Chapter 1
"Remember that time we got free soda for a year at the corner store?" Steve looked over at Bucky grinning. "That was the best though in hindsight we should have asked for more to keep quiet." Nat was looking at them waiting for the story. This was everyone's favorite moment. If Bucky started something with remember when they expected a good story.
"Well boys don't leave us hanging. This story sounds like it involves blackmail." Bucky laughed. "Yea there was this store at the corner we used to go to as kids and occasionally we would do something for the owner and he would let us grab a pickle from the barrel." Tony was now looking at him. "A pickle really?" He shrugged. "It was the depression being paid in food was just as good as money. Anyway this one day the old man tells Stevie and I to grab a pickle and poor Stevie comes out with a rat in his hand. He shrieks in surprise and goes into a fit with his asthma. The old man panics and takes is and the rat to the back. He begs us to keep it a secret. Worried he would lose his business if someone knew a rat got in the food. So he quiets Steve down and says we can have as much soda as we like for the next year so long as we don't tell a soul about the rat."
Bruce is now at the table waiting to hear more. "So what happened?" He got up from his seat. "We took our pickles and grabbed a soda." They all looked at Steve. "You both still ate the pickles?" He laughed. "It wasn't the worst thing we had ever found in food. Besides he offered us free soda what kid is gonna turn that down." Bruce shuddered at the thought. "That's so gross."