Durango Read Free Page B

I’ve fed you plenty of times where you haven’t had to work for it.
    He looked at her through lowered eyebrows and presented a tight smile. Not sure how you mean that.
    She laughed. You know how I mean it. Don’t be cute. I could put you to work for six months around my place patching and fixing, but I’d have to feed you the whole time, and I can’t afford it.
    Will work for food, he said. Maybe a little kindness from time to time wouldn’t hurt, either.
    Let’s not go there, she smiled. I know your definition of “kindness.”
    Just a healthy boy, he said, who gets lonely from time to time.
    They both tried the cooling coffee, each ransacking memory for the long history of a complicated friendship. This cabinet of memories had hidden compartments of happiness and drawers of various sizes stuffed with webs of conflict and controversy. An air of irresolution pervaded every corner.
    She broke the reverie. Been down to see Leonard Cloud recently?
    The deep crease between his eyebrows deepened. We keep in touch. After a moment, he said, Why bring that up?
    You know I can’t leave it totally alone, she said. It’s your life. And it’s my life as well. Then after a pause she added, It’s not over, you know.
    Well, it sure as hell is for me, he grunted, and signaled for more coffee.
    We’re not going to pursue it, she said, at least not here, not now. But you know how I feel. A time will come when it has to come out. And it will. It has to, Daniel. Otherwise, there’s no justice in this world.
    He snorted. No justice. I’d say the no justice side wins this one.
    After the coffee was refilled, he said, The Utes are doing well and that’s all I care about. Talk about justice. They had to wait over a hundred years. But they’re finally getting what they deserve. Leonard says the royalties are rolling in.
    What I’ve heard, she said.
    He’s so smart, Sheridan continued. He’s got the tribal council to create a trust fund. Sam’s law firm helped ’em set it up. Most of the royalty money goes there. And they’ve got a plan to put that into education for several generations of tribal kids. They’ll still have plenty left over for really decent housing for the families. And they’ve started work on the senior center and a new community center in Ignacio.
    She said, They’ve finally got a chance to live like real ordinary human beings. She wanted to say more, to tell him that she had advised the Ute tribal council on how to set up a durable trust fund, but she decided it could wait until later.
    He leaned back in his chair. Even poor, they were the most ordinary human beings I ever met. It’s kinda interesting to wonder whether they’d get back on their horses and roam again if they could.
    Be a little hard, she said, dragging their stuff across interstates and through a bunch of parking lots and truck stops.
    He laughed. Sure enough. Wouldn’t be the same as the old days, now would it? I just hope they don’t go to hell with most of the rest of modern civilization. There’ll be a few of them that’ll pack up and buy some big old houses in Hollywood. He shook his head.
    Have you gone to hell, Daniel? she asked.
    He laughed again. Course not. If I had, you wouldn’t be here, would you? And besides, I’m not big rich, in case you hadn’t noticed.
    That’s a good question, she said. I suppose I would be here. I’d keep trying to save your soul.
    Well, I appreciate that, Miss Missionary, he chuckled. My soul sure does want savin’.
    If I cook something Friday, will you tell me more about what the tribe’s doing? she asked. It’s the only way I can find out.
    Well, he said, you know Leonard as well as I do. Just get on your horse and ride out there. He’d love to see you. After a pause he said, But you know me well enough to know I’m not going to turn down a supper.
    They