The Fair Shot That Was Never Given

By Tony Jackson

2 Time Author Tony M. Jackson has done it again! Hes all set to release his greatest work yet with his new book The Fair Shot That Was Never Given, Life is Full of Ups and Down, highs and lows, and unfair blows. Take a journey through these pages, where each chapte outlines a person who didnt get there fair shot when it came to someting. Think a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arlington Computers LLC
• Release date: Jan 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781513645018

Book preview

1

The Story of John

The Lean Mean, Fighting Machine

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At the age of two, John laid on the floor playing with his dad’s fingers. He grasped quickly, as his dad would say, too slow. Moments later, someone knocked at the door. John’s mommy answered the door, where, on the other side, a man was dressed in camouflage.

Look at that little Munchkin, the man uttered.

John’s dad said to him, Meet your Uncle M.

Uncle M only came to town once a year or so. He was an army soldier and was often away on a tour of duty. For some reason, that name stuck in John’s head over the years. By the time he was four, he remembered his Uncle M’s name and face perfectly.

At this point, John was talking really well and a little too much at times. Again, like always, there was a knock at the door and Uncle M walked in looking for John. This time was a little different. Now of age, John ran into his Uncle’s arms shouting, Uncle M is home! Uncle M is home!

Now that John could talk right along with the best of them, he asked curiously, Uncle M, what are those clothes you wear?

Uncle M explained to John that he was a service man in the United States Army. The army, John said. What’s that? Well, it’s like this, Uncle M began explaining, in order for our country to be safe and have the freedom to go about our everyday lives without looking over our shoulders, certain individuals sign up to protect our rights so we can live in peace.

So basically you splat the bad guys? John asked.

Yes, my boy, I do. I splat the bad guys, said Uncle M, laughing out loud. Matter of fact, John, some say I’m a lean, mean, fighting machine.

Wow! John exclaimed. I want to be a lean, mean, fighting machine too.

John, I tell you, it’s a good job to have. You get to travel all over the world.

Hmm, John thought.

Later that night, he went to his parents and began to beg: Mommy, Mommy, Daddy, Daddy, can I get camouflage clothes like Uncle M?

Sure, why not, John?

The next day, John’s parents came home with a full camo suit, hat, and play rifle. He was so excited he snatched the plastic off, kissed his parents, and went into his room to try on his new set.

It fits perfectly! he hollered. I’m a lean, mean, fighting machine!

Uncle M was on one of his long trips again, and John couldn’t wait for him to return. One evening John had just come in from school and was at the table doing homework. He heard the door slam and Uncle M walked in.

Where have you been, Uncle M? I missed you so much, John said to his uncle.

Well, I was in Germany splatting the bad guys.

Oh wow! You really can travel the world.

Hey, I love your suit, John, said Uncle M.

Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet – trust me. Let’s go outside and let me show you some of my moves.

They went outside and started to play. Uncle M noticed that John was getting very winded. Slow down. Are you okay? he asked John.

I’m having trouble breathing, John said. Uncle M called for John’s parents at once. They came out and heard John wheezing as if he was gasping for air. They took him on to the hospital to see what was going on. After a few tests, the doctor arrived in the room, and said, I will start a breathing treatment to aid John in his breathing and to open his lungs up. It seems he may have asthma, which he may grow out of with time. His lungs are very tight, but we should stay hopeful. In addition, there is a slight heart murmur that we need to take a closer look at.

They began treatment immediately. John stayed in the hospital under the doctor’s care for about six days while they were readying ongoing treatment options. On the seventh day, John was discharged with a prescription from the doctor: rest at home.

From this point on, John had to carry a rescue inhaler just in case he couldn’t catch his breath. He had to take a daily maintenance steroid to get his breathing back to normal. The heart murmur was there, but the doctor felt John was fine. It, too, would probably go away with time.

When John arrived home, there on the couch sat Uncle M.

Hey, Bud. How you doing?

Fine, John replied. Just got to follow the doctor’s orders.

Yes, sir, you do. We have to get you all better, kiddo. Don’t want to disappoint you, but we need to talk. It can wait until tomorrow, though. Rest is in order.

The next morning, bright and early, Uncle M walked into John’s room, this time dressed in regular clothing. John never saw Uncle M out of his camouflage gear. So this took him by surprise. He reached in and gave John the tightest hug that he had ever