Breaking Point: The Redemption of Ty Collins

By R William Penne

In the small, struggling town of Coaldale, Pennsylvania, Ty Collins was once a pool prodigy, a young man with an extraordinary talent for the game. But his promising future was derailed by the harsh realities of the Vietnam War, leaving him broken, haunted by nightmares, and struggling with addiction.

Upon his return, Ty's life spiraled out of control, his dreams of pool glory shattered. It wasn't until he found solace in City Billiards, a local pool hall, that he began to reclaim his life. With the unwavering support of his love, Julie, and their daughter, Susan, Ty slowly rebuilt himself, both as a man and a player.

"Breaking Point: The Redemption of Ty Collins" is a gripping tale of resilience and redemption. It follows Ty's journey from the depths of despair to the pinnacle of his game, navigating the challenges of post-war life, addiction, and the pressures of competitive pool. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, a time of cultural upheaval and change, Ty's story is one of enduring hope and the transformative power of love and community.

As Ty faces old adversaries and new challenges, he must confront his past and find the strength to move forward. From local pool halls to high-stakes tournaments, Ty's quest for redemption and self-discovery is a poignant reminder that even the deepest wounds can heal, and the most broken spirits can rise again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R William Penne
• Release date: May 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215723715

R William Penne

Behold, R. William Penne, the man who has singlehandedly proven that there's more to construction management than meets the eye! R. William Penne, or Ronald William Penne if he's in trouble with his mom, isn't just an author; he's a storyteller who found himself with an abundance of time and an even greater abundance of tales itching to be told. Born in the rugged coal region areas of Pennsylvania during the 1980s—a time when men were men, coal was coal, and fashion was a question best left unanswered—Penne grew up steeped in an atmosphere thick with history and the lingering echoes of a bygone industrial era. This magical time, when The Goonies and Ender's Game reigned supreme, left an indelible mark on young Ronald, sparking a lifetime fascination with stories that span the breadth of time and imagination. So, what does a strapping young lad from Pennsylvania do with a head full of dreams and a heart yearning for adventure? He moves to New Jersey, of course! It's there, amidst the chaos of construction management and the occasional foray into piracy (of the accent variety), that Penne crafts tales that capture his wide array of interests—from the historic to the hysterical, all without putting down his beloved hammer. His literary repertoire includes 'Til Death Do Us Part, a poignant exploration of life, legacy, and the power of redemption. Wander Dog takes readers on a tail-wagging adventure with a loyal boxer dog whose devotion knows no bounds. Echoes of Time dives into a future governed by AI, where two friends discover a cave with the power to slow time itself. And let's not forget Coal Mines to Baseball Diamonds, a heartfelt tribute to Penne's roots, blending the grit of coal mining with the grace of America's pastime. Now, Penne is back with The Speed of Time: Echoes of Tomorrow, Whispers from the Past. Consider this his second swing at the themes that captivated him in Echoes of Time—a narrative redux that holds true to the original vision while ironing out the kinks of the first attempt. This return to Coaldale is not just a journey back in time; it's a correction course set with the precision of a well-aimed fastball.

Book preview

A Hustler's Life

In 1961, America stood at a crossroads. The golden age of the 1950s, marked by economic prosperity and suburban expansion, was giving way to a more turbulent era. The nation was a patchwork of hope and anxiety, its people caught between the lingering post-war optimism and the looming shadows of the Cold War. John F. Kennedy had just taken office, bringing with him a wave of youthful energy and a promise of a new frontier. On the airwaves, the soulful strains of Ray Charles and the rock 'n' roll rhythms of Elvis Presley filled the air, while the harmonies of The Beach Boys hinted at a carefree California dream.

The news was a mix of triumphs and tensions. Yuri Gagarin had become the first human in space, igniting the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Civil rights activists were challenging the status quo, riding buses across the South in Freedom Rides, demanding justice and equality. Television brought these events into living rooms across the nation, making the world feel smaller and more interconnected.

In the small coal towns of Pennsylvania, the contrast to these sweeping changes was stark. These towns, once the bustling heart of the industrial revolution, were now struggling to survive. Coaldale was one such town, nestled in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. It was a place where the past hung heavy in the air, mingling with the smoke from the remaining mines and the smell of stale beer from the local taverns. The streets were lined with weather-beaten houses, their paint peeling and roofs sagging, standing as silent witnesses to a more prosperous past. Bars and churches dotted every other corner, offering salvation and solace to the weary souls who called Coaldale home. Desperation was a familiar scent, carried on the wind and felt in every conversation.

In this town lived a young boy named Ty. At eleven, Ty was full of restless energy, his shock of unruly red hair making him stand out even when he tried to blend in. His bright green eyes were always alight with curiosity, a spark that belied his otherwise solitary nature. Ty didn't have many friends. He wasn't bullied or ostracized, but there was something about him that kept others at a distance. Maybe it was the intensity with which he pursued his interests, or perhaps it was the absence of a motherly figure in his life.

Ty's father, Tom, was a man worn down by the grind of daily survival. He worked long hours in the mines, or whatever odd jobs he could find, his hands calloused and his back bent from years of labor. Tom was a man of few words, his face a mask of fatigue and silent determination. He loved Ty in his own way, but the demands of putting food on the table often left little room for anything else. Ty's mother had left when he was just a toddler, a fleeting memory that lingered like a ghost in the corners of their modest home. She was beautiful, people said, but beauty wasn't enough to keep her anchored to a life of endless struggle. And so she had left, leaving Ty and Tom to navigate the harsh realities of Coaldale on their own.

In contrast to his father, Ty's uncle Jack was a dreamer and a drifter. He was Tom's younger brother, a man who seemed to float through life with an easy grace, unburdened by the responsibilities that weighed Tom down. Jack worked just enough to get by, preferring the company of a good book or a classic movie to the grind of a steady job. He lived in a small apartment above one of the local bars, a place cluttered with books, records, and old movie posters. Jack was more of a friend than an uncle to Ty, more of a buddy than a mentor. He was the one who introduced Ty to the magic of cinema, taking him to the local theater whenever they had a few spare dollars or sitting with him in the dim light of their living room, the flickering screen casting shadows on the walls.

Jack was a man everyone in Coaldale knew. He spent his days in the pool hall, not shooting pool but playing pinball on the old six-card machines that lined the back wall. The sound of clinking coins and the metallic ping of the pinball machine were as much a part of Jack’s day as breathing. When he wasn’t at the pool hall, he could often be found at the Par 4, a bar named after golf despite the nearest golf course being thirty miles away. It was a local watering hole where Jack spent his nights, nursing beers and sharing stories with whoever would listen.

Despite his freewheeling lifestyle, Jack had a genuine affection for Ty. He saw in his nephew a kindred spirit, someone with the potential to rise above the mundanity of their surroundings. Jack’s small apartment became a sanctuary for Ty, a place where he could escape the weight of everyday life through stories and films. It was in this setting, one lazy Saturday afternoon, that Ty's life changed forever. Jack had borrowed an old projector from a friend, and they had set it up in the living room. The film of the day was The Hustler, a movie that had created quite a stir when it was released. Jack had spoken of it with a sort of reverence, his eyes lighting up as he described the story of Fast Eddie Felson, a small-time pool hustler with big dreams.

As the film began, Ty was immediately captivated. The gritty black-and-white images pulled him into a world that was both foreign and familiar. The smoky pool halls, the tension of the games, the raw ambition of Fast Eddie – it all resonated with him in a way he couldn't quite explain. He watched, wide-eyed, as Paul Newman brought Fast Eddie to life, his every move around the pool table a dance of precision and skill. The way Eddie wielded his cue stick, the cool confidence with which he made his shots, the palpable tension in his matches against the legendary Minnesota Fats – it was all mesmerizing.

Ty's heart raced as he watched Eddie's highs and lows, his victories and defeats. The scenes unfolded with a raw intensity that gripped him completely. He felt the sting of Eddie's losses, the elation of his wins, and the weight of his ambition. The movie wasn't just about pool; it was about the struggle for identity, the quest for greatness, and the price of dreams. Ty could see a reflection of his own desires in Fast Eddie, a longing to be more than what his circumstances dictated.

The climactic match between Eddie and Minnesota Fats was a masterclass in tension and drama. Eddie, fueled by a cocktail of desperation and talent, battled through exhaustion and psychological warfare. Every shot was a calculated risk, every miss a potential downfall. Ty found himself leaning forward, his breath held, as the balls rolled and collided in a ballet of geometry and skill. When Eddie finally triumphed, it wasn't just a victory on the felt – it was a statement of his will to rise above.

As the credits rolled and the room fell into silence, Ty sat in stunned contemplation, the final scenes still playing out in his mind. Jack turned off the projector and looked over at his nephew, a knowing smile on his face. What did you think, kid? he asked, already knowing the answer.

Ty turned to him, his eyes shining with a newfound excitement. Uncle Jack, I want to learn how to play pool. I want to be just like Fast Eddie.

Jack chuckled, ruffling Ty's hair. Well, we'll see about that. It's not an easy game, you know. Takes a lot of practice, a lot of patience.

I don't care, Ty insisted, his voice firm. I want to learn.

Jack couldn't play a lick of pool, but lucky for Ty, he hung out at pool halls. And in the 1960s, towns like Coaldale had a large supply of pool halls and pool shooters, and Jack knew them all.

And so it began. Jack took Ty under his wing, not as a coach but as a guide through the smoky, dimly lit world of pool halls. They spent hours in these haunts, where the smell of stale beer and cigarettes was as thick as the camaraderie among the regulars. Jack introduced Ty to the local pool shooters, men who had spent years perfecting their craft, men who took an amused interest in the eager red-headed kid with a fierce determination in his eyes.

Ty soaked it all in. He learned how to hold the cue, how to