Sokoya, I said, looking through the net of wrinkles into wise black pools of her eyes. What do you say in Athabaskan when you leave each other? What is the word for goodbye? A shade of feeling rippled the wind-tanned skin. Ah, nothing, she said, watching the river flash. She looked at me close. We just say, Tlaa. That means, See you. We never leave each other. When does your mouth say goodbye to your heart? She touched me light--as a bluebell. You forget when you leave us; you're so small then. We don't use that word. We always thing you're coming back, but if you don't, we'll see you someplace else. You understand. There is no word for goodbye.
[ MARY TALLMOUNTAIN ]