If I Ever Get Out of Here

One day at school, before summer break, George invites Lewis over to his house to view Venus and Mars, because the two planets are visible in the night sky at this time of year. George suggests that they could then do the same at his house one night. Lewis tries to avoid having to invite George over, but George isn’t so easy to dissuade this time, so Lewis must dig deep into his repertoire of excuses and tell a bald-faced lie. He tells George that he cannot come over because his mom is a type of spiritual healing woman and that having a white person in the house would make the house impure. George accepts the lie because he is sensitive to others’ beliefs. Lewis feels ashamed, but allows George to go on believing it.

The summer begins. George and Lewis talk on the phone. Lewis continues with his guitar lessons, and he begins his new job. Lewis tries to make a deal with Carson to buy Carson’s older guitar, but Carson won’t make any promises. After the first two weeks of work are over, Lewis doesn’t get paid because of rollover, but he does learn about FICA. It doesn’t bother him for long, though; because Albert gets money from social security, he feels that in some way he is helping his uncle. However, Lewis would like to go to the drive-in, but Carson won’t let him tag along, even though the ticket price is per car and not person, because he doesn’t have any money yet. Albert offers to loan Lewis some money and also breaks the news to him that part of his paycheck will have to go to his mom for household expenses. Albert reminds Lewis of just how tight their budget is and that his mom will expect Lewis to pitch in now that he can.

Lewis calls George up and hitches a ride to his place to spend the night. He and George set up the tent in the backyard. George has two beers stashed in the tent for when he and Lewis get back from the drive-in. It’s after one in the morning when they get back to George’s house. George and Lewis try and get some sleep before George’s paper route. The morning arrives quickly and Stacey meets them there in the yard when they wake up. They all three look up at the stars and spot Venus and Mars. Stacey leaves and the two boys go off to do the paper route. Lewis invites George to the reservation to watch a game of Fireball.

George wants to make sure that it is okay for him to come to the Fireball game. He wants to make sure he isn’t violating any sacred act or anything. Lewis tells him there’s nothing to worry about, that other white people might be there too. On the day of the reservation picnic, when the game of Fireball takes place, Lewis escorts George and Mr. Haddonfield to the main event area. Lewis enjoys being able to show them around and share something of himself and his culture with them. He helps them find authentic foods, eats with them, and tells Mr. Haddonfield where he can best find jewelry for Mrs. Haddonfield.

The game of Fireball begins. It’s like soccer, except that the ball and goalposts are literally on fire. The game is played until the ball’s flames die out. After the game Mr. Haddonfield goes off to look for jewelry and Lewis and George wander around. When Mr. Haddonfield returns, Lewis asks him if he found anything he liked. He did not. Mr. Haddonfield was looking for something very specific. Mr. Haddonfield then asks if George saw anything he would like to get for Stacey. George mentions that gift from the reservation might not be a good gift for her. Mr. Haddonfield wonders if Stacey has a problem with Native Americans, and his voice becomes stern. George deflects the insinuation, explaining that Stacey is just jealous of how much time George spends with Lewis. George and Mr. Haddonfield leave and Lewis walks home. He feels guilty, and kicks the ball of rags that was the Fireball all the way home.