The Girl in Hemingway's Studio

by Carolyn Grady

  “Sorry you had to drive downtown tonight, but I have another meeting after this one. However, I do have some good news. The results from the preliminary survey shows your little mine might be worth some real money. We are now ready to go forward with an extensive surface survey, but I need a decision from you, boys.”

  “First,” interrupted Marcus. “How much would you pay outright to just buy the mine from us before ordering the testing?”

  “$110,000.”

  “Okay, you would give us $110,000 for our mine; how much more would we have to give you to be part of the investment group?” injected Eric.

  “Actually, my partners and I have been discussing a different deal. The reason we wanted some hard cash from you before we ordered the survey is once we discover the mine is worth excavating, we don’t want you two to think you can dump us and find a better deal with another group of investors. Like I said before, this isn’t our first rodeo. How about this deal? You boys come up with $90,000 for your share plus sign over your ownership of the mine before the survey. If the survey provides the results we think it will, we will give you back your $90,000 once we are ready to extract the minerals and then just signing over the ownership of the mine will buy a 25% share of profits. It’s a great deal, but I need an answer before November 21.”

  “What happens if the next survey shows there isn’t enough barite to make it worthwhile to go forward to work the mine?” asked Marcus.

  Sam smiled, “Then you are out of $90,000, and my investment group is out a hell of a lot more and we are left holding the deed to a worthless mine. That’s the worst that can happen, but we’ve been in business longer than you two have been around, and we think this piece of property is, excuse the pun, a gold mine.”

  Marcus wasn’t convinced, “What about all the problems with the Pea Ridge mine? How do you know we won’t encounter the same issues and delay the mineral extraction for years?”

  “Actually, that’s part of the good news,” Sam answered as he cut into his bloody rare steak. “Carl discovered that your property doesn’t have any detectable radioactivity. That means pulling the minerals out should be easier. Plus this is a smaller mine, less employee problems, and more profit.” Sam smiled. His looks and personality were a contradiction—he was tall, deeply tanned with the look of a rugged cowboy, but very polished in his style of dress and manners. When he spoke, people listened and respected him.

  “Okay,” answered Eric. “Marcus and I will discuss it and call you in a few days.”

  Sam stood up and shook hands with the brothers. “Oh, by the way, Carl Rodgers came up with a few samples of a mineral not found in Missouri. Have either of you ever heard of palladium?”

  “Yes, I’m remembering studying it in geology,” answered Marcus. “What does he think that means? Is it possible there could be palladium in our mine?”

  “He has no idea, but we’ll know more once the next survey is completed. Talk to you, boys, next week.” Sam picked up the check and gave the waiter his credit card. Eric was glad he ordered the most expensive steak on the menu.

  Eric and Marcus sat at the table after Sam left. They ordered another beer and discussed their options.

  “Eric,” started Marcus. “$110,000 would be $55,000 each. Why don’t we just sell the mine to these good ole boys and put the money in our savings accounts?”

  “Yeah,” Eric started slowly. “I know that’s what Betsy and I’m sure Alexis would want us to do, but just think, this is a real opportunity to make millions and secure all our futures. I think we need to think about this and try to find a way to find the money.”

  “Where are we going to get that kind of money?”

  “Actually, I’ve discussed an idea with Mom. You know her house is paid for, and she could take some of the equity out of the house.”

  “No—no way are we going to risk Mom’s future with such a precarious deal.”

  “Marcus, it’s not that risky. These guys are willing to take a chance because they believe there’s a pot of gold at the end of this adventure. If there were a chance this mine was a dud, I don’t think they would be interested in investing a ton of money in surveying and excavating it. Remember they are putting up a lot of their own money to see it through; we just have to invest our share and hand over the title of the mine before the original survey. Once the survey proves the existence of the barite, we get our $90,000 back and are eligible to share in the profits. You and I will take over the payments for Mom’s house and give her a share of our profits when we hit it rich. It’s a win-win.”

  “I don’t know. Did Mom really say she would be willing to risk her home?”

  Eric threw some money on the table for the beers and a tip as they got up and to leave. “Yes, Mom said she would be happy to help us. She said especially if she could profit instead of leaving all that equity just sitting inactive in her house. Remember how much Mom and Dad loved going to Las Vegas to gamble? This could be the jackpot she always dreamed about but never managed to hit!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  The Polar Express

  Friday was a cloudy, rainy day in Phoenix as Christopher pulled up into the Caldwell’s driveway at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Alexis and Marcus walked out to his car with one single suitcase as they gazed up at the sky.

  “Looks like rain,” remarked Marcus as he lifted the suitcase into the open trunk. Alexis climbed in the back seat with an excited Ashley who was reading her treasured The Polar Express book. Kissing her niece, Alexis told her if it is raining here, it might be snowing at the North Pole.

  They hit patches of light snow mixed with rain along the highway as they talked about assorted subjects including the surprising results of Tuesday’s presidential election. Ashley was happy to be near her favorite aunt and grabbed her hand as she announced, “This day would be so perfect if only Mommy was going with us.”

  Conversation in the car stopped, and tears welled in Alexis’s eyes as she pointed out the pretty pine trees frosted with snowflakes along the road. Several hours later, they took Exit 163 off the I-40W.

  “We are almost there,” exclaimed Alexis, as Ashley jumped up and down in her car seat. Soon the car came to a crawl as they drove down Grand Canyon Boulevard. Spotting the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Christopher turned into the parking lot and parked. Christmas lights were strung from end to end of the parking lot, the depot, and the sections of the hotel. Sitting next to the depot was an ancient locomotive engine where children were climbing in and out of the small cab where the engineer would have sat. Other groups of children were standing by the ancient train while their parents snapped pictures. Marcus looked around and whispered in Alexis’s ear, “Oh my God, I had no idea there would be so many children here.”

  “Who did you expect would be here to take a train ride to see Santa Claus?”

  The four of them walked into the lobby with their luggage and checked in. The room was simple and not as large as they had hoped, but it was only for one night. After unpacking their few things, Alexis zipped up Ashley’s jacket and pulled a knit hat down over her ears and gave her a pair of gloves. Zipping up her own jacket and pulling on gloves, Alexis took Ashley’s hand and walked outside to explore the hotel grounds. Christopher and Marcus declined the offer to investigate the property and decided instead to check out the small bar off the lobby. When Alexis and Ashley returned, the foursome decided to eat an early dinner as more and more families were checking into the hotel.

  Dinner was buffet style and catered to children—fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, pressed turkey, and soft-serve ice cream cones for dessert.

  “I’m surprised Alexis picked this place for dinner,” laughed Marcus. “My wife is so religiously healthy in selecting her meals.”

  “Dinner and breakfast came with the room,” Alexis noted, defending her decision. “I was so thrilled there was a vacancy, I never inquired about the meals. Besides one night of bad food won’t kill you.”

  “Wa
nt to bet?” laughed Christopher.

  After dinner, Ashley grew more and more animated. Alexis gave her niece a bath and put on the new pajamas she had bought for this special outing. While Alexis took a shower and put on her comfy jogging suit, Ashley danced around the room until her dad got out her special book and settled her down to read a story to her. Alexis sighed when she came out of the bathroom and saw the beguiling scene of love between a father and his daughter.

  Soon it was time to board the train. They found their seats facing each other. Christopher and Ashley had the window seats. Alexis sat next to her niece and across from Marcus as she watched a light snow starting to fall. Marcus looked around in disbelief at the number of children still entering the railcar. Soon a horn sounded, and the train began to move as all the children cheered. After a few moments, “Santa’s helpers” began serving hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies while “Santa’s elves” exuberantly danced up and down the aisles leading the passengers in holiday songs. Soon it was time for the story of The Polar Express to be read to the children. An “elf” stood in the front of the railcar holding up the book toward the passengers and turning the pages, as a recorded voice read the story. Mesmerized, Ashley followed along with her own copy, page by page. Alexis snapped pictures of all the activities taking place.

  Soon the train entered a “special” tunnel that would “accelerate” their trip to the North Pole. After pulling out of the tunnel, “oohs” and “aahs” were heard as the town of the North Pole came into view. The ground was lightly coated with snow, and Christmas lights were ablaze giving the little town a delight of color and sparkle. Marcus and Christopher smiled as they realized Santa Claus’s town was really just imitation storefronts illuminated with bright lights and propped up by two by fours hidden in the background. Ashley was so excited as she took everything in.

  “Aunt Alexis,” she said as she pulled on her aunt’s jacket and quietly remarked. “You know this town looks kind of fake, but I know in my heart, deep in my heart, I know that it’s real. We really are at the North Pole.”

  Alexis’s heart skipped a beat as she realized—the expense, the arguments with Marcus, the horrible food—was worth this one moment and the look of pure enchantment on this delightful child’s face. Marcus reached across the aisle and grabbed Alexis’s hand. She smiled at him thinking, Marcus is getting caught up in these magic moments too. We do need to talk to each other. I think I really want to be a mother; I want to have his baby.

  Marcus was looking at Ashley. Why can’t you and your daddy have your own room? I want to spend the rest of this evening away from all these children and enjoy making love to my wife.

  The train stopped for a few moments at the North Pole while Santa Claus boarded the train. As Santa made his way through the railcars he stopped to say a few words to each child and gave them a special bell, just like in the book. Alexis got a perfect picture of her niece and Santa with a look of delight on Ashley’s face. She decided she was going to send that picture to Charlotte to show her how much she was missing by not being with her only daughter. She was hoping it would stab her sister right where it hurt.

  The next morning after a lackluster, lukewarm breakfast, Alexis noticed the snow had melted during the night. Ashley didn’t even notice as she carried her book and her bell to the car. Marcus was more than ready to go home. It’s okay, Alexis thought. It really was a magical evening that she was sure Ashley would always remember.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The Loan

  While Marcus was coming home from the North Pole, Eric took their mother to her bank on Saturday morning to check on qualifying for an equity loan on her house. Eric once again questioned his mother, if this was really something she was willing to do. She nodded affirmatively, as he had promised that he and Marcus would make all the payments on her house until the loan was fully paid off. The loan officer came out to the reception area and asked Eric and Ruth to join him in his office. Hearing Ruth’s explanation of why she wanted to draw out so much equity from her home, he gave a suspicious look at Eric.

  “My home is over forty years old,” explained Ruth. “It’s time to remodel my kitchen and master bath. I deserve a convenient, modern new kitchen and bathroom. All my neighbors are doing it, and the ones who sell their homes make up the cost in the selling price.”

  Eric looked at his mother in amazement, she sounded so convincing.

  The loan officer shrugged his shoulders and pulled out a pack of papers that needed to be filled out and verified. He explained the payment book and the liability Ruth would take on if the payments to repay the loan were not made on time. The banker shook both their hands and set up a meeting next week to return the papers and answer any questions.

  Eric helped his mother start filling out some of the paperwork when he took her home. Briefly, thoughts about the danger of involving his mother’s security in this precarious business deal crossed his mind, but when he imagined the profits his uncle’s mine could bring to the family, his concerns vanished.

  Eric stopped by Marcus and Alexis’s house on Sunday afternoon. Sitting on their patio each drinking a beer, Eric told Marcus about the loan. If interest rates didn’t change by the time the loan was approved, it would be a $60,000 loan at 4.3% interest for ten years. The total monthly payments would be $621.84 per month. That meant Eric and Marcus would each have to come up with $310.92.

  “Eric, that’s a car payment,” Marcus exclaimed. “I was hoping to trade my clunker in next year and buy a new Jeep.”

  “If things go well,” retorted Eric. “when the survey is completed, we get Mom’s $60,000 back, repay the loan and you will be able to pay cash for your new Jeep, hopefully, in a year or so.”

  “Yeah, if things go well. There’s no way I can keep this a secret from Alexis, I’m going to have to tell her about the equity loan. Are you sure you don’t want to just sell Uncle Fred’s mine to the investors and let them take the risks?”

  “Marcus, I’ve looked at this project from all angles, this may be our only chance to make some real money. Those rich old guys do this all the time and that’s how they become wealthy and can afford private jets and a huge bank account. We would be able to pay off Mom’s loan and never have to worry about money again.”

  “Is there a payoff penalty if we pay off Mom’s loan early?”

  “No. I made sure of that. I will help Mom finish filling out the loan’s paperwork and go with her to turn in the application next week. I’ll call Murdock and let him know we are in.”

  “You’re forgetting about the missing $30,000 for the buy-in, where are we going to get that? Couldn’t you have asked for a $90,000 loan?”

  “I did, but based on Mom’s age, income, and the value of her house, $60,000 was all the bank was willing to loan her. I don’t know where we’ll get the rest, maybe Alexis’s dad will come through with $30,000, or we can negotiate with Murdock for a lower buy-in, or talk to Cousin Walter again.”

  Marcus sighed, “None of those options seem realistic.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  The Mediation

  On Monday, as Alexis parked her car and started to walk to her first class, she saw her friend, Kyle, waving at her. How easy it would have been to fall in love with such a smart, stable, kind man. A nice man who didn’t inherit a stupid mine in the middle of nowhere.

  “Hi, Kyle,” Alexis greeted him. “Did you have a nice three-day weekend?”

  “Actually, that’s why I’m here,” Kyle smiled brightly. “I have something to tell you. I met someone very special this weekend. I know it’s too early, but I have the feeling she might ‘be the one.’”

  “Tell me all about her,” Alexis said as she grabbed Kyle’s arm. The sudden feeling of disappointment or jealousy surprised her.

  Kyle had been invited to a friend’s barbeque party on Friday afternoon. A coworker had brought his wife’s sister and introduced her to Kyle. Mercedes Clarke had recently moved to Arizona from North C
arolina and was teaching history at a nearby high school. She was temporarily living with her sister while looking for a permanent house. Over dinner and drinks, they had so much fun getting to know each other, Kyle asked her out to dinner on Saturday. That date continued into the wee hours of Sunday, and they agreed to meet later that afternoon to hike Camelback Mountain.

  “Mercedes, like the luxury car?” Alexis asked.

  “Yeah,” Kyle laughed. “When her mother was a new bride, she convinced her husband it would be a smart investment to purchase a Mercedes when they were looking for a new car. But when she discovered she was pregnant, her husband became sensible and purchased a used Ford Taurus, but he agreed to name their baby, if it was a girl, Mercedes.”

  “She sounds charming. I can’t wait to meet her. Maybe you can bring her over for dinner?”

  Cautious Kyle held up his hands. “Let’s see how this relationship works out. I don’t have a very good track record with women. We’re seeing each other on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this coming weekend.”

  Alexis leaned over and kissed Kyle’s cheek, “What do you mean? We’ve had a beautiful friendship for over ten years.”

  How I wish that relationship had been more than just a friendship, thought Kyle as he smiled.

  Marcus was waiting for Alexis when she came home late after her weekly staff meeting at the college. He was sitting in the living room, and when she walked in, he poured her a glass of her favorite wine.

  “Sorry, honey. The meeting ran later than I thought…. What’s this? You look very serious; what’s wrong?”

  “Sit down, Alexis. We need to talk about Uncle Fred’s mine.”

  “You and Eric are going to sell it to the investors, right?”