Titled “Hey Old Man,” the story won firstplace in the 2007 Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story contest. Padgett was recognized at theannual Hillerman Writers Conference in Albuquerque, N.M., in November.
“Hey Old Man” is the story of Taos PuebloIndian Harvey “Mailbox” Grayfeather, who stands by the side of the road every day waiting for the mail to be delivered. That is why he is called “Mailbox.” The “why,” of course, is the mystery.