love them. I couldn’t believe that any animal was just meant to be a killer. That is the story about shifters. I think that is what my friend believes.”
Nino stood up to look at her. “Don’t apologize, Sally. You didn’t insult me. Those idiots out there insult us, but I understand. If you are really interested in our history, there are a couple of elders that would love to talk your ears off. The next time you have some free time, come into the southern rez. Oh, and bring a gift. It is okay to bring alcohol. That’s a myth also, about Indians and firewater. Of course we have alcoholics, just like you pale faces. It is not everyone.” He smiled, his white teeth gleaming in his dark face.
Sally enjoyed this trip out. The nights had turned cold. The last one was cold enough to make the city folks ready to head for home.
Nino took the carcasses to the slaughterhouse and Sally loaded the last of the camping items into the Hummer. She got one last pass from one of the guys, then they were on the road with the men in their fancy rentals, heading in the other direction towards the small airport where they would fly home with lots of tales.
Winter came in fast so, that meant there wasn’t much to do. There was heavy snow in the mountains, but still none in the lowlands. Where this small town was located there was just cold-biting wind blowing on the short days. She spent the time on the computer, updating Jim’s website. She was pleased when it started getting more hits.
Jim didn’t seem so pleased. He wanted only enough business to pay the bills, just enough work to let him take days off to go fly-fishing.
One Wednesday, he was leaving for lunch as a dry cold wind pushed a few snowflakes down the street.
“Sally, let’s close up for the rest of the week. I know it will make a short pay check for you, but I’ll pay your groceries to make up for it. I need to go out to the ranch and check on my horses and I just feel like being lazy.”
“Hey Jim, I don’t mind, but I need to borrow a car. I want to go out to the reservation so I can talk to some of the older people about their history. Got any suggestions?”
He smiled as he went back in his office. He came out with a set of keys. “It ain’t fancy, but it runs good, an old pick-up truck behind the office out back. You will find four old chiefs among the Shoshone who love to talk. When a new one gets elected, the old ones just sit around giving advice whether it is needed or not. They love to have powwows. Look for one called Chief George. He loves chocolates. If you stay, take your own bedroll. Have fun.” He was gone and, since he hadn’t given her any warnings, it seemed to be fairly safe.
Sally went first to the local general store. She walked around, but didn’t like the choice of candy. Next, she went to the small grocery store. There, she did find small packages of cheap chocolates along with some expensive ones, so she picked up two different bags. Any chocoholic should find something to like there. She was also able to buy a bottle of whiskey. She loved western grocery stores.
Sally went to her apartment, dressed for the cold, picked up her bedroll, braided her long hair so that she could tuck it in, and found a wool scarf to tie over her ears. She took everything with her behind the office. She stopped as she grinned at the truck. She couldn’t guess the original color, but still it had bush guards in front and smaller ones in back, plus overhead lights.
It started up immediately and had a full tank of gas. She would remember to fill it up when she returned. Sally headed out of town towards the southern edge of the reservation. It took about fifteen minutes before the heater kicked on. As it warmed up, she could take off her gloves and remove her scarf.
It was a forty-five minute drive to get to the small community. It brought pain to her heart. Even with the money from the casinos, there was poverty here. Small homes with
Nino stood up to look at her. “Don’t apologize, Sally. You didn’t insult me. Those idiots out there insult us, but I understand. If you are really interested in our history, there are a couple of elders that would love to talk your ears off. The next time you have some free time, come into the southern rez. Oh, and bring a gift. It is okay to bring alcohol. That’s a myth also, about Indians and firewater. Of course we have alcoholics, just like you pale faces. It is not everyone.” He smiled, his white teeth gleaming in his dark face.
Sally enjoyed this trip out. The nights had turned cold. The last one was cold enough to make the city folks ready to head for home.
Nino took the carcasses to the slaughterhouse and Sally loaded the last of the camping items into the Hummer. She got one last pass from one of the guys, then they were on the road with the men in their fancy rentals, heading in the other direction towards the small airport where they would fly home with lots of tales.
Winter came in fast so, that meant there wasn’t much to do. There was heavy snow in the mountains, but still none in the lowlands. Where this small town was located there was just cold-biting wind blowing on the short days. She spent the time on the computer, updating Jim’s website. She was pleased when it started getting more hits.
Jim didn’t seem so pleased. He wanted only enough business to pay the bills, just enough work to let him take days off to go fly-fishing.
One Wednesday, he was leaving for lunch as a dry cold wind pushed a few snowflakes down the street.
“Sally, let’s close up for the rest of the week. I know it will make a short pay check for you, but I’ll pay your groceries to make up for it. I need to go out to the ranch and check on my horses and I just feel like being lazy.”
“Hey Jim, I don’t mind, but I need to borrow a car. I want to go out to the reservation so I can talk to some of the older people about their history. Got any suggestions?”
He smiled as he went back in his office. He came out with a set of keys. “It ain’t fancy, but it runs good, an old pick-up truck behind the office out back. You will find four old chiefs among the Shoshone who love to talk. When a new one gets elected, the old ones just sit around giving advice whether it is needed or not. They love to have powwows. Look for one called Chief George. He loves chocolates. If you stay, take your own bedroll. Have fun.” He was gone and, since he hadn’t given her any warnings, it seemed to be fairly safe.
Sally went first to the local general store. She walked around, but didn’t like the choice of candy. Next, she went to the small grocery store. There, she did find small packages of cheap chocolates along with some expensive ones, so she picked up two different bags. Any chocoholic should find something to like there. She was also able to buy a bottle of whiskey. She loved western grocery stores.
Sally went to her apartment, dressed for the cold, picked up her bedroll, braided her long hair so that she could tuck it in, and found a wool scarf to tie over her ears. She took everything with her behind the office. She stopped as she grinned at the truck. She couldn’t guess the original color, but still it had bush guards in front and smaller ones in back, plus overhead lights.
It started up immediately and had a full tank of gas. She would remember to fill it up when she returned. Sally headed out of town towards the southern edge of the reservation. It took about fifteen minutes before the heater kicked on. As it warmed up, she could take off her gloves and remove her scarf.
It was a forty-five minute drive to get to the small community. It brought pain to her heart. Even with the money from the casinos, there was poverty here. Small homes with
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