excerpt
Bud, we would learn, was staggering drunk by this hour every
night. He’d stumble out onto the deck, unzip his Levis and aim a
steaming arch of piss into the Similkameen.
– I understand that river’s the source of our drinking water, Burt
said.
– True, Bud confirmed. But everything down this far gets drunk
in the next town. Don’t know nobody down there.
The next morning Aunt Peggy asked if we’d help with the chores.
Burt volunteered to chop wood and I agreed to fetch water. Bud
always kept a bottle of river water in the fridge to mix with his
whisky. I made a point of filling it downstream. Burt and I topped it
off with a little Project water.
My brother quickly ingratiated himself with the kids hanging out at
the bridge. Behind their public scowls was a group much like any
other. Most were native. Each took a turn sampling Burt’s wares.
Chief was the oldest and biggest of the bunch. An eagle feather
poked out of his headband. He and Burt hit it off—the two tough
guys.
– The only medicines we got, Chief complained, are airplane glue
and nail polish remover.
– At least they get us out of town, said Shirley, long-limbed and
dreamy.
– Don’t forget paint thinner, chimed her younger sister Tina, also
a beauty. There were girls in the Project who sniffed that stuff. They
didn’t stay beautiful for long.
Soon our new friends were straggling along the side of the highway
and rapping on our door. Aunt Peggy didn’t seem to mind; she
enjoyed the company. Bud did.
We were the town’s only tourists and thus treated like celebrities.
We were invited into the homes of strangers and offered sweets and
refreshments. Everyone we met was excited about TV reception
coming to Coppermine. The credit union featured a numerical
countdown on its electronic message board.
Libros Libertad 