ENC 1101-B3 & B4: Writing for Discovery

Every one is given a chance in life to do what they want with their lives. Some people make the right choice, some make the wrong choice. James knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life and he was determined to do anything to get what he wanted. James was 18 and worked for a living. He had a few friends who had a band and he really admired them. His girlfriend was always bugging him to get a band and pursue his dream.

He always wanted to be in his friend mike’s band. Their name was human pollution, and they were really big around his area. Almost everyone from the west coast of Florida to the east coast loved mike’s band. Though James was better than Leroy at the guitar, not to mention had a much cooler name, Leroy was in the band because James had passed up his opportunity to be in mike’s band a long time ago.

James was young but he had a drug problem earlier in his life and he chose drugs over mike and his friends. Drinking would forever be a problem that James faced. James would always regret his decision but only because he didn’t know of a life changing event that was right around the corner.

James was in the process of moving to New Mexico. He had come back to Jacksonville for a night to hang out with his friends and party. He was drinking and dancing with his girlfriend. He left the party to go home. He was a bit drunk but he didn’t realize how drunk he actually was.

James had just woken up when mike had called to tell him that Leroy was in a career crippling accident and lost an arm. He was still in a coma. He was hit by a drunk driver who hit and ran. James had heard the news but couldn’t understand what was happening. Mike told James that he was the only replacement for Leroy and without him the band would be finished.

Distraught by the turn of events James opted for some time to think. “Could this be really happening to me?” James thought as he questioned his integrity. Who could have done such a thing, especially to one of his closest friends? Mike and James had known Leroy his entire life and they grew up playing guitar together. James had just gotten up to go see Leroy when he noticed a huge dent in his car’s hood. “It must have been a dog!” he cried. “Just a Coincidence, nothing more!” he kept telling himself as he got in and drove to the hospital.

Mike was waiting for him in the parking lot when he had arrived. “What the hell is that?!” mike screamed. “Dude, calm down I hit a dog. No problems just trust me.” Mike believed him only because they had been friends for so long and James gave him no reason to doubt him before. They went up to Leroy’s room and watched him sleep. As they watched him James began to cry, he knew it was his fault but he couldn’t tell anyone. How could he? He ruined his best friend’s life. How could he live with him self?



Mike held him as he cried and reassured him everything would be ok, but James knew it wouldn’t be ok. James knew that if Leroy had any recollection of the night before he would know it was James who hit him. Lara, James' girlfriend called and asked what had happened and where he had gone. James told him what he told mike, and she rushed over to the hospital.

As she arrived, she saw Leroy and burst into tears. Leroy’s condition was improving but he still slept. He didn’t awake until 5 days later. When he did his friends and family where there to comfort him. He couldn’t believe what had happened but accepted it because he believed in god and believed god had a reason for him on earth.

James couldn’t take it anymore and confessed everything when Leroy awoke. Though he didn’t know what exactly happened because he blacked out, he still told him what may have happened. Awe struck everyone looked at him in disbelief. No one could believe that this could happen. Leroy lost an arm and James would be facing life in prison for a hit and run.

The court case was in session. Leroy was sitting in the courtroom not knowing who the criminal was, hoping that it wasn’t James. As the trial went on new evidence was found and disproved. This went on for a week until Leroy remembered that the doctor had kept some paint. The doctor had saved some paint from Leroy’s injuries and had them stored away. They tested it and found out that James hadn’t hit Leroy all along.

They never found out who did but they were sure glad James didn’t. Later that year they found out that James had, in fact, hit a dog. The dog lived but sustained a leg injury that healed completely. James took Leroy’s spot in the band with no regret and they had major label success.