Sam was bleeding.

He was a tough man, having survived many scrapes over the years. He had faced some internal demons, too, but came away from that stronger than ever.

This time, though, things didn’t look good.

He had a large family, and always offered what he had to them. Sure, some took advantage of him, and made it difficult for others in Sam’s family. But, Sam had a big heart, and always took care of his own.

His kindness extended to strangers. Over the years, when a neighbor experienced trouble, Sam would come to his defense. Sometimes, complete strangers experienced Sam’s generosity. And, sometimes these strangers took what Sam offered, demanded more, then spat in Sam’s face. But, Sam shrugged it off. He was just that kind of guy.

This time, though, Sam appeared to be in trouble. One of Sam’s family members was attacking him.

Barry had left home and had gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd. He had returned, but this was not a joyous, Prodigal Son type of return. Barry came back, and thought Sam owed him things. Sam helped Barry anyway.

Barry had repaid Sam’s kindness by launching a vicious attack. Sam could hold his own in a fight, but an attack from within the family put Sam at a disadvantage.

Others, part of Sam’s family, rushed to the rescue.

Unfortunately, without tearing the house apart, there was only one way to reach where Sam and Barry were, and only one at a time could get there.

Several of Sam’s family rushed to his defense. Willard got to the door first. Leroy and Rick and the others quickly calculated that Willard would get to Sam’s defense first, and rather than block the door, preventing Willard or anyone from helping Sam, they backed off. But not Ronnie.

Willard, you should know, was a lot like Barry. He did leave home but didn’t hang around the wrong crowd. Still, a lot of his way of doing things and Barry’s way of doing things were similar. Not everyone in the family was enamored by Willard. Willard was a better version of Barry, in many ways. But, better nonetheless.

Ronnie was a popular fellow with a lot of the family. Some looked at him as the odd cousin, though. Ronnie was basically a good guy, but he had his flaws.

Ronnie kept telling Willard to let him help Sam. Willard paid no mind, and had to briefly fight Ronnie off. There was only room for one person to get to Sam to help him. And there was no time to sit and bicker while Barry continued his attack. Willard got there first.

Barry’s attack was brutal. Sam was definitely in trouble, but Barry had now turned his attention to Willard. And Barry wasn’t alone. Barry’s hooligan buddies where there, ready to fight Willard.

Willard looked back at the door through which he came and quickly cleared a path. Others could now help him in his fight against Barry and his buddies.

“Need a little help in here!” Willard called. Leroy, Rick, and others came. But it might not be enough. Barry’s friends were strong and used to fighting dirty. And Sam needed help.

Ronnie called out, “Hey, Willard! I want to lead the fight.”

“I’m here now. Come help me!” Willard shouted back.

“C’mon, Ronnie,” Rick said as he rushed to Willard’s defense.

Leroy, always the gruff one, said, “Give us a hand, Crybaby,” as he headed into the fray.

Ronnie had to decide. Join the fight, help save Sam, and let Willard get all the glory? Or stand by and see how things worked out? And, he had to decide by November 6.