Lost and Found

Natalie Calhoun awoke before the 7 a.m. alarm. She eagerly dressed for her daily run on the East Coast Beach. Pulling her Medium Brown hair up in a ponytail, she snatched up her house key and headed out the door. She started off on a warm balmy Carolina Day. The Sea air filling her senses. The Beach wasn't too crowded for a May morning. Not quite brimmed with tourists yet she thought. She ran hard for a half a mile before slowing to a walk, which was part of her routine. She was looking down trying to watch for the ocean tides, when she spotted something Black laying in the sand. She picked it up. It was a small notebook with a rubberband wrapped around it. A small envelope fell out and she picked it up; feeling that it had something in it. She peeked inside. "Holy Crap" she said to herself. It was alot of money! She decided that she would take it back to the house to count it. She had no intentions of keeping it though. She wasn't like that. She would try to find it's owner or turn it into Authorities. She turned around and headed back to the beach house vowing she'd try to find the owner ASAP.

About five miles away into the City, David Carpenter finished his emails and coffee and made a phone call on his cell. When he finished, he put the phone in his Coat pocket and noticed he was missing something. The little Black notebook! He searched frantically in all pockets, his desk and all around his office where he worked as a Web Designer. He thought about all the places he'd been this morning. He told his assistant he had to run some errands. When he got to his Red 2020 Corvette, he searched there too...cursing at himself for being so careless. He then races back to the Beach Cottage he was currently staying at and looks everywhere, by now he was really sweating running his fingers through his short Blonde hair. "Dayum" he says cursing around the house. "I've got to find this notebook with the money in it! 20K or well, its' not gonna turn out good"

By now it's 1pm and it seemed like forever ago that he started missing the money. He walked onto the beach where he'd ran a few hours earlier hoping and praying he'd run across it before someone else had! He was making his way back down the Beach when his cell phone rang. "Hey, it's Mitch. Did you find it yet?" His voice was deep but very calm. Mitch was David's best friend whom he'd called earlier. Someone he could trust to tell such information to. "No, Man, I didn't. I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do! That's a lot of money that I can't replace! That guy is gonna be so mad if I can't pay up!"

Mitch paused for a minute on the other end. "Dude, we'll figure this out. I can probably loan you the money because I know you're good for it. We've been friends for a long time. "

David breathed a sigh of relief. "Man, really? You don't know how much I appreciate you. That was all my savings I had to pay this guy. Let's give it until the end of the day. Hopefully, it'll turn up. Today is Wednesday and I have to have the money to him by the close of day Friday. If I don't find it, by in the morning we'll let you help me with the Loan." They hung up their phones and David started back to his beach house like a dog with it's tail tucked between it's legs.

Natalie settled herself in her lounge chair on the deck of her beach cottage which was a Seafoam Green with weathered shutters. Her cat Punkin' was enjoying the sun as well. It was her day off from her job at the local Art Museum. After her usual chores, it was nice to be able to relax and soak up the sun. She rubbed the coconut scented suntan oil on her medium skin toned legs. But, not before setting her book, Peach Iced Tea on the nearby table. She was average in size with a petite figure that she maintained as a runner. So she was able to look nice in her two piece bathing suit. As she fixed the towel on the lounge and set back, she noticed the Tall Blonde haired man approaching their houses. "Hmm"....she thought how had she not noticed him? Thank Goodness she was wearing shades so he wouldn't see her gawking at him. He threw up his hand to wave at her. She waved back. Still wondering where he'd come from. They both greeted each other with "Good Afternoon." She watched as he stepped inside his house. She was still wondering what she was gonna do about all that money she'd found. If no one claimed it that night, she would take it to proper Authorities in the morning.

By now it was 4p.m. and she was feeling rather hungry. She'd had enough sun and wanted to shower and throw some Chicken on the grill.

David sat in his living room talking to his friend Mitch whom suggested he ask his neighbors about the money. He had his screen door open to the front porch to let the Sea Breeze blow in. But, the smell from next door over powered that concept. He walked over and looked to see where it was coming from while still on the phone with his friend Mitch. "let me call you back Bo." With his suggestion in mind, Mitch gets up the nerve to visit his very attractive neighbor. Good ice breaker too he thought asking her about the Black Notebook with Money. He just hoped she was an honest person and admit she found it if that be the case.

Natalie sat back in the Adirondack chair after giving the chicken and veggies one last turn. She had poured herself a glass of Merlot, Otis Redding Sittin' at the dock of the Bay playing on the Bose. David strides over and clears his throat and reminds himself he's just there to get answer about the items he lost. "Hello, I hope I'm not disturbing you. My name is David Carpenter. I stay two doors down." Natalie stood up to shake his hand. "Hi! My name is Natalie Calhoun. I ugh...can I pour you a glass of wine?"

"Sure, just one glass though, Thanks." He said as he reached for the wine trying to find the appropriate time to ask his question.

Natalie invited him to stay for dinner. Her Brown eyes meeting his Blue eyes that seemed to match the ocean. David found himself distracted. "Actually, No thanks on the dinner. Maybe some other time? I'm actually wondering if you might've found something of mine. I hope you can help. It's a Black Notebook...had some money it." Natalie was caught off guard, but was so glad to know it was his. David continued pointing down at the beach. "I had taken a walk this morning at sunrise. It must've fell out of my pocket when I bent down to pick up a seashell. I was wondering if you or someone you know might've stumbled on it. It would mean alot to me if you did. I've looked everywhere!"

"Hold on...I think I can help." She got up and went into her living room where there was a desk. She pulled out the Black Notebook that had Moleskin encrypted on the front. She went back to the porch and handed it to him. "You mean this?" she said smiling.

"Oh My Gawd, You don't know how happy you just made me and relieved!...Where did you find it? When?"

Natalie smiled along with him. "I'm just as relieved! That's a lot of money! But, I found it this morning along the shoreline while I was on my 7am run. I was gonna turn it in to Authorities tomorrow if no one claimed it tonight, but here you are!"

David couldn't believe it. " I just can't thank you enough for this. I ugh needed this money to pay my contractor for my condo in the city. That's why I rented this beach house. I'm doing a major renovation to my kitchen and some other upgrades. I took a walk this morning to clear my head before work and was gonna take it to him later tomorrow. I should've been more responsible and just taken it to him first. "

Natalie chimed in. "Well, we all do stupid things when we're under stress" trying to say something to justify his actions. David agreed. "Yeh, I think I learned my lesson and almost had a heart attack all in the same day!" he said with a sheepish grin. "Well, I'm gonna go call my friend Mitch and tell him the good news! Thanks again and by the way, I'll hold you to that dinner. Not sure Reno will be done by Friday. It's supposed to be, but even if it is, sounds good, but I'm taking you out to dinner...my treat for you finding this ! "

Natalie smiled..."Tomorrow night is Good"

David smiled back..."Tomorrow night it is then! I'll be by around 7?" He walked back to the beach house to call Mitch about the good news...AND to tell him he'd found the money!

THE END

by Vicki Lee Davis