Surviving (20 page)

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Chapter 1

John’s Home

Nashville, TN ISA

Dec 16, 2048

              The sun was coming up and a rooster was crowing in the distance. Josh rubbed his eyes and tried to open them. His head was throbbing, his mouth was as dry as a cotton field and he was hungry. He also had to piss like a racehorse. He jumped out of bed, got tangled in the sheet and fell flat on his face. He lifted his head and looked in to the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

              Jenn said, “Good morning mister graceful. Did you have a good night?”

              Josh looked at her, stammered and asked, “Did we?”

              She kicked him in the side and said, “I should kick your ass, but you’re probably still drunk thanks to Dad.”

              He looked at her and took the vision in. She was wearing a pair of short cutoffs and a halter-top showing her midsection. She had a skull and bones tattoo on her right shoulder and several scars. She was gorgeous and sexy in a rugged sort of way. When she turned to leave, he saw another tattoo peeking below her shorts on the inside of her left leg. It looked like the feet of a cartoon character. The feet were orange and there were a couple of yellow feathers lying by the feet.

              He ran to the bathroom and took a cold shower, but could not take his mind off this beautiful lady warrior. He really wanted to get to know her better, but knew that his job was to get the story, not chase women. He found his clothes and got dressed.

• • •

              Jenn and John were at the breakfast table and an older version of Jenn was in the kitchen cooking. Josh noticed that there were eight plates on the table, but didn’t see anyone else.

              Jenn saw Josh and said, “Mom this is Josh, Josh Mom. Josh is a reporter for CNG, the Conservative News Group.”

              Beth replied, “So you are one of the good guys. Can you actually report the news without changing the facts to suit your boss’s political needs?”

              Josh said, “Ma'am, I will always tell the truth about a story and make sure the facts speak for themselves. I am also honored to meet you and your family. I know that you have been maligned by the press and I assure you that only the truth will be reported.”

              Beth asked, “Josh, do you go to church?”

              Josh replied, “Yes Ma’am. My family is Baptist and we attend the Cedar Crest Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. We are not that religious, but we believe in God, hard work and hate abortions. My mom and sister stay in trouble with the local and state authorities picketing abortion clinics. Mom is a high school teacher and Dad owns an auto and truck sales company. They both would be a great fit for the ISA, but won’t leave home. Our family settled in the OH-KY area over 250 years ago. Does your family go to church?”

              John replied, “Every Sunday since I married Beth. We are also Baptists and Beth is the spiritual leader who keeps our family active in the church. Beth, Lindsey and Kristie are Sunday school teachers and Randy is a Deacon.

              “Good morning Mom and Dad,” said a beautiful young black lady as she strolled into the room.

              John looked up and yelled, “Lindsey, get your ass back upstairs and put some clothes on young lady.

              She walked up to John, sat down in his lap and replied; “Now Daddy, I am wearing more than I wear to the beach.”

              She had white halter-top and tiny white shorts that barely covered a rather voluptuous body.

              John gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, “We have company and pointed at Josh.”

              She jumped up out of his lap and ran up the stairs just as the front door opened and a bunch of kids came into the house yelling and running all around. John got up and met them as they entered the kitchen. They swarmed him. Their parents, Randy and his wife, shook Josh’s hand and sat down at the breakfast table.

              John rolled in the floor with the kids for about thirty minutes while everyone ate and then yelled, “Church in one hour, everybody get dressed. You, too, Josh!”

              Josh said, “I think there is another story that has been overlooked because of all of the warfare and serious events."

              Jenn said, “What story?”

              Josh replied, “An epic love story.” He smiled and walked away.

• • •

              John walked up behind Jenn and said, “Are you getting sweet on that boy? I like him, but I can’t trust him yet.”

              “Dad, yes, I like him and would like to get to know him better. You know being your daughter makes it hard to meet a guy who’s not afraid of my father. Josh has great respect for you, but is not afraid of you.”

              “He’d better learn to be afraid of me.”

***

Thanks for reading my novel and remember to post a review. Thanks.

A J Newman

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About the Author

Anthony Newman was born and raised in a small town in the western part of Kentucky. He was raised in a poor family that barely got by day to day. His Dad taught him how to handle guns very early in life and he and his best friend Mike spent summers shooting .22 rifles and fishing. He read every book he could get his hands on and fell in love with science fiction. He served six years in a National Guard Armored Division and enjoyed driving tanks and firing the 105 mm main gun. He graduated from Southern Indiana University with a degree in Chemistry and made a career working in manufacturing and logistics, but always fancied himself as an author. He currently resides in Western Kentucky with his wife Patsy. They also have Sammy, Cotton and Callie who are tiny mop dogs.