It was summer. It was hot. So hot the black tar pavement could easily serve as an iron skillet where if an egg were dropped it would fry itself to a golden crisp. The only relief from the sweltering heat: a boat ride to Shell Island! Even the wind whipping across a sweaty body and through salty hair wasn’t enough so the only resolution was a cool dip in the ocean.

1-2-3 Spa-lash! OUCH! Suddenly a sharp pain ran from my big toe up, up, up all the way through my brain. If ever I thought my brains were about to come out my ears, it was that moment. The water was much shallower than initially envisioned. Thus, upon jumping into the water, both feet hit bottom. Pa-lop!

But, why so much pain? Must be something sharp…a broken bottle, a chunk of shell, a rusty nail, a piece of plastic, a fish hook, a sea urchin? Could be any of these. It just hurt whatever it was.

With a quick grab of the foot and a few dances along the ocean floor, the pain slowly subsided. Now to determine the culprit that dared break such a peaceful scene as it surrendered to a nightmarish scream. Goggles were donned and the search was on.

It didn’t take long to spot something silver and shiny sticking up from the ocean bed. The sunrays penetrated the crystal-clear water reflecting prismatic colors off the shiny object and shimmering sandy bottom. Carefully reaching forward, scooping up who knows what at the time, it was carefully lifted from its resting place and into the sunlight above the water.

Removing the goggles and swishing the object through the water revealed a tiny silver box with a jagged edge. Must have hit the edge just at the right spot on my big toe when I jumped into the water. Luckily it did not break the skin so no bleeding. Whew! Never know what is lurking about in the ocean that might like the smell and taste of blood. Enough thoughts on the jump, let’s get back to the find.

The box was not very big and rested easily in the palm of my hand. There was a tiny latch but no lock. At first it was hard to open. There was no way of knowing how long it had been in the water. Days. Weeks. Months. Years. Slowly lifting the top I suddenly stopped in dead silence. There looking right back at me was a sparkling sight as though it was saying “What took you so long?” I was stunned. Then, I smiled and laughed. When I thought I could laugh no more, I kept on laughing. By sheer accident, I was now facing something good and I had not even been looking for it.

This little box with its jagged edge was filled with tiny jewels! Were they real? Use YOUR imagination…

Hope you enjoyed my contribution to Kellie Elmore’s Free Write Friday. Not often do I write a short story instead of poetry but that is what I enjoy most about Kelli’s free writes. You simply write what comes to mind at the time. Thank you, Kellie, for another great challenge. Now, as usual, off to see what others have written so I can share. Be right back…so if you go away, be sure to return for links to other free writes.