Gasparilla's Treasure (Trip Mongomery Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

that securely guarded the trunk’s secrets.
    Trip looked around excitedly for something to force the lock open, but he just could not seem to find anything useful.  This was a problem he could work out tomorrow.  He had found the trunk.
    He clicked off the light, carefully climbed back down the ladder into the hallway, and closed the attic entry.  As he turned, he ran face first into Mom.  Busted!

CHAPTER 7
     
    Trip had a hard time figuring out what was going on as they sat at the kitchen table.  He had lied to Mom and snuck into the attic, yet Mom did not seem angry at all.  She seemed defeated, yet resigned.  This just did not make sense.  Trip was waiting for her to lower the hatchet.
    “I shouldn't have treated you that way.  It's not fair,” began Mom.  “You're a good kid and you're mature enough and smart enough to make your own decisions.”
    “Thanks Mom,” Trip replied.  Still not sure what was going on.
    “Well, if you’re going to get into that trunk, you’re going to need this,” said Mom quietly as she held up an ancient iron key.
    Trip couldn’t believe what was happening.  Was Mom actually handing him the key that unlocked the trunk?  And more importantly, was she giving him permission to do it?
    “Is that what I think it is?”  Trip asked.
    “I guess so,” replied Mom.  “Your Pappy gave it to me when he moved into the retirement home.  He said I'd know the right time to give it to you.”
    “And that time is now?” asked Trip, mesmerized.
    “And that time is now,” Mom agreed.  “He said you’d need it for the quest.  So have at it.”
    “A quest?” asked Trip, surprised.  “You know more than you’re telling me, don’t you?”
    Mom was very matter of fact. “All I know is, if you want to waste countless hours chasing down some dream, have at it.  But you’re not getting any help from me.  This is between you and Pappy.”
    She handed the key to Trip.  Trip reached out, a bit hesitantly and took the key.
    “Thanks, Mom.  For the key, and for trusting me.”
    “Just don't let me see your schoolwork slipping,” said Mom.  “Any sign of trouble and I'm locking you in your room until you’re thirty.  You got that?”
    Trip was ecstatic, “I promise, Mom!  My schoolwork comes first.  You’ll have no trouble at all from me.”
    “I’m serious, Trip,” said Mom.  “If your grades slip at all, this is over.  I’ve seen this quest ruin lives, and I’m not letting it ruin yours.”
    With that, Mom walked out, leaving Trip alone with the trunk.  Trip slowly looked at the key, and then at the trunk. Mom had called it a quest.  What kind of quest could be waiting inside that trunk?  Trip wondered if he would be up to the challenge.  There was only one way to find out.
     
    He gingerly fit the key into the lock and slowly turned it.  It creaked, then clicked.  Trip rested his hands gently on the lid of the trunk and took a deep breath.  His palms were starting to sweat.  As he slowly lifted the lid, the old hinges squeaked loudly for the first time in years.  He peered inside.
    Trip was disappointed.  There wasn’t really much in the trunk.  Resting on top were about fifteen old photographs.  Some of them Trip recognized as family members, others as places around town.  And the others did not mean a thing to him.
    There were also a few old newspaper articles from the local paper.  Trip skimmed the headlines searching for a common theme, but there was none.  Sitting in the bottom of the trunk was a cast iron plate with small jewels in it.  Trip noticed a few small pieces had broken off and been glued back in place.
    Trip ran his finger over one of the glued stones and wondered if this was the piece of jewel-encrusted iron from Pappy’s story on the beach.  Was this the little piece that started this whole quest?
    And then Trip pulled out the final, and most interesting item that was hidden away in the corner of Pappy’s trunk.  He