The sound of dull thumping was what eventually woke him. He cracked his eyes painfully and took a minute to focus in the dim light. The image of a large yellow lab swum into view. It was sitting next to the couch with its tail waging furiously, beating a erratic cadence against the tile floor. Charlie sat up and pulled the blanket off of himself. The dog stood in expectation and Charlie obliged by reaching out and scratching it between the ears.
--Good boy.
His mouth was like sandpaper and he was smacking his tongue around loudly as he walked into the kitchen and saw the Old Man sitting there, alone. The dog squeezed passed Charlie and walked over to the Old Man, curling up at his feet beneath the dining table.
--Buen día. Charlie muttered.
The Old Man just nodded and pointed to a seat across from him at the table where a tea mug and a piece of bread were set. There was a second place set as well, though vacant.
--Gracias.
He sat and took up the tea kettle from where it sat in the middle of the table.
--Costanza está trabajando abajo? Costanza is working downstairs?
--Claro.
Charlie nodded and sipped at his tea. He noticed the clock read that it was almost noon and the sun filtering through the skylight above was intense.
--Hay mucho sol. There is a lot of sun.
--Yes. Always here it is like this.
Charlie's eyes went wide with surprise.
--I speak English, did you know? The Old Man said with a slight smile.
Charlie set his mug down and made a conscious effort to close his gaping mouth.
--No sir, I did not.
--Yes, there is a great deal you don't know. Maybe you had thought I had been in Calama my whole life.
--Maybe not. Maybe always in Chile though.
The Old Man nodded and took a sip from his tea.
--You need to speak with my son.
--She told you?
The Old Man lifted his eyes and met Charlie´s own.
--She tells me everything.
Charlie nodded, catching the implications of the Old Man´s statement with visible unease. He stood and pushed his chair in.
--Permiso. Gracias por todo, pero me debería ir. Excuse me. Thank you for everything, but I should go.
At that moment the front door opened and in stepped a man dressed in the full police uniform of a Carabinero. He closed the door behind him and walked over to the table where the other mug and bread were set.
--Buenos.
Pulling out a chair, he indicated for Charlie to sit.
--Siéntate.
Reluctantly, Charlie returned to the table. After sitting, the Carabinero pulled his large revolver from its holster and laid it on the table. Charlie's eyes focused on the pistol as the Carabinero grabbed the kettle and poured himself a cup of tea. He then proceeded to butter a piece of bread and tear into it with his teeth. Charlie and the Old Man were silent as the Carabinero munched away at his breakfast. Finally, he finished eating and pulled out a handkerchief from his back pocket which he proceeded to use to wipe his mouth and hands.
--Cómo estás Sharlie? How are you ,Charlie?
--Bien, Carlos. Y tú?
He nodded his head.
--Papá me dijo una historia muy intersante está mañana. Dad told me a very interesting story this morning. He jerked a thumb towards the Old Man.
--Sí?
--Sí. Qué piensas? Yes. What do you think?
--Sobre qué? About what?
The Old Man reached out and put a hand on his son's shoulder. Carlos shrugged and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and eyeballing Charlie without emotion.
--My son fears many things. That maybe your friend has killed someone. That maybe someone has killed your friend, for you have not yet heard from him, cierto?
Without taking his eyes off of the Old Man, Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. It was almost dead and there were no calls or messages. He shook his head and placed the phone on the table.
--These things concern my son. I am concerned too, but I am concerned about the other thing.
--What thing?
--The explosives you saw.
Carlos leaned forward and dropped his still-crossed arms onto the table.
--La mina es el único lugar aquellos podrían provenir. Sin embargo, nadie ha informado de un robo. The mine is the only place they could be from. Yet, no one has reported a theft.
He leaned back and added,
--Papá lo sabría. Dad would know.
Charlie folded his hand on the table and narrowed his eyes, studying the Old Man.
--Señor, what exactly is it you do? Charlie asked, noticing out of the corner of his eye as he did that Carlos' eyebrows raised slightly. The Old Man waved a hand in the air dismissively.
--Soy el dueño de un cafe, nada más. I own a cafe, nothing more.
Charlie nodded skeptically but did not press the subject. Carlos pushed back away from the table and stood. The commotion caused the yellow lab to spring to his feet and run to the door. Charlie stood as well.
--Muéstrame los explosivos, si aún está ahí. Show me the explosives, if they are still there.
--No sé donde están. No me acuerdo. I don't know where they are. I don't remember.
Without looking at Charlie, Carlos picked up his revolver and popped out the cylinder.
--Buscálos. Look for them.
He checked each bullet with his thumb and then slapped the cylinder back into place with a loud click. He placed the pistol back into its holster, replaced his hat, and stood waiting expectantly. Charlie sighed.
--Ahora? Contigo? Now? With you?
--Claro qué sí. Of course.
Charlie threw up his hands in the air and looked to the ceiling.
--Yeah, sure, I'll do your job. It's not like I'm only a language teacher or anything.
Carlos motioned towards the door and Charlie nodded.
--Yeah, yeah.
As soon as he cracked the door, the lab darted through and clambered awkwardly down the stairs. Charlie bowed his head slightly to the Old Man.
--Nos vemos.
--Nos vemos. Carlos echoed.
The Old Man nodded solemnly.
--Cuídense. Be careful.
Charlie led the way down the stairs and out into the street. He paused in front of the cafe window. He saw her behind the counter, flipping through a magazine and he started to go inside when Carlos put a hand on his shoulder.
--Vamos.
She looked up and caught Charlie's gaze. He eyes were big and apologetic. She mouthed something to him but he couldn't make out what. They got into Carlos' truck and Charlie simply pointed down the street. Without a word, they drove away from the cafe.
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