Marked for Life

Abe drops a disclaimer about the stated purpose, and totality of work, of Marked for Life, while Cody offers a response.

Then, Cody returns after a two year span to compose one final chapter of this memoir, Marked for Life.

If you enjoyed this podcast, certainly visit our flagship podcast, Alabama Astronaut, about the recording of Cody's record by Abe Partridge and Ferrill Gibbs.

Cody explains his beliefs, and how they are properly demonstrated. (At one time, he "learned" how to do them, manufacturing miracles. But this way, Cody says, the Signs are accomplished to edify God...)

 Cassy is pregnant. But Cody, though excited, gets a bad feeling one Thursday when she goes to the doctor for a checkup...

A stranger reaches out to Cody. He's an artist and ex-fundamental preacher from Alabama, interested in Cody's Signs-following songs.

"These have never been documented before," says the stranger. "Would you and Cassy sing a few of them into my handheld recorder?"

A fruitful relationship begins, which leads to a Nashville-produced album of Cody and Cassy called the "Coots Duo."

(For more on the story, the Alabama Astronaut Podcast features Abe Partridge, Ferrill Gibbs, and many of the characters you know from Marked for Life.)

Cody tires of life in Middlesboro.

He tells Cassy, "Let's move in with your folks in Berea." 

So they do.

Freshly settled, a snake attacks Cody in the snake room out back.

Meanwhile, a global pandemic threatens the region. It begins stretching out to every holler in east Kentucky. 

Cody mounts a defense for the people of the faith.

While out sinning copiously, he noticed many of the faithful remained steadfast and pure, particularly a man from Alabama who lived his faith to perfection: he watched no TV, he "doctored" for nothing, he kept his face shaved, and he didn't have Facebook.

Others, Cody reports, revered believers who performed all the signs, were actually full of the devil all along.

"Not everything that shines is gold," Cody reports.

Cody rages outside the church, and it's all Shelton's fault he can never be saved!

Afterward, Cody and his friends caravan. They pray for him at his house. Somebody speaks in tongues; another lays hands on Cody's shoulder.

Another picks up the family bible from where it lay on the floor, there blocking "Nina" from entering the den.

"Miracles," writes Cody, "happened that night." 

Out-of-work Cody Coots is barely scraping by. Now, he turns to the one trade he knows best: snake trading in the great state of Kentucky, USA.

He also tries ridding the household of Nina by making a deal with the devil. "I want some of what you've got, Devil," says Cody.

Of course, such a deal always comes with a price.

One season of torment ensues until a voice says, "Cody, you and Cassy will go to Church Saturday, and Cassy will give her heart back to God."

Cassy moves in with Cody, only to find an unexpected houseguest: "Nina."

Together, the newly minted duo drives the streets of Middlesboro escaping Nina, staying out until daybreak, staying far away from home for as long as they can.

Meanwhile, Nina gets worse day by day...

Cody is determined to do what is best for him regardless of what some people might say, like his bosses. He spends the week at Cassy's house.

"Try to salvage your marriage, Cody," they tell him, but it's easier said than done. He can't stop dreaming about Cassy in his life.

Reflecting on his past mistakes, Cody then shares a vision of how one can free oneself. 

Cody's home life is such a mess, he gives himself a haircut – it's something he does when at his wits' end.

His wife walks in on him and he declares his time is over with the church – his allegiance to Christianity is done.

And that's when the fighting really starts. It's Thanksgiving Day. 

The kids see everything.