Jewel remained quiet for a moment. “Well, it would definitely help the case. We will come in on equal ground. The other tribe wouldn’t have as many reasons against a reunification.” He just nodded his agreement silently as they continued to walk back towards the car, her hand was now entwined with his. And it felt right. Again, she got quiet. “But with our success also comes problems. Problems that both our tribes will have to deal with. Like gambling, drinking, drugs, corruption.”
Those were issues. They tried to discourage their people from gambling, and the drinking that came with it. “Yes, sadly. As hard as we try to keep our people out of the casino, they find a way in. Or they go gamble at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. And we have seen a rise in the Western Pequot coming here. But if we ban together, then it could make it more difficult.” He knew they had counseling as well, and that helped some. Not much. But some. He knew efforts to curb excessive drinking and gambling were needed. He’d bring that up with his mother. It was something to think about.
Despite The Mystic having a strict policy of employees not gambling there, many of their people who were not employees still came. And many people from the local community, too. She knew the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods hired many of their own as well. By banning together it would be even harder to gamble, and consume the alcohol that often came with it. “Perhaps more funds into counseling services for addiction is something you should be looking into.” He looked down at her surprised they were on the same wave lengths again.
“It’s funny. I was just thinking that,” he voiced as he gave her hand a little squeeze. More money on counseling would also help relieve some of the other problems that ensue if one became an addict.
As Jewel listened more to Joseph, she knew he was destined for more than just helping to run The Mystic, though that was a job in itself. He was such a juxtaposition. Pulled apart by his heritage, by his tribe, his body marked with the warring sides of his personality, but they really showcased his dreams and hopes. He wanted to unite the two factions of their people. And after over a month together, she already knew he was the man to do it. His ambitions were grand; they weren’t for himself, but for others. He was a good man. He really cared about his people. And this was a remarkable trait in a politician. It was what their people needed. True selflessness. She would be proud to stand by his side. She voiced those thoughts to him. All but the last part.
“Joseph, you are such a good man. With a good heart.”
He laughed at her compliment. He didn’t see it that way. At times, he hadn’t always felt like a good man. When he was younger, he had gotten into a lot of trouble because of his confusion over his identity and he’d lashed out. He felt ripped apart by the way some others remarked on his heritage, his parentage. It’s why he had marked up his body, to express himself, and then later it became a way to show how he wanted to pursue a life that would make the world a better place for all his people. He’d turned a negative into a positive, wanting to fight for others less fortunate or capable than he.
They were almost near the restaurant and the parking lot by this time. And Joseph stopped short to pull Jewel into his arms. “Okay, precious, enough about me. What are your dreams and aspirations? Being a chef, I know. Opening your own restaurant. But what else do you see in your future?” He hoped she saw him in her life.
Jewel wrapped her arms around his waist as he gazed down into her dark eyes after asking such a potent question. Looking into his depths, she hoped he would be in it. He was very much becoming a big part of her dream for the future, but she couldn’t say that now. It was still too soon, she reminded herself. She didn’t want to scare this man off, and until a month ago he had a reputation to back those worries up. But he was still waiting for an answer.
“For so long, I was focused on just my restaurant. But that had to be put on hold after my parents died. The funeral expenses took most of what I had saved until the insurance money came in, and then raising my brothers, they eat!” She shook her head in astonishment at just how much two active teenage boys could eat. “But now that I am moving to the reserve again, I can begin to save again.” She gave Joseph a grateful smile. He was making that possible. Sooner than she had hoped after taking over the care of her brothers.
He kissed the top of her head knowing what she was thinking. He remembered her thank you, very much.
“What kind of restaurant do you want?” he asked.
“Oh, local flavored, kind of like The Oyster Club. Fish, local produce, local favorites, but also recipes from our people along with the more popular New England fare.”
“Sounds great, but something like that costs a lot of money to start.”
“I know.” He saw the fierce determination in her eyes to overcome any obstacles. She would not be stopped. He liked that about her. She, too, was fierce and determined to pursue her dreams.