Payroll by William James Johnson Chapter 23

Fernando took great pride in helping his new friends settle in Mexico. His old school chum Eduardo, the manager of the Banco del Mexico, who never asked questions, was pleased to accept Silky's deposit of $600,000 Canadian, which in Mexican funds, was over nine million pesos. He never even commented on the mint condition of the currency. He served them like ordinary customers opening an account for the first time. As Fernando had predicted, he did say "gracias", when all the paper work was completed.
At Silky's request for financial advice, Eduardo strongly recommended investing in Mexican offshore oil, an enterprise guaranteed by the World Bank, and certain to give him massive returns in the short run.
"He thinks we could double our money in about a year."
"Why don't you invest half," said Rona. "And if it doubles, we've got back what we brought to Mexico. If he's wrong, we still won't have to raise chickens for the rest of our lives."
"You think we should risk half?"
"I would. It's not as if we'd saved all our lives to get it."
Silky laughed at her answer. "What do you think Fernando?"
"Senor Silky...I've never had enough money to save, so I've never had to worry about investing. Look out there. My kids are my investments."
"Can Eduardo be trusted?"
"Completely...that is why people come all the way from Mexico City to talk with him. He has made many people very rich. And made himself very rich too."
"If he's that good, why does he stay in a small border town like Tijuana?"
"This is his home. If a Mexican can make a living, he prefers to stay where he is born. Unfortunately there are not enough jobs for everyone, and many of the young people get very discouraged. This is why so many of them go north to America to work. They send every peso back to their families."
"I think I'll wait until I've given it more thought."
Silky continued mulling over the idea for about a week, then took the plunge. Edurado was delighted.
"I'll watch the market very closely for you Mr. Zylkowski. If I see any change in its rhythms, I'll move your funds immediately into safer equities."
"If there are safer equities, why don't I put my money there now?"
"Returns my friend. The safer the investment, the lower the returns. You have substantial capital which can enjoy a higher risk ratio. With the international guarantees, you are getting maximum protection while getting the benefits of rapid growth in a relatively new industry."
Silky was impressed with Eduardo's fluency. "Hasn't Mexican offshore oil been around for a long time?"
"Not like this. Since the Middle East energy crisis in '73, those countries which have proven stores of oil, are gearing up to make themselves self-sufficient so they'll not be at risk should the Arabs decide to stop supplying the West. No my friend, this is the perfect time to multiply your wealth."
"It is the dream of most men. But let me assure you, it requires great skill to make money grow. It is my skill you are employing. I have to make you successful to ensure my own success."
"Then maybe you could help me with another problem Eduardo."
"What is that Senor?"
"My wife and I would like to get a place of our own. As much as we appreciate Fernando's hospitality, our living with him is difficult for everyone. His house is so small."
"I'm glad you brought up the subject. In my position as a banker, I get opportunities occasionally to invest in real estate before it comes onto the open market. And at this moment I have a splendid home which I could show you."
"Great. Where is it?"
"About ten miles out of Tijuana, on a high hill. It has a wonderful view of a man made lake which was built by the government to control flooding in the city. Would you like to see it?""
"I certainly would. When will it be available?"
"In just a few weeks. The lady who is there now has been looking for a buyer since her husband disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"He was involved in smuggling illegal immigrants into America. He made a fortune doing this for about ten years. Apparently he had been bribing some US officials, and an undercover agent discovered the whole operation. They didn't catch the smuggler. No one has seen him since they raided his estate."
"It's an estate?"
"Oh yes...did I not tell you it was an estate?"
"I'm not sure we're looking for anything that large...not for just two of us."
"But you are young. From what Fernando tells me, you love his children as much as he does. Surely you will have children of your own. As your family grows, you will need more room. And do not let the size of the house intimidate you. There are servants to help you. They cook and clean. All you need to do, is sit by your pool and enjoy cool drinks while your money makes money."
"An estate...I don't know Eduardo. Have you anything smaller to show us?"
"Please Mr. Silky...May I call you Mr. Silky?"
"Just Silky will be fine...go on."
"You have so much money Silky, and soon you will have much more. You must be willing to use it. As I said, money makes money, and in Mexico, money is power. I am thinking only of your power."
"But an estate...isn't that a waste of money?"
"Not in this case. You can buy this property for $150,000. That is only one tenth the cost of this magnificent structure. It is an outstanding investment opportunity."
"It sure sounds like it...but why me?"
"You have cash, a sum many of my countrymen would be unable to produce on short notice. The smuggler's wife wants to get away as soon as possible. Probably to join her husband. Your timing is perfect, and you have the capital. Timing and capital are essential elements of financial success. Only one other element is necessary."
"What's that?"
"Having the will to take action. This is where most people fail. Obviously you are a man of action, or you would not have the money you have placed in my bank."
"You make it all sound so cool and calculating."
"It's that for sure...So what about it Silky my friend, shall we pick up your wife, and go see your new home?"
Eduardo was right. It was a truly unbelievable estate. Entering the front garden, one soon forgot that most of the land outside the secure adobe wall was desert. Obviously well irrigated, there was no choking from dust laden air, but rather a cooling breeze from a tropical paradise of brilliant blossoms and ferns. Tall trees, unusual in this country, buffeted the searing sun.
The house had twenty-four rooms with Spanish styled beamed ceilings, and chalk white walls. Through a splendid arbour was the azure pool, shaped to enhance the natural steppes found at the top of the hill. Beyond the lake, was the teeming heart of Tijuana, almost a mirage at this distance.
Needless to say, Silky and Rona fell in love with their spectacular home. The smuggler's wife sold them all the furnishings for a mere ten thousand dollars. She was happy to be able to join her husband again. Eduardo made a good commission, and Silky and Rona began their new lives.
During the few weeks it took for the former owner to vacate, Fernando insisted they continue living with his family. Each day spent with the humble chicken farmer and his wife gave Silky an appreciation of the joy that could exist as part of a family struggling to survive. As he drew closer to his new friends, Rona saw how much Silky enjoyed being with Fernando's children. His five sons and three daughters, from three years of age to fourteen, were very happy to be a part of their father's small chicken farm, everyone doing his fair share. At Rona's suggestion, Silky wanted to give them money to expand. Fernando politely refused, saying it might get in the way of their friendship.
Lucia was a wonderful mother, sacrificing herself for her family. It was the kind of home Silky had always wanted when he was growing up. She could make a delicious meal out of the simplest of ingredients. Her oldest daughter Theresa was her right hand when it came to looking after the younger children.
The street-child Pedro, had become Silky's constant companion. Fernando said he had never heard the child laugh until these strangers had come into his life. His dark eyes sparkled in his beautiful ivory coloured face, framed in wavy blond hair. Silky enjoyed holding him on his lap and reading to him, helping him improve his English.
Pedro was small for his age, weighing only thirty five pounds. He loved to play with Sandy riding on his back. In the cool evenings, they would sit in the yard by a fire, and little Pedro would thrill them with his sweet soprano voice. It was obvious Silky was falling in love with this marvellous child.
Rona could see how much Pedro meant to Silky. As much as she liked the boy, she felt a twinge of jealousy having to share Silky's love. He wanted to do so much for this young waif, but Rona advised against it as long as they were living with Fernando and his family. She felt showing him favouritism would upset the other children.
As Fernando had predicted, Pedro suddenly disappeared. Silky looked everywhere for the child, but no luck. A thug in Tijuana gave Fernando their first lead. He heard that the boy had been picked up by a gang who trafficked in little children for wealthy farmers in California who paid large sums of money to buy the youngsters for field labour, and kept them in virtual slavery, until they no longer needed them. Street-children were the prime targets of this despicable trade. Silky was devastated.
He couldn't go to the police for fear they would begin checking into his own background. Fernando hated to see his friend pining so. It was as though the young boy had died, and Silky was grieving his passing. Fernando tried to console him by promising to try to find him when he went back up north with a load of chickens. He also made an exceptionally generous offer only a true friend would think of making.
"Until we find out something about Pedro, please accept my children, as your children."
Silky embraced Fernando and Lucia. "I've never known anyone like you."
"We will pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect little Pedro, and bring him back to you. Me and Lucia will burn a candle."
Rona liked the Gonzalez family, but from the beginning she felt Silky's closeness with them was making him vulnerable. She knew he was starving for love, and they loved him abundantly. In the brief time they had been in Mexico, this family had caused a tremendous change in him. He was no longer the cold schemer who was willing to kill his dog just to buy himself twenty minutes of escape time. Fearing he was becoming too dependent, Rona tried to make him see what was happening.
"You're only setting yourself up for heartbreak. We hardly know these people."
"I know they love us. What more do I need?"
"I like them as much as you Silky, but we didn't take all those chances just to bake in the sun with a poor chicken farmer and his family. We're rich. We can do whatever we want. That's all that I'm saying. Let's not put down roots too quickly."
"But money isn't everything."
"I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about you...What is it you want?"
"I'm not sure...Happiness I guess, if there's someway to get it."
"Okay...Then tell me what'll make you happy?"
"Finding Pedro...living like a family. Giving love and getting it back. Is that so impossible?"
Their conversations usually ended like this, always that same question; "What is happiness?" It's easier to know what it is not. She knew Silky would never be happy until he was certain about what happened to Pedro. It was so frustrating having all that wealth and still not being able to use it to find the child and bring him back.
The situation between them improved when they finally moved into their own place. A family of servants came with the house. Eduardo advised them to retain them rather than begin again with strangers. At least these people knew what was required of them, and they were most congenial. Silky tried to get over the loss of Pedro by spending time with his housekeeper's two young children, even teaching them to swim. Rona stopped feeling intimidated now that the young ones at least lived in her own house.
Having no money is a problem for most people in the world. It was just the opposite with Silky and Rona. Their wealth under Eduardo's care was growing at five thousand dollars a week. Unfortunately it made little difference in their search for happiness. There still was no word about the whereabouts of Pedro. The lack of progress in the search was aggravating.
"Do you realize we've been here two months already?"
"Time went so fast in the beginning," said Rona.
"Yeah, and now it drags. Sandy seems to be losing his zest for life too. He's even given up digging."
"We don't have to stay here. Now that we've got the money in a bank, and no one chasing us, we can go anywhere we want."
"It's not the money Rona. I just can't make a virtue out of getting fat and baking in the sun. This is stifling. Sometimes I wish I'd stayed in the Army and gone to OCS. Having piles of money is not the answer. We've got a more serious problem."
"Why're you so uptight? What problem could we possibly have?"
"I think the problem is us. When we were living on the edge. Trying to escape, everyday was new and exciting. There's nothing new in our lives anymore."
"Then let's go somewhere. Take a holiday. Do something different."
"Christ! We've been on a holiday ever since we got here. That's what's wrong. No...I want to do something more."
"Like what?"
"For starters, let's get married. Everyone thinks you're my wife. Why not make it for real?"
He had taken her completely by surprise. She turned her head away, saying nothing.
"Hey! I thought you'd be excited. I just proposed to my girl."
"Why do you want to get married Silky?"
"For the same reason most people get married. I love you, and I want us to start having a family. I desperately want to have kids Rona...our kids."
Again she said nothing. Suddenly she began to sob quietly.
"What the hell. Are you crying?"
He went over to her and put his arms around her. She nestled against his bare chest.
"I'm sorry Silky, but I can't marry you."
He was shocked. "Can't...What do you mean you can't?"
"I'm already married."
"What?"
"Me and Russ. I was hoping I'd never have to tell you. Believe me Silky, I'm really sorry."
"You still love him?"
"No way. I love you. You're my man. Russ and me never got along very well. We used to fight all the time."
"Why did you marry him then?"
"I wanted out. With his trucking business, we could live anywhere we wanted, but Russ expected me to stay put and have kids. He liked kids the same as you Silky."
"So why didn't you have kids?"
"I can't...I can't have kids."
"What do you mean can't? Something wrong with you?"
He was sorry he was becoming so belligerent. "Forgive me Rona. I don't want to pry. If you'd rather not go into it."
"I want to tell you...Like you said, no more secrets."
"But I don't want to hurt you."
"It's okay. I'll feel a lot better when I get it off my chest. It happened when I was a teenager. I got knocked up by a kid at school and our only way out was for me to have an abortion. What the hell did I know about abortion. His father came up with the dough and I went to Vancouver and got wrecked by some back alley quack who used the coat hangar method on me. By the time I was brought back to life in Vancouver General, all my baby plumbing had been removed...It was horrible. I wanted to die...and almost did. So you see my darling, that's the main reason I can't marry you. I know how much you want kids, and with all our money, you can have any woman you want, not a burnt out has-been like me."
"Goddamn it, don't put yourself down like that. I don't care what happened before. You're the first woman in my life, and you'll always be the only woman for me. I love you Rona."
"Oh Silky, you're such a sweet guy."
"And we'll get your divorce as soon as we can, then I'm gonna make an honest woman out of you."
"But the kids...What about all those kids you want to have?"
"Look at this place. There are rooms in it we haven't even discovered yet. Wealth can be very empty when you don't have someone to share it with. We'll fill it with the neediest kids we can find, and make them our family. There must've been a reason the Almighty let us get away with all that loot. I can't think of a better use for the money. Can you?"
"You meant it Silky? You really want to do something for those kids?"
"More than anything. And the first one I want to help is little Pedro."
Rona's eyes started turning red as she tried desperately to hold back her tears. The thought of that little boy sweltering in a melon patch of some millionaire fruit farmer sickened her. There was no justice in a world where money could be used to buy and sell innocent children.
"Please don't cry Rona. We'll get him back, even if it takes every last penny. Fernando will do whatever has to be done. He's that kind of man."
She hugged him with all her strength.
"I want that little boy back with us so much Silky. Do whatever you have to, but find him."
"I will my darling. I'll go an see Fernando now. We've got to get our life going again."

View original art by William James Johnson at www.noozoon.com