Adrian's Key

“The tears. So many have flowed that I am now as dry as the desert landscape that once was farmland. The drought. The wildfires. The famine. The dead bodies. We all thought we had more time. Everything just happened so fast, especially after the grid failure and collapse of the internet. All the chaos- people killing each other over a can of beans- it was a war for survival. Sometimes I wish I were back in the Pandemic of 2020 when we were still able to complain about not being able to dine at our favorite restaurant and food could be delivered to our doorstep. We even paid for things with a piece of paper called dollars or a piece of plastic called a debit card. Now food and water are the most valuable currency but also a target on your back, or worse, you could find yourself a main ingredient in someone’s stew. So, you remember this the next time we scavenge. No more talking to people like you did last time. Trust no one! Do you hear me? Especially the older people because they remember the before times.”

Adrian, age seven, pokes at the burning embers in the fire pit with a stick watching them dance and scatter about, sitting silently, eyes averted down. “But your old Grandma Ren.”

“Adrian!” Laughter erupts between them as Ren wraps their arm around him and pulls him closer.

Adrian nestles into Grandma’s embrace, “What were restaurants like?”

“They were magical places where people called waiters brought you a long list of all these amazing foods that you could pick from, and while you were deciding, they would bring you a glass of water for free!

Adrian’s eyes grow wide. “Nuh-uh!”

“Yes! I’m totally serious. And that’s not even the most amazing part. You would tell the waiter what you wanted to eat, and then another person would cook it for you. When it was all done the waiter would bring it back to you so you could chow down.”

Adrian giggles. “I still don’t believe you.”

“Well, it’s so true my little man. And you know what’s even crazier? All you had to give them in exchange were those pieces of paper I told you about called dollars, or those plastic cards.”

Shaking his head, Adrian puts his face in his hands. “Now I know you're making this up! Why would people take paper or plastic for food? Did they eat it?”

Ren laughs shaking their head. “No. That’s what the old world was like. Back when your mom and dad were alive.”

The mood shifts somber and both Adrian and Ren tear up. They sit in silence.

Ren takes the stick from Adrian and stirs the beetles roasting on the open fire. “They're almost done”

“Not too crispy”, Adrian whines.

“Ok fine. Have them your way.” Ren gives the beetles a quick little toss and removes them from the flames to cool.

Adrian picks one up, “Ow!”, and quickly drops it.

“Seriously Adrian! I don’t know why you do that every time?” Ren shakes their head and starts to cough, quickly pulling a piece of cloth from their shirt pocket to cover their mouth as the coughing fit continues. They rub their chest with a look of concern as they glance at the blood-speckled cloth they stuff it back into their pocket.

“Can I see the locket Grandma?”

They shake their head. “Yes Hun.”

Ren unbuttons the top half of their shirt, exposing a heart-shaped locket resting on top of their surgical scars on their breastless chest. They remove the locket from their neck and hand it to Adrian.

He strokes it softly like a pet, back when people still had pets, before they were utilized. “Can I open it?”

“Yes. But be careful. Don’t spill it.”

Adrian ever so carefully opens the locket. His eyes grow wide. A smile spreads across his face. Ren can’t help but smile too but quickly turns to a look of sadness.

“I want you to have it now Adrian. It’s your turn to be the keeper of the locket.”

His smile turns to confusion, “But Grandma!”

“Shh! It’s ok Adrian. You have to know that I won’t be here forever.”

Tears pool in his eyes and Ren’s too as they gently wipe away his tears and strokes his face.

“You are now the keeper of hope. And also, one of the richest people still left on earth. Guard them with your life. What you hold in your hands is the key to survival, not just for you, but for many. It is your destiny.”

Adrian looks down at his cupped hands holding the heart-shaped locket full of seeds. “I will Grandma. I promise!”

“Ok. Now eat your food so we can get some sleep. In the morning we will go over the map like I taught you. If we can survive another week or so, I think we can make it to the climate refugee camp in Canada. But I heard rumors they closed the borders so we may need to find another way in. But if it’s true they can grow crops there, it’s our only hope. Do you understand?” He nods his head yes.

Ren takes the locket from Adrian and puts it around his neck, pressing the heart-shaped locket against his heart, “I will always be with you on your journey” and kisses him on the forehead.

“Now here. Eat!” Ren holds a beetle to Adrian’s mouth.

He takes a bite, “These are my favorite kind.”

“Stop chewing with your mouth full. Were you born in a barn?”