Free Chickadee by Louise Erdrich Page B

family had left the sugar bush, she had said she would pray hard for Chickadee’s return.
    The family began to talk to Margaret through Deydey, who translated everything they said.
    â€œSince we know who took our Chickadee,” said Omakayas, “we have agreed to intercept them here when they deliver the mail.”
    â€œEven now, we have our lookouts, Two Strike, Fishtail, and Animikiins,” said Nokomis. “They will not let those skunks get away.”
    â€œWe will wait here,” said Mikwam, “for Quill to return.”
    Margaret looked worriedly at her bed. Then her face brightened, and she told Deydey something that took a long time to explain.
    Deydey nodded from time to time as she spoke, and then he looked very thoughtful. Finally, he told the family what he had heard.
    â€œMargaret is urging us to stay in Pembina. She says that so many families have moved on to the other town, St. Joseph, because of the flooding, that there are abandoned cabins. She says that Quill misses us and wishes we were here to hunt the buffalo. She misses her own family, who have moved even farther west. She wishes we would stay here, only not in her bed.” Deydey smiled as he said the last sentence.
    â€œWe are only here to collect Chickadee and sell the winter’s furs,” said Omakayas. She and Animikiins lived far off in the bush for a good reason—wherever people gathered, so did illness. “We will bring Chickadee back with us,” she said.
    At the mention of his brother’s name, Makoons felt his spirits sink. He leaned against his mother. He felt that only she missed his twin as much as he did.
    â€œNimama,” he whispered, “ I dreamed about Chickadee again last night.”
    Omakayas put her arm around his shoulders. Every bite of the bannock was tasty and soft, especially dipped in the tea and maple syrup that Margaret provided. His grandfather winked at Makoons in sympathy. But still he was so lonely for Chickadee that every bite, every sip, made him lonelier. He couldn’t help wondering if his brother had anything as good to eat. He couldn’t help wanting to share.
    â€œMy brother’s wife,” said Omakayas at last, through Deydey, to Margaret, “it has been a good visit. We will find somewhere else to sleep tonight. If we have Chickadee, we’ll be warm and happy anywhere we camp!”
    â€œWait,” said Yellow Kettle suddenly, “and listen and think. We have come so far. This is our chance to see your brother, Quill, my son. If there is a place for us to live, we can stay and gather up our winter’s food. It might be a good idea.”
    â€œThere is another reason,” said Deydey. “There is a school here.” He pointed at the wall. “The twins must learn to read, and to write the white man’s language. If they do not do this, everything will be stolen from them.”
    â€œNot if we go back! Not if we live far from everybody!” cried Omakayas, holding Makoons.
    â€œThere is good in what everyone says,” said Nokomis. “But we cannot decide this until we know for sure whether we can stay in one of these left-behind houses.”
    Everyone agreed that this was true, and in addition, that they would have to wait for Chickadee’s return somewhere . But not in Margaret’s bed, as she was very protective of her pretty bed, it was clear!
    As the family took leave of Margaret she entreated them to think over all she had said. This time, when she spoke, her face did not have the opposite expression. She meant it. She had begun to like Quill’s family very much and, although she didn’t want them to take over her carefully groomed cabin, she wanted them, very much, to stay.

FIFTEEN
AT THE MERCY OF TWO STRIKE

    â€œI will not stir,” said Two Strike. She sat on a rock and sharpened each of her knives on another rock. She stared into the distance. So did Animikiins and Fishtail.