The Sheltered Life of Betsy Parker

by E. David Hopkins

  “My parents then tried for a compromise in which they hired a lawyer, and mailed a request to the next highest court, for me to have a day to have a walk, just within my neighborhood, but the court, again, declined to hear the case.”

  Catherine paused for a few minutes before she spoke up. “You know, Betsy, this may sound really odd, and I cannot promise it will work, but maybe, just maybe, you could do just that. Fight the law. Get your freedom. Get your rights as a human being.”

  Betsy shook her head. “They'll never allow it. Catherine, that's the whole problem. I live in a society where every person is required, under penalty of law, to wear clothing in public. Unless that entire societal attitude changes, I will never be able to have that right.”

  “Maybe not all the time,” Catherine explained, “but, hey, you said it yourself. 'Even if it's just for one day.' You could take your case to court and arrange for one day to get a taste of human society, one day in which you will be immune to indecent exposure charges.”

  “One day,” breathed Betsy thoughtfully. “Yes, I think I could try that. It's not as though I'm trying to sway the law to let me go without clothes all the time. If I win, surely there will be a news announcement about it, so that people will be able to stay home if they don't feel comfortable, and even if I lose, I will be able to say I at least tried.”

  Following Betsy's discussion with Catherine, Betsy picked out one of the postcards her father had purchased for her, and she wrote the following message.

  Dear Mom, Dad and Laura,

  I have settled in at Sunny Palms. It's so quiet here right now; it's a gorgeous day, and Catherine was happy to see me. I have had a discussion with her in which I have agreed to take the issue of my allergy to court, to win one day in which I can explore human society. I want to see and learn about the real human world, and hopefully meet some people, more the average sorts of citizen. Mom, dad, thank you for trying to get a right like that granted for me when I was a little girl. I understand it didn't work, but at least you tried, and I am proud of you for that. If that same voice comes from me, in person, maybe then, I will win that right. All the same, if I don't, I will accept that. One day, I might find some self-employed work. I don't know what, maybe selling something, and I could find someone like Susan or Catherine to sell it for me. Please come by and visit me sometime. I miss you all.

  Sincerely, Betsy

  She sealed the envelope and dropped it in at the office.

  13 Betsy Speaks her Voice

  For Betsy, taking her case to court was easier said than done. She had come to live at Sunny Palms with her parents' money, with Catherine helping to pay for her expenses. Betsy couldn't fathom how she could afford a lawyer. She felt like she was cornered in her life; in a place where she wasn't welcome at home, was only welcome at Sunny Palms with others paying for her, all the while having the urge to come out in public which (whether or not it worked at all) would involve an expensive court case. Betsy couldn't even ask for Catherine's assistance on this issue. She had to talk to someone with more background, more experience. She would ask the manager, Susan.

  “Hi Betsy,” Susan smiled when she saw her. “Is everything all right today? You look a little lost.”

  “I feel lost,” Betsy explained, “and confused, and desperate. You know what, Susan? I have decided that I am sick of living like this. I am shut away and hidden all the time. I have decided that I want one day to be allowed to explore normal human society, and I would like to take my case to court. How can this be done?”

  Susan looked at Betsy in a thoughtful, understanding way. At last, she said, “Betsy, are you sure this is what you want?”

  “I am sure,” Betsy explained. “I've had this desire in the back of my mind for many years, maybe even my whole life, and now, I know I want to do this.”

  “I see,” Susan replied. “Well, I don't see how, in your situation, you could afford a lawyer. I think you would be best off representing yourself. I might be wrong, but maybe self-representation could help you in your case. It might show the court how strong and sure you are in what you want; that you are willing to go through with this, even if you have to do it alone. You can apply for legal aid as well. It's a loan you can take out to help you with your case, but you will have to pay it back.”

  “I will,” insisted Betsy. “I am willing to do anything.”

  “I understand,” replied Susan. “I wish you luck with your case.”

  From that moment, the ball got rolling. Betsy composed a letter to the County of Hawaii court. After she had completed the letter, she presented it to Susan, who mailed it, via regular post, to the court's magistrate, Fred Meyer. In her mail, Betsy had included copies of the various court reports from her parents' efforts to find freedom for Betsy. On top of being smart, Betsy was a prudent girl, who had always done everything to be prepared; hence she had always carried copies of these court reports with her just in case the need arose to deliver them to any person. Then, Betsy awaited his reply. Betsy was afraid that he would laugh, would think Betsy was selfish or narcissistic, but he wrote her back with a helpful response.

  Betsy Alicia Parker,

  I understand how it must feel to be in your position. Your story has touched many people in your home town and the state of Hawaii. As you are an individual who is justifiably striving towards acceptance, we will set aside a court date to hear your case starting 2:00pm October 15. You will be able to take part in the hearing via video link. Please understand that it may take as long as several months for the court to come to a decision.

  Justice Fred Meyer

  Betsy was overjoyed when she read what Fred Meyer had to say. With renewed enthusiasm, she downloaded the legal aid loan and applied.

  Over the course of the next few weeks, she told everyone at Sunny Palms what she was doing. Some were intrigued and cheered her on. Others were unsure, and didn't think this was a wise move for Betsy. But, all in all, everyone was accepting and showed at least some support for Betsy.

  Betsy had not applied to any universities or colleges, not even for video-link 'attendance.' Even if she could continue her education this way, she no longer saw any point in doing so, as she could not see what job would be able to come from it in the clothed world.

  The months passed and, before Betsy knew it, October arrived, and the day arrived when she was due to begin her court case.

  Betsy turned on the video link she had always used for school, and positioned herself so that only her face was visible. In the rest of the screen, Betsy saw a huge, crowded courtroom. Justice Fred Meyer's face appeared at the front of the room. Betsy was nervous. She listened for her turn to speak. The Judge was making a preliminary speech to the audience about Betsy, who she was and why she was doing this. Betsy could barely listen. She was that anxious to speak and get her voice out. Finally, the icon of the Judge moved to Betsy and asked her to tell her story.

  “My name is Betsy Alicia Parker,” she began, “and I will be nineteen years old in three months. In all of those years, I have yearned for understanding, love and acceptance. I ask not to be shut away for who I am, not to be treated as a threat to anyone, or to be blamed for having something that I cannot help: a condition inflicted upon me, where I had no choice in the matter. To be fair, I respect people who choose to wear clothing, as I, in part, have this very desire myself. I even respect that societal attitudes dictate that all people have to wear clothing if they're in public. But I find it hard to accept that attitude when it bars me from being a normal person. I have an allergy that forces me, against my will, to always wear the clothing I was wearing when I came out of my mother's womb: nothing at all. All my life, I have been shunned for having that allergy. Is my affliction a crime? Is my mere existence a crime? People of the court, and of the land, I ask you to consider my situation.”

  Several cheers sounded in the courtroom. Other people murmured. Others nodded in understanding, while a few others reacted in disgust or discomfort.


  Betsy's mother was next to testify. “I honor my daughter,” she began, with a smile stretching across her face. “I honor her strength, and her courage. I honor her for coming forth today to speak her voice. I have been blessed, truly blessed, to carry and give birth to this awesome young lady. Since I saw her face, for the first time, on the day she came to me and my husband Carl, I knew she was a wonderful child with a big heart. Her first word was 'love' and she loved to run and play around the back yard and play with her little sister, Laura. She adored the few other children who came over to visit her. She has shown respect and compassion for all forms of life, even the smallest of them all. In high school, she was an A student, awarded the honor roll over email. She was, and still is, so smart that she helped Laura with her homework every time Laura needed it, helping Laura to excel in her more difficult subjects. I love Betsy, I admire her, and I feel blessed and grateful to have her as my daughter.”

  Everyone taking the stand, who knew Betsy, testified positively on Betsy's behalf. After her mother spoke, her father took the stand. He talked about how concerned he and his wife had been when they discovered what was wrong with Betsy. Dr. Derek Crown, who was now retired, gave a speech much the same as the one he gave the news people many years ago. Then came the Nelsons, the Barnes's, Catherine and various members of Sunny Palms. There were even some students from Betsy's high school taking the stand and testifying for Betsy. Betsy waited patiently, hoping that Laura would take the stand, but Laura never showed her face, ever.

  There were people raising a case against Betsy. Some were sympathetic, but argued that the rights of many people not to see Betsy trumped the right of one person, Betsy herself, to be allowed to go out; that it would cause too much discomfort, awkwardness, and that it wouldn't be suitable for children to be around if Betsy was granted the right, however brief, to have the same rights as any other person. Others were vehemently against Betsy. They branded her as nothing more than a sick young woman who wanted nothing more than to draw attention to herself.

  Then, there came a period of cross examination, in which peoples' viewpoints were argued back and forth. Betsy's family argued against the 'needs-of-the-many' argument by explaining that Betsy's entire life had been awkward and restricted. If Betsy was granted a day in human society, then any offence a person might feel at the sight of Betsy would be trivial in comparison to the hiding and shunning that Betsy had had to endure for close to nineteen years.

  Others argued against Betsy and her family by saying that Betsy being allowed to go out could start a great bout of ordinary people wanting the same right as her. A great wave of indecent exposure cases could result, stemming from a ruling in favor of Betsy.

  Betsy and her family countered that the existence of the nudist lifestyle, and advocacy for it, had not sparked a long string of the general population wanting to bare their bodies in public. Therefore, such an outcome was unlikely if Betsy won.

  At the end of the cross-examination period, the Judge announced, “Now that all witnesses have been called, and the public's opinions have been cast, I shall deliberate what the outcome shall be. For the time being, I dismiss all parties involved.”

  The parties of the case departed, and Betsy turned off the video link.

  “How do you feel about the case?” Catherine asked Betsy later that day.

  “I don't know,” Betsy replied. “I feel there were a lot of good points made and good arguments raised. To tell the truth, it is awfully tedious wearing no clothes all the time. It makes me feel like an animal. But I suppose, biologically, that is what I am.”

  “You are absolutely right about that. Betsy, whatever happens, I am glad to have you as a friend.”

  “And I'm glad to have you,” Betsy smiled. “I am prepared to lose. If the court rules that I must not stray beyond home and the nudist world, I will understand and accept that; although I won't be able to help feeling a little disappointed.”

  “I can see that,” acknowledged Catherine. “Whatever Justice Meyer rules, I know you did your best.”

  “And I know that too, and I think, in the long run, that will be reward enough.”

  ***

  In the middle of January, on Betsy's nineteenth birthday to be exact, she received the following letter.

  Betsy Alicia Parker,

  I, Justice Fred Meyer, have deliberated both sides of the case thoroughly. I have weighed the pros and cons and recognize that your needs and society's needs are both relevant. As such, the County of Hawaii has granted a writ that shall allow you to have one day of immunity against indecent exposure charges so that you may have a chance to explore human society. On all of Saturday, January 22, from midnight at the start of that day until midnight at the end of that day, you may venture where ever you want to, but you must maintain casual, conformist behavior and behave no differently than if you were clothed. There will be a press release going out so that the public will be alerted to your presence. By the end of this day, you must retreat back to Sunny Palms. I wish you the best of luck.

  Justice Fred Meyer

  “YES!!!” Betsy screamed after she had read the letter. “Catherine! Look at this! This is wonderful! We did it! We really really did it!”

  “Betsy,” Catherine smiled back. “I am so happy for you. Congratulations on getting your day of acceptance in human society. You really earned it.”

  “For just one day at last,” Betsy beamed, not truly believing this was happening, “I get to be accepted as an actual human being. This is the best birthday present I have ever had.”

  14 A Happy Meeting

  Betsy was overjoyed for the time being, but as the week wore on, she began to develop reservations. Although it would be legal for Betsy to go out in public that one day, she was nervous about how the public would react. If even one person looked away, or stared at her for too long, Betsy would feel like she was putting herself on display, and she would feel like a fool for making the court grant her this right.

  On the other hand, Betsy was too excited to let these reservations get the better of her. On the evening of January 21, she turned to Catherine and said “good night.”

  “Will you get up at midnight?” Catherine asked in return. “Will you make your way out of Sunny Palms right when the clock strikes twelve, and begin your gadabout in civilization? This is going to be a special day and you won't want to waste a minute of it.”

  “Oh no,” Betsy replied. “I need my sleep. I will head out first thing tomorrow morning, and see where the day takes me.”

  Betsy lay in her waterbed, and in a few minutes was fast asleep.

  At 7:00 the next morning, Betsy awoke. She stood up, ate breakfast, showered, let the sun dry her, and headed out into the morning.

  “Hey Betsy!” Catherine called. “I will come with you. I will be dressed, of course, but I want you to have at least one friend with you, to keep you company, and keep an eye out for you in case something goes awry. I'll pack your silicon pad too.”

  “Thank you Catherine,” Betsy smiled. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness and understanding. We can look out for each other.”

  As they were heading out, Betsy and Catherine stopped by Susan's office.

  “Good morning Susan,” Betsy smiled. “I am going out to explore the world.”

  “Have a good day, Betsy,” Susan beamed from her desk. “I will see you tonight.”

  Susan opened the gate for Betsy, and Betsy headed out.

  The feeling that came over Betsy as she headed out the gate, onto the road, was the most bizarre sensation Betsy had ever experienced. She felt a sudden sense of shyness and vulnerability. Betsy turned to Catherine, and felt a sense of relief come over her, as she saw her faithful companion at her side.

  “Where do you want to go, Betsy?” Catherine asked. “You don't want to go about wandering aimlessly in your birthday suit.”

  “There's a coffee shop about half-an-hour's walk from here,” Betsy explained, “called Fresh Cafe. Why don't we make a s
top there?”

  “That sounds perfect,” Catherine beamed. “Let's grab some coffee.”

  As Betsy and Catherine walked along, they did meet a few people on the roadside. In general, these people passed Betsy and Catherine by as though Betsy and Catherine were ordinary people. A few others smiled at Betsy and waved, obviously pleased with the fact that Betsy was allowed in the open at last. There were some others who waved their hands and cheered.

  Betsy didn't like it when people did this. She wasn't sure whether they meant well or whether they were mocking her, but Betsy did not like the excessive attention either way.

  “Hey,” Betsy would tell them. “I'm just a person, nothing more. You don't give that much attention to people, do you?”

  These people would then look apologetic and walk away.

  When Betsy and Catherine came into the area with houses, buildings and shops, Betsy's nervousness peaked, and she began trembling.

  “It's okay, Betsy,” Catherine soothed. “Look, we'll be at Fresh Cafe very soon.”

  Even in the populated area, most people payed little to no attention to Betsy, much to her relief. There were a few men who stared at her, but Betsy and Catherine stared at them back, which drove these men away in humiliation. At one point, Betsy got a bout of sexual jeering and wolf-whistling from a trio of men, but Betsy and Catherine ignored them, looked the other way and continued on their journey.