Deer Shack

“Alright, you little hon-yaks, get in the car!  Your father’s ready.”  That is my mother Minnie.  People say she is a bundle of energy.  Dad calls her his “ninety-five-pound tornado.”  We kids stay out of her way when she gets moving.  Dad is in the car right now because that’s where Mom wants him. 

For the first time, my family is about to start an honest to goodness family vacation.  Because my mother’s request is really a demand, my siblings and I are obeying.  Mom uses various emphasis on the word “hon-yak” to show everything from demanding obedience to love.  She is not angry right now, just serious about getting us settled down for an eight-hour drive.  Annie, Ronnie, and Vinnie, are presently climbing into the backseat of our new car. 

Two weeks ago, in preparation for this trip, Dad purchased a shiny black Cadillac.  He convinced Mom it was the right thing to do for a family of seven.  “It’s roomy and comfortable!”  The truth is – Dad fell in love with this ’42 Cadillac sedan the moment he laid eyes on it in Olson’s Used Car Lot.  Originally, he believed it might be too expensive for his price range – cheap.  However, with all the new jobs since the war ended, and so many new cars being purchased, Olson’s used car lot is overflowing. 

Dad’s best friend at the packing house told him a cattle feeder practically gave it away when he purchased a new ‘53 Caddie convertible.  The Williams Brothers serviced the guy’s trade-in and told Dad it was in great shape.  They even gave Dad the trade-in price.  Though excited, Mom advised him to be patient.  It took three days to wear down old man Olson to the trade-in price. Today we are breaking in the car on a trip to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior.  We are going all the way to Moose’s cabin.

The North Shore is a new adventure for me.  I have never been further than Iowa, twenty miles south of my home here in Fountain Springs.  I go to Iowa when Dad buys cases of oleo for us and his friends at the packinghouse.  Dairy farmers won’t allow colored ole in Minnesota. 

Vinnie, my oldest brother, has told me many stories about Moose’s cabin.  Vinnie says it is just outside of Elgin City, fifty miles north of Duluth.    For three years, Dad has been taking Vinnie deer hunting there.  I am only ten, so I’m still too young to go along.  Dad sure loves going there.  His voice always gets kinda soft and syrupy when he describes events at the cabin.

Our family vacations are normally to the Henderson County Poor Farm.  My Uncle and Aunt, Moose and Sadie, run it.  Sadie’s my mother’s favorite sister.  Sadie told me, “The Poor Farm gives people a place to re-group while looking for a job and a home.”  She also said, “It was especially helpful during the Depression when money was tight.”  Even Dad was out of work then.  Mom said he shoveled a whole walk and driveway at a mansion on the north-side of town for only a quarter.  Gosh, Billie and I get a quarter every Saturday for a double feature and two boxes of candy. 

Some of my friends make fun of our trips to the Poor Farm, but I am grateful.  It is a peaceful place.  Moose and Sadie never say a mean word to anyone.  They treat everyone like family.  Last summer we used stuff from the junk pile to build a fort in their apple orchard.  Sometimes we use the root cellar for telling scary stories.  I never peed in my pants last summer like Annie said.

This spring when Moose and Sadie visited us, Moose said to Dad, “Why don’t you take the family up to the North Shore.  Stay in the cabin.  The caretaker is on vacation.” 

When Sadie piped up, “Moose, that place is nothing but a shack!”   He didn’t take a liking to her comment.

“You’re the meanest mule skinner a man could marry.”  He always calls her a muleskinner when he thinks she is interfering.  It makes her blush and ends further discussions. 

Moose’s offer came after my folks mentioned they wanted us kids to visit Split Rock, a lighthouse on the North Shore.  We are also going to Duluth and Gooseberry Falls.  Mom says we might see an iron ore ship leaving the Duluth harbor.

“Willie, get Billie.” 

“Aw Mom, he’s in the bathroom.” 

 “Yell at him to get out.”

“Can’t Ronnie go?”

“No!  He’s already in the car.”  Behind Mom’s back, Ronnie is sticking out his tongue while pointing at me and laughing.  I am the youngest.  I always get the jobs my sister and brothers hate.  I was hoping to get a back seat. 

As I leave, Mom whispers to Dad.  “Willie’s not going to sit still in the front seat, so don’t get angry with him.”  She thinks I can’t hear her.  I wish I could be more like Billie.  Mom likes him best.  Girls all think he is cute because of his curly hair.  He is two years older and explains things I don’t understand.  He says he lifts weights at the “Y” because girls like big muscles.

“Mom, Billie’s coming.”  By the time the screened door slams behind me, I’m at the back door of the car and climbig in.

“Get in the front seat next to your father.”

“Aw, Mom, can’t Billie?  He’s last.”

“I’ve told you a thousand times, you wiggle around too much.  Annie doesn’t like it.”  Annie is sixteen.  She thinks she’s the boss because she babysits me free.  This gets her whatever she wants from Mom.  Annie is a cheerleader who likes football players in the fall and wrestlers in the winter.  I saw her up town talking to a motorcycle guy.  The next time she goes to tattle on me, I’m telling her what I saw.  Dad told her she can’t hang around motorcycle guys anymore.  As we leave, my excitement is high. 

It has now been two and a half hours.  I’m really feeling cramped between Mom and Dad.  Oh, good, we are slowing to make a right-hand turn.

After turning onto a dead-end street, a huge sign looms atop a small, grey building.  The sign proudly proclaims, “Sandy’s.”  The only window on the front of the building has a flickering neon sign proclaiming, “Hummer’s Beer, From the Land of Clear Blue Waters.”

Sandy’s is a three/two beer joint in South St. Paul.  Sandy and his wife Irene are old friends.  They both worked at the packing house in Fountain Springs before buying this place.  By working the graveyard shift and smoke house detail, they earned an additional ten cents an hour.  It was enough for them to save up for a down payment on a beer joint. 

Every time Dad tells that story, he ends up saying, “Minnie, you should go to work.  We could save up for a nice little place that sells burgers and beers.  It would save us a ton of money. I wouldn’t be paying so much for my beer.”

She always ends his suggestion by saying, “You already drink too much.”  I’m glad they can’t save up for a place like Sandy’s.  It isn’t much to look at.  The siding is tin squares stamped to look like bricks.  You can see all the nails they used to hammer it on.  The silver gray reminds me of our school’s playground equipment – ugly!

As we are only allowed in Sandy’s to say “Hi” and get a pop, we are now outside looking for something to do.  Vinnie is over talking to some Irish kids who live just on the other side of the railroad tracks across from Sandy’s.  He wants to play a stick-ball game.  Vinnie is the backup quarterback for the Fountain Springs Eagles.  I know he will want to pitch for our team. 

He also hops cars in the winter when the streets are snow packed.  He does this by grabbing onto their rear bumper just as they are taking off from a stop sign.  As sliding on his overshoes causes them to wear out, Mom now makes him buy his own.  Last winter the police picked him up twice for hopping cars.  The folks left him in jail overnight the second time.  Mom wanted to teach him a “good lesson.”

Ronnie’s my second oldest brother.  He is quieter and likes reading romance novels or playing the saxophone.  He has a real neat collection of Jazz records.  Doesn’t play any sports but is in the school’s jazz band.  Girls think him groovy.  He is real smart.  He might be the first kid in our family to go to college.

Annie doesn’t want to play ball with us.  She is off talking with a black leather jacket on a Harley Hog.  She made me swear not to tell or she’d get even tonight.  She knows Mom and Dad will go out for beer, and she’ll be babysitting. 

After a few beers, my parents exit Sandy’s and call us back.  Once in the car, Mom announces, “We’re heading to a Pink Castle.”  After ordering, Mom quickly gets mad at Billie.  He keeps calling their burgers, “ten-cent cases of dysentery.”  Now, for the third time he is up again and hurrying to the bathroom, like he has “the runs.”  Each time he comes out, he holds the door wide open so we can hear his flush. 

Vinnie and Ronnie can’t stop laughing and barfing soda all over the table.  Ut oh, here comes one of the employees.  Vinnie and Ronnie must have seen the guy coming.  They are running for the bathroom.  As Billy comes out, they push him back in.  All three disappear before the upcoming action starts.

“Hey, folks, people are complaining about the noise.  The boss told me to ask you to leave.” 

Boy is Mom steaming.  “Willie, go get your brothers!”

As I enter the bathroom, Vinnie is whispering to Billie and Ronnie about Donut Danny’s.  He quits the minute he sees me.  As we leave, I ask Billie, “What was Vinnie saying to you?”

“Nothing.”  I don’t believe him. 

It has now been five hours since we left home.  We are finally getting close to Duluth.  “Can we stop?  I gotta go.  I drank too much pop.”

Before Mom can answer, Dad cuts her off.  “We’re not stopping until Donut Danny’s.  Hold it ‘til then!”  Dad is sure anxious to get to Donut Danny’s.  Twice Mom has asked him to slow down.  He says Donut Danny’s is the best place to stop before Duluth. 

Fortunately, I don’t have to hold it too long.  We are now pulling into Donut Danny’s.  As we stop, “Willie, you stay with your mother.”   

Dad’s words don’t sound too cheery.  “What’s so great about this place?  Owh!  That hurts.”  Dad just elbowed me to shut up.

“They serve great donuts and coffee.” 

Vinnie’s laugh has Mom turning to look at him.  “What’s so funny about that?”

“Nothing, Mom.”  Dad’s glare in the rear-view mirror sure shut Vinnie up fast.

Upon entering Donut Danny’s, Dad and Vinnie are greeted by two of the waitresses.  The first one is sure acting friendly toward Dad.  “Hi yah, Ray.”  

Danny is behind a cash register, counting out money on a bright red linoleum counter top.  The only patrons are two old guys sitting in a back booth.  Hearing the Brunette’s greeting, Danny looks up.  Shoving the money back into his tin box, Danny places it under the counter.  A loud clink follows.  He must have a safe down there. 

As he steps around the counter, he greets dad.  “Hey, Ray, you’re up early.”  Danny is tanned and good-looking, like Johnny Weissmuller in the Tarzan movies.  Earlier Dad mentioned that Danny is a bachelor.  His wavy blond hair is slicked back.

Upon hearing Danny’s greeting, Dad’s grin takes on a sheepish look.  As he shakes Danny’s soft looking and well-manicured hand, Dad appears to trying to communicate something different to Danny than his actual words.  “Yeah, brought the Missus and kids.  Going too Moose’s place for a couple days.  Gooseberry, Split Rock, the whole works.  The Missus talked me into it.”

Mom reacts immediately.  Punching Dad in the ribs, “Cut that out, Ray.  You know we agreed on the North Shore.”  Turning to Danny, she extends her hand.  Hi, I’m Minnie.   Ray’s never mentioned this place before.”   Why’d she say that?

“Oh, we’re just a quick stop for guys headin’ north.  Goodies you know.”  Boy, that is sure a strange way to talk about donuts.

Mom can’t seem to take her eyes off the waitress that greeted Dad.  “I see why Ray says you have some ‘real sweet’ baked goods.”  The keys in Dad’s pants pocket begin jingling.

Vinnie is heading to a back booth with the blonde waitress who greeted him.  She remembers him from last fall.  Vinnie’s short, wavy, dark brown hair is in stark contrast to her blond, Jane Mansfield’s color and style.  She is dressed like one of those German Frauleins who waitress taverns in the World War II movies. 

All the waitresses here are tall and good looking like her.  Dad would say they have Marilyn Monroe’s shape.  For some reason, their legs look longer than Mom’s and the other ladies on our block. 

Ronnie has tagged along with Vinnie and is leaning against the side of Vinnie’s booth.  However, his eyes are focused on a young Indian girl dressed in a fringed leather shirt and skirt.  The shirt has blue beads depicting a river that starts as a trickle from between her breasts.  By time it gets to her belly button, it is a waterfall emptying into a pool on the front of her skirt.  A big buck is drinking from the pool.  When she moves, the silver spangles between the blue beads make the water look like a rapids.  An eagle on her blouse is flying toward the river bank, claws outstretched, ready to glom onto something. 

Each of the waitresses here is dressed differently.  There is a redhead, a brunette and another blond.  The second blond is dressed like the little Dutch girl on the cleanser can.  The brunette and Danny are wearing matching cowgirl and cowboy outfits, like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.  However, the front of their shirts are more open, and there are no handkerchiefs around their necks. 

The redhead is wearing a white and blue sailor’s outfit.  Her shorty dress is similar to what Shirley Temple wears in the movies.  Maybe Danny wants people to think he has movie stars working for him.

I have never been to a place like this.  It is part restaurant, part bakery, and part something I do not understand.  The decorations remind me of that South Sea Island in the new Robinson Caruso movie.  The booths have thatched roofs.  Fishnets and buoys hang over the front edge of the thatched roofs.  With all the hanging fish nets, it is hard to see into some of the booths.  There is a stuffed swordfish over the mirror on the wall behind the counter.  It looks like something Uncle Fink would have in his bar. 

The sides of these booths are bamboo.  For some reason, Christmas lights hang across the front of each booth.  They arch up over the counter to a mirrored ball.  Reminds me of the Fountain Springs’ Lakeside Ballroom, only this ball reflects Christmas colors on the walls and tables. 

Billie has just put his arm around my shoulder.  He is drawing me in and whispering, “This place is cheesy.  Do you see how Mom is looking sideways at everything?” 

“Yea!”  I’ve seen that look before.  She’s getting’ angry. 

“Ray, what kind of place is this?”

Danny jumps right in, “Oh, it’s not what you think Mrs. Fleischer.”  What does he think Mom thinks?  “I just wanted a donut shop and restaurant that stood out.  Wanted to create a movie theme to attract customers.  We are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but close at eight.” 

Although Mom seems to accept his answer, the wheels in her brain appear to be turning.  “Ow, that hurts.”  Mom just grabbed my arm and is pinching it.  Pulling me away from Billie, “Get into that booth next to Annie!”  Mom is mad about something.  Maybe it is Vinnie and that blond who are talking and laughing.  He sure looks like he’s drooling all over her.  The blond seems to have Vinnie totally enthralled.   Annie, I, and Billie are the only ones safe right now.  Well maybe not all of us.

After releasing me, Mom grabs Billy by the arm.  Shoving him down the aisle, “Go tell your brothers to get back here immediately!”  It is a command.  As Billie heads down the aisle, Mom grabs Dad, pushing him in across from Annie and me.  When Billie returns, she orders Vinnie and Ronnie, “You two sit next to your father.  Billie, get that chair (she is pointing to one at the nearest table) and sit on the end of the booth.”  Everyone goes quiet.

Before disappearing into the backroom, Danny sends the young Indian girl to wait on us.  Ronnie is happy.  He has a sappy, silly puppy dog look.  He can’t even shut his mouth.  Soon he will be drooling down the front of his t-shirt.  Ronnie always rolls up his sleeves to look tough like James Dean.  Right now, he reminds me of some dog on a hot summer day whose salivating tongue is hanging out.  The Indian girl has him in a trance. 

“We’ll have a baker’s dozen of those chocolate covered donuts.”  Mom always orders a baker’s dozen.  She believes she is getting a free one.  “Bring two coffees and five milks.”  As the waitress turns, Mom stops her.  “Make that order to go?”  The girl smiles politely before nodding and prancing away.  Dad and Vinnie sure like her walk.  They are all google-eyed.

In less than five minutes, we are back in the car.  Dad is not protesting.  Everyone, including Mom, is quiet.   And, it is not because we are eating donuts. 

Once in Duluth, we head down Canal Street to look for iron ore ships.  Mom is in a better mood.  However, we won’t be staying long.  She wants to stop at Gooseberry and Split Rock before the cabin.  The cabin is just north of the lighthouse and twenty miles west on Highway One. 

Imagine that!  I am going to be traveling on Highway One.  It has to be the northernmost highway in the U.S.  Otherwise, why would they have named it Highway One.  This is turning out to be a great trip.  The ore ships were huge.  We saw the Edmund Fitzgerald heading out onto Lake Superior.

Mom has decided she wants to stop at a small information booth on the north side of Duluth.  Before getting out, “You kids play down by the shore while your father and I go in.  Be back in ten minutes.”  That’s a good idea.  The booth is too small to fit all of us.

After skipping what seems like a couple hundred rocks, Annie calls.  “Willie, we’re leaving!”  As I crawl in, Vinnie and Ronnie are snickering.  Mom won’t let me turn around to see what’s going on.  Soon a cool breeze is blowing through Dad’s open vent window. 

“Hey Mom, where’s Billie?”  Vinnie’s voice sounds innocent enough to know something’s up.  He and Ronnie must have planned it. 

When Mom investigates the backseat, she screams.  “Ray, Billie’s missing!”  Dad slams on the brakes right in the middle of the highway.  After pulling off, he looks in the backseat.  He is mad.  His sharp U-turn has Mom complaining.  “You’re going to cause an accident in the middle of this highway.”

Once back at the information booth, Dad slams the door before going to look for Billie.  Within minutes, Billie is wiggling and squealing like a baby pig.  Dad is holding him up by his left ear.  Billie is on his tippy toes to keep from having his ear ripped off.  As he enters the car, Mom grabs his other ear.  Yanking him nose to nose, “You pull a stunt like that again, and I’ll skin you within an inch of your life.”  When she turns back to face front, Ronnie and Vinnie begin elbowing Billie until Annie tells Mom. 

Upon arriving at Gooseberry, Dad is back to talking softly. “Let your Mother out first.  Do as she says.”  His tone is similar to when we left Donut Danny’s.  Something must be up.  I didn’t hear Mom say anything to him.  Sometimes I don’t understand how they communicate. 

As we get out, “All right!  Line up, oldest to youngest!”  Mom is now in her sergeant mode.  While we wait, she goes over to look at the falls.  Upon returning, “The water’s low.  You’ll be able to go wading and swim a bit, but stay together.” 

I can’t tell yet, but there seem to be four or five levels of small falls.  Each has a different width.  There looks to be a lot of water spreading out over each set of falls.

“Willie, turn around and listen.  All of you, remember the river bottom is slippery.  It’s the bed of an old lava flow.  Get your suits on in the bathroom.  We’ll all go down together.  And remember, don’t play anyplace that it isn’t safe.”  I want to ask what she means, but decide I am better off keeping my mouth shut. 

After we reach the wading area, Mom is not done giving orders.  “Annie, keep an eye on Willie.  Your father and I need some time alone.”

“Awe, Mom.  I can take care of myself.”  When she ignores my plea, and turns to speak with Dad, I wander over to a small falls a few feet away.  After sticking my head into the falling water,I realize I can breathe behind it.  It is wide enough for me to hide behind, like I do the curtains at home. 

Popping my head back out, I look over at Mom.  She is shaking a finger at Dad.  They are standing under a tree for shade and privacy.  She is mad!  This is my chance.  My brothers and sister are having a water fight.  Quickly slipping behind the flowing water, I find the perfect hiding spot.  No one can see me, and I can breathe easily.  They’ll never find me.

“Willie!”

Hah, Annie is already looking. 

“You guys, where’s Willie?” 

Good, I’ll scare the heck out of them.  Teach them a lesson for not letting me sit in the backseat.

“Mom, Willie is gone!”  Ronnie sounds scared.  

“What!  You and Annie were supposed to be watching him!”  Her screams must be drawing everyone’s attention.  People are calling and checking up on their own kids.

I’d better wait ‘till they look someplace else so I don’t get into too much trouble.  How come they won’t quit looking around here?  I’d better come out. “’Here I am!” 

All hell breaks loose.  Mom rushes up crying, holding me tight.  She acts caring, but feels angry as she drags me to Dad.  “Ray, you take him!”  Before letting go, she twists me around to face her.  “Don’t you ever pull a stunt like that again young man!” 

My brothers and Annie are mad.  We are leaving early.  I’m glad.  I finally got even for having to sit in the front seat. 

Once at Split Rock, the view of Lake Superior is great, but I’m not allowed to leave Mom’s side.  Dad stopped me when getting out of the car, “Any more trouble son, you get the belt!”

“Hey Billie, this would be a great place for rock climbing.” 

Mom yanks me by the arm and drags me away from the railing.  “Don’t even think it!”  Pushing me inside the lighthouse, she points to a glass showcase with a telescope.  “This will be a good place for you to practice reading, and it’ll help you learn more about the ships this lighthouse has saved.”  Everyone is staring at me.  Mom knows I’m not a good reader. 

“Minnie, if we’re going to arrive before dark, we should get going.”  I’m saved.  Mom agrees with Dad.  Nothing great is happening here anyway, except for Annie.  She has found a biker who smokes Lucky Strikes.  I saw her take a puff when Mom’s back was turned.  She always gets away with everything.

Our arrival at the cabin is none too soon; it is nearly suppertime.  As our car rolls to a stop in the tall grass, Dad worries about his new car getting scratched.  I am just excited to get out from being between him and Mom.  I am going exploring as soon as I get out.

Twenty yards in front of the car is what Dad calls “the beloved, old, deer shack.”  As he swings the driver’s door open, Mom begins warning us kids about wood ticks.  As she begins putting Annie in charge of dinner, I get my opportunity to slide out and accompany Dad.  Once out, I slide my hand into his.  Turning, I catch Billie staring at me.  Quickly I look straight ahead. 

When Mom stops giving Annie directions, I know what is about to happen.  Billie is in trouble.  “I want your full attention young man.”

“But Mom…” 

“Don’t you ‘but me!’  Do as you’re told!”  Turning I see him lifting his hand to point.  He is going to squeal on me.  Mom must think he is going to “talk back to her.”  She will have none of it.  “Don’t you say another word until I’m done.”  She is serious!  Billie shuts up.  As I glance back a third time, he is giving me the evil eye.  I don’t care.  I don’t like being squeezed between my parents for ten hours.  Right now, I know Dad won’t ask me to return to the car because I’m acting like his little boy.  He likes it when I hold his hand.  In these moments, I become Dad’s shadow.  I need to.  Mom will notice soon enough.

“Where’s Willie?”  Quickly I step ahead of Dad and pull in closer.  She won’t see me until we’re at the door.  Anyway, she told Dad to keep an eye on me.  He thinks my action funny.  Mom thinks he spoils me too much. 

Although it is late afternoon and huge pines shade the area, the opening surrounding the cabin is hot.  The woods are quiet and still; it is a perfect setting for a scary movie. 

At the door, Dad lets go of my hand to reach into his pocket for the key.  While trying to fit it into the lock, he is all thumbs.  Someone is moving inside.  As I begin to warn Dad, it is too late.  Concentrating on turning the key gives him the shock of a lifetime.  The door is yanked open and Dad is left holding thin air. 

The key is still in the lock – out of reach.  Startled and scared, I jump behind him.  It is none other than the infamous Bear Claw, the caretaker’s brother.  He is the biggest Indian I have ever seen.  In fact, this is my first face-to-face meeting with an adult Indian.

He is huge.  Dad is only five foot-eight and makes the Indian look humongous.  Without any pause or friendly hello, the Native American’s gravelly voice demands, “What the hell yah think you’re doing trespassing on private property.  I heard yah fumbling with the lock, trying tah break in.  I bet you thought no one was here, huh!”

Looking down at the door lock, he demands, “How the hell did you get this?”  Pulling out the key, he deposits it in his shirt pocket.  “Skelton key, huh?  Bet you are one of those families breakin’ inta cabins fer one-nighters?”  His accusations and pumped fist hold no small amount of hostility.

Dad steps back, “I’m Moose’s brother-in-law.  He gave us that key.”  Dad is not backing down too much, but he has stepped on my foot and it hurts.  I am too scared to yell.  Dad is still challenging the man.  “Minnie is Sadie’s sister.” 

At this news, Bear Claw looks at Mother in the front seat.  Appearing to recognize the resemblance, he reaches back into his shirt pocket and pulls out the key.  When Dad reaches out a hand to accept it, the Indian throws it several yards into the tall grass to the right of the cabin.  “You best get outa here before I run yah off.”  His entire frame fills the doorway and blocks any entrance.  “Runs Fast never told me you were coming, so yah ain’t sappos’ta be here.  Now get the hell outa here before I get the shotgun.” 

His words are a serious threat.  His tone and words have ended Mother’s desire to stay.  Out of the car, screaming at Dad, she demands he return.  When that does no good, she yells at the man to get back in the cabin, ending with, “We’re leaving!  Don’t go gettin’ all heated up!”  To me, it sounds more like Mom is all heated up.  When Dad won’t move, I figure he is still thinking about challenging the man.  I wish Dad knew he was standing on my foot.  It’s killing me.

“Ray, there’s no phone, and the nearest town is twenty miles away! Please come back!”  Mom is pleading because she is scared.  She knows what dad might do.  Reluctantly he backs off – literally.  Not realizing he is standing on my foot, he trips over me and we both fall off the porch, landing hard on the tall grass.

 This clumsy act emboldens the Indian, and he laughs disrespectfully.  Immediately Dad springs back to life, as though he were never down.  In a new, aggressive posture, he advances quickly.  It is what one might expect from a Feather Weight champion.  Dad was the local boxing hero until Mom made him stop.  Although it meant extra money, a concussion slowed his reflexes. 

“Ray, you promised!”  Mom’s hollering shows she is beyond scared.  Even though my foot hurts, I scramble to my feet and run past her.  She is furious and must believe something bad is about to happen.  The Indian is not moving.  Mom’s body is shaking along with her clenched, white knuckled fists rising beside her.  I would not want to be on the receiving end of those.  She is showing what people call rage. 

Quickly diving into the car, I slide across the seat.  Once safe, I am up to get a ringside view.  My brothers and sister are glad to see me back.  That is a first.

Dad continues to pick his way, bobbing and weaving, as though in the ring.  Bear Claw stands his ground.  He is not coming out to meet Dad, but he is acting as if he is ready to pounce.  His right hand reaches behind the door frame, almost as though he is moving to turn on a light switch.  He is not.  Out comes a shotgun.  Mom has become hysterical.  Running, she jumps in front of Dad.  Turning, she begins beating on his chest and pushing him back.  “Ray, get in the car!  We need to leave now.”  Why is she beating him up?   He didn’t cause no trouble.

The Indian thinks it funny.  “Yeah, take your squaw and move on.  I don’t want no more trouble.”  Dad has all he can do to stand still.  If mother weren’t holding him back, he’d either be all-over the Indian or lying in a pool of blood.  Mom’s pushing Dad back emboldens the Indian.  “Yah ain’t so tough now, are yah?”

Immediately Mom stops beating on Dad’s chest and turns to face the Indian.  Her anger is fierce.  Shaking a mean fist, “Sadie’s my sister and she’ll hear about this.” 

Bear Claw lowers his gun.  “Sorry lady; I got my ‘structions from Runs Fast.  You ain’t getting’ in.  Now get the hell off this property.”

“Don’t you dare threaten me!”  Mom is beyond frantic. 

Dad tries moving around her.  “You son-of-a-bitch!  You ain’t talkin’ to my Minnie that way.”  When the man sees Dad is serious, the shotgun goes to his shoulder; he fires over their heads.  Immediately Mom grabs Dad’s arm muscles just above his cocked elbow.  Both his fists are ready to pummel the man.  She pushes him back.  “Ray, you promised!”  It appears all three are ready to kill each other but for different reasons. 

Annie’s head is in her lap, crying and screaming.  Vinnie is trying to comfort her.  Billie is ordering me to, “Duck down.”

“No way!  I’m gonna see what happens.”  Ronnie tries pulling me away from the windshield.  I fight him off as Mom pushes Dad back toward the car.  “We need to get the children away safely.  This shack isn’t worth fighting for.”  Before our trip began, Mom called “this shack,” “Sadie’s cozy cabin.”  Not anymore!  Half the stuff she’s saying to Dad and to the Indian, I don’t even dare repeat. 

“Minnie, I need to punch that Guy’s lights out!”

“You folks get the hell outa here before I take serious action.”

“Ray, get in the car!”  Mom’s screaming accompanies serious crying.

After starting the car, Dad jams it into reverse.  Cranking the wheel, he does a 180.  The gears grind as he shifts into second and stomps the gas pedal.  He is following mom’s instructions, “Get the h-e-double ‘l’ outa here.” 

Mom is so shaken; she doesn’t even complain about Dad’s speeding down “exotic” Highway One. 

In less than half the time it took us to get to Moose’s cabin, we are back at Lake Superior.  We kids are quiet, not wiggling an inch.  Mom and Dad have yet to speak.  I know I’ve never been accused of being a part of a gang a thugs before or of breaking into cabins.  Bear Claw certainly made us sound like a bunch a cutthroats.

As we come to the rest stop overlooking Lake Superior, Mom is finally calm enough to speak, but still angry.  “I thought Moose told you the caretaker was in jail.”

Dad mutters something about Bear Claw foaming at the mouth, and other things I don’t understand.  Mom doesn’t like it.  “Stop it, Ray!  You’re not being very Christian in front of the children.”  This leads me to wonder how he acts when we are not around.    I don’t understand everything Dad is telling Mom, but if he says he saw it, he must have.

“Ray, we have got to find a place to stay.  It’s getting late.” 

Quickly Dad heads to some cabins that were advertised for eight-dollars a night.  They are behind a three-two-beer joint.  I don’t know if this is a good idea.  When we passed the place earlier, Annie’s motorcycle friend was just pulling in. 

Mom says tomorrow we are heading back to the Poor Farm.  Although it has been too much excitement for Mom, it hasn’t for me.  The neatest part is Moose trusts Runs Fast to take care of his cabin and keep intruders away.  His brother Bear’s Claw is doing a good job in his absence.  Now that I know Moose trusts Indians, I will too.

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