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After his release from prison, Meeko travels to New York City to meet with an art agent, who has arranged a show of his work. After their meeting she informs him that tonight will be the press party, and the guest list will include the most influential New Yorkers. She has drafted a contract for him, and set up distributors across the country who will sell signed prints of his best work, doubling the profits. At the press party Meeko plays the gracious host, answering dozens of probing questions about his heritage, creativity and artwork. Here he meets Sunny Beam, and knows without a doubt that he not only painted her in prison, but she was also the woman Granbear had talked about. Sunny returns to the gallery the next day. Meeko finds out that she is a breed, and Sunny becomes angry, thinking that another Indian questions her heritage. After she creates a scene in the gallery, Meeko tries to invite her out for a meal to make amends. He is not comfortable with her reaction; his experience has been that breeds usually tried to please bloods. He agrees that Sunny Beam is a beautiful, sensuous woman, with arrogant dog-eating Sioux pride to match. He is infatuated with her, knowing it will take another arrogant dog-eating Sioux to capture this woman. Later that evening, Meeko attends one of Sunny's shows, and is in awe of her confidence and elegance. Sunny's inner beauty equals her talent, and he admires her command over the audience, and knows she expresses her identity with Sioux pride. He meets Sunny in her dressing room, and with the gift of a wolf painting, relationships between them improve. Sunny and Meeko visit the motel Sunny had bought previously. Unfortunately trips to the motel will soon cease, since Sunny needs to sell it for tax purposes. The motel has served as a sanctuary for Sunny, and she is saddened at the prospect of having to tell Shung' and Eddie about the sale of the property. Not long afterwards, Sunny learns that Sam has terminal cancer. Immediately she flies to see him. After speaking with the doctor, she arranges for Sam to order in his food, and have round-the-clock nurses. Sam is to be provided with every comfort, and his every whim satisfied. Also he is given twenty-four hour visitation rights, and his old cronies are now allowed back into the hospital. Sam loves his new position of power, and even his doctor agrees that he seems in better spirits. On Sam's deathbed, he finally tells Sunny about the circumstances surrounding her birth. At his departure Sunny sees Sam's spirit intertwine with Cheering Woman's, and watches the two spirits drift up and out of the room. Sunny knows she can no longer deny her heritage. It is time for her to return to the reservation and reclaim her roots. |
© 2000 The Red Pathway Learning Center & Foundation, Inc.
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Wind Wolf Woman |