Relic

“How old are you, boy? Where are your parents?” the waiter asked.

Ray looked at him and shrugged, not appreciating the question.

The waiter continued to stare at him, waiting for an answer. “I can’t serve you if you don’t answer me,” he said.

Having little choice, Ray replied, “I’m ten. My mama is nearby outside, and she gave me this card to buy a drink because I’m tired of walking with her.”

Still unconvinced, the waiter glanced out the door, looking for an adult woman nearby. After a moment, he decided to let it go.

“Here’s your Coke. It’s on me.”

Ray blinked in surprise before softly saying, “Thank you.” He carefully took the Coke and walked to a table by the window.

Sitting down, Ray took a sip of his cola and gazed out at the farm, watching the cows grazing nearby. His thoughts drifted to the last camping trip he had taken with his father.

They had been by a river, crouching on the ground among scattered pebbles, each searching a different area for treasures. His father had told him that the forest was filled with hidden treasures. Ray wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, except that maybe they would find his favourite Pokemon, Celebi, the time-travelling guardian of the forest.

“Look, Ray!” his father shouted.

Ray sprang to his feet and ran over, excited to see what his father had found.

His father opened his palm to reveal a dirty looking round piece of metal with faded carvings on it. Ray felt a little disappointed that it wasn’t Celebi.

“What is it, Dad?” Ray asked.

“This may be a relic from a long time ago,” his father answered.

“What’s a relic, Dad?” Ray asked again, puzzled.

“Ah, a relic is something left behind from a long time ago,” his father explained.

“Why would they leave it behind?” Ray asked.

His father smiled.

“Maybe they dropped it.”

Photo by Олег Мороз on Unsplash

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INKtober #2: Relic