The Rankins of Pratt County

"The Rankins of Pratt County" is a coming of age novel about a midwestern teenager raised by neglectful parents. Russell Rankin is forced to live temporarily out of state in rural North Carolina with his widowed paternal grandmother where he faces additional challenges and disappointments in his new surroundings. Extended family and community help stabilize the youth who excels academically and athletically despite his dysfunctional past. After college and a successful twelve-year career in professional football, Russell returns to Pratt County to raise his family and begin a new career. Unresolved issues soon develop that further test his character and loyalty. The book primarily takes place from 1982-1988 in small town, northwestern North Carolina. The final chapters conclude during 2005-2009.

THE RANKINS OF PRATT COUNTY In 1982, teenager Russell Rankin is viewed as smart and mature beyond his years until an impulsive and faulty decision brought on by a family crisis lands him in police custody. While lodged in juvenile detention, Russell is impacted by unexpected personal loss. As part of the Juvenile Court's disposition, he agrees to temporarily relocate from the urban Midwest to a small town nestled in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. A highly religious widowed grandmother takes Russell into her care, and during the early months of his stay, family tragedy strikes again that further tests Russell's resiliency. Russell's interim family and adoptive community rally to his aide. During his ongoing transition, a first love evolves as he learns to trust and willingly embrace his new surroundings. Eventually, he thrives as both student and athlete. Upon high school graduation, college and career intervene out of state. Seizing an employment opportunity in his early-forties, Russell returns to Pratt County to work and raise his young family where he faces surprisingly unresolved issues, which further test his character and integrity.

Robert L. Bingham is a retired probation administer, consultant, and university instructor in criminal justice. He is married and the father of three children and eight grandchildren. He published a memoir, "Growing Up Lansdowne," in 2015. Visit him at RLBing48@gmail.com.