ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview

Chapter 43

artha,” Paul shouted as he opened the M“ Christmas mail. “It’s happening again! I don’t understand it. We thought the others were flukes, but there is a pattern here!”

“What is it this time?” Martha asked, excitement in her voice. “Something good?”

“Honey, it’s always good. The first time was when someone anonymously paid the full bill for our wedding. Then, without applying, Alexi was accepted to the private school we often wished we could send her to, tuition-free! Oh God, what is going on?”

Martha hugged Paul as he sat at his desk in the rectory. “Isn’t it you that’s always saying God will send provision? Well, here it is. What is it this time?”

A tear came to Paul’s eye. “It’s my unspoken prayer and dream,” he said as he read the certified letter and pulled Martha closer, hugging 329

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her hips from his chair. She nestled his head against her growing belly.

“Something you never told even me?” she asked, kissing him on the top of his head.

“I’ve never told a soul. Only God knows my desire. I don’t know who He moved to do this, but they just offered me a full-time position as pastor in a thriving, rural nondenominational church in upstate New York. We can move to a safe, small-town where Alexi and the baby can walk down the streets without looking behind them and play in the farm fields in safety. I’ve only dreamed of this.”

A gasp escaped from Martha.” How could such a thing happen on top of everything else?

It’s too good to be true.”

“I know,” said an excited Paul. “The congregation here in NY has dwindled to almost nothing, and it’s getting tough to pay the bills.

I’m more than ready to move. I’ve even thought about going back into engineering to build a better life for you and the children.”

Martha thought for a minute. “You know, they say the word ‘coincidence’ is not a kosher 330

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word. So I’m wondering if...” Her thoughts trailed off.

“You’re wondering what?” Paul asked.

“Oh, nothing. It’s impossible, except for all the evidence. Just wishful thinking, I guess.”

...

Ana and Rhett sat on their enclosed patio overlooking the hills. They sipped espresso and ate chocolate biscotti as they chatted.

“Rhett, do you think Paul and Martha ever caught on to who is behind their good fortune? I want her to know, but also realize it would be an enormous error to let anyone know we are still alive.”

“Well, Martha is pretty smart and knows you very well. All records point to us being killed in Afghanistan, but I’ll bet she still has a hunch. As long as we cover our tracks and it remains a hunch, we’ll be okay. Paul is very sharp, but he doesn’t have as intimate a history with you, so he probably can’t even imagine we are in the background of their lives. He’ll use his logic to talk around what her heart may tell her. That’s too bad, but it’s also to our benefit.”

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“You’re right. Alexi is graduating high school next year. I’ve noted she is queering colleges, so it’s good to know she’s thinking about going on.”

“Ana, I’ve seen that line of reasoning from you before. What’s on your mind?”

“Alexi’s grades are excellent, and she’s into all kinds of sports and school programs, so she’s a prime candidate for any college. I’d like to see her go to a top school.”

“Okay, you’re sneaking up on it. Spill the plan, girl.”

“I was thinking, Paul went to Yale and was working on his engineering doctorate. I’ll bet he would like to see Alexi go there for her undergrad work. What if we make a sizable donation to the school with the proviso they accept Alexi into any program she chooses? How does that sound?”

“Very doable. Plus, some of our kids are teaching at Yale, so she can have added oversight and help from people she doesn’t even know are friends. I like that very much. So let’s do it, Ana!”

“Consider it done. Rhett, Baby, our kids are doing exceptionally well. I can hardly believe it.

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They’re positioning themselves to help and influence so many people. Akeno has been offered a staff position at the Graduate Engineering School of the University of Tokyo.

He’s peppering his lectures and labs with more Christian-based real-world logic and reason, as well as covering the official school curriculum.”

“Yeah. And how about Anikin? He made it to the State Legislature already and sits on multiple committees. Making quite a name for himself, too. He’s on the way up. Is it too early to play, Hail to the Chief?”

Ana nodded. “It may very well be possible in time. Let’s see, we have three kids in various state legislatures, four corporate division managers, and a dozen teachers. Not shabby for a few years’

work, huh? Not to mention Kyle making inroads into the political structure in England and Gunter in Germany. The plan is coming together. We’re seeding influencers into critical positions.”

“Yes, indeed. I can see how we’ll be able to make meaningful inroads into global society and politics in the coming years. We need to lead by example and change the way people think and 333

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make decisions. They need leaders to teach them how to do that.”

“Rhett, it sounds like you have world domination on your mind again.”

“Well, humans don’t seem to be able to run themselves without wars, manufactured global plagues, greed, racism, and a host of other ills.

They’ll be much better off when we can be in charge of all governments and have a one-world government. Just a few more years, and we’ll be there.”

“Didn’t you read about the one-world government in the Bible, Hon? It didn’t work out so well.”

“Sure I did, Ana. But they are the bad guys.

We’re the good guys.”

Ana furrowed her brow. Hmmm... I wonder if we could be the ‘they’ without knowing it? she thought.

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