Eagle Hunting (Maa?ishú Gací)

As one of the characters says, ‘a multicultural, multidimensional train wreck of emotions and lives.’ A tribute to enduring love and indigenous magic. A saga sweeping from the Vietnam War all the way to the wars of today. 

Calvin Eagle is a Hidatsa warrior who is severely wounded in Vietnam and is encouraged to life by his grandfather who has ‘walked on’ and two women who come to him in his dreams. The women, a Korean American, and a Korean chaebol heiress, persuade him to live and to find them. They promise love and a path to the beauty.

사랑은 길을 찾을 것입니다 - (Love will find a way).

If you are open to the beauty, magic is everywhere, even if you are not Hidatsa.

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Jae Hwa

I went to the window still wearing my coat and Stetson to just breathe for a moment, thinking, ‘WOW!’ There was a knock at the door and I went to open it. It was not even fully opened when she launched herself at me.

I knew this was a moment, another moment, that I would treasure forever. The wonder of that woman. The way her body felt crashing into mine. Her scent. And of course, the magic of our touch. 

We had been apart so long, so very long. I treasured her embrace over centuries, over worlds… over and over. She wrapped my heart in her love. I could never be the same.

We stood together, our eyes locked. Our hearts racing. After some time, I broke eye contact to look behind her and did not see the black suit guy. 

Jae Hwa said, “There is a woman who works here as a concierge whom he likes, which is why I chose this hotel. He is having a coffee with her in the employee lounge. Father told me that you were too important for a girl to meet you at the airport. I think he was afraid that I would assault you in the airport or in the car on the way here. That was my plan, of course.”

I said, “We probably should close the door.”
“You are so practical. I love your hat! You are even prettier than before. Are you feeling better? Why didn’t Brenda come with you? How do I look? Did my father go crazy when he saw your hair? You know he and Kwang-su have been watching you?”

I disentangled myself and said, “Thank you? Yes. School. Beautiful. No. Yes.”

She paused, removing her coat, and considered my answers. “Just beautiful?”

I answered, “All the magazines say you are one of the most beautiful women in the world.”

She walked to me and stood much too close to ask, “And you, what do you say?”

“Yes.”

She laughed, “That is another reason why I love you, my Eagle Calvin. Let me take your coat. Is this what is called the Stetson?”

“Yes”

“By the way, the reporters were impressed when you greeted father in Korean with the appropriate honorifics. Do we owe that to your girlfriend?”

“She is not my girlfriend, but yes, Seo Ah is an excellent teacher.”

“And you are… that thing they say in America. The teacher’s pet?”

I had recovered enough to ask, “How have you been? How is it you still look like a teenager and I just keep getting older?”

Jae Hwa smiled and said, “My love for you, my akumakikua gubáahi, that is what keeps me young.”

She continued, “Brenda sent me a photo of your car. The yellow Porsche. She says it is a babe magnet. So, what exactly are you doing with all those babes?”

“If it attracted babes, I was not in it at the time. I told you, I am going to school full time. Working the rest of the time. Freelancing as a sales and marketing consultant. I ate too much fast food because I never had time for anything else. That is when I knew I could do it.”

Jae Hwa asked, “Do what? Attract babes?”

I said, “Be change, be an actor.”

Jae Hwa said, “If you are sure there were no babes involved, I will let it go.”

“You know how packed my life is. I barely get to sleep.”

“Are you sleeping alone? Is that where the babes are? I don’t think my Eagle should be hunting babes. That reminds me. Brenda said that Gayle thought your motorcycle leathers made you look so sexy she wanted to jump you right on the street. Why do you not wear leathers for me? Why? Why?”

I answered, “I think it would be strange to wear a set of leathers when I do not have a motorcycle here…”

Jae Hwa stood much too close again and said, “Not a chance. No more motorcycles, You are never to ride a motorcycle again, not ever. Brenda told me about the wheeler things, the burn streaks and the hickies on the seat! No way! Never again.”

“I think you mean wheelies, and possibly burnouts. You got the hickies correct though.”

Jae Hwa said, “See! If they are not in my vocabulary, they are not permitted. At all! Ever!”

“Can we go out to eat, or should we order room service? I am hungry. Are you hungry?”

She did a small twirl and said, “I have not eaten for days just so I could wear this dress, and you have not even mentioned it… Just what is the point?”

Excerpt From Eagle Hunting Chapter 9 by Thomas V. Baker

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