Abraham Lincoln

"You cannot escape responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

Among the Oil Derricks: Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Emilie made one last attempt to convince Derek to come up the natural entrance.

“Nope, elevator is good for me,” Derek’s hands were in his pockets and he was very sure.

“Okay, let’s go,” Emilie shrugged and followed by Drake went to the entrance of the hike.

“She is wonderful, isn’t she?” he thought, “One of a kind… maybe I should’ve-”

“Derek Walker?” a voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Yes?” he turned to face three teen girls.

“Can we have your autograph, please! Here’s a pen and our notebooks!”

“Sure, what’s your names?” Derek took the pen and began to sign as if undisturbed, but truly it was beginning to become irritating to be recognized and stopped everywhere even if it did buy him favors.

When he went up the elevator he was amused by another ranger tale. This one was a rhyming on that the ranger who operated the elevator memorized in a dramatic tone. He told of a bat the flew into his house and how the children screamed with fright and the aunt tried to cause the bat to take flight by waving a broom but only succeeding in upsetting the food. Finally he stepped in and let the bat out with a shout of blessing for a peaceful flight into the night begging him not to cause a anyone else such a fright and finding itself in such a plight again.

When he reached the first floor he began to browse the exhibits again. “You know there are at least 118 limestone caves in the Guadalupe Mountains?” a ranger asked him.

“Sorry, no,” Derek laughed awkwardly.

“Not many do, they just think about the main cave, but there are many more that have not even been found yet,” the ranger told him good naturedly before walking on.

“The Guadalupe Mountains used to be an ancient reef at the edge of an inland sea?” Derek read out loud to himself, “Hmm… an uplifted reef during the Permiam time. Now it’s a dessert, who knew?”

“Funny how everything was once under water, but it couldn’t have possibly been a worldwide flood,” the voice of Emilie mentioned behind him, “Oh no, just a bunch of local floods repetitive over a thousand years to explain the effect.” Derek turned to see here grinning. “Oh well, we can’t win them all, can we? We’ll just have to owe up that coincidence seems to be the ruling factor in science these days. And I thought believe in God was crazy.” Her light voice was lightly sarcastic, but not at all hurtful.

“It does seem a bit extreme, doesn’t it?” Derek admitted, referring to the evolutionary belief.

“Oh don’t mind me,” Emilie waved her hand, “I just get annoyed with some of the science suppositions out there. But, seriously, it’s true. A bit far fetched some of what they say.”

Derek chuckled, “What tour are we doing next?”

“I thought we could do a hike instead. I’ve never done Juniper Ridge. Do you want to do that?”

“Sure.”

“Drake, you want to come with? Would the Carlyle’s be alright with that?”

“I’m here on my own,” Drake replied, “I’m old enough.”

“Really?” Emilie asked, “Well then, that’s great!” Her voice tinged with doubt, but it was obvious that if she were going to pursue the matter, she intended to do it at a different time.

Drake spent an exhilarating day with Derek and Emilie hiking and exploring. For the first time in a long while, he felt happy. He was doing what he had always wished he could. But the day had to end and it did, grey and rainy. Derek and Emilie kept their spirits up as they hiked down the path back to the car, but Drake was concerned about where he would sleep that night. He gazed around him. The clouds didn’t show any sign of going away and looked to have a plethora of water. When they reached the parking lot he wasn’t any closer to knowing what to do. Emilie still had the rental car and had decided to keep it for a couple days before returning it.

“Drake, do you need a place to stay tonight?” Derek asked after she had driven away.

“Umm…” could he trust him? He didn’t really want to sleep outside that night. “Yes.”

“Why don’t you come over to my hotel room?” Derek offered, “You can sleep on the couch.”

“Sure,” Drake shrugged.

“I’m headed out right now, my car is right over here,” Derek walked over to his care, “Coming?”

“Oh, yeah,” Drake climbed in on the passenger side. He didn’t say much as they drove to the hotel.

“So, I heard -” Derek began, but deciding that was not a good subject to bring up went in another direction, “So, what brings you to the caves?” He didn’t feel very confident about that subject either, but he had to say something.

Drake shrugged, “I just wanted to see them.”

“So,” Derek brought up slowly, “you came and you don’t have a place to stay.” Drake nodded. Derek cringed to bring up the topic he felt was sure to not be wanted, but he had to know. It was his dreaded responsibility as an adult to ask.  “Does… did Mrs. Carlyle let you come.”

Drake was quiet for awhile. Now was his turn to struggle with his words and how to express what he wanted to. “I’m taking a break from foster care for a little.” He could have hit himself. That was a stupid thing to say.

“Oh really?” Derek asked.

“I’m almost thirteen, maybe I am already, I think I can take care of myself for awhile,” Drake said defensively.

“Oh yes, of course,” Derek did not say it mockingly, but it was obvious he did not agree. “You know,” he continued, “I think I know what you’re going through. We all go through it when we are coming of age, so to speak. You just need some time, that’s all.”

Drake stared at Derek. He didn’t seem to intend to say anything more. That was all? Nothing more about what he should do or why he shouldn’t do what he was doing? Even though Drake was glad, it just didn’t sit right in his stomach. Was it wise of an adult to just let a kid rely on his own wisdom? Or do his own thing?

Derek himself was having some second thoughts, but even though he was not the child expert like Emilie nor had he really worked with broken kids, he could tell Drake was in a fragile time and he didn’t want to make a move until he was sure of it. He was not confident of his authority and wanted to gain it rather than assume it, even if it was his. At the moment, he knew all of Drake’s authorities other than perhaps the Carlyles had just assume control over his life without proving their willingness to acknowledge him as an individual with individual needs.

A few minutes later they reached the The Trinity Hotel & Restaurant. “Do you want to go to the room or the restaurant first?” Derek asked. Drake shrugged. “Okay, room first, we’ll drop off your backpack and then get a table at the restaurant,” Derek decided. Drake felt very uncomfortable. The hotel was a very expensive hotel and the restaurant menu was very posh. Even though Derek told him to order anything, Drake felt a tinge of guilt at ordering anything over ten dollars. He was more at ease when the actor bought himself a twenty dollar meal not including the drink. Still, he felt very self-conscious. After they had had dinner they went back up to the room.

“The couch is actually very comfortable,” remarked Derek unlocking the hotel door. “I would’ve rented rooms for two if I knew I’d have a guest, but oh well.”

“It’s fine,” Drake sat down with a plop. It was comfortable.

“Drake!” called Derek . Drake turned and Derek tossed some blankets at him. They landed on his head. Derek laughed. Drake pulled them off. He was smiling. “There we go, that’s a nice smile,” Derek nodded, “It looks good on you.” Rather than being offended, Drake actually felt his heart warm. He liked Derek. “You know, if you want, I’ll take you back to the caverns again tomorrow. We are going on some more cave explorations, Emilie and I. I’ll pay for you if you care to come along and I’m sure Emilie won’t mind. She likes you. Sometimes I think she likes you more than me.” Derek smiled ruefully, “What do you say?”

“Sure!” Drake replied eagerly. For a moment he forgot about his purpose of coming in the excitement of a chance to do what he had always wanted to. Besides, he could keep his eye out and do just as well, he told himself. He might have slept peacefully that night if he had trusted Derek, but he was too worried and afraid that they seeped into his dreams, and his night was again restless.

“Drake! Drake!” a hushed voice whispered, shaking him. Drake tossed and aimlessly through his arm at the voice. “Fine, I’ll leave you here.” The voice registered as Derek’s in Drake’s mind and he recalled last night.

“Wait!” he cried sitting up rubbing his eyes and running his fingers through his hair, “Wait! I’m awake!”

“Were you awake that whole time?” asked Derek , putting on his coat. Drake shook his head. “Okay, well, I’m ready, so get dressed and brush your hair. I’m supposed to meet Emilie there at eight. It’s seven thirty. I figured you could get ready within fifteen minutes, right?” Drake nodded and dragged himself out of bed. Half of him wanted to climb back onto the couch and throw the covers over his head but the other half was grateful to be awake and aways from those spiteful dreams.

“There you are!” Emilie greeted them when they came into the building.

“Sorry we’re late,” apologized Derek .

“Oh, no, I was just early,” Emilie waved her hand, “it’s only five after. That’s not bad at all, not as bad as I used to be until running late actually started to have consequences.” Drake noticed as her book trilogy bracelet slid up and down her arm.

“I need to go the restroom before we go,” he mentioned, “I forgot to at the hotel.”

“Sure, we’ll wait here,” said Derek.

“So, what’s up with him?” inquired Emilie when he was gone.

“He’s going through a rough time and is taking a break from it all,” replied Derek, “he had no place last night so I let him stay in my hotel room and invited him to come with us. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“I don’t!” insisted Emilie, “Just surprised to see him, that’s all. He’s running away?” Derek shrugged. “Okay.”

“Emilie, don’t worry,” Derek smiled encouragingly. He resisted the urge to take her hand knowing she’d reject it, “It is only for a little. I’m sure he’ll get over it soon and then we’ll take him back and if not, it’s not my fault.”

“What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

“I mean I am not going to force him to do anything,” replied Derek, “he’s not ready for that.”

“I agree,” Emilie nodded, “but eventually you might have to, if he doesn’t come around soon. Sometimes things in the real world get complicated and we have to sacrifice feels for facts, intuition for principles.”

“I don’t know about that,” Derek hesitated. His hands sought for his pockets.

“Derek, ‘I don’t think we’re in “Hollywood” anymore,’” Emilie smiled good naturedly, but he could see what she was saying. He put his hands in his pockets uncomfortably. “We live in a flawed world, if we all followed what we felt like was right, we might not be right. It is safer to follow principles. Principles are not laws!” Derek still looked hesitant. Emilie pressed a little farther, “If the truth gets hard to swallow, what are you going to do?” Now Derek looked very uncomfortable. “Okay, let’s put it this way,” Emilie tried a new approach, “Derek, why are you here?”

“I’m wanting to find a new and better way of life than before, one that is more real and meaningful,” Derek answered easily.

“And how will you do that when trials and temptations come?” she asked, “If you don’t have a foundation, a moral belief and relationship with God, if you aren’t willing to accept the absolute truth even when it doesn’t yet sit right with you, how can you sort out the right path?” Derek had no answer. “The Bible is like a roadmap so we won’t be confused by our close-up view, thestreet names or area looks. His word won’t lose it’s way and is like a lighthouse in a storm to guide us when we don’t know and to correct us when we think we do.”

“Okay,” Derek was willing to work with that.

“Do you still have bridges back to Hollywood?”

“You know I do, so do you.”

Emilie nodded looking at him searchingly, “This isn’t your fault, but I’ll throw it out. Often times God can’t move us forward if we don’t fully trust Him. If we keep a back way or plan B doors open, that means we don’t trust Him enough. Honestly, now, I’m talking more to myself than to you. Oh, there is so much to work on and so little life to work on it with. Oh well… we do what we can. I wonder when Drake will be back.”

Derek tried to follow her attempt to brighten the subject, but in truth he was discouraged. He knew that in the back of his mind, if his plan didn’t work out, he could always go back to acting. He still referred to himself as an actor. Would he turn back at the first sign of real trouble or would he hang on to see it through and reach the end of the tunnel? He had come so far already, he couldn’t turn back, could he?

Meanwhile, Drake had hurried off to the bathroom. After washing his hands, he stepped out again. There was not many people around so when he heard an oddly familiar voice he was able to listen. “Hello? Yes… I’m here… I’m in a safe place, yes… No, there is no way we could pull an operation this big secretly, not in this place… one catch… our operation may throw off the delicate balance of the caves, permanently scarring them… not a problem, sir… I will take care of… yes, I will locate him, I saw him earlier… bye.”

Drake froze. What was he saying? Staying in the shadows, he watched as the man emerged. Drake took in a sharp breath. Where had he seen him before, where? He searched his memory but could not remember.

The man was a tall man in a suit causing him to stand out amidst the tourists there to hike. He had a scowl that didn’t seem to go away even when he smiled or pretended to be polite. His dark hair was of medium length. His voice was deep and unsettling. There was nothing of warmth or good in his air, only a cold, off-distance sort of essence. He was one of the men he had seen at the house.

The man’s eyes roved across the people passively until fixing his eyes on Drake. Their eyes met. He gave him a grim smile and nod to which Drake was unresponsive and walked away as though satisfied. Drake debated following him, but when he saw him go out into the parking lot, decided against it and instead went to find Emilie and Derek. The thought to tell them never even entered his mind.

“The tour we are going on today is the Left Hand Tunnel,” told Emilie when he returned, “It is one of the more advanced hikes and we carry lanterns!”

“Sounds difficult, climbing through caves carrying our own lights,” remarked Derek.

“It is,” Drake confirmed with animation, “but not very. It can get difficult taking pictures because you only have one available hand, but it is very enjoyable and you get to be closer to the caves.”

“You know a lot.”

“I like caves.”

“So do I,” Emilie grinned, her white teeth shining, “but let’s hurry, we’ll be late!”

Drake tried to forget about what he had heard so he could enjoy the tour, but it was not possible. He could not stop thinking about it. Emilie and Derek were not too engaged in the tour to notice, but they said nothing.

“So, Drake, how did you enjoy the tour?” Derek asked, dropping his backpack onto the floor of the hotel room that evening.

“Which one?”

“Any of them, or all,” replied Derek .

“I liked it very much - wish I hadn’t been so distracted.” This last part Drake thought.

“Did you have a favorite?” Drake shook his head.

“Why haven’t you been to caves before, any caves?” Drake asked, suddenly curious about why Derek seemed to have a particular lack of knowledge in that area.

Derek laughed awkwardly, “Can you keep a secret?” Drake nodded. “I have always had a phobia of caves.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but when I found out about how much Emilie liked the caves, I couldn’t say no when she invited me to see them. I can’t tell you how much my heart was beating when we climbed down the natural entrance, but once I was down there it was no problem. How long have you been interested in caves?”

“Since I came to the Carlyles,” Drake replied, “I’ve always found them interesting, but not as much as I was when I came.”

“You’re twelve, right?”

“I think I’m thirteen,” Drake answered.

“Really? Why?” Drake’s surliness didn’t ruffle Derek, to his own surprise.

Drake paused and looked at Derek searchingly then as if deciding he was clear answered with, “When I was very young, my mom once came home with some oreos, ice cream, and a box of cake. She put them on the table and told me she supposed it was my birthday. She didn’t seem sure, but then she did the math in her head and checked a calendar and nodded. ‘Yep, today's your birthday, Drake,’ she said to me, ‘Today you are seven years old, my, you are getting so old. Well, here are the things for your birthday. I’m no cook, so you’ll have to bake your own cake. Ice cream goes in the fridge. I’ll be back in an hour. Don’t burn the house down.’”

“You were seven and she let you bake your birthday cake on your own?” inquired Derek incredulously. A moment later he could have bit his tongue.

Drake appeared coolly offended and even betrayed because of Derek’s open surprise. “Yes and I made it, too. It was good, even my dad liked it.”

“Your dad?” Derek tried to return to a calm manner and make Drake forget his past reaction. Drake nodded. “I was not - I didn’t realize you knew him.”

“There is a lot you don’t know about me.” mentioned Drake edgily.

“I never thought that wasn’t true,” interjected Derek quickly. Drake didn’t say anything. “What’s your birthdate, then?”

“January 3rd.”

Derek couldn’t conduce a conversation after that, but he didn’t give up talking to his guest even if he would get no reply. Drake couldn’t help but appreciate it as well as feel annoyance. Derek’s persistence was making him feel bad for being so stubborn. An hour later the actor retired to bed and Drake sat dully on the couch. He was now in a down mood.

What if Derek was just being nice long enough to tell the police? Surely he frustrated him when he wasn’t responding. But if that were the case, why didn’t he just call. No, he seemed trustworthy. Now that that’s that, what about that strange man he’ll call Horace for now. Who was he really? What did he want? Why did he seem so satisfied when he saw Drake? He had to know! Excitement prevented Drake from sleeping as did dread of fitful dreams. Finally he decided that he would wake up before dawn and slip away before Derek woke. He would find a ride back to the caverns and just be careful to avoid the actor and actress. How hard could that be? In a more of a feigned peace than actual peace, Drake managed to fall asleep. It was the first restful sleep he had had in awhile and mostly because he forced himself to rest.

Anonymous

"Some people are so poor money all they have is money."

Among the Oil Derricks: Chapter 4

                                                                     CHAPTER 4

 “Derek, are you kidding me? You didn’t fill up on gas?” Emilie asked incredulously. Derek shrugged sheepishly. “We are twenty miles away from the Carlyle’s and nearly thirty from Carlsbad Caverns!”

“I guess we better walk fast,” Derek suggested shallowly.

Emilie scoffed, “Look, there is a truck coming. Let’s wave him down. Go ahead, Derek.” Derek took his hands out of his pocket, where his hands usually were when he was uncomfortable or very comfortable, and waved at the truck. Emilie did, too. To their relief, the driver stopped.

“Need some help?”

“Gas.”

“Don’t have that in spare with me, but you two can ride along, my ranch is just a mile down the road. I could get you some there.”

“Thanks, we’d appreciate it.” Derek and Emilie climbed in.

“Aren’t you that famous actor, Derek Walker or something and Emilie Lawyer… Larry…” the man fumbled for the name.

“Lawrence,” she offered.

“That’s right, my children are huge fans of your, as is my wife,” he told them.

Derek and Emilie chuckled. “Are they home?” Emilie asked.

“Sure are,” the man laughed as he imagined their reaction when they saw two celebrities walk in, “I hope you don’t mind getting help from some crazed fans, that’s how my daughters are. I believe they call it fangirling or some sort of nonsense, but I suppose we all did something of that sort of ludicrous when we were young, or I was young, anyhow.”

“It’s a youth thing,” Emilie grinned, “but it is important to set our eyes on real things, because celebrities don’t live forever and they aren’t perfect, either.”

“Perhaps you ought to tell ‘em that,” the man suggested, “they don’t seem to listen to me when I tell them.”

“Maybe I will,” Emilie agreed cheerfully.

They were soon pulling up into a long driveway about a quarter a mile long. At the end was a little farmhouse. “I’m home and I have guests,” the father shouted stepping inside.

“Hello, Daddy - Oh my goodness!” a young girl walked in, “Hi!”

“Hi, what’s your name?” Emilie asked.

“Mandy,” the girl breathed, “What - what are you doing… I mean.”

“We ran out of gas,” Emilie told her shortly, glancing at Derek who rolled his eyes good naturedly.

“Oh boy! Cowboy Ricky Roy!” a little boy ran in, “I can’t believe it it is!” Derek laughed. That was one of the more child friendly characters he had played. “Oh, and it’s Liza, the perttiest girl in the west! Ain’t it? See, I can even talk like you,” the little boy exclaimed.

“Well, isn’t that so.” Emilie ruffled his hair, “Now, how ‘bout some gas, cowboy? Like a horse needs hay, cars need gas.”

“Ain’t that the truth!” the little boy quoted from the movie proudly.

“It’s in the garage, let me get it,” the rancher went out into the garage.

“Ooh, Cathy will be so mad!” Mandy laughed, “She wanted to go out with friends, but Mama said she shouldn’t, but she insisted, so Mom gave in. I bet Mom will say ‘I told you so.’”

“Funny how things work, aren’t it,” Derek murmured.

“Got yer gas, I’ll drive you out again,” the rancher returned. Emilie and Derek followed him to the truck. Mandy and David, the little boy, waved as they left, each with their autographs in hand.

When they finally reached the car there wasn’t any car.  “Emilie I gave you the keys,” Derek mentioned casually.

Emilie grimaced fingering her compass necklace, “Yes, you did, my bad. I think I left it in there.”

“Well, aren’t we a responsible pair?” Derek sounded exasperated, “I have my cell with me, you?” Emilie nodded regretfully. “I’ll call… someone. Hey, Mr. I’m sorry we never did ask your name.”

“Joe Morgan.”

“Mr. Morgan, do you know a taxi business around here we might call?”

“Not off the top of my head,” he shook his head, “Tell you what, I have spare room at my house and I am sure one of my kids would be willing to give up their room to be able to say a famous person slept in it. You can stay at my place and we can take care of everything in the morning, but we’d best call the police now.”

“Good idea,” Derek began to dial.

“Thank you so much,” Emilie thanked him, “I am so sorry for causing so much trouble. I am being honest when I say we hate to intrude.”

“It really is no problem, I’d do the same for anybody, famous or no,” Mr. Morgan smiled.

“I have no doubt!”

“They’re on their way,” Derek slipped his phone into his pocket.

The police came, Derek gave them the description of his car and it’s license plate. They officers said it shouldn’t be too hard to track down such an expensive car a bit surprised that anyone could be so careless. Afterward they went back to Mr. Morgan’s home, much to his kids’ delight. Mandy gave her room up for Emilie and slept on the living room couch. The next morning they called the police office. The secretary told them that they were tracing it and would hopefully find the blue corvette. It was not until that evening it was found, miles away. The culprits had been apprehended. Derek and Emilie rented a car and drove all the way back to the border of Texas to pick up the car.

Emilie had to admit. Derek was a very good sport about it. It was, after all, his car that she had lost and he hadn’t said a word about it until they had finally got it back. Even then he didn’t say much except he was glad to have it back and he knew better than to hand his keys to her again. The latter was of course jokingly, but Emilie promised herself never to ask or offer, either. She felt very badly about the whole thing.

Four days spent, they were finally on their way back to Carlsbad Caverns. Driving leisurely, it took them two days to finally arrive. It was dark, so they didn’t stop by the caverns, instead they found themselves a hotel to check into for the night.

“This looks good.” Derek pointed out the Trinity Hotel and Restaurant.

“You can spend the money,” replied Emilie, “I am going to stay at a cheaper hotel.”

“Then at least have dinner with me,” insisted Derek.

“Umm…” Emilie thought about it.

“On me, anywhere you like, though I’ve heard the restaurant here is really good,” tempted Derek.

Emilie chuckled, “Fine and I’ll even take your advice and say we should go here.”

“Great,” Derek climbed out of the car and opened her side of the door before she could climb out. She smiled without meeting his gaze. She felt her cheeks flush just a little and hoped in vain they didn’t show, but nothing could be missed by Derek’s searching eyes.

Emilie asked for a small meal, but Derek insisted she have anything she liked. It was against her nature, she grew up always trying to be conservative especially on someone else’s dime, but finally she ordered what she really wanted. Actually, Derek ordered what she really wanted for her, because he knew what she wanted. Her acceptance was that she didn’t protest. For himself, he ordered a very high priced wine. Emilie laughed and told him he had very good taste and they toasted to their finally making it to Carlsbad Caverns.

“Well, now that we are done, can you admit that that wasn’t so hard?” Derek asked as they left.

“What do you mean?” Emilie looked at him oddly, cocking her head so that her hair hung down at one side very lovely like, Derek thought.

“You are always very inexpensive when you are given a choice of gift,” he told her, stopping and facing her, “even when you have a very rich donor. You don’t have to be that way.”

“I don’t want to spoil myself,” Emilie pushed past him with a tolerant but amused smile, “and I don’t want anyone, least of all you or myself, to think I only hang around for your money. That would be horrible.”

“What are you saying?” Derek grinned playfully.

“I am saying, and I’ll be honest about it, I’m saying I like you for who you are,” Emilie held his gaze very seriously, “and I don’t like using money like it’s a - toy or something. It is something to be valued and treated respectfully. Not for money’s sake, but for friendship sake. I don’t know how to explain it. But money makes things all complicated.”

“In other words, it would disturb you greatly to think I thought you only liked me for my money?” Derek followed Emilie leisurely.

“I hope you never think that,” replied Emilie reaching for the car handle. Derek jumped forward and opened for her.

“I don’t think that, I promise,” he swore.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said as he climbed in on the other side, “I am very grateful.”

“It was nothing.”

Emilie glanced down as though that was not the answer she had hoped for. “I know,” she smiled a little, “that’s what makes it so hard to express my appreciation. No matter how little it is to you, I am grateful, and thank you. It was a very nice treat and a very nice treat to spend it with you.”

Derek didn’t dare trust himself to say anything. Emilie was being serious and giving him a lot by saying all this. She wasn’t inviting him to proceed into anything more and she was closing the door to playfullness. So rather than ruin it by saying something stupid or trying to go too fast, he asked her where he should take her.

“The hotel across the street from where I parked the rental car,” she replied. He nodded compliantly.

“I saw you take the piece of paper with you from the table, what’d it say?”

“Oh, it just said,” Emilie took the little slip out and read it, “‘Before you can see the light, you have to deal with darkness.’ It was from the waiter.”

“Hmm… not too encouraging,” Derek remarked.

“Not if you aren’t in darkness, but when you are, I think it would be very encouraging,” replied Emilie.

“Eh, true. Oh, here you are.”

“Thanks,” Emilie climbed out. 
The next morning Derek came and picked Emilie up and they drove to the caves.

“So this is where you want to work?” Derek shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around. They were in the main building over the caves.

“Yes,” Emilie nodded, “It’s great!”

“I’m sure I’ll agree with you once I see it,” Derek agreed, “I bet you know a lot about the caves.”

“Sure do.”

“Tell you what, I’ll take care of your ticket for the tours,” he offered.

“Thanks, but I have money to pay for myself,” Emilie protested.

“But I’m also paying for a guide who can explain it all to me and will be perfectly patient when I ask for a repeat if I pay for you,” Derek replied.

“Okay, then,” Emilie laughed, “Let’s start over here before we go down.”

“Sure.”

“You know we are taking the natural entrance, right?”

“The what? I thought they had elevators.”

“They do, but I want to take the natural entrance. It’s a hike, but we can do it. Up and down.”

“Down and up?” Derek asked surprised.

“Yes.” Emilie was skeptical that Derek would do it, but she tried to pretend she knew he would.

“I’ll down, not up,” Derek told her shortly, shoving his hands in his pockets. There was a smile hidden behind her firm face.

“Der-”

“Down, not up,” he answered.

Emilie laughed causing her honey-comb necklace to shake, “Oh fine! But that’s not going to stop me from using the natural entrance up, too.”

“Oh yes it is,” Derek teased as they pulled up, “I’m your ride, remember? I might just choose not to wait and go. How about that?”

“Oh, I’m not worried about that,” she replied confidently, “because I know you wouldn’t do that… right?” Derek only smiled mischievously.

“Here, let’s look at some of the exhibits before we go, there is a little video we ought to watch first,” Emilie led him into a little theater just as the informational video began. It talked about the cave and how it was formed and how it was discovered and all the scientific discoveries they anticipated to be found and all the medical advancements that might be made possible through the discoveries.

“So, let me get this straight,” Derek said as they walked out of the theater, “John White was a cowboy in this area who discovered the caves.”

“One of the men,” corrected Emilie.

“Okay, one, and the legend is, every night around the same time the people of this area saw what they thought was smoke, but it couldn’t be, because it would travel against the wind sometimes.”

“That’s right, it was the bats.”

“And John White went to explore and he was the one who explored it most.”

“Mhm… the actuality of the caves was a huge debate. Not everyone believed it was true until the government sent an investigator to see. He was a skeptic himself until he saw it. That was in 1923. Later that year it was made a national monument and seven years later it was made a national park.”

“Hmm…” Derek mused, “fascinating.”

“Wasn’t that interesting about how the caves were made in different ways? Some by rivers, others by chemical reactions?” Emilie asked.

“It is, but what do you have to say about the millions of years?”

“I agree with the science, just not the dating,” Emilie replied, “you see, I don’t think that these caves needed that much time to be formed that way. There is a lot of data - “ The buzzing of a cell phone cut her off.

“Sorry,” Derek took out his cell, “We get cell service out here? Hello?” A voice spoke rapidly over the phone. “No!” Derek answered quickly then pausing. “Chandler,” he mouthed to Emilie. Mr. Chandler was a director, producer, writer, you-name-it who had cast Derek in many of the movies he produced or directed. Most the movies Derek had ever played in was by Chandler so he knew him well. “Thank you for the invitation, but no! I said my last movie was the last.” Derek told him, “I’m headin’ in a diff-” Emilie tapped him on the shoulder and pointed. Was that Drake? “-erant direction in life. Hey, I gotta go, something’s come up. Bye!” Derek sighed. THey would never understand why he left the dreamlife of fame for something he couldn’t even describe, but it was something different and something real.

For now, though, what was Drake doing there? They had heard about the Carlyles. Hadn’t all the foster kids been sent to new homes? “Hey Drake, what’s up?” Derek meandered over.

“Oh, hey,” Drake didn’t appear particularly pleased, “nothing much.”

“Drake, do you like caves?” Emilie asked suddenly.

“Yah.”

“Great! Would you like to go up and out through the natural entrance to Carlsbad with me? Derek says he’ll only go down.”

Drake smiled. He couldn’t help it. Would he? He had wanted to do it for so long! “Yes!”

“And what will I do while I’m waiting?” protested Derek.

“A great big movie star like you will think of something,” Emili patted his shoulder as she passed him to go outside, “Look at the exhibits, read the info, watch lectures. There is so much to learn! But let’s climb down right now. Think you’re up for in and out, Drake? We’ll be going on a tour down there. You’re welcome to come.”

“OK,” Drake shrugged and followed, far more excited than he let on.

It was a warm, cloudless day but they all wore jackets, because no matter how hot it was above, in the caves it was dramatically cool. Drake’s heart beat with excitement. He was often the oldest child there when the Carlyle’s took them to the caverns, so though he had gone on the tours many times he had never been able to do this strenuous hike. Derek had no problem climbing down, he even had a good time, but he was not going back up. Drake’s heart was oddly warmed by Emilie’s friendly teasing and Derek’s comical replies, but the reminder that, though this was how friends and family should act, it was not what he’d experienced iced it all back again.

“When is the King’s Palace tour?” Derek asked.

“One, we have an hour and a half, just enough time to leisurely go on the self-guided tour around the Big Room,” replied Emilie.

Drake had walked the Big Room many times. There were many stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites climbing up from the ground and great big columns. He saw the little Fairy Land area with all those tiny, popcorn stalagmites. He particularly liked Mirror Lake. The site was upside down and reflected on the dark, colorful water. It was humid and cold in the caves, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. It used to be a challenge not to touch those formations that were close to the path, but after he had learned about the damage the oil of his skin could do to the delicate of ecosystem of the cave he never thought twice about it again.

“So, they say that your skin can permanently discolor the rock,” Derek remarked, “is that true?”

“Yes, the oils in our skin can mess up the minerals on the stone,” informed Drake, “there are a lot of fragile ecosystems down here. Only a few insects live way down in the cave, even though many find shelter up near the entrance.”

“That’s right, and you know that scientists believe that as we study more and more, we might even be able to learn of some bacteria and organisms that can help us cure some presently incurable diseases like cancer!” Emilie added. “The caves were formed over, I do believe, thousands of years being eaten away by sulfuric acid. All these stalactites and stalagmites took a long time to form, too. As it rained above ground, the water seeped through picking up minerals until it came to the roof of the cave. The minerals either dropped and eventually formed a stalagmite or popcorn or some sort of ground formation or stuck and hardened to the ceiling eventually forming a stalactite, drapery, or straws. Popcorn and formations were also formed by the water being evaporated and the calcite being left behind.”

“And what about Lily pads, rimstone dams, and cave pearls,” Derek read from a sign near a little pool.

“Well, the rimstone dams were formed by slow moving water leaving behind the calcite eventually forming the dam,” Drake told him, “while the cave pearls were made by layer upon layer of calcite around something like sand or something else, just like normal pearls.”

“That is fascinating,” Derek shook his head, “All the intricate happenings underneath our feet, hidden.”

“It really is, isn’t it,” Emilie smiled. “Drake, you know a lot about caves. Maybe you and I can help inform Derek about all the things he has missed by not ever visiting one before!” Drake grinned and Derek rolled his eyes with a good natured laugh.

An hour and fifteen minutes later they arrived at the underground cafeteria. They had a quarter of an hour to spare before the tour began.

“Oh, Drake!” Emilie cried in disappointment, “You don’t have a King’s Palace tour ticket, do you?”

Drake shook his head. “That’s alright, I’ll cover it,” Derek jumped in. When they went to the tour gathering place the ranger went around to collect tickets. Drake stood there awkwardly when it was his turn. “SIr, this young man’s with me. We forgot to buy-”

“No problem!” the ranger assured, recognizing the famous pair, “Just remember to pay on the way out.”

“Thanks,” Derek smiled in relief. If he and Emilie did not notice the eyes on them, the girlish giggles, and the hidden pointing, Drake felt every stare, heard every whisper, saw every point. He did not like so much attention which was now directed towards him because of his association with the actor and actress. Still, he managed to enjoy the tour.

When they went down into the first chamber, the ranger pointed out what looked to be with a column or a drapery and stalagmite nearly touching. “John White named that the Eternal Embrace,” the ranger told them, “How many of you think they are touching? Alright, half of you. How many of you think they aren’t? About a fourth of you. Well, several years ago there was a ranger who was sure that they weren’t touching and it bothered him each time he led a tour, so finally he got permission to check. He grabbed his ladder, carried it down, climbed on up, took out his credit card, and you know what he did? He managed to pass his card between. After that he said, ‘Just goes to show, the one thing that comes between love is money.’ And he named this formation Frustrated Lovers.”

“Is that true?” someone asked.

“No, I don’t think so,” the ranger laughed, “but it is true that they aren’t actually touching.”

“Will they in a couple thousand years?”

“Not unless they start growing again. At the moment, there is not water or calcite coming down, so they aren’t growing. That’s not to say that won’t change, but for now, they will be forever The Frustrated Lovers.”

Drake smiled. He was always amused at the ranger legends, but his favorite part was yet to come. When the blackout finally came, he sat in awe and respect for the caves. He held his breath in surreal joy when he saw how much light a tiny match flame can bring. Of course he knew all this, but no matter how many times it was done, the awe of what a little light can do amid darkness always amazed and warmed him through and through.

“There was a story,” the ranger told them as he held up his little lighter, “about two photographers. They had come to the area to do a wedding photo shoot and decided to visit the caves. So, they came to the caves and climbed way down into the deep. This was before there were tour guides and people were just trusted. While they were down there the generator short-circuited and the lights went out. That wasn’t something so unusual, so they just sat down where they were and waited… and waited, and waited. When it is that dark it is hard to tell how much time had gone by, but they began to get worried they’d miss the photo shoot, and they couldn’t afford to do that, so they searched their pockets to see what they could find. One of them had a single packet of matches. They didn’t think that they could do anything with that so they put it away, but after waiting some more and no lights coming on, they decided to think about using the matches again. They discussed some ideas and decided to play a game of leapfrog. One of them would light a match and the other would run as fast as they could up the path. When the light went out, they’d light one and the other would run as far as he could past and so one. Believe it or not, they made it. It just goes to show what you can do with creative minds and a little light!”

“Not to mention a fast sprint,” mentioned another visitor. Everyone laughed.

“Let’s continue,” the ranger guided them on.