Chapter 30: Pioneer

I: Zane

“Are you sure, Walter Gates, that you don’t wish to have something more traditional?”

We were out on a warm day exploring Cartagena, the old city and the shore that curls up beside it. On my agenda were lunch and cold beers. On Walter Gates’ agenda was shopping.

“Green is her favorite color,” he said, his nose in a shop window. The keeper of the shop emerged and with a wide smile addressed us in Spanish.

“We are just looking,” I told him in Spanish.

“An emerald ring!” Walter Gates said. “Tell him we’re looking for an emerald ring. For a lady.”

I did so and the shopkeeper smiled and held up his index finger. “Ah! I will be right back!”

The shopkeeper disappeared into the store and Walter Gates continued his perusal of the window.

“Are you sure about this, Walter Gates?”

“Yes, totally sure. This is the best place to buy emeralds, they’re her favorite color, and it would be a beautiful and unique ring.”