Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ROAD (05/19/22)
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TITLE: The Roadie | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sue Botte
05/26/22 -
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I trust my hunch.
“Yo!”
The man looked over his shoulder at James. James picked up his pace.
“Hi man, apologies for shouting. I am James, a musician, but can also do setting up of sound equipment and so on. Do you have a place for me?”
“Hey bro; Rick. This is your lucky day...I am a man short on setting up the stage; and a stand in musician is always handy; pay is minimal. We have one concert tonight; we leave tomorrow, travelling HWY 178 to Augusta.
“Thank you Rick. I accept.”
Whilst the unshaven James set up the synthesizers, speakers, microphones, guitar stands and other musical equipment for that night’s performance, he silently prayed the Lord’s Prayer. His beard was hiding a strong jaw line, a definitive chin, a model’s face. His mother would not approve of his long hair although well groomed. She would look twice at him once she noticed his obvious, to her, hand me down clothes; some of which are in need of needle and thread. He looked like the rest of those he traveled with, except when on stage as the stand in musician.
James’s disguise was deliberate, being a Roadie made it easy. He needed to do this for himself, and ultimately for his Grandmother.
Mother will be appalled. My beloved Grandmother will be pleased. She She paid for my music lessons and knew my heart. She taught me about Jesus. Mother did not approve.
The following day, early afternoon they left Greenwood.
“Hey Rick, you took the wrong turn man, this is to Ninety Six.” Ronnie, the main driver said.
“James’s request, said he had something to do there, won’t be long he said.” Rick replied
They parked at the roadhouse.
James headed off to the High School.
The Headmaster was quite pleased about his visit and to know his Grandmother, Elizabeth Russell (neé Drake) grew up in Ninety Six.
Afterwards he went to the United Community Bank. He hurried back, smiling as he crossed the street. Hand on his chest, the smile still on his face, he fell onto the tarmac…car brakes screeched, somebody screamed.
James died that afternoon in Ninety Six, even before the car hit him.
The coroner confirmed cause of death to be a blood clot in his heart. He handed James’s clothes to Rick who took it upon himself to contact his next of kin. In the breast pocket was a bank deposit receipt for half a million dollars deposited into the High School account towards funding learner-ships.
Rick picked up James’s tattered personalized Bible with a dark blue leather cover, he briefly paged through the Bible. He wiped his cheeks, and called for a moment’s silence. They all stood. The band members left.
He put the Bible down and reached for James’s diary, also personalized with a dark blue leather cover. Some entries were the names of schools as he traveled through South Caroline’s countryside.
Scripture verses, personalized prayers and birthdays noted in his diary.
Rick read the most frequent Scripture and prayer noted besides the Lord’s Prayer:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:10)
God, please show me today whom I can bless according to Thy Word.”
Birthdays noted were of many people with names of towns noted next to it.
“November 25th Grandmother Elizabeth, Late. Thank you Grandmother.”
As he paged further through the diary, a handwritten note fell out. He picked it up.
“James’s last Will and Testimony, dated yesterday.” Rick mused.
“I, James Brandon Russell declare this is my only Will and Testimony and my Last Will and Testimony.
“That I be buried in the town I died.
“That the balance of my inheritance from my Grandmother be divided between Rick and the band members.”
Signed: JBR.”
I only knew him for a few hours, but he was my kind of man, private, and a believer in Christ. He was forewarned of his demise.
In the back of the diary was the contact number for James’s mother.
Rick walked to the phone booth. Ninety Six is a long way from everywhere.
______________ .
Fiction.
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