The Scratch: A Christian Action Thriller Novel

By Rev Barney and Melissa F. McClain

Jimmy Nealys dream seemed far out of reach now. He had trained since he was a boy to someday become the youngest Billiards 8-Ball World Champion. His obstacles started with the 4 years spent behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Now he was free, but was it too late to compete? After all he hadnt been near a pool table in a long while. He realized that he was bound to be rusty. He did not realize all the unexpected obstacles that awaited him out in the free world. Would he allow these obstacles to stand in the way of his dream becoming reality? God had a calling on his life, which he was also unaware of. Would he surrender to the Lord and give Him the glory for any victory he might enjoy? Or would he resist and seek worldly fame and fortune?

This Christian novel was written as an exhortation to bring those seeking a better way closer to the Lord. It combines action adventure and romance with a soft spiritual encouragement for the lost or those just looking for a good read. Dont be surprised if you read it more than once. Readers of all walks of life will enjoy this reading.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 31, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452060347

Rev Barney

Devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; birthed from a lifetime of trials and errors has brought the authors to this place of love and gratitude for all the blessings they’ve received into their lives from God. Their desire to share the love that can only be found through a personal relationship with Christ has inspired the writing of “THE SCRATCH”, along with other works. In an effort to share Christ’s love and encouragement with others that may be struggling with their belief in “The Only True God”, Melissa’s and Barney’s purpose is for God to use their writing gifts to “Bless your socks off” and bring you closer to Christ in the process. The authors of "THE SCRATCH," had you in mind while writing the novel. This is the second work of fiction the pair has created together, all glory to God. It is our prayer that you personally come to know the blessings of our Lord. No matter whom you are or what you have done, the Lord wants a relationship with you, and our ministry is here to gently help you to achieve your salvation. We would love to hear from you; contact us at www.sonsofencouragement.org or email us at [e-mail] or [e-mail].

Book preview

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

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

CHAPTER ONE

The only thought on Jimmy’s mind was how it would feel to be a free man once again. It had been a long four years since he had last been out in the free-world. Eagerly he awaited the signal to shed his state issue blues, which had been his only wardrobe during his incarceration.

The holding cell was occupied by 30 other inmates, which were to be released along with Jimmy. He glanced at the faces of the soon-to-be ex-cons and wondered just how many would return to finish their sentences in this world of barbed wire, concrete walls and steel bars.

Suddenly a cockroach scuttled from beneath a steel bench attempting to escape through the feet of the cons seated near the door. One of the cons raised his state issue brogan and brought it down to squash the bug with a loud STOMP.

That’s about the same chance we’ll have out there in the world, spoke one of the cons. He was a short stocky man about 35 with his hair combed straight back. They give us $200 and a boot in the butt. The odds of us making it out there are one in ten.

Jimmy scratched his head. Hope I never have to go through this nightmare again. I’m gonna be one of the ten and stay out of here.

The stocky man continued, It seems they don’t want us to make it out there. When we came in they told us that most of us would be back. I done ten years in here. I don’t have any skills to get a job out in the world and I’m worried that I might have to go back to the old way of making it out there.

Jimmy looked down at his property that was stuffed into a couple of bags lying on the floor in front of him. He smiled as he glanced at his hope for making it out there. He had taken college courses while he was incarcerated including creative writing. He earned his degree and used his spare time to write. He completed three books with high hopes for his writing career as his college teachers had read his work and gave him praise and encouragement. I’m gonna make it, said Jimmy, I gotta make it.

A guard dressed in a gray uniform came to the door of the holding cell and commenced to call the names of the convicts to be released. Jimmy Nealy heard his name and hurried through the door as the guard closed it after him. Somehow the sound of the heavy iron door had a different sound than he was accustomed to. It somehow clanged shut with the ring of a freedom bell. A sound he had waited so long to hear.

Jimmy’s twenty sixth birthday fell on this day February 13th 1982, and this was the greatest birthday present he could ask for. The cons all were led to a dressing room where their blues were collected and they were fitted with free-world garb, which they accepted with gratitude even though the clothing was years out of style and some was ridiculously flamboyant.

The time just dragged along as he waited for the rest of the cons to dress. It seemed they’d never get into their clothes. He had been the first dressed and received his parole papers that he signed. He also signed for his $200 check, and in addition to the $200 check he also received a check from the trust fund for $1,000.

His brother, Todd had sent money periodically to purchase what he needed from the prison store. Over the years he had saved back for use out in the free world once he was released. Todd lived in Deerfield and though he sent money, he didn’t visit him or write other than the one letter he wrote to let Jimmy know that he was disappointed about his brush with the law.

Jimmy scanned the parole papers he had signed. It stated that by signing he had agreed to reside in a halfway house for no less than three months. He was given twenty-four hours to check into the Proctor House in Metro City. He had never been to Metro City, but anywhere was better than confinement in the prison that had been home for the past four years.

Jimmy couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the green and red plaid pants and lime green striped shirt the stocky inmate was dressed in. The inmate didn’t know how to take the laugh until he looked at himself in the full-length mirror on the wall, and then even he gave a hearty chuckle. He held out his hand to Jimmy and they shook hands.

Bill Johnson, introduced the stocky man.

Jimmy Nealy; where you headed Johnson?

Metro City.

That’s my destination, too!

Proctor House?

Yep.

Suddenly one of the guards bellowed, Alright lets hold down the head runnin’ or we’ll just send ya back to your cells and hold ya for an extra day.

The roar of conversation ceased immediately. Jimmy took a last look at himself in the mirror, as it would be his last look at himself as a convict. He was now an ex-con and private citizen once again. He was 6’ 2" tall with baby fine, light brown hair and blue eyes with a face more fitting for a college kid than a convict, an appearance that caused him problems during his incarceration.

There were a few confrontations, but he handled the situations well, proving that he wasn’t going to be turned out. He had heard the stories how the young inmates were sometimes tested. He fought and checked a few of the predators, but after that he had no trouble. He often worked out in the gym and built his physique to a splendid set of muscles. He weighed in at 199 pounds.

The group of parolees sat by the exit to the release facility, all with smiles on hardened faces. Some were thinking of reunions with family members, others thinking of a reunion with a whisky bottle. But one thing was clear in their minds; they would go to bed tonight, free men.

Alright, growled the guard at the front door. When your name is called file out the door and find a seat on the bus parked out front.

Jimmy’s name was the 12th to be called and he wasted no time getting out the door with his sacks thrown over his right shoulder. Johnson followed close behind and the pair shared a bench seat on the white prison bus.

Today’s my birthday, informed Jimmy.

Oh yeah? How old?

26. Got locked up when I was only 22.

Well happy birthday. I got locked up when I was 25. I’m 35 now. What brought you down? If you don’t mind my askin’.

Naw, I don’t mind tellin’ you. I got 20 years for accessory to attempted murder.

What happened?

Well, I drove these two acquaintances to a drug store. They went in and I didn’t know it but they were robbing the place. They came running out and exchanged gunfire with a security guard, hitting him in the arm. They jumped in my car and I didn’t know what to do so I panicked and drove off. A witness took down the license number of my car and I got busted two days later. I wouldn’t give the robbers up so I ended up taking twenty years in a plea bargain. My lawyer told me that I could have gotten life if I went to trial before a jury. I guess I did the right thing. So what brought you to prison?

Oh I robbed a savings and loan and got away with $15,000. Blew it in three months on cocaine and women. Bought a van though and traveled a while before I got caught. Saw sixteen states before they caught up with me. Got me in Florida and extradited me back to Langsly where I got 40 years.

Sorry to hear that ending. Ten years is a long time. What’re you gonna do now?

I guess I’ll get a construction job as a laborer. Won’t get paid much, but it’ll beat pickin’ tomatoes in the prison fields.

I played it smart, said Jimmy went to school while I was locked up. Got myself a college degree. I plan to be a best selling author someday.

That was smart thinkin’ on your part, Jimmy, wish you luck.

Thanks, I’m gonna need it.

Soon all of the parolees were loaded on the bus and it pulled out of the prison compound toward town. Jimmy took pleasure in watching the scenery and the passing cars and trucks in the opposite lanes of traffic. He reached down into one of his property sacks and retrieved a peanut butter and jelly sandwich wrapped in toilet paper. He had made the sandwiches fresh that morning as he knew he wouldn’t be able to eat breakfast with the nervous stomach he was experiencing as he was getting ready the night before. As he was packing his belongings the night before he began to realize for the first time that he was really going home. Soon the bus pulled into town and let the men off at the bank to cash their checks so they could take care of transportation costs.

You men get your bus tickets and don’t loiter around town for long. The police chief will be watching you real close, growled the prison bus driver.

No one had to tell Jimmy twice as he spotted two squad cars parked in the bank parking lot. He hurried into the bank and cashed his two checks, eagerly placing the crisp green hundred dollar bills in the billfold he had made in the prison crafts shop. He had learned a lot about the leather craft during his spare time when he wasn’t writing. His work was selling good the past year as the shop had a display case in the visitor room at the prison. His specialty was belts and boots. It took him a couple of years to perfect his boot work, but now he was better than most boot makers out in the world. The guards would come to him to get boots made of exotic hides like snakeskin and lizard.

Once he was through with his business at the bank he hurried to the tiny bus station to buy his ticket to Harborton. Entering the bus station he got into the line at the ticket desk. He watched as some of the parolees met waiting family and friends who had come to pick them up. Jimmy thought about his brother and how they had grown apart because of his situation and lack of understanding on his brother’s part. He wished his brother had come to surprise him, but the reality of it was that his brother had all but disowned him, a reality that cut him worse than a knife. He realized that he was on his own now.

He rubbed his hands together to generate some warmth as it was a frigid temperature of 19 degrees outside and the heater on the bus was either broken or non-existent. It had begun to snow. It had been a cold winter. He hoped that the weather conditions and the icy roads wouldn’t affect the arrival time for the next bus to Harborton. The sign behind the ticket counter showed that the next bus was due in just thirty more minutes. He took a few drags from his cigarette and threw it to the floor and crushed it out under his boot.

Hey! yelled a security guard standing by the ticket counter, we have ash trays for you to use! Pick that butt up and dispose of it properly.

Yes sir, returned Jimmy. He picked up the butt and kind of staggered to the ashtray by the front door. The guard was watching his every move.

You know it’s against the law in this town to be drunk in public. You cons never learn do you? spoke the guard in a stern tone.

Look mister, I’m not drunk yet, but you can bet that before the day is out I’m gonna tie one on. But I’ll be far from here when I do it.

The guard muttered something under his breath, and then returned to other business. Jimmy returned to his seat and impatiently awaited his bus.

He was eager to buy a new set of clothes and a warm coat. He had lost all his possessions in the shuffle, including his Adams custom pool cue. It had almost become a part of him after years of toting it around from one pool hall to another. It had seen a lot of action and he had won thousands of dollars with it. He had been one of the best upcoming players in Harborton where he moved after graduating from high school in Deerfield. His lifelong ambition was to become the best at the thing he enjoyed most, playing pocket billiards. His wealthy uncle couldn’t and wouldn’t understand his dream, expecting him to follow the family business by becoming a lawyer and joining the family firm. His brother also refused to understand Jimmy’s seemingly frivolous dream. Todd had endured seven years of college and was now a successful civil defense attorney.

Their Uncle John had raised the boys after their parents died in a tragic head-on car collision. They both died instantly. The boys were only youngsters at the time. They really didn’t understand the situation at the time. With none of the surviving family members offering to take the boys in, John Nealy did what he felt his brother would have done in the same situation. He adopted both Todd and Jimmy.

Todd took an intense interest in his studies, an attitude not shared by his younger brother. Jimmy found interest in his uncle’s game room in the luxurious Deerfield home. He became obsessed with the billiards table spending hours practicing, determined to learn the game. By age 14 he possessed an exceptional skill. His uncle’s friends would come by on weekends and were awed by Jimmy’s talent and found quite an interesting challenge as they waited in line to play the teen.

Uncle John saw that Jimmy was becoming obsessed with his hobby and felt that it was taking priority over his schoolwork. His grades had begun to suffer badly and John did what he thought was best and placed the game room off limits for Jimmy, at least until his grades were brought up to a satisfactory level. This helped little.

Jimmy began to frequent a neighborhood pool hall where minors were prohibited because of the sale of alcohol, but was allowed to work as a clean-up boy and rack boy after school. This gave him the opportunity to play on the pool tables after his work was done. He had very few friends his own age and became street wise quickly.

He kept his job a secret for a while, but it was only a matter of time before his uncle found out about his job at the pool hall. He was forbidden to enter a pool hall or game room until his grades were brought up. It was either that or be sent to a boarding school where he would be away from pool tables indefinitely. This put a different light on things.

Jimmy took to the books with a passion. His love for billiards motivated him to excel in his studies so that he could return to his practicing, and one day realize his life’s dream of becoming the world champion billiards player.

Within six weeks Jimmy’s grades were brought up from a 69 average to an impressive 87. This was a surprise to his uncle and his teachers. John was so impressed that he agreed to let his nephew resume his job at the pool hall. Jimmy took the opportunity to work hard and learn from the professionals that frequented the pool hall.

John still found it hard to understand a sixteen-year-olds obsession with a game that seemed to be just a waste of time, although he did admire the boy’s dedication to learn the game to the best of his ability. John felt a little selfish for trying to push him into a profession that the boy had no interest in. But he was only thinking of Jimmy’s future and wanted only the best for his nephew.

Jimmy went on to graduate high school with an A average, but decided not to attend college, which was a disappointment to his Uncle John. Instead he moved to Harborton where he kept his dream alive, practicing his game during the day and wagering at night. He did well enough to buy a decent car and pay rent on a well-furnished apartment. He had a live-in girlfriend, Jill, who enjoyed the nightlife and worked at a nightclub as a waitress.

The club where she worked was right next to the game room where Jimmy spent most of his time. He really objected to her working as a cocktail waitress, but as long as she didn’t complain about his choice of professions he kept his objections to himself. The main problem he had was the many men that frequented the club trying to put the move on her. This was one reason why he stayed out of the club while she was working, because if he saw one of the patrons put a hand on her, there would surely be a fight. But Jill didn’t much mind that the many women that frequented the game room often showed an interest in him. After all, he was young and a looker with his long light brown hair, blue eyes and splendid physique.

Jimmy’s mind whirled back to his immediate existence with him realizing that he had no lady in his life now. Jill had written him a Dear John letter after only one year into his incarceration. It dealt him a painful blow, but he took the attitude that life must go on. He just put all his concentration into his studies and writing to take his mind off her. But he was free now.

The bus to Harborton finally arrived. He picked up his sacks, slung them over his shoulder and walked out to the waiting bus. He slipped on a patch of ice, but somehow caught his balance and avoided a fall on the pavement. The snow was coming down heavier now. He hurried onto the heated bus, taking a seat at the rear next to his new friend, Bill Johnson.

CHAPTER TWO

The bus arrived in Harborton just a little behind schedule because of the icy roads. He had until 9:30 the next morning to report to the halfway house in Metro City. But first he decided to visit an old friend that had corresponded with him during his incarceration. He placed his property into one of the coin operated storage lockers, dropped in two quarters and retrieved the key. He made his way out to the line of waiting taxicabs and climbed into the one closest to the doors. The driver was a man in his mid 50’s with a gray moustache, wearing a cap that had seen better days.

Where to? asked the cabby.

Take me to the Pepper Tree Apartments on Gaston Street, Jimmy instructed.

Kind of cold out there to be runnin’ round without a coat, ain’t it?

Yeah, I just got out of the joint and this is all they gave me to wear.

If ya got some cash I know a surplus store where ya can get what ya need cheap.

Sounds good to me. Let’s go.

The cabby pulled out into the flow of traffic and cruised carefully along in the falling snow. Name’s Lionel.

Jimmy.

How long was ya in the joint?

Been locked up four years. Made first parole due to good behavior. They’re letting a lot of people go these days because of overcrowding. Sure feels good to be out.

I’m honored to be your driver.

What’ll you charge me for the day?

Cost ya a hundred dollar bill and a tip. That is if ya think I’ve earned one.

You got it, Lionel.

As they drove along Jimmy felt at home as they passed the familiar surroundings that he had left behind years ago. Soon they arrived at the surplus store. The two entered with snowflakes sticking to Jimmy’s short regulation prison haircut. After a few minutes in the warm store the flakes melted. He made his way around the shelves of clothing and selected a couple of pairs of Levis, and then on to the dressing room to try them on, making sure of a good fit. He then selected two flannel shirts, a wool jacket and a pair of snakeskin cowboy boots. He wasted no time in getting out of the prison issue release clothes and into his new duds, leaving the discarded clothes on the dressing room floor. It gave him a feeling of freedom as he felt like a free world citizen once again. It was as if he was a reptile that had shed his skin. He looked into the full-length mirror on the dressing room door, satisfied with his choices. He wore and carried his clothes to the cashier and paid. He put on his new brown jacket as he and Lionel left the surplus store and returned to the cab, now better outfitted for the freezing weather.

Their next stop was a liquor store. Jimmy entered to buy a bottle of whisky 101- proof to get in the mood to celebrate both his release from prison and his birthday. With bottle in hand he made his way back to the cab and climbed into the back seat. He twisted the cap from the bottle and took a healthy guzzle. His face wrinkled up with the taste of the strong spirits.

Lionel looked at Jimmy in the rear view mirror. They say it ain’t good ta drink alone, offered Lionel, licking his dry chapped lips.

Sure Bubba, have a swig, Jimmy returned, turning up the bottle again before passing it up to the cabby.

Lionel took the bottle, wiped the mouth of it before taking a drink. Whew! Now that’s a real man’s drink. He took another swig, savoring the biting flavor. He handed the bottle back to Jimmy.

Jimmy wasted no time getting his celebration buzz. Lionel, you be careful drivin’ us now. I wouldn’t want to be the cause of you cracking up your cab.

Don’t worry son, I’ve got plenty of experience drivin’ these streets. Drinkin’ don’t bother my drivin’ none.

How long you been a cabby?

Twenty-two years. Never been in a wreck. This is my own cab. Saved up and bought my own instead of drivin’ a company car. Make a lot more money that way. I make enough to keep food on the table and the bills paid. Got four kids through school. Got five grandchildrens that I spoil rotten. Lionel pulled onto the road and drove off in the direction of his destination.

Jimmy spoke, Lionel, you’ve been driving a taxi almost as many years as I am old. In fact today’s my birthday.

You don’t say! Man oh man. This sure is a happy day for ya.

Jimmy took another swig of whisky, wiping his mouth with the back of his left hand. He began to feel the numbing effects of the alcohol.

You doin’ all right back there, son? asked Lionel.

I’m feeling great, Jimmy slurred, his eyesight beginning to blur slightly, but feeling numb just the same. He peered out of his window to watch the free world pass by as they neared Gaston Street.

The snow continued to fall and was accumulating on the ground just deep enough to paint the scenery a bright white. Up ahead he spotted a young woman walking along in the cold, wearing a rabbit fur coat and struggling along in high heels. Her hair was blonde,