Free Tracking Bear by David Thurlo Page B

really mean is that you wish I would go back to being the way I was…someone who was always here at home waiting for you, or your father, or your brother. But that can’t be. That time is gone.”
    “But youwere happy all those years, weren’t you?” Seeing Rose nod, she added, “Then why change?”
    “Because life did. You and your brother grew up, your father passed away, and it was a time for me to begin anew. To not grow, to not change—that is death,” she said matter-of-factly.
    Ella understood, but nothing would ever make her stop missing the old days. She ate quickly, knowing she had to return towork, but enjoying every bit of her food. When she swallowed the last spoonful of stew, she swabbed the bowl with a piece of fry bread to get every last drop of broth.
    “ Bizaadii is coming over tonight,” Rose said, using the nickname she’d given Herman Cloud as a joke. She called him “the gabby one” though he seldom had much to say. “He and I will watch your daughter.”
    At least she wouldn’t haveto worry about her mother tonight. There was a limited amount of trouble she could get into here at home. “Mom, I’d like you to be very careful around people who are pro-NEED. I’m not sure how far they’re willing to go to fight those who don’t agree with them.”
    “I don’t think they present a threat to anyone. They’re hoping to sway public opinion, not turn it against themselves by using tacticsand dirty tricks no Navajo would condone. That young girl was just being childish, as one might expect.”
    “You’re probably right, but just stay alert. Okay?”
    Rose nodded, then began stirring a kettle of soup cooking on the stove. “I always am, more so than you’ve ever realized.”
    Ella stood up, her mother’s words troubling her. Sometimes the people you thought you knew best were the ones whosurprised you the most.

Six
    The memorial service was a simple affair, in Dr. Franklin’s home. The large buffet table in the dining room was covered with all kinds of food and drink that neighbors and friends had brought with them.
    Dr. Franklin greeted everyone as they entered, then moved among the gathering, giving them time to eat. Afterabout a half hour, he stood at one end of the room and cleared his throat. The people grew silent.
    His voice, weak at the beginning, grew stronger as he spoke. “I want to thank you all for coming—my son’s friends and fellow officers, and those who have known our family and have come to pay their respect. My son was a man of courage who always stood up for the tribe and, in the end, he gave hislife for The People. Although I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, I know he died doing exactly what he wanted to do—serve as a police officer.” Professor Franklin paused and swallowed from the cup of water he held in his shaking hand.
    “Today I want all of us to celebrate his life, not mourn his passing. He would have wanted it that way.”
    The chief stood to say a few words. OfficerMike Kodaseet would follow and speak about what the department meant to Jason.
    Ella glanced around the room, watching those who had come. She recognized all of the department staff from the station, and a few of the officers that had come a long way from their patrol areas in Arizona.
    Regardless of their rank, their eyes all mirrored the same emotions. Their shared sense of loss, their shock,and their anger all drew them together, and gave them strength. What had happened to Jason could have easily happened to any of them, and they knew it. That knowledge would compel all of them to work tirelessly until Patrolman Jason Franklin’s killer was brought to justice.
     
    An hour later, Ella was walking to her unit, when Justine caught up to her.
    “Most of the civilians inside who aren’twith the department are anti-NEED advocates. I spoke to several of them, but there was one kid hanging around in the back of the room who particularly caught my attention. Did you