Anthology - Three Short Spiritual Stories

By Michael Hodo and Sophia Thomas

Anthology containing:

Samuel by Michael Hodo, Sophia Thomas
Gary's Redemption by Michael Hodo
Katherine's Time by Michael Hodo, Sophia Thomas

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Hodo
• Release date: Nov 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781642048896

Book preview

ANTHOLOGY - THREE SHORT SPIRITUAL STORIES

By Michael Hodo and Sophia Thomas

Copyright © 2015 Michael Hodo, All Rights Reserved

Copyright Artwork © Michael Hodo

All rights reserved. Published by Michael Hodo. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-64204-889-6

Website:http://www.michaelhodo.net

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Table of Contents

Series 1 - Samuel

Contents

Chapter 1 - The Neighborhood

Chapter 2 - Fallen

Chapter 3 - The Struggle

Chapter 4 - Katherine

Chapter 5 - The Confrontation

Chapter 6 - Choices

Chapter 7 - Relationships

Chapter 8 - The Message

Chapter 9 - The Encounter

Chapter 10 - The Decision

Chapter 11 - Deliverance

chapter 12 - Separation

Chapter 13 - The Awakening

Series 2 - Gary's Redemption

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Youth

Chapter 2 - College

Chapter 3 - Moving Out

Chapter 4 - The Army

Chapter 5 - Downward Spiral

Chapter 6 - Family

Chapter 7 - Samuel

Chapter 8 - Rehabilitation

Chapter 9 - The Wedding

Final Series - Katherine's Time

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Ministry

Chapter 2 - The Trip

Chapter 3 - A New Beginning

Chapter 4 -Temptation

Chapter 5 - The Decision

Chapter 6 - Katherine

Chapter 7 - Remembrance

Chapter 8 - Death

About The Authors

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Chapter 1 - The Neighborhood

Chapter 2 - Fallen

Chapter 3 - The Struggle

Chapter 4 - Katherine

Chapter 5 - The Confrontation

Chapter 6 - Choices

Chapter 7 - Relationships

Chapter 8 - The Message

Chapter 9 - The Encounter

Chapter 10 - The Decision

Chapter 11 - Deliverance

chapter 12 - Separation

Chapter 13 - The Awakening

 1

Samuel Beckman's journey back to his past began with a simple nagging thought—what if...? Maybe it was the failed Nelson merger, or he was getting older and trying to make sense of his life. He was still unmarried and had not found the one woman who, he hoped, would complete him.

Remembering... a certain girl came to mind: a face, beautiful, young and laughing—captured his imagination. She filled the space around him and made his chest tight with a palpable regret. Could she have been the one to bring meaning and fulfillment to his life? These are some of the questions he pondered.

Samuel decided later that evening to take a road trip back to his past. What he would find, or discover about himself, he wasn't sure—but he was ready to find out. He drove through his neighborhood, passed mansions with manicured lawns and tree-lined streets, and contemplated on the journey he was taking. He hadn't been back to his old neighborhood in over ten years. The trip took an hour and felt like the longest ride of his life.

When he arrived in the neighborhood, he pulled into the shopping center. His expensive convertible car attracted everyone's attention standing in front of Landy's corner store.

He tilted his hat and adjusted his sunglasses as he got out of the car. Some of the people in the crowd recognized him immediately and came over to greet him. He was surprised they remembered him after so many years.

How's it going, Samuel?! I haven't seen you in years! Looks like you are doing quite well for yourself. Nice ride! Terrance said, a former high school friend of Samuel's.

Thanks, Terrance! I was thinking about you guys and thought I would stop by and pay y'all a visit. It's been a long time, he said as he looked around and noticed a flyer taped to the liquor store window next to Landy's. The flyer expressed condolences for Walter Kersey who was recently killed in a robbery. Samuel knew his family but only met him a few times when he was young. Walter was a devout Christian, husband, and father of two boys. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Samuel took a deep breath and walked over to William and put his hand on his shoulder and said: I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, Will. I understand your loss. My grandfather passed away a couple of years ago, and we were very close.

Thanks, Samuel. Uncle Walter was a good man. We miss him and his positive outlook on life. He was fun to be around.

They spoke for several more minutes when William told Samuel he had to leave. He got into his girlfriend's car and drove away.

Samuel continued to trade fond memories with everyone when, unexpectedly, he was interrupted by one of the men in the crowd staring at his college ring.

Cool ring! Is that your school ring? Troy said.

Yep!

"What does Magna cum laude mean on the back of your license plate?" Troy said.

Paul, who prided himself on being a scholar, understood that the Latin phrase meant with great honor.

Congratulations, Samuel! I always knew you could do it!

Thanks, Paul!

While they talked about old times, the sun went down, and the crowd dispersed, leaving behind beer cans and cigarette butts littering the parking lot. Gary, another high school acquaintance of Samuel's, chose to stick around.

Samuel, it looks like everyone is leaving. Wanna hang out together? Gary said.

Sure, I'd like that, Samuel said with some hesitation.

Gary was curious why Samuel came back to the neighborhood. He sounded like the dull corporate type searching for some excitement.

Not too far from the shopping center was the home where Samuel grew up in on Fields Street—across from his old junior high school. The air was brisk and chilly; both men buttoned their jackets and walked in that direction sharing stories, ambitions, desires—and old times. The pungent odor of the river nearby made Samuel's stomach queasy and brought back childhood memories.

His last recollection of Gary was when he spent time in juvenile hall for shoplifting and truancy. He assumed he’d gotten his life together and was doing well. Samuel had been unaware that Gary had been in prison for armed robbery and car theft. He served five years in the state penitentiary for the crime. During that time, his heart became hard because of abuse from the inmates and prison guards. He felt society owed him.

With every passing hour listening to Gary's exploits, Samuel pondered: What did they have in common? They rarely hung out together when they were young and in school. Gary was popular among the neighborhood youth because of his adventurous spirit, basketball skills, and charm with the ladies.

Both men returned to the shopping center to retrieve Samuel's car. Savoring the cool evening air, Samuel let down the top of his convertible before driving off.

Making a right turn onto Bates Street, Samuel saw a woman who looked like Katherine Presley sitting on the front steps of the corner house reading a book. He pulled up to the house to see if it was her.

Do you remember whose house this is? Gary said.

Yes, but I'm not sure if Katherine still lives there.

Didn't you have a crush on her in high school? Gary said with a grin.

Yes, I did.

Let's go see if it's her, Gary said, mischievously.

Katherine was well-educated, pretty, a Christian, and popular in high school. In her senior year, she was voted most likely to succeed by her classmates. After graduating from college, earning a degree in education, Katherine stayed in the neighborhood hoping to make a difference teaching at a nearby elementary school. She also taught Sunday school at the local Methodist Church and was involved with committees to improve the neighborhood.

The road for Samuel took a different path following college. He planned to join the military but later decided to accept a corporate position on Wall Street.

Samuel and Gary approached Katherine as they got out of the car. She was so distracted reading her Bible and didn't notice the two men coming towards her. Startled. She looked up and immediately recognized Samuel.

Hello, Katherine! How are you doing? It's been a long time.

Yes, it has been a long time! It's such a surprise to see you, Samuel, she said as they embraced.

How've you been? she said.

I'm doing fine.

How's the family? she said.

They're doing well.

What are you doing here?

I just came back to see the neighborhood. I missed everyone.

You could've come to the class reunions, she said with a chuckle.

I thought about it many times, but work and school kept me busy.

I'm glad to see you, Samuel!

Same here, Katherine!

Hi, Gary!

Hello, Katherine! You're still the most attractive woman I know, Gary said as he winked at her.

Thank you, Gary, Katherine said, blushing.

Samuel, I didn't know you and Gary were friends?

We're just catching up on old times. I haven't been back to the neighborhood in years and thought I might need a tour guide, Samuel said, laughing, giving Gary a high five in agreement.

Katherine always liked Samuel and believed one day he would be successful. She was astounded he was with Gary. She knew Gary was a troublemaker with a long criminal past. She always kept him in her prayers and never gave up hope God would someday do a miracle in his life and change him for the better.

What's that wonderful smell?! Samuel said.

Samuel remembered his last home-cooked meal was a couple of months ago from his mother.

That's my mom's fried chicken and sweet potato pie.

Suddenly, Samuel realized how hungry he was because all he ate and drank that day was a bag of chips and soda he purchased from Landy's. Katherine invited them to stay for dinner, and they both accepted.

They went outside after eating and sat on the swing chair. This was the chair where Samuel and Katherine sat for hours as teenagers talking about their lives and future. They conversed about old times for several hours until it was time for Samuel to leave.

It's getting late, and I have to go home and get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day at work.

Samuel hugged Katherine and told her how great it was to see her. They thanked her for dinner and put on their jackets to leave. Gary adjusted his jacket to hide the impression of his thirty-eight revolver. Katherine noticed the bulge but avoided attracting attention.

Can you give me a lift to my home on Drew Street? Gary said.

No problem!

Samuel drove down Beal Street and made a left turn onto Drew Street. He pulled up in front of Gary's house. He remembered