Authors: Aimee & David Thurlo
Plant Them Deep (8 page)
“Wonderful. Can you go to her house tonight? Someone’s been stealing her plants,” Rose said, and explained. “If you leave the back porch light on, you shouldn’t have any problems. Her
house is close to the police station too, so if you need help, you’ll have it.”
house is close to the police station too, so if you need help, you’ll have it.”
“If I catch anyone, except for rabbits raiding her
plants, I’ll spray them with water from the garden hose. Just tell me how to get there,” Sadie said, undaunted.
plants, I’ll spray them with water from the garden hose. Just tell me how to get there,” Sadie said, undaunted.
Rose gave her the address and directions, mentioning where Lena hid a spare house key so she could get inside, then hung up. Moments later. Rose was on her way back to her son’s home, which was only a few miles away. Lena needed the best care, but she didn’t have much money. Maybe once
Rose spoke to Clifford, he’d agree to waive his fee or barter for something he needed. Eventually, Lena could trade him for some of the rare plants in her garden.
Rose spoke to Clifford, he’d agree to waive his fee or barter for something he needed. Eventually, Lena could trade him for some of the rare plants in her garden.
As she drove down the narrow dirt road that led to her son’s hogan, a flash of light in her rearview mirror caused her to glance back. Rose’s heart began to race as she saw a truck coming up from behind. It looked like the same vehicle
that had followed her once before—the tan pickup. But this time the driver wasn’t keeping his distance.
that had followed her once before—the tan pickup. But this time the driver wasn’t keeping his distance.
Rose saw the cloud of dust trailing the truck as the driver raced toward her at high speed. Suddenly realizing that he’d never be able to pass her on this narrow rut of a road, she slowed, gripped the wheel tightly, and started to pull to her right. Her pickup lurched as the left wheel entered
the rut where the right wheel had been. With one wheel in the track and the other outside, she had to hold on tightly to maintain control.
the rut where the right wheel had been. With one wheel in the track and the other outside, she had to hold on tightly to maintain control.
Rose glanced in the rearview mirror, and her heart jumped to her throat. The truck was closing in from behind, but his path indicated he didn’t intend to pass—he was on a collision course.
With the truck almost upon her, Rose decided she had to act fast or
get struck from behind. Gritting her teeth, she gripped the steering wheel even more tightly, then veered sharply to
the right, taking her foot off the gas. The truck shot past her as she left the road and careened down a hillside. Rose hung to the wheel, struggling to keep traveling in a straight line, afraid that if she hit the brakes she would flip over. For one breathless moment, she was certain
that her old truck would hit a patch of sand halfway down the hill and overturn.
get struck from behind. Gritting her teeth, she gripped the steering wheel even more tightly, then veered sharply to
the right, taking her foot off the gas. The truck shot past her as she left the road and careened down a hillside. Rose hung to the wheel, struggling to keep traveling in a straight line, afraid that if she hit the brakes she would flip over. For one breathless moment, she was certain
that her old truck would hit a patch of sand halfway down the hill and overturn.
Somehow, the pickup remained upright, and she slowed enough to finally risk using the brakes. Rose brought the pickup to a stop, reached down, and turned off the engine.
She brushed a tear from her face. Perhaps the driver hadn’t meant to hit her. She’d probably just overreacted because of his high speed. Memories
of her nearly fatal accident several years ago, when a drunk had swerved into her lane and struck her nearly head-on, were still too fresh in her memory. She was still shaking so badly she was afraid to touch the wheel.
of her nearly fatal accident several years ago, when a drunk had swerved into her lane and struck her nearly head-on, were still too fresh in her memory. She was still shaking so badly she was afraid to touch the wheel.
Rose took deep breaths, hoping to slow her pounding heart as she tried to make sense out of what had just happened. One of the first things that occurred to her was that there
had been purpose and intent behind the driver’s actions. Unlike her accident at the hands of a drunk driver, this incident had been a deliberate attempt to frighten her.
had been purpose and intent behind the driver’s actions. Unlike her accident at the hands of a drunk driver, this incident had been a deliberate attempt to frighten her.
Anger swelled inside her as she started up the truck again and circled back onto the road, then parked to take a look around. Only the settling dust revealed the direction the other truck had taken. Remembering some of the things
her daughter looked for at crime scenes, she reached for the camera Willie had loaned her, got out of her pickup, and photographed the tire imprints at close range. As a backup, she also made a quick sketch.
her daughter looked for at crime scenes, she reached for the camera Willie had loaned her, got out of her pickup, and photographed the tire imprints at close range. As a backup, she also made a quick sketch.
Doing something positive helped her feel more in control of the situation, and soon she was back on the road. A short time later, she arrived at Clifford’s hogan, but there was still no sign
of her son or his family.
of her son or his family.
Although the driver who had frightened her was nowhere in sight now, she still had to report what had happened. Rose walked to the front door of the main house. Clifford never locked it unless he was going to be away more than a day.
As she reached for the knob, she saw a piece of paper on the concrete step that had apparently been thumbtacked to the door at one point.
It was from her son, telling anyone who dropped by that he was away visiting a patient and would be back later this evening. There was probably another tacked to the front of the medicine hogan.
It was from her son, telling anyone who dropped by that he was away visiting a patient and would be back later this evening. There was probably another tacked to the front of the medicine hogan.
Rose sighed softly. That explained where her daughter-in-law and grandson were. Her son had started taking his family with him whenever he had to drive long distances to see a patient and it was after
school hours. Loretta and Julian would usually remain nearby playing while Clifford went in to take care of business. They were able to spend more time together as a family and that had eased some of the tension between him and his wife, who’d complained that he was always away with a patient.
school hours. Loretta and Julian would usually remain nearby playing while Clifford went in to take care of business. They were able to spend more time together as a family and that had eased some of the tension between him and his wife, who’d complained that he was always away with a patient.
Picking up the phone in the living room, Rose called Ella and recounted what had taken place with the
truck. “I’m fine, so you don’t have to worry. I also took photos of the tire tracks.”
truck. “I’m fine, so you don’t have to worry. I also took photos of the tire tracks.”
“What else do you remember? Did you see the driver?”
“No, I didn’t,” Rose answered. “I had to concentrate on my driving.”
“Mom, unfortunately, there are a lot of tan pickups around. I need something more. Was it new or old?”
“I’m not sure. It was just a regular pickup—not new, not shiny … so, yes, maybe old.”
“Was there anything distinctive about it?”
“Yes. It distinctly tried to run me off the road.”
“No, I mean—Never mind. Do you think it might have been a drunk driver?”
“No, there was purpose to this. It wasn’t random. Your brother’s home is the only one down that particular road.”
“The teens around here are always in a hurry, going nowhere fast, I’ll look into it, and tell you if I find out
anything. But Mom, you really should start carrying a cell phone. If you did, you could call for help immediately if you’re ever in trouble.”
anything. But Mom, you really should start carrying a cell phone. If you did, you could call for help immediately if you’re ever in trouble.”
“I don’t want a cell phone. I have no wish to be within everyone’s reach every moment of the day. I’ve done fine without a portable phone all my life, and I’ll continue to be perfectly all right without it in the future.”
“Will you at least think about
it?”
it?”
“All right, but I still don’t think I’ll change my mind.”
“Are you going home now?”
“No, I’ve still got some things to do. Before I get in touch with the other Plant Watchers and tell everyone what’s happened to Lena, I have to give the news to Clara Henderson in person. Somehow, I have to soften the shock for her. Then I’ll go by my friend’s house and help her housesitter get settled.
I’ll see you later tonight, but don’t wait up for me.”
I’ll see you later tonight, but don’t wait up for me.”
Rose hung up, left a note for Clifford asking him to go see Lena as soon as possible, then got ready to leave. Despite everything, she had to admit she’d never felt more alive. She was a woman on a mission and that gave her an incredible sense of purpose. Now, after all these years, she was finally beginning to understand why Ella was a cop
and what drove her. They weren’t that different after all.
and what drove her. They weren’t that different after all.
R
ose drove to Professor Hoff’s house the following morning and arrived around six-thirty. She loved the early morning hours. It was a time of peace and signaled a new beginning. All things were fresh, and possibilities seemed more like youthful promises.
ose drove to Professor Hoff’s house the following morning and arrived around six-thirty. She loved the early morning hours. It was a time of peace and signaled a new beginning. All things were fresh, and possibilities seemed more like youthful promises.
Although she was early, she saw Willie watering his front yard with a handheld sprinkler attached to the garden hose. He waved
as she pulled up and parked. Hoff’s dog was lying on the porch, resting his massive head between his paws.
as she pulled up and parked. Hoff’s dog was lying on the porch, resting his massive head between his paws.
Willie went over and turned off the water, then coiled the hose neatly by the water faucet as she approached carrying the borrowed camera, notepads, and a map of the area they’d be visiting.
“I’m glad you’re early. I’ve been looking forward to this so much, I got up early too. Kenmore would
love to go as well,” he said, glancing down at the dog, who’d stood up, stretched, then walked casually over to where they were standing. “Do you mind if I take him with us? We could go in my SUV Kenmore’s very good on outings like this, and he really loves being out in the field.”
love to go as well,” he said, glancing down at the dog, who’d stood up, stretched, then walked casually over to where they were standing. “Do you mind if I take him with us? We could go in my SUV Kenmore’s very good on outings like this, and he really loves being out in the field.”
Rose glanced at the dog, whose tail was now wagging
furiously, and didn’t have the heart to say no. “If you don’t
mind, it’s fine with me.”
furiously, and didn’t have the heart to say no. “If you don’t
mind, it’s fine with me.”
“Great.” Willie lowered the back tailgate, let out a short whistle, and the dog, exhibiting an agility Rose wouldn’t have dreamed he possessed, leaped into the seatless back of the SUV. The section was completely covered with a thick carpet. “I removed the back seats a long time ago. Now he has plenty of room to stretch out, and I have floor space for supplies, like
plenty of drinking water, whenever we go camping.”
plenty of drinking water, whenever we go camping.”
They first drove to an area close to Four Corners, west of the San Juan and just south of where it and the tiny Mancos River merged. It was higher in elevation here than at Shiprock, and Ute Mountain, said to resemble a reclining warrior, loomed just to the north.
While Kenmore lumbered on ahead, Rose pointed to the river just below the hill
where they were standing. “I remember bringing my children here a long, long time ago. Just across from where that big sandbar is now, ‘beeweed’ used to grow. Some of our people, in times of hunger, have been saved from starvation by eating the greens from that plant. The brittle branches can also be used to start a fire. My mother taught me how to spin the twigs into a larger branch, adding a little
sand as you go. A dry powder is formed that catches fire very easily. My son and daughter both learned the technique within a few minutes. Are you familiar with ‘beeweed’?”
where they were standing. “I remember bringing my children here a long, long time ago. Just across from where that big sandbar is now, ‘beeweed’ used to grow. Some of our people, in times of hunger, have been saved from starvation by eating the greens from that plant. The brittle branches can also be used to start a fire. My mother taught me how to spin the twigs into a larger branch, adding a little
sand as you go. A dry powder is formed that catches fire very easily. My son and daughter both learned the technique within a few minutes. Are you familiar with ‘beeweed’?”
“Ah, that’s an easy identification, because Anglos like me call it Rocky Mountain beeplant. Botanists have named it
Cleome
serrulata.”
Cleome
serrulata.”
As Willie whistled, Kenmore returned quickly, then they walked down to the shore of the
river and walked alongside the rapidly flowing water for nearly a mile, searching carefully. But they found none of the plants they were searching for, not even
“beeweed.” In one area where a small backwater had created a moist, fertile area, they found signs that the person with the entrenching tool had been active here too. Kenmore sniffed at the ground curiously, and it seemed obvious that some
of the scent of the person remained, though the elements had washed or blown away all of the distinctiveness of any footprints.
river and walked alongside the rapidly flowing water for nearly a mile, searching carefully. But they found none of the plants they were searching for, not even
“beeweed.” In one area where a small backwater had created a moist, fertile area, they found signs that the person with the entrenching tool had been active here too. Kenmore sniffed at the ground curiously, and it seemed obvious that some
of the scent of the person remained, though the elements had washed or blown away all of the distinctiveness of any footprints.
“I can’t tell you how this worries me,” Rose said as they climbed up away from the river and hiked back to the SUV.
Willie took a deep breath. “I did some research last night. Would you let me guide you to another site? It’s not far from here, maybe six or so miles
farther downstream.”
farther downstream.”
“That’s fine.”
Willie took them to an area where the river had meandered like a lazy bull snake, creating a wider lowland beside the river. Several farms were visible, and fields extended almost to the riverbed in a few places where the main irrigation canal fed smaller feeder ditches. Rose nodded as they reached a stretch of land that was familiar to her. “I’d forgotten
about this place.” Here the sandbar was so large it split the river into two channels and created an island with trees growing nearly fifty feet high. “I know some of the others have mentioned this place in passing. I believe it’s probably a collection site for some of the older Plant Watchers.”
about this place.” Here the sandbar was so large it split the river into two channels and created an island with trees growing nearly fifty feet high. “I know some of the others have mentioned this place in passing. I believe it’s probably a collection site for some of the older Plant Watchers.”
He led her to a nearby irrigation ditch that ran parallel to a cornfield. “Do you have any idea who
the person with the entrenching tool is?” he said, pointing again to some telltale holes by the bank. “Is it a Navajo, Anglo, medicine man, herbalist, or just someone stealing plants to sell off the reservation at some native plant nursery?”
the person with the entrenching tool is?” he said, pointing again to some telltale holes by the bank. “Is it a Navajo, Anglo, medicine man, herbalist, or just someone stealing plants to sell off the reservation at some native plant nursery?”
“Whoever it is steals mostly our medicinal and ceremonial plants, so they have some knowledge not only of plants, but of our culture.” Rose crouched by a
damaged plant, then snapped two photos of it and of the holes left by the entrenching
tool. “He found some ‘plant with yellow root’ growing here, but he’s damaged this one, and since I can’t see any other plants I can only assume he took whatever else was here.”
damaged plant, then snapped two photos of it and of the holes left by the entrenching
tool. “He found some ‘plant with yellow root’ growing here, but he’s damaged this one, and since I can’t see any other plants I can only assume he took whatever else was here.”
“Some of these wild plants are almost impossible to transplant,” he commented. “Curly leaf dock is a perennial and is pretty hardy,
but still, unless the person gets all the roots and keeps them from drying out in transport, there are bound to be a lot of losses.”
but still, unless the person gets all the roots and keeps them from drying out in transport, there are bound to be a lot of losses.”
“That’s probably why he takes so many. But none of the Plant Watchers would ever take the last plant, particularly this year when the Plant People are so scarce because of several years of very harsh weather.”
“Is it possible that someone is purposely trying to
harvest certain plants to extinction?” he asked.
harvest certain plants to extinction?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but he’s certainly making the rare ones even more scarce, at least at the usual sites.” She thought of Maria Poyer, but even if certain ceremonial and medicinal plants disappeared, it didn’t mean that the tribe would fund her experimental program. Rose took a deep breath. “There’s another site, It’s more remote, and only a few people
know the way down from the bluff. That’s where we should go next.”
know the way down from the bluff. That’s where we should go next.”
Rose led him to a high cliff on the west side of the river farther south back in the direction of the town of Shiprock. They parked away from the edge, then went to look over the bluff. The channel below was swift, and anyone approaching from the opposite bank would have to swim across or take a shallow draft boat or raft, a risky
operation. A marshy backwater lay at the bottom, and a higher, wide strip of isolated ground was well populated with plants.
operation. A marshy backwater lay at the bottom, and a higher, wide strip of isolated ground was well populated with plants.
“How do we get down there?” Willie asked, looking in both directions. “The cliff extends at least a mile in each direction before there’s a way down, and that green spot down there is surrounded by water and vertical cliffs.”
“We’ll have to leave the dog here, because
the first part is too steep. But there is a way.” Rose smiled. “My son, the medicine man, showed me.”
the first part is too steep. But there is a way.” Rose smiled. “My son, the medicine man, showed me.”
With Kenmore lying in the shade of the SUV and tethered with a nylon rope to the trailer hitch, Rose led Willie away from the cliff to a clump of sagebrush. There was a hole to one side of the brush. “We go down there, squeezing past the brush. That is, unless the path has crumbled away since
I was here last.”
I was here last.”
“Are you sure?” Willie stood closer and looked down. “Wait, I see light below. Let me lead the way, just in case.”
Rose smiled at his protective gesture. Herman would have done the same. Willie lowered himself down to a dirt platform five feet below the surface. “Cool! All you have to do is duck under a ledge, and there’s a narrow trail leading down the side of the cliff. You
can’t even see this from the other side, I bet. There’s a ridge blocking the view of the trail. This place is excellent.”
can’t even see this from the other side, I bet. There’s a ridge blocking the view of the trail. This place is excellent.”
Rose laughed at his youthful enthusiasm, then slipped down onto the path. Five minutes later, after a steep but manageable descent, they were on a moist shelf that was covered with vegetation. The isolated area was only about fifty feet long and twenty feet wide, but contained
many species of herbs and grasses, some waist high. Here, near two mature junipers, they found some “plant with yellow root” close to the cliff side.
many species of herbs and grasses, some waist high. Here, near two mature junipers, they found some “plant with yellow root” close to the cliff side.
“Curly leaf dock,” he said with a nod. “It’s often found at higher elevations, so the river must have brought the seeds down from Colorado or, more likely, Utah.”
Rose took photos of the plants, then wrote a few notes on their location and condition.
Showing them to Willie, she added, “Will this be enough for you to specify where we found them and the condition? I’m not going to report the route needed to get down here. That’s a secret.”
Showing them to Willie, she added, “Will this be enough for you to specify where we found them and the condition? I’m not going to report the route needed to get down here. That’s a secret.”
“Your notes are perfect. I’ll add the scientific information
today on the computer, and keep a running list. As soon as you have the photos developed, just let me know and we’ll give the photo a numerical
designation that will match up with this site.”
today on the computer, and keep a running list. As soon as you have the photos developed, just let me know and we’ll give the photo a numerical
designation that will match up with this site.”
Rose collected several leaves and a small cutting, placing them in a moistened paper towel, then in a plastic bag. Once she knew the plant cutting couldn’t dry out, she placed the bag into a leather pouch she’d fastened to her belt where it wouldn’t get crushed. “I’m sorry your dog couldn’t come with us,” Rose commented. “He seems very gentle for
such a large animal.”
such a large animal.”
“He is, but he can be riled. Once someone tried to break into my home. Kenmore didn’t like it, and went after him. According to a neighbor, the burglar took off running, Kenmore at his heels. I was told the man set a new land speed record,” he added with a chuckle.
Rose laughed. It was too bad Lena didn’t have an animal this size guarding her herb garden every night. But
then again, if an animal that size walked through the plants, or decided to start marking them …
then again, if an animal that size walked through the plants, or decided to start marking them …
A few hours later, after a productive morning, Rose returned to Shiprock in her own pickup. Her first stop was the hospital. After getting directions to Lena’s room, Rose went down the long corridor, reading the room numbers as she passed. She hated hospitals. She’d been in this one herself for
far too long after her accident, and the only good memory she had of that time was when she’d finally heard she could go home. Now the smells and the sounds combined to fill her with a strong sense of dread she couldn’t quite shake no matter how hard she tried.
far too long after her accident, and the only good memory she had of that time was when she’d finally heard she could go home. Now the smells and the sounds combined to fill her with a strong sense of dread she couldn’t quite shake no matter how hard she tried.
Rose finally found the right room, peeked inside to confirm Lena was there, and then, stepped through the doorway.
The ashen color of
her friend’s face was startling. From what she could see, Lena had gone downhill from yesterday.
The ashen color of
her friend’s face was startling. From what she could see, Lena had gone downhill from yesterday.
Rose looked around and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Lena’s lunch tray was still on the adjustable-shelf wheeled cart by her bed, and she obviously hadn’t touched her food.
As Rose came up beside the bed, Lena’s eyes opened. Rose smiled. “I see they brought you lunch. Do you need
some help eating?” Without waiting for an answer, Rose cut up a small piece of turkey and fed it to Lena.
some help eating?” Without waiting for an answer, Rose cut up a small piece of turkey and fed it to Lena.
She took two mouthfuls, but then shook her head as Rose was cutting another piece. “No more,” she said softly.
“You have to eat,” Rose pleaded. “How else can you get well enough to leave?”
“Later. Just sit down and visit awhile.”
“Has my son come by yet?” Rose asked, taking a chair and
moving it over by the bed.
moving it over by the bed.
“Yes, and we spoke for a bit. He said a prayer over me, but we both know that more is needed. He promised to be back with an herbal tea, but the doctors have to approve before I can drink it.”
“He’ll see to it that they will,” Rose said confidently. Here, on the reservation, the hospital tried to cooperate with tribal
hataaliis
, having seen the positive results Navajo
rituals often brought. “I’ve got some good news,” Rose said, determined to cheer Lena up. “The professor and I found some ‘plant with yellow root,’ and
all
the plants were in great condition.”
hataaliis
, having seen the positive results Navajo
rituals often brought. “I’ve got some good news,” Rose said, determined to cheer Lena up. “The professor and I found some ‘plant with yellow root,’ and
all
the plants were in great condition.”
Lena smiled for the first time. “That is good news.”
Rose spent close to two hours with Lena. Trying to lift her spirits, she spoke of the past and of happier times.
“The old days just don’t seem that
long ago to me. You and I used to get into so much trouble at school. Do you remember Mrs. Franklin?”
long ago to me. You and I used to get into so much trouble at school. Do you remember Mrs. Franklin?”
“Our high school English teacher, the one with the blue hair and square glasses who always smelled like bath powder. She was
always
after us. How could I ever forget?” Lena smiled slowly.
always
after us. How could I ever forget?” Lena smiled slowly.
“I was so angry with her that day for accusing us of stealing melons from the cafeteria!”
“She saw us
eating a slice between classes, and didn’t even bother asking where we got it,” Lena said. “I can just hear her now: There are no excuses for your irresponsible behavior.’ Everything that happened in that school, according to her, was our fault. But we balanced things out real good. We found harmony,” Lena said with a twinkle in her eye.
eating a slice between classes, and didn’t even bother asking where we got it,” Lena said. “I can just hear her now: There are no excuses for your irresponsible behavior.’ Everything that happened in that school, according to her, was our fault. But we balanced things out real good. We found harmony,” Lena said with a twinkle in her eye.
Lena’s soft chuckle turned into a weak cough, but it was
worth it to Rose to see her smiling again. “We came up with the perfect plan to get even with her.”
worth it to Rose to see her smiling again. “We came up with the perfect plan to get even with her.”
“What’s this ‘we’?
You
thought of it. Of course, I was the one who knew how to pop open the trunk on her old car because my uncle drove the same model.”
You
thought of it. Of course, I was the one who knew how to pop open the trunk on her old car because my uncle drove the same model.”
“I remember carrying that box of rotten cantaloupes from the cafeteria to the trunk of her car. And you found the frozen shrimp in the same garbage
can. What a stroke of genius! Once the ice melted, the smell just kept getting worse and worse. She thought it was something she’d run over, or that had crawled into the engine compartment and died. The car stunk up the entire faculty parking lot by the second day, and she didn’t find out what the problem was until the weekend. By then she was furious, but she couldn’t prove we’d done it, so
there wasn’t anything she could say.”
can. What a stroke of genius! Once the ice melted, the smell just kept getting worse and worse. She thought it was something she’d run over, or that had crawled into the engine compartment and died. The car stunk up the entire faculty parking lot by the second day, and she didn’t find out what the problem was until the weekend. By then she was furious, but she couldn’t prove we’d done it, so
there wasn’t anything she could say.”
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