Read an Excerpt
Sometime in the not-so distant future.
A woman speaks. She is in her 60s.
I didn't know you were coming.
Beat.
I'm sorry.
Beat.
I'm going to tell you the truth.
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and so were my older brothers. Although we were raised on treaty five territory on the reserve. I didn't know my dad. We were raised on the shores where the Saskatchewan River meets Lake Winnipeg, the greatest body of water in all of Manitoba. Kisiskatchewani Sipi the rapid flowing river. Hearing the waves crash and the trees blowing in the wind was the music of my childhood. This was my home. Our home for many generations.
My big brother had a problem with me my entire life. I don't know why. I suspected it was because mum had always wanted a girl and he was first born. He was disgusted with my presence and bullied me to the point of nearly breaking my wrist one summer. We were playing "blackout." The rules go, that you choke one person until they pass out and when they wake up they chase you around the neighbourhood. My big brother was it; and I remember when he woke up he chased after only me. Everyone else ran so fast I couldn't keep track of where they were all hiding. Next thing you know he was grabbing a huge log and hitting me in the gut as hard as he could. I fell down and he grabbed my arm and started twisting my wrist further and further when my younger brother showed up. The younger of the two anyhow, he was still older than me. He fought big brother off and brought me inside. He put ice on my wrist and said "You'll be okay, just breathe."
I never tried to play with my big brother ever again.
I remember my youngest brother was always looking out for me and making sure that I didn't feel left out. He became my protector.