Downpour

By Eric Davidson

Because of the success of his first release, Birthright, there is anticipation for the release of his second titled Downpour. It certainly doesn't disappoint! It is a more extensive collection of gripping stories sprinkled with the Spirit of God, encouraging the reader to hold on to a brighter tomorrow! There is also a surprise continuation of a story from his first book, which warms your soul and reminds you why you fell in love with this new author in the first place! A delightful read!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662473524

Book preview

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Downpour

Eric Davidson

Copyright © 2023 Eric Davidson

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 978-1-6624-7348-7 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-7352-4 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Wayward

Samuel and Grace

Samuel and Grace: Continuation from Watch Over the Forgotten

Samuel and Grace

Lord of the Mountain

Bumblebee

Downpour

A Little Extra

A Stone's Throw

Amelia

Pride

For Love

For Love

For Love

Paul

Paul

Nicholas

A Pleasant Change

Remembering Mama

No More Pain

Bobby

Father's Day

Jesse the Cook

Jesse the Cook

Jesse the Cook

The Witness

Don't Cry for Casey

Don't Cry for Casey

Brutus

Brutus

Brutus

Brutus

Identity

Identity

Identity

Second Chance

Second Chance

Jane and the Big Elf

Jane and the Big Elf

About the Author

Sweet souls are hard to come by. In today's day of self-centeredness, it's refreshing to cross a tenderly gentle being who thinks of others before self. I met her at a donut-coffee shop and was terribly nervous to approach her. Still, there was that Sicilian smile that drew me close. After a pleasant courtship, I knew Annamarie held that inner quality I needed to move forward successfully in life. She possessed worldly wisdom wrapped in humility that was a blessing to behold. She has a unique counseling ministry that has encouraged many including myself. She has made married life satisfying, and our son Giovanni will indeed show the result of two Christians who love God and each other! Life and love with you my sweet Annamarie has been wonderful, and I'm looking forward to a beautiful life ahead.

Wayward

The old man opened his eyes, as he had done many times before, sat up in bed, and groaned as he stretched. He reached for his glasses on the nightstand; he fumbled around until he put them on. He stood quickly as he slipped on his boots and skirted to the window. Looking out through the fog on the bay, he flinched, then hustled up the winding stairs to the observation tower. Without hesitation, he flipped on the beacon and horn.

At sea, the young captain was frantically securing the deck in a vicious storm. The power was down momentarily, but more than enough time to cause unrest.

How long till the power is back? the captain asked the engineer.

We're working on it, sir. It won't be long, he responded.

Just then a huge wave rocked the vessel, and there were shrieks throughout the ship. Steady! the captain commanded. He was terrified but had to maintain his composure before his crew. He suddenly felt a calm sweep over himself as he asked a crewman, Do you hear that? The entire crew stood in silence despite the swells punishing the hull, causing them to hold on to anything tight to keep them from being thrown across the bridge. A faint sound at first but was becoming clearer and louder. Starboard, sir! yelled an officer, as the captain readied and executed maneuvers upon seeing the light glaring through the thick fog.

As the ship was turned, it evaded a group of rather large and sharp boulders that would have easily ripped an enormous hole in the ship. The crew cheered, and Captain Nelson Thomas IV wiped his brow. The next day, he drove to the area of the storm. He asked the locals for directions to the harbor. He finally approached an old abandoned lighthouse. Confused, he observed a condemned sign with tape plastered across the door. Slowly and carefully removing the sign and tape, he opened the creaky door and stepped in. Cobwebs were everywhere, and a stale smell of fish permeated the house. His attention was drawn to the spiral staircase. He climbed them to the first level halfway up to a room that looked unlivable, but he saw a small bed in the corner. Next to it was a nightstand. He continued up to the tower. Upon entering, he saw the dilapidated foghorn and light. He walked over to it and flipped the light switch. It hummed loudly, then settled into a steady vibration. Even though it was daytime, the light was bright and hot. He heard movement in the room below. He jumped down the stairs and ran into the room to come face-to-face with an old man.

Who are you? the old man asked.

I'm Captain Nelson Thomas IV. My ship was in trouble outside your bay's harbor, and we received help from what our instruments determined was this locat… He paused, noticing the old man staring at him in disbelief. What? he asked. The old man pulled his wallet from his back pocket and opened it, handing it to him. The captain took the wallet and looked down to read, Retired Admiral Nelson Thomas. He slowly raised his head and asked, How? I thought you had died years ago… That was what the family had told me for years.

The old man walked over to his window. Once I left the service, I fell on the bottle pretty hard. I shamed the family, so I skipped town and never came back. I regretted every single day, and when my sweet Mary remarried, I was crushed. Then when I heard she passed, I was devastated! You see, I couldn't return home. I was an embarrassment and a loser. He fell to his knees, crying.

The captain stood there speechless; his face was stiff, processing all this new information. Then he softened, My family always took me to church. I was taught to forgive because we have been forgiven. He then walked over to him and knelt before his great-grandfather. She always spoke highly of you. I could tell she missed you badly. I forgive you, and thank you for not only saving my life but also my entire crew. He opened his arms to him. Come home with me. They hugged. Then they both stood. The captain saluted.

The old man returned, At ease.

Samuel and Grace

Part 1

He walked home every night. He traversed about a quarter of a mile. He lived in the heart of the inner city. He lived alone, but he was happy. He figured he could concentrate on his work. There were female interests, but he wouldn't leave his home, his life's work, so he carried on. He never really thought about ever really experiencing any trouble from the neighborhood gangs. He had lived there for almost sixty years. He had a nickname in the community: old man of the cloth. He always prayed, he visited the sick and shut-in, he went to the local hospital for weekly visitation, he conducted food drives, he held services at the local prison, he had helped just about half of the residents in the city one way or another financially, and his services were normally packed each time the doors were opened! The years were catching up with him, and he was grooming a young minister to secede. The young man asked if he ever had any trouble with the locals as far as walking to and fro. The old man admitted that, at first, he was apprehensive but was more concerned with serving God! After some time, the old man stepped down and moved to a neighboring town to live with his sister. The young minister didn't deviate one inch from how the old man served the community. The ministry flourished to the glory of God!

One night at a youth meeting, the subject of the old man of the cloth came up. It seemed to have livened up the conversation, and the young preacher noticed the adoration the youth had for the old man. Thoughts getting the best of him, he asked how the old man was able to walk back and forth from his home for some sixty years without incident! One of the youths spoke up, We loved that old man, and if anyone tried to step? We would have taken care of business! The group laughed. Then as the cheers died down, he continued, But it wasn't necessary because every single night and early morning for as long as I was around, he had twelve hooded escorts all around him! The preacher was amazed. The young boy pointed toward the preacher and said, Now they walk with you!

Samuel and Grace: Continuation from Watch Over the Forgotten

Part 2

He moved steadily along as he pushed his cart. He was in the fruit section, deciding whether to pick bananas or apples. He figured, Why not both! Just then a young man bumped into him and almost knocked him over!

Watch out, old man! You move too slow! jeered the rude youth.

He stood up straight,