After Thought

by P. A. Crenshaw

  Mel stood up and motioned for Adam to follow. He led Adam to the back patio, where there was another Kiva fireplace and a fully stocked refrigerator. Mel pulled two Dos Equis beers out of the fridge, and handed one to Adam. They stood by the fire pit, drinking their beers and enjoying the unique Southwestern sunset in silence.

  Mel looked thoughtful as he stared into the fire, then he looked at Adam and said, “Madeline has been hurt a lot in her life.”

  Adam said, “I’m aware. She told me her story.”

  “I consider myself to be like a big brother to her. I feel like I need to watch over her, protect her, and look out for her best interests. I want to make sure she doesn’t get hurt anymore.”

  Adam nodded and said, “I understand. I would never hurt Maddie.”

  Mel gave him a hard look.

  “That said, if you ever hurt her I’ll kick your ass.”

  So much for ‘peaceful people.’

  Starting to get annoyed, Adam slowly emphasized the words, “I understand.”

  After that, Mel seemed to relax a bit. Maybe the beer was kicking in. Adam looked out at the horizon. He couldn’t get enough of the view of the Sandia Mountains off in the distance and the lights of the city of Albuquerque as they lit up the night.

  Mel interrupted his thoughts. “You know, Adam, you’re right.”

  Adam turned slowly to look at him, trying to suppress his look of surprise.

  “We shouldn’t have to live in hiding. It has always been difficult to find the balance between keeping the peace and fighting for our rights. Those of us who have thought about revolting and standing up to The Order realize we cannot do it without fighting and bloodshed. The Order will never back down and resolve this peacefully. So there is no hope for a peaceful outcome.”

  It surprised Adam that Mel was the one who had brought up the subject again. Based on the dinner conversation, Adam thought Mel was completely against fighting back.

  Adam said, “Maybe if enough of us join together, we could do something similar to what the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tried to accomplish with his peace marches. He had strength in numbers, and they protested peacefully without violence.”

  Mel nodded and looked as if he was considering the idea. Just then, the back door opened and Maddie and Sancha came out to join them. Maddie walked up to Adam, put her arms around his waist, and gave him a quick kiss. The discussion about the KTP was over—for now. But Adam set an intention to broach the subject with Mel again when the opportunity next arose.

  They spent the rest of the evening sitting by the fire, talking about good times, and making future plans for getting together. They talked late into the night until Sancha finally said, “We should probably let you guys get some sleep. You’ve had a long day of traveling.”

  Chapter 38

  Maddie and Adam spent two days at Sancha and Mel’s house. It was a wonderful visit, and it gave Adam some insight into what RTP could do in real people’s lives. He got to see for himself that regular people like Sancha and Mel could have whatever they wanted in life if they just believed.

  Adam couldn’t help thinking about the conversation that he and Mel had that night on the patio by the fire. He felt a stirring for action, but he didn’t know what he could do. He was a newcomer, just coming into the ranks of the practitioners of Refined Transcendent Power. Who was he to get involved in their business?

  On Tuesday they left Sancha and Mel’s for a new destination. It was bittersweet. Maddie was excited to get on to their next destination, but she was sad because she was leaving her best friends. Adam was glad to have met the people who had made such a big impact in Maddie’s life. After the initial rough start with Mel, Adam felt like he and Sancha had accepted him.

  Their next destination was a secret as well. Again, Maddie wouldn’t tell him exactly where they were headed. All he knew was that she insisted on driving again and they were heading to Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital city.

  When they arrived in Santa Fe, they drove around sightseeing for a while. Maddie acted as the tour guide. She explained that Santa Fe had been founded as a Spanish colony in 1610 and sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. As he was in Albuquerque, Adam was amazed by the heavy influence of the Pueblo-style adobe architecture.

  They drove around the historic district’s crooked streets looking at the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe Plaza, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and the San Miguel Chapel. They stopped at Canyon Road, home to a slew of art galleries selling renowned artwork from famed artists and cultural treasures like hand-woven Navajo rugs and Southwestern wood carvings, where they admired the craftsmanship and dined on traditional New Mexico red and green chile enchiladas. Adam found himself falling in love with New Mexico.

  Once they had fully exhausted themselves, Maddie excused herself and made a secretive phone call. When she returned, she was ready to head out. Again, she insisted on driving as they headed toward the outskirts of the city. Again, she gave Adam no hints about where they were going.

  It was clear that Maddie knew exactly where she was going because she didn’t use GPS. About fifteen minutes later they pulled up to a gated community. Maddie retrieved a plastic card from her purse, placed it on the scanner, and the gate slowly opened.

  Maddie said, “This is the premier gated golf community in Santa Fe.”

  Adam was enamored with the views of sunlit meadows and graceful piñon pines under a canopy of clear blue skies with the mountains as a backdrop.

  “It’s amazing,” he said. “I’m assuming someone you know lives here.”

  “You’ll see soon enough.”

  They drove a little farther until Adam saw a golf course and an adobe sign that displayed the New Mexico sun symbol and the words “The Club at Las Campanas.” It seemed so ironic to him to see so much lush green grass there in the high desert.

  Maddie said, “Maybe we’ll stop there later to check it out.”

  “That’d be great. Where are we going now?”

  “Patience. Patience. We’re almost there.”

  They passed several rather large homes that looked to Adam like pieces of functional art. They melded with the landscape so as to not detract from the natural beauty. He found himself wondering how much it would cost to live in one.

  At last, Maddie pulled into a driveway and parked the car. The house looked larger and more contemporary than Sancha and Mel’s, but still had some of the same Southwestern characteristics. She sat staring at the house for a few moments. Adam watched her face. She seemed to be deep in thought or remembering. Finally, she blinked a few times and said, “We’re here. Let’s go inside.”

  As they approached the immaculately landscaped entryway, a stout, middle-aged, well-dressed man with male-pattern baldness opened the door before they even knocked. He spoke in what Adam thought was a rather formal British accent.

  “Madeline. So good to see you. Do come in.”

  Maddie gave him a loose hug and said, “Ian, it’s so good to see you too.”

  She did seem genuinely glad to see him, but it wasn’t as heartfelt as it had been with Sancha and Mel. Adam sensed that she wasn’t as close to him since she hadn’t mentioned him before.

  A woman, who looked to be around the same age as Ian, with severe short, angled brown hair and strong facial features, walked up behind him and said in an equally British accent, “Well, look who we have here. It’s so nice to see you, dear.” The woman hugged Maddie.

  Maddie said, “Adam, I’d like you to meet Ian and Helen.”

  Adam shook their hands politely and said, “Pleasure to meet you both. Your home is amazing.”

  Ian and Helen exchanged quizzical looks and then looked at Maddie.

  Ian said, “Oh, I assumed you had already told him.”

  Told me what?

  Maddie gave him her best dazzl
ing smile and said, “Adam, this isn’t Ian and Helen’s house. It’s mine.”

  Chapter 39

  At that point in their relationship, Adam didn’t think anything Maddie said or did could shock him, but he was genuinely surprised.

  Wide-eyed, he said, “Is this where you and James lived?”

  Ian and Helen exchanged quizzical glances again.

  Maddie shook her head and said, “No. I bought this house after James.”

  She gave Adam a look that made him think maybe she didn’t want him talking about James or Refined Transcendent Power in front of those present.

  She continued, “Ian and Helen are the caretakers of my home. They live here full time and take care of the house and grounds.”

  “We love it here,” said Helen. “What a rare treat for Ms. Madeline to join us. Well, let’s not just stand here, please do come inside.”

  Ian and Helen helped them carry in their luggage. Adam’s mouth started watering as the smell of meat cooking wafted around him.

  “Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious,” he said.

  “Please tell me it’s my favorite,” said Maddie.

  “How’d you guess, dear?” said Helen. “You know we always make stew and dumplings when you visit.”

  “It’s been so long,” said Maddie. “I’ve almost forgotten what it tastes like. Adam, have you ever had it?”

  “No, I don’t believe I have. I’m game for anything.”

  “Why don’t you two drop off your belongings in the bedroom and get comfortable while dinner is cooking,” said Ian. “Perhaps you can meet us in the sitting room for a gin and tonic in a half hour or so.”

  “Absolutely,” said Maddie. “That will give me just enough time to show Adam around.”

  Ian nodded and said, “Ms. Madeline, you left your car parked out front. Would you mind if I move it into the garage?”

  Maddie tilted her head slightly, and said, “No, I don’t mind. Why?”

  “It’s only a precaution. Some new neighbors moved into the house up the street. We did the standard checks and have no reason to believe they are affiliated with the KTP, but I’d rather not draw any attention with an unfamiliar car parked out front.”

  So Ian and Helen did know about the KTP.

  Slightly annoyed, Maddie said, “Ian, why didn’t you mention this to me?”

  “I didn’t want to raise a false alarm and scare you. Like I said, we haven’t found any connections to the KTP.”

  Helen chimed in, “They just moved in a few weeks ago, and sometimes we see them walking past the house. They seem like a pleasant-enough couple just out for their evening walks. We just thought we should be a little cautious about what we let them see.”

  Ian shot Helen a look that Adam couldn’t read. He said, “I’m sorry. With all of the excitement of your arrival, I didn’t think to tell you to pull the car into the garage right away.”

  The conversation made Adam feel uneasy, and he could tell by the look on Maddie’s face that she felt the same way.

  “I’ll get the car,” said Adam as he reached for the keys in Maddie’s hand.

  Ian put his hand on Adam’s and said, “Maybe we shouldn’t draw any extra attention to ourselves. It wouldn’t be a good idea for them to see a stranger pulling the car into the garage. I’ll do it.”

  Maddie knitted her eyebrows but proceeded to hand Ian the keys. She looked a little perturbed that they hadn’t told her ahead of time about the neighborhood newcomers.

  When Ian walked out of the room, Helen said, “Madeline dear, don’t worry. I’m sure Ian is just being paranoid. They’re probably just a nice couple.”

  Maddie snapped, “Well, some members of the KTP can appear to be the nicest people in the world. But then they’ll kill you without thinking twice about it.”

  Helen pursed her lips but didn’t say anything.

  Adam couldn’t help wondering if Ian and Helen were trying to protect Maddie or not. If they were, they weren’t doing a very good job of it.

  Maddie sighed and said, “Adam would you like a tour of the house?”

  “Of course. Can’t wait.”

  Helen said, “I’ll check on the stew. You two enjoy your tour.”

  Maddie thanked her and motioned for Adam to follow her. Her house was larger than Sancha and Mel’s. It was definitely more space than a single person would ever need. It looked like a museum, lavishly decorated with paintings, sculptures, and very expensive-looking art and furniture.

  Maddie said, “When I used to travel a lot, I collected antiques, artifacts, and all kinds of treasures. I needed a place to display them, so here we are. Just think about it—I used RTP to manifest this house and everything in it.”

  Adam glanced sideways at her as she quickly added, “I might have gone just a little overboard.”

  He raised an eyebrow and gave her a sideways grin.

  “OK,” she said. “I went way overboard. But you get the point. I’m trying to show you the potential of what you can do with RTP in your life.”

  It was all so unbelievable, but Adam could tell she was really trying to drive her point home. He nodded in understanding. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe she could do it. He was way past doubting Maddie could do anything. The problem was believing he could do it. He had never imagined he would be dating a woman who lived in a mansion. She must’ve had wealth untold. It seemed like every time he started to feel like he knew Maddie well, she would reveal another secret part of herself. He wondered if her surprises were endless. It made the mystique of her even more appealing.

  Chapter 40

  Maddie and Adam held hands as they walked from room to room in her gigantic museum of a house. They toured her billiard room, art room, library, and several of the guest bedrooms. The master bedroom suite was unbelievable. It contained a very large, king-sized, canopy bed with sheer bed curtains flowing around it. The suite also contained a large, lavish bathroom, complete with a full-sized hot tub and a balcony that provided a magnificent view of the mountains. Adam found it ironic that Maddie had amassed so much wealth and luxury, but she couldn’t fully enjoy it because she was always on the run.

  He said, “Maddie, do you realize how ridiculous it is that you can’t live in your own house?”

  Her back was to him as she drank in the scenic view. She seemed to freeze for a moment before she turned around to look at him. He thought he saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.

  She said, “Yes I do. I haven’t been here in ages, and coming back now really drives it home. It really is sad that I can’t live in my own house.”

  He said, “Sancha and Mel managed to do it. Why can’t you?”

  She looked at him intently and said, “Because I am a primary target.”

  She paused to let her words sink in and then continued. “The truth is, while Sancha and Mel would be very desirable additions to the KTP, I would be Paul’s most prized possession. After my meeting with him in San Francisco, he turned up the heat in the search for me. It was almost like it triggered something in him, and he decided he wanted to force me to join. I don’t know if he wants me back as his wife, or if he just wants to possess and rule over me. Whatever the motivation, he has been relentless in tracking me down. So I haven’t risked living here for many years.”

  “What about Ian and Helen? Are they practitioners of RTP?”

  “They know about it. They’re aware of it, but I don’t think they’re very strong in it. They seem to have aged since the last time I saw them, which makes me think of James. They know I don’t age, but they’ve never questioned me about it. They’ve always protected the secret.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  She gave him a quizzical glance.

  He said, “Have there ever been double agents who have infiltrated the underground and reported back to the KTP?
”

  Maddie said, “I’ve heard of it happening to others. To my knowledge, it’s never happened to me.”

  He said, “Well, that was a careless mistake, letting you leave the rental car out front if he is unsure of KTP members living nearby.”

  Maddie looked conflicted. “I know. It did seem kind of odd, didn’t it?”

  He could tell that she wanted to trust Ian.

  “Ian has protected me for many years. He has vowed to protect humanity.”

  Adam was still doubtful.

  “If you haven’t been in the house all this time, how would you know? Does he know your whereabouts when you travel?”

  “No. But he does know how to get in touch with me if there is ever a problem with the house. He has contacted me on a few rare occasions—like when there was a water leak that caused a lot of damage—to ask me how I wanted to handle it, although I’ve given them a fund to take care of things like that.”

  “Just be careful, Maddie. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  She stared straight ahead.

  Finally she said, “Do you think you could get used to living in a place like this, Adam?”

  “Are you kidding? This is my dream home. Twist my arm.”

  She walked over to him, put her arms around his neck, pressed her body against his, and kissed him tenderly.

  She whispered against his lips, “That’s why I brought you here. See what a powerful manifestor you are?”

  Surprised, he pulled back to look at her.

  “Me? What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about our relationship and this house and everything in it.”

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but our relationship started with a chance meeting. And this is your house, Maddie, not mine.”

  “There’s no such thing as a chance meeting. You manifested it with your thoughts and you didn’t even know it. And haven’t you always dreamed of prosperity and wealth? Well, what’s mine is yours. I love you and I want to share everything I have with you. You also manifested all of this.”