Page 31 of Mika's Heart

Mika

Atka had told me that he sent word to his parents several days ago that he was coming and that he was bringing a friend.

It’s obvious that they were not expecting that friend to be a woman though if I’m to judge their facial expressions when we got off the small plane.

His mother, Lusa, recovered more quickly than his father though, giving me a huge hug and welcoming me to the village.

His father, Hanta, was a bit more reserved, holding himself back but still giving a polite hello.

Atka and his brother Eagle apparently have their own house here that their mother cleaned up for us before our arrival.

Looking around the cabin, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much bigger it seems on the inside than it looks.

There are two bedrooms. Small rooms but still enough. What do you need to do in a bedroom anyway besides sleep?

“Come down to the big house when you both get settled. Everyone is already there waiting to see you.” She says with a huge smile.

“We’ll be there soon. I promise.” He hugs her before she shuffles back out the door.

“How many people will be there?” I ask, looking over at him as he opens his bag to pull out another shirt.

“Knowing my mom? Everybody!” He chuckles at my expression. “It’ll be fine. Are you ready to go?”

Actually I’m not ready but we are here now and I’ll not disappoint Atka. His family is important to him and he’s important to me.

A few hours later, I’ve met so many new people that there’s absolutely no way for me to remember them all. Everyone so far has been super welcoming.

Several of the women along with Atka’s mother are showing me how they cut the fish and hang them in the huge smoke house to preserve the meat.

“This is most of our diet through the winter although we get other meat as well. Fish, though, is a very important staple.” Lusa explains.

“All of this is amazing. Does Atka like to fish?” I ask but a voice at the door answers the question.

“No, he doesn’t.”

The girl who spoke looks to be about my age and I smile in her direction.

“I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Mika.” I introduce myself but she seems to curl her lip at me.

“Catori!” Lusa says to the girl harshly but the girl turns, stomping away.

Lusa looks back at me with a small smile. “I’m sorry. That was Catori. She’s not usually so unfriendly.”

Confused as to why she’d respond to me in such a way, I shake my head before looking back at Lusa.

“It’s okay. I’m a stranger.” I shrug.

Lusa goes on to show me other things the tribe does and the encounter with Catori is forgotten.

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