Indian Horse

Ervin Sift finds Saul drunk and alone in a bar in Northern Ontario. He takes Saul home and offers him work, lodging, and food. He understands that Saul carries old wounds and doesn’t push him to open up, but is instead comfortable simply sharing silence. Ervin has his own grief, having recently lost his wife of almost thirty years. That sadness allows him to better understand Saul.

Saul is comfortable with Erv, but restless. The two men understand each other, and know there are certain conversations they cannot have. Saul sees Ervin as a friend, his first for a long time. Yet he’s unable to relax. He begins going on long walks, sitting silently in the bush as he tries to ground himself. Unable to shake the hopelessness he feels, he begins drinking again. At first, it is only a few sips, but soon it snowballs. When he realizes that giving up drinking will mean opening up to someone, that it is impossible for him to stay with Ervin as he is, Saul leaves his new home behind.