Spirit Pouch Read Online Free PDF Page A

for a lucky young man.
    “Just go ask her to dance,” I say nonchalantly.
    “I did!”
    “Did you tell her you didn’t want lipstick on your shirt, too.”
    “No, I didn’t get a chance.  She turned me down flat.”
    “Oh!” I say a little surprised.  “You’re probably not smart enough to get Sarah Hansen to like you.”  I guess I am still bruised from being called stupid when I asked Ty for tutoring four days ago.  It doesn’t feel like a bruise, though.  It feels more like an open gash from the razor sharp edge of a Nadessioux knife.  I get up and without turning to look back, I walk straight over to Sarah Hansen.
    “Would you dance with me?” I ask with a forced smile.
    “Sure.”
    She lifts her hand and I take it, guiding her gracefully onto the dance floor.  We spin smoothly around the dance floor, rocking left and right to the gentle beat of the slow music.
    “Ty wanted to dance with you,” I say as the music comes to a stop and we walk off the dance floor.
    “I know,” she says with a fleeting painful expression.
    I don’t say more, but she volunteers.  “He has changed since that first day in seminary, I mean with earrings, and now with dyed hair.  I guess I want to be friends with someone who will go on a mission, and who will hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and who will take me to the temple.  Ty looks like he joined a gang!”  She winces again, “So I turned him down.”
    “I understand,” I say smiling.  “Thanks for the dance.”
    I turn to look at Ty but he is gone and I do not see him the rest of the evening.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
     
     
    Earrings And The Geometry Tutor
     
     
     
    I only live four blocks from the church, and that has advantages.  I do not have to depend on Mom for a ride.  On Mutual nights I walk, and then if the guys are playing basketball afterward, I can stay for a little while.  On Sundays Mom stays after church for choir practice.  I walk home.
    Today is a beautiful Sunday morning.  It is relatively cool in the mornings, but I do not mind much.  It is always a quiet walk.  Not many people are up yet.  I can hear a dove cooing and an occasional dog bark its  recognition that I am on the street.  The sun feels warm on my back and I have a few minutes to think.  The sprit pouch .  It still sits on my dresser where I left it last Monday.  I puzzle over its contents.  What was it Mom said?  The medicine man expressed his desire and it was granted?  But it had to be righteous.  And he had to be holding the spirit pouch.  She said she tried it.  It did not work.  I wonder why?  I wonder   …
    “Jet.”  A voice pulls me back from the world of Indian lore to the present, and I freeze with my hand on the handle to the church front door, confused to see Ty standing there with a smile.
    “I heard that you came to church early,” Ty greets me, “but I’m usually still asleep at 9:15 on Sundays!”
    “Yeah, I would too, except I have quorum presidency meeting right now.”  I look at Ty’s eyes.  Last night at the dance he looked stressed.  This morning he looks happy and his eyes actually sparkle.  His earrings reflect the morning sun and he seems eager about something.  Usually I can figure a person out by the time they say hello, but no discernment is coming to me this morning, so I resort to asking.
    “So, what gets you out of bed so early?” I ask.
    “I have a proposition,” Ty replies.
    “A what?”
    “I want to make a mutually beneficial deal,” he says.
    I am going to be late for presidency meeting, but my curiosity keeps me standing there.  “What kind of deal?” I ask hesitantly.
    “I tutor you in math …” he starts slowly.
    It sounds good so far and I nod my head for him to go on.
    “… And you teach me how to get Sarah to like me,” he finishes.
    His face is totally serious.  This is no gag.  This is sincere, and he is not simply asking.  Deep in his heart he is