JP Frary secretly watched other families living normal lives

When JP Frary was sexually assaulted in his youth, no one in his family knew how to talk to him about it. They would get this look in their eyes that JP couldn’t quite identify. Was it worry? Pity? Accusation? With no one—including himself—having the words or the ability to process what had happened, JP began to spend long stretches alone, haunting the woods on the outskirts of his small hometown in Northern California. It seemed a reasonable outcome, or perhaps a foregone conclusion, he decided, that he had become a ghost. During his time as a ghost, JP watched. He saw how the weather moved slowly, then suddenly, in the backwoods of his home. He saw the creek burble with motion and then puddle up like wannabe tide pools. He watched the trees. He watched the wildlife. And when his wanderings led him to the backyards and the manicured lawns and the sliding glass doors of families with mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers, well, he watched them, too. Because JP was a ghost, and that’s what ghosts do. We’re honored JP shared this story with us and on our stage. Listen to the story first, then hear JP talk with us about how difficult it was to put this particular story together. The Nutshell Three: Amy Bee Keith Lowell Jensen Aaron Carnes Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves Thank you to: DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show. Hyperpixel for audio and video services. Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around. Our photographer, Antonio Lovig. Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible. Get full access to In a Nutshell Storytelling at www.inanutshellstorytelling.com/subscribe