A Kachina Dance by Beverley Andi Page A

impressed him as well as my com ing from the east just to see a K achina dance. I’m sure the fact that I was single and alone didn’t escape his notice either. He told me there was a home dance on Saturday, the next day. 
    “Give me your cell number and I’ll call you later.”
    “Sure, I’m staying at the Hopi M otel next door.” That’s how it all started.
    It was about 5:15 when I hear d his knock on the door . I had just come back from tour ing , had taken a shower and was about to dry my hair . I was in a large towel with wet hair when I open ed the door a crack . Jay appeared dazed at what he saw for he said nothing.
    “Uh, can I help you? I need to dry off and get dressed.”
    “ Oh, I’m sorry. I was wondering if you ’d like to go for a drink. B ut if it’s a bad time… ”
    “If you can give me 15 minutes, it will be the rig ht time. I would enjoy a drink but more importantly I’d lik e to talk to you about the Hopi .”
    I figure my hair will have to air dry so I’ll conce ntrate on makeup and wardrobe. The fancy jeans, tank top and cowboy boots are the look I want; the excessive heat means the makeup will be light. Some earrings, perfume and my bag and I am ready to go. I head out the door 15 minutes later and see Jay leaning on a red motorcycle. I hold my breath , he looks so damn sexy .
    “You’re on time.” He gives me a slight smile.
    “I think it’s rude not to be. I hate to be kept waiting. I’m sure everyone feels the same.”
    He hands me a helmet and puts one on himself.
    “Oh? This is your motorcycle?”
    “Hmm.”
                  “I’ve never ridden on one. This will be my first time. Is it safe? I have a rental car , we could take that .”
    “You’ll be fine. Just hold on to me.” He gives me that sli ght smile again and I cave.
    Knowing no alcohol i s allow ed on the reservation, I figure we have to go to Flagstaff. Jay rides to a little ro adside café along the highway that’s about fifteen minutes away. When we dismount, h e asks how I liked the ride.
    “ I like th e feel of the wind blowing through my hair and the scen ery rushing past and the way the bike corners with your body ,” I say , but I don’t mention that I like holding on to his firm body , too . Kate, I tell myself, it’s been too long since you’ve had a BF. When I take off the helmet, I realize my long hair is dry already so I give it a quick brush.
    We walk into a rather seedy looking bar with some pretty rough Native characters hanging around.   All heads turn and stare at me, the only non-Native in the place . It’s dark inside with some overhead fans whirring. There are some flashing neon signs and the juk e box is playing country.
    “Why don’t you grab a couple of beers and we can sit outside, ” I say to Jay.  
    I’m not a beer drinker , wine is more my style , but this wasn’t the place to be di fferent. Thankfully, I’m not a bl onde . My dark hair blended in with the other women. But there’s nothing I can do with my blue eyes and freckles. We walk outside and si t a round a rusty wire table . It is still hot but there are warm breeze s blowing.
    “Those are pr etty mean looking dudes,” I say , as I nod toward the bar.
    “Oh, they’re Navaho.” He smiles . “ The y’ re not from my rez . ”
    “Do you hang out here often? ”
    “Me? No , this doesn’t do much for me. I’d rather be in the mountains on my bike.”
    “Hm m, that sounds cool especially on a hot evening like tonight.”
    “Tell me about yourself, Ms. Manhattan.”
    “ How do you know I come from NYC?”
    “ That i sn’t hard to figure out. You sure don’t look like anyone from these parts.” He has his half smile on again.
    “ Wait a sec, I’m wearing jeans and cowboy boots like everybody else .” Of course, I know mine are designer jeans and the boots are a bit trendy , but still .
    He stifles a laugh. “Yeah, but yours are spankin ’ new and I bet pretty expensive. We’re