Hannah stared out of the kitchen window, absent-mindedly piling the plates in the sink. She didn't know what to say.
Emily sighed. "Look, it's not like Josh doesn't belong to us anymore. He's still part of us, of our clans, but he is just ... different. Sometimes I have the feeling Sani is interfering in his life too much and doesn't allow him to be a teenager anymore."
"But I don't see any awkwardness between you and Josh. You seem to be relaxed around him."
"That's because I'm not on the rez. Nobody is paying attention to us now. I feel free here, and Josh is more relaxed outside of Naabi'aani too, although he tenses up occasionally."
That tensing-up part sounded familiar. Josh had suddenly been miles away when she asked him about his birthmark last night. What had that been about?
Emily coughed. "I can't help but notice that Josh is different around you, though. Not as carefree as with Ben. He looks at you. So intently."
Hannah knew she was blushing. "You noticed, huh?"
Emily smiled faintly. "Well, I'm not blind, thank you very much."
"I don't really know what's going on, just that there is something going on between us. I want to get to know him better. You know, in a new way."
Emily gave her a mischievous smile, but then she put a hand on Hannah's shoulder. "Be careful with yourself, okay? I know what Josh has been like in the last couple of years. It might seem like he's letting people in, but then the door slams in your face with him stepping off the playing field again. Like he doesn't belong to the life he grew up in. I just don't want you to get hurt."
At that moment, Ben walked into the kitchen and girl time was over. They helped Ben cut the pie and pour coffee and tea for the four of them. When they came back outside with the drinks and trays of food, Josh was sitting on the porch steps, gazing into the distance, as if his mind had wandered to a place where he could feel the spirits of the past.