Kahana-The Untold Stories

by Ann Kennedy

  Bobby pushes Kevin as he shouts, “Back off, can’t you see the boy is dying! Leave him alone.”

  Jeremiah points a gun at him as he says, “I can get you fired for insubordination. You’ve only been on the job for a few months. You’re not fit to be a guard.”

  He then tells Kevin to take Bobby’s gun. Bobby does not surrender it. A struggle breaks out between them that leads to a fistfight. Kevin manages to knock Bobby down, and Bobby falls hard to the ground in a semi-conscious state.

  Lenny is in danger of losing his left arm, but he has not given up. He still struggles to crawl away, but soon collapses. Jeremiah and Kevin ignore the half-dead boy. They have also forgotten about looking for Kim. They are too busy laughing at their own dirty jokes as they fill their bellies with the last drops of their liquor.

  When the guards finish drinking Jeremiah decides that he wants to have more fun with Lenny. He staggers over to him and commands him to beg for mercy. Lenny does not respond because he is dead.

  The drunken guards are not remorseful. They are only angry because they have to dig Lenny’s grave. When they finish digging, they throw Lenny’s lifeless body into a shallow grave and cover it with dirt.

  Suddenly, the clear, light-blue sky turns dark and ominous. Lightning bolts are in the sky. Clouds rip open with a heavy downpour of rain.

  Jeremiah shouts to Kevin, “Come on, let’s get out of here and find a dry place to hide-out until the rain stops.”

  The two drunken guards trample through the muddy land to seek refuge. As they are running away, hail the size of dimes and nickels hits the ground.

  The hail stops but the rain continues coming down. Bobby slowly stands up and walks to Lenny’s grave. He kneels over his grave and weeps. Then he pulls his badge out of his pocket and takes his hat off. He then places his badge and hat on his grave. Then he picks up some large rocks and uses them to anchor down his badge on Lenny’s grave before he leaves.

  Little does Bobby know that Kim has been watching the entire ghastly scene unfold. Jeremiah and Kevin have no idea that Kim is an eyewitness to their abuse and murder of a young boy. After an hour, the storm ends as abruptly as it started.

  Chapter 6

  Love at First Sight

  The next morning, Kim is still perched in the tall, thirty-two foot, tulip popular tree. Two hours after the sun rises, he wakes up and starts to climb down the tree. Then he abruptly stops when he hears a young girl’s voice.

  His eyes sparkle when he sees the lovely girl. She is the most alluring teenage girl that he has ever seen. She is a vision of true beauty. He cannot take his eyes off of her. The petite girl is about fifteen years old. She has deep blue eyes and silky, long, blonde hair that flows down the middle of her back.

  She loudly says, “What are you doing in my tree?” Kim does not answer. She shouts, “Get out of my tree. Come down and tell me why you are in my tree!” He says, “Shhh! You need to be quiet. I am climbing down now.”

  He quickly comes down the tree. Then he stands two feet from her. She giggles out of nervousness, and then she smiles at him. Kim is taken aback by her radiant smile. He forgets his sorrow and fear for a moment and finds himself smiling back at her. He’s acting and feeling like a love-sick schoolboy.

  Then she tells him. “I won’t stay quiet until you tell me who you are and why you were in my tree.”

  He replies. “My name is Kim. I cannot tell you my last name. I cannot tell you why I was in your tree. It’s top secret.”

  She says, “Top secret, eh? That sounds like a lot of malarkey to me. You must think that I was born yesterday.”

  Kim responds, “Before I tell you anything, I want to know who you are!”

  The girl responds, “My name is Dora Minrow. This is my family’s summer home. We call it Minrow’s Delightful Farm. Now, tell me, why you are here, or I’ll get my aunt.”

  He replies, “You must promise that you’ll never tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.” She crosses her heart and promises.

  He whispers in her ear, “I’m a bounty hunter in training. I was in your tree because I was on a stake-out. My supervisor told me that I had to watch the lake area last night for any suspicious activity from two criminals that we have been tracking in your area.”

  Dora does not believe a word he says but pretends that she does because Kim intrigues her. She wants to find out more about him. She says, “Well, you look like you’ve taken a beating while running through the woods. You are dirty from head to toe. You have scratches on your arms and face.” She holds two fingers under her nose. “And, you smell awful!”

  Kim does not flinch. He says, “It’s the price I must pay to be a bounty hunter.” She sarcastically responds to him. “Well, Mr. Bounty Hunter, you need to get cleaned up. Follow me to the stable and you can wash off all the dirt on you. There are clothes that will fit you in there too.”

  Kim does not budge. He debates whether he should run or follow Dora. He says, “What if someone sees me?” She responds, “That is absurd. There is no one here. You can follow me if you want to.” Kim decides to walk with her to the stable.

  While they are walking, she tells him that their farm is ten acres and it is bordered by 200 acres. He stops in front of a tree and wants to know if the tree has black cherries on it. She tells him that it is a 20-foot-tall black cherry tree and he can pick some cherries if he wants.

  Kim doesn’t hesitate to climb up the tree and pick a handful of cherries and then stuffs them in his mouth. Dora tells him to slow down because if he doesn’t, he will choke on the pits. Kim ignores her. He points to a large house and wants to know who lives there. She laughs and tells him that no one resides in their greenhouse. Kim tells her that he’d like to go inside of it.

  They walk into the greenhouse. It is a scenic delight. The flowers may not be tropical but are magnificent. It reminds Kim of Hawaii’s tropical paradise. It has been a long time since he has seen beautiful flowers. In fact, it has been a long time since he has seen anything beautiful.

  Dora says, “My mother enters her flowers in competitions.” Kim picks a pink flower and gives it to her. He then says, “The girls in Hawaii wear flowers in their hair.” She smiles at him and then puts the flower in her hair.

  They leave and continue their walk to the stable-style barn. The barn is home to two horses. Patches, an eight-year-old mare, who belongs to Miles, her father. Alfie, a playful four-year-old colt, belongs to Dora. He is her pride and joy. The stable barn also has an equipment storage room, a wash/groom stall and a partial hayloft.

  Once they are inside the barn, she introduces Kim to the horses and he is awe-struck by their beauty. He has never stood this close to any horse before. Dora sees the dumb-founded look on his face and says, “Don’t be afraid. They won’t hurt you. They’re both gentle.”

  He adamantinely states, “I’m not afraid of them. I’m not scared of anything.”

  He stutters as he shows his vulnerability and softly says, “I’ve always…always wanted to be close to a horse. But, I just…just…never got the chance.” Dora responds, “I understand. I’ve never seen Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to go there.”

  Then Dora orders him to go to the wash room and get cleaned up. She says that she will be back with some food in an hour and then they will talk. Kim mumbles to himself. “Dora is beautiful, but she’s so bossy.”

  Two hours go by and Dora has not returned. Kim is worried that she betrayed him. He thought he could trust her, but it looks like he might be wrong. He is becoming anxious. He starts to panic as he thinks that she might have called the police. His fear is consuming him, and he wants to run away. Then Dora returns with sandwiches, milk, fruit, and candy for them.

  Dora is looking forward to eating with Kim and hearing his story. She lays down a blanket and then places the food on it. Kim gouges himself with the delicious food and eats everything.

  Dora says, “Boy, you wolfed that down! When was the last time you ate?” He answers, “It�
�s been awhile since I ate anything that good.”

  Shyly, she says, “I thought we could have lunch together.” Kim is embarrassed and apologizes to her. “I’m sorry. I did not know. I thought it was all for me. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we have a date tomorrow night and have dinner together? She says, “No.”

  He says, “I understand. It’s time for me to get back on the road.” She laughs at him, and then says. “You are too defensive and sensitive. You must have been hurt an awful lot. I do want to see you. but it will be hard for me to sneak out at night.”

  Kim says, “I didn’t think about that. Your family will all be at home.”

  She responds, ‘No they won’t. My mother and her friends are traveling. They are competing their flowers at fairs and flower shows all over the state. She will not be home for six weeks, but my father stays here on the weekends. This is our big, summer home. It is like a hobby farm. Once school begins my family stays at our house in the city. I wish, I could live here forever.”

  Kim is shocked. “You mean, during the week, they leave you here alone?” Dora says, “No, my aunt Eileen and her husband live here all year round. They take care of the place. I know their daily schedules by heart. You’ll be able to stay with me without them ever knowing.” She pauses and catches herself. “I mean stay here, until the summer ends.”

  Kim crosses his fingers behind his back and says, “I cannot do that. I am a bounty hunter. I need to find the criminals. I had a good lead and was hot on their trail.”

  Dora says, “Kim, let someone else catch them.” Kim replies, “I guess you’re right. I could stay for a while.” She excitedly says, “Goody…Goody! It’s settled.”

  Their friendship grows and grows every day. Then one day while they are in the barn, he gently kisses her. Kim tells her; “I always thought the words, ‘first love’ or ‘love at first sight’ was a joke. I didn’t think there was such a thing, until I met you.”

  Dora gazes into his eyes and says, “I love fairytales. I always dreamed I would find a prince like Cinderella did. Now my dream has come true. I found you.” She then kisses him sweetly on his lips. During the next two weeks they experience the romantic intensity of first love. He does not want to leave her. He also knows he must tell her the truth of why he was in her tree.

  He recounts his story with sadness, remorse, and anger..At first, she is dumbfounded and horrified by is story. Then she says, “I have a solution. Let’s run away together.” He firmly tells her, “No, your family will send out the militia to find you. We would be fugitives. I would destroy your life. I have nothing to offer you.”

  She cries for a moment and then says, “How can we ever stay together?” She pauses and then answers her own question. “I know what we must do. I’ll tell my father what happened to you. He will help you.”

  Kim says, “Maybe my father should be called too. I memorized his telephone number.” Dora says, “Let me talk to my father first. I will tell him everything, but I will not tell him that you have been hiding in our barn for a month. My father is an attorney. He will say that I was not very bright because I could get charged or he could get charged with harboring a fugitive.”

  Kim tells her that will not happen. He reminds her that he never told her the truth until today. She gives him a big hug and kiss as she leaves and says, “Wish me luck.” She goes to talk to her father. He listens to her and does not say a word. When she finishes her story, he tells her to hurry up and get Kim because he wants to talk to him.

  A few minutes later, Dora and Kim walk into her father’s den. Dora’s father shakes Kim’s hand and introduces himself. “My name is Miles Minrow. I am a practicing attorney and I have a strong background in criminal law. I will be asking you a lot of questions. I will also be recording everything you say, and I will be taking extensive notes. I will agree to help you if you answer all my questions truthfully. Do you understand, and do you agree?”

  Kim replies, “Yes, sir.”

  At the end of their hour-long conversation, Miles tells Kim and Dora, “Don’t worry about anything. I know what must be done and I will take care of it. We should be finished with this matter in a week”

  Dora gives her father a big hug and a kiss. Then she smiles and says, “Thank-you Daddy.” Once they both leave, Miles begins to make some phone calls.

  Over the next few days, Miles finds out a lot of pertinent information. Then one night, he tells Dora and Kim to meet him in his den. He tells them, “A lot has happened since Kim has been living in my barn. I will be reading some of the information from a timeline of the events that occurred after Lenny died.”

  Then he begins to tell them everything. “After Lenny was buried, Bobby walked through the woods to the parking lot of the correctional facility. He got in his car and drove to the police station. Once there he filed a police report.”

  “The police followed him to Lenny’s grave. The grave was easy to find because Bobby had left his badge and hat on it. The police then went to visit Lenny’s mother. One of the police officers tells her that her son is dead. She was devastated. Once she managed to pull herself together; she went with the officers to Lenny’s grave. She wept and wept over her son’s gravesite”

  “Meanwhile, Bobby gave his written statement at the police station about everything that happened when Lenny died. He then resigned from his position as a correctional officer. Warden Bigelow was relieved of his duties, Jeremiah and Kevin were suspended until an internal investigation is completed.”

  “Then Kevin confessed. He blamed Jeremiah for everything. He said that he was only following Jeremiah’s orders. He also said that Bobby participated. He denied that he and Bobby had a fight. He said that Bobby was never unconscious.”

  Kim, in a fit of rage, blurts out, “That’s not true! I swear to God that he is lying. I saw the whole thing.”

  Miles retorts, “Kim, calm down. I know, the information is overwhelming, but please bear with me. I have more to say.” Kim nods his head in agreement.

  Miles continues reading aloud his notes. “Amber, Lenny’s mother, gave a written statement about Bobby to the police too. She said that Bobby was highly respected and loved by her son and most of the other prisoners”

  Kim whole heartily agrees. “That’s all true. Bobby is a stand-up guy.”

  Miles then says, “A few days ago, I had a photographer and a detective climb the tree where you witnessed Lenny’s murder. The pictures are evidence that you had a clear view of the events. I have provided you with all the information about what happened. Now, I’m going to tell you, what will happen as it pertains to you.”

  Dora and Kim start holding each other’s hands as they listen to what Miles is about to tell them. Miles tells them the police will be coming tomorrow morning.

  Kim angrily reacts, “Why are they coming? Did you turn me in?”

  Dora says, “Father, you promised you would help. Why did you do this?”

  Miles, in a commanding voice, says, I did not turn anyone it. You both need to be quiet and listen to him. Dora, you will need to give a written statement to the police. You must state for the record, when and where you saw Kim in the tree. You must also tell the condition he was in at the time. Then you will have to write everything Kim told you about what he saw while he was in that tree. Can you do this?”

  Dora replies, “Yes, I can do it. I want to do it.”

  Miles then tells Kim, “When the police come tomorrow morning you will have to give a written statement too.” Kim shocks them both when he says, “I can’t do that!” Miles and Dora in unison say, “Why not?” Kim puts his head down and does not say anything.

  Dora and Miles demand to know why he will not give a written statement. Kim answers them. He says that he cannot write very well. He goes on to say that he does not have much of an education. He had to drop out of school at an early age. Miles and Dora are shocked by his revelation.

  Miles regains his composure. He tells Kim, “Don’t worry about it. I wi
ll tell the police officer to write down everything you say. Then I will read it aloud before you sign it. We’ll also have a tape recorder on.” Humbly, Kim says, “Thank-you, that will work.”

  Miles then sternly tells Kim. “It is extremely important that you describe everything that you saw while you were in that tree. Do you understand?” Kim proudly, replies, “Yes, I’m a key witness.”

  Miles clears his throat and then says, “Kim, your father gave his written permission to have you placed in a foster home in Massachusetts.” Kim interrupts and says, “You talked to my father?” Miles responds, “Yes, and he asked me to tell you that he is proud of you. You showed him honor by your good deed.” Kim smiles from ear to ear.

  Then Miles continues speaking to Kim. “You will not be going back to any reformatory facility. You will leave here as soon as the judge receives your written statement. The judge has read the proceedings and verdict of your original trial. It entailed serving one year and then you were to be placed in a foster home until you turned 18. He has chosen, based upon all the circumstances, to transfer you now to a foster home. This is the deal we reached. “Do you accept it?”

  Kim shouts, “Yes, I accept it!”

  Then Kim and Dora say good-night and Kim goes to the barn and Dora heads upstairs to her bedroom. Kim cannot fall asleep. He finds himself talking to Patches. He pets the horse most of the night. He looks into her big brown eyes and he knows that she understands what he is saying. She brings him so much comfort. From that moment on, he has a deeper love and respect for horses.

  The next morning, Kim and Dora give their written statements. The police leave, and Miles, Dora and Kim have lunch together. Miles tells Kim to get a bag and pack some of the clothes that are in the barn that will fit him. He tells Kim that he will be placed in a Foster Home in a few days. Then he says, “I also have two going-away gifts for you. One is a new pair of shoes. The second is a ten-dollar bill. Save the money. You may need it one day.”