Are you serious?

It was drizzling, wet and misty on this Thursday afternoon. She was late and hurried along the muddy path through the backyard leading up to the backdoor of her father's cottage. Breathless, she gave a quick rap and waited for the door to open. She smiled up at her father's face as he opened the door and welcomed her in.

"Gloria, I am glad you made it. Come on in. You're soaking wet! Let me grab you a towel." He strode to the cupboard and grabbed a thick fuzzy towel for his daughter. At 65, he was still an imposing man with his salt and pepper hair that curled at his neck. 6"4' and all rock-hard muscle from his weekly forays to the gym. His wife, Abigail, had succumbed to cancer. His only daughter, Gloria, lived across town with her two cats, Puddles and Quizzer.

"Sorry I'm a bit late Dad, the bus driver, had to throw a bunch of rowdies off; it was not a pleasant scene," Gloria said as she pulled her legs up under her on the couch.

" You're alright, I take it?" asked her father as he sat down in his big overstuffed armchair by the fireplace.

"Yes, just a bit shook. They were razzing this senior and took it too far; the bus driver gave them the boot. Nothing major that a hot cup of tea won't fix. I need to relax, and then I'll put the kettle on in a minute. You'll have one too?" she asked.

"As long as you're making Red Zinger, I think I'll indulge in a cup." Said James, " How are your studies going?" Gloria shifted into a more comfortable position before she gave her answer. "It's going okay, but I am finding it difficult to look up the correct passages online. My friend is going to take a look at my laptop to check for a virus."

"That's your friend Solomon, isn't that right?" asked James. "You've been friends with him for a while now." "Yes, I have. He's been helping me with my paper on the rainforest. He is a font of knowledge, that one," she answered.

"I'll put the kettle on now," Gloria got up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. "Did you want honey in your tea, Dad?" she asked. "Yes, please, just a teaspoon," said James. "I didn't get the mail from the mailbox yet. Can you bring it in, please, Gloria?" "Sure thing, Dad, just give me a second," she answered. She put the kettle on to boil, then went to the front door and got the mail from the mailbox. There were the usual flyers, bills and a letter from Aunt Millie. There was something else that did seem unusual. A little black book that was leather-bound with gold lettering embossed on its cover. There was only one word. "TREASURES," it said.

"Look at this, Dad!" Gloria exclaimed. "I wonder who dropped this in your mailbox," "Let me see that," James said, reaching for the little book. "I haven't a clue who could have put this in my mailbox," He opened the book to the first page. It read, "Follow these instructions, and your life will change wonderfully." It looked like a map was drawn on the next page with these words underneath. "Light a candle in the dark and walk towards the nearest park," "I think it's a treasure hunter's guide book," said James as he thumbed through the little book. There were little maps on some pages and verses written in flowing script on the others.

"This is rather exciting! A genuine treasure hunt we can both go on. I want us to do this together," James said as he read some of the inscriptions. "Yes, me too," said Gloria, her green eyes sparkling.

For the next four days, Gloria and her Dad followed the clues in the little black book. Today was the last day to follow the treasure map and instructions. "You've been true. You've not been staid. Rest assured you will be paid, two steps forward, one step back, your treasure's in the gunny sack. "

"It's right here!" Gloria gestured to a hollow stump, where a burlap sack lay inside. "Are you serious?" James exclaimed. They pulled the sack from the stump and opened it. It contained a black briefcase. As Gloria clicked it open, her eyes blinked. "Look, Dad! Money! There's a note on top." James read the note. "It's my inheritance from a late uncle. He loved to go on treasure hunts. I guess he devised this for us. There is $20,000.00 here. Gloria, I am passing it on to you." This time it was Glorias turn to say, "Are you serious?" She threw her arms around her Dad's neck and Said, "I love you so much, Daddy." Closing the briefcase, they carried it back to the cottage and relaxed by the fire sipping on Red Zinger tea.