Kerri

* I read about this inscription (at the end of the story) on the internet.  It captivated me like a spell.  I see a young, tall, beautiful woman (according to the news) lies down on the table.  Her eyes close, her blonde hair spreads on the white pillow.  Her life has just left her, she doesn’t feel any pain anymore.  She’s in peace finally, leaves all the ignorance, injustice, and indifference behind.

People said he had lived in that little hut alone for 30 years.  Maybe longer.  It wasn’t easy to get to the hut from the town—you had to walk through a long and tiny trail, which for years had not been stepped upon by many.  The weeds were nearly as tall as a grown man, the trees on the sides almost totally block the sunlight.  Unless absolutely necessary, no one would bother to pay a visit. 

            About a quarter mile away from the hut toward the hilltop, there was a big old oak tree.  It was probably 300 or 400 years old.  The town people even avoided looking at it if they could.  They called it “the lady in the black snood.” Rumors had it that a ghost had claimed it home forever, and if any poor soul provoked that ghost, his neck would be broken like a chicken in the slaughter house.

            The man lived in the little hut never talked to anyone.  Nobody knew how he supported himself.  In very rare occasion he did show up in town, which almost always was at night, he would hide his face in his hat and black drench coat, only let his eyes make contact with the outside world.  For people who had seen his eyes, some said they were full of sorrow mixed with shame, some said it’s regret and fear.  They all agree though: it seemed that this man was pursued by something horrifying and couldn’t escape.

That year, Colton Smith was 27.  Young, rich, and reckless.  He inherited a big fortune and spent his days in wine, fine food, and women.  He was a handsome man with words that were pleasing to hear, especially to young beautiful women.  Many innocent hearts were lifted then broken. 

            Then he met Kerri.

            Kerri’s father, Dr. Richmond, was a well-respected doctor in town.  He had two children: Kerri, and her younger brother Dan.  Colton befriended with Dr. Richmond in a social gathering.  They sometimes went hunting or fishing together.  The friendship between them was not exactly mutual, however.  Dr. Richmond was glad to have a rich friend like Colton.  Colton, on the other hand, wasn’t truly fond of a 42-year-old man’s company.  Nevertheless, hunting together was a good excuse to stay at Mr. Richmond’s house to see his dauther.

            Kerri was 21 years old.  She always wore a black snood.  A brunette knockout, her favorite thing to do was to sit under a big oak tree near a hilltop.  She would bring a simple lunch or snack, read, paint, enjoy the scenery, daydream.  All alone by herself.  She wasn’t timid or weak though.  No, not all at.  She could be as fierce and sharp like a fighting knife, and that created tension between her and her father. 

            For example, a particular day three years ago, Kerri was at the front yard writing.  She was so immersed in her work that she didn’t hear her father calling.  When Dr. Richmond already stood right in front of her she didn’t even lift her eyebrows. 

            “Kerri!” He shouted. 

            She startled.  “What, father?”

            “I called you a hundred times, why did you ignore me?!” His face was red with anger.

            “I didn’t ignore…”

            “Why are you idling like this?  How many times have I told you?  You should be learning your sewing or French!”

            Kerri compressed her lips.  She looked down and started writing again.

            “What are you doing?  Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

            She didn’t respond.

            “I said look at me!” He was screaming.

            Still looking down writing, without any sign of stopping.

            He suddenly robbed the pen from her hand, threw it away into the bushes, then stared at her.

            Kerri stood up, walked to the bushes, searched for the pen.  She found it, walked back, sat down, and started writing again—all was done without uttering a word or looking at her father.

            When Colton first saw Kerri, after being dazed by her gorgeousness he carefully studied her face and every emotion expressed by it.  She was different from any other women he had known.  She was beautiful, but seemed not to know or care her own beauty.  She seemed vulnerable, but even the whole world would not bend or change her mind.  She presented as a challenge to Colton.  A fascinating adventure.

            Colton first used jewelry, but soon he found she couldn’t care less.  He bestowed praises and compliments on her.  He boasted his wealth and achievements.  He showered her with gifts.  When he realized all these strategies, which always worked on other women, didn’t work on Kerri, he knew he had to do something drastically different.

            He learned that she loved stories.  He asked a writer friend to create an interesting short story, then read it to Kerri as if he had written it. 

           It worked.  She was hooked.  She wanted more, and her admiration toward him grew.

            He read her more stories.  He stayed later and later in her room.  They were getting more and more intimate.

            Finally one night, he asked her.  She hesitated.  But he wouldn’t give up.  Come, my love, that’s ok… don’t be afraid, I’ll take care of you, for the rest of my life, I’ll love you forever…no, it wouldn’t hurt, I promise… I’ll take full responsibility, I’ll marry you, I’ll love you…

            ….

            She was pregnant.

            Her father was furious.  Her mother was devastated.  It brought such a shame to the family, and Dr. Richmond, as a well-respected doctor in town, would have nothing to do with it.  Unless they got married right away to cover it up, he would have this daughter no more.

            But Colton stopped coming to visit.  He disappeared.  No matter how hard Kerri’s parents tried to get hold of him, he was always out of town or busy.

            Kerri decided to take matter into her own hand.  She went straight to Colton’s house herself.

            It was a depressing and humiliating experience to say the least.  She was stopped at the gate for 40 minutes, and when she finally got into the property, she was coldly greeted by Colton’s mother, Madame Smith, who implied that she saw Kerri nothing more than another girl who conspired to get Colton and his inheritance.  That would never happen, she made it very clear to Kerri.  “Do not ever come back, I would never want to see your face.  Ever.”

            Kerri ran out of the gate and sat on a rock with head in her hands crying.  She vowed to herself never to step on their property ever again.

            Suddenly a cough, then a soft voice asked: “What seems to be the problem?”

            She turned toward the source of the voice.  A young man sitting on a rock not far away from her was looking at her.

            She cleaned up tears on her face and stood up.  “Pardon me.  I have to go.”

            “Is it my cousin again?  Colton?”

            She looked at him in surprise. 

            “Corey.”

            “…Kerri.” She nodded.  “You… do you know where he is?  Would you please…”

            “I don’t know.” He shook his head.  “I truly wish I knew, but I don’t.”

            She sat down, tears started pouring down again.

          Corey sighed.  “I’m so sorry.  I told him so many times not to break another heart…” he started coughing.  Violently.

            “Are you alright?” She knew right away it was something serious.  “My father is a doctor…”

            He forced a smile while catching up his breath.  “I’ll tell him to go see you.  We’re very close, he might listen.”

            “Thank you.  Thank you, sir…”

            “Corey.”

            “Yes, Corey… I haven’t seen a smile for quite a long time, I appreciate such a warm treatment and quite enjoy it…”

            “Such a shame.  A beautiful young woman like you should see numberless of smiles every day…” He was about to say something, but then his attention was drew to something high up in the trees.  Kerri looked up. 

            It was a Blue Jay. 

            Corey smiled.  But then he coughed again, and when he covered his mouth with his right hand, blood came out from between his fingers.  He collapsed.   Kerri gasped, ran to his side and carried him up.  “Help!  Help!” She broke her own vow by fighting to carry him back to the gate and fiercely pounding on it.

            “What’s the matter?  All these commotions… you!” Madame Smith walked out to check on the noise and saw Kerri again.  The blood on Corey got her.  “Why are you still here?  What did you do to Corey, you little witch!?”

            “Please help!  He’s coughing blood!” Kerri screamed.

            Some servants rushed to open the gate.  After lots of screams and shouts, they carried him back into the mansion.  Madame Smith turned back and stared at Kerri, then hurried back to the house.  Kerri stood alone in the cold wind watching them closed the door.

           

Dr. Richmond disowned Kerri and chased her out of the house.  Please father, where would I live?  Kerri cried.  That’s none of my business, he said.  You bring shame to this family.  I don’t have a daughter so selfish and foolish.  Get out.

            Kerri first relied on the mercy of several family friends, but soon they turned their heads.  She was forced to sell everything she had to rent a room in a run-down area.  She would go for days solely on several pieces of bread, and shower became a luxury too costly to afford.  Her mother secretly gave her some food or jewelry off and on, but couldn’t do more because of the intense fear to be discovered by Dr. Richmond.

            Kerri knew she had only one choice.  She had to do it quickly.

            As she entered the tiny and dark room for the operation, she thought she smelled some rotten egg.  She was ordered to lie down.  Her legs shivered uncontrollably, and her heart pounded like it would burst out of her chest in any second.  Help, God, I’m so scared, I’m so lonely, have mercy on me, please…

            For some reason, Corey’s smile came into her mind.  A smile for me will be all I need.  I’ll die for just a smile.

            Two days later.

            “Corey, where’re you going?  You should rest.” Madame Smith saw Corey walking out the door.

            “Good evening, Aunt Smith.  Someone wants to see me, I’ll be right back.”

            “Who?” She looked out of the window.  A shadow was standing at the front gate.  “Her again?  What are you meeting her for?” Madame Smith was upset.

            “Please, Aunt Smith.  She saved my life for heaven’s sake.  She’s my friend.” He walked out.

            Madame Smith saw Corey opened the gate and greeted Kerri, then both walked into the woods.

            “Kerri, you look beautiful... just a little pale.” Corey said.  “By the way, I got hold of Colton and urged him to come back.  He should be here soon.  I know you must hate him, and you have every right to, but…”

            “Some of us have to face their wrongdoing for the rest of their lives.  But I’m not here for Colton.”

            “No?  Then…”

            “Please forgive my foolish impulsivity.  I just need someone to talk to.  I hope I didn’t scare or disgust you.”

            “Oh no, not at all!  Please.  I long to have the privilege to enjoy your company once more.  I haven’t thanked you for saving me, even in such turmoil yourself...”

            “Who wouldn’t?  But I thank you for your compliment.”

            “What should be our topic then?  If I can be any help please do tell.”

            “I miss your smile.”

            He smiled.  “Kerri, my days are numbered, but if you wouldn’t get tired of it, I can give you a smile every day as long as I live.”

            Kerri quietly looked at him.

            Colton came back from his leisure trip oversea.  Upon seeing him, however, his mother was puzzled by his paleness.  “What’s wrong?”

            “Nothing, mother.”

            “Nothing?”

            “Really.”

            “Then there’s something for you…”

            “I’m tired, mother.  I should talk to you in the morning.”

            His mother sternly stared at him with disproval.  “Have you talked to Corey?”

            “No, I haven’t.  How’s he doing?  I came back because of him.  He said he had such an emergency he had to see me right away.  I’m worried about him.”

            “He’s alright, but his condition is extremely unstable, just the other day… anyway, you better let him rest.”

            “Yes, mother.” He leaned forward and gave her a kiss.  “Where’s he?”

            “He should be back to your room and rest already.”

            Colton walked to his own room.  “Corey, so what’s the emergency… Corey?”

            Corey wasn’t in the room.  He frowned.  A servant happened to walk by.  “Where’s my cousin?” He asked.

            “I’m…not sure, sir.  He and a lady have been in the woods for a while, maybe he’s back already?”

            “A lady?”

            “Yes, sir.  The lady that came to look for you the other day.”

            “What?” Colton’s eyes wide opened.

            “A lady came to look for you the other day.”

            “What’s her name?”

            “I don’t know, sir.”

            Colton walked hastily to his mother’s room.  “Mother?  Mother?  Where’s Corey?”

            Madame Smith was sitting in a big chair with a cup of tea in her hand.  “What’s the rush?  I told you he should be back in your room.”

            “He’s not.  A servant told me he was with a lady?”

            “What?  He’s still with that woman?”

            “What woman?”

            “Your trouble, that’s what.” She stared at him.  “You recognize Kerri Richmond?”

            Colton shook his head.  “Impossible, you’re mistaken.”

            “What’s that supposed to mean, Colton?”

            “It can’t be her that’s meeting with Corey right now.  You’re mistaken.”

            “I know who I see, Colton.” She frowned.

            “I’m telling you that you’re wrong!” He shouted.

            “How dare you!” She put down the cup and stood up.  “That tone!  What on earth makes you so sure that I’m wrong?”

            “Because she’s dead!  She died two days ago!”

            “What?” Her eyes widened. 

            “I saw her body with my own eyes!  She was soaking in blood…”

            “How did you…”

            “I was on my way home last night, but I ran into the Police Chief.  We talked for a while, then suddenly someone reported they found a body.  I don’t know why…but I went with them.  She…” he raised his trembling hands, “…it was a failed abortion, she lay in a tiny bed, blood’s everywhere…” he then buried his face in his hands.  “Then the Police Chief said something out of blue: 'some of us have to face their wrongdoing for the rest of their lives.’ I don’t know what he meant by that…”

            Madame Smith hastily walked straight out of the door, Colton followed.  “Corey!” “Corey!” They both shouted.  Several servants came to check, they ordered them to search for Corey.  Everyone spread out.  “Corey!” Colton and his mother went into the woods. 

            Suddenly, they heard a woman’s shriek.

            It wasn’t a very sharp or loud shriek.  However, everyone heard it.  They rushed toward it.

            Kerri and Corey lay lifeless on the ground.

           

Kerri’s body remained in the morgue for many days.  People were too scared to even look at her.  She was a ghost.  Monster.  Cursed and condemned. 

            Finally, two benefactors who never revealed their identities donated a good sum of money to have her buried.  She was buried under her favorite oak tree.  No tombstone.  Just a rock with her name carved on it, and a rose from her mother.  No one dared to go near it. 

           At Corey’s funeral, Colton broke down.  “I’m sorry…I’m sorry…” he wept and wept.  “Please don’t kill me, I shall pay…I shall pay…”

            Madame Smith went to Police Chief and questioned his judgment for showing a corpse to her son, but Police Chief looked puzzled and denied showing anything to Colton or meeting him.  He was in his office all night, he claimed.  Kerri’s body was sent to the morgue before sunset.

            Colton got sick and stayed in bed for two months.  He almost died.  When he woke up, he built himself a little hut near the oak tree and lived in there, cut off every contact from the outside world.  His mother begged in tears asking him why, he simply kept on saying that was the only way for him to live.

            Kerri’s father, Dr. Richmond, died from a heart attack three months later.  Before the attack there was no sign of heart disease.  His wife who found him in his own study heard him calling his daughter’s name many times before giving up his last breath.

           

            Thirty-four years later, a group of reckless travelers from outside didn’t listen to locals’ warning and adventured into the trail.  They found Colton’s body kneeling, his head bowing, with a piece of brown cloth in hand.  The brown color was aged blood.  They believed Colton had been dead for about two days when his body was found. 

            In front of his kneeling body there was a tiny window, the oak tree was in full view. 

            When people carried out Colton’s body, they saw a Blue Jay flying above them, then descended under the oak tree on Kerri’s grave. 

            Almost a century had passed.  Truth became legend, stories became myths.  Lives were forgotten and memories faded away.  Kerri’s tale is remembered no more.

            However, someone—nobody knows his or her identity—paid to have a marker placed at Kerri’s grave.  On the marker it was inscribed:

Seduced and pregnant by her father's friend.

Unwed, she died from abortion, her only choice.

Abandoned in life and death by family.

With but a single rose from her mother.

Buried only through the kindness of unknown benefactors.

Died February, 1875, age 21.

Victim of an unforgiving society

Have mercy on us.[1]

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[1] This inscription can be found on a marker in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee, by the name of Kate McCormick.