Summer Street Secrets (The Hills of Burlington Book 3) Read online

  "Well said cousin," Dave spoke up from where he sat next to his sister.

  Carrie nodded in quiet acknowledgment. "Grace is going to explain the details. I just want to say that if this works the way we hope it will, it will only be because each of you have committed to be part of it." She looked around the table, understanding some of their motivations but also completely aware that each understood the risk they took. Not everyone would be pleased with their involvement. And for some that could be costly.

  Grace clamped down on her nerves as she slowly stood to take over with her part of what could only loosely be considered a presentation. "You've all got a basic outline of what we hope will only be the beginning of something that could make a real difference." She turned to her own copy. "Social media is a huge industry that like everything else has its pros and cons." She looked around the table, saw the intent interest and continued. "The bottom line is that we’re going to set up our own website that we'll link to a blog. The site will feature short videos and in some cases photo-slide shows of people who are willing to speak about their experiences on the internet that were a result of careless and sometimes callous behavior. And as Carrie said we're going to make sure that other people effected by such actions, other victims…because that's exactly what they are," she let her gaze touch on Addie and held her eyes for a moment of understanding. "And through the blog and forums on the website we'll offer the ability for them to communicate with others who have gone through the same. And we'll make sure they know they're not alone." She let her gaze pass slowly around the room, she had their attention and planned to keep it. "We may not be able to stop what happens to those who come to our online sites but we can give them a refuge." She turned to the second page of her three page handout. "Each of you have indicated an interest and in some cases demanded to be part of this." She smiled at the titter of quiet laughter that filled the room. "Initially we're going to put out a new video each day until we run out of people. Hopefully that will draw in a lot of interest." She looked around, amazed that each of these individuals were willing to put their reputations on the line. Not a single one of them had blinked when approached about what they were planning. "We are unbelievably fortunate to have so many such highly recognizable names that will help to generate and draw both interest and traffic in the beginning. I've already set up interviews for TV spots and print interviews to help to get the word out about what we're doing and why." She paused, not wanting to leave anything important out. "If you can write up the basics of what you are going to say and pass it on to Dave beforehand so he can make sure we don't venture into any questionable areas that could make us vulnerable to lawsuits and such." She nodded in Dave's direction, grateful for his willingness to keep them on the straight and narrow in an area that was largely untested. "We would love to have the ability for others to upload their experiences but we've got to somehow make sure that we don't allow ourselves to be drawn into a legal situation that impairs our ability to help all those that this is supposed to be focused on. So until we can work out those logistics we're going to keep a pretty close hold on what gets uploaded. There will be rules of the road posted and anything that falls outside of the rules will be removed." She turned to the last page. She had made a last minute change to it to accommodate one of those big names in the room and hoped dearly there'd be no questions about it. "The last page is a tentative schedule of how we'll put each of your videos out. It is somewhat organized by what I guess you could define as career choices which wasn't all that easy since some of you have more than one." She sent a pointed look in a couple of directions including at Jake since she saw him studying the sheet and knew the moment he'd seen who was at the top of the schedule. "You'll notice that Beth is listed first which is at her request. Addie will be next. But none of this is written in stone. We're in this together and I think for it to work that everything should be discussed and agreed upon so we're all on the same page." She waited for reaction.

  Casey was the first to speak up. "I think any questions or concerns about the schedule itself should be dealt with individually so we don't get caught up in timing or personal issues." She didn't look at her brother who she knew without having to do so was simmering over his daughter being at the top of the list. She wasn't certain how wise it was either but that was for them to work out. She knew Beth well enough now to know that it would be better done in privacy between father and daughter than here. "I do want to make sure that everyone here understands what we're dealing with." She looked steadily around the table, huge as it was there wasn't a spare bit of space between any of them. She hoped it stayed that way. "One of the worst case scenarios on the internet is what Addie got thrown at her. There's no two ways about that." She paused, looked at her new husband and thanked God for his love and understanding. "Then at the lower end of the spectrum but no less harmful for those who deal with it are those lovely folks who have no life and spend what there is of it going from site to site and inputting their ugly view of the world through their words of hate. I can't count how many times people would come out to my news reports that were posted online and posted ugly comments about everything from my beliefs, my politics which I had always gone out of the way to keep private, even about my ugly pox scarred face." She looked over at one of her oldest friends. "I know Terry dealt with the same including horrible comments during and about her pregnancy though how in the world that had anything to do with her journalistic reporting is beyond me." She stopped and took a deep breath, fighting for calm. "I guess what I'm trying to get to is that once we get beyond our stories and those of others who come to us wanting to be part of it, the same could happen and we may not even realize we've been victimized as a result. So many of us have become so used to it that it has become normal. But no matter how seemingly small the insult it is still exactly that."

  "That pretty much covers it," Grace agreed.

  Mary picked up the plate of cookies in front of her to pass around the table before voicing her question. "I hate to sound more computer stupid than I am but how are people, especially the ones we want to be there for, going to know where we are or even that we're there in the first place?"

  "That's not a dumb question at all." Charlie spoke up, "I'd like to know the answer myself."

  "Okay," Grace looked to her resident computer gurus for assistance. "I know the basics and can do what I need to but I'm far away from being able to explain it to where anyone else will understand it so I think I'm going to let our techies do that." She nodded towards the teenagers sitting amidst them.

  After looking at each other in silence for a few moments communicating quietly as only close friends can it was obvious that at least to start things off Mallie had been elected spokesperson.

  "It won't be any one thing that will inform people on the internet. Whenever we upload a video or photos we'll associate ..." she looked around the table and knew she was going to have to use words they'd understand and not the computer lingo that she would then have to spend even more time explaining and likely confuse the entire issue with. "We'll use key words, sometimes phrases that will be caught up by the search engines. There's a couple of other things we can do to make sure all the different search engines pick up on us but we'll also need to use some of the social networks to get the word out."

  "You mean like Facebook and Twitter?" Mary asked somewhat cautiously, this was an area she had no knowledge of beyond that they existed.

  "Yes."

  "Are we going to set up a page on either of those?" Mark leaned forward, quietly working through the possibilities.

  Mallie looked to Brian, Beth, and Addie. They had talked about it and had differing opinions on it. "I'm not certain about that. I think for the time being we'll focus on getting our own website and blog page up and running."

  Brian leaned forward obviously hesitant to speak up.

  "What are you thinking Brian?" his uncle prodded him.

  With a look at Court that was a mix of gratitude and i
rritation that only a teenager could blend successfully Brian voiced the same thoughts that he’d shared with Beth. He knew Addie and Mallie wanted to go gung-ho on the social media front but he had some real worries about control. "Most of us have our own personal Facebook and Twitter accounts. With those we can link in and share the stuff from the website which will draw people in that way. So it's not like we won't have a presence at all it’s just that it will be more limited."

  Court tilted his head back as he studied his nephew. "Do you have any specific concerns about setting up something separate on the social media sites or is it one of those 'just have a bad feeling' kind of thing?"

  "One of those bad vibes kind of thing," Brian concurred, grateful for the understanding and the help in getting it out there.

  "I can certainly understand those," Mark added nodding his head. "There have been times I've gone with my gut more than with any clear reasoning and found that it served me well." He glanced around the table and saw nothing that suggested anyone disagreed. "I say we all use our personal social media accounts for the time being to get the word out and decide later on if we want to change that." At the nods of agreement he went to his next question hoping it was as easily resolved. "Once this gets out and about there could likely be more requests from those who would like to participate by contributing with interviews beyond what you're set up for," he glanced at Casey knowing she had already set many of them up. "I know that the initial interviews are with those friendly to the concept and what we're doing. Not all requests for participation are going to come from those in total agreement with us and even those that are will question our motives." He saw the growing realization on some faces and the grudging acceptance on others. "Who is going to handle filtering through those requests?" He directed his question to all but focused in on Grace and Carrie knowing they were the ones more likely to be cautious of too much exposure. Though Lord knew they were going to get plenty of it.

  Casey spoke up from the other side of the table. "Actually we were thinking maybe you and Jake would consider taking on that role." She smiled only slightly sheepishly at her old boss knowing despite being perfect for the role he would hate every minute of it. She didn't even bother trying to charm her brother into it, he was immune.

  Mark glanced at Jake who he knew was still silently simmering over the bit of news that Beth would be the first one up at bat. The slight shrug told him exactly that and that his old friend and business partner would probably send all the calls his way anyhow. "We can do that." It would give them the ability to filter out the cranks and loose cannons. At least the best they could.

  Everyone's attention was drawn to the end of the table when Dave waved his papers in the air to get attention much as if he was in a high school classroom. "I don't want to sound redundant..."

  "I'm not certain redundant is a problem in this situation," Mary looked around the table. "We're taking a step into an area that is still untried in many ways. I think having everyone's gauge on this is helpful for all of us. I know it is for me."

  Dave went on as he saw heads nodding all around. "I've been working on what the rules of the forum should be. I think we need to keep them simple at least in terms of wording. It's easy to muck up the works with too many words and those that simply don't make sense to half of the audience."

  "We could see some younger kids and teenagers coming to the site if it catches on," Terry said quietly. "They are often among the most victimized and usually by other kids they know and have to deal with during the day at school."

  "Exactly," Dave agreed. "So the rules need to be explicit and simple. They need to be in various places on the site as a reminder. And if someone breaks them we remind them." He looked around. "But not publicly on the forum. The one thing I don't want to do is engage in the very thing we are attempting to help others cope with."

  "So we what, send them an email?" Brian was working on the logistics in his head.

  "That or if there is a message function that they can receive through their account privately that would work as well. As long as it's for their eyes only and we don't embarrass them for making what might be a completely honest mistake."

  "What about those who repeatedly make mistakes?" Charlie asked.

  "If it's a kid we email the parents and see if it can be worked out so they can stay on the forum." Dave looked over at Carrie and Grace. "You probably want to make sure that if it's a minor signing up they provide a parental email address." At their nods he continued. "If it's an adult and it's obvious they’re using the forum for purposes other than what it's meant for we block them. Period."

  "What are the rules going to be?" Court looked up from the notes he was taking.

  "I don't know what all of them are but on the legal side I would advise a couple. What happened to you can be discussed but who did it can't be named and the exact location can't be disclosed. However you word it is up to you. Beyond that I would have two simple statements posted on almost every page. Be Polite and No Rudeness Tolerated. Those are pretty simple and just about everyone knows what it means." Dave sat back and waited to see what everyone else thought.

  Beth scooted forward in her chair, her eyes bright with the words she hesitated to speak. Sensing she was about to hold back on them Casey urged her on.

  "I was just thinking that maybe we could come up with a slogan to go along with the rules that could be posted on every page with them. Something like Harassment Free Zone. Or No Worries Here Zone. I don't know exactly, but something along those lines. And in a colorful happy design that catches everyone's eye so they can't miss it and see that they're safe there. No one's going to hurt them or make them feel bad. That it's a safe place to be."

  "I could design something for that," Charlie offered excitedly. Finally happy to feel like she could contribute something to the effort other than sitting there and taking up space. She closed her eyes, the image of what she wanted to do already coming together. "Something that just feels good," she said and smiled as she spoke. "Kind of a cross between Candyland and Care Bears."

  "Yes!" Beth exclaimed ignoring the laughter around the table. She looked around and while the excitement was there in her voice so was a tone of seriousness that couldn't be misread. "It's a serious situation, anyone who ends up there is because they've suffered somehow but that doesn't mean that they can't be reminded that things will be better again."

  "You're right honey," Jake spoke up for the first time. "It wouldn't be honest to say I don't have some concerns but I think with enough thought and dealing with issues as they happen and not putting them on that perpetual backburner we can work our way through this."

  "Imagine that. Jake Kyle has put his stamp of approval on this," Casey snickered good-naturedly.

  

  Jake glanced to his side at the young woman who quietly walked beside him. He had no doubt both were thinking about the same thing. Had no doubt as well they weren't going to find a lot of common ground on it.

  "Beth," he waited only long enough to know from her slight glance at him she was listening. "What are you planning to focus on in your number one spot?" He had a bad feeling about what his daughter was planning and it grew ever so worse when he sensed her hesitancy. They'd only been part of each other's lives for such a short time. He didn't want to have their first disagreement over something neither could change.

  "Beth," he tried again with no real clue how to go forward from there only to be interrupted before he had a chance to say anything at all.

  "Even though I can't remember what I ate, whether I ate, I know I didn't sleep." She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, attempt to steady her voice. "Nothing mattered except I knew what happened to them didn't have to."

  Jake slowed his pace to match hers, waited quietly for her to continue. Neither had to be specific about who 'them' were. Her mother and the man she'd loved for all the years of her life as her father. The parents she'd loved and lost in the midst of a sudden and all too common uprisin
g in the Middle East. His friends, ones he'd known almost all of his adulthood. And he felt the fear spread through him at the words he suspected she was about to voice.

  "We communicated a lot through our social media connections. Cell phone connection, even satellite phones were iffy at best. Dad always worried about people listening in. Not that anything we talked about would have done anything for anyone. But apparently he had some reasons for concern. Too bad it didn't help them." She took the chance to glance at her father. She'd gotten to know how to read him and it didn't take much to see he wasn't happy with her.

  "There's no way to know if anything could have saved them." Jake said as gently as he could manage. It was hard to say what he had yet to convince himself of.

  Beth walked silently for a moment. They had to cross the bridge they'd avoided for too long. She'd been safely cocooned for too many years. Never again. "We both know better than that." She spoke softly, quietly, almost in a whisper. Before he could respond she went on. "We both know that there are those who could have warned them. Could have saved them. Their presence there was no secret. For that matter it was highly publicized. I've often wondered if that didn't serve their purposes even more than they could have ever hoped for."

  "Beth..."

  "A phone call." She slashed out stopping any paltry excuse. "One quick phone call, a text. It would have taken next to no effort. So if you go from there, and it doesn't take a fool to connect those big bright black dots, they chose not to. They chose to allow them to be caught up in the very event they set into motion. They chose for my parents to die." She stopped at the edge of the sidewalk that led to the home she'd known only for the last few months. The refuge she'd found at the end of a long drive across half a dozen states that she could barely remember making. And turned to squarely face the man she'd come to love for who he was and so much more. This man who was her father by blood had to understand that she couldn't hide anymore. And who should understand better than he who had exposed the massive crop of media across the entire spectrum of the industry who had quietly and insidiously created false and fictitious news stories to fill space and create havoc often at the costs of the innocent. Her parents being among them. Softly, so softly Jake had to strain to hear her. "They stood for me all my life. It's my turn to stand for them." Again, before he could say his piece, she continued. "You don't have to agree, you don't have to like it, but I would think you more than anyone should understand it." Realizing she'd taken away most of any argument he had, realizing too that he didn't want to argue with her at all, she turned to walk toward the house. Both needed time to think before they finished this conversation.