“Damn,” Railer said. I could hear the sound of a car coming, but before I could move, Railer was on the road. He retrieved his hat from the ground and was straightening the bill as the car peaked the far hill. Railer met the car with his palm flat, his arm outstretched. The wrecked car was creaking. Railer rolled his hand for the passing car. He pointed to the far lane but the car stopped. The Two Teeth family leaned out the windows. “Baptiste,” they called, waving. I lifted my hand but they met my hello with grim faces. I caught Yellow Knife watching as the car passed us. I was not the hero here. I wasn’t even important enough to be the enemy. The family ignored me. I wasn’t an Indian to them. I was a traitor in blue uniform. I forced a smile anyway and hoped Louise was not watching me too. The car rocked again. The man yelped, his face dangerously close to pitching to pavement. “It’s coming,” he said. “Keep her coming,” he said to the horse. “Keep her coming.” I was worried we were letting Yellow Knife kill the man.

“Hey, Charlie. Be good for something will you?” Yellow Knife called to me. I saw then that the door was coming loose. The door was giving way. I stepped up to brace the door and Railer helped me. “Back it up, back it up,” Yellow Knife said, and the poor animal strained. I could see the shine of sweat on its withers. “Pop the door, will you?” Yellow Knife said to me. I moved reluctantly. I was surprised when the door pulled off easily. The man breathed a loud sigh.

“Let me get you,” I said to the man. “Let me help.” But even though he was still hanging like a bat he shrugged away from me. “No,” the man said. “You get away from me,” he said. “If anyone’s going to be helping me, it’s going to be that guy,” he said, indicating Yellow Knife. I didn’t want to look up at Yellow Knife. I had lost this round.

Louise YEARS OF SUMMER