by Brian
“Martin! We could make a lot of money if we do this the right way.”
“Yes, Max, we certainly could, but money isn’t the most important thing,” Martin said thoughtfully. “However, this is just what need. We shall go back to Mexico next week, and I want you to go with me, so you can meet Mr. Aguirre and his beautiful family.”
“I would like to do that very much,” Max said.
The following week, both Max and Martin made the trip to Mexico.
“Salvador, this is my brother Max. He was very excited when I told him of your business proposal.”
“I am so glad you came back. So, you found the terms of the contract agreeable?”
“Yes, we are both in agreement and are very happy and grateful to you for this business opportunity. We have signed the contract and had a solicitor witness it, so you can rest assured our signatures are valid.”
“Thank you, my friends. This arrangement indeed will be a good thing for all of us. Come, my beautiful Conchita has fixed a special dinner to celebrate this new partnership.”
Chapter 10
“Max, I can’t believe how well our business is doing! I’ll be making another trip to Mr. Aguirre to take the money we owe him. Will you be able to go with me again and this time STAY without wandering around?”
“Um, no, I am pretty busy here. You go. I’ll be fine.”
Martin was puzzled by some of Max’s actions but said nothing further. That night Martin went over the books but was unable to reconcile the numbers. After double and triple checking the numbers, he called to his brother, feeling nervous as he remembered the gleam in his brother’s eyes when they signed the contract with Salvador.
“Max, can you come here a moment, please? I need to ask you something.”
“What is it, Martin?” Max asked nervously.
“Um, these numbers don’t seem to match up. Would you happen to know anything about this? It is about $7,000.00 short.”
Scratching the back of his head again, he shuffled his feet.
“Well, um, I want to talk to you about that. I got into a bit of trouble when we were in Mexico, and Mr. Garcia sent some of his men looking for me. I had no choice. I knew we had the money and I’m sorry, but I had to use it. I’ll pay it back just as soon as I can.”
“Max!” Martin shouted, “This is our livelihood! This money you took – it’s not ours. Don’t you understand this? You had no right to do this. How are we going to explain to Mr. Aguirre why our payment is short?”
Martin furiously paced the floor.
“I…I’m sorry Martin. I’ve run into a bit of hard luck at the gambling hall lately, but it’ll change soon, I can feel it. I even won a little bit tonight!” He said with an impish grin on his face.
Martin’s ire peaked.
“No Max! It’s NOT ok. It isn’t YOU who has to explain to Salvador that we are short. You can’t do this anymore, Max.”
Max was anxious for his brother to end his tirade and did what he could to soften Martin.
“I understand, Martin. However, I must go now as I have a date with Arlene.”
“Arlene? You’re seeing her again?”
“She’s very nice, and we enjoy talking to each other.”
Feeling his anger rise again, he tried to calm himself down.
“Max, just be careful ok? Señor Garcia is probably a very dangerous man and you must stay away from him! Have you paid him all you owe him now?”
“Yes.”
Facing his brother and placing both his hands-on Max’s shoulders, he looked at him straight into the eyes.
“Good. Then promise me you won’t contact him anymore, Max. Promise me!”
“Um, ok, Martin, I promise I won’t see Señor Garcia again.” He crossed his fingers behind his back just like he did as a child.
After Max left, Martin carefully stowed away the books and paperwork, then went to bed, nervous about what he was going to tell Salvador.
Three days later, upon his arrival, Susanna greeted him with a big hug.
“Martin! I am happy to see you again!”
Pulling back, Martin admired her beauty.
“Susanna, you have gotten so beautiful since the last time I saw you! How old are you now?”
“I am 12 years old,” she said proudly, taking his hand and leading him into the hacienda.
“Papi! Martin is here!”
“Ah, Martin, it is good to see you again mi amigo!”
Grinning and shaking his hand, Martin said, “It is also good to see you again!”
Turning to Conchita, Martin said, “Señora, you grow more beautiful each time I see you.”
Blushing, she said, “Gracias, Seň̃or.”
“Salvador, you are a fortunate man to have such a beautiful family!”
“Si, Señor, I love them all very much. Shall we go to the patio to talk business?”
Salvador and Martin walked out onto the patio with Susanna in tow.
“Susanna, por favor, nos dejas por un rato, tenemos negocios para atender.”
“Si Papi! I shall go now.” Looking back, she waved. “Hasta luego, Martin!”
“I told her we had business to attend to,” Salvador said. “She would make a good wife for someone, like you perhaps? She talks about you all the time.”
Laughing, Martin said, “I told you before she is much too young for me. But I can’t believe how much she has grown up since I was here last. She is lovely.”
Martin knew he had to tell Salvador what Max had done. Swallowing hard, he took a deep breath as the smile faded from his face.
“Salvador, before we go any further, I have something to tell you. I was going over the books last night, and they didn’t match up. I spoke to my brother about it, and he confessed to borrowing against the bank to repay a debt to Señor Garcia. I wasn’t aware of this until yesterday, and we are short on what we are giving to you. I promise I’ll repay you as soon as I can. I am very sorry.”
Salvador was thoughtful for a moment. “It is ok. You are a good man, and I trust you. Don’t worry about it. But I am concerned for your brother. Señor Garcia is a dangerous man. He won’t hesitate to kill anyone who owes him even one peso.”
After going over the books for several minutes, Salvador turned to Martin.
“You are doing well, my friend. I can see that you are managing your loans very carefully and are making sound business decisions.”
“Salvador, I take care of my things as you do. I enjoy working and doing business with you, and I am sorry for my brother’s shortcomings. He is a good man, perhaps a bit misguided at times, but a good man. I’ll pay you back what is short.”
“All is well, Martin. I am unconcerned about it. No te preoccupes - don't worry about it.”
Martin breathed a sigh of relief.
That night at supper, Martin was aware of Susanna smiling the whole time. She wouldn’t take her eyes off him. They talked about what it was like living in Texas and Mexico. Salvador asked Martin if he had found a woman.
“No,” he said. “The right woman has not come around yet, and besides, I am much too busy right now.”
“Perhaps,” Salvador said, “my daughter would make a good wife for you someday, no?”
“PAPI!” Susanna cried loudly. Glowing red with embarrassment she quickly got up and ran to her room.
“Oh, Salvador, you have been pushing her toward me since I met her! I keep telling you, she is much too young for me.”
“Perhaps she is now, but remember that age is just a number, my friend.”
Changing the subject, Martin addressed Conchita.
“Conchita, you have outdone yourself. Dinner was wonderful, and I thank you for your hospitality once again. I am afraid that I must leave tomorrow, as I can’t stay longer.”
“Thank you, Martin, you are very kind. We enjoy your visits so much.”
Making a sweeping gesture with his hand, Salvador, said to Martin, “You know where your room is, Martin. Susanna made
it up fresh upon your arrival.”
Susanna returned, composed from her embarrassment.
“Susanna, will you please help your mother clear the table and clean up? Martin and I have some more business to attend to before he leaves in the morning.”
“Si, Papi. I will help mama.”
Turning to Martin, Salvador stretched out his arm and gently put it on Martin’s shoulders as they walked outside.
“I am sorry if I embarrassed you around Susanna. I think she would make a fine wife someday, even though she is just twelve years old.”
Martin looked at Salvador straight in the eye.
“Susanna is quite beautiful, but as I have told you, she is much too young for me. I am twenty-eight years old, and she is just twelve. But she is extremely smart, and with her beauty, she’ll find the perfect husband for her one day. Good night, Salvador,” Martin said.
“Buenos notches amigo.”
Over the next several months Martin made many trips to Mexico. On one such visit, Martin arrived at the hacienda to find Salvador very upset.
“What is bothering you, my friend?” Martin asked.
“Conchita has been very ill for the last few days, and the doctor says her sickness has moved into her lungs. She isn’t getting better, and I am worried about her. “
“I am sorry, mi amigo. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”
Martin didn’t see her that visit, and two weeks later when he arrived back at the hacienda, everything was draped in black, and he was overcome with emotion when the door swung open, and Susanna ran into his arms with tear-stained cheeks.
“Mama has gone to heaven. She left us two nights ago. Oh, Martin, I am so sad. I don’t know what to do. Papa has not come out of his room since yesterday, and I am worried about him.”
With tears welling up in his eyes, Martin looked at Susanna.
“I am so sorry for your loss, and I know that she is up in heaven rejoicing with the angels, and one day you will see her again. As for your papa, let him rest for a few days. He loved your mama very much and will miss her. In a few days’ time, he will come out and make sure that his family is taken care of.”
“Thank you, Martin. Your words make me feel better,” Susanna said as she hugged him.
Martin had intended to leave the next morning but chose to stay longer after hearing Salvador talking nonsense late into the evening. Hearing a loud crash, Martin had run into the room to make sure all was ok and found Salvador lying on the floor in a drunken stupor.
“She is gone, Martin. What will I do without my Conchita? I have loved her for more years than I can count.” Salvador mumbled and put his face into his hands.
“Salvador, I am sorry for your loss. With permission, I’ll stay for a few days to help you with your business needs. You need to rest, and you must stay away from the drink. It won’t help.”
Martin was very busy over the next week. During the days, he would tend to Salvador’s business. Then each night after supper, Martin would go for a walk with one of Salvador’s children. He knew they were grieving and needed to talk about what had happened. Then, afterward, he would speak with Salvador about Conchita until late at night, stopping only when Salvador fell asleep.
A week later, Salvador came out of his room dressed, and ready for business. He walked over to Martin and hugged him.
“Thank you for all you have done for my family and me over these past few days. You have been a Godsend, and I am forever grateful to you. Last night Conchita came to me and told me I had to get up and take care of our family before I wasted away to nothing. So here I am, ready to work again.”
Grinning at his friend, Martin put his hand on Salvador’s shoulder.
“It is good to see you back, amigo. I’m glad to have had this time with you and the children. I’ll go prepare my things.”
The next morning, Martin hugged everybody, climbed into the coach, and readied himself for the long bumpy ride back to the train station.
Chapter 11
Back home, Martin was very busy with his own business. He had made many trips to Salvador and his farm to discuss their business further. Every time he saw Susanna, he couldn’t help but see how she was growing up into a beautiful woman. His thoughts often went back to the all the conversations he had with Salvador, they had always ended with the remark that Susanna would make a wonderful wife for him. He always answered that she was too young for him.
When he was back in Texas his mind would constantly drift back to Susanna and her family. Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind? She was stunning and smart and would be an asset in helping him with his business, but there was still the matter of her age. Salvador had once said that age is but a number, he had also told Martin that he had been twenty-two years older than Conchita and they had enjoyed their marriage from the beginning. That made Martin think again of Susanna.
Max interrupted his thought when he came into the office.
“Oh, hi Max, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to discuss the potential loan you wrote up for Mr. Jones. You say he’s asking for a hefty loan of $3000.00 that would be used for the purchase of additional livestock and to make improvements to his property. He also desires to pay off his farm, do you really think it’s a good risk?
“Well, brother, it’s a hefty amount, but I do think it’s a good risk, I think we should do it. We do have the money, right?”
“Yes Max, we do have the money. But that’s also something I want to ask you. The books aren’t balancing again. Care to tell me why?”
Max reached to the back of his head and scratched it.
“Uh oh,” Martin said. “Every time you scratch the back of your head, you are in trouble again.”
“Well, um, Señor Garcia was after me again, threatening to break my legs if I didn’t pay him.”
“Max! You promised to stay away from that man! Even Salvador said that he is a very dangerous man. I am worried about you! How much did you take this time?”
“About $20,000.00.”
“Damn it, Max!” Martin said as he slammed his fist on the table as he stood up. “I told you before that money doesn’t belong to us - it belongs to Salvador! Now I must tell him, again, what has happened! How fair is that Max? You’ve given me no choice. I’m going to change the code to the safe, so you can’t get into it anymore!”
“Hey, wait a moment. That money is as much mine as yours!”
“No, Max. It isn’t,” Martin said as his eyes flashed with anger. “You’ve done this for the last time! We’ve worked too hard for too long to have you drive it into the ground. Besides, you’re already in debt nearly $40,000!”
Suddenly, Max began grinning uncontrollably.
“There’s nothing funny about this, Max! Don’t you ever take anything seriously?”
“I’m sorry, brother, but when that vein in your neck begins throbbing, I can’t help it!”
Martin's hand went to his neck and began tracing the vein with his fingertips. He didn’t know if he should laugh, cry, or kill his brother.
“Martin, I have some good news! It seems that I’m getting married!”
Martin stopped dead in his tracks, suddenly forgetting about his anger with Max.
“Married? You are getting married? Is it Arlene?”
Max laughed at the sudden change in his brother.
“No. A few months ago Arlene and I decided we were better off as friends than anything else. One night as I was dropping her off at her house, who should come out, but the loveliest woman I have ever seen. We fell for each other on the spot. She is Arlene’s sister, Collette. Anyway, things got a little more heated than we intended and, well, now she is, um, pregnant. Both our parents are all for us getting married, so in four days’ time I would like you to be my best man at my wedding.”
Martin became momentarily serious.
“Max, you must stay away from Señor Garcia now. It is your responsibility to take care of your future wife and baby. I won’t
keep bailing you out of trouble. Please, please promise you will stay away from that cantina in Mexico, as well as the gambling hall here. Your family depends on you now. And yes, I’ll be happy to be your best man!”
Max cast a look down at his feet as he uneasily shifted. Then, looking up at Martin, he smiled.
“You’re right, brother. My family is more important than anything to me. I’m going to stay away from that life so that I can provide for my new family.”
Martin, looking Max up and down, broke into a big grin and slapped Max on the shoulder.
“Married, huh?”
Max and Collette married in a simple, but beautiful ceremony. Both sets of parents were in attendance, and both approved of their new in-law. Collette, however, knew nothing of Max’s money problems or gambling habits, and her parents saw Max as the co-owner of a very successful bank. They were also delighted to have a grandbaby on the way.
Martin was going over the books when he noticed a spike in the number of loans defaulting. One loan in particular, was making him quite disturbed. It was a loan for $3000.00 to a rancher who wanted to make improvements to his ranch, including the purchase of additional assets. The loan had been made to a Mr. Jones almost six months ago and no payments had ever been made on it. Martin decided to ride by the property and check it out. What he found was both shocking and disturbing. The dilapidated ranch, long abandoned, had a sagging porch, broken windows, broken fences and old stables. The place wasn’t even fit for the vagrants who occasionally frequented the town. He recalled a conversation he had had with Max. They had been discussing the loans and Max had assured him that the improvements were in process on this property. Martin was sure it was the same loan.
Upon returning to the office, Martin pulled the loan file. As he was reviewing it, Max showed up.
“Hey Mart, I want to talk to you about one of the loans we made. Our client, Mr. Jones, tells me that the improvements are being made and wishes to have an extension for another $1500.00.”
Martin then understood what was happening, although he didn’t wish to believe it. Choosing his next words carefully, he confronted Max.
