Plant Them Deep by Aimee & David Thurlo Read Free Book Online Page B

simple wood-framed structure with a pitched shingle roof. There was a sizable garden in the back, fenced in with chicken wire. About twenty yards from the house was a traditionally designed eight-sided log medicine hogan. The entrance, on most hogans covered by a blanket, was fittedwith a regular house door, which was open just a crack. “It must be really hot in there right now,” Lena mumbled.
    They sat in the car, doors open, waiting to be invited.
    “Look,” Rose whispered. “There’s an extension cord leading from the main house to the hogan.”
    “What did you expect? There’s probably a TV in there, he’s a new traditionalist. They choose to follow the old ways—as long as theydon’t have to give up cable. Do you think he’ll know what we’re doing, waiting out here?”
    Before Rose could answer, John Joe came out of the medicine hogan and waved at them. He was wearing jeans, a cotton shirt, and the blue sash medicine men often wore around their foreheads.
    “Forgive me for not inviting you in sooner,” John Joe said.
“I was trying out my new air conditioner, seeing how effectiveit was this time of day.” He pointed to a portable evaporative cooler on a wheeled stand just visible inside the hogan. “They work better when you open a door or window a tiny bit, you know.”
    “An air conditioner in a medicine hogan?” Rose said.
    “It won’t make the Sings any better if we’re all half dizzy from the heat.” He invited them to sit on sheepskins on the floor. “What can I do to helpyou two ladies?”
    “We’re members of a traditional group of herbalists. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Plant Watchers?” Rose asked, and, seeing him nod, added, “We’re looking into reports that some of our native plants are quickly disappearing, and some no longer available at all except by chance discovery.”
    “I know. I’ve seen some evidence of that myself. It looks like somebody is digging up andhauling away the good plants. Twice, I’ve had to sell herbal supplies I’ve collected from my garden to other medicine men who haven’t been able to find what they needed.”
    “We may have to come to you to purchase some starter plants too, if we can’t find the varieties we’re searching for. May we see your garden?” Rose asked.
    “I only sell the parts of the plants that are needed to conduct a ceremonyor make an herbal infusion for a patient—not the plants themselves. Those I keep for my professional use.”
    “I understand. But may we still see which plants you have in your garden? Some native plants are so scarce, they’re endangered, so it would help us to know what you have here and could make available to others.”
    He stared at the hard-packed clay floor several moments, then looked up. “Ihope you won’t take what I have to say personally, but I don’t show anyone my garden. The Plant People need to be left alone in order to thrive. I don’t even go to my
own garden unless I need to collect something, or care for the plants themselves. The Plant People appreciate that extra courtesy. That’s why I’ve never had a shortage of plants, and why I’m now in a position to help the other medicinemen.”
    “Then would you please give us a list of the things you grow? That would help.” Rose tried to keep her voice level and unemotional, but the man was starting to irritate her.
    “My garden is not nearly as extensive as people think,” he hedged. “However, if you need a specific plant or herb, I can usually find what’s required. What my garden can’t supply, I usually locate at my special collectingsites. But I don’t choose to share any of that information with others, because, like our ways teach, to share all knowledge is to deplete yourself.”
    “Then I guess we’ll be going,” Rose said coldly.
    Lena stood up and faced him. “The plants belong to all.”
    “But the knowledge of them is something we have to work for as individuals,” he answered easily.
    Rose shook