I’m here in Muncie, Indiana, at Magna cum Murder mystery convention. We drove up with no problem until I passed the exit–er, I mean until I decided to drive past the exit and stop for lunch just beyond it.

We stopped at a Skyline Chili, which is all about Cincinnati style chili. The waitress offered us a free sample. We were like, “No, thank you.” She was all like, “Are you SURE? It’s FREE.” Well, some had had it before and some hadn’t, and it’s something you usually like or you don’t. The others gave the whole thing a pass and bought salads and wraps, but I took the plunge.

I researched Cincinnati style chili when I wrote the culinary chronicles for World Wide Recipes, so I knew, theoretically, what I was in for. The Wikipedia article says it is “characterized by the use of unusual ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice or chocolate, and by the absence of chili peppers or chili powder.” Sound nasty? Well, some people think so, but I was anxious to try it. Guess what? I love it!

At one of the book sale tables, I ran into a woman who looked at my name and said, “I’ve read your stuff!” The sweetest words to any writer’s ear! It turns out she subscribes to World Wide Recipes and remembers when I wrote the chronicles. FOOL that I am, I didn’t write down her name. I hope I run into her again this weekend and that she doesn’t mind my writing her name in my little book.

WRITING PROMPT: Write about somebody who goes to a convention and meets someone he/she knows from a venue or occupation unconnected with the convention’s focus.

MA