As they toured the grand house, Maddie said, “This is what RTP can do for you, Adam. You can have anything that you want, anything that you can imagine, and anything that you can dream. If you believe it, you can receive it.”
Sancha led them through not just one, but two large living and dining areas while pointing out the Southwestern Pueblo architecture-inspired tile floors, “Vigas,” or large cracked wood beams spanning the width of the home across the ceilings, and the many tall, flowing “Kiva” fireplaces, that looked to Adam like clay ovens. They also toured a massive, state-of-the-art kitchen, a theater room, a huge game room, and an exercise room.
All the while Maddie kept glancing at him, smiling knowingly at his look of wonder. He had only seen houses like this one in magazines and on TV. This house could have easily been his dream home. None of the people that he knew could afford or even dream of living in such a place. A house like this seemed so far out of his grasp that he could not even imagine owning it. Hell, he couldn’t even imagine visiting a house like this, and yet here he was.
Maddie said, “Sancha, tell Adam how you and Mel came to own this house.”
“Simple. It’s our dream home. We manifested it.”
This blew Adam’s mind. He said, “So you guys want me to believe that you manifested this house out of thin air like Maddie manifests corkscrews?”
Sancha laughed. Mel stared at him stoically.
Sancha said, “No, we didn’t manifest it instantly. Mel and I are real estate agents. Over the years, we have traded up houses and made some very good real estate investments. We have flipped houses and purchased rental property. We worked hard to get this house. But we always knew we could do it. We never doubted it.”
Adam could buy that. It seemed more realistic and achievable.
As the tour continued, they stopped by a wing of the house where Sancha and Mel’s children’s bedrooms were. The kids had not yet emerged to greet them. Adam wondered if they even knew they were there. The house was so big it wouldn’t surprise him if they didn’t.
Sancha knocked and opened the door to one of the bedrooms. A boy who looked to be about ten years old was playing a video game. Upon seeing them, he jumped up off his beanbag chair, ran to Maddie, and gave her a bear hug. “Maddie! Maddie!” he squealed with delight.
Maddie’s eyes welled up with tears again as she put her hands on his shoulders and held him at arm’s length, giving him a look-over.
She said, “Manuel! You’ve grown so much. I haven’t seen you since you were a baby. How did you recognize me?”
“Mamá shows us pictures of you all the time so we would know you when we saw you. She tells us stories about you too.”
Sancha said, “Mannie, this is Mr. Adam.”
Mannie beamed at Adam and said, “Hi, Mr. Adam. I’ve heard a lot about you too.” He smirked.
Sancha exclaimed, “Mannie! Don’t be rude.”
Adam held out his hand to shake Mannie’s and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”
To Adam’s surprise Mannie threw his arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Adam smiled and patted Mannie’s head. “We’re going to be good buddies,” he said.
“Awesome, dude!” Mannie exclaimed.
“High five.”
Mannie released Adam and slapped his extended hand as hard as he could.
“Up high.”
Mannie jumped and slapped Adam’s hand high above his head.
“Down low.”
Mannie went for Adam’s hand again and he quickly moved it out of the way before he could hit it.
“Too slow!”
Clearly thrilled, Mannie giggled and said, “Again!”
Sancha interrupted their little game as she said, “Maybe later, Mannie. Maddie and Mr. Adam are probably tired from traveling. I’m sure they need some rest.”
Mannie looked disappointed, but he nodded in obedience.
Adam said, “Maybe we can play some video games later or shoot some hoops or something.”
Mannie was beaming again. “Sounds good, Mr. Adam. Catch ya later.”
Sancha led them a few more doors down the hall. She stopped and knocked on another door.
A young male voice said, “Come in.”
As they entered the room, Adam saw a young man who looked to be about age seventeen sitting at a desk, intently staring at a computer. He looked like a younger, thinner version of Mel. There was no doubt whose son he was. The teen looked at them with eyes that looked wise beyond his years. It made Adam wonder exactly how old he really was. Sure, he looked seventeen, but maybe he had already learned to use RTP. Maybe he didn’t believe in aging and was much older than seventeen. Maybe even Mannie was older than he looked. Adam knew Sancha and Mel were older than Maddie.
So when did they have their kids?
A thought occurred to Adam. If Sancha and Mel were over a hundred years old and they had a ten-year-old, did that mean Maddie could still have children? And if she could, would she want to? He had always assumed he would have children when he got settled in life. But after hearing Maddie’s story he wasn’t so sure that would happen. Adam recalled Maddie saying she never wanted children with James and that James didn’t want any, either. But would she be open to having children at all? He would ask her later when the time was right.
His thoughts were interrupted when Maddie said, “Luis! You’re all grown up.”
The boy smiled confidently at Maddie as he stood and hugged her. He was definitely more reserved than his younger brother.
Luis said quietly, “Maddie, it’s so good to see you.”
To Adam he sounded sincere.
Sancha said, “Adam, I’d like you to meet Luis, our oldest.”
Luis looked at Adam for a moment, sizing him up. Then he held out his hand and said, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Adam.”
Adam shook his hand firmly and said, “Likewise.”
He sat back down and immediately began staring
