I think… I just met the happiest person in the world. Which let’s be honest, is not saying much, considering the sheer magnitude of pain and suffering Mt. Gregorious has caused in the aftermath of it’s eruption.

They had a green feathered cap and long golden hair. Their eyes darted back and forth as they scavenged the remnants of a once overcrowded department store. As they picked up a dented can of creamed corn, they clutched tightly onto the can with both hands and paused for a moment before yelling out a most joyful glee. They delicately put the corn inside the navy Jansport backpack they carried and suddenly looked up at me as if they knew someone had spotted their prized find. Our eyes locked uncomfortably as I crouched behind a mound of mangled shopping carts in a makeshift shelter I had fashioned a week ago.

I tried not to make conversation with people these days due to the graveness and solemnity people carried as they tried to make due in this ash fallen world. (I actually never cared for conversation with people, but something about a god forsaken tragedy that turns everyone into ghosts of themselves).

I digress. After this green feathered cap fellow made intense eye contact with me, he proceeded to walk with purpose and deliberation, directly towards… me.

As he approached he reached back into his bag and pulled out the can of corn. Holding it tightly, he looked down at it, and then abruptly held it out towards me while squeezing their face into a grimace.

“Would you share this corn with me?”