“Hey, take one of these,” Aviak showed him a dark blue pill. “That blond boy gave me two and I already swallowed one back. Here, pop it in your mouth and take a swig.”

“I’m not taking any of that shit. Never touch drugs. Never will.”

“It’s not like it’s Viagra, you dumb fuck. Come on. The boy called it ‘jackpot’ and said that if I took it, I’d hit it! Come on now, let’s have some real fun! Let’s hit a jackpot together. Whew! That jackpot is strong. Gettin’ to me already.”

“Aviak, no. I mean it, no is no.”

Aviak thought that the river was swaying too much. “Hey, you know what?” she said. “I had a boy. A real baby boy. He died though.” Aviak’s head started to sway with the river. It was the only way she could keep it in focus.

“A boy? What was his name?” Kunak stretched out his aching knees. His legs were sprawled close to the river’s edge. He was enjoying the fresh smell of buds on the trees along the river. They had found a quiet spot under the blue bridge and the sounds of the city were far off. They had found their own little sanctuary. Kunak was happy here.

Aviak reached into her blanket of trinkets and pulled out a pack of smokes. She lit one and sputtered under her breath, “Called him Thomas—you know, like the apostle who became a saint of Aquino or some place.”

“Oh yeah, that guy!” Kunak burst out laughing. “Tommy Aquinas! Sounds like a hardcore Eskimo to me!”

“Stop it, you dumb fucker! He was my boy. Loved him more than myself. When he died . . . I just took to the street and got away from that Norwegian and all his lutefisk. Boy, some people really know how to fuck up a good fish.”

Kunak laughed at her joke. This time, Aviak laughed with him. They were both laughing. They held on to each other, laughing and rolling. Rolling and laughing along the riverbank, the water’s edge coming closer to them. Kunak closed his eyes and let himself feel the moment. Ubluriaq stepped between the two rolling humans. She put her kamik under Aviak’s chin and reached over to push Kunak into the river. He let go of Aviak and rolled onto his back, exhausted by the drink and the laughter.

“One swift kick,” Ubluriaq whispered menacingly. “That’s all it will take.”

“You’re right, one kick,” said Chevy. Before the words could sink into Ubluriaq’s head, Chevy kicked the foot that was under Aviak’s open jaw. Ubluriaq watched Aviak’s neck dangle to one side. Chevy put his foot under Aviak’s shoulder and rolled her face first into the North Saskatchewan.