Read Online 4 Kaua'i Me a River by JoAnn Bassett - Free Book Online
Authors: JoAnn Bassett
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Before moving to
Hawaii I enjoyed a comfortable childhood with two loving parents. I had one
brother, Robert. He was wounded in the Vietnam War in 1973 and took his own
life eight years later.” At this Phil bit his lower lip, as if the memory still
stung.
I glanced around the dim room.
It appeared Phil’s family saga was old news to everyone else. But it was certainly
new news to me.
He went on. “I attended the
University of Oregon in Eugene, the alma mater of Phil Knight, the founder of a
little company called Nike. Before college, I took some time off to see the
world and I came to Hawaii. I stayed longer than I’d planned. For almost two
years, nineteen-seventy-five and seventy-six, I lived a totally carefree life.
I spent some time on the north shore of Kaua'i in an area known as Taylor Camp.
I’ve always considered my Taylor Camp days precious. Although I’ve done well
for myself in business, I’ve never forgotten the many dear friends I made
there. ”
Many dear friends? My mother was
no more to this guy than a dear friend ? What did that make me—an acquaintance ?
I felt my face flush. The rushing sound in my ears returned and it was so loud
and distracting I found it difficult to hear the video. After a few moments of taking
in Wilkerson’s almost wolfish smile and watching his lips move, I calmed down
enough to once again make out what he was saying.
“Since you are viewing this
video it means my life has ended. I enjoyed life immensely, but even the
sweetest moments must come to a close, and that is why I’ve called you all together.”
At that point he clasped his
hands and bowed his head. Then he closed his eyes. We all sat there, waiting. I
got the distinct impression this self-indulgent pause in the action was a
glimpse into the true character of Phillip James Wilkerson, the Third.
He opened his eyes. At that
point, Valentine cleared her throat and got up and went to stand next to Tim
Abbott by the door. As I took in Valentine’s impassive face and erect posture, I
couldn’t help but feel she was positioning herself for a quick getaway.
***
Phil Wilkerson stared straight
into the camera lens with a thin smile. Then he leaned in and began to speak
again.
“To the extent possible, I have
done my best to be a good father. I provided a comfortable lifestyle to my children
that knew no bounds. Private schools, blow-out birthday parties and lavish Christmas
gifts; my children enjoyed it all. Each got a new sports car at sixteen, and a
free ride to any college they could get into. And what did I get in return?
Drug abuse, disrespect, and calls from the police in the middle of the night. Of
my eight children, only one hasn’t disappointed me. To my eldest daughter, who
now calls herself ‘Pali’, I want to apologize for my absence in your life. I
had my reasons, but now my reasons don’t matter. I’m sure whatever justice the
good Lord has in store for me will be fair. I felt I had no recourse other than
the one I chose.”
I squirmed in my chair as he
leaned in and nearly touched his nose to the camera lens. “But know this, Pali.
Even though I never contacted you I’ve been watching you. I never lost sight of
where you were and what you were doing. I was there when you graduated from the
University of Hawaii, and I was pleased when I heard you’d been accepted into
the Homeland Security Federal Air Marshal Training program on the mainland. I’m
proud of you. You managed to get a college education with no financial or
emotional support from either side of your family.”
It was getting downright
embarrassing as my father blathered on about my life. I felt the gaze of everyone
in the room shift from watching the screen to watching me.
“At the time of this video, you’d
opened a small business on a neighbor island. Good for you; I hope your business
is extremely successful. You’re my only child who never asked me for anything. Your
brothers and sisters made innumerable demands.
Hawaii I enjoyed a comfortable childhood with two loving parents. I had one
brother, Robert. He was wounded in the Vietnam War in 1973 and took his own
life eight years later.” At this Phil bit his lower lip, as if the memory still
stung.
I glanced around the dim room.
It appeared Phil’s family saga was old news to everyone else. But it was certainly
new news to me.
He went on. “I attended the
University of Oregon in Eugene, the alma mater of Phil Knight, the founder of a
little company called Nike. Before college, I took some time off to see the
world and I came to Hawaii. I stayed longer than I’d planned. For almost two
years, nineteen-seventy-five and seventy-six, I lived a totally carefree life.
I spent some time on the north shore of Kaua'i in an area known as Taylor Camp.
I’ve always considered my Taylor Camp days precious. Although I’ve done well
for myself in business, I’ve never forgotten the many dear friends I made
there. ”
Many dear friends? My mother was
no more to this guy than a dear friend ? What did that make me—an acquaintance ?
I felt my face flush. The rushing sound in my ears returned and it was so loud
and distracting I found it difficult to hear the video. After a few moments of taking
in Wilkerson’s almost wolfish smile and watching his lips move, I calmed down
enough to once again make out what he was saying.
“Since you are viewing this
video it means my life has ended. I enjoyed life immensely, but even the
sweetest moments must come to a close, and that is why I’ve called you all together.”
At that point he clasped his
hands and bowed his head. Then he closed his eyes. We all sat there, waiting. I
got the distinct impression this self-indulgent pause in the action was a
glimpse into the true character of Phillip James Wilkerson, the Third.
He opened his eyes. At that
point, Valentine cleared her throat and got up and went to stand next to Tim
Abbott by the door. As I took in Valentine’s impassive face and erect posture, I
couldn’t help but feel she was positioning herself for a quick getaway.
***
Phil Wilkerson stared straight
into the camera lens with a thin smile. Then he leaned in and began to speak
again.
“To the extent possible, I have
done my best to be a good father. I provided a comfortable lifestyle to my children
that knew no bounds. Private schools, blow-out birthday parties and lavish Christmas
gifts; my children enjoyed it all. Each got a new sports car at sixteen, and a
free ride to any college they could get into. And what did I get in return?
Drug abuse, disrespect, and calls from the police in the middle of the night. Of
my eight children, only one hasn’t disappointed me. To my eldest daughter, who
now calls herself ‘Pali’, I want to apologize for my absence in your life. I
had my reasons, but now my reasons don’t matter. I’m sure whatever justice the
good Lord has in store for me will be fair. I felt I had no recourse other than
the one I chose.”
I squirmed in my chair as he
leaned in and nearly touched his nose to the camera lens. “But know this, Pali.
Even though I never contacted you I’ve been watching you. I never lost sight of
where you were and what you were doing. I was there when you graduated from the
University of Hawaii, and I was pleased when I heard you’d been accepted into
the Homeland Security Federal Air Marshal Training program on the mainland. I’m
proud of you. You managed to get a college education with no financial or
emotional support from either side of your family.”
It was getting downright
embarrassing as my father blathered on about my life. I felt the gaze of everyone
in the room shift from watching the screen to watching me.
“At the time of this video, you’d
opened a small business on a neighbor island. Good for you; I hope your business
is extremely successful. You’re my only child who never asked me for anything. Your
brothers and sisters made innumerable demands.
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