Chapter 8: The Phone Call

“Your father?” They shouted in unison, “We didn’t realize he was still alive; you never mentioned him so we just assumed he was dead.”

“He and my mother, I have one of those, too, live in Europe. Actually in Tuscany, Italy, on what can only be described as a palatial estate once owned by the Medici family. When he married my mother, he promised her that once I graduated from college and after I got my Master’s degree that, they would sell their home in Scottsdale and move to Europe. He found a run-down villa in the Italian countryside outside of Florence and for the next five years hired a contractor and had the villa completely restored. They moved there about sixteen years ago right after I met you two lovely ladies.”

“But why do you have to contact him.”

“I think he knows a lot more about all this than we think. I want to get whatever information I can so I can start what I have to do.”

“When do you want to call?”

“Right after breakfast, I’m starved.”

It was just before eight o’clock when they finished breakfast and adjourned to the office. The girls were still asleep; so behind the closed door, Jason, looked through his contact information, until he found his father’s name and number. He placed the phone on speaker and after several moments of silence, it began to ring.

“Hello, Son. I’ve been wondering when I was going to get this call.”

Jason sat in stunned silence, and only after hearing his father’s laughter, began to speak. “Hi Dad, you were expecting me to call; why?”

“Because I know about your search for the lost tribe of the Amazonian’s. I have known since before you were born. It was my job to get you started on your quest. Joshua was a true visionary in every sense of the word.”

Once again, Jason was speechless.

“Jason, how’s it going? How are you? Are you well?”

There was another few moments of silence, and then, Carlita and Maria, could not remain silent any longer, “Hi Mr. Hawke.”

“Jason, who was that? It sounded like two voices, very sweet young ladies by the sounds of their voices.”

“They are my wives.”

“Both of them?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I can imagine.”

“You also have two thirteen-year old granddaughters.”

“Let me guess; it’s complicated.”

“You have no idea. I won’t even begin to try to explain about the other complexities in our lives right now.”

“Okay, I can deal with that for now, but what should I tell your mother?”

“At this point, just tell her I’m well, extremely happy and as soon as I can get my life settled I’ll come see the two of you.”

“Alright, I’ll try. But now, let’s get down to the reason for your call.”

“Dad, when I inherited the trust, was there any paperwork that came with it? Any explanations of what it was for and what I was supposed to do with it?”

“Yes, there was, but I was forbidden to share it with you until you contacted me and asked for it. In addition, I was only to give it to you if you accomplished what you set out to do. Did you?”

After looking to Carlita and Maria, and getting their approval, he answered, “Yes, I found the lost tribe.”

“You mean you found the actual remnants of their lost civilization?”

“No, I found the tribe itself, or what’s left of it. There were seventeen members of the tribe still alive, living in a small valley in the Superstition Mountains.”

Now there was only silence coming from the speaker of his phone.

“That’s unbelievable. How could they live there all these years and no one ever know it.”

“Again, it’s complicated. However, you have to promise me, you won’t ever say anything to anyone about this, not even to Mom. No one outside of our family can know of their existence. I’m going to need about five more years to do what I believe I have to do. Dad, and for what I’m going to do, I’m going to need lots of money.”