It's been at least three days since I last talked to Nikki about what's going on with me and my family. Saying Audrey is part of some sort of program called “IJON: It's Just Our Nature” that could help me with my family's current situation, but doesn't know what it's about. I got skeptical, so I just pushed it aside and forgot about it for now. I want to think things through first, before I ever consider asking someone who used to be my friend, for help. For now, I'm just going to focus on trying to help my son Jacob through this tough time in his life the best way I can. Starting with picking him up along with his sisters from school.
I waited a little bit outside the front entrance as more parents showed up to pick up their own kids. Once I heard the bell go off, they came pouring out. Most of the kids who go to this school are also rabbits, but there are still other species who attend as well. Looking out for Jacob, Jenna and Maddie, I could see some parents going up to greet their own kids and could actually see that most of them were actually...happy.
They all looked to be sixteen, same as my own triplets, but seemed to be in much higher spirits. Almost like they had Librelis medications. But I could see that some of those families had more than one child too. Some who looked a year or two older. Nothing but smiles and positive energy. But still, I could see the other families too. Ones who looked like they were practically dead inside, and cold and distant. Their parents wouldn't even go and greet them. They'd just wait in the car for their kids to get in and leave.
I felt scared. Especially when I could see Jacob with the girls coming towards me and...they looked nearly the same. Emotionless and distant. Jacob got in first and I could hear him slam the door shut. Jenna and Maddie just got in normally and sat quietly. Jacob looked worse than them. He almost looked like he was going to start crying.
Out of motherly instinct, I asked the obvious question. “Sweetheart? What's wrong?”
He sniffled a little and signed. “That girl picked on my again.”
This isn't the first time I heard this from him. Before I could say anything, Maddie spoke up first. “I hate that stupid fox. She's always picking on us rabbits.”
No surprise there right? A fox picking on my kids. But it's what I heard from Jacob next that really upset me. “She said she can't wait for us to be sent to the abstinence program, so she doesn't have to see us at school anymore.”
I gripped the steering wheel so tight you could hear the leather stretching under my hands. I quickly calmed myself down and started the car back up. Before I drove away, I took one last look outside at the other rabbit families. The ones who looked as miserable as us...and the ones who were happy and full of life.
Later that night, I sat quietly on the couch alone watching TV. Alex was still working, and the kids just wanted to go to bed early after dinner. Couldn't blame them. The thing Jacob had said earlier was going through head ever since. I didn't know what to say that could possibly make either of them feel better. I looked over at coffee table on the right side of the couch. I reached over and opened the drawer. I hid the flier Nikki had given me about IJON in there days ago. Nobody ever looks in that drawer.
I looked over the flier, especially the part written on the front: “A way to help rabbit families grow closer while also helping them with their natural basic instincts. A more promising healthier approach to the dealing with rabbit teens going through puberty.” Thinking this over, and remembering all that transpired at the school, I felt like I had no choice now. I refuse to send any of my kids to that damn program and have them come back worse than they already are.
I looked for the number to call about attending IJON and waited for a response. After a few rings, someone finally answered. “Hello, this is Audrey Weathers of the IJON program. How may I help you today?”
I fell silent. Part of me wanted to just not answer and hang up on her. But I pushed through my anger and managed to speak. “Hello Audrey.” I could tell she recognized me.
“Hanna?” There was a brief pause. “Is that you?”
I sighed annoyingly. “It's me.”
Again, there was a brief silent pause before either of us spoke. “Well, I actually didn't think you'd call when I sent Nikki that letter and flier.”
“Neither did I. Yet here we are.”
“Seems like it.”
“Let's cut to the chase,” I said sternly. “Nikki told me that this program you're a part of is supposed to be promising and can help me with my kids. I figured if it's been around for a couple of months, it must work.”
“You'd be right. It's yielded great results.”
“Listen Audrey, I don't want to dig up bad memories of what happened to us. You're willing to help, and you're clearly the only person I know who's at whatever this IJON is. I won't get into the details, but I'm desperate right now. I want to come down and see what this program is about so I can help my kids. Okay?”
Another brief moment of silence till she spoke. “Alright. I understand. You can come down and I'll be the one who walks you through it. I take it you don't work and your kids are off school tomorrow?”
“Yes. It's Saturday after all.”
“Great. Just one question though, so we can set this up properly. Which one of the triplets is going through their puberty the most right now?”
“Why does that matter?”
“The program allows only one child at a time with their parent or legal guardian for a day. It's best if the one who's having the most difficulty with handling their hormones be first.”
I was a little confused at first, but answered. “That would be my sixteen year old son Jacob.”
“Perfect. It's always best for the sons to be the ones who come with their mothers to IJON.”
Now I was more confused. “What does THAT mean?”
“I'll explain everything tomorrow once you arrive. It's always best for the parent and child to experience what goes on here at IJON first hand before making a decision to be part of the program. Would around noon work for you and Jacob?”
Despite the odd details she was saying, I was still able to answer her. “Yeah. Sure. Noon can work.”
“Great,” she said cheerfully. “The address to our base of operations should be on the back of the flier. I'll be waiting outside the front entrance at noon to greet you. Have a good night Hanna. And for what it's worth, I'm happy to hear from you again.” She hung up a couple seconds later.
I set my phone down and took in a deep breath and exhaled. I looked at the flier's back and then front. I leaned back into the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “I sure hope I don't regret this.”
