We are out of chicken

[tonypep]

As I came down the dangerous roads and managed to sideswap the mirros  and bumpers, I finally found a tight parking spot and went to the only franchise restaurant on Saint Somewhere. Only to find that they were out of chicken. The lovely native waitress took a shine to me and perhaps, a bit sorry for me.
"I can make you an egg and biskit with gravy though. My name is Hiacinth""
Now, I wanted to ask why they had eggs but no chickens, but I have long since learned to hold my tongue. It was on the house and filled my belly proper. I managed to get out of the parking space without hitting anything but then I noticed something that is apparently not uncommon.
Four rather burly locals picked up a car and moved it to a safe place. It was remarkable to watch but, as it turned out, there was much more.

[tonypep]

When I lived there, I mostly had lunch at a local restaurant. Hard to find but great locals and ex-patriots. I found a great friend in Jane and our friend,and hostess Kristin paired us up most days. We had our lunch and went our ways. One day, Jane did not show up.
I had lunch on the dock and had a relevation of sorts. There I was, watching someone on a 60 foot yacht on the back deck watching a game show.
As I looked over to the left I saw another boat. Pretty much the same. And there was a local, with his pallet and tire tubes and a makeshift mop.
Cleaning the boat. The disparity was incredible.
Kristin saw the sadness in my eyes and came over and gave me a shoulder rub.
"That is how it is here"

[tonypep]

He was pretty far away so I did not reckognize him at first. It was Haywood. He would come up the very steep hill in his rag tag shorts, an empty five gallon pail and some landscaping equipment. All attached to his bike which only had one speed. He had some sort of mystery liquid which cleaned our cars quite well. He almost never spoke, but always very polite. The grounds were well kept, despite the lack of a weed whacker.
The owner asked me to help him with his taxes.
"You are on his side of the island and and a couple of minutes away."
I did so, despite my lack of skills, but we got through it. The house was small but pristine. Then it was time for an early dinner by the sunset. A wonderfull sunset.
There she came from around the corner. It was Hiacinth. "Hello Mister Cutie" was all she said. Almost. We had a great jerk chicken with local greens and a mango pie. I had to ask.
"I thought there was no chicken?"
"We have our own, now keep safe and stay left"