" "No car." "No car. We'll have to walk. In the morning." "In the morning? I can't sleep in the car . . ." "No need to. Plenty of room here. You'll be safe." I dismiss the girl from my mind as I kick off my boots and reach for a cedar flute. Soft strains of flute music provide a relaxing background and I am soon lost in my music. * * * STORMCLOUDS ON THE RESERVATION Part II "No wine for me. Thanks." Dinner is over, the dishes are in the kettle boiling over the fire. I fish the kettle off the fire and move it outside the lodge. "It'll keep 'til morning." Sylvia pours herself another glass of wine. The warmth and the flute music have begun to relax her and the wine is finishing the job. From time to time, she appears to nod off to sleep, catching herself before she falls over. "Sleepy?" I pull a buffalo robe over the pile of fresh pine branches that serve as my bed. "Sorry. I am not much of a host. This is for you. I have blankets, if you want one." "No. This is Okay. Thanks." She moves to the robe and sits on the improvised bed. "Ummm. Warm. I don't think I'll need a blanket." She stares into the fire as she drinks the last of the wine. "This is unfair!" she announces. her speech is somewhat slurred by the effects of the wine. Her outburst catches me by surprise. "Huh? What? Unfair?" "Well, you know me. My name. And I don't know you. Yours." "Call me Scatterer," I laugh. "Or, Storm. Whatever is easy." I explain my names and how I came by them. |