Chapter 20
Linda Sue looked great again. She and Wade were the first to arrive. Introductions and mutual compliments were exchanged. Millie Throckmorton was and always has been single. Her college degree was in Library Science from Case / Western Reserve in Cleveland. She had come to Albuquerque forty-five years ago to work with the Albuquerque Public School System Libraries. An attractive woman was she; Wade could see certain family characteristics between her and Linda Sue. “Wade, Linda Sue simply calls me Millie; it would please me if you would do the same,” said Millie. “She told me that you are working for your father and he’s in the precious metals reclamation business. What is your role with the firm?”
Wade thought to himself ‘Well, here it is; it came a lot faster than I would have supposed’. His voice was calm, “It’s just a summer job.” Then the lie began. “You’re well aware of numerous new businesses advertizin’ for folks to convert old jewelry and such to cash. I’m tryin’ to negotiate initial contacts with these business people to have them become retail outlets for my pa. He’s been in the business for fifty years and knows all the ropes. It would help these locals grow their businesses and steer them away from any unethical practices.” Wade thought that turned out pretty well. Thank heavens for his own foresight.
Unexpectedly, Millie burst out laughing. “Forgive me for my chuckles, but you’re hardly the first man to come to the Land of Enchantment seeking silver and gold. In 1540, Francisco Coronado came from Mexico searching for the Seven Cities of Gold. He didn’t find any because there wasn’t any here, but that hasn’t deterred others from chasing the legends and the rumors even to the present day. I wish you the best of luck in your job here, Wade, but New Mexico is a poor state. Riches here are few and far between. There’s a legend of a gold shipment as part of an early Army fort payroll that has supposedly been buried somewhere near Victorio Peak on the White Sands Missile Range. Ill-fated adventurers get permission to go in from time to time. All they find is ridicule and publicity. The Confederate Army was defeated by the Union Army at Glorieta Pass looking to take possession of alleged gold shipments from California. There’s the story of an old mine up in the San Pedro Wilderness Area north of Cuba that any number of folks say they have seen, but not one is able to retrace his steps. Supposedly, one of the original finders killed the other before the claim was ever filed. Nowadays, folks are trying to invest money in a gold claim in Santa Fe County near Golden. They have been completely stymied by environmentalists. Gold and silver are not profitable pursuits in Nuevo Mexico,” laughed Millie.
“My cousin who worked out here a year ago told the tale of a silver bell in an abandoned church in some ghost town. He said it was absolutely true. Have you heard about that?” proffered Wade.
“If you are referring to Cabezón, I sure have. It’s another old wives’ tale. There was a bell there for many years, but it wasn’t silver. And there were so many adventurers pouring in there, the County Sheriff had the old regular bell removed and sold for scrap. I understand that there’s still a ruckus from time to time. No, the only silver in these parts is in Indian jewelry and the ceremonial silver-tipped canes President Lincoln gave to the Governor of each Indian Pueblo. If your brother bought the Cabezón story, I’d like to tell him about chupacabras,” said Millie full of mirth.
Wade passed on the invitation to learn more about chupacabras, as, fortunately, the other guests arrived. The rest of the attendees were more of Millie’s age. When the barbecue was eaten and the conversation turned more to the participants’ daily lives, Linda Sue whispered to Wade, “Since we were the first to arrive, I think it’s all right if we are the first to leave.” They bid their adieus. Aunt Millie gave Wade a goodbye peck on the cheek. Linda Sue and Wade walked hand in hand to the car.
“The night is still young,” said Wade hopefully. “What’s on your mind?”
Linda Sue pulled Wade over for a passionate embrace, “I’m not sure I saw all of your hotel room.” They both giggled. Wade felt utterly relieved of all his troubles. The evidence on Cabezón was overwhelming. He had indeed been on a fool’s errand. Millie had sensed that he, Harrell Wade Harrison, was merely the latest to be duped. He looked over at Linda Sue and thought to himself, with all the pride befitting an over-sexed testosterone-laden collegiate male, ‘at least I found a nymphomaniac who speaks Southern, not bad for consolation’.
Wade and Linda Sue stopped in the El Mescal for a quick drink. She ordered a Seven and Seven; he had another Dos Equis. Ralph brought the drinks to their table and, recalling their previous conversation, mentioned that Arbor Day too had been found, but Young Corn appeared lost because, given enough time, thieves make arrangements to have run-of-the-mill paintings mounted over the original and then they become near impossible to chase down. Wade simply moved his head side-to-side and feebly voiced what sounded like a ‘tsk, tsk’ to sympathize with Ralph.
Other than that, Wade showed little emotion to the news as he was now well ahead of Ralph on that idea. Inwardly, Wade was taking stock of his situation and congratulating himself. Here he was out touring the West, he had a car the envy of any collegian, he had a good-lookin’ gal eager to please him, he had a piece of valuable artwork under his personal control, and things were right between him and his pa. Wade thought to himself, ‘Wade, my boy, you have arrived!’
He thought he should probably call his pa tomorrow and then leave for Wyoming as he didn’t come all this way not to find a can of Moose Drool. He wondered to himself if he would really be back through this way. Those miscellaneous thoughts melted away as together they pushed the hotel elevator button for his floor.