Page 62 of Whiskey Scars
To the jury, Ifinished recounting the story. “I know it sounds stupid, but I started walking home. What choice did I have? I had nothing to my name; I was one hundred percent dependent on Cody. In my fog, I was thinking of ways to apologize for what I had done.
“Then, headlights illuminated the road from behind me and when I turned, I thought I saw a halo. It was raining so hard, and I was only wearing a dress; I was soaked to the bone and freezing. My entire body hurt, especially my head, neck, and wrist.
“The man in the truck—Jake—wasn’t a stranger, not really. But I didn’t know it was him at the time. I was so scared and high that I didn't even bother to try to recognize whose truck I got into. All I saw was a man with kind eyes. I instantly felt safe. I knew that he wouldn't hurt me. His voice was low and calm and felt almost warm. I was so cold and tired. Ijust wanted to be warm and dry.
“It wasn't until I was talking with my lawyer, that I realized our paths had crossed before. His lawyer said that Jake knew me. My thoughts went back to my time in Dallas, and I did a double take. I asked her if his last name was Knight. She confirmed and I cried. He was quite literally my knight in shining armor. He saved me. He rescued me from my life of hell.”
Jake stared at me from behind the lawyer’s table. A faint smile touched his lips.
“I want to say thank you to my angel. Jake, you saved my life. I couldn’t possibly find a way to express how much you mean to me. You gave me my best chance to live a normal, happy life. Without you, I may not have survived.” I turned to address the jury directly. “I’ve told you what led up to Jake rescuing me, but please know that what he did proved how he is the most selfless person alive. He risked everything for someone he barely knew.”
I took a deep breath and studied my pretty pink fingernail polish. “From my vantage point in the truck, I heard a gunshot, and I knew I would never be hurt again. Relief floated through me like a wave. My shoulders sagged and my head bowed as I cried. The tears that streamed down my cheeks were not because I was sad about my husband being dead, but because I knew I would never be forced to endure his abuse again.”
My lawyer stood and pursed her lips. “You’ve explained a pretty horrific situation, Kennedy. I understand you were scared, but do you really believe your husband was so abusive that he deserved to die?”
We hadn’t discussed this question in my preparations. My blood ran cold; I stared at her for thirty seconds too long. Unable to disguise the disgust in my voice, I said, “Every time I would walk towards him, my body grew tense because I knew I was headed straight for hell. I don’t know how to explain how much his abuse killed me inside. I still can’t sleep more than a few hours without waking from a nightmare. I see him on the road nearly every day. His voice rings in my ears.” I paused and wiped away a tear. “Yes.”
“I understand. Would you please show the nice people of the jury some of your other permanent reminders of your abusive life with Cody Miller?”
Starting at the top, I pointed to my head. “Multiple concussions which have left me with bad short-term memory. Broken cheekbone, nose, jaw, teeth. Branded with an “M” on my neck and arm. Scars from handcuffs, broken arm, broken ribs, bruises, and scrapes all over.” I lowered my head and clenched my jaw to ward off more tears. “Two miscarriages.”
After regaining my composure, I continued. “I spent a few peaceful days in the hospital when he broke my arm. At least I wasn’t afraid of what he would do tome for those nights. I didn’t press charges. I knew when he got out he would come after me and probably kill me.
“In addition to the beatings, he’s raped me, drugged me, and sold my body to strangers, not to mention the years of mental abuse.”
My lawyer turned toward the jury and studied the face of each person sitting in the box, one by one. “As you’ve heard straight from my client, she had been abused to the extreme and forced to endure the unimaginable, mentally and physically. People don’t go around just deserving to die, but the world is sometimes a better place without certain people in it.”
She addressed me again. “Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
“Yes. I’d held in the pain of others for over twenty years. I exhaled for the first time the night Jake saved my life. I guess maybe it was meant to be that I didn’t recognize him. But God put him in my path for a reason. I don't know if he's an angel, 'cause angels don't do what he did. He was hellbent to find the man behind all the whiskey scars I hid.”
The jury fixated on me; my case enthralled them. I bowed my head, embarrassed to even be in this position. “I didn’t want to be a scared beat-down wife, it just happened. I didn’t do anything to stop it when it started; that was my fault and I know it.”
I took a deep breath and addressed my peers. “AndJake saved me. I never thought my day of justice would come from a judge under his seat, but I knew right then I'd never get hit again when he said to me: ‘Wait in the truck. Just wait in the truck.’”
Epilogue
Jake, age twenty-nine—December 2014
IT’S BEEN SIXTYmonths, and she still comes to see me from time to time. When she sits in the chair on the other side of the plastic barrier and picks up the phone, she nods for me to do the same.
It always takes me a minute to register why she comes to see me. She’s the only person I ever did anything good for. Her bright smile makes my day, every time she says the only words I ever needed to hear: “Thank You.”
The cadence of her voice warms my heart. She’s happy. She gets together with her siblings. Her life has turned around completely.
Cody’s dad tried to keep her from receiving any of the money she deserved. They had not signed a prenuptial agreement, so everything Cody owned became hers. Although she tells me money doesn’t matter to her, it sure did help get her back on her feet.
“I hadn’t told you this before because I didn’t want to jinx the deal.” Kennedy pauses and allows her smile to overtake her face. “Last year, I partnered with Brian, and we expanded his restaurant enterprise. Six months ago, we opened another location in Talkeetna, and next week, we’re opening the third restaurant in Anchorage.” Her excitement was contagious.
“That’s fantastic. You’ll have to bring me a burger next time you come see me.”
Laughter fills the air. I think about how what I did changed both of our futures. I truly think Cody would have killed her sooner rather than later. Humbly, I know I saved her life.
After she leaves, the memory of that night and the years leading up to it marinade in my mind. It was worth the price to see a brighter side of the girl I picked up that night. I might be here forever; It ain’t paradise, that’s true. But it’s a whole hell of a lot better than the place I sent him to.
Lord have mercy on me.