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Better Days Are Coming

A Story of Faith, Family And Friendship

Book 2

Jonathon Wright    

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Copyright

Copyright © 2024  Jonathon Wright

All Rights Reserved  

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including storage and retrieval systems, without written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in a book review.

Ebook cover image created by Samantha Fury- https://furycoverdesign.com

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Contents

Chapter 1  No Christmas Shopping Today

Chapter 2  Houston’s Diagnosis

Chapter 3  Joe’s Car

Chapter 4  A New Year’s Eve Surprise

Chapter 5  Billy’s Got A Problem

Chapter 6  A Miracle In The Making

Chapter 7  Nelson’s Big Break

Chapter 8  A New Beginning

Chapter 9  Joe’s Many Blessings

Epilogue

Note From Author

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1. No Christmas Shopping Today

        Joe rushed out of the house, not wanting Houston or his mother, Jane, to ask too many questions. Christmas was coming soon, and he had shopping to do. Houston, his stepfather, was first on the list. They were very close, and he wanted their first Christmas together to be perfect. Joe decided to take the freeway, hoping to get to the mall before the Christmas rush.

        “I should have known better than to use the freeway.” The cars were backed up for miles.  

        Joe turned on the radio, searching for some Christmas music to keep his mind on Jesus, the reason for the season. His search took a little longer than expected. A brown van behind him beeped. The driver's beep lasted way longer than it should have. Joe didn't look back. He didn't want to witness the driver giving him obscene gestures. "All I did was stop to change the radio station. The nerve of some people."

        Joe didn’t like having impatient people behind him. He changed lanes, so the driver could pass, but the driver changed lanes and continued to follow him. Joe felt uncomfortable having this guy behind him. He looked in his mirror, wishing he could pull off to the side of the road and let him pass. If only he hadn’t changed lanes. Joe kept watching and hoping the driver would get the hint to go around.

        A few minutes later, the traffic started to speed up, and Joe changed lanes. This brief relief from heavy traffic caused his mind to relax. A car in front of Joe came to a sudden stop. Joe slammed on his brakes to avoid crashing into his bumper. But the brown van behind him didn't stop in time and collided with Joe’s car.

        At first, Joe thought the guy in the van had intentionally hit his car. He wanted to give him a piece of his mind but knew this would not honor the Lord. They both pulled off to the side of the road, and Joe was about to call the police.

        He saw a man get out of the van and walk toward him. The man wore a dark trench coat, and his entire outfit was black. The way he looked brought chills down Joe's spine.

        Yet as the man got closer and started to speak, there was a calming presence in his voice. "I am so sorry I hit you. My friend is talking to the police now."

        Joe rolled his window down and continued to talk to the man. His expression changed without notice. He leaned against the car and pulled a gun out of his coat. For a brief moment, Joe saw his life flash right before his eyes.

        And then the mysterious man spoke again. "I need you to hand me your keys, phone, and wallet. I am going to drive your car to Walmart. Your keys and phone will be in the glove box. If you don’t call the police, your wallet will be in your mailbox first thing tomorrow morning. If you do as I say, you will never see me or the people I work for again. We can't have the police knowing about this. If you don't listen, there will be a price to pay. We have police scanners. I think that is fair, don't you?"

        Joe nodded, as the man continued to speak. "I want you to get out of the car, go over into the grass, and lay on your stomach. Don’t look up until I am gone. Don’t try anything funny, or I will shoot."

Joe knew better than to complain about the rain and the mud in the grass. He knew better than to worry about his clothes getting stains and other petty stuff. This man meant business, and he didn’t want to die.

A few seconds later, both cars sped off and exited the freeway. Joe stared at the ground, happy to be alive.

Many questions that filled his mind. How would he get home? He was miles away and stranded. He was wet and cold from the rain, with no money. Joe sat on the side of the road feeling depressed and stunned by what happened. The only thing he could do was pray. "How am I going to get out of this mess?"

A second later, Joe heard a familiar voice. Was he dreaming? Could it be his friend Dave? Then he heard it again and saw Dave. “Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer and helping me.”

Dave rolled his window down. "Get in. No friend of mine should be out in this kind of weather. What happened? Did that guy steal your car? I am going to call the police and wait with you. Then I will take you home. Don't worry, they will get this guy."

"No, don't call the police. Take me to Walmart, so I can get my car." Joe wanted to do everything the man told him. He had no desire to see him or the people he worked for again.  

Dave looked at Joe in astonishment as he explained all that the man told him. After getting to Walmart, they found the car parked in the far corner of the parking lot. Joe breathed a sigh of relief, as he drove home in silence, still stunned from all the chaos. He decided to go home and take a nap to calm down. Christmas shopping would have to wait.

The next day, Joe woke up early, wondering if the man had delivered his wallet yet. He decided to wait until daylight to be safe. He did not want to run into that man again.

Joe heard the sound of a car idling. He peered through the small slits in his blinds, not wanting anyone to see him. Joe saw the same brown van that hit him yesterday. It pulled up to his mailbox and then drove off. It was 5 in the morning. Joe wanted to run outside and get his wallet. But he didn’t want to wake Houston or his Mom. They would be up soon. So he waited until they were gone to check the mail.

Joe was happy to find an envelope with his wallet in the mailbox. He breathed a sigh of relief that this ordeal was over. Joe didn’t tell his parents. The damage to his car was minimal, and he didn’t want them to worry or call the police.

Plus, they had enough problems dealing with Houston's health concerns. Houston coughed most of the night, keeping Joe awake. He even threw up a couple of times. This concerned Joe because it was becoming a habit for his stepfather. He wondered if Houston was okay. Joe heard Houston and his mother arguing. Jane told Houston she was calling the doctor first thing in the morning. They were going to the doctor, no matter what he said. Joe was so glad his mother was talking some sense into him.

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2. Houston’s Diagnosis  

The next day, Houston went to see his doctor, Sid. He ran several tests and did some routine scans for cancer and other things. A week later, Jane and Houston sat in the Doctor's office, waiting to hear the news. Deep down inside, he already knew what was going to happen. His doctor was going to tell him the lung cancer had returned. He would need to see a cancer specialist, who would recommend Chemotherapy or surgery.

Houston had been in remission for a couple of years, but the symptoms seemed to be worse this time. He wondered if Chemo was going to help. He hoped they weren’t going to check him into the hospital. Houston had a constant cough and an upset stomach. But what concerned him the most was that he could not walk straight. Because of the dizziness in his head, he had to stop every so often to make sure he was not going to fall.

Sid met them in the hallway as they were entering the examination room. "I'll be right back with the results of your tests."

Thirty minutes later Houston looked at his watch wondering why Sid was taking so long. He felt uneasy and impatient. The clock on the wall made an annoying clicking sound that didn't help his headache. All he wanted to do was go home and pretend this was not happening. He looked out the window trying desperately to find something to keep him calm as he waited.

Jane reached for his hand to soothe and comfort him. Houston put his head on her shoulder and decided to rest his eyes. He was so glad that she went with him. Her hand and shoulder brought great comfort to him. He needed the extra rest. He tossed and turned all night and finally got up for the day at 4 am.

The door creaked open and Houston awoke. Sid popped his head through the door. "I am sorry I took so long."

Houston did not like the expression on his face. "It's OK Doc You don't have to worry. I know what's coming. The cancer is back. Am I right?"

Sid looked down. "Yes, but there is something more you should know. The cancer has returned in your lungs, but it has also spread to the brain, liver, and other parts of your body. We'll need to admit you into the hospital for observation, and tomorrow transfer you to Vanderbilt Cancer Center. I am going to refer you to Dr. Mark Williams, a cancer specialist at Vanderbilt. He is one of the best doctors in his field."

Houston could not believe what he was hearing. "Is it that serious? How long do I have?"

"I can't say at this point. Dr. Williams will be able to answer more of your questions."

"Do I have to go to Vanderbilt? Can't you do something for me here?" Houston didn’t like the idea of going across the state to die.

"Vanderbilt has the world's best technology to fight these types of aggressive cancer. If you wait too long, your kidneys could shut down, and it's only going to get worse. We have to do something if you want to have a chance to survive." A few minutes later, the doctor left.

Then a nurse came with a wheelchair. "Stay here until we get your room ready. I will come back later and escort you to your room."

Houston sat in silence. The thoughts in his head were overwhelming. Why is this happening to me? How in the world will my family make it? What is going to happen to the family business? He wanted to storm out of the hospital and get a second opinion. But he trusted Sid.  

No running was not a good plan. He was extremely tired and he would probably fall before he got to the door.  "Lord you promised not to give me more than I can bear, but this is so much more than I could have imagined."

After what seemed like an eternity, a nurse came to take him to his room. She turned on an old Western network. Houston loved old westerns like The Lone Ranger and Bonanza. Yet, he could find no relief from his inner turmoil. Finally, the nurse gave him a sedative. But at first, it did not help. He asked for more, and the head nurse Kathryn reluctantly gave him one final dose.

"Please Lord I need to sleep." Finally, Houston drifted off.

The next morning, they went to Vanderbilt, hoping to get some answers. The trip was only three hours, but it felt like an eternity. Houston thanked God, and they let Jane ride with him in the back of the ambulance. Despite Jane's calming presence, Houston did not enjoy his trip to Vanderbilt. He had taken all his pain medication. And it would be several hours before they would give him more. So there he lay awake, wrestling with his thoughts and pain.  

Finally, at eleven o'clock, the ambulance rolled into Vanderbilt Hospital. Houston had to wait out in the hall until his room was ready. The staff was very nice in getting him an early lunch while he waiting for his room. He was starving. After getting him into his room, Nurse Paula gave him his medicine, and he was able to get some much-needed rest. Three hours later, he heard voices in the hallway that startled him awake.

I'm sorry, did we wake you? It is good that you woke up because the doctor is coming soon." Jane was trying to be quiet, but the door was open, and Paula was asking her questions.

Dr. Williams walked into the room and explained the situation. "Your Cancer is inoperable because it has spread throughout your body."

Houston listened, irritated by what he was being told. "Tell me something I do not know."

"Chemotherapy is an option, but it would extend your life up to six months at best." Dr. William felt uneasy saying this, but his patient had to know the truth.

"No, I don't want Chemo. There are too many side effects, and it's not worth it for six months. Do you think I could transfer to another facility to be closer to my family and friends? I don't want to spend my last days in a hospital, far away from home." Houston stared at his new doctor, wondering if he would grant his request.  

Dr. Williams saw the look of concern on Houston’s face. "That’s a good idea. I will check into that and get back to you. It may take a couple of days to make it happen. Since you have opted not to take chemotherapy therapy, there is not much else I can do for you. Our goal is to make your last days as comfortable as possible."

"Yeah, your staff has been amazing,” said Houston with a smile.

“Thank you,” said Paula. “You have been one of the best patients we have ever had.” she rolled him into his room and helped him get into bed.

An hour later, Joe finally arrived at the hospital. He was expecting Houston to be sad, but Houston put him at ease with his wonderful attitude. His composure was amazing. “How can you be so calm and peaceful with all that is happening right now? I have never seen anyone like you.”

Houston smiled. "Well, I finally decided to give this to God. If it were not for Him and the medicine, I would have no peace. But what gives me peace is that I know where I am going. I am going home to be with Jesus. I have many questions and look forward to talking to Jesus. Also, I know Heaven will be so much better than life here on earth."

"Well, when you put it like that, it does make sense. It is good to see someone actually believing and living out the hope we have because of Christ. There is so much to look forward to when we leave this world." Joe tucked his stepfather in for the night and went to get some coffee.

That night, Houston had a dream. He read about dreams in the Bible, but this was so unexpected. He saw a bright, beautiful place. He also saw his former wife Jackie and his kids singing, “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Then he saw Jane and Joe. There was a huge hand that seemed to engulf them. His dream came to an abrupt end when a nurse came into his room. As he awoke, Houston knew that God was taking care of his family. This dream gave him the peace that he so desperately needed. He looked to his right and saw Jane and Joe. A big smile came over his face. He laughed as he felt God's comfort and presence fill his soul.

Joe noticed a calm and happy expression on his face. "Why are you so happy?"

"I had a dream, and you need to hear this."

Both of them sat mesmerized as Houston told them about the wonderful dream. Little did they know, this would be the last night they would talk to him. But it helped them to know Houston was in a better place. It helped them have faith that things were going to be okay. The Lord knew Joe and Jane needed a reminder of God's Sovereignty and Mercy. This Divine encounter helped them face the many challenges that were coming. Even though they were sad, they were also happy that he was in a better place and didn’t have to suffer.  

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3. Joe’s Car

Joe woke up, way too early, on New Year's Eve. He had a lot on his mind. He thought about what happened with his car and Houston's death. He wondered if his life would ever be the same. He felt like a tornado had ripped through his life and turned his world upside down. "Lord, I really need this to be a better year. Also, please help my mom find a job and a good roommate, so we can keep the house. In Jesus Name, Amen."

He picked up his Bible, hoping to find an encouraging scripture. He prayed and asked the Lord for His thoughts. And then he turned to Psalms 23. He loved to read and think about the life of David. "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me."  (See Psalms 23:4).

Thank you Lord for reminding me that you are by my side. I choose not to fear. Thank you for the dream you gave Houston. It meant a lot to me. I know that you have the whole world in your hands. I'm sorry for not trusting and believing that you will take care of our family. You have done it so many times and I thank you for it. He closed the book and his eyes for a minute. Then went back to sleep with peace in his heart and mind.

He awoke the second time feeling refreshed. Joe hadn't slept well since Houston's death. He heard a noise in the kitchen and the smell of bacon filled the air. "Mom must be cooking." He jumped out of bed, like it was Christmas, and went into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.

"GOOD. MOURNING !!!"

"You sound cheerful today." Jane knew this was going to be the day she had to ask and tell Joe something important. She was glad he was in a good mood, but she knew breakfast was not the time to talk about the things that were on her heart.

"Yeah, I had a great quiet time with the Lord, and then I wake up to you cooking. It doesn't get much better than this." Joe finished breakfast in five minutes. He kissed and hugged his Mom and went into his room.

After breakfast, Joe decided to call Rob, his dad. He loved talking to Rob about the Bible. They often would talk for an hour or more.  He liked this because growing up his Dad did not speak much about the Bible or his faith. Rob recently rededicated his life to God after going to church with his new wife. Joe had been praying for his Dad for a long time and was happy about his decision. Joe also enjoyed these calls because he wanted to restore their relationship, and he needed someone to talk to after the death of Houston. Joe felt bad having to leave his Dad when he went to live with his Mom. It was such a blessing to finally have him back in his life. Rob was one of the few people he could talk openly to.

The phone rang and Rob ran to snatch it off the kitchen table.  "Hey son, how are you? Happy New Year. I figured I would tell you that because we might not get a chance to talk tomorrow."

"Happy New Year. I am doing good. We are having a New Years Eve game night followed by a time of prayer shortly before midnight. There will be lots of food, fun and games. I am looking forward to playing some chess with Dave."

"I wish I was there."

"Me too Dad. Did you read anything exciting in the Bible today?"

Joe listened very closely to the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Many years later, after being incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, Joseph was pardoned and got out of prison. Then, after Joseph interpreting King Pharaoh's dream, he was promoted to his assistant and supreme ruler of Egypt.

Joe knew the story well, but Rob gave it new meaning. "Joe, you are in a bad situation, like Joseph.  A situation that God can turn around. God gave Joseph the interpretation of Pharoah's dream and wisdom that helped Egypt and his family through a major famine.  I do not think it was an accident that the Lord gave Houston that dream about being in God's hands. Houston died with the assurance God would take care of you guys. God did some amazing things in Joseph's life and I pray that he will do the same for you. I am praying that you will see better days, and that God would give you wisdom to find the good things He has for you."

"Thank's Dad it makes me feel better knowing you got my back."

"Joe if you don't mind, I am going to have to cut our call short. I have some work to get done before we go out tonight. We are going out to eat later, and then will be home to watch the ball drop. It won’t be as exciting as your night, but I am looking forward to a quiet and relaxing night at home.  Love you son talk to you soon."

"Love you too Dad."

A few minutes later, there was a tap on Joe's door.  "Honey we need to talk."

"Everything ok, Mom?"

Jane wanted to be quick and straight to the point. "You and I both know that we are going through a tough time. The truth is we need to find ways to cut down on our expenses. I am trying to find a job, but we can’t afford to keep two cars. Neither can we pay for the car insurance or the extra gas. Your job is close enough that you can walk. I know this is not what you want to hear. I am sorry. I hope one day things will get better and I can help you get a car. But if you need to go anywhere you are free to take my car as you wish."

"I understand. I got a guy who has offered to buy the car. I will give him a call and make it happen."

A couple of hours later, a man took Joe's car away. Joe was sad that he had to give up the car he loved for $500. But the man was more than fair. There was some evidence of a wreck. Joe also took comfort that he got what he paid for the car.  

Rob’s talk about Joseph reminded him of the importance of using wisdom and saving money. Because Joseph saved during the 7 years of abundance they got through 7 years of famine. Joe had to do something similar. It was the right thing to do, but he did not like it.

All of this was bittersweet for Joe. It felt good to have 500 dollars in his hand, but deep inside he knew it would not last long. "Lord we really need Mom to get a job and a new roommate. I have no idea how this is going to happen, but I put my trust in you.”

         

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4. A New Year’s Eve Surprise

The rest of the day went by like a blur. At six o'clock, they got into the car and went to the party. Joe looked out the car window and then turned to face Jane. "I can't wait to see Dave and play some chess. I need to tell him about my car too."

"It will be good to see Dave again. Oh, before I forget, Suzie has a surprise for you. She made you a Boston cream cheesecake for your birthday." Jane told him about the surprise. But she didn't tell him they were going to sing to him. She also wanted to see the look on his face when he saw the cake decorated like a chessboard.

"I wish Suzie had not gone to so much trouble for me. She reminds me of my grandmother, Nanny. Her cooking and desserts are almost as sweet as her personality."

"Yeah, the Lord has blessed her with the gift of cooking and hospitality." Jane had known her for over 5 years, but Joe had only lived with his mother in Birmingham for 2 years.

Joe got out of the car and couldn't wait to see Suzie. As he opened the door to go into the church, Billy, an old friend, was coming out. "Hey, Billy. I have not seen you since last year. Did you know Michael went into the military?"

Billy looked down. "Yeah, I miss him and the good Ole days when we all hung out together after church. I wish I still lived at home and didn't have all these bills, so I could do more of the fun things we used to do."

Billy was one of the nicest guys that Joe had ever met. Joe did not want to go into a long conversation about the things that happened recently. But he also felt there might be an opportunity and wondered if Billy would be his next roommate. So instead of being direct, he chose to feel out the situation.

"Have you considered getting a roommate?"

"No, but I would be open to the idea. The only problem is that it is hard to find a good roommate."

"I know what you mean. Our family had some bad roommates. We are looking for a good roommate too. But I have to talk to my mom, if you're interested."

"Sure, it would be great to have you as a roommate." Billy’s answer made Joe very happy.

"You would have your own room, of course. We will talk later after I talk to Mom. Then we can hash out some of the details. It is going to be a good night. Suzie has made some Boston cream cheesecake, and I can't wait to try a piece."

As Joe walked in, everyone started singing Happy Birthday. Joe's birthday was over a week ago, but none of his friends from church had called. He spent an uneventful day at home with his Mom because they did not have the money to go out. His Mom did make him a cake. But it was also nice that these people were going the extra mile to make Joe feel loved and appreciated. It was so unexpected and overwhelming.

Joe liked to eat his dessert last, but Suzie's cake looked amazing. Plus, everyone was staring at him to get a piece. As Suzie was about to cut and give him a piece, the pastor spoke. "Before we get this celebration started, let's say a prayer over the food. Lord, thank you for the food which we are about to eat. I pray that each person in our church would see better days. Help us to count our blessings and see how good You have been to us. In Jesus name, bless this food and our bodies, AMEN."

Dave, Joe, and Bruce were one of the first to get through the line of food. Dave had taken the time to set up the chessboard for him and Joe. Bruce was a new member of the church and was an avid chess player. So after feasting like Kings, the three Amigos took turns playing chess for most of the night. He and Dave each won a game. And Joe eked out a win in the third. Dave wanted to take a break. Bruce offered to play. Joe had never met or played chess with Bruce. At first, Joe thought he was going to crush him. But he soon learned that Bruce was sneaky and could deliver brutal checkmates. He even told Joe it was coming in 5 moves. But Joe couldn’t stop it.

In their second game, Joe forced a draw. But in the last game, Joe made a crucial mistake when he decided to take Bruce's queen.  Joe thought for sure he was about to win the game.

Right after this, Jane came over to watch him play. "How's it going, Champ?"

So far I have won 2 and lost 2. And then Bruce did it again. Checkmate. Dave asked if he could play, and Joe excused himself. In all the excitement, he almost forgot to talk to his mother about Billy. After a brief conversation, Jane agreed that it would be ok.

Joe went over to Billy to tell him the good news. "Mom says it will be ok."

"That's good. I am glad we are going to be roommates. But I do have one request. I am ashamed to ask this. But is there anyway I can go home with you all tonight? I have been living in my car. We can work out the details in the morning. It sure would be nice to have a warm place to sleep tonight."

"That shouldn't be a problem, since Mom agreed you could be our roommate. I will have to ask her, but I am sure it will be fine."

As they all went to sleep that night, Joe had a million thoughts running through his head. Joe felt blessed to have a new roommate. It gave him so much joy to see how God took care of his family and answered his prayer.  He was glad that the Lord used his family to help get Billy off the streets. The whole situation helped him realize that his life was not as bad as he thought. He wondered what happened to force Billy to have to live in his car. He hoped that Billy would open up and talk to him about all the things going on in his life. Yet he knew Billy was in his family's life for a reason. So he prayed for Billy and was grateful the Lord brought him into their lives.

At first, Jane had many reservations about Billy living with them. Especially after hearing that he was living out of his car. But she already told Joe he could stay. She remembered Joe talking about Billy a couple of years ago. But she didn’t know much about him.  She did her best to dismiss the negative thoughts that filled her mind. Jane had to trust God and her son. If Billy hung out with Michael and Keith, he had to be okay.  

Billy reassured her that he did have a steady job and was able to help pay the bills. Jane was glad to hear this good news. When she first heard about Billy living out of his car, she thought he was going to be more of a burden than a blessing. But hearing about his job and seeing her son so happy put her mind at ease and gave her hope that God was taking care of them.

As Jane prepared for bed, she whispered, “Thank you, Lord, for giving us a new roommate on New Year's Eve.”

 

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5. Billy’s Got A Problem

The next day, Billy did his best to be quiet, as he crept out of the house and made his way to work. Billy had a good job as an assistant manager at Food Max. In the past, he lived with his Mom and didn't have many bills. Thus, he always had lots of money to do whatever he wanted. Billy loved to bet on sports games and became friends with Tony and Erick. Tony drove a brown van and Erick loved wearing a black trench coat. He had no idea the troubles that they would bring into his life.

But Billy’s Mom knew they were not good for him. She gave him a choice. If he was going to live at home, he could not hang out with Tony or Erick. Billy decided to move out. But neither Tony nor Erick would let him live with them. Billy had to grow up and become a man.

In the beginning, this was okay because Billy had a steady job with lots of perks. But Billy wanted more and started gambling to supplement his income. Most of the time he won a lot more than he lost and gambling was not a big issue, especially when he was winning.

But, after the Pandemic, Billy had a string of bad luck. His favorite teams lost games they should have won. He lost confidence in his ability to pick a winner, so he started playing cards. People were making lots more money, and he wanted to rebound from his string of bad luck. He had a full house with three Aces, which was a good hand to bet on. He decided to bet all his money on it and lost.

The loss was devastating. It was at the end of the month and the landlord was looking for a reason to get rid of him. He and Billy did not see eye to eye. Billy said some mean things about him. Neither of them had a kind word for the other. Billy grew up knowing the importance of love and kindness. But all the problems in his life continued to escalate. And after he could not pay the rent on time, the landlord kicked him out. To make matters worse, Tony gave him the money to get into the game and Billy lost it all. Despite all of this, Tony wanted his money ASAP. He was not happy when Billy told him it would take 2 or three months. Times were desperate for Billy. He was eating one meal a day. Tony was sympathetic because they were old friends. Billy got a significant pay advance to show he was going to pay his debt. But Tony's boss was impatient and hated to wait for his money.

Tony looked at his boss. "The kid ran into some bad luck. He always pays his bills. I know he will get your money soon. I will make sure of that." The boss turned and walked away. He knew Tony would take care of it.

"Look, kid, I can't hold him off forever. I know you are going to pay me my money, but we got to think of something that will get the money faster. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Tony stared deep into his eyes. Billy gulped, his whole body trembling as Tony continued to talk. He was hoping Tony would let him off with a warning. But what Tony suggested next caught him off guard.

"How much money is in the safe at night when you close the store."

"Ten thousand dollars. But I can't rob the store!!! I would get caught!!! There are cameras everywhere!!!"

"Take it easy, kid. I am not asking you to rob your store. I am asking you to help get me and my guys into the store, bypass the security and crack the safe. We would go in at night so no one will see us. Plus, I am sure that several people have the security code to bypass the alarm. And you can do this in the safety of your new home, which gives you a great alibi."

Billy was not convinced that this was a good idea. "I can get you in the building and by pass the alarm, but I don't have the combination and the safe is time delayed at night."

Tony was not going to take no for an answer. "I have a guy who is an expert safe cracker. Even though they may ask you questions, there is no way they can prove you had anything to do with the robbery."

Billy knew this was bad, but he also had seen Tony and the others work over those who did not pay their bills. Plus, he did not want them to use other persuasive methods that could get himself or the people he cared for hurt.

The next night, Billy did not feel or sleep well. He stayed up worrying most of the night.  It was almost 3 a.m. Did something go wrong? The fear and dread of what he had done would not leave him alone. At 4 o’clock, he finally got a text that everything had gone according to plan. He still was not looking forward to facing his boss or having to talk to the police. He told himself, under his breath, "Hold it together. This will be over with soon."

At 7 o’clock, Billy got a call from the store that he needed to come in to answer some questions. He got dressed, went into the kitchen, grabbed some coffee, and dashed out the door. This was how it was every morning for Billy. He kept to himself. He did not want Joe or his family involved in the drama that was happening in his life. But Joe and Jane knew something was wrong. Yet they had no idea what was going on. They prayed for Billy every day. But other concerns about Billy and their life were weighing heavy on their minds.

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6. A Miracle In The Making

Billy made sure to pay his share of the rent. But, because he did not stay around much, he resented spending his money to buy groceries. He only ate one meal a day. He could not afford to pay for everyone's food.

One night, Joe and Jane sat at the table waiting for Billy to come home. They both wanted to talk to him about the possibility of helping them with some grocery money. They needed ten dollars or so to get them through the rest of the month. At the beginning of every month, a food bank ministry would help them with groceries. They did their best to manage what little food they had, but there was nothing in the house to eat. They were desperate. Yesterday, Joe got creative and made strawberry muffin mix gravy. There were a few saltine crackers left and a package of strawberry muffin mix. He thought he might make some gravy to go with his crackers.

Well, it turned out to be the worst thing he ever created. It was a culinary disaster. His stomach turned as he ate it. When his Mom saw Joe's reaction, she would not touch it and ate the last of the remaining crackers. Joe tried to spice up his creation with some ketchup and mustard, but that only made it worse.

As Billy came in the door, Joe asked if he would spot them ten dollars until next week. Most of the time, Billy said yes, when Joe offered to pay him back. But Billy was beyond frustrated that the hold up of the grocery store was not enough to pay all the bills he owed Tony. And to top it off, Tony took everything he had. "I can't. I don't have a dime to my name."

Joe knew that Billy had just gotten paid. "Don't you care that we could die of starvation." Joe wondered why he was unwilling to help them.

Billy let Joe have some of his pent-up frustration. "I told you I don't have any money!!! I am sorry!!! I can't deal with this right now!!!"

He stormed into the other room and slammed the door shut. It almost shook the entire house. Joe wondered why he was lying and acting so rude.

Jane began to pray as she heard the door slam. "Lord, You know we need food to survive. We pray for your help because we do not know what else to do. We cannot live like this. I have got to find a job soon." She was crying, almost on the verge of a breakdown.

A couple of minutes later, there was a knock on the door. It was Dale, the pastor of their church. Jane saw him carrying a bag and wondered why he had come. The pastor told her that the Lord wanted him to bring them a few groceries. He also wanted to find out how they were doing.

He knew the family was going through some tough times. But as Jane told him everything that was happening, his heart began to melt. "I may have a lead on the perfect job for you. There is a guy that lives a few houses down from the church. His name is Parker. He has cerebral palsy, but he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. His family needs someone dependable to live with and take care of him. If you want, I can talk to them and put in a good word for you."

Jane wiped the tears from her eyes. "Please do. Pastor, if you only knew how glad I am that you came here tonight. You are an answer to my prayers. We could have starved to death. I was at my wits end and needed a job."

As Dale was preparing to leave, he reached into his pocket and gave Jane 100 dollars. "This should help. Please let us know if things ever get this bad again. The church is going to help you through this."

Jane felt a little awkward, but she gave the man a big hug anyway. "Thank you so much, Pastor!!!"

Jane closed the door and the whole neighborhood could have heard the celebration. She turned on her favorite song, Look What The Lord Has Done. Her favorite part was: “He saved Me just in time.” Each time she heard that part of the song made her want to praise God more. He truly did save their family just in time. It was a night none of them would ever forget.

Meanwhile, Joe grabbed the pastor's bag and found some bread, peanut butter, and jelly. He made a sandwich for both of them. It was the best PB&J they had ever eaten.

While Joe was in the kitchen, Billy was in his room praying. Because of the thin walls, he overheard everything. And it brought him to his knees. He asked God to forgive him and help make this situation right. As Billy poured his heart out to the Lord, his demeanor changed. He came out and apologized to Joe and Jane. They both looked at him they could tell he had been crying. "I did not want you and Jane to think I didn’t care. I had some unexpected bills." He showed them the empty wallet. "I do care, and I should not have been so rude."

Joe made him a sandwich as a sign of goodwill. Even though he still thought he was lying. Billy went back into his room. He was so happy that God had done a great miracle for them all. But he wondered what God was going to do about the mess he got himself into.

---

7. Nelson’s Big Break

Later in the day , the police got an anonymous tip that a brown van and a couple of men were seen in the area the night of the crime. Nelson McBride knew this van was a key to solving the case. It had been a common denominator for many unsolved crimes. Nelson got the number to the anonymous caller and pressed redial. It was a long shot but he had to try.  

“Good Evening. This is Nelson McBride from your local police department. We got an anonymous call from this number.”

“Yes, sir, it was me. My name is Frank. But please don’t let anyone else know.”

“Thank you, Frank. You didn’t have to tell me though. I just have a couple of questions about the brown van. Can you give us more information about it or the people you saw? We have been tracking this van for two years now.”

 There was a brief moment of silence and then Frank spoke. “The guy who owns the van is Tony Romano. He also has a partner named Erick who wears a black trench coat. I don’t know his last name, but they are always together. Tony is a local loan shark. Some say he is connected with the Mob.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I saw both of them when I peered through my window the other night. I don’t want to be involved with this especially since he might be connected to mob. That is why I wanted to remain anonymous. But I shouldn’t let that man make me afraid. I was trained in special forces and spent many years in Iraq. So when you called I decided to do the right thing.”

“Frank, we appreciate your service to our country and I will do my best not to involve you in these matters. I completely understand. The last thing we want to do is put you or your family in danger. I will call you if we have any other questions. But don’t worry your secret is safe with me.  Thanks again for the name.”

After Nelson hung up, he quickly saved Frank's number as a contact. He also did some research on Tony Romano. He found his address and decided to do some undercover work. Nelson sent agents to watch his house night and day.

On the first night, his men told him about a brown van. The next night they called and talked about a man in a dark trench coat who drove the van with Tony. It seemed he was the link to Tony and this crime.

Nelson decided they needed to bring him in for questioning. Before they left to get the man in the trench coat he gave his men specific instructions. “I want you to wait until he is alone before going after him. We don’t have enough evidence to hold either of them. But maybe if we separate the two of them he will crack.”  

“That should not be a problem boss Erick loves to take a morning stroll every day at 6 AM.”

Erick and Nelson

Erick woke up early the next day and decided to take his morning walk. He was surprised to see a couple of police officers come up to him. Erick knew better than to panic or run. He knew that running would incriminate him and could land him a night in jail. After all, there is no way they knew he and Tony had pulled off the robbery. How could they?

They brought Erick in without a fight. After talking to Erick about the robbery, Nelson sensed he was uneasy. He looked deep into Erick's eyes and raised his voice. "If you had anything to do with this, WE WILL FIND OUT SOONER OR LATER!!! It would be better for you if you told us now. We can place you in the witness protection program, and you might not face any jail time."

Nelson's tone startled him. It reminded him of all the times that Tony had coerced him to doing things he did not want to do. Erick was a Christian, and he knew what he was doing was wrong. But Tony was relentless, and it seemed there was no way he was going to get out of the mess he had gotten himself into. Day and night, his conscience weighed heavy on his heart.

He prayed many times that God would forgive him. He also prayed that the Lord would help him get out of the organization and away from them. When Nelson said this, Erick knew this may be his only opportunity to come clean and get out. He knew it was going to be risky. But Erick could not live this way any longer. "OK, I will tell you everything you want to know about this crime and the many other crimes we have committed."

Nelson looked surprised to hear Erick say these things.  I am so glad that you are willing to help us. You won't regret it."

"I know. This is what God wants me to do. I have been stuck living a life I never intended."

Billy And Tony

A few hours later, Billy went to work smiling and singing praise songs in his car. Also, it was payday and Billy had just enough to pay Tony back and put this all behind him. Billy pulled up into his usual spot and noticed police cars in the parking lot. He wondered what all the commotion was about. Had there been another robbery?

As he came inside the door, his boss stopped him. These officers have some questions about the robbery. Joe turned, and before he could respond, an officer pulled out his handcuffs. "You have the right to remain silent."

Billy looked stunned and could not say a word. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How did they find out? Joe thought about running but knew it was futile.  

After the officers told him about someone confessing, Billy did not say a word. He would not talk to the police until he saw his lawyer. After talking to his lawyer, Billy decided to pled no contest and was not going to testify against Tony. By not testifying against Tony, he was keeping himself and those he loved safe. Billy wouldn’t have to worry about their safety if he did not double-cross Tony. Billy knew they could force him to testify. But he was willing to defy them even if it meant contempt of court and a lot more time in jail. Billy wanted to take sole responsibility for what he had done.

The officers had no problem hearing his decision to plead no contest. But they needed more than Erick's testimony to catch and put Tony behind bars. Nelson even raised his voice, thinking he could persuade Billy like he did Erick. But it was no use. Billy refused to listen to reason. Nelson got so mad he had to leave to regain his composure. He was not happy that Billy was making their job a lot harder.

A few minutes later, Nelson was on the phone talking to the witness who saw Tony and his van in the area. "This guy has done many crimes, and we need your help to put him behind bars. Could you come down and identify the man you saw that night? He will not be able to see you or know your name. We already have someone in his gang that is willing to testify, but one more witness would cinch the case. It should not come down to you having to testify. Most of the time in a case like this, the defendant makes a deal for less jail time."

After getting the man to agree to come down. Nelson gave the order to have Tony arrested and brought in for questioning. During the interrogation, Tony had a smug look on his face. “There is no way you can pin this on me.”

Nelson learned over and got closer into his face. “We have someone who saw you and your van near the crime scene. We also have someone in your organization that is willing to testify. So don't give me that smug, innocent look.”

 Nelson did not tell him it was Erick. However, Tony suspected Erick because he didn’t come to work this morning. Tony also was afraid Billy was going to say something.

After hearing this, Tony asked to speak with his lawyer and then pled no contest. He wanted to avoid a trial and get less jail time. Thus, neither Billy nor Erick had to testify against him. Billy had been praying a lot during this time. He was a little concerned when some of Tony's thugs came to talk to him and make sure he was going to be quiet. Billy reassured them he had no intention of testifying against Tony. Billy praised God when he heard the news about Tony's case not going to trial. It was also nice when they transferred Tony to another jail in another state.

The next day, Joe and Jane wondered why Billy didn’t come home from work. Even though they didn’t see him much, the place did not feel the same without him.  After his change of heart the other day Billy was nicer and more fun to be around. When Joe and Jane called the store, they learned he was in jail.

 Joe went to the county jail to visit his old friend. "Billy, How are you?"

Billy looked surprised. He almost didn’t want to sit down he was so ashamed for what he had done. The guard prodded him and Billy sat with his head down. He didn’t know what to say. Billy could have called them but he didn’t want to have to explain all the bad things he did. In one sense he was not happy to see Joe. Yet deep in his heart he loved Joe and his family.  

Joe looked at his sad face which made him curious. "What happened? I heard you helped some people rob your store."

"Yeah, I am guilty. I lost a bet, and some people decided to force me to rob my own store to repay them."

"Why don't you tell them the truth and get your name cleared."

"It is not that easy. They would hurt me or the ones I love if I testify against them. I don't want them coming after you or Jane because I testified against them. But God worked it out, so I do not have to testify against Tony. God even worked it out so Tony was sent to another prison.

“I know that is a relief on your mind. I still don’t like you being in prison,” When Joe said this his eyes started to water.

“I am okay in here. But you must promise to never come visit me again. I don’t  want them to associate you and me.  The Lord will take care of me. I am expected to be up for parole in a few years. Did your mother get that job?"

"Mom and I have an interview to meet the family. But the pastor has put in a good word and knows them personally. I don’t see any reason why she won’t get the job. They live right next to the church. It will be nice living within walking distance of our church. I am excited." Joe looked at the glass that separated them and continued to talk. “I am sorry you can’t come with us.”

Billy raised his head. Joe’s kind words brought a smile to his face. “Me too. I wish things could have worked out differently. But I will never forget what God did for your family. I rededicated my life to the Lord and have not regretted it one bit. Who knows, God might use me to reach someone for His kingdom. Don't worry about me. God has me in His hands. Please pray that God will bring something good from all this.”

"I will, Billy"

"Thanks"  

The guard came to the window and told Joe it was time to leave. It was sad to say goodbye, but Joe understood how much he cared for them and his family.

A few years later, Joe heard from a friend in his church that Billy had gotten out of jail early for good behavior. He and his mother reconciled their differences. After her death, he lived in her house and some people in his church let him work for them. He met Sharon, the love of his life, and lived happily ever after. God did some amazing things in his life, and he was never ashamed to praise God for it.

---

8. A New Beginning

On the way home, Joe started to cry.  His heart broke as he thought about Billy stuck in prison. But the closer he got to seeing his Mom the more resolved he got to be strong. He knew his life was about to make a turn for the better. No longer would he have to worry about where his next meal was coming from or if Mom had a job. Things were looking up and God would take care of them and his old friend. He whispered thank you to the Lord and walked into the house.

A few days later, Joe and Jane met Parker and his family. As they drove up to the house, Joe noticed his church that was less than a block away. "Wow, you said we were going to be near the church, but I had no idea it was going to be right next to us."  

Joe shut the car door and looked at a large old house that showed signs of significant wear and tear. As the door opened to his new home, he saw a huge, winding staircase with massive banisters and wooden rails. There was a large platform that divided the stairs into 2 sections. He also noticed the beautiful crown molding and chandeliers perched high in the air. The elegance and beauty took his breath away. Even the hardwood floors seemed to sparkle. "Nice place you have here."

Stan greeted Joe and Jane at the door. "Thank you. We have plans to remodel the outside as well. I am Stan. This is my sister Ruth. We are Parker's brother and sister. Would you like a tour of the place before we sit down and talk about the specifics of the job?"

Stan was a great tour guide. Joe thought he spent too much time describing the antique furniture and old gas heaters. But Jane listened with great eagerness as Stan and Ruth continued to talk. Joe could tell she enjoyed hearing about the history of this place. Yet Joe had other things on his mind.  

Joe finally asked, "Does the house have central heating and air?"

"No. We thought about getting central heating and air, but with a house this size it would have drained our renovation budget. But all the major rooms and bedrooms have a heater and air conditioner. They do much better if you shut the door of the room you are in."

"That's good to know. I was a little worried."

A few minutes later, they headed upstairs to see the bedrooms. There was something special about the first bedroom at the top of the stairs. Joe whispered in his mother's ear. "Can I have this for my room. I love the beautiful hand carved bed poles at the end of the bed."  

"You can have your fancy bed poles. I hate them. They remind me of a totem pole."

"Thanks, Mom, you're the best." Joe didn’t think they were totem poles and was glad to take the room off her hands.  

After a long tour of the house, Stan looked at Joe. "Would you mind hanging out with Parker while we talk with your mother.  Parker wants to play a game of checkers. I have to warn you, he is good. He beats me all the time."  Stan went to get Parker from his room downstairs.

Parker was asleep. With great effort Parker made his way into the living room, shuffling his feet and walker. The first thing that Joe noticed was the smile on Parker's face as their eyes met for the first time. Parker was a thin and short man with kind eyes and wrinkles. At first, he thought Parker might be shy. Joe took the lead in introducing himself. "Hi, I am Joe."

And then Parker came to life, "Hey Joe, I am Parker, Parker Roedersheimer. Want to hear me spell my name?"

“Sure.”

"PARKER.... ROEDER.. SHE.. IMER. Are you ready to play some checkers? I always play that we have to take our jumps. I hope you don’t mind. That is the only way I like to play. I hate it when the board gets clogged. Nobody can win that way. It makes for a boring game and takes too long."

"No problem, I love checkers." Joe had never played that way. So Parker didn't have any problem beating him. Stan and Ruth enjoyed talking to Jane, and the meeting went better than expected. They offered her the job after seeing how well Parker and Joe got along. It was like they had known each other for years. Parker gloated about beating Joe to everyone.

But Joe knew it was only a matter of time before he beat Parker. "I will get you next time."

Yet, later in life, he didn’t enjoy beating new friend. Of course there were times he was happy to wipe that smirk off his face. But most of the time he would pretend not to see the moves and allow him to win. Sometimes being a good friend means letting others win and caring how they feel. It was the highlight of Parker's week to win those games, and Joe was not about to take that joy away from him.  

After taking the job to live and care for Parker, Jane called Dave to help them move. He had done such a wonderful job with their last move. Dave helped them move in one day. But now they had a lot more stuff, including a huge sectional that Houston bought. Jane was skeptical they could get the job done in one day. Yet they did not have to hurry this time.

But Dave called the pastor and got a big group from the church to help. Many of them had trucks, which made the process so much easier. The first load went to Dave's house, where there was a huge shed for storage. Jane was an expert organizer and it showed. The move went like clockwork and in less than a day, Dave and a huge group of volunteers had done it again.  

Mom ordered several pizzas for everyone to enjoy for dinner. Most people grabbed some pizza as they dashed out the door. She was so thankful to have most of the money the pastor had given her to be a blessing to all her friends.

Soon, Joe and Jane were alone with Parker. It felt a little odd having an extra person around, but the evening was better than expected. Parker and Joe played checkers and then watched some TV. Parker loved watching sports and old westerns. Joe did too. So they hit it off like two old friends. Even though Parker was in his 70s and Joe was in his 20s.

 Joe fell asleep on the couch and woke with sweat trickling down his face. Mom had turned on the heater downstairs and closed the doors. This made the living room warm and toasty.

Stan was not lying when he said closing the doors made the heaters and air conditioners work well. Also, Parker had placed a blanket over him. It was so nice to have a great Mom and a new thoughtful friend.

The next morning, Parker woke up early. Mom was not an early riser, yet she had to get used to his routine during the week.  Parker had her set the alarm for 6:30 AM. His family had given her specific instructions about what he liked and did not like in the morning. He didn’t drink coffee, but he had to have bacon and eggs every morning.

Jane was not looking forward to this. But Parker's family showed her how to use the microwave to cook the bacon perfectly every time. This was nice and saved a lot of time. Plus, she didn’t have to get a lot of dishes out or make a huge mess.

At 8 a.m., a friend named Joe Bostani came to pick Parker up. He let Parker hang out with him during the day. They had been friends since they were kids.  Like clockwork, Parker came home every day around 4 p.m.

One afternoon, Joe was looking for a job. When Parker came home the house was empty. Jane had stepped out for a while and thought she would be back long before Parker got home.  She called about 4:15 praying that Joe was home with Parker.  

The phone rang several times and then Parker finally picked up. "Hello, Jane not home, call back later."

"Parker, this is Jane."

"Joe not home, call back later, and then he hung up."

Jane got home 15 minutes later, apologizing for not being there when he got home. But Parker did not seem to mind. "I am starving. What's for dinner."

Jane went into the kitchen and started cooking, some hamburger helper. Joe came in about 30 minutes later. Jane was quick to tell him about what happened while he was gone. "We have got to make sure that someone is here when Parker gets home. He does not understand, and I shutter to think what could have happened. I would feel so much better if we both would communicate better to make sure this does not happen again."

"Don't worry, Mom, I will."

After a game of checkers and a good meal, Joe washed the dishes, so Jane could relax before he went out tonight. He was looking forward to playing chess with Bruce and watching a movie. Sometimes they would play chess and talk for hours. This was becoming a weekly routine between them.  He was happy Bruce lived only a block away.

 Bruce and his wife Kathy were smart and interesting. Their conversations were never dull. And she was a great cook. Joe usually didn’t eat with them, but he did get to taste some of the wonderful desserts she made.  Bruce told Joe about a job opening at Bruno's.  

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9. Joe’s Many Blessings

A couple of weeks later, Joe started working at Bruno's, a supermarket chain in the Southeast. His previous experience as a Produce clerk helped him land a great job in the Produce department. He loved working early, which allowed him to get home several hours before Parker. Plus, the job came with a significant pay raise that allowed him to save money.

After saving 5000 dollars, Joe wanted to buy a car. Unfortunately, 5000 dollars wasn’t enough to get him a new one. So Joe and his friend Dave decided to look for a preowned. All Joe wanted was a good car with low miles at a fair price. Dave had worked as a mechanic and said he would look at any of them he considered worthy to buy. It was nice having a guy instead of his mother hanging over him.

Joe and Dave got in the car and drove to Smart Auto Sales. They found a couple of cars in Joe's price range. They decided to stop in and take a look.

A young lady greeted him as he came into the building. "Hi, how may I help you?"

"I am looking for a car, around 5 thousand cash."

She paused and thought for a moment. "I only know of two cars in that price range. But if you find another car you like, you can take 1000 dollars off the price on the window. We want it to be easy for our customers to calculate the price for cash."

"Is there anyone who can look at the cars with me." Joe thought it was strange that no one offered to go with him. He liked having a car salesman to talk to about the car.

"Yes, but he is talking to another customer right now. He will be through soon, but if you are in a hurry you can look at it yourself. All the cars do have a 30-day return policy but do not come with a warranty. If you find one you want to test drive, I will have to get a copy of your driver's license." The woman seemed annoyed and preoccupied.

“Ok, thanks.” Joe was a little disappointed, but he didn’t have a lot of time to look at cars today.

He and Dave went straight for a beautiful Ford Taurus. Its red color reminded Joe of his first car. His mind immediately flashed back to how he felt when he brought the red Dodge Dart home for the first time. Joe continued looking inside the car, hoping this would be the one. "I like this car."

Dave interrupted Joe and snapped him out of his dream-like state.  "Yeah, it's ok, if only it did not have over 200 thousand miles on it."

"Dave, why did you have to tell me that."  

A few minutes later, Joe motioned for Dave. "I found one with fewer miles." As Joe grabbed the door handle, it slipped out of his hand and onto the ground. "Oops, never mind."

Joe had done nothing to cause it to do this, so he placed the handle on the car and dashed toward his vehicle.  Dave followed in confusion when he saw how fast he was moving.

After getting into the car, Joe looked at Dave. "Buying one of those cars would not be smart." Both of them chuckled after Joe told him about the handle.

A few weeks later, they found a 1985 Hyundai Sonata. An elderly couple had taken immaculate care of the car. It was black, elegant, and drove like a dream. It was not red, but Joe still felt it was his new dream car.

Joe used Dave's cellphone to call his Mother with the news. "Hey, Mom, I found a nice car. Thanks for praying. Tonight or tomorrow could you make some lasagna or can we go out to eat. I want to celebrate."  

"Sure be glad to. I have some good news as well. I can't wait to see your new car and hear all about it. Dave may not have a lot of minutes. So I will talk to you when you get home."

After hanging up, Jane went into overdrive and decided to wait to tell Joe her great news. It was the middle of the afternoon, and she had to hurry. She made some of her world-famous lasagna with 5 cheeses and three different meats. Jane already had everything she needed to make it.

At first, Jane wanted to make a special meal for Parker. But now she wanted to celebrate Joe's new car. Why not kill two birds with one stone? She even decided to make a coconut cake. Joe loved coconut cake. It was always his favorite dessert at all the church cookouts. Joe and Jane invited Dave in appreciation for all the time and effort of going along with him. When Parker came home, they all sat down to a wonderful feast.

Afterward, Dave played checkers with Parker while Joe and Jane cleaned up. Shortly after this, Jane felt tired and wanted to get some rest. She turned on her television upstairs and drifted off to sleep. She did not move a muscle the rest of the night.

But Joe, Dave, and Parker stayed up late. They played chess and checkers while listening to the Alabama-Auburn football game. In Birmingham, life stops for a few hours while they square off in an epic battle. At 11:30 p.m., Joe turned off the TV. He was happy that Alabama had scored a touchdown with two seconds left in the game. Before going to bed he checked on his mother. He turned her TV off and kissed his mother on the cheek.  

The next morning, Joe was groggy. He was glad to be off today. A few minutes after Joe stumbled into the kitchen for coffee, Jane came down to talk to him. "Oh, I meant to tell you my good news. You know, the women's shelter that we support each year."

"Yeah, what about it."

"They have a part-time weekend position available. And I want to take it because we could use the extra money. Parker is getting older, and he may not be here forever. I want to start saving some money. What if you wanted to go to college or something like that. I have been praying about it and have peace about accepting the job. Plus, I like the idea of working with that ministry to help abused women.”

“That’s great Mom, but what about Parker when I have to work?”

“I know you have to work and someone has to be here for Parker. Our friend Shelly said she would fill in on the weekends when I was gone. I know you wouldn't mind seeing her."

"Mom, please stop trying to be a matchmaker and put us together. We are only friends, and I don't want to ruin a good thing. Plus, I am not sure how see feels about me."

Over the years, Joe faced rejection many times by women, and at this point in his life, he did not want a relationship. He had seen too much drama in his family. His Dad had many broken relationships and divorced 3 times. Not to mention his Mom, out of necessity, had divorced a second time because her husband was abusive to both of them. And the thought of having a relationship or kids terrified him.  Joe knew how cruel the relationship between a man and a woman could be and wanted no part of it. At least, that is what he told himself. But there was another part of him that needed someone to love him.  

Joe felt uneasy as his Mother's eyes pierced into his soul. She wanted grandkids, and he was almost 25. All he wanted was to be able to move out and start living his own life. But he didn’t want to leave or abandon her like he did with his dad.

Joe changed the subject. "Mom, did you know how proud I am of you? Please keep praying that I will one day be able to get my own place."  

Joe continued to speak as his mother listened. "I don't know if I want to go to college or not. I don’t want just any girl. But I want the one God has for me. I am glad you are thinking ahead. I know you are going to do great things at the shelter."

Later that night, Joe crawled into bed, he thought about his family being in a better place. A place surrounded by his new and old friends. He thought about his new car, his great job, and the possibility of saving for a bright future. His heart swelled with gratefulness as he prayed. He was thankful the pastor and the church had helped his family through one of the hardest times in his life. He smiled and looked up at the ceiling glad to be in such a wonderful place. He knew there were other concerns about his family and future: would he go to college, would he every settle down and get married? But Joe also knew God had brought him this far, and he was not about to start worrying now.

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Epilogue

I hope you have enjoyed this short story about Joe and his family. But before you go I need to talk about some crucial things we all need to know. It is undeniable that God answered prayer and helped Joe’s family through some hard times. But there is also another deep truth. God used people to make his life better.  

        We as Christians are called to make the world a better place. We are the light of the world. See Mathhew 5:14-16. This is primarily accomplished by making good decisions that honor God, our family, and the life God has blessed us with.

        Also, God has called us to be a blessing to others. What would Joe’s life have been like if the pastor did not listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit? What if he did not bring them groceries or tell them about the job with Parker and his family? I don’t think they would have had such a happy ending.

        Then of course there are his other friends. Dave had a servant's heart and picked him up when he was stranded on the side of the road. He also called a group of the church together to help them move. And went the extra mile to see that Joe got a good car.

Bruce told him about that job at Bruno's. He was a friend who made his life more enjoyable. He spent many nights at his house playing chess, watching movies, and talking.

Last but not least was Billy who determined in his heart not to testify against Tony even if it meant extra jail time. He wanted to go the extra mile to protect them. His life reminds us that it is never too late to come back to God and let Him help put the pieces back together in our lives.

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Note From Author

Although this is a Christian Fiction Short Story, it is partially based on my life growing up in a single-parent home. Mom and I struggled for years trying to survive. We had many roommates like Billy. He was our roommate, but he did not have connections with a gang or a problem with gambling. I can’t remember how we met. He was with us when Mom prayed for God to meet our needs in chapter 6. A few minutes later a pastor came to the door with some groceries.

I don’t remember how we found out about the job with Parker and His family. But we did live with and take care of Parker. I have so many fond memories of him. Staying with him was an important part of God’s plan that helped our family see better days.    

Thanks for reading, book 2 in a series about Joe and his family. These books were written as a memorial to God. I also wanted to honor all the friends who helped our family through many tough times. Some I will never see again until we get to Heaven.

This is book 2 of the Faith and Family Series. You may wonder why I started with book two. I originally wrote, I Finally Got It, Book 1 on Kindle Vella as a short story. My plans were to publish this short story right after, but Kindle Vella is in the process of closing down. While working and finishing book 2 I realized that my writing had dramatically improved. So I decided to finetune some of the dialogue and make the story a lot better.

After Kindle Vella shuts down, I should have book 1 out in a few month. I will keep in touch as the day gets closer. I didn’t think this would be a major problem. Starwars and other great movies and TV shows do it all the time. Each story can be read as a great stand alone. Here is a brief preview of I Finally Got It. The events happened approximately 3 years earlier.

 

Chapter 1

1. Joe And His Dad

After Joe’s 16th birthday, all he could think about was learning to drive and getting a car. He knew times were tight, so he wanted a job and was willing to work toward his goal. His Dad, Rob, was sick of hearing about it. “I work hard all week. Is it too much to ask that I have some peace and quiet on the weekends? During the summer when things slow down I will be able to teach you. Getting a job right now is out of the question. I need you to watch Mitch. Now stop interrupting me or else.” If he said anything after this Joe was sent to his room.

Then Rob went back to one of his favorite TV shows. He loved crime documentaries, murder mysteries, but action and martial arts movies were his favorite.

It didn’t seem fair, but Joe knew his Dad worked hard and needed a break. Plus, Rob was a stern disciplinarian, and Joe didn’t want to get on his bad side. Rob served in the military as a drill sergeant.

One afternoon Troy, Joe's cousin challenged Rob to a wrestling match. Troy weighed over 300 lbs and had some martial arts training. He thought he was tough and would take care of his uncle in a matter of seconds.  

Joe chuckled and thought his Dad may have bitten off more than he could handle. Troy was almost twice the size of Rob and 15 years younger. It was all fun and games, until Rob pinned the much bigger Troy in a matter of seconds.

“Hey, I wasn’t ready,” said Troy with a playful grin.  

“Ok. We can go again.” Rob lunged forward and put Troy in a headlock. Then flipped him on his back and locked his hands.

The poor kid never had a chance. After pinning Troy to the ground, Rob wouldn’t let go. Like a Pitbull, he refused to release his victim. Troy tried with all his might but could not escape; his face was getting red. After he stopped squirming, Rob let him go.

Joe learned a valuable lesson that day. Even though Joe was taller and outweighed his Dad, he knew better than to cross him. Joe rarely mentioned driving or getting a job; his Dad always said the same thing. It was clear his Dad had no intention of helping him learn how to drive or get a job.

The next summer came, and their lives showed no signs of slowing down. To make matters worse, his Dad was never home. If he wasn’t working, Rob was going out on a date.

Thus, Joe spent most of his days and nights at home watching his little brother, Mitch. Of course, Joe didn’t mind watching Mitch, so his Dad could go out, especially if he found a wife. Joe had dreams of her helping watch Mitch so he could get a job. Or maybe, she could teach him how to drive.  

Rob met a lady named Delta, who was a schoolteacher. Things were looking up in the world. Rob and his family moved across town to be closer to Delta.  A couple of months later She told Rob they were not compatible. He was too bossy and demanding.  

This devastated Rob and made him want to sit around and do nothing.  Joe had to watch Mitch a lot more which made for a long and boring Summer. During this time, Mitch’s behavior worsened.  He was not your ordinary, quiet, or peaceful kid. He learned how to make Joe and Rob mad and loved doing it.  Often Joe screamed in frustration and lost his temper. Mitch would laugh and smile; it brought him so much pleasure.

Mitch and Joe were complete opposites. He was 6, weighed 50 pounds, and was 4 ft tall. Joe was 16, weighed over 200 pounds, and 6 ft 4. He was easygoing and calm, but Mitch was hyperactive and had a bad mouth. Once Joe counted over three hundred curse words he said in a day. Joe hated the way his brother could do whatever he wanted. Joe desperately wanted to sit on him and slap him around a few times. But he soon learned violence made Mitch's behavior worse. Most of the time his Dad took Mitch’s side because he was smaller. Joe did his best to be a good brother and babysitter, but the job was more than he could handle.

After a long day of watching Mitch, Rob came home, gripping and complaining. “I cleaned the house last night and had everything spotless. Look at this mess. I told you to have your brother clean his room. Who peed on the floor?.”

“Honest, Dad, said Joe, I tried, but Mitch doesn’t listen to me.”

Rob looked in disgust and shook his head. “I need you to be more mature and not let Mitch run all over you. I can’t believe both of you destroyed the house. Mitch, come in here. Go to your room and clean it up. Joe and I will help you after we take care of the rest of the house.”  

Every day it was the same. No matter what Joe did or didn’t do, his Dad found something to grip about. He knew some of it was justified, but Joe tried to have everything perfect when he got home. Most nights, he went to his room after getting an earful from his Dad. “It’s either my way or the highway, young man.”

Joe didn’t talk back to his Dad and took the verbal assault like a man. But one day he told his Dad he wanted to move out. Joe was frustrated from having to deal with his Dad. He resented even being around him.  

“If you think I’m going to let you move out, You’ve got another thing coming.” Rob slapped the side of his head. “Go to your room.”

Joe couldn’t believe his Dad hit him. That was bad enough, but there was something strange happening. His ear throbbed and didn’t feel right.

“Did you hear me?  I said go to your room!!”

“My ear is hurting.” Joe touched his ear, not knowing how long this funny sensation would last.

“Well, don’t smart off next time. Now, go to your room.”

“I’m not feeling good. My ear hurts,” said Joe.

“I don’t have time for your stupid games. Maybe you will think twice about talking back to me.” Rob picked him up, took him to his room, and slammed the door.

Joe tried to listen to some music to calm his nerves. That is when he realized he could not hear. The thought of not being able to hear terrified him.  A few minutes later, the ringing in his ear stopped. He turned on his favorite song and breathed a sigh of relief.

Not long after this, Rob tapped on the door.  “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hit you. I promise not to do that again. Please, forgive me.”

“I know, Dad, I forgive you.”

Joe said the words and forgave his father, but he also knew something had to change. He couldn’t live like this forever. His Dad was a ticking time bomb. And it was only a matter of time before he snapped again.

Joe called his Mom, Jane who lived in Birmingham, Alabama.

 “Mom, is there any way I can come live with you? Things are not good between me and Dad. Mitch is driving me crazy, and Dad refuses to teach me how to drive or let me get a job.”

“I can’t come get you now,” said Jane. “The apartment is tiny. I am not sure if we can fit three people in this two-bedroom apartment.”

“Mom, I don’t care about a cramped apartment. Anything is better than this. I can sleep on the couch.”

“Ok, but it is going to take a week or more before I can make the arrangements to come down and get you. In the meantime, you will have to stay with your grandmother, Nanny.”

“Thanks Mom”

“I will call her tonight and let her know what is going on. You call her tomorrow and she will come pick you up. Will you be ok until then.”

“Yeah, Mom. The night is almost over, and he goes to work early tomorrow. I will be fine.”  

The next day, Joe packed his bags and a few things he wanted to keep as a reminder of his life with his Dad. He wanted to be able to throw his luggage into the trunk as fast as he could. He planned to be ready when his Dad got home and hoped her presence would make his Dad more civilized.

After getting packed, Joe thought about leaving early but didn’t have the heart to leave Mitch alone. That would be irresponsible. Rob raised him better than that.

Joe sat on the porch ready to go. He expected his grandmother to arrive any minute. She was already 10 minutes late. And then he saw the familiar green Ford Explorer pull into the driveway. His heart began to race, as he thought about having to face his Dad.

Rob got out of the truck. “Hey Joe. What’s going on? Where do you think you're going?”

“Nanny is coming to pick me up. I want to go live with my Mom.”

"Joe, I need you to stay. I will teach you how to drive and things will get better. Let’s go inside and talk."

“No, Dad, it’s too late for that. I heard this a million times.”  Joe mumbled under his breath to be strong.  

“Joe, I am not going to tell you again. Get inside now!!”  

“No, Dad, I’ve made up my mind. Nanny is on her way. She will be here any minute.”  

A tear began to flow from Rob’s eyes. "You can't leave me. I can't believe you would do this to me. Who's going to take care of Mitch." As Rob continued talking, Joe realized he was about to explode.

Joe did his best to hide the tears running down his cheek. And then he saw Nanny’s car pulling into the driveway. Thank God she came, or his Dad would have picked Joe up and taken him into the house.

“Fine, have it your way. I don’t need you anyway.” Rob didn’t want to see or talk to Nanny and went into the house.

Joe breathed a sigh of relief that it was finally over. He loaded the car with his clothes and other items he packed. Two seconds later, Joe saw his Dad looking out the window as they drove away, leaving a trail of dust behind them.

Joe was quiet in the car. He was having second thoughts about leaving his Dad this way.  Their were tears running down his cheeks, but Joe did his best to hide them by turning toward the window. The last thing he wanted was to upset Nanny. Leaving his Dad was hard, but  a man has got to do what a man has to do. Many years later, they would make up, and forgive each other. His brother even turned out to be a nice guy. Joe was troubled now, but later he would be eternally grateful for how God worked in his family and life.

As the miles continued to separate a father and his son, Joe had no idea how many problems he would encounter. Life with his Mom would not be easy. But he made his decision and there was no turning back.         

         I hope you enjoyed this preview of I Finally Got It. To learn more about other products See my Amazon author page.  https://amazon.com/author/everydaynotes.  

Also, If you like good Christian books, There is an excellent self-published author group on Facebook. You can join the group as a reader or an author. Some of them give free previews or discounted books. It is a good place for readers and authors to connect. See

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/291215317668431/

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  Thanks for you support in helping me be the writer God has called me to be. God Bless you and your family.

Sincerely Jonathon Wright