Blood Pressure

By Earvin Lewis

"Blood Pressure" is an engaging story about how a kind, elderly man positively affects the unfortunate life of a young African American boy. It all starts one night when young Thomas R. Porter goes running to his neighbor for help. Tragedy struck within his domestic life and it is up to Mr. Wade to get Tom away from that environment and onto a better life. Mr. Wade would eventually become Tom's legal guardian. As Tom grew, he encountered everything from mistakenly becoming friends with the rowdy, openly racist Cletus Evans, to falling in love with Samantha. The two would eventually get married and give birth to their daughter, Sarai, Mr. Wade, though already in his twilight years, did everything he could to give Sarai the life she deserved. Unfortunately, due to a tragic freak accident, Tom was unable to do this. "Blood Pressure" may appeal to any reader with an open mind, but especially to those who enjoy stories about modern-day Good Samaritans. This is a truly heart-warming story and it delivers a powerful message to it's audience!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463402662

Earvin Lewis

If there is one thing in the world in which Earvin Lewis was always good at, it was entertaining others. Growing up, Mr. Lewis was often considered by his associates as a unique and rather imaginative individual. His level of maturity and creativity has put him far beyond his years. Mr. Lewis has reached the decision to put his creativity out for the world to experience. "Blood Pressure" was nothing more than idea based on the incredible combination of experiences and encounters of Mr. Lewis. While in the process of writing "Blood Pressure", Mr. Lewis gained a great deal of respect for Mr. Wade, who is one of the main characters. Mr. Lewis respected him to the point in which he would never call Mr. Wade by his first name. With a little imagination and a great deal of support from various sources, "Blood Pressure" turned out to be Mr. Lewis' best project yet. Because of this, he is ready to share his work with the world. "Blood Pressure" may appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about modern-day Good Samaritans and is guaranteed to please anyone with an open mind. Mr. Lewis thanks you, the reader, in advance for taking the time to enjoy his very first novel and he knows that you will not be disappointed. He one day hopes to get "Blood Pressure" onto the big screen. Once again, Mr. Lewis wishes you all a big "thank you" and looks forward to hearing what you think! One thing is for certain...you will be seeing a lot more of Mr. Lewis' work in the near future! ~Be Blessed~

Book preview

Contents

Chapter 1

Thomas R. Porter

CHAPTER 2

Mr. Wade

CHAPTER 3

Like The Son I Never Had

CHAPTER 4

Age of Firsts

CHAPTER 5

Enough Is Enough

CHAPTER 6

A Fresh Start Cut Short

CHAPTER 7

Reality Check

Chapter 8

Garlami’s First Love

CHAPTER 9

Graduation Day

CHAPTER 10

Thirty Years Later

Chapter 1

Thomas R. Porter

The date was May 7, 1968 when a young man was fatally attacked while sailing in a wooden boat. This young man left behind a wife named Samantha, and a young daughter named Sarai. His name was Mr. Thomas R. Porter. However, he was known to his family and friends simply as Tom. Tom Porter was born May 7, 1942 in Baytown, Texas to his mother, Claudia, and his father, Rontavious. Like any common son who actually grew up with a father, Tom wanted to do anything, if not everything, that his father did. Whenever Rontavious would do so much as take a trip to the local market, Tom would always want to partake in the adventure. Rontavious would occasionally speak to his son about his experiences in the army. He often explained to Tom the dedication and commitment level involved within serving one’s country. In fact, much to the disapproval of Tom’s mother, Rontavious often told his son stories of the deaths he had witnessed while in battle. Tom, on the other hand, was not only willing to listen but he eventually began to develop dreams of one day joining the army as well.

These dreams would eventually continue all the way up to Tom’s junior high school career. By this time, Rontavious had been paralyzed from the neck down for due to a stroke. He had been in a wheelchair for almost two years only leaving to use the restroom, bathe, eat, or sleep. However, due to his condition, he was unable to accomplish these actions alone. Therefore, his wife Claudia had to become his personal caretaker. For this reason, Claudia was the only worker within the household. Working a full-time job plus taking care of a child as well as a grown man was beginning to depress Claudia. On various occasions, Tom would sneak out of bed in the middle of the night and stand at the very top of the stairs. He would hear his mother and father arguing as if they were strangers. Claudia was clearly beginning to become unhappy within the marriage. The arguments took place almost every night. However, there was one argument in particular that would change Tom’s life forever.

One cold rainy night, Tom was lying in his bed sound asleep. Suddenly, there was a loud noise taking place outside. It was the sound of thunder and lightning. This caused Tom to awake from his sleep. Craving a glass of water, Tom walked out of his bed and began to walk downstairs. Typically, the sound of his parents arguing stopped young Tom dead in his tracks. This time, the argument was more intense than ever. You are nothing more than a lazy bum, yelled a furious Claudia, Why should I have to bathe, feed, and wipe your pathetic butt? I am not your mother! Sadly, Rontavious responded Do you think I wanted this mess? Do you really think I asked for the good Lord to take away the feeling from my body? I feel like a useless piece of crap already, why are you adding insult to injury? A selfish Claudia responded All I know is that I was a happy woman at one point in my life and now this…I don’t even know who I am anymore! Tom began to cry because he was extremely tired of hearing the two people he considered his heroes speak to each other that way. Heartbroken, Tom walked down the stairs and tried to break the fight up. Stop it you two! he exclaimed, You guys are my parents and you’re making complete ignorant jokes out of yourselves! Rontavious knew his son was right and promised to stop, but Claudia was so mad that she barely recognized her son’s presence. Still furious, she ran outside the front door! Son, said Rontavious, No matter what happens between your mother and I, we will always love you no matter what. I know, dad, said Tom. Suddenly, Claudia, still angry, came back into the house holding a pistol. As she aimed the weapon at Rontavious, Tom tried to grab it. After numerous failed attempts to grab the weapon, Claudia pushed Tom out of the house and locked the door. All Tom could do was look in the window. Scared for his father’s life, Tom ran across the rainy street to his neighbor, Mr. Wade’s, house. Tom banged on the door and Mr. Wade answered it. Tom quickly dragged Mr. Wade back to