16 THE TRIBE TRIBAL OFFICE
Later That Week
As Joseph and Patricia Prato walked to the smaller building at the Early Childhood Education Center at the tribal community plaza, they were somewhat dejected. It had been months since they had seen their granddaughter, Maleah. But they were requested by the program coordinator to discuss the situation and Maleah’s lack of participation in person. As they neared the building, they mistakenly opened the door to the cafetorium. An older woman wearing a black hair cap approached the couple who were obviously out of place.
“Are you lost?” she asked.
“We are looking for the Child Find center,” Joseph stated with an authoritative tone.
“Oh, that’s the office next door,” she eagerly said as she prepared the breakfast meal for the children and e
