Motorcycles and Sweetgrass

At Sammy’s house, Maggie sees Nanabush’s motorcycle in the shade and a telephone carved into a totem pole. As she studies it, Nanabush emerges from behind the house, shirtless and covered in sawdust. He invites her into the house. She is stunned: Though the house’s exterior is dilapidated, the inside is immaculately clean.

Sammy comes into the kitchen. Maggie tries to introduce herself, but Sammy throws a mushroom at her, speaking an odd version of Anishnawbe. When she says she is Lillian’s child, however, Sammy softens and makes her toast and jelly.

Nanabush emerges in new clothes—Maggie fears he looks nicer than she does—and gathers the picnic he has already made. As they leave, Maggie asks Nanabush about Sammy’s strange way of speaking. Nanabush explains Sammy speaks in iambic pentameter, a development from Sammy’s childhood in the residential schools, where he was abused.

They take the motorcycle to a secluded part of the lake. Nanabush unpacks an odd meal: chili, Greek salad, and Syrah wine. Nanabush repainted Maggie’s helmet with the likeness of a beaver: “‘Hardworking. Industrious. Beautiful. Loving to its children. Nice tail. When I thought of you, I instantly thought of a beaver.’ Maggie wasn’t exactly sure how to take that, or the innocent smile that came with the explanation” (171).