This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any real person is just proof there is a pattern to randomness in the universe. All characters are eighteen years and older.
Suzanne lay in bed beside her husband. She rolled over. "I'm worried, Bill."
Bill wasn't asleep, and he opened his eyes. "What? Worried? What are you worried about?"
"Jessi and Ryan," She whispered in the dark. "I'm worried if the tests don't come out the way they hope they'll do something..." Suzanne felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Hush." Bill reached over and put his arm around his wife. "You've nothing to worry about. I had a talk with Ryan a couple of days ago. He promised me they wouldn't do anything foolish."
"I hope so," Suzanne replied quietly. Bill's arm around her comforted her.
"I'm glad you didn't listen to your mother's advice and married me anyway." Bill kissed Suzanne softly on the cheek. "I've never regretted marrying you, not for a minute."
"I haven't either, Bill. I could never see myself being married to anyone else." Suzanne paused as she thought for a few moments.
"Do you suppose that's how Jessi and Ryan feel about each other?" Suzanne asked.
"I think it's exactly how they feel." Bill's voice was warm and soft.
---
Charlie was up before the dawn. The older he grew, the earlier he rose. His wife teased him that before long he would be getting up before he went to bed.
This was his favorite time of day. All was quiet. The slate for the new day was clean and always held promise. He gave thanks as the sun rose. He had been granted another day. Winter was almost upon them, and Charlie knew he was in the winter of his life. More and more, he looked at each day as a precious gift not to be squandered.
He thought of the two still sound asleep in the tent. His son was in the summer of his life, and Ryan in the late spring. So much lay in store for the both of them. Charlie smiled. There was no envy in him, only joy.
There were no regrets. What was the point of regretting what was already done? Charlie was well aware at times, he had made poor decisions in his life. He hoped he had learned from those choices and had tried to not make the same mistakes a second time.
Steam rose as the orange flames from the fire licked at the soot-covered coffee pot. As soon as the coffee was ready, Charlie would start cooking breakfast and wake the sleeping pair in the tent.
Charlie felt an affinity to this place. This is where his ancestors had lived. It was a link to his past. He slipped his hand inside of his shirt and felt the bear claw necklace Ryan had given him. It was another link to the past.
The aroma of brewing coffee and the sizzle as it boiled over broke Charlie's reflections. He pulled the coffee pot from the fire, opened the lid, and poured a cup of cold water into the pot to settle the grounds.
The smell of coffee and cooking bacon found its way into the tent. Ryan opened his eyes and lay there for a moment. His stomach growled and reminded him he was hungry. He pulled his pants and shirt out from beneath his sleeping bag.
Ryan wasted no time in getting dressed. The chill in the air saw to that. As he pulled his boots on, he called over to Walter. "Hey, Walt, you might want to wake up. It smells like your dad has breakfast cooking."
Walter opened his eyes and stretched. "Yeah, we better get out there, or he'll eat it all."
Charlie looked up as Ryan came out of the tent. "Good morning! Hope you slept well."
"Like a rock," Ryan replied as he stretched.
"Is Walt awake?" Charlie asked as he kept watch on the frying pan full of sizzling bacon.
Ryan nodded his head as he picked up a towel and a bar of soap. "Yeah, he's getting dressed."
The cold water sent a shock through Ryan's body as he splashed it on his face. There was no doubt he was fully awake now. He watched the steam rising from the creek as he knelt by the water. He couldn't imagine a more perfect morning. The sky was clear, the air was crisp, and the aroma of fresh coffee and bacon beckoned.
---
Norm Campbell finished his cup of coffee and looked Vincenzo. "If you have more guys coming, you need to call Tony."
Vincenzo turned from watching the rising sun. "What for?"
"I need a couple of gallons of nitric acid, and a couple bottles of mercury."
"What do you need that for?" Vincenzo was curious.
"I have some with me, but not enough for the number of people coming. The nitric acid is used to dissolve the impurities. Mercury is then added and boiled off, leaving pure gold," Norm replied. He thought for a moment and added. "Make sure his guys get steel gold pans, and not aluminum."
Vincenzo shrugged his shoulders. "Does it really make a difference in the pans?"
"Yes, the mercury reacts with the aluminum, and will end up destroying the pans, among other things," Norm explained.
The sun had fully risen by now. Both men got up from their seats at the table and put their dishes into the RV's sink.
As he pulled his coat on, Norm commented, "I'm going to head further up the creek and see what I can find."
Vincenzo picked up his camera case. "I'll be up there in a while. I want to take some pictures first."
Norm left the RV and pulled his pack from the storage bins located underneath the vehicle and began to make his way towards the stream.
After Norm was gone, Vincenzo pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed a familiar number.
"Good morning, Vincenzo." Tony answered his phone.
"Good morning, Padron." Vincenzo greeted his boss.
"I was talking with Mr. Campbell this morning. When you send the men, there are some items he asked be sent with them."
Vincenzo listed the items Norm had requested. "I have been forced to rethink our conversation of last night."
"How so?" Tony enquired.
"I think I will need Mr. Campbell until we are finished here. It seems the process of obtaining the gold may be a little more complex than I first thought."
"I trust your judgment, Vincenzo."
Norm hiked up the creek. He noticed a change in Vincenzo last night. Hank's words of warning echoed in his head. He slipped his hand into his coat pocket and felt for the weapon Hank had given him. He felt relieved to find it still there. At least Vincenzo hadn't gone through his pockets.
