Jeanette picks up the one ounce silver coin. "By 'alliances,' what do you mean?" Jeanette looks at the coin. There's a 1 on the front and under that are the words Texas Hotel and Condo Association.
 
Jeanette Isabelle

As Fernando walks back to the VW Campers, Tonane intercepts him along the way.
 
"Excuse me, sir. I did not get your name before." Tonane begins.
 
"It's Fernando." He tells him.
 
"Hmmm... Mexican?" Tonane asks.
 
"Don't ever call me a Mexican. I'm Puerto Rican from the island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea and am part Taino Indian and part Spaniard." He tells him.
 
"My apologies. I do have something to give you all. Come with me as I explain. The Spirits gave us this box years ago and told us to hold until their 'people' arrive. In the past groups have wondered by but the spirits told us that they were not them, so we continue to hold it. Today they told us to give it to you." Tonane explains.
 
"You know what is in this box?" Fernando asks as they approach the largest teepee in the community.
 
"No we don't, other than it would be valuable. All we know is that for its small size it is heavy." Tonane explains as he measures out a box about 18 X 18 X 24 cubic inches before entering the teepee.
 
They go inside the tent, where a highly decorated chief with another highly decorated indian, sitting next to him on the floor. On the other side were other older men, the tribe's elders sitting in either conference or audience to the chief.
 
"Chief Great Bear, this is Fernando who is one of the group the spirits sent." Tonane explains.
 
"I see. Before anything can be given, he has to pass the test the spirits gave us." the Chief says, reaching into a leather pouch and pulling out a mixed up Rubix Cube and a folded up piece of paper. "Each side of the puzzle must have its own color, and each color must follow the pattern as stated on this parchment. You can not take apart and reassemble the cube, each piece slides into place with a twist. I was told that it would take 20 minutes to solve." as he reaches out to Fernando with the cube in his hand.
 
Fernando takes the cube and looks at its sides, "20 minutes? When do I begin?"
 
"You begin now." The chief says.
 
Fernando gives the sides a couple of test twists to see how easily it turns. It turns smoothly. He lets out a sigh and begins to twist it it quickly with the solution key he has in his mind from many years ago. 1980 to be precise. In less than 30 seconds the puzzle is solved. He hands it back to the chief who looks at it in awe as he compares it to the notes on the paper, every side with its color and every color in its place.
 
All those seated in the room bow down except for Tonane and the Chief. The Chief gets up and uncovers a blanket covered box, signaling to Tonane to bring it out in the open as he tells Fernando, "This is yours."
 
"I don't know what the spirits told you, but..." Fernando begins to say.
 
"The Spirits told us everything we need to know." The Chief tells him, "This box is to make your journey easier."
 
"Can I open it now?" Fernando asks.
 
"If you like. Would it not be better if you open it in front of your travel companions?" The Chief asks.
 
"Perhaps." Fernando replies.
 
Fernando opens up the top lid of the box, finding rolled up stacks of gold and silver coins taking up less than a 1/3rd of the box's volume. Another third has boxes of shotgun shells, about 10 smaller boxes were of .45 ACP ammunition, with 100 rounds in each box. The remaining third of the space has assorted items like assorted child sized t-shirts and undergarments, medical lotions and a dozen or so rolls of gauze and bandages. Everything looks new and shiny.
 
Fernando picks up one of the girls undergarments, "This is definitely not for me, its not even my size." As the men in the teepee laughed, Fernando puts away the undergarment and closes up the box. "Thank you."
 
"No. Thank you." The Chief tells him as he points to Tonane to get a rolling cart to put the box in. A bright brand new looking red Radio Flyer is brought out and box is put in it. "That is yours too."
 
"Thanks." Fernando tells him.
 
"Later tonight there will a celebration for your departure in the morning. It would be an honor if you all were there." The Chief says.
 
"I'll inform the others. Until then, take care and thank you." Fernando tells him before leaving the teepee with the box in the wagon in tow.
 
He arrives to the campers as the girls were eating and talking.

"Wuz up, besides you all eating without me. Hope you got something for me to munch on." Fernando begins to say, "By the way, the chief wants to give some king of going away party for us. And this... I already checked it out but not open anything." He pushes the Radio Flyer wagon to the edge of the bus without hitting anyone along the way. He adds, "And the bathroom is a long walk from here, on the other side of this camp site. And what job? Oh never mind. I'm tired. Deal with this, please. Most of the stuff in there is not for me."

Jeanette first addresses Fernando. "The tribe brought the food here and Danielle lead the prayer." Jeanette pauses. With Hikaru and Fernando, a lot of information is being thrown at her. "Wait, a party, for us? I wonder what's going on. What's in there?"
 
Jeanette turns to Hikaru. "What you said is true. There has to be more to life hence why I became an EMT. Being an EMT isn't it. But I can't fathom leaving my sisters for a job, even if my calling is to be a live-in health care provider in a children's home."
 
Jeanette Isabelle

"Good grief, Hikaru." Jeanette exclaims. "You're starting to sound like my round robin character, Misao."
 
Jeanette Isabelle