Grisham's Lessons #5 Trust

It is common to say that trust must be earned, and generally Larry would agree, particularly if one has just met an individual and knows nothing about them and, in the case where trust has been compromised. However it is often not bad thing to extend a little trust from the beginning of a relationship, especially when you do have some history on the individual(s). Extending trust can be an empowering thing. Knowing that one has been extended trust can lead to an extremely loyal relationship.

In Legend of Crystal Cove, Grisham extends trust immediately to The Island Gang. He doesn’t know them personally (other than Wendy with whom he has had brief association), but has known their families for years. He knows that they want something of his, and he has thought of something they can do to in essence pay for that which they want. Grisham's estate on Raft Island has been neglected due to his having spent the past two years at an assisted living center with his wife, whose health was failing. The chores he has in mind involve getting the yard work caught up and cleaning out the shed. Mind you, this shed is 6,000 square feet of garage and storage space that has been collecting stuff for years. It has been the catchall for both treasures and trash, and the kids discover a lot of both as they get to work. Other than borrowing the map of Dead Man’s Island from Grisham’s treasure box for a short while, they never do anything to break trust with Grisham. Their friendship becomes so strong that the kids trust Grisham with news they wouldn’t share with their parents, which works in their favor once or twice …