River
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River - 12 free porn video
CHAPTER 12
So far: River had a productive Monday, visiting many of the artists
on the reservation. Tomorrow she and Liesl would visit some of the
crafts people. River is heading back to the campsite to see how her
mother and father made out in their days.
----- -- ----
River arrived at the campsite in time to help clean up the dishes.
The boys had spent the day at the river, running wild, claiming they
were fishing. They did catch one, in the traditional way, not River's
bear-style. According to the boys it was a huge beast, that needed
both their efforts to land, but then Alison pointed out that that the
result was only a portion of a small meal for the two of them; each
needed a hotdog to fill up. This told River that the fish would not
have been that large. At least she was glad to know that the boys
were back to having fun. They said that Night had spent most of the
day with them, only running off for a short time while they fished,
returning soon after, licking blood off his muzzle.
"Probably caught a rabbit," River noted.
"Yuck," Alison said.
"Don't be squeamish," River giggled. "Night probably thinks you and
Dad are insane for throwing perfectly good dead cow onto a fire."
"Dead cow?" Paul questioned, and then suddenly made the connection to
the steaks that Alison and Dale had eaten for dinner. "Yuck, yuck,
yuck. I'm going to be a vegetarian. No way will I eat dead cow."
"You know that your hotdogs are probably at least partly beef, and
dead pig otherwise," River teased.
"Oh. I never thought about that," the boy said.
"It is important to know where your food comes from, and I don't mean
Loblaws or Dominion (Canadian grocery chains). Manitou, or God, if
you are talking to people back in Toronto, put the animals on the
earth as part of a system, where one animal is the food for another.
Cows and pigs, for instance, would be rare animals if humans were not
tending and feeding them. In return, they feed us. It is all a part
of the cycle of life. But almost all our food is dead-something.
Plants are alive too, and a part of Manitou's plan. They feed us
too."
"But we do not feed them," Mark said.
"Don't we? Do you think the crops in the field just grow that way
naturally? Or does a farmer plant them and tend them?" River asked.
"I spoke to an elder today, and she told me that the people of the
River decided that when the pulp mill was built in 1960, the people
would not let the loggers clear the land. Instead they restricted
them to certain areas, and then replanted the areas after they had
been cut down. This let the animals still have a place to live, and
those trees planted in the 60s are now being harvested. It keeps the
plant open to this day, while Terrace Bay and other plants have been
closed because there are no trees close enough to harvest. Here they
are able to continue to harvest trees economically. That is why the
Junior Rangers plant trees to this day."
"I did not realize that," Alison said. "I spent the day walking up
and down main street, and I don't think that many in the town know
that the band is the reason the plant still exists here. Mostly they
complain about the 'lazy' natives. Mr. Churchill at the liquor store
certainly isn't a fan of yours in particular. He claims his sales for
the week are way down, with hardly any of the natives buying liquor
or beer with their welfare checks. He's got this great huge store,
but only uses a tiny corner of it, and says that he isn't making
money anymore."
River perked up: "He has extra store space? I mean, an empty space?"
"Yes, mostly boarded off so he doesn't have to heat it. Apparently it
was a Northern Store and Outfitters at one time, but closed down
after Y2K because it was so close to the Terrace Bay branch. Mr.
Churchill said his wife was the manager, and she got transferred down
to Sault at the time to work in a Hudson's Bay store. I heard others
mention later that their marriage had been pretty shaky anyway. But
Nelson, Mr. Churchill that is, got the building for a song, and kept
the liquor agency going, making a good living. At least up until now,
that is."
"It sounds like you picked up more gossip than facts," Dale joked.
"No, I have all the data I need. Not that this isn't a gossipy little
town. But I'm going to need to get it all written up into a report,
and a presentation. I've already called the bank and I have a meeting
downtown with Mr. Winslow, the Vice President in charge of
properties, on Tuesday after we get back in the Toronto. I just need
some time on the computer to put everything together before then."
"Hmm," Dale said. "We should have bought a second laptop. I am using
it all day designing trusses and ordering supplies for the houses we
are building."
Alison looked disappointed. "Surely you don't need the computer all
the time. I mean, you have to be managing ... stuff, don't you? I
could use it between times."
"I don't know," Dale said. "I really do only spend about 10 percent
of my time on it, but I need it with me at those times."
"Well," River said. "Why doesn't Mom set up shop at one of the
construction places and work there? It has to be better than working
here in a tent on a battery. She can stop when you need to do
something, and then take it back when you are done."
"That would work," Alison said hopefully. "But what about the boys?"
"They looked after themselves today, didn't they?"
"Yes," Alison said, ignoring the cheers for the boys at the idea of
another unsupervised day. "But they did have the wolf looking after
them."
"Night will look after them tomorrow," River said.
"How do you know that without asking?" Dale said.
"I did ask."
"How ... never mind. I'll never understand you anyway," Dale said.
"You two head off to the construction site tomorrow. I have Liesl
taking me to some of the other people in the reservation tomorrow.
The boys will be fine with Night."
The next morning River was in the river before dawn, as normal. She
reviewed what she had done on the day before, and the river agreed
with many of her ideas. It also gave her some suggestions for the
day. For one thing, she would be with Liesl, and on foot, and should
try to stay in a concentrated area. The river suggested that the far
eastern edge of the reserve was a good place to start, with about
five families in that cluster. Wayne could drive them out before he
needed to start work with the JRs, and come back and get them at
lunch time and drive them to a place at the east end, but nearer to
the highway. From there they would be able to walk back. The river
warned that the girls were not to travel alone, even on the
reservation, and River looked up and saw one of the wolves on the
bank. It was Kemosabe, which one of the wags on the reservation had
named after the old Lone Ranger TV show. Apparently it was not a show
well liked by the First Nations peoples.
Just prior to dawn, River and Kemosabe walked to the Stormcloud home,
where she found Liesl was already up and eating her breakfast. The
young girl was clearly excited at the idea of spending a day with
River, and had been up for an hour, to the dismay of her mother, who
also had to get out of bed before dawn. But that meant that there
were eggs and biscuits for River's breakfast, which she ate slowly as
they waited for Wayne. The river had said he would pick them up
there, and he did, rolling up at about 8 a.m.
"I was told that you wanted me," he said to River.
"Just a ride over to eastern edge of the reserve," River said. "And
maybe at lunch a quick trip down to near the highway?"
"Sure," Wayne said sniffing the aroma of his mother's biscuits. "Are
we in a hurry?"
"No," River giggled. "Take your time. Just remember that you have to
get back to your JRs by nine."
"Lots of time," Wayne said as he stuffed himself with bacon, eggs and
those delightful biscuits. "Food is pretty good at the JR camp, but
nothing like Mom's."
Helen beamed, and managed to put together another full plate for her
eldest son before the others in the family followed their noses into
the kitchen. Wayne grabbed a final biscuit, and mopped his plate
clean with it as he called the girls out to the truck with a full
mouth. Kemosabe jumped into the bed.
"Totally worth it," he said. "Consider your taxi fare paid by Mom, in
full. She makes the best biscuits in the country."
"Uhm, I made those biscuits," Liesl said shyly. "I was up early, then
Mom got up and it was too early for breakfast, so Mom taught me how
to make them. Did you really like them?"
Wayne stared at his little sister for a second as he drove, and
seemed to notice that she was growing up. "Yes sweetie, I did. Those
were just as good as Mom's. I've tasted Marilyn's, and they aren't
horrible, but Shelly keeps mistaking biscuit for river-stones. You
could lose a tooth on hers. I guess you are going to be the next
great Stormcloud baker."
Liesl beamed the rest of the quick trip. As they approached the
reservation edge, River could see a big factory in the distance,
spewing smoke from four chimneys spaced along it. "What is that?" she
asked with a grimace.
"It is the pulp mill," Wayne said. "Most of that is just steam coming
out. It is on reserve land, and the lease says that they cannot
pollute the air or the water. The real border of our land is on the
other side, but we all consider this the edge, because this is the
last area with people living here."
River sniffed the air, but didn't smell anything unusual, so had to
agree with Wayne's assessment. The early morning wind was from the
east, so if there were anything noxious, she was pretty sure that she
would smell it.
She got out of the truck at the end of a lane. Wayne refused to drive
all the way up to the tiny house, saying that there was often rusty
metal in the road, and he didn't want to have to replace a tire.
Kemosabe jumped out after them. As River and Liesl walked the short
distance in, River could understand his concern.
The land was several acres, with a tiny cabin about 8 by 10 feet in
size, and a larger building behind. But almost every inch of the
property was covered by junk. There were old fridges and washing
machines, old cars, and parts of cars, even an old school bus or two.
River thought she recognized some of the debris that she had helped
pull out of the river when she had cleaned it up. Was this a home, or
the town dump?
They walked to the house, and then heard clanging coming from the
barn behind. River tapped on the door, not really expecting an
answer, and then the girls walked around to the back building, where
the clanging had ended, but a grinder was apparently in use. They
walked in the great open barn door, and saw a tall, thin native boy,
or man, about Wayne's age, using a grinder on ... something. There
was a trail of sparks running across the floor from the grinder,
lighting the barn up enough that River could see another man in the
back, facing away, and operating a welding torch by the look of it.
"Hello," River shouted once the grinder shut down. The man-boy looked
up and grinned from ear to ear. Howdy Doody, River thought with a
giggle. He looks like a First Nations' Howdy Doody. She had once
gotten a coloring book about the old-time puppet from a relative when
she was little.
"Welcome, welcome," the man said. "Hi Liesl. How are the parents?"
Liesl nodded. Among the people on the reserve, there were no
strangers. But River felt she needed to introduce herself.
"Hi, I'm River Waters," she said.
"Oh I know, the rivertalker" he said. "I'm Kyle. Kyle Audette What
brings you out to our little shop? George and I own this place.
Welding, fabricating, and auto parts supply, if you can find what you
need in the grass. And if you can't, we can usually make something
else fit."
He said 'George' in a loving way that made River think that the pair
were partners in more than a business relationship. They would be the
first same sex partners that she had met on the reserve, although the
River had explained to her about Two-spirited people and she was fine
with it.
"Liesl is taking me around to meet some of the people. I guess you
all know me, from the ceremonies and such, but I want to get to know
you folk, and what you all do. The people in town all think the
natives just sit around and wait for welfare checks, but I am finding
that is not so."
"Ha! Not here," Kyle said. River wondered if it was possible that
that grin might actually split his face. Is this where the South Park
cartoons got their depiction of Canadians? "Everybody knows to come
up here when they have something broken. I'm pretty good at fixing
anything. Rod Ravensclaw is pretty good with cars and stuff, but I've
got the equipment to beat even him."
"I see," River said, but Kyle just kept rambling on.
"George and I were at your ceremony at the river. It was so inspiring
to hear you speak, and for the river to teach us the language. George
and I talk Ojibwe to each other a lot. It is especially sexy in the
bed, you know."
River was about to note that no, she didn't know. Apparently her
guess about the pair had been correct.
"Oh my. My manners. George," Kyle shouted. "George. GEORGE."
The welding stopped, and the man took off his welding helmet, showing
long dark hair like many of the native males sported. But then he
turned to face them, and River was shocked. George had breasts. Huge
breasts. She was more than a little overweight, and from the back, in
coveralls, she had looked like a man, a bit, but River realized now
that there was too much hip for a man. Her face was round and
cheerful, and definitely female. She spoke with a voice that was deep
for a woman, but nothing like that of a man.
"Kyle," she said. "Who ... oh, it is the rivertalker, and Liesl.
Welcome to our little shop. I can't talk much now. I have to keep
this bead going. Have Kyle show you around, and I'll get to you when
I finish." With that she turned back to her work and slapped the
helmet down.
"George?" River said.
"Short for Georgette, my partner," Kyle said, unclear about the
confusion.
"Oh my. You thought ...," Liesl giggled, unable to continue.
River shot her a stare. From now on she would have the girl brief her
on who they were going to see. Kyle never did catch on.
"Is there anything I can show you?" Kyle said.
"Well, I am just interested in getting to know you, and what you are
doing. What is this?
River pointed at the odd contraption that Kyle had been working on
when they came in.
"It is my golf ball extractor," Kyle said enthusiastically. "You can
run it along a river or pond at a golf course, and it will scoop up
all the golf balls. Then you can sell them. I've almost finished it."
"I see," River said. "Are there many golf courses around here?"
"Not really. A couple in the Sault, and some in Thunder Bay. None
really close."
"And how much does a used golf ball get you?"
"Only a dollar or so. Maybe 50 cents."
"So how do you make money with this?"
Kyle looked a bit dejected. "I guess it isn't really that practical.
But when I get an idea for something, then I just have to build it.
I'll probably take it to some golf courses to show, and if they are
interested I'll just give it to them, maybe get a dinner or so for
George and me."
"It looks just like a Rube Goldberg creation," River noted.
"You know Rube Goldberg?" Kyle said, the huge smile returning. "He is
my hero. I absolutely idolize him. Someday I will build something
worthy of him."
"Why not now?" River said. "I have an idea. What if there was a real
Rube Goldberg kind of thing on main street in town. It would be
completely powered by people, maybe with a bicycle to raise a
billiard ball, and then using gravity to take it from there. People
who are driving through would see it and stop to let their kids play
on it. The kids get tired and grumpy from just sitting in a car, and
getting them moving again will make them happy."
"I like the idea of making kids happy," Kyle said.
"It would make the parents happy too," River said. "They wouldn't
have grumpy kids anymore, and they might even stop and buy some
things in town, or at least have lunch here."
"That sounds so cool," Liesl spouted out. "My friends would love it,
and I bet the town kids would too."
"Oh gawd, oh gawd, I have to get some paper. Ideas are just erupting
out of my brain and I have to get them down," Kyle said, rushing off
to a messy work desk in the corner.
"What have you done to my man?" George said with a giggle as Kyle
rushed off to his desk and started sketching. "If you've broken him,
I'll make you pay," she joked.
"Maybe we've damaged him. Or at least turned him on. I just gave him
an idea ..."
"No ideas," George laughed. "Definitely do not give that man any
ideas. He has more than enough of them. Has he shown you around
much?"
"Not really. He showed us this thing, and I mentioned it looked like
a Rube Goldberg creation. And I suggested he build one for the town:
a Rube Goldberg device. I don't know what we could use a golf ball
extractor for."
"That explains that," she said, glancing lovingly at the man. River
then explained her mission and asked about arts and crafts.
"We do that," George said. "We get a lot of cars in here. Any wrecks
on the highway at least, or ones from the town. Mostly the reserve
folk just run theirs until they fall apart. And then we take the
parts. A lot of the metal gets used in projects. We just make what we
can from the bits and pieces. Like this fellow." She pointed to a
huge structure in the corner of the barn.
It was about 25 feet tall, and was a kind of a Pacific First Nations
totem pole, but built entirely of auto parts welded together. It was
massive, and River could immediately see that it would be a great
showpiece for an auto dealer or auto parts store down in southern
Ontario.
"That could sell," River said. "How many hours of work are in that?"
George thought about it for a moment, and said: "I couldn't really
say. We both worked on it for months, around our other jobs. Kyle
designed it, and pulled the parts from the wrecks around the yard. I
just welded it together using his mad plan. I guess there are maybe
500 hours between the two of us."
River calculated in her head. Because there was a lot of equipment
involved, she used an hourly rate of $150 for the shop. "It could
sell for $75,000," she mused, not realizing she had spoken aloud.
George's mouth dropped. "You're kidding? We've never made more than
$200 a month around here, and that almost all goes back into welding
supplies."
"Oh? What do you sell?"
"Over here," George said, taking them to another corner of the barn.
"These are mostly made from old tires. We get a lot of them, wrecks
and retreads. We make them into these."
There were about 10 different products in a pile, with multiples of
most, all made from old tires. Planters, steps, chairs, wishing wells
and, catching both Liesl and River's eyes were toys for little kids.
There were swings shaped like bugs, rocking horses made out of a
halved tire, sandboxes, a snake creeping through the grass made of
staggered half tires, and especially a thunderbird/dragon shape made
of a tire with the bottom half of the tire being the body, and the
top half cut apart to form a head and a long tail. River looked
closely at it and saw that it would be perfect for a toddler, since
the two side beads had been left and would cradle the child so it
couldn't fall out.
River wondered how old a child would be interested in this, and soon
learned, as Liesl tried to crawl into it, and found herself wedged.
"I'm too big," she whined.
"For that one," George said, helping her crawl out. "We have made
some from truck tires in the past. I think there are a few bigger
tires out back. Tell you what, I'll make you one for bringing the
rivertalker out to talk to us. Your Dad is handy, he will be able to
put it up for you."
Liesl's eyes went wide. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. My
little sisters and brother will love it too."
"How much do you get for making these?" River asked.
"We get $10 per tire used," George said. "$15 if we supply the tires.
There is a guy from Barrie who comes up every couple of months and
buys whatever we have and gives us tires he has collected. He sells
them in flea markets down south,"
"For a lot more than $15 each," River guessed. "Next time he comes
up, tell him there is a new pricing. For the basic stuff, you get $30
each. And he gives you the tires free. He is collecting a disposal
fee from garages and such on the way up, then selling them to you for
$5."
"But for the dragons, I'm sure he is selling them for $100 each. They
are gorgeous. He deserves to make a profit, but 50% is more than
fair. Sell them to him for $50 each."
"But what if he refuses? We need the money for welding supplies,"
George complained.
"He won't. He needs stuff to sell. He is just going to have to pay a
bit more for it. He might try to con you by driving away. If he isn't
back in 15 minutes, have Kyle take your pickup truck out on the road
to Sault. He won't take those tries back south, and will try to dump
them somewhere, I bet. Kyle can just load them up and bring them back
here, and we will sell your stuff direct through the web page we are
building. But I think he won't go more than a half hour out of town
before he comes back and accepts your deal. Does he deal in cash?"
"Yes, always," she said.
"Then he will probably complain he doesn't have enough money. If he
does, then take what he normally pays, but give him a bill for the
rest. Let him know that if it isn't paid in a month, it goes up by
2%. And if he doesn't pay at all, he will need to find another
supplier. Don't sell him anything until the account is clear."
The girls chatted a while longer, and then River went over to peer
over Kyle's shoulder as he excitedly explained his sketches. River
made a few more suggestions, and watched as Kyle's face lit up as he
saw what she wanted and started brewing more wild ideas of his own.
"You broke my man again, didn't you," George laughed as River walked
back. George then walked with River and Liesl to their next house,
which was apparently Anna Audette.
Elouise
- 24.02.2021
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