Chapter 1 How Am I Going To Get Out Of This Mess

Joe rushed out of the house not wanting Houston or his mother, Jane, to ask too many questions. He had a lot to do. Christmas was coming soon and he had some shopping to do. Houston, his stepfather, was first on the list. They had grown very close and he wanted their first Christmas together to be a good one. He decided to get on the freeway hoping to get to the mall quickly. But as usual, the freeway was backed up. Joe turned on some Christmas music, hoping to distract his mind as the cars inched forward and stopped. A car beeped loudly behind him. Joe was annoyed. “All I did was stop to change the radio station. The nerve of some people.”

Erick was in the car right behind Joe. He honked and was mad, but deep down there were many things that caused his frustration. His life had recently taken some unexpected turns. He lost his job a few months back. But his friend Billy introduced him to Tony who was able to loan him some money and get him a good job. However, he had no idea that Tony was a member of a gang associated with the mob who expected him to return the favor by running a few errands for him. Erick knew better than to get involved with the mob, but what could he do now. There was no way for him to pay the man back and get rid of him. If he did not help him the man might do something to him or his family. Erick could not let that happen. So he did what the boss wanted him to do. While Erick was contemplating the harsh reality of his life and the bad choices he made. The car in front of him came to an abrupt stop.

BANG, “What, did that guy just purposely hit my car?” Joe wanted to get out of the car and give that man a piece of his mind. But he knew the Lord would not be pleased. They both pulled off to the side of the road and he was about to call the police. “Of all the days to have a wreck.”

Joe saw the man get out of the car and walk toward him. At first, he was apologetic. “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. All of a sudden his expression changed.

Erick leaned against the car so no one else could see what he was doing. He pulled a gun that had a silencer out of his coat pocket.

“I need you to hand me your keys, phone, and wallet. I want you to listen closely. I am going to drive your car to Walmart on this side of town. Your keys and phone will be in the glovebox. If you do not call the police your wallet will be in your mailbox first thing tommorrow mourning. If you do as I say you will never see me or the people I work for again. We cannot have the police learning about this. If you don’t listen there will be a price to pay. We have police scanners. I think that is very fair don’t you? Now I want you to get out of the car and go over into the grass and lay on your stomach with you head down. Do not look up until I am gone. Do not 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 did not want to die.

A few seconds later both cars sped off driving on the side of the road and exited the freeway. Joe continued to stare at the ground. He was happy to be alive but there were a lot of questions in his mind. How would he get home? He was miles away and stranded. He was wet and cold from the rain with no money. As he sat on the side of the road feeling depressed and stunned by what happened, the only thing he could say to God was “How am I going to get out of this mess?”

And then Joe heard a familiar voice. Was he dreaming? Could it be his friend Dave? Then he heard it again as he looked up. Dave rolled his window down. “Get in. No friend of mine should be out in this kind of weather. What happened? Did that guy just 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.”

Dave looked at Joe in astonishment as Joe explained all that the man had told him. “That is why I don’t want to call the police. I don’t want to see these people again. Next time they might shoot me on the spot. After getting to Walmart they found Joe’s car at Walmart. Joe was so glad to get his car back.

The next day Joe went to the mailbox first thing and sure enough, the envelope was in the mailbox. He breathed a sigh of relief that this ordeal was finally over. Joe did not tell his parents Jane or Houston. The damage on his car was minimal, and he did not want them to worry needlessly or worse call the police. Plus they had enough problems dealing with Houston’s health concerns.

Later that night Joe awoke to lots of coughing and heard the unpleasant sound of Houston throwing up. Joe was concerned because this was becoming a habit for him lately. He wondered if Houston was okay. Jane told him she was calling the doctor first thing in the mourning, and they were going to the doctor whether he liked it or not.

Chapter 2 Houston’s Battle

The next day, Houston went to see his doctor, Sid. They 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. Sid, his doctor was going to tell him the lung cancer had returned. Then he was going to refer him to a cancer specialist, who would recommend Chemotherapy or worse surgery. He 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 also wondered if they were going to check him into the hospital. He had a constant cough; his stomach was upset. 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 wondered, why was he taking so long? He felt uneasy and impatient. The clock on the wall made an annoying clicking sound that did not help his headache or the anxiety that filled his mind. All he wanted to do was go home, go back to sleep, 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 her 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 decided to go with him. Her hand and shoulder brought great comfort to him. He really 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 the body. You will need to be admitted into the hospital tonight and then tommorrow you will be transfered to Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. I am going to refer you to Dr. Mark Williams, a cancer specialist there. He is one of the best doctors in his field.”

Houston could not believe what he was hearing. “Is it really that serious? Doctor. How long do I have?”

“I cant say at this point. Dr. Williams will be able to answer more of your questions.”

“Do I really have to go to Vanderbilt? Can’t you do something for me here?” He did not like the idea of going across the state to die.

“Vanderbilt has the some of the world’s best technology to be able to fight the agressive cancer that you have spreading throughout your body. If you wait too long your kidney’s could shutdown and its only going to get worse. Something has to be done now if you want to have a chance to survive.” A few minutes later Sid left.

Then a nurse came with a wheelchair and rolled him into another room. “Stay here until we get your room ready. I will come back later and escort you to your room.”

Houston’s mind was overwhelmed by the many thoughts racing through his mind. Why is this happening to me?, There must be some kind of mistake. I just got married and there are so many things at work I need to do. How in the world will my family make it? “Lord you promised not to give me more than I can bear, but this is so much more than I could have imagined.”

His thoughts continued to linger even after they took him to his room and put on his favorite TV show. He loved old westerns like The Lone Ranger and Bonanza. Yet, he could find no solace or relief from his inner turmoil. Finally, the nurse came in and gave him a sedative. It did not help. He asked for more, and she reluctantly gave him one final dose. “Please Lord I need to go to sleep.” Finally, he drifted off to sleep.

The next day they went to Vanderbilt hoping to get some answers. The trip was only three hours but it felt like an eternity. Houston Thanked God they were kind enough to let Jane ride with him in the back of the ambulance, even though it was against hospital policy. Unfortunately, he had already taken all his pain medication and it would be several hours before they would give him more. So there he was wide awake wrestling with his thoughts again.

Finally, at eleven o’clock in the mourning, 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. He was starving. Shortly after getting him into his room the 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.

“Jane aplogized. I’m sorry, did I wake you? It is probably good that you woke up because the doctor is going to be coming soon.”

A few minutes later, Dr. Williams walked into the room and explained the situation. “Your Cancer is inoperable because it has spread throughout your body.”

Houston interrupted him, “Tell me something I do not know.”

“Chemotherapy is an option, but it would extend your life maybe six months at best.”

“No, I don’t want Chemo. There are too many side effects and it just is not worth it for six months. Do you think I could be transferred to another facility to be closer to my family and friends? I really don’t want to spend my last days couped up in a hospital far away from home.”

Dr. Williams saw the look of concern on his face. “That sounds like a really good idea. I will need to check into that and get back to you . It may take a few days to make it happen. Since you have opted not to take Chemo 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.”

Thank you, Paula said with a smile. You have been one of the best patients we have ever had. She rolled Houston into his room and helped him get into bed.

About an hour later Joe finally arrived at the hospital. He was expecting HOuston to be sad. But Houston put him at ease with his jovial attitude. His composure was amazing. “I really admire you, Houston. I have never seen anyone like you.”

Well, I finally decided to give this to God. If it was not for Him and the medicine I would have no peace. But what really 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. I know Heaven will be so much better than life here on earth. Yeah, I am glad to be a Christian too. God has gotten our family through some tough times.

That night Houston had a dream. He read about dreams in the Bible but this was so unexpected. In his mind, he saw a bright beautiful place. His former wife Jackie and his kids were 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 going to take 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 were amazed as he told them the wonderful dream. Little did they know, this would be the last night they would talk to him. But, it really helped them to know Houston was going to be 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 have the faith to endure the many challenges that were coming. Even though they were sad, they also were happy that he was in a better place and did not have to suffer.

If you would like to know more about Joe’s other adventures see https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0CF8FG71D