At last, they reached Fresh Cafe, and Catherine held the door open for her friend.
“Here you go, Betsy,” Catherine smiled. Betsy stepped inside, and Catherine followed.
It was a quaint little shop. It had a counter with a wide selection of scones, omelettes and rolls. Although it was early in the day, Betsy noticed one other customer, a teenage boy, sitting alone at a table.
Still nervous at showing herself to the worker behind the counter, Betsy ordered some coffee and a scone. Catherine ordered the same and paid for both herself and Betsy. The man working at the counter served Betsy and Catherine their food as though they were regular customers. The girls thanked the man, then walked to the nearest table.
“I think I'll eat with this young man here,” Betsy explained to Catherine. “He looks lonely.”
Betsy took her coffee and scone, put her pad down on the seat beside the boy, and sat down at the table next to him. He looked up from his food and beverage to face Betsy.
“You must be Betsy Parker,” he smiled. “You have been in the news a lot. I suspect everyone in the states might know about you by now. Congratulations on winning that case by the way.”
Betsy didn't know how to respond. She wasn't sure whether she should take this as forced attention, or if he was only wanting to be friendly.
“I am Betsy,” she replied. “How are you doing today?”
“I'm fine, still a bit tired. I often come to this coffee shop in the morning to help myself wake up for school, except, on Saturdays I tutor math to a grade-eight student at his house. His name is Keith Reynolds and he's finding it easier and more fun, now that I'm helping him. I'm in grade twelve.”
“Good for you,” Betsy smiled. “It's good that you're volunteering your time to help another student. Do you know what you are planning to become?”
“Something I have always wanted to be is a teacher. I took up tutoring because it's quite a bit like that. When I graduate from grade twelve at the end of this year, I would like to find a proper job.”
“I graduated from grade twelve last summer,” Betsy explained, “only it wasn't much of a graduation. I did really well in school, but I had to watch my classes over video, and stay home from the grade-twelve celebrations. I guess I'm at least getting somewhere.”
“I think you are too,” the young man smiled. “My name is Mark by the way, Mark Turner.”
“Pleased to meet you Mark,” Betsy smiled.
Then, Betsy thought, that with Catherine here, she might as well introduce her friend. “This is Catherine,” explained Betsy. “She has taken up residence at Sunny Palms nudist resort with me. I've been friends with her since I met her there when we were both little girls.”
“It's good to see that you have made a friend,” Mark smiled. Then, he continued, “So, Betsy. What do you plan to do with your life?”
Betsy sighed, and thought. “I don't know. I'm still puzzling over that. The one thing I have always wanted to be is a nurse. I would love to have a job, like that, that focusses on helping other people, but I can't see how that's possible.”
“You could find a job at Sunny Palms,” Mark suggested.
“I suppose you're right,” Betsy replied, “but I don't want to work only for other nudists. I want to work for and help all people.”
“Well,” sighed Mark. “There are some times when you just can't get what you want, and you have to live with it whether you like it or not.”
“You've had an experience where you couldn't get what you wanted?”
“You bet,” explained Mark, “All my life. I've grown up in a household raised by very strict, rigid parents. They are the kinds of people who would be very much against someone like you. In fact, I just know that I would be in big trouble if they ever found out I even spoke to you.”
“I'm so sorry to hear that,” said Betsy. “Unfortunately, I have had people like that come and go in my own life. Over time, I have learned to ignore it and move on.”
“But it's harder when those people are your parents,” Mark continued. “Up till I was about ten years old, I didn't even question them. I took for granted, and followed through with all their teachings and their beliefs. After all, they were, and are, my parents, my caregivers, and therefore they ought to know best.
“But when you, Betsy, became more prominent in the news and media, I thought 'Wow, this young lady is so outgoing and strong, and she continues to stand up for what she believes in, even though she can't wear clothes.' I then began to question my upbringing and my parents, and I have come to decide they are wrong.”
“Did you ever tell them your feelings?” Betsy asked.
Mark shook his head. “There would be no use. I would be in huge trouble. I might even get disowned.”
“Are you in a position where you could move out?”
“Not quite yet,” Mark explained. “I turned eighteen a week ago, but I'm still in high school, and don't have a job, except for my tutoring. Until I get a proper job and education, I will be forced to live under my parents' roof.”
“Well, I hope you can move out soon,” replied Betsy, “so that you can make your own way, free of how your parents want you to live.”
Mark decided to change the subject. “So how do you like human society, Betsy?”
“I like it,” Betsy smiled. “It's fascinating. I am happy to see that most people are reacting as if I'm a normal person. I have met a few people of the undesirable sort, but I guess that's to be expected.”
“That's their problem, not yours,” Mark explained. “Betsy,” he continued, looking her in the eyes. “I don't think you're weird.”
“Thank you,” Betsy smiled. “I don't think so either. In fact, I know I'm not, even if not everyone agrees with that.”
For the rest of their time at Fresh Cafe, neither Betsy nor Mark said another word. They drank their coffee and ate their breakfasts. Then, Mark stood up to leave.
“I have to go to Keith's house now,” he explained. “It was wonderful to meet you, Betsy. I would love to talk to you again.”
“You can reach me at Sunny Palms,” Betsy explained. Mark handed Betsy two pieces of paper, and they copied down each other's phone numbers. Betsy wrote Sunny Palms' number and gave it to Mark. Mark wrote down his home phone number, and cellphone number, and gave them to Betsy.
“Bye Betsy!” Mark called as he headed out the door.
“Bye Mark!” Betsy called. “Have a good tutoring session!”
“I'm sure I will,” he smiled, and left the coffee shop.
After Betsy and Catherine had left, they took a walk down the road, out into a patch of woods. By now, the sun was well above the horizon and the grass was shiny and golden. The air and sun felt warm on Betsy.
“This is so amazing,” Betsy smiled at Catherine. “I have never felt anything like this before, ever. I wish this day could last forever.”
“It could if you allow it to,” Catherine replied in contentment and awe. “Just look at the Hau Willow over there.”
It was a gorgeous tree, with its leaves swaying in the breeze. An ant crawled down its trunk.
“My mother's maiden name was Willow,” Betsy beamed. “It's such a gorgeous name. I wish she had kept it.”
“Say, Betsy?” asked Catherine. “You think you'll ever get married?”
“Me? No, I don't think so. Not that I don't want to. It would be lovely, but I don't think I would ever get a chance to meet someone meaningful enough.”
“Would you take his name if you did?” asked Catherine.
Betsy shook her head. “No, I'd rather my mother had kept hers, so I think I'll keep mine. Willow sounds much better than Parker, but, who knows? If I change my name I might come to regret it; you know; miss my name.”
“So would I,” Catherine agreed.
Then, Betsy's mellow smile grew into a happy playful smile, then into a laugh.
“Hey Catherine!” she called. “Let's play some tag. We're out in an open field, and I fe
el like a kid once again!”
“All right!” Catherine grinned. “I'm set if you are.”
With a refreshed smile across Betsy's face, and a renewed sense of enthusiasm, Betsy ran across the field, starting out as 'it' to tag Catherine. Catherine ran, in a playful, merry sprint. Betsy caught up to Catherine and tagged her. Catherine gave a scream of delight and turned around to pursue Betsy. After a wild, rigorous play, Catherine collapsed into the grass, laughing.
“Oh Betsy!” she cried. “You've got such joy and enthusiasm.”
Betsy decided that she had had enough playing too, as her run slowed into a walk, and she stopped running altogether. “That felt great!” she cried. “I felt like my real self with that game of tag just now. I wish I could live like that forever.”
“What do you want to do now Betsy?” Catherine asked.
“I have had enough of being out. Let's go back to Sunny Palms.”
“But we've only been out for a couple hours and we've got most of the day ahead of us. Betsy, this is such a unique, special day for you. You'll probably never get one like this ever again.”
“I know,” Betsy replied, “but I don't see anything more I can do that's useful. Come on; let's go back.”
“All right Betsy,” Catherine sighed, “if that's really what you want.”
And so, Betsy and Catherine turned and walked back to Sunny Palms, the one, and only place where Betsy was welcome.
15 Mark's Adventure
When Betsy awoke the next morning, she half-thought that her adventure the day before had been a dream. Nonetheless, she knew, in her heart and soul, that the previous day had been as real as any other, and now it was over. Betsy had to return to her normal, sheltered life.
As she rose to her feet, she felt a deep sense of regret. The fact had now sunk in that she could have spent the full twenty-four hours of the previous day getting to know people, settling in, at least trying to become a part of the actual human world. But Betsy had spent only about two hours of that day in the human world, and in those two hours, she had met only one other person. Now she knew, that she had failed. She would never get an opportunity like this ever again, and she had wasted this one chance she had. If only Betsy had listened to Catherine, when Catherine suggested that Betsy stay in the public domain all day, to at least get to meet more people, more fully, and do more.
But do what? Not even Betsy knew. And here she was, alone, on this desert island called “Sunny Palms” a prison, where Betsy was locked away forever for a crime she had never committed.
Would she ever see Mark again? He seemed like such a friendly, understanding young man, who had courage enough to question his own upbringing. The more Betsy thought about Mark, the more she burned to see him one more time. He was the first, and only, adult person in the human world, who was not family, who truly understood and accepted Betsy. For this, Betsy was grateful. She had met someone. At least, that was a start. But where would the path lead from that start? Betsy had to know. She did the first and most obvious thing she could think of, which was to turn to Catherine.
“Catherine,” Betsy called. “I feel so exhilarated from yesterday, but so lost as well. I really liked meeting Mark in that coffee shop yesterday, and I've got to see him one more time.”
“Well Betsy,” replied Catherine. “You have his phone number.”
“I know I do,” breathed Betsy, “but I don't want to get him into any trouble with his parents. I only got to meet Mark for maybe ten minutes, then he had to leave, and he was so caring and understanding towards me.”
“Call him if you like, if you think it's worth the risk,” replied Catherine. “It's your decision, not mine.”
“I know, Catherine, but it's not that simple. What if I call and one of his parents answers the phone? They will ask who I am, and why I'm calling.”
“Betsy, he gave you his cellphone number yesterday. I'm pretty sure his parents are not going to answer their son's cellphone.”
“I guess you're right, but what if, while I'm talking to him, his parents overhear and figure out what's going on?”
“Betsy, the guy's eighteen. Even if they're so strict towards him, I very much doubt that, at his age, they would be so concerned for him that they would resort to nosiness to find out what's going on.”
Betsy spent the long hours of that day thinking about what to do. She went for a swim in her pool. She went for a walk around the grounds. She went for a walk in the woods. She sat on her silicon bed, thinking.
Finally, it was ten o'clock at night, and Betsy still had not called Mark. She was so desperate. She picked up her phone and dialled his number.
“Hello,” came Mark's voice from the other end.
“Hi, this is Betsy. We met at Fresh Cafe, and we spoke briefly in the coffee shop.”
“Hello Betsy; I remember you. How did your day go?”
“I didn't exactly do much. After walking and enjoying some time with Catherine, I decided there was nothing more for me to do, so I went home.”
“Oh Betsy, you had the whole day to do things, and you wasted most of it.”
“I know. Please don't rub it in. It's just that I had met you and gone for a walk with my friend. What more could I have done anyway?”
“I'm sorry,” replied Mark. “I guess you're right, but anyway, what brings you on the phone?”
“Mark,” Betsy sighed, mustering her courage. The plan Betsy had in mind was risky, but she had to get it out to Mark if she had any hope of seeing him again. “I cannot come out to see you. The law doesn't allow me to, but, I was wondering, do you think there is any way you could come out to see me? I live at Sunny Palms nudist resort.”
“Well,” sighed Mark. “My parents wouldn't allow it. That's for sure. If I ever come to Sunny Palms, I will have to do it in some way my parents don't know. How about, tomorrow, I call in sick from school, and, instead of going to school, I come out to Sunny Palms, while my parents think I'm in school. I can stay just for the morning and afternoon. Then, I can come home at the same time the school day ends, so that my parents don't suspect anything.”
Betsy thought about Mark's proposition. She didn't like it. Mark would be lying to his school and deceiving his parents, and Betsy would be responsible for all of it. Mark would miss a day of school, too, which would put him behind. Worse still, was that it was a plan not even guaranteed to succeed, that Mark's parents might find out and he'd be in big trouble, and Betsy would be left feeling like his punishment was her fault.
“Mark,” Betsy explained, “You don't have to miss school. You could tell your parents, one evening, that you're going to study with some friends, or that you're going to the movies. When you do go out, you could come to see me instead.” Betsy didn't like that idea either because Mark would still be lying, but at least it would be better than him missing a day of school, and therefore lying, not only to his parents, but to his school as well.
“Betsy,” Mark explained, “If only you knew my parents, you would not be suggesting that. My parents have very strict rules requiring me to stay at home every night to do my homework. I can see my friends all I want while I'm at school, but once I'm at home, my parents limit my social interactions to one hour per night, for any reason, whether it's studying, socializing, doing fun activities or anything at all. There would be no way I would be able to come out to see you, have a proper visit with you, and come home all within an hour. If I even tried that, my parents would know, right away, that something was amiss.”
Betsy spent the next minute thinking of something else that could be done, a plan which would allow her to see Mark that wasn't so risky or deceptive. Alas, she could think of nothing.
Betsy sighed, “All right. I guess your idea works. I will see you, tomorrow, at Sunny Palms then.”
“Well!” Mark cried, in a happy and thankful voice. “It was nice talking to you. I will see you tomorrow. Bye for now.”
He and Betsy hung up.
By sheer luck, Susan w
alked past where Betsy had been talking on the phone, heading to her campsite to get ready for bed.
“Susan,” Betsy called. “Can I have a quick word?”
“Sure you may, Betsy,” Susan beamed. “Any time.”
“I made a friend yesterday when I was exploring society. His name is Mark Turner and he would like to come here tomorrow morning and afternoon for a quick visit. Is that all right with you?”
“You found a friend yesterday?” cried Susan. “That's wonderful! Well, I'm so glad you had a good day in human society yesterday. You sure earned it. Of course it's fine if you bring Mark into the grounds tomorrow. Why don't you come to the office at the time you'll be expecting him to come around and you can help show him the grounds?”
“I will,” Betsy beamed. “I look forward to seeing Mark.”
***
When Mark awoke the next morning, he packed his backpack and made his breakfast (toast, bacon and eggs) as calmly as he could. He wanted to make sure he behaved as normally as possible. As soon as Mark left the house, he turned on his cellphone and called the school.
“H ... hell ... o,” Mark gasped in a coughing, raspy voice. “Is this ... the prin (cough) (cough) cipal?”
“Yes it is,” came the respondent's voice. “Who are you? Are you okay?”
“I am Mark (cough) Turner,” he continued in his raspy voice. “I am really ... sick ... today. I have a (cough) fever, and a really sore ... throat.”
“Oh dear,” came the voice of the principal. “You sure sound sick. I will mark you as absent for today. Please get some rest. I hope you get better soon.”
“Thank ... you. I (cough) (cough) hope so (cough) too.”
Mark turned the phone off.
As Mark walked down the driveway, he stopped, looked at his car, which his parents had bought for him as an eighteenth birthday present, and thought, “Maybe I should drive over. It will be much quicker than walking, and I want to spend as much time with Betsy as I can.”
The Sheltered Life of Betsy Parker Page 11
