EVEN MORE IDEAS FOR CHICKEN

Ingredients:

Frozen skinless boneless chicken breasts
Cut cabbage
Baby carrots
water
curry powder

The trick is to use the minimum amount of water that will do the job.  Cover the pot and reduce heat.  

Unusual Fiction for Spring 2013

AN INCIDENT AT THE SHETLAND CENTER
Jack Bragen


In my twenties, I attended a low-key self-help group at a place called "The Shetland Center."  During the group I met my descendant, who had traveled from the future to see me.   
     It was the 1990's and time travel had not yet been invented.  Of course I was going to be skeptical.  I said, "Just what is it that makes you think I am your ancestor and that you are from the future?" 
     Clearly this young woman, who I had never met before this, suffered from delusions. 
     "Look in the mirror," she replied.  She had said her name was Anne.  She had similar features to my sister. 
     There was a scar across her forehead—I wondered about that.  "This is supposed to be group therapy," I said.  "Why are you choosing to come here?" 
     She replied, "You will achieve something quite spectacular, and we wanted to see what led to your discovery." 
     "How did you injure yourself?"
     "I don't want to go into that," she said.  "Why don't you talk about what's bothering you?  Just pretend I am regular member of the group." 
     I said, "That won't be difficult, because I believe you are."  I paused.  "Who told you about my family members?  How did you guess the names of my brother and sister?" 
     "I told you, I'm a time traveler and I am your direct descendant." 
     "Let's change the subject," I said.  "I'm getting stressed out." 
     "They told me you got stressed out a lot." 
     I stood and walked to the coffee pot, and I poured myself another cup.  "Do you care for some?" 
     "We don’t have coffee in the future." 
     "Try it.  You might like it," I said.  I poured an extra cup for her. 
     Alyssa, the group facilitator, had so far been silent.  "Let's hear from some of the others," she said.  "If you two would like, you can continue in the next room." 
     Anne and I both stood and walked to the next room.  When I entered the room, the door on the opposite side, just then, shut.  Some unknown person had been in the room.   I started toward the door to investigate. 
     "Don't," said Anne. 
     "Why not?  It's not me in the future, is it?" 
     "If you meet him, you're going to be too freaked out." She paused.  "I'm not going to tell you who that is." 
     "It is me, isn't it?"
     Anne nodded.  "I have proof that I'm from your future, great-grand-pops." 
     She reached into her pocket and produced a driver's license, which she handed to me.  It was a well-worn version of the driver's license I had just obtained a few months prior.  I got my wallet out and compared the two items.  I began to think.  I got a push pin from a bulletin board in the room, and I made a scratch in my license.  I blinked.  There was an identical scratch in the same place on the "old" driver's license.  Hadn't it always been there?  I put my present day driver's license away and handed the old one back to the young woman who was apparently my great granddaughter.  We sat for an hour and talked about family and about what would happen for various people.  We talked about politics and world events.  At no time would Anne tell me what I was to do that made me so important. 
     The door opened.  "I have to lock up," Alyssa said.  "There's a diner a few blocks away if you two would like to continue." 
     I could see that it was time for Anne to go back.  I gave her a hug.  We walked to the parking lot, and I got in my car, and she got in hers.  I didn't recognize the vehicle make.  She started her car and drove off, and I went home.  Only now, I had more hope. 

Here's More Things You can do With Chicken

A New Take On Chicken

Combine chicken breast, red potatoes, cabbage, onions, canola oil, water, in a large skillet.  Cook on medium heat for one hour, stirring frequently.  Season to taste.