12.
BALANCING ACT
"BILLY!" CHARLIE CALLED AS SOON AS HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR.
Glad my father had distracted him from his Rape Glare, I turned toward the house, beckoning to Squaw as I ducked under the porch overhang. I heard Charlie greeting them loudly behind me.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't see you behind the wheel, Squaw," he said disapprovingly.261
"We get permits early on the rez,"262 Squaw said while I unlocked the door and flicked on the porch light.
"Sure you do," Charlie laughed tersely.
"I have to get around somehow." I recognized Billy Ray's resonant voice easily, despite the years. The sound of it made me feel suddenly younger, helpless, like a child.
261. Charlie's idea of a friendly greeting is to threaten someone with legal action
262. The Rez (2003), a reality-based drama that centers around four affluent teenagers who live on a Native American reservation.