Backslidden Christian

By Casey Cullum

After receiving probation for getting busted for drugs, Gary Froman tries to
straighten up his life and keep a promise he made to his pastor when he was just a
young boy. Though, without his new friend Jimmy Barnes, taking him to and
from church, it may have never been possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481709309

Casey Cullum

Casey Cullum was born on May 6, 1994 and lived in Galatia, IL his whole life. In Jr. High School he became deeply interested in car racing and ATV riding. At age 15, he wrote his first novel, "Backslidden Christian." Through High School, he ontinued to write other books and playwrites that remain unpublished and unproduced.

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© 2013 by Casey Cullum. 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 02/06/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0929-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0928-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0930-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013901669

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Casey Cullum was born on May 6, 1994 and lived in Galatia, IL his whole life. In Jr. High School he became deeply interested in car racing and ATV riding. At age 15, he wrote his first novel, Backslidden Christian. Through High School, he continued to write other books and playwrites that remain unpublished and unproduced.

(22 years earlier)

Hahaha, haha, children laughed as the played in Sunday school.

Hey, hey Gary, said Reverend Bill Mason. Come here. I would like to speak with you about something.

What is it Pastor Bill? Gary asked.

I don’t know if you know this or not but you are probably my best student.

Really? Gary replied with an excited smile on his face.

Oh, but I don’t want you to go around telling everyone this.

Okay, Thank you Pastor Bill, Gary said in an excited rush.

Oh, no, no, wait. I wasn’t finished yet. Reverend Bill said as Gary got up to walk away.

Sorry Pastor Bill.

It’s quite alright. I just wanted you to promise me something, Reverend Bill said in a strong but calm voice.

What is it?

I don’t think it will be very hard for you Gary, but I want you to promise me that you will work hard to keep a strong relationship with the Lord throughout your life, said Reverend Bill.

Okay, Pastor Bill. I can promise you that, Gary replied.

Alright, thank you, Gary, said Reverend Bill. "Now, you can go play with your friends.

Okay, thanks, Pastor Bill.

(Present Day)

Hey, hey buddy. Watcha doin’ there? Gary asked a person that was walking down the sidewalk.

Nothing, the man said.

Where you goin’?

Nowhere. Just out for some fresh air, ya know. Just trying to relax a little bit, he said.

Yeah. Yeah, I know watcha mean, Gary replied.

Why are you asking?

Well, because if you really want to relax… , Gary looked around and whispered, this whole bag is only fifty bucks.

Oooh… I don’t know. It’s been years since I quit that stuff. I don’t want to get back on it again.

Yeeeah, but that was a long time ago, Gary said trying to con the man into buying the drugs. Don’t you wanna know what it feels like again… to have no worries and no bad news that could bring you down?

There was a pause, almost complete silence in both of their minds. It was like someone had closed up their ears, leaving only a tiny opening to hear anything.

Fifty, you said? the man asked as he was reaching for his wallet.

Yeah, fifty, Gary said in a slow and quiet voice.

The man took out two twenty dollar bills along with two fives. He gave them to Gary one by one, almost as if he had obsessive compulsive disorder. When Gary finally had all of the money in his hands, he gave the man his bag of drugs and they both continued on with what they were doing.

Just minutes later, a random guy walking down the sidewalk stopped him.

Excuse me, sir, the man said.

Yes? Gary asked.

I noticed you selling something in a bag to that man. You remember? Just a few minutes ago.

Yeah, Gary replied. What can I do for ya?

Well, I was wondering what it was.

Why? You a cop or somethin’?

No… But uuuh, if you were selling… you know ‘relaxants’ we’ll say, the man said with emphasis, I was wantin’ a little some of it. My girlfriend just broke up with me and I needed to get my mind off things before I go crazy, he explained.

Well, yeah it was. How much you wantin’? I got three sizes. There’s a small bottle for thirty bucks, a bag for fifty, or a big bag for seventy-five. Or if you… , and about that time, Gary heard sirens wailing.

I’ll just take it all off your hands. How about that?

Gary Froman, you’re under arrest for possession and intent to distribute illegal narcotics, a police officer said from behind Gary as he was slammed up against the side of a police car.

Agh, aaaagh. I thought you said you weren’t a cop? Gary yelled as he was cuffed by the officer.

I’m not a cop. the officer said. I’m off duty.

Gary continued to scream and yell as the police shoved and forced him into the police car. He kept grunting and hollering all the way to the police station.

After arriving at the police station, Gary wanted to stay inside the police car. Seeing how his hands were cuffed behind his back, it seemed rather difficult to withstand all the strength of all the men.

Making their way back to the prison cell wasn’t a walk in the park either. Gary twisted, turned, and struggled but he just couldn’t break free.

Ha, the officer said as he threw Gary into the cell and locked the gate. I guess we know what’s happening when you die. Devil’s gunna be real happy when you enter his house.

Suddenly, Gary felt a sharp pain shooting through his body.

(flashback)

I want you to promise me something.

What is it?

I don’t think it will be very hard for you Gary, but I want you to promise me that you will keep a strong relationship with the Lord throughout your life.

Oh, yes Pastor Bill. I promise you that.

(present)

The lovely memory faded, but it stuck in his heart like a knife that wouldn’t come out.

A few days went by, during which all of them, he thought about what the officer had said to him and his memory as a young boy.

Still thinking about it a couple of days later, Gary found himself doing something he would never think of doing. He was tracing a cross on the bars that were imprisoning him.

The next day, Gary could still not get it out of his mind.

Excuse me officer, Gary hollered out.

What? the officer said in a mean way.

Can you tell me if Reverend Bill Mason is still preaching? he asked the officer.

Yes. Yes he is, the officer explains. "In fact, I go to the same church