Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

A little girl with a costume chef’s hat on. It’s a little too big for her head, causing

it to fall into her eyes. She pushes it up out of her face, shooting me a toothless

grin as she holds up a handmade sign that reads, in haphazard crayon…

“ABBY, U R MY HERO!”

Tears come to my eyes, but I blink them away. Suddenly, I’ve found my voice

again. I clear my throat, stand up straight, and start to speak.

“I want to say how grateful I am to stand here as a woman in a profession that

has long been dominated by men. And not just as a woman, but as someone

who believes in the power of diversity, of giving chances to those who are often

overlooked.”

Enter title…

I pause, choosing my words carefully. “But it’s not just about me,” I continue, “it’s

about all of us here. The incredible chefs who have come to compete, the staff

who make this show possible, and you—the audience, who make us want to be

better.”

the corner of my eye, I see Daniel roll his eyes, his scowl

I contemplate going further, confronting his negativity right

here. It’s not right. It’s

of the love,” I

opponents—no, not my opponents,

the day,

of cooking, to challenge ourselves, and most

in a

applause and cheers takes over

faces of the audience,

contestants, and lastly to Karl, who gives me an approving

matter who takes home the prize today,” I add, “what truly matters is

a community, cheering each other on,

the real victory, and it’s

more. He’s still scowling at me,

most important

her head, her grin missing

if I don’t win

the microphone

there’s another round of

all dying

today?”

dart to Karl, whose eyes glint in the

‘Ken,’” I say. “If you all

for the