Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

                                                                                     Chapter 53

                                                                            A Trip and A Speech

     Alex made a call to Detective Burns from the shack and told him the info, that Jed furnished them with regarding Will and Larry's possible where abouts.  Detective Burns was at home, given it was a Saturday.  But the detective said he would be at the shack within ten minutes.  And sure enough he was right on time.

     Jed started to tell him about where Larry and Will might be as soon as he sat down, and also gave him the address of Larry Arnold's friend in Indianapolis.  "Thanks a lot Jed.  I'll get right on this.  My wife will have to put the pork stakes back in the frig until I get back."  Alex and the others laughed, except for Fletch who said, "Sorry about that."  (Fletch was the one who had a great appreciation for tasty dishes.)  "Oh don't worry Fletch.  They'll be just as good eaten later tonight."  Fletch grinned at him.

     "You have my number," Detective Burns said as he was leaving, "If you all get any other leads while I'm gone, give me a call and I'll follow up on them when I get back, or I'll get one of my fellow detectives to follow up on it."  "We will," Alex assured him as the detective waved and headed out the door.

     Detective Burns called Alex that night and gave him the news that Larry's friend nor his  parents had seen the boys.  But they promised if Larry and Will stopped in, they would get in touch with him (Detective Burns) immediately.  When he called Alex he was eating his meal of pork stakes, mashed potatoes, fresh corn and apple pie.

      The following Monday was Jed North and the freshman Avery Thorn's opportunity, to speak at the planned assembly to address the problem with bullying in the school.  The auditorium was packed with students and faculty, including the North Side Detectives and they were very surprised when Detective Burns sat down in their row next to Lee.  "I believe in supporting people who do good things," he said with a wink.

     Alex thought Jed looked a little nervous as he walked up on the stage with Avery at his side, and took his place behind the podium.  Someone had put a tall stool behind there for Avery to sit on, because he was so small in stature. Jed put a folder upon the stand, opened it, took a deep breath and begin to speak.

     "My name is Jed North.  I'm a senior here at E.H.S.  And this is my friend Avery Thorn, he's a freshman.  We are here today to talk about a problem that not only hurts the body but a person's mental and emotional welfare as well.  This problem is called 'Bullying.'  Avery knows all about how bullying makes a person feel."  Jed then smiled and nodded at Avery to speak.

     Avery took a breath like Jed had done and cleared his throat before he spoke.  "Being bullied is the most horrible thing that has ever happened to me," (his right eye was still purple, a result of his beating) now his blue eyes were tearing a bit, but he got a determined look on his face and continued, "It physically hurts, of course.  But it also makes you afraid.  And keeps you afraid.  Cause you know it will happen again."

     Dawn, Anna and Glenna were wiping their wet eyes, and the guys had sullen looks on their faces.  The auditorium was more quiet than Alex had known it to be. 

     "The bully makes you feel like you're nothing.  That no one will ever like you.  And you're afraid to tell anyone about the beatings and them taking your money because if the bully finds out you told, you'll get worse the next day."  Avery wiped his eyes, and then looked up at Jed and said, "That's all I've got to say."

     Before Jed could even answer him, everyone in the place were on their feet applauding  Avery Thorn.  Avery couldn't have looked more stunned.  Jed gave him a one armed hug and whispered something.  Avery nodded, left the stage and went to sit between Dawn and Fletch in the front row.  The audience clapped until Avery was seated and Jed cleared his throat.

     "That took a lot of guts Avery.  I'm proud of you."  Jed said with a grin at him.  Avery wiped his eyes again and beamed up at him.  The audience was again riveted on Jed and what he would say.  "Well, you've heard from the victim, now you will hear from a former bully."  Some people in the audience must have known Jed used to be one, but it was evident that everyone did not, because of the gasps that Alex heard.

     "Yep.  That was me."  Hank Nettles, the only remaining member of Jed's original band of bullies, and who now was sitting next to Lee, was looking soberly at his friend on stage.  "I will say, I never physically beat anyone up.  But as Avery told you, that is only one of the traumas of being bullied.  I intimidated, harassed, promised pain if anyone told about my bullying behavior, or my taking money from the victims."

     Then one day I messed with the wrong person,"  Jed looked down on Anna in the front row, who Immediately turned red.  "And to get across to me that she didn't want me to walk her to class, after she had already told me "No," and after I put my hand on her shoulder....she decided I needed a practical lesson to make me understand."

     "In the blink of an eye I was thrown across a hallway by a petite girl, who happened to be an expert in the art of Judo."  The audience laughed heartily, except for Anna who was turning redder still and hiding her face behind Alex.  "And my arm was broken," the audience laughed again.  In a few moments it was quiet again.

     "But, I'm one of the lucky ones.  I learned my lesson that bullying doesn't pay.  And I have a group of good friends to help me to stay on the straight and narrow."  Jed looked down upon the North Side Detectives and smiled.  "So much more could be said about bullying, but I'm limited in my time on this stage.  But I'd like to end with this:  If you are being bullied or see someone being bullied, say something, to a parent, friend, teacher, Principal Fuller, anyone who will listen to you.  Remember, bullies count on your silence.  Thank you."

     The audience stood again and applauded loudly and long.  Principal Fuller walked up the main aisle and to the stage, while Jed went to sit in the row next to Avery.  The audience quieted down again as the principal begin to speak.  "Thank you Avery," he said, looking down at him, "for telling your story."  Avery smiled and nodded at him.

     "Thank you too Jed for telling yours.  I know it was not easy for either of you to do what you did today.  But I'm sure we're all grateful for the information.  If any of you are the victims of bullying, see me in my office after this assembly, or any time.  I assure you all that I will take immediate action to see that you are not bullied ever again.  Thank you for your attention this morning.  As you all leave for class you will see pamphlets on a table at the back that tell us what we all can do to stop bullying. The bullies will be made to understand that our school is a bully free zone.  You are now dismissed.  Have a good day!"  Principal Fuller then left the stage and joined the students and teachers as they left the auditorium. 

                                                                           End of Chapter 53