DEC 2023 - Unseen Friends

When I was 15, I applied to be a junior counselor at a summer camp in upstate NY for “underprivileged” children. Part of the application process involved spending time during the winter and spring volunteering at the Settlement House which sponsored the camp. 

I took the train into Manhattan, then walked through unfamiliar neighborhoods strewn with garbage, smells of decay, broken stoops, dirty children playing in the streets while darting among cars that sped by. I felt as if I’d entered a foreign country. My parents had recently bought a modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom, two-story house in a quiet neighborhood of well-kept houses. There was no comparison.

When I entered the Settlement House I was assaulted by noise and motion. Kids in a group singing, some playing games, others running around, adults vying for attention. I stood by the doorway, ready to leave, ready to admit I wasn’t up to being a junior counselor if it meant being part of so much chaos. I’d be 16 in the summer; maybe I could find another camp job.

A harried woman came up to me, asked my name, checked a paper on her clipboard, and said, “You wrote that you have experience with dance and drama, right?” I nodded. “We need you to do creative drama with a group of seven-year-olds.” Without asking if I could do this, she strode off, with me following her, wondering what I was going to do given that I’d had no training or time to plan.

She led me to a room filled with a group of kids waiting impatiently as they lounged against pillows. She introduced me. “This is Nancy. She’ll be doing drama with you today,” then she left. Fortunately, they were eager to participate and joyfully entered into the world of “What If” I created. The session went well. I was invited to return, same time, same day, next week.

When I walked outside, it was dark. I hoped I remembered the way to the subway. I wished there was more light. I tried to push away my fears but the unknown sounds and smells upped my anxiety. I started walking as fast as I could, trying to avoid trash. Suddenly a hand grabbed my hair and pulled me back. A strong arm pinned my arms to a body. A deep male voice said, “Hey Sweetheart, let’s you and me have a little fun.” The grip on my hair was so tight and hurt so much I couldn’t move. Fear paralyzed my voice. He reeked of cigarettes and liquor. 

As he was dragging me, I heard male voices shouting, “Let her go!” Voices cursed. Unseen hands grabbed the hand on my hair. Unseen hands grabbed the arm from my body. Two guys came up to me and noticed I was shaking. One of them took off his jacket and put it around me. The second guy said, “It’s okay, we’ll make sure you stay safe.”

The first guy said, “You’re the one doing drama, right?” I nodded. “My sister said you were great, that it was the best time. She said you’re coming back next week, right?” I nodded.

The second guy, soon joined by a few more asked if I was okay. I nodded, still unable to speak. They told me it wasn’t safe for me to walk by myself, they would go with me to the subway and make sure I got on to the train. I nodded.

Surrounded by the guys, I slowly stopped shaking. They walked into the subway with me. I gave the jacket back and thanked him. He shrugged, looking embarrassed. When I put my coin in the slot and the turnstile opened, I headed toward my train. They snuck in under the turnstile, waited with me until the train came, then told me they’d meet me at the train next time.

I thanked them. They grinned. “See ya next week,” I heard as I entered the train. 

They never missed a day. 


Have you ever experienced unexpected help in a dangerous situation?  What was that like?

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World Tale: Mereaira and Kape Tautini ​​

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