Growing Pains

By Daniel Piller

Seven years pass from where we left off. Multiple flashbacks bring you up to date. Jack is becoming like his dad and parties a lot. He is the starting quarterback for his high school team. The family all face challenges but find the strength to overcome them. Jack meets a roadblock that could take his life. Faith starts to show her wings and her talents. Jack takes the next step with Bree. John gets the good news he’s been waiting for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369400081

Daniel Piller

I have been writing for over twenty years and have found a healing sense in putting my thoughts on paper. I started with poetry and slowly graduated to writing stories. I love writing and letting the Holy Spirit flow. I have been in a wheelchair for a while now and I see it as a blessing. I may not be able to walk but I’m happy I’m a child of God now. I play on our local wheelchair rugby team and love playing it. I have been all over the county and met so many great people.

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Copyright © 2023 by Daniel Piller.

All rights reserved. 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 permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/09/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Dedication

This goes out to my sister. I love you. Keep moving forward. A great distance may separate us, but you’re in God’s hands. Thank you for never stop believing in me.

Chapter 1

It’s been seven years since we left our story, and we look upon John’s house. It’s early morning, and a Jeep is parked in the driveway. There is mud all over it. We now slowly move our focus up the front steps, and to the right is a new porch swing. It swings in the morning breeze, and you can see on one cushion stitched in the leather his and on the other hers. We now move inside, and when we look at the family tree, it has grown so much. There are so many happy memories of Jack and John, and they are smiling.

We flash back two years, and it’s early morning, and John and Jack are in the car. John is driving into the city to help Jack find his first car. Jack has saved enough money and checked the paper for the right one. One afternoon, he found a 1978 Jeep J10 4x4. He fell in love with it and called the number, and now they are on the way to check it out.

It’s just up here on the right, says Jack as he looks at his phone. The guy said he would have it out front for us.

John notices the Jeep ahead of them, pulls up, and parks behind it. They then step out and walk up to it. John can see the Jeep looks worse than they see in the paper. He can see a lot of rust but it is just on the surface the closer he looks.

It doesn’t look bad, says Jack, running his hand along the truck bed.

An older man steps outside of the house and walks up to them.

Are you Jack? asks Harris.

Yes, sir, I am, replies Jack as he reaches to shake Harris’s hand.

Harris is surprised a bit by the handshake and by his respect.

She’s a little rough around the edges, but pop the hood, and you will see it makes up for that, says Harris.

Harris walks over, lifts the hood, and explains what is before them.

John looks at the engine and then feels something warm around him. That’s when he turns around to see something in the window of Harris’s house. He recognizes something people put on their window if they lost someone in the army. He turns back and looks at Harris.

Excuse me, sir. I couldn’t help but notice your sign in the window. Did you lose someone in the army? asks John.

Harris begins to cry.

Yeah, my son, just two months ago, cries Harris.

John walks up and gives Harris a big bear hug while lifting him. He doesn’t know why but feels all this love for Harris, so he goes with it.

Jack is shocked at what is happening but eventually smiles.

Once John puts Harris down, a big smile comes upon Harris’s face.

I don’t know how you knew, but that’s exactly how my son used to give me hugs, says Harris, wiping the tears from his eyes.

That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. John smiles. I also believe that’s your son saying he’s always with you.

Thanks. I’ve been really struggling with this. I just put Deeds Jeep up for sale last week, says Harris. We would finish it when he returned, but I can’t do it now. But I can see you and your son have a special bond, and from what you drove here in, I know it will be in good hands.

Harris takes out the keys and hands them to Jack. He takes the keys and looks into Harris’s eyes.

I’ll take good care of her, and when we’re done, I’ll send you a few pictures, says Jack.

Jack reaches into his pocket and hands the money to Harris.

Thanks. I would like that, replies Harris.

Jack rushes around the Jeep, opens the door, and hops into the driver’s seat. He starts the engine to hear it roar to life. His eyes light up in excitement. He sticks his head out the window.

I’ll race you home! shouts Jack.

Jack speeds off before John can say anything, leaving a cloud of dust.

Sorry about this. He’s really excited, says John.

It’s okay. I can see he has my son’s spirit, replies Harris. Oh, those plates will be good until tomorrow morning.

I’ll make sure you get them back along with the pictures, says John as he walks back to his car.

We flash back to the present and look down one branch, and a picture of a Christmas tree is in the background. In front of the tree, Jack and Faith are sitting on the floor with stunned looks.

We flash back four years; it is early morning, and the sun hasn’t risen yet. Faith opens Jack’s bedroom door and quietly walks up to his bed. She’s wearing a pink housecoat, just like Cassie.

Wakey-wakey, Boo. It’s Christmas morning, says Faith softly.

Jack slowly opens his eyes and smiles as he sees Faith.

Good morning, replies Jack.

Jack gets out of bed, walks to his closet, pulls out his housecoat, and puts it on. He follows Faith into the living room, where she runs and grabs her stocking. Jack walks over, unhooks his, and sits down on the floor beside her.

Faith is full of so much energy as she always loves Christmas. She takes everything out and shows Jack what she got.

Look what Santa gave me, says Faith excitedly as she pulls the rest of the wrapping paper off.

That’s cool. Look, I got your favorite candy, replies Jack.

Jack opens half of it and hands it to her, and she quickly puts it in her mouth. He looks at the clock on the wall, which says 6:05 a.m, and knows that Dad doesn’t wake up till 8:00 a.m. So he begins to play with the small toy he finds in his stocking.

Two hours later, John and Cassie are walking down the stairs.

Good morning, you two, says Cassie as she walks over and sits on the couch.

Good morning, Mom, replies Jack.

John walks into the kitchen and turns on the coffee pot. He turns and walks into the living room.

Okay, Faith, you know the rules. Mom goes first, says John as he can see the excitement on her face.

Jack begins to look for a tag with Cassie’s name on it. He finds a present and brings it to Cassie.

Now, let’s see what Santa bought for me, says Cassie.

Cassie begins to unwrap the small box, and when she opens it, her eyes light up to see a beautiful set of diamond earrings. She smiles as she looks at John.

Okay, you and Jack can open one gift now, says Cassie as she looks at Faith.

While unwrapping their gifts, John stands with his phone in his hand.

Hey, kids, look over here, says John.

When Jack and Faith look at John, he takes the picture. They both look shocked as he captures the moment.

We flash back to the present and move down to another branch. There’s a picture of Faith and John standing by their bikes.

We flash back three years, and John works out in the backyard. Faith comes riding up on her bike, and her training wheels are bent up on each side.

Daddy, can you teach me how to ride my bike like Boo? asks Faith.

John puts the barbell on the holder and sits up. He sees her wearing her purple bike helmet and a dress with flowers.

Alright, replies John.

John stands up, walks into the garage, and comes out with two wrenches.

You’re going to help me take them off, okay, says John as he kneels beside Faith’s bike.

Okay, thanks, Daddy, replies Faith.

John hands a wrench to Faith, and she begins to try and loosen the bolt. John has his side off