My sixth novel is now available on the free Amazon Kindle app. My recent effort is and action-filled story about a man in his mid-sixties who wanted to make a difference. Here is the first chapter.

                                                                     Chapter 1

 I believe that I have always tried to be the best man I could be. I have never intentionally harmed another human being before now. Above all else is knowing that respect is the most important attribute a man can have for his fellow man. Previously, only one thing truly makes me a bit angry; it’s my name. My full name is Charles Martin Reston. I don’t mind it too much if someone calls me ‘Charlie,’ because it sounds friendly, although I prefer ‘Charles.’ But if someone calls me ‘Chuck,’ I become a little irate, and I’m not exactly sure why. It’s a little bit funny, because now that I’m in my sixties, I should probably care less; but I don’t.

Not very long ago I lost the one thing in my life which meant anything to me. All my success in business, and the possessions it allowed me to have, no longer have any meaning.  My bride of 38 years, Sondra, was the love of my life. Just over a year ago, she was driving on Highway 28 here in Lake Tahoe, and a young man slammed his huge SUV into her BMW sedan. She died on the way to the hospital. Tests revealed that he was impaired from ingesting several prescription drugs and drinking large quantities of alcohol. My reason for living had been taken from me.

Months after the incident I continued to remain in a deep state of depression. I considered suicide several times. I still don’t know why I didn’t take my own life; I had no real reason to live.

We never had children, and I’m not a religious man, so things of that type had no effect on my decision to live. Something inside would not allow me to surrender to my sadness.

I have a beautiful waterfront home. The view is spectacular year-round. The house is over 3,500 square feet; now it’s just a big, empty hall. The only sounds are from me or a television, or from the music I occasionally play. I have a few golf ‘buddies,’ but because my wife was my best friend, our closest friends were other couples. Of course, they attempted to console me, but for me, being a “third wheel” is extremely uncomfortable. My days are spent walking or running on the beach, reading, and watching old movies. I continue to train in the room I built for us, and I go to the shooting range twice a month. That’s my life today.

I needed something to satisfy my mind and body; something to make living worthwhile. Whatever it became, it could not be a ‘hobby,’ or something which simply killed time. I’m not a golf ‘nut;’ playing once a month is enough for me. It would have to be meaningful; maybe important. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wanted to ‘make a difference.’

Being an older man; a dinosaur from a different generation; I read two newspapers each day. I have the San Francisco Chronicle and the Reno Gazette Journal sent to me daily. I read them both, cover to cover. Most days I find that there is far more bad news than good; that’s just the way it is in our nation today. When I do find a story with merit, I feel myself smiling; happy that there remains more good in the world than evil.

The second worst day of my life occurred while reading the RGJ one morning. The man who killed my wife was finally sentenced. I had decided not to attend the occasion, fearing the worst; and that’s what happened.

The young man, Royce Lander, is the son of a casino magnate. His money bought young Royce a sentence of manslaughter. Although his body was full of legal drugs, washed down by Jack Daniels, he received only five-years. He would be out in two with time served.

Where is justice in America? Money is all that seems to matter. My anger had risen to an uncontrollable level. I went into my workout area and beat the heavy bag as hard as I could with my fists, my knees, and my feet. When I finished, forty minutes later, my knuckles were bloody, and my knees and feet were red.

I took a very hot shower, but I remained agitated. I needed to think, but my brain was virtually out of control as the weakness of emotion absorbed me. I needed to do something, not just think about all the terrible things that happen to good people each day. I had some skills, but could I bring myself to use them. In my career I had been a successful attorney, but my clients were mostly concerned with business ventures. I still had my licenses for both California and Nevada, but what could I do with them now? I decided that I would find a way to use my experience and knowledge to help others.

I couldn’t do anything to change Lander’s situation; at least not now. Maybe I could find a way to help other victims or the families of loved ones who failed to see justice served.

If you like novels, I hope you’ll enjoy my story. Thank you.

By James Turnage

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