In the Midst of Chaos

By JC Crumpton

In the Midst of Chaos brings together a collection of stories the author entered into various contests for the 2021 OCW Writers Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkanas. These include the award-winning title story with its commentary on modern commercialism, a different take on a respected hero of myth, and a tale about the joys of dysfunctional holidays. Two stories not entered into contests wrap up this quick-to-read collection. The author steps away from genre fiction to bring readers literary fiction and social commentary at its finest, ranging from the humorous to the more serious. Filled with a brutal honesty, these stories do not shy away from the magnifying glass when viewing the world around us. Perfect for a quick beach read or a trip on the daily commute, In the Midst of Chaos searches our landscape and peers into the shadows to find what is looking back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carter Vaye Productions
• Release date: Nov 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9798985384109

JC Crumpton

JC Crumpton was born in Southern California and grew up in San Diego, Chicago, Iceland, Germany, and Arkansas. He lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife, his cat, and her dog.

Book preview

IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS

"You can only fight the way you practice." —Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings.

That time of year had come around again. Karen stood in the parking lot and looked up at the glorious blue letters looking back at her. Supermart. Her El Dorado. Her Atlantis. Her Camelot. She still needed a few things for Thanksgiving and figured to do some pre-Black Friday strategy planning.

The store layout popped up on her phone screen. Unlike last year, the biggest prizes would be scattered around the store. This year they wanted the customers to be distracted by the lesser deals—of which there was considerable inventory. It made sense to her because then more people would leave the store with a positive experience having gotten away with a steal.

She had an advantage over last year. She knew into which nooks and crannies the best deals would be squirreled away. Snapping her wrist, she flipped her Michael Kors Access Smartwatch over and started the chrono function. Forty seconds from the front entrance to where the Playstation 4 display would be set. The 5 was coming out next year, but Brock could take the 4 with him to college next fall. The 5 would stay at home for her husband and two other children.

Two gray-hairs had their carts blocking the alley between a pallet of soda and an endcap of stuffing. Karen pursed her lips and took two quick breaths. Time to adapt. This is why I practice. She turned smoothly down the bread aisle and went up the back side of grocery. Time. She looked at her watch. Thirty-seven seconds.

"Be subtle! Be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business." —Sun Tzu, Art of War.

What do you mean you can’t tell me how Supermart’s going to set up for Black Friday?

Brock slouched over his plate, pushing his broccoli tips around his herb-crusted chicken breast with his fork. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

I might get in trouble.

How would they know?

He sighed. I’d know.

Not if you don’t tell them.

Seriously, Mom?

Karen shrugged. I won’t tell if you won’t.

I don’t believe this. Brock dropped his fork onto his plate with a loud clink. "Why should