Karen Olson

Although Susie’s mother, along with several aunts,
belonged to the Women'’s Circle, she didn’t want any part of it.

“Mmm. I don’t know,” murmured her cousin.

Maria could tell that Susie was already bored. “Why not? We
can talk then. We haven’t had a good visit in a long time,” she
said.

“Nah. Hey, is Tommy around? Maybe he can come over.
Since I hardly ever see you anymore, we’ve been kinda’ hang-
ing out.”

Surprised, Maria asked, “What have you guys been up to?”
Susie said, “I shouldn’t be telling you this. The gang’ll kill me...
but, we’ve been smoking. You know, pot. It’s lots of fun. You
should come over. I've got a little bit with me right now. Pete
lets us girls take some.”

Maria felt a thud in the pit of her stomach. Tommy was
only eleven and Susie, at fifteen, was only two years older than
she. Pete: probably Pete McKay. He had just moved back to
Pine Hills from Winnipeg.

“Susie, I don’t like this. Why are you and Tommy getting
involved with that stuff. And with that guy?” Maria realized she
was shouting.

Lowering her voice, she continued, “Didn’t you know Pete
was in jail for robbing some old ladies? Old ladies. What kind
of person does that?”

Susie sounded annoyed, “Oh Maria, Pete’s done his time.
He’s not hurting anyone. Look, I gotta go. If Tommy shows up,
tell him what I said, okay? Okay?”

Maria hung up then switched the ringer off. She thought
about going to see her cousin, but a quick look at the clock
showed that it was nearly two o’clock. The ceremony was to
start at six.

“I’ll go see her tomorrow,” she thought, and went back to
the meat.

Two and a half hours later a delicious aroma filled the
house. The stew was bubbling on the stove, and four brown

128