Now you might think that the Social Services folk would have some inkling what real life is like. That they would see that there was no neglect or abuse here, but simply a typical housecleaning in progress. I was once a social worker, and I visited homes to be sure that children were being properly cared for. I would have understood, as I think would any normal parent. If the visitors had found the mother drunk, and bruises on the children, they might have had a case. Instead Jessica was doing exactly what she should have been doing: catching up on everything that there hadn’t been time for during the hectic weekly schedule. But on the basis of such visits, and the fact that Jessica’s bookshelves were full of science fiction, fantasy, romance, and horror genre books, including some Piers Anthony novels, they concluded that the children should be removed and visitation rights denied to the mother.
Remember, all this started because a child brought Virtual Mode to school. Does this seem stranger than fiction to you too? Do you wonder at the evident priorities of our schools and social services? Or is this sort of thing already all too familiar in your own community?
Jessica borrowed money from friends so that she could hire an attorney. He was amazed. He went into action. He filed for another hearing, where he gave the judge Jessica’s work schedule, school schedule, and bus schedule. He brought in the baby-sitter, who was licensed as a day-care worker, and he documented everything, showing that in no way had Jessica been a neglectful parent. The neglect had been on the part of the Social Services investigators, who had not bothered to get the facts before destroying a family. The judge yielded somewhat. He granted Jessica visitation during the week, and let her children come home on weekends. This continued for six months. Samantha made it through okay, but Joshua couldn’t handle the disruption—remember, he was five years old, suddenly taken from his home and mother—and wouldn’t do any work at school. He was removed from kindergarten.
Meanwhile the battle continued. Jessica wrote letters to the newspaper, the school board, the television station, the city prosecutor, and even the mayor. Her attorney brought to court a book reviewer, a child psychologist, two analysts, the school director, a teacher from the school for gifted children, Jessica’s family, neighbors—everything.
Finally justice was served. Jessica got back custody. The principal who had started it all was removed from the school board and forced to retire. Jessica received formal apologies from the school board, Social Services, and the mayor.
Now Samantha is in a school for gifted children and loves it. Joshua is at a new school and is excelling. Both of them are running and laughing again. Jessica got her GED and a license for nursing, and is making more money than before. She is buying a house in the middle of an apple orchard. The family has a cat, a hamster, a goat, and three little pigs. Jessica now has more faith and confidence in herself. She fought through and won, and now truly appreciates what happiness is. “It really is true,” she says, “that you don’t realize exactly what you have, until something is taken away. ” (Later the cat got at the hamster. Sigh. )
So good triumphed over evil, this time. But isn’t it sad that Jessica ever had to go through this ordeal, and see her children suffer—because she let her daughter take the first Mode novel to school. Isn’t it a shame that it took six months before this obvious wrong was righted. Colene is a fictional character, based on a composite of real ones. Jessica is a real person. I believe Colene would like her. Colene did, after all, affect her life. I think we need more people like Jessica and Samantha, and fewer like that principal.
So, once again, the writing of a novel has brought me experience and emotion. This one more than most, because of the evidence that this series is affecting real people. I hope those of you who are not suicidal, and who are not in danger of losing your children for reading it, also find it meaningful.
As usual, my notice: those who wish to subscribe to my personal Newsletter, or to find a source for any of my in-print titles, can call my “troll-free” number 1-800-HI PIERS. (e-book note: this phone number is no longer valid. For similar information try the official web site at http://www.hipiers.com instead.)
Copyright © 1993 by Piers Anthony
Cover art by Romas Kukalis
ISBN: 0-441-00132-7