Greetings from GUATAMALA - Treatment

Parker Mortensen was a 15 year old kid from Denver. He lived with his mother and older brother Jake (17). Eight years ago, through the backdoor, his father fled family and country when the FBI knocked on the front door. He hadn’t been seen or heard from since, except for a blank postcard postmarked “Guatemala”, still hanging on the side of the fridge.

Parker’s memories were of baseball when Dad was coach. Family was strong and healthy; a loved and nurtured mother with two happy sons. His father was the king of the neighborhood, loved by everyone. This was his father’s gift, amongst other things, namely, his living, narcotics. He was largest dealer in Colorado, distributing more than 50% of the drugs in the state in the late 80’s. He hid behind the alias of a stock trader. On his way out the back door on that fateful day, his last words to his wife were, “I’m sorry, wait for me”.

Seven years later, the quality of life drugs provided to the Mortensen home diminished greatly. Having sold most everything of value, they moved downtown where rent was cheaper, but so was safety and security. Parker and his brother developed one strong attribute from their father, street smarts. Although drugs and violence were part of everyday life, Parker despised them, at least the drugs. Fighting came with the territory, and was certainly fueled by the frustration of waiting for Dad. Hope was fleeting. 

Parker’s mother Meredith ran a commercial glass storefront. But over the past 6 months job security was disappearing. Unexplained headaches were becoming so painful she couldn’t get out of bed some days, and doctors were slow to find a cause, but not slow to bill… a stack growing on the bathroom counter. Money had been an issue since becoming single again, but now it was dire. The bank left messages daily inquiring about mortgage payments, and threatened foreclosure. Parker’s older brother Jake took matters into his own hands, and into the footsteps of Dad. Selling drugs paid a few bills. When Parker learned of this, innocence officially died, and saving Mom was all that mattered, especially with the fear of cancer. 

Gillian and Mackenzie were Parker’s best friends. Gillian lived in the neighborhood, but during the past year, was spending a lot of time downtown. Ironically, she had gotten involved with some of the products Parker’s Dad distributed. Fortunately and miraculously, she’d pulled out of it. The pain and scars they left help to create the bond she shared with Parker. That was where they connected. If anyone was going to hear the idea, it was Gillian. And the idea came from Mackenzie. His father had been close with Parker’s back in the good old days. Mac came across his father’s private journal, with very private information about a large sum of private money… hidden in a very private place. Drug money doesn’t get deposited into federal banks.

The idea would set Parker on the quest of his life, trying to help save someone else’s. And the only one who has the answer is the one who left with it, through the backdoor.

Growing up happens fast, really fast, and friendship is the caravan. But growing up is none negotiable, and so is family. “Greetings from GUATEMALA” is a story about hope in the face of desperation, commitment to the only thing in life that matters, and the willingness to not give up. And what surfaces is a glimpse of faith in a living God, One who prepares the way through the wilderness, even into the mountains of Guatemala.