The Dance Boots (20 page)

Joining the song in her reedy old woman's voice, old Alice sank to her heels then rolled onto her side to lie with her head on her arm, next to Earl, her other hand on his chest, her eyes slowly closing as her song ended.

Earl lay unmoving, his eyes reflecting the night sky of open spaces and stars.

Down the cutoff road two white lights swayed and danced in unison, growing larger and brighter as Little Bud's truck jumped and bucked toward Earl and Alice and the little people. Angie saw them first.

“Bud, look out! Stop!” Bud hit the brakes and leaned on the horn.

Startled, the small boy memegawens in overalls and moccasins
ran into the brush, diving under leaves. The adults took the children by the hands and hurried them back into the woods. The last to disappear, little Alice nodded toward Angie, said, “Giigawaabamin; nagatch,” put her finger to her lips, and stepped through a stand of quack grass.

When Bud got out of the truck there were only Earl and Alice lying by the back of their car. The young man and girl knelt, touched them softly. Were they alive? The old man was so cold.

“Aunt Alice,” said Angie, her breath warm on the old woman's face.

“Auntie … Uncle?” the young man said in his soft and distant voice, irresistible to Angie and now perhaps irresistible to two old spirits about to fly. “It's me, Bud. Come to help. I'm gonna carry you to the truck.”

Alice opened her eyes. “Where's your uncle Earl?”

Angie couldn't speak. Bud said gently, “He's right next to you, Auntie.”

Alice sat up. “Earl,” she said. “Earl, wake up.” The old man's eyes stared at the moon, reflecting the possibilities of the starry night sky.

Bud placed a warm hand on her forearm. “Don't frighten her,” he thought. “Auntie,” he began.

“Earl!” Alice shook her husband's shoulder. “It's time to get up!”

The old man blinked. “Was I snoring?” he asked.

“Earl. Let's get in the truck. Time to go home.”

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