Steven looked tired. The skin under his eyes was shadowed, and his shoulders seemed to slump. Straightening himself, he said, “Son, I know you don’t want to do this dance tonight, but I’d like you to make things as easy for Ethan as you can. If he wants to share some of his Shoshone background with you, then you ought to be happy about it. Culture exchange can be a rewarding, two-way street.” “Culture exchange?” Jack exploded. “That’s a joke. You don’t know what it’s like being stuck with him—he’s always grumbling about something, saying white people are bad and all kinds of stuff. Why am I the one who has to go along? Why don’t you make Ethan do what I want?” “Jack, I want you to step back from the situation and realize something. You have been given everything. You’ve got parents who love you, a comfortable home—Ethan’s needs are far greater than yours are right now. You may not know what it feels like to have everything taken from you, but I do. So I’m asking you….”
