FOUND

When I was 8 years old, my father told me about a treasure chest my grandpa had hidden on our 200 acre property. I remember this story vividly, because he’d often tell stories about it and show me his secret treasure map.

I was only a child, so when I thought of treasure, I wasn’t thinking of money. I’d imagine how the box would be filled with all the things that were like treasures to me; candy, dolls, roller skates, nail polish, yo-yo's...

My father promised that we’d find it together one day, but he never left his recliner or put down his bottle of whiskey long enough to do it.

As the years went on he stopped bringing it up, and eventually I forgot about the treasure, the map, and my fathers’ childish dreams. It wasn’t until 17 years later that I ever thought of it again.

.

.

.

.

My name is Rachel Calden.

My dad passed away a few years ago,.but we didn't have the best relationship. He was an alcoholic, caring too much about liquor and not enough about anything else.

When he died, I packed up all of his belongings and stored them in my garage. I didn’t have the heart to throw it all out. It’s been sitting in there for years though, and I know it’s time to move on.

I hit my alarm at 6 a.m. grumbling, “It’s too early to be awake..”

I sigh, forcing myself out of bed and trudging down to hall into the kitchen. I hit the button on the coffee machine and sit down at the table to wait, starting to doze off again.

*beep~beep~beep*

My head jerks up off of the table as the alarm rings, forcing me back into reality; informing me the coffee is ready. Grabbing the cup, I take small sips, trying not to not burn my mouth. I plod like a zombie to the garage.

I start to feel a little more human with each sip, and by the time I reach my destination, I feel like I might actually get something done today. I flip on the light and get to work.

.

.

.

After an hour of sorting, I’m already feeling defeated. There is so much crap that really just needs to go to the dump.

I wipe the back of my arm across my forehead, keeping the sweat that’s forming there from falling into my eyes, and debating what to do.

“Knock knock!”

A voice I don’t recognize startles me out of my thoughts and I drop the box I’m holding onto my foot. I yelp, “Ouch!”

I flex my toes and glare at my indirect assailant, standing outside my garage. He’s handsome; tall with dark tousled hair and tan skin, the works. He’s sweating like he just finished working out.

“You almost gave me a heart attack! Can I help you?” I ask, putting my slipper back on my foot and walking over to him.

Smiling apologetically, the stranger says, “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to sneak up. I moved into the house next door, and saw you in here. I thought I’d drop by and say hi.” He extends a hand, “I’m Shawn. Nice to meet you, neighbor.”

Accepting his handshake, I suddenly wish I’d changed out of my pj’s today, “Nice to meet you, I’m Rachel.”

He gestures toward the mess of boxes and bags of trash, “Project day? Looks like you have your hands full.”

Sighing, I lightly kick a box at my feet. “Yeah, it was supposed to be, but I’m about ready to call it quits. I think I bit off more than I could chew.”

Shawn laughs lightly and picks up the box I abused. “Well, you might get more done with an extra pair of hands. I’d love to help out, what are we doing?”

I wave my hands in the air dismissively, “That’s a really kind offer, but I can’t accept. This is all of my late parents' stuff that I need to sort through and throw away. It's a lot.”

He shakes his head and smiles, opening the box in his hands. “It’s not a problem. I have nothing better to do anyway.” He tilts the box toward me and tilts an eyebrow. “Junk, or save?"

I can’t help but smile, he has an easygoing nature, “Well, thanks then. I appreciate it.”

I come closer and look inside. “Hmm.. I think this is all junk.” I sift through the contents while he gets another box.

I explain what’s worth keeping and what can go in the trash, letting him know there’s not much pressure to keep things and to just use his best judgement.

Another 30 minutes pass while sorting and getting to know a little bit about each other.

Rummaging through another box, Shawn asks, "Is this important? It looks like an old journal."

I stand up from my sorting post, stretching my arms and legs. He brings over a very worn little black book.

Opening the front page, my eyes widen at it's contents and I let out a small laugh, "I completely forgot about this!"

He looks at the page, riddled with squiggles and symbols. "What is it?".

Flipping through the pages, I show him what's inside, "It's a treasure map from my dad. He convinced me that my grandpa buried treasure somewhere on the property. He’d always promised we'd find it together, but we never did." I smile wistfully and turn away to set the book aside.

Shawn grabs my wrist, stopping me, "Wait! Why don't we find it, in memory of your dad? It'll be fun, and it might bring you some closure.”

I chuckle because I just met this man and I already know he won't take no for an answer.

Nodding my head I agree, "Alright, let's do it."

I throw on casual clothes and meet Shawn back outside. He’s leaning against an off-roading jeep that wasn’t there before.

He pats the hood of the beast, grinning, “We can’t very well have a treasure hunt without a proper means of transportation.”

Grinning back, I let him help me climb inside. Not long after, we’re following the map to the treasure.

I shield my eyes from the sun as we drive over rocks and through puddles, bumping around. After a while we arrive at the end of the map, a big red circle in the corner of the page.

“Slow down, I think we’re almost there.” A sense of excitement washes over me and I quickly unbuckle my seatbelt.

Shawn rolls the car to a stop and takes a look at the map, “I think you’re right. It looks like it should be around there, right?” He points out the window at the mountain range to our right. There are large pine trees scattered around, and giant boulders clustered at the base of the mountain.

“I think so!” I reply excitedly.

Shawn hops out of the car, then hurries around to open my door. Walking around to the back of the jeep, he pulls out a shovel and a bag of tools. I laugh and say, “You really came prepared.”

He counters, “We did come on this epic adventure to find treasure, didn’t we? We’re probably going to have to dig for it.”

“You got me there.” I take the shovel from his hands to help lighten the load and side by side, we walk into the treeline. As we draw nearer, an opening appears between the boulders. Shawn seems to be reading my mind when he says, “I think we should check out what’s in there. There could be an animal living inside though, so stay behind me.”

Setting the bag of tools down at the entrance, he enters first with a flashlight and I follow behind. Once I squeeze through the narrow opening, the room expands and I gasp. There are crystals sticking out across the walls and ceiling, the flashlight causing them to shimmer and shine celestially, mesmerizing me.

Shawn snaps me out of my reverie with, “Rachel, come take a look at this…” I cross the cavernous space to where he's crouched; above a small metal box hidden amongst a cluster of crystals protruding from the ground.

My eyes feel like they’re going to pop out of my head, “This can’t be real. It can’t.” Shawn points the light into the box; it's filled with gold coins. Sitting down beside him, I pull one out to examine.

“It’s heavy.” I say, turning it over in my hand before handing it to Shawn.

He looks excited as he exclaims, “You need to get these appraised, Rachel! The treasure your dad told you stories about.. the map? It’s real, this is amazing!”

“I.. honestly don’t know what to do. I never expected it to be real! Where should I take these? What do you think they’re worth? Is it even legal for me to take them? I-” He cuts me off by pressing a hand over my mouth.

“Calm down, take a deep breath.” He commands.

After following his instructions, he continues, “I have no idea how much they’re worth, but I know a guy that can help. It’s not wrong for you to take them, they were your dad’s, and now they’re yours.”

I nod my head, grateful he’s here with me. “Can you take me to him? If it’s not too much trouble..”

Smiling, he tucks the box under one arm and takes my hand in the other, leading me back out into the sunlight, “Let’s go, we should head over now before they close.”

We get back in the jeep and 20 minutes later, Shawn parks in front of Leo’s Fine Jewelry.

Shawn helps me out of the car, escorting me inside the shop.

A man appears through a doorway, looking pleasantly surprised, “Shawn! What are you doing here, and who’s this?”.

Shaking his extended hand, “Hey Leo, it’s good to see you. This is Rache, she has some coins that I was hoping you could take a look at.”

“Of course! Let’s take a look, can you set them here?”

I set the box where he gestured toward on the table, saying, “They were my fathers, I found them today.”

Leo opens the box looking astonished. “This is incredible..” He looks at the coins through a small magnifier, then weighs them on a scale.

Shawn notices my look of apprehension and rubs my shoulder. He asks, “So, what do you think? Are they real?”

Leo stifles a laugh, “Oh they’re real alright, and don’t quote me on this because I need to do further inspection, but you’re looking at around $20,000!”

Shawn exclaims, “Woo! Rachel did you hear that?! $20,000 is a good chunk of change!”. I grin at him, then hug him, saying, “We are definitely splitting it. I never would’ve found it if it weren’t for you!”

Shaking his head vigorously, he says, ”Absolutely not. This is yours from your family. I’m just glad to have been along for the ride.” Then, turning to Leo he says, “Can you start the process of exchanging this for her?”

Leo, looking happy, replies, “Of course! I’ll get right on it. I can have it ready by tomorrow, does that sound alright?”

I shake his hand again happily, “Sounds amazing, thank you so much Leo.”

As Leo takes the box away, Shawn takes my hand, stealing my attention. He asks, “Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight, to celebrate?”.

Feeling happier than I have in a long time, I say, “I’d love that… but I’m buying.”

Shawn laughs, leading me out the door, “Alright, can’t argue with that.”

I have a feeling many more adventures await us as we step outside into the dusk, hand in hand.