Echo

60%. That leaves us approximately $71 million.” Looking up, Scotty beamed. “I’m good with figures.” Jose and Abby looked at each other with astonishment.
    “Do you think that’s enough, babe?” Jose said to Abby.
    “Babe? What do you mean , babe ?” Scotty blurted, looking from one to the other. Abby shrugged her shoulders looking tolerant. “Hey—what’s with you two?”
    Jose clapped Scotty on the back and jumped up, giving him a bear hug.
    “Don’t mind us. We’re just giddy with happiness. I’ll make an appointment with an attorney. Abby, do you want to come with me? Scotty, I want you to stay here and guard the house. Have the cops on speed dial. Just in case Tomas or Armoni decide to show up. Do not answer the door … for anything; no matter what . Abby, I think you should call a security company and have them give us the works. Once the rumor of Scotty’s oddness gets around, (and it will), we might have more unwelcome visitors.”
    “Jose, I am starting to feel nervous about the timing of all of this. Maybe we should relocate to someplace temporary as soon as we get our hands on some cash. From there we might be safer because no one will know where we are. Here, we’re sitting ducks. Just selling one piece of gold will give us the money to move.”
    Abby had a point. They decided it might take more than one day to sell even three pieces of the gold; one apiece. They realized gold shops probably don’t have the kind of money they needed on hand. The transaction might take a couple of days. In the meantime they could look for a decent hotel with an outside entrance. They should be safe there until they sell the rest of the gold. Of course, they were going to have to rent a very secure truck to store the gold. Maybe the security company could get them the correct truck. They should have everything done within four days. No less. Tomorrow would be the first contact with the gold dealers. They decided Scotty would not participate at first, because of his age. They wanted to get a handle on the procedure and the possible pitfalls before they send in a young kid that might arouse suspicion. After all, even a sixteen ounce lump of gold was worth over $88,000.00.
    As the day drew to a close, everyone retired to their bedrooms. Echo decided to sleep with Abby after first explaining that she must guard her as she slept. So, of course, that meant that Barney must join them in Abby’s small single bed. Thank heavens; she will soon be able to afford a bed large enough to get a good night’s sleep. Even with unexpected furry company.
    ###
    The next day Jose woke with a knock on his bed room door. Scotty leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, shaking his head but grinning all the same. Crooking his finger at Jose, he said “Follow me.”
    Walking into the living room, Jose knew he was in for another amazing day. And he was right. There in the middle of the floor sat a heap of what looked like dirty rocks; of all sizes. The largest looked like it was probably as big as a baseball. There sat Barney looking dumb and proud, like he personally dug them out of the back yard. And there sat Echo, eyes big and flashing golden rainbows. She watched him with her head bowed, but make no mistake; she followed his every move. Rainbow auras pressed his mind.
    “These are for my family. Do you accept them, Brothers?” Kneeling down, Jose examined the rocks. “Do you accept them, my Brothers?” Echo repeated.
    Jose asked slowly. “Are these actually diamonds; uncut diamonds?” Brightly the aura whispered, “Yes. But Brother, do you accept them? Will Sister Abby accept them?”
    “Holy Moly, Jose. These are diamonds?” Scotty joined him on the floor. “Yes, Echo,” he shouted. “Yes. We accept. Abby accepts.” Jose picked up Echo and tossed her in the air, much to her delight, auras flashing madly.
    “This means you love me if you accept the diamonds, right Brothers? I offer you the diamonds as a token of my love.”
    “Gee, Echo does this mean you want to marry us?” Scotty teased.
    “What is marry, Brother Scotty?”
    “It is when you give diamonds and make a commitment to be together exclusively and protect one another, forever.”
    “I will be happy to marry my Sister and my Brothers. I have already made that commitment when I chose you. We truly will be together forever; except for My Barney. Sadly I do not have the power to make that happen.”
    “Echo,” Jose asked. “What other