Page 27 of Paging Dr. Breakup
“They were in sixth grade when you were a senior in high school. How did you know?”
“I know all about childhood sw—” He cleared his throat. “You realize that this is a ridiculously small town, right? My parents keep me updated on their observations and every last bit of the gossip.”
Deirdre turned her head as someone coughed at one of the tables, then focused on Calvin. “In general, everyone knows way too much about everyone. Getting into people’s business is like the town hobby.” She sighed. “In good news, we do have some influx of non-Yukon Valley born population from time to time, what with the Alaska Fish and Game office in town. Folks in town are developing tourism offerings, like we are with our lodge. The Yukon River recreation activities and the corporation’s new Koyukon Athabascan cultural center also bring tourists to the area.”
“Not to mention dogsledding, right?”
“Hopefully, we can increase the interest in recreational dogsledding, yes. Take advantage of the Iditarod publicity each winter.”
Food came, and they tucked into a few bites of meatloaf for Calvin and battered halibut for Deirdre. When had she last had a nice meal out like this? Far too long.
He swallowed his bite and took a sip of his beer. “I’m glad your lodge business is coming along. I heard about the stupidity Maverick and Lee—and you—had to deal with.”
“Those investors were real snakes,” she hissed.
His flinch surprised her, but he recovered. “Glad they’re gone.”
That was a bland answer, but she nodded. “You don’t see Mav mad much. He made an exception for those jerks when they tried to push us into foreclosure.”
“That’s wild.”
“I’ll say.” She set down her fork. “Mom and Dad never let on that the property had any value beyond the acreage and the lodge. I don’t think they knew. Mav and I certainly had no idea about the ores and rare earth minerals on our land.”
“What are you going to do with that information?”
“Why? You looking to invest?”
He pulled his head back and lifted a hand and a fork. “No, but I’m wondering about my parents. Mom and Pop’s property lies on the Ray Mountain range as does the Koyukon village land. The question is, how can we keep those outsiders from being a nuisance? If they’re determined, then they will find a way to gain access.”
“Mav and your dad were talking strategy the other day. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the Bureau of Land Management could issue a mining permit for a prospector to access BLM-managed land. The entire Ray Mountain range is managed by BLM. But Yukon Valley’s citizens own all of the access to the mountains. It’s prohibitive for someone to go around our collective property to reach the ore. For example, if Randy Nelson picked up our land, he’d have an easy straight shot across the meadow to the base of the range. Right now, he would have to go over and around the Yukon River, and that’s a massive and expensive engineering feat.”
Calvin nodded. “If there’s going to be any extraction, it should be the way folks here feel is best. Ensure that it’s done right. Pay a reasonable price for the access.”
“Where did that come from? All of a sudden you sound like an old timer here!”
“Probably have some of Pop rubbing off on me.”
She laughed. “Ol’ Bruce is so stubborn, he won’t sell.”
“Funny, but I’m trying to get him to do exactly that. For his health. Get him to move somewhere better suited.”
A twinge hit her, unrelated to the unscrupulous investors. “Your dad won’t leave.”
“Despite my best efforts.”
Another barking sound came from a few tables over. “Well, I—”
“Gordy?” his mother’s voice rose. “Gordy, are you okay? Steve, lay him on the floor so he doesn’t get injured.”
Deirdre pushed her plate forward and stood up. “Melinda, you need help?”
“No, we’re fine—” She and her husband struggled to carefully ease Gordy to the floor. Jerking movements and a twisting flexion of his hands, arms, and wrists told the tale of his seizure.
Deirdre strode over. “Let me help.” She tugged on Gordy’s thin shoulders and eased him to his side in a recovery position. “I don’t remember if this is his usual routine.”
Calvin knelt and checked Gordy’s pulse, scanning the young man’s shaking frame.
Sitting next to his son, Steve glanced at his wife and then to Deirdre. “He generally has a light seizure then comes right out of it.”
