Dwight contacts me again, informing me that he can come and pick me up in about an hour. That gives me time to devise a good reason to disappear for a few hours. I don’t want Maia to know that I’m going out in search of a gem for an engagement ring, but I also don’t want to lie to her, especially with Clyde hovering around.
I go downstairs to assess the situation. Maia is sitting at the counter on her computer, and Clyde is busy with Tami. It’s now or never. I casually walk to the refrigerator to grab something to eat and rehearse a few good ‘not really a lie’ excuses in my head.
My luck improves; Clyde is in the living room attempting to soothe Tami to sleep. That should take a while. I sit down next to Maia with my breakfast. Maia doesn’t even look up. I’ll have to interrupt whatever she’s doing.
Wade: Do you remember Dwight from the baby shower?
Maia: Bri’s husband? Of course.
Husband? So, what I thought I heard was correct. Dwight and Bri are married.
Wade: Did she tell you that they were married?
Maia: No, but it becomes obvious if you talk to them long enough.
Oh, I definitely missed the opportunity.
Maia: Why, what’s up?
Wade: Dwight contacted me this morning. He needs my help with something today.
Maia: Does it have anything to do with his jewelry store?
Wade: In a way, I didn’t ask for details before agreeing to help. But it would require me to be gone for a few hours.
Maia: Is it something my father could help with, too?
The thought of Clyde accompanying me on this trip while I search for Maia’s gem makes my omelet almost sour in my stomach.
Wade: No, he should stay here with you to help with the baby. Besides, he’s here to spend time with you and Tami.
Right on cue, Clyde comes gliding through the kitchen, and I hope he didn’t overhear anything because I don’t want to explain my trip to him.
Maia: Yeah, I could use the help.
Wade: So, is it okay if I go?
Maia: Of course, I like Dwight. He makes Bri very happy. If you can help him in any way, you should.
Just what I was hoping she’d say.
I clean my dirty dish while Maia occupies herself with Luna. I send Dwight a quick text letting him know I’ll be ready to go when he arrives, feeling glad that my secret mission is in play. Then I think about my dog Hiro being stuck in the house all day, and I send Dwight another text asking if I can bring him. Of course, Dwight says yes. Moments later, he pulls up outside and Hiro and I hop in his truck. We begin the long ride to Oasis Springs.
A few hours later, Dwight pulls up at our destination, Desert Bloom Park. I put Hiro on a leash, noticing how gigantic this park is.
Wade: So, what are the chances we’ll find what we’re looking for?
Dwight: *shrugs* We won’t know until we get inside.
Wade: And you say you’ve never been in the mine before?
Dwight: No, it’s been boarded up for years.
Wade: Right. Okay, lead the way.
Dwight begins a slow jog past the playground and a small fishing pond.
Dwight: It should be this way.
We hike across the park for at least a mile before we stop at the boarded-up mine.
Dwight: This is it! It’ll take both of us to get through this.
I can see what he means. The mine is secured with several heavy-duty boards, but there isn’t a ‘no trespassing’ sign or anything indicating that we’re not allowed inside…besides, of course, the boards.
Wade: Why do you think it’s boarded up?
Dwight: Probably to keep the local kids out of it.
Wade: Do you think it’s dangerous?
Dwight: Maybe, but with the two of us watching each other’s back – we should make it to the grotto with no problem.
I’m not convinced, but I’ll do almost anything to get this gem, so I cease with the questions and begin helping Dwight get through the boards.
With some effort, we remove the last board. Then we look into the dark entrance, partially blocked with cobwebs and spiders. That’s all it takes to remind me that I dislike caves. I’m seconds away from telling Dwight to forget this whole thing and settle for a diamond engagement ring. But we’re already here, and I remind myself I must do this for Maia. Dwight isn’t nearly as hesitant. He almost seems excited to explore the cave.
Dwight: I’m going in!
Dwight disappears into the darkness, and I stand there trying to psyche myself into believing that if he can do it, I can. But my feet feel glued into place.
Dwight: *from inside the cave* Wade? Are you coming?
Dwight’s voice snaps me out of it.
Wade: Yep, on my way.
I finally step inside and whisper, ‘This is for Maia. This is for Maia.’
We follow a wide path inside the cave, making a few wrong turns to a couple of dead ends. I hold my breath or breathe through my mouth for most of the way to avoid inhaling the musty scent that threatens to unsettle my stomach at every corner. After 20 minutes, I get a crook in my neck from keeping my head low to avoid brushing the low-hanging spider webs on the ceiling where several unknown variations of spiders have decided to reside.
We eventually find an old rusty ladder with a missing rung leading to a ledge. Alone, I would never have trusted the thing to hold my weight, but after Dwight, a much bigger guy than I am, successfully climbs it, I have no choice but to follow.
At the top, we carefully walk along the narrow ledge until we step through a doorway into the dimly lit expanse of the grotto. I admit, visually, it’s a beautiful place, with large, colorful crystals peering from the top of various rocks, reflecting the rays of sunlight that have found their way through small cracks in the cavern’s roof. But it’s also dark and dank, two things that I hate. I can also imagine a thousand creepy crawlies that could suddenly decide to attack us.
The path to the cavern isn’t too treacherous, making me question why someone boarded the entrance for so long. But soon, we round a corner, and I can see one possible reason why. Several dozen bats are swarming overhead. I can already tell that I won’t be able to do this.
Wade: Oh Watcher! Are those bats??
Dwight looks up and sees them but doesn’t seem afraid.
Dwight: They won’t bother us if we don’t bother them.
That sounds like faulty logic to me because their mere presence is bothersome.
Wade: I don’t know, man. I saw this movie once where a dog got bit by a bat and turned rabid. It might not be safe to have Hiro in here with them.
I know the likelihood of something like that happening is slim, but there’s no way I’m staying in this cave, so it’s as good of an excuse as any to leave.
Dwight: Oh, I didn’t think about that. Yeah, it might be better to take him back. I’ll stay here, look for the gem, and call you when I finish.
That’s all I need to hear. I turn immediately and head back to the entrance of the grotto.
Dwight remains in the cavern alone and searches every stone he can find for the rare Plumbite gem. Since the day that he discovered that he had a passion for gemology, he’s been dying to explore this place. But until now, Dwight didn’t have the handiness skills to get inside and didn’t know enough about mining gems to attempt this. But he’s finally here, and he’s going to enjoy every minute. A few bats definitely won’t scare him away.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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