Chapter One: Noemi's Uncle Returns and Tragedy Strikes

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Noemi is surprised by the arrival of her uncle Louie, who has not visited the reservation in twelve years. They awkwardly reconnect, and Louie explains he came home for the pow wow. Noemi’s mother Lula emerges and invites Louie to join them at the Blue Gator that night. Before they can leave, Chief Fisher arrives with devastating news: Noemi’s boyfriend Roddy has been hit by a car. The driver claims Roddy lunged in front of her vehicle, raising concerns of suicide. Worse, when the driver returned with help, a coyote was standing over Roddy’s body with blood around its mouth. Noemi refuses to believe Roddy would take his own life. Uncle Louie, disturbed by the news, locks the door.

Key Events

Noemi spots her uncle Louie outside her trailer and enthusiastically greets him after twelve years apart.
Louie and Noemi have an awkward reunion; he notices her joint and makes a sarcastic comment about per capita payments.
Lula emerges from the bathroom and joyfully embraces her brother.
Louie says he came home for the pow wow; Lula invites him to meet Noemi’s boyfriend and her new guy at the Blue Gator.
Chief Fisher knocks and delivers the news that Roddy was hit by a car on Grand Nacre Drive.
The driver claims Roddy lunged in front of her vehicle, suggesting possible suicide.
Noemi insists Roddy would not kill himself; she and Roddy had plans for the night.
Luke reports that a coyote was standing over Roddy’s body with blood around its mouth.
Louie locks the door after hearing the details.

Character Development

Noemi: Her initial joy at seeing Louie quickly gives way to grief and anger. She reveals her guilt over wasting her youth and money, and her fierce attachment to Roddy—she saw him as her second chance.
Uncle Louie: Returns after a long absence, visibly nervous and unsure. His background as a folklore professor hints at possible knowledge that may be relevant to the coyote. He becomes protective (locking the door) after the news.
Lula: Supportive and warm toward her brother, but her immediate pivot to social plans suggests she may be avoiding deeper issues.
Chief Fisher: Carries the weight of bad news with practiced authority but shows rare vulnerability when forced to reveal the coyote detail.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The coyote: Immediately introduces a supernatural or folkloric element. Coyotes in many Indigenous traditions are tricksters or omens. The blood around its mouth links it directly to Roddy’s death.
Death as unresolved mystery: The driver’s account and the coyote’s presence create ambiguity—was it suicide, accident, or something else?
Return and regret: Louie’s return and Noemi’s reflection on wasted years echo the theme of confronting the past.
Per capita payments and trust fund: Noemi’s $130k is gone; the casino wealth is shown as a double-edged gift that she misused.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point: the first major death in the narrative. It establishes the central mystery—what really happened to Roddy—and introduces a supernatural thread via the coyote. The return of Uncle Louie, who studies folklore, positions him as a potential guide to understanding whatever forces may be at work. Noemi’s grief and determination to reject the suicide theory drive the story forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What reasons does Noemi give for believing Roddy did not commit suicide?
Noemi points out that Roddy hated walking in the heat, had no reason to be on Grand Nacre Drive, and had texted her hours earlier confirming their plans for the night, including a plan to get tattoos and leave town.

2. How does Uncle Louie’s reaction to the coyote detail differ from everyone else’s?
While Noemi and Lula focus on the suicide implication, Louie’s face grows pale and he locks the door, suggesting he recognizes the coyote’s presence as something more ominous than a scavenger.

3. What does the author achieve by having Louie return just before Roddy’s death?
Louie’s arrival creates dramatic irony—a joyful reunion immediately shattered by tragedy. It also places a folklore expert at the scene when a bizarre, folkloric element (the coyote) appears, hinting that his academic expertise may be needed to understand the events.