Before the Storms Come

Chapter 1

The sticky summer heat in the Mississippi Delta was relentless. James Kelly tossed his baseball equipment into the back of his father’s ‘69 Ford and jumped into the cab. The burgundy beauty had chromed-rimmed wide tires with baby moons. The F100 was the first new vehicle Floyd had ever purchased and was his pride and joy. James watched his father lift his injured right leg onto the bench seat to get in. Floyd started the engine, revealing the glass pack mufflers he had recently installed.

“I love that rumbling sound, Dad.”

“Well, you will be fourteen soon, so I would say it’s the testosterone flowing,” teased his thirty-four-year-old father. Floyd put the truck in first gear and pulled away from the ball diamond. “Well, hotshot, you had another great season. Next year, you will be playing for the Clarksdale Wildcats.”

“Thanks for coaching me, Dad. Will you coach me next summer?”

“Jimmy, I think it is time someone else took over that responsibility. You are a good player, and I want you to get whatever you get on your own.”

“I never thought you treated me any different from the other players.

“I tried not to, son, but some people think that it’s just natural for a father to play favorites. It’s called nepotism. Besides, I have taught you all I know. Phil Walker coaches the older boys, and his son is playing in college.”

“But, Dad, the St. Louis Cardinals offered you a minor league contract. How could you not know as much baseball as Coach Walker?” argued James.

“I was a good player, Jimmy, but Phil knows all aspects of the game better than I do. He was an assistant at Delta State for several years before he got married.”

Floyd patted James on the knee. “Besides, I wanted to join the military and marry your mom more than I wanted to play ball.”

“Do you ever regret joining the military?” Floyd made eye contact with his son. “Mom told me your helicopter was hit when you were trying to rescue another crew in Vietnam. She said you were shot in the knee and had to get out of the army.”

“That did happen, son.” Floyd pulled the truck into a gas station and turned off the engine. “To answer your question, no, I don’t regret joining the army. I considered it a privilege to serve my country. I got your mother and you out of the deal, so I would say the bum knee was worth it. Come on. Let’s get us a bottle of pop.”