By Susan Anne Santo Rating: PG-13 This story is a sequel to "The Very Fine Marriage of Estella Morgan." Simu Ken and Ken exchange secrets while Ken recovers from Estella’s attack on him.
It was inevitable that some consequence would ensue from Estella’s mistreatment of Ken. Ken suffered from nightmares every night. He would dream that he was embracing Barbie, only to find that it was Estella in his arms, looking at him with a sinister glance. He would awaken with a cry and Barbie would have to soothe him, telling him she was there for him. She decided to take him back to BarbieLand, hoping the change of scenery would help his mental state. The children stayed at home with Gloria. In BarbieLand their friends eagerly greeted them, the Barbies and the Kens. Ken was wearing his striped sleeveless shirt open at the chest and shorts, Barbie her pink and white dress. Ken’s skimpy outfit made plain the marks on his chest and arms from his injuries; there was a faint scar on his cheek. “What happened to you?” Simu Ken said. Ken quickly summarized, not wanting to talk about it. “Are all the women in the Real World like that?” Simu Ken said, horrified. “Of course not. You’ve met Gloria. Estella was one of a kind.” “We’re trying to forget about it,” Barbie said, clutching Ken’s arm protectively. Simu Ken changed the subject. “You know how you two went south to get to the Real World? I discovered that if you go north you end up in another land that’s not BarbieLand. Ken, would you like to walk there with me and explore for a while? I’ve been looking for someone to go with. It will take your mind off things.” Ken looked at Barbie. “Can I?” “Why are you asking me? I’m not your mother. Of course you can go.” Barbie released his arm. So off Ken and Simu Ken went. After walking for about an hour they came across a small lake. To Ken’s astonishment, it was real water, not the hard plastic water of BarbieLand. “That’s where I learned how to swim,” Simu Ken said. “Want to see me swim?” “Not especially,” Ken said. “So you’re mad because I can swim and you can’t?” He was smiling. Ken was terrified of deep water because he still could not swim. The waves of the Pacific Ocean had not encouraged him to try. “I don’t care if you can swim or not.” “And I can do back flips in the air,” Simu Ken said smugly. “And you can’t do those either.” “So what?” Ken said. “Barbie likes to watch me do back flips.” “Barbie doesn’t care.” “Is there anything you can do that I can’t do? Anything important that is?” Ken thought for a minute. “Have sex,” he said shortly. Simu Ken pouted. “That example’s not fair.” “It is what it is,” Ken said. “I’m human and you’re not.” As they spoke they had gone beyond the lake into the green forest and were treading through the moss and weeds underfoot. Sunlight poured down through the leaves. Bristly bushes reached out with spiked branches and scratched their legs. Ken’s shorts did not protect him so he was getting scratched pretty bad. Simu Ken was wearing an all-white long shirt and pants. Anyway, his doll skin was much tougher. They walked for about another hour, arguing pleasantly as they went. “Barbie thinks I’m cute,” Simu Ken said. “She likes my smile.” “You are so delusional,” Ken said. He was getting hungry and tired. They brushed back the branches of a stand of trees and saw they were at a clearing. There was a small house built of logs with a large brown dog lying in front of it, chained to a post. A trash can piled high with trash was to the side. A sign read Keep Out! No Trespassing! Intruders Will Be Shot. This Means You! An apple tree was growing near the dog; its branches were full of ripe apples. Ken did not think the dog could reach the tree. Besides he liked dogs. “Good boy,” he coaxed. He went closer and closer to the tree. The dog merely looked at him and blinked lazily. “That’s right. Good boy.” Tentatively he picked an apple. At that the dog rose on four legs and began barking like a maniac. Ken drew back. A man came out of the house, wielding a shotgun pointed at Ken. “We don’t want any trouble,” Simu Ken said, raising his hand protectively. “I didn’t think you’d mind if I took an apple,” Ken said. He gave the smile that had always worked for him in the past. The man’s hand went to the trigger. “Run!” Ken shouted. Simu Ken was already running. Ken dropped the apple and followed him rapidly. The man fired at them. He let his dog loose and the dog joined the chase. Ken gave a cry but continued running. A bullet had found its target. The dog reached Simu Ken and opened its mouth to bite. Simu Ken kicked it with his hard doll foot and the dog ran back home howling. The man with the shotgun had not followed. They continued running, then finally stopped when they thought they were safe. “Are you okay?” Ken said. “Yes. You?” “No. I’ve been shot. It’s the back of my leg below my knee.” He felt his calf. The spot was tender, and his hand came away covered with blood. “There’s no exit wound. That means the bullet is still there.” “We’ve got to get back home,” Simu Ken said. Ken took off his shirt and wrapped it around his leg to stop the bleeding. They walked and walked but nothing looked familiar. Soon they realized they were hopelessly lost. The weeds were taller; the trees were closer together and now kept out most of the sunlight. Fallen logs lay on the ground where lightning had placed them. They heard water rippling. Simu Ken brushed aside some tree branches and they came upon a wide river. Ken bent down and got himself a drink of cold fresh water. It was a huge relief. “Look on the other side,” Simu Ken said. “It’s a meadow. It would be much easier to walk there. Maybe we could find someone who could give us directions.” The meadow was filled with wildflowers which sent a delicious fragrance overhead with the breeze. “How will we get across the river?” Ken said. “I know you can swim but I can’t.” Simu Ken gestured at the fallen tree trunks. “We can build a raft. Tie it together with vines. It will float and hold us long enough to get across.” Ken was doubtful it would work, but he said all right. They began to find the best tree trunks, the same size, without too much damage to them, and wound them together with vines. They pushed the raft onto the bank of the river. “Get on,” Simu Ken said. He got on first. Ken followed him, though he was very nervous. Simu Ken took a long branch and began steering the raft through the river toward the other side. The daylight was fading as twilight approached. Thunder rumbled in the distance; a lightning bolt struck the distant landscape. The river began to get rough; the water turned white as waves appeared. The raft shook back and forth and suddenly split apart as the vines broke. Both Simu Ken and Ken were swept into the water. Ken’s head went under the water. He was struggling to get to the surface but panicking. Simu Ken grabbed him under the arms and lifted him up with his strong doll arms, holding his head out of the water. He began to kick his feet and held Ken’s head up with one arm, while paddling with the other. Torrential rain came down. Struggling against the current, Simu Ken did a backwards leap into the air and they both landed on the bank, soaked. The temperature had gone down considerably. Ken was shivering, freezing. His leg ached. “You saved my life. Thank you.” “You would have done the same for me,” Simu Ken said. He put his arms around Ken and held him. There was no shelter to be had. They lay down together in the sopping wet grass of the meadow and waited for the storm to pass, hands over their faces to protect them from the rain. By the time it was over night had arrived and insects were chirping. Ken put his head on his arm and tried to sleep. Simu Ken did not need to sleep, but dolls had the ability to sleep, so he allowed himself to sleep anyway. Ken drifted off and slept without dreams. When Simu Ken finally woke up the sun was shining and birds were chirping. The water of the river was calm and a deep green. Ken’s eyes were still closed. Simu Ken sat with his arms folded and just stayed there watching him. He was still wet. Droplets of water were on Ken’s fair skin. His wet hair shone golden in the sun. Finally, Ken opened his light blue eyes and smiled at Simu Ken. Simu Ken felt as though his heart would break. “Ken,” Simu Ken said, “I want to tell you something.” “Go ahead,” Ken said. “It’s a big secret.” He hesitated. “That’s okay. I won’t tell.” “It’s not Barbie that interests me. It’s you. It’s always been you.” “What?” Ken said, blinking in astonishment. “I’m gay. I love you. I’ve never told anyone.” He leaned over and kissed Ken on the mouth. Ken allowed it for a moment, then drew back. “Simu Ken, what you have to understand is that I like women. I like women very much. And I’m in love with Barbie.” “I know,” Simu Ken said. “I just hoped – “ “Sorry, but I can’t help you with this. I feel for you. I know what it’s like to want someone you can’t have.” “I suppose you do. But you got what you wanted.” “Eventually,” Ken said. “That’s not going to happen in this case. Why don’t you go after Magic Earring Ken? He’s gay.” “He’s not you,” Simu Ken said simply. “Why don’t you tell me a secret you have? That will make us even.” Ken thought for a moment. “I’ll tell you something I’ve never told anyone. Sometimes I feel Barbie loves me a lot. Other times I feel she doesn’t love me at all. When Estella was offering me those bribes, I was almost tempted. Not because of what she was offering me, but because she would never call me stupid.” Simu Ken put a comforting hand on Ken’s arm. “You have to let go of those doubts. Barbie’s always been moody. Remember when she kept talking about death? Barbie doesn’t really think you’re stupid. She’s just taking her frustrations out on you because you’re there. I know I led you to believe I hated you when really I loved you. Sometimes emotions get confused. You’re just so vulnerable, Ken, that it hurts you more than it would hurt someone else.” “I suppose you’re right,” Ken said. “That’s largely why we love you.” Simu Ken stood up. “We’d better look for help. I don’t think that wet shirt is going to do you much good as a bandage.” They got up and walked further into the clearing. Finally, they came to another house. It was whitewashed and neat, with a bench containing a basket of flowers and a tree with a swing in front. Chickens roosted in the yard behind a wire fence. Ken knocked. After a moment a woman opened the door. She was about 60 years old with long silver hair. Her face had only a few lines on it and was beautiful. She looked at them, sopping wet, with Ken shirtless, marks on his chest, and the shirt tied around his leg with bloodstains on it. “You look like you’re in a bad way,” she said. “We got lost,” Simu Ken said. “I’m a doll from BarbieLand. He’s human from the Real World. Is this the Real World too?” “It’s more what you might call a fairy land.” To Ken, she said, “How did you hurt yourself?” “We ran into a man awhile back who shot me with his shotgun,” Ken said. “The bullet’s still in my leg. As for these scars, I had an enemy who did me some damage because I wouldn’t marry her.” “I’m a doctor of sorts. I can get rid of those scars, and I can also get the bullet out. But I can’t give you a general anesthetic for cutting into your leg. I don’t have enough to spare. I can give you a drug that will make you sleepy so you will notice the pain less. Afterwards you will not remember anything. But perhaps you’d like something to eat first and a cold drink.” “That would be wonderful,” Ken said. “I’m Ken.” He reached out and took her hand. “I don’t eat or drink,” Simu Ken said. “My name’s Simu Ken.” She smiled at them. “It must be wonderful being a doll, not having to meet any of those ordinary needs. I’m Glenda, by the way.” “Like the good witch of Oz?” Ken said. “That was Glinda. But similar.” She led the way into her house. They found themselves in a charming living room with a small couch just enough for two people and two easy chairs. All the furniture was decorated with large flowers of blue. Beige curtains hung on the windows. “Sit down. I’ll get you something.” They sat. After a short time she brought out a plate of scrambled eggs and toast for Ken and a big glass of orange juice. “Thank you so much,” Ken said, drinking the juice and taking a forkful of egg. “It’s no problem. I don’t get many visitors here. Sometimes the fairies stop by with an injury they need me to heal.” “There are fairies here?” Simu Ken said in astonishment. “Oh yes.” She smiled again. “No bigger than your hand with jewel-colored wings. Male and female.” Ken finished eating. “Come back to my office,” the woman said. They followed her to the back of the house where there was an examining table. “Lie down,” she said to Ken. “Let me see to those marks on your chest and arms first.” She took some ointment from a jar in a cabinet and rubbed his chest and arms with it. “They should be gone by tomorrow.” She rubbed the ointment onto his cheek. “Thank you,” Ken said. “Roll over onto your stomach so I can get at the back of your leg. Here’s a pillow for under your stomach to make you more comfortable. I’m going to give you a shot in your arm. It will make you sleepy. You’ll feel a faint prick.” Ken barely felt it. “Now this is important. It is essential to keep your leg absolutely still no matter what you feel. Can you do that?” “Yes,” Ken said. She unwrapped the bloody shirt and hung it on a chair. “We’ll just wait a few minutes for that drug to take effect.” She got her operating instruments out of the cabinet. Simu Ken stood beside Ken. “Would gripping his hand help?” “That would help a lot,” Glenda said. After awhile Ken’s eyes started to close. Simu Ken took hold of his hand and held it in a tight grip. She wiped his leg with an antiseptic; it stung badly but he did not make a sound, merely swallowed. She felt with her hand. “I can feel the bullet. It shouldn’t be too hard to get out. But I need to cut to make the bullet hole larger. Remember, do not move.” She made the cut with a scalpel. Ken cried out but kept his leg still. She probed the wound and found the bullet. “I’m going to take the bullet out now.” She lifted it out with a tweezers. “There. Now I just have to put in stitches.” Ken held Simu Ken’s hand tightly. The stitches hurt a good deal, but he managed to stand it though his breathing increased. “All done.” She wrapped his leg in a clean bandage. “You can turn over now.” Ken turned back onto his back. A few minutes later he said groggily, “Are you starting yet?” “She’s finished,” Simu Ken said. “Don’t you remember?” “No.” “Close your eyes and see if you can fall asleep,” Glenda said. “That will help you to heal and help the medicine to wear off. I’ll be outside if you need me.” She went out. Simu Ken sat down beside Ken. For a long while he just watched his friend sleep. He murmured once in his sleep but Simu Ken could not understand what he was saying. Finally, Ken opened his eyes. “Are you going to be attached to me at the hip all the time from now on?” “Ken – “ he hesitated. “What is it now?” “Can I touch you?” Ken was about to say no, then he saw the pleading look on Simu Ken’s face. “Oh, all right. Just this once.” Simu Ken stood up and put his hand on Ken’s chest. He moved it slowly, then moved it down to feel Ken’s hard abdominal muscles. He stroked Ken’s thigh on the leg that did not have a wound. He reached into the back of Ken's shorts and stroked his hips. "You know what I want to do to you." "I don't think you have the equipment for it," Ken said. "I suppose. I wouldn't hurt you. Could I feel your equipment?" "No," Ken said. Simu Ken sighed. He lifted his hand and ran it through Ken’s golden hair, then stroked Ken’s face. “Thanks. That helped.” “You’re welcome. Let’s find Glenda and figure out how to get back to BarbieLand.” They went outside. “Look,” Simu Ken whispered. Ken saw to his astonishment that on a clothesline three tiny fairies were hovering, one male and two female, their wings iridescent in the sunlight. They wore tiny clothes made of velvet and velvet slippers. “I never would have believed – “ They flew to the woman and perched on her shoulders. “Hello, darlings,” she said, smiling. “Yes, it is a lovely day today. My friends are lost. Can you take them back to BarbieLand? Just follow the fairies,” she shouted to Ken and Simu Ken. “Ken, be sure to get those stitches taken out by a doctor after a week.” “Thanks, Glenda,” Ken said. The fairies fluttered ahead. Ken and Simu Ken walked quickly after them. It was easy to get through the meadow, not having to worry about trees and weeds tripping them. The river turned and curved around; the fairies followed the curve. An hour later the river vanished into a trickle but the fairies were still going strong. They were back in the forest. Ken was getting tired. Simu Ken was impossible to tire. A moment later the fairies disappeared into the green crown of the trees. “Where are they?” Ken said, looking up toward the sky. “Over there – that’s my lake!” Simu Ken said with excitement. He ran to the lake, Ken following. At last they were back in BarbieLand. An hour later they were at Barbie’s Dreamhouse. It was late afternoon, and the light was beginning to dim. “Barbie!” Ken shouted. Barbie came at once. “Where were you?” she demanded. “I waited all night for you two. Well? What happened to your leg? Where’s your shirt? What were you two doing?” “Telling secrets,” Simu Ken said. He patted Ken on the shoulder and went off.
THE END Discussion Question 1. What can Simu Ken, a doll, understand of love? Remember how Ken felt about Barbie when he was a doll. Copyright 2024 by Susan A. Santo Scroll down past the story ads to leave comments on this story.
