The Perfect Plan

By Whitney Sullivan

Jase Parsons cares most about working. He plans to become the greatest professional fighter ever. He will make his circumstances match his expectations no matter what. No one will get in the way of the plans he has for his life. No one. Especially not any imaginary god. That is until the tables are turned on him in an unexpected way.

Myles Callaweigh knows he wants something different than his parents do for his life. The only thing that makes sense is to leave everything behind and move on. No plans, no religion, and no one telling him what to do until he meets the one person who changes his entire way of thinking.

Kensi Austen has her life all planned. Basketball is going to take her everywhere she wants to go. Then the unbelievable happens. Heartbreak is threatening every piece of her world. She feels stuck in an uncomfortable place until she decides to listen for Gods direction. And finally realizes his Perfect Plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Dec 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781489703545

Whitney Sullivan

Whitney Sullivan is a business graduate of Liberty University. Whitney’s faith and belief that God has a plan for anyone who desires to follow Him fueled The Perfect Plan. She hopes that the themes of the story will encourage anyone else wondering if there is a plan for them.

Book preview

One

The fourth quarter was winding down. The South High Mustangs were up by three. Jerry Austen’s granddaughter was trying to lead her team to a last second comeback. Kensi had the ball with thirty-three seconds left on the clock. Her team, the Lady Knights from Saddleridge High, needed this win tonight to keep their season alive. Her eyes found his up in the stands. He gave her the look that he always did, the one that said, Don’t sweat it. I love ya, Popcorn.

He was the only dad she had ever known. Her parents had been killed when she was a baby. Jerry had raised her and her brother, Trey. Papa treated her like a princess and was her favorite person to be around. Trey was always annoyed because he thought Papa was spoiling her too much. Trey loved her, Papa had raised him to take care of her and look out for her. Plus, Trey knew better than to question anything Jerry did, like basically the whole town did.

Their town was a small one, the mailman joked that he could fit the whole thing in an envelope and mail across the country for less than a dollar. It was the kind of town where everyone knew each other. What everyone knew, but no one ever talked about, was the fact that Jerry Austen, from their small town of Saddleridge, Georgia, was the biggest arms dealer in the whole southeast. He was the unofficial mayor of the town. If anyone had a problem, they knew to come to Jerry, even the real mayor came to him with issues. Jerry was glad to help anyone he could. He had only gotten into the business for the money, to keep his wife happy. He had funded the construction of Saddleridge High’s new state of the art gymnasium, mostly so that the small town team could get the attention of big named colleges that Kensi was going to need. It was the best way he knew to give back to his community, and it made him feel better about some of his other choices over the years.

Jerry moved into the illegal side of the gun business when his position at Knight’s Ammunition International was dissolved and he was laid off. It was a simple changing of the times, but he was so ashamed, he could never bring himself to tell his wife, Melanie. He simply told her that he was starting up a new business with a colleague he had from KAI. Because of the money Jerry made, Melanie kept the mindset that she was above the rest of the town. she never paid attention to the mindless gossip that ran through the town, so Jerry knew she would not catch wind of his new employment situation - at least not for a while, anyway.

Melanie had grown accustomed to the lifestyle she had made for the two of them on Jerry’s substantial paycheck. She liked spending his money on things for their home, their son and his wife, and her adorable grandson. Jerry was not sure if Melanie would understand what had happened or if she would tolerate a lower level of income, so he decided the best solution was to not tell her. He had a colleague from KAI that partnered with him to create their own smuggling ring buying and selling illegal weapons. Melanie never asked any questions, so he could not foresee a reason he would ever have to tell her the truth.

Once in the business, Jerry felt like a boss, but he did not like the feeling. Instead of creating a gang or a mob like atmosphere, he wanted to create a different kind of family. He valued his family more than anything else in his life. He wanted the business to be a family, because they would each need to take care of and look out for each other. That was when Jerry brought his son, Darrell, into the business. Jerry found out his daughter-in-law, Monica, was expecting a second child. Jerry did not believe in hand outs for his son, but also knew his current job would not pay enough to support the four of them. He let Darrell in, but made him understand Monica was not allowed to know anything about the business and what they really did. All she needed to know was that he would be making more than enough money to provide for their two babies.

The trouble started after July of 1990, when Monica gave birth to Kensi. She became increasingly restless sitting at home with the baby all day, while also becoming more and more curious about Darrell’s job. Finally, she wore him down, and reluctantly, Jerry let her in to the business as well. Monica tried to find her own clients to make her own money and pull her own jobs. Jerry did not approve of that. One night, without his knowledge, she arranged a deal with a drug cartel out of Texas. She and Darrell went to meet them, but it was a set up. The gang murdered Monica and Darrell so that they would not have to pay for their new weapons.

It was a night he would never forget. The one when his world crashed. The February night started like any other. It was rainy and cold, the sort of weather that welcomed unhappy stories. His wife came downstairs from putting Trey to sleep in his bed, while Jerry was giving Kensi her last bottle for the night. He tuned the television to the late night news. As he went back to the kitchen to put the empty bottle in the sink, he heard the beginning of a story about gang crime in Texas.

Why were they in Texas, Melanie was asking. What were they doing there?

Jerry rejoined her in the living room. What are you talking about?

The reporter caught his attention. The couple was visiting from out of town. Their names have not been released to the media at this time, nor have the police made any statements as to what possibly lead to the murders. One of the reporters from a local affiliate channel was able to obtain this video footage from the scene.

The woman on the screen was still talking about the video as the station began to play it. The faces of the victims were blurred out, but what was unmistakably visible was the black BMW’s license plate which read 5348 ADF. It was the license plate that belonged to their son.

The blood drained from Jerry’s face. He could not breathe. He did not believe this could be real life. Then he felt Kensi squirm in his arms. Somehow he ended up at her play pen and placed the sleeping infant inside of it. A million questions were spilling out of his wife’s mouth. He took her into the dining room so they could talk without waking the baby.

I have some things to tell you.

When he first sat down with her, her hands were folded into his. The more he spoke, the more truths he revealed, the farther away from him she started to pull. By the end of his explanation, she was gathering up the few possessions that she wanted, preparing to leave. The love that had lived in her eyes for the last twenty-nine years was entirely replaced by hurt, disgust, and anger.

She went from the dining room, to the bedroom, and back through the downstairs toward the door. She stopped for just a moment. You. She faced Jerry and looked deep into his eyes. You are a liar and a criminal. And I will not be a part of this.

That was the last night that he ever spoke to her.

Trey was seven and suddenly not only were his parents gone, but Nana had left too. It was just him and Papa to raise Baby K- that was the nickname Papa had given Kensi. He did not completely know what had happened, but he knew it was bad enough to make Nana leave and say she would never come back. When he was old enough, Papa told him what happened to his mom and dad. That was when Trey joined Papa’s business. He wanted to find the people who took his parents away from him and return the favor.

In the tiny town of Saddleridge, Trey was the most popular boy. He loved the girls, and they loved him. When he was about sixteen, he figured all this out. He was nearly six feet tall with brown eyes. He never played sports, or really even liked any of them, but because of the business, he kept himself incredibly fit, and had the physic of a football player.

Jerry had raised him to treat women well, to never lie to any girl about anything, and to always make them feel special. So he did. He was always honest with them and made sure they knew he was not interested in any sort of relationship, that there would be a lot of other girls because of his job. Girls around town had no idea what Trey was involved in, but he had money and was the most gorgeous boy around. It was good enough for them. He was amazing to them for the short time that they had him. Trey loved travelling with Papa all over the country, it meant that he got to meet even more girls.

What Trey was not so crazy about was the level of brat Papa had turned Kensi into. Jerry could not see it. He said she was not spoiled, even though he gave her anything and everything she ever wanted.

Papa always made sure Kensi was not involved in the business. He did his best to make sure she did not even know much about guns. The less she knew about that world, the safer she was. Trey made his choice to join the business when he was sixteen, but Papa was not going to leave it up to Kensi to decide. She could be involved in anything but gun smuggling. She chose basketball.

Kensi started playing basketball when she was six. Through basketball, she was invited to a local church. Papa never said much about whether he believed in God or not, but church was something to do when she was not allowed to be at home because of the meetings Jerry held there. At least that was how it started. Even after he bought the warehouse, she still loved to go. The more she learned, the more she wanted to learn. She read the Bible that her Sunday school teacher sent home with her. David was her favorite character, his story was the best. He was a man who was called by God to do amazing things, like be a king. At first, he was so in love with God and what God wanted that he only wanted to please him and do whatever he was asked. Eventually though, he was only interested in pleasing himself- David went so far as to have his best friend killed so he could have the man’s wife. But he always came back to God, and whenever he asked, God always forgave him because God had a great plan for his life. In Youth group they talked about callings, the purpose God created each of them for, and Kensi felt hers was basketball. It definitely was not being one of the popular girls.

As loved and liked as Trey was in town was how invisible Kensi was. She tried for a while to be the life of the party like her older brother was in high school, but she just could not find it interesting. She did not drink, alcohol tasted terrible to her, and she was not going to be one of those girls who slept around with all the boys. She had decided that a long time ago, even before she learned about God’s promise of soul mate.

That was another thing she had learned, God created one special person for everyone to love for their whole life. There was already one person out in the world that had been created especially for her. God knew who he was, so she was not worried about trying to find him. She believed enough that she knew it would happen when God said it was supposed to. Also, Jerry told her that only one boy deserved everything she could give him. He had tried to get that through to Trey, but he had other things on his mind. But when Kensi learned God had this great plan for everyone’s life, she liked the idea of waiting even more.

Papa taught her that she would have to work hard for anything she wanted to accomplish in life. So she did. Her dream was to play basketball for an amazing college. As far back as she could remember, Knoxville State University was always her favorite team to watch and learn from. That was her dream- to play for Laura Warren at Knoxville State University. She played for her school every year- she made the varsity team each time and was the leading scorer and best defender. She also played in two local leagues, as well as a travelling AAU team. She could not get enough of it. She spent every free moment of her time at the park with her iPod practicing. Papa had turned her into a sneakerhead. He was always buying her new basketball or running shoes, she loved it. Her closet was full of boxes.

Kensi lived in the biggest house in town, with all the best toys, but was never allowed to have friends over. It was okay though; Papa was the best friend she could ever imagine. She talked to him about everything, and it made their relationship the best. She had dreams of a great life when she grew up and he promised to do anything he could to help her.

**

Kensi was now fourteen and the first freshman to start for the Lady Knights. It was the last game of the regular season and they had to beat the Mustangs to make it to the state playoffs. She looked for Papa in the stands and said a silent prayer, God, help me out. Tell me to pass or shoot. Please help us now.

They needed a three, but could settle for a quick two and a steal. She already had six steals in the game. Kensi passed the ball in and got it right back.

Take your time, she heard her coach yell over the crowd. Wait for your opening.

Deep breath. Stay focused.

Kensi read the defense. The center for the Mustangs was a slow and clumsy freshman. Kensi had paid attention to her all game long, and she knew the girl would not know what to do to in this situation. The girl’s inexperience was very obvious to Kensi. She decided to try and pull her favorite move. It was a gamble, but if it worked she could tie the game and get the girl to foul out for the overtime period. Just then, Jenny and Mandy set the most perfect double screen. A quick glance at the clock informed Kensi there were six seconds left. She put her head down and drove through the lane toward the clumsy center. She had a knack for drawing fouls on the bigs for the other team. Kensi’s shot went up. Swish. She sunk the shot just as time expired. Just as she hoped, the referee’s whistle blew, a blocking foul was called. The foul gave her a chance for one more free throw to be able to send the game into overtime. Kensi’s coach drilled them on free throws and she had only missed two in the entire season.

The crowd was going crazy. Kensi stepped to the line and the gym went silent.

Okay, God. You got me here. Let me sink this and then lead us in overtime.

Deep breath.

The official was about to toss her the ball when suddenly they heard a voice shout, No!

Kensi turned and saw Papa falling down the stairs to the bleachers. She ran off the court to him. Trey was next to him and she asked, What happened?

I don’t know. He was cheering and then he just fell over.

She whispered, No, Papa.

People around them were shouting Call 911! An ambulance is on the way!

Time had expired off the clock. The game was over, and no one in the building cared about basketball anymore. Due to the interruption, the officials called the game. The Lady Knights lost by one point and would not make the playoffs.

The coaches and officials tried to get the people to back away so the paramedics could get in. They took Jerry to the hospital in the ambulance. Kensi did not cry too often. As she followed her brother to his car, she could feel tears trying to push their way out. She did not let them go, though.

**

Trey drove behind the ambulance. He was speeding with his emergency blinkers on, running red lights, and trying his best to keep up with the medical vehicle. He knew it was bad, and he was pretty sure they had had their last conversations with Papa.

A nurse showed them to a waiting area while the doctors took Papa to surgery. They waited together for a half an hour. Trey went to get a coffee and when he came back, Kensi was gone. He sat down and waited for someone to update him. He knew Kensi was in the hospital somewhere, and there was no use looking for her now when he had nothing to tell her.

It was another hour before the surgeon came out. He was still wearing one of those caps and robes that doctors do during surgeries. He said Jerry only had a mild heart attack, but that the trauma from the fall created too much uncontrolled bleeding on his brain. Jerry did not make it through the surgery.

Trey sat back down. He started thinking of everything he needed to do now - Papa’s funeral, the business, Kensi. Shoot. He needed to find Kensi and tell her the news. His phone started buzzing in his pocket. His best friend, Otto, was calling. Trey told him about what happened.

They said the heart attack was not that bad, but that the head injury from the fall did him in.

How’s Kens?

I don’t know. I haven’t found her to tell her yet.

Well, don’t worry about work. I got you covered.

Thanks, bro. Kens is probably going to need me to stay home a little more for a couple of days. Pop was her world.

I know dude. She’s- you both have got to be hurting. Go find her. Be her brother.

He hung up and went to look for her. He went all over the hospital and finally found her in the chapel sitting on one of the last pews.

He sat down next to her, Hey Baby K, I have to tell you about Papa.

She did not say anything, just stared at the cross hanging in the front of the room.

Kensi, he didn’t make it through the surgery. They couldn’t save him. He waited a moment, but she still said nothing. He noticed a tear running down her face. I know what you’re feeling. I’ve been here before with-

You think God has it all planned?

Huh?

At church they tell me God has everything in my life already planned. That he only does what’s best for us. But why would he take Papa away from us? Why would he think that’s what is best?

I’m not-

Taking Papa away is not what’s best.

He sighed. It may not be, but it’s what happened. He paused. You ready to go home?

Silence.

Well, I’m going home. And he left.

Two

Jase Parsons was bracing himself against the door to the room in the back of his house. His father had just come home again, and he was still in that awful mood he always seemed to be in. Everyone thought he was just a dedicated fighter, but Jase had other reasons for being the strongest fifteen-year-old in town. Jase started training in every style of fighting he could find in Saddleridge, and had been spending every spare moment he could working out and getting stronger so that he could fight his dad off, but he was always too weak. And Daniel never failed to remind him of that fact.

Just then, the doorframe splintered and Jase flew to the floor as Daniel busted the door open. Jase jumped up and ran to the nook in the back corner of the wall where he could occasionally hide from his dad. He slipped in and tried to hunch down behind the desk pressed against it, but Daniel grabbed him. He pulled Jase by the back of his neck until he was standing. Then Daniel turned him so that his back was against the wall, and lifted his feet off the ground while holding his hand tightly around his neck.

Jase tried to breathe.

Daniel was yelling at him now. You worthless piece of… He yanked Jase out of the nook and threw him to the floor. You’ve never been good enough for me. Why did you turn into such a failure? You’ll never be anything! He reached down and smacked Jase’s face.

Jase knew better than to say anything back to his dad. He just let him go, it was easier.

For years he had tried to understand why Daniel hated him so much, but was never able to. He used to hate his brother, Otto, too. That was only until Otto grew up and started fighting back. That was when Jase became Daniel’s punching bag. Jase did everything he could to make his father happy and proud of him, but the man could never be pleased. Daniel controlled everything that Jase did now. He gave Jase strict curfews and kept him on a tight leash. He wanted to be sure Jase was always nearby. He never told him he loved him, and he never showed it either. Daniel knew Otto learned how to fight- it was part of why he started beating Jase instead. He was not about to let Jase learn how to defend himself. So he did everything he could to stay inside the kid’s mind.

But Jase already was learning how to fight. Otto was older. He started teaching his brother when Jase was just seven. Otto knew Daniel was going to be moving on from him soon and wanted Jase to be ready for what was coming. No matter how much they tried to tell their mom about what Daniel did, to try to get her to do something about it, she just ignored them. She was too in love with Daniel to ever try to create problems between the two of them. She loved her husband more than her sons.

Daniel always treated her like a queen. That was, at least, until the last year. Something happened between them and they were constantly fighting and yelling at each other, although, Daniel had never hurt her. When they had their worst fights he would leave her and spend a few hours out at the local bar. Then he came home to find Jase.

Jase had a lot of hiding places in the house, but by now Daniel had found them all. Daniel would beat him up and