Chapter 55 War Stories (1/2)

Laz blanked out. He didn't know what he was expecting, but this wasn't even in the same plane of existence. So he kind of short circuited for a few moments. Then he had to come back to reality.

The old man seemed to be enjoying the joke, so much so that a smile was plastered on his face that wouldn't come off for a long time. He even reached over to grab the paper and rolled it up before writing dragon fist on it and trying to hand it back to Laz by hitting him with it a few times.

Laz's entire face twitched like he was experiencing the world's most nagging itch before he took the paper that Grandpa Chu had been hitting him with.

”You're not serious, are you?” Laz finally voiced the world yelling through his head.

”Yes. Quite serious!!” The old man responded back.

”Laz, try it first before you think it's not possible,” Uncle Chu had just walked in the dinning area from the kitchen and took a seat beside the two.

”But... Uncle... This?” Was Laz's only reply.

”Look Laz, I know it may seem like the old man is messing with you and the chances are he probably be is. In fact, I can almost promise you that he is messing with you. But, consider this. Would he ever do anything to harm you or waste your time?” Uncle Chu smiled while looking at the young man.

Uncle Chu was pretty fit and quite handsome for a man in his 30s. While others were settling down and getting married, he just wanted to keep living day to day. It was almost like he was always looking for something, but had yet to find it. Although his dad had told him constantly that he didn't need his help and he should go do something worthwhile like his sister, Uncle Chu would not give up on the old man. Although he might have joked at times that he would only leave once the old man passed away, he really meant that.

Grandpa Chu was not young and had lived a long life. Losing his wife had done a number on him and Uncle Chu knew that the old guy didn't have a lot of time left. Therefore, as his son, he wanted to make sure the old man wasn't lonely for his last days. He might not have a son, but with Laz running around all the time since he had first come here, he knew the old man was treating him like one of the family and that was especially helpful for Uncle Chu since that meant the old man wouldn't constantly pester him about grand kids.

Uncle Chu's first name was Steven. Having been born in the US, his parents had given him an American first name since they wanted him to blend in more. He had no relation to the Nobel prize winner either. Although his parents were pretty traditional, they were also pretty flexible people. Their thought was that if you choose to live in a country, then be a part of that country. Heritage is important, but no one ever succeeded by only looking backwards. Instead, keep moving forward. And besides, one day, heritage wouldn't really matter.

At the time when Laz heard about this, he has asked his Uncle what it meant. Taking a deep breath, his Uncle looked him dead in the eye and said, ”My dad feels that at some point, the entire world is going to keep fucking enough that there will no longer be many races, just one big genetic sperm slurpee.”

'Oh, that's right,' Laz thought. 'Grandpa Chu is friends with my Grandpa and Bill.” He couldn't help but remember some of the things they thought of.

After that, Laz learned not to asked questions if he wasn't prepared for answers.

”So... why are you giving this to me now?” Laz had the question in his head. Why now? He was here almost everyday after school, so why did his Grandpa Chu decide to bring this to him now?

”Because, you're not always going to fight against normal people. You've probably heard this from your Grandpa and Bill but, things are changing. Take it from this old man, you can never be too ready. I don't want you to be caught in a situation where you might die due to your own inability. And here's another thing, don't trust the feds. Look Laz, no matter what country you're in or what type of government they are, they have only one concern, themselves. That's not changing anytime soon. So when it comes down to it, you need to be able to survive on your own. That's what this is all about. If there ever comes a day when the ones in charge decide to start rounding people up, disappear. Go some place else, be some place else. Understand?” Grandpa Chu looked at Laz, waiting for his confirmation.

”Yes Grandpa Chu,” Laz said as he nodded his head.

”Good boy. Keep that back straight and remember that if you don't do stupid things, you won't end up in a tragedy. Oh and here.” Grandpa Chu slid another paper across the table at Laz.

”This another mystic art here?”

”Smart ass. Next time you have a week off from school, go here and train a bit. It will be helpful.”

Laz looked at the paper and it was an advertisement for a dojo in the next town over. About a 20 minute ride on his bike, assuming the weather stayed decent.

”Sure thing Grandpa Chu. Thanks!” Laz said as he reached over and gave the old man a hug.

”Ha, so big now. I Still remember holding you after you were first born. Time never stops huh,” The old man commented as he stood up.