Part 1

           They’reoutthere.

           BlackboysinwhitesuitsupbeforemetocommitsexactsinthehallandgetitmoppedupbeforeIcancatchthem.

           They’remoppingwhenIcomeoutthedorm,allthreeofthemsulkyandhatingeverything,thetimeofday,theplacethey’reathere,thepeopletheygottoworkaround.Whentheyhatelikethis,betteriftheydon’tseeme.Icreepalongthewallquietasdustinmycanvasshoes,buttheygotspecialsensitiveequipmentdetectsmyfearandtheyalllookup,allthreeatonce,eyesglitteringoutoftheblackfaceslikethehardglitterofradiotubesoutofthebackofanoldradio.

           "Here’stheChief.Thesoo-pahChief,fellas.Ol’ChiefBroom.Hereyougo,ChiefBroom...."

           Stickamopinmyhandandmotiontothespottheyaimformetocleantoday,andIgo.Oneswatsthebacksofmylegswithabroomhandletohurrymepast.

           "Haw,youlookat‘imshagit?Bigenoughtoeatapplesoffmyheadan’heminemelikeababy."

           TheylaughandthenIhearthemmumblingbehindme,headsclosetogether.Humofblackmachinery,humminghateanddeathandotherhospitalsecrets.Theydon’tbothernottalkingoutloudabouttheirhatesecretswhenI’mnearbybecausetheythinkI’mdeafanddumb.Everybodythinksso.I’mcageyenoughtofoolthemthatmuch.IfmybeinghalfIndianeverhelpedmeinanywayinthisdirtylife,ithelpedmebeingcagey,helpedmealltheseyears.