And If I Die
Page 33
Centered in the picture was a huge advertisement for an automotive dealership.
The peculiar thing about the picture was the man’s firearm. Contrary to the law of gravity, it was waiting in midair just above the holster for the man to put his hand on it.
The photographer parceled out the rights to the picture—the hat, shirt, jeans, holster, belt, boot, and firearm companies all wanted a part.
Kim Kerr’s college education, her trousseau, and her brand-new two-door hardtop were all paid for.
Mann answered the phone. “Feed store.”
“Hi. You want a good sandwich for dinner?”
“What time?”
“As soon as you get here.”
“Is it okay if I bring Will? He hasn’t eaten in almost an hour.”
“Always.”
“We’ll be there at noon.”
“Great.”
The young men who walked into the Pattersons’ house were dusty from hats to boots. Missy took one look and said, “We’re eatin’ on the patio.”
They laughed and helped her move the food outside.
They were well into the meal when she told Mann, “We have a present for you.”
He sat back. “Is it better than food?”
She said, “Just a minute,” and went into the den. When she came out she handed him the hoe handle.
He stood up and turned the stick in his hands. It was totally restored—no evidence of splintering, no cracks. “It’s perfect.”
“Good.”
“How’d you do it? I thought it was gone.”
“I had help.” She patted Pat’s arm.
Patterson was pleased with the result. “The pieces fit together like they were machined.”
“It’s the most special present I’ve ever gotten.”
“We’re really glad you like it.”
With the meal over, Mann and Will were leaving when Mann said, “Would you do me a favor?”
“Of course,” she said.
He held out the hoe handle. “Would you keep this here for a while? I’ll be moving around in the Air Force, and I don’t want to risk losing it.”
“We’d love to have it here.” She pointed across the room. “It’ll fit just right over there by the fireplace.”
Readers’ Group Guide Questions
Chapter 1: Share a time when you experienced the protection of God’s guardian angels.
Chapter 3: Describe a person you know who, like Jimmy Palmertree, has an “uncanny ability to ‘read’ people.”
Chapter 4: Has there ever been a time when you knew it would be to your advantage to not know something?
Chapter 4: Would you, like Mose Junior, be willing to give your life to save another person? Why? Why not? Or would it depend on the circumstances and/or person?
Chapter 5: There was a moment when Pat touched Missy’s arm and quoted part of one her favorite Bible verses, saying, “. . . yet with gentleness and reverence.”
Have there been times when you knew what someone was telling you was right, but you still didn’t like it? Explain.
Chapter 7: Parker wanted to say more to young Mose, “but the words were trapped behind his emotions.”
Has this ever happened to you? Explain.
Chapter 8: Crawford could look back on a specific time when he’d asked Jesus to be his Savior. Can you? Would you be willing to share your experience with the group?
Chapter 10: Mose & Harley were caught in the grips of a tornado . . . “the inside of the storm was a portrait of evil in motion.” Describe something similar you have experienced.
Chapter 11: On his deathbed, Pap gave Mose his blessing. Consider the blessing you might give your children/grandchildren. Are you willing to share it with the group?
Chapter 12: Hugh Griffin was offended by Pat’s and Missy’s praying before a meal. Have you had a similar experience? What was your response? Was Griffin’s reaction justified? Why? Why not?
Chapter 15: Do you agree with the statement, “I submit that a man will readily abandon a lie that can profit him nothing, if by doing so he might evade a hideous death”? Why? Why not?
Chapter 18: Bob Pierce asked the question, “What on earth do you do for a man who saves your son’s life?” How would you answer him?
Chapter 22: During the frantic moments with Sweet in the arena, what role do you imagine yourself playing?
Chapter 22: In this chapter we read one man’s words before he took his last breath. What do you want your last words to be? Whom would you have hear them?
Acknowledgments
Hundreds of skilled and caring people have given of themselves to bring this work to fruition. Only a few of them are mentioned here.
Were it not for my editor and his wife, Gary and Kim Terashita, I would still be cooking books on my computer while hoping and praying for an opportunity to see them in print. Man has yet to craft the words that would adequately communicate what those two have done on behalf of my writing.
The folks at FaithWords and Hachette Book Group have treated me as if I were an honored guest in their home—their penchant for hospitality is exceeded only by their pursuit of excellence on behalf of my books. Special thanks to Cara Highsmith, Gary’s editorial assistant, who guards, encourages, and promotes my work. Those same thanks to Brynn Thomas, Jana Burson, Preston Cannon, Harry Helm, Linda Jamison, Kathie Johnson, Norm Kraus, Chris Murphy, Bob Nealeigh, Lori Quinn, Renee Supriano, Jodie Waldrup, Kaye Wright, and Rolf Zettersten.
To my publicist, Jeane Wynn of Wynn-Wynn Media, LLC . . . my thanks for a stunning job.
Durene White has invested long hours making sure that the writing in this book—as well as almost everything else that comes off my computer—is coherent. In any place where my meaning seems murky, rest assured that I failed to take her advice. Deanna Campbell and Paul Polk framed the questions for the Readers’ Group Guide and critiqued the book . . . a huge help. Our friends Bob and Amanda Bailey from Yazoo City, Mississippi, have poured prayers, support, and encouragement on this effort. Our children and their spouses, Cody and Helen, Ron and Aubrea, and James and Kelli have never ceased to shore me up. To Diane and Tommy, Cheryl and Doug, Richard and Durene, Tesh and Alexa, Jim and Joan, Gene and Louraine, Lloyd and Deanna, Bill James, our Sunday night study group, the ladies in Nan’s BSF class, and people too numerous to name . . . thank you for your fervent prayers. And to Betty Aden, my sister-in-law and life-long friend, thanks for carrying the message of my work to your part of the Western hemisphere.
Sincere thanks to Mrs. Myrna Lazenby, vice-president of The Lamar County Historical Society, who answered my many questions and gave me invaluable insight into the yesterdays of Purvis, Mississippi, and The Great South Mississippi Tornado. She was also kind enough to bring to my attention the historical society’s The Purvis Tornado of 1908, a comprehensive collection of photographs of the tornado’s aftermath along with selected eyewitness accounts.
Allan Hammons of Greenwood, Mississippi, gave me a tour of his antique photographs of the Mississippi Delta and took his valuable time to answer my questions about the cotton gins of years ago. Thanks, Allan.
In the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs, King Lemuel gives us an inventory of the characteristics of a godly wife. I don’t know if the king had a woman in his life like the one he described, but his word picture is a portrait of my Nan. Were it not for her, you would not be reading these words.
And above all . . . God gives me day-by-day proof that He is exceeding abundantly gracious beyond all I could ask or think by letting me express my deep appreciation to those named in these acknowledgements, to those of you who have taken the time to read this book, and to the many who prayed.
Thank you.
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