’s meal.

The black eagle cried out, issuing a challenge. It stared fiercely in the direction of the trees, searching into the perimeter; searching out any threats, imminent or otherwise.

Finding none, the black eagle continued to feast, as Billy Willetto rested comfortably in his new surroundings.

The sun was setting as the black eagle finished devouring the squirrel.
Blood dripped down the front of Billy’s headstone.

The powerful black eagle leapt from its marble perch, and began its ascent, spiraling upward into the blackened sky; as those who have left us, continue to rest another day.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 18th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 17

Sonny Ray had been lying across the spare queen sized bed in their suite listening to Hawaiian music when Nikko tapped her husband on the shoulder. Sonny Ray opened his eyes. He pulled out one earphone.
“What is it bub?” Sonny Ray sat up. Nikko sat down with a distressed look on her face. “I wanted to tell you this before, but with your dad dying, and the funeral, I, uh,” Nikko hesitated. “What’s going on babe?”

“Someone called our house the day after you flew down to Arizona. He left a message saying he was a relative, and that it was important that he speak to you.”
“How old did he sound to you?”

“I would say your dad’s age maybe, but I’m not really sure, he said his name was Cyrus, and he was your uncle. Oh yeah, he also mentioned that he was going to visit a family friend in Antelope Springs. He left a number for you to reach him,” Nikko said as she handed the yellow sticky note to her husband.

“Antelope Springs, as in Antelope Springs, Arizona?” Nikko nodded in the affirmative. Sonny Ray’s mind began to churn.

“How do you feel about a detour before we head back to Vegas Maxwell?”

Nikko smiled. She loved that he used her maiden name as a pet name. She picked up her phone off the nightstand. “What you doing?” Sonny Ray asked. “Calling my job. I figure a few more days ought to do. That okay with you big guy?” Her husband nodded smirking.

“I just buried my father, why the hell not,” Sonny Ray replied. After Sonny Ray and his family had their continental breakfast they checked out, and then got on the road, bound for Antelope Springs.

Sonny Ray had no idea how much his life was about to change.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 17th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 18

The old man wrapped his wool blanket around his shoulders, and walked out into the cool crisp air of the mountains in northern Arizona. Cyrus was a tall man.

He stood six foot seven inches, and though an older man he was not diminished in the grace of being a man. He had long thick wavy curly hair that flowed well past his shoulders.

Being a man of both the land and the sea, his skin was beyond brown.

His silvery mane seemed to enhance the dignity of his years.

Cyrus had spent many long days of living and working in Waipi’o valley;

harvesting and replanting the kālo his ancestors had brought to these islands centuries ago.

Dwayne had decided to take a week of vacation to look after Cyrus, who had been feeling poorly for the last couple of days. Dwayne was feeling uneasy. He knew that Cyrus had wanted to be cremated and have his ashes put at a place known only to Cyrus and Dwayne.

But with the big reveal; aka Sonny Ray, those plans had to be altered.

After Cyrus died, he wanted Dwayne, and hopefully Sonny Ray, to take him to the place that they have camped at for many years.

Their camp was near Shiprock Mountain in New Mexico on the Navajo Nation.

Dwayne offered to handcraft a casket and take him there, but Cyrus insisted on being cremated. He would not elaborate, and Dwayne, out of respect for his old friend didn’t press.

Dwayne had not seen the black eagle around for the last several days, and had asked Cyrus about it.
“I believe it has other business to attend to,” Cyrus said without elaborating.

Dwayne considered himself to be relatively educated, yet he never lost sight of the fact that there were things going on the universe that people could not explain away with a certainty.

For example, for as long as Dwayne could remember, rarely did a day go by that an eagle, or hawk, or the tiniest of the falcons, would without fail, fly over, near, or around when Cyrus was in the vicinity. It didn’t matter where he might be.

It was as if they flew over him to observe him, or that they were now getting the opportunity to see someone they had only heard of in their world, and just had to see him for themselves.

They had no fear of Cyrus, and soon his son, Sonny Ray would begin to understand why this was so.

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Black Eagle Dream

May 16th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 19

Sonny Ray exited interstate ten and took interstate seventeen north bound for Antelope Springs.
Nikko and Raye slept peacefully as they headed out of Phoenix. This gave him some time to try to figure out who this guy was, and want he wanted. Sonny Ray recalled as a little boy going on a trip from Ohio to Pennsylvania. His father had taken the family to meet some of his people.

Billy’s children were received with a polite indifference, which was for Sonny Ray, was some of his earliest memories of the less than subtle niceties of those with skin lighter than grey.

Sonny Ray had no memory of who he met, or even what he did while there. So if he had an relative that he didn’t know about, he certainly could not recall who that might be from that branch of the family tree. The questions began to pour out from his mind. If he did have an uncle why did his father never make mention of him? How did this old man know who I was? Sonny Ray was determined to get some answers.

Dwayne answered the phone on the forth ring. “Hello?” “Uh, hi my name is Sonny Ray Willetto, and I received a message from a Cyrus who said I could reach him at this number. Are you Cyrus?” “Hi Sonny Ray, no my name is Dwayne Notah. I’m a family friend of Cyrus. I know you’re wondering what this is all about, but if you just hear the old man out, I think you’ll understand why he contacted you. There was a slight uneasiness in Sonny Ray’s deportment. The two men spoke for several more minutes. As a result of their continued conversation, Dwayne asked for and received the cross streets where Sonny Ray was waiting.

Dwayne gave a brief description of himself and his truck trying to allay any reservations Sonny Ray might have about meeting him. After hanging up Sonny Ray went into the little mom and pops store to get the girls something to drink. They had had both fully awakened, and we’re both getting a little excited about the whole situation. “So what is this guy’s name?” Nikko asked, opening her cold drink. “He said Dwayne Notah.”

Dwayne stepped off the porch and walked out into the small clearing amongst the ponderosa pines of his mountain home. Cyrus was feeding the black eagle when Dwayne approached him. “So Sonny Ray finally showed up did he?” Dwayne had to smile. “How did you know it was him?” Dwayne asked beaming. “A little bird whispered in my ear,” the old man replied smiling. “Now go pick up Sonny Ray, and if you would, pickup a bag of Bluebird flour so I can make some fry bread tonight.” Dwayne was about to reply but just nodded, smiling as he walked away.

Sonny Ray and Nikko leaned side by side against their car. Little Raye leaned against her mother sipping her drink. Dwayne said he would be there in fifteen minutes or less. A police cruiser exited the highway, and pulled into the parking lot of the little convenience store. Officer Bob Fritz parked a couple of lanes over from the suspicious couple. Officer Bob looked over at the young family, smirking at them as he approached the front door of the market. Sonny Ray behaved like he had not noticed the arrival of the local yokel.

It was a gorgeous day, the air fresh, cool and crisp.

The young family was observing the San Francisco Peaks. Sonny Ray felt someone’s eyes on him. He turned slowly, casually.
“Excuse me boy, would you mind telling me what in the hell are you doing?” Officer Bob asked, looking upward at the large Hawaiian. His first emotion was reactionary, but he knew his family was more important than over reacting to this, unprofessional type of cop. Nikko had picked up Raye and stepped onto the sidewalk giving her and her daughter some space in case things got out of hand.

“What is it you want officer?” Sonny Ray’s voice was flat. “What I want Indian, is for you and your colored girlfriend there, and your brat, to get in your car and get the hell out of my town.”

Sonny Ray looked at officer Bob with gleaming eyes.

“We appreciate the small town welcome, but we should be on the road and out of your friendly little town shortly.” Officer Bob snorted and was about to continue his verbal assault when Sonny Ray continued.

“Generally I avoid pointless conversations, like the one I’m having with you, but I wanted you to know that I am not american indian, not native american, but native hawaiian, and secondly, my wife is not colored but more of a cocoa brown,” Sonny Ray was doing his best to play it straight.

“Harwaiian my ass,” officer Bob said sarcastically.

“Yeah I get that a lot, Sonny Ray interjected.

“I watch reruns of Harwaii five-o all the time, and you don’t look much like that harwaiian Kona,” Bob said scoffing in retort. Sonny Ray knew that

some of his dad’s people we’re culturally clueless, but damn.

“Kono was the characters name, not Kona. Kona is a town on the big island,” Sonny Ray replied, trying not to laugh.
“Well now, all I know is that you kind of look like the local injuns in this area, and it is my duty to keep safe all the law abiding folk in these parts.”
“Okay you found me out I am, and so is he!” Sonny Ray said, pointing to a man pulling up in a truck.

Officer Bob turned in the direction of the vehicle to see who was approaching.

A call came across his hand held radio. He turned away for a moment.

“Watch your ass boy.” Officer Bob jumped in his rig, tires screeching as he disappeared down the street.

Sonny Ray motioned for his wife to get in the car.

This trip was about to get cut short.
“You alright babe?”
“We’re fine,” Nikko replied.
“Sonny Ray?” A voice called from behind. Sonny Ray turned in the direction of the voice. “Are you Sonny Ray?” Dwayne asked politely. “I am. Dwayne right?” Dwayne introduced himself and the two men shook hands. Sonny Ray then introduced his family. “I see you just met the local calvary,” Dwayne stated.

“Strange little man,” Sonny Ray said, a little more relaxed now.

“Well after that warm Antelope Springs welcome I’m thinking we should be on our way.” Dwayne always tried to remain positive in every situation. Dwayne waited for Sonny Ray and family to load up, and then they were off.

The old man put more wood in his stove. He loved cooking outdoors. Dwayne had surprised Cyrus with this stout 1800’s wood stove.

Dwayne found it in Gallup, when he was returning home after buying a beautiful bay horse from an old cowboy on the outskirts of Austin, Texas.

Dwayne saw the stove sitting on the end of a loading dock of an old general feed store.

They hammered out a price and the employees even helped him load it on the stock trailer he had.

He only had one horse to haul, so there was plenty of room. It had taken several of Dwayne’s friends to help place it in the clearing near a small stream.

As Cyrus waited for his guests to arrive, he sat in a chair near the fire pit that Dwayne had built. Dwayne had started a fire earlier for Cyrus before leaving to meet with Sonny Ray.
Cyrus knew that his son was not going to believe him initially.

Fortunately, he had shrewdly retained all correspondence with Sonny Ray’s mother, including Sonny Ray’s birth certificate, as well as a few photographs he had managed to hang on to over the years.
Still, he would be starting this conversation with a complete stranger, and Cyrus knew he would have to address a few things.

Dwayne pulled into his long, and narrow driveway with Sonny Ray and family close behind. It was lunch time and Cyrus hoped they had an appetite. Dwayne closed the door of his truck and walked back to the slightly uneasy family. “I believe Cyrus is out in the back cooking us some lunch,” Dwayne said trying to sound upbeat.

They followed him, going through a small wooden gate. It was heavily wooded, but Dwayne had worked hard last summer to create a space that would be functional, but not overly invasive to the natural surroundings.

Flames flickered upward as the smell of mesquite wood permeated the area. The small group approached quietly as Cyrus was cooking some fresh steaks on the wood burning stove. “Cyrus,” Dwayne called out, so as not to startle the old man. Cyrus turned and gazed upon the small family. He smiled politely and looked intently at Sonny Ray.

The young man met his gaze, a question mark fluttering between his eyes and the eyes of this stranger.

It was a quiet introduction, but not an awkward one. Sonny Ray extended his hand, and as he did the old man stepped forward and enveloped the young man with a firm and kind embrace. Sonny Ray reciprocated and embraced the old man as well. They both stepped back and looked at each other.

“Mommy that man is really tall and he is really brown,” little Raye proclaimed.

That fact had not escaped Sonny Ray’s notice.

The small group looked at Raye. The old man chuckled. Sonny Ray turned quickly, and introduced his wife and daughter.

After all the introductions were made, Dwayne invited everyone to sit around

the fire pit.

The afternoon went by with easy conservation, and laughter. Cyrus was both happy and relieved to have finally met Sonny Ray. Cyrus knew much had to be accomplished in the next few days. For now he needed rest. He would sleep, and he would dream.

Yes Cyrus would dream as he had every night for as long as he could remember. Dwayne awoke early the next morning and put on a large pot of coffee. The smell of coffee brewing soon began to fill the air.

Sonny Ray, like a salmon in search of its birthplace, swam down the hall towards the warmth and smell of inherent familiarity.

Cyrus made his way on the short path from the hogan to the back of the house. He ducked down through the doorway as the two men looked up from the table. “Good morning Cyrus,” Dwayne said, reaching for another coffee cup. Dwayne poured a cup of coffee. Cyrus sat down slowly, as Dwayne slid the hot coffee in front of him.

Cyrus and Sonny Ray had not yet spoken much to each other.

It was however, with a quiet effortlessness that each man moved in, and around each other’s space, and neither felt ill at ease because of it.

“So what are your plans today young man?” Cyrus asked Dwayne. “I was going to make a run into town, and go look at a horse, and then pick up some more groceries.
Did you need me to pick you up anything?” “No, I don’t think so,” Cyrus replied. “I think I’ll take Sonny Ray with me if you don’t mind.” “That will be fine, it gives me a chance to visit with the two young ladies.

Dwayne, don’t you stay gone too long. Sonny Ray and I need to get acquainted.” “I won’t Cyrus promise, Dwayne replied, patting the shoulder of the older man with gentle respect. Cyrus finished his coffee.

With the two men headed into town, Cyrus decided to cook a fine breakfast for the two sleeping beauties. The aroma of fresh food cooking soon coaxed the girls to abandon their warm and snug bed. In no time at all, Nikko and Raye were engaged in a delightful conversation with a virtual stranger, who had such a presence and gave the impression of someone they had known for some time.

Dwayne left the dirt road and turned onto the hard top that would take them right into Antelope Springs. Dwayne and Sonny Ray had talked some, but Dwayne detected that Sonny Ray appeared tired, and was probably reserving some of his questions for Cyrus. After a short drive they arrived at the little mom and pops market. Soon they emerged with a basket full of groceries.

Dwayne was supposed to go look at a horse before shopping, but his cousin Rocket called. Rocket had forgotten about having to help his uncle round up some cattle in Chinle. So they would meet up another time. After loading the groceries they headed out of town, and back to the house.

After breakfast Cyrus invited the two ladies to accompany him on his morning walk. They both agreed, and soon they set out on an adventure. This well traveled path had been taken by Cyrus many times over the years.

Today, it was done in health that was surely fading, but with a spirit that soared with unspeakable joy.

“Young lady this old man needs to stop for a moment to catch his breath,” Cyrus said.

“Of course, little Raye could use a break too,” Nikko replied.

She was observant that Cyrus was in a weakened state, but she did not feel it appropriate to question him.

Their rest break was broken by the furious flapping of a low flying bird.

The large black eagle seemingly dropped from the sky, like a predatory base jumper.

It landed on a stump next to Cyrus, who himself sat resting on a fallen tree. “Oh my goodness,” Nikko said as she instinctively pulled her daughter closer. “Look mommy an eagle,” Raye declared.

A smile of approval came across the old man’s face as he observed the little girl.

“Can I touch him?” Raye asked, looking to Cyrus for approval.

The old man gave a kindly smile and said, “No little one I’m afraid the black eagle wouldn’t stand for that, but if you like you can sit with me, and we can look at him together.” Raye nodded in the affirmative, and her mother cautiously sat her on Cyrus’ lap.

The black eagle observed the two girls attentively, burning their image into its memory.

“So I take it that this is more than just a casual acquaintance between you and this eagle,” Nikko said. Cyrus looked obligingly at his old companion. “Yes young lady we have been together a long, long time.” Cyrus began to cough. “Are you okay?” Cyrus nodded that he was fine.

“Did you buy him at the store Mr. Cyrus?”

“No Raye we met a long time ago in place called Africa.”

Nikko’s interest was piqued. “It must have cost you a small fortune to ship him here to this part of the world,” Nikko said. Cyrus turned his attention from the eagle.

“No young lady it cost me nothing,” Cyrus said, matter of factly. “You must have had a good friend working in Customs then,” Nikko concluded.

“No young lady, you see this black eagle followed me here,” Cyrus said unobtrusively. “This bird, this eagle followed you from Africa?” Cyrus nodded once more.

“You know I have read stories, and seen the news of cats and dogs getting lost, and finding their way back home, but I must say, this is a bit much,” Nikko said, exasperated.

The old man began to get drowsy, and appeared to fall asleep sitting on the log. He opened his eyes after a few moments and smiled sleepily at the little girl who now stood quietly nearby.

“You know little Raye, I had a dream about you and your mommy.” Cyrus said it in such a way so as not to frighten the little girl. “You did?” Raye said, eyes wide with anticipation. “Was it a good dream Mr. Cyrus?” “Oh yes Raye, a very good dream.

Would you like to hear it?” “Oh yes, please, please tell me,” little Raye said, clapping her hands excitedly. “All right then.”

Cyrus rubbed his king-sized hands together. Placing his hands face down on his thighs, he began to speak. “In my dream you and your mommy went shopping, and your mommy bought you a pretty dress. Then she took you for pizza. “I love pizza,” little Raye shrieked. “Me too,” Cyrus replied.

“Then, you and your mommy walked out of the store, and you looked up and saw something in the sky.

Do you remember little Raye?” Cyrus asked, looking at Nikko.

“Yes I remember,” Raye shrieked again. “It was a big bird, a eagle, remember mommy?” Nikko’s mouth dropped slightly open, as the hair on the nape of her neck stood on end. Nikko stood there in stunned silence.

After gathering herself she told her daughter, “Raye could you play over there for a minute. Mommy needs to talk to Mr. Cyrus, okay honey?” “Sure mommy.” The large black eagle had not moved from Cyrus’ side.

The old man sat solemnly, waiting for the questions that would surely come.

Nikko composed herself and asked, “So who are you exactly?”

The old man’s head rose slowly, and he started to speak.

“My name is Cyrus Keali’iwahamana.

I have searched for my son, I have found him and it is my hope that he will look after my friend here, after I am gone.”

“Your son?” Nikko exclaimed.

Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved #blackeagledream
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Black Eagle Dream

May 15th, 2022
A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 20

“Aw crap,” Dwayne said in disgust. “What is it?” Sonny Ray glanced over at Dwayne. “Federalizes,” Dwayne said, glancing in his rear view mirror.
Officer Bob sat in his cruiser, lights flashing.

After calling in his stop he ran Dwayne’s plates, even though he knew they were clean. Anything he could do to piss off Notah he went the extra mile. “Protect and Serve my ass,” officer Bob mumbled to himself.

He grabbed his minority ticket dispenser and exited his cruiser.

“Well if if ain’t Dwayne the pain Notah, how you doing boy?” Officer Bob asked, placing his hand on the top of the car. “Morning officer Bob,” Dwayne replied. “That’s officer Fritz to you Indian,” Bob said, snappy now. Officer Bob glanced over at Sonny Ray. “What’s your name jackass?” “Sonny Ray Willetto.” “Now what kind of name is that for a harwaiian?” “It’s a uh hapa hawaiian kind of name,” Sonny Ray replied.
“A hapa kappa what jackass?” Officer Bob shot back.

“It is a half breed kind of name I guess officer,” Sonny Ray said with slow deliberation.

“Oh, well why didn’t you say so there harwaiian boy?” Officer Bob spit some tobacco at his feet. “I believe I did jackass,” Sonny Ray said, unable to play the game any longer. Officer Bob walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle. “Out,” officer Bob commanded. Sonny Ray complied, and stepped out of the vehicle.

Officer Bob grabbed the suspect and subdued said subject against the hood of police vehicle.

Sonny Ray allowed himself to be handcuffed and sat quietly in the back of the cruiser.

‘He better be glad he met me, and not my brother Whisper,’ Sonny Ray thought, with a wry smile on his face. Officer Bob was steaming. It wasn’t often that a minority mouthed off to him. This Sonny Ray character didn’t even seem afraid of him, and that infuriated him.

Officer Bob had been contemplating a vacation to Harwaii, but now he was having second thoughts.

This here harwaiian was near as mouthy as that Navajo Notah.

Officer Bob had an irrational fear of indigenous people. Like most people who harbored prejudiced feelings towards others, this fear appeared to be the common denominator that fed the hollow leg of officer Bob’s ignorance.

Officer Bob was so steamed he forgot what group he was hating on, but it didn’t matter, as long as he could vent, and make his feelings known. “We should have wiped out all you sons of bitches at the battle of the little big horn,” officer Bob exclaimed, seething now.

“You know officer I am not exactly a historian or anything, but I believe you guys kind of lost the big horn thing. Just saying.

I believe you are referring to the Wounded Knee Massacre. You know where all the brave blue coats shot down women, children, babies, and old people.”

Officer Bob now glared at Sonny Ray through his rear view mirror. “Beat it Notah,” officer Bob said. The pudgy cop shot Dwayne a left handed middle finger as he drove away. After radioing the dispatcher, he headed into town to process the prisoner. Officer Bob had only traveled a couple of miles when another call came in.

There was a tractor trailer roll over on the off ramp coming into Antelope Springs. There were several injuries, and a possible fatality.
Officer Bob turned his indicator on, and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. Officer Bob stood on a greasy grassy knoll. He pulled Sonny Ray roughly from the vehicle.

As he tried to regain his balance officer Bob shoved him down a small incline. Sonny Ray began to roll down the hill and as he did his head struck a large rock hidden in the grass. Blood began to flow from the gash on his left eyebrow. Officer Bob looked around briefly. The rotund cop labored as he navigated down the small but steep hill. Sonny Ray attempted to get to his feet. As he got to one knee officer Bob kicked the handcuffed prisoner in his stomach. Sonny Ray grunted, the breath being knocked out of his lungs.

“That was for me, and this one,” officer Bob said pausing,

“this is for General George Armstrong Custer!”

Officer Bob said screaming, as he kicked Sonny Ray on the right side of his rib cage.

Sonny Ray could not respond, but if he could he would have let officer Bob know that he was pretty sure Custer was a Lieutenant Colonel prior to getting his ass handed to him.

Not to mention the complimentary indigenous ear exam he had received.

Sonny Ray could not breathe.

Officer Bob grabbed Sonny Ray by the hair and turned him on his side so he could get his handcuffs. He stood over Sonny Ray, as blood flowed down the handcuffed man’s face. “Not so smart now are you pineapple?” Officer Bob snorted. “That’s twice I have been called off you boy.”

Officer Bob secured his handcuffs, and prepared to leave when a shadow fell near officer Bob’s face. In his peripheral vision he could see something closing in on him. Instinctively, he moved away, falling to the ground near Sonny Ray. He stood quickly, looking at the tree line. He turned to scan the immediate area; and as he did the large black eagle dove at his head, with one of its claws making contact with the left temple of officer Bob. The black eagle soared skyward, screeching loudly now.

“Son of a bitch,” Officer Bob yelped, reaching for his face. After seeing his own blood on his fingers Bob began to panic. He rolled onto his beer belly, scrambling to get to his feet. The black eagle circled again.

Bob saw the prodigious bird of prey, and he grew fearful.

Officer Bob hightailed it to his cruiser, and got the hell out of there. Sonny Ray rolled onto his back, as air slowly and mercifully began to fill his lungs. He looked around in a yellow haze. A large shadow crossed over his body as he lay there in the tall grass. Sonny Ray could hear the furious sound of wings flapping near him on the ground.

He raised his head weakly, only to discover two dark eyes staring attentively at him.

Sonny Ray looked at the black eagle again, blinking a few times, trying to get his focus back. He put his head down, opting to concentrate on his breathing instead. He closed his eyes for a few moments. He felt nauseated, and dizzy. Sonny Ray opened his eyes again. He couldn’t get himself to focus.

Without warning the large black eagle took to flight. Sonny Ray raised his groggy head, as the black eagle glided out of his focus, seemingly leaving him.
Sonny Ray lay in the tall grass passed out, not knowing the black eagle had circled back around, and now sat observing the young man once again.

The dark eyes of the Black Eagle Dream peered into the soul of the unconscious Sonny Ray.

After today,

this young man would never have a night of sleep where he did not travel

between what it was he knew,

and

what it was he would see;

in the realm of the Black Eagle Dream.

Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved #blackeagledream
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