Second Chances: The Tragedy and Redemption Of A Forsaken Black Child

by David Payne

Second Chances, is a poignant drama about the social evolution of a black child name John the Baptist (J.B.) Jones. The story is set in Charlotte, North Carolina beginning in the year 1961. Living under Jim Crow’s forced segregation, his mother works as a housekeeper for a wealthy white family. Although fatherless, under his mother’s loving care, J.B. enjoys an idyllic life for his first few years. Disastrously, J.B.’s carefree childhood is marred after witnessing the brutal murder of his murder. At five-years old, he finds himself orphaned and innocent of spectacular proportions. This story chronicles J.B.’s life adventures, experiences and observations as he is forced to leave Charlotte. This is a story of a child wronged by systematic racism. J.B. was a child of quick-witted intelligence. He was not only book smart, but also learned from his unpleasant experiences and there was no education like adversity. Vividly weaving through a series of vignettes the reader is shown how J.B. matures, gain moral strength and prosper. Success and destiny brings J.B. back to Charlotte where he must confront “old ghosts” from his childhood. Still living with imprints of his past trauma, his return to Charlotte is lucrative but presents a moral dilemma. Suddenly in a position of power, J.B. struggles with the difficult choice of forgiveness or transgressing a moral principle.

269 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2020