No Rush by Olena Kagui

“This is tens of thousands of dollars! At least 20. Probably more!” The man said without looking up from his magnifying lens. “You said you found this on the beach?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Beth beamed, remembering the glint of metal on her daily walk.

“Which beach?” He asked, looking up at her intently.

“Oakland Beach, right near Iggy’s.”

“You really shouldn’t tell people that,” the man frowned as he made a note in his small black notebook. The wrinkles on his forehead multiplied, like the creases in the binding of his well-loved journal.

“But you just asked me!” Beth smiled at him kindly.

“I know, but this… this is rare! And there could be more -” the man had to take a deep breath to contain his excitement. Just moments ago, he had struggled to get out of his chair to greet a potential new customer. His cane had leaned against the wall nearby, in reach in case it was needed. He had grunted a faint ‘hello,’ not out of rudeness, Beth knew. Old age had made him tired, but the coin was like the fountain of youth. Suddenly, he moved without pain, eyes bright like a young boy that found the ‘x’ marking the spot. Now, the frenzied excitement of a man half his age battled the logic and skepticism that only time can grant. He cleared his throat.

“This could change your life,” he said slowly, enunciating every word and making sure his voice carried. As if he worried that Beth was hard of hearing.

“It already has,” Beth said, reaching her hand out for the coin. He hesitated before handing it back. It isn’t easy to part with something so special.

“Ma’am, I don’t think you quite understand what this is,” he said, seeing Beth place the coin into a knitted sweater. She could tell that he didn’t think it was a safe place for the precious coin.

“It’s a Spanish gold cob,” Beth smiled. “Very rare and worth a lot of money. Don’t worry, I was listening to everything you said. You are very knowledgeable; it’s truly impressive.”

“But aren’t you interested in selling it?” He asked. “I promise to give you a fair price. I just need to do more research to see exactly what it’s worth.”

“Maybe another time,” Beth responded calmly. “I’m in no rush. Have a wonderful day and thank you again for your help.”

Beth took the scenic route home. She wasn’t a huge fan of driving and taking the back roads had several perks. There were fewer cars, slower speed limits and she could discover new places to explore. “I’m in no rush,” Beth repeated the words, this time to herself. But truth be told, she was itching to call her best friend.

Back home, she sat in her favorite armchair that overlooked the glistening waves. It was only a few hundred feet from the spot where she picked up this nifty little coin. The familiar ringback tone filled the cozy room. Beth was already smiling when one of her favorite voices greeted her.

“Oh, it’s you,” Beth said with a giggle, this was an inside joke. “No, nothing new. Just wondering if I could stop by this afternoon.”

Later in the day, after another lazy stroll, Beth headed towards her destination. She couldn’t help being extra vigilant on the beach, even once the sand blended into the pavement. The blend of colors reminded her of the ombre sweater she was wearing. The one that contained the shiny fortune in its pocket. It was a gift from someone who touched her heart.

Beth got to the raised ranch early, despite taking her time. You didn’t have to hurry to be on time. In fact, Beth mused to herself, it was usually the people rushing frantically who were perpetually late. She saw a smiling face in the window on the lower level of the house. Lizzy, like her, was always early too.

“You’re here!” Lizzy swung the heavy door open with difficulty. Her dandelion sundress reminded Beth of sunshine.

“Can we go sit in our usual spot? I have something to show you,” Beth felt giddy with excitement. She didn’t feel guilty forgoing her usual good manners of asking about Lizzie’s day over a cup of tea. Pinkies up, like a lady, Lizzie would always say, erupting with laughter - another inside joke between old friends.

“Yes!” Lizzie led the way, her dress billowing around her ankles, revealing her bare feet. The one big difference between them was that Beth liked bundling up in layers while Lizzie never so much as shivered.

“I found something that you will love,” Beth said as they sat side by side in the grand gazebo. She knew the man who built it. He was strong and skilled with both hands and mind alike. Which is why Lizzie adored him so.

“Is it treasure?” Lizzie joked, her eyes filled with wonder.

“It is a treasure,” Beth whispered, bemused. “Actual pirate treasure, to be precise.”

“No way!” Lizzie held out her hands, ignorant of her chipped pink nail polish. Beth placed the coin in her warm palm and Lizzie went silent.

“Once upon a time, this coin made its way across the ocean in a treasure chest,” Beth retold the story that the coin collector had told her. With some embellishments for extra flair. “The traveler was a rich man from Spain and he had big dreams about all the things he was going to buy in the new world.”

“Woah,” Lizzie breathed rather than spoke. “And now… it’s mine?”

“It is, Lizzie. I couldn’t think of anything but you the moment I realized what it was.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Lizzie threw her arms around Beth. Beth held her tightly, smelling the mixture of sun, ocean, and something sweet in Lizzie’s hair.

“Anything for my bestest friend,” Beth smiled.

“I need to show-”

“Tomorrow,” Beth whispered. “You can show him tomorrow. Today, just enjoy the weight of this tiny treasure in the palm of your hand. Picture yourself on that voyage. The greatest adventure of them all.”

“Okay,” Lizzie said and Beth believed it. It was the sole reason why there was no one else she could have given it to.

“I need to get home Lizzie,” Beth said. “I’ll come by again soon, okay?”

“I’ll call you!” Lizzie promised.

“There’s no rush,” Beth said and Lizzie smiled. It was Beth’s trusty motto in life.

Back at home, Beth found herself drawn back to her armchair. The sun was getting ready to set and she had the perfect view. This time of the year, it always set in the precise position that illuminated her entire home with soft colors. Beth blushed as she glanced at the photograph on the window sill, of her, Lizzie and -

“Honey, I’m home!” Charles called out, cheerful as always.

“I’m here,” Beth replied, unnecessarily, as his steps grew closer.

“So what did the coin collector say?” Charles asked, kissing his wife on the forehead before taking his place on a matching sofa. The ball of thread and hooks untouched. Charlie was slow but precise and more patient than Beth, at least when it came to crocheting.

“He confirmed that it was a treasure,” Beth said matter-of-factly.

“Was?” Charle’s asked his forehead wrinkling, not unlike the coin collectors. Years of stress, smiles, worries, and surprises etched into his leathery skin.

“I gave it to Lizzie.”

“Elizabeth? But what can an eight-year-old do with something so valuable?”

“About as much as her retired grandmother,” Beth laughed. Even at seventy-five, she remembered the day her son had called from the hospital. She’s beautiful, mom. So little and perfect. Would it… would it be alright if we named her after you?

“What if she loses the coin? She can’t possibly understand the value. It could change her life.”

“But it already has, Charlie,” Beth said patiently, just as she had to the coin collector. “She’s already on an adventure, dreaming big.”

“You’ll have to tell her father though. He built that house from nothing. Imagine what he could do with a little unexpected fortune.”

“Of course, I’ll tell him,” Beth said, looking out at the sky. Every day it erupted in the most spectacular colors. She was blessed to have this view from her beloved home. Long gone were the days when she dreamed for more than her family and peaceful retirement. Dreaming was for the young to do. She couldn’t wait to see what Lizzie and her father would do with the coin. A mere glint on the beach that now held unlimited potential in the hands of someone who could imagine a whole new world out of thin air. Of course, she would tell her son. Perhaps after her morning walk tomorrow, or even after the next sunset, or the day after that. She would not have found the treasure had she been rushing. Giving Lizzie a chance to dream was worth more than the thousands the coin could bring.

“There’s no rush, Charles. Watch the sunset with me.”