Unlived Lives

By J.F. Paulsen

Robert Stark, in his oval office, planning campaign events for reelection, discusses his memoirs and interactions with twelve opaque individuals who suddenly disappear. Lisa Funk, recording the conversations, expresses concerns to the chief of staff. Hoping for redemption, Stark, remorseful, realizes his understanding of life events is not real, and delving into prior experiences and traumas in his life, he comes to see the world as it is, not as he imagined.

Stark is a complex, driven, God-fearing individual, balancing a thirst for power and prestige with deeply held religious beliefs. The group working with Stark is unable to grasp how he knows information about the shadowy individuals until the existence of the twelve is offered from a vastly different orientation. Recounted from a point of view of the missing, the story has disconcerting characters and startling scenes and situations. The views could be considered controversial by those not open to consider ideas disparate from their own.

Unlived Lives offers an unfamiliar paradigm and perspective often overlooked but very timely.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886447002

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Acknowledgments

The Twelve

Opaque Lives

Chapter 1: The Oval Office

Chapter 2: Dr. Manuel Martinez

Chapter 3: Parnell Plummer

Chapter 4: Dilip Doona

Chapter 5: Valerie Volukush

Chapter 6: Stark's Birthday

Chapter 7: Kenny Kellman

Chapter 8: Barney Burton

Chapter 9: The Poll Numbers

Chapter 10: Skip Skelton

Chapter 11: Skip Skelton or Robert Stark Day

Chapter 12: Alan Andrews

Chapter 13: A Perfect July Day

Chapter 14: Poll Numbers Rising Again

Chapter 15: The Evangelical Vote

Chapter 16: One More Angel

Chapter 17: The Assigned Twelve

Missing Lives

Chapter 18: Jilly's Grief

Chapter 19: The 7-Eleven Guy

Chapter 20: Stark's Frustrations

Chapter 21: Crème No Blueberry

Chapter 22: T Troubles for Stark

Chapter 23: Together Forever

Chapter 24: Left to Rot

Chapter 25: An October Surprise

Chapter 26: Donnelly Makes Her Move

Chapter 27: Falling Way Behind

Chapter 28: Another Missing Family

Chapter 29: An Untimely Sermon

Chapter 30: No November Surprises

Chapter 31: The Longest Light

Stark's Lives

Chapter 32: The Day After the Election

Chapter 33: The Reelection of the President

Chapter 34: A Visit to the White House

Chapter 35: A Next Generation President

Chapter 36: The Moses Complex

Chapter 37: Stark's Path to Power

Chapter 38: The Gift from God

Chapter 39: The Specialists

Chapter 40: The Hair of the Dog

Chapter 41: A Breakdown and a Breakthrough

Chapter 42: Like Good Old Times

Chapter 43: The Break from Reality

Chapter 44: Other Unresolved Traumas

Impacted Lives

The Twelve

Chapter 45: Life Appreciated

Chapter 46: The Making of the Twelve

Chapter 47: The First of Twelve

Chapter 48: The Second and Third of Twelve

Chapter 49: The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth of Twelve

Chapter 50: The Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth of Twelve

Chapter 51: Different Views

Chapter 52: The Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth of Twelve

Chapter 53: The First, Second, and Third Souls

Chapter 54: The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Souls

Chapter 55: The Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Souls

Chapter 56: The Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Souls

Intended Lives

Chapter 57: Questions for Stark

Chapter 58: Continued Questions

Chapter 59: Stark's Messenger

Chapter 60: Joshua's Story

Chapter 61: Joshua's Twelve

Chapter 62: Joshua's Duties

Chapter 63: Summer on Chandler Lake

Author's Note

About the Author

cover.jpg

Unlived Lives

J.F. Paulsen

ISBN 979-8-88644-699-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88644-700-2 (Digital)

Copyright © 2023 J.F. Paulsen

All rights reserved

First Edition

This is a work of fiction. Characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, events or situations is entirely coincidental.

visit: www.unlivedlives.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Acknowledgments

Writing can be an arduous process, deciding which content and dialogue to best engage the reader while at the same time providing context to the information and topics presented. Understanding I was venturing into issues thought to be forbidden or too sensitive for some, the final version of Unlived Lives is a result of several iterations. A couple of my reviewers thought I should use a pseudonym, while others informed that they did not agree with the opinions of various characters. Additional commentators believed the depiction of certain scenes were too callous or disturbing. I appreciate the frank opinions, and changes to the text were made when I agreed with those sentiments. However, the character portrayals and debatable viewpoints remain virtually unchanged as the incidents reflect the reality of human actions, feelings, and traits.

I give my heartfelt thanks to the family and friends who provided edits, insights, and suggestions for Unlived Lives. My gratitude to those who inspired the genesis of the concepts and final creation of my publication, include Katherine B., Bob L., Donna T., Jessica T., Andy W., Anna W., Bill W., and Amanda P., Andrew P., Eric P., Helen P., and of course my wife, Diane. It takes a lifetime of learning to gain a better understanding of all sides of issues. I hope to continue to listen to other perspectives concerning the themes of my narrative.

The Twelve

Barney Burton, the mechanic. Married to Jilly Green, daughter Julie, son Brandon, two grandchildren

Alan Andrews, the invisible man. Computer tech, makes daily visits to 7-Eleven

Valerie Volukush, Blueberry. Artist, girlfriend Crème

Tyeesha Timmons (T), the female hip-hop artist. Famous performer, from Detroit

Skip Skelton, the greatest ballplayer of all time. Famous baseball player, from North Dakota

Zelda Zulokowski, Double Zs. Famous buxom Hollywood Starlit

Kenny Kellman, the cereal rapist. From Wisconsin

Dr. Wu Weijun, the Big Data linguistics expert. From Seattle

Dr. Manuel Martinez, the science nerd. Cured cancer, married to Gloria, two children

Parnell Plummer, a future president. Politician. From South Carolina

Pastor Lorenzo Lawrence, the preacher. From Alabama

Dilip Doona, the tech billionaire. From Mississippi

Part 1

Opaque Lives

Chapter 1

The Oval Office

Robert Bob Stark was excited as he sat in his oval office. Serving as a politician for over fifty years had taught him it was about being in position to take credit when good things happen and to avoid criticism when bad things occur. Today was going to be a momentous day, and he knew in his mind that he could parlay today's announcement into a second term as US president.

Is Manuel Martinez here? Stark asked Lisa Funk, his personal assistant.

Stark had learned Martinez, whom he nicknamed the science nerd, was not an impressive looking man. In his late forties, at five feet and four inches and weighing no more than 140 pounds, he looked more like a jockey than one of the world's preeminent doctors and scientists. As Stark reached out to shake Martinez's hand, Stark saw Martinez stumble over his own feet. Stark snickered as he thought about how he could use this odd-looking science nerd to his political advantage.

Dr. Martinez, please take a seat right here on my couch, Stark demanded in his usual loud and gregarious voice. You are my guest of honor today, and I am humbled to be in your presence.

Stark noticed that Martinez blushed at the thought that Robert Stark was honored to be in his presence. Considered a societal misfit and an oddball, Stark learned that Martinez and his DNA research team would be credited with discovering the cure for cancer. Until that moment, Stark was told that Martinez was an unrecognized and under-appreciated medical science nerd who liked to play in his laboratory.

Today, during our announcement in the Rose Garden, I want you to feel comfortable. When I invite you to speak, I want you to say whatever you think is appropriate. You are, after all, the person who our team has worked with to get to this momentous announcement.

Stark noticed Martinez squirm in his seat. Until late last week, Stark had never heard of Martinez. He was not working jointly with Stark's team. Stark had demanded Martinez meet with him.

Continuing, Stark said, To help you with your remarks, I have had my speechwriters provide you with a script for your talk today.

Stark again saw Martinez squirm in his seat.

You and I are going to make your name a household name, and our discovery will be recognized as one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in the last one hundred years.

Before Martinez could say anything, Stark announced, Okay, Ms. Funk will now take you to the small study down the hall so that you can review the script. We want to make you comfortable before our announcement. We will let you know when we are ready, Dr. Martinez. I can now understand why I am told you are one of the world's greatest scientific medical minds to ever have lived.

Although she was sitting in his office, Stark called out, Ms. Funk, please take Dr. Martinez to the study.

Stark gave a quick fist bump in the air, and he watched as Lisa Funk, who always had a notebook in her hands, lead Martinez out of the room.

Stark was infatuated with Lisa Funk as she was as perky and cute as when he first met her fifteen years earlier. Stark knew there had been rumors for years that there was an ongoing romantic relationship between the two. But Stark and his politically savvy wife Susan, who vigorously rebuffed any attack on her husband, squelched any rumors that could embarrass Stark. Vehemently denying the vicious innuendos, Stark blamed the Republican Party for creating false stories to hurt his Presidency.

When Ms. Funk returned to his office, Stark stated, Now, Leesie-pie, as he liked to call her, who am I supposed to see next?

Chapter 2

Dr. Manuel Martinez

As she sat with notebook and pen in hand, Stark explained to Ms. Funk that he had learned a great deal about Martinez. Dr. Manuel Martinez, the science nerd, was destined to be a scientist and a medical doctor. His mother was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico City, and his father, whom he never knew, was an uneducated Texas con man who arranged for his mother to cross the US-Mexican border in the middle of a hot July night many years before.

Manny, known to always have a book in his hand, became fascinated about science and gaining knowledge about the medical profession at a very early age. After excelling in grade school and middle school, and skipping two grades in the process, high school began at the age of twelve. Graduating in three years, he was headed to the University of Texas-Austin at the age of fifteen.

At UT-Austin, Manny enrolled in the most challenging science, technology, and medically related courses offered in the College of Natural Sciences. As a first-year student, attaining the highest grades possible in every course offered in the Chemistry Department, he was awarded the highly coveted position as an intern on the Structural Biology Research Team. He also excelled in the Biology Department, easily obtaining a 4.0 grade point in every biology class taken. Recognition as the best student ever to attend UT by his professor in BIO 315H: Advanced Intro to Genetics, Honors; BIO 325H: Genetics: Honors; and BIO 315L: Lab Experience in Genetics, was the first of many laurels.

Because of academic success, Manny served as a peer mentor, teaching other biology students in BIO 372. These early academic successes led to advanced studies in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, collaborating with the brightest minds doing research on genes, genetics, and genomics. As a passionate student, reading every textbook and treatise available to understand human genes and their functions, he understood how genes interacted with other functions in human bodies. As early as the end of his second year at UT-Austin, Manny began work on his own hypotheses of how the storage, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes could be improved for the benefit of all humankind.

During his third and last year as an undergraduate, his research on DNA-sequence modelling of genomes was published. After publication, Manny became a sensation among other renowned DNA researchers and geneticists. His detailed analysis and understanding would serve as a foundation for many other genetics and genome research projects.

Outside of the UT College of Natural Sciences and other academic research institutions, Manny was viewed as a geek by most on the Austin campus. Socially awkward, he looked like a pimple-faced high school sophomore. During his first year at UT, as a favorite target of the UT football players, he was mocked and taunted and called science nerd. It was his bad luck to live in a dormitory and on a hall which included many freshman football players. Big and dumb country boys who could play a child's game. But Manny tried to not let the jocks bother him. Being mistreated and victimized his whole life, he dreamed of becoming a famous scientist who would change the world.

Living in an apartment building with other science scholars and students in his third year at UT, he spent days reading, researching, studying, and creating new genetic models which could lead to medical and scientific innovations. It was Manny's destiny during this year to meet his first and only girlfriend and future wife, Gloria. She was one of the students mentored in BIO 372. She lived in an apartment in the building and was a science geek too. But underneath the tortoise shell glasses and with cosmetics, Gloria was attractive.

As Ms. Funk excused herself and left the room to grab another notebook, Stark thought about Martinez and what he had discovered about his life trajectory.

Stark thought he heard Ms. Funk say, Are you ready to join Mr. Stark again, Dr. Martinez? He is ready for you to make a few remarks. You will take the stage with Bob. I'm sorry, I mean President Stark.

Stark always insisted on Ms. Funk calling him President or Mr. President when others were present.

Yes, thank you, Stark heard Martinez reply. I am not very good at public speaking.

Stark knew this and that is why he knew Martinez would simply read the prepared remarks, which gave much of the credit for this historic medical discovery to Stark.

Chapter 3

Parnell Plummer

Stark realized that not everyone in his administration nor in the Democratic Party was impressed with him and pleased he was president. Both inside and outside of the administration, Stark understood he was regarded as a lifelong politician who would say anything and do whatever necessary to gain supporters for his causes or the ideas of groups who supported him financially. Although he did not personally believe in the political agendas, Stark would willingly accept the stance and provide the media with talking points if it kept him in power and in a position of importance.

After years of backroom deals in Congress, Stark understood he could embarrass powerful politicians, if they crossed or humiliated him. Stark would not hesitate to share information that the lawmakers did not want made public. These power-hungry, self-aggrandizing officials also understood that his wife Susan, whom Ms. Funk had heard Stark refer to as the Bitch, would take actions if any young upstart political figure hurt her husband's public image. Stark knew Susan was immensely proud of being his First Lady and she was not going to let anyone take her away from the White House.

One of the few upstart politicians whom Stark heard had no fear and would not be concerned challenging Stark was Parnell Plummer, Stark explained as Ms. Funk took notes.

Stark considered Plummer as a fast-rising political star who if not for Stark's devious actions would have become president. Stark was told Plummer could be patient. That is why I selected Plummer to serve as vice president at the age of forty-eight. He is waiting for my time in the Oval Office to end, noted Stark.

But Stark surmised Plummer anticipated being in the Oval Office sooner if the unconfirmed rumors about Stark's mental health were true.

Stark continued, Plummer, tall and athletic, excelled at the University of North Carolina in basketball. He is tough as nails. Being Black and growing up in rural South Carolina will make you strong. He is from Landrum, South Carolina, just over the border from North Carolina in the middle of beautiful country estates and horse farms owned by rich White people. Plummer wanted to show the privileged White folk he was every bit as good and even better than they were. With White people staring at him as a ten-year-old youngster, he walked over two miles from his run-down shack of a home in Landrum to clean the horse stables in nearby Tryon, North Carolina. Plummer understood what it was like to be hated for no reason as he was consistently taunted.

Stark paused and then recited an example of the harassment faced by Plummer.

Hey, boy, whatcha doing around here? You come to steal a horse? asked one of the local good ole boys who happened to be born into wealth.

No, sir, replied Plummer. I'm working over at the Eminger Ranch cleaning the stables. I get paid to do that.

Just be sure I don't see you around here after dark. I probably couldn't see you anyhow unless you was smiling, snickered the good ole boy.

Stark knew Plummer did not understand why he was loathed. He only knew the rich White people despised him for some reason. His grandmother would tell him, Don't worry about them, Parnell. They are the uneducated ones. Hate is in the White people's blood.

Plummer was determined to not let rich White people nor anyone else for that matter stop him from becoming somebody important.

I have learned that Plummer understands that education is key to personal achievement. Studying constantly, he stood out in school. This was not the norm in the poor neighborhoods in Landrum, and initially, older boys ridiculed him for being a book worm. This would change over time as he grew older. By the time he was fourteen, Plummer was over six feet tall. He was extremely coordinated and muscular from physical labor. When it came time to pick players for a pickup basketball game or a touch football game, Plummer was often the first player selected. This was even when most of the boys playing were a few years older, Stark said as he then paused as if in deep thought.

By the start of ninth grade, the high school basketball coach was made aware of Plummer's athletic prowess and basketball skills. He would start the last eight games of the season of his first year in high school. After Plummer made a thunderous dunk over one of the star players at a rival high school, he was touted as the next Magic Johnson. He earned all-conference, all-regional, and all-state recognition for his basketball ability. But being a famous basketball player was not Plummer's aim. He was smart, studied conscientiously, and performed well academically, graduating third in a class of over five hundred students. This made his grandma proud, Stark recounted as Ms. Funk diligently chronicled Stark's words in shorthand.

Plummer was raised by his maternal grandmother after his mother left and was never heard from again. Hardly anyone could remember her. Plummer did not remember his father. He was told his father was from Asheville and that in his time, he was a good basketball player. However, Blacks were not offered opportunities to play basketball at the major southeast universities in the early seventies. I learned Plummer's father played for one year at an all-Black college, dropped out, and was involved in dealing narcotics. No one knows if Plummer's father is still alive, Stark detailed as he again paused.

"But that was in the past. At his grandmother's urging, Plummer enrolled at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He was interested in political ideas, institutions, processes, policies, and the behavior of the United States as well as other democratic countries across the world. As a political science major at one of the top fifteen programs in the country, Plummer had access to well-educated and internationally renowned faculty members. He earned accolades as a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society on the Chapel Hill campus. Because of his academic success, as well as his success on the basketball court, he was offered summer internship opportunities in his home state with the South Carolina House of Representatives. Plummer enjoyed the two summers he spent in Columbia, South Carolina, collaborating with members of South Carolina's Congress. His first experience in politics and the political process would be exhilarating.

"The congressional members were proud to show off their native son who was making a name for himself as a Tar Heel and as a savvy apprentice politician. Members even began to call him, a future president. At six feet and five inches and 250 pounds, Plummer was hard to miss. Although he worked extremely hard and was a valued unselfish member of nationally ranked Tar Heels teams for four years at UNC, he was not passionate about basketball. His destiny was to be a remarkable politician. I now realize the societal impact Plummer could make on the world by pursuing a career in politics," Stark admitted as he looked up and smiled at Ms. Funk as she continued to record his words.

Earning ACC all-league honors his junior and senior years at UNC, Plummer helped UNC make it to the Final Four two of the four years he played. But as soon as he graduated, deciding not to try out for an NBA team as an undrafted rookie, Plummer put away his basketball shoes, enrolling into the University of South Carolina Law School. Attending law school in Columbia allowed him to continue work as an intern at the South Carolina Congressional Offices while excelling in law school classes. Two short years after graduating from law school, Plummer became a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Stark concluded.

As Stark paused and daydreamed about the future Stark Presidential Library, he again stared at Ms. Funk as she took notes. He knew she was infatuated with his mind. Her notes and writings about the people, conversations, and meetings taking place in the oval office would make his future memoirs a complete and interesting addition to his legacy.

Chapter 4

Dilip Doona

Stark told Ms. Funk he knew Dilip Doona would be a millionaire by the time he was eighteen years old. A billionaire by the age of twenty-five. More than twenty years later, Doona, the tech billionaire, was considered the preeminent expert in 3-D holographic imaging. He owned and operated a multibillion-dollar company that employed thousands.

Learning on an old MAC computer at six years old, Doona was destined to be a technological genius. By the age of nine, after convincing his parents to buy a new computer, Doona was creating video games for his friends. By the age of twelve, his first patent was issued. The patent was for a novel process to create and use graphic images on computers. Doona did not care about the money his patented products would earn. His interest was in continually refining his ideas for graphic images and improving the user experience. I was aware his father and mother were first generation immigrants. I thought I could use Doona's parents to my advantage, Stark stated as he shared information about another individual for his memoirs.

Poor immigrants from India, Doona's parents hoped for a better life for their future children. Dilip's father, Shreekant, worked as a brick layer as had his father, his father's father, and his grandfather's father. It was how it was in India. If you were born to a brick layer, you were going to be a brick layer. The caste system kept it that way. Raised as a Shudra, Doona's father understood his children would be Shudras and would always be subordinate to the Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, and Brahmins. The only group Doona's father could look down on were the Dalits. This preset social order is the reason Doona's parents came to America. With the hope of living the American dream, becoming anyone whom you wanted to be, and owning your own car and home. But making money was a challenge for the new immigrants, Stark explained.

Dilip's mother, Bhavna, was a seamstress at a dry cleaner and tailor shop. She was paid minimum wage and did not like the way she was treated by the owner. However, sewing was the only way she could earn a living, which she and Shree could use to pay for food and their rent in the Asian Indian tenement house where they lived in Jackson, Mississippi. Times got particularly challenging when Bhavna unexpectedly became pregnant with Dilip. Shree fretted and did not know how they would pay their bills. It was a frightening time in 1974, and there seemed to be no way out of their difficulties, narrated Stark.

But being afraid was not an unusual circumstance as other immigrants in their neighborhood could also barely eke out a living. Having a child would seriously jeopardize the ability of Doona's parents to pay their bills. I was told they were concerned with how they would eat and how they would pay the rent. In 1974, few companies had maternity leave policies. Being a seamstress for a small dry cleaner was not a highly compensated position, and if Bhavna took maternity leave, she would lose her job. Doona's parents considered their options. They had difficult choices to make. Then, to their surprise, I contacted Shree and Bhavna. I told them I could help, Stark reported as he then became quiet and unexpectedly dozed. Ms. Funk left his office.

I was connected to all three individuals mentioned by Stark. Manny Martinez, the science nerd; Parnell Plummer, a future president; and Dilip Doona, the tech billionaire. I did not know them by name. The trio were identified as chosen sources of bright light in the darkness who were going to transform humanity for the better. The first would discover a cure for cancer. The second would overcome his humble beginnings, become a respected politician, and serve his country and its citizens with dignity and honor. The third, a brilliant computer software developer, would create a company and employ thousands. I was accountable for keeping track of their mysterious life paths. That was the assignment given. But they were not the only ones. I was responsible for