Daughters of the Deer

by Danielle Daniel

I shake my head. “How many beads does one woman need?” “As many as all the birds returning home.” I grin despite my heartache.

My People believe it is as unnatural to suppress these affinities as it is to try to stop the seasons from emerging.

Marie had looked around to make sure they were alone before answering. Then, quietly, she told her that the men had trespassed against the rules by loving each other. Before the blackrobes arrived, she said, love and affection did not have limitations. Affection between people was like the sun, without hard edges or straight lines.