Calling for a Blanket Dance

Lila comes upon her nephew Ever, now nearly 15, punching a phone booth. She has been looking for him because her sister Turtle called to say that the boy was out wandering the streets near Lila’s house. Ever was kicked out of school and lives with his father now, near Lila but far from Turtle.

Ever had not seen his father in years, and at first he enjoyed their time together. Everardo is at this point living on disability checks. His kidneys having failed, he is unable to work. He lives in a tiny efficiency, alone. He takes his son to a diner and charms the waitress. He brings Ever a series of old western books that depict “Spaniards’” and “Indians,” and Ever is amazed that the two groups intermarried even back then. He recognizes traditional Kiowa colors, and marvels at the way that Spanish and Indigenous history interweave.

His father takes him to a quinceañera. Nervous because he does not speak Spanish, Ever does not want to go inside. His father gets angry but leaves Ever in the car. Eventually his cousin Araceli, the girl whose party they are at, brings him a plate of food.