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Chris (Zan) Hough

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2025

Stories (19)
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19 Stories

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The Hidden Path

Submitted to Contest #320

The Hidden Path The sun dipped low behind the ridge, painting the trees in honeyed light, and the group finally sprawled into their mismatched campsites like an unruly family reunion. There were six of them, all in their thirties, a mix of old college friends and their partners, each with their own quirks: Emily pouring sangria into a plastic jug and insisting it “tasted better outdoors,” Todd retelling—for the fourth time—the story of his half-marathon, and Claire fiddling endlessly with the Bluetooth speaker that sputtered against the stea...

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Stairway to Heaven

It happened that Kevin started his preview semester at Michigan State one week before Curt’s birthday. It meant he would not be in Saranac for the big one: Curt’s 16th birthday.“What are you going to do, then?” Asked Sarah.“I don’t know. Surely we can find something to do that weekend before, right? His birthday is on a Monday. I can be home for the weekend. Got any suggestions?”“Well, there’s always camping, so we could do something low-key and plan for April. If you want, I could even gather the group and make a real weekend of it. Are you...

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A very Woodward 1986 Thanksgiving, Part 3

As the family trickled back into the house through the front and side doors, Tommy sat at the kitchen table, eating a mayonnaise and sliced cheese sandwich, the easiest items in the fridge. There was also a candy dish from the living room filled with mints, and he was eating both simultaneously with a glass of milk. It was an odd combination that slipped by almost no one, except maybe Regan, but he was outside with Charles. Odie was the first to say, while creeped out a bit,“Hi, Tommy. I didn’t see you come in.” “I’ve been here for an hour,...

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A very Woodward 1986 Thanksgiving, Part 2

“Kevin,” Charles said. “Are you enjoying your Thanksgiving?”“It’s Sunday, Dad. Thanksgiving is on Thursday, but your parents and some of your sisters are downstairs waiting for you.” Other than my dad being completely erect and fully naked, he began to act normal again, almost oblivious that he wasn’t wearing clothes. These moments scared me, not because I fear the behavior, but because I feared becoming like them someday.“Is that right?” Charles responded. “I guess that is right. Okay, let’s go downstairs, son.”Dad awkwardly put his arms ar...

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A very Woodward 1986 Thanksgiving, Part 1

Note: Sensitive topics include mental health and sexual dysfunction due to wartime PTSD. November 23, 1986 BANG! The front door opened and slammed against the wall. I nearly fell off the sofa. I quietly hoped the large lead glass pane in the door was okay, which means my thoughts were the quietest event in the house for at least the next 7 nights. “Charles! We’re home.” That’s my grandmother, Odella Woodward. She hates it when I call her “Grandma” or anything similar. When I first used that term, I was 4 years old, and she told me that she w...

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33: Graduation. We are Saranac.

Submitted to Contest #306

“Faculty, administration, Dr. Plethe, families, students, friends, neighbors, and fellow graduates, the time has come for this incredible, well-earned day. I am Sarah Kent, the newest proud valedictorian, adding to a long list since the first valedictorian was awarded in 1961. Today, I am reminded how many of us in this community have roots as early as 1836, when a judge purchased the land along the Grand River where it meets Lake Creek. Judge Jefferson Morrison sold part of that land to a firm in Detroit, Dwight & Hutchinson, and we ev...

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32: Camping at Yankee Springs

It happened that Kevin started his preview semester at Michigan State University one week before Curt’s birthday. It meant he would not be in Saranac for the big one: Curt’s 16th birthday. “What are you going to do, then?” Asked Sarah.“I don’t know. Surely we can find something to do that weekend before, right? His birthday is on a Monday. I can be home for the weekend. Got any suggestions?” “Well, there’s always camping, so we could do something low-key and plan for April. I could even gather the group and make a real weekend of it. Are you...

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20. Happy Birthday, Rye! Here's What You've Won.

(knock knock) “Yes?”“Coach Moore?” Kevin asked.“Kevin Woodward. What can I do-you-for?” Coach Woodward said awkwardly.“If you have a minute, Curt’s birthday is a week from Sunday. I’m planning to take him to a Michigan State game.”“That sounds fun.”“Yeah, and I wondered if you had any connections. I was kind of hoping I could get him onto the court.” Kevin added a question mark to his statement.“Honestly, that would be amazing exposure for him. Give me a few days.”"Yes, sir. I appreciate you.” Kevin found Curt in the gymnasium practicing fr...

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27. I'm more of a large bird.

Submitted to Contest #305

With Lucille Ball's beauty and Katharine Hepburn's tenacity in their youth, Joyce Evelyn Battin had a command about her, especially with men. It didn’t hurt that her allure was also funny, almost a Julia Sugarbaker of her region. For her friend group, she could be counted on always to cut a bitch, but with words, of course. It was baffling how many men would test this about her. They all lived to regret it. She had blond hair, always well-styled and battle-tested. Her eyes were a piercing blue. She got away with calling her parents by their ...

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28. I'm Not Going To Be Like These People, Rye.

Submitted to Contest #305

It was harvest again, the first anniversary of Kevin and Curt sharing their first affection for each other. To mark its importance, Curt showed up at Kevin’s house, this time at 9 pm, for Kevin’s first field grain run of the night. “Surprise!” Said Curt.“How did you… Never mind. I’m so happy you’re here at 9 pm instead of 3 am.”“Yeah, and I can go on all three runs, and we can spend the time in between, if you want.”“Okay! I will cuddle you so hard. Beware!” said Kevin. “Okay, you have a coat this time. That’s good. Charles Woodward was deep...

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14: Pop!

Submitted to Contest #304

POP! That was the sound Kevin's car made as he hit the pothole in front of Curt's house. It was also the sound of his cassette deck in the car, to queue up his favorite Vitamin Z song: Circus Ring. Curt jumped in, and they stopped by the local grocery store in Saranac called Adgates to pick up a few things for the party. Shopping with Curt was curiously appealing to Kevin. He watched as Curt decided on a bag of chips, pulling one from the back of the shelf that wasn’t facing out, which required him to remove several bags to get to it.“What?”...

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1. Talking to Grass and Granite

Submitted to Contest #304

Shook. Kevin was "shook," once again, just being here. 55-year-old Kevin Woodward sat in the grass before a well-established grave and lowered one red rose to the headstone in the Saranac Cemetery on David Highway in Saranac, Michigan. Over the many years, he went to many burials here; his family was buried across the street, but he would never get over this one. Although he would go on to have a productive life, he would never forget this loss. “You know, it has been three and a half decades, and I still miss you,” Kevin said.“I’m going t...

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22. Homecoming Dance, with a twist-er

September 20, 1986, was Saranac High School's Homecoming football game, and there was a dance the following evening on Saturday. Curt was considered part of the school's athletics division and was expected to participate in the homecoming court. Curt took Rachel, which was the expected thing to do, and Rachel wanted to help get Kevin onto the court, but Kevin was reluctant to bring any more attention to the festivities than was already present. After asking all his friends, he realized that he would either take Rachel up on her offer or go s...

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16. Happy New Year 1986

As Curt and the rest walked in to grab a table, Sarah greeted them as she entered the dining room from the kitchen. “I was about to end my shift,” she said. “Oh, good, so you can sit down and enjoy the pizza you’re probably sick of by now with us,” Curt said slyly.Sarah looked around for her boss and said, “Never… I’m never sick of this stuff,” as she took off her name tag and apron. “Hopefully, I don’t smell,” Sarah said. Kevin arrived with the two missing members of the group and sat down next to Curt. “Hi,” he said. Curt smiled and said,...

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21. Glass Houses on a Rocky Beach

Late in the morning, almost everyone found themselves at Grand Haven State Park, which included the city’s beach. Once their spot was set up, Kevin and Curt decided to walk down the cement pier towards the red lighthouse. On the north side of the dock was the channel inlet for boats entering the Grand River, bordered to the north by the fisherman’s pier. “WOODS!” could suddenly be heard in the distance.“I think that lady on the boat is yelling at you. Does someone call you ‘Woods ’?” Curt asked. “Oh my gosh, that’s my Aunt Gee.” Kevin said,...

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