JEFFREY AND JASMINE

Chapter 1: Ironing Out the Community Wrinkles Somerville, Maryland, at a glance, seems to hibernate like a groundhog that sleeps through winter. Somerville’s unassuming manner reveals its special charm, like the gazebo in the landscaped town square where young and old gather to chat, play a game of chess, or just hang out. Many families move into the town, attracted by the Random Acts of Kindness Club, the Greatest Grandma Pageant, and the much-anticipated Pet Festival, featuring a melodious singing frog quartet, a daring twosome of goldfish that jump through hoops and play fast-moving soccer, and starring the popular acrobatic hamster performing rollover stunts. Daffodils accent the rectangular boxwoods, glossy evergreens, Japanese hollies, and yews. Red-and-gold barberries and splashes of blue-green junipers brighten the town garden, a colorful backdrop as parents haul cargos of squirming children to basketball camp and cheerleading sessions. Sharing rides give the families a chance to get to know each other better because all the children attend the same school. On a beautiful Monday spring day in 1997, the Somerville Community Gazette sent out an announcement asking families to attend a special community meeting at 7:00 P.M. on the following Saturday. Caroline Brown called Lydia Jefferson---who lives across the street --- to share their theories about what the meeting could be about. They could only guess, so Lydia—who knew several people in the town administration office --- decided to make a few calls to get to the bottom of such highly classified information. She promised Caroline that she would get back to her if she found out why the meeting was so important. No one at the town office would leak anything about the urgent gathering. Curiosity was building up throughout the town but everybody had to wait. No exceptions! As in so many small towns, parents catch up on the tidbits of news at the grocery store, during short breaks from yard work, or when strolling after dinner to get some exercise. When the conversation gets around to their kids, the question frequently asked is, “Have you had to coax and prod your children to do their chores?” The resounding response is “YES!” And the common denominator is that the children are far too engrossed in their hand-held video games. Beds are unmade. Dishes are piled high. The trash container never makes it to the outside bin unless a parent steps in and completes the job. This humble task is met with crankiness: “Why do I have to take out the trash?” ---their whining way of expressing the opinion, they should be absolutely free from such mundane responsibilities. As the parents share, they are not alone in coaxing and prodding them during the growing –up stage, affirming that OUR children are our lovable “apples of our eyes”. They’ll understand once they have children of their own,” says one of the parents, “and I’ll just bet they’ll come and tell us about it.” . The obsession with hand-held video games--- an innocent enough entertainment pastime on the surface --- is beginning to wreak havoc from their unsuspecting presence that is creeping into people’s lives and businesses of Somerville. Video games are left on the lawns and sidewalks. The Community Korner Store is starting to receive a barrage of calls about whether staff has found video games on the counters, inside snack racks, left in the refrigerator, and just about every place in the store. At home, they’re lost under the couch and sitting on top of the washing machine. They’re on the kitchen counter behind the salt-and-pepper shakers. They’re everywhere! ****** Saturday night finally arrives. Every family appears to have shown up. Mayor Wendell Vandyke and his family moved to Somerville 15 years ago and came to know many of the people living there. He’s the kind of man who helps you get the job done when you think you can’t. Mayor Vandyke thanks everyone for coming to the urgent meeting. The audience becomes suddenly silent, signifying that all eyes are focused on him. The mayor hesitates, then takes a deep breath and says, “We can find a solution.” Everyone is puzzled but waits to hear what he’s trying to say. “Reports from the Community Korner Store have bombarded my office about endless phone calls from Somerville children looking for misplaced video games, interrupting the daily flow of running the store,” says the mayor. Clearing his throat, Mayor Vandyke continues. “Postal carriers must tread carefully on tiptoes because they might trip over a video game unintentionally left on the lawn. The UPS personnel may accidentally step on one and possibly fall while trying to make a delivery. Bicyclists have had to skid around these little electronic gadgets left on the sidewalk. Harmless as it may seem, they’re creating a lot of distress.” The mayor tries to cite another example when a mother interrupts, “My child is very careful with his video games!” The audience is becoming a little anxious. The mayor is prepared for their responses. “We have come together …” Another parent raises her hand and says, “Some of us know that the video games are a problem at home, but we had no idea it was this bad! What can we do?” Mayor Vandyke continues, “I do thank you for your comments! They’re most valuable. We’re one community. Even though we may not agree on everything, we are neighbors and can work together.” The audience’s mood calms as they listen to what the mayor assures everyone that this concern can be resolved. One parent waves her hand and voices a suggestion. “Our fifth and sixth graders should head up the committee to come up with the possible solutions.” Before the mayor could ask for volunteers, 12-year –old Jeffrey Woods’ arm --- forced by his friend, Victor Ortiz ---pops into the air. Victor, playing around with Jeffrey, laughs. Jeffrey tries the same move on Victor, who is in his sixth grade class. Now, both are trying to subdue their laughter. A moment later, two fifth graders raise their hands to become part of the committee. Beaming with pride, the audience gives them a standing ovation. The parents are surprised but pleased.