Bonds and Tragedy

Jacob is a young autistic man. For the last twenty-five years of Jacob's life has been full of tragedy, challenges and happiness. Here is how his story starts.

Jacob has always been the odd one out in his family, being youngest in his family and being the only son out of six children. When he was 6 years old he was diagnosed with Autism. On his 10th birthday his grandfather gave him a special gift. This gift was a black notebook he had when he was a little boy. Jacob and his grandfather were very close and he always gave Jacob a saying "No matter what kind tragedy comes across you, it'll make a better person". Unfortunately just 2 months after his 10th birthday his grandfather passed away. Jacob treasured his black notebook, he took it everywhere he went.

Jacob didn't fit in at school. He tended to isolate himself from everyone else. He had one friend a girl called Katie whom he met exactly one year after his grandfather's death. He and Katie were partners in crime, they did everything together. They had many things in common, but one thing they had in common was they both had a black notebook passed given to them from there grandparents.

In high school, Jacob came out of his shell, he even made some new friends and dated a few people both girls and boys. When he was 17 his life would change forever. He and his current girlfriend Amanda experienced a teenage pregnancy. His parents were very supportive, however he and Katie started drifting apart and there friendship was strained. Amanda gave birth to a little girl named Daisy. After Daisy was born Jacob found an envelope in his notebook which said "Open this letter 5 years from today". Jacob was confused, who would leave him a letter?, why can't he open now?, So many questions?

However happiness would turn into sadness. Soon after giving birth to Daisy, Amanda had a severe case if breast cancer and unfortunately she lost her short battle just 1 year later. Jacob was left to raise Daisy by himself. Jacob's life started to take a turn for worst. He and Katie were no longer friends after Katie started working as a sex worker and starting making underaged adult films. On his 19th birthday Jacob lost his family home in a fire. He lost everything, including his notebook. Jacob's mother was sent to prison for arson and attempted murder. Jacob's life couldn't get any worse, losing his mother, his child's mother, his best friend, his house and his notebook. Jacob tried to take his own life 12 times, he thought his life was over, he let his grandfather down. Daisy was sent to foster care and his sisters moved away. He was all alone. Jacob's autism started to take over his life, he had got involved with drugs and he overdosed. He was admitted to rehab on what what have been Daisy's 3rd where he would stay for the 2 years.

It was five years since he received the letter. The letter managed to survive the fire. He opened and noticed it had had a note that said the quote his grandfather would always tell him and $20,000. As soon as he opened the letter there was a car accident outside the rehabilitation center. The accident involved Katie whom he hadn't seen and spoken to in years. Knowing she was in trouble he ran outside to help her. Unfortunately he was too late, her injuries were too serious and she died. A week later after Katie's death, he started to connect the pieces. He and Katie met on the anniversary of his grandfather's death, losing Amanda on his grandfather's birthday, losing his house and notebook on his birthday, this admission to rehab on Daisy's birthday and Katie's death on the anniversary of the day they met. After realising what has happened everything made sense.

When Jacob was asleep one night, Katie spoke to him from her grave. She revealed it was not a coincidence that they met. She was sent to him by his late grandfather and everything that happened to him in the last 12 years were meant to happen. Jacob woke up and found a black notebook at the end of his bed with a note that said "Jacob everything happens for a reason, these tragic events occurred were for you to find out who you are". Jacob grinned from ear to ear he always knew his grandfather was watching him from above.

In the current day, Jacob has settled down with his wife and 3 beautiful children. He and Daisy reunited after he was released from rehab. Jacob now works as a motivational speaker, he still carries the black notebook and the $20,000 with him everywhere he goes. It reminds him of the the people he loved and lost. Every night before bed he always says the quote his grandfather said to him. One day hopes to pass the notebook down to his grandson wants him to share his journey with him.