Solace's Passion [Fiction]

Peter Brandt parted the curtain of their hotel suite to gaze at the sky. "Jana darling, it's sunny outside and I'm sure the trade fair will be starting soon. How long will it take you to get dressed?" He mumbled.

A mellow voice from inside the bedroom chuckled. "I know how you love the sun, husband. Just give me ten minutes and we'll be ready to go."

"So you say and I'll have to wait for another twenty."

"Peter!"

He threw up his hand in exasperation and adjusted the collar of his thick black coat. Checking that his wallet was in his inner pocket, he patted the area, donned a matching black face cap and waited for his wife of thirty-two years.

"Do you think she'll be at the Fair?" He asked soberly, his heart sinking at the reason why they came to Suther Town. It was the closest town to Zacklon Primus University and Cody had suggested their daughter would be here.

Jana walked into the sitting area, her hand in her auburn hair as she pinned it into a sleek bun at her nape. She sighed, "I'm praying so, darling" and gave him her coat. He took it and gently helped her into it.

They held hands and left their hotel suite for the Fair taking place in the centre of the town.

^{Image credit: @wakeupkitty}

"Hey, Solace. You've not brought in the fish from the truck. Hurry, please," Ranger said as he shuffled about, placing the fresh condiments on the serving counter.

The stalls beside them were opened with their wares displayed. The quarterly town fair was about to begin and it coincided with the peak tourist season. As customers shop for products, they would always come around for his grilled fish and chips. Ranger's Fish & Chips was the best in Suther Town.

He turned to frown at his young assistant, Solace, who was setting up the grill while cleaning up other sections of their food truck. She grinned and wiped beaded sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her blouse. "You worry too much, old man. I'll go get the fish now."

Ranger gave a mock gasp and shifted his bulky weight as though to scare her. Solace shrieked in delight and ran out through the side door. He shook his head and started the grill. He was at the point of closing down the business because his last two assistants cleaned him up and vanished. The local sheriff's department couldn't find them.

Then Solace came and applied to be his assistant. He tried to dissuade her but she encouraged him. Ranger's Fish & Chips was thriving again.

An hour later, the sun was out and the fairgrounds were bustling with marketers and shoppers alike. The aroma of grilled fish and chips permeated the atmosphere.

Solace put on her apron and began to serve the customers while Rangers worked the grill. With every plate of fish and chips topped with ketchup that she passed to customers, a lovely smile followed. She enjoyed cooking and was saving towards starting her food truck or diner soon.

She gazed up to take a customer's order and her smile slowly wilted….

"Peter darling, look," Jana shook her husband and pointed towards a food truck a short distance away. "Fish and chips. Let's order some."

"Humph. Are you hungry after the breakfast we had?"

Jana rolled her eyes. "It's just a snack and that lady at the antique stall said to check the food trucks. Though there are…uh, three?"

Peter paused and looked at his wife. "Did you show her the photo?"

"I did. She said to check the food trucks, there's a damsel that looks like her."

"Okay. Let's start with this one…." Peter squinted his eyes to see the name written on top of the food truck, "Uh, Ranger's something chips."

Jana chuckled. "You need your glasses. It's Ranger's Fish & Chips. Come on." She hooked her arm in his and dragged him towards the truck.

The middle-aged couple came to a standstill when they approached the serving counter, just as the young lady who was serving the food froze, her eyes wide in shock.

"Mom. Dad. W-What are you doing here?" Solace whispered, her face pale.

"Solace," Jana whispered back, her eyes pooling with tears. "We need to speak with you, right now." A few customers standing by the counter glanced between the couple and the lady.

Ranger stood beside Solace then with a frown at the couple. "What's going on here?"

"They are my parents," Solace explained, her eyes wet as well.

"Oh. Uh, do you need a moment?" Ranger asked, the frown gone from his plump face. Solace nodded and stepped out of the food truck.

Ranger began to feel anxious. If this young lady left him, he might not be able to manage the food truck alone. She was his good luck and they were doing so well. Nothing good lasts forever, it seemed. He would have to beg her parents, if need be, to let her stay till the end of the Fair.

Solace spent the next twenty minutes apologising to her parents and explaining why she dropped out of Zacklon Primus University to start a life in Suther Town. Her parents' expectations of her were not her dream. She wanted to cook for a living and start her own business. Working with Ranger was a fine way to begin.

The customer line in front of Ranger's food truck was getting longer but he could only cook and serve one at a time. Now and then, he glanced towards the parents and daughter. When he saw them in a group hug, he stiffened and sighed.

"Hey, Ranger," Solace said, smiling broadly. "Meet my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brandt."

Ranger raised his hand in a wave. "Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Brandt. You have a hardworking daughter. Would you like some fish and chips?"

"Thank you, Ranger. And yes, please. The aroma of your cooking drew us here," Jana replied with a smile. Peter nodded in agreement with a calm look.

As Peter munched on his food while Jana and Solace conversed, he realised it was time to let their daughter fly free and find her footing in life.

The End.

What I See

A food truck beside other stalls in a place that looks like a trade fair.

What I feel

I feel nostalgic and a sense of reunion.

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