Most people assumed that the coins were thrown from a cruise ship but I realized that the old widow most likely threw the coins from the backyard of her favorite niece’s home in Pacific Palisades. The edge of the yard overlooked the Pacific Ocean. She had enough strength to toss the coins to the beach rather than down the cliff. I bought myself a metal detector and made several trips to that part of the beach. I got caught by a private security officer but talked him into not charging me with trespassing.
The only other way to get to the beach without being detected was hiking on a trail along the edge and maneuvering around the rocks down to the beach about half a mile from where I wanted to be.” He drank from his glass.
Kristen was mesmerized. “What happened?!”
I’m glad I was in shape. The beach was in a secluded area, you wouldn’t even know it was there. I strapped my metal detector to my back and had to be careful it wouldn’t be damaged from bumping into those rocks. Well, it was low tide and I started at the water line and began sweeping. It must have been my fifth pass when I heard the music of decibels beeping a hit! I had some trouble getting back up to high ground and I ran into the same security officer as before and he must have been in a good mood. He probably felt sorry for me, eking out a living on coins and rings. He said he wouldn’t report me, but reminded me there are plenty of public beaches around. I thanked him profusely. He asked me if I had found anything as we parted. I told him, ‘Just a few coins.’
And that’s what happened, my dear. For about six months, I took my metal detector whenever I went for a walk at the beach and stole away to my special place every chance I got. The whole experience made me feel alive again. The beeping metal detector helped me connect with humanity. The coins and rings met something to people. I was able to find the owners of some of the rings and watches that had inscriptions and cashed in the other things that weren’t claimed. Above all, it gave me the courage to go after my own dreams. I put a down payment on this yacht and I’m writing up a business plan so I can start a cruise service to Catalina Island or maybe double as a whale watching cruise. Best of all, I had the confidence to go to our 30th high school reunion and find you. YOU are my treasure. Whew! I never talked so much in my whole life!”
Kristen had not released her hand, but she did now and fingered the coins on the bracelet that John had given her. She looked pensive and then a slow awareness came to her face. She looked into John’s eyes and he smiled and nodded.