Chocolate Crack

Shan stayed more than just a night at Fish's, but Fish was all right with that. He slept in a sleeping bag on the floor and let Shan have his bed. After all, Fish helped him with the paper. Fish soon learned there was a lot more than just a paper Shan needed typed up.

Actually, Shan had worked on the paper at home on his Dad's computer. At first he claimed there was a computer glitch and the paper couldn't be saved. Shan really knew his George R. Martin information. His paper was on the new literary hero of modern times. The work of George R. Martin.

Shan's Dad sabotaged his last term paper. They'd had a major blow up. Things were worse at home than Shan ever let on, until now.

"Why didn't you, tell me?" Fish began to wonder about Shan's home life. It wasn't nearly as hunky dory as Shan let on. He didn't trust his Dad. Especially, when he drank and he was drunk, a lot, lately.

"We just don't like each other." Of course, Shan didn't want to talk about it. There were bits of Henry that surfaced too. Shan hated him now. He didn't dare want to see him.

"I don't believe that." Fish couldn't imagine Shan changing his tune about the love of his life. "You've always been there for him. Always."

They went round and round on this. Of course, each time Shan would cut him off with harsh phrases like. "I don't care what happens to Henry."

At least the paper got in on time with the extension. That was one little feat they were both thankful for. Naturally, Shan wanted to celebrate in the only way he knew how. Smoking a joint.

"I don't think so." Fish decided if Shan must, then he could do it without him. Fish did have this concert to tend too. He needed to stay focused.

 Instead, Fish grabbed a pot in the kitchen and heated up two sticks of butter and a some brown sugar.

"What are you doing?" Shan looked at him as if they had places to go. Not be stuck in the kitchen.

"Chocolate crack." Basically, it was the only thing he knew how to make. His mom always had all the ingredients he needed for this quick fix.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of this." Shan didn't leave though. He watched Fish spread out saltines on a cookie sheet.

"I dunno. Something I do, when I need something to do." He sighed. He didn't know if it were meant for celebrations, but after all Fish was one to make do with what he had.

Soon enough he had the concoction in the oven. A few minutes later the toffee was on the counter. Then Fish sealed it with chocolate chips.

"And you're making it, just for me?" Shan was warming up to the fact it was a special treat. He was ready to eat it while it warmed on the counter, but Fish stuck the cookie sheet in the freezer.

"Now what?" Shan looked at him as if he hadn't a clue about cooking. The candy needed to freeze.

"What do you live on?" Fish wondered.

"Jerky. Fruit. Nuts." Shan shrugged in thought. "That's about it."

Shan talked about how it was all going to be better once he got to Austin.

Fish watched Shan's genuine smile as he talked of the future. Fish had never felt so sad before. Not this kind of sadness. He missed Shan, already. Honestly, he hoped they made the best of the last few days together before he graduated. He hoped Shan would want a picture with him before he left.

Chocolate Crack

 4 ounces saltine crackers, 1 sleeve
1 cup butter
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
12 ounces chocolate chips, semisweet
3/4 cup chopped pecan pieces, I prefer to chop to a finer texture in food processor

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Line a jelly roll pan with foil. Coat with nonstick spray.
3. Cover the bottom of the pan with a single layer of saltine crackers.
4. Melt butter and sugar over med-low heat. Whisk until butter melted and mixture begins to boil. Boil for 3 minutes, whisking constantly. All the sugar granules should be melted.
5. Carefully pour over the crackers.
6. Bake for 5-6 minutes until bubbly. The crackers may bubble & lift off the bottom of the baking sheet, don't worry!
7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let rest for a couple minutes until choc chips begin to get glossy and soft.
8. Spread the chocolate over the toffee, sprinkle with nuts, pressing the nuts into the warm toffee.
9. Cool completely. *Best results when cooled in in the fridge.
10. Cut or break into pieces.