In the narrative, a former refugee reflects on memories tied to a significant object: a key. The story unfolds with the narrator recalling the initial image of a shower from his journey, symbolizing a new beginning. Through shared showers, stories of hope, loss, and guilt emerge among the refugees in their quest for a fresh start.

Arrival at Guam

The narrator begins by reflecting on a vivid memory, the first in his mind, which revolves around a shower. He recalls the moment when the ship, carrying nine thousand Vietnamese refugees, arrived at the American island of Guam in the early hours of July 5, 1975. Disembarking from the boats, the refugees first headed to the showers. These showers became an essential part of their lives, providing not only cleanliness but also an opportunity to reconnect with each other. Each day, the refugees would gather in line, using this time to socialize and exchange the latest news.

Life at Fort Indiantown Gap

The narrative shifts to a refugee camp located on the mainland United States, specifically at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. Here, the showers continued to play a crucial role, albeit in a less refined manner than those on Guam. The camp was divided into sections, each housing about a hundred people who were assigned to small, dark shower rooms. These rooms contained three showers, allowing three individuals of the same gender to bathe concurrently. Due to their airtight nature, some refugees used the shower rooms as makeshift steam baths to combat colds. Others took the opportunity to record Vietnamese songs and the voices of their companions, preserving their cultural heritage.

A Fellow Refugee's Confession

One day in the shower, the narrator overhears a confession from another refugee, a man who is described as shy and in his mid-fifties. Accompanied by his wife, daughter, and two sons, his family was more complete compared to many other refugees who had been forced to leave loved ones behind. Despite this, both he and his wife appeared perpetually melancholy.

During this encounter, the usually reserved man became unexpectedly talkative. He revealed to the narrator that he had a father, aged ninety-three and suffering from senility, who had requested a coffin, a common tradition in rural Vietnam. Living in the city, the refugee had not adhered to this custom but assured his father he would purchase a respectable coffin after his death.

Preparing for Escape

As the fall of South Vietnam to northern forces loomed, the refugee family hurriedly prepared to escape. The father, frail and elderly, couldn't join them, prompting the family to secure their money and valuables, including an ounce of gold meant for a coffin, in a locked wardrobe. They left the key with trusted friends or neighbors who might care for the elderly man. The family endured a perilous escape aboard an overcrowded boat and narrowly survived until an American ship rescued them. Only then did the man realize the key had remained in his pocket all along.

The Burden of Guilt

Haunted by thoughts of abandoned wealth and his father's vulnerability, the man is tormented by the image of friends and neighbors searching for the valuables. He fears robbers might break in, possibly harming his father in their quest for hidden treasure. Consumed by guilt, he wears the key like a pendant, reminiscent of a religious symbol, around his neck.

His story dredges up the narrator's own memories of failures and things left undone. The narrator, too, feels the weight of a metaphorical key, a reminder of all he has left behind. However, he never shares this burden with the fellow refugee, as the man begins to avoid him, and they never cross paths in the showers again.