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450 Words
XWHEN DAYLIGHT BROKE the scenery had changed.
While we expected to see rolling pastures with oaks and hickories and elms, we saw scrub brush, cacti, and junipers.
"Uncle Jean, where are we?"
I could see his reflection in the mirror above his head, his face smiling. "Nearly there, Chaz. Specifically, close to the border of Nevada and California. Technically, close to the middle of nowhere."
We were rolling down a two-lane highway now, the patched holes and tarred cracks were making the van bump every now and then as we moved along. The sky was clear, no real wind or traffic. Soon we turned off onto an old state blacktop road with barely a stripe on it. That took us a few miles into more desert. We finally saw what looked like a ghost town coming up ahead.
All that stood was a couple of buildings on one side. The biggest one was a two-story wood-frame structure with a squared off false front and a painted steel awning beneath it.
"Great place, isn't it kids?" Jean was beaming at this scene.
He pulled the van over right in front and shut down the engine. We all unbuckled and got out, with Uncle Jean almost jumping down the steps.
"Well, how do you like it?"
We saw big glass windows, cleaned to be nearly invisible, with simple curtains across their insides. Dual screen doors and what looked like a long bar inside. Several benches and chairs were waiting under that porch shade for locals. But no one was around to enjoy them.
I looked at Hami and then back at Jean. "Well, it needs some work. And the location isn't great. But that porch is in permanent shade on the north, so that's a feature."
"Chaz, I think you're missing the bigger picture here. Think of it as a graduation present."
I looked at Hami under my arm, and she looked up at me. Her face changed and she put her other hand as a shade in front of her forehead so she could read something above that awning.
I did the same. My jaw dropped.
The sign on the building front said "Ham & Chaz - Sandwiches, Etc."
Uncle Jean had to laugh at our faces. "Of course I'll be around for awhile to help set you up and get things running. But there are some other people who live around here you will want to meet.
Beyond him we saw several cars and trucks coming toward us from every direction of the compass, using dirt roads or paved. Taking their time.
Hami and I had a new home, and a new town, and a new family.
Together.
The Lazurai Returns
BY C. C. BROWER AND J. R. Kruze
- Writer
