Nila, White Feather

By Linda Stevenski

Nila is a young Native American girl who was massacred at Wounded Knee. God sent her to Earth to be the Guardian Angel of a little boy named William. She watches over him throughout his whole life of happiness, tragedy, and betrayal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jan 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645367895

Linda Stevenski

She was born and raised in Monongah, West Virginia, where she still lives with her husband, one daughter and one son. She has a little Yorkie named Ralphie and a black and white cat named Bootsie. She loves to write stories for her grandchildren and all other children. She loves the beautiful hills of West Virginia and the wonderful caring people who also live in this ‘Almost Heaven’ state. She attends the same church she has belonged to since the age of three. She is now a Trustee at the Church. She has a very loving church family. She is a member of the West Virginia Writer’s Inc.

Book preview

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About the Author

Linda Stevenski was born and still lives in a small town called Monongah, located in West Virginia. She belongs to the West Virginia Writers, the Appalachian Writers, and the Writer’s Guild of America. Her name is engraved in a stained-glass block at Tamarack in Beckley, West Virginia, where they sell the best of West Virginia. She is known for the many children’s books she has written.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to God, who gave me the ability and inspiration to write.

Copyright Information ©

Linda Stevenski (2020)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Ordering Information:

Quantity sales: special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Stevenski, Linda

Nila, White Feather

ISBN 9781643784700 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781643784717 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781645367895 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published (2020)

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 28th Floor

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Acknowledgment

I would like to thank my daughter, Andrea, for helping me

with the computer.

Foreword

It is said that we each have a guardian angel, and I truly believe that we do.

It has proven to be true in our family and in miracles we experienced but could not explain. We only knew the hand of God was somehow involved.

Perhaps He sent a guardian angel or maybe He Himself showed up in an unusual form.

Back in Dec. 29, 1890, at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, the 7th Cavalry swooped down and massacred every man, woman, and child.

One beautiful, young Lakota Sioux Indian girl, who had been murdered, loved children, although she had never married and had children herself. Maybe this is why God sent her spirit back to Earth to be the guardian angel of a little boy named William.

The guardian angel in this story and that story, both are fictional.

1

It was a warm July evening as Bill and Ruth cautiously walked down the steps of their front porch. The warm, lazy breeze carried along the sweet aroma of the two Mimosa trees in the front yard.

Bill held Ruth’s arm gently with one hand and carried her overnight bag in the other. They were on their way to the hospital for the birth of their first child.

Be careful, he said as he led her slowly down the porch steps. He helped her into the car, then placed her overnight bag on the back seat.

As he started the car, he looked at Ruth and said, Well, it’s finally going to happen! He smiled happily.

Ruth said, We’ve waited so long—twelve years seems an eternity to wait for our first baby. Our prayers are finally being answered. If it’s a boy, he will be named after you!

No, Bill said. We don’t want to name him Bill, and certainly not Billy. His name will be William and a girl shall be named Ruth for you.

They started down the dry, dusty road, passing a farm now and then. It was a farming community. The farms were spaced far apart but the neighbors were friendly and close. Although from that community, Bill worked as a teller in the bank in the nearest town of Turnerville.

As they turned onto the paved road, they were about twenty minutes from the nearest hospital. There weren’t as many hospitals back in the early 1940s.

Ohhh! cried Ruth, leaning forward as she held her stomach.

Should I stop? asked Bill.

No! Keep going. It should be a little while yet. They say it takes longer for the first one to get here.

Maybe if I turn the radio on, it will help keep your mind off the pain, said Bill. He turned the dial and found some Glen Miller music. Ruth seemed to relax a little.

Soon, they drove up to the emergency room. Bill ran inside and asked for a wheelchair for Ruth.

As the nurse got there, Ruth stepped from the car and a rush of water began to run down her legs.

Ruth! Bill said, a little shocked, couldn’t you wait until you got to the bathroom?

The nurse laughed. Believe me, she couldn’t, her water just broke!

Something broke! Is that bad? asked Bill fearfully.

No, sir, it’s very normal, said the nurse, laughing.

Ruth sat down in the wheelchair and the nurse wheeled her to the maternity ward. What will I do? asked Bill, feeling pretty useless.

Go find the waiting room on the 2nd floor of the maternity ward, answered the lady at the desk. Your wife will probably be taken straight to the delivery room. Dr. Howard is prepping for delivery.

Bill stepped off the elevator at the second floor. He looked around the room at several empty chairs and a huge round coffee table with some magazines. A young man appearing to be in his twenties sat with his head leaning back against the wall as he nervously tapped his fingers on the arms of the chair. Another man with a large black moustache sat across the room reading a magazine. He seemed older and not too nervous as he peered over the top of the magazine and chuckled.

Don’t be scared, I’ve gotten pretty used to being here. This will be our fifth baby.

Your fifth? asked Bill, surprised.

The young man got up and began pacing back and forth, wringing his hands as the front of his hair hung sweaty and limp against his forehead. Bill sat down on the edge of a chair. How long does this take? he asked nervously.

Oh, it always seems longer than it really is, said the older man.

I’ve been here since this morning, said the younger man, It really does take long!

Suddenly the door opened and a nurse said, Mr. Johnson, you have a big baby boy! Follow me. The young man, looking quite proud and relieved, followed the nurse out the door.

Well, I’m glad that’s over for him, remarked the older man, he’s been tapping on those chair arms like a crazy woodpecker!

Bill laughed and leaned against the back of the chair. He said, If I start tapping on the chair arms, just tell me to stop.

Soon, the door opened again, and the nurse reappeared. Mr. Tiano, you have a beautiful baby girl!

A beautiful baby girl? Mr. Tiano said. How wonderful! Now I have five beautiful baby girls! He threw his arms up into the air, happy that the baby was here, but said, Couldn’t I just once have a baby boy? As he walked out the door, he looked back at Bill and said, If you’re here next year, I’ll be back! Maybe next time I’ll get a beautiful baby boy!

Bill laughed but felt a little sorry for the man. Wow, he thought to himself, five girls and five weddings to pay for in the future. He took a magazine from the large table and began flipping through it, although not interested. He then found himself beginning to tap on the arm of the chair.

The nurse finally came into the room. Mr. Webster, you have a beautiful baby boy!

Oh, thank you! he said, quite relieved.

Follow me, said the nurse. I’ll take you to see your wife. She’s holding the baby for a while before we take him to the nursery.

They entered the door of Ruth’s room. Hi, sweetie, he said. He walked up to the bed and laughed as the baby wrapped his hand around Bill’s finger.

Ruth said, Bill, meet your son, William.

I’m so happy that you’re both okay. I have a son! he said in disbelief, but very proudly.

We’ll take him to the nursery now where we’ll take care of him through the night and you can get a good night’s sleep, she nodded toward Ruth.

Gosh, said Bill. I hate to go home without you, I’ll be very lonesome.

You get a good night’s sleep too, said Ruth. When William and I get home, we’ll probably be up a lot every night.

Well, you get your rest and I’ll be back in the morning, said Bill. He bent down and kissed Ruth goodnight.

As he walked out the hospital door, he gave a sigh of relief that everything was okay. He looked up into the star-filled sky and thanked God that He had sent him a healthy son.

William was so worth the long wait, he said.

As he entered the door when he got home, the house seemed so quiet. I guess this will change a lot when Ruth and William get home, he thought.

He drank a glass of cold milk and went into the bedroom to get ready for bed. As he lay down and pulled the top sheet and quilt up to his chin, he smiled and quietly said, Goodnight Ruth, goodnight William!

2

Bill awoke early the next morning, still very excited about having a son. He poured some dry cereal into a bowl, sprinkled a little sugar, and, while pouring the milk, he began to think about becoming a father.

I have a son, William, he smiled. Then he stared down in horror as the milk was overflowing the bowl, running across the table and trickling to the floor like a small waterfall.

Oh no, he said, I’ve got to keep my mind on what I’m doing! He grabbed a dishtowel and wiped the milk from the table, then went to the broom closet to get the mop. Soon the mess was cleaned, and he sat down to eat his cereal. As he sat in the chair, a strange look came over his face. My pants are wet! He rose quickly from the puddle of milk on the chair. Oh, I wish Ruth was home! he lamented.

After a quick change of clothes, he was preparing to go to the hospital to visit Ruth and William. As he got in the car, a few large drops of rain began to splatter on the windshield. In the distance, there was a loud clap of thunder and a large bolt of lightning streaked across the sky.

Well, he said, the day hasn’t started very well, but it will change when I see my family. A red pickup truck passed by and the driver waved at Bill. The rain began beating harder on the windshield as the wipers kept flinging it away.

By the time he reached the hospital, it was a regular downpour. He parked the car and quickly ran into the hospital holding an old newspaper over his head. The rain was blowing hard and felt stinging on his face.

The nurse at the desk greeted him. Is it raining out there? she laughed.

Just a little, he laughed, throwing the soaked newspaper into the nearby trash can. I’d like to see my wife and son.

Go right on up to the 2nd floor, she said.

Thank you, Bill said, heading for the elevator.

Ruth was very happy to see him when he entered the room. He hurried to the bed and gave her a kiss. I’m glad you’re here now, she said. It’s almost time for William’s feeding.

I missed you last night, Bill said, and I really missed you at breakfast!

A nurse entered the room carrying William. Here’s your boy, Mrs. Webster. I think he’s pretty hungry too! She lay William beside Ruth as he began to fuss and squirm.

Ruth pulled the blanket down from around his head. Bill laughed and said, Gosh, I’d forgotten how bald he is!

Ruth seemed a little insulted. He’ll grow hair!

I know, answered Bill. It’s just that with the wrinkles and all, he looks so old!

William began to cry. He didn’t like that, Ruth said, laughing.

I’m sorry, William, Bill said. You are really very, very handsome! William stopped crying when Ruth held him close to give him his lunch.

Have you had your lunch? Ruth asked.

No, thanks, replied Bill, scrunching his nose.

Oh, don’t be silly! laughed Ruth.

I kind of had enough trouble with milk this morning at breakfast, said Bill. I’ll go to the cafeteria to get a sandwich. Would you like me to get something for you? he asked.

No, thanks, answered Ruth. I had lunch right before you got here.

Bill ate his lunch in the cafeteria and returned to Ruth’s room with a piece of coconut pie. It was her favorite! Oh, thank you so much, she said, very delighted. There wasn’t any pie on my lunch tray.

I have to take the fork back to the cafeteria when you’re finished. That little piece of pie cost thirty-five cents! That’s highway robbery! Where’s William?

They took him back to the nursery.

It looks like there might be a storm again. As soon as I take your fork back to the cafeteria, I’d better go put in some time at the bank.

I hope you get a good night’s sleep tonight. When William comes home, we probably won’t get much rest.

That sounds so good. We have a real family!

Here’s the fork, she said. Hit the road!

Bill kissed Ruth and took the fork from her hand. I’ll see you again tomorrow. First, I’ll stop by the nursery to say goodbye to William.

Good idea, she agreed. See you tomorrow.

After Bill returned the fork, he walked down the hall to the large glass window of the nursery. A few babies were fussing, but William seemed to be resting well.

Neither Bill nor anyone else could see the beautiful petite figure standing over the bed of William. Nila felt that she was going to be very happy as the guardian angel of little William.

After a few hours at the bank, Bill returned home. As he entered the kitchen, he saw a large puddle of water around the icebox. Oh, no! he wailed in frustration. I forgot to empty the pan under the icebox! Boy, will I be glad when Ruth gets home! He again retrieved the mop from the broom closet and began cleaning the water puddle.

3

The next day at work, the bank manager handed Bill a card with some money in it.

We took up a collection from your co-workers so you can buy a little something that your son might need.

Why, thank you so much, said Bill, as he shook hands with his friends. Ruth will be so happy. So, right after work, Bill got in his car and started across town to the hospital. He felt proud as he drove along thinking to himself, I have a son—William.

At the hospital, he walked past the front desk and greeted the lady there with a big smile and Hello. She nodded, but barely looked him in the face. "Maybe she’s having a