A particularly negative comment from a Sally Morgan read, “What has the world come to? First cohabitation, then states starting to legalize gay marriage, and now society rolling over and acting like this 'Betsy' girl has rights? You ask me if she should be allowed to intermingle with the public like an ordinary citizen? I say 'Fine, and let's turn loose the entire population of every mental hospital, every skid-row, and let everyone intermingle with the public even if they've got the flu, the whooping cough, the measles, and every other ailment under the sun.' Hey, those people can't help being the way they are; why should we shut them away? This 'Betsy Parker' issue has gotten out of hand. It's gotten to the point where there is no more decency or common sense in the world anymore. Why should some nutcase politician or Judge, who has opened their mind up so much that their brain fell out, push aside many millennia and countless generations of modesty and decency to let one person go about her business naked? It's ridiculous! Betsy Parker wants to be acknowledged as being human. If that is so, then she can abide by human laws and human propriety and keep herself out of the public's sight. Heck, I wouldn't buy a toothpick from this 'Parker' girl. I was forced to stay inside my house all day on that fateful day when this very sort of Judge, by the name of 'Fred Meyer,' released Betsy into the world. I had to draw my blinds, board my windows, stock up on food and insist my kids stay inside the house all day until that day was over. Don't make me have to do that ever again, and if Betsy is ever allowed to live her whole life publicly exposing herself, then I don't know what I would do. Most likely, you would find me in one of those mental hospitals.”
Despite the controversial side of Betsy Parker's issue, the protests and advocacy in Betsy's favor escalated higher into the judicial system until even the County of Hawaii was receiving letters, emails, petitions and phone calls that Betsy should be allowed to live as a normal citizen. However, every court, including the County of Hawaii, contended that it would make no proceedings unless Betsy, herself, agreed to do so.
It wasn't until eighteen months after Betsy and Mark's wedding day, after they'd had one anniversary together, when Betsy took to being quiet and withdrawn once again.
“What is it, dearest?” Mark asked her.
“I still feel left out,” Betsy explained. “I make such a great living as an artist. So many people love what I make, and I am so thankful to be married to you, and to be surrounded by all these loving, happy, understanding people, but, for some reason, I am still not satisfied.”
“I have been thinking the same thing,” Mark explained. “I have thought about you still being shut away, and how unfair it is. It hurts me, but you've never complained, so I've never said anything about it.”
“But I shouldn't feel like this,” Betsy continued. “I have everything now, Mark, but I want more. I want to live a more proper human life, Mark, out in real human society, at least some of the time, even if it's just to sell my drawings and to explore the outside world once in a while. It doesn't feel right that I make the drawings, but you sell them, and I can never come face-to-face with any of the people who come to buy them.”
“But sometimes, you do. Some of your customers come here.”
“But that's not the same,” Betsy explained. “Mark, I've settled for this much ever since the day I married you. I once thought that I would be able to settle for it forever, but it's just not working. Only some of the people who buy my work come here, and even those that do, I never get to see their faces when they see my pictures for the first time, and buy them. I want to see, first-hand, their smile, their enthusiasm, and their pleasure they must feel for my work. You are the one who does all the sales work, and it just doesn't feel right to me.
“And it's not just the artwork,” Betsy continued. “I want to see more of the world. I want to see all people for who they are. I want to go places. I feel so anchored, with cabin fever, and it's really getting to me.”
“I understand how you feel, for I feel it too,” replied Mark. “I wish there was something I could do for you, but I can't think what. Most people in this state are not in favor of you living your life in public. The polls have shown that.”
Betsy thought for a moment. “If I could only get out into, at least, the community around Sunny Palms, at least once a month, I believe that will make me content at last. I know not everyone will accept it, but I believe it will be a fair compromise between me and society. A higher percentage of people in Hilo believe I should be able to get out of Sunny Palms than the people in the rest of the state. If I can have only occasional ventures outside the resort, I think most would understand.”
Mark smiled back at Betsy. “Once a month? I think that will work. We could try to lobby for all day on the last Saturday of every month. The one day you did have out in the public, when you met me, was a Saturday. On Saturdays you will probably have more customers coming to buy your work than on weekdays. You could come out and sell your work by the roadside, just like you've been wanting, while on all other days, I will keep selling your work.”
“I have been thinking about that,” Betsy replied. “If it's just to sell my drawings, or see the outside world, just on those occasions, that would make my life complete. Despite this, I still feel guilty; I feel ungrateful, for feeling dissatisfied and oppressed after I have accomplished so much. After all that I've accomplished, I should be satisfied. I should be proud. I should be overjoyed and thankful, and in a way I am, but in another way, I'm not, and that makes me feel all spoiled and rotten for wanting more and being dissatisfied.”
“Betsy,” Mark told her, with a sincere, loving smile. “You listen to me. You are neither spoiled nor rotten. You have faced a lot of difficulties, difficulties that few others on this planet can even imagine. Your feelings are normal, and the fact that you can feel this way only goes to show that you are human.”
Mark looked Betsy in the face. Then, Mark turned his head and looked outside to the whole world, which stretched out far and wide.
“We'll arrange it, Betsy. Let's get your freedom.”
Mark left the table, picked up a pen, and wrote a message to Judge Fred Meyer. He wrote,
Honorable Judge Meyer,
As Betsy's husband, writing on her behalf, I wish to persuade you to pass a writ to allow my wife, Betsy Alicia Parker, to have the right to be free in public as any other person, for a twenty-four-hour period on the last Saturday of every month. Betsy and myself agree that this will be so that she can have more of an opportunity to carry on a normal human life. We wish that she be allowed to live those days in the city of Hilo, without being arrested for any indecency-related offence, unless she flaunts herself, behaves lewdly, or draws undue attention to any part of her, which is something I know Betsy would never do, anyway. We urge you to consider our situation.
Mark Edward Turner and Betsy Alicia Parker
Fred Meyer agreed that it was a deep issue to be addressed as soon as possible. He sent a letter for the commencement of a hearing on February 28. Betsy, once again, would listen and communicate via video link. Mark agreed to stay at her side and communicate via video link also. Betsy's parents would be coming in person to hear and discuss the proceedings.
“Mark,” smiled Betsy, once the arrangement had been made, “I have something I would like to show you. It's a picture I drew once when I was really depressed. However, when I finished drawing it, the sight of the finished work made me feel so saddened that I didn't show it to anyone. But I don't feel comfortable hiding anything, Mark, especially from you.”
“Go ahead and show me,” Mark replied, “I would be happy to see any art that's yours.”
Betsy took her key and unlocked the drawer by the bed. She pulled the drawer open, and showed her picture to Mark, the one with her and Mark walking the grad carpet.
“Betsy!” Mark cried, when he saw the picture. “This is wonderful. You were really thinking about me, weren't you?”
“If you like it that much, you can have it,” Betsy smiled.
“Yes,” replied Betsy, “I do too,” and she shut the picture back in the drawer.
***
On the day of the hearing, Betsy and Mark turned on the video link. The huge room appeared. Betsy's family was there, as well as many people from around town, most of which were complete strangers to Betsy. Some of them were holding some of Betsy's drawings. Betsy could see her parents in the front row. Justice Meyer was sitting in front of it all.
“We are here, today, to discuss a special accommodation for Betsy Parker,” Meyer began. “She and her husband, Mark Turner have requested that Betsy have the same rights, once a month, on the last Saturday of every month, to be anywhere she wishes or needs to be, to explore the world in any venue where any normal-functioning person can do the same, and to not be required to spend the day at Sunny Palms. I know we are all eager to hear what will come of this, as this is a unique case, as Betsy is a unique person.” Justice Meyer turned to Betsy, “We will now hear from Betsy Parker who will present her case as to why she feels this way, and what should be done to salvage this situation.”
The icon of Justice Meyer in the video link turned to Betsy. “Why do you want this, Betsy?”
“Honorable Justice Meyer,” she began, “I just want to say that all through my life, I have felt ostracized. I am cut off from mainstream human society, which requires all of its participants to be clothed. Justice Meyer, I only want you to understand that even I do not want to live without clothes all the time. I want to wear clothes; I really do. However, I also don't want my human rights taken away from me. I know this is hard for society to accept, but I want to be part of the human world. On several occasions throughout my life, before I found my wonderful husband, Mark, I found myself listening to the mermaid, Ariel's, song 'Part of Your World.' I felt just like Ariel, and I still do, and I will always feel that way, as long as I am shut away, treated as someone second class, who has to be hidden.”
Murmurs echoed around the room. Justice Meyer's expression was sympathetic, but not conclusive.
“You must understand, Betsy, that this is a difficult decision that will require much deliberation. I am aware of the many people who have lobbied for you to have proper human rights, and in many ways, I believe they are right. However, there have been people and other groups campaigning for you to not be allowed to ever stray outside Sunny Palms. There is also the indisputable fact that you are successful. You make so many people happy, and make so much money with your artwork. You and Mark have helped so many charities with the money you have made. Also, you are married. You have a husband. Is it really fitting that a married, successful young woman, such as yourself, be allowed to parade your body around complete strangers, many of whom will be offended, many of whom will have lustful thoughts at the sight of you?”
Betsy sighed and looked thoughtful. “I do not want to parade myself,” she told the courtroom in the video link, “I only want to live. I do not ask that the world be clothes-free or clothing optional for everyone. I ask for this right, for myself, only one day per month, due to an allergic condition I have through no fault of my own. If I didn't have this condition, I wouldn't be here today. I would be out in public, selling my art and exploring the world. Myself and my parents have always wanted me to be allowed to live, just as I am, ever since I had an allergic reaction all over me that nearly cost me my life when I was nine months old.”
Justice Meyer faced Betsy once more, “If there are people lusting after you, and being affronted at the sight of you, will you not be, in effect, parading yourself? I have one of your watercolor paintings too, Betsy,” the Judge continued, “The one that you titled 'The Love of my Life' of you and Mark together, holding hands.”
“Thank you,” Betsy smiled, “I am so glad you appreciate my work.”
“I understand why you want more, even though you're already such a success,” Meyer continued, “I also understand that if it wasn't for places such as Sunny Palms, you wouldn't have a home at all, that you would have to seek refuge with family, or the few others who would understand you. But at the end of the day, whether we're rich or poor, successful or unsuccessful, loved or hated, we all have our struggles in life, which we all have to face. We also have our blessings in life, and we must be thankful for them, and count them.”
“I count my blessings every day,” Betsy replied, “and I am thankful for them all.”
Justice Meyer nodded once more, “We live in a world, Betsy, that does not tolerate nakedness. One person, namely yourself, having the legal right to be naked could put a snag in the fabric of decency and modesty, a snag that might quickly unravel the rest of that fabric. There could be more people doing the same thing, Betsy, walking the streets naked, people who have no clinical condition whatsoever that prevents them from wearing clothing.”
Betsy shrugged, “And so what if they are? They would be happy and free too,” but the second these words had left her lips, she knew this was wrong. Not everyone would feel comfortable with it, and there would be weird people getting off on it.
“There would be people complaining, Betsy. There would be harassment going on and misfits doing unseemly things.”
“I understand that,” Betsy acknowledged, “and I respect that. I also understand that my situation creates a conflict within the Equal Protection Clause between equality under the law versus right to life and liberty. That is why I am not trying to sway the law to allow me to live my life in mainstream society all the time. I am trying to work for a compromise between living my life in the public and secluding myself from the public. Honorable Meyer, will you take that into consideration?”
“I will, and you are right about so much,” Meyer continued, “It is human nature to not want to be hidden, to want love and acceptance, to want equality with fellow humans. However, if we were to grant you one day every month to be allowed freedom in the public, do you not worry that people will look at you inappropriately, or harass you?”
“I have thought of that,” Betsy replied. “That is why I feel so conflicted about this whole situation. If I do win the right to go out, I will always be sure to have Mark at my side, hopefully my parents as well, and anyone else I know and trust who would be willing to accompany me.”
“We will deliberate your situation, Betsy. It will take a while, probably at least a few weeks, for us to come to a decision. You must understand, Betsy, that this is among the most controversial cases of all time.”
“I understand,” Betsy acknowledged.
“Is there any more you want to say?”
“No,” replied Betsy, “nothing more.”
“Then I adjourn you from your part in the proceedings. We will debate the situation with your family, friends and community to determine what the overall reaction would be from a ruling in your favor, deliberate both sides, then come to a ruling.”
“Thank you,” Betsy and Mark smiled together. “Whatever comes of this, we will be satisfied.”
The video link went dark, and Betsy's part in the trial ended.
Betsy and Mark spent some time, peacefully together, alone in their home on Sunny Palms.
“Well, that's that, Betsy,” Mark smiled. “We tried. At least we can be proud of that. It's because you're so successful. For once, perhaps it would have been better if you had remained unemployed and never got married. Maybe, that would have helped the case to work in your favor.”
“No,” Betsy smiled. “It wouldn't have. The proceedings and the ruling wouldn't have been any different. He's right. We all have our difficulties, and we must face them.”
“You're right,” Mark replied.
“Mark,” Betsy smiled, “Whatever the Judge rules in this case, I will still be grateful that
I was granted that one day of freedom to go out and find you.”
22 The Walk
It wasn't until three weeks later when Justice Fred Meyer made his decision. Since Betsy had spoken over the video link, a case had proceeded that involved Carl and Megan telling the story of Betsy's life complete with her struggles and her victories. Kyle and Emma Barnes had spoken about how they had routinely played with Betsy at her house since she was three, that it was fun, that she had become a friend to them, and that it had been no different from playing with any other childhood friend.
The case had sprung up online, and on televisions, magazines and newspapers all over the country. The whole time, Mark and Betsy had been following, intently, on what the verdict would be.
The Sheltered Life of Betsy Parker Page 17
