Part 2 - Part 08

“If you come down this Saturday I’ll take you to the local market and you can buy bags of potatoes, onions, leeks, cabbages and other vegetables that last. The farmers want to get rid of their stock before winter and you can get them for cheap. You can also purchase live chickens, rabbits, pigeons, even pigs if you have the stomach to butcher them yourself.”

“That’s great; I’ll be here on Saturday.”

“You have to get here early. The market opens at six o’clock in the morning. And maybe one of these days we can go to the reservation so you can see Jean,” he said.

“We should go soon,” I said, “before the weather turns sour. Maybe we can leave Saturday afternoon and be back Sunday evening, weather permitting. And please, don’t just make it just about me. You also want to see your people. And as for Jean, she never did approve of me, so what makes you think she would want to see me?”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said man, and I don’t want her to take the same road I took, so I need you to be with me and help me out. I know you can. I hate to say this but you’re the first white person I met who actually cared about me and my people, so you can see why I want you to be there. Plus I need a ride…”

“I get it… Just joking, I’ll take you there, no problem.”

Gloria’s mom showed up with our lunch, dropped it off on the table and went back to get our coffee. As she walked away I asked her where Gloria was. She said she was working in the kitchen.

Moment’s later Gloria showed up with our coffee and, after greeting us with a big smile, said, “Mom said you wanted to see me?”

“Yes,” I said, “I just wanted to see how my favourite waitress is doing? I just saw you briefly in the store a few days ago and you took off on me. Why?”

The poor girl turned red in the face and didn’t know what to say.

“Come here and give me a hug,” I said. She did and then ran back to the kitchen.

Oscar wanted to know what that was all about so I explained to him that she had acted funny in the grocery store a few days ago and I just wanted to reassure her that I still cared for her. She’s nice and I like her but her mother doesn’t like me messing with her. She could be in school but her parents want her to stay here and take over the restaurant.

“I’ve been going by here on my daily walks, man, and I can tell you the place had been empty every time. There’s no future for the restaurant. It will be tough for her without an education or a skill, even in this town. How does she feel about that? Does she want to stay here?”

“I asked her once why she wasn’t in school and she just said her parents wanted her to eventually take over the restaurant and there was no need for school.”

About the same time Gloria’s mother showed up and we suddenly stopped talking.

“Are you talking about my girl?” she asked.

“Yes,” replied Oscar. “Why isn’t she in school?”

“Oscar!” I said.

“What? I’m just asking,” he replied.

I figured Gloria’s mother was going to tell us to mind our own business but suddenly that gruff exterior disappeared and, with a sad face, she said, “We don’t have the money. We want to send her to college but we just don’t have the money to pay for it.”

Oscar jumped up and said, “I have some money…”

I interrupted him and said, “If we can find the money to pay for it, will you let her go to school?”

“Yes, of course. And thank you,” she replied.

I gave her ten dollars for a three dollar lunch. She smiled and said thank you.

We waved goodbye to Gloria who was spying on us from the kitchen wondering what we were talking about, especially with her mother, and walked out.

On the way back to Stan’s I apologized to Oscar for cutting him off and told him the money he was saving was for his people, he should concentrate on helping them instead of trying to save the world. He agreed.

When we got back to the service station we told Stan what we were thinking and he said he could help.

“It would be good for business to help out a local young lady. I can also write off the donation as a business expense and save money on taxes.”

“I have no idea how much it costs nowadays for tuition, books, residence and all that,” I said, “so we can’t really plan how much money we need to raise.”

“I can help with that,” replied Stan. “I can call the universities and colleges and find out what education costs nowadays.”

“We should also talk to Fred and Olivia about this, I know Fred is loaded and doesn’t have children of his own,” I said.

“Why don’t we go now?” suggested Oscar. “Now that we aren’t busy here and see what they say.”

When we arrived at Fred’s there were no customers in the store. Fred grabbed Olivia by the waist before she had a chance to run at me and said, “Thank you for the fish. Olivia did a superb job of cooking it. It was delicious.”

Before I had a chance to say anything Olivia grabbed me and gave me a big hug, looked at me and smiled. She also greeted Oscar with a big smile.

Fred was one of those people who wanted to get to the point so I wasted no time and told him why we were there. He was thrilled by the idea and said he was going to help but wanted to know how much. Olivia was thrilled too, especially about helping Gloria who she knew from the restaurant and had taken a liking to her.

“We’ll get back to you soon,” I said. “Now we have to go, Oscar needs to get back to work.”

At that point I saw Fred grab Olivia by her waist as they both said goodbye.

When we got back to the garage Stan had some news for us. He had called several schools and found that it costs about 2,500 dollars on average a year for tuition, books and residence for a general course. The courses to study law and medicine were more expensive. Since we didn’t know what Gloria wanted to study we couldn’t determine exactly how much money was needed. The other problem was the

school year had already started in September and we had no idea if she could even be accepted this late in the school year.

The three of us looked at each other and Oscar said, “We should go and talk to Gloria now because the longer we wait the harder it will be for her to get into a school.”

“I did ask about the late entry,” Stan said, “and the only place that will accept her now is the hospitality college. It’s a bit more expensive but she won’t miss the year. Of course she’ll have to pay for the full course but that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Oscar and I went back to the restaurant and asked her mother if we could speak to Gloria. Gloria ran over and said, “My mom told me what you’re trying to do, but you don’t have to… My parents won’t let me go.”

I waved at her mother and both she and Gloria’s father came over. Gloria was shaking her head looking unsure.

Her mother said, “We always wanted to send her to school but didn’t have the money. The best we could offer her is this restaurant.” She then turned to Gloria and said, “You can still have it after you finish school. We don’t have the money to send you to school but if these gentlemen want to help you then take their offer. Consider it a loan, you can pay them back when you become rich and famous.” Her father nodded in agreement.

She looked at Oscar and me and said, “You would do that for me?”

I smiled, nodded and said, “Yes, but you’ll have to tell us what you want to study.”

“Well, all I know is how to work in this restaurant and don’t know anything else. I haven’t thought about it because I figured I wouldn’t need to study anything, considering I wasn’t going to go to school.”

“It has to be your choice, if you intend to stay in the restaurant business then that’s what you should learn to do. Maybe you can breathe some life into this place,” Oscar suggested.

Realizing what he had just said Oscar then added, “I like this place as it is but you need to bring in new customers.”

“Oscar’s right,” said her mother, “we’ve reached our limit as to what your father and I can do. Neither one of us had any knowledge of how to run a restaurant when we took it over. We learned whatever we could from the previous owners and that was it.”

“I guess I could use to learn more about the restaurant business but when I’m done with school I want to be the boss here and you will do as I tell you.”

We all had a good laugh. Her mother gave her a big hug.

“So, what happens now?” asked her father.

Oscar told him everything we knew so far, also that there was a college that was willing to accept her and that we would need her transcripts from school to be available. Oscar suggested he contact her school and let them know that she would be going to college.

“We should do as much as possible today and get things moving right away. Instead of going back and forth, maybe we should invite Stan, Fred and Olivia here to the restaurant and we can discuss things when we’re all together,” I said and gave Oscar my little phone book and told him to call them. I also told him to, “Ask Stan to bring the phone number of the hospitality college.”

Gloria and her parents wanted to know what was going on. After I told them they were thrilled that all these people were interested in helping Gloria. Gloria’s father offered to make us supper.

Oscar said they’d all be there as soon as they closed their places of business.

Stan showed up first. After he met Gloria and Gloria’s parents I asked him to contact the college again and get as many details as possible. He asked where the phone was and Gloria took him to the kitchen. Stan, it seems was very good at making inquiries and taking

down detailed information. I guess over the years he had learned to do that. Also, he wasn’t afraid to use the telephone or talk to people he didn’t know. I also found him to be very courteous.

While Stan was on the telephone Fred and Gloria showed up. After they were greeted Gloria’s father pulled several tables together and covered them with fresh linen and placed a number of chairs around them. He invited us to sit down and asked what we wanted to eat.

“It’s the end of the day whatever you have left we’ll eat,” I said.

Everyone agreed except for Stan who was still on the phone.

“Stan isn’t fussy, he’ll eat whatever we eat,” Oscar said.

As soon as Stan got off the phone I yelled and said, “Call your wife and tell her you’ll be late.” He raised his arm up to let me know he’d heard me and then he made the call.

Stan was the last to sit. We left the end chair for him so we could all see him when he told us what he’d found out. I sat at the opposite end.

“Well, I’ll give you the urgent news first,” he said. “They want Gloria there tomorrow.”

No one said anything. He continued.

“They have a room in residence for Gloria. It’s a bit more expensive but it’s on campus and she won’t have roommates. The small apartment will be hers with no one to bother her. I guess it was left vacant because it was a bit more expensive. I have the costs for everything. I also have how much each cheque should be and who to make it out to. You’ll need to pay for everything for the entire school year up front.

There’s a cafeteria where you can eat. The food will be prepaid including weekends, which will include breakfast, lunch and supper. You’ll get a sandwich for lunch. You’ll have to order your sandwich the night before or you get what’s left over. That’s about it. The

dean will give you all the information you need when you get there. She’s a nice lady. It’s a new college and they need the business. Most importantly they’d love to have you since you’re a community sponsored student and they need the publicity. You’ll be their first student who is community sponsored and they intend to publicize that, especially if you do well, “explained Stan and looked around.

Fred raised his hand up and said, “Let me be the first to congratulate you and be your first sponsor. I’m, we are, prepared to pay for everything for your first year, if that is okay with you?”

Gloria didn’t know what to say. She looked at me and I looked at Olivia. She smiled and gave me the nod.

I looked at Gloria again and said, “Well, what do you say?”

She jumped from the chair and gave Fred a big hug, which surprised him. She then went to Olivia and gave her a big hug and kissed her on the cheek.

“It’s settled then, “said Fred, pulling out his cheque book. Stan gave him all the details. When they were done I suggested we make the arrangements to get Gloria to the college the next day, which, according to Stan, was a three hour drive.

After I made the suggestion they all looked at me. Gloria’s father said he couldn’t leave the restaurant plus his old vehicle would never make it all the way there and back.

Fred couldn’t leave his store.

“I’ll sponsor Gloria’s second year of education but I can’t possibly leave my service station for that long,” Stan said.

“So, that leaves me, Oscar, Olivia and Gloria’s mom,” I said.

Gloria’s mother said, “You have a truck, you can take her.”

Olivia said, “I’ll come with you.”

I looked at Oscar, Oscar looked at Stan and Stan nodded his head.

“I’ll also go with you,” Oscar said.

“I can only fit three people in the truck,” I said, “and I’ll need a navigator and a mechanic to fix my truck if it breaks down.”

Gloria’s father then said, “It’s settled then, Peter and Oscar will take Gloria and make sure she’s settled in,” and then left to get the food ready. Gloria and Olivia followed him.

While Stan gave Oscar and me a few more details about the school, he asked me to remind him to give me a map. Oscar suggested I fill the truck with gas and bring some extra gas in the canister, which I’d find behind the door in the fuel depot. I guess he didn’t want to reveal my secret that I was living in an abandoned military base.

Oscar emphasized the fact that there were no gas stations for a long stretch of the road we were going to travel, that’s why the extra gasoline was needed.

Gloria’s mother brought us glasses and a bottle of champagne which she had been saving for a special occasion. She put it in a bucket of ice.

Moments later Gloria and Olivia brought the food out. It was hot beef (thin slices of roast beef) with gravy on top, french fries and coleslaw on the side. There was also plenty of coffee for those who wanted to drink coffee.

While we were eating Stan suggested we go early the next morning and be back the same day before nightfall. He also suggested that Gloria pack her suitcases tonight and be ready to leave the next day. Fred gave Gloria an envelope with all the cheques in it and showed her which was for what. Olivia gave Gloria a big hug and told her she was proud of her.

As soon as Stan was done eating he said goodbye to everyone, wished Gloria good luck and said he had to go home to see his

daughters before they went to bed. Soon after, Fred and Olivia wished us a good trip and left.

Oscar and I looked at each other. I said we too needed to go and get some rest tonight. After we said our goodbye’s we shook hands with Gloria’s father, got a hug from Gloria’s mother, who seemed like a totally different person, and left. Poor Gloria looked at us with a stunned look and wasn’t sure what was happening. I gave her a wink as we stepped outside and she smiled.

“See you tomorrow at seven in the morning,” I said and we left.

I drove Oscar to the service station and we both went inside. He looked at me and said, “I can’t believe what just happened today. Imagine if we had that kind of cooperation all the time, especially with my people. I don’t believe it… It’s a miracle, man.”

I didn’t say anything so he said, “You’re not sore because of me taking Olivia’s place are you?”

I gave him a look.

“I know, I know it was a stupid question. See you tomorrow before six.” He escorted me out and locked the door.

I drove up the road in the dark and even though I was familiar with it, it still gave me white knuckles.

I got up very early the next day. It was still dark when I topped up the truck’s tank with gasoline and filled the spare canister. I had no idea it held five gallons.

Just as I did that, however, I had this nagging feeling that this old gasoline might cause us problems on the way. But I figured only time would tell, besides Oscar was going to be there and would fix any problems that developed.

After I secured the gasoline canister in the back of the truck I went back inside and got some cash out of the safe. I put some in my

wallet and five hundred dollars in an envelope to give to Gloria when we got to the college.

It was dark and cold when I left the base and arrived at Stan’s garage about ten minutes to seven. Oscar was inside waiting for me. Stan wasn’t in yet.

“You really are an old soldier, aren’t you?” I said.

“Good morning to you too,” he said waving a roadmap in his hand and added. “And YOU live in a military base.”

After he got into the truck and slammed the passenger door shut he said, “Nobody but me knows that you live on a military base or that it exists? Isn’t that right?”

I didn’t say anything.

We got to the restaurant at five to seven. There was nobody there.

“Were we supposed to meet Gloria here?” I asked.

“Yes,” replied Oscar, “they live on the second floor above the restaurant.”

Just as we pulled up we saw Gloria’s father carrying a couple of suitcases down the stairs. I told him to put them in the back of the truck. Seconds later Gloria showed up with her mother. Oscar got out of the truck and went back to secure the suitcases. Gloria said good morning and sat beside me. Oscar sat beside her and closed the passenger door. Her mother came over to the driver’s side. I opened the window and she said, “Please look after my girl.”

“Don’t worry she’s in good hands,” I said and waved goodbye as we drove off.

After a few minutes of silence I said, “I don’t like long goodbyes. It’s not like you’re going to another planet or something and don’t know if you’re coming back. I then looked at Gloria and said, “You’ll be back for Christmas, right?”

“Yeah, I would like to, but who’s going to bring me back?” she asked.

I didn’t say anything and neither did Oscar.

After a while I felt guilty. I felt Gloria was reaching out to us and we were avoiding her so I said, “We’ll find a way to bring you back for the holidays. You just worry about school.”

We drove in silence a long way. Oscar broke the silence and said, “If you have anything to discuss now would be a good time.”

Gloria didn’t say anything.

“It’s going to be exciting out there for you. You’ll discover new things, meet new people… and you’ll encounter dangers too. People aren’t always what they seem; you always have to keep your guard up. As a rule you always stay away from sex, drugs and alcohol,” I warned.

Oscar laughed and said, “Sex, drugs and alcohol…”

“I’m trying to be serious here,” I said.

“So, am I,” he replied. “I may have laughed on the outside but I’m crying on the inside.”

Gloria looked at him but didn’t say anything.

Oscar looked at her and in a serious tone of voice said, “I know all about that. They ruined my life. I spent all my money on booze and slept under a bridge. It was no fun. I can tell you that much. So the man is right, you have to be careful. Also, it’s far worse for a woman than it is for a man. Getting pregnant or contracting a disease can ruin your life… and not just your life but also your family’s life and the lives of the people who care for you. A lot of people care for you. You are a special person. You are our future. Okay?”

Gloria kept looking at Oscar and listening. I put my hand on her head and stroked her hair. She looked at me and smiled.

“We are telling you these things because we care…” I said.

“I know that,” she interrupted and grabbed our hands and held them tight.

“I need my hand back to hold the steering wheel.”

She let go.

“I bet you must have questions and concerns,” said Oscar.

“Yeah!” I replied. They both cracked up laughing.

“I, I have never been away from home before. I’m even nervous to go to the store alone,” she said looking timid. “I don’t know what to ask.”

“You’ll be alright. You just have to be vigilant and trust no one especially the sweet talkers. And anything that sounds to be too good to be true, it usually is. And if anyone, outside of the people you trust tells you something is good for you or they are doing things for you, be careful of them… also avoid going to parties,” said Oscar.

“Why, what happens at parties?” she asked.

“Bad things could happen at parties. The fruit punch could be spiked with alcohol or worse, someone could put drugs in your drink without you knowing and then take you outside and do unimaginable things with you,” replied Oscar and placed his hands over his face. His body began to shake as he tried hard to avoid breaking down emotionally.

It was an awkward moment for all of us. God knows what people had done to this poor man, especially on account that he is native. I remember what they were about to do to him the day I met him. But Oscar was one of the most resilient persons I have ever met and he

seemed to bounce right back. He looked at Gloria and smiled like nothing had happened. Here was a shining example of a native person helping a white person despite what the white people (Europeans) had done to him and his people.

Gloria smiled back at both of us and I patted her on the head and messed her hair. She did the same to me. Oscar began to laugh.

I looked at them and asked, “What?”

“Nothing, she just reminds me of my little cousin Jean. She used to do that to me when I touched her head.”

“Speaking of Jean, you never did tell me if we’re going to the reservation this Saturday,” I said.

“Yeah, man, yeah. We’re going. We’d better go before the winter sets in.”

“Are we getting them anything?”

“No. Ah, I get it, you want to get something for Jean? But Jean hates everything. Maybe Gloria might have some ideas.”

“How old is little Jean?” asked Gloria.

“Well, she’s not little now. I was talking about ten years ago, now she’s over twenty and hates me because I abandoned her. She hates him and white people because of me. I wasn’t there to guide her when she was growing up. Now I have to live with the consequences of my actions. That’s why you need to be smart about; what you do and not only to yourself but to others too,” replied Oscar.

To our surprise Gloria took Oscar’s hand, looked him in the eyes and said, “You’re a good person Oscar, look what you’re doing for me. You haven’t abandoned anyone.”

Her comment sure put us in our places. There was no more lecturing until we arrived at the college. We only made one pit stop at a service station about halfway. The trip was not as boring as I’d

expected. We were all tired from sitting but otherwise in good spirits.

We met the dean at about a quarter past ten at the front door. She was a slim soft spoken, well dressed woman in her early forties. She was very polite and easy to talk to so Gloria took a liking to her immediately. I knew that because Gloria gave me the thumbs up. After we brought Gloria’s suitcases to her room Oscar and I took the dean aside and explained to her how precious Gloria was to us and the community back home. We also explained to her how innocent she was and that she would need constant guidance. Even though our words may have sounded harsh the woman took us seriously and promised us she would personally look after her.

Gloria came outside and gave the dean the envelope with the cheques. The dean gave us half an hour to say goodbye to Gloria while she went to take care of something.

After the dean left I pulled the envelope with the five hundred dollars out of my pocket and gave it to Gloria and asked her to hide it somewhere safe, and not under the mattress. She didn’t know where to hide it so I suggested we put it inside the bed leg pipe but from the underside. I told her that the money was for emergencies only. It was to be used for medical purposes if she got sick, required medication or to pay for a taxi to get back home if there was an emergency, and things like that. She was to tell no one about the money, not even her parents, and if it was still there after she finished school she could have it.

She took the envelope, looked inside it and began to cry. Oscar and I looked at each other. She said she had never seen so much money before and she was grateful for it. I then lifted the bed up and sat it on a stool. I removed the cap from the bottom of the left bed leg, stuffed the envelope inside, put back the cap and put the bed down.

“Emergencies only,” she said and thanked us both.

“So, do you like your new place?” I asked.

She shook her head yes.

When the dean came back I told Gloria it was time for us to go. The dean asked for our phone numbers and who to contact in case of emergency besides her parents. Oscar gave her one of Stan’s business cards.

The women walked us outside and before we left, Oscar gave Gloria one of Stan’s business cards and said, “Call anytime you feel like talking.”

The dean also gave us a business card and thanked us both for what we were doing. Gloria ran over and gave us each a hug.

Oscar said, “Goodbye little sister.”

I smiled, winked at her and we drove off.

After driving in silence for a while Oscar said, “I hardly know the kid, why do I feel so empty inside?”

“You know why,” I said, “because you’re a good man.

He didn’t say anything but I could see he was deep in thought. What he was thinking and feeling I don’t know and I wasn’t going to ask.

About ten minutes later I said, “I feel empty inside too…”

The trip back was uneventful and boring. Neither one of us wanted to talk. Just as we were about to enter the town I looked at the gas gauge. It was almost empty but there was enough to get us to the restaurant. I also realized the old gasoline had burned without a problem and I noticed no difference in the truck’s performance.

Before entering the restaurant we emptied the gas canister into the truck’s gas tank.

“That’s pretty good gas mileage considering how far we traveled on one tank of gas,” said Oscar.

It was past three in the afternoon when we entered the restaurant. Gloria’s parents ran over to see us and invited us for a meal. We realized we hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch that day and we were pretty hungry. We told them how everything went and that Gloria was in good hands at the school.

After that we went to see Fred and Olivia. We told them how things had gone and thanked them for their contribution. Olivia had made a carrot cake and gave us each a piece which we ate and she sent an extra piece for Stan.

When we arrived Stan was up to his eyeballs in work but Oscar told him to drop everything, he would finish it. Oscar gave him the carrot cake and while Stan was eating we told him everything that we had done that day.

After that Oscar told me to go home and he immediately went to work on the cars. I took his advice and went back to the base.

After I had a stiff drink of rakia I fell asleep and didn’t wake until the next morning.

Saturday morning I was at Stan’s service station ten minutes after six in the morning.

Oscar was standing inside the front door tapping his watch.

“What, your watch has stopped working?” I asked.

He didn’t say anything.

It was a clear but cool day.

After he slammed the truck door he said, “Driving should be okay today.”

He pointed the way to the market and, after we parked the truck in an unpaved parking lot full of potholes, we went and got my vegetables. Oscar borrowed a wheelbarrow from one of the vendors and, after a couple of trips, had loaded everything onto the truck.

When we got back to the base we debated which entrance would be closest to the kitchen to park the truck. We came to the conclusion that the entrance from the underground parking lot was the closest place.

After I drove in we parked in front of the stairs that led to the coat room. It was dark and I couldn’t see where I was going even though it was sunny outside.

“Who was the idiot that built an underground parking lot without lighting,” I asked.

“There’s lighting,” replied Oscar.

“Where?” I asked, “You can see there’s no lighting. It’s dark down here.”

Oscar dragged me to the door and I unlocked it. When we were inside he closed it.

“Look,” he said, “see this box here behind the door? It contains the switches for the lights in the parking lot. He opened the box, turned on a big red switch and then another six black switches. He opened the door and said, “Look outside.” The parking lot was lit up like a Christmas tree.

I thanked him for showing me that and, bag by bag, we took my vegetables inside and put them in the walk in refrigerators.

“There are enough potatoes, beets, leeks, cabbages and onions to last you a lifetime.” I don’t know why you got so many,” he said.

“Our local farmers need our support,” I replied. “And this is one way of supporting them.”

When we were finished putting away my vegetables we decided it was time to gas up the truck and head for the reservation.

Oscar looked under the hood, gave me the thumbs up and we were off to the reservation, or as Oscar put it, to see Jean.

Back to the reservation

“I hope the rest of the trip is as good as this. I just hope we don’t run into any snowstorms up the mountain to my village,” said Oscar.

“God will protect us, we earned enough good karma in the last couple of days, don’t you think?”

“Are you trying to make a deal with God now?”

“Well, you know what they say, the universe must maintain a balance or else everything will turn into chaos.”

“And who are they who said that?”

“I don’t remember who said that, but you do believe that nature has to maintain a balance, right?”

“Yeah, but what does that have to do with God and karma. Just because we think we did good doesn’t mean God thinks so too. What if God wanted Gloria to stay home and we interfered with his plans? What if something happens to Gloria because of what we did?”

“You know what your problem is Oscar, you over think things, smart people tend to do that and paralyze themselves. Then they do nothing because they think they can’t control the outcome and because they are afraid of the consequences.”

“You’re right man and I hate you for it. I do over think everything… But, do you really think I’m smart?”

“Yes, you’re one of the smartest people I know. Not only smart but also honest and outspoken. In other words, a pain in the ass...”

Oscar smiled, shook his head and said, “We’re talking about me, right?”

“Yes, we’re talking about you.”

After a long silence Oscar spoke up and said, “Man, all my life I’ve been looking at things in a negative way and thinking about what might go wrong. I have rarely looked at things in a positive way and thought about what might go right. I have never rewarded myself for doing good and every time someone complimented me I took it lightly and felt I didn’t deserve it. I don’t know why I’m like this.”

“You’ll have to figure that out for yourself. You’re not obligated to anyone. If people don’t like you it’s their problem, not yours. You are a human being born to parents just like everyone else. If people have a problem with that, it’s their problem.”

“You’re trying to tell me that people don’t like me because I’m Indian, right?”

“Yes, Oscar, many of your problems stem from you being Indian but again, how is it your problem? Did you have a choice when you were born and did you choose to be Indian? No! You are what you are and you either reject that and suffer, or embrace it and be proud of it. Being proud doesn’t mean flaunting it in the face of the racists. No, in fact you need to avoid the racists. What you did for Stan, Gloria and perhaps what you will do for your people will earn you a lot of respect and as you know you earn respect. It doesn’t come for free. The racists will never change but will look up to you instead of looking down on you.”

“Do you think that will ever happen?”

“Yes, I do, it’s up to you. You have the potential; you’re smart and have a big heart. And those my friend are good qualities. But you’ll need to focus on the positive.”

This was something new for Oscar to think about and it was making him nervous. He started rocking back and forth and biting his dirty fingernails.

“Oscar, you’re over thinking things again,” I said.

“Well, how do you do it?” he asked.

“I do nothing and think of nothing. I just listen to others and learn what I can from them and about them. I’m only obligated to them when they ask me a question or ask me to do something for them. Even then I don’t react impulsively, I think about it.”

“And I see you smile a lot, especially at the pretty girls,” he said.

“Now you got it.”

“Do you know why I never married?” he asked.

I didn’t say anything.

“I knew I was a screw up and I didn’t want another human being to suffer on my account. It’s easy to make children but very difficult to bring them up properly. And besides, what kind of life would they have with me as their father?”

“A wonderful life! You would have been a great father, a great chief and the father of future chiefs,” I replied.

“I’m beginning to see that now,” he said and pointed to the right side of the road where the road to the reservation branched off from the highway.

“Look at that,” he said proudly, “the name of my village on a big sign. Everyone driving up this way will see it.”

As we drove further up the road he said, “They fixed the potholes. I wonder how many more things they have done. I’m sure they bought the truck too… I can’t wait to see it.”

It was wonderful to see Oscar happy, not like the last time we came here when he was sick in the gut with anxiety.

When we cleared the grove and entered the village, everyone ran down to greet us, not just the dogs like the last time. We were both welcomed by everyone with hugs and kisses. Oscar spotted the truck and went over to see it. His mother and father came over and greeted us with much affection.

Oscar’s father said, “We got a used truck, there was no need for new one. We only drive it once a week. We used the left over money to improve our village. Now we have outdoor running water in the village square thanks to you boys.”

I looked around, everyone was smiling. I looked for Jean but she was nowhere to be found. Oscar’s mother saw me looking and shook her head but not in a good way. Bad thoughts began to run through my mind; was she okay, had she run off, had she harmed herself…?

Oscar’s mother poked her husband and he invited us into their home.

We all stood there in silence looking at each other.

“Well, where is she?” asked Oscar concerned.

“She’s here…” replied Oscar’s mother. Her husband told her to be quiet.

“Son, it’s bad, it’s very bad. She has been very rebellious and causing trouble for everyone. She doesn’t like what we’re doing and believes we have sold our people out for money. When you go, please take her with you.”

We looked at one another.

I took a risk and decided to speak first and said, “With all due respect Chief, I know you are a worldly figure and you very well know what will happen to a young and beautiful native girl outside of here. There has to be a better answer than abandoning her to the wolves.”

I was expecting to be told off for interfering but instead, in a calm voice the Chief said, “What do you suggest we do?”

“Have you asked her what she wants?” I asked.

“God help us we have, she doesn’t know what she wants,” replied Oscar’s mother.

“She wants to run the village, she wants to be chief,” replied the chief.

I looked at Oscar. He looked at me and said, “Then she should be chief. I don’t want to be chief. There are many other ways, more effective ways, that I can contribute to my people.”

I looked at the chief and said, “Would you be willing to start giving her some of your responsibilities and guide her?”

“I am willing to do anything to stop this madness but she won’t listen to me.”

“Do you mind if we talk to her? Where is she?” I asked.

“I will take you to her,” replied Oscar’s mother. “She is locked up in the lodge and she only opens the door for me.”

Oscar’s mother knocked on the door five times. We heard a voice from the inside ask, “Are you alone?”

Oscar’s mother said, “EH?”

Jean yelled, “ARE YOU ALONE?”

Oscar’s mother again said, “EH?”

Jean slammed the door open and yelled, “HAVE YOU GONE DEAF OLD WOMAN?”

I grabbed her by the arm and in a firm voice said, “That’s no way to talk to an elder. Even a devil like me knows that.”

She yelled, “Let go of me and started screaming rape, rape, rape.”

Oscar told his mother to go outside and stop people from coming this way and from interfering.

“Nobody is coming to your rescue. Not even Oscar. And if rape is what you want, rape you will get in front of your cousin. And do you know why? Because I am stronger than you and I will force my way into you. And if you think this is terrible, you haven’t seen anything yet nor do you understand what happens to raving mad Indian women out there. Now behave yourself and stop yelling.”

She stopped struggling and I let go of her. She fell to the floor.

“WHO THE F… DO YOU THINK YOU ARE,” she yelled, got up and gave me a swift kick in the nuts. But I was prepared and didn’t even flinch. She looked surprised. She took a run at me and punched me in the gut as hard as she could. She thought she had punched me in the gut but had hit me in the chest instead. She hurt her wrist and grabbed it with her other hand.

“Now it’s my turn,” I said and grabbed her by the hair and tried to lift her. I looked at Oscar and he looked like he was hurting more than her. I let her go and she fell on the floor looking exhausted.

I bent down and said, “If it wasn’t for him and the pain he’s feeling for you I would have torn your hair off.”

She still had a lot of fight in her so I said, “How about I give you a bloody nose and a few broken teeth?”

She looked at Oscar. He looked helpless. She looked at the door. It was still open and no one was coming to rescue her, not even her parents or her mighty big brother.

She slumped down and began to cry and, in a sad and meek voice, said, “What do you want from me?”

“A better question is what do I need to do to make you listen?” I asked.

“I won’t listen to you,” she replied in disgust.

“Perhaps a swift kick in the ribs might convince you,” I said angrily.

She was surprised by my anger and I could see that in her face.

“DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOME SORT OF GAME? I yelled and took a violent step forward. I was sure the entire village had heard that.

No one came through the door to save her, not even her brother.

She curled up in a ball as I took a step back preparing to kick her in the ribs as hard as I could.

I heard Oscar say, “Please don’t. Let me talk to her.”

“Is this what you want? Because this is an example of what you will get if you leave here. And if you don’t leave on your own, the village will throw you out. Do you understand? No one is coming to save you?”

Oscar grabbed his face and began to shake. She looked at him and couldn’t believe what was happening.

Oscar took a deep breath and said, “Do you think it was fun getting beat up every day and drinking myself to sleep in the cold and dark under a bridge not knowing when and who was going to pull out the next baseball bat, knife or gun and end my life? Imagine what would happen to a mouthy girl like you out there. This is not a joke, I’m serious. You’re taking the same path I took and look where it led me.”

Oscar moved closer to her and said, “He’ll torture you and he will break you… The path you have taken will lead you to your own destruction. You are unmanageable and no one knows what to do with you. So, the way I see it you have two choices; one, we take you with us and dump you in the city somewhere. Or, two, you can stay here, work with my father and, if you’re worthy, you can become the next chief. I don’t want the position.”

She looked at me with hatred in her eyes. Oscar noticed that and became bitter with her. He felt I didn’t deserve that.

“See this man here,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him I would probably be dead by now. He helped me out of a situation by risking his own life. I am alive today because of him. I have a good job. I’m helping the community where I live and I have risen from a bum to a respectable citizen and, you know something, I am more Indian now than I ever was. I am proud of who I am. I no longer think negative thoughts and my mind is always searching for good things to do to make people happy. What did this man owe me to do that for me? And now you sit there on your sorry ass and look at him like that? What have you done to make you so special? EH?”

“How about I give her that swift kick now?” I asked.

Oscar didn’t say anything.

Tears were dripping off her face and nose, down her cheeks and chin. She looked at me with a twisted face and in a whiney loud voice said, “Kick me I deserve it.”

I pulled her up by her hand. She grabbed me by my head and kissed my face everywhere smudging her tears and everything else that oozed from her eyes, nose and mouth. “I am so sorry,” she yelped.

“It’s not going to be so easy,” I said. “You’ll have to eat crow now and apologize to all the people you have wronged and it’s going to be a hard pill to swallow, something you will never forget for the rest of your life. You will humble yourself in front of everyone and you will say you are sorry. Do you understand?”

She cried out loud for a moment, looked at Oscar, who was feeling sorry for her, and then looked at me and tearfully said, “Okay.”

I pulled a clean napkin from my pocket and loudly told her to wipe her dirty face.

Mean Jean looked broken down. Oscar took me aside and said, “Aren’t you overdoing it a little? Besides being my cousin she is a precious human being.”

“And what? You think I’m a monster? Have I ever steered you wrong? Let me do my thing now and you can thank me later,” I replied.

“Let’s go Jean,” I said with a rough tone of voice. “Let’s get you washed up.”

We grabbed her by the arms and walked her outside. The entire village was standing outside the lodge. It was getting dark. Everyone stared at us as we passed by. Her brother stopped in front of me and said to me, “I see you tamed the shrew. Good for you.”

Oscar’s mother came over and took Jean from us. “I’ll bring her back,” she said.

Oscar and I turned back and went inside the lodge. I took a deep breath and felt my entire body shake. Oscar’s father walked in.