Family Treasure

The grandfather clock struck one in the morning. The floor creaked as I tiptoed into the hallway.

I had studied the printer's tray my whole life. Things were always being added. One item always puzzled me. Drove me mad.

The tray held dozens of memories. My grandmother's thimble. A toy truck from my uncle. A lighthouse from our trip up the coast. An hourglass. A pewter dragon. A compass.

I wasn't interested in any of that. My square was in the middle section at the bottom. A key.

I grabbed the key to examine it. Like a divining rod, it shot forward, pulling my arms along, as if to find water. It pulled me all through the house and into the garage.

The old street light on the corner spilled through the window. A shelf began to pulse with yellowed light. I removed a bunch of old high school yearbooks to find a hidden chest. The key flew from my hands and unlocked the chest.

I slowly opened the chest to find some of my old baby clothes, my brother's bronzed shoes, our baby albums, and even some old toys.

I was so disappointed. I was hoping for Blackbeard's gold.