Turning Point

By C. Raymond Nowlin Sr.

Jeffery Hunter had just endured a tragic event in his life. He had caused the death of his love. In an attempt to help him recover and adjust, his parents sent him to visit his aunt in another state. In route to his destination he was drawn to the town of Smithton. Here he met Betty. His desire to know her and through her love for him Jeff experienced a rebirth. Through Bettys love and confidence in him he at last saw in himself what others had always seen. It was this revelation that enabled Jeff to reach the Turning Point.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 7, 2004
• ISBN: 9781468528428

C. Raymond Nowlin Sr.

He was born Charles Raymond Nowlin and was the 14th child of Alex and Jennie Nowlin. Growing up in a southern town in Virginia was not easy but it was lot of fun for a playful lad. Writing was an early calling for charles and his mother did all she could to encourage this talent. Charles wrote poetry during high school. It was around 1999 that the desire to write Turning Point was born. Turning Point is a story that tries to depict how innocently seeming acts produce consequence that must be delt with. We wonder sometimes why we are where we are and do not realize that the situation we face may seem impossible, but that situation may be our salvation. Jeffery Hunter learned this lesson in Turning Point. Just as he reached the end of his rope he found a Turning Point.

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©2004 C. Raymond Nowlin Sr. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/31/2017

ISBN: 978-1-4184-8120-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2842-8 (e)

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

EPILOG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER ONE

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Awaking from a catnap and trying to adjust his eyes Jeff sat looking out the window as the bus was speeding down the highway. The steady hum of the tires made him sleepy. He settled back in his seat and pulled the coat he had thrown around himself up around his neck and curled up on the seat so he could cover his feet. He was drifting off into sleep as the announcement that they were coming into Smithton disturbed him. Still somewhat sleepy, he began to gather his belongings so the other passengers would not scatter them about. As the bus braked to turn into the bus parking lot, Jeff suddenly had the strange urge to stay here for a while. What this was all about. He had no idea. All he knew was that the voice inside urged him to try Smithton. The air was filled with the driver’s voice as he announced that they had arrived in Smithton and for those traveling on to other parts there would be a fifteen-minute wait. Jeff dismounted the bus and headed into the terminal among the sounds of the pinball machines, shoeshine people and taxi drivers. He walked through the terminal and headed out the door into the street. He did not know where he was headed or what was in store for him but He was playing a hunch. He felt that if things did not work out for him he could always continue on his journey.

He pulled his coat around him as he headed down the street to a destiny unknown. Yet the felling of confidant encouraged him that it would be all right. He walked for what seemed like half an hour, and then he saw the sign up ahead that read, All Night Diner. My kind of place, Jeff said out loud as he quickened his steps to get in out of the rain. Inside the diner he took his coat off and hung it on the rack by the door. Looking around he saw that the place was just about empty with the exception of the young couple sitting in the booth in back and the old man drinking coffee on the end stool. Jeff walked over to the counter and sat down. No sooner had he sat down that a voice called out, I’ll be with you in a moment. Not even looking up Jeff responded take your time. Well what will it be? The voice asked, this time the voice was right in front of him. Jeff looked up and standing right in front of him was the biggest man he had ever seen. Well! The voice repeated. Jeff remembered that all he had between him and starvation was a twenty-dollar bill he had stuck in his shirt pocket. So he ordered coffee and a burger. As he sit there thinking about the future the cook broke into his thoughts, Saying new around here? Without thinking Jeff answered, yes, just got in on the Greyhound express and though I’d give this town a look see. Not in any kind of trouble are you? The cook asked. No, Jeff responded, just needed a change of scenery. Let me introduce myself, the cook broke in, People around here call me Pop. My name is Dave Henderson but I got the name pop somewhere along the line, what’s your handle? Again, without thinking Jeff said Jeffery Hunter from over in Augusta County. The cook looked at Jeff for a moment and then said, I thought I knew you when you came in. I used to know a young lady over there by the name of Dorothy Clark. Do you know her? Jeff did not want all this conversation. All he wanted to do was eat and find a place to stay for the night. He had learned that it did not pay to be rude to people, so with this in mind he listened to Pop go on about his friend over in Augusta county. Jeff cut in with, No I don’t think I know that family. It’s not too important, Pop added. Taking the burger off the grill and handing it to Jeff Pop asked, Who are you staying with or do you have relatives here in Smithton? I don’t know anyone here. As a matter of fact you’re the first person I have talked to in this town. Pop looked at Jeff kind of quizzically for a moment and he spoke again. Look young fellow, don’t ask me why I’m doing this, I don’t know, but I think I can hook you up with a place to stay, at least for the night. Maybe we can work something out in the morning. Walking over to the window Pop beckoned for Jeff to follow him. Pointing down the street Pop said to Jeff. This is Maple Street, you go down this way about two blocks and turn right and go over three blocks and you’ll be on Elm Street. Turn right and go down to 367 Elm and ask for a Mrs. James. I’ll call and tell her that you are on your way so she will be expecting you. You call or come by in the morning and we’ll see what we can do to get you lined up here in Smithton. Jeff was beginning to feel that his choice of stopping here in Smithton was paying off already. Shaking Pops hand and thanking him for all, Jeff paid his bill and slipping on his raincoat, started out the door. The rain had stopped by now but there was a dampness in the air that cut right through him. Jeff pulled the coat tightly around him and followed the directions pop had given him. After about ten minute he was standing in front of Mrs. James rooming house. Standing in front of the house he hesitated for a moment before stepping on the porch. He finally found the courage to ring the bell. Off in the distance he could hear the bell ringing but he did not hear anything else. He rang again and suddenly the light went on and he could hear someone’s voice coming from the other side of the door. He could not make out what they were saying but he guessed that they were a little upset about being disturbed this time of night. The door opened and Jeff saw a little old woman that looked 60 or so in years peeking out. Yes the little lady growled. My name is Jeff Hunter. Pop said he would call ahead to tell you I was coming over to see you. Well step into the light so I can see you good! Mrs. James said. As Jeff was coming through the door the telephone rang. Well come on in while I answer the phone. Mrs. James said. Jeff was a bit nervous standing there as she went over to the phone.Hello he heard her say. Then she turned to look at Jeff as she listened to the person on the other end of the line. Oh I see. She said. Well, we’ll see what happens. Putting the phone down she walked back to where Jeff was standing. That was Pop, and based on his saying I’m going to take a chance with you. Let me lay down the rules. Number one, no loud music. No drinking and no women in the room unless you’re married. Is that clear? Yes Jeff responded. That being said Mrs. James turned and told Jeff to follow her. She led him down a hallway and up a short flight of steps to a room in the back. "This is your room