John And Sarah: Truth Concealed Revolution

By Ralph Payne

John and Sarah are younger brother and older sister born to "nouveau riche" Santa Barbara, California parents. Living in a life of privilege, they enjoy all the niceties of life. From eating the best food, wearing the latest fashions, attending lavish parties and going to private schools, their destinies are the one dreams are made of. But, unbeknownst to either of them, a strange visitor paid them a visit in their early years that changes everything.

John's life is peculiar from early on. Sarah's life is that of a normal girl, except that she's the perfect student, scoring perfect scores in all of her schoolwork. John is charismatic, charming lad of average height and weight until his 13th birthday when something totally unexpected and undetected occurs. Sarah is a tall, raven-haired beautiful girl, who makes friends easily. That is until an encounter with law enforcement changes everything.

Their destinies, once so well-defined, take sharp detours in other directions. What was is no more and what lies ahead is unknown. Their lives enter into the mysterious and the whole world will feel their impact.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ralph Payne
• Release date: Feb 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463918944

Book preview

This new novel series centers around John Smith and his older sister, Sarah. They are leading the next generation, Generation A, into a future dramatically different than the current one. The differences are quite stark and foreboding. The beginning of a revolution that is at first undetectable, but the truth is there. Can it be stopped? Should it be stopped?

At very early ages, an unseen and unknown hand impacts their lives in ways unknown at first, but manifests itself as they grow up. They appear to be like all the other children, but yet many events prove they’re different from the others.

Born into a wealthy, professional family in Santa Barbara, California, theirs are lives are ones of plenty and excess. They attend the best private schools and eat the finest foods, both at home and when dining out. Money is no object and they’re included in many of their parents’ parties and celebrations.

Both are extremely intelligent, charming and charismatic. Sarah is tall and beautiful with raven hair and blue eyes. John is average in height with dark brown hair and green eyes. Both are strongly opinionated, even to the point of being insistent. Their words aren’t flippant. They take say what you mean and mean what you say to a whole new level.

John has a totally unexpected event happen to him and Sarah’s idyllic life is impacted as well. People come and go in their lives, but their unified direction remains unwavering. How it all ends begins within.

PART ONE: EARLY YEARS

Chapter One

Mary Smith and her husband, Robert, drove to the hospital as instructed by her doctor because her contractions were the now around five minutes and lasting almost a minute each. This was not her first child, having given birth to a daughter 2 years prior. As such she and her husband were well prepared for this second child.

They knew this was going to be a son as she’d had an ultrasound performed. Both of them were excited with anticipation as this new birth would give them both a daughter and a son. They’d wanted only two children and hoped that they’d have both girl and a boy. So this was as ideal as they could hope for.

Arriving at their hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, they went through the ritual of checking in and Mary was whisked to the delivery room. Shortly after midnight, around 2AM, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Time was 2:03AM, March 15, 2020, Doctor Bruce McIntyre told the nurse. The name chosen by the parents is John Michael Smith. Birth weight is 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

Mary was allowed to hold her new son shortly after delivery to affect the bonding process could begin. After about 30 minutes, the newborn child was taken to nursery as all newborns are to make sure that its body temperature reached the necessary 98 degrees.

***

The nurse attending the nursery thought she saw some stranger lurking inside that secured section of the hospital around 3:30AM. She opened the door to check inside and found nothing.

Mmmm, she mumbled to herself, I must be seeing things. I should probably get a cup of coffee or something to wake me up.

All across the country and the globe, similar experiences happened to other nurses in many different hospital nurseries. Nurses thinking they’d seen a figure inside the nursery, but not finding anyone there when they went inside to make sure everything was all right with the newborns.

The inconspicuous revolution had just begun.

***

The very next morning, mom and baby were reunited and, following some more routine checkups, were allowed to return home in the early evening. Mary remained in her room until her husband arrived.

Robert had come by the hospital to pick up his wife and new son to bring them back home. Both his and his wife’s parents were there waiting to see their new grandson. John’s older sister, Sarah, was there too, but because she was just a little older than 2 years herself, she probably really couldn’t appreciate the arrival of her little brother at this time.

As expected, when they arrived at their luxurious Santa Barbara, California home, both sets of grandparents where there eagerly awaiting to greet their new grandson. The Smith’s had barely gotten out of their luxury BMW 750i, when they were almost bull rushed by their parents.

Oooo! Let me hold my grandson, shrieked Mary’s mother, Elizabeth Curry.

Me first! declared Robert’s mom, Tammy Smith.

First let me get out of the car! Mary exclaimed to both of them.

Although, they really didn’t move Sarah was able to get out of the vehicle with the newborn in her arms. Her own mother was the first to get to hold the baby, cooing like all grandmothers do. After several moment of holding the baby, she begrudgingly surrendered the baby to Emily who also cooed loudly upon taking little John into her arms.

All of them, including Sarah, who was already displaying signs of jealousy towards her new brother, went into the spacious house. The Smiths were able to afford house staff and these waited just inside the door wanting to get a look at the new arrival.

Sarah felt like she was being ignored and wanted some attention, too. Mom, can we go to my room now. You said you would when you got back.

Mary wanted to spend some time with her daughter, but the newborn took priority at the moment. I know, sweetie, but right now we need to get your new brother into the house and get him into his crib.

This excuse caused little Sarah to stomp her foot and protest out loud, I hate him. I don’t want a little brother. She quickly ran upstairs to her room and slammed the door behind her.

Mary tried to chase after her, but her husband grabbed her arm. Let her be for now, she needs some time to get used to having a new brother. This is only natural.

Mary stopped, realizing that what her husband just told her was right. She’d have to visit her young daughter later on and try to encourage her to be more accepting of John.

***

That evening, they managed to get little Sarah to eat dinner with the whole family. After finishing her dinner she quickly rushed back up to her room and slammed the door behind her.

Mary pursued after her and after a few minutes, was finally able to convince her daughter to let her in the room. Sarah, sweetie, you have to try to accept your new baby brother. After all, he’s now a part of this family, too. Can’t you give it a try?

Okay, mommy, Sarah finally agreed and received a hug from her mother.

That’s a good girl. Let’s go and see your little brother, okay?

Sarah nodded her head and they went together, holding hands, to look upon the new baby who was now sleeping in his crib.

***

Later that evening, Mary helped Sarah get ready for bedtime. She helped the little girl get into her pajamas and once snuggled in read her one of her favorite stories. She gave her a kiss goodnight and quietly exiting the bedroom.

The adults spent several more hours in the family room, drinking adult beverages and eating nuts and cheeses from the kitchen. They were all talking about the baby.

He looks just like his father. Robert’s mom declared with glee in her voice.

He should, mom, after all he is a boy, not a girl. Robert wanted to bring his mother’s obvious reference to the baby looking like her side of the family down a bit.

He’s just so cute! Elizabeth Curry stated for the umpteenth time.

He sure is mom. Mary was proud that her baby was so cute ones. Some babies aren’t so cute, but hers was and that was most important to her.

Shortly the grandparents left for home, the proud parents went in to check upon their new son one more time before they went to be. Little John was sound asleep. This was good because they could get a few hours of sleep before the baby would wake up and start crying about something.

Shortly afterwards they fell asleep, an unseen, mysterious figure entered little Sarah’s bedroom. Less than 10 seconds later, whoever or whatever it was had left.

***

The next morning, after Mary had prepared breakfast for her family, she went to get the 2-year-old girl to get her to join her mom and dad at the breakfast table.

Mary was still expecting some resistance from her daughter, but much to her surprise, Sarah’s attitude was quite change from the day before. So much so, that she almost seemed like a different person altogether.

At the breakfast table, little Sarah declared openly, I want to see my new brother! When can I see him, mommy?

After you finish your breakfast, then you can see him, okay?

Sarah smiled and agreed, okay, mommy! She excitedly finished all the delicious breakfast her mother had prepared for her. Can I go now?

Hearing the enthusiasm in her voice, Mary told her, sure, but try not to wake him, okay?

Okay, mommy, Sarah told her and rushed upstairs to see the baby. She entered the room and lovingly gazed at her brother asleep in his crib. I love you, she told the baby even though he would be too young to understand her words at this moment even if he was awake.

***

That same evening, nurses in different hospitals across the country and the world again thought they saw an unwelcomed visitor inside their nurseries. Upon checking in on all the babies sleeping there, they found nothing.

They didn’t dare say anything to anyone because they didn’t want to accused of seeing things that weren’t there. But still, there was an eerie feeling that most of them felt, something strange, but couldn’t be proven.

Chapter Two

Two years had passed already, John was now two and her older sister, Sarah, was four. Both children were growing at an average rate. Both of them were up-to-date on all of their immunization requirements.

Their parents, who both lived in the immediate area, would stop by most weekends to help spoil their grandchildren. They’d take them to the park and other fun things for the children to do. Some ice cream and candy were also provided without telling Mary or Robert.

It amazed both Mary and Robert just how much the two siblings got along together. They seemed inseparable, always doing things together even though John was still too young to do some things his sister could.

It was one happy family. So many other families experienced sibling rivalry, which is only natural, but not Sarah and John. They couldn’t be closer and without all the anticipated arguments she was told by her doctors to expect from siblings. The seemed more like identical twins even though there was 2 years between them.

Sarah was already in preschool where she was doing quite well. Next year, when she would be 5, she would be entering kindergarten. John, currently in daycare, would be 3 and entering the same preschool that Sarah was now attending.

Their parents were very successful financially and could afford the best for their children. The preschool was one of the highest rated in Santa Barbara and, therefore, on the expensive side.

Robert Smith had recently left the law firm he had been with to start his own practice. Having been highly successful with his first firm permitted him to have a great start when he opened his own office. Already, he was earning more than he was then.

Mary was a real estate broker. She was a natural at selling properties and her income was comparable to her husband’s, sometimes even exceeding it. Her success helped her list only the best properties. She did list some average priced properties, but nothing below that.

Together their combined incomes exceeded $1,000,000 per year which afforded them their very large and beautiful luxury home in the choicest Santa Barbara area. They already had amassed tremendous passive and portfolio income which grew each year and would probably exceed their ordinary income from their professions in less than ten years.

Their tremendous success provided them much popularity within their social circle and they were outstanding and revered members of various professional and cultural groups in the surrounding area. There was rarely a weekend where they didn’t attend some event or gathering in some important person’s home.

They were registered Democrats and hobnobbed with the mayor and the chief of police locally. They were considered friends and supporter of both state senators, and assemblymen. They also had network connections to both California’s U.S. Senators and many Congressmen. They even had been invited to several of the governor’s banquets in recent years.

Life was just wonderful them. Even their own parents liked each other which granted them a most peaceful lifestyle where they could each other’s company, nights out with their in-laws, thoroughly enjoyable family outings and such.

***

Mary was quietly thinking about how peaceful and wonderful life was for her family. On this day, however, Sarah returned home from preschool all bent out of shape by something one of her classmates at school had said.

I hate Kylie! she complained loudly to her mom.

Don’t say that, Mary was a little perturbed to hear her young daughter say such a thing. You don’t really hate her, now do you, sweetie?

I do, too. I hate her.

Mary quickly realized that she was going to have to have a discussion with her daughter over this matter. Okay, sweetie, what did she do to get you so upset? she asked her daughter.

She didn’t do anything, Sarah explained. It’s something she said.

Okay, then, what did she say? Mary asked.

She said, Sarah began and with a little flailing of her arms for emphasis, that no one should eat meat. That no one in her family eats meat. She says that killing animals for food is wrong.

Well, sweetie, her mom tried to explain. "There are some people in the world that actually don’t eat any meat. It’s perfectly okay for them not to. We have always eaten meat and will continue to, also.

I think that’s dumb! Sarah declared her opposition to the idea.

You are entitled to your opinion, sweetie, but you should allow Kylie to have her opinion, too.

I think she should also eat meat, Sarah disagreed and ran off in a huff.

Don’t be like that, Mary called out to Sarah as she disappeared upstairs towards her bedroom.

I think everyone should eat meat, Sarah declared loudly and slammed her bedroom door loudly.

***

Later, at the dinner table, Sarah was still upset about what Kylie had said to her and she asked her dad, Daddy, don’t you think that people should eat meat?

Realizing that there was likely to be some disagreement here, Robert stated, I think that that is up to each person, sweetie.

Why?

That’s because we’re all different. No one should tell another person what they should do.

But why are we all different? Sarah carried the line of thought. Wouldn’t it be better if we were all the same? That way we’d all get along better.

Robert couldn’t dispute the getting along point but still wanted his daughter to accept individual differences. Sweetie, there are so many different people in the world with different ideas about things. It’s okay for people to be different, you understand?

No, I don’t see, Sarah objected. The world would be much better if we all got along. Then there’d be no more wars.

Her point was well taken. That’s true, sweetie, but we can’t force everyone to think the way we do. That would be wrong, too. We’re all entitled to our own opinions.

Why?

Robert could tell that this was turning into every parent’s nightmare of trying to answer the endless why questions that come from their children. Sweetie, you didn’t like it when you were told that you shouldn’t eat meat, right?

Sarah nodded that she didn’t.

Well, that’s the same way other people feel, too, when you tell that they must eat meat, understand?

Again the little girl nodded her understanding. But I still think she should eat meat, too.

She ran off.

***

Later that night, as Mary and Robert lay in bed discussing various work related happenings and family matters with each other just before going to sleep. She brought up the subject of their daughter’s unusual and unexpected attitude towards Kylie, her preschool classmate.

I wonder where she learned that? Mary asked her husband.

I don’t know.

It’s not coming from us. That I know.

No it’s not, Robert agreed. And our parents wouldn’t teach her those things, either.

No they wouldn’t. I just don’t have any idea where she’s learning this crap or who she’s been with that would. I just don’t know.

I hope that she’ll be okay at preschool. Mary turned to her husband. I really don’t want anything like this anymore.

Yea, we I agree. Robert reached for his nightstand lamp and turned it off. Let’s get some sleep.

Mary turned off her lamp, too. In a few minutes both were sound asleep.

***

The next day, much to her dismay, Mary received a call from her daughter’s preschool telling her to come immediately and pick up her daughter. When she asked why the school director told her that Sarah had thrown a book at Kylie and injured the other girl.

Oh, no! Mary was shocked as soon as she heard this and all kinds of images ran through her mind. She told her lead sales agent to take over for the day as she was heading out the door. She drove quickly to the preschool.

Arriving at the little school, she jumped out of the car and rushed to the administration building where her daughter was most likely being detained in. As soon as she got inside, Sarah rushed to be with her mom. It was obvious that the girl was upset about something.

What’s going on? Mary demanded to know in a louder than normal voice.

Please calm down, Mrs. Smith. The school director, Mrs. Diane Johnson was there with Sarah and had detained her. Your daughter injured another student here earlier this morning.

Exactly how did she do this? Mary stood there with Sarah clinging to her.

Mrs. Smith, your daughter got into a fight with another girl, Kylie Simmons shortly after school began, Mrs. Johnson informed her. Sometime in the fracas, Sarah grabbed one of the classroom books and threw it at Kylie, hitting her in the face, causing a cut.

What! Mary exclaimed, in disbelief of what she was just told. My daughter would never do something like that.

Well she did, Mrs. Smith. Her teacher, Mrs. May Bollinger, had to restrain Sarah. Another teacher had to come to help stop the bleeding.

Who started it?

From both the teacher and the other children, Sarah did, Mrs. Johnson assured her. Apparently, it was over some argument the two girls had yesterday. Something about people eating meat or something like that.

My God! Mary exclaimed. She knew that the story had to be because Sarah was angry at Kylie yesterday over the same thing. Turning to her Sarah, Mary scolded her. Sarah, you know you’re not supposed to be fighting in school.

Sarah nodded and was starting to cry as she could see was in trouble.

You just wait until your father hears about this, young lady.

Mrs. Smith. The director got her attention. It may be best for all if you removed Sarah from the school.

What do you, mean?

Just that, Mrs. Smith. It may be best for everyone and especially the other children here that you find another school for Sarah to attend. Mrs. Johnson picked up a document from her desktop. I’ve already completed the notice. All you have to do is read it and sign it. If you choose not to, you can call for a hearing, but I doubt it will change anything."

You’re expelling her? Mary looked angrily at the director.

We think it best.

Begrudgingly, Mary took the document and read it. She didn’t want to sign it, but knew she really had no choice. She signed it and formally withdrew Sarah from the preschool.

***

After Robert returned home from work, he and Mary discussed what to do about their young daughter. They concluded that it would probably be best that they hire a private preschool teacher to teach Sarah alone in their home. This way she wouldn’t be getting into any more trouble with other kids.

It would be even more expensive than the already expensive preschool Sarah had been attending. They could afford it and it would make sure that their daughter’s education would not be interrupted. It would also be likely that they’d retain this teacher when John was old enough for preschool.

Chapter Three

John Michael Smith was now 6 and entering 1st grade at the private school that his sister Sarah was also attending. After Sarah’s was expelled from that preschool 4 years earlier, both she and John were taught by a private teacher until age 6 when they then transferred to this exclusive private school for children of wealthy parents.

Sarah was going into the 3rd grade now and was doing very well academically, even though she was very opinionated about most issues. She’d learned that she could listen to other peoples’ ideas on issues without compromising her own beliefs.

John was