“Really, Jason? What are you talking about?”
“Just like you, I experienced being kidnapped and kept tied up in captivity. I had to be really brave to get through it, but after I was rescued, my mind started to play all kinds of crazy tricks on me. At times I felt guilty and ashamed about what happened, even though I knew it wasn’t my fault and I was under the control of bad guys. Other times I would lose my concentration and self-confidence.”
“How did you deal with it, Jason? I would never think that those things happened to you if you hadn’t told me,” Jamie replied.
“It started with my best friend, Daniel. He challenged me to figure out the ‘why’ of what was done to me. Eventually we were able to solve the case, and put the bad guys in jail!”
“Wow, that is so cool, Jason,” Jamie exclaimed. “But my situation is different. I don’t have a best friend like Daniel, and I know who was responsible, even though no adult will talk about it with me.”
“What exactly do you know, Jamie?” Jason asked.
“I know it was my father who grabbed us and left us tied up in that cabin. He promised that Peter Pan would come and rescue us, but that never happened. Now I realize that he lied to us, abandoned us, and didn’t care if we survived or not,” Jamie said. His voice began to choke up a little as he finished his statement.
“I think you are right about the first two things you said, Jamie, but maybe not the last thing,” Jason told Jamie looking him in the eyes.
“What do you mean? My father did abandon us, didn’t he?” Jamie said with a little anger.
“I think he left you in that cabin because he knew you would eventually be found, Jamie. Think about it. It only took Daniel and I about forty-five minutes to find you after we figured out where the scavenger hunt was supposed to start. We were the first to find you and Olivia because you happened to mention something about going on a scavenger hunt but that it was a secret the day before you went missing. Luckily I found a map of the resort where you had circled that grove of trees in your bedroom at the resort. But even without that inside information, the sheriff’s search team would have had to eventually include the area where that cabin was located because it was near the resort and they were having no success on the south side.
“Even though you were chained inside that cabin with gags in your mouths, someone would have checked it long before you could have died of starvation or lack of water. Your father would have had to know that when he picked out that location to leave you. And you were inside, not outside facing the elements. After all, he did all that planning to create a diversion and set up the scavenger hunt. Somehow I just don’t think he had it in him to really want to kill you or Olivia!”
“If he didn’t want to kill us why did he want to hurt us so bad?”
“Your father was a bitter man at the end, Jamie. He wanted to strike out at your mother, and he used you and your sister as pawns in his plan for revenge. But I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to kill you or Olivia. You are really nice kids and should live long and successful lives. Despite the bad things that happened to you, you have what it takes to survive. I know I want to do everything I can to help you do that!”
Jamie turned and looked back at Jason. “Do you really mean that, Jason?”
“You bet, Jamie. You are now part of my network, on the Whatever Foundation’s list. We help kids who have been the victims of crime all the time. I consider you a friend now, Jamie, so I have a personal interest in you!”
“I guess I am very lucky to have a friend like you, Jason.” Jamie put up his knuckles and exchanged hits with Jason. “Since you are my friend, can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure,” Jason replied. “What is it?”
“Mom, Olivia, and Laura are still busy in the kitchen talking away. Can we go outside and play some catch? I’m really tired of sitting around feeling sorry about things.”
“No problem, little buddy,” Jason said with a big smile on his face. “Get your stuff. I have my mitt in the back of my Explorer. It sounds like you are already on the road to recovery!”
Chapter 14
School Assemblies
(Late April)
In cooperation with local school districts in the Silicon Valley, the Whatever Foundation had arranged to present assemblies about Jason’s Network. The goal was to reach as many students as possible, provides them with some entertainment along with the message about why this kind of a network was important to kids of all ages. The assemblies were set up at five different high schools in the area. At each school two assemblies were given, one for the students at the high school, and the second for middle school students who were bused over or walked there, depending on their proximity to the high school.
Jason and the Whatever Foundation people decided to give the first presentation at Merriam High School, since they knew they would have a very friendly audience. The assemblies featured Jason as the main speaker, along with several numbers performed by Daniel’s band. Several of the band members would also do short speeches about their own real experiences with predators, family conflicts, and drug addiction.
The assemblies were a good test for Daniel and the Second Chance All Stars in front of large audiences of their peers. They would get a fair idea of how their music would be received on their upcoming tour from the way that the audiences responded to their performance. This was an excellent chance to try out and troubleshoot different tunes they were considering for the tour as well as practice the band’s set up and take down at the different locations. The Whatever Foundation had contracted with the same company that was handling the sound for their upcoming tour. The sound company was very enthusiastic about doing the performances. It gave them a chance to work with Daniel’s band before the tour along with some extra income. The sound company management even discounted their fee due to the nature of the assemblies.
Now the Merriam High first assembly was about to start. It was being held in one of the gymnasiums rather than the auditorium so that the entire student body could all attend at once. While they were coming into the gym, many of them realized that they were in for a real treat. After all, how many high school assemblies featured a band, with soundman and lighting? As soon as the last of the students had filed in to the bleachers, Jason went to the microphone and announced: “Merriam High School, put your hands together for Daniel Holmes and the Second Chance All Stars!”
On that cue, the band played their opening number that they were planning to use on tour. It had an extra long introduction that briefly featured each band member and then went into a fast and hard driving song, “Be With Me Tonight”. The title of the song was sung by the entire band in harmony followed by verses sung by Daniel. Then Daniel, Nick and Jonathan took solos. At the end of each solo the chorus riff “Be With Me Tonight” would be sung in the background to unify the song and set up the next solo. A quick eight bar drum solo followed by a bass vamp led to the return of the main song. At the end of the arrangement, the chorus riff was repeated over and over, building the excitement level up again. The song ended with a very difficult instrumental coda that the band had spent months working on. When the music finished, everyone gasped for a few seconds and then the audience broke out into enthusiastic applause and cheers. Daniel introduced the band members during the applause.
Jason stepped back up to the microphone. “Merriam High School’s own Daniel Holmes and the Second Chance All Stars.” This brought another round of applause and cheers from the audience. “Good morning! My name is Jason Hunter and I am here today along with my friends in the band to provide you with some good entertainment but also tell you about something very important: a new network of students in our community designed to help protect you from predators and others who would harm you. It’s called Jason’s Network but it really is your network, because it’s designed for you to use whenever you spot anything in your neighborhood or among your friends that is inappropriate behavior. While there are already processes in pla
ce for reporting abuse with your teachers, counselors, school administrators, police and firefighters, this usually doesn’t happen until the abuse has become so serious that an adult notices it and reports it.
“In most of these cases, the abuse has been going on for some time. Often the abused person is afraid to report it until it reaches a crisis stage. Jason’s Network is designed to provide a way to inquire about it or report it without having to first make a formal charge. You can do this through our website, or using our smart phone app or even calling our helpline telephone number. Throughout this assembly we will be telling you more about how to participate in the network.”
Jason paced around the stage as he was talking. “You wouldn’t think so from watching us on stage here, but everyone up here has had a time in our lives when we had to deal with predators on a personal basis. We have come here to tell you a little of our own life stories so you can realize that no one is immune from this and that everyone needs to be on the alert for abusive situations.
“Our first speaker today is Eric Acosta. Not only is he an accomplished bass player for the band, he is a championship swimmer on our water polo team. But that wasn’t always the case! Please welcome Eric!”
Eric came up to the microphone. After the applause died down he began, “Before I came here to the Silicon Valley and Merriam High, I spent the worst year of my life as a victim of abuse. My stepfather was a very mean and cruel person, and he had it out for me! He made my life a living hell and I was afraid to do anything about it. Part of his abuse was his refusal to provide me with proper clothing, food, or even the most basic allowance. He made me wear only swim trunks at home and called me his ‘swimmer boy’. Some of my so-called friends at school dropped me because I didn’t have any money or much in the way of clothing. That really hurt! I didn’t want to say anything to my teachers at school because I figured if I did, I would be taken out of school. At the time, attending school was my only escape from the miserable life I was leading.
“As the months went by my stepfather became more and more abusive. One day I made the mistake of confronting him directly by myself, and was viciously assaulted by him. This caused me to go into a state of shock and depression where I shut out the rest of the world and refused to tell any other adult what was had happened to me. It was only because of the intervention of two other teenagers, Jason and Daniel, who were strangers at the time, that I was rescued from that life of misery and terror. They made it their business to help me out, take me away from that abusive environment, and look after me when I really needed some advice and new friends.
“If there had been a Jason’s Network for me at that time, I would have had a place to go to put an end to the abuse I endured much earlier. I want to encourage all of you to participate in the network. Maybe someday you can help out another kid like me!”
At first the audience was stunned by what Eric had just revealed about himself. Here was a talented, athletic, and normally shy fellow student telling them that he was at one time a victim of abuse. Then Eric’s water polo team members began a chant of “Eric, Eric!” which was quickly picked up by the rest of the audience. Finally they stood and applauded for him. It was a very emotional moment for Eric.
Jason returned to the microphone. “Thank you, Eric, for sharing your story. As you just heard, abuse can happen to anyone, and it’s often not someone who you would expect to be a victim of it. I want you to know that Jason’s Network isn’t just about abuse — another important area of concern is family counseling. I’d like to bring up the drummer of the band, and someone who has a lot of important information to tell you about this topic, Tim Wilkinson.”
“Just like Eric, I have had some rough times over the past years,” Tim began. “It all started when my parents divorced. My fathered disappeared from my life and my mother became involved with another man who I didn’t get along with at all! A lot of anger and frustration built up inside me, and I took it out on everyone else, my mom, my friends, my classmates at school, and my teachers. I admit it today, I was a real jerk at times. I did everything I could think of to protest my miserable life — breaking curfew, drinking, and doing drugs — it wasn’t a pretty scene!
“Things got so bad that one day my mother checked me out of school here and sent me away to a boot camp for teens. At the camp, I continued to fight authority anyway I could. I had to endure all kinds of punishment and was nearly killed by those people, some of whom are now in jail! If it wasn’t for the intervention of my girlfriend, Teresa Barnwell, and later Jason Hunter and Daniel Holmes, I know I wouldn’t be here speaking to you today!
“The point I want to make to you is that most of the things that happened to me could have been prevented through simple family counseling. All of the name calling, defiant acts, misunderstanding and lack of trust could have been defused with the help of a trained and impartial counselor. Instead of breaking down barriers in our family relationships we spent years building them up! Eventually my parents and I figured this out on our own, but only after years of hurt feelings, isolation, and mistrust.
“There is no need for this to happen to you. Family problems are nothing new in our society. You can choose to do something about it instead of remaining in a miserable, uncommunicative existence. This is another important feature of Jason’s Network — access to all sorts of counseling programs in our community. I urge you to participate for just this reason alone. There are all kinds of resources available to you; you just have to find them and make contact. Your life may depend on it someday!”
After Tim finished talking, there was more applause. The students were again surprised at the frank talk they were receiving from fellow students. Jason returned to the microphone. “Thank you, Tim, for sharing your experiences with us. Tim has become an incredibly talented drummer. You will hear this in the next number performed by the band, which features some great drum solos by Tim. While the band is performing, we will be passing out handouts with information about Jason’s Network and how you can participate in the network. Now get ready to ‘Blast Off’ with Daniel Holmes and the Second Chance All Stars.”
The band played a series of simple chords, the outer structure for a series of drum fills and breaks. Then the song moved into a dance groove beat anchored by two note syncopated figures in the bass line and intricate cymbal work from the drum set. Out in the gym, student helpers were passing out folder informational brochures about Jason’s Network and how to participate and join the network. Jason monitored the student helpers, and when they were finished passing out their brochures, he signaled Daniel to end the music.
“Thank you, Daniel,” Jason said after the applause died down. “Our next speaker is a fabulous reed player on saxophone and flute. When he plays a solo, it is like he is telling a story through the notes of music. Today, Jonathan Kowalski has a different story to tell. This is about dealing with drug addiction and how it can affect you and your family. Jonathan,” Jason finished as Jonathan came up to the center microphone.
“I’m not much of a public speaker,” Jonathan began, “but when it comes to the topic of drug addiction, I have to speak out because of the way it nearly ruined my family. If someone you know is using drugs like methamphetamines or heroin, you have a real problem to face. The only cure is complete detoxification and rehabilitation of the addict. Otherwise there is nothing in your life that won’t be sacrificed in the pursuit of more drugs, your family life, your possessions, and even basic food on the table. The addict will be in denial that this is true even as they are pawning off possessions or spending the rent money on more drugs. Worse yet, the addicted person is often at the mercy of drug dealers in order to feed their habit.
“You cannot fight this alone. I found that out the hard way. If it wasn’t for my band mates like Tim and Daniel, and the help of Jason’s Whatever Foundation I would probably have become some burned out addict, homeless on the streets! I was very fortunate to have friends looking out for me. Not everyone has that
luxury or access. Here is where Jason’s Network becomes a valuable resource for you. Through the network you can find out where to get assistance from people and organizations that are committed to helping drug addicts and their families cope with the problems of addiction and fight against predatory drug dealers. Take advantage of the network. Don’t sit there and do nothing if you see a problem in place or starting to develop. It doesn’t take much to save a life or to save a family. Take the first step by joining Jason’s Network.”
There was applause for Jonathan’s speech. Jason reminded the audience that, “The information you need to join the network is on the brochure you just received. Next I want to introduce you to another very special person in our community. Nick Feraducci is one of the most talented pianists I have ever heard perform. We brought in a grand piano for this assembly just so you could hear him perform. Many of you here at Merriam High School performed his Requiem for the Lost Children last year, a tribute to kids that were tortured and killed by two of the worst serial predators ever to operate in this area. Thanks to some last minute networking and some lucky breaks, Nick was spared the fate of the other kids that these men kidnapped. I asked Nick to play a solo for you to remind you how lucky we are that his incredible talents were not taken away from us by some predator.”
Nick and his piano were then placed in a spotlight. “Thanks, Jason,” Nick began. “Before I play Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu for you, I want to remind you of a very important fact. Predatory behavior cannot exist in the open! These criminals can only operate under the covers of silence and apathy! If they can successfully keep their victims quiet about what they are doing, they win and society loses! Don’t let them succeed! Join Jason’s Network.”
Jason's Network Page 9
