The Midnight Fox

As Tom walks beside Fred, he thinks about an Indigenous word, Tacooma, that he learned at a summer camp. It means “Help me, Brother” (86). This request was “an iron, never-to-be-broken rule” (86), meaning that those who hear this are obligated to help the person no matter what. Tom fantasizes that each person in the world has three “Tacoomas” in their life. He would use his right now to help the fox, and he imagines that Fred would reply, “The fox is safe. She will never be harmed. I will explain to Millie” (87). In reality, Tom believes that his only remaining hope is to get Hazeline’s help. That night, Hazeline gets home later than usual and runs straight to her bedroom. Tom knocks instantly on her door, so she tells him to come in. Tom is surprised to see that Hazeline has been crying. She explains that Mikey told her that she is too fat; he won’t marry her unless she loses 20 pounds. Tom doesn’t know what to say, but he comforts her before bringing up the fox. Hazeline sends Tom to get her a peanut-buttered banana and then tells him that there is nothing she can do to protect the fox.