Saving John
A Novel
By
Gabe Sluis
February 2013- August 2013
“However, it was not his physical strength, but rather his strong principles and ideals that defined him.” – Chelsea Thornton Buchholtz
“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” –Ecclesiastes 4:12
“Oh you poor souls, who see me for anything other than who I truly am.”
-Unknown
First Edition
Copyright Gabe Sluis 2013
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locations or persons, living or dead or undead, is entirely coincidental.
Chapter 1- John McCourtney
John McCourtney was a good man. He was a hardworking man, a mason by trade, and gave his whole life for his family. At twenty-three, this son of an Irishmen took a trip with friends from his dreary home in West London and made up his mind to stay in Southern California. The sun, the fresh air, and the new start kept him. He stayed to live the dream, and so he lived. Soon, his dreams moved on to dream of things themselves.
John became involved in construction as soon as he finished school at the age of sixteen. With an aching desire to do more and see the world, he worked as an apprentice around London, and traveled to Germany for work. Forming things with his hands gave John a particular satisfaction he found nowhere else. Though he was adept in many things, the ability to create what one saw in their minds eye, captured him. While he would never consider himself an “artist”, John could merge stone and mortar to bring forth their natural magnificence, while still getting his hands dirty and remaining true to his serious, masculine nature.
In Southern California, in the late 70’s, John worked odd jobs and got his green card. Due to his imposing size, a powerfully built six-foot-two, John found extra work as a bouncer in nightclubs around Los Angeles. Continuing in construction, John obtained his contractor license and decided to start his own masonry company with a friend from New Zealand. The two enjoyed the Southern California life, focusing on the design and building swimming pools. In between the beers, the days in the ocean tide, and the occasional brawls in crowded fast food restaurants, John made memories that would forever bring roaring laughter to his belly. These were some of the best years of his life.
In the summer of ’81 he met Mae. The story of their meeting was well known to their children, with the underlying message that sometimes, when something is meant to be, persistence will pay off. You just have to want it bad enough.
Mae was a good girl, and John, with his rough exterior but gentle heart, were soon inseparable. He quickly became close with Mae’s family and began to attend church with Mae. They married two years later and life began to pick up speed. Like a series of snapshots, the life he worked so hard for unfolded.
They bought a home in a quiet, featureless neighborhood in the Los Angles. The single story houses that line the street are all off-white with light brown roofs. Power lines and palm trees poke up into a constant cloudless sky. On the parched lawn, the young couple stands, blissful in the beginning of their lives together.
They start a family. John finally feels at home. He now belongs, no longer simply existing, but living in a new country, his country. Christopher is born in the spring of ’85, and nothing has made him happier. The big man with rough hands and soccer shorts holds his son on the couch. It’s a Saturday, and Liverpool is giving Manchester United a good run. He breathes deep, enjoying days like these.
Chris is still in diapers when his sister arrives. The golden haired toddler peaks at the wrapped bundle lowered to him by his kneeling mother. Watching Chris look upon the face of little Elizabeth makes his heart swell. John now knows his little family is complete.
The expected departure of John’s business partner leads to the tough decision to move away from the lucrative business opportunities in the big city. In order to be closer to Mae’s parents, the McCourtney’s make the move to the Gold Country of Northern California. Rebuilding and replanting.
Life continues as the children grow. John becomes more interested in politics and current events. A strong urge to be informed on the issues and policy-makers that will affect him and his family overtakes John. This naturally led to his development of strong opinions and an attitude that cannot be described as anything less than patriotic. With this, John begian the long process of gaining his citizenship.
Standing amidst a full auditorium in Sacramento, nearly fifteen years after coming to America, John holds up his right hand and swears. He can now proudly say, in his already half departed British accent, that he is an American. This is a great day for him, and an experience he draws from in his future political arguments on the topic of immigration. Many of John’s political arguments, of which he unabashedly shares, are channeled from his unique experience of going about doing things ‘the right way.’
John’s business starts to transform. He began to experiment with more complex and advanced designs in his masonry. He perceivered, making a substantial living for his family, and becomes renowned for his high-end work that is sought after by wealthy clients all across the Sacramento area. An unintentional key to John’s success was John himself. He ran his small crew in a fair way that inspired loyalty. Every job John worked on, he refused to cut corners. This business ethic and his magnetic ‘British working-man’ personality gained him guaranteed work stemming from the word-of-mouth of his affluent clients.
The relocation and boom were good to him. He was able to build his dream home and send both his children to a private religious school. He provided so that Mae could enjoy her children, working as a secretary at their school. They had fine cars and even a late model ski boat. The family lacked nothing in love or lifestyle. Chris graduated high school and worked at a degree while becoming a distinguished banker. Liz also finished school, and went off to college in the middle of the country. John missed his little girl terribly, and even when the economy entered a recession, he still provided her with everything she needed.
When the recession hit, money was slow to be handed out for luxurious projects. The bright years of youth became overcast. With the children both out of the house, John’s life changed. An ominous wind was in the air. Though he felt generally secure and able to deal with the rough patch, uncertainty felt close at hand.
But, this story is not solely about John. This story is about his son, Chris McCourtney, and his two best friends, Donny Bryte and Jake Gates. This story is of their journey.