Chance Encounters

The Great Nor’Easter

As Mark backed the truck into the water he got out. Leaving Splash in there looking out the back window watching us. I sprinted to grab the trailer hook. Taking it I held out my left arm running back down the dock. Even though the sun was starting to set the sky was not a normal orange or pink, it was slowly turning black and green. My eyes widened, it’s going to be another bad one. As swiftly as possible I managed to hook it to the front of the boat. Mark started to crank the line and the boat followed. As I went to stand up from untying the boat, a white cap came up and knocked me off the dock. I instinctively kicked off my muck boots, long pants, and coat. Treading water the best I could. Mark panicked, the sky grumbled as the rain poured out. The once calm lake, now filled with anger as the waves came and swept me out further. I seen Mark run to the car as I attempted to swim to shore. The atmosphere lighting up with a nasty purple. I heard a loud splash in the water. The waves kept pushing me the harder I tried to swim back. Hearing all the ghost stories about my ancestors getting caught on a late fall Superior night came flooding back. All of us making a similar mistake. Going out after a calm morning. The water already froze me to my bones, the mighty beast was rather cold on a summer day;however, on a fall day it was near ice touching bones. In between the white caps I seen something swimming towards me. The figure grew closer, as it came within ten feet of me I seen it was Splash. He came up to me with a piece of rope tied to his neck. Thanking Odin that it was my lucky day, I held on, helping Splash by kicking. Propelling us closer and closer to shore. Splash’s big chest breaking the brunt of the waves was able to get us to shore. I climbed into the grass. Huffing and puffing as my body shiver. Mark quickly stripped my shirt,and pants, wrapping me with a warm towel I kept in my truck. Splash shook off, panting from the workout, despite the frosty water beading off his coat. Mark carried me to the tuck, laying me down with all the heaters on full blast. He shut the door, going to crank the boat back on the trailer. Splash was laying on the passenger floor soaking up the warmth. Mark got back in the truck, pulling out and into a spot facing Superior. I sat up finally able to feel my limbs. Mark was shook up, “Babe, you could have been killed, are you ok?” I nodded, “Yeah. I owe you and Splash one.” He wrapped his arms around me. “Here,I don’t want you to freeze.” He wiggled out of his pants and Jacket. I gratefully put them on feeling the warmth, I gave him a hug before zipping up his coat, feeling his warm chest against my chest. He pulled away and kissed me. Zipping up the coat for me,his eyes returning to the lake. The white caps, gaining height as they bounced off the rocky cliffs in the distance. “Does that lake always do that?” He asked breaking the silence. With a sigh I answered. “For the most part. They dead give away is the salty smell in the air. Once that smell hits you, it’s a warning things will get bad quick.” We were sitting letting the rain hit the tuck. The drops echoing off the metal roof. The defrosters were running along with the heat. Facing forward watching the waves rush the rocks, he frowned. “It’s a cold lake.” He said wrapping his arm around my waist, I leaned my head into him. “It’s cold on a summer day,but these late fall days it is almost glacial. This is the coldest freshwater lake and also the roughest.” He kissed me on the cheek, Splash was mostly dry as he continued to sleep,floor heat blasting on him. “Have you ever heard of the Algosoo?” Mark shook his head, “No, what’s that.” Chuckling I said, “Would you like me to tell you the tale?” He nodded, “Sure, I’m enjoying this,the rain is relaxing. Besides, I’m interested in the place you came from. It’s so vastly different from where I came from.” I nodded and began the tale.

“The Algosoo was a freighter. It left from port up in Copper Harbor. It was headed towards Thunder Bay. It was a late November afternoon, in 65’, the water was a little choppy,but nothing this freighter shouldn’t have been able to handle. All of the sudden the sky turned this nasty shade of gray. The fog cut out their sight of the light house. The crew had to guess where the port was. The rain was barreling down, and the wind picked up speed. All of the sudden the captain lost control and slammed into the rocky cliff causing the hull to be smashed up against the rocks. The unrelenting waves beat the freighter into submission and she sunk. The last thing that was heard from the ship was an S.O.S. Nobody was able to find the crew or ship.” Mark continued to watch as the waves beat the rocks against the cliff. The freezing rain still beating the roof of my truck as the wind picked up speed. Mark put the truck into first gear and began to drive back to the rez.

When we got back to my house, everyone in the truck made a quick dash towards the door. Splash looked at me as I grabbed a towel for him,drying him off then filling up his food bowl. “Baby,don’t ever do that to me again.” Mark said grabbing my waist and pulling me into a tight embrace. I smiled and chuckled, “I’ll try not to.” I unzipped his coat and hung it on the mantle, along with the pants he let me wear. Mark started the tub, as I was finding some sweatpants and a t-shirt. “Baby get the cold out of your bones, go soak in the tub and I’ll get you some tea to drink.” I shot him a look,”Are you sure? I’ve still got to fill the fireplace and stove.” Mark dismissed my concerns, “As I’m making your tea I’ll put logs in. Now,before I throw you in myself take a bath.” I nodded, setting my clothes on the bathroom sink.

I’d be lying if I said that the hot water hitting my body didn’t feel fantastic. I sunk down to where the water was touching every part besides my face. Steam was pouring into the room from the water and Mark came in with tea and Splash in tow. Splash gave me a tail wag as he laid next to the tub. Mark had a steaming cup of tea in his hand and a book in another. “Hey, babe.” He said,his eyes filled with concern as he sat down next to Splash. I sat up and he handed me the cup. “What book is that?” I asked taking a sip of the warm liquid. He showed me the cover. “Ahh yeah I read that one as a kid, it tells the tales of many shipwrecks from the crews that survived. What happened today happens a lot in November.” He frowned, “Why is that?” I shrugged, “We can always ask RedHawk, he will definitely be more than willing to share the info.” Mark nodded. He set the book aside kissing my neck. He then took a wash cloth and some soap and began washing my back. I enjoyed the attention,but not for the reason of almost drowning. He helped me out of the tub once I was deemed clean enough. I drained it and dried off with a towel. I slipped on the sweats and shirt. “Alright let us get coats on and we will go over to Redhawk’s.” I said Mark nodding. Splash made his way over to the front of the fire place and laid down. He obviously was very comfortable sitting this part out.

We walked to Redhawk’s house. It was located three houses to the left of mine. Walking up his wooden porch steps echoed through the sound of the rain. I knocked on his door and my great aunt Copperfox answered the door. She let us in and we sat down on the couch. Redhawk came in from the kitchen. Setting his knife on the countertop he came walking in. “Ahh you two, the ducks will be ready in about two hours. I’m currently smoking them.” I smiled, “Well, we were wondering why the mighty lake takes the lives of so many in November.” Redhawk sat down, his dark eyes filled with gloom, “Ah yes, you want to learn about the Great Nor’Easter.” Mark shot a look of confusion, “The great what?” He asked. Redhawk chuckled. “You see it’s called that because the storm comes from the North East oceans. When November hits,usually the wind from the oceans come in on the east side, once that happens the lake turns into the raging beast. Many of our ancestors lost their lives to that lake.” Mark looked at Redhawak, “Is it always calm before a storm.” Redhawk shrugged, “Sometimes,usually when it’s smooth in the morning it gets rough in the afternoon, but this storm it’s a bad one, more than likely the power will cut off if the rain keeps coming.” I nodded, “This afternoon, Mark seen the mighty lake in full force.” Mark nodded and gave him a recap of the events that played out. Redhawk looked at me and responded, “That dog of yours is a smart one. And strong too. I’m sure your father was watching over you.” I smiled, “I’m sure he was, probably wanting to strangle me for going out there.” Redhawk shook his head, “I think that you made a good call as a captain. Don’t underestimate yourself, this lake has fooled many and will continue to. Now, do you two want to play some euchere with us? Dinner won’t be ready for two hours or so.” We both nodded, following him into the kitchen. Copperfox was already getting the cards out of the box. “Hello, I assume you know how to play Mark?” She asked. Mark shook his head, “Not really,but I’m willing to learn.” She smiled, “I’ll take you as my partner and Skye you can play with Redhawk.” I nodded and Sat next to Mark as they took their spots across from us. Auntie Copperfox explained the rules to Mark. I got the job of separating the deck. Once I was done only the 9’s, 10’s, and face cards remained. “Jacks are considered the highest value, so if someone calls hearts and you have that jack,you win, otherwise you go based on highest face card.” Mark soaked up the rules and I shuffled the little deck. Dealing out the five cards we began to play. It wasn’t long after we started that some of the family came pouring into Redhawk’s house. Everyone taking seats beside the table. He was hosting dinner so it was no big shock. The biggest surprise came when everyone was taking sides, some cheered for Mark while others came to cheer me on. “No!! Why the hell did you play that?” And “Hell yeah awesome play!” Could be heard around the table. Eventually the liquor was broken into and being passed around. I pulled a cigarette box out and started passing joints around. This was truly an adult party. All the kids were being watched more than likely by Raphael, who I knew wasn’t thrilled about it being only two years younger than I,but that’s the rules. Mark took a shot of moonshine and by this time we all swapped partners and played a few rounds. “Alright heathens,let’s get to eating.” Ike said getting up and helping Redhawk prepare the duck. The rest of us scrambled to move the table and cards out of the way. I helped Copperfox set the plates and forks around. In total eight of us were here,Mark was fitting in exceptionally well with the family. Everyone talking to him as if it was strange that I had a partner. The duck was brought out and after we all thanked the ducks for giving their lives up for food we dug in.

Smoked duck, squash and zucchini along with mashed potatoes and fry bread was dinner. Everything was home grown and home made. My mouth melted as the duck hit my taste buds. The cherry wood added flavor. Ike asked how the evening hunt went and for the second time today I told everyone how Splash and Mark were heroes. It became the topic of conversation. Everyone adding in their own tales with the lake and how beastly she was.