Chapter 9: Nohkoma’s Words

The Belmont Braves bus stopped at the gate of their school. Everyone sighed when they got off the bus. They were back to reality after the summer camp, which was held for only a month. They were all exhausted and wanted to go home right away. They all knew that they had to practice again next week. It was imperative that their team should have a practice thrice a week when it was summer, except those who already graduated. They would also prepare for their going to the universities they intended to go to study in the future.

The four of them went to Menominee’s Hut before they headed for home. They took a table in the corner. It was mid-afternoon, so there were not a lot of people in the local fast food. The people would usually come flooding in around lunch time and dinner time until late in the evening.

Nohkoma saw them filing in, and she smiled at them.

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen,” she greeted them, her eyes twinkling. “What can I get you? It’s for free.” She whispered the last sentence and smiled broadly.

“Wow!” Diana and Eric exploded.

The two of them were so fast to name what they wanted.

“I really like that Wiikiops thing,” said Eric. “And, I like a very, very cold root beer.”

Elise’s head whipped at her brother.

“Hey, I already graduated high school! I can drink beer. Besides, I only ordered root beer,” her brother reasoned out.

Elise just raised her eyebrows at her brother without a word.

“Nohkoma, can I have your exotic pizza and mango shakes?” Diana pleaded.

“Sure.” She winked at Diana and looked back and forth at Elise and Kent who were sitting opposite each other. “And you two?”

“Anything you can spare for me,” Elise said to her, and she smiled sweetly at Nohkoma.

“Me too,” Kent said.

“I’ll give you two of my Summer Rolls. I’m just introducing them today.” The old owner winked at them.

“What’s in them, Nohkoma?” Elise asked curiously.

“The Summer Rolls are egg rolls with shrimps, mushrooms, pork, beef, herbs and spices. And they go with lots of gravy, of course.”

“Awesome!” Elise said and imagined it would really taste good.

“So, choose your drinks,” Nohkoma urged her and Kent.

“Hmm… Orange Splash for me,” Elise said.

“Root beer for me. Thank you, Nohkoma,” Kent said.

“You got ‘em!” Nohkoma smiled amiably at both of them.

Eric drummed his fingers on the table while they waited for their food and drink. “She’s weird today,” he said at last.

“Right. She always stays in the kitchen,” Diana agreed, pouting at the thought.

The two looked at each other. Diana took her camera out of her backpack. Back to her normal self. “Let’s take a picture together. Oh, Amy’s free!” she said and stood up to ask the fast food employee.

Amy obliged and took pictures of them in different angles and positions. Their order arrived a few minutes later. Amy’s colleague brought them in a tray. Diana took her camera back and went back over to the table after thanking Amy, who smiled broadly, in return.

Diana’s eyes were feasting on the food in front of her with a wide smile when Eric snatched her camera from her hand.

“Say cheese!” he said.

Diana complied instead of getting angry with him.

They enjoyed eating their free food, courtesy of Nohkoma. Just before they finished eating, Nohkoma came over to their table again. Her face was serious this time, unlike the smiling Nohkoma earlier.

“You should choose the right persons in your journey,” she said looking outright at Elise. “There are dangers ahead of you but you will be lucky if you keep your guardians with you at all times. Some spirits of the dead will be your guide and adviser.”

Elise blinked, awed by what Nohkoma just said. Then Nohkoma smiled, back at her normal self as if she did not say anything weird earlier.

“Did you enjoy your food?” the old lady inquired.

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Nohkoma. The food was great!” Elise replied, but deep inside, she was confused. She forced a smile at the owner of the fast food.

“What was that all about?” Eric grunted when they went out of the local fast food, heading toward Kent’s expensive car.

“She’s weird today,” Diana offered thoughtfully.

“Well, anyway. We’ll go to your house and talk about the family summer camp on Belmont Mound. Let’s just forget about Nohkoma for now, all right?” Kent said to not let the weird air hang over them.

“That would be better… I think,” Elise said and smiled toothlessly at him, with understanding.

Their eyes held for a little while, making her heart jump.