“Well, we could say he was committed to the cause of restoring and preserving Metinnicut heritage and culture,” suggested Lucy.
“That’s good.”
“I guess we could say he valued the traditional ways, but not everyone approved of his unconventional and sometimes controversial tactics.”
“I’m going to miss him,” said Ellie, her voice breaking.
“Are you taking care of his dog?”
“Kadjo? Yeah. He really misses Curt. He won’t eat. He keeps looking down the driveway, waiting for him.”
“Are you going to keep him?”
“Oh, Lucy, I wish I could but I don’t see how. Not if I want to raise chickens again next spring. You can’t change dogs once they’ve got the taste. Sooner or later I’m going to have to give him up, and I guess it might as well be sooner before I get too attached to him. I called the dog officer but she wasn’t too hopeful about finding a home for him. She says he’s got a bad reputation.”
“What happens if she doesn’t find a home for him?”
“They’ll destroy him.”
“That’s horrible!”
“I know.” Ellie was sniffling on the other end of the line. “Would you be interested in taking him? You’ve got a big place and you don’t have any neighbors to speak of. How about it? He’s an awfully nice dog.”
Lucy remembered Kadjo. She’d often seen him sitting in the cab of Curt’s truck, usually grinning, with his ears pricked up, waiting for his master’s return.
“Okay,” she said, then thought better of it. What would Bill say? “Well, maybe. I guess I’d better take another look at him.”
“Come on over. Anytime.”
“In an hour?”
“Sure.”
Lucy pounded out the obit and headed over to Ellie’s. By the time she got there, she had made up her mind. As much as she would like to save Kadjo, she didn’t really think she could take him. So far the family’s only experience with pets had been a few assorted cats through the years, and after Elizabeth was diagnosed with asthma, they hadn’t had any pets at all. Lucy had suggested getting a dog a few times but Bill had always nixed the idea. “Too expensive,” he’d say. “Too dirty.” If she pressed the point, she thought she could probably convince him to accept a small dog, like a Jack Russell terrier or a poodle, but Kadjo was enormous. Eighty or ninety pounds at least. Furthermore, he did have a reputation as a problem dog. She knew perfectly well what Bill’s reaction would be if she brought him home and she didn’t want to have to deal with it. So when she knocked on Ellie’s kitchen door, she had resolved to say she was very sorry, but she would not be able to take the dog after all.
“Hi, Lucy. Come on in.” Ellie waved her arm at Bear Sykes, who was seated at her kitchen table. “You know my uncle Bear. He was at the meeting the other night.”
Lucy hesitated for a minute. She didn’t want to intrude on a family meeting.
“Sit down,” said Bear. “Take a load off your feet. I see you running all over town, chasing the news. I bet you could use a break.”
Lucy laughed. “I sure could.”
Bear’s black hair was combed back from his face, and he was wearing a beaded choker under his plaid flannel shirt. His skin was ruddy, and with his high cheekbones and curved beak of a nose, Lucy thought he looked very much like the stereotypical Native American.
“Coffee?” asked Ellie. “How about a cup of tea?”
“Tea would be great,” said Lucy.
Ellie put the kettle on and joined them at the table. She smiled but didn’t say anything. Neither did Bear. The silence stretched on and Lucy felt she had to speak.
“I’m awfully sorry about Curt,” she said. “I didn’t know him well, but I know you’ll miss him.”
Bear glanced at Ellie. “Ellie was a lot fonder of him than I was,” said Bear, picking up a spoon and stirring his coffee. “He had a big mouth.”
“He did a lot for the tribe.” said Ellie, defending him. “He made people proud of their heritage.”
“I’ll give him that,” said Bear. “But the trouble with Curt was he didn’t know when to stop. Wouldn’t compromise. I could’ve killed him at the meeting the other night when he started talking against the casino.” Bear slapped his fist on the table. “I mean, here we’ve worked so long and come so far, and he has to start throwing a monkey wrench in things. When we all stand together, folks are a lot more likely to take us seriously. But if it seems like we aren’t agreed on what we want, well, then they’re not going to stick their necks out for us. That vote could have gone either way, you know. We got lucky with that Dunlap woman.”
The kettle shrieked and Ellie got up to make the tea.
“What do you think your chances are for federal approval?” asked Lucy.
“A lot better now that Curt isn’t spouting off—that’s for sure.”
Ellie passed Lucy a cup of tea, then sat down. She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and dabbed at her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Ellie,” said Bear, patting her shoulder. “I know you’re upset about what happened.”
Ellie nodded, sniffling. “I’m going to miss him so much,” she said.
“Well, I’ve got to get going,” Bear said, rising to his feet. “I’ve got a meeting.”
“You always have meetings,” said Ellie, blinking back her tears.
“Ain’t that the truth,” he said.
For a moment he stood behind her chair. Then he bent down and enfolded her in a big hug. After a moment he straightened up and headed
