Native Affairs

There was a long pause at the other end of the line. Then Marilyn said in crisp, businesslike tones, “I’ll be right over.”

Je

* * * *

Marilyn arrived to find Je

“Trying to work off our frustrations, are we?”

“Failing,” Je

“With a sitter,” Marilyn answered. “I thought we should conduct this conversation without interruption.” She looked around. “Come out to the living room. You’re doing more harm than good in here anyway.”

Je

“Okay, sweetie. Give.”

Je

“Is that it?”

Je

“So. As I understand it, the problem is that he feels a relationship with you would go against his whole background and way of life. Has he said this?”

Je

“Je

“Is it? The Blackfeet hated whiles, wouldn’t trade with them, never took white captives. I’ve been reading about them.”

“You’re talking about the attitudes of one hundred and fifty years ago!” Marilyn said.

“So what? If you were in his position, would you forget? What was done, and who did it?”

“You didn’t do it!” Marilyn almost shouted. “When the Indians were being exterminated your ancestors were up to their necks in some peat bog, as poor and as persecuted as his!”

Je

“He may not have been saying that for your benefit.”

“I was the only one there, Marilyn,” Je

“Well, did you tell him you’d never ask him to do that?”

Marilyn’s obtuseness was getting on Je

“But you’re not sure anything is going on between them.”

“No, I’m not. But I noticed something at his house that only half registered at the time, and the more I think about it, the surer I am that Dawn is staying with Lee.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, when I was there I passed this sort of guest room that he has, and there were bags on the floor, and personal items about, as if someone were occupying it And I think I know who that someone is.”

Marilyn waved her hand in the air. “That doesn’t prove anything. You said she was an old friend. If he has the room, why shouldn’t she stay there?”

“I know, I know. But the idea of it doesn’t make me too happy.”

Marilyn pulled at her lower lip thoughtfully. “Has it occurred to you that he might be using this Dawn as a shield, retreating to the familiar in defense against his feelings for you?”

Je

Marilyn smiled. “Spoken like Seamus Gardiner’s daughter.”

“Up the rebels,” Je

Marilyn glanced at the clock on the wall. “I’ve got to go, I was only able to get Barbara to stay with Jeff for a couple of hours.” She regarded Je

“Of course. I’ll deal with it.”

Marilyn didn’t look convinced. “Call me if you feel like you want to talk again.”

“I will.”

The apartment seemed very empty after Marilyn left Je

* * * *

The season began, and Lee’s personal appearances came to an end as the games got underway. Je

“You look tired,” Dolores said bluntly one morning. They were settling down to work in Je

Je

When Je

“From what I remember of his drinking habits, he will rarely need a plane,” Je

“Hostility,” Dolores said. “A lot of hostility there, Jen.” Dolores had been attending an encounter group and was lately given to such observations.

“My experience with Bob entitles me to a little hostility,” Je

Dolores ignored the question and started snapping dead leaves off the Swedish ivy plant hanging in the window. “Have you seen Lee Youngson since the company di

“No.”

Dolores tossed the brown vegetation into the trash, wiping her hands on her skirt. “So that is the reason for this funk.”

“Dolores—” Je

Dolores stabbed an index finger at her. “No, Jen, don’t shut me up. I may not be Einstein, but anyone can see that something is wrong with you. You’re going around like an extra on the set of The Night of the Living Dead. Don’t you plan on doing anything about it?”

Je

Dolores folded her arms and leaned against Je

Je

Dolores fluffed her hair with her fingers. “Did you ever see that old movie with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly?”

Oh, God. Was this going to be another one of Dolores’ flights of fancy? Je

“Which one?” Je

“Ah, let me see, I can’t think...oh, yes. The Country Girl. It’s about an alcoholic actor and his wife, and the director who falls in love with her.”

“Sure, I remember it Grace Kelly won an Oscar.”

“Well, the husband knows his wife and the director are in love, but they’re trying to hide it. And at one point he says to them, The only thing more obvious than two people looking longingly at one another is two people trying not to.’” Dolores looked meaningfully at Je