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    Ham & Chaz: Speculative Fiction Modern Parables
    Ham & Chaz: Speculative Fiction Modern Parables
    Ham & Chaz: Speculative Fiction Modern Parables
    Ebook55 pages35 minutes

    Ham & Chaz: Speculative Fiction Modern Parables

    By C. C. Brower and J. R. Kruze

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Finding out you're immortal as a teenager can set your world on fire.

    But finding out at the same time that just getting angry could kill everyone around you can dampen that pretty quickly.

    Who wants to live forever if you can't get close enough to someone that they can piss you off and live to see the next sunrise with you?

    Meaning - it was time to take a road trip to sort things out.

    When my uncle offered a summer gig cooking out of his food truck for a big-city contract, I jumped at it.

    But when he stopped to pick up another helper down the road, I was bummed. She was a looker, a great cook, but I didn't know if I could trust myself with her - in every way...

    Excerpt:

    They were waiting for us before dawn.

    Hungry people. Lots of them. Jean nudged my feet and I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

    "No rest for the wicked."

    I rolled up our sleeping gear and stowed it while Jean went inside to make sure Hami was up - she was. And he came back out with a wad of her sleeping bag and pad for me to roll up and stow. Jean then went around back to start the generator. I heard Hami firing up the grill and soon got all the smells of it. Meanwhile, I unfolded the chairs again and set out the small condiments table. Hami opened up the screen window and passed out the napkins, salt/pepper packages, and plastic-ware.

    Everyone was pretty orderly and started forming into lines. I heard some coughing, some sneezing, but nothing really serious. Of course, in the dark, it was hard to tell much beyond the yellow glow under our awning. I did see some white nurses and doctor's outfits in the line out there.

    The guys in front of the line just smiled at me when I gave them any attention. And I smiled back. Our work was cut out for us, but they were honestly happy to see us.

    Jean was inside, doing a final check to see everything was in place. I pulled up a trash can and put a liner in it, one of many I could see filling today.

    Then I headed inside the van to get started.

    - - - -

    The day rolled through with just enough breaks that we got our own meals in between. Jean showed up regularly, often riding up with someone's delivery truck with more supplies.

    Both of us got frazzled from working in the humid heat. And I had to take my "quick-counts" for "centering" myself often – just keep going on an even keel. Hami seemed to deal better with it than me. But she got to smile at the customers and seeing them smile back. Of course, I was focused right on the hot grill, while my bandanna kept my brow sweat wicked to the side and out of my eyes.

    All I could see most of the time was the next order and the last one going out.

    And Hami's cute backside every now and then.

    But mostly my mind had to stay on what I was cooking and my supply of hamburger and cheese. For our menu was simple. It had burgers and cheese in different combinations. And we never had any complaints.

    By the lines, we didn't have much competition, either. Jean had understated how much we were needed... 

    - - - -

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    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLiving Sensical Press
    Release dateAug 19, 2018
    ISBN9781386098676
    Ham & Chaz: Speculative Fiction Modern Parables
    Author

    C. C. Brower

    A central Midwest author, C. C. has been imagining stories since she was young. Her love of speculative fiction made her a perfect match for Living Sensical parables.  While she likes writing straight-ahead adventure-type stories, she also tries different structures as she collaborates with other co-authors.

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      Book preview

      Ham & Chaz - C. C. Brower

      Ham & Chaz

      by C. C. Brower & J. R. Kruze

      This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

      HAM & CHAZ

      First edition. August 19, 2018.

      Copyright © 2018 C. C. Brower and J. R. Kruze.

      ISBN: 978-1386098676

      Written by C. C. Brower and J. R. Kruze.

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Copyright Page

      Dedication

      Ham & Chaz (Short Fiction Clean Romance Cozy Mystery Fantasy)

      I

      II

      III

      IV

      V

      VI

      VII

      VIII

      IX

      X

      Book Universes Notes

      Did You Find the Strange Secret in This Story?

      Related Books You May Like

      Further Reading: The Hooman Saga: Book One

      Also By C. C. Brower

      Also By J. R. Kruze

      About the Publisher

      For all our many dedicated and loyal fans - 

      We write these only for you.

      (Be sure to get your bonuses at the end of this story...)

      Finding out you're immortal as a teenager can set your world on fire.

      But finding out at the same time that getting angry could kill everyone around you can dampen that pretty quickly.

      Who wants to live forever if you can't get close enough to someone that they can piss you off and live to see the next sunrise with you?

      Meaning - it was time to take a road trip to sort things out.

      When my uncle offered a summer gig cooking out of his food truck for a big-city contract, I jumped at it.

      But when he stopped to pick up another helper down the road, I was bummed. She was a looker, a great cook, but I didn't know if I could trust myself with her - in every way...

      I

      CHAZ? YOU READY? UNCLE Jean was rustling around in his food truck, opening and closing cabinets, double-checking everything.

      I swung my duffel up the steps into the truck. Sure thing.

      He looked at my bag, and the jacket I was wearing. That's all you're bringing? We're going to be there all summer.

      Just packed light. Enough t-shirts for a fresh change every day, skivvies, socks, jeans. It's going to be hot, humid and maybe we'll get rained on every now and then. Didn't figure a raincoat would be worth it. I know every inch of this truck and know how little space there is to stow anything not vital to cooking or living.

      Jean just smiled. That's my nephew. Always practical.

      There was a school bus bench seat that was bolted down just behind the driver's air-ride bucket. I stowed my duffel behind that bench seat and flopped down across it. Ready when you are.

      Jean moved around my legs and slid into the bucket, pulling the shoulder belt across his broad frame to click it in position. Then checked his mirrors. Turning on the ignition, the big van started smoothly. He checked the gages as it warmed up and turned into a throaty purr. "You've

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