Adam didn’t like being compared to Paul, but he didn’t want to interrupt, so he didn’t say anything.
“Shortly after we were married, some of the Mexican immigrants who worked on Paul’s ranch, and who had become some of our best friends, began teaching Paul and me about RTP. We’ll call them Mel and Sancha, and their family members were masters of RTP. They believed in freely sharing the knowledge with family and friends.
“Over the next couple of years, we practiced what had been taught to us. Our teachers had warned us that it could take many years, even decades, to truly master RTP. And some people could never open their minds enough to learn it. But Paul and I both seemed to have a gift for it, and we learned very quickly. Eventually, we became masters of RTP. We made a vow with those who taught us, and with each other, that we would only use RTP for good, and never for evil or illegal activities.”
She looked down at her hands and paused for a moment. Adam felt as if he was listening to a fairy tale, or a story made up by a crazy person, but he didn’t dare to ask her any questions. He was afraid that if he interrupted her train of thought, she would have second thoughts and he might never get to hear the entire story. He waited patiently.
She sighed heavily and said, “I haven’t spoken aloud what I’m about to tell you in a very long time, Adam. This part is very hard for me.”
He remained silent and held her hand for reassurance.
“You have to understand that back in those times, seventeen was considered childbearing age. When I was seventeen, Paul and I were blessed with our first child, a beautiful son. A year later, we were blessed with our second son.”
Adam swallowed hard. “Can I have another beer, please?”
Maddie pointed to the table and a cold Shark Fin materialized. Adam grabbed it and took several swigs.
So she expected him to believe she was married and had two sons over 150 years ago? The story was getting more unbelievable by the minute. He wanted to believe her—had to believe her. What other logical explanation was there? He had nothing. He rubbed his eyes and raked the fingers of both hands through his hair. He wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take.
Her tears were flowing again and her voice was raw with emotion as she continued, “For the next ten years, we worked the ranch and prospered as we raised our sons and taught them to use RTP. Life was great, and I had never been happier.
“It was around that same time when we also learned of the ability to use RTP to prevent aging. It truly was the fountain of youth. We didn’t have to age any more if we didn’t want to. And who would want to?”
She laughed halfheartedly through her tears.
“Paul and I made a pact to stay young together forever, and to teach our sons to do the same. We would be young and happy forever.
“But as I said, Paul had made some bitter enemies during the war, and while fighting for territory and land over the years. He had been involved in battles where people were killed. Back in those days, there was often lawlessness and vigilante justice, and even Paul—who was good to the core—had been forced to kill during the war, and while defending his property and his family. Because of this, there were people who sought revenge on him.
“When the boys were eleven and twelve years old, we decided to allow them to go with Paul and some of the ranch hands on a cattle drive to Texas. Children were given more responsibilities at an earlier age back then, and we felt like they were old enough to help out with the family business. Both boys were excellent riders and ropers, and they were anxious to travel and see other parts of the country.
“They had only been gone for a few days when they were ambushed by a gang of ranch hands from a rival cattle company. A fight ensued.”
Her words trailed off. Adam could hear her breathing rapidly, as if she might hyperventilate. Her face was contorted in a mask of anguish as her lips began to tremble. She barely managed to choke out the next words, “Our sons were killed.”
An uncontrollable sob rose out of her throat as Maddie collapsed into him, pressed her face into his chest, and unloaded all of her grief and pain.
He held her tightly, rocking her and stroking her hair, allowing her all the time she needed to release the pent-up grief. He thought of all of the tragedies Maddie had faced in her lifetime. First the death of her parents, and then her sons. How could one person be expected to handle so much loss? It was remarkable she hadn’t gone completely insane.
Or maybe she had.
If what she was saying was true, it was clear that she grieved for her sons as much now as she had back then. Adam felt as if he was on the verge of tears himself, and he fought to maintain his composure. This story was too much for him to comprehend. He was glad she couldn’t see his face. It probably would have only upset her more.
After a while her sobs quieted and her breathing returned to a more normal rate. She pulled away from him and wiped her tears away with the backs of her hands.
Adam handed
