Rendlesham to Redemption: A Story of Transformation by Steven LaPlume

Author:Steven LaPlume [LaPlume, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-09-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

SALVATION

I n April of 1987, being on the run from the Law, I made the six-day motorcycle ride from my home in Leominster, Massachusetts, to the West Coast. My father had given me one thousand dollars and told me to see my sister in California and hang low for a bit. I think he honestly thought he could straighten things out between me and the ATF, but that would not happen. I was on my own, and the powers-at-be were in control of my future. I was just along for the ride.

While I had been praying to God for a clean start, I knew I would have to resolve this legal issue on my own. It was not going to go away. I found my older sister, Kim, living in the Los Angeles area. She knew I was coming out, and she rented an apartment for me down in Orange County in the city of Westminster. She also found me a job working at a chemical plant that had a large project going on. I was hired as an Ironworker as soon as I got settled in.

Since I had ridden across the country on my motorcycle, it was in dire need of maintenance. Not knowing anyone, I cruised up and down the main road near our house, looking for a motorcycle shop. I eventually found a place that sold parts and accessories. They did not officially have a shop, but some of their employees would “help” customers. In other words, they did the work, and the customer would slip them a few bucks under the table. This only helped the shop sales, as a client could buy parts and get them installed on site.

I bought new tires and a new chain with sprockets, as well as oil and a filter. The employee there was willing to help me change the sprockets and chain, and he used the company tire changer to put new tires on my rims. This employee and I talked for a bit as he helped out. He introduced himself as “Rocky.” I did not know it at the time, but he would turn out to be a life-long friend and was part of God’s plan for me.

Once the work was complete, I paid the guy whatever he asked for his assistance, and then I offered to buy him a beer. Rocky told me, “I don’t drink.” I replied, “Me neither.” I remember as he squatted down, tightening up the last bolt on the front sprocket cover, he looked over his shoulder with a goofy smile and said, “Then why did you ask me if I wanted a beer?” I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know. I figured that’s what you’re supposed to do when someone helps you.”

Rocky continued to smile and asked me, “Oh, are you a Christian?” I replied, “Well, I guess. I’m a Catholic.” At this point in my life, I had no clue what a born-again Christian was. To me, you were a Christian, a Jew, or a non-believer.

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