Honey Tree Farm

by Brenda Spalding

  “Did Miss Hailey have a reputation at school that would make him think that she was what he called her?” Sawyer asked.

  “No."

  "Is there a chance that you just didn't hear of her reputation?"

  "No. She didn’t even go to our school.”

  "I have no more questions at this time, Your Honor, but I reserve the right to call him again."

  Jesse returned to his seat beside Katy.

  “You should see the faces of the jury! I don’t think they like Brice right now,” Katy whispered.

  Janice was called next.

  "Please state your name for the court," Coffee began.

  ADA Coffee was gentle but thorough in his questioning. Janice broke down several times during her questioning. Through her tears she was able to give her account of the rape. Sawyer was less gentle. He took aim and tried to make it seem that she had consensual sex with Brice.

  “No! I didn’t! Are you saying I volunteered to get beat up and raped!”

  "Oh, my gosh, Jessie. He is being so hard on her," Katy said, as she twisted and untwisted her handkerchief.

  “Why didn’t you come forward after the attack?” Sawyer asked, turning smugly to the jury.

  “I was embarrassed. I didn't want people to know! What would they think? What would they say?”

  "Isn't it true you wanted Brice Buchlund, the rich boy at school? If you got pregnant you'd marry all that money. Isn't that true?"

  "I object, Your Honor." Coffee jumped out of his chair. "He's badgering the witness."

  "Mr. Sawyer, you know better," Judge Dexter rebuked him.

  Mr. Coffee called Cora to testify to the bruises Janice received and her refusal to return to school and facing Brice.

  "Please tell the jury what you saw when you visited Janice's house that day."

  “She was terrified of Brice,” she began.

  Hank was called to substantiate what the girls had claimed at that time.

  Mr. Coffee asked each witness what Brice was like in school. How he acted afterwards. Why they felt he had no remorse?

  “Brice was bragging to all his friends. He likes hurting girls!” Hank said, jumping to his feet and pointing directly at Brice.

  There was an audible gasp heard around the courtroom followed by murmuring.

  "Order in the court." Dexter rapped his gavel.

  "Objection!" Sawyer shouted. "It calls for speculation."

  "The jury is directed to disregard that statement." Dexter ordered.

  Coffee was pleased. He knew the jury wouldn't forget the energy leading to that dramatic moment.

  Katy walked to the witness box, visibly shaking. She tried to keep her head clear, after all, the trial was about her standing up to Brice. She was doing this for all the girls he hurt and to prevent him from ever doing it again. He had to be held accountable for all the hurting. Being brave was new to her, but she gained strength from Jesse, and she would not let him down.

  "State your name for the court, please." Coffee said.

  "Katherine Marie Hailey."

  She gave them details, told the truth, and only few tears moistened her cheek. She held her head high. The defense attorney could not deny that her testimony would bury his client.

  When she finished, she walked steadily back to Jesse; all fear was gone and she felt more confident.

  Jesse squeezed her hand as she sat down beside him. He leaned over and whispered, “I’m so proud of you.”

  Malinda, sitting behind her, leaned forward and patted her on the back. Doris and Ted smiled at her and she could read the pride in their eyes, and she peeked at Jim, who beamed proudly.

  The trial took three days, but the jury was only out an hour. Everyone was called back into the court room.

  "All rise... this court is now in session. The Honorable Walter H. Dexter presiding." the bailiff called. The calling of the jury brought everyone to their feet again.

  “The defendant will rise and face the jury,” Judge Dexter ordered.

  Brice stood with his attorney. Mr. Buchlund sat in the crowd. The foreman handed the verdict to the bailiff, who handed it to the judge, who read it and handed it back.

  “Men and women of the jury, how do you find?”

  The courtroom went so still only the oscillating fans could be heard.

  “We the members of the jury," said the jury foreman, "find the defendant guilty of assault and attempted rape.”

  “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. You are dismissed,” Judge Dexter decreed. “We will meet back here tomorrow morning at nine am when I will pronounce sentence.”

  The courtroom came alive with jubilation; girls crying with joy and congratulating one another. Jim Hailey clapped Coffee on the back and thanked him twice, and then was completely at a loss for words. Malinda hugged Katy. Janice wept but the smile never left her face. Hank hugged Cora and shook his fists in the air in triumph.

  Only Mr. Sawyer saw the reaction on the face of his client. Brice did not react at first then turned to his attorney.

  "I will find you one day when you least expect it and on that day you will die." He spoke so softly that even his father didn't hear him. The older Bachlund sat behind him in the courtroom, with his hands covering his face, rocked back and forth asking, my God, how did this happen?

  Chapter 29

  The next morning the families gathered at the court house early and were in their seats by eight-forty-five. The wait for the bailiff and judge was torment. Finally, officers brought Brice into the courtroom with his attorney and followed by his father. Mr. Bachlund appeared to have aged ten years overnight. The bailiff called the room to order, and everyone stood while the judge took his place.

  “Will the defendant please stand.”

  Brice stood and faced the judge. His hands were clasped behind his back, his feet apart, as though he were at ease. No expression or glimmer of response would give away his thoughts or feelings.

  “I have watched this defendant throughout this trial, heard the charges brought against him and heard the numerous witnesses who know him. The evidence herein displays a destructive and vindictive cruelty. The defendant has offered no remorse or regret for his acts. He contributes a wantonly cruel nature. After considerable deliberation, it is the will of this court that the defendant, Brice Bachlund, be sentenced to fifteen years in the state prison. If it were up to me, the sentence would be longer as the pattern of behavior presented by this young man is habitual and without cause. Please take Mr. Bachlund into custody.”

  Brice was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Mr. Bachlund sat motionless. He was pale and seemed he might pass out at any moment.

  Katy walked up and put her hand on his shoulder, “I'm sure you did the best you knew how, Mr. Bachlund. I’m sorry it turned out this way.”

  Jesse took Katy’s hand and drew her away to join their parents. It was a long drive back home. Relief from all the stress that had built over these past six months left everyone feeling empty, as if all their blood had drained away. It would take a while to renourish them. Like the bees in the fire, their lives had been tainted, but now living without fear would gradually settle and in time everything would be better.

  Matt Coffee called the Sullivans in the second week in December.

  "Tom, I thought you'd like to know that Cassie Moore's trial has ended with Brice Bachlund receiving an additional ten years to serve. Cassie, it seems, was only fifteen and therefore still a minor."

  "Mr. Bachlund sold his dealership and left the area. I guess the shame was too much for him," Tom said.

  "That’s about it for now. If you need anything, give me a call. Hope you folks have a pleasant holiday.”

  Ted hung up the phone and sat down on the stairs, “Coffee says Brice gets another ten years for that little Moore girl.

  “Let’s hope that’s the end of it,” Doris said as she sat down beside him.

  "Let's hope," He said and put his arm around her.

  Chap
ter 30

  The next few years were busy ones for the Sullivans and Haileys. After college Jesse married Katy at St Anthony of Padua in North Port Charlotte where her Dad and Malinda had married.

  Their reception turned out to be the perfect dance Jesse had promised. Katy asked Jesse to wear the crown as they danced the first dance at the reception. He smiled and complied, but it was removed immediately afterward.

  The couple moved in with Ted and Doris and helped worked the farm. New techniques in breeding and raising cattle brought a major improvement and the farm prospered.

  Jesse and Katy gave birth to three healthy and rambunctious children, Danny, Helen and James Theodore were born two years apart. Katy had help. Doris and Malinda were constantly around and naturally spoiled the children. They followed Ted and Jesse around the farm and were soon helping with the cattle, chickens and bees.

  The family and farm flourished as the years raced by. Jesse and Katy became grandparents. Danny had three boys. Helen had two girls and a boy, and J.T. gave them a girl and then a boy.

  Although not financially, they did suffer hardships. When cancer claimed Ted at age 60, it left Doris devastated. He was buried near his parents in the small family cemetery behind the orange grove. Doris followed him the next spring. Windblown blossoms from the nearby orange trees covering her grave comforted Jesse and Katy. It was a pleasant reminder that the two, who loved one another so deeply in life, were now together again in spirit.

  Malinda caught pneumonia in the winter of 1977, and passed away quietly at home. Jim continued his apiarist business. He taught his grandchildren candle making and how to keep the bee yard free of litter and crawling nuisances. He cherished his grandchildren and one day he became a great-grandpa. Soon afterward Jim went to live at Honey Tree Farm.

  “How’s your dad?” Jesse asked one afternoon as he came into the kitchen from the feed lot. “Maybe he'd like to take a walk in the grove before dark.”

  “It’s a nice evening, he might enjoy that. You've got a while before sunset and we won't eat for a while. Go ask him."

  Jesse returned and stopped in the doorway. He was white as a sheet and Katy knew by the look on his face. “It's Dad...” It wasn't so much a question as a statement.

  “Yeah, it must have been quick. He still had the crossword..."

  She dashed past him and into the living room. Jim looked comfortable in his chair, puzzle in his hand and his glasses on. He looked like he had just dozed off for a minute.” Katy walked over and touched his cheek. She leaned down and kissed him.

  “I never heard a thing. I took him tea a while ago. He didn't even finish it.”

  Katy turned into Jesse’s arms. She hugged him fiercely. She didn't want to cry. Jesse kissed the top of her head.

  “I had a feeling at lunch when he didn’t eat much. He just said he was a little tired. But he seemed to be winding down lately, like a clock running out of time.” She buried her face in his shirt, gave in and softly wept.

  Jesse held Katy, his own throat ached and tears formed.

  Jim was buried, according to his wishes, in Myakka next to Katy’s mother and Malinda. Katy visited the grave site often at first.

  “I know it’s probably strange to some that both my mom and Malinda are buried here with my dad, but he loved them both and it seems right somehow.”

  “It is what they wanted and that is all that matters. You’ve had so many people love you, Katy, including me. I'm so glad you came to the farm that day.” He took her hand and kissed it. Hand in hand they walked back to the car.

  The extra leaf in the old dining room table was in constant use now that Teddy, his wife Alice and the grandkids came on Sundays for dinner. Their youngest, Travis, shadowed Jesse on every visit. Jesse answered all his questions and gave him jobs to do. The dirtier he got, the happier the boy was. The years seemed to fly by, but the one thing that held his interest was the bees.

  One Sunday in March 1996, Travis and Grandpa Jesse were walking through the orange grove. The orange blossom perfume was almost over-powering and the only sounds were the bees buzzing, birds chirping and leaves rustling in the light breeze.

  “Grandpa, when can I have my own hive?”

  “Let’s see. How old are you now, twelve?”

  “Grandpa, I’m sixteen! I’ll graduate high school next year.”

  “Why don't we find some queens and make a couple of splits. That will get you started.”

  “Why can’t I have a brand new one? You know, start one from the beginning? My birthday’s in a couple of weeks. I’d like my own bees and my own hive. Please, Grandpa?”

  “Well, I'll look into it, but no promises.” Jesse never made promises he couldn’t keep. “I’ll call Ben Jacobs at the Feed and Grain store in Zolfo Springs. We need to get some prices together, and see how long it would take to get a new hive and have the bees shipped in.”

  “Thanks, Grandpa. I’ll work extra hard around the farm to pay you back.”

  “It’s not a done deal yet. Don’t go getting ahead of yourself,” Jesse said, and patted the boy's shoulder. “Sixteen, huh? That's why you look hungry; let’s go see if Grandma has any of that Rhubarb pie left."

  Jesse talked it over with Katy, but she was less enthusiastic.

  “Are you sure he’s ready for his own hive? You know how kids are. They want something badly and then lose interest once they have it a while.”

  “Not a problem. If he loses interest, what’s the worst that can happen?”

  "We have another hive to care for.”

  “Right, and if he sticks with it, he learns responsibility and will earn money from the honey.”

  “Okay, call Ben and set it up. I’ll get with Teddy and Alice and work out plans for his birthday. Do you think we can we get it all in time?” Katy said, as she counted off the days until Travis’s birthday at a calendar on the back of the kitchen door.

  “I’ll know more after I talk to Ben.” Jesse said. He took a cup of coffee and sat on the stairs to make his call. “Katy, we really need to get a longer cord for this phone."

  “You say that every time, but you never do anything about it,” Katy laughed, as she passed him on the steps, her arms full of folded laundry for the upstairs closet.

  Back in the kitchen a few minutes later, she sat started a shopping list. At the top she wrote longer phone cord and underlined it.

  “Ben doesn’t know if the bees will arrive in time," Jesse said, as he came back into the room. "He has one more new hive at the store. I'll pick it up today. Ben said something else... Brice is in town."

  "I thought he moved to Texas when he got out? What is he doing here? Well, I don’t care.” Katy fingered the shopping list. “Why don't I ride with you? You can drop me off at the grocery. We need some things and you can get the hive for Travis." She grinned up at him. "I know you, you’ll talk to everyone at Ben's, and the supper and I will get cold waiting for you."

  "Don't be silly," he kissed her on the cheek and took the list. I won't be long."

  Chapter 31

  The headlights bounced on the pavement as the tow truck lumbered along the country road. It carried three passengers and a broken rental car. All was quiet until Josh broke the silence.

  “Thanks for helping me move the rocker back to the porch."

  Barry just nodded.

  "I guess you haul a lot of cars out of ditches around here,” Josh said, in an effort to fill the silence.

  “A fair few, yep." Another long silence followed and then Barry said, "Sorry Miz Sullivan couldn't finish her story.”

  “I’m sorry, too. But we couldn’t stay any longer. You could see how tired she was getting. I hope her husband appreciates her waiting up for him like this,” said Maggie, with a little edge in her voice.

  “She’s been waiting for him to come home for near twenty years or about that,” Barry replied.

  Maggie and Josh were stunned.

  “What do you mean? She kept saying he was coming home to
night,” said Maggie.

  “She’s been doing that practically every night since the accident, ma’am.”

  “What accident?” Maggie turned to Barry.

  “Well, you no doubt heard about Brice and how he blamed them for messing with him and how they ruin't his life. He never figured anything was his fault. I was a young man back then. Shoot, everyone round here knew the story."

  Barry removed his cap and scratched his head, then put the cap back again. “Travis wanted a hive of his own. Well, Jesse went to Ben’s to pick it up and, don’t you know it, that Brice was right there at the store. He'd done his time and stayed away for years. Don’t know what possessed him to come back. Anyways, Jesse finished loading up his truck and was 'bout to go when Brice stepped up, blocking him. I know all this 'cause I saw it.

  “Deidra and me had some ducks back then, and I'd gone to get some cracked corn for 'em. She had me pick up some crushed oyster shells too. You know, duck eggs will have a soft shell if you don’t feed 'em crushed oyster shells? She even had me put in a kiddy pool for them to swim in. I had a lot of duck dinners in my future,” Barry laughed.

  “Barry, what about Brice and Jesse?” Josh said.

  “Oh yeah," he began again, "Brice was all hopped up. He’d been drinking. He’s strutting around acting all tough and surly. He sees Jesse and stumbles over to him.

  "Well, lookie whose here." he says poking his finger at Jesse's chest. But Jesse stands his ground.

  "Little early in the morning to be tying one on, isn’t it?"

  “Ol’ Brice, he looks at Jesse and spits. He just missed the toe of Jesse’s boot.

  "You got a problem with how I enjoy myself, Jesse? Seems you’ve always had a problem with how I live my life; yes sir, for as long as I can remember.”

  "I only had a problem with how you living your life affects other people."

  "Heard you married that whore of yours?"

  “That was the wrong thing to say to Jesse. He hauls off and hits Brice a good one, right on the jaw. 'en just like in the old days, Brice goes down like a ton a bricks. That man could never take a punch. Jesse steps over him, gets in his truck and drives off. I saw Brice stumble to his truck and take off after him. The rest I heard from the police and what the papers said."