A Life Changing Summer

By Keron Nicholson

Stephen Williams is your typical adolescent. He enjoys playing games, spending time with friends, and eating. Life seems to be going according to plan for the youth until he receives news that has serious implications for him and his friends. An adventure in the summer results in Steve and his friends finding courage, hope, peace, and purpose where it once was lacking.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887510972

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A Life Changing Summer

Keron Nicholson

ISBN 979-8-88751-096-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-097-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Keron Nicholson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

The Fight

Chapter 2

Precious Souls

Chapter 3

Terrible, Terrible News

Chapter 4

Making Preparations

Chapter 5

A Thief in Town

Chapter 6

The Proposals

Chapter 7

A New Friendship

Chapter 8

The Green-Eyed Monster

Chapter 9

Temptations

Chapter 10

Exam Results

Chapter 11

Ready to Sail

Chapter 12

Cypress, Here I Come!

Chapter 13

Adventures Galore!

Chapter 14

Danger Looms

Chapter 15

Revelations

Chapter 16

The Aftermath

Chapter 17

Changes

About the Author

Chapter 1

The Fight

It was a cool march morning, and Stephen was in a hurry to get to school. Today was the big presentation, and he wanted to be early. Stephen raced to the kitchen, and his father turned to him. Take your time. I want you to remain in one piece.

Stephen, wash your hands before you eat, said his mother, Margaret. She was a slim brown-skinned lady with long hair.

Stephen washed up and began to eat. At the table, the boy couldn't help but think of what a wonderful day it would be. He helped himself to an extra portion of scrambled eggs and considered this his only-child privilege. At first, being an only child was extremely difficult for Stephen. He had no one to play video games with, no one to chat with late at night, and no one to share chores with. He had been feeling down about that situation for years until he actually heard persons with siblings give their experiences. He could now rejoice in the fact that he had no one to share his bed with, no one to get him in trouble with his parents, and no one to take up his things without permission. The lad gobbled down his breakfast and then made his way to the shower.

About twenty minutes passed, and the family was now ready to leave. Stephen almost toppled on his face on his way out of the front door. It would take the family about twenty minutes to reach Steve's school in Ajax, Toronto, and so the lad decided to snuggle up in the back seat of his parents' SUV until he got there.

Hey, how is Johnny doing, Steve? his father asked.

Well, he is okay, I guess.

I just haven't been seeing him in church for a while. I used to see him every Sunday. Mr. Williams took a quick glance in the rearview mirror to see his son.

Oh yeah. He was telling me something about being tired of church. Stephen thought about his good friend Johnny and how much he had changed within the last year. The boy had never been a saint, but now he seemed to be getting even worse. Just the other day, he had been sent to the principal's office for putting gum on the teacher's chair. It seemed funny to the class at the time as they saw Ms. Dubbs trying to scrape the gum off her dress with a piece of stick, but the whipping Johnny got from his mother that afternoon surely wasn't funny.

The SUV pulled up to Steve's school, and he ran out, shouting, Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!

I wonder what he's so excited about, his father commented to his mother.

Well, you know children. They can be unpredictable.

*****

Stephen walked down the corridor to his classroom, where he was greeted by Johnny. Hey, Steve. What's up? Ready for the presentation?

Of course! I barely got any sleep at all last night.

As the boys walked into their classroom, they were approached by Larry Richardson. He was a rather stout fellow and had worked up a reputation for being the class bully. He had repeated twice, and though he acted tough, Stephen could tell that he felt a little embarrassed because of it. As he got nearer, Steve's body tensed. He did not want any run-ins with Larry. No, not today!

Well, well, Larry began, if it isn't the Christian nerd and the kid without a dad.

Hey, watch it, bozo. Shouldn't you be preparing for the presentation?

Nah, was too busy spending time with my old man this week. It's such a pity you don't have one.

Johnny lunged forward. I am warning you!

What you gonna do? Larry retorted.

At that moment, Johnny swung his fist, landing a punch plum on Larry's nose. Well, that was all it took to begin a world-war-type scenario in the classroom. In no time, Larry and Johnny were rolling on the floor and aiming wild punches at each other. Friends of Larry jumped into the fight, and friends of Johnny did the same. The classroom became so noisy that the teacher came running in a few minutes later even though there was a balance of twenty minutes before the first period of the day.

What is going on in here? Have you lost your minds? Ms. Thompson asked. She was breathing heavily as she had run all the way from the office, and her nostrils had opened up as they usually did when she became furious. The students all paused and seemed surprised to see the teacher.

You all can explain how this started at the principal's office, but let me make one thing crystal clear. You children can say goodbye to your presentations!

*****

It was now lunch, and the children were playing in the park outside. One of Steve's friends, a girl by the name of Susanne Peters, came to him and asked, Hey, did you see the fight with Larry and Johnny this morning?

I think the better question would be who didn't, replied Steve. At this time, the other children began to gather around them as they heard talk of the fight.

That Larry deserved every blow he got, one child commented. This young scout had been given a wedgie just outside the girls' bathroom by Larry, and thus it was no surprise that he would feel this way. There were other children who also shared similar sentiments, saying that Larry got what was coming to him.

I am really disappointed that we couldn't have the presentations though, Steve chimed in. I was really looking forward to them.

Well, don't worry. I'm sure you will get another chance to do it. Susanne smiled as she comforted Steve.

The boy was only fourteen, but he was fond of Susanne in a special way. Her long black hair and brown eyes fascinated Stephen. And even though she wore glasses, in his opinion, she was very pretty.

Yes, I am sure I will, he replied. Anyway, I just heard the bell. Catch you later.

Chapter 2

Precious Souls

Stephen was relaxing in his