Hunter’s Stories

“HELPING OTHERS GROW INTO THEIR GREATNESS” by JOJO FAUCHIER, FRANCE

Hunter Watson was like “the boy next door” at our house on Mustique. At first, I was friends with his older brother Teddy, who was closer to my age. In those early years, Hunter was just the kid brother. A bit goofy. He loved video games and music and wrote songs about video games. 

Then one day I looked up and said, “Wow, Hunter’s not a kid anymore.”  And we discovered that we had a lot in common. He could be silly, but he was also extremely kind and very smart. 

One summer in particular, we spent nearly all of our time on the island with each other — when I left to return to the U.K., I knew I was really going to miss him. 

When I heard Hunter had died, I was really sad because I know he and I would have been friends for life. I still think of him often. I wasn’t one of his closest friends, but Hunter had a huge impact on me. 

He still shows up in my dreams sometimes. He’ll say, “I’m here, and I’m always around.” And when I wake up, I’m reminded how much he is still present in the people who knew him, and on the island, and the entire community that Hunter’s Fund is helping to create.  

It’s so fitting that Hunter is still helping people even though he’s gone. He always gave people the opportunity to be themselves fully. That was his gift to everyone who knew him. But, ironically, because his own life was cut short, he never had the chance to fully blossom himself.  I’m so grateful, that through Hunter’s Fund, he’s still helping others grow into their greatness today. 

One New Year’s Eve after Hunter died, I was dancing with Teddy. I said, “I really wish Hunter was here.” He said, “Me too.” We were completely still. I told him about the dream. He cried a bit and I cried a bit. And we hugged. It was really lovely. 

Then we did a dance and it felt like Hunter was there dancing
with us.

Jo Jo Fauchier is a performance designer in theater and film. Her latest work is with the Fonact Theatre Company in France. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, she currently works in both London and Paris. When she’s not working, she can usually be found painting.