The Gold Heart

The year is 2417, her name is Amelia, but is called Emily. Independence is where she is headed, it is a dark world out there, but she has always had to make her way. She was "accidentally" separated from her family 5 years ago because she was mistaken for another's parent's child. Emily's parents were so afraid of it happening again, they fled. When she escaped and was able to return, it was to nothing, everything was gone. The only thing she had is a gold heart locket around her neck, that belonged to her mom and dad, they each took their necklaces off and combined them into one. Emily's promise to herself was was to give each of them back. She realized she was alone, scared, hungry and decided that anywhere was better than Smithfield, Canada. That began her trek, she made it to Alaska in hopes of a better life. It was not, Alaska is brutal and actually worse than what she left, this was not a life for a city girl. To get there she faced a long, hard fight and did not have the energy or means to go back to Canada. The days were cold and harsh, the nights were almost unbearable. She worked in the kitchen at a local restaurant, the owner allowed her to board in a room over the bar, it had no heat or electricity, but it kept her out of the brutal elements. When it was really cold, she would sneak back into the bar and have shots to warm up her blood and curl up in a booth. In March of the next year, word was sent along the trails that her family was headed that way. Each passing second her excitement grew, as hours turned into days and weeks. Finally, they made it, her mom, brothers, sister but where was her beloved dad? Sadly he passed away on the trails, due to slipping off of a cliff. His body was being transported in. Emily was able to share her life with the rest of her family, she gave her mom part of the gold heart-shaped locket back. At her dads' services 10 days later, she was able to give his portion of the chain back. She shed tears, then looked up, it felt as though someone wiped her face. She knew that somehow, someway, even though they had a rough road ahead, they would survive because family sticks together. As Emily and her mom walked hand in hand away, she knew that she was going to get her through this. The small town, which seemed not to care, all came out to support their newest member, old man Kelley ( a local wall holder, drunk) was to be sure to let her know that this was the first and last time, they would all get together like this. As tough as this was, they were all able to smile. The family wished they could take time off, but they needed a home, the next day everyone started back to work. The boy's truck drivers, detailing. The girl was in the kitchen with her sister Emily, as mom was home and taking care of the house. There were no breaks given, it was work from sun up to sundown, go home, eat and bed, they all dreamed of one day off. Their mom oftentimes talked about one day off and only working from Monday-Friday. This way has surely changed and must have been in ancient Egyptian times. Her mom, Sally often talks about things from an unknown time, that seem like a dream. Emily has never seen pavement, concrete, trees, or grass, it's always steel. metals. It would be really strange to see any of these things, actually, she tells her mom it may scare her. Emily remembers her dad telling her bedtime stories about this strange world, but she thought it was a made-up fairytale. After she has grown up, she heard other people talking about what their ancestors say. Now thinking back, she remembers that she had saved the contents of both lockets, it was four seeds. The puzzle all came together now, it was now against the law for any trees or green. Her parents had someone get these four seeds so she could plant and grow, learn to love. This, was why her father said he planted many things and had the biggest fruit for her one day, it was that day. Emily went and purchased a pot and some plastic flowers. She carefully planned not to get caught. She made a composting area in the basement of their home. When it was soil, she planted the seeds asked questions to her mom, how did her ancestors take care of their plants. She then grew her seeds, it was lettuce, blueberries, watermelon, and tomatoes. Emily finally understood what her dad's seeds were and what his biggest fruit was for her. She began to preserve, stock, and the new seeds, she dried out to have the next seasons. Life was still hard, she wondered why people did not take care of their natural world? It is a time that she would have loved to be a part of. Her mother, beams with pride, but will not say that she knows. Emily has not begun to share with others because it is a crime, but she is planning to slowly open the world back up to these endless possibilities. The four plants are named Paul's Palace, in her mind. After one of her creators, her dad. Emily often thought back to the small gold locket and how she thought it was just a symbol of love. She now knew that it was so much more, it was a symbol of life.

Written by Sherry Riddick

Photo by Freestocks on Unsplash, Youtube.com