But this day was a diamond. Today, he felt calm and at peace with the world and himself. The sky was so blue that the color was as pure as the turquoise he wore around his neck. Standing on the golf course, the green grass was a beautiful accompaniment to the sky. He was comfortable in the slacks and polo shirt that he’d put on that morning. His contact lenses bothered him a little. But, they weren’t annoying; he could ignore the discomfort. Right now, he was doing his second favorite thing and after this round, he’d be doing his favorite.
In John’s eyes, there was only one thing better than golf, and that was flying. He had his pilot’s license and that was his ticket to paradise. He had purchased a new plane – taking possession yesterday – and he was going to try out his new toy later. His pulse quickened slightly at the prospect and he hooked the shot off into the sand trap. His partners made a few smart remarks, but John laughed them off. He made short work on the bad shot and it only cost him a stroke off the lead. He wasn’t that upset. It was going to be a good day after all.
He ended a little behind the lead player, a stroke or two off par. The other three men wanted to go back to the clubhouse and have a few drinks, and possibly play another round. John was not to be deterred; he was going flying. He had no real desire for sticking around to watch the others drink since he had finally acknowledged his drinking problem. He wanted to fly. So, he bade the others good luck and took off in his Porsche. He left on that high of good feelings, not knowing that he was hours away from dying.
He arrived at the private airport and changed into a faded pair of coveralls. He paused long enough to chat with the field mechanic, before striding off to his newest acquisition. He loved planes and he loved new toys. He had bought the experimental aircraft on a whim, knowing it would take him some time to get used to the controls, but then, he thought he had all the time in the world. The most he wanted to worry about right now was whether or not the modifications had been done; if not, how he could work around them as he buzzed the golf course.
John came out of the hangar and started to cross the tarmac. He saw another man standing near his plane and hesitated for a moment. He didn’t recognize the man, but he was accustomed to being approached by strangers. John was good with people. He was insecure, but made up for it with an outgoing nature and a homespun charm. It was part of the job. John just assumed it was another fan and made a quick look over his shoulder to make sure the mechanic was there if he needed the help. After all, this guy could be one of the crazies.
He was a few steps away before the man seemed to sense his presence and turn toward him. John smiled warmly and the man returned the smile. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
“Hi. I was wondering if I could have a few moments of your time. I know you’re kinda going somewhere, but this is very important. Please?”
He felt odd for a moment, as if he had been here before, done this before; as if it all had been played out before. He dismissed this idea and turned his attention back to the man in front of him. John, being naturally curious, decided to give this stranger the time. It would change his life forever.
The Savior
By Jesse V Coffey
Chapter Excerpt
“Do you have it now?”
The sky was as bright and brilliant a blue as he had seen in a very long time. The last few years for John had been a crawl through a tunnel of hell, but he was finally finding his way back out again. The combined traumas of two divorces, separation from his beloved children, and his ever dwindling career had started to wear in his face. He had found relief in the bottle, just like his father had done, and paid the price for it in two drunk driving arrests. He had searched every religion, every avenue of therapy, and, at this point in his life, was actually able to say he was comfortable with what he had become. He still had his days when he felt ancient, not his fifty-three years; those days were the stone.